Seizures Following Carotid Endarterectomy: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of 69,479 Patients and Evidence-Based Recommendations for Perioperative Care.

Seizures are a rare but potentially serious complication following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Understanding their prevalence and associated factors is crucial for optimizing perioperative care and improving patient outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of seizures following CEA and explore clinical and procedural factors contributing to their occurrence.

Improving the bioactivity and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels through a supramolecular support network.

Most synthetic hydrogels are formed through radical polymerization to yield a homogenous covalent meshwork. In contrast, natural hydrogels form through mechanisms involving both covalent assembly and supramolecular interactions. In this communication, we expand the capabilities of covalent poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) networks through co-assembly of supramolecular peptide nanofibers.

A light-driven device for neuromorphic computing.

A unique optoelectronic synaptic device has been developed, leveraging the negative photoconductance property of a single-crystal material system called CsCoCl. This device exhibits a simultaneous volatile resistive switching response and sensitivity to optical stimuli, positioning CsCoCl as a promising candidate for optically enhanced neuromorphic applications.

Editorial for the Special Issue on the Latest Advancements in Semiconductor Materials, Devices and Systems.

The field of semiconductor research is experiencing a paradigm shift as the boundaries of Moore's Law are being approached [...

Evaluation of a Virtual Health Hub for People Experiencing Homelessness in Sydney, Australia: Ensuring Physical and Psychological Primary Health Care in Crisis Accommodation.

Introduction: Individuals experiencing homelessness have higher rates of chronic disease and face challenges accessing primary care. Virtual health care can reduce health inequity but needs user acceptance. A virtual health hub (VHH) for people experiencing homelessness in Sydney provided virtual GP and psychologist care within a crisis accommodation service.

Decoding the Nexus: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Linking Stroke and Neurotoxic Microenvironments in Brain Cancer Patients.

Stroke is an often underrecognized albeit significant complication in patients with brain cancer, arising from the intricate interplay between cancer biology and cerebrovascular health. This review delves into the multifactorial pathophysiological framework linking brain cancer to elevated stroke risk, with particular emphasis on the crucial role of the neurotoxic microenvironment (NTME). The NTME, characterized by oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, creates a milieu that promotes and sustains vascular and neuronal injury.

Proteinuria's Influence on Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Accuracy in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Patients Undergoing Reperfusion Therapy: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.

Aim: Proteinuria commonly accompanies acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing reperfusion therapies such as intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Understanding its influence on outcomes is crucial for prognosis and optimising management strategies. This study aims to elucidate proteinuria's role in mediating outcomes among reperfusion-treated patients.

Exploring Australian knowledge and practice for maternal postnatal transition of care between hospital and primary care: A scoping review.

Problem: Despite the significance of the perinatal period, postnatal care remains insufficient for optimising long-term health.

Background: The perinatal period is a vulnerable time in a woman's life-course health trajectory. Supporting transitions from hospital to primary care is essential to promote health and guide evidence-based follow-up care.

The association between adverse childhood experiences and adult cardiac function in the UK Biobank.

Aims: The importance of early life factors in determining health in later adulthood is increasingly recognized. This study evaluated the association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) phenotypes.

Methods And Results: UK Biobank participants who had completed CMR and the self-reported questionnaire on traumatic childhood experiences were included.

Role of NaCO as Nucleation Seeds to Accelerate the CO Uptake Kinetics of MgO-Based Sorbents.

There is an urgent need for inexpensive, functional materials that can capture and release CO under industrial conditions. In this context, MgO is a highly promising, earth-abundant CO sorbent. However, despite its favorable carbonation thermodynamics and potential for high gravimetric CO uptakes, MgO-based CO sorbents feature slow carbonation kinetics, limiting their CO uptake during typical industrial contact times.

Nanomaterials-Enabled Sensors for Detecting and Monitoring Chemical Warfare Agents.

