HLA-B*15:01-positive severe COVID-19 patients lack CD8 T cell pools with highly expanded public clonotypes.

Understanding host factors driving asymptomatic versus severe disease outcomes is of key importance if we are to control emerging and re-emerging viral infections. HLA-B*15:01 has been associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in nonhospitalized individuals of European ancestry, with protective immunity attributed to preexisting cross-reactive CD8 T-cells directed against HLA-B*15:01-restricted Spike-derived S peptide (B15/SCD8 T-cells). However, fundamental questions remained on the abundance and clonotypic nature of CD8 T-cell responses in HLA-B*15:01-positive patients who succumbed to life-threatening COVID-19.

The Construct and Predictive Validity of the Japanese Version of the Intensive Care Unit Mobility Scale.

: The increasing emphasis on early mobilization in intensive care units (ICUs) has underscored the need for quick, simple, and reliable tools to assess patients' mobilization levels. The ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) was developed to address this need and has been translated into a Japanese version. This study aimed to evaluate the construct and predictive validity of the Japanese version of the IMS in critically ill patients.

Impact of frailty on in-hospital outcomes in nonagenarian ICU patients: a binational multicenter analysis of 8,220 cases.

Background: As global populations age, the number of nonagenarians admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) is rising. Frailty, a multidimensional syndrome marked by diminished physiological reserves, has been associated with adverse outcomes in older ICU patients. However, evidence remains limited regarding its prognostic significance in nonagenarians, who represent a unique and rapidly growing subset of critically ill patients.

Thoracolumbar Fractures: Historical Systems and Advancements With the AO Spine Classification.

Study DesignSystematic Review.ObjectiveTo describe the historical classifications of thoracolumbar injuries and their evolution into the AO Spine Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System.MethodsA systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases was performed in keeping with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Demographics, treatment, and outcomes of rib fractures in older adults: a retrospective multi-institutional study.

Purpose: Rib fractures in the elderly can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Management is generally conservative due to the perceived risks related to frailty and co-morbidities. The primary aim of this exploratory study was to describe the demographics and outcomes of traumatic rib fractures in older Australians admitted to major trauma centres.

Low bacterial metabolism as a central mechanism of antimicrobial resistance and potential therapeutic target of staphylococcal biofilms in ventricular assist device driveline infections.

Objectives: Ventricular assist device driveline infections are difficult-to-treat diseases due to high antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of microbial biofilms. Multiple mechanisms of biofilm AMR have been proposed based on simplified in vitro models and demonstrated limited clinical implications. This study aimed to re-evaluate mechanisms contributing to staphylococcal biofilm AMR encountered in driveline infections and identify translatable therapeutic targets.

Screening, characterising and assessing malnutrition in the hospital setting: A large-scale point prevalence survey.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of undernutrition, overnutrition, and simultaneous malnutrition in a hospital setting, as well as undernutrition risk and dietetic intervention rates.

Methods: A point prevalence survey was conducted annually from 2016 to 2024 (excluding 2020-2021 due to Coronavirus Disease 2019) across three metropolitan health service hospital sites. Eligible multiday inpatients underwent bedside assessments and medical record reviews to determine Body Mass Index, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool scores, and undernutrition status based on either the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, or the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition.

Pre-Clinical Models of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Advancing Knowledge for Device Based Therapies.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing health problem worldwide, accounting for half of all heart failure cases. HFpEF patients present with diverse underlying causes and symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. Current pharmacological therapies are inadequate, while approved device-based therapies have shown limited success due to patient heterogeneity.

Cellular and molecular characterisation of the peripheral immune environment in migraine.

Introduction: Peripheral immune dysfunction may be critically involved in the pathophysiology of migraine. Some evidence supports a role for peripheral T cells, monocytes, and humoral factors including kynurenine metabolites and cytokines, however a comprehensive picture has yet to emerge.

Objective: This study sought to undertake a systematic assessment of the immune changes in episodic and chronic migraine across phases of the migraine cycle.

The prevalence and use of arterial catheters in adult intensive care units: An Australian and New Zealand point prevalence study.

Background: Arterial catheters (ACs) are commonly used in intensive care units (ICUs) for monitoring and blood sampling. Optimising AC care requires a better understanding of current use and practices.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of AC use in ICU patients and describe current clinical practices.

