Untangling metabolic interactions of a nongrowing, hydrogen producing synthetic coculture through a multispecies metabolic flux analysis.

In this study a methodology to elucidate metabolic interactions that enhance hydrogen (H) production in cocultures under nongrowing conditions is presented. Core metabolic models of Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Clostridium butyricum were integrated to perform a multispecies metabolic flux analysis (mMFA), constrained by experimentally measured yields. Flux distributions were clustered, and thermodynamically favorable solutions were identified.

Haemodynamic characteristics of thin-walled regions in intracranial aneurysms: intraoperative imaging and CFD analysis.

Background: Identifying haemodynamic factors associated with thin-walled regions (TWRs) of intracranial aneurysms is critical for improving pre-surgical rupture risk assessment. Intraoperatively, these regions are visually distinguished by a red, translucent appearance and are considered highly rupture prone. However, current imaging modalities lack the resolution to detect such vulnerable areas preoperatively.

The role of low subcortical iron, white matter myelin, and oligodendrocytes in schizophrenia: a quantitative susceptibility mapping and diffusion tensor imaging study.

Iron-the most abundant magnetic brain substance-is essential for many biological processes, including dopamine and myelin synthesis. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MRI has recently linked altered subcortical magnetic susceptibility (χ) to schizophrenia. Since χ is increased by iron and decreased by myelin, abnormal levels of either could underlie these QSM differences.

In vitro formation and growth of glycogen: experimental verification of theoretical predictions.

Glycogen is a complex branched glucose polymer that serves as energy reservoir in animals and some bacteria; it has also been synthesized in vitro. It comprises small β particles linked in large aggregates termed α particles. Theory, based on the evolutionary processes which cause these particles to be formed, suggests that if all ingredients for in vitro particle synthesis were added to a suspension of α particles, then these will grow to a steady-state size distribution, after which new particles will be formed.

Mepolizumab treatment and reduced oral corticosteroid exposure improves symptoms of depression and anxiety in severe eosinophilic asthma: data from the Australian Mepolizumab Registry.

Background: The benefits of oral corticosteroid (OCS) stewardship approaches -including monoclonal antibody treatments for severe asthma- on reducing toxic OCS exposure and related comorbidities such as depression and anxiety require real-world evaluation.

Methods: This real-world observational study investigated OCS exposure and associated complications over 24 months in patients enrolled in the Australian Mepolizumab Registry (n=412).

Results: Patients were median age 59 years, 58% were female.

A novel peptidoglycan deacetylase modulates daughter cell separation in E. coli.

Peptidoglycan hydrolases facilitate bacterial cell wall growth by creating space for insertion of new material and allowing physical separation of daughter cells. In Escherichia coli, three peptidoglycan amidases, AmiA, AmiB and AmiC, cleave septal peptidoglycan during cell division. The LytM-domain proteins EnvC, NlpD and ActS activate these amidases either from inside the cell or the outer membrane: EnvC binds to the cytoplasmic membrane-anchored divisome components FtsEX, while NlpD and ActS are outer membrane-anchored lipoproteins.

International Network of Antibiotic Allergy Nations (iNAAN): Protocol for a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation multicentre prospective cohort and target trial emulation study evaluating penicillin allergy delabeling via direct oral challenge.

Background: Penicillin allergies are reported in 1 in 10 hospitalised patients globally and are associated with inferior patient and health service outcomes. However, more than 95% of low-risk penicillin allergies can be removed by direct oral challenge (DOC).

Objective: The International Network of Antibiotic Allergy Nations (iNAAN) aims to evaluate the utility of an audit and feedback (A&F) and education implementation strategy to increase the adoption of penicillin DOC in patients with a low-risk penicillin allergy, while concurrently assessing the impact of penicillin DOC on antibiotic prescribing and health service outcomes.

Chemsex: Associations with Sexual, Psychosocial and Social Health in Australian Gay and Bisexual Men.

Introduction: Chemsex, the use of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual experience, is most prominent in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). This study explores the prevalence of chemsex in Australian GBMSM ( = 632) and its associations with psychosexual and psychosocial health.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted.

Barriers and enablers to hearing service provision in aged care settings in Australia: perspectives from hearing clinicians.

Objective: To explore the barriers and enablers hearing clinicians face providing services for people in home and residential aged care settings in Australia.

Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behaviour model (COM-B). Deductive and inductive qualitative analysis were applied using Braun and Clarke's method.

Active upper-limb therapies for hand function, individual goal achievement, and self-care in children with cerebral palsy: A network meta-analysis.

Aim: To compare active upper-limb therapies for children with cerebral palsy using a network meta-analysis.

Method: For this systematic review, five electronic databases were searched up to 2nd September 2024. Outcomes pertaining to improved hand use (Assisting Hand Assessment, AHA), goal attainment (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, COPM), and self-care were analysed with therapies classified into 15 discrete categories.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality on Pain During Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization in the Emergency Room: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality in reducing pain and procedure-related distress during peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion in children. A 2-arm, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial compared virtual reality with standard care. Children aged 4 to 14 years requiring an elective PIVC were randomly assigned (1:1) to virtual reality with a relaxing ocean film (intervention group) or standard care (control group).

Acclimation of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Calypso) to canopy light gradients - scaling from leaf to canopy.

Mango (Mangifera indica), a leading tropical fruit crop, is a prime candidate for intensification through modern orchard-management techniques, including canopy manipulation to improve light interception. This study investigated how leaf-level acclimation to light gradients within the canopy of a high-yield, dwarfing mango cultivar (Calypso™) could be used to examine integrated canopy-scale responses. We quantified foliar morphological, biochemical, and physiological traits across a range of canopy positions using this information to model canopy-scale productivity within digital-twin representations of mango under both conventional (i.

