Diabetes mellitus and the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to decompensated cirrhosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine the incidence of decompensated cirrhosis and associated risk factors in people hospitalised with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or without cirrhosis.

Design: Retrospective cohort study; analysis of linked Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection, Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and Queensland Cancer Register data.

Setting, Participants: Queensland residents aged 20 years or older admitted to Queensland hospitals with NAFLD/NASH during 1 July 2009 - 31 December 2018.

Treatment satisfaction in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis initiated on teriflunomide in routine clinical practice: Australian observational data.

Background: Adherence and persistence are critical to optimising therapeutic benefit from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This prospective, open-label, multicentre, observational study (AubPRO), conducted in 13 hospital-based neurology clinics around Australia, describes treatment satisfaction in patients newly initiated on teriflunomide (Aubagio) and evaluates the use of an electronic patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool.

Methods: Patients (≥18 years) newly initiated on teriflunomide (14 mg/day) were followed up at 24 and 48 weeks.

Multiterritorial strokes in the setting of spontaneous heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia syndrome.

We present a case study of a 38-year-old man who developed arterial and venous thrombi, resulting in multiterritorial strokes, a pulmonary embolus and a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in the setting of spontaneous heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia syndrome.

Investigating inequities in cardiovascular care and outcomes for Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: protocol for a hospital-based retrospective cohort data linkage project.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a significant burden of disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, a population that continues to experience a lower life expectancy than other Australians. The aim of the Better Cardiac Care Data Linkage project is to describe patient care pathways and to identify disparities in care and health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Queensland residents diagnosed with CVD in the state of Queensland.

Methods: This is a population-based retrospective cohort study using linked regional, state and national health and administrative data collections to describe disparities in CVD healthcare in primary and secondary prevention settings and during hospitalisation.

A prospective multicentre study of per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia in Australia.

Objective: To describe the clinical and procedural outcomes of per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia in Australia.

Design, Setting: Prospective observational study in three Australian tertiary referral centres, 5 May 2014 - 27 October 2019 (66 months).

Participants: Patients who had undergone POEM for achalasia.

Status epilepticus from GABAR antibody positive encephalitis due to de novo mixed small cell and adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

We present a case study of a 67-year-old man who presented with a new onset of recurrent tonic-clonic seizures. He had tested positive to gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor antibodies in his blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and subsequent CT imaging and transrectal biopsy confirmed the presence of a locally advanced mixed small cell and Gleason 9 adenocarcinoma of the prostate. His seizures remained resistant to treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs, including sodium valproate, clobazam, topiramate, carbamazepine, phenytoin and lacosamide.

Results of a randomized, double-blind phase II clinical trial of NY-ESO-1 vaccine with ISCOMATRIX adjuvant versus ISCOMATRIX alone in participants with high-risk resected melanoma.

Background: To compare the clinical efficacy of New York Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 (NY-ESO-1) vaccine with ISCOMATRIX adjuvant versus ISCOMATRIX alone in a randomized, double-blind phase II study in participants with fully resected melanoma at high risk of recurrence.

Methods: Participants with resected stage IIc, IIIb, IIIc and IV melanoma expressing NY-ESO-1 were randomized to treatment with three doses of NY-ESO-1/ISCOMATRIX or ISCOMATRIX adjuvant administered intramuscularly at 4-week intervals, followed by a further dose at 6 months. Primary endpoint was the proportion free of relapse at 18 months in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and two per-protocol populations.

PSMA-PET/CT-avid metastatic prostate cancer to the penis.

Penile metastases from prostate cancer (PC) are rarely reported in the literature. Most commonly diagnosed due to presentation with malignant priapism and other urinary symptoms or from findings on clinical examination, prognosis has been reported to be poor. The authors outline a case of penile metastasis from advanced PC.

Radiation therapy for augmenting the efficacy of immunotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a case-controlled study.

http://bit.ly/3btOFSL.

A rare form of dermatomyositis associated with muscle weakness and normal creatine kinase level.

We present a case study of a 61-year-old Vietnamese woman who presents with features of dermatomyositis (DM), including Gottron's papules, heliotrope rash, cutaneous ulcers, generalised weakness and pain, and weight loss with normal levels of creatine kinase (CK). She demonstrated features of interstitial lung disease and subsequently tested positive for anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 and anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 activating enzyme antibodies, which belong to a DM subtype known as clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis and do not present with raised CK. She received standard treatment for DM, including oral prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, mycopheonlate and topical betamethasone.

TROG 18.01 phase III randomised clinical trial of the Novel Integration of New prostate radiation schedules with adJuvant Androgen deprivation: NINJA study protocol.

Introduction: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of non-metastatic prostate cancer (PC). The objectives of the Novel Integration of ew prostate radiation schedules with adJuvant Androgen deprivation (NINJA) clinical trial are to compare two emerging SBRT regimens for efficacy with technical substudies focussing on MRI only planning and the use of knowledge-based planning (KBP) to assess radiotherapy plan quality.

Methods And Analysis: Eligible patients must have biopsy-proven unfavourable intermediate or favourable high-risk PC, have an Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 and provide written informed consent.

Quality Improvement Investigation for Head and Neck Stabilization in Radiotherapy Using Setup Tattoos.

Purpose: Highly complex planning techniques and delivery methods in the treatment of head and neck cancer require an advanced level of accuracy and reproducibility.

Aim: To determine if the addition of tattoos placed on the chest inferior to the CIVCO Vac-Lok stabilization system improves accuracy and reproducibility of patient set up.

Methods: Eighteen patients with head and neck cancer were studied.

Developing a quick and practical screen to improve the identification of poor hydration in geriatric and rehabilitative care.

Dehydration has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Dehydration risk increases with advancing age, and will progressively become an issue as the aging population increases. Worldwide, those aged 60 years and over are the fastest growing segment of the population.

An evaluation of preceptors' perceptions of educational preparation and organizational support for their role.

Background: This longitudinal, descriptive study evaluated nurse preceptors' perceptions of a 2-day educational workshop and subsequent organizational support offered to prepare them for their roles as preceptors.

Methods: Thirty-six registered nurses who attended preceptor workshops and then acted as preceptors participated in focus groups or interviews 2 to 3 months and 6 to 9 months after their educational preparation to identify the usefulness of the preparation, the subsequent support by management, and the potential changes in their perceptions.

Results: Respondents identified intrinsic rewards and opportunities for growth for nurses who take on the preceptor role.

Clinical assessment of dehydration in older people admitted to hospital: what are the strongest indicators?

Due to an absence of published primary data, this study explores dehydration prevalence and the change in physiological parameters frequently used to assess dehydration (fluid deficit) in older hospitalized people, as no standard measurement method exists. This observational longitudinal cohort study recruited 43 people aged 60 years or over, voluntarily admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital's Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit (GARU). Over 40 clinical, hematological and urinary biochemical parameters employed by medical officers during dehydration assessment, identified through literature, interviews and focus group were investigated.

Moving a hospital--a once in a lifetime experience.

It is a hugely complex task to move a 525-bed acute tertiary health facility to a new building whilst continuing to provide services to the public--a task that was undertaken at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital in March/April 2001. There were complex issues to manage, ranging from clinical unit interdependence across a split campus to the development of detailed plans for transferring telephone extensions/personal computers in a "live environment". The success of the Princess Alexandra exercise is shown by there having been no adverse effects on patients, the lack of negative media attention and the occurrence of only two staff injuries during the move.