Recruiting Young People for Digital Mental Health Research: Lessons From an AI-Driven Adaptive Trial.

Background: With increasing adoption of remote clinical trials in digital mental health, identifying cost-effective and time-efficient recruitment methodologies is crucial for the success of such trials. Evidence on whether web-based recruitment methods are more effective than traditional methods such as newspapers, media, or flyers is inconsistent. Here we present insights from our experience recruiting tertiary education students for a digital mental health artificial intelligence-driven adaptive trial-Vibe Up.

Accelerating the Future of Oncology Drug Development: The Role of Consortia in the Delivery of Precision Oncology Early Phase Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Over the past 15 years, the landscape of early phase clinical trials (EPCTs) has undergone a remarkable expansion in both quantity and intricacy. The proliferation of sites, trials, sponsors, and contract research organizations has surged exponentially, marking a significant shift in research conduct. However, EPCT operations suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as cumbersome start-up processes, which are particularly critical when drug safety and the recommended phase II dose need to be established in a timely manner.

Creation of Piezoelectricity in Quadruple Perovskite Oxides by Harnessing Cation Defects and Their Application in Piezo-Photocatalysis.

Quadruple perovskite oxides have received extensive attention in electronics and catalysis, owing to their cation-ordering structure and intriguing physical properties. However, their repertoires still remain limited. In particular, piezoelectricity from quadruple perovskites has been rarely reported due to the frustrated symmetry-breaking transition in A-site-ordered perovskite structures, disabling their piezoelectric applications.

Implementation of a data-driven quality improvement program in primary care for patients with coronary heart disease: a mixed methods evaluation of acceptability, satisfaction, barriers and enablers.

Background The study aimed to understand the acceptability, satisfaction, uptake, utility and feasibility of a quality improvement (QI) intervention to improve care for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Australian primary care practices and identify barriers and enablers, including the impact of COVID-19. Methods Within the QUality improvement for Effectiveness of care for people Living with heart disease (QUEL) study, 26 Australian primary care practices, supported by five Primary Health Networks (PHN) participated in a 1-year QI intervention (November 2019 - November 2020). Data were collected from practices and PHNs staff via surveys and semi-structured interviews.

EMPOWER PKD: Patient, Caregiver, and Researcher Priorities for Research in Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Background: Patient involvement in research can help to ensure that the evidence generated aligns with their needs and priorities. In the Establishing Meaningful Patient-Centered Outcomes With Relevance for Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (EMPOWER PKD) project we aimed to identify patient-important outcomes and discuss the impact of PKD on patients.

Methods: Nine focus groups were held with adult patients with PKD, caregivers, and clinical or research experts in PKD.

Timely delivery of care in neurological emergencies: can standardized management protocols help?

Purpose Of Review: To review the evidence that supports the implementation of goal-directed care bundle protocols to improve outcomes from neurocritical conditions, and of the possible advantage of specific over generalized protocols.

Recent Findings: Articles from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024 were searched to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized management in neurological emergencies. The use of care bundles and standardized protocols with time- and target-related metrics has shown benefit in patients with acute stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Predictors of Bilateral Disease in Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Histopathologic Insights and Preoperative Ultrasonography.

Background: With the current shift toward de-escalation of surgical management in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), understanding predictors and the clinical significance of additional tumors in the contralateral lobe is important. This study investigated the histopathologic predictors of bilateral disease in low-risk PTC patients and the utility of preoperative ultrasonography in guiding completion thyroidectomy decisions.

Methods: Patients treated with total thyroidectomy (TT) for low-risk PTCs (< 4 cm) at the Endocrine Surgical Unit of the Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney from 2013 to 2020 were identified from a prospectively maintained database.

Recruitment of Adolescents to Virtual Clinical Trials: Recruitment Results From the Health4Me Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Preventive interventions are needed to provide targeted health support to adolescents to improve health behaviors. Engaging adolescents in preventive interventions remains a challenge, highlighting the need for innovative recruitment strategies. Given adolescents' lives are intertwined with digital technologies, attention should be focused on these avenues for recruitment.

