Building global collaborative research networks in paediatric critical care: a roadmap.

Paediatric critical care units are designed for children at a vulnerable stage of development, yet the evidence base for practice and policy in paediatric critical care remains scarce. In this Health Policy, we present a roadmap providing strategic guidance for international paediatric critical care trials. We convened a multidisciplinary group of 32 paediatric critical care experts from six continents representing paediatric critical care research networks and groups.

Exploring Adolescents' Understanding, Experiences and Beliefs About Pain: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Pain is prevalent across the lifespan and contributes to significant societal and economic burdens. The public often holds misconceptions about pain and pain management. Despite this, there are no well-resourced public health initiatives delivering information about pain and pain management to the public.

Intestinal organoid co-culture systems: current approaches, challenges, and future directions.

The intestinal microenvironment represents a complex and dynamic ecosystem, comprising a diverse range of epithelial and non-epithelial cells, a protective mucus layer, and a diverse community of gut microbiota. Understanding the intricate interplay between these components is essential for uncovering the mechanisms underlying intestinal health and disease. The development of intestinal organoids, 3D mini-intestines that closely mimic the architecture, cellular diversity, and functionality of the intestine, offers a powerful platform for investigating different aspects of intestinal physiology and pathology.

The cost of recovering Australia's threatened species.

Accounting for the cost of repairing the degradation of Earth's biosphere is critical to guide conservation and sustainable development decisions. Yet the costs of repairing nature through the recovery of a continental suite of threatened species across their range have never been calculated. We estimated the cost of in situ recovery of nationally listed terrestrial and freshwater threatened species (n = 1,657) across the megadiverse continent of Australia by combining the spatially explicit costs of all strategies required to address species-specific threats.

Assessing the predicted impact of single amino acid substitutions in calmodulin for CAGI6 challenges.

Recent thermodynamic and functional studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of amino acid substitutions on Calmodulin (CaM). The Critical Assessment of Genome Interpretation (CAGI) data provider at University of Verona (Italy) measured the melting temperature (T) and the percentage of unfolding (%unfold) of a set of CaM variants (CaM challenge dataset). Thermodynamic measurements for the equilibrium unfolding of CaM were obtained by monitoring far-UV Circular Dichroism as a function of temperature.

Longitudinal trajectories of digital upper limb biomarkers for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Upper limb dysfunction is a common debilitating feature of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). We aimed to examine the longitudinal trajectory of the iPad®-based Manual Dexterity Test (MDT) and predictors of change over time.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled RRMS patients (limited to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) < 4).

A mixed-methods assessment of the Australasian Society of Genetic Counselors (ASGC) Mentor Program.

Purpose: In Australia and New Zealand, one third of genetic counselors have less than 5 years' experience. Sharing experienced practitioners' professional knowledge is needed as the profession grows. Formal mentoring is an important facilitator of career progression and shared knowledge.

Genetic counseling workforce diversity, inclusion, and capacity in Australia and New Zealand.

Purpose: To understand diversity, inclusion, and capacity of genetic counselors (GCs) in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).

Methods: Individuals with or working toward a GC qualification in Australasia were invited to complete an online survey, between November 2022 and March 2023. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, 1-sample proportion -tests, 2-sample -tests, and χ tests.

A circumpolar review of the breeding distribution and habitat use of the snow petrel (), the world's most southerly breeding vertebrate.

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of many polar seabird species is incomplete due to the remoteness of their breeding locations. Here, we compiled a new database of published and unpublished records of all known snow petrel breeding sites. We quantified local environmental conditions at sites by appending indices of climate and substrate, and regional-scale conditions by appending 30 year mean (1992-2021) sea-ice conditions within accessible foraging areas.

A national Australian Congenital Heart Disease registry; methods and initial results.

Background: Although several National Data Registries for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) exist, few are comprehensive and contemporary. A National Australian CHD Registry has been developed that aims to redress this by creating the first comprehensive data collection for CHD children and adults, initially across Australia.

Methods: We defined and collected a minimum dataset of demographics, diagnoses, and procedures from people with CHD presenting at participating quaternary CHD services Australia-wide.

Supported Decision-Making Interventions in Mental Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Evidence on the Outcomes for People With Mental Ill Health.

Background: Most people with mental ill health want to be involved in decision-making about their care, many mental health professionals now recognise the importance of this (at least in-principle) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities enshrines the ethical imperative to support people in making their own treatment decisions. Nonetheless, there are widespread reports of people with mental ill health being excluded from decision-making about their treatment in practice.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review of quantitative, qualitative and mixed method research on interventions to improve opportunities for the involvement of mental healthcare service users in treatment planning.

