Exploring the Current Practices of Universities Regarding the Risk of Violence Towards Undergraduate Students on Clinical Placements: A Scoping Review.

Healthcare students may experience violence from patients and bystanders while undertaking clinical placements. There is ambiguity around responsibility and strategies used to support students before, during and after incidents. A scoping review was conducted of peer reviewed publications (CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Web of Science) and grey literature (Open Grey, WONDER, WorldCat, Trove, Google Scholar).

Interferon-α Nasal Spray Prophylaxis Reduces COVID-19 in Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: We evaluated whether a daily nasal spray of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) would reduce the incidence of COVID-19 or community-acquired respiratory viral infections in adult cancer patients.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, participants were randomized 1:1 to receive daily 40 000 IU IFN-α nasal spray or normal saline placebo. Participants who developed influenza-like symptoms self-collected nasal swabs for PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, seasonal coronavirus, picornavirus, human metapneumovirus, and/or SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing.

Monte Carlo prediction and experimental characterisation of long-lived waste byproducts arising from cyclotron production of zirconium-89 utilising a commercially available yttrium foil.

Zirconium-89 is presently undergoing pre-clinical investigation for its potential application as a positron emission tomography (PET) theranostic radioisotope. A critical consideration in the increasing number of trials and eventual clinical implementations is a comprehensive understanding of the radioactive waste byproducts and their quantification. This study focuses on the investigation and characterisation of the waste isotopes generated during the production of Zirconium-89, employing a combination of Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation and experimental methodologies utilising commercially obtainable starting materials from Thermofisher.

Parental perception of pain in premature babies in neonatal intensive care unit: a qualitative study.

Objective: To examine parents' awareness and perceptions of their premature baby's experience of pain, due to invasive procedures performed during admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Study Design: Parents of premature babies, who had been admitted to NICU, were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Fifteen semi-structured interviews, with individual parents, were conducted.

Global Cognition and Inhibition as Predictors of Dynamic Balance in Aging Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To identify cognitive domains predictive of dynamic balance performance in older adults and inform targeted cognitive-motor interventions aimed at improving balance and reducing fall risk. This cross-sectional study used hierarchical multiple regression to analyze relationships between cognitive domains and dynamic balance among 62 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). Balance was assessed using the Y Balance Test (YBT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), while cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (global cognition), Stroop Test (inhibition), N-back Test (working memory), and Deary-Liewald Reaction Time Test (processing speed).

The environmental impact of tray-line packaging waste at an Australian tertiary hospital: Retrospective observational study.

Aims: To quantify the volume of tray-line packaging waste at an Australian metropolitan tertiary hospital and explore current disposal methods and their environmental impact.

Methods: The patient menu ordering system was used to retrospectively quantify packaged menu items served on the tray-line from March 2023 to March 2024, with some of the data extrapolated from a 3-month period to provide an estimate of 12-month quantities. The packaged weight of all menu items was multiplied by the number of times they were plated and served to patients.

Implementing Teletrials to Improve Equity of Access for Regional Patients With Cancer: Report From the Victorian Teletrial Collaborative.

Aim: The uptake of telehealth, including for clinical trials (teletrials), accelerated during the pandemic and helps address inequity of access for underserved populations. This report discusses the work of experts in Victoria to implement teletrials in cancer clinical trials but has learnings for other jurisdictions and in other disease types.

Methods: Three funded programs in Victoria (the Regional Trials Network Victoria, Trial Hub Alfred, and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance), each tasked with improving access to clinical trials for regional patients, formed the Victorian Teletrial Collaborative.

Evaluation of a Digital Health Model of Care for the Management of Adults With Symptomatic Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Background: The management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is inconsistent across health services. Many centres do not routinely offer all treatment options for MPE, with indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) being a primary example. This may be due to lack of specialist expertise or nursing capability to support the community-based treatment.

Understanding and Predicting Elder Abuse Response Capabilities: Insights from Singapore's Community Care Professionals.

Elder abuse is a significant global issue, with health and social care professionals playing a crucial role in its detection and management. This cross-sectional study quantitatively surveyed 291 community care professionals in Singapore, recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing their capabilities (knowledge, attitudes, and confidence) and the barriers and enablers influencing their ability to address elder abuse.

Healthy Smiles: Promoting Good Oral Health for Youth With Serious Mental Illness.

Background: Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are disproportionally affected by oral diseases, contributing to already poor physical health outcomes. Young adults are particularly vulnerable, with high psychological distress and greater health service engagement barriers. Early adulthood is a key opportunity to change the trajectory of poor oral health among youth with SMI (YSMI) by supporting oral hygiene self-care routines and timely access to oral healthcare.

ADAM Proteases in Cancer: Biological Roles, Therapeutic Challenges, and Emerging Opportunities.

ADAM (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase) family members are multifunctional transmembrane proteases that govern tumorigenesis and metastasis by cleaving membrane-bound substrates such as growth factors, cytokines, and cell adhesion molecules. Several ADAMs, including ADAM8, ADAM9, ADAM10, ADAM12, and ADAM17, are overexpressed in malignancies and are linked with a poor prognosis. These proteases contribute to tumour growth by regulating cell proliferation, cell fate, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion.

The Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Practice Nurses in the Provision of Medication Abortion: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Aim: To examine practice nurse knowledge, attitudes, and practices about medication abortion in Australia.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A national online survey was conducted from July to December 2021.

Characterization of mAb104, a mAb Targeting a Conformationally Exposed, Tumor-Specific Epitope of HER2.

We generated a novel HER2 mAb104, which binds to an epitope in domain II of HER2 that is conformationally exposed in tumors in response to HER2 amplification or activation but is not accessible to antibody binding in normal tissues. Consistent with other studies that evaluated antibodies targeting conformationally exposed epitopes, mAb104 lacked in vitro activity but showed potent antitumor activity in vivo. The antitumor effect in vivo was similar in magnitude to trastuzumab and pertuzumab, and combination with trastuzumab was superior to trastuzumab alone.

Practice Nurse Provision of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge and Practices.

Aim: To describe practice nurse long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) knowledge and practices.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Between July and December 2021, we conducted an online survey using convenience sampling to recruit Australian nurses who work in primary care, known as practice nurses.

A meta-analysis of persuasive design, engagement, and efficacy in 92 RCTs of mental health apps.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy of digital mental health apps and the impact of persuasive design principles on intervention engagement and outcomes. Ninety-two RCTs and 16,728 participants were included in the meta-analyses. Findings indicate that apps significantly improved clinical outcomes compared to controls (g = 0.

Outcomes after suppressive antimicrobial therapy for prosthetic joint infection: a prospective cohort study.

The objective of this study was to describe the use of and outcomes after suppressive antimicrobial therapy (SAT) in a large prospective peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) cohort. SAT was defined as antimicrobial therapy continuing beyond 12 months from PJI diagnosis or where there was an early intention for SAT. The primary outcome was "treatment failure" at 24 months, defined as any of (i) clinical evidence of (ii) further surgery for or (iii) death from PJI.

GLIM consensus approach to diagnosis of malnutrition: A 5-year update.

Background: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) introduced an approach for malnutrition diagnosis in 2019 that comprised screening followed by assessment of three phenotypic criteria (weight loss, low body mass index [BMI], and low muscle mass) and two etiologic criteria (reduced food intake/assimilation and inflammation/disease burden). This planned update reconsiders the GLIM framework based on published knowledge and experience over the past 5 years.

Methods: A working group (n = 43 members) conducted a literature search spanning 2019-2024 using the keywords "Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition or GLIM.

The GLIM consensus approach to diagnosis of malnutrition: A 5-year update.

Background: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) introduced an approach for malnutrition diagnosis in 2019 comprised of screening followed by assessment of three phenotypic criteria: weight loss, low BMI, and low muscle mass, and two etiologic criteria: reduced food intake/assimilation, and inflammation/disease burden. This planned update reconsiders the GLIM framework based on published knowledge and experience over the past five years.

Methods: A GLIM working group (n = 43 members) conducted a literature search spanning 2019-2024 using the keywords "Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition or GLIM".

Research metrics of Australian eating disorders researchers.

Building the research capacity and capability of Australia's eating disorder (ED) research workforce has been identified as a key strategy to respond to the increasing prevalence of EDs. However, there is currently a limited understanding of the research strengths and scope of this workforce and this is a barrier to capacity building efforts and to evaluating the impacts of these efforts. This study sought to understand and summarise the current research metrics of the top 50 research experts in Australia identified through Expertscape.

Effectiveness of Brief Interventions for Sexual Assault Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Sexual assault is a pervasive social issue worldwide, with significant harmful impacts on survivors' mental health and well-being. Sexual assault services that provide specialist crisis and therapeutic programs are contending with long waiting lists. Brief interventions are emerging as a potential strategy to provide timely care, but it is important to know whether these approaches remain effective in improving patient outcomes.

Exploring Social Determinants of Health in Veterinary Technology: A Workshop Approach to Enhancing Companion Animal Welfare and Student Awareness.

Incorporating social determinants of health (SDH) into veterinary education is essential for preparing students to address companion animal welfare comprehensively. This teaching tip describes a yearly workshop conducted with veterinary technology students to explore how SDH factors influence companion animal guardians, and the clinical decisions made by veterinary professionals. The workshop emphasized key communication skills and addressed student biases.

Clinical validation of the Roche cobas HPV test on the Roche cobas 6800 system for the purpose of cervical screening and qualification as a second-generation comparator test.

This study assessed the relative clinical sensitivity and specificity for cervical precancer of the Roche cobas HPV test when processed using the Roche cobas 6800 system using the Roche cobas 4800 HPV test as comparator. Intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility were evaluated as well. The cobas HPV test run on the cobas 6800 platform demonstrated a relative clinical sensitivity of 1.

Challenges and enablers for scaling up interventions targeting non-communicable diseases: a qualitative study applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to 19 research projects worldwide.

Introduction: Scaling up interventions targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a global health priority, and implementation research can contribute to that effort. In 2019, the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases funded 27 implementation research studies to improve evidence for scaling up interventions targeting prevention and/or control of hypertension and/or diabetes in low-resource settings. We examined these studies to improve the understanding of the implementation factors, including challenges and facilitators, that influence the early implementation phase of scale-up research projects targeting NCDs.