Risk factors associated with 30-day mortality following COVID-19 infection in patients receiving kidney replacement therapy in Australian and New Zealand.

Background And Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted greatest among patients with pre-existing chronic health conditions, including chronic kidney disease. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the 30-day mortality of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) after infection with COVID-19, living in Australia and New Zealand between 2020 and 2022, including patients on haemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and renal transplant (KT) recipients.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA).

Health Care Utilisation and Unmet Needs in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer in Regional Australia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: The post-treatment survivorship period marks the transition away from acute care and poses distinct challenges for individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC). This can be especially challenging for people in regional areas who travel long distances to access care and experience unique challenges in accessing health services.

Aim: To investigate unmet needs and healthcare utilisation of survivors of HNC in regional areas.

Adenomas from individuals with pathogenic biallelic variants in the MUTYH and NTHL1 genes demonstrate base excision repair tumour mutational signature profiles similar to colorectal cancers, expanding potential diagnostic and variant classification applications.

Background: Colorectal cancers (CRCs) from people with biallelic germline likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants in MUTYH or NTHL1 exhibit specific single base substitution (SBS) mutational signatures, namely combined SBS18 and SBS36 (SBS18+SBS36), and SBS30, respectively. The aim was to determine if adenomas from biallelic cases demonstrated these mutational signatures at diagnostic levels.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing of FFPE tissue and matched blood-derived DNA was performed on 9 adenomas and 15 CRCs from 13 biallelic MUTYH cases, on 7 adenomas and 2 CRCs from 5 biallelic NTHL1 cases and on 27 adenomas and 26 CRCs from 46 non-hereditary (sporadic) participants.

Topical review: Ocular surface abnormalities in neurodegenerative disorders.

Significance: In an aging population, the number of people living with neurodegenerative disease is projected to increase. It is vital to develop reliable, noninvasive biomarkers to detect disease onset and monitor progression, and there is a growing body of research into the ocular surface as a potential source of such biomarkers.

Background: This article reviews the potential of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy and tear fluid analysis as tools for biomarker development.

Exploring access to essential medicines in the South Pacific: insights from a multi-country cross-sectional study.

Background: Access to essential medicines is imperative for delivering effective healthcare, yet a significant proportion of the global population continues to face barriers in obtaining them. The South Pacific Region (SPR) faces unique medicine access challenges due to geographic remoteness, economic limitations, and, strained healthcare infrastructure. To gain further insight, this study aimed to assess the availability, pricing, and, affordability of essential medicines stratified by World Bank income group.

Mind the gap in kidney care: Translating what we know into what we do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do.

A phase Ia study of a novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate GQ1001 in patients with previously treated HER2 positive advanced solid tumors.

Background: A novel anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) GQ1001 was assessed in patients with previously treated HER2 positive advanced solid tumors in a global multi-center phase Ia dose escalation trial.

Methods: In this phase Ia trial, a modified 3 + 3 study design was adopted during dose escalation phase. Eligible patients were enrolled, and GQ1001 monotherapy was administered intravenously every 3 weeks.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis as a potential screening tool for 3-methylglutaconic aciduria syndromes.

The 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (3-MGA-uria) syndromes comprise a heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism defined biochemically by detectable elevation of 3-methylglutaconic acid (3-MGA) in the urine. In type 1 (or primary) 3-MGA-uria, distal defects in the leucine catabolism pathway directly cause this elevation. Secondary 3-MGA-uria syndromes, however, are unrelated to leucine metabolism-specific defects but share a common biochemical phenotype of elevated 3-MGA.

Surgery for Olecranon Fractures in the Elderly (SOFIE): Results of the SOFIE Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The financial and resource burden of management of olecranon fractures in the elderly is likely to increase with an aging population. There is limited evidence guiding treatment choice in this cohort. This study aimed to determine whether operative treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in elderly patients provides superior 12-month functional outcomes compared to nonoperative treatment.

Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics.

Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis.

Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin injection in the management of chronic symptomatic anal fissure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Anal fissure is one of the most painful anal conditions. Various management options are available, including topical nitrites, calcium channel blockers, botulinum toxin injection, and lateral internal sphincterotomy. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A (BT) injection for the management of symptomatic chronic anal fissures by conducting a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Cardiovascular, kidney and safety outcomes with canagliflozin in older adults: A combined analysis from the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial.

Aim: SGLT2 inhibitors may be underused in older adults with type 2 diabetes due to concerns about safety and tolerability. This pooled analysis of the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial examined the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin according to age.

Methods: Pooled individual participant data from the CANVAS Program (n = 10 142) and CREDENCE trial (n = 4401) were analysed by baseline age (<65 years, 65 to <75 years, and ≥75 years).

Timing of adjunctive vasopressin initiation for septic shock patients and hospital mortality: A multicentre observational study.

Objective: The optimal timing of vasopressin initiation as an adjunctive vasopressor remains unclear. We aimed to study the association between the timing of vasopressin commencement, pre-specified physiological parameters, and hospital mortality.

Design: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, observational study.

Change in adiposity indices after 1 year of peritoneal dialysis: a single-center cohort study.

Background: Weight gain is common after starting peritoneal dialysis (PD). Several adiposity indices have been developed recently as potential indicators of visceral adiposity and lipid accumulation. We aim to investigate the prevalence and prognostic implications of the change in adiposity indices after 1 year of PD.

Endoscopic Retrofibular Groove Deepening for Management of Type A Intrasheath Peroneal Tendon Subluxation.

In intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation, the peroneal tendons subluxate on each other within the retrofibular peroneal tendon sheath. Two subtypes can be distinguished: type A, in which the tendons are normal, and type B, in which the peroneus brevis tendon has an associated longitudinal split and the peroneus longus tendon subluxates through this tendon split. The purpose of this technical note is to describe the details of endoscopic retrofibular groove deepening for management of type A intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation.

Mitral valve replacement versus repair for severe mitral regurgitation in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Objective: This study compares early and long-term outcomes following mitral valve (MV) repair and replacement in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: Patients with primary or secondary MR and LVEF <50% who underwent MV replacement or repair (with/without atrial septal defect closure and/or atrial fibrillation ablation) between 2005 and 2017 at our center were retrospectively analyzed using unadjusted and propensity score matching techniques (42 pairs).

Results: A total of 356 patients with either primary (n = 162 [45.

Glittre-ADL tests in three laps as an alternative to the five laps test.

Background: The Glittre-ADL test is a comprehensive test to evaluate functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: The primary aim was to validate the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack performed in three laps as an alternative to five laps in people with COPD.

Methods: Forty-eight participants with mild to severe COPD (mean ± SD age: 71 ± 7 years; FEV: 46 ± 17 %predicted) were recruited and performed two 6-min walk tests (visit 1); two Glittre-ADL tests with backpack (visit 2), and the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack, in random order (visit 3).

Neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 alone or in combination with anti-TIGIT or an oncolytic virus in resectable stage IIIB-D melanoma: a phase 1/2 trial.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapies have shown antitumor activity in melanoma. Substudy 02C of the global, rolling-arm, phase 1/2, adaptive-design KEYMAKER-U02 trial is evaluating neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) alone or in combination, followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab, for stage IIIB-D melanoma. Here we report results from the first three arms: pembrolizumab plus vibostolimab (anti-TIGIT), pembrolizumab plus gebasaxturev (coxsackievirus A21) and pembrolizumab monotherapy.

Meta-Analysis of MINIject vs. Two iStents as Standalone Treatment for Glaucoma with 24 Months of Follow-Up.

This study compares the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of standalone MINIject (iSTAR Medical, Belgium) suprachoroidal implantation and two iStent (Glaukos, CA, USA) trabecular bypass implantation using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic review of standalone implantation of MINIject or iStent inject with at least 24 months of follow up. The mean and standard deviation of IOP and the number of IOP-lowering medications at baseline and at 24 months were extracted.

Microbeam Radiation Therapy Bio-Dosimetry Enhanced by Novel Radiosensitiser Combinations in the Treatment of Brain Cancer.

: Brain cancer is notoriously resistant to traditional treatments, including radiotherapy. Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), arrays of ultra-fast synchrotron X-ray beams tens of micrometres wide (called peaks) and spaced hundreds of micrometres apart (valleys), is an effective alternative to conventional treatments. MRT's advantage is that normal tissues can be spared from harm whilst maintaining tumour control.

An In Silico Investigation of the Pathogenic G151R G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K Channel 4 Variant to Identify Small Molecule Modulators.

Primary aldosteronism is characterised by the excessive production of aldosterone, which is a key regulator of salt metabolism, and is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Studies have investigated the association between primary aldosteronism and genetic alterations, with pathogenic mutations being identified. This includes a glycine-to-arginine substitution at position 151 (G151R) of the G protein-activated inward rectifier potassium (K) channel 4 (GIRK4), which is encoded by the gene.