Whole-grain modified Nova ultra-processed food definitions: a cross-sectional analysis of the impact on cardiometabolic risk measures when excluding high whole-grain foods from the ultra-processed food category in Australia.

Ultra-processed foods (UPF), defined using the Nova classification system, are associated with increased chronic disease risk. More recently, evidence suggests the UPF subgroup of whole-grain breads and cereals is in fact linked with reduced chronic disease risk. This study aimed to explore associations of cardiometabolic risk measures with Nova UPF intake .

Outcomes of Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention in the Management of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty: Analysis of 5,178 Cases From the National Australian Registry.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection is a devastating and severe complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The Australian Joint Registry reports an increasing number of debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) procedures, underscoring the need to comprehend outcomes for informed treatment decisions. This study aimed to determine the outcome of DAIR procedures, evaluate time since primary TKA, and identify patient-related factors associated with DAIR failure.

Prevalence of dementia among Indigenous populations of countries with a very high Human Development Index: a systematic review.

Dementia is a health priority for Indigenous peoples. Here, we reviewed studies on the prevalence of dementia or cognitive impairment among Indigenous populations from countries with a very high Human Development Index (≥0·8). Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute risk-of-bias tool and CONSolIDated critERia for strengthening the reporting of health research involving Indigenous peoples (CONSIDER), with oversight provided by an Indigenous Advisory Board.

Odour emissions from anaerobically co-digested biosolids: Identification of volatile organic and sulfur compounds.

Anaerobic co-digestion is emerging as an option for wastewater biosolids management. Variations in treatment parameters can impact odour emissions and, in turn, odour nuisance reduces community acceptance and alternatives for beneficial reuse of biosolids via land application. This study assessed odour emissions from digested sludge and biosolids resulting from the anaerobic co-digestion of wastewater sludge with beverage rejects (beer and cola) and food wastes.

Exploring the pathways between depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life on life satisfaction: a path analysis approach.

Background: Life satisfaction, one promising health asset, is associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases and mortality. Mental health conditions and quality of life (QoL) are important aspects of well-being in late life and are significantly associated with life satisfaction. Despite the complex interrelationships between mental health, QoL and life satisfaction, the current literature has evaluated the simple association between them and failed to consider the complex pathways among these variables, especially among the older population.

Increasing Reported Physical Activity Among Australian Adults: Progress Toward a Healthy Older Age.

Background/objectives: A globally aging population necessitates public health action that supports healthy aging. Although it is well established that participation in physical activity (PA), sport, and active recreation are important for healthy aging, PA levels remain generally lower among older adults. This study examines trends in physical activities that older adults engage in and identifies disparities in activities across subgroups as defined by age, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Workforce Psychological Distress and Absenteeism in Australia: The Correlates of Industry, Age, and Gender.

The workplace is an important setting for improving population psychological health. This study aimed to identify priority industries and populations in Australia with highest adverse effects of psychological distress. The study included 5834 workers aged 18 to 64 years who participated in the 2020 to 2021 National Health Survey.

Australian preferences for influenza vaccine attributes and cost: A discrete choice experiment.

People in Australia have access to different influenza vaccines, but may be unaware of their options and features. Preference studies for differentiated influenza vaccines including cell-based vaccines are limited, particularly in Australia. This study investigated which influenza vaccine attributes people in Australia value using a discrete choice experiment (DCE).

Investigation of choroid plexus variability in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders-insights from a multimodal study.

Previous studies have suggested that choroid plexus (ChP) enlargement occurs in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD) and is associated with peripheral inflammation. However, it is unclear whether such an enlargement delineates a biologically defined subgroup of SSD. Moreover, it remains elusive how ChP is linked to brain regions associated with peripheral inflammation in SSD.

Mortality associated with moderate and severe mitral regurgitation in 608 570 men and women undergoing echocardiography.

Background: Although the prognostic implications of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) are well recognised, they are less clear in moderate MR. We therefore explored the prognostic impact of both moderate and severe MR within the large National Echocardiography Database Australia cohort.

Methods: Echocardiography reports from 608 570 individuals were examined using natural language processing to identify MR severity and leaflet pathology.

Quality and Safety Indicators for Care Transitions by Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

Objective: To identify quality and safety indicators routinely used to monitor, evaluate, and improve care transitions for older adults globally.

Design: A scoping literature review.

Setting And Participants: This review identified indicators used internationally to monitor and evaluate the quality and safety of care transitions by older adults.