Air pollution and alveolar health.

Exposure to air pollution has been associated with up to 9 million premature deaths per year worldwide, with the respiratory system a key site for its effects. Air pollution exposure is a well-established risk factor for the development and exacerbation of airways diseases and lung cancer, however relatively little is known regarding the risks associated with air pollution interacting with areas of gas exchange - the alveoli and pulmonary interstitium. In recent years, evidence has emerged identifying a role in the development and progression of sub-clinical interstitial lung abnormalities as well as progression and risk of exacerbation of fibrotic interstitial lung diseases.

When are Quarnets Sufficient to Reconstruct Semi-directed Phylogenetic Networks?

Phylogenetic networks are graphs that are used to represent evolutionary relationships between different taxa. They generalize phylogenetic trees since for example, unlike trees, they permit lineages to combine. Recently, there has been rising interest in semi-directed phylogenetic networks, which are mixed graphs in which certain lineage combination events are represented by directed edges coming together, whereas the remaining edges are left undirected.

Wire Cerclage Versus Rigid Plate Fixation: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Cost-Benefit Analysis on Method of Sternotomy Closure After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Despite increasing evidence demonstrating the merits of rigid plate fixation over wire cerclage for sternotomy closure, wire cerclage remains the predominant standard of care, largely because of the substantial cost of plating systems and the perceived lack of difference to outcomes.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the incidence of sternal complications between patients receiving rigid plate fixation vs wire cerclage and thereby assess the cost vs benefit of said sternal closure methods.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on patients who underwent open cardiac surgery at a single Australian tertiary centre between January 2019 and January 2023.

Ceftobiprole versus ceftriaxone ± linezolid in Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP): Re-analysis of a randomized, phase 3 study using 2020 FDA guidance.

Background: Ceftobiprole is an advanced-generation cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, resistant pneumococci, and Enterobacterales. In a Phase 3 study in community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) performed prior to the current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance, clinical cure at the test-of-cure visit (TOC) was the primary endpoint. We present a re-analysis using early clinical success as the primary endpoint per the 2020 FDA CABP Guidance.

Retifanlimab with carboplatin and paclitaxel for locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (POD1UM-303/InterAACT-2): a global, phase 3 randomised controlled trial.

Background: Retifanlimab has activity in programmed death ligand 1-positive advanced squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC) that has progressed on platinum chemotherapy. We aimed to prospectively assess the benefit of adding retifanlimab to initial carboplatin-paclitaxel for this disease.

Methods: This global, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial was done at 70 centres in 12 countries across the EU, Australia, Japan, the UK, and the USA.

Prevalence of Intolerance to Amines and Salicylates in Individuals with Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objectives: Elimination diets targeting amines and salicylates have been used since the 1980s to diagnose pharmacological food intolerance in individuals with atopic dermatitis (eczema), yet supporting evidence regarding relevance is limited. To our knowledge, this systematic review with meta-analysis is the first to examine the prevalence and association between atopic dermatitis flares and amine intolerance (including histamine intolerance) and salicylate intolerance in individuals with atopic dermatitis.

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, searches of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane were conducted.

Immune impacts of infant whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccination on co-administered vaccines.

Objectives: We compared the effect of a heterologous wP/aP/aP primary series (hereafter mixed wP/aP) versus a homologous aP/aP/aP primary schedule (hereafter aP-only) on antibody responses to co-administered vaccine antigens in infants and toddlers.

Methods: We randomised Australian infants in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a mixed wP/aP schedule (pentavalent diphtheria-tetanus-wP-hepatitis B-Haemophilus influenzae type b; DTwP-HepB-Hib vaccine at 6 weeks old, followed by hexavalent DTaP-inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)-HepB-Hib vaccine at 4 and 6 months old) or aP-only priming doses of hexavalent DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib vaccine at the same ages. All infants received 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPCV) at 6 weeks, 4 and 12 months of age and DTaP-IPV and Hib vaccine boosters at 18 months.

Long-term (12 months) vs. short-term (<12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy post-percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents: a critical appraisal and systematic review.

Background: A growing body of evidence supports short-term DAPT as safe and efficacious following PCI with DES. However, methodological criticism of RCTs has led to caution when translating results into clinical practice. This study aimed to critically appraise the methodological rigour of included studies and consolidate the evidence on the safety and efficacy of short-term DAPT.

