Balancing precision and affordability in assessing infant development in large-scale mortality trials: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Large-scale mortality trials require reliable secondary assessments of impairment. We compared the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), a screening tool self-administered by parents, in classifying impairment using the 'gold standard' Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Bayley-III), a diagnostic tool administered by trained assessors.

Design: Analysis of 405 children around 2 years corrected age from the Australian Placental Transfusion Study, a trial conducted over 8 years.

Improved Uptake of Vaccinations in Children With Adverse Events Following Immunization After Specialist Immunization Service Intervention in an Australian Pediatric Hospital.

Background: Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) have significant implications for public health, potentially leading to decreased immunization rates and vaccine hesitancy. Understanding the characteristics and outcomes of children experiencing AEFI is crucial for effective intervention strategies and informed decision-making. This study aimed to describe the diverse range of AEFI presentations, identify common referral sources and assess factors influencing vaccination uptake following specialist consultation.

"Butterflies in the air, you're now a breastfeeding mother": A qualitative study of women's experiences receiving postnatal midwifery breastfeeding support.

Background: Despite breastfeeding being widely accepted as the optimal feeding method for infants many women do not meet their breastfeeding goals or continue to breastfeed as long as recommended. Continuation of exclusive breastfeeding is multifactorial, with midwifery support during the postnatal period considered to be an important component. However, little is known about how women receive this support from midwives across varying models of care.

Sex, gender identity and women's health research and equality: An urgent need for clarity of language and accurate data collection.

Background: With the rise in salience of the concept of gender identity, changes are being made to language and data collection with major implications for women's health research and equality. Specifically, language referring to women is being desexed and data collection on sex diminishing. In 2023, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) undertook public consultations on two draft guidance documents discussing use of the words 'woman'/'women' when describing the involvement of pregnant women in research, and sex and gender identity data collection.

Microbial DNA Profiles of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles from 3D Salivary Polymicrobial Biofilms - A Pilot Study.

With the advent of multi-layered and 3D scaffolds, the understanding of microbiome composition and pathogenic mechanisms within polymicrobial biofilms is continuously evolving. A fundamental component in mediating the microenvironment and bacterial-host communication within the biofilm are bilayered nanoparticles secreted by bacteria, known as bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), which transport key biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Their characteristics and microbiome profiles are yet to be explored in the context of in vitro salivary polymicrobial biofilm.

Population pharmacokinetics and dosing simulations of temocillin in liver transplanted paediatric patients: a prospective, open-label, non-randomized study.

Objectives: Temocillin is a β-lactam antibiotic used for preventing or treating bacterial infections in liver-transplanted children. We characterized its pharmacokinetics in plasma and ascitic fluid and proposed dosing regimens that maximize achievement of effective drug exposures in this patient group.

Methods: Patients aged 6-36 months received 25 mg/kg/12h (n=14) or 25 mg/kg/8h (n=23).

A Pooled Pharmacokinetic Analysis for Piperacillin/Tazobactam Across Different Patient Populations: From Premature Infants to the Elderly.

Background And Objectives: The pharmacokinetics (PK) of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) is highly variable across different patient populations and there are controversies regarding non-linear elimination as well as the fraction unbound of PIP (f). This has led to a plethora of subgroup-specific models, increasing the risk of misusing published models when optimising dosing regimens. In this study, we aimed to develop a single model to simultaneously describe the PK of PIP/TAZ in diverse patient populations and evaluate the current dosing recommendations by predicting the PK/pharmacodynamics (PD) target attainment throughout life.

Diagnostic accuracy of neonatal structural MRI scores to predict 6-year motor outcomes of children born very preterm.

Aims: This study aimed to (1) evaluate associations between Early and Term structural MRI (sMRI) brain abnormality scores and adverse motor outcomes at 6-years corrected age (CA), (2) determine their diagnostic accuracy in predicting adverse motor outcomes and cerebral palsy (CP) at 6-years CA.

Methods: Infants born < 31-weeks gestational age (GA) returning for 6-year follow-up were included. Early and Term sMRI were scored using a validated method, deriving white matter, cortical grey matter, deep grey matter, cerebellar and global brain abnormality scores (GBAS).

Meropenem-resistant Burkholderia pseudomallei: a concerning single case in Australia with no prior meropenem exposure.

We report a case of cutaneous melioidosis in a 54-year-old male with a meropenem-resistant sub-population. He was empirically treated with episodic doxycycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; however, the abscess re-accumulated. The patient had no prior exposure to meropenem.

Immunoaffinity-enriched salivary small extracellular vesicles in periodontitis.

Aim: aliva extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as a significant reservoir of biomarkers that may be of clinical use in disease diagnosis. Saliva, however, contains EVs of both host- and bacterial- origin. Identifying suitable EVs for disease diagnosis involves enriching host EVs and limiting non-host contamination with effective isolation methods.

Population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-an ASAP ECMO study.

This study aimed to describe the population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and to identify dosing regimens with a high likelihood of achieving effective exposures. Serial blood samples were collected over a single-dosing interval during ECMO. Total plasma concentrations were measured by a validated chromatographic assay.

A Pilot Study of PSMA PET/CT and MRI Fusion for Prostate Cancer: Software to Replace PET/MRI Hardware.

: Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT), in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may enhance the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. Image fusion of separately acquired PET/CT and MRI images serve to facilitate clinical integration and treatment planning. This study aimed to investigate different PSMA PET/CT and MRI image fusion workflows for prostate cancer visualisation.

Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous cefazolin as an alternative to intravenous administration.

Background: Subcutaneous (SC) administration of antibiotics is a practical alternative to IV administration. Cefazolin is widely used for skin and soft tissue infections and other complex infections by IV administration.

Methods: In this prospective, cross-over self-controlled study, a single dose of SC cefazolin was administered to 15 stable inpatients established on IV cefazolin as part of their management plan.

Genomic virulence markers are associated with severe outcomes in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) bloodstream infection (BSI) is a common healthcare-associated complication linked to antimicrobial resistance and high mortality. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel anti-virulence agents, yet studies on how bacterial virulence affects PA infection outcomes is conflicting and data from real-world clinical populations is limited.

Methods: We studied a multicentre cohort of 773 adult patients with PA BSI consecutively collected during 7-years from sites in Europe and Australia.

A review of antimicrobial stability testing guidance for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy programmes: is it time for global harmonization of testing frameworks?

Antimicrobial stability is an important consideration for treatment planning and service delivery in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programmes. Regulation of stability assessment varies by region, and conflicting guidance and standards exist. This leads to disparity of equity in access and limits availability of certain antimicrobials for managing infections in the outpatient setting.

Cannabinoids as Antibacterial Agents: A Systematic and Critical Review of In Vitro Efficacy Against and .

Background: Two major bacterial pathogens, and , are becoming increasingly antibiotic-resistant. Despite the urgency, only a few new antibiotics have been approved to address these infections. Although cannabinoids have been noted for their antibacterial properties, a comprehensive review of their effects on these bacteria has been lacking.

Indwelling urinary catheter use and adherence to clinical practice guidelines: A point prevalence study in adult hospital inpatients.

Background: Approximately 25% of hospitalised adults require an indwelling urinary catheter (IDC) during their hospital stay. IDCs expose patients to risks of infectious and non-infectious complications.

Aims: To identify IDC prevalence, assess adherence to clinical practice guidelines and patient-reported involvement in IDC care for adult hospital inpatients.