Aboveground-belowground linkages across vegetation degradation gradients differ among native eucalypt communities.

Native vegetation degradation impacts soil communities and their functions. However, these impacts are often studied by comparing soil biotic attributes across qualitatively defined, discrete degradation levels within a single plant community at a specific location. Direct quantification of the relationships between vegetation and soil attributes across continuous degradation gradients and at larger scales is rare but holds greater potential to reveal robust patterns in aboveground-belowground linkages that may apply across different plant communities.

Primary Antibody Deficiencies: Curation Of Gene-Disease Relationships Using A ClinGen Validation Framework.

Background: The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) is an international collaborative effort between scientists and clinicians, diagnostic and research laboratories as well as the patient community. Using a standardized framework, ClinGen has established guidelines to classify gene-disease relationships as Definitive, Strong, Moderate, and Limited based on available scientific and clinical evidence. When the genetic and functional evidence for a gene-disease relationship has conflicting interpretations or contradictory evidence, they can be Disputed or Refuted.

Return to Sport after First Metatarsophalangeal Arthrodesis in Elite Athletes.

Introduction: Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) is a reliable procedure in alleviating pain and restoring function. However, there is limited published literature of the outcomes of this procedure and the ability to return to sport in elite athletes. This study aims to assess the outcomes of first MTPJ arthrodesis in the elite athlete population and their ability to return to professional sport.

Transcriptional regulation of Rankl by Txnip-Ecd in aging and diabetic related osteoporosis.

Introduction: Bone homeostasis between osteoclast bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation is tightly regulated by a series of factors such as the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Denosumab that neutralizes RANKL is effective and widely applied in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, factors that participated in the RANKL-related bone remodeling process in primary and secondary osteoporosis are less known.

Interrelated issues within the Water-Energy-Food nexus with a focus on environmental pollution for sustainable development: A review.

Pollution within the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus has a profound impact on environmental health, human well-being, and the sustainability of essential resource systems. This study seeks to highlight the crucial link between pollution and the WEF nexus, aiming to inform authorities and policymakers to foster the development of sustainable policies. The research employed a comprehensive systematic review methodology, utilizing the Scopus database to identify 2524 relevant peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2023.

Population genomics reveals strong impacts of genetic drift without purging and guides conservation of bull and giant kelp.

Kelp forests are declining in many parts of the northeast Pacific. In small populations, genetic drift can reduce adaptive variation and increase fixation of recessive deleterious alleles, but natural selection may purge harmful variants. To understand evolutionary dynamics and inform restoration strategies, we investigated genetic structure and the outcomes of genetic drift and purging by sequencing the genomes of 429 bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) and 211 giant kelp (Macrocystis sp.

Resistance Training and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.

Background: Convincing evidence supports that moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity decreases the risk of breast cancer. However, less is known about the role specific domains of physical activity play in breast cancer prevention, such as resistance training (RT). This case-control study investigated the association between RT and breast cancer risk.

A deep learning approach versus expert clinician panel in the classification of posterior circulation infarction.

Background: Posterior circulation infarction (POCI) is common. Imaging techniques such as non-contrast-CT (NCCT) and diffusion-weighted-magnetic-resonance-imaging commonly fail to detect hyperacute POCI. Studies suggest expert inspection of Computed Tomography Perfusion (CTP) improves diagnosis of POCI.

Facilitators and barriers of accessing community health services for children in the early years: An Australian qualitative study.

Introduction: Foundations for health are set in the first years of life, however many children in Australia do not attain optimal development due to inequitable access to specialist care through impacting social determinants of health. There is a research gap in evidence for sustaining early years services that address these barriers. This study aimed to understand experiences and priorities of parents/carers and service providers around access to specialist early years health services in low socioeconomic areas of Armadale, Western Australia.

Development of a patient decision aid for people with chronic low back pain and degenerative disc disease considering lumbar fusion: A mixed-methods study.

Objectives: To develop and user-test a patient decision aid providing evidence-based information for people with chronic low back pain (LBP) and degenerative disc disease considering lumbar fusion.

Design: Convergent parallel mixed methods study.

Setting: A prototype patient decision aid was developed, guided by the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) criteria, a multidisciplinary steering committee, and insights from previous studies.

The global prevalence of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to review the literature and estimate the global pooled prevalence of interstitial lung disease among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA-ILD). The influence of risk factors like geography, socioeconomic status, smoking and DMARD use will be explored. A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA and JBI guidelines.

Associations between bone material strength index and FRAX scores.

Introduction: Impact microindentation (IMI) measures bone material strength index (BMSi) in vivo. However, its ability to predict fractures is still uncertain. This study aimed to determine the association between BMSi and 10 year fracture probability, as calculated by the FRAX algorithm.

The Relationships Between Multidimensional Schizotypy and Metacognitive Beliefs.

There has been a recent surge in schizotypy and metacognition research. Metacognition is an umbrella term for higher-order thought processes. Here, we focussed on maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, which are beliefs related to one's thought processes and often play an important role in the preponderance of psychological disorders.

Definitions and use of tumour bulk in phase 3 lymphoma trials: a comprehensive literature review.

Tumour 'bulk' has historically been considered an important prognostic marker and clinical tool to guide treatment in patients with lymphoma. However, its use and definitions in trial designs varies significantly and it is unclear how this has influenced the relevance of bulk in contemporary practice. This comprehensive literature review evaluated the definitions, applications and prognostic impact of bulk in phase 3 randomised trials in four major lymphoma subtypes.