Despite their restrictions under international treaties, many chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their toxic analogues are still used in various industrial sectors such as agriculture and chemical manufacturing. Thus, the need for sensitive and selective CWA detection remains critical. Commercially available detection methods, while accurate, are often bulky, expensive, and require specialized personnel.

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.

Disparities in kidney care in vulnerable populations: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, displaced people, and refugees, often encounter challenges in accessing healthcare. In this study, we used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to describe kidney care access and delivery to vulnerable populations across countries and regions. Using data from an international survey of clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates, we assessed the funding and coverage of vulnerable populations on all aspects of kidney replacement therapies (KRT).

Next-Generation Desalination Membranes Empowered by Novel Materials: Where Are We Now?

Membrane desalination is an economical and energy-efficient method to meet the current worldwide water scarcity. However, state-of-the-art reverse osmosis membranes are gradually being replaced by novel membrane materials as a result of ongoing technological advancements. These novel materials possess intrinsic pore structures or can be assembled to form lamellar membrane channels for selective transport of water or solutes (e.

Fate of wastewater trace organic chemicals in vegetated biofiltration systems.

Vegetated biofiltration system (VBS) is an effective green technology for urban stormwater and greywater treatment. However, VBS is yet to be optimised for effective treatment of wastewater, particularly if it contains trace organic chemicals (TrOCs). The effect of plant species has not been addressed under TrOC wastewater loading.

Baseline characteristics of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy in Australia: analysis from the MYelopathy NAtural History registry.

Background: Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of non-traumatic, chronic spinal cord dysfunction worldwide, causing debilitating disability with a diminishing quality of life. The natural history of DCM is poorly understood. This is a preliminary report of the first 60 patients recruited to the MYelopathy NAtural History (MYNAH) Registry.

Prevalence of Value-Based Care for Older People with Dementia Likely to Be Nearing End of Life: A Hospital Retrospective Cohort.

: Patients with dementia (PwD) nearing end of life (nEOL) do not always receive optimal end-of-life care, including timely specialist palliative care input. In hospitalized PwD likely to be nEOL, we aimed to determine the prevalence of goals of care discussions; the incidence and timing of referral to palliative care; factors associated with palliative care referral and timely (within 2 days) palliative care referral; and the prevalence of polypharmacy (>5 medications) and in-hospital deprescribing (cessation). : A retrospective chart review of a cohort of PwD admitted under geriatric medicine 1 July 2021-30 June 2022 was conducted, screening to identify nEOL status.

Lithium Use During Pregnancy in 14 Countries.

Importance: In pregnancy, the benefits of lithium treatment for relapse prevention in psychiatric conditions must be weighed against potential teratogenic effects. Currently, there is a paucity of information on how and when lithium is used by pregnant women.

Objective: To examine lithium use in the perinatal period.

ACE: A Consent-Embedded privacy-preserving search on genomic database.

In this paper, we introduce ACE, a consent-embedded searchable encryption scheme. ACE enables dynamic consent management by supporting the physical deletion of associated data at the time of consent revocation. This ensures instant real deletion of data, aligning with privacy regulations and preserving individuals' rights.

Regional hotspots for chronic kidney disease: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately affects certain populations as demonstrated by well-established subnational geographic hotspots of CKD in Central America and South Asia. Using data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA), we aimed to systematically identify sub-national geographic or population clusters with high prevalence of CKD. The ISN-GKHA survey was conducted from July to September 2022, and included questions regarding whether a regional CKD hotspot existed in the respondents' country and possible contributors.

Prevalence of blood-borne virus infections and uptake of hepatitis C testing and treatment in Australian prisons: the AusHep study.

Background: Incarcerated people are at high risk of blood-borne virus infections, particularly HCV, and a priority population for elimination efforts. This national bio-behavioural survey evaluated blood-borne virus prevalence and HCV testing-and-treatment uptake amongst people in Australian prisons.

Methods: Randomly-selected participants from 23 representative prisons nationally were offered point-of-care testing for HIV and HCV (anti-HCV) antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV RNA (if anti-HCV positive).