Material culture both reflects and causes human cognitive evolution.

Our commentary suggests that different materialities (fragile, enduring, and mixed) may influence cognitive evolution. Building on Stibbard-Hawkes, we propose that predictive brains minimise errors and seek information, actively structuring environments for epistemic benefits. This perspective complements Stibbard-Hawkes' view.

Evaluating Paediatric Injury Hospitalisations From Indoor Trampoline Parks Across Australia: A Multi-Centre Study.

Aim: The introduction and increasing popularity of indoor trampoline facilities has seen increases in the incidence of trampoline park injuries (TPIs), particularly amongst the paediatric population. A challenge to the development of effective injury prevention interventions is the limited study pool of detailed activity and outcome data to provide better understanding of the characteristics of injurious events.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of individuals under 16 years of age hospitalised after TPI from November 2018 to December 2021 was conducted.

Pre-emptive treatment for cytomegalovirus viraemia to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and death in solid organ transplant recipients. Pre-emptive treatment of patients with CMV viraemia using antiviral agents has been suggested as an alternative to routine prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2006 and updated in 2013.

Unraveling the bidirectional link between cancer and dementia and the impact of cancer therapies on dementia risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Observational studies on the cancer-dementia relationship have yielded controversial results. This study systematically reviews the evidence to clarify this association. We searched Embase, Global Health, Ovid Medline, and APA PsycInfo.

The relationships of plasma profenofos and ethanol concentrations to clinical outcome in acute profenofos self-poisoning.

Introduction: Many patients acutely self-poisoned with organophosphorus insecticides have co-ingested ethanol. Currently, profenofos 50% emulsifiable concentrate (EC50) is commonly ingested for self-harm in Sri Lanka. Clinical experience suggests that ethanol co-ingestion makes management more difficult.

Experiences of African women who migrate to a developed country and encounter intimate partner violence: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Objective: The objective of this review was to synthesize the available evidence on the experiences of African women who migrated to a developed country and encountered intimate partner violence (IPV).

Introduction: IPV is a significant public health issue, and migrant women living in developed countries are particularly vulnerable to IPV, experiencing disproportionately higher rates of IPV. Understanding the experiences of these women can inform health policy and decision-making in clinical practice to minimize IPV.

Making waves: Harnessing anammox bacteria coupled with dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium for sustainable wastewater management.

Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) which converts nitrite and ammonium to dinitrogen gas is an energy-efficient nitrogen removal process. One of the bottlenecks for anammox application in wastewater treatment is the stable supply of nitrite for anammox bacteria. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is a process that converts nitrate to nitrite and then to ammonium.

Associations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with neuropsychological outcomes and cerebral white matter hyperintensities in older adults at risk of dementia.

Inflammation is becoming increasingly recognised as a core feature of dementia with evidence indicating that its role may vary and adapt across different stages of the neurodegenerative process. This study aimed to investigate whether the associations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with neuropsychological performance (verbal memory, executive function, processing speed) and cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) differed between older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD;  = 179) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI;  = 286). Fasting serum hs-CRP concentrations were grouped into low (<1.

Global Perspectives on Returning Genetic Research Results in Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: In the era of precision medicine, genetic test results have become increasingly relevant in the care of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). While large research consortia are performing widespread research genetic testing to accelerate discoveries, debate continues about whether, and to what extent, the results should be returned to patients. Ethically, it is imperative to keep participants informed, especially when findings are potentially actionable.

How To Cope With Predatory Journals.

At the November 2024 regular meeting of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), predatory journals emerged as a major agenda item. Earlier, in August 2024, the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME) held in Sydney also issued a statement addressing predatory journals. The issue of predatory journals is becoming increasingly serious.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Nitrite Detection.