Combined first-trimester screening for preterm small-for-gestational-age infants: Australian multicenter clinical feasibility study.

Objective: To assess the performance of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) first-trimester competing-risks screening model for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses requiring delivery at < 37 weeks' gestation, in a large cohort of women receiving maternity care in Australia.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a cohort of women attending one of two private multicenter fetal medicine practices for first-trimester screening for preterm pre-eclampsia (PE), defined as PE requiring delivery before 37 weeks' gestation. Risk for preterm SGA, defined as SGA requiring delivery before 37 weeks, was calculated but was not disclosed to the patient or referring physician.

Study of Children Aged Under 2 Years Admitted With RSV at Four Australian Hospitals [2021-2022].

Aims: Primary aim was to review severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) hospitalisations caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children aged < 2 years in paediatric hospitals in Australia. Secondary aims included RSV subtyping, assessing RSV seasonality and contributing to the World Health Organisation's RSV surveillance programme.

Methods: We prospectively reviewed the medical records of children (< 2 years of age) with a confirmed SARI who were admitted to one of four major Australian paediatric hospitals and had a respiratory sample analysed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Evaluation of preventive medicine amongst people living with human immunodeficiency virus attending a hospital-based care setting.

Background: With improved outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the use of anti-retroviral therapy, ensuring adequate preventative healthcare and management of HIV-related comorbidities is essential.

Aims: To evaluate adherence with recommended guidelines for comorbidity and immunisation status screening amongst people living with HIV within a hospital-based setting across two timepoints.

Methods: A single-centre retrospective case series was conducted at a hospital between 2011 and 2021.

Leaf Photosynthetic and Respiratory Thermal Acclimation in Terrestrial Plants in Response to Warming: A Global Synthesis.

Leaf photosynthesis and respiration are two of the largest carbon fluxes between the atmosphere and biosphere. Although experiments examining the warming effects on photosynthetic and respiratory thermal acclimation have been widely conducted, the sensitivity of various ecosystem and vegetation types to warming remains uncertain. Here we conducted a meta-analysis on experimental observations of thermal acclimation worldwide.

The effect of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative compliance on the association between mode of birth and breastfeeding initiation in Sri Lanka.

Background: In Sri Lanka, there is some evidence that the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation varies by exposure to Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative [BFHI]-compliant care and mode of birth. Globally, there is some evidence that exposure to mother-baby skin-to-skin contact (BFHI Step 4) is lower in caesarean section births. Therefore, we aimed to determine how breastfeeding initiation varies by mode of birth in Sri Lanka, and the extent to which women's exposure to BFHI practices explains any associations found.

Gambling advertising regulation in Ghana: what do we know and where to next?

In Ghana and many other sub-Saharan African countries gambling advertising has become pervasive due to weak regulations that allow gambling operators to zealously promote their products as a risk-free way to make money. In this commentary, we provide a public health perspective based on document analysis of the Ghana Gaming Commission's guidelines on advertisements, and recommendations for strengthening Ghana's gambling regulatory environment. With the industry intensifying its focus on new markets to grow and sustain profits, and new global players entering Ghana's market, the competition for market share will most likely intensify with an associated and aggressive increase in gambling advertising.

Soil Nitrogen Supply Exerts Largest Influence on Leaf Nitrogen in Environments with the Greatest Leaf Nitrogen Demand.

Accurately representing the relationships between nitrogen supply and photosynthesis is crucial for reliably predicting carbon-nitrogen cycle coupling in Earth System Models (ESMs). Most ESMs assume positive correlations amongst soil nitrogen supply, leaf nitrogen content, and photosynthetic capacity. However, leaf photosynthetic nitrogen demand may influence the leaf nitrogen response to soil nitrogen supply; thus, responses to nitrogen supply are expected to be the largest in environments where demand is the greatest.

Identifying Gaps in Detection of Heart Valve Disease in Australia: A Population Survey.

Background: Untreated severe heart valve disease (HVD) is associated with premature mortality. Research shows low population awareness of when to seek assessment and low focus on cardiac auscultation by physicians in primary care settings. We studied contemporary public knowledge of HVD and assessment by their general practitioner (GP) in Australia.

Quantitative pre-clinical imaging of hypoxia and vascularity using MRI and PET.

During hypoxia, tissues are subjected to an inadequate oxygen supply, disrupting the balance needed to maintain normal function. This deficiency can occur due to reduced oxygen delivery caused by impaired blood flow or a decline in the blood's ability to carry oxygen. In tumors, hypoxia and vascularization play crucial roles, shaping their microenvironments and influencing cancer progression, response to treatment and metastatic potential.

Infantry training outcomes: are they improved with an initial reduction in load carriage mass and additional sprint intensity exercise?

Introduction: Infantry is a physically demanding trade that is associated with elevated rates of musculoskeletal injury. A 17-week longitudinal intervention assessed the effect of a progressive increase in load carriage mass and sprint-intensity intervals on physical performance, physical complaints, medical encounters, physical activity and sleep in infantry trainees.

Methods: 91 infantry trainees from 2 separate platoons, randomly assigned as control (CON) or experimental (EXP), provided written voluntary consent.