Animal bites and rabies exposure in Australian travellers.

PubMed

Mills, Deborah J; Lau, Colleen L; Weinstein, Philip

2011-12-19

To examine the circumstances of animal exposure in a case series of Australian travellers who required rabies postexposure prophylaxis, and to assess the appropriateness of current guidelines for rabies pre-exposure vaccination. Prospective case series of 65 returned travellers who presented to four Australian travel medicine clinics between 1 April 2009 and 31 July 2010 for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Demographic characteristics associated with risk of injury; countries where injuries occurred; circumstances of the injuries; and travellers' experiences of obtaining postexposure prophylaxis overseas. Animal bites and scratches occurred most commonly among travellers aged 20-29 years. Most injuries occurred in Bali, Indonesia (30 [46%]) and Thailand (21 [32%]), and the most common animals responsible for the injuries to the 65 travellers were monkeys (29 travellers [45%]) and dogs (27 [42%]). Thirty-nine of the travellers (60%) initiated contact with the animal. Forty travellers (62%) were able to commence rabies vaccination overseas, but only nine (14%) were able to obtain rabies immunoglobulin overseas. Most travellers had difficulty obtaining rabies postexposure prophylaxis overseas, resulting in significant delays in appropriate treatment. We recommend that current National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for at-risk persons be broadened, and that the risk of rabies and the option of pre-exposure vaccination be discussed with all travellers to rabies-endemic areas.

Case Series in Cognitive Neuropsychology: Promise, Perils and Proper Perspective

PubMed Central

Rapp, Brenda

2012-01-01

Schwartz & Dell (2010) advocated for a major role for case series investigations in cognitive neuropsychology. They defined the key features of this approach and presented a number of arguments and examples illustrating the benefits of case series studies and their contribution to computational cognitive neuropsychology. In the Special Issue on “Case Series in Cognitive Neuropsychology” there are six commentaries on Schwartz and Dell (2010) as well as a response to the six commentaries by Dell and Schwartz. In this paper, I provide a brief summary of the key points made in Schwartz and Dell (2010) and I review the promise and perils of case series design as revealed by the six commentaries. I conclude by placing the set of papers within a broader perspective, providing some clarification of the historical record on case series and single case approaches, raising some cautionary notes for case series studies and situating both case series and single case approaches within the larger context of theory development in the cognitive sciences. PMID:22746685

REGULATION OF AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND NATIONAL SECURITY: LESSONS FROM THREE CASE STUDIES.

PubMed

Faunce, Thomas; McKenna, Michael; Rayner, Johanna; Hawes, Jazmin

2016-03-01

In recent times, Australia's national security concerns have had controversial impacts on regulation of Australian medical practitioners in areas related to immigration detention. This column explores three recent case studies relevant to this issue. The first involves the enactment of the Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth), which has a significant impact on the regulation of medical professionals who work with people in immigration detention. The second involves the decision of the High Court of Australia in Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2016] HCA 1 that an amendment to Australian federal legislation justified sending children back to immigration detention centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. This legislation was previously heavily criticised by the Australian Human Rights Commissioner. The third concerns the deregistration of Tareq Kamleh, an Australian doctor of German-Palestinian heritage who came to public attention on ANZAC Day 2015 with his appearance online in a propaganda video for the Islamic State terrorist organisation al-Dawla al-Islamyia fil Iraq wa'al Sham, also known as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or Daesh. Australia's professional regulatory system should presumptively respect professional virtues, such as loyalty to the relief of individual patient suffering, when dealing with doctors (whether in Australia or ISIS-occupied Syria) working under regimes whose principles appear inconsistent with those of ethics and human rights.

Effective Implementation of E-Learning: A Case Study of the Australian Army

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton, Diane; Ellis, Allan

2005-01-01

Purpose--This case study identifies factors influencing the implementation of e-learning within the Australian Army training context. Design/methodology/approach--A grounded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the concerns of stakeholders involved in e-learning implementation. This research included interviews with Army managers,…

Is modern external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy still a viable alternative for prostate cancer in an era of robotic surgery and brachytherapy: a comparison of Australian series.

PubMed

Wilcox, Shea William; Aherne, Noel J; McLachlan, Craig Steven; McKay, Michael J; Last, Andrew J; Shakespeare, Thomas P

2015-02-01

We compare the results of modern external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), using combined androgen deprivation and dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiotherapy with MRI-CT fusion and daily image guidance with fiducial markers (DE-IG-IMRT), with recently published Australian series of brachytherapy and surgery. Five-year actuarial biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS) and prostate cancer-specific survival (PCaSS) were calculated for 675 patients treated with DE-IG-IMRT and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients had intermediate-risk (IR) and high-risk (HR) disease. A search was conducted identifying Australian reports from 2005 onwards of IR and HR patients treated with surgery or brachytherapy, reporting actuarial outcomes at 3 years or later. With a median follow-up of 59 months, our 5-year bDFS was 93.3% overall: 95.5% for IR and 91.3% for HR disease. MFS was 96.9% overall (99.0% IR, 94.9% HR), and PCaSS was 98.8% overall (100% IR, 97.7% HR). Prevalence of Grade 2 genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity at 5 years was 1.3% and 1.6%, with 0.3% Grade 3 genitourinary toxicity and no Grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity. Eight reports of brachytherapy and surgery were identified. The HDR brachytherapy series' median 5-year bDFS was 82.5%, MFS 90.0% and PCaSS 97.9%. One surgical series reported 5-year bDFS of 65.5% for HR patients. One LDR series reported 5-year bDFS of 85% for IR patients. Modern EBRT is at least as effective as modern Australian surgical and brachytherapy techniques. All patients considering treatment for localised prostate cancer should be referred to a radiation oncologist to discuss EBRT as an equivalent option. © 2015 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

Education Policy as Numbers: Data Categories and Two Australian Cases of Misrecognition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lingard, Bob; Creagh, Sue; Vass, Greg

2012-01-01

While numbers, data and statistics have been part of the bureaucracy since the emergence of the nation state, the paper argues that the governance turn has seen the enhancement of the significance of numbers in policy. The policy as numbers phenomenon is exemplified through two Australian cases in education policy, linked to the national schooling…

The Case for an Australian Certificate of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Masters, Geoff

2006-01-01

The Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training on May 2005 commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research to investigate and report on models and implementation arrangements for an Australian Certificate of Education. There are ten different certificates currently available across the six states and two territories of…

Management of dengue in Australian travellers: a retrospective multicentre analysis.

PubMed

Tai, Alex Yc; McGuinness, Sarah L; Robosa, Roselle; Turner, David; Huang, G Khai Lin; Leder, Karin; Korman, Tony M; Thevarajan, Irani; Stewardson, Andrew J; Padiglione, Alexander A; Johnson, Douglas F

2017-04-17

To describe the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of dengue in returned Australian travellers, applying the revised WHO dengue classification (2009) to this population. Retrospective case series analysis of confirmed dengue cases hospitalised at one of four Australian tertiary hospitals, January 2012 - May 2015. Clinical features, laboratory findings and outcomes of patients with dengue; dengue classification according to 2009 WHO guidelines. 208 hospitalised patients (median age, 32 years; range, 4-76 years) were included in the study. Dengue was most frequently acquired in Indonesia (94 patients, 45%) and Thailand (40, 19%). The most common clinical features were fever (98% of patients) and headache (76%). 84 patients (40%) met the WHO criteria for dengue with warning signs, and one the criteria for severe dengue; the most common warning signs were mucosal bleeding (44 patients, 21%) and abdominal pain (43, 21%). Leukopenia (176 patients, 85%), thrombocytopenia (133, 64%), and elevated liver enzyme levels (154, 76%) were the most common laboratory findings. 46 patients (22%) had serological evidence of previous exposure to dengue virus. WHO guidelines were documented as a management benchmark in ten cases (5%); 46 patients (22%) received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A significant proportion of returning Australian travellers hospitalised for dengue have unrecognised warning signs of severe disease. Many received NSAIDs, which can increase the risk of haemorrhage in dengue. As travel to Asia from Australia continues to increase, it is vital for averting serious outcomes that clinicians can recognise and manage dengue.

Oral lichen planus in childhood: a case series.

PubMed

Cascone, Marco; Celentano, Antonio; Adamo, Daniela; Leuci, Stefania; Ruoppo, Elvira; Mignogna, Michele D

2017-06-01

Although the exact incidence of pediatric oral lichen planus (OLP) is unknown, the oral mucosa seems to be less commonly involved, and the clinical presentation is often atypical. The aim of the study is to present a case series of OLP in childhood. From our database, we retrospectively selected and analyzed the clinical data of OLP patients under the age of 18 where the diagnosis had been confirmed by histopathological analysis. The case series from our database shows eight patients, four males and four females. The mean (±SD) age at the time of diagnosis of the disease was 13.5 (±2.73) years, ranging in age from 9 to 17. Clinically, a reticular pattern was present in six patients (75%), and the tongue was the most commonly involved oral site (six cases, 75%). We also report the first case of OLP in a 9-year-old girl affected by autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy. We report the largest case series of pediatric OLP published in literature thus far. Differences in the disease between adults and pediatric patients have been detected, but further investigation and a larger case series are needed to establish any detailed differences in clinical outcomes. © 2017 The International Society of Dermatology.

Design considerations for case series models with exposure onset measurement error.

PubMed

Mohammed, Sandra M; Dalrymple, Lorien S; Sentürk, Damla; Nguyen, Danh V

2013-02-28

The case series model allows for estimation of the relative incidence of events, such as cardiovascular events, within a pre-specified time window after an exposure, such as an infection. The method requires only cases (individuals with events) and controls for all fixed/time-invariant confounders. The measurement error case series model extends the original case series model to handle imperfect data, where the timing of an infection (exposure) is not known precisely. In this work, we propose a method for power/sample size determination for the measurement error case series model. Extensive simulation studies are used to assess the accuracy of the proposed sample size formulas. We also examine the magnitude of the relative loss of power due to exposure onset measurement error, compared with the ideal situation where the time of exposure is measured precisely. To facilitate the design of case series studies, we provide publicly available web-based tools for determining power/sample size for both the measurement error case series model as well as the standard case series model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Globalisation, Transnational Academic Mobility and the Chinese Knowledge Diaspora: An Australian Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Rui; Welch, Anthony R.

2010-01-01

The master discourses of economic globalisation and the knowledge economy each cite knowledge diasporas as vital "trans-national human capital". Based on a case study of a major Australian university, this article examines the potential to deploy China's large and highly-skilled diaspora in the service of Chinese and Australian…

A Case Study of a Greek Australian Traditional Dancer: Embodying Identity through Musicking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Georgoulas, Renee; Southcott, Jane

2015-01-01

This article is a study of a bilingual and bicultural Pontian Greek Australian dancer. His musicking involves performing and teaching dancing. Dancing has been and continues to be a major part of the self-identity of the participant. This phenomenological single case study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyse the data collected…

Case Series Analysis of New Zealand Reports of Rapid Intense Potentiation of Warfarin by Roxithromycin.

PubMed

Savage, Ruth L; Tatley, Michael V

2018-05-01

We undertook an analysis of all the reports to the New Zealand Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring of a roxithromycin/warfarin interaction after two recent reports described intense rapid warfarin potentiation. The interaction was first published in 1995. Cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition has been the proposed mechanism but has limited biologic plausibility. There are suggestions that the clinical significance of the interaction may be increased by severe illness, polypharmacy, renal dysfunction, older age and increased warfarin sensitivity. To investigate the potentiating effect of warfarin on roxithromycin in this New Zealand case series, the reports were reviewed to identify patients at risk, compare the reporting pattern with published Australian data and evaluate the appropriateness of current prescribing advice. Thirty patient reports were identified. The age range was 23-88 years, mean 66.8, median 73.0 (standard deviation 17.7) and the international normalised ratios after roxithromycin commencement ranged from 3.6 to 16.7 (mean 7.6, median 7.6, standard deviation 3.6). For eight patients with measurements on day 3, international normalised ratios were 4.3-16.7 (mean 10.4, median 8.8, standard deviation 4.4). Four patients had serious haemorrhage. Indications for roxithromycin were a range of respiratory tract infections. Anticoagulation was stable for most patients prior to acute infection. Serious infection occurred in 54.5% (12 of 22 patients with information). Polypharmacy (five or more medicines daily) was used by 36.7% of patients long term, increasing acutely to 83.3%, including additional potentially interacting medicines. Warfarin daily dose (1.5-13.0 mg, mean 4.4, median 4.0, standard deviation 2.2) was moderate to low. Pre-roxithromycin international normalised ratio values ranged from 1.4 to 3.7, mean and median 2.5, standard deviation 0.5. A high proportion of interactions were observed between warfarin and roxithromycin compared with other

Unit: The Australian Scene, Inspection Pack, National Trial Print.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Australian Science Education Project, Toorak, Victoria.

As a part of the interim unit materials in the series produced by the Australian Science Education Project, this teachers' guide is composed of five sections: an introduction to nature in the balance, tests, excursion activities, options, and research activities. Options are under the headings: The Changing Face, Australian Soils, Distribution of…

Interethnic Relations: A Case Study of Senior Students at an Australian High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Willoughby, Louisa

2007-01-01

This article provides a case study of the relevance of ethnicity in senior student's social interactions at an Australian high school where over 90 per cent of the students speak a language other than English (LOTE) at home. Drawing on ethnographic methods it explores students' own views on the role of ethnic background in shaping who they are…

Australian oral health case notes: assessment of forensic relevance and adherence to recording guidelines.

PubMed

Stow, L; James, H; Richards, L

2016-06-01

Dental case notes record clinical diagnoses and treatments, as well as providing continuity of patient care. They are also used for dento-legal litigation and forensic purposes. Maintaining accurate and comprehensive dental patient records is a dental worker's ethical and legal obligation. Australian registered specialist forensic odontologists were surveyed to determine the relevance of recorded case note items for dental identification. A dental case notes sample was assessed for adherence with odontologist nominated forensic value and compiled professional record keeping guidelines of forensic relevance. Frequency of item recording, confidence interval, examiner agreement and statistical significance were determined. Broad agreement existed between forensic odontologists as to which recorded dental items have most forensic relevance. Inclusion frequency of these items in sampled case notes varied widely (e.g. single area radiographic view present in 75%, CI = 65.65-82.50; completed odontogram in 56%, CI = 46.23-65.33). Recording of information specified by professional record keeping guidelines also varied, although overall inclusion was higher than for forensically desired items (e.g. patient's full name in 99%, CI = 94.01 - >99.99; named treating practitioner in 23%, CI = 15.78-32.31). Many sampled dental case notes lacked details identified as being valuable by forensic specialists and as specified by professional record keeping guidelines. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

Revisiting the Occupational Aspirations and Destinations of Anglo-Australian and Chinese-Australian High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malik, Ranbir Singh

2015-01-01

Evidence from Australia lends support to the "Asian high achieving syndrome" in Chinese-Australian students and "self-deprivation syndrome" in Anglo-Australian students. Applying ethnographic case studies approach for doctoral thesis the author collected data on a longitudinal basis from homes and school of these students. All…

Proton pump inhibitors and the risk of pneumonia: a comparison of cohort and self-controlled case series designs

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background To compare the results of a new-user cohort study design and the self-controlled case series (SCCS) design using the risk of hospitalisation for pneumonia in those dispensed proton pump inhibitors compared to those unexposed as a case study. Methods The Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs administrative claims database was used. Exposure to proton pump inhibitors and hospitalisations for pneumonia were identified over a 4 year study period 01 Jul 2007 -30 Jun 2011. The same inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to both studies, however, the SCCS study included subjects with a least one hospitalisation for pneumonia. Results There were 105,467 subjects included in the cohort study and 6775 in the SCCS. Both studies showed an increased risk of hospitalisations for pneumonia in the three defined risk periods following initiation of proton pump inhibitors compared to baseline. With the highest risk in the first 1 to 7 days (Cohort RR, 3.24; 95% CI (2.50, 4.19): SCCS: RR, 3.07; 95% CI (2.69, 3.50)). Conclusions This study has shown that the self-controlled case series method produces similar risk estimates to a new-users cohort study design when applied to the association of proton pump inhibitors and pneumonia. Exposure to a proton pump inhibitor increases the likelihood of being admitted to hospital for pneumonia, with the risk highest in the first week of treatment. PMID:23800078

Effectiveness of an Anger Intervention for Military Members with PTSD: A Clinical Case Series.

PubMed

Cash, Richard; Varker, Tracey; McHugh, Tony; Metcalf, Olivia; Howard, Alexandra; Lloyd, Delyth; Costello, Jacqueline; Said, David; Forbes, David

2018-03-23

Problematic anger is a significant clinical issue in military personnel, and is further complicated by comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite increasing numbers of military personnel returning from deployment with anger and aggression difficulties, the treatment of problematic anger has received scant attention. There are currently no interventions that directly target problematic anger in the context of military-related PTSD. The aim of this case series is to examine the effectiveness of an intervention specifically developed for treating problematic anger in current serving military personnel with comorbid PTSD. Eight Australian Defence Force Army personnel with problematic anger and comorbid PTSD received a manualized 12-session cognitive behaviorally based anger intervention, delivered one-to-one by Australian Defence Force mental health clinicians. Standardized measures of anger, PTSD, depression, and anxiety were administered pre- and post-treatment. The initial mean severity scores for anger indicated a high degree of pre-treatment problematic anger. Anger scores reduced significantly from pre to post-treatment (d = 1.56), with 88% of participants exhibiting meaningful reduction in anger scores. PTSD symptoms also reduced significantly (d= 0.96), with 63% of participants experiencing a clinically meaningful reduction in PTSD scores. All of those who took part in the therapy completed all therapy sessions. This brief report provides preliminary evidence that an intervention for problematic anger not only significantly reduces anger levels in military personnel, but can also significantly reduce PTSD symptoms. Given that anger can interfere with PTSD treatment outcomes, prioritizing anger treatment may improve the effectiveness of PTSD interventions.

Library Experience and Information Literacy Learning of First Year International Students: An Australian Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Hilary; Hall, Nerilee; Pozzi, Megan

2017-01-01

This qualitative case study provides fresh understandings about first year undergraduate international students' library and information use at an Australian university, and their associated information literacy learning needs. The findings provide evidence to inform the development of library spaces and information literacy responses that enhance…

Catching a Wave: An Australian Case Study on Building Competence in Search of Competitive Advantage.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kellie, Deborah

1998-01-01

A case study of an Australian road construction company's skill development project is an example of an attempt to increase competitive advantage through competency acquisition. It remains to be seen whether reconstruction of the company will result in improved productivity and financial performance. (SK)

Teacher Perceptions and Self-Reported Practices of Education for Sustainability in the Early Years of Primary School: An Australian Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lasen, Michelle; Skamp, Keith; Simoncini, Kym

2017-01-01

This Australian case study provides a snapshot of Education for Sustainability (EfS) practice of early years teachers in the school sector (Preparatory to Year 3), during the first phase of implementation of the Australian national curriculum. Interviews with teachers, located in government, Catholic and independent schools, were conducted by…

Contact tracing of in-flight measles exposures: lessons from an outbreak investigation and case series, Australia, 2010

PubMed Central

Franklin, Lucinda; Donohue, Steven; Moran, Rodney; Lambert, Stephen; Maloney, Marion; Humphreys, Jan; Rotty, Jessica; Martin, Nicolee; Lyon, Michael; Tran, Thomas; Selvey, Christine

2011-01-01

Objective To describe a 2010 outbreak of nine cases of measles in Australia possibly linked to an index case who travelled on an international flight from South Africa while infectious. Methods Three Australian state health departments, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, were responsible for the investigation and management of this outbreak, following Australian public health guidelines. Results An outbreak of measles occurred in Australia after an infectious case arrived on a 12-hour flight from South Africa. Only one of four cases in the first generation exposed to the index case en route was sitting within the two rows recommended for contact tracing in Australian and other guidelines. The remaining four cases in subsequent generations, including two health care workers, were acquired in health care settings. Seven cases were young adults. Delays in diagnosis and notification hampered disease control and contact tracing efforts. Conclusion Review of current contact tracing guidelines following in-flight exposure to an infectious measles case is required. Alternative strategies could include expanding routine contact tracing beyond the two rows on either side of the case’s row or expansion on a case-by-case basis depending on cabin layout and case and contact movements in flight. Releasing information about the incident by press release or providing generic information to everyone on the flight using e-mail or text messaging information obtained from the relevant airline, may also be worthy of consideration. Disease importation, inadequately vaccinated young adults and health care-related transmission remain challenges for measles control in an elimination era. PMID:23908891

Spaceborne Sun-Induced Vegetation Fluorescence Time Series from 2007 to 2015 Evaluated with Australian Flux Tower Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Abram F. J.; Verstraeten, Willem W.; Kooreman, Maurits L.; van Leth, Thomas C.; Beringer, Jason; Joiner, Joanna

2016-01-01

A global, monthly averaged time series of Sun-induced Fluorescence (SiF), spanning January 2007 to June 2015, was derived from Metop-A Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment 2 (GOME-2) spectral measurements. Far-red SiF was retrieved using the filling-in of deep solar Fraunhofer lines and atmospheric absorption bands based on the general methodology described by Joiner et al, AMT, 2013. A Principal Component (PC) analysis of spectra over non-vegetated areas was performed to describe the effects of atmospheric absorption. Our implementation (SiF KNMI) is an independent algorithm and differs from the latest implementation of Joiner et al, AMT, 2013 (SiF NASA, v26), because we used desert reference areas for determining PCs (as opposed to cloudy ocean and some desert) and a wider fit window that covers water vapour and oxygen absorption bands (as opposed to only Fraunhofer lines). As a consequence, more PCs were needed (35 as opposed to 12). The two time series (SiF KNMI and SiF NASA, v26) correlate well (overall R of 0.78) except for tropical rain forests. Sensitivity experiments suggest the strong impact of the water vapour absorption band on retrieved SiF values. Furthermore, we evaluated the SiF time series with Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) derived from twelve flux towers in Australia. Correlations for individual towers range from 0.37 to 0.84. They are particularly high for managed biome types. In the de-seasonalized Australian SiF time series, the break of the Millennium Drought during local summer of 2010/2011 is clearly observed.

Scaly scalp associated with crusted scabies: case series.

PubMed

Anbar, T S; El-Domyati, M B; Mansour, H A; Ahmad, H M

2007-07-13

The diagnosis of crusted scabies is becoming more relevant due to the increase in number of immunocompromised patients. To date, more than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. However, crusted scabies seems to be under-diagnosed because of its unusual presentations. In this case series we present history, clinical manifestations, KOH smear, and histopathological findings of a series of four patients with crusted scabies. Scaly scalp was a prominent feature of the disease in all cases. Examination of and treatment of the scalp of patients with suspected crusted scabies should not be neglected. A KOH smear from the scalp offers a simple and reliable technique for diagnosis.

Operative shoulder instability injury management in Australian Football League players: A case series.

PubMed

Bonacci, Jason; Manson, Brent; Bowe, Steven J; Gill, Stephen; Seward, Hugh; Hoy, Greg; Page, Richard

2017-11-27

The purpose of this study was to review the surgical management procedures of shoulder instability injuries in Australian Football League (AFL) players, and determine outcomes regarding return to sport and injury recurrence. Retrospective cohort study. Elite AFL players with shoulder instability resulting in surgery were assessed in a retrospective cohort design (72 players/77 shoulders). Type of initial injury, surgical management, return to sport and injury recurrence were obtained. The mean follow-up period post-surgery was 2.9 years. Return to sport outcomes were compared between arthroscopic and open surgery using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine associations between injury recurrence, type of injury, participant age and method of surgery. Shoulder instability injuries occurred most frequently during tackling (40%). Arthroscopic surgery was preferred for primary shoulder instability. Nine (16%) recurrences occurred in those who underwent arthroscopic surgery compared to two (9%) following open surgery. Return to the elite level was slightly but significantly (2 weeks, p=0.049) longer for open compared to arthroscopic surgery. Recurrence was 5 times more likely if the primary injury was a dislocation and more likely in players who were younger at the time of surgery. Tackling was the predominant mechanism for shoulder instability injuries in AFL players and arthroscopic surgery was more commonly performed for primary injuries. Sustaining a dislocation as the primary injury and younger age increased the likelihood of recurrent instability. Careful consideration should be given to the operative management of these individuals. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Case Series.

PubMed

Vetrayan, Jayachandran; Othman, Suhana; Victor Paulraj, Smily Jesu Priya

2017-01-01

To assess the effectiveness and feasibility of behavioral sleep intervention for medicated children with ADHD. Six medicated children (five boys, one girl; aged 6-12 years) with ADHD participated in a 4-week sleep intervention program. The main behavioral strategies used were Faded Bedtime With Response Cost (FBRC) and positive reinforcement. Within a case-series design, objective measure (Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children [SDSC]) and subjective measure (sleep diaries) were used to record changes in children's sleep. For all six children, significant decrease was found in the severity of children's sleep problems (based on SDSC data). Bedtime resistance and mean sleep onset latency were reduced following the 4-week intervention program according to sleep diaries data. Gains were generally maintained at the follow-up. Parents perceived the intervention as being helpful. Based on the initial data, this intervention shows promise as an effective and feasible treatment.

Guaranteeing the quality and integrity of pork - An Australian case study.

PubMed

Channon, H A; D'Souza, D N; Jarrett, R G; Lee, G S H; Watling, R J; Jolley, J Y C; Dunshea, F R

2018-04-27

The Australian pork industry is strongly committed to assuring the integrity of its product, with substantial research investment made over the past ten years to develop and implement systems to assure the consistency and quality of fresh pork and to enable accurate tracing of unpackaged fresh pork back to property of origin using trace elemental profiling. These initiatives are pivotal to allow Australian pork of guaranteed eating quality to be successfully positioned as higher value products, across a range of international and domestic markets, whilst managing any threats of product substitution. This paper describes the current status of the development of a predictive eating quality model for Australian pork, utilizing eating quality datasets generated from recent Australian studies. The implementation of trace elemental profiling, by Physi-Trace™, to verify and defend provenance claims and support the supply of consistently high eating quality Australian pork to its customers, is also discussed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acute Esophageal Necrosis: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Mavilia, Marianna G; Gurvits, Grigoriy E

2018-01-01

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a particularly rare syndrome with an incidence of only 0.1-0.28%, whose appearance is notable for proximal extensions of black, necrotic appearing mucosa extending proximally in the esophagus and abruptly interrupted at the gastroesophageal junction. In this case series, we explore the cases of two males: one middle-aged and one elderly, who after presenting with emesis, were found to have acute esophageal necrosis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. PMID:29850386

Case series: toxicity from 25B-NBOMe--a cluster of N-bomb cases.

PubMed

Gee, Paul; Schep, Leo J; Jensen, Berit P; Moore, Grant; Barrington, Stuart

2016-01-01

Background A new class of hallucinogens called NBOMes has emerged. This class includes analogues 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe. Case reports and judicial seizures indicate that 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe are more prevalently abused. There have been a few confirmed reports of 25B-NBOMe use or toxicity. Report Observational case series. This report describes a series of 10 patients who suffered adverse effects from 25B-NBOMe. Hallucinations and violent agitation predominate along with serotonergic/stimulant signs such as mydriasis, tachycardia, hypertension and hyperthermia. The majority (7/10) required sedation with benzodiazepines. Analytical method 25B-NBOMe concentrations in plasma and urine were quantified in all patients using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Peak plasma levels were measured between 0.7-10.1 ng/ml. Discussion The NBOMes are desired by users because of their hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. They are often sold as LSD or synthetic LSD. Reported cases of 25B- NBOMe toxicity are reviewed and compared to our series. Seizures and one pharmacological death have been described but neither were observed in our series. Based on our experience with cases of mild to moderate toxicity, we suggest that management should be supportive and focused on preventing further (self) harm. High doses of benzodiazepines may be required to control agitation. Patients who develop significant hyperthermia need to be actively managed. Conclusions Effects from 25B-NBOMe in our series were similar to previous individual case reports. The clinical features were also similar to effects from other analogues in the class (25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe). Violent agitation frequently present along with signs of serotonergic stimulation. Hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury were also observed.

Predicting commercial success for Australian medical inventions patented in the United States: a cross sectional survey of Australian inventors.

PubMed

Mattes, Eugen; Stacey, Michael C; Marinova, Dora

2006-01-02

To examine the commercial development of Australian medical patents and identify the determinants of their being used in innovations (new or improved products or production processes). Cross-sectional survey with a nested case-control study. 177 inventors listed as the first Australian on medical patents granted in the United States between 1 January 1984 and 30 December 1994, and surveyed in 1998-1999. A series of predictor variables (including characteristics of the patents; characteristics of the inventors; ideas, advice and funding during commercialisation; and the process of commercialisation) for whether or not a patent became an innovation. Half (89/177) of the medical patents became innovations, with 34% generating a total of A $287 million (13% over $1 million) in annual sales a median of 8 years after the patent had been granted. A patent was more likely to become an innovation if the inventor was employed by industry at the time of invention (odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% CI, 1.1-9.2), had invested their own finances (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.0-7.4), and if the patent had been licensed (OR, 4.6; 95% CI 1.7-12.7), led to further patents (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.0-10.4) and involved an industry partner in its commercial development (OR, 10.1; 95% CI, 3.6-27.7). It was less likely to become an innovation if finance came from a research funding agency (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8) and if interest from Australian industry was judged by inventors as "poor" (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.9). Medical patents in the US listing Australian inventors are more likely to become innovations if they originate from industry rather than the public sector, and if inventors are willing to invest their own finances.

Effect of a web-based positive psychology intervention on prenatal well-being: A case series study.

PubMed

Corno, Giulia; Etchemendy, Ernestina; Espinoza, Macarena; Herrero, Rocío; Molinari, Guadalupe; Carrillo, Alba; Drossaert, Constance; Baños, Rosa Maria

2018-02-01

Detrimental effects of women's negative feelings during pregnancy have been extensively examined and documented, but research on the influence of positive feelings and protective factors on their prenatal mental health is scarce. Evidence from the positive psychology field has shown that practicing some brief positive exercises, called positive psychology interventions, can maximize well-being by increasing positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a positive psychology web-based intervention on indices of women's prenatal well-being. Specifically, a case series design was adopted, and data from six women are presented. Participants were involved in a 5-week online positive psychology intervention that includes a set of positive psychology interventions specifically adapted for pregnant women. Measures of women's mental well-being, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, life satisfaction, and social support were measured at pre- and post-intervention. Compliance with the intervention and exercise preferences were assessed at post-test. Single-item related well-being measures were assessed weekly. The findings of this case series study indicate potential effects of the intervention on supporting mental well-being and decreasing depressive symptomatology in these pregnant women. Furthermore, this study provides some suggestions for developing future online-based positive interventions addressed to pregnant women. However, these findings are preliminary, and future studies are needed in order to assess the effects of the intervention in a wider population of pregnant women. Copyright © 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clopidogrel (Plavix) desensitization: a case series.

PubMed

Camara, Miguel G; Almeda, Francis Q

2005-08-01

Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a thiopyridine that inhibits the ADP-dependent pathway for platelet activation and has been shown in numerous trials to be effective for a wide variety of patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly those who have undergone coronary stent implantation and who present with acute coronary syndromes. Allergic rashes are one of the common side effects of clopidogrel, which leads to its discontinuation. Type I (Gell and Combs classification) allergic reactions to drugs may be amenable to drug desensitization, allowing safe and prolonged use of the drug. This case series describes a protocol for clopidogrel desensitization over an 8-hr period using 15 doubling doses of clopidogrel given by mouth to achieve a maintenance dose of 75 mg a day. This case series suggests that patients who have had type I drug allergy to clopidogrel may be rapidly desensitized using this protocol. Further studies enrolling a larger number of patients are indicated to confirm the safety and efficacy of this regimen.

Transvestism as a Symptom: A Case Series.

PubMed

Anupama, M; Gangadhar, K H; Shetty, Vandana B; Dip, P Bhadja

2016-01-01

Transvestism, commonly termed as cross-dressing, means to dress in the clothing of opposite sex. We describe a series of three cases with transvestism as one of their primary complaints. The discussion sheds light on the various ways in which transvestism as a symptom can present in Psychiatry. In the first two cases, there was lower intelligence. In first and third case, there were other paraphilia along with transvestism. Second case had co-morbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and had good response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Transvestism as a Symptom: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Anupama, M.; Gangadhar, K. H.; Shetty, Vandana B.; Dip, P. Bhadja

2016-01-01

Transvestism, commonly termed as cross-dressing, means to dress in the clothing of opposite sex. We describe a series of three cases with transvestism as one of their primary complaints. The discussion sheds light on the various ways in which transvestism as a symptom can present in Psychiatry. In the first two cases, there was lower intelligence. In first and third case, there were other paraphilia along with transvestism. Second case had co-morbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and had good response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). PMID:27011411

On the equivalence of case-crossover and time series methods in environmental epidemiology.

PubMed

Lu, Yun; Zeger, Scott L

2007-04-01

The case-crossover design was introduced in epidemiology 15 years ago as a method for studying the effects of a risk factor on a health event using only cases. The idea is to compare a case's exposure immediately prior to or during the case-defining event with that same person's exposure at otherwise similar "reference" times. An alternative approach to the analysis of daily exposure and case-only data is time series analysis. Here, log-linear regression models express the expected total number of events on each day as a function of the exposure level and potential confounding variables. In time series analyses of air pollution, smooth functions of time and weather are the main confounders. Time series and case-crossover methods are often viewed as competing methods. In this paper, we show that case-crossover using conditional logistic regression is a special case of time series analysis when there is a common exposure such as in air pollution studies. This equivalence provides computational convenience for case-crossover analyses and a better understanding of time series models. Time series log-linear regression accounts for overdispersion of the Poisson variance, while case-crossover analyses typically do not. This equivalence also permits model checking for case-crossover data using standard log-linear model diagnostics.

The Australian litigation landscape - oral and maxillofacial surgery and general dentistry (oral surgery procedures): an analysis of litigation cases.

PubMed

Badenoch-Jones, E K; White, B P; Lynham, A J

2016-09-01

There are persistent concerns about litigation in the dental and medical professions. These concerns arise in a setting where general dentists are more frequently undertaking a wider range of oral surgery procedures, potentially increasing legal risk. Judicial cases dealing with medical negligence in the fields of general dentistry (oral surgery procedure) and oral and maxillofacial surgery were located using the three main legal databases. Relevant cases were analysed to determine the procedures involved, the patients' claims of injury, findings of negligence and damages awarded. A thematic analysis of the cases was undertaken to determine trends. Fifteen cases over a 20-year period were located across almost all Australian jurisdictions (eight cases involved general dentists; seven cases involved oral and maxillofacial surgeons). Eleven of the 15 cases involved determinations of whether or not the practitioner had failed in their duty of care; negligence was found in six cases. Eleven of the 15 cases related to molar extractions (eight specifically to third molar). Dental and medical practitioners wanting to manage legal risk should have regard to circumstances arising in judicial cases. Adequate warning of risks is critical, as is offering referral in appropriate cases. Preoperative radiographs, good medical records and processes to ensure appropriate follow-up are also important. © 2015 Australian Dental Association.

Serum biochemistry and morbidity among runners presenting for medical care after an Australian mountain ultramarathon.

PubMed

Reid, Stephen A; King, M Jonathan

2007-07-01

To determine if exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) was a cause of morbidity among runners requiring medical care at an Australian mountain ultramarathon. Case series. Six Foot Track mountain ultramarathon, New South Wales, Australia, March 2006. Runners presenting to the medical facility. Serum biochemistry. No cases of exercise-associated hyponatremia were identified among 9 athletes (from 775 starters) who were treated with intravenous fluid therapy. Unwell runners had a mean serum (Na) of 143 mmol/L (range 138-147 mmol/L). All runners tested had elevated serum urea and creatinine concentrations. In this setting, EAH was not a significant cause of morbidity.

Politician-Turned-Doctoral Student's Narrative Identity at an Australian University: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nomnian, Singhanat

2017-01-01

This study aims to explore the narrative identity of a politician-turned-doctoral student at an Australian university with a particular focus on his academic and social encounters based on his English resources and experiences of learning and living in Australia. This case study is unique in the way that very few Thai politicians would end their…

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: a case series.

PubMed

Nandedkar, Shirish; Malukani, Kamal; Nayak, Renu; Patidar, Ekta

2014-03-01

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a relatively rare cause of intestinal obstruction characterized by total or partial encapsulation of the small intestine by a thick fibrous membrane and is a difficult preoperative diagnosis. A series of seven cases of SEP is reported. Modalities of preoperative diagnosis along with clinical presentation, operative findings, and histopathology are discussed.

Multicultural Education and Racism: The Case of Arab-Australian Students in Contemporary Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mansouri, Fethi; Trembath, Anna

2005-01-01

This paper discusses the social and cultural dimensions of the educational experiences of Arab-Australian students. It seeks to explore the cultural attitudes and the social experiences of Arab-Australian secondary school students from two schools situated in Melbourne's northern region. The paper seeks to examine how Arab-Australian students and…

Eat, drink and gamble: marketing messages about 'risky' products in an Australian major sporting series.

PubMed

Lindsay, Sophie; Thomas, Samantha; Lewis, Sophie; Westberg, Kate; Moodie, Rob; Jones, Sandra

2013-08-05

To investigate the alcohol, gambling, and unhealthy food marketing strategies during a nationally televised, free to air, sporting series in Australia. Using the Australian National Rugby League 2012 State of Origin three-game series, we conducted a mixed methods content analysis of the frequency, duration, placement and content of advertising strategies, comparing these strategies both within and across the three games. There were a total of 4445 episodes (mean = 1481.67, SD = 336.58), and 233.23 minutes (mean = 77.74, SD = 7.31) of marketing for alcoholic beverages, gambling products and unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages during the 360 minutes of televised coverage of the three State of Origin 2012 games. This included an average per game of 1354 episodes (SD = 368.79) and 66.29 minutes (SD = 7.62) of alcohol marketing; 110.67 episodes (SD = 43.89), and 8.72 minutes (SD = 1.29) of gambling marketing; and 17 episodes (SD = 7.55), and 2.74 minutes (SD = 0.78) of unhealthy food and beverage marketing. Content analysis revealed that there was a considerable embedding of product marketing within the match play, including within match commentary, sporting equipment, and special replays. Sport is increasingly used as a vehicle for the promotion of range of 'risky consumption' products. This study raises important ethical and health policy questions about the extent and impact of saturation and incidental marketing strategies on health and wellbeing, the transparency of embedded marketing strategies, and how these strategies may influence product consumption.

Successful use of right unilateral ECT for catatonia: a case series.

PubMed

Cristancho, Pilar; Jewkes, Delaina; Mon, Thetsu; Conway, Charles

2014-03-01

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome involving motor signs in association with disorders of mood, behavior, or thought. Bitemporal electrode placement electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a proven effective treatment for catatonia, and this mode of ECT delivery is the preferred method of treatment in this condition. Studies in major depressive disorder have demonstrated that suprathreshold, nondominant (right) hemisphere, unilateral electrode placement ECT has fewer adverse effects, especially cognitive adverse effects, than bitemporal ECT. This case series describes the use of right unilateral (RUL) ECT in 5 patients with catatonia. Before ECT, all 5 patients in this series initially failed therapy with benzodiazepines and psychotropic medications. Each catatonic patient received a series of 8 to 12 RUL ECT in an every-other-day series. After ECT, 4 of the 5 patients had a full recovery from catatonia. One patient achieved only partial response to RUL ECT, and no additional benefit was obtained with bitemporal ECT. All patients in this case series tolerated RUL ECT without major adverse effects. This case series illustrates successful use of RUL ECT in patients with catatonia and adds to the early literature demonstrating its effective use in treating this complex condition.

Performance Related Pay in Australian Universities: The Case of Swinburne University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harkness, Peter; Schier, Mark

2011-01-01

Performance related pay is not common in Australian universities. A number of Australian universities have begun to show interest in implementing more individualised pay arrangements. Swinburne University of Technology, in Melbourne, has chosen, contrary to the wishes of many of its staff, to be a path-breaker and has introduced a performance…

The steady enhancement of the Australian Summer Monsoon in the last 200 years.

PubMed

Gallego, David; García-Herrera, Ricardo; Peña-Ortiz, Cristina; Ribera, Pedro

2017-11-23

A new bicentennial series of the Australian monsoon strength based on historical wind observations has allowed for the assessment of the variability of this system since the early 19th century. Our series covers a period in which the scarcity of meteorological observations in the area had precluded the evaluation of long-term climatic trends. Results indicate that the increase in precipitation over Northern Australia reported for the last 60 years is just a manifestation of a much longer lasting trend related to the strengthening of the Australian monsoon that has been occurring since at least 1816.

Critical Examination of Internationalisation: A Case Study of a Collaboration between an Australian and a Chinese University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ng, Josephine; Nyland, Berenice

2018-01-01

In this paper, a case study of an international partnership between two universities, one in Australia and the other in China, is presented. The internationalisation of early childhood degree programmes in Australia is reasonably new and there is limited literature on the subject. This study evaluates a Sino-Australian partnership of a joint…

Australian Family Research Conference Proceedings (Canberra, Australia, November 23-25, 1983). Volume II: Family Law.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne (Australia).

Second in a series of seven volumes containing the proceedings of the 1983 Australian Family Research Conference, this publication deals with family law. Papers and authors included are: "Attitudes of Divorced Men and Women to the Family" (Margaret Harrison), "Dispute Resolution in Australian Family Law" (Henry Finlay),…

Redefining & Leading the Academic Discipline in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harkin, Damien G.; Healy, Annah H.

2013-01-01

Disciplines have emerged as an alternative administrative structure to departments or schools in Australian universities. We presently investigate the pattern of discipline use and by way of case study examine a role for distributed leadership in discipline management. Over forty per cent of Australian universities currently employ disciplines,…

Young Australians: Their Health and Wellbeing 2011

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Milnes, Annette; Pegrum, Karen; Nebe, Brett; Topfer, Alex; Gaal, Lisa; Zhang, Jessica; Hunter, Nicole

2011-01-01

This paper is the fourth in a series of national statistical reports on young people aged 12-24 years produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). This report provides the latest available information on how Australia's young people are faring according to national indicators of health and wellbeing. Many young Australians…

The role of a food policy coalition in influencing a local food environment: an Australian case study.

PubMed

McCartan, Julia; Palermo, Claire

2017-04-01

To explore how an Australian rural food policy coalition acts to influence a local food environment, focusing specifically on its composition, functions and processes as well as its food-related strategies and policy outputs. A qualitative case study approach was undertaken. Three sources were used to triangulate data: eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews with coalition members, analysis of thirty-seven documents relating to the coalition and observation at one coalition meeting. Data were analysed using a thematic and constant comparison approach. Community Coalition Action Theory provided a theoretical framework from which to interpret findings. Two rural local government areas on the south-eastern coast of Victoria, Australia. Eleven members of the food policy coalition. Five themes emerged from the data analysis. The themes described the coalition's leadership processes, membership structure, function to pool resources for food system advocacy, focus on collaborative cross-jurisdictional strategies and ability to influence policy change. This Australian case study demonstrates that with strong leadership, a small-sized core membership and focus on collaborative strategies, food policy coalitions may be a mechanism to positively influence local food environments.

Educational Malpractice: American Trends and Implications for Australian Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whalley, P. W. F.

1986-01-01

Educational malpractice developments in America may affect legal accountability of Australian teachers and educational institutions. This paper discusses significant American cases and commentators' observations in the context of the Australian legal system. Teachers should embrace their widening legal responsibility in order to advance…

Systematic review of the methodological and reporting quality of case series in surgery.

PubMed

Agha, R A; Fowler, A J; Lee, S-Y; Gundogan, B; Whitehurst, K; Sagoo, H K; Jeong, K J L; Altman, D G; Orgill, D P

2016-09-01

Case series are an important and common study type. No guideline exists for reporting case series and there is evidence of key data being missed from such reports. The first step in the process of developing a methodologically sound reporting guideline is a systematic review of literature relevant to the reporting deficiencies of case series. A systematic review of methodological and reporting quality in surgical case series was performed. The electronic search strategy was developed by an information specialist and included MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Methods Register, Science Citation Index and Conference Proceedings Citation index, from the start of indexing to 5 November 2014. Independent screening, eligibility assessments and data extraction were performed. Included articles were then analysed for five areas of deficiency: failure to use standardized definitions, missing or selective data (including the omission of whole cases or important variables), transparency or incomplete reporting, whether alternative study designs were considered, and other issues. Database searching identified 2205 records. Through the process of screening and eligibility assessments, 92 articles met inclusion criteria. Frequencies of methodological and reporting issues identified were: failure to use standardized definitions (57 per cent), missing or selective data (66 per cent), transparency or incomplete reporting (70 per cent), whether alternative study designs were considered (11 per cent) and other issues (52 per cent). The methodological and reporting quality of surgical case series needs improvement. The data indicate that evidence-based guidelines for the conduct and reporting of case series may be useful. © 2016 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Clozapine Use During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Case-Series Report.

PubMed

Imaz, M Luisa; Oriolo, Giovanni; Torra, Mercè; Soy, Dolors; García-Esteve, Lluïsa; Martin-Santos, Rocio

2018-01-01

The current prescription of clozapine in psychotic women of reproductive age makes it crucial to understand its pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and lactation as well as its risk profile for neonatal outcome. The aim of this case series was to provide new evidence on the pharmacokinetic features of clozapine that determine its passage through the placenta and amniotic fluid, as well as the neonatal clozapine elimination half-life (t1/2). This case series demonstrates for the first time that clozapine might show partial placental passage similar to other atypical antipsychotics. Clozapine levels decreased during the first few days in nursing infants. The half-life of clozapine in neonates was slightly higher than previously estimated. Clozapine use in pregnancy may be associated with diabetes mellitus, especially if there is a family history of this disease. Although no acute toxicological effects were observed in the intrauterine exposed newborn, close follow-up of pregnancy is recommended. However, these results must be taken with caution being a case series with small sample size.

