The short-term impact of copayment reductions for government subsidised medicines in Australia.

Background: This study aims to examine the short-term, population-level effects of the 2023 Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) copayment reduction on prescription volume, patients' out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure, and government contributions.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study using national data from January 2021 to April 2024. For system-level analysis, we examined all drugs used by general patients, focusing on 252 drugs that were 'above copayment' during 2022-2023.

Hidden population turnover of small odontocetes in the northwestern North Pacific during the Holocene.

Despite numerous studies on the rise and fall of terrestrial megafauna in the late Quaternary, knowledge about marine megafauna from this period remains limited. In this study, we performed radiocarbon dating and partial mitochondrial DNA sequencing from the skeletal remains of three species of small odontocetes (Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoises and harbour porpoises) excavated from prehistoric archaeological sites around the Japanese shore dating back to 8500-1000 years ago (ya). Pacific white-sided dolphins that habituated the eastern coast of Hokkaido around 2000 ya belonged to different maternal groups than those from over 5000 ya and today.

Diversity and Distribution of Intertidal Species Across Protection Zones in a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area.

This study investigates the diversity and distribution of intertidal () species across different protection zones within the "Capo Gallo-Isola delle Femmine" Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the central Mediterranean Sea. Five species ( and ) were observed on the intertidal rocky shores, with varied abundances across the MPA's protection zones. was the only species found in all zones, with a much higher cover percentage in the most protected area (zone A).

Effect of Social Vulnerability Index on Betamethasone Timing in Patients at Risk of Preterm Birth.

Several social vulnerability index (SVI) components have been associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes and provider bias. The objective of this study is to assess whether betamethasone administration timing among patients at risk for preterm birth differs by social vulnerability index. A multicenter retrospective cohort study of pregnant people at a large academic healthcare system between January 2019 and January 2023.

The Radiologic Evaluation and Clinical Significance of Glenohumeral Bone Loss in Anterior Shoulder Instability.

Glenoid and humeral bone loss is associated with a high incidence of recurrent shoulder instability and failure of arthroscopic stabilization procedures. However, the radiographic evaluation of bony Bankart and Hill-Sachs injuries continues to pose a diagnostic challenge, and a universally accepted optimal method of measurement is lacking. The purpose of this review is to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques and imaging modalities available for measuring glenoid bone loss in shoulder instability, including conventional roentgenography, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Sargassum Inundations and the Risk of Hypertension Disorders Among Pregnant Women Living in the French Caribbean Island of Martinique.

Since 2011, Caribbean territories have experienced massive and repeated sargassum seaweed inundations. Once on shore, sargassum degradation through anaerobic metabolism elicits the release of many noxious molecules, including hydrogen sulfide (HS) and ammonia (NH). HS has been long recognized as a malodorous and highly toxic gas, while chronic exposure has not been extensively explored.

Trophic Structure and Isotopic Niche of Invaded Benthic Communities on Tropical Rocky Shores.

When a species is introduced in a new location, it is common for it to establish itself when it finds favorable conditions in the receptor community with regard to interspecific interactions with native species. The azooxanthellate corals coccinea and are invasive species introduced in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Brazilian Southwest Atlantic. They are successful competitors for space, have multiple reproductive modes, and have high larval dispersion and recruitment, but studies on food and trophic relationships of the genus are still scarce.

Assessment of Occupational Hazards and Role of Life-Saving Gadgets Among Small-Scale Motorised Fishers on India's Southernmost Coasts.

Objective: Marine fishing ranks among the most hazardous occupations globally, with risks intensifying for small-sized vessels venturing deeper into the sea due to the scarcity of near-shore fish and high market demand. This study identifies various occupational hazards and the use of safety equipment among small-scale motorized fishers using traditional fishing methods in the southernmost coastal regions of India.

Methods: The primary data were collected from 253 artisanal small-scale motorized fishers through a multi-stage stratified random sampling method.

Once daily Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of venous leg ulcers versus gel vehicle (placebo) and non-surgical standard of care: a three-arm multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled study.

Background: Debridement is considered the first step in treatment of chronic wounds, however, current enzymatic and autolytic debridement agents are slow or ineffective. Previous studies have shown positive initial results with EscharEx® (EX-02 formulation), a Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement agent in development for chronic wounds. The main objective of this study was to assess its efficacy in debriding venous leg ulcers (VLU), compared to gel vehicle (GV) as a placebo control and to non-surgical standard of care (NSSOC).

Acceptability of the Fit2ThriveMB mHealth physical activity promotion intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Increasing physical activity (PA) is safe and associated with improved health outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Mobile health (mHealth) PA interventions that allow for remote monitoring and tailoring to abilities may be particularly useful for MBC patients. However, limited data exist on the acceptability of these interventions for MBC patients.

A Core Outcome Set for Adult General ICU Patients.

Objectives: Randomized clinical trials informing clinical practice (e.g., like large, pragmatic, and late-phase trials) should ideally mostly use harmonized outcomes that are important to patients, family members, clinicians, and researchers.

Advancing diagnostic consistency: Statistical methods and interrater reliability in neuropsychological assessments with the MNB.