Nitrite is an important chemical intermediate in the nitrogen cycle and is ubiquitously present in environmental and biological systems as a metabolite or additive in the agricultural and food industries. However, nitrite can also be toxic in excessive concentrations. As such, the development of quick, sensitive, and portable assays for its measurement is desirable.

Identifying genetic differences between bipolar disorder and major depression through multiple genome-wide association analyses.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BPD) is difficult in clinical practice, with an average delay between symptom onset and diagnosis of about 7 years. A depressive episode often precedes the first manic episode, making it difficult to distinguish BPD from unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD).

Aims: We use genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) to identify differential genetic factors and to develop predictors based on polygenic risk scores (PRS) that may aid early differential diagnosis.

Conservation genomics within government led conservation planning: an Australian case study exploring cost and benefit for threatened flora.

The importance of conserving plant genetic diversity has been recognised since the 1980's, but genetic research tools for improving conservation remain largely absent from standard planning. Using an Australian case study framework of the New South Wales Government's Saving our Species program, we outline the costs and benefits associated with conducting genomic analysis within a conservation strategy to inform for example, taxonomic resolution, targeted monitoring, translocations and ex situ collections. Despite a reported sentiment that costs are prohibitive, our study identified that where genetics reports have been provided (32 to date), the cost of genetic sampling, analysis and advice is less than 10% of the total Government investment (SoS program) and will continue decreasing proportionally throughout the years as other management occurs.

Incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema: a protocol for a living systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: Given the projected rise in the incidence of cancer treatment-related conditions, such as lymphoedema, and the limited research on lymphoedema in cancers with poor prognoses, there is a need for a better understanding of cancer-related lymphoedema incidence and associated risk factors across all types of cancers. The objectives of this review are (1) to produce a resource on an open-access platform that facilitates continuous update of incidence estimates and risk factors as evidence emerges, (2) to provide the most up-to-date estimate of the incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema and (3) to evaluate the strength and consistency of the association between lymphoedema and cancer treatment and non-treatment-related risk factors.

Methods And Analysis: A living systematic and grey literature search will be conducted to identify studies reporting the incidence, prevalence of lymphoedema or associated risk factors in individuals who have undergone treatment for any type of cancer.

Move to improve - Prescribing physical activity and deprescribing paracetamol for low back pain: Protocol for a hybrid type III feasibility study.

Introduction: People experiencing low back pain (LBP) could potentially benefit from multimedia educational resources that integrate self-management strategies and improve awareness of the benefits of staying active and about medications that offer limited benefits, such as paracetamol. Primary care waiting rooms are potential spaces for presenting health promotion resources to improve health literacy through the dissemination of easily accessible health information. This feasibility study aims to explore the feasibility of conducting a large-scale trial to investigate the benefits of multimedia educational resources delivered at outpatient physiotherapy waiting rooms of public hospitals to support patients to participate in physical activity and reduce paracetamol intake for LBP.

Impact of alternative diagnostic labels for melanoma in situ on management choices and psychological outcomes: protocol for an online randomised study.

Introduction: A diagnosis of melanoma in situ presents negligible risk to a person's lifespan or physical well-being, but existing terminology makes it difficult for patients to distinguish these from higher risk invasive melanomas. This study aims to explore whether using an alternative label for melanoma in situ may influence patients' management choices and anxiety levels.

Methods And Analysis: This study is a between-subjects randomised online experiment, using hypothetical scenarios.

Protocol for a multisite randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of the Telehealth for Early Developmental Intervention in babies born very preterm (TEDI-Prem) programme on neurodevelopmental outcomes and parent well-being.

Introduction: Infants born very preterm (VPT, <32 weeks' gestation) are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairments including motor, cognitive and behavioural delay. Parents of infants born VPT also have poorer mental health outcomes compared with parents of infants born at term.We have developed an intervention programme called TEDI-Prem (Telehealth for Early Developmental Intervention in babies born very preterm) based on previous research.