Working towards affordable healthy diets: a review on innovations in food price monitoring, policy and research in Australia and beyond.

Healthy diets are unaffordable for billions of people worldwide, with food prices rising in high-, middle- and low-income nations in recent times. Despite widespread attention to this issue, recent actions taken to inform policy prioritisation and government responses to high food inflation have not been comprehensively synthesised. Our review summarises (i) innovative efforts to monitor national food and healthy diet price, ii) new policy responses adopted by governments to address food inflation and (iii) future research directions to inform new evidence.

Surface modification of polycaprolactone with sulfated alginate for enhanced binding of a heparin-binding protein.

Surface modification of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) to facilitate interactions with high pI proteins is a strategy used to enhance 3D PCL scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The approach of the current study was to firstly optimise the surface modification on 2D films and then apply to 3D scaffolds. Melt-pressed PCL films were grafted with 2-aminoethyl methacrylate gamma radiation induced grafting to introduce amine functional groups to the substrate surfaces.

Pushing limits: the acute effects of a heavy-load resistance protocol and supine exercise on fetal well-being.

Objectives: To explore the acute effects of a heavy-load resistance protocol and exercise in the supine position on fetal heart rate (FHR) and uteroplacental blood flow.

Method: In this experimental laboratory study, 48 healthy pregnant athletes (elite: n=7; recreational: n=41) completed 3×8 repetitions with one repetition in reserve in sumo deadlift, bench press and incline bench press. FHR and umbilical and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) were assessed before and after exercise.

Double Nanofoaming Enhanced Interfacial Polymerization toward Ultra-High-Performance Nanofiltration Membranes.

Polyamide (PA) nanofiltration (NF) membranes represent a promising approach to safe drinking water production. Yet, selective removal of contaminants while retaining essential minerals remains a critical challenge for cost-effective water treatment processes. Here, we employed ammonia bicarbonate (AB) as an economical additive to modify interfacial polymerization (IP) for developing high-performance NF membranes suitable for drinking water applications.

Postgraduate medically related qualifications of early career general practitioners.

Background And Objectives: General practitioners' (GPs) specialised qualifications and upskilling in medical roles strengthen healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to describe additional qualifications attained, or being undertaken, by early career GPs and establish associations of obtaining/undertaking postgraduate and post-Fellowship qualifications.

Method: This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study of early career college-Fellowed GPs in NSW/ACT, Tasmania and Eastern Victoria (New alumni Experiences of Training and independent Unsupervised Practice [NEXT-UP] study).

A qualitative analysis of a nationally representative survey of the state of chronic non-cancer pain management in Australia.

Background And Objectives: Although general practitioners (GPs) are the first-line treatment providers for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) in Australia, the experience of patients in this context is not well documented. This study explored patients' experiences with GPs managing their CNCP.

Method: Qualitative responses to two open-ended questions about GP care from adult respondents (n=200) to Chronic Pain Australia's 2021 National Pain Survey were thematically analysed.

Beyond the iron gate: Therapeutic donation at Lifeblood for patients with haemochromatosis.

Background And Objectives: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (Lifeblood) provides therapeutic venesection for patients who meet evidence-based eligibility criteria. Many of these patients have iron overload due to hereditary haemochromatosis (HHC). This study aimed to gain knowledge into the demographic characteristics of donors with haemochromatosis and to investigate their knowledge, compliance and experiences with their condition.

Redefining Root Canal Shaping: From Size to Volume-The Functional Endodontic Volume Concept.

Aim: This article aims to introduce and elaborate on the innovative concept of Functional Endodontic Volume (FEV), a biologically driven approach to root canal shaping. This concept emphasizes the importance of volumetric preparation aimed at enhancing irrigation dynamics during root canal treatment, all while maintaining the tooth's structural integrity.

Summary: In recent years, contemporary endodontics has progressively shifted towards methods that prioritize irrigation-based disinfection.

Comparison of Outcomes of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair With Early Versus Latest Generation MitraClip for Severe Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: The fourth-generation MitraClip G4 system is the latest version of the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system for mitral regurgitation (MR).

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the MitraClip G4 in the reduction of MR compared to the early-generation MitraClip.

Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing TEER for MR with either the early-generation or newer-generation MitraClip G4 from a single-centre registry.

Predicting total body water in infants aged 0.5-24 months and the implications for measuring breast milk intake: a secondary analysis of isotope dilution data.

Background: Total body water (TBW) is commonly used to derive estimates of body composition. The deuterium oxide dose-to-mother (DTM) technique for measuring breast milk intake requires an estimate of infant TBW. The DTM calculation employs a prediction equation for estimating infant TBW from body weight (TBW), but the general validity of this equation is unknown.

From Trees to Traits: A Review of Advances in PhyloG2P Methods and Future Directions.

Mapping genotypes to phenotypes is a fundamental goal in biology. Phylogenetic Genotype to Phenotype mapping methods are a relatively new set of tools that aim to identify genomic regions associated with trait variation between species. Here, we review recent developments in Phylogenetic Genotype to Phenotype mapping methods, focusing on three key areas: methods based on replicated substitutions at individual amino acid sites; methods detecting changes in evolutionary rates; and methods analyzing gene duplication and loss.

Comparative effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors along with colchicine versus colchicine alone among coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes patients.

Background: Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory agent, has been demonstrated to reduce adverse cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) provide cardiovascular prevention beyond glycemic control including anti-inflammatory effect, and reduced heart failure risk. Given their complementary mechanisms, combining colchicine and SGLT2i may offer synergistic benefits in CAD patients with T2DM, yet the incremental effects of this combination remain underexplored.