The Effects of Filter Ventilation and Expanded Tobacco on the Tar, Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide Yields from Cigarettes Sold in Australia.

Cigarette brand variant names and characteristics such as the taste and feel of the smoke can mislead consumers into believing some products are less harmful. We assessed the characteristics of three common cigarette variants sold in Australia, "gold", "blue" and "red", to determine which characteristics differed by color, and which affected tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) yields. TNCO yields, physical parameters, expanded tobacco and filter ventilation were measured in cigarette color variants from eight brands.

Development and Validation of Child Observation Checklist for Early Screening of Young Children with Special Needs.

Families with young children with developmental disabilities often express concerns about delays in the identification of these and extended waiting times for obtaining assessments, learning support, and rehabilitation services. The identification process must and can be enhanced if preschool teachers have instrumental measures to detect early-stage developmental disabilities and adjustment difficulties in preschool children and, if necessary, to provide these children with prompt and effective support services. The aim with this study was to develop and validate a screening checklist for teachers to detect developmental delays and adjustment difficulties in Chinese preschool children in Hong Kong.

Negative Healthcare Impacts of Management of Presumed Early-Onset Sepsis in Moderate to Late Preterm Infants on Feeding, Jaundice, and Hospital Length of Stay.

Background/objectives: Early-onset sepsis in neonates is a potentially catastrophic condition that demands prompt management. However, laboratory diagnosis via cerebral spinal fluid and blood tests is often inconclusive, so diagnosis on the basis of clinical symptoms and risk factors is frequently required, and the majority of neonates treated with antibiotics for presumed early-onset sepsis (PEOS) do not have culture-proven sepsis. The management of such PEOS is mainly achieved via antibiotic therapy, which itself has adverse effects, creating a dilemma for clinicians in optimising healthcare.

A Quantitative Analysis of Internal and External Loads in Aviation Firefighting Using a Simulated Scenario.

Background/objectives: Aviation firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires individuals to engage in intense physical activity amidst elevated stress levels and extreme environmental conditions. Despite this, there has been limited investigation regarding the internal and external loads associated with aviation firefighting tasks, which include hose dragging, stair climbing, casualty evacuation, and fire extinguishing in airports and aircrafts. The aim of this study was to examine the internal and external loads placed on aviation firefighters.

Milk Composition Is Predictive of Low Milk Supply Using Machine Learning Approaches.

The causes of low milk supply are multifactorial, including factors such as gene mutations, endocrine disorders, and infrequent milk removal. These factors affect the functional capacity of the mammary gland and, potentially, the concentrations of milk components. This study aimed to investigate the differences in milk composition between mothers with low and normal milk supply and develop predictive machine learning models for identifying low milk supply.

Physicochemical Characterization, Storage Stability Behavior, and Intestinal Bioaccessibility of Clove Extract Encapsulated Using Varying Combinations of Gum Arabic and Maltodextrin.

Clove (, L.) is a rich source of polyphenols and antioxidants, but its intense flavor, poor solubility, and instability may limit its widespread and efficient use in industrial applications. In a series of laboratory-scale experiments, gum Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) were used as coating agents in various proportions (ranging from 0MD:100GA to 100MD:0GA) for encapsulation of clove extract using a freeze-drying method.

Green Starch Modification Using Citric Acid: Quinoa, Chickpea, and Cassava Starches.

Dietary fibre deficiency has been associated with various global health challenges. Starch, as a main component of many staple foods, is typically very low in fibre content. The primary aim of this research was to increase the dietary fibre and alter the physicochemical properties of some common and emerging starches (cassava, quinoa, and chickpea starch) using eco-friendly modifications.

A latent profile analysis of the functions of binge eating.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify naturally occurring groups of individuals experiencing binge eating (BE) symptoms based on their endorsement of varied functions of BE.

Method: Adults (N = 646) with self-reported BE symptoms were examined using latent profile analysis to identify differentiated profiles based on eight established functions of BE. Profiles were also compared on measures of BE symptoms, eating disorder psychopathology, internal shame, body shame, psychological distress, adverse childhood experiences, and demographic variables.

No rumen fermentation profiles and associated microbial diversities difference were found between Hu sheep and Karakul sheep fed a cottonseed hull diet.

Background: This research aimed to investigate differences in rumen fermentation characteristics between Karakul sheep and Hu sheep reared under identical conditions. The test subjects included newborn Hu and Karakul sheep, which were monitored across three stages: stage I (Weaning period: 15 ~ 30 days), stage II (Supplementary feeding period: 31 ~ 90 days), and stage III (Complete feeding period: 91 ~ 150 days). During the supplementary feeding period, cottonseed hulls were the main roughage source.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Australian dairy goat farmers towards the control of gastrointestinal parasites.

Background: Gastrointestinal parasites such as nematodes and coccidia are responsible for significant economic losses in the goat industry globally. An indiscriminate use of antiparasitic drugs, primarily registered for use in sheep and cattle, in goats has resulted in drug-resistant gastrointestinal parasites. Very little is known about the gastrointestinal parasite control practices used by Australian dairy goat farmers that are pivotal for achieving sustainable control of economically important parasites.

A comparative study of the effect of capsular repair in the Latarjet procedure.

Background: Long term studies have shown the Latarjet procedure to be successful in preventing re-dislocation in primary and recurrent anterior inferior shoulder instability. It provides stability through the sling effect of the conjoint tendon and the bone block. It is unclear whether augmentation with capsular repair provides an added benefit or leads to restricted range of external rotation.

A systemic review of the utility of antituberculosis therapy for presumed tuberculous uveitis.

