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).

Synergetic Phase Modulation and N-Doping of MoS for Highly Sensitive Flexible NO Sensors.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) is a promising electronic material owing to its excellent electrochemical features, high carrier mobility at room temperature, and widely tunable electronic properties. Here, through precursor engineering and post-treatments to tailor their phase and doping, electronic characteristics of MoS are significantly modified. It is found that 2H semiconductor phase with nitrogen doping (N-doping) in flexible gas sensors constructed with Ag electrodes exhibits the highest sensitivity of ≈2500% toward 10 ppm of NO.

Inborn errors of immunity reveal molecular requirements for generation and maintenance of human CD4 IL-9-expressing cells.

Background: CD4 T cells play essential roles in adaptive immunity. Distinct CD4 T-cell subsets-T1, T2, T17, T22, T follicular helper, and regulatory T cells-have been identified, and their contributions to host defense and immune regulation are increasingly well defined. IL-9-producing T9 cells were first described in 2008 and appear to play both protective and pathogenic roles in human immunity.

Landscape of kidney replacement therapy provision in low- and lower-middle income countries: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

In low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), delivering equitable kidney care presents substantial challenges, resulting in significant disparities in disease management and treatment outcomes for people with kidney failure. This comprehensive report leveraged data from the International Society of Nephrology-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA), to provide a detailed update on the landscape of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in LLMICs. Among the 65 participating LLMICs, reimbursement for KRT (publicly funded by the government and free at the point of delivery) was available in 28%, 15%, and 8% for hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplantation (KT), respectively.

Mental health and post-school transitions for young people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD): A scoping review.

Young people with an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) often face ineffective and exclusionary post-school transition practices, leading to poor mental health in early adulthood. This scoping review aimed to map existing literature on mental health for young people with IDD during the post-school transition period including how IDD and mental health are characterised in this context and the extent to which community members with lived experience are included in the design and/or production of research. In collaboration with a co-researcher, we used the JBI framework and PRISMA guidelines in accordance with a published protocol.

Utilising Hyperspectral Autofluorescence Imaging in the Objective Assessment of Disease State and Pain in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in joint swelling and pain. Treatment options can be reliant on disease activity scores (DAS) incorporating patient global assessments, which are quantified via visual analogue scales (VAS). VAS can be subjective and not necessarily align with clinical symptoms, such as inflammation, resulting in a disconnect between the patient's and practitioners' experience.

Association Between Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Women's Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018.

Many women justify intimate partner violence (IPV), resulting in adverse health outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between household ownership of information and communication technologies (ICTs), along with the frequency of listening to the radio and watching television with women's attitudes towards IPV in Bangladesh. The cross-sectional study analyzed a weighted sample of 20,032 women and used a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the association between predictor variables and outcome variables.

Global Policy and Advocacy Initiatives for Improving Kidney Care: Report from the 2023 ISN-GKHA Study.

Background: National strategies to address chronic kidney disease (CKD) are crucial to support kidney health. Lack of political support in the form of policy decisions and funding leads to fragmentation of kidney care and catastrophic health expenditure. This study used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to obtain a global overview of the existence and reach of national strategies for kidney care.

Discovery of Plasma Lipids as Potential Biomarkers Distinguishing Breast Cancer Patients from Healthy Controls.

The development of a sensitive and specific blood test for the early detection of breast cancer is crucial to improve screening and patient outcomes. Existing methods, such as mammography, have limitations, necessitating the exploration of alternative approaches, including circulating factors. Using 598 prospectively collected blood samples, a multivariate plasma-derived lipid biomarker signature was developed that can distinguish healthy control individuals from those with breast cancer.

Evaluating Machine Learning Models for Stroke Prognosis and Prediction in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.

Background/objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) complicates the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), necessitating precise predictive models to enhance clinical outcomes. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of machine learning (ML) models in three key areas: stroke prognosis in AF patients, stroke prediction in AF patients, and AF prediction in stroke patients. The study aims to assess the accuracy and variability of ML models in forecasting AIS outcomes and detecting AF in stroke patients, while exploring the clinical benefits and limitations of integrating these models into practice.

Characterization of PFOA isomers from PFAS precursors and their reductive defluorination.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) including linear and branched isomers is one of only three PFAS included in the Stockholm convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Unfortunately, PFOA branched isomers have received less attention than the linear due to analytical difficulties and perceived lower environmental concentrations. In this study, we revealed a environmentally relevant pathway for the formation of branched PFOA from PFAS precursors.

Environmental triggers of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid: a case control study.

Background: Previous case-control studies have suggested that environmental factors including exposure to pesticides and organic materials, diet and medications have an important role in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris. These studies lacked geographical population controls and had less than three controls per case.

Objective: To identify environmental and occupational risk factors associated with the development of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP).