Vascularized fibula strut graft used in neurofibromatosis type 1-related kyphosis: a case of almost complete reversal of deformity-induced tetraparesis.

Study Design Case report. Objective The aim of this study is to describe a case of vascularized fibula strut graft implanted in the cervicothoracic spine of a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1-related progressive kyphosis. Methods A detailed history examination of the surgical procedures and the results of the follow-up after fibula strut graft implantation were performed.

Oral contraception does not alter typical post-exercise interleukin-6 and hepcidin levels in females.

Objectives: The post-exercise interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hepcidin response was investigated during the hormone-deplete and hormone-replete phases of an estradiol and progestogen regulated oral contraceptive cycle (OCC).

Design: Counterbalanced, repeated measures cross-over study.

Methods: Ten active female monophasic oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users completed two 40 min treadmill running trials at 75% of their pre-determined peak oxygen uptake velocity (vVO2peak).

'They never talked to me about... ': Perspectives on aged care resident transfer to emergency departments.

Aims: To explore perspectives of three groups concerning transfers from aged care facilities to emergency departments. We sought to reveal factors influencing transfer decisions; how active each group was in making decisions; and to what extent groups ceded decision-making to others.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews of 11 residents, 14 relatives and 17 staff with content analysis of interview transcripts.

Distinct and combinatorial functions of Jmjd2b/Kdm4b and Jmjd2c/Kdm4c in mouse embryonic stem cell identity.

Self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are established by multiple regulatory pathways operating at several levels. The roles of histone demethylases (HDMs) in these programs are incompletely defined. We conducted a functional RNAi screen for HDMs and identified five potential HDMs essential for mouse ESC identity.

Snakebite in Australia: a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Snakebite is a potential medical emergency and must receive high-priority assessment and treatment, even in patients who initially appear well. Patients should be treated in hospitals with onsite laboratory facilities, appropriate antivenom stocks and a clinician capable of treating complications such as anaphylaxis. All patients with suspected snakebite should be admitted to a suitable clinical unit, such as an emergency short-stay unit, for at least 12 hours after the bite.

Developing a burn injury severity score (BISS): adding age and total body surface area burned to the injury severity score (ISS) improves mortality concordance.

Background: There is limited research validating the injury severity score (ISS) in burns. We examined the concordance of ISS with burn mortality. We hypothesized that combining age and total body surface area (TBSA) burned to the ISS gives a more accurate mortality risk estimate.

Retrospective investigation of postoperative outcome after reversal of residual neuromuscular blockade: sugammadex, neostigmine or no reversal.

Background: Postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) is associated with significant morbidity.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective data analysis was to investigate the influence of the method of RNMB reversal on postoperative outcome.

Setting: Tertiary teaching hospital in Western Australia.

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and risk of breast cancer in Western Australia.

Objective: To evaluate current breast cancer risk due to occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Western Australian population-based Breast Cancer Employment and Environment Study. The Breast Cancer Employment and Environment Study included 1205 cases with incident breast cancer during 2009-2011 and 1789 controls.

Dietary iron enhances colonic inflammation and IL-6/IL-11-Stat3 signaling promoting colonic tumor development in mice.

Chronic intestinal inflammation and high dietary iron are associated with colorectal cancer development. The role of Stat3 activation in iron-induced colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis was investigated in a mouse model of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer. Mice, fed either an iron-supplemented or control diet, were treated with azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).

Molecular determinants of orexin receptor-arrestin-ubiquitin complex formation.

Background And Purpose: The orexin system regulates a multitude of key physiological processes, particularly involving maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Consequently, there is considerable potential for pharmaceutical development for the treatment of disorders from narcolepsy to metabolic syndrome. It acts through the hormonal activity of two endogenous peptides, orexin A binding to orexin receptors 1 and 2 (OX₁ and OX₂) with similar affinity, and orexin B binding to OX₂ with higher affinity than OX₁ receptors.

Advances in research, education and practice in geriatric medicine, 1982-2012.

Over the last 30 years, major advances in the provision of services for frail older people in Australasia have taken place. This has been spurred on by the accumulation of the evidence for benefits of the multidisciplinary team model of comprehensive geriatric assessment and management. Current research is now uncovering mechanisms of frailty associated with the ageing process and will lead to further interventions in the management of the health problems of older people.

NEAT1 long noncoding RNA regulates transcription via protein sequestration within subnuclear bodies.

Paraspeckles are subnuclear structures formed around nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1)/MENε/β long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). Here we show that paraspeckles become dramatically enlarged after proteasome inhibition. This enlargement is mainly caused by NEAT1 transcriptional up-regulation rather than accumulation of undegraded paraspeckle proteins.

License for destruction: tumor-specific cytokine targeting.

Stroma is an integral part of solid tumors and plays a key role in growth promotion and immune suppression. Most current therapies focus on destroying tumors and/or abnormal vasculature. However, evidence is emerging that anticancer efficacy improves with vessel normalization rather than destruction.

Estimated prevalence of exposure to occupational carcinogens in Australia (2011-2012).

Background And Objectives: Although past studies of workplace exposures have contributed greatly to our understanding of carcinogens, significant knowledge gaps still exist with regard to the actual extent of exposure among current workers, with no routinely collected population-based data being available in most countries. This study, the Australian Work Exposures Study (AWES), aimed to investigate the current prevalence of occupational exposure to carcinogens.

Methods: A random sample of men and women aged between 18 and 65, who were currently in paid employment, were invited to participate in a telephone interview collecting information about their current job and various demographic factors.

Near-infrared spectroscopy in the assessment of suspected sepsis in the emergency department.

Background And Aims: The conventional approach to sepsis resuscitation involves early interventions targeting global oxygenation and macro-haemodynamic variables such as central venous and systemic arterial pressures. There is increasing recognition of the importance of microcirculatory changes in shock states, including sepsis, and the relationship of these to outcome. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a recently developed non-invasive technology that measures tissue oxygen saturations (StO2), which may be an indirect measure of the adequacy of the microcirculation.

Long-term effects of aluminium dust inhalation.

Objectives: During the 1950s and 1960s, aluminium dust inhalation was used as a potential prophylaxis against silicosis in underground miners, including in Australia. We investigated the association between aluminium dust inhalation and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and Alzheimer's diseases in a cohort of Australian male underground gold miners. We additionally looked at pneumoconiosis mortality to estimate the effect of the aluminium therapy.

miR-331-3p regulates expression of neuropilin-2 in glioblastoma.

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs, has been implicated in the development and progression of high-grade gliomas. However, the precise mechanistic role of many miRNAs in this disease remains unclear. Here, we investigate the functional role of miR-331-3p in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Clinical validity of the nerve root sedimentation sign in patients with suspected lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background Context: The nerve root sedimentation sign in transverse magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to discriminate well between selected patients with and without lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), but the performance of this new test, when used in a broader patient population, is not yet known.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical performance of the nerve root sedimentation sign in detecting central LSS above L5 and to determine its potential significance for treatment decisions.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Axl mediates acquired resistance of head and neck cancer cells to the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib.

Elevated expression and activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with development and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC) and a poor prognosis. Clinical trials with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g.

The association between different night shiftwork factors and breast cancer: a case-control study.

Background: Research on the possible association between shiftwork and breast cancer is complicated because there are many different shiftwork factors, which might be involved including: light at night, phase shift, sleep disruption and changes in lifestyle factors while on shiftwork (diet, physical activity, alcohol intake and low sun exposure).

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Western Australia from 2009 to 2011 with 1205 incident breast cancer cases and 1789 frequency age-matched controls. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors and lifetime occupational history and a telephone interview was used to obtain further details about the shiftwork factors listed above.

Who is likely to develop persistent low back pain? A longitudinal analysis of prognostic occupational factors.

Objective: Occupational low back pain (LBP) is considered to be the most expensive form of work disability, with the socioeconomic costs of persistent LBP exceeding the costs of acute and subacute LBP by far. This makes the early identification of patients at risk of developing persistent LBP essential, especially in working populations. The aim of the study was to evaluate both risk factors (for the development of persistent LBP) and protective factors (preventing the development of persistent LBP) in the same cohort.

Loss of the nuclear receptor corepressor SLIRP compromises male fertility.

Nuclear receptors (NRs) and their coregulators play fundamental roles in initiating and directing gene expression influencing mammalian reproduction, development and metabolism. SRA stem Loop Interacting RNA-binding Protein (SLIRP) is a Steroid receptor RNA Activator (SRA) RNA-binding protein that is a potent repressor of NR activity. SLIRP is present in complexes associated with NR target genes in the nucleus; however, it is also abundant in mitochondria where it affects mitochondrial mRNA transcription and energy turnover.