Return-to-Sport Recommendations in Athletes Requiring Cervical Spine Surgery: A Modified Delphi Consensus Survey of Expert Opinion.

Study Design: Modified Delphi consensus survey.

Objective: To survey expert opinion on postoperative return-to-sport (RTS) decisions in athletes requiring cervical spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Postoperative sport participation recommendations for athletes requiring cervical spine surgery are lacking, and management of these athletes remains challenging.

The epidemiology, management, and the associated burden of migraine in Australian primary care: a retrospective analysis of electronic health record data.

Background: Migraine accounts for more disability than all other neurologic conditions combined. Despite this, more than 40% of people with migraine do not seek medical care. Migraine is associated with a higher risk of comorbidities, adding to the symptom burden.

Withdrawal of heart failure therapy after atrial fibrillation rhythm control with ejection fraction normalization: the WITHDRAW-AF trial.

Background And Aims: Atrial fibrillation-mediated cardiomyopathy (AFCM) represents an important reversible cause of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Current clinical practice is indefinite heart failure (HF) pharmacotherapy despite left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) normalization. However, whether this is necessary to maintain normal LVEF, in addition to rhythm control, is uncertain.

Liberal or restrictive transfusion for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients: a target trial emulation using the OBLEX study data.

Background: The optimal transfusion threshold for patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) remains uncertain.

Methods: We used data from OBLEX (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03714048), an international, prospective, observational study conducted across 12 centres in Australia, Europe, and North America between 2019 and 2022.

Obesity and nutrition risk in patients admitted to intensive care after cardiac arrest: A multicentre cohort study.

Background: The double burden of malnutrition, defined as the co-existence of overnutrition with undernutrition, is increasing in prevalence globally. Yet, little is known about its impact on patients with cardiac arrest. We examined the association between malnutrition and outcomes in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) after cardiac arrest.

Qualitative analysis of barriers and facilitators to healthcare engagement for people with injecting-related invasive infections using a social ecological framework.

Background And Aims: Injecting-related bacterial infections are increasing in many countries. Systemic infections often require prolonged treatment. Evidence suggests that people who inject drugs who have invasive infections are less likely to complete antimicrobial treatment and have poorer outcomes than patients without a history of injecting drug use.

Neurotoxicity associated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy involves reengineering patient-derived or donor-derived T cells to express a synthetic CAR that can recognise specific cell-surface antigens, independently of major histocompatibility complex molecules. As of March 2025, six autologous CAR-T cell products have received regulatory approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for B-cell derived haematological malignancies and multiple myeloma, delivering effective and durable treatment responses. All currently approved CAR-T cell therapy products target either CD19 or B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA).

An Exploratory Comparison of Alpha and Beta Network Connectivity Across Four Depression Subtypes.

Depression is a major disorder that has been described in terms of its underlying neurological characteristics, often measured via EEG. However, almost all previous research into the EEG correlates of depression has used a unitary model of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), whereas there is strong evidence that MDD is heterogeneous in its symptomatology and neurological underpinnings. To investigate the EEG signatures of four subtypes of depression defined according to the previous literature, the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale was administered to 54 male and 46 female volunteers (M age = 32.

Mapping and Ablation of Paraseptal Focal Atrial Tachycardias.

Background: Focal atrial tachycardia (AT) may arise from a range of closely related anatomical sites in the paraseptal region.

Objectives: This study sought to define the anatomical distribution and examine the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological features of paraseptal focal AT, suggest a mapping approach, and report ablation outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study defined paraseptal ATs as originating from the following anatomical sites: right perinodal region, septal tricuspid annulus, right septum, coronary sinus (CS) ostium, left septum, septal mitral annulus, aorto-mitral continuity, and non-coronary cusp (NCC) adjacent.

Evaluation of interventions for trauma care in older adults: a consensus study.

Background: Trauma care of older adults is an important and growing public health issue. Countries such as the United States and United Kingdom have published best-practice guidelines on the management of older trauma patients. In Australia, there are no such guidelines.

Aspirin, cardiovascular events, and major bleeding in older adults: extended follow-up of the ASPREE trial.

Background And Aims: Guidelines recommend against routine initiation of low-dose aspirin in older adults for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. This study aimed to estimate long-term and post-trial effects of aspirin on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major haemorrhage using extended follow-up of participants from the ASPREE trial.

Methods: In-trial (2010-17) and post-trial (2017-22) data were analysed.