In the field of neuropsychology, the accuracy of neuropsychological data interpretation has significant implications for both research and clinical practice. The process of test interpretation is fraught with challenges, and a lack of consensus among neuropsychologists can lead to discrepancies in assessment outcomes. Smith et al.

Comparing predictive risk to actual presence of coronary atherosclerosis on coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: There is limited data showing the predictive accuracy of traditional cardiovascular risk scores (CVRS) to predict asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) determined by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: Asymptomatic individuals without known CAD undergoing a screening CCTA and sufficient data to calculate their CVRS, were extracted retrospectively. Atherosclerosis was extracted using natural language processing of the CCTA report, including the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and the extent and severity of CAD.

Personalized Cutoffs for the Diagnosis of Neutropenic Fever Based on Patients' Baseline Body Temperature: A Retrospective Pilot Study.

Background The management of neutropenic fever patients remains challenging. Patients' individual baseline body temperature may provide diagnostic and prognostic value. Methods This study is a retrospective analysis of 92 adults admitted for neutropenic fever to model the length of stay (LOS) and the ability to find a definitive diagnosis using the deviation of patients' temperature on admission from their outpatient baseline, acuity on admission, neutropenia level and persistence, fever persistence, and patients' age.

Perforated marginal ulceration in the setting of single anastomosis duodeno-ileal switch (SADI-S) with conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and literature review.

The single anastomosis duodenal-ileal switch (SADI-S) has become a safe alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in the treatment for morbid obesity. A known complication after bariatric surgery is the development of marginal ulceration. The current literature demonstrates an overwhelmingly low incidence of ulceration in patients who underwent SADI-S.

A 10-Year Comparative Analysis of the Two Most Common Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Implants (Delta Xtend and SMR) in the New Zealand Joint Registry.

Hypothesis And Background: As the incidence of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) continues to rise, better understanding of the long-term risks and complications is necessary to determine the best choice of implant. The majority (75%) of RTSA performed in New Zealand use either SMR (Systema Multiplana Randelli, Lima-LTO, Italy) or Delta Xtend (DePuy Synthes, USA). The aim of this registry-based study was to compare implant survival, risk of revision and reasons for revision between the two most frequently used RTSA prostheses: SMR and Delta Xtend.

Study protocol for a Prospective Observational study of Safety Threats and Adverse events in Trauma (PrO-STAT): a pilot study at a level-1 trauma centre in Canada.

Introduction: Traumatic injuries are a significant public health concern globally, resulting in substantial mortality, hospitalisation and healthcare burden. Despite the establishment of specialised trauma centres, there remains considerable variability in trauma-care practices and outcomes, particularly in the initial phase of trauma resuscitation in the trauma bay. This stage is prone to preventable errors leading to adverse events (AEs) that can impact patient outcomes.

Clinically Relevant Thresholds for Hip Arthroscopy Vary: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To identify the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) thresholds for hip arthroscopy and provide guidance on how to choose among the thresholds.

Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE databases in August 2024 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Studies with Level I to IV evidence that defined SCB or PASS thresholds for patient-reported outcomes for hip arthroscopy in the setting of intra-articular pathology were included.

Son of a beach: Coastal development and the loss of natural beaches over time (1919 to 2018) on Okinawa Island, southern Japan.

The coastline of Okinawa Island, Japan, has been affected by human-made alterations for decades, often from land reclamation and coastal defense construction. Here, we use an Imperial Japanese Army map made between 1919 and 1921 to describe the composition of the Okinawan coastline approximately 100 years ago, and by overlapping this old map with a modern-day map of Okinawa (2018), we identified 131 sites where coastlines showed clear human-made alterations. For these sites, we examined what kinds of ecosystems were lost and what has replaced them.

The Adelaide Score: prospective implementation of an artificial intelligence system to improve hospital and cost efficiency.

Background: The Adelaide Score is an artificial intelligence system that integrates objective vital signs and laboratory tests to predict likelihood of hospital discharge.

Methods: A prospective implementation trial was conducted at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in South Australia. The Adelaide Score was added to existing human, artificial intelligence, and other technological infrastructure for the first 28 days of April 2024 (intervention), and outcomes were compared using parametric, non-parametric and health economic analyses, to those in the first 28 days of April 2023 (control).

Assessing Health Technology Literacy and Attitudes of Patients in an Urban Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Background: Digital health technologies are increasingly being integrated into mental health care. However, the adoption of these technologies can be influenced by patients' digital literacy and attitudes, which may vary based on sociodemographic factors. This variability necessitates a better understanding of patient digital literacy and attitudes to prevent a digital divide, which can worsen existing health care disparities.

The physiological stress response of juvenile nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) to catch-and-release recreational angling.

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), especially juveniles, are often encountered by near-shore and shore-based recreational anglers and are suggested to exhibit minimal behavioral and physiological responses to capture, largely based on studies of adults using commercial or scientific fishing methods. To quantify the sub-lethal effects of recreational angling on juvenile nurse sharks, 27 individuals (across 31 angling events) were caught using hook-and-line fishing methods. Over a 30-min period, 4 blood samples were taken with variable time intervals between sampling (i.

Corrigendum: Ripples of change: transforming lives and communities through sport in Colombia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.