Heart failure among Indigenous Australians: a systematic review

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Cardiovascular diseases contribute substantially to the poor health and reduced life expectancy of Indigenous Australians. Heart failure is a common, disabling, progressive and costly complication of these disorders. The epidemiology of heart failure and the adequacy of relevant health service provision in Indigenous Australians are not well delineated. Methods A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cinahl Plus, Informit and Google Scholar was undertaken in April 2012 for peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to the topic of heart failure in Indigenous Australians. Additionally, a website search was done to identify other pertinent publications, particularly government reports. Results There was a paucity of relevant peer-reviewed research, and government reports dominated the results. Ten journal articles, 1 published conference abstract and 10 reports were eligible for inclusion. Indigenous Australians reportedly have higher morbidity and mortality from heart failure than their non-Indigenous counterparts (age-standardised prevalence ratio 1.7; age-standardised hospital separation ratio ≥3; crude per capita hospital expenditure ratio 1.58; age-adjusted mortality ratio >2). Despite the evident disproportionate burden of heart failure in Indigenous Australians, the accuracy of estimation from administrative data is limited by poor indigenous identification, inadequate case ascertainment and exclusion of younger subjects from mortality statistics. A recent journal article specifically documented a high prevalence of heart failure in Central Australian Aboriginal adults (5.3%), noting frequent undiagnosed disease. One study examined barriers to health service provision for Indigenous Australians in the context of heart failure. Conclusions Despite the shortcomings of available published data, it is clear that Indigenous Australians have an excess burden of heart failure. Emerging data suggest that undiagnosed

All Things Being Equal: Observing Australian Individual Academic Workloads

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dobele, Angela; Rundle-Thiele, Sharyn; Kopanidis, Foula; Steel, Marion

2010-01-01

The achievement of greater gender equity within Australian universities is a significant issue for both the quality and the strength of Australian higher education. This paper contributes to our knowledge of academic workloads, observing individual workloads in business faculties. A multiple case study method was employed to observe individual…

The prevalence of dental anomalies in an Australian population.

PubMed

Dang, H Q; Constantine, S; Anderson, P J

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental anomalies within an Australian paediatric population using panoramic radiographs. This was a prospective review of 1050 panoramic radiographs obtained as part of a school dental screening program in suburban and rural New South Wales, Australia. Fifty-four (5.14%) patients had a dental anomaly present. Agenesis was noted to have occurred 69 times across 45 patients (4.28%), along with seven cases of impaction (0.6%) and three cases of supernumerary teeth (0.28%). Dental anomalies rarely occur in the Australian population, which possesses a wide-ranging multiethnic cohort. Despite their rarity, they can be incidentally discovered so identification and management by dental practitioners are important. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

Values-Based Education in Schools in the 2000s: The Australian Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leichsenring, Andrew

2010-01-01

This thesis explores the teaching of values in Australian schools through a framework established by the Australian Federal government during the 2000s. This paper focuses on: the approaches employed by the Australian Federal government in the implementation of Values Education; and the application of cases of values-based education utilized by…

Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2006 Cohort: Wave 6 (2011)--Questionnaire. Technical Report 75A

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), 2012

2012-01-01

The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) program studies the progress of several groups of young Australians as they move from school into post-secondary education and work. This series of documents provides supporting information for the LSAY data set of the 2006 cohort at wave 6 (2011). The document presents the questionnaire for LSAY…

Etiologies of Autism in a Case-Series from Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mankoski, Raymond E.; Collins, Martha; Ndosi, Noah K.; Mgalla, Ella H.; Sarwatt, Veronica V.; Folstein, Susan E.

2006-01-01

Most autism has a genetic cause although post-encephalitis cases are reported. In a case-series (N = 20) from Tanzania, 14 met research criteria for autism. Three (M:F = 1:2) had normal development to age 22, 35, and 42 months, with onset of autism upon recovery from severe malaria, attended by prolonged high fever, convulsions, and in one case…

Eat, drink and gamble: marketing messages about ‘risky’ products in an Australian major sporting series

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background To investigate the alcohol, gambling, and unhealthy food marketing strategies during a nationally televised, free to air, sporting series in Australia. Methods/approach Using the Australian National Rugby League 2012 State of Origin three-game series, we conducted a mixed methods content analysis of the frequency, duration, placement and content of advertising strategies, comparing these strategies both within and across the three games. Results There were a total of 4445 episodes (mean = 1481.67, SD = 336.58), and 233.23 minutes (mean = 77.74, SD = 7.31) of marketing for alcoholic beverages, gambling products and unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages during the 360 minutes of televised coverage of the three State of Origin 2012 games. This included an average per game of 1354 episodes (SD = 368.79) and 66.29 minutes (SD = 7.62) of alcohol marketing; 110.67 episodes (SD = 43.89), and 8.72 minutes (SD = 1.29) of gambling marketing; and 17 episodes (SD = 7.55), and 2.74 minutes (SD = 0.78) of unhealthy food and beverage marketing. Content analysis revealed that there was a considerable embedding of product marketing within the match play, including within match commentary, sporting equipment, and special replays. Conclusions Sport is increasingly used as a vehicle for the promotion of range of ‘risky consumption’ products. This study raises important ethical and health policy questions about the extent and impact of saturation and incidental marketing strategies on health and wellbeing, the transparency of embedded marketing strategies, and how these strategies may influence product consumption. PMID:23914917

Australian vaccine preventable disease epidemiological review series: mumps 2008-2012.

PubMed

Bag, Shopna K; Dey, Aditi; Wang, Han; Beard, Frank

2015-03-31

In 2007, Australia recorded the highest notification rate (2.8 per 100,000) for mumps since it became notifiable, with outbreaks in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Of particular concern was the number of cases seen in vaccinated individuals. The aim of this study was to review subsequent epidemiological data. Notification, hospitalisation and mortality data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, the National Hospital Morbidity Database and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) respectively, from 2008 to 2012 for notifications and 2008 to 2011 for hospitalisations and deaths, were analysed by age, year and jurisdiction. ABS population data were used to calculate rates. National mumps notification rates decreased from 1.3 per 100,000 in 2008 to 0.4 per 100,000 in 2010, but then increased to 0.9 per 100,000 in 2012, predominantly due to increased notifications in New South Wales (1.4 per 100,000). Hospitalisation rates remained stable at 0.4 per 100,000 over the 2008-2011 period. The median age of notified cases was 30 years and for hospitalisations, 27 years. The highest rate of notifications and hospitalisations was in the 25-34 years age group. Completeness of vaccination status ranged from 16% to 39%. The increasing trend in mumps notifications needs to be closely monitored. Improved data quality, in particular on vaccination status, is needed to inform the monitoring of vaccine effectiveness. In March 2014 the World Health Organization certified that Australia had achieved measles elimination. Greater availability of case history (vaccination status and place of acquisition) and genotyping data would facilitate an assessment of Australia's progress in relation to mumps elimination. This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce the whole or part of this work in unaltered form for your own personal use or, if you are part of an organisation, for internal use within your organisation, but only if you or your

Vitamin B6 in Health Supplements and Neuropathy: Case Series Assessment of Spontaneously Reported Cases.

PubMed

van Hunsel, Florence; van de Koppel, Sonja; van Puijenbroek, Eugène; Kant, Agnes

2018-05-08

In the literature, vitamin B 6 has been linked to the development of polyneuropathy. Most often, these complaints were seen when taking high doses of vitamin B 6 for a long time. Evidence as to whether a lower dosage range of vitamin B 6 (< 50 mg/day) can also induce neuropathy is scarce. We aim to comprehensively describe the cases of neuropathy associated with vitamin B 6 received by the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb and to assess the case series concerning the use of vitamin B 6 and neuropathic complaints. We describe the number and nature of the reported cases, including suspect product, dosage, duration of use, and vitamin B 6 serum levels. In addition, we describe the causality for the individual cases (Naranjo Probability Scale) and for the entire case series (Bradford Hill criteria). In total, 90 reports on products containing vitamin B 6 included at least one adverse drug reaction in the standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA ® ) query (SMQ; broad) 'peripheral neuropathy'. The amount of vitamin B 6 in the products varied between 1.4 and 100 mg per tablet. The serum vitamin B 6 level was known in 36 cases (88-4338 nmol/l), and the mean serum vitamin B 6 level was 907 nmol/l. However, no statistical correlation between dosage and vitamin B 6 blood levels was found. Causality assessment of the case series of 90 reports to Lareb shows it is plausible for the vitamin B 6 supplements to have caused complaints such as neuropathies. This is especially the case with higher dosages and prolonged use, but dosages < 50 mg/day also cannot be excluded.

A self-controlled case series to assess the effectiveness of beta blockers for heart failure in reducing hospitalisations in the elderly.

PubMed

Ramsay, Emmae N; Roughead, Elizabeth E; Ewald, Ben; Pratt, Nicole L; Ryan, Philip

2011-07-18

To determine the suitability of using the self-controlled case series design to assess improvements in health outcomes using the effectiveness of beta blockers for heart failure in reducing hospitalisations as the example. The Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs administrative claims database was used to undertake a self-controlled case-series in elderly patients aged 65 years or over to compare the risk of a heart failure hospitalisation during periods of being exposed and unexposed to a beta blocker. Two studies, the first using a one year period and the second using a four year period were undertaken to determine if the estimates varied due to changes in severity of heart failure over time. In the one year period, 3,450 patients and in the four year period, 12, 682 patients had at least one hospitalisation for heart failure. The one year period showed a non-significant decrease in hospitalisations for heart failure 4-8 months after starting beta-blockers, (RR, 0.76; 95% CI (0.57-1.02)) and a significant decrease in the 8-12 months post-initiation of a beta blocker for heart failure (RR, 0.62; 95% CI (0.39, 0.99)). For the four year study there was an increased risk of hospitalisation less than eight months post-initiation and significant but smaller decrease in the 8-12 month window (RR, 0.90; 95% CI (0.82, 0.98)). The results of the one year observation period are similar to those observed in randomised clinical trials indicating that the self-controlled case-series method can be successfully applied to assess health outcomes. However, the result appears sensitive to the study periods used and further research to understand the appropriate applications of this method in pharmacoepidemiology is still required. The results also illustrate the benefits of extending beta blocker utilisation to the older age group of heart failure patients in which their use is common but the evidence is sparse.

A 'cold-case' review of historic aboriginal and European-Australian encounters with toxic blooms of cyanobacteria.

PubMed

Sadgrove, Nicholas John

2012-09-01

Interest in preserving the cultural knowledge of Aboriginal Australians continues to rise. Various studies have erupted which aim to redefine knowledge that was once lost or obscured in writing and hitherto ignored. Recognising and acknowledging the traditional Aboriginal knowledge of the Australian environment helps to strengthen Aboriginal identity and gives credibility to the rising paradigm of ecotechnology in historic pre-European Australia. This review aims to establish knowledge of a traditional awareness of factors leading towards eutrophication in water resource management. Journals from pioneering explorers were examined for evidence of cyanobacterial blooms and examples of Aboriginal water resource management practices that aimed at avoiding health threats from poor water quality. Some cultural practices, focused on water resource management, are discussed with brief mentioned of the Waugal. It is concluded that in some cases the incorporation of scientific laws into mythology is a form of conceptual modelling compatible with science if examined carefully.

Australian Space Situational Awareness Capability Demonstrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morreale, B.; Bessell, T.; Rutten, M.; Cheung, B.

Australia is increasing its contribution to the global space situational awareness (SSA) problem by committing to acquire and operate SSA sensors. Over the last year, a series of collaborative SSA experiments have been undertaken to demonstrate the capabilities of Australian sensors. These experiments aimed to demonstrate how existing Australian sensors could perform in a surveillance of space role, prove passive radar’s capability to observe low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and perform SSA handoffs to optical sensors. The trials established a data sharing and communications protocol that bridged defence, academia, and industry partners. Geographically dispersed optical assets, including the Falcon telescope in Canberra, Raven telescopes in Exmouth (Western Australia) and Defence Science and Technology (DST) Telescopes in Adelaide (South Australia) collected on LEO satellites and established cueing protocols. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) located in Western Australia, demonstrated the capability of passive radar as an SSA asset after successfully observing LEO satellites based on reflected terrestrial radio signals. The combination of radar and optical SSA assets allows for the exploitation of each sensors unique advantages and locations across the Australian continent. This paper outlines the capabilities and diversity of Australian optical and radar sensors as demonstrated by field trials in 2016 and 2017. It suggests future potential for harnessing novel radar and optical integration techniques to supplement high-value assets such as the Space Surveillance Telescope as part of the Space Surveillance Network.

Bowel resection for severe endometriosis: an Australian series of 177 cases.

PubMed

Wills, Hannah J; Reid, Geoffrey D; Cooper, Michael J W; Tsaltas, Jim; Morgan, Matthew; Woods, Rodney J

2009-08-01

Colorectal resection for severe endometriosis has been increasingly described in the literature over the last 20 years. To describe the experiences of three gynaecological surgeons who perform radical surgery for colorectal endometriosis. The records of three surgeons were reviewed. Relevant information was extracted and complied into a database. One hundred and seventy-seven women were identified as having undergone surgery between February 1997 and October 2007. The primary reason for presentation was pain in the majority of women (79%). Eighty-one segmental resections were performed, 71 disc excisions, ten appendicectomies and multiple procedures in ten women. The majority of procedures (81.4%) were performed laparoscopically. Histology confirmed the presence of disease in 98.3% of cases. A further 124 procedures to remove other sites of endometriosis were conducted, along with an additional 44 procedures not primarily for endometriosis. A total of 16 unintended events occurred. Our study adds to the growing body of literature describing colorectal resection for severe endometriosis. Overall, the surgery appeared to be well tolerated, demonstrating the role for this surgery.

Simulation of the Australian Mobilesat signalling scheme

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rahman, Mushfiqur

1990-01-01

The proposed Australian Mobilesat system will provide a range of circuit switched voice/data services using the B-series satellites. The reliability of the signalling scheme between the Network Management Station (NMS) and the mobile terminal (MT) is of critical importance to the performance of the overall system. Simulation results of the performance of the signalling scheme under various channel conditions and coding schemes are presented.

A decade of Australian methotrexate dosing errors.

PubMed

Cairns, Rose; Brown, Jared A; Lynch, Ann-Maree; Robinson, Jeff; Wylie, Carol; Buckley, Nicholas A

2016-06-06

Accidental daily dosing of methotrexate can result in life-threatening toxicity. We investigated methotrexate dosing errors reported to the National Coronial Information System (NCIS), the Therapeutic Goods Administration Database of Adverse Event Notifications (TGA DAEN) and Australian Poisons Information Centres (PICs). A retrospective review of coronial cases in the NCIS (2000-2014), and of reports to the TGA DAEN (2004-2014) and Australian PICs (2004-2015). Cases were included if dosing errors were accidental, with evidence of daily dosing on at least 3 consecutive days. Events per year, dose, consecutive days of methotrexate administration, reasons for the error, clinical features. Twenty-two deaths linked with methotrexate were identified in the NCIS, including seven cases in which erroneous daily dosing was documented. Methotrexate medication error was listed in ten cases in the DAEN, including two deaths. Australian PIC databases contained 92 cases, with a worrying increase seen during 2014-2015. Reasons for the errors included patient misunderstanding and incorrect packaging of dosette packs by pharmacists. The recorded clinical effects of daily dosage were consistent with those previously reported for methotrexate toxicity. Dosing errors with methotrexate can be lethal and continue to occur despite a number of safety initiatives in the past decade. Further strategies to reduce these preventable harms need to be implemented and evaluated. Recent suggestions include further changes in packet size, mandatory weekly dosing labelling on packaging, improving education, and including alerts in prescribing and dispensing software.

Determinants of Successful Training Practices in Large Australian Firms.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dawe, Susan

The determinants of successful training practices in large Australian firms were examined. The study's three phases were as follows: (1) a review of existing literature; (2) a meta-analysis of previously conducted case studies of 49 large Australian firms in 14 industrial sectors; and (3) a comparative analysis of the findings of the past studies…

[Ocular tuberculosis : A case series].

PubMed

Koubaa, M; Smaoui, F; Gargouri, S; Ben Ayed, H; Rekik, K; Abid, I; Maaloul, I; Feki, J; Marrakchi, C; Ben Jemaa, M

2018-05-01

Ocular tuberculosis is a rare form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. It represents 1-2% of all clinical forms. The aim of this work was to focus on diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of ocular tuberculosis. We report a case series of 14 patients with ocular tuberculosis seen in an infectious diseases department between 2006 and 2015. The diagnosis was retained on clinical data and a positive tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay. The patient's mean age was 40.7±9years. The most common clinical presentation was uveitis (11 patients and 16 eyes). An extra ocular involvement was associated in three patients. The mean duration of antitubercular therapy was 10±2.5 months. Corticosteroid therapy was associated in 11 cases. The outcome was favorable in all cases. Two patients had maintained visual sequelae. Ocular tuberculosis is a rare disease but still remains a diagnostic problem. It should be considered in case of any chronic ocular symptoms, especially in endemic countries. Early management can improve the visual prognosis. Copyright © 2018 Société Nationale Française de Médecine Interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

An approach to checking case-crossover analyses based on equivalence with time-series methods.

PubMed

Lu, Yun; Symons, James Morel; Geyh, Alison S; Zeger, Scott L

2008-03-01

The case-crossover design has been increasingly applied to epidemiologic investigations of acute adverse health effects associated with ambient air pollution. The correspondence of the design to that of matched case-control studies makes it inferentially appealing for epidemiologic studies. Case-crossover analyses generally use conditional logistic regression modeling. This technique is equivalent to time-series log-linear regression models when there is a common exposure across individuals, as in air pollution studies. Previous methods for obtaining unbiased estimates for case-crossover analyses have assumed that time-varying risk factors are constant within reference windows. In this paper, we rely on the connection between case-crossover and time-series methods to illustrate model-checking procedures from log-linear model diagnostics for time-stratified case-crossover analyses. Additionally, we compare the relative performance of the time-stratified case-crossover approach to time-series methods under 3 simulated scenarios representing different temporal patterns of daily mortality associated with air pollution in Chicago, Illinois, during 1995 and 1996. Whenever a model-be it time-series or case-crossover-fails to account appropriately for fluctuations in time that confound the exposure, the effect estimate will be biased. It is therefore important to perform model-checking in time-stratified case-crossover analyses rather than assume the estimator is unbiased.

The Arts and Australian Education: Realising Potential. Australian Education Review No. 58

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ewing, Robyn

2011-01-01

Australian Education Review (AER) 58 surveys the international and national research on the role and effect of arts-rich programming in schools and in the broader community, and examines the policies and practices that inhibit or support these initiatives. It puts the case that embedding the Arts in learning would be a powerful catalyst for…

Gender and Hyper-Linear History in the Representation of the Female Australian Primary School Teacher in "Marion" (ABCTV, 1974)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

May, Josephine

2018-01-01

Building on the author's previous work on Australian national cinema and schooling, this article explores the representation of the female primary school teacher in the television mini-series entitled "Marion" (Australian Broadcasting Commission, 1974). Using narrative analysis, it argues that this representation is disruptive of…

Case Series: Chikungunya and Dengue at a Forward Operating Location

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-01

Journal Article 3. DATES COVERED (From – To) November 2014 – January 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Case Series: Chikungunya and Dengue at a Forward...series and discusses the significance of this disease in the Americas and diagnostic challenges when other arboviruses such as dengue are present. 15...SUBJECT TERMS Chikungunya, dengue , mosquitoes 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT SAR 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 3

Low-speed vehicle run over fatalities in Australian children aged 0-5 years.

PubMed

Anthikkat, Anne Paul; Page, Andrew; Barker, Ruth

2013-05-01

The study aims to investigate environmental, socio-demographic and other antecedent risk factors associated with low-speed vehicle run over (LSVRO) mortality in Australian children aged 0-5 years. This is a population-based retrospective case series study of Australian LSVRO mortality, July 2000-December 2010. Mortality and corresponding population data were stratified by sex and period to examine trends in incidence rates over the study period. Proportional mortality was also investigated by sex, age, period, area, location of injury, mechanism and other antecedent factors identified from textual coronial information. There were 82 fatal LSVRO cases over the 11-year study period. The annual incidence was low (less than 1 per 100,000) and declined over the study period. More than three-quarters of incidents occurred in non-traffic settings, in particular residential driveways. The most common vehicle involved was a four-wheel drive or utility with vehicles most likely to be reversing or leaving at the time of the incident. More than three-quarters of cases were aged 36 months or less. A higher proportion of LSVRO fatalities occurred in lower socio-economic status areas compared with higher socio-economic status areas. Where the vehicle was actively being driven (77 cases), the driver was known to the child in three-quarters of cases, most commonly the father (32%). The study provides a detailed analysis of mortality due to LSVRO incidents in Australia and highlights a number of modifiable antecedent factors. Precedents for the identification and reporting of LSVRO incidents as well as prevention strategies are discussed. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2013 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Gentamicin ototoxicity: a 23-year selected case series of 103 patients.

PubMed

Ahmed, Rebekah M; Hannigan, Imelda P; MacDougall, Hamish G; Chan, Raymond C; Halmagyi, G Michael

2012-06-18

To review patients with severe bilateral vestibular loss associated with gentamicin treatment in hospital. A retrospective case series of presentations to a balance disorders clinic between 1988 and 2010. Relationship between vestibulotoxicity and gentamicin dose or dosing profile; indications for prescribing gentamicin. 103 patients (age, 18-84 years; mean, 64 years) presented with imbalance, oscillopsia or both, but none had vertigo. Only three noted some hearing impairment after having gentamicin, but audiometric thresholds for all patients were consistent with their age. In all patients, the following tests gave positive results: a bilateral clinical head-impulse test, a vertical head-shaking test for vertical oscillopsia, and a foam Romberg test. In 21 patients, imbalance occurred during gentamicin treatment (ignored or dismissed by prescribers in 20) and in 66 after treatment; the remaining 16 could not recall when symptoms were first noticed, except that it was after gentamicin treatment in hospital. Total gentamicin dose range was 2-318 mg/kg (mean, 52 mg/kg), daily dose range was 1.5-5.6 mg/kg (mean, 3.5mg/kg), and duration was 1-80 days (mean, 17 days). Six patients had only a single dose; 26 had five or fewer doses. Serum gentamicin levels, measured in 82 patients, were in the recommended range in 59. Time to diagnosis ranged from 4 days to 15 years. Nephrotoxicity developed in 43 patients. Gentamicin dosage complied with contemporary or current Australian antibiotic guidelines in under half the patients. Gentamicin ototoxicity is vestibular, not cochlear, producing permanent loss of balance, but not of hearing. Gentamicin can be vestibulotoxic in any dose, in any regimen, at any serum level.

Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2003 Cohort: Wave 9 (2011)--Frequency Tables. Technical Report 76B

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), 2012

2012-01-01

The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) program studies the progress of several groups of young Australians as they move from school into post-secondary education and work. This series of documents provides supporting information for the LSAY data set of the 2003 cohort at wave 9 (2011). This document presents the frequency tables for…

Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2006 Cohort: Wave 6 (2011)--Frequency Tables. Technical Report 75B

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), 2012

2012-01-01

The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) program studies the progress of several groups of young Australians as they move from school into post-secondary education and work. This series of documents provides supporting information for the LSAY data set of the 2006 cohort at wave 6 (2011). This document presents the frequency tables for…

Financial Planning in Australian Universities. AIR 1996 Annual Forum Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharma, Raj; And Others

This paper describes resource allocation in Australian universities including the broader context of national restructuring and a case study of one university's attempt to restructure resource allocation within the university. The 1987 restructuring of the Australian system from a binary system to a unified national system and the associated…

Cyclosporine treatment of severe Hidradenitis suppurativa--A case series.

PubMed

Anderson, Marianne D; Zauli, Stefania; Bettoli, Vincenzo; Boer, Jurr; Jemec, Gregor B E

2016-01-01

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an overlooked but common disease severely affecting both genders. HS is generally perceived as difficult to treat and although a number of treatments are available, the need for more effective treatment is apparent. Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been suggested as an effective treatment in four smaller case series. It was therefore decided to review a larger series of cases, reporting all outcomes in order to provide a less biased base for evaluating the potential of CsA for use in HS. An exploratory retrospective review of case notes was performed at three departments of dermatology with a special interest in HS, where HS had been treated with CsA in the period 2009-2012. In total, 18 HS patients treated with CsA were identified and analysed and 50% reported some benefit. All patients had previously been treated with multiple various other modalities. This is an exploratory retrospective review with a limited number of patients. This retrospective review found some effect of CsA in the recalcitrant cases studied, mainly reported as "slight improvement". This may be due to a number of factors which may have overestimated (e.g., concommitant therapy) or underestimated (e.g., case selection of recalcitrant cases) the effect, and indicates the need for prospective evaluation of the claims. The present data provide a basis for power calculations in future studies investigating the potential for treating HS with CsA in a randomised controlled trial.

Whole-organism concentration ratios in wildlife inhabiting Australian uranium mining environments.

PubMed

Hirth, Gillian A; Johansen, Mathew P; Carpenter, Julia G; Bollhöfer, Andreas; Beresford, Nicholas A

2017-11-01

Wildlife concentration ratios for 226 Ra, 210 Pb, 210 Po and isotopes of Th and U from soil, water, and sediments were evaluated for a range of Australian uranium mining environments. Whole-organism concentration ratios (CR wo-media ) were developed for 271 radionuclide-organism pairs within the terrestrial and freshwater wildlife groups. Australian wildlife often has distinct physiological attributes, such as the lower metabolic rates of macropod marsupials as compared with placental mammals. In addition, the Australian CRs wo-media originate from tropical and semi-arid climates, rather than from the temperate-dominated climates of Europe and North America from which most (>90%) of internationally available CR wo-media values originate. When compared, the Australian and non-Australian CRs are significantly different for some wildlife categories (e.g. grasses, mammals) but not others (e.g. shrubs). Where differences exist, the Australian values were higher, suggesting that site-, or region-specific CRs wo-media should be used in detailed Australian assessments. However, in screening studies, use of the international mean values in the Wildlife Transfer Database (WTD) appears to be appropriate, as long as the values used encompass the Australian 95th percentile values. Gaps in the Australian datasets include a lack of marine parameters, and no CR data are available for freshwater phytoplankton, zooplankton, insects, insect larvae or amphibians; for terrestrial environments, there are no data for amphibians, annelids, ferns, fungi or lichens & bryophytes. The new Australian specific parameters will aide in evaluating remediation plans and ongoing operations at mining and waste sites within Australia. They have also substantially bolstered the body of U- and Th-series CR wo-media data for use internationally. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Length of stay benchmarking in the Australian private hospital sector.

PubMed

Hanning, Brian W T

2007-02-01

Length of stay (LOS) benchmarking is a means of comparing hospital efficiency. Analysis of private cases in private facilities using Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows interstate variation in same-day (SD) cases and overnight average LOS (ONALOS) on an Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups version 4 (ARDRGv4) standardised basis. ARDRGv4 standardised analysis from 1998-99 to 2003-04 shows a steady increase in private sector SD cases (approximately 1.4% per annum) and a decrease in ONALOS (approximately 4.3% per annum). Overall, the data show significant variation in LOS parameters between private hospitals.

An Australian Story: School Sustainability Education in the Lucky Country

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salter, Zarin; Venville, Grady; Longnecker, Nancy

2011-01-01

This paper documents a case study involving a Perth primary school accompanied on its sustainability journey by Millennium Kids Inc, a local not-for-profit community organisation. Tension between the school's sustainability focus, its prestige as an elite private school and a "lucky country" mentality frames the Australian-ness of this…

Use of cantilever mechanics for impacted teeth: case series.

PubMed

Paduano, Sergio; Spagnuolo, Gianrico; Franzese, Gerardo; Pellegrino, Gioacchino; Valletta, Rosa; Cioffi, Iacopo

2013-01-01

This paper describes the orthodontic treatment, and the biomechanics of cantilevers for the impaction of permanent teeth in youngs, adolescents, and adults. In these case series, multibracket straightwire fixed appliances, together with cantilever mechanics, were used to treat the impaired occlusion.

Paediatric Australian bat lyssavirus encephalomyelitis - sequential MRI appearances from symptom onset to death.

PubMed

Shetty, Umesh; Phillips, Mark; Francis, Joshua R; Walsh, Mark

2015-10-01

Human infection with Australian bat lyssavirus is extremely rare. Here we present the craniospinal findings in a fatal case of Australian bat lyssavirus infection in an 8-year-old child. MRI plays a very important role, not only in the diagnostic work-up of Australian bat lyssavirus infection but also in the prognostic assessment.

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology learned via a Web-based computerized case series.

PubMed

De Silva, Nirupama K; Dietrich, Jennifer E; Young, Amy E

2010-04-01

To increase resident knowledge in pediatric and adolescent gynecology via a Web-based self-tutorial. Prospective cohort involving 11 third- and fourth-year residents in a large university program. Residents were asked to complete a Web-based teaching series of cases involving common topics of pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG). A pretest and a posttest were completed to assess knowledge gained. Residents were asked to give feedback regarding improvements to the Web-based series for future case development. University-affiliated residency program in a major metropolitan area. Resident physicians in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Introduction of a Web-based teaching series to enhance resident education. Improvement of resident knowledge in PAG. All residents improved their knowledge in PAG after reviewing the series of cases. The pretest group mean score was 50%. The posttest group score was 69% (P < .05). All (100%) of participants said that this tool was an effective way to improve resident knowledge in PAG. A computer-based self-tutorial in pediatric and adolescent gynecology is a feasible and satisfactory teaching adjunct to PAG. Copyright 2010 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Improving Dispute Resolution in Australian Universities: Options for the Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Astor, Hilary

2005-01-01

Disputes in Australian universities cost millions of dollars each year that could be spent more fruitfully on core activities such as research and teaching. This paper uses three case studies to examine what we know about disputes and dispute resolution in Australian universities. The impact of changing higher education funding and policy on…

Use of Cantilever Mechanics for Impacted Teeth: Case Series

PubMed Central

Paduano, Sergio; Spagnuolo, Gianrico; Franzese, Gerardo; Pellegrino, Gioacchino; Valletta, Rosa; Cioffi, Iacopo

2013-01-01

This paper describes the orthodontic treatment, and the biomechanics of cantilevers for the impaction of permanent teeth in youngs, adolescents, and adults. In these case series, multibracket straightwire fixed appliances, together with cantilever mechanics, were used to treat the impaired occlusion. PMID:24511332

Left cardiac sympathetic denervation: case series and technical report.

PubMed

McNamara, C; Cullen, P; Rackauskas, M; Kelly, R; O'Sullivan, K E; Galvin, J; Eaton, D

2017-08-01

Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) is a surgical procedure that has been shown to have an antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory effect. Evidence indicating its antiarrhythmic effect has been available for over 100 years. It involves the removal of the lower half of the stellate ganglion and T2-T4 of the sympathetic ganglia and is carried out as either a unilateral or bilateral procedure. With advancements in thoracic surgery, it can be safely performed via a minimally invasive Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) approach resulting in significantly less morbidity and a shortened inpatient stay. LCSD provides a valuable treatment option for patients with life-threatening channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. This case series reports the preliminary paediatric and adult experience in the Republic of Ireland with LCSD and describes five cases recently treated in addition to an outline of the operative procedure employed. Of the five cases included, two were paediatric cases and three were adult cases. One of the paediatric patients had a diagnosis of the rare catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and the other a diagnosis of long-QT syndrome. Both paediatric patients experienced excellent outcomes. Of the three adult patients, two benefitted greatly and remain well at follow-up (one inappropriate sinus tachycardia and one CPVT). One patient with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation unfortunately passed away from intractable VF despite all attempts at resuscitation. In this case series, we highlight that LCSD provides a critical adjunct to existing medical therapies and should be considered for all patients with life-threatening refractory arrhythmias especially those patients on maximal medical therapy.

Acute sirolimus overdose: a multicenter case series.

PubMed

Ceschi, Alessandro; Heistermann, Elja; Gros, Sonja; Reichert, Cornelia; Kupferschmidt, Hugo; Banner, Nicholas R; Krähenbühl, Stephan; Taegtmeyer, Anne B

2015-01-01

There are few data relating to sirolimus overdose in the medical literature. Our objectives were to describe all cases of overdose with sirolimus reported to Swiss, German and Austrian Poisons Centres between 2002-2013. An observational case-series analysis was performed to determine circumstances, magnitude, management and outcome of sirolimus overdose. Five cases of acute sirolimus overdose were reported--three in young children and two in adults. Four were accidental and one was with suicidal intent. Two patients developed symptoms probably related to sirolimus overdose: mild elevation of alkaline phosphatase, fever and gastroenteritis in a 2.5-year-old male who ingested 3 mg, and mild changes in total cholesterol in an 18-year-old female after ingestion of 103 mg. None of these events were life-threatening. Serial blood concentration measurements were performed starting 24 h after ingestion of 103 mg in a single case, and these followed a similar pharmacokinetic time-course to measurements taken after dosing in the therapeutic range. Acute sirolimus overdose occurred accidentally in the majority of cases. Even large overdoses appeared to be well-tolerated, however children might be at greater risk of developing complications. Further study of sirolimus overdose is needed.

Unilateral hypertrophy of the labia minora: A case series.

PubMed

Boulos, Scarlett; Rubin, Adam I; Yan, Albert C; McMahon, Patrick J; Perman, Marissa J

2018-05-01

Asymmetric hypertrophy of the labia minora is a variant of normal anatomy that has not been described in the pediatric dermatology literature. Although often asymptomatic, in some cases, it can cause functional, emotional, and psychological problems. We report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of four children who presented with unilateral labium minus hypertrophy. This case series aims to establish awareness of this condition among pediatric dermatologists and provide recommendations regarding management. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevention and management of carcinoid crises in patients with high-risk neuroendocrine tumours undergoing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT): Literature review and case series from two Australian tertiary medical institutions.

PubMed

Tapia Rico, Gonzalo; Li, Minmin; Pavlakis, Nick; Cehic, Gabrielle; Price, Timothy J

2018-05-01

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an important therapeutic option for somatostatin receptor (SSTR) positive metastatic and/or inoperable neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). However, in patients with poorly controlled carcinoid syndrome, it may lead to an acute flare of carcinoid symptoms or even carcinoid crisis. We report seven patients who received PRRT with ( 177 Lu-DOTA 0 , Tyr 3 ) octreotate ( 177 Lu-octreotate-LuTate) across two Australian tertiary medical institutions who developed acute flare of carcinoid symptoms/carcinoid crisis during/after PRRT. Cases were identified as high-risk due to previous history of carcinoid crises, high tumour burden and markedly elevated tumour markers. We propose a protocol to prevent and manage severe carcinoid symptoms in high-risk patients treated with PRRT. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radionuclide concentration ratios in Australian terrestrial wildlife and livestock: data compilation and analysis.

PubMed

Johansen, M P; Twining, J R

2010-11-01

Radionuclide concentrations in Australian terrestrial fauna, including indigenous kangaroos and lizards, as well as introduced sheep and water buffalo, are of interest when considering doses to human receptors and doses to the biota itself. Here, concentration ratio (CR) values for a variety of endemic and introduced Australian animals with a focus on wildlife and livestock inhabiting open rangeland are derived and reported. The CR values are based on U- and Th-series concentration data obtained from previous studies at mining sites and (241)Am and (239/240)Pu data from a former weapons testing site. Soil-to-muscle CR values of key natural-series radionuclides for grazing Australian kangaroo and sheep are one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of grazing cattle in North and South America, and for (210)Po, (230)Th, and (238)U are one to two orders of magnitude higher than the ERICA tool reference values. When comparing paired kangaroo and sheep CR values, results are linearly correlated (r = 0.81) for all tissue types. However, kidney and liver CR values for kangaroo are typically higher than those of sheep, particularly for (210)Pb, and (210)Po, with values in kangaroo liver more than an order of magnitude higher than those in sheep liver. Concentration ratios for organs are typically higher than those for muscle including those for (241)Am and (239/240)Pu in cooked kangaroo and rabbit samples. This study provides CR values for Australian terrestrial wildlife and livestock and suggests higher accumulation rates for select radionuclides in semi-arid Australian conditions compared with those associated with temperate conditions.

Australian Brain Alliance.

PubMed

2016-11-02

A proposal for an Australian Brain Initiative (ABI) is under development by members of the Australian Brain Alliance. Here we discuss the goals of the ABI, its areas of research focus, its context in the Australian research setting, and its necessity for ensuring continued success for Australian brain research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Weather variability and the incidence of cryptosporidiosis: comparison of time series poisson regression and SARIMA models.

PubMed

Hu, Wenbiao; Tong, Shilu; Mengersen, Kerrie; Connell, Des

2007-09-01

Few studies have examined the relationship between weather variables and cryptosporidiosis in Australia. This paper examines the potential impact of weather variability on the transmission of cryptosporidiosis and explores the possibility of developing an empirical forecast system. Data on weather variables, notified cryptosporidiosis cases, and population size in Brisbane were supplied by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Department of Health, and Australian Bureau of Statistics for the period of January 1, 1996-December 31, 2004, respectively. Time series Poisson regression and seasonal auto-regression integrated moving average (SARIMA) models were performed to examine the potential impact of weather variability on the transmission of cryptosporidiosis. Both the time series Poisson regression and SARIMA models show that seasonal and monthly maximum temperature at a prior moving average of 1 and 3 months were significantly associated with cryptosporidiosis disease. It suggests that there may be 50 more cases a year for an increase of 1 degrees C maximum temperature on average in Brisbane. Model assessments indicated that the SARIMA model had better predictive ability than the Poisson regression model (SARIMA: root mean square error (RMSE): 0.40, Akaike information criterion (AIC): -12.53; Poisson regression: RMSE: 0.54, AIC: -2.84). Furthermore, the analysis of residuals shows that the time series Poisson regression appeared to violate a modeling assumption, in that residual autocorrelation persisted. The results of this study suggest that weather variability (particularly maximum temperature) may have played a significant role in the transmission of cryptosporidiosis. A SARIMA model may be a better predictive model than a Poisson regression model in the assessment of the relationship between weather variability and the incidence of cryptosporidiosis.

Promoting Leadership in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradley, Andrew P.; Grice, Tim; Paulsen, Neil

2017-01-01

In this paper we review current practices for developing and promoting academic leadership in universities. We consider the forms of leadership that are appropriate for academic organisations, while exploring the types of leadership favoured by recruitment and promotion committees. Using the Australian higher education context as a case study, we…

Increased Government Intervention versus Increased Institutional Autonomy: The Recent Case of Australian Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harman, Grant

A new theme in the old tension between centralization and decentralization in the governance and administration of Australian higher education is explored. The argument is that the various major attempts to restructure Australian education systems both in centralizing and decentralizing forces have gained new strength, and that the recent stated…

A Case for Cautious Optimism? Active Citizenship and the Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Andrew; Bentley, Brendan

2017-01-01

In late 2013 a new curriculum for Civics and Citizenship education was published by the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority for use in Australian schools. In line with previous curricular initiatives concerning education for citizenship in Australia a key rationale behind the new subject is the education of "active…

The Best of Times and the Worst of Times: Research Managed as a Performance Economy--The Australian Case. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marginson, Simon

This study examined the character of the emerging systems of corporate management in Australian universities and their effects on academic and administrative practices, focusing on relations of power. Case studies were conducted at 17 individual universities of various types. In each institution, interviews were conducted with senior…

Approaches to dog health education programs in Australian rural and remote Indigenous communities: four case studies.

PubMed

Constable, S E; Dixon, R M; Dixon, R J; Toribio, J-A

2013-09-01

Dog health in rural and remote Australian Indigenous communities is below urban averages in numerous respects. Many Indigenous communities have called for knowledge sharing in this area. However, dog health education programs are in their infancy, and lack data on effective practices. Without this core knowledge, health promotion efforts cannot progress effectively. This paper discusses a strategy that draws from successful approaches in human health and indigenous education, such as dadirri, and culturally respectful community engagement and development. Negotiating an appropriate education program is explored in its practical application through four case studies. Though each case was unique, the comparison of the four illustrated the importance of listening (community consultation), developing and maintaining relationships, community involvement and employment. The most successful case studies were those that could fully implement all four areas. Outcomes included improved local dog health capacity, local employment and engagement with the program and significantly improved dog health.

Ocular infections caused by Scedosporium apiospermum: A case series

PubMed Central

Ramakrishnan, Seema; Mandlik, Kunal; Sathe, Tejashree Sanket; Gubert, Joseph; Krishnan, Thiruvengada; Baskaran, Prabu

2018-01-01

The aim of our retrospective study is to report a case series of ocular infections caused by a rare fungus, Scedosporium apiospermum, in a South Indian population. Thirteen cases of culture-positive S. apiospermum infections diagnosed between January 2011 and March 2016 were included in this study. The parameters evaluated were predisposing factors, treatment and final clinical outcome. The most common mode of presentation was keratitis (84.6%) followed by sclerokeratitis (15.3%). The predisposing factors involved were unspecified foreign body injury (30.7%), organic matter injury (15.3%), uncontrolled diabetes (7.6%), and recent manual small-incision cataract surgery (7.6%). Five cases (38.46%) had no predisposing factor. Of the 11 keratitis cases, nine (69.2%) responded well to combination medical therapy while one case (7.6%) required therapeutic keratoplasty. One case was lost to follow-up. Both cases which presented with sclerokeratitis showed no response to medico-surgical treatment progressing to panophthalmitis and evisceration. PMID:29283143

Ocular infections caused by Scedosporium apiospermum: A case series.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, Seema; Mandlik, Kunal; Sathe, Tejashree Sanket; Gubert, Joseph; Krishnan, Thiruvengada; Baskaran, Prabu

2018-01-01

The aim of our retrospective study is to report a case series of ocular infections caused by a rare fungus, Scedosporium apiospermum, in a South Indian population. Thirteen cases of culture-positive S. apiospermum infections diagnosed between January 2011 and March 2016 were included in this study. The parameters evaluated were predisposing factors, treatment and final clinical outcome. The most common mode of presentation was keratitis (84.6%) followed by sclerokeratitis (15.3%). The predisposing factors involved were unspecified foreign body injury (30.7%), organic matter injury (15.3%), uncontrolled diabetes (7.6%), and recent manual small-incision cataract surgery (7.6%). Five cases (38.46%) had no predisposing factor. Of the 11 keratitis cases, nine (69.2%) responded well to combination medical therapy while one case (7.6%) required therapeutic keratoplasty. One case was lost to follow-up. Both cases which presented with sclerokeratitis showed no response to medico-surgical treatment progressing to panophthalmitis and evisceration.

Young people and HIV prevention in Australian schools.

PubMed

Jones, Tiffany; Mitchell, Anne

2014-06-01

Australia has not seen a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic among young people. However, early research in the Australian context had indicated that the degree of unprotected sexual activity, partner change, and STI infection in this cohort would fuel a young people's epidemic if HIV ever reached a tipping point in the country. The difficulty of reaching young people outside school for HIV prevention has been no more successfully addressed in Australia than elsewhere. Therefore, the investment of Australian HIV prevention funds for youth has had an emphasis on school-based programs. This emphasis on formal schooling has led to a history of engagement with the ad hoc and unreliable nature of sexuality education in Australian schools. It has particularly been the catalyst for a struggle to construct young people as sexually active and as possessing a right to appropriate education, against tides of both secular and religiously-motivated resistance. The eight state and territory education sectors, along with the independent sectors, have had differing and sometimes troubled histories with HIV prevention. This paper discusses the differing HIV education policies and programs that have emerged in Australian schooling historically, and in some cases been abandoned altogether, amid strong public debates. It also considers current approaches, the new national curriculum, and future challenges. Additionally, the particular case of same sex attracted young men, who have a heightened level of vulnerability to HIV, is explored. Australian schools have struggled to address both the imperative for relevant sexuality education for same-sex-attracted young people and the broader issue of combating homophobia, which research has linked directly to this vulnerability.

Gallbladder perforation: case series and systematic review.

PubMed

Date, Ravindra S; Thrumurthy, Sri G; Whiteside, Sigrid; Umer, Mohammed A; Pursnani, Kishore G; Ward, Jeremy B; Mughal, M Muntzer

2012-01-01

Gallbladder perforation is a serious complication of acute cholecystitis. Its management has evolved considerably since its classification by Niemeier in 1934. This review summarises the evidence surrounding the natural progression of this condition and potential problems with Niemeier's classification, and proposes a management algorithm for the more complex type II perforation. Data from a retrospective case series and a systematic review were combined. The case series included all patients with gallbladder perforations from 2004 to 2008 at a British teaching hospital. The systematic review searched for gallbladder perforation using the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (2011 Issue 4) databases, as well as recent conference abstracts. The outcome data were analysed using SPSS version 15. No adjustments were made for multiple testing. 198 patients (including 19 patients from the present series) with a mean age of 62.1+/-9.7 years and male gender proportion of 55.4% (range 33.3-76.7%) were included. The most common gallbladder perforations were type II (median 46.2%, range 7.4-83.3%), followed by type I (median 40.6%, range 16.7-70.0%) and type III (median 10.1%, range 0-48.1%). Perforation was associated with cholelithiasis in 86.6% (range 78.9-90.6%) of patients, and the overall median mortality rate was 10.8% (range 0-12.5%). Male gender was weakly associated with mortality (p = 0.089) but age (p = 0.877) and cholelithiasis (p = 0.425) were not. Mortality did not vary significantly with perforation type. Gallbladder perforation should be reported according to the original Neimeier's classification to avoid heterogeneity in data (e.g. varying rates of perforation types). The algorithm proposed in this study aims to guide the management of complex type II gallbladder perforations to minimise subsequent morbidity and mortality. Copyright © 2012 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Brucellosis in Chile: Description of a series of 13 cases].

PubMed

Olivares, Roberto; Vidal, Pamela; Sotomayor, Camila; Norambuena, Mackarenna; Luppi, Mario; Silva, Francisco; Cifuentes, Marcela

2017-06-01

Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella spp. It may be acquired by consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Brucellosis has a low incidence in Chile, thus, we have a scarce data. To report and to characterize the first series of clinical cases of adult patients diagnosed with brucellosis in Chile. We describe a series of 13 clinical cases in patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 in three different centers in the Metropolitan Region, Chile. A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical presentation, laboratory, antibiotic treatment, morbidity and mortality. The mean age was 50 years old. Eight cases had a record of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. The most frequently reported complaints were fever. The most frequent focal point involved was the spine. Only one patient had a positive blood culture, while the diagnosis was made using serological techniques in the other part of the group. The most indicated antibiotic regimens were doxycycline-rifampicin and doxycycline-gentamicin. The hospital stay was 20 days approximately as an average. Clinical cure was achieved in all cases. Brucellosis is an infrequent zoonosis in Chile, and it produces a nonspecific clinical picture, so it is necessary to have high suspicion to make the diagnosis based in the antecedent of consumption of unpasteurized dairy or raw meat.

Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series

PubMed Central

Pavia, Steven; Fischer, Rebecca; Roy, Richard

2015-01-01

Objective The purpose of this study is to describe chiropractic treatment of 14 patients who presented with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Methods This is a retrospective case series of 14 patients, including 13 adults and 1 child. The majority of these patients were undergoing chiropractic care for spine-related conditions when they presented with additional TMD signs and symptoms. They were evaluated and treated with Activator Methods International published protocols relative to the temporomandibular joint before the addition of treatment to the suprahyoid muscles. Results All pre- and postadjustment assessments were recorded using a numeric pain scale. The resulting average showed a reduction in the patients’ pain scores from the initial visit of 8.3 ± 1.6 to the last visit at 1.4 ± 1.1 with an 80.9% ± 15.4% improvement. The average number of visits was 13.6 ± 8.2. Conclusion All patients selected for this case series showed a reduction of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms. PMID:26793040

Astronomical Symbolism in Australian Aboriginal Rock Art

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norris, Ray P.; Hamacher, Duane W.

2011-05-01

Traditional Aboriginal Australian cultures include a significant astronomical component, perpetuated through oral tradition and ceremony. This knowledge has practical navigational and calendrical functions, and sometimes extends to a deep understanding of the motion of objects in the sky. Here we explore whether this astronomical tradition is reflected in the rock art of Aboriginal Australians. We find several plausible examples of depictions of astronomical figures and symbols, and also evidence that astronomical observations were used to set out stone arrangements. However, we recognise that the case is not yet strong enough to make an unequivocal statement, and describe our plans for further research.

Late-life homicide-suicide: a national case series in New Zealand.

PubMed

Cheung, Gary; Hatters Friedman, Susan; Sundram, Frederick

2016-01-01

Homicide-suicide is a rare event, but it has a significant impact on the family and community of the perpetrator and victim(s). The phenomenon of late-life homicide-suicide has not been previously studied in New Zealand, and there is only limited data in the international literature. The aim of this study is to systematically review coroners' records of late-life homicide-suicides in New Zealand. After ethics approval was granted, the Coronial Services of New Zealand was approached to provide records of all closed cases with a suicide verdict (age 65+) over a five-year period (July 2007-December 2012). Of the 225 suicides, 4 cases of homicide-suicide were identified (an estimated incidence of 0.12 per 100,000 per persons year). All four perpetrators were men; three had been farmers. Their ages ranged from 65 to 82. One case occurred in the context of an underlying psychiatric illness (psychotic depression in bipolar disorder). Firearms were used in three cases. Two cases were categorized as spousal/consortial subtype, one case as filicide-suicide, and one case as siblicide-suicide. The prospect of major social upheaval in the form of losing their homes was present in all four cases. The findings of this case series were consistent with the limited existing literature on homicide-suicide. Age-related biopsychosocial issues were highlighted in this case series of late-life homicide-suicide. Additionally, evaluating firearm licences in high-risk groups may represent a prevention strategy. © 2015 The Authors. Psychogeriatrics © 2015 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.

"Unwell while Aboriginal": iatrogenesis in Australian medical education and clinical case management.

PubMed

Ewen, Shaun C; Hollinsworth, David

2016-01-01

Attention to Aboriginal health has become mandatory in Australian medical education. In parallel, clinical management has increasingly used Aboriginality as an identifier in both decision making and reporting of morbidity and mortality. This focus is applauded in light of the gross inequalities in health outcomes between indigenous people and other Australians. A purposive survey of relevant Australian and international literature was conducted to map the current state of play and identify concerns with efforts to teach cultural competence with Aboriginal people in medical schools and to provide "culturally appropriate" clinical care. The authors critically analyzed this literature in light of their experiences in teaching Aboriginal studies over six decades in many universities to generate examples of iatrogenic effects and possible responses. Understanding how to most effectively embed Aboriginal content and perspectives in curriculum and how to best teach and assess these remains contested. This review canvasses these debates, arguing that well-intentioned efforts in medical education and clinical management can have iatrogenic impacts. Given the long history of racialization of Aboriginal people in Australian medicine and the relatively low levels of routine contact with Aboriginal people among students and clinicians, the review urges caution in compounding these iatrogenic effects and proposes strategies to combat or reduce them. Long overdue efforts to recognize gaps and inadequacies in medical education about Aboriginal people and their health and to provide equitable health services and improved health outcomes are needed and welcome. Such efforts need to be critically examined and rigorously evaluated to avoid the reproduction of pathologizing stereotypes and reductionist explanations for persistent poor outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Communicating Spending Cuts: Lessons for Australian University Leaders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharrock, Geoff

2014-01-01

In 2011 and 2012, two Australian university vice chancellors flagged spending cuts at their institutions to overcome financial problems. In both cases, union and staff opposition led to public protests, intense media scrutiny, delays and retreats. This article compares the two cases to see what lessons may be drawn for university leaders faced…

Hypophosphataemia among Severely-malnourished Children: Case Series

PubMed Central

Chisti, Mohammod Jobayer; Hossain, Md. Iqbal; Islam, Md. Munirul; Fukushima, Takashi; Wagatsuma, Yukiko; Smith, Jonathan Harvey; Sumazaki, Ryo; Ahmed, Tahmeed

2012-01-01

Phosphorus is an essential substance in our body, and hypophosphataemia (HP) is well-described in rickets, refeeding syndrome, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and in chronic alcohol-abuse. However, to our knowledge, HP among severely-malnourished children has not been studied in detail, and information on prevalence, severity, and treatment is scarce. Currently, there are only a few published case reports of HP. This case series describes three cases of HP that presented to Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). Our first case required mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress associated with severe hypokalaemia (K 1.1 mmol/L) and moderate hypophosphataemia (P 2.1 mg/dL). The second case presented with severe sepsis which was associated with symptomatic hypocalcaemia (Ca 1.68 mmol/L), hypokalaemia (K 1.82 mmol/L), and severe hypophosphataemia (P 0.9 mg/dL). The third case presented with pneumonia and sepsis which were complicated by hypokalaemia (K 2.05 mmol/L) and severe hypophosphataemia (P 1.1 mg/dL). Marked lethargy and severe hypotonia were associated with HP in all of these cases. Manifestations of HP are diverse and can occur in association with other electrolyte imbalances, especially among malnourished children. Malnutrition, combined with sepsis, is one of the major killers of children younger than 5 years of age, and both malnutrition and sepsis can cause HP. It is concluded that the underlying causes of morbidity, including HP, should be actively sought and treated to reduce the mortality of children aged below five years. PMID:23304916

Hypophosphataemia among severely-malnourished children: case series.

PubMed

Yoshimatsu, Shoji; Chisti, Mohammod Jobayer; Hossain, Md Iqbal; Islam, Md Munirul; Fukushima, Takashi; Wagatsuma, Yukiko; Smith, Jonathan Harvey; Sumazaki, Ryo; Ahmed, Tahmeed

2012-12-01

Phosphorus is an essential substance in our body, and hypophosphataemia (HP) is well-described in rickets, refeeding syndrome, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and in chronic alcohol-abuse. However, to our knowledge, HP among severely-malnourished children has not been studied in detail, and information on prevalence, severity, and treatment is scarce. Currently, there are only a few published case reports of HP. This case series describes three cases of HP that presented to Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). Our first case required mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress associated with severe hypokalaemia (K 1.1 mmol/L) and moderate hypophosphataemia (P 2.1 mg/dL). The second case presented with severe sepsis which was associated with symptomatic hypocalcaemia (Ca 1.68 mmol/L), hypokalaemia (K 1.82 mmol/L), and severe hypophosphataemia (P 0.9 mg/dL). The third case presented with pneumonia and sepsis which were complicated by hypokalaemia (K 2.05 mmol/L) and severe hypophosphataemia (P 1.1 mg/dL). Marked lethargy and severe hypotonia were associated with HP in all of these cases. Manifestations of HP are diverse and can occur in association with other electrolyte imbalances, especially among malnourished children. Malnutrition, combined with sepsis, is one of the major killers of children younger than 5 years of age, and both malnutrition and sepsis can cause HP. It is concluded that the underlying causes of morbidity, including HP, should be actively sought and treated to reduce the mortality of children aged below five years.

Teachers' Professional Development. Teachers in Society Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Phillip, Ed.

This book is the first in a series on teachers and teaching, a result of the Australian Council for Educational Research program of research on teachers. The theme, teachers in society, has been constructed around three broad areas: the context of teaching, teacher education, and teachers' work. The book is divided into 8 chapters as follows: (l)…

(Meth)Acrylate Occupational Contact Dermatitis in Nail Salon Workers: A Case Series.

PubMed

DeKoven, Samuel; DeKoven, Joel; Holness, D Linn

Recently, many cases of acrylate-associated allergic contact dermatitis have appeared among nail salon workers. Common acrylate-containing products in nail salons include traditional nail polish, ultraviolet-cured shellac nail polish, ultraviolet-cured gel nails, and press-on acrylic nails. Nail salon technicians seen in the occupational medicine clinic in 2015 and 2016 were identified, and their patch test results and clinical features were summarized. Patch testing was done with the Chemotechnique (Meth)Acrylate nail series, and either the North American Standard series or the North American Contact Dermatitis Group screening series. Six patients were identified, all women, ages 38 to 58. Common presentations included erythematous dermatitis of the dorsa of the hands, palms, and forearms and fissures on the fingertips. Less common sites of eruptions included the periorbital region, cheeks, posterior ears, neck, sacral area, lateral thighs, and dorsa of the feet. All patients reacted to hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and 5 patients reacted to ethyl acrylate. Each patient also reacted to (meth)acrylates that are not found on either standard series, including ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. The authors report 6 cases of allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates in nail technicians seen over the past year, representing a new trend in their clinic. These cases are reflective of a growing trend of nail technicians with allergic contact dermatitis associated with occupational (meth)acrylate exposure. Efforts to improve prevention are needed.

Cataract surgery audit at an Australian urban teaching hospital.

PubMed

Kahawita, Shyalle K; Goggin, Michael

2015-08-01

To provide local data on visual acuity and surgical outcomes for cataract surgery performed in an Australian teaching hospital. Continuous audit over 7 years in a public teaching hospital. A total of 3740 eyes had cataract surgery performed at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia, from May 2006 to September 2013. Visual acuity and complication rates were recorded for cataract surgery cases operated on between May 2006 and September 2013 on a digital database with data entry contemporaneous with final follow-up. Visual acuity and surgical complications. Of the patients, 91.4% achieved postoperative best-measured vision better than preoperative best-measured vision. The rate of posterior capsular tear was 2.59%, endophthalmitis was 0.11% and the overall complication rate was 11.7%. This audit is the first to document modern cataract surgery, overwhelmingly dominated by phacoemulsification in an Australian population and can be used to benchmark cataract surgery outcome in an urban Australian population. © 2015 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Manchester iStent study: early results from a prospective UK case series.

PubMed

Patel, Ilesh; de Klerk, Timothy A; Au, Leon

2013-01-01

To evaluate the 6-month efficacy and safety of the iStent microtrabecular bypass stent in patients with open-angle glaucoma. A prospective, uncontrolled, interventional case series. Forty-four eyes with open-angle glaucoma were reported. All subjects underwent ab interno implantation of a single iStent together with (n = 40) or without (n = 4) cataract surgery. Patients were assessed at postoperative week 1, months 1 and 3, and quarterly, thereafter. Data collected included visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement using Goldmann tonometry, number of glaucoma medications, and number and type of complications. The mean age of the sample was 76.8 years. The mean duration since glaucoma diagnosis was 5.3 years (standard deviation 2.9 years). The mean visual acuity was 0.53 logMAR at baseline that improved to 0.23 at 6 months postoperatively. The mean baseline intraocular pressure was 21.1 mmHg, and this decreased significantly to 16.7 mmHg at 6 months (P < 0.01). The mean number of drops prescribed preoperatively was 2.3, which decreased to 0.6 at 6 months (P < 0.01). Sixty-six per cent of patients were drop-free at 6 months. One patient developed an hyphaema following surgery; no other adverse events were recorded. The iStent proved to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with open-angle glaucoma over our 6-month follow up period. Insertion resulted in a significant decrease in intraocular pressure as well as the number of topical antiglaucoma medications required for adequate intraocular pressure control. © 2013 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2013 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

FATAL HONEY POISONING IN SOUTHWEST CHINA: A CASE SERIES OF 31 CASES.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiang; Chen, Xinguang; Chen, Shunan; Ye, Yinlong; Luo, Jiancheng; Li, Juanjuan; Yu, Siyang; Liu, Hui; Liu, Zhitao

2017-01-01

Honey poisoning cases occur in southwestern China. In this case series, we attempted to determine the symptoms and causes of honey poisoning from 2007 to 2012 in southwestern China. We also conducted a quantitative melissopalynological analysis of honey samples. During the study period, 31 honey poisoning cases occurred in the study location, all during July to August. All the cases occurred after consuming at least 100 grams of honey. The most frequent symptoms were nausea and vomiting (100%), abdominal pain (90.3%), diarrhea (74.2%), palpitations (61.3%), dizziness (54.8%), chest congestion (48.4%) and dyspnea (48.4%). Severe cases developed oliguria/anuria, twitch, hematuria, ecchymosis or hematochezia. The median time from ingestion to onset of symptoms was 29 hours. Eight patients died (mortality rate: 25.8%). The pollen of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (a plant with poisonous nectar and pollen) was detected in 22 of 29 honey samples examined (75.9%). The results of pollen analysis were consistent with the clinical findings of previous cases. T. hypoglaucum appears to be the cause of honey poisoning in southwestern China. Honey poisoning should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who consume honey in this region and develop symptoms of food poisoning.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for subthreshold bulimia nervosa: A case series.

PubMed

Peterson, C B; Miller, K B; Willer, M G; Ziesmer, J; Durkin, N; Arikian, A; Crow, S J

2011-09-01

The extent to which cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful in treating individuals with bulimic symptoms who do not meet full criteria for bulimia nervosa is unclear. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential efficacy of CBT for eating disorder individuals with bulimic symptoms who do not meet full criteria for bulimia nervosa. Twelve participants with subthreshold bulimia nervosa were treated in a case series with 20 sessions of CBT. Ten of the 12 participants (83.3%) completed treatment. Intent-to-treat abstinent percentages were 75.0% for objectively large episodes of binge eating (OBEs), 33.3% for subjectively large episodes of binge eating (SBEs), and 50% for purging at end of treatment. At one year follow-up, 66.7% were abstinent for OBEs, 41.7% for SBEs, and 50.0% for purging. The majority also reported improvements in associated symptoms. This case series provides support for the use of CBT with individuals with subthreshold bulimia nervosa.

Orthoptic Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Series.

PubMed

Kergoat, Hélène; Law, Caroline; Chriqui, Estefania; Kergoat, Marie-Jeanne; Leclerc, Bernard-Simon; Panisset, Michel; Postuma, Ronald; Irving, Elizabeth L

2017-01-01

Introduction: This study reports a case series of orthoptic treatment (OT) for convergence insufficiency (CI) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: We are reporting two cases of individuals with PD who completed OT for CI. Both had a confirmed diagnosis of CI, accompanied by CI-type symptomatology. They each underwent an OT program consisting of three office-based visits and 8 weeks of home-based exercises. Treatment outcome was based on the changes measured pre- versus post-OT on the near point of convergence, positive fusional vergences, and symptomatology score. Results: The two participants successfully completed therapy, gained ability to converge, had fewer symptoms, and were satisfied with the OT-induced changes they felt in their day-to-day lives. Conclusion: This case series show that OT for CI in PD is possible. Further research is required as these results demonstrate that OT has the potential to improve symptomatic CI in these patients. In the meantime, the positive results obtained in these two cases should encourage clinicians to consider OT (a therapy with no/minimal risk) for CI in patients with PD whose quality of life is affected by this binocular dysfunction.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment in Patients with Down Syndrome: A Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutor, Bruce; Hansen, Mark R.; Black, John L.

2006-01-01

In this case series we report four cases of patients with Down syndrome with symptoms consistent with obsessive compulsive disorder. Each patient experienced substantial reduction in compulsive behaviors with pharmacotherapy of an SSRI alone or with the addition of risperidone to SSRI therapy. None of the patients experienced significant side…

Intensive (Daily) Behavior Therapy for School Refusal: A Multiple Baseline Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tolin, David F.; Whiting, Sara; Maltby, Nicholas; Diefenbach, Gretchen J.; Lothstein, Mary Anne; Hardcastle, Surrey; Catalano, Amy; Gray, Krista

2009-01-01

The following multiple baseline case series examines school refusal behavior in 4 male adolescents. School refusal symptom presentation was ascertained utilizing a functional analysis from the School Refusal Assessment Scale (Kearney, 2002). For the majority of cases, treatment was conducted within a 15-session intensive format over a 3-week…

Making Network Markets in Education: The Development of Data Infrastructure in Australian Schooling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sellar, Sam

2017-01-01

This paper examines the development of data infrastructure in Australian schooling with a specific focus on interoperability standards that help to make new markets for education data. The conceptual framework combines insights from studies of infrastructure, economic markets and digital data. The case of the Australian National Schools…

Did Aboriginal Australians record a simultaneous eclipse and aurora in their oral traditions?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuller, Robert S.; Hamacher, Duane W.

2017-12-01

We investigate an Australian Aboriginal cultural story that seems to describe an extraordinary series of astronomical events occurring at the same time. We hypothesise that this was a witnessed natural event and explore natural phenomena that could account for the description. We select a thunderstorm, total solar eclipse, and strong Aurora Australis as the most likely candidates, then conclude a plausible date of 764 CE. We evaluate the different factors that would determine whether all these events could have been visible, include meteorological data, alternative total solar eclipse dates, solar activity cycles, aurorae appearances, and sky brightness during total solar eclipses. We conduct this study as a test-case for rigorously and systematically examining descriptions of rare natural phenomena in oral traditions, highlighting the difficulties and challenges with interpreting this type of hypothesis.

Skill Shortages: Prevalence, Causes, Remedies and Consequences for Australian Businesses. NCVER Monograph Series 09/2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Healy, Joshua; Mavromaras, Kostas; Sloane, Peter J.

2012-01-01

Although skill shortages are often portrayed as a significant problem for the Australian economy, there is surprisingly little evidence about their prevalence, causes and consequences. It is difficult to find robust evidence about where skill shortages occur, why they occur, what businesses try to do about them and whether their responses are…

Dissociative sensibility disorders - A retrospective case series and systematic literature review.

PubMed

Weber, Peter; Erlacher, Rahel

2018-01-01

Dissociative disorders present a huge challenge in clinical settings. In contrast to other dissociative symptoms, dissociative sensibility disorders are rarely focused on. To identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of dissociative sensibility disorders in children and adolescents, and to review the use of diagnostic procedures. For the review, a literature search used Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and PubPsych (to 02/2015) and the reference lists of the studies identified. Screening of titles and abstracts; full-text assessment by two reviewers. The original case series was identified by using the local data register. Two reviewers independently reviewed the data and, if they agreed on the relevance, extracted the data. In the original case series, data were extracted retrospectively from the records. Sixteen studies and seven case reports were identified, including 931 cases with dissociative disorders. In 210 cases the patient suffered either from a single sensibility disorder or predominantly from sensibility disorders. We identified thirteen further cases in our cohort. In both groups there was female predominance; the mean age of manifestation was early adolescence. The timing of admissions was variable. In approximately 50% of cases a premorbid stressful life event could be identified. Over 75% of cases had a good prognosis with complete resolution. Retrospective character of our own data collection, partially missing differentiation between the subgroups of dissociative disorders in the reviewed studies. There is no uniform procedure for diagnostic work-up. The overall short-term prognosis is good. Copyright © 2017 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Asthma caused by potassium aluminium tetrafluoride: a case series.

PubMed

Laštovková, Andrea; Klusáčková, Pavlina; Fenclová, Zdenka; Bonneterre, Vincent; Pelclová, Daniela

2015-01-01

The objective of this study is to describe a case-series of potassium aluminium tetrafluoride (KAlF(4))-induced occupational asthma (OA) and/or occupational rhinitis (OR). The study involves five patients from a heat-exchanger production line who were examined (including specific inhalation challenge tests) for suspected OA and/or OR caused by a flux containing almost 100% KAlF(4) - with fluorides' workplace air concentrations ranging between 1.7 and 2.8 mg/m(3). No subject had a previous history of asthma. All five patients had a positive specific challenge test (three patients were diagnosed with OA alone, one with OR and one with both OR and OA). At the follow-up visit, after three years on average, all patients needed permanent corticosteroid therapy (four topical, one oral). After elimination from the exposure, only one of the observed subjects gave an indication of an improvement, two subjects stabilized and two worsened. Our case series focuses on the correlation between patients' exposure to fluorides in air-conditioner production and the subsequent occurrence of OR/OA. Currently, it is uncertain whether these OR/OA were caused by hypersensitivity or irritation.

Asthma caused by potassium aluminium tetrafluoride: a case series

PubMed Central

LAŠTOVKOVÁ, Andrea; KLUSÁČKOVÁ, Pavlina; FENCLOVÁ, Zdenka; BONNETERRE, Vincent; PELCLOVÁ, Daniela

2015-01-01

The objective of this study is to describe a case-series of potassium aluminium tetrafluoride (KAlF4)-induced occupational asthma (OA) and/or occupational rhinitis (OR). The study involves five patients from a heat-exchanger production line who were examined (including specific inhalation challenge tests) for suspected OA and/or OR caused by a flux containing almost 100% KAlF4 − with fluorides’ workplace air concentrations ranging between 1.7 and 2.8 mg/m3. No subject had a previous history of asthma. All five patients had a positive specific challenge test (three patients were diagnosed with OA alone, one with OR and one with both OR and OA). At the follow-up visit, after three years on average, all patients needed permanent corticosteroid therapy (four topical, one oral). After elimination from the exposure, only one of the observed subjects gave an indication of an improvement, two subjects stabilized and two worsened. Our case series focuses on the correlation between patients’ exposure to fluorides in air-conditioner production and the subsequent occurrence of OR/OA. Currently, it is uncertain whether these OR/OA were caused by hypersensitivity or irritation. PMID:26212411

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: A series of three cases.

PubMed

Patankar, Amod P; Kshirsagar, Rajesh A; Dugal, Arun; Mishra, Akshay; Ram, Hari

2014-01-01

The Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. It is characterized by multiple keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) in the jaw, multiple basal cell nevi carcinomas and skeletal abnormities. The syndrome may be diagnosed early by a dentist during the routine radiographic exams in the first decade of life, since the KCOTs are usually one of the first manifestations of the syndrome. This article reports the series of 3 cases, emphasizing its clinical and radiographic manifestations of GGS.

Single-Case Time Series with Bayesian Analysis: A Practitioner's Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, W. Paul

2003-01-01

This article illustrates a simplified time series analysis for use by the counseling researcher practitioner in single-case baseline plus intervention studies with a Bayesian probability analysis to integrate findings from replications. The C statistic is recommended as a primary analysis tool with particular relevance in the context of actual…

Acute sterile endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab: case series

PubMed Central

Orozco-Hernández, Axel; Ortega-Larrocea, Ximena; Sánchez-Bermúdez, Gustavo; García-Aguirre, Gerardo; Cantón, Virgilio Morales; Velez-Montoya, Raul

2014-01-01

Background Since the ophthalmological community adopted the use of intravitreal bevacizumab as an accepted off-label treatment for neovascular diseases, the amount of knowledge regarding its effects and properties has been increasing continually. In the last few years, there have been an increasing number of reports about sterile intraocular inflammation and intraocular pressure elevations after intravitreal bevacizumab. In the following case series, we describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of ten consecutive cases of patients developing mild-to-severe sterile intraocular inflammation after intravitreal bevacizumab and their management. Methods This report presents a retrospective case series. We reviewed the medical records of ten consecutive patients from a group of 46, in whom repackaged bevacizumab in individual aliquots from two vials from the same batch were used. All surgical procedures were performed using standard sterile techniques in the operating room. At each follow-up visit, patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure, biomicroscopy, and posterior fundus examination. Results Ten patients presented sterile endophthalmitis with an onset time of 3.5±1.95 days. The clinical characteristics were mild pain, slight visual loss, conjunctival hyperemia, and various degrees of intraocular inflammation with microhypopyon. All cultures were negative. All patients were managed with topical steroids and antibiotics, except two, in whom, due to severe vitreous cells, intravitreal antibiotics were used. Three patients showed a transient elevation of intraocular pressure. Only 50% of the patients regained a visual acuity equal or better to the baseline visual acuity on file. Conclusion The increasing number of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab applied every day, due to its widespread acceptance, might be one reason why the number of cases of sterile endophthalmitis is rising. Fast

Color masking of developmental enamel defects: a case series.

PubMed

Torres, C R G; Borges, A B

2015-01-01

Developmental defects involving color alteration of enamel frequently compromise the esthetic appearance of the tooth. The resin infiltration technique represents an alternative treatment for color masking of these lesions and uniformization of tooth color. This technique is considered relatively simple and microinvasive, since only a minimal portion of enamel is removed. This article illustrates the color-masking effect with resin infiltration of fluorosis and traumatic hypomineralization lesions with a case series. The final esthetic outcomes demonstrated the ability of the resin infiltrant to mask the color of white developmental defect lesions, resulting in satisfactory clinical esthetic improvements. However, in more severe cases, the color-masking effect was not complete.

An Australian case study of patient attitudes towards the use of computerised medical records and unique identifiers.

PubMed

Bomba, D; de Silva, A

2001-01-01

Research into patient attitudes towards the use of technology in health care needs to be given much greater attention within health informatics. Past research has often focused more on the needs of health care providers rather than the end users. This article attempts to redress this knowledge bias by reporting on a case study of the responses gained from patients in a selected Australian medical practice towards the use of computerised medical records and unique identifiers. The responses (n=138) were gained from a survey of patients over a 13 day period of practice operation. This case study serves as an example of the type of future consumer health informatics research which can be undertaken not just in Australia but also in other countries, both at local regional levels and at a national level.

Australian transport index thesaurus

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-12-01

This Thesaurus is designed to assist Australian librarians and researchers to access Australian and overseas : literature on transport and roads. Preferred terms have largely been chosen to reflect Australian usage. Terms : from the thesaurus are use...

Climate change threats to family farmers' sense of place and mental wellbeing: A case study from the Western Australian Wheatbelt.

PubMed

Ellis, Neville R; Albrecht, Glenn A

2017-02-01

'Sense of place' has become a central concept in the analysis of the cultural, personal and mental health risks posed by a changing climate. However, such place-related understandings of mental health and wellbeing remain largely limited to Indigenous health contexts. In this article we argue the relevance of sense of place in understanding the mental health impacts of climate change on family farmers who retain close living and working relationships to the land. We conducted a community-based qualitative case study located in the Western Australian Wheatbelt - a region that has experienced some of the most significant climate change in Australia. A three-part interview series was conducted with 22 family farmers between February 2013 and April 2014, and 15 interviews with various agricultural and mental health key informants. The research findings reveal that recently observed patterns of climate change have exacerbated farmers' worries about the weather, undermined notions of self-identity, and contributed to cumulative and chronic forms of place-based distress, culminating in heightened perceived risk of depression and suicide. The research findings highlight the tightly coupled ecosystem health-human health relationships that exist for family farmers living in regions affected by climate change, as well as the significance of farmers' place-based attachments and identities for their mental health and wellbeing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Understanding Australian Aboriginal Tertiary Student Needs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oliver, Rhonda; Rochecouste, Judith; Bennell, Debra; Anderson, Roz; Cooper, Inala; Forrest, Simon; Exell, Mike

2013-01-01

Drawing from a study of the experiences of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students, this paper presents an overview of the specific needs of these students as they enter and progress through their tertiary education. Extracts from a set of case studies developed from both staff and student interviews and an online…

Incidence of and case fatality following acute myocardial infarction in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians (2000-2004): a linked data study.

PubMed

Katzenellenbogen, Judith M; Sanfilippo, Frank M; Hobbs, Michael S T; Briffa, Tom G; Ridout, Steve C; Knuiman, Matthew W; Dimer, Lyn; Taylor, Kate P; Thompson, Peter L; Thompson, Sandra C

2010-12-01

Despite Coronary Heart Disease exacting a heavy toll among Aboriginal Australians, accurate estimates of its epidemiology are limited. This study compared the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 28-day case fatality (CF) among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians aged 25-74 years from 2000-2004. Incident (AMI hospital admission-free for 15 years) AMI events and 28-day CF were estimated using person-based linked hospital and mortality data. Age-standardised incidence rates and case fatality percentages were calculated by Aboriginality and sex. Of 740 Aboriginal and 6933 non-Aboriginal incident events, 208 and 2352 died within 28 days, respectively. The Aboriginal age-specific incidence rates were 27 (males) and 35 (females) times higher than non-Aboriginal rates in the 25-29 year age group, decreasing to 2-3 at 70-74 years. The male:female age-standardised incidence rate ratio was 2.2 in Aboriginal people 25-54 years compared with 4.5 in non-Aboriginal people. Aboriginal age-standardised CF percentages were 1.4 (males) and 1.1 (females) times higher at age 25-54 years and 1.5 times higher at age 55-74 years. These data suggest higher CF and, more importantly, AMI incidence contribute to the excess ischaemic heart disease mortality in Aboriginal Western Australians. The poorer cardiovascular health in Aboriginal women, particularly in younger age groups, should be investigated. Copyright © 2010 Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phenobarbital-responsive sialadenosis in dogs: case series.

PubMed

Alcoverro, Emili; Tabar, Maria Dolores; Lloret, Albert; Roura, Xavier; Pastor, Josep; Planellas, Marta

2014-12-01

Phenobarbital-responsive sialadenosis (PRS) is a rare idiopathic disease in dogs. Vomiting, retching, and gulping with bilateral enlargement of the submandibular salivary glands are the more frequent clinical signs. A thorough diagnostic examination must be performed to rule out the most important systemic etiologies involved with chronic vomiting, as there is no specific test to diagnose PRS. Diagnosis is confirmed clinically by a rapid and dramatic improvement of clinical signs after instauration of phenobarbital treatment. The aim of this article is to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and outcome of a case series of 4 dogs with presumptive PRS. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: A series of three cases

PubMed Central

Patankar, Amod P.; Kshirsagar, Rajesh A.; Dugal, Arun; Mishra, Akshay; Ram, Hari

2014-01-01

The Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. It is characterized by multiple keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) in the jaw, multiple basal cell nevi carcinomas and skeletal abnormities. The syndrome may be diagnosed early by a dentist during the routine radiographic exams in the first decade of life, since the KCOTs are usually one of the first manifestations of the syndrome. This article reports the series of 3 cases, emphasizing its clinical and radiographic manifestations of GGS. PMID:25937738

The Politics Are Personal: "The Australian" vs the Australian Curriculum in History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Tony; Collins, Sue

2012-01-01

This article reviews the relationship between the conservative newspaper "The Australian" and the development of a national history curriculum in Australia. The lead author surveyed the major Australian press in the five-year period between 2007 and 2012 and found clear patterns of difference between "The Australian" and other…

Herpesvirus in a captive Australian Krefft's river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii).

PubMed

Cowan, M L; Raidal, S R; Peters, A

2015-01-01

A mature, captive Krefft's river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) was presented with severe proliferative and ulcerative lesions of the skin and shell. The areas were biopsied and histopathological examination demonstrated orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with keratinocytes containing eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions. Molecular diagnostics confirmed the presence of a herpesvirus in the affected tissues. This is the first recorded case of herpesvirus infection in an Australian freshwater turtle species. © 2015 Australian Veterinary Association.

Reference values for the creatine kinase response to professional Australian football match-play.

PubMed

Inman, Luke A G; Rennie, Michael J; Watsford, Mark L; Gibbs, Nathan J; Green, James; Spurrs, Robert W

2018-08-01

Due to the importance of monitoring markers of muscle damage in high-level sport from a medical and athlete recovery perspective, this study aimed to determine the upper limits of normal (ULN) for post-match plasma creatine kinase (CK) in professional Australian footballers. Raw CK values were considered, along with intra-individual deviations from the season-mean. Case series. CK was collected between 36-48h following professional Australian football match-play. A total of 1565 samples from 62 players were assessed over three consecutive seasons. The ULN were determined for raw scores and as a percentage of each player's season-mean response. The ULN for raw CK, as determined by the 97.5th, 95th and 90th percentiles were 1715 (90%CI: 1605-1890), 1380 (90%CI: 1325-1475) and 1110 (90%CI: 1050-1170) UL -1 respectively. The ULN intra-individual response (97.5th percentile) was defined as a player's score being greater than 94% (90%CI: 84-102%) above their season-mean. Professional Australian football elicits a profound effect on the CK response. The values provide a reference tool for athletes competing at this level of competition. The novel method of representing the CK response as a percentage difference from an individuals' season-mean enables a superior comparative ability between CK responses and reduces the high CK responder bias that occurs when using raw scores alone. The data will assist medical and conditioning staff in excluding medical emergencies and also aid in individualising the prescription of training loads and recovery to optimise athlete performance and minimise further muscle damage. Copyright © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solitary Fibrous Tumors of the Orbit and Central Nervous System: A Case Series Analysis

PubMed Central

Brum, Marisa; Nzwalo, Hipólito; Oliveira, Edson; Pelejão, Maria Rita; Pereira, Pedro; Farias, João Paulo; Pimentel, José

2018-01-01

Introduction: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice. Since its initial descriptions in the central nervous system (CNS) and the orbits, very few case reports and small case series have expanded their clinical and pathological characterization. We sought to describe a cases series of SFT from a single laboratory of neuropathology belonging to a tertiary university hospital. Methods: Retrospective clinical and histopathological description of eight cases of CNS and orbital SFT diagnosed over a 21-year period of time. Results: Median age was 47.3 years and four were males. Clinical presentation was related to local mass effect in all. Tumors occurred in the orbits (5/62.5%), intracranial dura attached (2), and the spinal medulla (1). The neuropathology showed the presence of hemangiopericytoma type (2), classic type (3), and mixed type (3). Histological anaplasia was present in two cases. Widespread/total immunoreactivity for vimentin, CD34, and Bcl-2 was present in all. Gross total removal was conducted in the majority (6/75%) and subtotal removal in 2 (25%). Three patients were submitted to adjuvant treatment (radiosurgery and radiotherapy). Recurrence occurred in four patients, 13–120 months after surgical intervention. Anaplasia was present in one case of recurrence. Conclusion: Our case series confirms the clinical and neuropathological diversity of CNS and orbital SFTs. Studies with longer follow-up periods are necessary to better understand the clinical behavior and prognosis of the SFT in the CNS and orbits. PMID:29682031

Case Studies: Persecution/Genocide. The Human Rights Series. Volume III.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Litynsky, Walter; And Others

A continuation of the study of those factors that lead to persecutions and acts of genocide is presented. As students read the materials included in the case studies, they should be referred to the organizing concepts discussed in "Teaching about the Holocaust and Genocide: Introduction. The Human Rights Series, Volume I." Unit 1 in that…

HMGCR-associated myositis: a New Zealand case series and estimate of incidence.

PubMed

Kennedy, N; Keating, P; O'Donnell, J

2016-05-01

Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in New Zealand, with 525 772 or 16.5% of the adult New Zealand population prescribed a statin between June 2013 and July 2014. While generally well-tolerated, statins are known to cause a range of muscle-related side effects, ranging from myalgia to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. Recently, it has been recognised that in rare instances, statins can induce an immune-mediated necrotising myositis with antibodies against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), the enzymatic target of statins. In 2014, anti-HMGCR antibody testing was introduced to Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL), with this being the only laboratory in New Zealand performing this test during the period of this case series. This article describes an index case and characterises the clinical features of a subsequent 12-month series. From this series, we estimated the yearly incidence of HMGCR-associated myositis at 1.7/million/year or ~1/90 000 New Zealand statin users. © 2016 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Hypothalamic-pituitary sarcoidosis with vision loss and hypopituitarism: case series and literature review.

PubMed

Anthony, Jeremy; Esper, Gregory J; Ioachimescu, Adriana

2016-02-01

Hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) neurosarcoidosis (NS) accounts for 0.5 % cases of sarcoidosis and 1 % of HP masses. Correlative data on endocrine and neurological outcomes is lacking. Retrospective case series and literature review of presentation, treatment and outcome of HP NS. Our series includes 4 men, ages 34-59, followed for a median of 7.3 years (range 1.5-17). All had optic neuropathy, multiple pituitary hormone abnormalities (PHAs) and other organ involvement by sarcoidosis (lung, sino-nasal, brain/spine and facial nerve). Two patients had central diabetes insipidus and one impaired thirst with polydipsia. After treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids, optic neuropathy improved in one case and stabilized in the others. After treatment, HP lesions improved radiologically, but PHAs persisted in all cases. Review of four published series on HP NS in addition to ours yielded 46 patients, age 37 ± 11.8 years, 65 % male. PHAs consisted of anterior hypopituitarism (LH/FSH 88.8 %, TSH 67.4 %, GH 50.0 %, ACTH 48.8 %), hyperprolactinemia (48.8 %) and diabetes insipidus (65.2 %). PHAs were the first sign of disease in 54.3 % patients. Vision problems occurred in 28.3 % patients, but optic neuropathy was not well documented in previous series. Most patients (93.5 %) received high-dose glucocorticoids followed by taper; 50 % also received other immunomodulators, including methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, azathioprine, infliximab and hydrochloroquine. Only 13 % patients showed improvement in PHAs. All-cause mortality was 8.7 %. HP NS is a serious disease requiring multidisciplinary treatment and lifelong follow-up. Prospective multicentric studies are needed to determine a more standardized approach to HP NS and outline predictors of disease outcome.

The development of professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses.

PubMed

Halcomb, Elizabeth; Stephens, Moira; Bryce, Julianne; Foley, Elizabeth; Ashley, Christine

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to explore the current role of general practice nurses and the scope of nursing practice to inform the development of national professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses. Increasing numbers of nurses have been employed in Australian general practice to meet the growing demand for primary care services. This has brought significant changes to the nursing role. Competency standards for nurses working in general practice were first developed in Australia in 2005, but limited attention has been placed on articulating the contemporary scope of practice for nurses in this setting. Concurrent mixed methods design. Data collection was conducted during 2013-2014 and involved two online surveys of Registered and Enrolled Nurses currently working in general practice, a series of 14 focus groups across Australia and a series of consultations with key experts. Data collection enabled the development of 22 Practice Standards separated into four domains: (i) Professional Practice; (ii) Nursing Care; (iii) General Practice Environment and (iv) Collaborative Practice. To differentiate the variations in enacting these Standards, performance indicators for the Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse and Registered Nurse Advanced Practice are provided under each Standard. The development of national professional practice standards for nurses working in Australian general practice will support ongoing workforce development. These Standards are also an important means of articulating the role and scope of the nurses' practice for both consumers and other health professionals, as well as being a guide for curriculum development and measurement of performance. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Law enforcement-applied tourniquets: a case series of life-saving interventions.

PubMed

Callaway, David W; Robertson, Joshua; Sztajnkrycer, Matthew D

2015-01-01

Although the epidemiology of civilian trauma is distinct from that encountered in combat, in both settings, extremity hemorrhage remains a major preventable cause of potential mortality. The current paper describes the largest case series in the literature in which police officers arriving prior to emergency medical services applied commercially available field tourniquets to civilian victims of violent trauma. Although all 3 patients with vascular injury arrived at the receiving emergency department in extremis, they were successfully resuscitated and survived to discharge without major morbidity. While this outcome is likely multifactorial and highlights the exceptional care delivered by the modern trauma system, tourniquet application appears to have kept critically injured patients alive long enough to reach definitive trauma care. No patient had a tourniquet-related complication. This case series suggests that law enforcement officers can effectively identify indications for tourniquets and rapidly apply such life-saving interventions.

Conservative chiropractic management of urinary incontinence using applied kinesiology: a retrospective case-series report.

PubMed

Cuthbert, Scott C; Rosner, Anthony L

2012-03-01

The purpose of this case series is to describe the chiropractic management of 21 patients with daily stress and occasional total urinary incontinence (UI). Twenty-one case files of patients 13 to 90 years of age with UI from a chiropractic clinic were reviewed. The patients had a 4-month to 49-year history of UI and associated muscle dysfunction and low back and/or pelvic pain. Eighteen wore an incontinence pad throughout the day and night at the time of their appointments because of unpredictable UI. Patients were evaluated for muscle impairments in the lumbar spine, pelvis, and pelvic floor and low back and/or hip pain. Positive manual muscle test results of the pelvis, lumbar spine muscles, and pelvic floor muscles were the most common findings. Lumbosacral dysfunction was found in 13 of the cases with pain provocation tests (applied kinesiology sensorimotor challenge); in 8 cases, this sensorimotor challenge was absent. Chiropractic manipulative therapy and soft tissue treatment addressed the soft tissue and articular dysfunctions. Chiropractic manipulative therapy involved high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation; Cox flexion distraction manipulation; and/or use of a percussion instrument for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Urinary incontinence symptoms resolved in 10 patients, considerably improved in 7 cases, and slightly improved in 4 cases. Periodic follow-up examinations for the past 6 years, and no less than 2 years, indicate that for each participant in this case-series report, the improvements of UI remained stable. The patients reported in this retrospective case series showed improvement in UI symptoms that persisted over time.

“Unwell while Aboriginal”: iatrogenesis in Australian medical education and clinical case management

PubMed Central

Ewen, Shaun C; Hollinsworth, David

2016-01-01

Introduction Attention to Aboriginal health has become mandatory in Australian medical education. In parallel, clinical management has increasingly used Aboriginality as an identifier in both decision making and reporting of morbidity and mortality. This focus is applauded in light of the gross inequalities in health outcomes between indigenous people and other Australians. Methods A purposive survey of relevant Australian and international literature was conducted to map the current state of play and identify concerns with efforts to teach cultural competence with Aboriginal people in medical schools and to provide “culturally appropriate” clinical care. The authors critically analyzed this literature in light of their experiences in teaching Aboriginal studies over six decades in many universities to generate examples of iatrogenic effects and possible responses. Results and discussion Understanding how to most effectively embed Aboriginal content and perspectives in curriculum and how to best teach and assess these remains contested. This review canvasses these debates, arguing that well-intentioned efforts in medical education and clinical management can have iatrogenic impacts. Given the long history of racialization of Aboriginal people in Australian medicine and the relatively low levels of routine contact with Aboriginal people among students and clinicians, the review urges caution in compounding these iatrogenic effects and proposes strategies to combat or reduce them. Conclusion Long overdue efforts to recognize gaps and inadequacies in medical education about Aboriginal people and their health and to provide equitable health services and improved health outcomes are needed and welcome. Such efforts need to be critically examined and rigorously evaluated to avoid the reproduction of pathologizing stereotypes and reductionist explanations for persistent poor outcomes for Aboriginal people. PMID:27313485

Evaluation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in bile samples: A case series review.

PubMed

Itoh, Naoya; Kawamura, Ichiro; Tsukahara, Mika; Mori, Keita; Kurai, Hanako

2016-06-01

Although Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen of humans, pneumococcal cholangitis is rare because of the rapid autolysis of S. pneumoniae. The aim of this case series was to review patients with bile cultures positive for S. pneumoniae. This study was a single center retrospective case series review of patients with S. pneumoniae in their bile at a tertiary-care cancer center between September 2002 and August 2015. Subjects consisted of all patients in whom S. pneumoniae was isolated in their bile during the study period. Bile specimens for culture were obtained from biliary drainage procedures such as endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. There were 20 patients with bile cultures positive for S. pneumoniae during the study period. All patients presented with extrahepatic obstructive jaundice due to hepatopancreatobiliary tumors. Nineteen of 20 patients underwent the placement of plastic intrabiliary tubes. The mean time between the first-time drainage and the positive culture was 26 days (range 0-313 days). Although 12 of 20 patients met our definition of cholangitis, 5 were clinically treated with antibiotics based on a physician's assessment of whether there was a true infection. The present study is the largest case series of patients with S. pneumoniae in their bile. Based on our findings, the isolation of S. pneumoniae from bile may be attributed to the placement of biliary drainage devices. Copyright © 2016 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Manualized Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Le Grange, Daniel; Binford, Roslyn; Loeb, Katharine L.

2005-01-01

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe a case series of children and adolescents (mean age = 14.5 years, SD = 2.3; range 9-18) with anorexia nervosa who received manualized family-based treatment for their eating disorder. Method: Forty-five patients with anorexia nervosa were compared pre- and post-treatment on weight and menstrual…

[Scimitar syndrome: a case series].

PubMed

Jaramillo González, Carlos; Karam Bechara, José; Sáenz Gómez, Jessica; Siegert Olivares, Augusto; Jamaica Balderas, Lourdes

Scimitar syndrome is a rare and complex congenital anomaly of the lung with multiple variables and is named for its resemblance to the classical radiological crooked sword. Its defining feature is the anomalous pulmonary drainage. It is associated with various cardiothoracic malformations and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Nine patients diagnosed with scimitar syndrome found in the database of Hospital Infantil de México between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed. Demographic records, clinical status and hemodynamic parameters reported were collected. This case series called attention to certain differences between our group of patients and those reported in the international literature. Patients were predominantly female and were diagnosed between 1 and 20 months of life. All were asymptomatic at the time of the study. Half of the patients had a history of respiratory disease and all patients had with pulmonary hypertension. Surgical management was required in on-third of the patient group. Copyright © 2014 Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Toxin-induced chemosensory dysfunction: A case series and review

PubMed Central

Smith, Wendy M.; Davidson, Terence M.; Murphy, Claire

2013-01-01

Background Toxic chemical exposures are estimated to account for 1–5% of all olfactory disorders. Both olfactory neurons and taste buds are in direct contact with environmental agents because of their relatively unprotected anatomic locations, thereby making them susceptible to damage from acute and chronic toxic exposures. The aim of this study was to illustrate different aspects of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this disorder using a series of case reports and review of the literature. Methods Cases were selected for inclusion based on a retrospective chart review of patients who presented to a university-based nasal dysfunction clinic with toxin-induced olfactory or gustatory dysfunction between January 1985 and December 2008. Workup included complete history, otolaryngologic examination, psychophysical testing, and imaging. Results Patient ages ranged from 31 to 67 years (mean, 49.3 years). Etiology of chemosensory impairment included exposure to ammonia, isodecanes, hairdressing chemicals, chemotherapy, gasoline, and intranasal zinc. Five of the seven patients (71%) presented with olfactory dysfunction alone, one patient (14%) presented with dysgeusia alone, and one patient (14%) presented with both smell and taste loss. Only one patient (14%) reported parosmias. Tests of olfaction revealed normosmia in one patient (14%), mild-to-moderate hyposmia in one patient (14%), and severe hyposmia to anosmia in five patients (72%). Both patients who reported taste disorders had hypogeusia on testing. Conclusion This case series illustrates the wide spectrum of this disorder and provides a framework for the workup and treatment of these patients. PMID:19958605

A Case of Ancylostoma ceylanicum Infection Occurring in an Australian Soldier Returned from Solomon Islands.