Background: Uveitis presumed to be secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rare but potentially blinding condition. Difficulty in making an accurate diagnosis and the low incidence of TB uveitis (TBU) contribute to the lack of evidence regarding the best management of this condition. This systematic review aims to analyse existing research to provide a summary of the literature regarding the utility of TB therapy for the management of TBU.

Oculomotor Function in Children and Adolescents with Autism, ADHD or Co-occurring Autism and ADHD.

Oculomotor characteristics, including accuracy, timing, and sensorimotor processing, are considered sensitive intermediate phenotypes for understanding the etiology of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism and ADHD. Oculomotor characteristics have predominantly been studied separately in autism and ADHD. Despite the high rates of co-occurrence between these conditions, only one study has investigated oculomotor processes among those with co-occurring autism + ADHD.

Genome-wide association analysis of composite sleep health scores in 413,904 individuals.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of several individual sleep traits have identified hundreds of genetic loci, suggesting diverse mechanisms. Moreover, sleep traits are moderately correlated, so together may provide a more complete picture of sleep health, while illuminating distinct domains. Here we construct novel sleep health scores (SHSs) incorporating five core self-report measures: sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, chronotype, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, using additive (SHS-ADD) and five principal components-based (SHS-PCs) approaches.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Purpose Of Review: Antimicrobial resistance in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has become an urgent global public health threat, raising the specter of untreatable infections. This review summarizes the determinants of resistance among the five most common curable STIs Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Treponema pallidum, and Trichomonas vaginalis, as well as strategies to mitigate the spread of resistance.

Recent Findings: Genetic mutations are key drivers of resistance for N.

Development of a checklist for cognitive assessment requirements (CARE) based on a Delphi consensus study.

Situational factors can influence cognitive performance and should be considered for conducting cognitive assessments. The objective of this project was to develop a checklist for Cognitive Assessment Requirements (CARE) to identify these situational factors before conducting cognitive assessments and account for them. This study employed a four-round Delphi approach involving 22 experts to identify situational factors that can impact cognitive assessment results.

Patient flow problems affecting in-patient spinal cord injury rehabilitation in the Netherlands.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To describe barriers to admission to and discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation unit for patients with newly acquired spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and to identify modifiable factors whereby patient flow can be optimized.

Setting: Netherlands.

Deficiency of the palmitoyl acyltransferase ZDHHC7 modulates depression-like behaviour in female mice after a mild chronic stress paradigm.

Chronic stress (CS) is a debilitating condition that negatively affects body and brain. In mice, CS effects range from changes in behaviour and brain microstructure down to the level of gene expression. These effects are partly mediated by sex and sex steroid hormones, which in turn are affected by the palmitoyl acyltransferase ZDHHC7.

Aerobiology matters: Why people in the community access pollen information and how they use it.

Background: Globally, many pollen monitoring networks provide the community with daily pollen information, but there are limited data on health consumer uses and benefits. This research investigated why individuals in the community access pollen information, how they use it, and the perceived benefits.

Methods: In- and post-pollen season surveys (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) enquired about symptoms, diagnoses, symptom management, access, benefits and usefulness of pollen information provided by the AusPollen Partnership.

Adapt to survive and thrive: the time is now for adaptive platform trials for preterm birth.

In this Viewpoint, we discuss the challenges facing perinatal clinical researchers, many of which are unique to this field, and how traditional two-arm randomised trials using frequentist analysis might no longer be fit for purpose for perinatology. We propose a solution: the adoption of adaptive platform trials (APTs) with Bayesian methodology to address perinatal research questions to improve outcomes of preterm birth. APTs use a master protocol as a foundation to efficiently assess multiple interventions simultaneously for a particular disease.

Real-world treatment patterns and clinical characteristics in patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis of the SLE Prospective Observational Cohort Study (SPOCS).

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease with heterogeneous treatment patterns largely based on organ involvement and disease severity. The SLE Prospective Observational Cohort Study (SPOCS) collected data worldwide over 3 years from patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. We report real-world patterns of medication use in patients enrolled in SPOCS.

Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of late gestation oral melatonin supplementation in reducing induction of labour rates in nulliparous women: the MyTIME study protocol.

Introduction: Around the world, rates of induction of labour (IOL) among nulliparous mothers have increased in the last 10 years. In Australia, rates have increased over the last decade by 43%, from 32% to 46%. There is growing concern about the rapid rise in IOL before 41 weeks for nulliparous women without medical complications because of the associated increased rates of caesarean section, reduced satisfaction with birth, and birth trauma.

Cis-regulation of the CYP6CS1 gene and its role in mediating cross-resistance in a pymetrozine-resistant strain of Nilaparvata lugens.

Pymetrozine is currently one of the primary insecticides used to control the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), but the long-term effectiveness of this chemical is threatened by growing issues of resistance. Previous studies in a laboratory selected strain of N. lugens, Pym-R, have shown that resistance to pymetrozine can evolve without target-site mutations.

Accessory uterine cavities: a review of cases and an appeal for standard terminology.

Objective: To study and address the diagnostic, management, and classification challenges of unilocular myometrial cystic lesions adjacent to a normal uterine cavity.

Design: Describe 23 further cases, and undertake a systematic review using Medline, PubMed and Ovid for similar lesions.

Subjects: 23 cases of accessory uterine cavities presenting to pediatric and adolescent gynecologists in Australia and New Zealand.

Acromial stress fractures and reactions after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a case-control study.

Background: Acromial stress fractures can occur after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). We performed this study to assess the incidence, risk factors, characteristics, and outcome of acromial stress fractures and reactions after RTSA.

Methods: We determined the incidence of acromial stress fractures and reactions in a cohort of patients who underwent RTSA, and assessed risk factors using a case-control design.