A Mediation Model of Social Anxiety Development During Early Childhood Stuttering.

Purpose: Stuttering is associated with clinically significant social anxiety, which emerges during early childhood for some, but not all, children who begin to stutter. The purpose of this review article is to develop a model of social anxiety development during early childhood stuttering and to present an empirical method by which it can be tested.

Method: We propose a mediation model of how the exposure variable of stuttering may lead to an outcome of social anxiety.

Community pharmacists' referrals to General Practice with suspected need of antibiotics: an Australian cross-sectional pilot study.

Background: Interventions to reduce antibiotic use focus on general practitioners (GPs) and patient behaviour, not pharmacists, who may inadvertently drive antibiotic expectations by referrals to GPs. No data are available on pharmacist referrals for suspected antibiotic-requiring infections. We conducted a feasibility pilot to provide data for robust sample size calculation and identify areas for further exploration.

Impact of obesity on clinical outcomes in patients treated with ceftobiprole: results from Phase 3 clinical trials.

Background: Ceftobiprole was non-inferior to comparators for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (bacteraemia) (SAB), acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI), and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), leading to regulatory approval for these indications. Whether dosing should be modified for patients with obesity is unknown.

Objectives: This post hoc analysis evaluated the relationship of obesity and clinical outcomes in patients treated with ceftobiprole for SAB, ABSSSI or CABP.

Squirrel: Reconstructing Semi-directed Phylogenetic Level-1 Networks from Four-Leaved Networks or Sequence Alignments.

With the increasing availability of genomic data, biologists aim to find more accurate descriptions of evolutionary histories influenced by secondary contact, where diverging lineages reconnect before diverging again. Such reticulate evolutionary events can be more accurately represented in phylogenetic networks than in phylogenetic trees. Since the root location of phylogenetic networks cannot be inferred from biological data under several evolutionary models, we consider semi-directed (phylogenetic) networks: partially directed graphs without a root in which the directed edges represent reticulate evolutionary events.

Effectiveness of nasal high-flow oxygen during apnoea on hypoxaemia and intubation success in paediatric emergency and ICU settings: a randomised, controlled, open-label trial.

Background: The use of nasal high-flow (NHF) oxygen for apnoeic oxygenation during emergency paediatric intubation is not universally adopted. Although previous studies suggest potential benefits, it remains unclear whether NHF enhances the likelihood of achieving successful first-attempt intubation without oxygen desaturation in children. We aimed to investigate whether the provision of NHF oxygen during paediatric emergency intubation can improve intubation outcomes.

Implementing educational interventions and key performance measures sustains quality of endoscopic assessment in patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Background And Study Aims: Quality metrics for Barrett's esophagus (BE) are anticipated to improve outcomes for patients through earlier detection of neoplasia. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has developed guidelines to homogenize endoscopic quality in BE. Our study aimed to assess the impact of recommended key performance measures (KPMs) and their sustainability.

Applying first & second harmonic spectral phasor analysis on a single-wavelength calcium fluorophore.

Ratiometric and single-wavelength fluorophores are limited in their ability to provide basal level activity prior to treatment. This study presents a novel approach to characterise cell-wide basal activity of calcium using first and second harmonic spectral phasor analysis. Cells stained with the single-wavelength calcium fluorophore Oregon Green™ BAPTA 1-AM exhibited significant differences in wavelength or width in the nucleus, cytoplasm and membrane under basal conditions.

Retrograde cervical insertion of spinal cord stimulator in persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 in patient with fusion from sacrum to T10.

Introduction: Placement of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a neuromodulatory technique with several indications, including persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS2), painful diabetic neuropathy, non-surgical chronic low back pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. SCS is conventionally placed in a caudal to cranial fashion (anterograde), yet there are cases such that spinal fusion hardware and adhesions prevent this insertion technique.

Case Presentation: Our patient is a 57-year-old man with PSPS2 who had extensive spinal fusion and epidural scarring extending from the sacrum to T10.

Influence of Travel Demands and Match Load on Recovery Following Postmatch Travel in National-Team Footballers.

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between travel demands and match loads on perceptual recovery, fatigue, and sleep following postmatch travel in national football teams. In addition, the influence of travel demands and the time between match kickoff and travel departure on postmatch recovery was examined.

Methods: Match-running load (via GPS) and travel data were obtained from 79 male national-team footballers.