PubMed

Speare, Rick; Bradbury, Richard Stewart; Croese, John

2016-08-01

A 26-year-old male member of the Australian Defense Force presented with a history of central abdominal pain of 4 weeks duration and peripheral eosinophilia consistent with eosinophilic enteritis. Acute hookworm disease was diagnosed as the cause. Adult worms recovered from feces after therapy with albendazole were morphologically consistent with Ancylostoma ceylanicum. As the patient had been deployed with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands for 6 months prior to this presentation, it is very likely that the A. ceylanicum was acquired in Solomon Islands. Until now, it has been assumed that any Ancylostoma spp. recovered from humans in Solomon Islands is A. duodenale. However, this case demonstrates that human hookworm infection acquired in the Solomon Islands could be caused by A. ceylanicum.

Australian work exposures studies: occupational exposure to pesticides.

PubMed

Jomichen, Jasmine; El-Zaemey, Sonia; Heyworth, Jane S; Carey, Renee N; Darcey, Ellie; Reid, Alison; Glass, Deborah C; Driscoll, Tim; Peters, Susan; Abramson, Michael; Fritschi, Lin

2017-01-01

Pesticides are widely used in some occupational settings. Some pesticides have been classified as carcinogens; however, data on the number of workers exposed to pesticides are not available in Australia. The main aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of pesticide exposure in Australian workplaces. The analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a series of nationwide telephone surveys which investigated work-related prevalence and exposure to carcinogens and asthmagens, including pesticides, among current Australian workers. Information about the respondents' current job and various demographic factors was collected in a telephone interview using the web-based tool OccIDEAS. Workers were considered exposed to pesticides if they reported applying or mixing pesticides in their current job. Of the 10 371 respondents, 410 (4%) respondents were assessed as being exposed to pesticides in the workplace, with exposure being more likely among males, individuals born in Australia, individuals with lower education level and those residing in regional or remote areas. Glyphosate was the most common active ingredient used by workers. This is the first study to describe the prevalence of occupational pesticide exposure in Australia and one of the few recent studies internationally. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Review of Australian Higher Education: An Australian Policy Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montague, Alan

2013-01-01

Higher education is one of the key foundations that economic prosperity is founded upon. Government policies, funding and strategic planning require a fine balance to stimulate growth, prosperity health and well-being. The key Australian government policies influenced by a Review of Australian Higher Education report include attracting many more…

Key performance indicators for Australian mental health court liaison services.

PubMed

Davidson, Fiona; Heffernan, Ed; Greenberg, David; Butler, Tony; Burgess, Philip

2017-12-01

The aim of this paper is to describe the development and technical specifications of a framework and national key performance indicators (KPIs) for Australian mental health Court Liaison Services (CLSs) by the National Mental Health Court Liaison Performance Working Group (Working Group). Representatives from each Australian State and Territory were invited to form a Working Group. Through a series of national workshops and meetings, a framework and set of performance indicators were developed using a review of literature and expert opinion. A total of six KPIs for CLSs have been identified and a set of technical specifications have been formed. This paper describes the process and outcomes of a national collaboration to develop a framework and KPIs. The measures have been developed to support future benchmarking activities and to assist services to identify best practice in this area of mental health service delivery.

Maternal and neonatal hyponatremia during labor: a case series.

PubMed

Solomon, Neta; Many, Ariel; Orbach, Rotem; Mandel, Dror; Shinar, Shiri

2018-03-12

Hyponatremia during labor and delivery may result in severe maternal and neonatal sequelae. Our aim was to describe the direct effect of hyponatremia in labor on pregnancy outcome. A case series of parturients diagnosed with hyponatremia during labor and their neonates. Clinical presentation, laboratory workup, and maternal and neonatal outcomes are presented. Four parturients and their corresponding six neonates were diagnosed with hyponatremia. Of these, two cases were caused by water intoxication and two were preeclampsia induced. While two were identified due to maternal or neonatal symptoms, two were diagnosed by routine laboratory testing. In all cases, low maternal sodium resulted in similarly low neonatal sodium. Neonatal symptoms included respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), lethargy, and jaundice. Psychogenic drinking during labor and preeclampsia may predispose to maternal hyponatremia, resulting in neonatal hyponatremia. Early recognition and treatment can prevent further maternal deterioration and adverse neonatal sequelae.

Conservative chiropractic management of urinary incontinence using applied kinesiology: a retrospective case-series report

PubMed Central

Cuthbert, Scott C.; Rosner, Anthony L.

2012-01-01

Objective The purpose of this case series is to describe the chiropractic management of 21 patients with daily stress and occasional total urinary incontinence (UI). Clinical Features Twenty-one case files of patients 13 to 90 years of age with UI from a chiropractic clinic were reviewed. The patients had a 4-month to 49-year history of UI and associated muscle dysfunction and low back and/or pelvic pain. Eighteen wore an incontinence pad throughout the day and night at the time of their appointments because of unpredictable UI. Intervention and Outcome Patients were evaluated for muscle impairments in the lumbar spine, pelvis, and pelvic floor and low back and/or hip pain. Positive manual muscle test results of the pelvis, lumbar spine muscles, and pelvic floor muscles were the most common findings. Lumbosacral dysfunction was found in 13 of the cases with pain provocation tests (applied kinesiology sensorimotor challenge); in 8 cases, this sensorimotor challenge was absent. Chiropractic manipulative therapy and soft tissue treatment addressed the soft tissue and articular dysfunctions. Chiropractic manipulative therapy involved high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation; Cox flexion distraction manipulation; and/or use of a percussion instrument for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Urinary incontinence symptoms resolved in 10 patients, considerably improved in 7 cases, and slightly improved in 4 cases. Periodic follow-up examinations for the past 6 years, and no less than 2 years, indicate that for each participant in this case-series report, the improvements of UI remained stable. Conclusion The patients reported in this retrospective case series showed improvement in UI symptoms that persisted over time. PMID:22942842

Osseous genioplasty: A case series

PubMed Central

Deshpande, Sanjeev N.; Munoli, Amarnath V.

2011-01-01

Introduction: The chin (mentum) is vital to the human facial morphology as it contributes to the facial aesthetics and harmony both on frontal and lateral views. Osseous genioplasty, the alteration of the chin through skeletal modification, can lead to significant enhancement of the overall facial profile. Aim and Study Design: A case series was designed to study the long-term results of osseous genioplasty in Indian patients with regard to patient satisfaction, complications, and long-term stability. Materials and Methods: All subjects who underwent osseous genioplasty either alone or as a component of orthognathic surgery between January 1992 and December 2010, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, were included. The genioplasty was performed using standard protocols of assessment and execution. Post-operative evaluation included patient satisfaction, complications and radiological evidence of long-term stability. A comprehensive score was formulated for the purpose of the study. Results: Thirty-seven subjects underwent osseous genioplasty with at least 2 years of follow-up in the study period. This included 17 male and 20 female subjects, with a mean age of 22.8 years (15-52 years) and a mean follow-up of 3 years 4 months (2 years to 4 years and 11 months). Nineteen subjects underwent isolated genioplasty while 18 underwent genioplasty as a part of orthognathic surgery. The procedures included advancement (22), pushback (9), side-to-side (4) and vertical reduction (2) genioplasty. Thirty-six subjects (97.3%) were extremely pleased with the results with only one subject expressing reservations, without, however, demanding any further procedure. There were no significant complications. The osteotomised segment was well maintained in its new position with good bony union and minimal resorption. Overall, 35 (94.6%) cases had excellent results and 2 (4.4%) cases had good results, according to the comprehensive score. Conclusions: Osseous genioplasty is a safe and

Translating science into the next generation meat quality program for Australian lamb.

PubMed

Pethick, D W; Ball, A J; Banks, R G; Gardner, G E; Rowe, J B; Jacob, R H

2014-02-01

This paper introduces a series of papers in the form of a special edition that reports phenotypic analyses done in parallel with genotypic analyses for the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC) using data generated from the information nucleus flock (INF). This has allowed new knowledge to be gained of the genetic, environment and management factors that impact on the carcase and eating quality, visual appeal, odour and health attributes of Australian lamb meat. The research described involved close collaboration with commercial partners across the supply chain in the sire breeding as well as the meat processing industries. This approach has enabled timely delivery and adoption of research results to industry in an unprecedented way and provides a good model for future research. © 2013.

Central neuraxial anaesthesia presenting with spinal myoclonus in the perioperative period: a case series

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Introduction Perioperative spinal myoclonus is extremely rare. Many anaesthetists and perioperative practitioners may not diagnose or manage this complication appropriately when it occurs. This case report of unusual acute spinal myoclonus following regional anaesthesia highlights certain aspects of this rare complication that have not previously been published. Case presentations A series of four consecutive patients who developed acute lower-limb myoclonus following spinal or epidural anaesthesia are described. The case series occurred at three different hospitals and involved four anaesthetists over a 3-year period. Two Caucasian men, aged 90-years-old and 67-years-old, manifested unilateral myoclonus. Two Caucasian women, aged 64-years-old and 53-years-old, developed bilateral myoclonus. Myoclonus was self-limiting in one patient, treated with further regional anaesthesia in one patient and treated with intravenous midazolam in two patients. The overall outcome was good in all patients, with no recurrence or sequelae in any of the patients. Conclusion This case series emphasizes that spinal myoclonus following regional anaesthesia is rare, has diverse pathophysiology and can have diverse presentations. The treatment of perioperative spinal myoclonus should be directed at the aetiology. Anaesthetists and perioperative practitioners who are unfamiliar with this rare complication should be reassured that it may be treated successfully with midazolam. PMID:19830168

Forecasting malaria cases using climatic factors in delhi, India: a time series analysis.

PubMed

Kumar, Varun; Mangal, Abha; Panesar, Sanjeet; Yadav, Geeta; Talwar, Richa; Raut, Deepak; Singh, Saudan

2014-01-01

Background. Malaria still remains a public health problem in developing countries and changing environmental and climatic factors pose the biggest challenge in fighting against the scourge of malaria. Therefore, the study was designed to forecast malaria cases using climatic factors as predictors in Delhi, India. Methods. The total number of monthly cases of malaria slide positives occurring from January 2006 to December 2013 was taken from the register maintained at the malaria clinic at Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Najafgarh, Delhi. Climatic data of monthly mean rainfall, relative humidity, and mean maximum temperature were taken from Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi. Expert modeler of SPSS ver. 21 was used for analyzing the time series data. Results. Autoregressive integrated moving average, ARIMA (0,1,1) (0,1,0)(12), was the best fit model and it could explain 72.5% variability in the time series data. Rainfall (P value = 0.004) and relative humidity (P value = 0.001) were found to be significant predictors for malaria transmission in the study area. Seasonal adjusted factor (SAF) for malaria cases shows peak during the months of August and September. Conclusion. ARIMA models of time series analysis is a simple and reliable tool for producing reliable forecasts for malaria in Delhi, India.

Adverse effects of aromatherapy: a systematic review of case reports and case series.

PubMed

Posadzki, Paul; Alotaibi, Amani; Ernst, Edzard

2012-01-01

This systematic review was aimed at critically evaluating the evidence regarding the adverse effects associated with aromatherapy. Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant case reports and case series. Forty two primary reports met our inclusion criteria. In total, 71 patients experienced adverse effects of aromatherapy. Adverse effects ranged from mild to severe and included one fatality. The most common adverse effect was dermatitis. Lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil and ylang-ylang were the most common essential oils responsible for adverse effects. Aromatherapy has the potential to cause adverse effects some of which are serious. Their frequency remains unknown. Lack of sufficiently convincing evidence regarding the effectiveness of aromatherapy combined with its potential to cause adverse effects questions the usefulness of this modality in any condition.

Ocular adnexal and orbital amyloidosis: a case series and literature review.

PubMed

Mora-Horna, Eduardo R; Rojas-Padilla, Rubí; López, Vianhi G; Guzmán, Martín J; Ceriotto, Ariel; Salcedo, Guillermo

2016-04-01

The purpose of the study was to describe the main clinical and epidemiologic characteristics, treatment options, and outcome in a large series of patients with periocular and orbital amyloidosis. This is a retrospective, descriptive, observational study of a case series of 14 patients with periocular and orbital amyloidosis and is a review of previously published cases with this diagnosis between September 2004 and January 2015. In this study, we analyzed our 14 patients in conjunction with 69 well-documented cases of orbital and/or periocular amyloidosis previously reported, with a total of 83. Of these, 54 were female (65.1 %), 28 male (33.7 %), and one with unspecified gender. The mean age at diagnosis was 54.9 years (range, 18-87). The localization of the amyloidosis was classified as superficial, deep and combined, with involvement of 53 (63.9 %), 26 (31.3 %), and four cases (4.8 %) in each group, respectively. The main findings in superficial amyloidosis were mass or tissue infiltration (84.9 %) and ptosis (30.2 %) and, in the cases with deep involvement, mass (65.4 %), proptosis (57.7 %), limited ocular movements (34.6 %), ocular displacement (30.8 %), and ptosis (26.9 %). The cases with combined involvement presented with signs and symptoms of the two groups. Regarding the outcome, 43 patients were reported stable after the diagnosis and 21 had recurrence or required new surgical procedures. Periocular and orbital amyloidosis is a rare disease that can present with a variety of symptoms and signs depending on the localization and extension of involvement. Its prompt recognition is important in order to investigate systemic disease, which will affect the prognosis of each case.

The gambling behavior of indigenous Australians.

PubMed

Hing, Nerilee; Breen, Helen; Gordon, Ashley; Russell, Alex

2014-06-01

The gambling activities of minority groups such as Indigenous peoples are usually culturally complex and poorly understood. To redress the scarcity of information and contribute to a better understanding of gambling by Indigenous people, this paper presents quantitative evidence gathered at three Australian Indigenous festivals, online and in several Indigenous communities. With support from Indigenous communities, the study collected and analyzed surveys from 1,259 self-selected Indigenous adults. Approximately 33 % of respondents gambled on card games while 80 % gambled on commercial gambling forms in the previous year. Gambling participation and involvement are high, particularly on electronic gaming machines (EGMs), the favorite and most regular form of gambling. Men are significantly more likely to participate in gambling and to gamble more frequently on EGMs, horse/dog races, sports betting and instant scratch tickets. This elevated participation and frequency of gambling on continuous forms would appear to heighten gambling risks for Indigenous men. This is particularly the case for younger Indigenous men, who are more likely than their older counterparts to gamble on EGMs, table games and poker. While distinct differences between the gambling behaviors of our Indigenous sample and non-Indigenous Australians are apparent, Australian Indigenous behavior appears similar to that of some Indigenous and First Nations populations in other countries. Although this study represents the largest survey of Indigenous Australian gambling ever conducted in New South Wales and Queensland, further research is needed to extend our knowledge of Indigenous gambling and to limit the risks from gambling for Indigenous peoples.

C9ORF72 repeat expansion in Australian and Spanish frontotemporal dementia patients.

PubMed

Dobson-Stone, Carol; Hallupp, Marianne; Loy, Clement T; Thompson, Elizabeth M; Haan, Eric; Sue, Carolyn M; Panegyres, Peter K; Razquin, Cristina; Seijo-Martínez, Manuel; Rene, Ramon; Gascon, Jordi; Campdelacreu, Jaume; Schmoll, Birgit; Volk, Alexander E; Brooks, William S; Schofield, Peter R; Pastor, Pau; Kwok, John B J

2013-01-01

A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 has been established as a common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, the minimum repeat number necessary for disease pathogenesis is not known. The aims of our study were to determine the frequency of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion in two FTD patient collections (one Australian and one Spanish, combined n = 190), to examine C9ORF72 expansion allele length in a subset of FTD patients, and to examine C9ORF72 allele length in 'non-expansion' patients (those with <30 repeats). The C9ORF72 repeat expansion was detected in 5-17% of patients (21-41% of familial FTD patients). For one family, the expansion was present in the proband but absent in the mother, who was diagnosed with dementia at age 68. No association was found between C9ORF72 non-expanded allele length and age of onset and in the Spanish sample mean allele length was shorter in cases than in controls. Southern blotting analysis revealed that one of the nine 'expansion-positive' patients examined, who had neuropathologically confirmed frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology, harboured an 'intermediate' allele with a mean size of only ∼65 repeats. Our study indicates that the C9ORF72 repeat expansion accounts for a significant proportion of Australian and Spanish FTD cases. However, C9ORF72 allele length does not influence the age at onset of 'non-expansion' FTD patients in the series examined. Expansion of the C9ORF72 allele to as little as ∼65 repeats may be sufficient to cause disease.

On Sums of Numerical Series and Fourier Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pavao, H. Germano; de Oliveira, E. Capelas

2008-01-01

We discuss a class of trigonometric functions whose corresponding Fourier series, on a conveniently chosen interval, can be used to calculate several numerical series. Particular cases are presented and two recent results involving numerical series are recovered. (Contains 1 note.)

Protocol and pilot data for establishing the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry.

PubMed

Cadilhac, Dominique A; Lannin, Natasha A; Anderson, Craig S; Levi, Christopher R; Faux, Steven; Price, Chris; Middleton, Sandy; Lim, Joyce; Thrift, Amanda G; Donnan, Geoffrey A

2010-06-01

Disease registries assist with clinical practice improvement. The Australian Stroke Clinical Registry aims to provide national, prospective, systematic data on processes and outcomes for stroke. We describe the methods of establishment and initial experience of operation. Australian Stroke Clinical Registry conforms to new national operating principles and technical standards for clinical quality registers. Features include: online data capture from acute public and private hospital sites; opt-out consent; expert consensus agreed core minimum dataset with standard definitions; outcomes assessed at 3 months poststroke; formal governance oversight; and formative evaluations for improvements. Qualitative feedback from sites indicates that the web-tool is simple to use and the user manuals, data dictionary, and training are appropriate. However, sites desire automated data-entry methods for routine demography variables and the opt-out consent protocol has sometimes been problematic. Data from 204 patients (median age 71 years, 54% males, 60% Australian) were collected from four pilot hospitals from June to October 2009 (mean, 50 cases per month) including ischaemic stroke (in 72%), intracerebral haemorrhage (16%), transient ischaemic attack (9%), and undetermined (3%), with only one case opting out. Australian Stroke Clinical Registry has been well established, but further refinements and broad roll-out are required before realising its potential of improving patient care through clinician feedback and allowance of local, national, and international comparative data.

Recent Observations on Australian Bat Lyssavirus Tropism and Viral Entry

PubMed Central

Weir, Dawn L.; Annand, Edward J.; Reid, Peter A.; Broder, Christopher C.

2014-01-01

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a recently emerged rhabdovirus of the genus lyssavirus considered endemic in Australian bat populations that causes a neurological disease in people indistinguishable from clinical rabies. There are two distinct variants of ABLV, one that circulates in frugivorous bats (genus Pteropus) and the other in insectivorous microbats (genus Saccolaimus). Three fatal human cases of ABLV infection have been reported, the most recent in 2013, and each manifested as acute encephalitis but with variable incubation periods. Importantly, two equine cases also arose recently in 2013, the first occurrence of ABLV in a species other than bats or humans. Similar to other rhabdoviruses, ABLV infects host cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequent pH-dependent fusion facilitated by its single fusogenic envelope glycoprotein (G). Recent studies have revealed that proposed rabies virus (RABV) receptors are not sufficient to permit ABLV entry into host cells and that the unknown receptor is broadly conserved among mammalian species. However, despite clear tropism differences between ABLV and RABV, the two viruses appear to utilize similar endocytic entry pathways. The recent human and horse infections highlight the importance of continued Australian public health awareness of this emerging pathogen. PMID:24556791

Recent observations on Australian bat lyssavirus tropism and viral entry.

PubMed

Weir, Dawn L; Annand, Edward J; Reid, Peter A; Broder, Christopher C

2014-02-19

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a recently emerged rhabdovirus of the genus lyssavirus considered endemic in Australian bat populations that causes a neurological disease in people indistinguishable from clinical rabies. There are two distinct variants of ABLV, one that circulates in frugivorous bats (genus Pteropus) and the other in insectivorous microbats (genus Saccolaimus). Three fatal human cases of ABLV infection have been reported, the most recent in 2013, and each manifested as acute encephalitis but with variable incubation periods. Importantly, two equine cases also arose recently in 2013, the first occurrence of ABLV in a species other than bats or humans. Similar to other rhabdoviruses, ABLV infects host cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequent pH-dependent fusion facilitated by its single fusogenic envelope glycoprotein (G). Recent studies have revealed that proposed rabies virus (RABV) receptors are not sufficient to permit ABLV entry into host cells and that the unknown receptor is broadly conserved among mammalian species. However, despite clear tropism differences between ABLV and RABV, the two viruses appear to utilize similar endocytic entry pathways. The recent human and horse infections highlight the importance of continued Australian public health awareness of this emerging pathogen.

Maternal consumption of coffee and tea during pregnancy and risk of childhood brain tumors: results from an Australian case-control study.

PubMed

Greenop, Kathryn R; Miller, Margaret; Attia, John; Ashton, Lesley J; Cohn, Richard; Armstrong, Bruce K; Milne, Elizabeth

2014-10-01

The causes of childhood brain tumors (CBT) are largely unknown, but gestational diet may influence this risk. The aim of this analysis was to investigate whether maternal coffee or tea consumption during pregnancy was associated with the risk of CBT. The Australian Study of the Causes of Childhood Brain Tumours was a population-based, Australian case-control study conducted between 2005 and 2010. Case children were recruited from 10 pediatric oncology centers and control children by nationwide random-digit dialing, frequency matched to cases on the basis of age, sex and state of residence. Coffee and tea intake were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Data on coffee and tea consumption during pregnancy were available from 293 case mothers and 726 control mothers. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable unconditional logistic regression. There was little evidence of an association between gestational consumption of any coffee (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.92, 1.64) or tea (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74, 1.36) and CBT risk. Among children aged under 5 years, the OR for any coffee consumption during pregnancy was 1.76 (95% CI 1.09, 2.84) and for ≥2 cups per day during pregnancy was 2.52 (95% CI 1.26, 5.04). There was little evidence that associations with coffee or tea intake differed by parental smoking status. These results suggest a positive association between coffee intake ≥2 cups per day and risk of CBT in younger children, although some estimates are imprecise. There was no association between maternal tea drinking and risk of CBT.

Single-operator real-time ultrasound-guided spinal injection using SonixGPS™: a case series.

PubMed

Brinkmann, Silke; Tang, Raymond; Sawka, Andrew; Vaghadia, Himat

2013-09-01

The SonixGPS™ is a novel needle tracking system that has recently been approved in Canada for ultrasound-guided needle interventions. It allows optimization of needle-beam alignment by providing a real-time display of current and predicted needle tip position. Currently, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of this technique for performance of real-time spinal anesthesia. This case series reports performance of the SonixGPS system for real-time ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia in elective patients scheduled for joint arthroplasty. In this single-centre case series, 20 American Society of Anesthesiologists' class I-II patients scheduled for lower limb joint arthroplasty were recruited to undergo real-time ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia with the SonixGPS after written informed consent. The primary outcome for this clinical cases series was the success rate of spinal anesthesia, and the main secondary outcome was time required to perform spinal anesthesia. Successful spinal anesthesia for joint arthroplasty was achieved in 18/20 patients, and 17 of these required only a single skin puncture. In 7/20 (35%) patients, dural puncture was achieved on the first needle pass, and in 11/20 (55%) patients, dural puncture was achieved with two or three needle redirections. Median (range) time taken to perform the block was 8 (5-14) min. The study procedure was aborted in two cases because our clinical protocol dictated using a standard approach if spinal anesthesia was unsuccessful after three ultrasound-guided insertion attempts. These two cases were classified as failures. No complications, including paresthesia, were observed during the procedure. All patients with successful spinal anesthesia found the technique acceptable and were willing to undergo a repeat procedure if deemed necessary. This case series shows that real-time ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia with the SonixGPS system is possible within an acceptable time frame. It proved effective with

In Their Own Words: A Qualitative Study of the Reasons Australian University Students Plagiarize

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Devlin, Marcia; Gray, Kathleen

2007-01-01

The ways in which universities and individual academics attempt to deter and respond to student plagiarism may be based on untested assumptions about particular or primary reasons for this behaviour. Using a series of group interviews, this qualitative study gathered the views of 56 Australian university students on the possible reasons for…

Boxing training for patients with Parkinson disease: a case series.

PubMed

Combs, Stephanie A; Diehl, M Dyer; Staples, William H; Conn, Lindsay; Davis, Kendra; Lewis, Nicole; Schaneman, Katie

2011-01-01

A nontraditional form of exercise recently applied for patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is boxing training. The primary purpose of this case series is to describe the effects of disease severity and duration of boxing training (short term and long term) on changes in balance, mobility, and quality of life for patients with mild or moderate to severe PD. The feasibility and safety of the boxing training program also were assessed. Six patients with idiopathic PD attended 24 to 36 boxing training sessions for 12 weeks, with the option of continuing the training for an additional 24 weeks (a seventh patient attended sessions for only 4 weeks). The 90-minute sessions included boxing drills and traditional stretching, strengthening, and endurance exercises. Outcomes were tested at the baseline and after 12, 24, and 36 weeks of boxing sessions (12-, 24-, and 36-week tests). The outcome measures were the Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Timed "Up & Go" Test, Six-Minute Walk Test, gait speed, cadence, stride length, step width, activities of daily living and motor examination subscales of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, and Parkinson Disease Quality of Life Scale. Six patients completed all phases of the case series, showed improvements on at least 5 of the 12 outcome measures over the baseline at the 12-week test, and showed continued improvements at the 24- and 36-week tests. Patients with mild PD typically showed improvements earlier than those with moderate to severe PD. Despite the progressive nature of PD, the patients in this case series showed short-term and long-term improvements in balance, gait, activities of daily living, and quality of life after the boxing training program. A longer duration of training was necessary for patients with moderate to severe PD to show maximal training outcomes. The boxing training program was feasible and safe for these patients with PD.

Mania following use of ibogaine: A case series.

PubMed

Marta, Cole J; Ryan, Wesley C; Kopelowicz, Alex; Koek, Ralph J

2015-04-01

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring hallucinogen with postulated anti-addictive qualities. While illegal domestically, a growing number of individuals have sought it out for treatment of opiate dependence, primarily in poorly regulated overseas clinics. Existing serious adverse events include cardiac and vestibular toxicity, though ours is the first report of mania stemming from its use. To report on a case series of psychiatric emergency room patients whose unregulated use of ibogaine resulted in mania in three patients with no prior diagnosis of bipolar illness. Review and summarize charts of three cases. Relevant literature was also reviewed for discussion. Two cases of reported ibogaine ingestion for self-treatment of addictions, and one for psycho-spiritual experimentation resulted in symptoms consistent with mania. No prior reports of mania were found in the literature, and the literature suggests growing popularity of ibogaine's use. The three cases presented demonstrate a temporal association between ibogaine ingestion and subsequent development of mania. In light of these cases, clinicians faced with a new onset mania may benefit from careful substance use and treatment history, specifically regarding opiates. In the vulnerable and often desperate addiction population, in particular, the number of patients seeking this treatment appears to be growing. We advise clinicians to be prepared for discussing the safety, efficacy, and paucity of good data regarding ibogaine with patients who may be considering its use. (Am J Addict 2015;24:203-205). © American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

Clinical outcomes following manual physical therapy and exercise for hip osteoarthritis: A case series.

PubMed

MacDonald, Cameron W; Whitman, Julie M; Cleland, Joshua A; Smith, Marcia; Hoeksma, Hugo L

2006-08-01

Case series describing the outcomes of individual patients with hip osteoarthritis treated with manual physical therapy and exercise. Seven patients referred to physical therapy with hip osteoarthritis and/or hip pain were included in this case series. All patients were treated with manual physical therapy followed by exercises to maximize strength and range of motion. Six of 7 patients completed a Harris Hip Score at initial examination and discharge from physical therapy, and 1 patient completed a Global Rating of Change Scale at discharge. Three males and 4 females with a median age of 62 years (range, 52-80 years) and median duration of symptoms of 9 months (range, 2-60 months) participated in this case series. The median number of physical therapy sessions attended was 5 (range, 4-12). The median increase in total passive range of motion of the hip was 82 degrees (range, 70 degrees-86 degrees). The median improvement on the Harris Hip Score was 25 points (range, 15-38 points). The single patient who completed the Global Rating of Change Scale at discharge reported being "a great deal better." Numeric pain rating scores decreased by a mean of 5 points (range, 2-7 points) on 0-to-10-point scale. All patients exhibited reductions in pain and increases in passive range of motion, as well as a clinically meaningful improvement in function. Although we can not infer a cause and effect relationship from a case series, the outcomes with these patients are similar to others reported in the literature that have demonstrated superior clinical outcomes associated with manual physical therapy and exercise for hip osteoarthritis compared to exercise alone.

Operative management of acute pavement burns: a case series.

PubMed

Silver, A G; Zamboni, W A; Baynosa, R C

2014-11-01

Acute burns suffered from contact with environmentally heated roadways and walkways are a rare entity. The aim of this report is to assess the information gained from the treatment of a series of patients. A retrospective review of a consecutive series of cases, where operative treatment was necessary, that occurred during July 2010 in southern Arizona. Seven patients were included, with an average total body surface area burn of 10.2%. Direct fascial excision and tangential excision were carried out on three and four patients, respectively. Although tangential excision was carried out to normal endpoints, there was commonly a need for repetitive debridement. The total hospital costs were over $4,400,000 (£2,730,000). Burns suffered from contact with roadways/walkways are often deeper than suggested by their appearance. Direct fascial excision minimises the number of debridement sessions. We hypothesise that the failure to offload pressure on these wounds may be a causative factor in their observed deepening.

A case series of anophthalmic socket cysts excised utilising fibrin sealant.

PubMed

Wong, Yun; Clarke, Lucy; Lau, Gordon

2017-10-23

Anophthalmic socket cysts are challenging to remove and incomplete excision has been shown to increase the risk of recurrence. This case series describes a novel technique utilising the fibrin sealant Tisseel (Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) to retain the socket cyst integrity during surgical removal to facilitate its complete excision. Five patients were included and followed up for a minimum of 1 year, and there were no signs of recurrence in any of the cases. The surgical technique is described and illustrated. This technique is a safe way of simplifying challenging socket cyst surgery.

The Understanding Words Reading Intervention: Evidence from a Case Series Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Craig; Conlon, Elizabeth G.; Wright, Michalle

2012-01-01

Using a case-series design with double baseline and 10-week maintenance phase, 5 struggling readers from middle- to high-income families (age range 6.4-7.9 years) completed a 5-times-weekly intervention (96 sessions) administered by a parent. All participants completed the intervention with phonological decoding, text-reading accuracy and reading…

Australian Family Research Conference Proceedings (Canberra, Australia, November 23-25, 1983). Volume IV: Policies and Families.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne (Australia).

Fourth in a series of volumes containing the proceedings of the 1983 Australian Family Research Conference, this publication deals with policies and families in Australia. Papers and authors included are: "Improving Social Security Programs: Some Options and Barriers" (Andrew Burbidge), "Single Parent Families and Social Policies:…

Bayesian dynamic modeling of time series of dengue disease case counts.

PubMed

Martínez-Bello, Daniel Adyro; López-Quílez, Antonio; Torres-Prieto, Alexander

2017-07-01

The aim of this study is to model the association between weekly time series of dengue case counts and meteorological variables, in a high-incidence city of Colombia, applying Bayesian hierarchical dynamic generalized linear models over the period January 2008 to August 2015. Additionally, we evaluate the model's short-term performance for predicting dengue cases. The methodology shows dynamic Poisson log link models including constant or time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Calendar effects were modeled using constant or first- or second-order random walk time-varying coefficients. The meteorological variables were modeled using constant coefficients and first-order random walk time-varying coefficients. We applied Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations for parameter estimation, and deviance information criterion statistic (DIC) for model selection. We assessed the short-term predictive performance of the selected final model, at several time points within the study period using the mean absolute percentage error. The results showed the best model including first-order random walk time-varying coefficients for calendar trend and first-order random walk time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Besides the computational challenges, interpreting the results implies a complete analysis of the time series of dengue with respect to the parameter estimates of the meteorological effects. We found small values of the mean absolute percentage errors at one or two weeks out-of-sample predictions for most prediction points, associated with low volatility periods in the dengue counts. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the dynamic Poisson models for studying the association between time series of dengue disease and meteorological variables. The key conclusion of the study is that dynamic Poisson models account for the dynamic nature of the variables involved in the modeling of time series of dengue disease, producing useful

Bayesian dynamic modeling of time series of dengue disease case counts

PubMed Central

López-Quílez, Antonio; Torres-Prieto, Alexander

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to model the association between weekly time series of dengue case counts and meteorological variables, in a high-incidence city of Colombia, applying Bayesian hierarchical dynamic generalized linear models over the period January 2008 to August 2015. Additionally, we evaluate the model’s short-term performance for predicting dengue cases. The methodology shows dynamic Poisson log link models including constant or time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Calendar effects were modeled using constant or first- or second-order random walk time-varying coefficients. The meteorological variables were modeled using constant coefficients and first-order random walk time-varying coefficients. We applied Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations for parameter estimation, and deviance information criterion statistic (DIC) for model selection. We assessed the short-term predictive performance of the selected final model, at several time points within the study period using the mean absolute percentage error. The results showed the best model including first-order random walk time-varying coefficients for calendar trend and first-order random walk time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Besides the computational challenges, interpreting the results implies a complete analysis of the time series of dengue with respect to the parameter estimates of the meteorological effects. We found small values of the mean absolute percentage errors at one or two weeks out-of-sample predictions for most prediction points, associated with low volatility periods in the dengue counts. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the dynamic Poisson models for studying the association between time series of dengue disease and meteorological variables. The key conclusion of the study is that dynamic Poisson models account for the dynamic nature of the variables involved in the modeling of time series of dengue disease, producing useful

Shiitake dermatitis recorded by French Poison Control Centers - new case series with clinical observations.

PubMed

Boels, D; Landreau, A; Bruneau, C; Garnier, R; Pulce, C; Labadie, M; de Haro, L; Harry, P

2014-07-01

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is an edible mushroom which was initially grown in Japan and China and is now sold on the European market. Flagellate erythema may arise following shiitake consumption and was first described in Japan in 1974. This paper reports a French shiitake dermatitis case series. The findings of retrospective study of shiitake dermatitis cases, reported to French Poison Control Centres (PCC) from January 2000 to December 2013, are reported. Among 32 exposed patients, 15 presented flagellate urticarial lesions after raw shiitake consumption. The first case of this series was reported in 2006 and the last nine cases were reported as of 2012. After shared meals, no symptoms were reported among guests, who preferred cooked shiitake to the raw mushroom. In this series, rashes appeared 12 h to 5 days (median: 24 h) after raw shiitake ingestion. Linear and itchy urticarial lesions formed on the trunk, arms, and legs within a few hours and persisted for 3-21 days. In four cases, rash and pruritus were either triggered or worsened by sun exposure. Eleven patients received corticosteroids, antihistamines, or both. All patients completely recovered. Due to the rapidly increasing consumption of exotic food in Western countries, it is no surprise that cases of shiitake dermatitis are now appearing in Europe. The mechanism of shiitake dermatitis is thought to be toxic and due to lentinan, a polysaccharide component of the mushroom. There is no specific validated treatment for shiitake dermatitis. Health professionals and the general population should be aware of both the risk associated with raw shiitake consumption and of the good prognosis of this very spectacular and uncomfortable toxic dermatitis.

Intervention for Infants at Risk of Developing Autism: A Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Jonathan; Wan, Ming Wai; Guiraud, Jeanne; Holsgrove, Samina; McNally, Janet; Slonims, Vicky; Elsabbagh, Mayada; Charman, Tony; Pickles, Andrew; Johnson, Mark

2013-01-01

Theory and evidence suggest the potential value of prodromal intervention for infants at risk of developing autism. We report an initial case series (n = 8) of a parent-mediated, video-aided and interaction-focused intervention with infant siblings of autistic probands, beginning at 8-10 months of age. We outline the theory and evidence base…

[Conversion disorder in an internal medicine department: A series of 37 cases].

PubMed

Régny, P; Cathébras, P

2016-04-01

To describe the clinical characteristics of a series of patients presenting conversion disorder in a general internal medicine ward and outpatient clinic, the arguments retained by the physicians in favour of the diagnosis, the somatic and psychiatric co-morbidities, the management and the outcome of the disorder. We report the study of 37 patients diagnosed with conversion disorder in an internal medicine department of a French university hospital over a period of 14 years. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of the patients and contacted their primary care physicians to obtain follow-up data. No structured instrument was used for the diagnosis of conversion disorder or for the assessment of psychiatric comorbidities. As expected, patients were mostly young females, although a great variety of age, gender, and socio-cultural background was observed. Motor symptoms predominated (62%). A relevant psychogenic factor was explicitly mentioned in only 43% of the cases. In many cases, organic disease was also present, and an organic cause for the symptom initially considered as conversion was suspected in 3 cases. Depressive and anxious disorders were present respectively in 38% and 35% of cases. A pain complaint was associated in half of the cases. Among patients for whom follow-up data is available, conversion symptoms persisted or recurred in 70% of cases and were associated with a poor quality of life. This case series confirms that the DSM-IV-TR criterion of "psychogenicity" (later abandoned in DSM-5) is highly problematic in clinical practice. It suggests a close relationship between conversion disorder and unexplained chronic pain. Copyright © 2015 L’Encéphale, Paris. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Intensive outpatient comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics: A case series

PubMed Central

Blount, Tabatha H; Lockhart, Ann-Louise T; Garcia, Rocio V; Raj, Jeslina J; Peterson, Alan L

2014-01-01

Recent randomized clinical trials have established the efficacy of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in treating children and adults with Tourette syndrome and persistent tic disorders. However, the standard CBIT protocol uses a weekly outpatient treatment format (i.e., 8 sessions over 10 wk), which may be inconvenient or impractical for some patients, particularly patients, who are required to travel long distances in order to receive care. In contrast, an intensive outpatient program may increase accessibility to evidence-based behavioral treatments for Tourette syndrome and other persistent tic disorders by eliminating the necessity of repeated travel. This case series evaluated the use of an intensive outpatient program CBIT (IOP CBIT) for the treatment of 2 preadolescent males (ages 10 and 14 years) with Tourette syndrome. The IOP CBIT treatment protocol included several hours of daily treatment over a 4-d period. Both children evidenced notable reductions in their tics and maintained treatment gains at follow-up. Moreover, both patients and their parents expressed treatment satisfaction with the IOP CBIT format. This case series addresses an important research gap in the behavioral treatment of tic disorders literature. The patients’ treatment outcomes indicate that IOP CBIT is a promising treatment that warrants more systematic investigation. PMID:25325069

Dofetilide in Overdose: A Case Series from Poison Center Data.

PubMed

Hieger, M A; Maskell, K F; Moss, M J; Powell, S W; Cumpston, K L

2017-07-01

Dofetilide is a class III antiarrhythmic used for treating atrial dysrhythmias. Though its adverse effects are well described in routine use, very little is known about dofetilide toxicity in overdose. This is a retrospective case series of consecutive patients reported to our poison center after dofetilide overdose. Twenty-seven cases were included. Seventeen patients were treated at a healthcare facility, and of these, eight were admitted. Twenty-one patients took one extra capsule, four took someone else's medication, one took three extra capsules, and one had a large intentional overdose. Ten patients had co-ingestants reported, including three QT-prolonging agents. No one required cardioversion, defibrillation, CPR, or overdrive pacing. The patient who reported taking 90 times his usual dose in suicide attempt was the only patient to have significant clinical effects. He experienced an 8-beat run of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, frequent multifocal PVCs, and ventricular bigeminy. He received magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride supplementation. In this series, unintentional small overdoses did not result in significant clinical effects and were often managed successfully at home, despite the fact that information showing a single capsule can cause torsades. This study is limited by its small sample size, retrospective design, and reliance on incomplete information.

Posterior segment involvement in cat-scratch disease: A case series.

PubMed

Tolou, C; Mahieu, L; Martin-Blondel, G; Ollé, P; Matonti, F; Hamid, S; Benouaich, X; Debard, A; Cassagne, M; Soler, V

2015-12-01

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a systemic infectious disease. The most well-known posterior segment presentation is neuroretinitis with a macular star. In this study, we present a case series emphasising the heterogeneity of the disease and the various posterior segment manifestations. A retrospective case series of consecutive patients presenting with posterior segment CSD, over a 5-year period (2010 to 2015), at two ophthalmological centres in Midi-Pyrénées. Twelve patients (17 eyes) were included, of whom 11 (92%) presented with rapidly decreasing visual acuity, with 6 of these (50%) extremely abrupt. CSD was bilateral in 5 (42% of all patients). Posterior manifestations were: 12 instances of optic nerve edema (100%), 8 of focal chorioretinitis (67%) and only 6 of the classic macular edema with macular star (25% at first examination, but 50% later). Other ophthalmological complications developed in three patients; one developed acute anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, one a retrohyaloid hemorrhage and one a branch retinal artery occlusion, all secondary to occlusive focal vasculitis adjacent to focal chorioretinitis. Classical neuroretinitis with macular star is not the only clinical presentation of CSD. Practitioners should screen for Bartonella henselae in all patients with papillitis or focal chorioretinitis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

HAPIFED: a Healthy APproach to weIght management and Food in Eating Disorders: a case series and manual development.

PubMed

da Luz, Felipe Q; Swinbourne, Jessica; Sainsbury, Amanda; Touyz, Stephen; Palavras, Marly; Claudino, Angelica; Hay, Phillipa

2017-01-01

�= extremely suitable/successful). This case series supports the feasibility and acceptability of HAPIFED as a potential new treatment for overweight or obesity with comorbid binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa. Clinical trials are necessary to examine the efficacy and effectiveness of HAPIFED. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Universal Trial Number): U1111-1149-7766. Date of registration: 4th November 2013.

Multidisciplinary care considerations for gender nonconforming adolescents with eating disorders: A case series.

PubMed

Donaldson, Abigail A; Hall, Allison; Neukirch, Jodie; Kasper, Vania; Simones, Shannon; Gagnon, Sherry; Reich, Steven; Forcier, Michelle

2018-05-01

Gender nonconforming youth are at risk for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Currently, only a small body of literature addresses this high-risk group. The five cases in this series highlight important themes for this patient population from an interdisciplinary perspective. Identified themes include increased risk for self-harm/suicide, complex psychiatric, and medical implications of delay to treatment for either gender dysphoria or disordered eating, and the importance of collaborative management to maximize care and facilitate healthy development to adulthood. The purpose of this case series is to expand the interdisciplinary discussion regarding the breadth of presentation and management considerations for gender nonconforming adolescents with disordered eating. An interdisciplinary approach to care might enhance access to comprehensive, collaborative treatment for disordered eating, and gender dysphoria in this unique population. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Management of odontogenic cysts by endonasal endoscopic techniques: A systematic review and case series.

PubMed

Marino, Michael J; Luong, Amber; Yao, William C; Citardi, Martin J

2018-01-01

Odontogenic cysts and tumors of the maxilla may be amendable to management by endonasal endoscopic techniques, which may reduce the morbidity associated with open procedures and avoid difficult reconstruction. To perform a systematic review that evaluates the feasibility and outcomes of endoscopic techniques in the management of different odontogenic cysts. A case series of our experience with these minimally invasive techniques was assembled for insight into the technical aspects of these procedures. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was used to identify English-language studies that reported the use of endoscopic techniques in the management of odontogenic cysts. Several medical literature data bases were searched for all occurrences in the title or abstract of the terms "odontogenic" and "endoscopic" between January 1, 1950, and October 1, 2016. Publications were evaluated for the technique used, histopathology, complications, recurrences, and the follow-up period. A case series of patients who presented to a tertiary rhinology clinic and who underwent treatment of odontogenic cysts by an endoscopic technique was included. A systematic review identified 16 case reports or series that described the use of endoscopic techniques for the treatment of odontogenic cysts, including 45 total patients. Histopathologies encountered were radicular (n = 16) and dentigerous cysts (n = 10), and keratocystic odontogenic tumor (n = 12). There were no reported recurrences or major complications for a mean follow-up of 29 months. A case series of patients in our institution identified seven patients without recurrence for a mean follow-up of 10 months. Endonasal endoscopic treatment of various odontogenic cysts are described in the literature and are associated with effective treatment of these lesions for an average follow-up period of >2 years. These techniques have the potential to reduce morbidity associated with the resection of these

Influenza-associated Encephalitis/Encephalopathy Identified by the Australian Childhood Encephalitis Study 2013-2015.

PubMed

Britton, Philip N; Dale, Russell C; Blyth, Christopher C; Macartney, Kristine; Crawford, Nigel W; Marshall, Helen; Clark, Julia E; Elliott, Elizabeth J; Webster, Richard I; Cheng, Allen C; Booy, Robert; Jones, Cheryl A

2017-11-01

Influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy (IAE) is an important cause of acute encephalitis syndrome in children. IAE includes a series of clinicoradiologic syndromes or acute encephalopathy syndromes that have been infrequently reported outside East Asia. We aimed to describe cases of IAE identified by the Australian Childhood Encephalitis study. Children ≤ 14 years of age with suspected encephalitis were prospectively identified in 5 hospitals in Australia. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and outcome at discharge data were reviewed by an expert panel and cases were categorized by using predetermined case definitions. We extracted cases associated with laboratory identification of influenza virus for this analysis; among these cases, specific IAE syndromes were identified where clinical and radiologic features were consistent with descriptions in the published literature. We identified 13 cases of IAE during 3 southern hemisphere influenza seasons at 5 tertiary children's hospitals in Australia; 8 children with specific acute encephalopathy syndromes including: acute necrotizing encephalopathy, acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late diffusion restriction, mild encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesion, and hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia syndrome. Use of influenza-specific antiviral therapy and prior influenza vaccination were infrequent. In contrast, death or significant neurologic morbidity occurred in 7 of the 13 children (54%). The conditions comprising IAE are heterogeneous with varied clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging changes, and outcomes. Overall, outcome of IAE is poor emphasizing the need for optimized prevention, early recognition, and empiric management.

Pediatric Digital Necrosis Secondary to Dressing Application: A Case Series.

PubMed

Bjorklund, Kim A; Rice, Dahlia M; Amalfi, Ashley N

2018-04-01

Pediatric digital necrosis resulting in revision amputation is a devastating outcome following digital dressing application. We report a series of 4 pediatric patients (age: 21 months-11 years) who presented for surgical consultation related to digital ischemia and irreversible necrosis following the application of Coban digital dressings. A review of the literature demonstrated that such injuries had not previously been described. In our case series, Coban dressing was utilized as a deterrent for thumb sucking, fingertip tuft fractures with nail bed lacerations, and a phalanx fracture secondary to crush injury. All 4 children suffered digital necrosis secondary to Coban dressings and ultimately required revision amputation. We discuss risks factors, application practices, and strategies to minimize complications with digital dressings in the pediatric population with the intent of creating awareness among hand surgeons to help promote safe practices and improve patient outcomes.

Australian Family Research Conference Proceedings (Canberra, Australia, November 23-25, 1983). Volume V: Support Networks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne (Australia).

This fifth volume in a series of volumes containing the proceedings of the 1983 Australian Family Research Conference deals with support networks. Papers and authors included are: "Blood Ties and Gender Roles: Adult Children Who Care for Aged Parents" (Hal L. Kendig), "Family Care Policies: Findings from a Survey of Carers"…

Australian Family Research Conference Proceedings (Canberra, Australia, November 23-25, 1983). Volume VI: Family Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne (Australia).

Family life is the focus of this sixth volume in a series containing the proceedings of the 1983 Australian Family Research Conference. The papers are organized under two major sections: Children and Families and Family Environments. Papers and authors included are: "Family Conflict and Child Competence" (Gay Ochiltree and Paul Amato),…

Leading for Sustainability in Western Australian Regional Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pepper, Coral

2014-01-01

In this paper I report on leadership for sustainability in regional schools in Western Australia (WA) in the context of the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI-WA). Case studies are developed to examine leading cultural change in eight WA regional schools with data presented in three representative narrative accounts. Consistency is…

Klebsiella Pneumoniae Liver Abscess: A Case Series of Six Asian Patients

PubMed Central

Oikonomou, Katerina G.; Aye, Myint

2017-01-01

Case series Patient: Female, 60 • Male, 45 • Male, 56 • Male, 65 • Female, 57 • Male, 35 Final Diagnosis: Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess Symptoms: Fever Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Infectious Diseases Objective: Rare co-existance of disease or pathology Background: Liver abscesses represent a serious infection of hepatic parenchyma and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The emergence of a new hypervirulent variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause serious infections in the Asian population, is under investigation. We report a case series of six Asian patients hospitalized at our institution from January 2013 to November 2015 for liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae. Case Report: Charts of six Asian patients were retrospectively reviewed. Four patients were male and two were female. The mean age was 53 years (range: 35–64 years). All patients had no known past medical history of immunodeficiency. Three patients had multiple liver abscesses at the time of initial presentation. In five patients, the source of entry of the pathogenic microorganism was unknown and in one patient the suspected source of entry was the gastrointestinal tract. In three patients there was also concomitant Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia. The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was seven weeks and the mean duration of hospital stay was 13.5 days. Conclusions: Liver abscess should always be included in the differential diagnosis in cases of sepsis without obvious source and/or in the clinical scenarios of fever, abdominal pain, and liver lesions. PMID:28947732

Cangrelor use prior to left ventricular assist device surgery: a case series.

PubMed

Washam, Jeffrey B; Yerokun, Babatunde; Patel, Chetan B; Welsby, Ian J; Milano, Carmelo A; DeVore, Adam D

2018-06-02

Bleeding frequently occurs in patients undergoing placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Clinical factors that have been identified as contributing to peri-procedural bleeding include LVAD implantation after an acute myocardial infarction and preoperative use of antiplatelet agents. In this report, we describe the use of cangrelor for preoperative antiplatelet bridging to LVAD in five post myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock that had recently undergone percutaneous coronary intervention. During the cangrelor bridging period, no cases of thrombotic or major bleeding events occurred. During the first week following LVAD implantation, two patients experienced a major bleeding (each case required chest exploration for suspected hemorrhage). To our knowledge, this is the first series describing cangrelor use for antiplatelet bridging in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. While this series suggest cangrelor could possibly be a safe and effective antiplatelet bridging strategy, further research is needed to identify the optimal antithrombotic strategy in cardiogenic shock patients undergoing LVAD implantation who have recently undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Local complications after industrial liquid silicone injection: case series.

PubMed

Mello, Daniel Francisco; Gonçalves, Karen Chicol; Fraga, Murilo F; Perin, Luis Fernando; Helene, Américo

2013-01-01

To analyze a case series of patients who underwent injection of industrial liquid silicone in a clandestine manner and by unauthorized persons. We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients treated between September 2003 and December 2010. Data regarding gender, age, location and volume of silicone injected, time between application and clinical manifestations, complications, treatment and outcome were collected. Early manifestations were defined as occurring within 30 days of injection and late manifestations, the ones arising after this period. We treated 12 patients, eight were male, seven transsexuals. The volume injected ranged from 5 ml to 2000 ml, being unknown in three cases. The most often used injected sites were the thighs and buttocks. Eight patients had early manifestations, with inflammation and/or infection. Surgical debridement was necessary in five cases. Three patients with a history of injection in the breast region underwent adenomastectomy. There was one death due to refractory septic shock. The use of industrial liquid silicone should be completely contraindicated as a filling material and modification of body contouring, and may have serious complications, even death.

Demographic Predictors of Students' Science Participation over the Age of 16: an Australian Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Grant; Berry, Amanda; Baglin, James

2018-01-01

Using the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data, this paper aimed to examine if, and to what extent, demographic factors predict students' participation in science over the age of 16 (post-16). While all the students participating in this study are attending Australian schools, the comprehensiveness of these datasets, together with inclusion of studies from around the world provides a useful reference point for an international audience. Over 7000 students are included in the analysis of this paper. Characteristics of focus in this paper include groups who have been identified as being underrepresented in past studies including Indigenous students, those from lower-socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds, sex differences and immigrants. Among the factors tested, Indigenous status was the strongest negative predictor of post-16 science participation. SES was also a relatively strong predictor of post-16 science participation. Compared to students categorised with an Australian-ancestry, first-generation and foreign-background students were more likely to participate in post-16 science. The findings of this study contribute to existing research on debates about equity and trends in science participation.

Factors and Issues in Australian Rural Education: A Case for New Perspectives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Darnell, F.; Higgins, A. H.

New interest by Australians in the state of rural education requires new understanding of factors affecting rural education and its related issues. Educational programs have not been flexible enough to cope with rural diversity, a key element in the milieu. Standards such as "equality of opportunity" and "uniformity" have been…

Vertebral artery dissection in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a case series and literature review.

PubMed

Shanmugalingam, Renuka; Reza Pour, Nina; Chuah, Siang Chye; Vo, Thi Mong; Beran, Roy; Hennessy, Annemarie; Makris, Angela

2016-07-16

Arterial dissection is a rare complication of pregnancy and puerperium. There have been reports of aortic, coronary and cervical artery dissection in association with preeclampsia, however, vertebral artery dissection is rarely reported particularly in the antenatal setting in the presence of a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy (HDP).The general annual incidence of symptomatic spontaneous cervicocephalic arterial dissection is 0.0026 % and a data registry reported that 2.4 % of these occurred in the post-partum period. The actual incidence of vertebral artery dissection in HDP is unknown as the current literature consists of case series and reports only with most documenting adverse outcomes. Given the presence of collateral circulation, unilateral vertebral artery dissections may go unrecognised and may be more common than suspected. We present a case series of four patients with vertebral artery dissection in association with HDP, two of which occurred in the antenatal setting and two in the post-partum setting. All our patients had favourable outcome with no maternal neurological deficit and live infants. Our discussion covers the proposed pathophysiology of vertebral artery dissection in HDP and the management of it. Our case series highlights the need to consider VAD an important differential diagnosis when assessing pregnant women with headache and neck pain particularly in the context of HDP.

Australian Aboriginal Geomythology: Eyewitness Accounts of Cosmic Impacts?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamacher, Duane W.; Norris, Ray P.

2009-12-01

Descriptions of cosmic impacts and meteorite falls are found throughout Australian Aboriginal oral traditions. In some cases, these texts describe the impact event in detail, sometimes citing the location, suggesting that the events were witnessed. We explore whether cosmic impacts and meteorite falls may have been witnessed by Aboriginal Australians and incorporated into their oral traditions. We discuss the complications and bias in recording and analysing oral texts but suggest that these texts may be used both to locate new impact structures or meteorites and model observed impact events. We find that, while detailed Aboriginal descriptions of cosmic impacts are abundant in the literature, there is currently no physical evidence connecting these accounts to impact events currently known to Western science.

Provision of pandemic disease information by health sciences librarians: a multisite comparative case series.

PubMed

Featherstone, Robin M; Boldt, R Gabriel; Torabi, Nazi; Konrad, Shauna-Lee

2012-04-01

The research provides an understanding of pandemic information needs and informs professional development initiatives for librarians in disaster medicine. Utilizing a multisite, comparative case series design, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews and examined supplementary materials in the form of organizational documents, correspondence, and websites to create a complete picture of each case. The rigor of the case series was ensured through data and investigator triangulation. Interview transcripts were coded using NVivo to identify common themes and points of comparison. Comparison of the four cases revealed a distinct difference between "client-initiated" and "librarian-initiated" provision of pandemic information. Librarian-initiated projects utilized social software to "push" information, whereas client-initiated projects operated within patron-determined parameters to deliver information. Health care administrators were identified as a key audience for pandemic information, and news agencies were utilized as essential information sources. Librarians' skills at evaluating available information proved crucial for selecting best-quality evidence to support administrative decision making. Qualitative analysis resulted in increased understanding of pandemic information needs and identified best practices for disseminating information during periods of high organizational stress caused by an influx of new cases of an unknown infectious disease.

The Australian SuperSite Network: A continental, long-term terrestrial ecosystem observatory.

PubMed

Karan, Mirko; Liddell, Michael; Prober, Suzanne M; Arndt, Stefan; Beringer, Jason; Boer, Matthias; Cleverly, James; Eamus, Derek; Grace, Peter; Van Gorsel, Eva; Hero, Jean-Marc; Hutley, Lindsay; Macfarlane, Craig; Metcalfe, Dan; Meyer, Wayne; Pendall, Elise; Sebastian, Alvin; Wardlaw, Tim

2016-10-15

Ecosystem monitoring networks aim to collect data on physical, chemical and biological systems and their interactions that shape the biosphere. Here we introduce the Australian SuperSite Network that, along with complementary facilities of Australia's Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), delivers field infrastructure and diverse, ecosystem-related datasets for use by researchers, educators and policy makers. The SuperSite Network uses infrastructure replicated across research sites in different biomes, to allow comparisons across ecosystems and improve scalability of findings to regional, continental and global scales. This conforms with the approaches of other ecosystem monitoring networks such as Critical Zone Observatories, the U.S. National Ecological Observatory Network; Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems, Europe; Chinese Ecosystem Research Network; International Long Term Ecological Research network and the United States Long Term Ecological Research Network. The Australian SuperSite Network currently involves 10 SuperSites across a diverse range of biomes, including tropical rainforest, grassland and savanna; wet and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland; and semi-arid grassland, woodland and savanna. The focus of the SuperSite Network is on using vegetation, faunal and biophysical monitoring to develop a process-based understanding of ecosystem function and change in Australian biomes; and to link this with data streams provided by the series of flux towers across the network. The Australian SuperSite Network is also intended to support a range of auxiliary researchers who contribute to the growing body of knowledge within and across the SuperSite Network, public outreach and education to promote environmental awareness and the role of ecosystem monitoring in the management of Australian environments. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Infrequent Reservoir-Related Complications of Urologic Prosthetics: A Case Series and Literature Review.

PubMed

Cui, Tao; Terlecki, Ryan; Mirzazadeh, Majid

2015-12-01

Complications related to inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) reservoirs are rare, potentially life threatening, and poorly described in the literature. As more devices are implanted, the incidence of reservoir-related complications may increase, and it will be important to recognize the relevant signs and symptoms. We present a case series of reservoir-related complications presenting to our institution for treatment. We also reviewed all accounts of reservoir-related complications within the urologic literature. Three cases of reservoir-related complications are presented. Case 1 involves erosion of an intact AUS reservoir into the cecum of a patient with a history of myelomeningocele and bladder augmentation. Case 2 involves an IPP reservoir causing vascular compression, resulting in open exploration and repositioning of the reservoir. Case 3 involves intraperitoneal migration of a retained IPP reservoir to a subhepatic area, which was then removed laparoscopically. Literature review yielded descriptions of eight cases of intestinal complications, five cases of vascular complications, but zero reports of migration to a subhepatic area. Other notable complications include 20 reported cases of reservoir erosion into the bladder and inguinal herniation of the reservoir. Complications involving urologic prosthesis reservoirs, although rare, can have serious implications for patients. A high index of suspicion and familiarity with treatment options is required in order to allow timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Patients with prior major abdominal surgeries seem to be more prone to intestinal complications of reservoirs and warrant special concern. Cui T, Terlecki R, and Mirzazadeh M. Infrequent reservoir-related complications of urologic prosthetics: A case series and literature review. Sex Med 2015;3:334-338.

C9ORF72 Repeat Expansion in Australian and Spanish Frontotemporal Dementia Patients

PubMed Central

Dobson-Stone, Carol; Hallupp, Marianne; Loy, Clement T.; Thompson, Elizabeth M.; Haan, Eric; Sue, Carolyn M.; Panegyres, Peter K.; Razquin, Cristina; Seijo-Martínez, Manuel; Rene, Ramon; Gascon, Jordi; Campdelacreu, Jaume; Schmoll, Birgit; Volk, Alexander E.; Brooks, William S.; Schofield, Peter R.; Pastor, Pau; Kwok, John B. J.

2013-01-01

A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 has been established as a common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, the minimum repeat number necessary for disease pathogenesis is not known. The aims of our study were to determine the frequency of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion in two FTD patient collections (one Australian and one Spanish, combined n = 190), to examine C9ORF72 expansion allele length in a subset of FTD patients, and to examine C9ORF72 allele length in ‘non-expansion’ patients (those with <30 repeats). The C9ORF72 repeat expansion was detected in 5–17% of patients (21–41% of familial FTD patients). For one family, the expansion was present in the proband but absent in the mother, who was diagnosed with dementia at age 68. No association was found between C9ORF72 non-expanded allele length and age of onset and in the Spanish sample mean allele length was shorter in cases than in controls. Southern blotting analysis revealed that one of the nine ‘expansion-positive’ patients examined, who had neuropathologically confirmed frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology, harboured an ‘intermediate’ allele with a mean size of only ∼65 repeats. Our study indicates that the C9ORF72 repeat expansion accounts for a significant proportion of Australian and Spanish FTD cases. However, C9ORF72 allele length does not influence the age at onset of ‘non-expansion’ FTD patients in the series examined. Expansion of the C9ORF72 allele to as little as ∼65 repeats may be sufficient to cause disease. PMID:23437264

Using Aptitude Testing to Diversify Higher Education Intake--An Australian Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Daniel; Coates, Hamish; Friedman, Tim

2013-01-01

Australian higher education is currently entering a new phase of growth. Within the remit of this expansion is an express commitment to widen participation in higher education among under-represented groups--in particular those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This paper argues that one key mechanism for achieving this goal should be the…

Harmonising Training and Development across an Industry: The Case of Australian Rail

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Short, Tom; Harris, Roger McL.

2017-01-01

Purpose: This paper aims to explore why harmonisation, given its potential, is so difficult to achieve. It analyses the issues and challenges in achieving harmonisation of training and development across an industry. Design/methodology/approach: The approach was a meta-analysis of six research projects undertaken in the Australian rail industry.…

The 1998 Australian external beam radiotherapy survey and IAEA/WHO TLD postal dose quality audit.

PubMed

Huntley, R; Izewska, J

2000-03-01

The results of an updated Australian survey of external beam radiotherapy centres are presented. Most of the centres provided most of the requested information. The relative caseloads of various linear accelerator photon and electron beams have not changed significantly since the previous survey in 1995. The mean age of Australian LINACs is 7.1 years and that of other radiotherapy machines is 14.7 years. Every Australian radiotherapy centre participated in a special run of the IAEA/WHO TLD postal dose quality audit program, which was provided for Australian centres by the IAEA and WHO in May 1998. The dose quoted by the centres was in nearly every case within 1.5% of the dose assessed by the IAEA. This is within the combined standard uncertainty of the IAEA TLD service (1.8%). The results confirm the accuracy and precision of radiotherapy dosimetry in Australia and the adequate dissemination of the Australian standards from ARL (now ARPANSA) to the centres. The Australian standards have recently been shown to agree with those of other countries to within 0.25% by comparison with the BIPM.

Towards healthy and sustainable food consumption: an Australian case study.

PubMed

Friel, Sharon; Barosh, Laurel J; Lawrence, Mark

2014-05-01

To articulate a healthy and sustainable (H&S) diet; outline key health and environmental sustainability principles that can be applied in the selection of foods for inclusion in such a diet; and describe a methodology with which to assess the availability and affordability of a H&S food basket. We synthesized publically available evidence on the environmental impact of different foods from academic, government, industry and non-government sources and constructed a hypothetical H&S equivalent of the typical Australian diet. Based on this, we constructed a weekly H&S food basket for a household of two adults and two children. Australia. Australian populations. The H&S diet is based on three overarching principles: (i) any food that is consumed above a person's energy requirement represents an avoidable environmental burden in the form of greenhouse gas emissions, use of natural resources and pressure on biodiversity; (ii) reducing the consumption of discretionary food choices, which are energy-dense and highly processed and packaged, reduces both the risk of dietary imbalances and the use of environmental resources; and (iii) a diet comprising less animal- and more plant-derived foods delivers both health and ecological benefits. We have focused on the articulation of a H&S diet not to facilitate 'policy drift' to focus on individual dietary choice, but rather to provide evidence to extend dietary guideline recommendations so as to integrate environmental considerations within the scope of food and health policy advice in Australia and elsewhere.

Development of an E-Learning Culture in the Australian Army

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton, Diane; Ellis, Allan

2007-01-01

For organisations with hierarchical management and training cultures, e-learning provides opportunities for standardising content, delivery, and course management while challenging traditional teacher-student relationships. This research based case study of the Australian Army provided a longitudinal perspective of the diverse factors influencing…

Was molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) present in archaeological case series?

PubMed

Kühnisch, Jan; Lauenstein, Anne; Pitchika, Vinay; McGlynn, George; Staskiewicz, Anja; Hickel, Reinhard; Grupe, Gisela

2016-12-01

With respect to the unknown aetiology of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), it is unclear whether this phenomenon was overlooked in the last century as a result of a high number of caries in children or if this developmental disorder was not present until then. Therefore, this study determined the presence of MIH in historical dentitions and teeth. Dental remains from late medieval (n = 191, twelfth-sixteenth century, Regensburg, Germany), post-medieval (n = 33, sixteenth-eighteenth century, Passau, Germany) and modern age archaeological skeletal series (n = 99, nineteenth-twentieth century, Altdorf, Germany) were examined for MIH. In addition, linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), diffuse opacities, hypoplasia and Turner's teeth were documented. MIH-related demarcated opacities or enamel breakdowns were found in only 15 (0.4 %) of the 3891 examined permanent teeth. Ten cases (3.1 %) from a total of 323 dentitions were classified as having MIH. In contrast, 98 individuals (30.3 %) showed LEH. Other enamel disorders were recorded in 64 individuals (19.8 %). With respect to the low number of affected dentitions and teeth, MIH most likely did not exist or was at least rarely present in the investigated archaeological case series. This study supports the hypothesis that MIH may be linked to contemporary living conditions or other health-related factors.

Transient coupling relationships of the Holocene Australian monsoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McRobie, F. H.; Stemler, T.; Wyrwoll, K.-H.

2015-08-01

The northwest Australian summer monsoon owes a notable degree of its interannual variability to interactions with other regional monsoon systems. Therefore, changes in the nature of these relationships may contribute to variability in monsoon strength over longer time scales. Previous attempts to evaluate how proxy records from the Indonesian-Australian monsoon region correspond to other records from the Indian and East Asian monsoon regions, as well as to El Niño-related proxy records, have been qualitative, relying on 'curve-fitting' methods. Here, we seek a quantitative approach for identifying coupling relationships between paleoclimate proxy records, employing statistical techniques to compute the interdependence of two paleoclimate time series. We verify the use of complex networks to identify coupling relationships between modern climate indices. This method is then extended to a set of paleoclimate proxy records from the Asian, Australasian and South American regions spanning the past 9000 years. The resulting networks demonstrate the existence of coupling relationships between regional monsoon systems on millennial time scales, but also highlight the transient nature of teleconnections during this period. In the context of the northwest Australian summer monsoon, we recognise a shift in coupling relationships from strong interhemispheric links with East Asian and ITCZ-related proxy records in the mid-Holocene to significantly weaker coupling in the later Holocene. Although the identified links cannot explain the underlying physical processes leading to coupling between regional monsoon systems, this method provides a step towards understanding the role that changes in teleconnections play in millennial-to orbital-scale climate variability.

Clinical Spectrum of Autoerythrocyte Sensitization Syndrome: A Series of Five Cases

PubMed Central

Thokchom, Nandakishore Singh; Pradeepa, D.; Hafi, N. A. Bishurul; Verma, Kapila

2018-01-01

Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome (Gardner Diamond syndrome or GDS) is a rare syndrome characterized by painful and spontaneous purpura commonly affecting adult women, and is mostly associated with psychiatric illness. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical presentation, exclusion of other simulating diseases, and psychiatric evaluation. Only few cases have been reported till date. We report five cases of spontaneous purpura with a normal investigation profile, except for iron deficiency anemia in 1 patient, of which three had associated underlying psychiatric illness. Autoerythrocyte sensitization test was positive in all our cases. Patients presenting with painful bruises without significant medical history such as underlying bleeding disorder or drug history or history of trauma should be considered for autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome, and managed accordingly. The present study is a case series of patients with characteristic features of autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome, considering the rarity of the reports on its clinical spectra. PMID:29644197

Kabuki syndrome: a Chinese case series and systematic review of the spectrum of mutations.

PubMed

Liu, Shuang; Hong, Xiafei; Shen, Cheng; Shi, Quan; Wang, Jian; Xiong, Feng; Qiu, Zhengqing

2015-04-21

Kabuki syndrome is a rare hereditary disease affecting multiple organs. The causative genes identified to date are KMT2D and KDMA6. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical manifestations and the spectrum of mutations of KMT2D. We retrospectively retrieved a series of eight patients from two hospitals in China and conducted Sanger sequencing for all of the patients and their parents if available. We also reviewed the literature and plotted the mutation spectrum of KMT2D. The patients generally presented with typical clinical manifestations as previously reported in other countries. Uncommon symptoms included spinal bifida and Dandy-Walker malformation. With respect to the mutations, five mutations were found in five patients, including two frameshift indels, one nonsense mutation and two missense mutations. This is the first case series on Kabuki syndrome in Mainland China. Unusual symptoms, such as spinal bifida and Dandy-Walker syndrome, suggested that neurological developmental defects may accompany Kabuki syndrome. This case series helps broaden the mutation spectrum of Kabuki syndrome and adds information regarding the manifestations of Kabuki syndrome.

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: case series and review of the literature.

PubMed

Tang, Simon; Thompson, Stephen; Smee, Robert

2017-05-01

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma is exceedingly uncommon, with a poorly defined natural history, and its incidence, risk factors, patterns of spread, prognosis and potential treatment options are not well understood. This retrospective single institution case series aims to shed light on these issues. Aggressive local management in patients with locoregional disease may result in long-term survivors. © 2016 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Reporting on cyclist crashes in Australian newspapers.

PubMed

Boufous, Soufiane; Aboss, Ahmad; Montgomery, Victoria

2016-10-01

To assess information on cyclist crashes reported in Australian newspapers. The Factiva news archive was searched for articles on cyclist crashes published in major Australian newspapers between 2010 and 2013. Information on the circumstances of cyclist crashes were extracted and coded. A total of 160 cyclist crashes were covered by 198 newspaper articles, with 44% of crashes resulting in cyclist fatalities. Crashes reported by more than one newspaper were more likely to involve public figures or protracted court cases. Individual characteristics of cyclists as well as the location of the crash were reported for more than 80% of crashes. The road user at fault was reported for more than half of crashes. In contrast, information on helmet use, alcohol and cycling lanes was mentioned for only about 10% of crashes. Fewer than one in five articles mentioned prevention strategies including education campaigns, legislative and infrastructure changes. Australian newspapers tend to focus on the most dramatic and more 'newsworthy' aspects of cyclist crashes. Cycling advocates need to work with journalists to improve the quality of this coverage. Better communication between cycling advocates and journalists is likely to have a positive impact on the safety and the uptake of cycling in the community. © 2016 Public Health Association of Australia.

Australian Family Research Conference Proceedings (Canberra, Australia, November 23-25, 1983). Volume III: Marital Adjustment and Breakdown.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne (Australia).

Third in a series of seven volumes containing the proceedings of the 1983 Australian Family Research Conference, this publication deals with marital adjustment and breakdown. Papers are organized into four major sections: education for family tasks, marital satisfaction, adjustment to separation, and construction of family image. Papers and…

Temporal fossa hemangiopericytoma: a case series.

PubMed

Heiser, Marc A; Waldron, James S; Tihan, Tarik; Parsa, Andrew T; Cheung, Steven W

2009-10-01

Review clinical experience with temporal fossa hemangiopericytomas (HPCs). Retrospective case series review. Tertiary referral center. Intracranial HPCs within the temporal fossa. Craniotomy for either subtotal or gross total tumor excision. Determination of clinical outcome (alive with no evidence of disease, alive with disease, and died of disease). Five cases of HPC involving the temporal fossa were treated at our tertiary referral center for the period from 1995 to 2008. All but 1 patient were men. The age of presentation ranged from 31 to 62 years, and duration of follow-up ranged from 8 to 153 months. Clinical presentation was protean; headache was the most common symptom. Gross total tumor excision was achieved in 2 patients, whereas subtotal tumor excision was achieved in 3 patients. Reasons for subtotal resection included excessive intraoperative blood loss and inextricable tumor. Histologically, all tumors were composed of tightly packed, randomly oriented (jumbled-up) tumor cells with little intervening collagen. CD34 staining mostly highlighted the vascular background. One patient died of disease, 2 patients were alive with disease, and 2 patients had no evidence of disease. Management of temporal fossa HPC is challenging because clinical presentation is often late, and extent of tumor excision is constrained by vital structures in the cranial base and intracranial contents. A multidisciplinary approach with neurosurgery and neurotology undertaken to achieve the most complete tumor resection possible, whereas minimizing morbidity are likely to confer a longer period of symptom-free survival and improves curability of these difficult lesions.

Head and neck inflammatory pseudotumor: Case series and review of the literature

PubMed Central

Kansara, Sagar; Bell, Diana; Johnson, Jason

2016-01-01

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IP) is an uncommon idiopathic lesion that often imitates malignancy clinically and radiologically. Inflammatory pseudotumors have been found to occur in various sites but rarely in the head and neck. The histopathology, imaging, and treatment of three unique cases of head and neck inflammatory pseudotumors are described in this case series. Patients in Cases 1 and 2 presented with right level II neck mass and left parotid tail mass, respectively. The patient in Case 3 presented with otalgia, jaw pain and trismus, and a left parapharyngeal space mass. The tumors in Cases 1 and 3 significantly decreased in size with tapered courses of oral corticosteroids. The tumor in Case 2 was surgically excised without disease recurrence. Malignancy must be ruled out with incisional or excisional biopsy. Treatment includes surgical excision, oral corticosteroids, or both. The literature shows that radiotherapy and small-molecule inhibitors may be promising alternatives. PMID:27650653

Ethnomedicine and dominant medicine in multicultural Australia: a critical realist reflection on the case of Korean-Australian immigrants in Sydney

PubMed Central

Han, Gil-Soo; Ballis, Harry

2007-01-01

Background Viewed through the micro focus of an interpretive lens, medical anthropology remains mystified because interpretivist explanations seriously downplay the given context in which individual health seeking-behaviours occur. This paper draws upon both the interpretivist and political economy perspectives to reflect on the ethno medical practices within the Korean-Australian community in Sydney. Methods We draw on research data collected between 1995 and 1997 for an earlier study of the use of biomedical and traditional medicine by Korean-Australians in Sydney. A total of 120 interviews were conducted with a range of participants, including biomedical doctors, traditional health professionals, Korean community leaders and Korean migrants representing a range of socio-economic backgrounds and migration patterns. Results and Discussion First, the paper highlights the extent to which the social location of migrants in a host society alters or restructures their initial cultural practices they bring with them. Second, taking hanbang medicine in the Korean-Australian community as an illustrative case, the paper explores the transformation of the dominant biomedicine in Australia as a result of the influx of ethnomedicine in the era of global capitalism and global movement. Conclusion In seeking to explain the popularity and supply of alternative health care, it is important to go beyond the culture of each kind of health care itself and to take into consideration the changes occurring at societal, national and global levels as well as consequential individual response to the changes. New social conditions influence the choice of health care methods, including herbal/alternative medicine, health foods and what are often called New Age therapies. PMID:17201916

Infrequent Reservoir‐Related Complications of Urologic Prosthetics: A Case Series and Literature Review

PubMed Central

Terlecki, Ryan; Mirzazadeh, Majid

2015-01-01

Abstract Introduction and Aim Complications related to inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) reservoirs are rare, potentially life threatening, and poorly described in the literature. As more devices are implanted, the incidence of reservoir‐related complications may increase, and it will be important to recognize the relevant signs and symptoms. Methods and Main Outcome Measures We present a case series of reservoir‐related complications presenting to our institution for treatment. We also reviewed all accounts of reservoir‐related complications within the urologic literature Results Three cases of reservoir‐related complications are presented. Case 1 involves erosion of an intact AUS reservoir into the cecum of a patient with a history of myelomeningocele and bladder augmentation. Case 2 involves an IPP reservoir causing vascular compression, resulting in open exploration and repositioning of the reservoir. Case 3 involves intraperitoneal migration of a retained IPP reservoir to a subhepatic area, which was then removed laparoscopically. Literature review yielded descriptions of eight cases of intestinal complications, five cases of vascular complications, but zero reports of migration to a subhepatic area. Other notable complications include 20 reported cases of reservoir erosion into the bladder and inguinal herniation of the reservoir. Conclusion Complications involving urologic prosthesis reservoirs, although rare, can have serious implications for patients. A high index of suspicion and familiarity with treatment options is required in order to allow timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Patients with prior major abdominal surgeries seem to be more prone to intestinal complications of reservoirs and warrant special concern. Cui T, Terlecki R, and Mirzazadeh M. Infrequent reservoir‐related complications of urologic prosthetics: A case series and literature review. Sex Med 2015;3:334–338. PMID:26797069

Fatal overdoses involving hydromorphone and morphine among inpatients: a case series.

PubMed

Lowe, Amanda; Hamilton, Michael; Greenall BScPhm MHSc, Julie; Ma, Jessica; Dhalla, Irfan; Persaud, Nav

2017-01-01

Opioids have narrow therapeutic windows, and errors in ordering or administration can be fatal. The purpose of this study was to describe deaths involving hydromorphone and morphine, which have similar-sounding names, but different potencies. In this case series, we describe deaths of patients admitted to hospital or residents of long-term care facilities that involved hydromorphone and morphine. We searched for deaths referred to the Patient Safety Review Committee of the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario between 2007 and 2012, and subsequently reviewed by 2014. We reviewed each case to identify intervention points where errors could have been prevented. We identified 8 cases involving decedents aged 19 to 91 years. The cases involved errors in prescribing, order processing and transcription, dispensing, administration and monitoring. For 7 of the 8 cases, there were multiple (2 or more) possible intervention points. Six cases may have been prevented by additional patient monitoring, and 5 cases involved dispensing errors. Opioid toxicity deaths in patients living in institutions can be prevented at multiple points in the prescribing and dispensing processes. Interventions aimed at preventing errors in hydromorphone and morphine prescribing, administration and patient monitoring should be implemented and rigorously evaluated.

[Complicated jejunoileal diverticular disease: a 12 cases' serie and literature review].

PubMed

López Marcano, Aylhin Joana; Ramia, José Manuel; De la Plaza Llamas, Roberto; Alonso, Soledad; Gonzales Aguilar, Johnny David; Kühnhardt Barrantes, Andree Wolfgang

2017-01-01

To perform a retrospective analysis of a series of complicated JID (jejunoileal diverticulitis) cases surgically treated in our service during the period from 2002 to 2015. We treated 12 cases of jejunoileal complicated diverticulosis. 7 women and 5 men. The mean age was 76 years. The clinical presentation in all cases was acute abdominal pain, one with gastrointestinal bleeding. All cases had leukocytosis, neutrophilia and increased acute phase reactants. All patients underwent emergency abdominal CT. In 11 cases, there was consistency between imaging studies and surgical findings. Diverticula were located: jejunum (9) and ileum (3). Urgent exploratory laparotomy was always done and findings were: diverticular perforation with peritonitis (7 cases), diverticular perforation with abscess (4 cases) and in one case an ischemic area with diverticular perforation after embolization. Intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed in all cases. There were no patients, in which the diagnosis of diverticulosis jejunoileal was previously known. Complications were: Clavien I (2), Clavien IIIa (1), Clavien IVb (1), Clavien V (1). Jejunoileal diverticulitis is a rare entity, usually the first sign of onset of diverticular disease not previously known. Abdominal CT is of great diagnostic value. Resection of the affected segment is the treatment of choice.

Adenocarcinoma metastatic to the uterine cervix: a case series.

PubMed

Pérez-Montiel, Delia; Serrano-Olvera, Alberto; Salazar, Luz Calderón; Cetina-Pérez, Lucely; Candelaria, Myrna; Coronel, Jaime; Montalvo, Luis Alonso Herrera; de León, David Cantú

2012-03-01

The objectives of this report are, first, to describe the clinical behavior of cases of carcinoma metastatic to the uterine cervix treated at our institution in order to carry out a systematic review to establish the behavioral patterns of the most frequent metastases to the cervix and, second, to generate guidelines for their diagnosis and treatment. At the National Institute of Cancer of Mexico (INCan), we performed a review of the clinical files with a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm metastatic to the uterine cervix between 1990 and 2009. For a systematic review, we conducted a PubMed search between the years 1970 and 2009 of case reports and series of cases of patients with metastatic gastric, breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer. We analyzed each report individually and extracted the patients' clinical data from our cases and reports, including the primary tumor, cervical metastases and survival rates. There were 10 cases of tumors metastatic to the uterine cervix. Metastasis was documented in one-half of the patients during follow up, with two of these cases having the cervix as the only site. We included the following reports in the systematic review: 13 reports of gastric-associated cancer, 30 related to breast cancer, nine with ovarian-associated cancer and 10 related to colorectal cancer. Metastatic cervical activity is an infrequent event. The prognosis of survival is poor in the presence of gastric or ovarian cancer and cervical metastases. © 2012 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2012 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Zolpidem Ingestion, Automatisms, and Sleep Driving: A Clinical and Legal Case Series

PubMed Central

Poceta, J. Steven

2011-01-01

Study Objectives: To describe zolpidem-associated complex behaviors, including both daytime automatisms and sleep-related parasomnias. Methods: A case series of eight clinical patients and six legal defendants is presented. Patients presented to the author after an episode of confusion, amnesia, or somnambulism. Legal defendants were being prosecuted for driving under the influence, and the author reviewed the cases as expert witness for the defense. Potential predisposing factors including comorbidities, social situation, physician instruction, concomitant medications, and patterns of medication management were considered. Results: Patients and defendants exhibited abnormal behavior characterized by poor motor control and confusion. Although remaining apparently interactive with the environment, all reported amnesia for 3 to 5 hours. In some cases, the episodes began during daytime wakefulness because of accidental or purposeful ingestion of the zolpidem and are considered automatisms. Other cases began after ingestion of zolpidem at the time of going to bed and are considered parasomnias. Risk factors for both wake and sleep-related automatic complex behaviors include the concomitant ingestion of other sedating drugs, a higher dose of zolpidem, a history of parasomnia, ingestion at times other than bedtime or when sleep is unlikely, poor management of pill bottles, and living alone. In addition, similar size and shape of two medications contributed to accidental ingestion in at least one case. Conclusions: Sleep driving and other complex behaviors can occur after zolpidem ingestion. Physicians should assess patients for potential risk factors and inquire about parasomnias. Serious legal and medical complications can occur as a result of these forms of automatic complex behaviors. Citation: Poceta JS. Zolpidem ingestion, automatisms, and sleep driving: a clinical and legal case series. J Clin Sleep Med 2011;7(6):632-638. PMID:22171202

Congenital asymptomatic diaphragmatic hernias in adults: a case series

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Introduction Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a major malformation occasionally found in newborns and babies. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is defined by the presence of an orifice in the diaphragm, more often to the left and posterolateral, that permits the herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax. The aim of this case series is to provide information on the presentation, diagnosis and outcome of three patients with late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias. The diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is based on clinical investigation and is confirmed by plain X-ray films and computed tomography scans. Case presentations In the present report three cases of asymptomatic abdominal viscera herniation within the thorax are described. The first case concerns herniation of some loops of the large intestine into the left hemi-thorax in a 75-year-old Caucasian Italian woman. The second case concerns a rare type of herniation in the right side of the thorax of the right kidney with a part of the liver parenchyma in a 57-year-old Caucasian Italian woman. The third case concerns herniation of the stomach and bowel into the left side of the chest with compression of the left lung in a 32-year-old Caucasian Italian man. This type of hernia may appear later in life, because of concomitant respiratory or gastrointestinal disease, or it may be an incidental finding in asymptomatic adults, such as in the three cases featured here. Conclusions Patients who present with late diaphragmatic hernias complain of a wide variety of symptoms, and diagnosis may be difficult. Additional investigation and research appear necessary to better explain the development and progression of this type of disease. PMID:23668793

EcoTurf - a case study: genetic variation and agronomic potential of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) germplasm collected from Australian biodiversity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Australian Cynodon germplasm has not been comprehensively exploited for bermudagrass improvement. In this paper we will describe ‘EcoTurf’ a four year (2007-2011) project to develop water and nutrient use efficient bermudagrasses from Australian biodiversity. We describe the sampling strategies of A...

A global 2007-2015 spaceborne sun-induced vegetation fluorescence time series evaluated with Australian flux tower observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verstraeten, Willem W.; Sanders, Abram F. J.; Kooreman, Maurits L.; van Leth, Thomas C.; Beringer, Jason; Joiner, Joanna; Delcloo, Andy

2017-04-01

measurements in Australia. Correlations for individual towers range from 0.37 to 0.84. They are particularly high for managed biome types. Furthermore, we show that deseasonalized Australian SiF time series are able to clearly indicate the break of the Millennium Drought during the local summer of 2010/2011. It illustrates the strong potential of SiF data to monitor vegetation activity in relation with meteorological anomalies which may have impact on the ecosystem carbon budget and thus affect our climate at the long range.

The Australian Science Facilities Program: A Study of Its Influence on Science Education in Australian Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ainley, John G.

This report is a study conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research to evaluate the influence of science material resources, provided under the Australian Science Facilities Program, on science education in Australia. Under the Australian Science Facilities Program some $123 million was spent, between July 1964 and June 1975, on…

Sonography of occult rib and costal cartilage fractures: a case series.

PubMed

Mattox, Ross; Reckelhoff, Kenneth E; Welk, Aaron B; Kettner, Norman W

2014-06-01

The purpose of this case series is to describe the use of diagnostic ultrasound (US) in the detection of occult rib and costal cartilage fractures presenting as chest wall pain to a chiropractic clinic. Three patients presented with chest wall pain and tenderness. Two of the patients presented with acute chest wall injury and 1 carried a previous diagnosis of rib fracture after trivial trauma 2 months earlier. Diagnostic US was selected as a non-ionizing imaging tool for these patients after negative digital radiography studies. All fractures were considered isolated as there was no associated injury, such as pneumothorax. Both of the acute cases were followed up to complete healing (evidence of osseous union) using US. All patients eventually achieved pain-free status. In these cases, US was more sensitive than radiography for diagnosing these cases of acute rib and costal cartilage fractures. Early recognition of rib injury could avoid potential complications from local manipulative therapy.

Can Masturbatory Guilt Lead to Severe Psychopathology: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Aneja, Jitender; Grover, Sandeep; Avasthi, Ajit; Mahajan, Sudhir; Pokhrel, Prabhakar; Triveni, Davuluri

2015-01-01

Masturbation is common in all societies. Despite being common, it is admonished culturally and almost all religions prohibit masturbation and consider it an act of immorality. The prohibition for masturbation leads to a lot of cultural beliefs, including certain myths, which influence sexual behavior of the person. The impact of these common cultural myths associated with masturbation, are clinically understood as Dhat syndrome and masturbatory guilt. Although there is a reasonable literature on Dhat syndrome, there is limited literature with regard to masturbatory guilt especially linking the same with axis-I psychopathology. In this case series, three cases of masturbatory guilt are presented in whom masturbatory guilt was associated with manifestation of severe psychopathology. This report suggests that masturbatory guilt must be enquired for in patients presenting with severe mental disorder. PMID:25722518

See-saw relationship of the Holocene East Asian-Australian summer monsoon.

PubMed

Eroglu, Deniz; McRobie, Fiona H; Ozken, Ibrahim; Stemler, Thomas; Wyrwoll, Karl-Heinz; Breitenbach, Sebastian F M; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2016-09-26

The East Asian-Indonesian-Australian summer monsoon (EAIASM) links the Earth's hemispheres and provides a heat source that drives global circulation. At seasonal and inter-seasonal timescales, the summer monsoon of one hemisphere is linked via outflows from the winter monsoon of the opposing hemisphere. Long-term phase relationships between the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and the Indonesian-Australian summer monsoon (IASM) are poorly understood, raising questions of long-term adjustments to future greenhouse-triggered climate change and whether these changes could 'lock in' possible IASM and EASM phase relationships in a region dependent on monsoonal rainfall. Here we show that a newly developed nonlinear time series analysis technique allows confident identification of strong versus weak monsoon phases at millennial to sub-centennial timescales. We find a see-saw relationship over the last 9,000 years-with strong and weak monsoons opposingly phased and triggered by solar variations. Our results provide insights into centennial- to millennial-scale relationships within the wider EAIASM regime.

See–saw relationship of the Holocene East Asian–Australian summer monsoon

PubMed Central

Eroglu, Deniz; McRobie, Fiona H.; Ozken, Ibrahim; Stemler, Thomas; Wyrwoll, Karl-Heinz; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2016-01-01

The East Asian–Indonesian–Australian summer monsoon (EAIASM) links the Earth's hemispheres and provides a heat source that drives global circulation. At seasonal and inter-seasonal timescales, the summer monsoon of one hemisphere is linked via outflows from the winter monsoon of the opposing hemisphere. Long-term phase relationships between the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and the Indonesian–Australian summer monsoon (IASM) are poorly understood, raising questions of long-term adjustments to future greenhouse-triggered climate change and whether these changes could ‘lock in' possible IASM and EASM phase relationships in a region dependent on monsoonal rainfall. Here we show that a newly developed nonlinear time series analysis technique allows confident identification of strong versus weak monsoon phases at millennial to sub-centennial timescales. We find a see–saw relationship over the last 9,000 years—with strong and weak monsoons opposingly phased and triggered by solar variations. Our results provide insights into centennial- to millennial-scale relationships within the wider EAIASM regime. PMID:27666662

Australian Employers Strategies to Improve the Quality of Apprentices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Erica

2007-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to examine the ways in which Australian companies can achieve high quality apprenticeship and traineeship systems in a time of labour shortage through close attention to the recruitment and development of apprentices and trainees. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on six qualitative case studies…

Head and neck inflammatory pseudotumor: Case series and review of the literature.

PubMed

Kansara, Sagar; Bell, Diana; Johnson, Jason; Zafereo, Mark

2016-12-01

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IP) is an uncommon idiopathic lesion that often imitates malignancy clinically and radiologically. Inflammatory pseudotumors have been found to occur in various sites but rarely in the head and neck. The histopathology, imaging, and treatment of three unique cases of head and neck inflammatory pseudotumors are described in this case series. Patients in Cases 1 and 2 presented with right level II neck mass and left parotid tail mass, respectively. The patient in Case 3 presented with otalgia, jaw pain and trismus, and a left parapharyngeal space mass. The tumors in Cases 1 and 3 significantly decreased in size with tapered courses of oral corticosteroids. The tumor in Case 2 was surgically excised without disease recurrence. Malignancy must be ruled out with incisional or excisional biopsy. Treatment includes surgical excision, oral corticosteroids, or both. The literature shows that radiotherapy and small-molecule inhibitors may be promising alternatives. © The Author(s) 2016.

Killing two birds with one stone: successful opioid monotherapy in intractable migraine-triggered epilepsy, a case series

PubMed Central

Derakhshan, Iraj

2017-01-01

The novel concept explored in this case series is the primacy of headaches in generating seizures in those patients who suffer from migraine-triggered epilepsy. In this series, once the migraine headaches were fully suppressed, via daily scheduled opioid therapy, the seizures also stopped. Seizures returned, however, after the patients stopped the opiate regimen for any reason. The above pharmacological scenario is reminiscent of a similar but naturalistic course of events reported on the salutary effects of ketogenic diet, or changes in life style, in similar cases of migraine-triggered epilepsy. The primacy of migraine in treating what has been named ‘seizure headaches’ is seen in two other scenarios (i.e. the salutary effect of ketogenic diet and lifestyle changes resulting in restoration of one’s sleeping pattern) thus stopping the migraine as well as the seizures associated with the same. This case series recounts the same phenomenon via utilizing around-the-clock maintenance opioid therapy. PMID:28203347

Killing two birds with one stone: successful opioid monotherapy in intractable migraine-triggered epilepsy, a case series.

PubMed

Derakhshan, Iraj

2017-01-01

The novel concept explored in this case series is the primacy of headaches in generating seizures in those patients who suffer from migraine-triggered epilepsy. In this series, once the migraine headaches were fully suppressed, via daily scheduled opioid therapy, the seizures also stopped. Seizures returned, however, after the patients stopped the opiate regimen for any reason. The above pharmacological scenario is reminiscent of a similar but naturalistic course of events reported on the salutary effects of ketogenic diet, or changes in life style, in similar cases of migraine-triggered epilepsy. The primacy of migraine in treating what has been named 'seizure headaches' is seen in two other scenarios (i.e. the salutary effect of ketogenic diet and lifestyle changes resulting in restoration of one's sleeping pattern) thus stopping the migraine as well as the seizures associated with the same. This case series recounts the same phenomenon via utilizing around-the-clock maintenance opioid therapy.

Rare case-series of electrocautery burn following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

PubMed Central

Sabzi, Feridoun; Niazi, Mojtaba; Ahmadi, Alireza

2014-01-01

Abstract: With an increasing number of off-pump coronary artery surgery procedures in high-risk patients with coagulopathy, including renal failure, hepatic failure and anticoagulant drug-using patients, the frequency of related complications such as repeated exploration for bleeding is also increasing. The associated co-morbidity and repeated use of electrocautery in postoperative bleeding leaves patients susceptible to electrocautery ulcers. In this case series, rare cases of cautery burn with unique causative mechanisms are described. PMID:23669602

Ethnic Differences in the Quality of the Interview Process and Implications for Survey Analysis: The Case of Indigenous Australians

PubMed Central

Perales, Francisco

2015-01-01

Comparable survey data on Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are highly sought after by policymakers to inform policies aimed at closing ethnic socio-economic gaps. However, collection of such data is compromised by group differences in socio-economic status and cultural norms. We use data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey and multiple-membership multilevel regression models that allow for individual and interviewer effects to examine differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in approximate measures of the quality of the interview process. We find that there are both direct and indirect ethnic effects on different dimensions of interview process quality, with Indigenous Australians faring worse than non-Indigenous Australians in all outcomes ceteris paribus . This indicates that nationwide surveys must feature interview protocols that are sensitive to the needs and culture of Indigenous respondents to improve the quality of the survey information gathered from this subpopulation. PMID:26091283

Testing the effectiveness of family therapeutic assessment: a case study using a time-series design.

PubMed

Smith, Justin D; Wolf, Nicole J; Handler, Leonard; Nash, Michael R

2009-11-01

We describe a family Therapeutic Assessment (TA) case study employing 2 assessors, 2 assessment rooms, and a video link. In the study, we employed a daily measures time-series design with a pretreatment baseline and follow-up period to examine the family TA treatment model. In addition to being an illustrative addition to a number of clinical reports suggesting the efficacy of family TA, this study is the first to apply a case-based time-series design to test whether family TA leads to clinical improvement and also illustrates when that improvement occurs. Results support the trajectory of change proposed by Finn (2007), the TA model's creator, who posits that benefits continue beyond the formal treatment itself.

Taxonomic turmoil down-under: recent developments in Australian orchid systematics

PubMed Central

Hopper, Stephen D.

2009-01-01

Background The issue of determining the most appropriate rank for each accepted taxon fuels ongoing controversy throughout systematics. The particularly marked escalation of such issues in modern Australian orchid systematics merits examination, not only because of wider implications in taxonomy but also because of direct effects on studies of comparative biology and conservation management. Scope This paper briefly reviews the causes of recent taxonomic turmoil for Australian orchids and outlines new research opportunities and conservation implications arising from an improved understanding of their molecular phylogenetics. Conclusions DNA sequencing and intensified field work have contributed towards a much improved understanding of Australian orchid systematics. Great progress has been made in discerning monophyletic groups or clades. Fresh interpretations of morphological evolution have been made possible by comparisons with the results of DNA analyses. Significant conceptual shifts from polymorphic species concepts to biological and phylogenetic concepts have also elevated the discovery and description of new species. Consequently, over the past decade, the number of Australian orchid species recognized by taxonomists has risen from approx. 900 to 1200. Similarly, the number of genera recognized by some taxonomists has increased from 110 to 192, resulting in 45% of Australian species/subspecies being assigned a new generic epithet since 2000. At higher taxonomic levels, much of the recent controversy in Australian orchid systematics reflects a divergence in views about where to split and assign formal names within unequivocally monophyletic groups. Differences regarding typification in the case of Caladenia have added additional confusion and complexity. However, new insights into and research opportunities concerning speciation processes in orchids have arisen from the wealth of new data and discrimination of species. Robustly supported molecular analyses of

Ischemic Gastritis: A Multicenter Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity and a Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Elwir, Saleh; Shaukat, Aasma; Mesa, Hector; Colbach, Christine; Dambowy, Paul; Shaw, Michael

2016-10-01

To report a case series of ischemic gastritis and discuss its etiology, management, and associated mortality according to our results and the published English literature. Ischemic gastritis is rare, given the rich blood supply of the stomach. It has been reported in isolated case reports and small case series. Most cases are vascular in origin and associated with a high mortality. Pathology databases from 3 hospitals affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical School were searched for cases of ischemic gastritis in the last 10 years. Patients' demographics, clinical course, and 1-month and 1-year mortalities were collected from electronic medical records. A total of 12 patients were identified (age range, 32.1 to 83.2), the largest series reported to date. The presenting symptom was gastrointestinal bleeding (8), abdominal pain (2), nausea (1), and symptomatic anemia (1). The etiology included postinterventional radiology embolization (2), hemodynamic changes in the setting of celiac axis stenosis (2), vasculitis (1), systemic hypotension (1), and unknown (6). Treatment included steroid therapy, revascularization by interventional radiology, surgery, or supportive treatment. Thirty-day and 1-year mortalities were 33% and 41%, respectively. Ischemic gastritis is rare, but associated with a high mortality. Evaluation for treatable etiologies should be sought and corrected if present.

Q fever: a contemporary case series from a Belgian hospital.

PubMed

Vanderbeke, Lore; Peetermans, Willy E; Saegeman, Veroniek; De Munter, Paul

2016-04-27

Q fever is a global zoonosis that can cause both acute and chronic infections in humans through aerogenic transmission. Although Q fever was discovered already 80 years ago, this infectious disease remains largely unknown. We studied a case series in a Belgian tertiary care hospital. A laboratory and file query at our department was performed to detect patients who were newly diagnosed with Q fever from 01 January 2005 to 01 October 2014. In total, 10 acute Q fever and 5 chronic Q fever infections were identified. An aspecific flu-like illness was the prevailing manifestation of acute Q fever, while this was infective endocarditis in chronic Q fever cases. Noteworthy are the high percentage of myocarditis cases in the acute setting and one case of amyloidosis as a manifestation of chronic Q fever. No evolution from acute to chronic Q fever was noted; overall outcome for both acute and chronic Q fever was favourable with a 94% survival rate. Q fever is an infectious disease characterised by a variable clinical presentation. Detection requires correct assessment of the clinical picture in combination with a laboratory confirmation. Treatment and follow-up are intended to avoid a negative outcome.

Development and validation of an epidemiologic case definition of epilepsy for use with routinely collected Australian health data.

PubMed

Tan, Michael; Wilson, Ian; Braganza, Vanessa; Ignatiadis, Sophia; Boston, Ray; Sundararajan, Vijaya; Cook, Mark J; D'Souza, Wendyl J

2015-10-01

We report the diagnostic validity of a selection algorithm for identifying epilepsy cases. Retrospective validation study of International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Australian Modification (ICD-10AM)-coded hospital records and pharmaceutical data sampled from 300 consecutive potential epilepsy-coded cases and 300 randomly chosen cases without epilepsy from 3/7/2012 to 10/7/2013. Two epilepsy specialists independently validated the diagnosis of epilepsy. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify the optimum coding algorithm for epilepsy and was internally validated. One hundred fifty-eight out of three hundred (52.6%) epilepsy-coded records and 0/300 (0%) nonepilepsy records were confirmed to have epilepsy. The kappa for interrater agreement was 0.89 (95% CI=0.81-0.97). The model utilizing epilepsy (G40), status epilepticus (G41) and ≥1 antiepileptic drug (AED) conferred the highest positive predictive value of 81.4% (95% CI=73.1-87.9) and a specificity of 99.9% (95% CI=99.9-100.0). The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.90 (95% CI=0.88-0.93). When combined with pharmaceutical data, the precision of case identification for epilepsy data linkage design was considerably improved and could provide considerable potential for efficient and reasonably accurate case ascertainment in epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nasopharyngeal branchial cysts-diagnosis and management: a case series.

PubMed

Flis, Daniel W; Wein, Richard O

2013-02-01

Nasopharyngeal branchial cysts (NBCs) have been discussed in the literature in only a limited number of publications. Differing from Tornwaldt cysts, NBCs present laterally and arise from the fossa of Rosenmuller and may track superiorly within the bony confines of the Eustachian tube. Initially patients are asymptomatic but may present with aural fullness, unilateral conductive hearing loss, and serous otitis media as the cyst mass grows. Two of our three patients had the lesion incidentally identified at the time of assessment for another diagnosis. In this case series, imaging characteristics and response to treatment are reviewed. A literature search was performed to summarize the management options for this entity.

Psychogenic dysphonia: diversity of clinical and vocal manifestations in a case series.

PubMed

Martins, Regina Helena Garcia; Tavares, Elaine Lara Mendes; Ranalli, Paula Ferreira; Branco, Anete; Pessin, Adriana Bueno Benito

2014-01-01

Psychogenic dysphonia is a functional disorder with variable clinical manifestations. To assess the clinical and vocal characteristics of patients with psychogenic dysphonia in a case series. The study included 28 adult patients with psychogenic dysphonia, evaluated at a University hospital in the last ten years. Assessed variables included gender, age, occupation, vocal symptoms, vocal characteristics, and videolaryngostroboscopic findings. 28 patients (26 women and 2 men) were assessed. Their occupations included: housekeeper (n=17), teacher (n=4), salesclerk (n=4), nurse (n=1), retired (n=1), and psychologist (n=1). Sudden symptom onset was reported by 16 patients and progressive symptom onset was reported by 12; intermittent evolution was reported by 15; symptom duration longer than three months was reported by 21 patients. Videolaryngostroboscopy showed only functional disorders; no patient had structural lesions or changes in vocal fold mobility. Conversion aphonia, skeletal muscle tension, and intermittent voicing were the most frequent vocal emission manifestation forms. In this case series of patients with psychogenic dysphonia, the most frequent form of clinical presentation was conversion aphonia, followed by musculoskeletal tension and intermittent voicing. The clinical and vocal aspects of 28 patients with psychogenic dysphonia, as well as the particularities of each case, are discussed. Copyright © 2014 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

The spectrum of psychosis in multiple sclerosis: a clinical case series

PubMed Central

Gilberthorpe, Thomas G; O’Connell, Kara E; Carolan, Alison; Silber, Eli; Brex, Peter A; Sibtain, Naomi A; David, Anthony S

2017-01-01

Psychosis in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) has previously been reported as a rare occurrence. However, recent epidemiological studies have found prevalence rates of psychosis in MS that are two to three times higher than those in the general population. Untreated psychosis in patients with MS can adversely impact on adherence to MS medication, levels of disability, and quality of life. This retrospective case series describes the spectrum of psychotic disorders occurring in association with MS using demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data. In the discussion, we highlight the particular diagnostic and treatment challenges that such disorders can pose for clinicians and through our case vignettes provide examples of potential interventions for this complex patient population. PMID:28203081

Can Australians identify snakes?

PubMed

Morrison, J J; Pearn, J H; Covacevich, J; Nixon, J

1983-07-23

A study of the ability of Australians to identify snakes was undertaken, in which 558 volunteers (primary and secondary schoolchildren, doctors and university science and medical students) took part. Over all, subjects correctly identified an average of 19% of snakes; 28% of subjects could identify a taipan, 59% could identify a death adder, 18% a tiger snake, 23% an eastern (or common) brown snake, and 0.5% a rough-scaled snake. Eighty-six per cent of subjects who grew up in rural areas could identify a death adder; only 4% of those who grew up in an Australian capital city could identify a nonvenomous python. Male subjects identified snakes more accurately than did female subjects. Doctors and medical students correctly identified an average of 25% of snakes. The ability to identify medically significant Australian snakes was classified according to the observer's background, education, sex, and according to the individual snake species. Australians need to be better educated about snakes indigenous to this country.

Congenital asymptomatic diaphragmatic hernias in adults: a case series.

PubMed

Bianchi, Enrica; Mancini, Paola; De Vito, Stefania; Pompili, Elena; Taurone, Samanta; Guerrisi, Isabella; Guerrisi, Antonino; D'Andrea, Vito; Cantisani, Vito; Artico, Marco

2013-05-13

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a major malformation occasionally found in newborns and babies. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is defined by the presence of an orifice in the diaphragm, more often to the left and posterolateral, that permits the herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax. The aim of this case series is to provide information on the presentation, diagnosis and outcome of three patients with late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias. The diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is based on clinical investigation and is confirmed by plain X-ray films and computed tomography scans. In the present report three cases of asymptomatic abdominal viscera herniation within the thorax are described. The first case concerns herniation of some loops of the large intestine into the left hemi-thorax in a 75-year-old Caucasian Italian woman. The second case concerns a rare type of herniation in the right side of the thorax of the right kidney with a part of the liver parenchyma in a 57-year-old Caucasian Italian woman. The third case concerns herniation of the stomach and bowel into the left side of the chest with compression of the left lung in a 32-year-old Caucasian Italian man. This type of hernia may appear later in life, because of concomitant respiratory or gastrointestinal disease, or it may be an incidental finding in asymptomatic adults, such as in the three cases featured here. Patients who present with late diaphragmatic hernias complain of a wide variety of symptoms, and diagnosis may be difficult. Additional investigation and research appear necessary to better explain the development and progression of this type of disease.

Peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma: case series literature review.

PubMed

Verma, Esha; Chakki, Arunkumar Bhimashankar; Nagaral, Sharanbasappa Chandrashekar; Ganji, Kiran Kumar

2013-01-01

THE CONCEPT OF FIBROOSSEOUS LESIONS OF BONE HAS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES AND NOW INCLUDES TWO MAJOR ENTITIES: fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma. Peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma is a relatively rare tumour classified between fibroosseous lesions. It predominantly affects adolescents and young adults, with peak prevalence between 10 and 19 yrs. The cemento-ossifying fibroma is a central neoplasm of bone as well as periodontium which has caused considerable controversy because of confusion regarding terminology and the criteria for its diagnosis. The cemento-ossifying fibroma is odontogenic in origin, whereas ossifying fibroma is of bony origin. Lesions histologically similar to peripheral ossifying fibroma have been given various names in existing literature. Therefore, we present and discuss in this paper a series of cases of peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma emphasizing the differential diagnosis.

Fatal overdoses involving hydromorphone and morphine among inpatients: a case series

PubMed Central

Lowe, Amanda; Hamilton, Michael; Greenall BScPhm MHSc, Julie; Ma, Jessica; Dhalla, Irfan; Persaud, Nav

2017-01-01

Background: Opioids have narrow therapeutic windows, and errors in ordering or administration can be fatal. The purpose of this study was to describe deaths involving hydromorphone and morphine, which have similar-sounding names, but different potencies. Methods: In this case series, we describe deaths of patients admitted to hospital or residents of long-term care facilities that involved hydromorphone and morphine. We searched for deaths referred to the Patient Safety Review Committee of the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario between 2007 and 2012, and subsequently reviewed by 2014. We reviewed each case to identify intervention points where errors could have been prevented. Results: We identified 8 cases involving decedents aged 19 to 91 years. The cases involved errors in prescribing, order processing and transcription, dispensing, administration and monitoring. For 7 of the 8 cases, there were multiple (2 or more) possible intervention points. Six cases may have been prevented by additional patient monitoring, and 5 cases involved dispensing errors. Interpretation: Opioid toxicity deaths in patients living in institutions can be prevented at multiple points in the prescribing and dispensing processes. Interventions aimed at preventing errors in hydromorphone and morphine prescribing, administration and patient monitoring should be implemented and rigorously evaluated. PMID:28401133

Case Reports, Case Series - From Clinical Practice to Evidence-Based Medicine in Graduate Medical Education.

PubMed

Sayre, Jerry W; Toklu, Hale Z; Ye, Fan; Mazza, Joseph; Yale, Steven

2017-08-07

Case reports and case series or case study research are descriptive studies that are prepared for illustrating novel, unusual, or atypical features identified in patients in medical practice, and they potentially generate new research questions. They are empirical inquiries or investigations of a patient or a group of patients in a natural, real-world clinical setting. Case study research is a method that focuses on the contextual analysis of a number of events or conditions and their relationships. There is disagreement among physicians on the value of case studies in the medical literature, particularly for educators focused on teaching evidence-based medicine (EBM) for student learners in graduate medical education. Despite their limitations, case study research is a beneficial tool and learning experience in graduate medical education and among novice researchers. The preparation and presentation of case studies can help students and graduate medical education programs evaluate and apply the six American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies in the areas of medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning, professionalism, systems-based practice, and communication. A goal in graduate medical education should be to assist residents to expand their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. These attributes are required in the teaching and practice of EBM. In this aspect, case studies provide a platform for developing clinical skills and problem-based learning methods. Hence, graduate medical education programs should encourage, assist, and support residents in the publication of clinical case studies; and clinical teachers should encourage graduate students to publish case reports during their graduate medical education.

A Case History Introducing the Oregon Ag Seminar Series-Keys to Program and Research-to-Practice Success.

PubMed

Harrington, Marcy J; Lloyd, Kirk

2017-01-01

This case history of Oregon state's Ag Seminar Series is consistent with the Socio-Ecological Model, demonstrating how policy at a state level can influence an organizational approach with impacts that ultimately influence safety practices on the farm. From modest beginnings, the Ag Seminar Series, offered through a workers compensation insurance company, now serves over 2,300 Oregon farmers annually in English and Spanish. This case offers unique but also replicable methods for educators, insurers, and researchers in safety education, safety motivators, and research-to-practice (r2p).

Avoiding Treatment Interruptions: What Role Do Australian Community Pharmacists Play?

PubMed Central

Abukres, Salem Hasn; Hoti, Kreshnik; Hughes, Jeffery David

2016-01-01

Objective To explore the reported practice of Australian community pharmacists when dealing with medication supply requests in absence of a valid prescription. Methods Self-administered questionnaire was posted to 1490 randomly selected community pharmacies across all Australian states and territories. This sample was estimated to be a 20% of all Australian community pharmacies. Results Three hundred eighty five pharmacists participated in the study (response rate achieved was 27.9% (there were 111 undelivered questionnaires). Respondents indicated that they were more likely to provide medications to regular customers without a valid prescription compared to non-regular customers (p<0.0001). However, supply was also influenced by the type of prescription and the medication requested. In the case of type of prescription (Standard, Authority or Private) this relates to the complexity/probability of obtaining a valid prescription from the prescriber at a later date (i.e. supply with an anticipated prescription). Decisions to supply and/or not supply related to medication type were more complex. For some cases, including medication with potential for abuse, the practice and/or the method of supply varied significantly according to age and gender of the pharmacist, and pharmacy location (p<0.05). Conclusions Although being a regular customer does not guarantee a supply, results of this study reinforce the importance for patients having a regular pharmacy, where pharmacists were more likely to continue medication supply in cases of patients presenting without a valid prescription. We would suggest, more flexible legislation should be implemented to allow pharmacists to continue supplying of medication when obtaining a prescription is not practical. PMID:27170997

Hepatitis E in Singapore: A Case-Series and Viral Phylodynamics Study.

PubMed

Teo, Esmeralda Chi-Yuan; Tan, Boon-Huan; Purdy, Michael A; Wong, Pui-San; Ting, Pei-Jun; Chang, Pik-Eu Jason; Oon, Lynette Lin-Ean; Sue, Amanda; Teo, Chong-Gee; Tan, Chee-Kiat

2017-04-01

AbstractThe incidence of hepatitis E in Singapore appears to be increasing. A retrospective case-series study of patients diagnosed with hepatitis E in a tertiary hospital from 2009 to 2013 was conducted. Of 16 cases, eight (50%) were solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), and 14 (88%) were found infected by genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV-3). Bayesian inferences based on HEV subgenomic sequences from seven cases suggest that HEV-3 strains were introduced to Singapore as two principal lineages. Within limitations of the study, it can be inferred that one lineage, in the 3efg clade, emerged about 83 years ago, probably originating from Japan, whereas the other, in the 3abchij clade, emerged about 40 years ago, from the United States. Establishment and subsequent transmissions of strains from these two lineages likely contribute to the current endemicity of hepatitis E in Singapore.

Exposure to alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption among Australian adolescents.

PubMed

Jones, Sandra C; Magee, Christopher A

2011-01-01

Underage drinking is a major problem in Australia and may be influenced by exposure to alcohol advertising. The objective of the present study was to collect data on 12-17 year old Australian adolescents' exposure to different types of alcohol advertising and examine the association between exposure to advertising and alcohol consumption. A cross-sectional survey of 1113 adolescents aged 12-17 years recruited with a variety of methods to gain a cross-section of participants across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales (including independent schools, mall intercepts and online). Participants answered a series of questions assessing adolescents' exposure to alcohol advertising across eight media (including television, Internet and point-of-sale). Alcohol consumption was assessed using three questions (initiation, recent consumption and frequency of consumption in the previous 12 months). The majority indicated that they had been exposed to alcohol advertisements on television, in newspapers and magazines, on the Internet, on billboards/posters and promotional materials and in bottleshops, bars and pubs; exposure to some of these types of alcohol advertisements was associated with increased alcohol consumption, with differences by age and gender. The results are consistent with studies from other countries and suggest that exposure to alcohol advertisements among Australian adolescents is strongly associated with drinking patterns. Given current high levels of drinking among Australian youth, these findings suggest the need to address the high levels of young people's exposure to alcohol advertising.

Trends in sugar supply and consumption in Australia: is there an Australian Paradox?

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background High consumption of refined carbohydrate, in particular sugar, has been identified as a possible contributory factor in greater risk of excess weight gain. In spite of data limitations, one recent paper suggests that Australian sugar consumption has decreased over the same time period that obesity has increased, a so called ‘Australian Paradox’. Given the significant public health focus on nutrition, we aimed to estimate Australian sugar supply and consumption over recent decades, to determine whether these data could be used to make any conclusions about sugar’s role in obesity. Methods Foods high in sugar were identified. Data relating to sugar supply and consumption from 1988 to 2010 were obtained from multiple sources. Using these data we attempted to generate a time series estimate of sugar in Australia’s food supply. Results Australia produces and exports sugar from sugar cane and the sugar in imported foods has received little attention. We were unable to produce a reliable and robust estimate of total sugars in the Australian diet due to data limitations and a lack of current data sources. However, available Import data showed large increases in the volume and value of imported sweetened products between 1988 and 2010 to over 30 grams of sugar per person per day. Value estimates of local production of sweetened products also show substantial increases in this period. Conclusion The Australian Paradox assertion is based on incomplete data, as it excludes sugar contained in imported processed foods, which have increased markedly. A major Australian public health target is to improve the quality of the food supply, and actions have been set in terms of achieving broader environmental changes. However, evaluation of progress is hampered by lack of high quality data relating to supply and consumption. We recommend the regular collection of comprehensive food supply statistics, which include both local production and imports. This would provide

Trends in sugar supply and consumption in Australia: is there an Australian Paradox?

PubMed

Rikkers, Wavne; Lawrence, David; Hafekost, Katherine; Mitrou, Francis; Zubrick, Stephen R

2013-07-18

High consumption of refined carbohydrate, in particular sugar, has been identified as a possible contributory factor in greater risk of excess weight gain. In spite of data limitations, one recent paper suggests that Australian sugar consumption has decreased over the same time period that obesity has increased, a so called 'Australian Paradox'. Given the significant public health focus on nutrition, we aimed to estimate Australian sugar supply and consumption over recent decades, to determine whether these data could be used to make any conclusions about sugar's role in obesity. Foods high in sugar were identified. Data relating to sugar supply and consumption from 1988 to 2010 were obtained from multiple sources. Using these data we attempted to generate a time series estimate of sugar in Australia's food supply. Australia produces and exports sugar from sugar cane and the sugar in imported foods has received little attention. We were unable to produce a reliable and robust estimate of total sugars in the Australian diet due to data limitations and a lack of current data sources. However, available Import data showed large increases in the volume and value of imported sweetened products between 1988 and 2010 to over 30 grams of sugar per person per day. Value estimates of local production of sweetened products also show substantial increases in this period. The Australian Paradox assertion is based on incomplete data, as it excludes sugar contained in imported processed foods, which have increased markedly. A major Australian public health target is to improve the quality of the food supply, and actions have been set in terms of achieving broader environmental changes. However, evaluation of progress is hampered by lack of high quality data relating to supply and consumption. We recommend the regular collection of comprehensive food supply statistics, which include both local production and imports. This would provide an inexpensive addition to survey data and

Are we there yet? Travel vaccinations for Australian children.

PubMed

Slonim, Marnie; Starr, Mike; Blashki, Grant

2014-06-01

Australians travel overseas frequently and general practitioners (GPs) are often asked to provide detailed advice on travel vaccinations for children. Planning a safe and effective vaccination schedule is dependent on the context: where and when the family is travelling, the individual child's medical needs and past vaccination history, and if they are visiting family and friends. In this paper we provide an overview of the issues to consider when vaccinating Australian children for overseas travel. We also list the suite of common travel vaccinations and discuss some clinical scenarios that are likely to present in Australian general practice. Australians love to travel overseas and, increasingly, GPs are asked by patients to provide detailed advice on travel vaccinations for their children. Decisions regarding vaccinations for travelling children can be complex and the advice often differs from that provided for adults. Children differ from adults in their vulnerability to illnesses and side effects of medications. These differences, as well as their status regarding routine childhood vaccinations, all need to be taken into account. As with adults, it is important to consider the location and duration of travel and time until departure. The age of the child is also important and there may be a case for accelerating the routine childhood vaccinations in some children. The aim of this paper is to provide a clear and simple outline of the vaccination recommendations for children travelling overseas from Australia.

Treatment of cuboid syndrome secondary to lateral ankle sprains: a case series.

PubMed

Jennings, Jason; Davies, George J

2005-07-01

Case series. Plantar flexion/inversion ankle sprains are one of the most frequently occurring sports injuries. Cuboid syndrome, which is difficult to diagnose, may result from a plantar flexion/ inversion ankle injury and could become the source of lateral ankle/midfoot pain. The objective of this case series is to describe the examination, evaluation, and treatment of the cuboid syndrome following a lateral ankle sprain. Seven patients were seen in our clinic 1 to 8 weeks following a lateral ankle sprain with a chief complaint of lateral ankle/midfoot pain. In these 7 patients, the presence of cuboid syndrome was identified independently by 2 examiners. Treatment consisted of a cuboid manipulation. All 7 patients returned to sports activities following 1 to 2 treatments consisting of the "cuboid whip" manipulation. No recurrence of symptoms was reported upon immediate return to competition or during the remainder of the season (mean follow-up, 5.7 months; range, 2 to 8 months). Based on those 7 patients, our results suggest that patients who are properly diagnosed with cuboid syndrome and receive the cuboid manipulation can return to competitive activity within 1 or 2 visits without injury recurrence.

A Case Series and Review of Bacillus Cereus Endocarditis from India.

PubMed

Gopinathan, Anusha; Kumar, Anil; Sen, Amitabh C; Sudha, Srisruthy; Varma, Praveen; Gs, Sunil; Eapen, Malini; Dinesh, Kavitha R

2018-01-01

Bacillus cereus is a gram positive bacilli found commonly in the soil and environment. It is a bacteria rarely associated with endocarditis. Intravenous drug abuse, presence of valvular defects, pacemakers, immunodeficiency are some of the known risk factors for B.cereus endocarditis. We present here a case series of two patients with B.cereus endocarditis along with a review of the literature. This is the first report of B.cereus endocarditis from India to the best of our knowledge.

Transparency and Opacity: Levinasian Reflections on Accountability in Australian Schooling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sellar, Sam

2015-01-01

This article draws on the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas to consider, from an ethical perspective, the current transparency and accountability agenda in Australian schooling. It focuses on the case of the "My School" website and the argument that transparent publication of comparative performance data via the website provides a basis for…

Learning Mathematics: Perspectives of Australian Aboriginal Children and Their Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howard, Peter; Perry, Bob

2005-01-01

Two key stakeholders in enhancing and building Aboriginal children's capacity to learn mathematics are teachers and the Aboriginal children themselves. In Australian schools it is often the case that the two groups come from different cultural backgrounds with very differing life experiences. This paper reports on an ethnographic study and focuses…

Teaching Australian Aboriginal Higher Education Students: What Should Universities Do?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rochecouste, Judith; Oliver, Rhonda; Bennell, Debra; Anderson, Roz; Cooper, Inala; Forrest, Simon

2017-01-01

This paper reports findings from a recent study of Australian Aboriginal higher education student experience. Reported here are extracts from a set of case studies of staff, specifically those working in Indigenous Centres, involved with these students in both teaching and support capacities. These participants provided a rich set of qualitative…

Adult Craniopharyngioma: Case Series, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Dandurand, Charlotte; Sepehry, Amir Ali; Asadi Lari, Mohammad Hossein; Akagami, Ryojo; Gooderham, Peter

2017-12-18

The optimal therapeutic approach for adult craniopharyngioma remains controversial. Some advocate for gross total resection (GTR), while others advocate for subtotal resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (STR + XRT). To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the rate of recurrence in the follow-up of 3 yr in adult craniopharyngioma stratified by extent of resection and presence of adjuvant radiotherapy. MEDLINE (1946-July 1, 2016) and EMBASE (1980-June 30, 2016) were systematically reviewed. From1975 to 2013, 33 patients were treated with initial surgical resection for adult onset craniopharyngioma at our center and were reviewed for inclusion in this study. Data from 22 patients were available for inclusion as a case series in the systematic review. Eligible studies (n = 21) were identified from the literature in addition to a case series of our institutional experience. Three groups were available for analysis: GTR, STR + XRT, and STR. The rates of recurrence were 17%, 27%, and 45%, respectively. The risk of developing recurrence was significant for GTR vs STR (odds ratio [OR]: 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.38) and STR + XRT vs STR (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.41). Risk of recurrence after GTR vs STR + XRT did not reach significance (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.33-1.24, P = .18). This is the first and largest systematic review focusing on the rate of recurrence in adult craniopharyngioma. Although the rates of recurrence are favoring GTR, difference in risk of recurrence did not reach significance. This study provides guidance to clinicians and directions for future research with the need to stratify outcomes per treatment modalities. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Epilepsy and violence: case series concerning physical trauma in children of persons with epilepsy

PubMed Central

Gauffin, Helena; Landtblom, Anne-Marie

2014-01-01

Historically, epilepsy has been associated with violence, but more recent studies have emphasized genetic and psychosocial factors as more important. The case series presented here aim to highlight the difficult situation the affected children are in. We report on three cases when children have been traumatized and, in one case, even been killed by their parent who was diagnosed with epilepsy. In the first case, we describe a woman with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy who was sentenced to forensic psychiatry care for killing her child. She lived under difficult psychosocial circumstances and a suicide attempt contributed to what happened. The second case describes a man with post-traumatic seizures who was sentenced for child abuse. Ictal or postictal violence was considered in these two cases but a causal link between the violence and epilepsy has not been established. In the third case, we describe a woman with focal epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNESs). Her child was hurt and frightened in relation to violent seizures, which were regarded as PNESs. This case series demonstrates that children of parents with epilepsy can be in a vulnerable situation. No causality has been established between the seizures and these events, so consequently other factors such as psychosocial stress, low cognitive function, and a suicide attempt must also be considered as important. When a child is hurt by a parent with epilepsy the patient must be closely examined to determine the role of the seizures. Children can also be affected by PNESs. It is essential to notice especially those children of parents with epilepsy who live under difficult psychosocial circumstances and offer extra support when necessary. PMID:25484586

Poly-drug trafficking: Estimating the scale, trends and harms at the Australian border.

PubMed

Hughes, Caitlin Elizabeth; Chalmers, Jenny; Bright, David Anthony; McFadden, Michael

2016-05-01

International drug law enforcement agencies have identified an apparent rise in high level drug traffickers choosing to deal in multiple different drugs. It is hypothesised that this may be a "deliberate modus operandi" and that the formation of "portfolios of trades" may make such traffickers more profitable, harmful and resilient to changes in drug supply and policing. In this paper we provide the first exploration of the extent, nature and harms of poly-drug trafficking at Australian borders. Two different methods were used. First, we used Australian Federal Police (AFP) data on all commercial level seizures at the Australian border from 1999 to 2012 to identify the proportion of seizures that were poly-drug and trends over time. Second, we used unit-record data on a sub-set of 20 drug trafficking cases and linked-cases (defined as the original drug trafficking case and all other criminal cases that were connected via common offenders and/or suspects) to compare the profiles of poly-drug and mono-drug traffickers, including: the total weight and type of drug seized, the value of assets seized, and the level of involvement in other crime (such as money laundering and corruption). Between 5% and 35% of commercial importations at the Australian border involved poly-drug trafficking. Poly-drug trafficking occurred in almost every year of analysis (1999-2012), but it increased only slightly over time. Compared to mono-drug traffickers poly-drug traffickers were characterised by: larger quantities of drugs seized, larger networks, longer criminal histories and more involvement in other types of serious crime. Some fears about poly-drug traffickers may have been overstated particularly about the inherent escalation of this form of trafficking. Nevertheless, this suggests poly-drug traffickers are likely to pose added risks to governments and law enforcement than mono-drug traffickers. They may necessitate different types of policy responses. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier

Imaging in the diagnosis of cemento-ossifying fibroma: a case series.

PubMed

Mithra, R; Baskaran, Pavitra; Sathyakumar, M

2012-01-01

Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a benign fibro-osseous lesion belonging to the same category as fibrous dysplasia and cementifying dysplasia. These are slow-growing lesions that are seen in the third and fourth decades of life. Both the ossifying fibroma and cemento-ossifying fibroma represent two extremes of the same disease process since histologically both contain bone and cementum. However, the term cemento-ossifying fibroma is justified on the basis of clinical and radiological correlation. Radiographs have become an essential tool in the diagnosis of lesions in the jaw, where the anatomy is complex. Nowadays, CT provides information for diagnosis as well as treatment planning. In this case series, we report three cases of cemento-ossifying fibroma that were histologically confirmed and discuss the imaging findings.

Clinical Decision Making in the Management of Patients With Cervicogenic Dizziness: A Case Series.

PubMed

Jung, Francis C; Mathew, Sherin; Littmann, Andrew E; MacDonald, Cameron W

2017-11-01

Study Design Case series. Background Although growing recognition of cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) is emerging, there is still no gold standard for the diagnosis of CGD. The purpose of this case series is to describe the clinical decision making utilized in the management of 7 patients presenting with CGD. Case Description Patients presenting with neck pain and accompanying subjective symptoms, including dizziness, unsteadiness, light-headedness, and visual disturbance, were selected. Clinical evidence of a temporal relationship between neck pain and dizziness, with or without sensorimotor disturbances, was assessed. Clinical decision making followed a 4-step process, informed by the current available best evidence. Outcome measures included the numeric rating scale for dizziness and neck pain, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Patient-Specific Functional Scale, and global rating of change. Outcomes Seven patients (mean age, 57 years; range, 31-86 years; 7 female) completed physical therapy management at an average of 13 sessions (range, 8-30 sessions) over a mean of 7 weeks. Clinically meaningful improvements were observed in the numeric rating scale for dizziness (mean difference, 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.0, 7.5), neck pain (mean difference, 5.4; 95% CI: 3.8, 7.1), and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (mean difference, 32.6; 95% CI: 12.9, 52.2) at discontinuation. Patients also demonstrated overall satisfaction via the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (mean difference, 9) and global rating of change (mean, +6). Discussion This case series describes the physical therapist decision making, management, and outcomes in patients with CGD. Further investigation is warranted to develop a valid clinical decision-making guideline to inform management of patients with CGD. Level of Evidence Diagnosis, therapy, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(11):874-884. Epub 9 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7425.

Hindfoot arthroscopic surgery for posterior ankle impingement: a systematic surgical approach and case series.

PubMed

Smyth, Niall A; Murawski, Christopher D; Levine, David S; Kennedy, John G

2013-08-01

Hindfoot arthroscopic surgery has been described as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The current article describes a systematic approach for identifying relevant hindfoot structures as well as the clinical results of a case series. To present a structured systematic surgical approach for identifying relevant anatomic structures and abnormalities during hindfoot arthroscopic surgery. In addition, we report the clinical results of a case series. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. The systematic surgical approach divides the extra-articular structures of the hindfoot into quadrants as defined by the intermalleolar ligament. Twenty-two patients underwent hindfoot arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The mean follow-up time was 25 months (range, 14-35 months). Standard patient-reported outcome questionnaires of the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) and Short Form-12 (SF-12) general health survey were administered at standard time points after surgery. Return to sporting activities was also calculated as the time period from the date of surgery until the patient was able to participate at their previous level of activity. The mean FAOS score improved from 59 (range, 22-94) preoperatively to 86 (range, 47-100) postoperatively (P < .01). The mean SF-12 score showed similar improvement with a mean of 66 (range, 42-96) preoperatively to 86 (range, 56-98) postoperatively (P < .01). Nineteen patients reported competing at some level of athletic sport before surgery. All patients returned to their previous level of competition after surgery. The mean time to return to sporting activities was 12 weeks (range, 6-16 weeks). Two complications were reported postoperatively: 1 wound infection and 1 case of dysesthesia of the deep peroneal nerve. Hindfoot arthroscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment strategy for posterior ankle impingement syndrome. In addition, it allows the

Rapid amelioration of severe manic episodes with right unilateral ultrabrief pulse ECT: a case series of four patients.

PubMed

Sidorov, Alexey; Mayur, Prashanth

2017-02-01

The aim of this small case series is to describe four cases of severe mania, where ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was used as a primary mode of treatment. A retrospective file review was undertaken of four patients identified as having received ultrabrief pulse ECT for severe mania. The outcome measures for treatment efficacy were the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). All the patients showed significant clinical improvement. A comparison of pre- and post-treatment YMRS and CGI scores showed a dramatic decrease in all four cases. However, one patient was shifted to brief pulse ECT due to inadequate response. Ultrabrief pulse ECT may be an effective treatment in cases of severe mania. Due to the very small number of cases in the current case series, no specific conclusions regarding efficacy may be drawn; however, larger, controlled studies would be indicated.

Atmospheric Pressure and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture: Results From a Time Series Analysis and Case-Crossover Study.

PubMed

Penning de Vries, Bas B L; Kolkert, Joé L P; Meerwaldt, Robbert; Groenwold, Rolf H H

2017-10-01

Associations between atmospheric pressure and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk have been reported, but empirical evidence is inconclusive and largely derived from studies that did not account for possible nonlinearity, seasonality, and confounding by temperature. Associations between atmospheric pressure and AAA rupture risk were investigated using local meteorological data and a case series of 358 patients admitted to hospital for ruptured AAA during the study period, January 2002 to December 2012. Two analyses were performed-a time series analysis and a case-crossover study. Results from the 2 analyses were similar; neither the time series analysis nor the case-crossover study showed a significant association between atmospheric pressure ( P = .627 and P = .625, respectively, for mean daily atmospheric pressure) or atmospheric pressure variation ( P = .464 and P = .816, respectively, for 24-hour change in mean daily atmospheric pressure) and AAA rupture risk. This study failed to support claims that atmospheric pressure causally affects AAA rupture risk. In interpreting our results, one should be aware that the range of atmospheric pressure observed in this study is not representative of the atmospheric pressure to which patients with AAA may be exposed, for example, during air travel or travel to high altitudes in the mountains. Making firm claims regarding these conditions in relation to AAA rupture risk is difficult at best. Furthermore, despite the fact that we used one of the largest case series to date to investigate the effect of atmospheric pressure on AAA rupture risk, it is possible that this study is simply too small to demonstrate a causal link.

Clinical Usage of an Extracellular, Collagen-rich Matrix: A Case Series.

PubMed

AbouIssa, Abdelfatah; Mari, Walid; Simman, Richard

2015-11-01

OASIS Ultra (Smith and Nephew, St. Petersburg, FL) is an extracellular, collagen-rich matrix derived from submucosa of porcine intestine. It is composed of collagen type I, glycosaminoglycan, and proteoglycans. This extracellular matrix (ECM) differs from the single layer in thickness and offers ease of handling and application. It also stimulates cell migration and structural support, provides moisture environment, decreases inflammation, and induces cell proliferation and cellular attachments. In this case series, the authors present their experience with this product in various clinical scenarios. The authors used the product in a variety of wounds with different etiologies to test the clinical outcome of the ECM. This was an observational case series with prospective review of 6 different patients with different types of wounds who received treatment with the ECM during their treatment. The product was applied on the following types of wounds: chronic venous ulcer, nonhealing Achilles tendon vasculitic wound, Marjolin's ulcer, posttraumatic wound, stage IV sacral-coccygeal pressure wound, and complicated transmetatarsal amputation of gangrenous left forefoot diabetic wound. All of these wounds healed within the expected time periods and without complications. In general, healing was achieved in 4-16 weeks using 1-12 applications of the ECM. Wounds with different etiologies were successfully treated with an extracellular, collagen-rich matrix. By replacing the lost ECM to guide cellular growth and migration, this product did ultimately hasten the healing process.

Laparoscopic salpingectomy and removal of Essure hysteroscopic sterilisation device: a case series.

PubMed

Johal, T; Kuruba, N; Sule, M; Mukhopadhyay, S; Raje, G

2018-06-01

Tubal sterilisation using Essure is a minimally invasive technique for permanent contraception, with high rates of patient satisfaction. However, some women subsequently choose removal of the inserts, due to side effects such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, dyspareunia or allergic dermatitis. This case series presents the management of eight women who underwent laparoscopic removal of Essure inserts in conjunction with salpingectomy. We describe our surgical technique, its underlying principles and immediate surgical outcomes. Eight patients were identified as having undergone removal of Essure inserts, via an electronic search of the surgical procedures database. A retrospective review of case records was undertaken. The primary outcome was safety and feasibility of the laparoscopic salpingectomy approach. Secondary outcome measures included implant fracture rate, operative time, blood loss and length of patient stay. All eight women were able to undergo laparoscopic salpingectomy and removal of the Essure inserts without the need for laparotomy or hysterectomy. There were no incidences of fracture or incomplete removal of the insert. Immediate postoperative recovery was uncomplicated in all eight women; the mean length of stay was 17 h. One patient had a small bowel serosal tear attributed to laparoscopic entry. This case series suggests that laparoscopic salpingectomy for removal of Essure inserts is safe and feasible. We acknowledge that the numbers were small. However, consistent use of a laparoscopic approach in these eight patients indicates that this procedure is a feasible and suitable alternative to hysterectomy.

The Australian scincid lizard Menetia greyii: a new instance of widespread vertebrate parthenogenesis.

PubMed

Adams, Mark; Foster, Ralph; Hutchinson, Mark N; Hutchinson, Rhonda G; Donnellan, Steve C

2003-11-01

Molecular data derived from allozymes and mitochondrial nucleotide sequences, in combination with karyotypes, sex ratios, and inheritance data, have revealed the widespread Australian lizard Menetia greyii to be a complex of sexual and triploid unisexual taxa. Three sexual species, three presumed parthenogenetic lineages, and one animal of uncertain status were detected amongst 145 animals examined from south-central Australia, an area representing less than one-seventh of the total distribution of the complex. Parthenogenesis appears to have originated via interspecific hybridization, although presumed sexual ancestors could only be identified in two cases. The allozyme and mtDNA data reveal the presence of many distinct clones within the presumed parthenogenetic lineages. This new instance of vertebrate parthenogenesis is a first for the Scincidae and only the second definitive case of unisexuality in an indigenous Australian vertebrate.

What's in a Name? The Incorrect Use of Case Series as a Study Design Label in Studies Involving Dogs and Cats.

PubMed

Sargeant, J M; O'Connor, A M; Cullen, J N; Makielski, K M; Jones-Bitton, A

2017-07-01

Study design labels are used to identify relevant literature to address specific clinical and research questions and to aid in evaluating the evidentiary value of research. Evidence from the human healthcare literature indicates that the label "case series" may be used inconsistently and inappropriately. Our primary objective was to determine the proportion of studies in the canine and feline veterinary literature labeled as case series that actually corresponded to descriptive cohort studies, population-based cohort studies, or other study designs. Our secondary objective was to identify the proportion of case series in which potentially inappropriate inferential statements were made. Descriptive evaluation of published literature. One-hundred published studies (from 19 journals) labeled as case series. Studies were identified by a structured literature search, with random selection of 100 studies from the relevant citations. Two reviewers independently characterized each study, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Of the 100 studies, 16 were case series. The remaining studies were descriptive cohort studies (35), population-based cohort studies (36), or other observational or experimental study designs (13). Almost half (48.8%) of the case series or descriptive cohort studies, with no control group and no formal statistical analysis, included inferential statements about the efficacy of treatment or statistical significance of potential risk factors. Authors, peer-reviewers, and editors should carefully consider the design elements of a study to accurately identify and label the study design. Doing so will facilitate an understanding of the evidentiary value of the results. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Peripheral Cemento-Ossifying Fibroma: Case Series Literature Review

PubMed Central

Ganji, Kiran Kumar; Chakki, ArunKumar Bhimashankar; Nagaral, Sharanbasappa Chandrashekar; Verma, Esha

2013-01-01

The concept of fibroosseous lesions of bone has evolved over the last several decades and now includes two major entities: fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma. Peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma is a relatively rare tumour classified between fibroosseous lesions. It predominantly affects adolescents and young adults, with peak prevalence between 10 and 19 yrs. The cemento-ossifying fibroma is a central neoplasm of bone as well as periodontium which has caused considerable controversy because of confusion regarding terminology and the criteria for its diagnosis. The cemento-ossifying fibroma is odontogenic in origin, whereas ossifying fibroma is of bony origin. Lesions histologically similar to peripheral ossifying fibroma have been given various names in existing literature. Therefore, we present and discuss in this paper a series of cases of peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma emphasizing the differential diagnosis. PMID:23365762

Geopotential models in the Australian region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kearsley, A. H. W.; Holloway, R. D.

1989-01-01

The ability of three high-order geopotential models (OSU81, GPM2 and OSU86E) to recover the gravity anomaly field (delta g) in the Australian region was tested. The region was divided into 2 x 2 deg blocks, and the mean and rms of the residual gravity (delta g measured - delta g modeled) was found to estimate the fit of the model to the point gravity data. The results showed that OSU81 and GPM2 performed similarly, recovering the delta g with a mean value of less than plus or minus 5 mGal in 63 and 70 percent of the blocks, respectively. However, both these models achieved a fit of worse that was plus or minus 13 mGal in 6 to 7 percent of cases. These were in areas either on or near the coast, or in the Central Australian region, inferring that for a precise geoid slope determination in these regions, a detailed analysis of delta g in region is needed. On the other hand, OSU86E produced a very good result, having a mean fit of less than plus or minus 5 mGal in 80 percent of the blocks, and worse than plus or minus 13 mGal in only 1 percent of cases. The rms values for this model were also improved over the other two models, indicating that for applications requiring highest precision, the preferred model is OSU86E.

Nature Study, Aborigines and the Australian Kindergarten: Lessons from Martha Simpson's "Australian Programme Based on the Life and Customs of the Australian Black"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Jennifer

2014-01-01

This article examines an experimental kindergarten programme "Work in the Kindergarten: An Australian Programme based on the Life and Customs of the Australian Black" developed by Martha Simpson in early twentieth-century Australia. Here Simpson adapted international Revisionist Froebelian approaches to cultural epoch theory and nature…

Characteristics of patients with lower extremity symptoms treated with slump stretching: a case series.

PubMed

George, Steven Z

2002-08-01

Prospective case series. The purpose of this case series was to describe the criteria used to determine if patients were to receive slump stretch treatment within a treatment-based classification system and to describe selected symptom characteristics associated with these patients. Previous reports from the literature suggest that the slump test position may be a useful treatment and evaluation technique. However, little information has been presented regarding how to identify patients who are appropriate to treat with slump stretching and the symptom characteristics associated with these patients. Prior to recruitment, criteria were established to identify patients who would be considered appropriate to treat with slump stretching. Consecutive patients referred with low back diagnosis or low-back-related diagnoses were then evaluated using a treatment-based classification system. Selected symptom characteristics were collected from patients treated with slump stretching. Out of 88 consecutive patients with low back diagnoses or low-back-related diagnoses, 6 met the study's inclusion criteria and were treated with slump stretching. All pain diagrams were classified as "organic" or "possibly organic," and the most common symptom descriptor was "deep ache." At the discharge session of physical therapy, 5 of 6 patients had symptoms that were more proximally located and all patients reported a decrease in symptom intensity. Favorable changes in symptom intensity and location were observed for this case series, but definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from this study design. Additional research needs to be completed to determine if the slump test position is an effective evaluation and treatment technique.

Assessing Outcome in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Child Depression: An Illustrative Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eckshtain, Dikla; Gaynor, Scott T.

2009-01-01

Recent meta-analytic data suggest a need for ongoing evaluation of treatments for youth depression. The present article calls attention to a number of issues relevant to the empirical evaluation of if and how cognitive behavior therapy for child depression works. A case series of 6 children and a primary caregiver received treatment--individual…

Symmetrical and bilateral basal ganglia calcification. Case series and literature review.

PubMed

Jiménez-Ruiz, Amado; Cárdenas-Sáenz, Omar; Ruiz-Sandoval, José Luis

2018-01-01

Symmetric, bilateral basal ganglia calcification is rare finding that sometimes occurs asymptomatically. Its prevalence increases with age, and the most affected site is the globus pallidus. A series of seven cases with clinical and imaging diagnosis of basal ganglia calcification, recorded during the 2012 to 2016 period at the Department of Internal Medicine of the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde, is presented. Most common clinical presentation was with altered alertness, headache and seizures. There was one case with movement disorders; there were no cases identified with dementia or tetany. Ganglia calcification can be associated with age-related neurodegenerative changes, but it can be an initial manifestation of a variety of systemic pathologies, including disorders of the calcium metabolism, intoxication by different agents, and autoimmune and genetic diseases. Correlation of typical imaging findings with clinical manifestations and laboratory results should be established to reach a definitive judgment. Copyright: © 2018 SecretarÍa de Salud.

Pollen analysis of Australian honey.

PubMed

Sniderman, J M Kale; Matley, Kia A; Haberle, Simon G; Cantrill, David J

2018-01-01

Pollen analysis is widely used to verify the geographic origin of honeys, but has never been employed in Australia. In this study, we analysed the pollen content of 173 unblended honey samples sourced from most of the commercial honey producing regions in southern Australia. Southern Australian vegetation is dominated by Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) forests and, as expected, most Australian honeys are palynologically dominated by Eucalyptus, while other important components include Myrtaceae taxa such as Corymbia/Angophora and the tribe Leptospermeae; plus Brassicaceae, Echium, Macadamia, and Acacia. An important feature of the honeys is the number of Myrtaceae pollen morphotypes per sample, which is generally high (mean = 4.6) compared to honeys produced outside of Australia, including Eucalyptus honeys produced in the Mediterranean region, and honeys produced in South America, which has its own rich indigenous Myrtaceae flora. In the latter regions, the number of Myrtaceae morphotypes is apparently generally ≤2. A high number of Myrtaceae morphotypes may be a feasible criterion for authenticating the origin of Australian honeys, since most Australian honey is produced by honey bees mainly working indigenous floral resources. Myrtaceae morphotype diversity is a convenient melissopalynological measure that could be applied even where detailed knowledge of the pollen morphology of the many component genera and species is absent. Palynological criteria developed in Europe for authenticating Eucalyptus honeys should not be relied upon for Australian honeys, since those criteria are not based on samples of Australian honey.

Vitreous changes after intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity: a case series.

PubMed

Shoeibi, Nasser; Hosseini, Seyedeh Maryam; Banaee, Touka; Ansari-Astaneh, Mohammad-Reza; Abrishami, Majid; Ahmadieh, Hamid

2018-01-01

Reporting a special clinical finding after intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity. In a retrospective case series, the clinical courses of five premature infants with similar vitreous changes after a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection without additional laser therapy were reported. The mean post-conceptional age at IVB injection was 39.8 ± 2.2 (range 37-43) weeks. Localized vitreous syneresis and linear fibrotic vitreous condensation occurred 8.2 ± 2.3 weeks after IVB monotherapy in our patients (15.5% of injections). The mean last post injection visit was 61.6 ± 5.3 weeks (post-conceptional age). Further regression and complete retinal vascularization occurred in all patients. Thread-like vitreous condensation with localized vitreous liquefaction may be related to involutional ROP disease itself, combined to anti VEGF therapy and may be a predictor factor for further regression and retinal vascularization. The case series describes a successful response to anti-VEGF monotherapy with no further complications.

A data delivery system for IMOS, the Australian Integrated Marine Observing System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proctor, R.; Roberts, K.; Ward, B. J.

2010-09-01

The Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org.au), an AUD 150 m 7-year project (2007-2013), is a distributed set of equipment and data-information services which, among many applications, collectively contribute to meeting the needs of marine climate research in Australia. The observing system provides data in the open oceans around Australia out to a few thousand kilometres as well as the coastal oceans through 11 facilities which effectively observe and measure the 4-dimensional ocean variability, and the physical and biological response of coastal and shelf seas around Australia. Through a national science rationale IMOS is organized as five regional nodes (Western Australia - WAIMOS, South Australian - SAIMOS, Tasmania - TASIMOS, New SouthWales - NSWIMOS and Queensland - QIMOS) surrounded by an oceanic node (Blue Water and Climate). Operationally IMOS is organized as 11 facilities (Argo Australia, Ships of Opportunity, Southern Ocean Automated Time Series Observations, Australian National Facility for Ocean Gliders, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Facility, Australian National Mooring Network, Australian Coastal Ocean Radar Network, Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System, Facility for Automated Intelligent Monitoring of Marine Systems, eMarine Information Infrastructure and Satellite Remote Sensing) delivering data. IMOS data is freely available to the public. The data, a combination of near real-time and delayed mode, are made available to researchers through the electronic Marine Information Infrastructure (eMII). eMII utilises the Australian Academic Research Network (AARNET) to support a distributed database on OPeNDAP/THREDDS servers hosted by regional computing centres. IMOS instruments are described through the OGC Specification SensorML and where-ever possible data is in CF compliant netCDF format. Metadata, conforming to standard ISO 19115, is automatically harvested from the netCDF files

The Australian experiment with ETS-V

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Goldhirsh, Julius; Hase, Yoshihiro

1989-01-01

Land-mobile satellite propagation measurements were implemented at L Band (1.5 GHz) in South-Eastern Australia during an 11 day period in October 1988. Transmissions (CW) from both the Japanese ETS-5 and INMARSAT Pacific geostationary satellites were accessed. Previous measurements in this series were performed at both L Band (1.5 GHz) and UHF (870 MHz) in Central Maryland, North-Central Colorado, and the southern United States. The objectives of the Australian campaign were to expand the data base acquired in the U.S. to another continent, to validate a U.S. derived empirical model for estimating the fade distribution, to establish the effects of directive antennas, to assess the isolation between co- and cross-polarized transmissions, to derive estimates of fade as well as non-fade durations, and to evaluate diversity reception. All these objectives were met.

Dengue virus infection in renal allograft recipients: a case series during 2010 outbreak.

PubMed

Prasad, N; Bhadauria, D; Sharma, R K; Gupta, A; Kaul, A; Srivastava, A

2012-04-01

Dengue virus infection is an emerging global threat caused by Arbovirus, a virus from Flaviridiae family, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Renal transplant recipients who live in the endemic zones of dengue infection or who travel to an endemic zone could be at risk of this infection. Despite multiple epidemics and a high case fatality rate in the Southeast Asian region, only a few cases of dengue infection in renal transplant recipients have been reported. Here, we report a case series of 8 dengue viral infection in renal transplant recipients. Of the 8 patients, 3 developed dengue hemorrhagic shock syndrome and died. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Bayesian analysis of time-series data under case-crossover designs: posterior equivalence and inference.

PubMed

Li, Shi; Mukherjee, Bhramar; Batterman, Stuart; Ghosh, Malay

2013-12-01

Case-crossover designs are widely used to study short-term exposure effects on the risk of acute adverse health events. While the frequentist literature on this topic is vast, there is no Bayesian work in this general area. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the paper establishes Bayesian equivalence results that require characterization of the set of priors under which the posterior distributions of the risk ratio parameters based on a case-crossover and time-series analysis are identical. Second, the paper studies inferential issues under case-crossover designs in a Bayesian framework. Traditionally, a conditional logistic regression is used for inference on risk-ratio parameters in case-crossover studies. We consider instead a more general full likelihood-based approach which makes less restrictive assumptions on the risk functions. Formulation of a full likelihood leads to growth in the number of parameters proportional to the sample size. We propose a semi-parametric Bayesian approach using a Dirichlet process prior to handle the random nuisance parameters that appear in a full likelihood formulation. We carry out a simulation study to compare the Bayesian methods based on full and conditional likelihood with the standard frequentist approaches for case-crossover and time-series analysis. The proposed methods are illustrated through the Detroit Asthma Morbidity, Air Quality and Traffic study, which examines the association between acute asthma risk and ambient air pollutant concentrations. © 2013, The International Biometric Society.

Representations and coverage of non-English-speaking immigrants and multicultural issues in three major Australian health care publications

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background No recent Australian studies or literature, provide evidence of the extent of coverage of multicultural health issues in Australian healthcare research. A series of systematic literature reviews in three major Australian healthcare journals were undertaken to discover the level, content, coverage and overall quality of research on multicultural health. Australian healthcare journals selected for the study were The Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), The Australian Health Review (AHR), and The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZPH). Reviews were undertaken of the last twelve (12) years (1996-August 2008) of journal articles using six standard search terms: 'non-English-speaking', 'ethnic', 'migrant', 'immigrant', 'refugee' and 'multicultural'. Results In total there were 4,146 articles published in these journals over the 12-year period. A total of 90 or 2.2% of the total articles were articles primarily based on multicultural issues. A further 62 articles contained a major or a moderate level of consideration of multicultural issues, and 107 had a minor mention. Conclusions The quantum and range of multicultural health research and evidence required for equity in policy, services, interventions and implementation is limited and uneven. Most of the original multicultural health research articles focused on newly arrived refugees, asylum seekers, Vietnamese or South East Asian communities. While there is some seminal research in respect of these represented groups, there are other communities and health issues that are essentially invisible or unrepresented in research. The limited coverage and representation of multicultural populations in research studies has implications for evidence-based health and human services policy. PMID:20044938

"The Sacred Spark of Wonder": Local Museums, Australian Curriculum History, and Pre-Service Primary Teacher Education: A Tasmanian Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brett, Peter

2014-01-01

This article explores the intersections between museum learning in a distinctive Tasmanian setting, the possibilities of a new national History curriculum, and the evolving views and professional practices of pre-service primary teachers at one Australian university. Following a brief overview of the framework for local and Australian history that…

The many faces of intestinal tract gastric heterotopia; a series of four cases highlighting clinical and pathological heterogeneity.

PubMed

Nasir, Aqsa; Amateau, Stuart K; Khan, Sabina; Simpson, Ross W; Snover, Dale C; Amin, Khalid

2018-04-01

Gastric heterotopia of the intestinal tract can have a diverse clinicopathologic presentation, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma. We present a series of four cases, two male and two female patients with age range of 31-82 years, found in the duodenum, jejunum, and transverse colon. The most common and rather unusual clinical presentation was iron deficiency anemia, seen in three cases, while one patient presented with abdominal pain. Endoscopically, two cases were visualized as pedunculated polyps and two as sessile/plaque-like lesions. Polypectomy was performed in three patients, and one patient underwent biopsy followed by resection. Two cases showed oxyntic-type epithelium, and two cases exhibited pyloric-type gastric epithelium. Three patients were relieved of their presenting symptoms after therapeutic procedures with no evidence of recurrence noted on follow-up. Follow-up was not available on one patient. This case series highlights a diverse clinicopathologic spectrum of gastric heterotopia. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper management. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Changing Patterns of Governance for Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harman, Kay; Treadgold, Elaine

2007-01-01

Dissatisfaction with the "corporate" model for university governance, a model advocated by both sides of the Australian parliament and adopted by Australian universities over the past two decades, prompted the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) in 2003 to suggest an alternative "trusteeship" model. The paper…

Detection of the Canine Parvovirus 2c Subtype in Australian Dogs.

PubMed

Woolford, Lucy; Crocker, Paul; Bobrowski, Hannah; Baker, Trevor; Hemmatzadeh, Farhid

2017-06-01

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) is an important cause of hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. In Australia the disease has been associated with CPV-2a and CPV-2b variants. A third more recently emerged variant overseas, CPV-2c, has not been detected in surveys of the Australian dog population. In this study, we report three cases of canine parvoviral enteritis associated with CPV-2c infection; case 1 occurred in an 8-week-old puppy that died following acute hemorrhagic enteritis. Cases 2 and 3 were an 11-month-old female entire Saint Bernard and a 9-month-old male entire Siberian husky, respectively, both which had completed vaccination schedules and presented with vomiting or mild diarrhea only. Full genomic sequencing of parvoviral DNA from cases 1, 2, and 3 revealed greater than 99% homology to known CPV-2c variants and predicted protein sequences from the VP2 region of viral DNA from all three cases identified; glutamic acid residues at the 426 amino acid residue, characteristic of the CPV-2c variant. Veterinary professionals should be aware that CPV-2c is now present in Australia, detected in a puppy and vaccinated young adult dogs in this study. Further characterization of CPV-2c-associated disease and its prevalence in Australian dogs requires additional research.

Knowledge Transfer through a Transnational Program Partnership between Indonesian and Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutrisno, Agustian; Pillay, Hitendra

2015-01-01

As transnational programs are often advocated as a knowledge transfer opportunity between the partner universities, this case study investigated the knowledge transfer (KT) processes between Indonesian and Australian universities through an undergraduate transnational program partnership (TPP). An inter-organisational KT theoretical framework from…

Various hysterosalpingography findings of female genital tuberculosis: A case series

PubMed Central

Afzali, Nargess; Ahmadi, Firoozeh; Akhbari, Farnaz

2013-01-01

Background: Genital tuberculosis is a chorionic disease and mostly occurs by haematogenous spread from extra genital source like lungs, peritoneum, lymph nodes and bones. Transmission through a sexual intercourse is also possible. Since the majority of patients are in reproductive ages, involvement of fallopian tubes and endometrium cause infertility in patients. Cases: Reviewing 4 cases of female genital tuberculosis, which referred to an infertility treatment center with various symptoms, we encountered various appearances on hysterosalpingography (HSG). Conclusion: The genitourinary tract is the most common site of extra pulmonary TB. The primary focus of genital tuberculosis is fallopian tubes, which are almost always affected bilaterally but not symmetrically. Because of common involvement of fallopian tubes and endometrial cavity, disease causes infertility. Diagnosis is not easy because genital tuberculosis has a wide range of clinical and radiological manifestations with slow growing symptoms. Detailed hysterosalpingography finding may be helpful in better diagnosis of the disease. This case series aims to depict the various hystrosalpingographic appearances and pathology produced by tuberculosis and related literatures are reviewed in order to establish a better diagnostic evaluation of genital tuberculosis. PMID:24639787

Coral snake bites and envenomation in children: a case series.

PubMed

Sasaki, Jun; Khalil, Paul A; Chegondi, Madhuradhar; Raszynski, Andre; Meyer, Keith G; Totapally, Balagangadhar R

2014-04-01

North America is home to 2 families of venomous snakes, Crotalinae (pit viper family) and Elapidae (coral snake family). Although there are several published reports describing and reviewing the management of pit viper snakebites in children, there are no recent similar publications detailing the clinical course and management of coral snake envenomation. Our case series describes the hospital course of children with coral snake bites admitted to our regional pediatric intensive care. We also reviewed prior published case reports of coral snake bites in the United States. We identified 4 patients with either confirmed or suspected coral snake envenomation from our hospital's records. In 2 cases, the snakebite occurred after apparent provocation. Antivenom was administered to 3 patients. The regional venom response team was consulted for management advice and supplied the antivenom. One patient had a prolonged hospital course, which was complicated by respiratory failure, bulbar palsy, and ataxia. All survived to discharge. Admission to pediatric intensive care is warranted after all Eastern coral snake bites. A specialized regional or national venom response team can be a useful resource for management advice and as a source of antivenom.

Medical evacuation for unrecognized abdominal wall pain: a case series.

PubMed

Msonda, Hapu T; Laczek, Jeffrey T

2015-05-01

Chronic abdominal pain is a frequently encountered complaint in the primary care setting. The abdominal wall is the etiology of this pain in 10 to 30% of all cases of chronic abdominal pain. Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle has been attributed as a cause of this pain. In the military health care system, patients with unexplained abdominal pain are often transferred to military treatment facilities via the Military Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) system. We present two cases of patients who transferred via MEDEVAC to our facility for evaluation and treatment of chronic abdominal pain. Both patients had previously undergone extensive laboratory evaluation, imaging, and invasive procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy before transfer. Upon arrival, history and physical examinations suggested an abdominal wall source to their pain, and both patients experienced alleviation of their abdominal wall pain with lidocaine and corticosteroid injection. This case series highlights the need for military physicians to be aware of abdominal wall pain. Early diagnosis of abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome by eliciting Carnett's sign will limit symptom chronicity, avoid unnecessary testing, and even prevent medical evacuation. Reprint & Copyright © 2015 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Imaging in the Diagnosis of Cemento-Ossifying Fibroma: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Mithra, R; Baskaran, Pavitra; Sathyakumar, M

2012-01-01

Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a benign fibro-osseous lesion belonging to the same category as fibrous dysplasia and cementifying dysplasia. These are slow-growing lesions that are seen in the third and fourth decades of life. Both the ossifying fibroma and cemento-ossifying fibroma represent two extremes of the same disease process since histologically both contain bone and cementum. However, the term cemento-ossifying fibroma is justified on the basis of clinical and radiological correlation. Radiographs have become an essential tool in the diagnosis of lesions in the jaw, where the anatomy is complex. Nowadays, CT provides information for diagnosis as well as treatment planning. In this case series, we report three cases of cemento-ossifying fibroma that were histologically confirmed and discuss the imaging findings. PMID:23029635

[Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A series of nine cases with surgical lung biopsy].

PubMed

Gómez Tejada, Ricardo A; Legarreta, Cora G; Enghelmayer, Juan Ignacio; Dianti, Milagros; Acuña, Silvana; Olmedo, Gloria

2017-01-01

In a series of nine patients with histopathological diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, we retrospectively evaluated clinical data, exposure related factors, pulmonary function tests and chest computed tomography scans. A restrictive abnormality with reduction of diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide was mainly found. Chest scans showed fibrotic patterns in most cases; ground glass attenuation areas with mosaic pattern and consolidation in the rest. Exposure to avian antigens, cereal grains and air conditioners contaminated with fungi yeasts and bacteria, were suspected from clinical data in two-thirds of the cases. Since there are no unique features that allow differentiation from other interstitial lung diseases, a high clinical suspicion is required and a careful search of environmental exposure to possible antigens is needed that, together with clinical, radiological and pathological data, may lead to diagnosis.

Applying data mining techniques to medical time series: an empirical case study in electroencephalography and stabilometry.

PubMed

Anguera, A; Barreiro, J M; Lara, J A; Lizcano, D

2016-01-01

One of the major challenges in the medical domain today is how to exploit the huge amount of data that this field generates. To do this, approaches are required that are capable of discovering knowledge that is useful for decision making in the medical field. Time series are data types that are common in the medical domain and require specialized analysis techniques and tools, especially if the information of interest to specialists is concentrated within particular time series regions, known as events. This research followed the steps specified by the so-called knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) process to discover knowledge from medical time series derived from stabilometric (396 series) and electroencephalographic (200) patient electronic health records (EHR). The view offered in the paper is based on the experience gathered as part of the VIIP project. Knowledge discovery in medical time series has a number of difficulties and implications that are highlighted by illustrating the application of several techniques that cover the entire KDD process through two case studies. This paper illustrates the application of different knowledge discovery techniques for the purposes of classification within the above domains. The accuracy of this application for the two classes considered in each case is 99.86% and 98.11% for epilepsy diagnosis in the electroencephalography (EEG) domain and 99.4% and 99.1% for early-age sports talent classification in the stabilometry domain. The KDD techniques achieve better results than other traditional neural network-based classification techniques.

Embracing Babel: The "Framework for Australian Languages"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Troy, Jaky; Walsh, Michael

2013-01-01

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has been developing language-specific curricula for a range of languages in the "Australian Curriculum: Language"s and has also undertaken development of a "Framework for Australian Languages", to provide guidance for the development of curricula for specific…

An Ode to Joy...or the Sounds of Silence? An Exploration of Arts Education Policy in Australian Primary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russell-Bowie, Deirdre

2011-01-01

The arts are an integral and important component of our everyday lives. As such, they need to be a vital part of our children's education. However, this has rarely been the case in Australian state primary schools over the past two hundred years. This article explores the history of the arts in Australian state primary schools since the…

The Wide Bay Canyon system: A case study of canyon morphology on the east Australian continental margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, P. W.; Hubble, T.; Airey, D.; Gallagher, S. J.; Clarke, S. L.

2014-12-01

A voyage was conducted aboard the RV Southern Surveyor in early 2013 to investigate the east Australian continental margin. From the continental slope of the Wide Bay region offshore Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia, remote sensing data and sediment samples were collected. Bathymetric data reveals that the continental slope of the region presents a mature canyon system. Eight dredge samples were recovered from the walls of Wide Bay Canyon and the adjacent, relatively intact continental slope along the entire length of the slope, from the start of the shelf break to the toe, in water depths ranging from 1100-2500 m. For these samples, sediment composition, biostratigraphic age, and bulk mineralogy data are reported. These slope-forming sediments are primarily comprised of calcareous sandy-silts. Occasional terrestrial plant fossils and minerals can be found in a mostly marine-fossiliferous composition, suggesting minor but significant riverine and aeolian input. Biostratigraphic dates extracted from the foraminiferal contents of these samples indicate that the intra-canyon and slope material was deposited between Middle Miocene to Pliocene, implying that the incision of this section of the margin and formation of the erosional features took place no earlier than the Pliocene. In conjunction with bathymetric data of the local continental slope, the depositional origins of this section of the east Australian continental margin, and the timing of major morphological events such as slope failure and canyon incision can be interpreted. The Wide Bay Canyon system can serve as a representative case study of local canyon formation, allowing a better understanding of the past or ongoing processes that are shaping the margin and giving way to similar morphologies.

A SIX-WEEK SUPERVISED EXERCISE AND EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: A CASE SERIES

PubMed Central

Madara, Kathleen; Zeni, Joseph A

2017-01-01

Background and Purpose Most rehabilitation interventions after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are not designed to return patients to high-levels of physical activity and, thus, low levels of physical activity and residual weakness are common. The purpose of this case series was to describe the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an exercise and education intervention for patients after THA who have already completed formal outpatient physical therapy. Study Design Case series Case Description Two participants underwent unilateral THA seven (case A) or eight (case B) months prior to the intervention. Individuals participated in 18 treatment sessions that included progressive aerobic and strengthening exercises and meetings with a health coach. Change in function, strength, and self-reported physical activity were measured. Outcomes 12 months after surgery were compared to a historical cohort of patients after THA. Outcome There were no adverse events during the intervention. At the end of the intervention, hip and knee strength on the surgical side increased approximately 30% compared to baseline in both cases. Activity level, and recreational performance, including walking up stairs and hiking uphill (case A), and running and golfing (case B), improved by the end of the intervention. Most changes were maintained at follow-up, although hip strength for case B decreased 27% after discharge from the intervention. Outcomes for both cases exceeded historical averages for patients 12 months after THA, with the exception of strength in case B. Discussion The exercise intervention was well tolerated and without negative effects in two participants. Both participants increased their ability to complete demanding recreational and sports-related activities, physical activity, and demonstrated improved hip abductor and knee extensor strength. Further research is needed to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of similar interventions after THA. Level of Evidence

Serious adverse events after HPV vaccination: a critical review of randomized trials and post-marketing case series.

PubMed

Martínez-Lavín, Manuel; Amezcua-Guerra, Luis

2017-10-01

This article critically reviews HPV vaccine serious adverse events described in pre-licensure randomized trials and in post-marketing case series. HPV vaccine randomized trials were identified in PubMed. Safety data were extracted. Post-marketing case series describing HPV immunization adverse events were reviewed. Most HPV vaccine randomized trials did not use inert placebo in the control group. Two of the largest randomized trials found significantly more severe adverse events in the tested HPV vaccine arm of the study. Compared to 2871 women receiving aluminum placebo, the group of 2881 women injected with the bivalent HPV vaccine had more deaths on follow-up (14 vs. 3, p = 0.012). Compared to 7078 girls injected with the 4-valent HPV vaccine, 7071 girls receiving the 9-valent dose had more serious systemic adverse events (3.3 vs. 2.6%, p = 0.01). For the 9-valent dose, our calculated number needed to seriously harm is 140 (95% CI, 79–653) [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] . The number needed to vaccinate is 1757 (95% CI, 131 to infinity). Practically, none of the serious adverse events occurring in any arm of both studies were judged to be vaccine-related. Pre-clinical trials, post-marketing case series, and the global drug adverse reaction database (VigiBase) describe similar post-HPV immunization symptom clusters. Two of the largest randomized HPV vaccine trials unveiled more severe adverse events in the tested HPV vaccine arm of the study. Nine-valent HPV vaccine has a worrisome number needed to vaccinate/number needed to harm quotient. Pre-clinical trials and post-marketing case series describe similar post-HPV immunization symptoms.

Decompression sickness rates for chamber personnel: case series from one facility.

PubMed

Brandt, Megan S; Morrison, Thomas O; Butler, William P

2009-06-01

During 2004, a case series of decompression sickness (DCS) meeting the definition of epidemic DCS was observed in the Shaw AFB Physiological Training Program. There were 10 cases of chamber-induced altitude DCS observed. Internal and external investigations focused on time, place, person, and environment. No temporal trend was observed. Chamber, masks, regulators, crew positions, and oxygen sources revealed no defects. Among the cases, mean age was 27 yr. Peak altitude in four cases was 35,000 ft and in the other six cases was 25,000 ft. Six had joint pain, one skin symptoms, and three neurological findings. Four were treated with 100% ground-level oxygen and six with hyperbaric oxygen. Four were students and six were inside observers (IO). Four were women and six men. In the IO, where four of the six were women, no gender effect was seen. Examining the IO monthly exposure load (exposures per month) against DCS suggested a dose-response relationship. This relationship held true when 4 yr of Shaw AFB IO data was studied. Indeed, Poisson regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant 2.1-fold rise in DCS risk with each monthly exposure. Consequently, the number of exposures per month may need to be considered when devising IO schedules.

Case Series: Keratolimbal Allograft as a Patch Graft for Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

PubMed

Ahmed, Sarah F; Schmutz, Mason; Mosaed, Sameh

2017-09-01

Tube exposure remains one of the most common complications after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation, despite various types of patch grafts available today. We present a 4 patient case series following the effectivity of the keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) as a patch graft for cases of tube exposure. Given its inherent population of stem cells, our hypothesis was that this highly replicative, biological tissue would provide an adequate means of glaucoma tube coverage. The subset of patients chosen for the KLAL patch graft all had a history of abnormally scarred conjunctiva or thin sclera. The aim of utilizing the KLAL patch with its associated donor conjunctival and scleral ring was also to provide additional reinforcement and adequate tube coverage in the setting of compromised native tissue. Four patients comprised of 2 males and 2 females with a minimum postoperative period of 12 months. All GDDs were initially implanted with a limbal-based incision using either Ahmed glaucoma valve or Baerveldt drainage implant. Three of the 4 patients received the KLAL patch graft after tube exposure with scleral patch graft and 1 patient received KLAL as the primary graft during initial tube placement. Two of the 4 eyes experienced tube re-exposure postoperatively at 2 and 3 months, respectively. Both of these cases had a history of prior tube exposure after scleral patch graft and both were tubes placed in the pars plana. Interestingly, the patients with failed grafts were younger with a history of more ocular surgeries as compared with the patients with graft viable eyes. Through our case series, we found that the KLAL utilized as a patch graft over GDD tubes has the potential for favorable outcomes in certain subtypes of eyes. Although further large scale investigation will be necessary to better define the risk factors associated with graft failure, proving the graft's viability is a crucial first step.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty for Failed Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: A Case Series.

PubMed

Einan-Lifshitz, Adi; Sorkin, Nir; Boutin, Tanguy; Mednick, Zale; Kreimei, Mohammad; Chan, Clara C; Rootman, David S

2018-06-01

To suggest a new surgical approach for posterior opacities or persistent Descemet membrane (DM) detachment in failed deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and to report the outcome of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in a series of patients with DALK failure. In this retrospective case series of patients who underwent DMEK for failed DALK at Toronto Western Hospital, 4 patients with failed DALK who underwent DMEK surgery were included. In all 4 cases, big bubble formation during initial DALK surgery had failed and the surgical technique was converted to manual dissection using the Melles technique. In 2 cases, the descemetorhexis in DMEK surgery was performed manually, and in 2 cases, the descemetorhexis was performed with the assistance of the femtosecond laser. Four eyes of 4 patients aged 70 ± 4 years were included. Average follow-up time was 9 ± 5 months. Indications for DALK surgery were corneal dystrophy in 2 patients and corneal scars in the other 2. DALK failure was due to persistent DM detachment that created a double chamber in 2 patients and due to posterior lamellar haze in the other 2. After DMEK surgery, 2 patients had graft detachment and required rebubbling. In 1 patient, the DMEK scroll was attached after 1 rebubble attempt, and in the other patient, a second rebubble attempt was needed. The final visual acuities were 20/40, 20/50, 20/70, and 20/200 (because of dense cataract). All procedures were uneventful. DMEK surgery may be effective in managing DALK failure.

Smoke Emission Tests on Series II and Series III Allison T56 Turboprop Engines

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-12-01

Buioary ■ (13) available to ARL of aromatic content of AVTUR from Australian sources. The US data was obtained from information contained in Sheldon...Library Flight Standards Division Statutory and State Authorities and Industry Australian Atomic Energy Commiasion, Director Australian Airlines...Ampol Petroleum (Vic) Pty Md, Lubricant Sales & Service Mgr Ansett Airlines of Australia, Library Australian Coal Industry Research Labs

Presumed tuberculous uveitis in non-endemic country for tuberculosis: case series from a New Zealand tertiary uveitis clinic.

PubMed

Ng, Ken K; Nisbet, Mitzi; Damato, Erika M; Sims, Joanne L

2017-05-01

To describe the clinical spectrum of presumed tuberculous (TB) uveitis in a developed, non-endemic country of high immigrant population. Retrospective review of a consecutive case series. All 39 patients diagnosed with presumed TB uveitis at the tertiary uveitis service in Auckland from 2007 to 2014. Clinical chart review. Patient demographics, risk factors, ophthalmic manifestations, management and outcome. The median age was 37 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31-52) and 56% were female. The majority (97%) were born outside of New Zealand, and 77% had no TB-related history. Radiological abnormalities consistent with TB were evident in seven patients, including three who had culture positive pulmonary disease. Anterior uveitis was diagnosed in ten patients (26%), anterior and intermediate uveitis in eight (21%), posterior uveitis in 13 (33%) and panuveitis in eight (21%). Sixteen (41%) had retinal vasculitis, and five (13%) had multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis. Common complications included cataract (51%), ocular hypertension (36%), broad posterior synechiae (33%) and cystoid macular oedema (28%). Anti-TB treatment was initiated in 30 patients (76%). All but three patients completed the intended course of six to 12 months. Following anti-TB treatment, 67% remained in remission for at least 12 months, and all but two patients successfully stopped systemic steroids. The median initial and final visual acuity was 6/9 (IQR 6/6-6/18) and 6/6 (IQR 6/6-6/9), respectively. Despite a wide range of ocular presentations and complications, our cohort demonstrated good remission rate and visual prognosis following anti-TB treatment in carefully selected patients. © 2016 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

BRONJ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a multicenter case series.

PubMed

Di Fede, O; Bedogni, A; Giancola, F; Saia, G; Bettini, G; Toia, F; D'Alessandro, N; Firenze, A; Matranga, D; Fedele, S; Campisi, G

2016-09-01

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a potentially severe adverse effect of various medications (bisphosphonates, anti-resorptive, and anti-angiogenic drugs). ONJ pathogenesis is still unclear although some risk factors have been recognized. Of these, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been hypothesized as a potential risk factor for developing ONJ. This observational study will describe a multicenter case series of patients affected with RA and ONJ, and it will attempt to evaluate the association between features of ONJ and pharmacological, systemic, and site variables. Demographic, pharmacological, and clinical data from 18 RA patients with ONJ were collected and registered from three Italian centers (i.e., Palermo, Verona, and Padua) from 2004 to 2013. Sixteen (88.9%) patients were in therapy for RA: 9 of 18 (50.0%) with systemic steroids, 3 of 18 (16.7%) with methotrexate, and 4 of 18 (22.2%) with both medications. Two patients were not receiving treatment for RA. All patients took NBPs for secondary osteoporosis (average NBP duration of 69 months, range: 20-130): Fifteen (83.3%) patients were treated with single NBPs, while three (16.7%) with different molecules; one patient was also treated with denosumab. Mandible was affected more frequently (66.7%) than maxilla (33.3%); one patient presented multiple ONJ events. This is the first multicenter case series in the international literature regarding our topic. Focusing on our data, it could be hypothesized that patients with RA may be more susceptible to ONJ than the majority of osteometabolic patients. In our opinion, it could be important to monitor also denosumab or other biological drug side effects. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Tuberculosis Case Finding in Benin, 2000–2014 and Beyond: A Retrospective Cohort and Time Series Study

PubMed Central

Ade, Serge; Békou, Wilfried; Adjobimey, Mênonli; Adjibode, Omer; Ade, Gabriel; Harries, Anthony D.; Anagonou, Séverin

2016-01-01

Objective. To determine any changes in tuberculosis epidemiology in the last 15 years in Benin, seasonal variations, and forecasted numbers of tuberculosis cases in the next five years. Materials and Methods. Retrospective cohort and time series study of all tuberculosis cases notified between 2000 and 2014. The “R” software version 3.2.1 (Institute for Statistics and Mathematics Vienna Austria) and the Box-Jenkins 1976 modeling approach were used for time series analysis. Results. Of 246943 presumptive cases, 54303 (22%) were diagnosed with tuberculosis. Annual notified case numbers increased, with the highest reported in 2011. New pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis (NPBCT) represented 78%  ± SD 2%. Retreatment cases decreased from 10% to 6% and new pulmonary clinically diagnosed cases increased from 2% to 8%. NPBCT notification rates decreased in males from 2012, in young people aged 15–34 years and in Borgou-Alibori region. There was a seasonal pattern in tuberculosis cases. Over 90% of NPBCT were HIV-tested with a stable HIV prevalence of 13%. The ARIMA best fit model predicted a decrease in tuberculosis cases finding in the next five years. Conclusion. Tuberculosis case notifications are predicted to decrease in the next five years if current passive case finding is used. Additional strategies are needed in the country. PMID:27293887

The Feldenkrais Method(®) can enhance cognitive function in independent living older adults: A case-series.

PubMed

Ullmann, Gerhild; Williams, Harriet G

2016-07-01

Poor cognitive health a major concern of aging individuals, can compromise independent living. More than 16 million people in the United States are affected by cognitive impairment. We have studied the effects of the Feldenkrais Method(®) on cognitive function. In this case series with three participants cognitive function was assessed with the Trail Making Test A and B at baseline and after the Feldenkrais intervention. All participants improved performance on Trail Making Test A and B after completing the Feldenkrais intervention indicating that Feldenkrais lessons may offset age-related decline in cognitive function. The results of this case series warrant larger scale studies on cognitive outcomes of Feldenkrais interventions in clinical and non-clinical populations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aurorae in Australian Aboriginal Traditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamacher, Duane W.

2013-07-01

Transient celestial phenomena feature prominently in the astronomical knowledge and traditions of Aboriginal Australians. In this paper, I collect accounts of the Aurora Australis from the literature regarding Aboriginal culture. Using previous studies of meteors, eclipses, and comets in Aboriginal traditions, I anticipate that the physical properties of aurora, such as their generally red colour as seen from southern Australia, will be associated with fire, death, blood, and evil spirits. The survey reveals this to be the case and also explores historical auroral events in Aboriginal cultures, aurorae in rock art, and briefly compares Aboriginal auroral traditions with other global indigenous groups, including the Maori of New Zealand.

Breast as an unusual site of metastasis- series of 3 cases and review of literature.

PubMed

Hebbar, Ashwin K; Shashidhar, K; S, Krishna Murthy; Kumar, Veerendra; Arjunan, Ravi

2014-09-01

Background and objectives Metastasis to the breast from extra mammary sites is uncommon with an incidence ranging from 1.2 to 2 % in clinical reports. Approximately 300 cases of breast metastasis from extra mammary sites have been reported, mostly in small series or as a single case report. Gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma metastasising to the breast is also very rare and only 30 cases have been reported in the literature. Metastatic deposits within the breast may be difficult to distinguish from primary breast carcinoma. Radiological features and immunohistochemistry especially for steroid hormone receptors (ER/PR) and expression of gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP) and presence of other immunohistochemistry protein factors in breast metastasis which are specific to primary site may be helpful in differentiating these two conditions. Materials and methods In this series of 3 cases of breast as an unusual site of metastasis, we present different cases of adenocarcinoma of stomach, sigmoid colon and kidney with metastasis to the breast and discuss the differential diagnosis and management plans. Conclusion In conclusion, secondary tumors to the breast are rare and thus differentiating primary tumors from metastatic breast carcinoma is important for rational and optimum therapy and avoidance of unnecessary radical surgery. Palpable breast lump without typical radiological signs of primary breast carcinoma in patients with known primary should be suspected of representing metastasis.

Adverse ophthalmic reaction in poppers users: case series of 'poppers maculopathy'.

PubMed

Davies, A J; Kelly, S P; Naylor, S G; Bhatt, P R; Mathews, J P; Sahni, J; Haslett, R; McKibbin, M

2012-11-01

Poppers are a recreational substance of abuse belonging to the alkyl nitrite family of compounds. In the United Kingdom, where they are legal to purchase but illegal to sell for human consumption, 10% of the general population have tried them. They are considered low risk to physical and mental health. Two recent case series from France demonstrated foveal pathology in individuals associated with poppers use. A case series of seven patients presenting to four hospitals in the United Kingdom with visual impairment and maculopathy associated with inhalation of poppers. All patients experienced visual symptoms associated with poppers use. The majority had impaired visual acuity, central scotomata, distortion, or phosphenes. Clinical signs on fundoscopy ranged from normal foveal appearance to yellow, dome-shaped lesions at the foveola. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed varying degrees of disruption of the presumed inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction. Although poppers have been in use for several decades, in 2007, following legislative changes, there was a change in the most commonly used compound from isobutyl nitrite to isopropyl nitrite. There were no reports of 'poppers maculopathy' before this. Poppers maculopathy may be missed if patients are not directly questioned about their use. The disruption or loss of the presumed IS/OS junction on SD-OCT are a characteristic feature. Further study of maculopathy in poppers users is now needed. Raising public awareness of the ocular risks associated with their use may be necessary.

Analyzing self-controlled case series data when case confirmation rates are estimated from an internal validation sample.

PubMed

Xu, Stanley; Clarke, Christina L; Newcomer, Sophia R; Daley, Matthew F; Glanz, Jason M

2018-05-16

Vaccine safety studies are often electronic health record (EHR)-based observational studies. These studies often face significant methodological challenges, including confounding and misclassification of adverse event. Vaccine safety researchers use self-controlled case series (SCCS) study design to handle confounding effect and employ medical chart review to ascertain cases that are identified using EHR data. However, for common adverse events, limited resources often make it impossible to adjudicate all adverse events observed in electronic data. In this paper, we considered four approaches for analyzing SCCS data with confirmation rates estimated from an internal validation sample: (1) observed cases, (2) confirmed cases only, (3) known confirmation rate, and (4) multiple imputation (MI). We conducted a simulation study to evaluate these four approaches using type I error rates, percent bias, and empirical power. Our simulation results suggest that when misclassification of adverse events is present, approaches such as observed cases, confirmed case only, and known confirmation rate may inflate the type I error, yield biased point estimates, and affect statistical power. The multiple imputation approach considers the uncertainty of estimated confirmation rates from an internal validation sample, yields a proper type I error rate, largely unbiased point estimate, proper variance estimate, and statistical power. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy of Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa among Adolescents: A Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salbach-Andrae, Harriet; Bohnekamp, Inga; Pfeiffer, Ernst; Lehmkuhl, Ulrike; Miller, Alec L.

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to describe a case series of adolescents (mean age = 16.5 years, SD = 1.0) with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) who received dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Twelve outpatients with AN and BN took part in 25 weeks of twice weekly therapy consisting of individual therapy and a skills training group.…

Identical fracture patterns in combat vehicle blast injuries due to improvised explosive devices; a case series

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background In November 2008, a surgical team from the Red Cross Hospital Beverwijk, the Netherlands, was deployed in Afghanistan for three months to attend in the army hospital of Kandahar. During their stay, four incidents of armored personnel carriers encountering an improvised explosive device were assessed. In each incident, two soldiers were involved, whose injuries were strikingly similar. Case presentation The described cases comprise paired thoracic vertebral fractures, radial neck fractures, calcaneal fractures and talar fractures. Moreover, the different types of blast injury are mentioned and related to the injuries described in our series. Acknowledging the different blast mechanisms is important for understanding possible injury patterns. Conclusion From this case series, as well as the existing literature on injury patterns caused by blast injuries, it seems appropriate to pay extra attention to bodily areas that were injured in other occupants of the same vehicle. Obviously, the additional surveillance for specific injuries should be complementary to the regular trauma work-up (e.g., ATLS). PMID:23051981

The Australian Medical Support Force in Rwanda.

PubMed

Ramsey, W; Bridgford, L R; Lusby, R J; Pearn, J H

In the aftermath of the Rwandan civil war, Australia's defence forces deployed a medical force to support the United Nations Assistance Mission. In this article, Wayne Ramsey, Commander of the Australian contingent, Lindsay R Bridgford, Officer Commanding Bravo Section, Robert J Lusby, Lt.-Colonel (Surgeon), Australian Medical Support Force Hospital, and John H Pearn, Colonel, and Director of Intensive Care in the Australian Medical Support Force Hospital, describe the Australian effort in the rebuilding of a shattered people and, in particular, of Kigali Central Hospital, the country's major medical facility.

Nerve Damage From Bone Allografts and Xenografts-A Case Series.

PubMed

Pogrel, M Anthony

2017-07-01

The concept of socket preservation by placing a particulate bone allograft or xenograft into a tooth socket or on the alveolar ridge after tooth removal remains a somewhat controversial topic. The concept is that it will preserve the ridge from resorption and such that subsequent implant insertion will be easier, with fewer complications. However, one particular issue is that these materials, although not directly neurotoxic, appear to be an irritant to the nerves if they come in contact with them. We present a case series demonstrating this complication. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of solidification/stabilization effects of calcite between Australian and South Korean cements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Dongjin; Waite, T. David; Swarbrick, Gareth

2005-11-15

The differences in the effect of calcite on the strength and stability of Pb-rich wastes solidified and stabilized using Australian and South Korean ordinary Portland cements are examined in this study. Pb-rich waste stabilized using Australian OPC has been shown to possess both substantially higher unconfined compressive strength and lead immobilization ability than South Korean OPC as a result of its higher C{sub 3}S content and the associated enhanced degree of precipitation of lead on the surfaces of silicate phases present. Calcite addition is observed to have an accelerating effect on the OPC-induced solidification/stabilization of Pb-rich wastes as gauged bymore » the unconfined compressive strength and leachability of the solids formed. This effect is observed to be far more dramatic for South Korean OPC than for Australian OPC. Using scanning electron microscopy, waste stabilized with cement and calcite was observed to develop significantly greater proportions of hydrated crystals than wastes stabilized with cement alone. The results of X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the presence of calcite in South Korean OPC results in greater acceleration in the formation of portlandite than is the case for Australian OPC.« less

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of 19 patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome from a single South Australian centre.

PubMed

Whyte, A F; Smith, W B; Sinkar, S N; Kette, F E; Hissaria, P

2013-07-01

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare, idiopathic systemic vasculitis. There is emerging evidence of an association between the presence or absence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and clinical phenotype. Thromboembolism is an increasingly recognised complication of the disease. Given the paucity of Australian data, the aim of this study was to examine the clinical and laboratory features of CSS in a single Australian centre. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for CSS managed at the Department of Immunology, Royal Adelaide Hospital between 2002 and 2008. Nineteen patients were included. All patients had asthma and most had upper airway involvement. Peripheral nerve, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and cutaneous involvement was common. Renal and cardiac involvement was uncommon in this series. Histological confirmation was obtained in 15 patients (78.9%). Ten patients (52.6%) were ANCA+, and these were more likely to have musculoskeletal involvement, such as arthralgia or myalgia (odds ratio 57, P = 0.005). Thrombosis was a feature at diagnosis in six patients (31.6%); two of these recurred with relapse. Sixteen patients (84.2%) were followed up; five died, and mean survival was 8.9 years. This is the first Australian study to focus on CSS. Our results demonstrate similar presentation and prognosis of CSS to previous descriptions; however, we noted that musculoskeletal involvement was more common in ANCA+ patients. In our series, thrombosis was a significant complication and we suggest that thromboprophylaxis may be warranted. © 2013 The Authors; Internal Medicine Journal © 2013 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Auscope: Australian Earth Science Information Infrastructure using Free and Open Source Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodcock, R.; Cox, S. J.; Fraser, R.; Wyborn, L. A.

2013-12-01

Since 2005 the Australian Government has supported a series of initiatives providing researchers with access to major research facilities and information networks necessary for world-class research. Starting with the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) the Australian earth science community established an integrated national geoscience infrastructure system called AuScope. AuScope is now in operation, providing a number of components to assist in understanding the structure and evolution of the Australian continent. These include the acquisition of subsurface imaging , earth composition and age analysis, a virtual drill core library, geological process simulation, and a high resolution geospatial reference framework. To draw together information from across the earth science community in academia, industry and government, AuScope includes a nationally distributed information infrastructure. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has been a significant enabler in building the AuScope community and providing a range of interoperable services for accessing data and scientific software. A number of FOSS components have been created, adopted or upgraded to create a coherent, OGC compliant Spatial Information Services Stack (SISS). SISS is now deployed at all Australian Geological Surveys, many Universities and the CSIRO. Comprising a set of OGC catalogue and data services, and augmented with new vocabulary and identifier services, the SISS provides a comprehensive package for organisations to contribute their data to the AuScope network. This packaging and a variety of software testing and documentation activities enabled greater trust and notably reduced barriers to adoption. FOSS selection was important, not only for technical capability and robustness, but also for appropriate licensing and community models to ensure sustainability of the infrastructure in the long term. Government agencies were sensitive to these issues and Au

Educational case series: β-lactam allergy and cross-reactivity.

PubMed

Atanasković-Marković, Marina

2011-12-01

Penicillins and cephalosporins are the most widely used antibiotics for the treatment of common infections, and they are the two main classes of β-lactams. On the basis of the time of appearance of the reaction after drug intake and for diagnostic purposes, hypersensitivity reactions to β-lactams have been classified as immediate or non-immediate. The diagnostic evaluation of allergic reactions to β-lactams has changed over the last decade, for several reasons. In many countries, major and minor determinants for skin testing are not available. In immediate allergic reactions, the sensitivity of skin testing is decreasing. For non-immediate reactions, skin testing appears to be less sensitive than previously reported. The drug provocation test is still necessary for diagnosis. In this education review series, we described three cases of β-lactam allergy: first, a child with an IgE-mediated allergy to benzyl-penicillin; second, a child with a non-allergic hypersensitivity to amoxicillin; and in the third patient, we will discuss about cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins. These cases are correlated with the practical management of evaluating β-lactam allergy. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Transrectal Ultra Sonography based evidence of Ksharasutra therapy for Fistula-in-ano - A case series.

PubMed

Nema, Aditya; Gupta, Sanjay Kumar; Dudhamal, Tukaram S; Mahanta, Vyasadeva

Ksharasutra (parasurgical procedure using a thread treated by alkalies) is being practiced in Indian system of medicine since ancient time for management of ano-rectal disorders; particularly for Bhagandara, (fistula in ano), and generally difficult to treat. In this case series, standard Ksharasutra was prepared as per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India and used to treat the different cases of Bhagandara. In this case series total 6 patients of Bhagandara were treated with Ksharasutra and partial fistulectomy. The average Unit Cutting Time and healing (UCTH) was observed 7.86 days/cm. During treatment Panchawalkala Kwatha (decoction of five medicinal plant's bark), Shatdhautaghrita, Jatyaditaila and Erandabhrishtaharitaki Churna were used as adjuvant drugs. To generate quality evidence Transrectal Ultra Sonography (TRUS) was used in pre as well as post-treatment and showed remarkable tool to assess effect of treatment. Substantial clinical result was observed at the end of treatment and all the patients were free of fistula. No recurrence was observed in any case during the 12 follow up of 12 months. The treatment was reported safe and well tolerated in all the patients. Copyright © 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nutritional Evaluation of Australian Microalgae as Potential Human Health Supplements

PubMed Central

Kent, Megan; Welladsen, Heather M.; Mangott, Arnold; Li, Yan

2015-01-01

This study investigated the biochemical suitability of Australian native microalgal species Scenedesmus sp., Nannochloropsis sp., Dunaliella sp., and a chlorophytic polyculture as nutritional supplements for human health. The four microalgal cultures were harvested during exponential growth, lyophilized, and analysed for proximate composition (moisture, ash, lipid, carbohydrates, and protein), pigments, and amino acid and fatty acid profiles. The resulting nutritional value, based on biochemical composition, was compared to commercial Spirulina and Chlorella products. The Australian native microalgae exhibited similar, and in several cases superior, organic nutritional properties relative to the assessed commercial products, with biochemical profiles rich in high-quality protein, nutritious polyunsaturated fats (such as α-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid), and antioxidant pigments. These findings indicate that the microalgae assessed have great potential as multi-nutrient human health supplements. PMID:25723496

Education and the State: Federal Involvement in Educational Policy Development. Policy Development and Analysis Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Doug

This volume is part of a series of monographs from Australia devoted to outlining an alternative approach, based on neo-Marxist concepts, to policy studies in education. The opening essay in this volume is a historical analysis of federal involvement in Australian educational policy development. After a descriptive overview of the role of…

Australian University International Student Finances

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes-Mewett, Helen; Marginson, Simon; Nyland, Chris; Ramia, Gaby; Sawir, Erlenawati

2009-01-01

The omission of international students from the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee (AVCC) 2007 national study on student finances is indicative of a pattern of exclusion. The exclusion is unacceptable from a humane perspective and feeds the belief that Australians perceive international students primarily as "cash cows". This study…

The Impact of Journal Ranking Fetishism on Australian Policy-Related Research: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Suzanne; Peetz, David; Marais, Magalie

2011-01-01

In Australia, the Excellence in Research (ERA) exercise, first conducted in 2008 and continuing relatively unchanged in 2012, determines the level of research funding made available to Australian universities. However, the use of journal rankings as part of ERA is argued to be problematic (Cooper & Poletti 2011). Through a survey of academics…

New activity-based funding model for Australian private sector overnight rehabilitation cases: the rehabilitation Australian National Sub-Acute and Non-Acute Patient (AN-SNAP) model.

PubMed

Hanning, Brian; Predl, Nicolle

2015-09-01

Traditional overnight rehabilitation payment models in the private sector are not based on a rigorous classification system and vary greatly between contracts with no consideration of patient complexity. The payment rates are not based on relative cost and the length-of-stay (LOS) point at which a reduced rate applies (step downs) varies markedly. The rehabilitation Australian National Sub-Acute and Non-Acute Patient (AN-SNAP) model (RAM), which has been in place for over 2 years in some private hospitals, bases payment on a rigorous classification system, relative cost and industry LOS. RAM is in the process of being rolled out more widely. This paper compares and contrasts RAM with traditional overnight rehabilitation payment models. It considers the advantages of RAM for hospitals and Australian Health Service Alliance. It also considers payment model changes in the context of maintaining industry consistency with Electronic Claims Lodgement and Information Processing System Environment (ECLIPSE) and health reform generally.

A new genus and species of Australian Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) tolerant to mine waste.

PubMed

Cranston, Peter S

2017-05-09

For over 25 years an undescribed Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) has been known to dominate the lotic invertebrate assemblage associated with long-term polluting mine adits in Captains Flat, on the Molonglo River, southern New South Wales, Australia. Although known in all life stages, it has been impossible to allocate the species to any described genus. Renewed interest in the taxonomy of the Tanypodinae, particularly associated with molecular investigations and pollution indicator status warrants formal description. All stages conform to tribe Pentaneurini, but each life stage differs in morphological resemblance. Yarrhpelopia Cranston gen. n. is proposed for the taxon previously referred to under the informal code name of 'genus A'. The genus name derives from south-east Australian aboriginal word yarrh, in recognition of its core distribution and presence in flowing waters. A single species, A. norrisi Cranston sp. n., is described, acknowledging the late Professor Richard Norris, an influential Australian limnologist. Larvae dominate the benthos immediately adjacent to mine adits that continue to leach heavy metals (zinc, cadmium, copper and lead) into downstream sediments. A wider distribution includes cleaner near pristine, eastern Australian rivers between 30° and 42°S, but these records are excluded from the type series pending molecular insights into species limits.

Power Mobility Training for Young Children with Multiple, Severe Impairments: A Case Series.

PubMed

Kenyon, Lisa K; Farris, John P; Gallagher, Cailee; Hammond, Lyndsay; Webster, Lauren M; Aldrich, Naomi J

2017-02-01

Young children with neurodevelopmental conditions are often limited in their ability to explore and learn from their environment. The purposes of this case series were to (1) describe the outcomes of using an alternative power mobility device with young children who had multiple, severe impairments; (2) develop power mobility training methods for use with these children; and (3) determine the feasibility of using various outcome measures. Three children with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels IV, V, and V) ages 17 months to 3.5 years participated in the case series. Examination included the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT) and the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ). An individualized, engaging power mobility training environment was created for each participant. Intervention was provided for 60 minutes per week over 12 weeks. All participants exhibited improvements in power mobility skills. Post-intervention PEDI-CAT scores increased in various domains for all participants. Post-intervention DMQ scores improved in Participants 1 and 2. The participants appeared to make improvements in their beginning power mobility skills. Additional research is planned to further explore the impact of power mobility training in this unique population.

Effectiveness of employer financial incentives in reducing time to report worker injury: an interrupted time series study of two Australian workers' compensation jurisdictions.

PubMed

Lane, Tyler J; Gray, Shannon; Hassani-Mahmooei, Behrooz; Collie, Alex

2018-01-05

Early intervention following occupational injury can improve health outcomes and reduce the duration and cost of workers' compensation claims. Financial early reporting incentives (ERIs) for employers may shorten the time between injury and access to compensation benefits and services. We examined ERI effect on time spent in the claim lodgement process in two Australian states: South Australia (SA), which introduced them in January 2009, and Tasmania (TAS), which introduced them in July 2010. Using administrative records of 1.47 million claims lodged between July 2006 and June 2012, we conducted an interrupted time series study of ERI impact on monthly median days in the claim lodgement process. Time periods included claim reporting, insurer decision, and total time. The 18-month gap in implementation between the states allowed for a multiple baseline design. In SA, we analysed periods within claim reporting: worker and employer reporting times (similar data were not available in TAS). To account for external threats to validity, we examined impact in reference to a comparator of other Australian workers' compensation jurisdictions. Total time in the process did not immediately change, though trend significantly decreased in both jurisdictions (SA: -0.36 days per month, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.09; TAS: 0.35, -0.50 to -0.20). Claim reporting time also decreased in both (SA: -1.6 days, -2.4 to -0.8; TAS: -5.4, -7.4 to -3.3). In TAS, there was a significant increase in insurer decision time (4.6, 3.9 to 5.4) and a similar but non-significant pattern in SA. In SA, worker reporting time significantly decreased (-4.7, -5.8 to -3.5), but employer reporting time did not (-0.3, -0.8 to 0.2). The results suggest that ERIs reduced claim lodgement time and, in the long-term, reduced total time in the claim lodgement process. However, only worker reporting time significantly decreased in SA, indicating that ERIs may not have shortened the process through the intended target of

Antibiotic resistance in severe odontogenic infections of the South Australian population: a 9-year retrospective audit.

PubMed

Liau, I; Han, J; Bayetto, K; May, B; Goss, A; Sambrook, P; Cheng, A

2018-06-01

The aims of this study were to evaluate the microbiological trends in severe odontogenic infections requiring hospital admission in the South Australian Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit. Rates of antibiotic resistance to empirical antibiotic regimens were determined to quantify the clinical implications of antibiotic-resistant odontogenic infections. A retrospective case audit was performed on all odontogenic infections admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital over a 9-year period. Data was collected regarding demographics, microbiological culture and sensitivity results, and clinical outcome variables. Of a total of 672 patients, microbiology data was available for 447 cases. Penicillin-resistant organisms were identified in 10.8% of patients, who required a significantly longer length of hospital admission (mean, 9.93 days) and higher rates of non-response to initial surgical therapy (40%). There were moderate rates of antibiotic-resistant odontogenic infections within the South Australian population. Patients within this subgroup demonstrate markedly poorer clinical outcomes. Effective treatment of odontogenic infections involves early operative intervention, with adjunctive use of appropriate antibiotic therapy that involves close monitoring of response to removal of the cause and use of first-line antibiotic agents. Cases that fail to respond require urgent specialist review in order to reduce morbidity and mortality outcomes. © 2018 Australian Dental Association.

Subacute motor neuron hyperexcitability with mercury poisoning: a case series and literature review.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhibin; Zhang, Xingwen; Cui, Fang; Liu, Ruozhuo; Dong, Zhao; Wang, Xiaolin; Yu, Shengyuan

2014-01-01

Motor neuron hyperexcitability (MNH) indicates a disorder characterized by an ectopic motor nerve discharge on electromyogram (EMG). Here, we present a series of three cases of subacute MNH with mercury poisoning. The first case showed hyperhidrosis, insomnia, generalied myokymia, cramps, tremor, weight loss, and myokymic and neuromyotonic discharges, followed by encephalopathy with confusion, hallucinations, and memory decrease. The second case was similar to the former but without encephalopathic features. The third case showed widespread fasciculation, fatigue, insomnia, weight loss, and autonomic dysfunction, including constipation, micturition difficulty, and impotence, with multiple fibrillation, unstable fasciculation, widened motor neuron potential, and an incremental response at high-rate stimulation in repetitive nerve stimulation. Based on the symptoms, the three cases were diagnosed as Morvan's syndrome, Isaacs' syndrome, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome with ALS-like syndrome, respectively. Mercury poisoning in the three cases was confirmed by analysis of blood and urine samples. All cases recovered several months after chelation therapy and were in good condition at follow-up. Very few cases of MNH linked with mercury exposure have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of mercury-induced MNH may be associated with ion channel dysfunction. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Infections after PRK could have a happy ending: a series of three cases.

PubMed

Bertschinger, D R; Hashemi, K; Hafezi, F; Majo, F

2010-04-01

Infectious keratitis after PRK remains a rare but potentially devastating complication. Medical records of 3 male patients with infectious keratitis after uneventful PRK for myopia and astigmatism were reviewed retrospectively. PRK was performed using the Wavelight Allegretto excimer laser. Postoperative care included a bandage contact lens (BCL) for 5 days, topical antibiotics, ketorolac, and artificial tears. Keratitis presented 2 - 4 days postoperatively. In one case, each culture was negative (case 1), and was positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae (case 2) and Staphylococcus aureus (case 3). Final BSCVA (best spectacle corrected visual acuity) after intensive antibiotic treatment and removal of BCL were 1.0 (case 1), 0.9 (case 2) and 0.3 correctable to 0.8 with pinhole (case 3). Postoperative broad-spectrum antibiotics are mandatory after PRK to prevent infectious keratitis. However, resistant organisms are more and more common. The presence of a bandage soft contact lens after surgery is an unfavourable element that may increase risk of infection. Based on our case series, we suggest limiting soft contact lens wear during the two postoperative days even if the corneal ulceration is not healed. Copyright Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in pregnancy: A systematic review and case series from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey.

PubMed

Pshenichnaya, Natalia Yurievna; Leblebicioglu, Hakan; Bozkurt, Ilkay; Sannikova, Irina Viktorovna; Abuova, Gulzhan Narkenovna; Zhuravlev, Andrey Sergeevich; Barut, Sener; Shermetova, Mutabar Bekovna; Fletcher, Tom E

2017-05-01

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is acute viral infection and a major emerging infectious diseases threat, affecting a large geographical area. There is no proven antiviral therapy and it has a case fatality rate of 4-30%. The natural history of disease and outcomes of CCHF in pregnant women is poorly understood. To systematically review the characteristics of CCHF in pregnancy, and report a case series of 8 CCHF cases in pregnant women from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey. A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement protocol. PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Citation Index (SCI) were searched for reports published between January 1960 and June 2016. Two independent reviewers selected and reviewed studies and extracted data. Thirty-four cases of CCHF in pregnancy were identified, and combined with the case series data, 42 cases were analyzed. The majority of cases originated in Turkey (14), Iran (10) and Russia (6). There was a maternal mortality of 14/41(34%) and fetal/neonatal mortality of in 24/41 cases (58.5%). Hemorrhage was associated with maternal (p=0.009) and fetal/neonatal death (p<0.0001). There was nosocomial transmission to 38 cases from 6/37 index pregnant cases. Cases of CCHF in pregnancy are rare, but associated with high rates of maternal and fetal mortality, and nosocomial transmission. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of odontogenic infection: a review of management and case series.

PubMed

Bayetto, K; Cheng, A; Sambrook, P

2017-09-01

The aims of the present study were to establish the incidence of head and neck necrotizing fasciitis (NF) in the Adelaide Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit; review the current literature regarding the management of head and neck NF; and determine the evidence for the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of NF. A retrospective audit of all patients admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit 2006-2015 with severe odontogenic infections was carried out. Patient demographics were recorded and treatment details were collected and analysed. A total of 672 patients were admitted for management of severe odontogenic infections. Of these, three were identified as NF. One case was treated using hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunct to conventional surgical and medical management. Two cases were managed using aggressive surgical management alone. Two patients survived. The incidence of head and neck NF in South Australia is 48/100 000 infections per year. The first-line treatment of severe odontogenic infections remains conventional surgical and medical management; however, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may have an additional role in the management of NF and other rare severe infections in medically complex patients. © 2017 Australian Dental Association.

Marine Biodiversity in the Australian Region

PubMed Central

Butler, Alan J.; Rees, Tony; Beesley, Pam; Bax, Nicholas J.

2010-01-01

The entire Australian marine jurisdictional area, including offshore and sub-Antarctic islands, is considered in this paper. Most records, however, come from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the continent of Australia itself. The counts of species have been obtained from four primary databases (the Australian Faunal Directory, Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota, Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums, and the Australian node of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System), but even these are an underestimate of described species. In addition, some partially completed databases for particular taxonomic groups, and specialized databases (for introduced and threatened species) have been used. Experts also provided estimates of the number of known species not yet in the major databases. For only some groups could we obtain an (expert opinion) estimate of undiscovered species. The databases provide patchy information about endemism, levels of threat, and introductions. We conclude that there are about 33,000 marine species (mainly animals) in the major databases, of which 130 are introduced, 58 listed as threatened and an unknown percentage endemic. An estimated 17,000 more named species are either known from the Australian EEZ but not in the present databases, or potentially occur there. It is crudely estimated that there may be as many as 250,000 species (known and yet to be discovered) in the Australian EEZ. For 17 higher taxa, there is sufficient detail for subdivision by Large Marine Domains, for comparison with other National and Regional Implementation Committees of the Census of Marine Life. Taxonomic expertise in Australia is unevenly distributed across taxa, and declining. Comments are given briefly on biodiversity management measures in Australia, including but not limited to marine protected areas. PMID:20689847

Role of computed tomography of abdomen in difficult to diagnose typhoid fever: a case series.

PubMed

Hafeez, Wajid; Rajalakshmi, S; Sripriya, S; Madhu Bashini, M

2018-04-01

Background and Aim Diagnosis of typhoid is challenging when blood cultures fail to isolate Salmonella species. We report our experience with interpreting computed tomography (CT) abdomen findings in a case series of typhoid fever. Methods The case series consisted of patients who had a CT abdomen done as part of their investigations and a final diagnosis of typhoid fever. The CT films were reviewed and findings evaluated for distinctive features. Results During 2011-2017, 11 patients met the inclusion criteria. Indication for CT was pyrexia of unknown origin in the majority of patients. Review of CT films revealed mesenteric lymphadenopathy (100%), terminal ileum thickening (85%), hepatosplenomegaly (45%), retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy (18%) and ascites (9%). Conclusions Enhancing discrete mesenteric lymphadenopathy and terminal ileum thickening are non-specific findings noted in typhoid fever. Absence of matted necrotic nodes and peritoneal thickening rule out tuberculosis and raise suspicion of typhoid fever in endemic regions.

Australian Thesaurus of Education Descriptors. A Word-Stock for Indexing and Retrieving Australian Educational Literature.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavender, G. B.; Findlay, Margaret A.

This core thesaurus of terms suitable for indexing Australian educational literature was developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research by means of a systematic and thorough revision of the "Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors." Based on the actual terminology of education in Australia, this thesaurus includes: key words and…

Bronchiolitis obliterans and consumer exposure to butter-flavored microwave popcorn: a case series.

PubMed

Egilman, David S; Schilling, John Henry

2012-01-01

Respiratory exposure to diacetyl and diacetyl-containing flavorings used in butter-flavored microwave popcorn (BFMP) causes lung disease, including bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), in flavorings and popcorn manufacturing workers. However, there are no published reports of lung disease among BFMP consumers. We present a case series of three BFMP consumers with biopsy-confirmed BO. We review data relating to consumer exposures, estimate case exposures, and compare them to diacetyl-containing flavoring-exposed manufacturing workers with lung disease. These consumer cases' exposure levels are comparable to those that caused disease in workers. We were unable to identify any other exposures or diseases known or suspected to cause BO in these cases. BFMP poses a significant respiratory risk to consumers. Some manufacturers have substituted diacetyl with other alpha-diketones that are likely to pose a similar risk. Simple consumer practices such as cooling the popcorn bag would eliminate the risk of severe lung disease.

Gingival fibromatosis with hypertrichosis syndrome: Case series of rare syndrome.

PubMed

Balaji, Preetha; Balaji, S M

2017-01-01

Gingival fibromatosis with hypertrichosis syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition characterized by profound overgrowth of hair and gums, as well as other variable features. Gingival fibromatosis is characterized by a large increase in the gingival dimension which extends above the dental crowns, covering them partially or completely. They were found to have a genetic origin, may also occur in isolation or be part of a syndrome, or acquired origin, due to specific drugs administered systemically. Congenital generalized hypertrichosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases with continuing excessive growth of terminal hair without androgenic stimulation. It has informally been called werewolf syndrome because the appearance is similar to that of a werewolf. Various syndromes have been associated with these features such as epilepsy, mental retardation, cardiomegaly, or osteochondrodysplasia. As so far very few cases have been reported in literature, we are reporting a series of three cases with management of the same. The excess gingival tissues, in these cases, were removed by conventional gingivectomy under general anesthesia. The postoperative result was uneventful and the patient's appearance improved significantly. Good esthetic result was achieved to allow patient to practice oral hygiene measures. Though this is not a serious condition clinically, psychosocial trauma cannot be neglected owing to the cosmetic disfigurement it produces.

Lyme Disease Manifestations in the Foot and Ankle: A Retrospective Case Series.

PubMed

Miller, Jason R; Dunn, Karl W; Braccia, Domenick; Ciliberti, Louis J; Becker, Dina K; Hollinger, Joshua K; Brand, Shelley M

Lyme disease is the result of Borrelia burgdorferi bacterial infection after exposure from a tick bite. A pathognomonic finding in early-stage Lyme disease is an expanding, red macular ring known as erythema migrans. Lyme arthritis is a late-stage manifestation of this disease, affecting the large, weightbearing joints with intermittent pain and swelling. The existing data on Lyme disease and subsequent arthritis have reported manifestations in the lower extremity, primarily in the knee and ankle and less commonly the small joints of the foot. We present a retrospective case series of 11 cases of painful arthritis in the foot and ankle with confirmatory Lyme disease testing. Copyright © 2015 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Shared written case formulations and weight change in outpatient therapy for anorexia nervosa: a naturalistic single case series.

PubMed

Gladwin, Alice M; Evangeli, Michael

2013-01-01

The therapeutic effects of written shared case formulations are underexplored and have not been examined in anorexia nervosa. This study explored the relationship between (a) the delivery (b) the quality of a shared written case formulation and weight in outpatient psychological therapy for anorexia nervosa. A naturalistic single case series approach was used to examine the case notes of women who had attended a specialist eating disorders service over a 2-year period. The case notes of 15 adult women who had undergone outpatient psychological therapy for anorexia nervosa with a shared written case formulation component were reviewed. The impact of the quality of the case formulation on weekly weight was examined for 14 of the clients where the case formulation was available. The nature of the relationship between the delivery of the written shared case formulation and weight was examined for all 15 clients. There was some evidence to support an association between delivery of the shared written case formulation and weight changes (both weight gain [five out of 15 clients] and weight loss [three out of 15 clients]) in individual cases. Higher case formulation quality was related to cases where weight change did not occur. The delivery of case formulations can be associated with important therapeutic change (both beneficial and potentially harmful) in anorexia nervosa. Future research into the causal mechanisms associated with sharing formulations will face the challenge of adopting strategies that allow for an in-depth exploration of complex therapy variables whilst overcoming methodological challenges. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Social influences on physical activity in Anglo-Australian and Vietnamese-Australian adolescent females in a single sex school.

PubMed

Wilson, Andrew N; Dollman, James

2009-01-01

Social support is a consistent correlate of youth physical activity (PA) but few studies have examined this in cultural sub-groups. Female adolescents (n=113; 13.9+/-0.6years) from a metropolitan single sex private school participated in this study. PA was estimated using the 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3dPAR), and aspects of social support using a specifically designed questionnaire. Anglo-Australians (n=74), whose parents were both born in Australia, were compared with Vietnamese-Australians (n=39), whose parents were both born in Vietnam. There were non-significant trends towards higher engagement in all measures of PA among Anglo-Australians. Anglo-Australians perceived higher levels of social support to be physically active. In the whole sample and in cultural sub-groups, support by mothers was a consistent predictor of PA. Among Vietnamese-Australians, activities shared with the mother predicted moderate to vigorous PA. Interventions targeting PA among adolescent females should consider interactions of social support and cultural background.

A methodological protocol for selecting and quantifying low-value prescribing practices in routinely collected data: an Australian case study.

PubMed

Brett, Jonathan; Elshaug, Adam G; Bhatia, R Sacha; Chalmers, Kelsey; Badgery-Parker, Tim; Pearson, Sallie-Anne

2017-05-03

Growing imperatives for safety, quality and responsible resource allocation have prompted renewed efforts to identify and quantify harmful or wasteful (low-value) medical practices such as test ordering, procedures and prescribing. Quantifying these practices at a population level using routinely collected health data allows us to understand the scale of low-value medical practices, measure practice change following specific interventions and prioritise policy decisions. To date, almost all research examining health care through the low-value lens has focused on medical services (tests and procedures) rather than on prescribing. The protocol described herein outlines a program of research funded by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council to select and quantify low-value prescribing practices within Australian routinely collected health data. We start by describing our process for identifying and cataloguing international low-value prescribing practices. We then outline our approach to translate these prescribing practices into indicators that can be applied to Australian routinely collected health data. Next, we detail methods of using Australian health data to quantify these prescribing practices (e.g. prevalence of low-value prescribing and related costs) and their downstream health consequences. We have approval from the necessary Australian state and commonwealth human research ethics and data access committees to undertake this work. The lack of systematic and transparent approaches to quantification of low-value practices in routinely collected data has been noted in recent reviews. Here, we present a methodology applied in the Australian context with the aim of demonstrating principles that can be applied across jurisdictions in order to harmonise international efforts to measure low-value prescribing. The outcomes of this research will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals. Results will also be presented at national and

Issues and Directions from a Review of the Australian Apprenticeship and Traineeship Literature. Australian Apprenticeships.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saunders, S.

This paper synthesizes issues and directions that a review of Australian apprenticeship and traineeship literature suggested. An overview discusses the paper's basis, which was a survey of 125 Australian references from 1985-99. Chapter 2 categorizes issues into seven groups, discusses them, and draws out salient themes. (The groups concerned…

Aconite poisoning over 5 years: a case series in Hong Kong and lessons towards herbal safety.

PubMed

Chen, Sammy Pak Lam; Ng, Sau Wah; Poon, Wing Tat; Lai, Chi Kong; Ngan, Teresa Man Shan; Tse, Man Li; Chan, Thomas Yan Keung; Chan, Albert Yan Wo; Mak, Tony Wing Lai

2012-07-01

Aconite poisoning is a severe, life-threatening poisoning related to the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Despite current legislation, repeated poisoning cases are steadily encountered. The aim of the study was to summarize the clinical features and to elucidate the causative and contributory factors leading to aconite poisoning. This study was conducted within the Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, which is the sole tertiary referral clinical toxicology laboratory in Hong Kong. This retrospective study reviewed all confirmed aconite poisoning cases handled by a clinical toxicology laboratory between April 2004 and July 2009. The diagnosis in all cases was confirmed biochemically by detecting aconitum alkaloids in urine specimens. Additionally, herbal specimens were morphologically identified and herbal formulae were studied and transcribed. The cause of poisoning for each case was determined whenever possible. Fifty-two cases were examined in this aconite poisoning case series. Neurological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicities were encountered in 49 (94.2%), 46 (88.5%) and 31 (59.6%) patients, respectively. The poisoning was severe in 6 (11.5%) patients, moderate in 17 (32.7%) patients and mild in 29 (55.8%) patients. Amongst 44 patients (84.6%) in whom the underlying reasons of poisoning could be determined, four major causes were found. These included overdose - prescription of a higher than recommended dosage of aconite herbs in 17 (32.7%) cases; 'hidden' poisoning (the aconite herb was not prescribed but dispensed inadvertently) in 17 (32.7%) cases; usage of inadequately processed herbs in 7 (13.5%) cases; and dispensary error in 2 (3.9%) cases. No case fatality was recorded. In the majority of cases in this series, the causes of poisoning can be traced to poor-quality herbs, poor quality of prescription practice, or dispensary errors. The quality issues of TCM practice should be critically addressed to minimize this

The Asian currency crisis and the Australian health industry.

PubMed

Barraclough, S

1998-01-01

This article identifies linkages between the Australian health industry and the global economy. It discusses some of the consequences of the Asian currency crisis of 1997-98 for the Australian economy and health industry, with special emphasis upon exports. Devaluation of the Australian dollar will increase the cost of most pharmaceutical and medical imports, but may offer competitive advantages to some Australian exporters. The nascent engagement with Asia of many health industry enterprises is likely to be stifled. It is therefore important for Australian governments, as well as the Australian health industry, to provide intelligence and encouragement to those enterprises that wish to continue their engagement with Asia or resume it when economic equilibrium returns. Markets throughout the world must also be further developed. The crisis may therefore provide the stimulus for re-thinking and re-stating Australian health export policy.

Spontaneous regression of posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments: case series.

PubMed

Tarukado, Kiyoshi; Ikuta, Ko; Fukutoku, Yoshiaki; Tono, Osamu; Doi, Toshio

2015-06-01

Posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments is an extremely rare disorder. Surgical treatment was performed in all reported cases. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reported cases of the use of conservative treatment for posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments. To report the possibility of a spontaneous regression of posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments. Case series. Four patients with posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments were treated at Karatsu Red Cross Hospital between April 2008 and August 2010. Spontaneous regression of the posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments with relief of symptoms was observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in three cases. Another patient underwent surgical treatment. The present and previously reported cases of posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments were analyzed with respect to patient age, imaging features on MRI, the level of the lesion, clinical symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Conservative treatment was successful, and spontaneous lesion regression was seen on MRI with symptom relief in three cases. Although posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragment cases are generally treated surgically, the condition can regress spontaneously over time, as do sequestrated disc fragments. Spontaneous regression of lumbar disc herniations is a widely accepted observation at present. Posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments fall under the sequestrated type of disc herniation. In fact, the course of treatment for posterior epidural migrated lumbar disc fragments should be determined based on the symptoms and examination findings, as in cases of ordinary herniation. However, providing early surgical treatment is important if the patient has acute cauda equina syndrome or the neurologic symptoms worsen over time. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Weighing in on international growth standards: testing the case in Australian preschool children.

PubMed

Pattinson, C L; Staton, S L; Smith, S S; Trost, S G; Sawyer, E F; Thorpe, K J

2017-10-01

Overweight and obesity in preschool-aged children are major health concerns. Accurate and reliable estimates of prevalence are necessary to direct public health and clinical interventions. There are currently three international growth standards used to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity, each using different methodologies: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Adoption and use of each method were examined through a systematic review of Australian population studies (2006-2017). For this period, systematically identified population studies (N = 20) reported prevalence of overweight and obesity ranging between 15 and 38% with most (n = 16) applying the IOTF standards. To demonstrate the differences in prevalence estimates yielded by the IOTF in comparison to the WHO and CDC standards, methods were applied to a sample of N = 1,926 Australian children, aged 3-5 years. As expected, the three standards yielded significantly different estimates when applied to this single population. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was WHO - 9.3%, IOTF - 21.7% and CDC - 33.1%. Judicious selection of growth standards, taking account of their underpinning methodologies and provisions of access to study data sets to allow prevalence comparisons, is recommended. © 2017 World Obesity Federation.

Australian Queer Science Fiction Fans.

PubMed

Kerry, Stephen Craig

2017-10-23

Science fiction (sf) does more than provide a fleeting moment of entertainment; it has many personal and social functions. In addition to offering audiences "romantic escapism" (Gerrold, 1996, pp. 5-6), sf also enables the "postulation of an alternative reality from which to contemplate this one" (Gerrold, 1996, pp. 5-6); as such, it is especially important "for groups which have had limited stakes in the status quo" (Jenkins, 1995, p. 242). To date, no research has been undertaken on the relationship between Australian queers and sf fandom. This article reports the findings of an online survey and explores the psycho-social features of Australian queer sf fans and why they like the genre. While the characteristics of this sample mirror those of Australian queers generally, they also have slightly higher rates of mental illness and are far more likely to state they have "no religion." Furthermore, while enjoying the "sciency" (P10, bisexual woman) aspects of sf, Australian queers also like the "poignant metaphors for our own civilization" (P45, asexual man).

Nutrition for the Australian Rules football player.

PubMed

Ebert, T R

2000-12-01

This review summarises past and present nutritional practices of Australian Rules Football players, noting changes that have occurred as the footballers have become more receptive to scientific input. Australian Rules Football is a unique sport, with matches involving intermittent high intensity sprints between periods of jogging and walking and repeated physical contact. Endurance, speed, strength, power and agility are essential physical characteristics. Australian Rules footballers exhibit a wide range of anthropometrical attributes due to the positional requirements of the game. Dietary surveys indicate that footballers of the 1980's consumed a diet similar to that of the general Australian population consisting of 44%, 37.5%, 15% and 3.5% of carbohydrate (CHO), fat, protein and alcohol, respectively. However, as dietitians are becoming an integral part of the support staff of teams there is evidence that nutritional practices conducive to optimal sporting performance are now being followed. Due to the prolonged duration and intermittent high intensity activity pattern of Australian Rules, nutritional supplementation such as fluid and CHO intake during training and competition and creatine intake may be beneficial; however, further research needs to be conducted in the field to determine its importance in Australian Rules Football.

[Type IIb primary hyperlipoproteinemia. An homogenous series of 412 cases].

PubMed

Rouffy, J; Loeper, J; Dreux, C; Lemogne, M; Loeper, J; Pestel, M; Dakkak, R

1976-03-20

On the basis of a homogeneous series of 412 cases of type IIb primary hyperlipoproteinaemia, the authors compare their experience with findings in the literature. The prevalence of this type of hyperlipoproteinaemia in the general population has been underestimated at 3%. Biological diagnosis remains simple (identification of a double and distinct excess in beta and pre beta lipoproteins). Extravascular lipid deposits (gerontoxon, xanthelasma, tendon xanthomata) are not type specific. Hyperlipidaemic syndrome is rare. Above all, the importance of type IIb in atheromatous disease in the young subject now seems obvious. The mode of hereditary transmission of the familial anomaly is not certain but would appear to be often associated with a double heterozygote condition.

Early Australian experience in robotic sleeve gastrectomy: a single site series.

PubMed

Silverman, Candice D; Ghusn, Michael A

2017-05-01

The use of robotic platforms in bariatric surgery has recently gained relevance. With an increased use of this technology come concerns regarding learning curve effects during the initial implementation phase. The sleeve gastrectomy though may represent an ideal training procedure for introducing the robot into bariatric surgical practice. The present review of the first 10 consecutive robotic sleeve gastrectomy procedures performed in an Australian bariatric programme by a single surgeon describes the evolution of the technique, learning curve and initial patient outcomes. Between 2014 and 2015, robotic sleeve gastrectomies were performed as primary and revisional procedures by a consistent surgeon-assistant team. Technique evolution and theatre set-up were documented. Patient demographics, operative time (robot docking and total operation time), additional operative procedures performed, operative and post-operative complications at 1, 3 and 6 months post-procedure and weight loss achieved at 6 months were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Ten robotic sleeve gastrectomies were performed without significant operative complications. One patient was treated as an outpatient with oral antibiotics for a superficial wound infection. The median total operative time was 123 min (interquartile range (IQR) 108.8-142.5), with a median incision to docking time of 19 min (IQR 15.0-31.8). Length of stay in hospital was 2-3 days. Median excess weight loss achieved at 6 months was 50% (IQR 33.9-66.5). This study describes a method of safely introducing the da Vinci robot into bariatric surgical practice. © 2016 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Cognitive therapy for antisocial and borderline personality disorders: single case study series.

PubMed

Davidson, K M; Tyrer, P

1996-09-01

Cognitive therapy for affective disorders has been recently adapted and developed for the treatment of personality disorders. In the present study, a specific and detailed cognitive therapy treatment manual for borderline and antisocial personality disorders was evaluated in a pilot study. The results of a single case series demonstrate that important clinical changes in dysfunctional behaviour and attitudes can be achieved with short-term cognitive therapy in patients with antisocial and borderline personality disorders, although these were not, on the whole, statistically significant.

Anesthesia and Brugada syndrome: a 12-year case series.

PubMed

Duque, Mélanie; Santos, Luís; Ribeiro, Sandy; Catré, Dora

2017-02-01

The aim of this 12-year case series was to review the drugs used during anesthetic management of patients with diagnosis of or risk criteria for Brugada syndrome (BrS), and to document any possible association between these drugs and arrhythmogenic activity or unexplained hemodynamic instability. A retrospective clinical observational study. Tertiary hospital. Thirty-one patients met our inclusion criteria: 20 belonging to group D (diagnosed BrS) and 11 to group R (risk of BrS). They underwent a total of 43 anesthetic interventions (28 in group D and 15 in group R). Records from patients with or at risk of BrS who underwent anesthetic intervention at our hospital between May 2003 and May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Drugs used were compared with those recommended to be avoided or preferably avoided, published by specialists in the field at brugadadrugs.org. Hemodynamic and cardiac complications during anesthesia were assessed for hypothetical association with these drugs. From the list of drugs available in medical literature recommended to avoid in BrS patients the following were used in our series: propofol (n = 8 in group D, n = 8 in group R), local anesthetics (n = 15 in group D, n = 8 in group R), tramadol (n = 1 in group D), and metoclopramide (n = 1 in group D). Hemodynamic complications occurred in 5 procedures, but no direct association was found between these events and the use of the drugs listed above. Major adverse events related to the deleterious effects of drugs recommended to be avoided were not detected in our series of patients with or at risk of BrS. Although authors cannot refute the theoretical risk of major adverse advents when using known or potential BrS triggers, the true clinical risk of these drugs is unknown, and recommendations to avoid their use should be better supported. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"Spice" (Synthetic Marijuana) Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Series.

PubMed

Ul Haq, E; Shafiq, A; Khan, A A; Awan, A A; Ezad, S; Minteer, W J; Omar, B

2017-01-01

Marijuana is the most widely abused "recreational" substance in the United States, with highest prevalence in young adults. It is reported to cause ischemic strokes, hepatitis, anxiety, and psychosis. Although it is associated with dose dependent tachycardia and can lead to coronary vasospasm, it has not been directly related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Marijuana induced coronary vasospasm can result in endothelial denudation at the site of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque in response to hemodynamic stressors, potentially causing an AMI. Spice refers to herbal mixture with composition and effects similar to that of marijuana and therefore is referred to as "synthetic marijuana." Herein, we report 3 cases of spice induced ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. All patients were relatively young and had few or absolutely no risk factors for cardiovascular disease. All patients underwent emergent coronary angiography, with two needing stent placement and the third requiring only aspiration thrombectomy. Our case series emphasizes the importance of suspecting and investigating synthetic marijuana use in low risk young adults presenting with AMI.

Rubella antibodies in Australian immunoglobulin products.

PubMed

Young, Megan K; Bertolini, Joseph; Kotharu, Pushpa; Maher, Darryl; Cripps, Allan W

2017-08-03

Rubella antibodies are not routinely measured in immunoglobulin products and there is a lack of information on the titer in Australian products. To facilitate future studies of the effectiveness of passive immunisation for preventing rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, this study measured the concentration of rubella-specific antibodies in Australian intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) human immunoglobulin products suitable for post-exposure prophylaxis using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. The GMT ± GSD for the IM product was 19 ± 1.2 IU/mg (2980 ± 1.2 IU/mL). The GMT ± GSD for the IV product was 12 ± 1.5 IU/mg (729 ± 1.5 IU/mL). At present, Australian guidelines recommend offering non-immune pregnant women exposed to rubella 20 mL of intramuscular immunoglobulin within 72 hours of exposure. This equates to 42,160 IU of rubella antibodies if the lowest titer obtained for the Australian IM product is considered. The same dose would be delivered by 176 mL of the Australian IV product at the lowest measured rubella-specific antibody titer.

Learning Design and Inquiry in Australian History Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carroll, Kay

2012-01-01

Global and digital connectivity transform Australian classrooms by creating rich environments for inquiry learning. Developing inquiry learning in this Information Communication Technology (ICT) context is an Australian educational goal. Recently the Australian Curriculum reform and the Digital Education Revolution has become a catalyst for…

Inside truths: 'truth' and mental illness in the Australian asylum seeker and detention debates.

PubMed

Maglen, Krista

2007-10-01

This article examines some of the key debates and interactions between the Australian government and medical profession in relation to the mental health consequences of the policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers. It explores how, in a series of episodes between 2001 and 2005, each side claimed to represent accurately the 'true' nature of the detention system through asserting superior 'objectivity' and commitment to 'scientific truth' in their representations of the mental health of asylum seekers. Placing these debates within the particular political objectives of the Liberal Party during John Howard's term as Prime Minister, the article explores how science and medical advocacy have been characterized and made to signify larger conflicts within the Australian political arena. It shows how populist political ideas of 'elitism' have been used by the government to represent as 'elitist untruths' psychiatric research which has demonstrated a direct causal links between government border control policies and mental ill-health.

Dangerous Carers: Pastoral Power and the Caring Teacher of Contemporary Australian Schooling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCuaig, Louise Anne

2012-01-01

Whilst care imperatives have arisen across the breadth of Western societies, within the education sector they appear both prolific and urgent. This paper explores the deployment of care discourses within education generally and draws upon the case of Australian Health and Physical Education (HPE) more specifically, to undertake a Foucauldian…

Developing measures of food and nutrition security within an Australian context.

PubMed

Archer, Claire; Gallegos, Danielle; McKechnie, Rebecca

2017-10-01

To develop a measure of food and nutrition security for use among an Australian population that measures all pillars of food security and to establish its content validity. The study consisted of two phases. Phase 1 involved focus groups with experts working in the area of food security. Data were assessed using content analysis and results informed the development of a draft tool. Phase 2 consisted of a series of three online surveys using the Delphi technique. Findings from each survey were used to establish content validity and progressively modify the tool until consensus was reached for all items. Australia. Phase 1 focus groups involved twenty-five experts working in the field of food security, who were attending the Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference, 2013. Phase 2 included twenty-five experts working in food security, who were recruited via email. Findings from Phase 1 supported the need for an Australian-specific tool and highlighted the failure of current tools to measure across all pillars of food security. Participants encouraged the inclusion of items to measure barriers to food acquisition and the previous single item to enable comparisons with previous data. Phase 2 findings informed the selection and modification of items for inclusion in the final tool. The results led to the development of a draft tool to measure food and nutrition security, and supported its content validity. Further research is needed to validate the tool among the Australian population and to establish inter- and intra-rater reliability.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and hematologic malignancy: a systematic review of case reports and case series.

PubMed

Sousa, David Cordeiro; Rodrigues, Filipe Brogueira; Duarte, Gonçalo; Campos, Fátima; Pinto, Filomena; Vaz-Carneiro, A

2016-12-01

Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) are well described. Patients with hematologic neoplasms may share some of these characteristics, and it may be useful clinically to better understand this set of patients. Our objective is to review systematically the characteristics of patients with both hematologic malignancies and NAION. Systematic review. Patients with NAION diagnosis related in time to a hematologic neoplasm. Data sources for the study included MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO, and OpenGrey. The study eligibility criteria included case reports and case series. We found 261 records, with 15 studies included plus our case report. A total of 19 patients (8 female) with mean age of 54.6 years (range, 12-87) were analyzed: 37% (7) non-Hodgkin lymphoma; 26% (5) myeloproliferative neoplasms; 21% (4) myelodysplasia; 16% (3) leukemias. The limitations included verification bias, inability to test statistical association between NAION and hematologic neoplasms, the small number of cases, and confounding factors related to medical history and specific interventions in each case limited the robustness of our conclusions. Our results identified the characteristics of patients with NAION and hematologic neoplasms related in time. Additional observational studies may enlighten the importance of looking for evidence of an occult neoplastic disorder in patients presenting with NAION. A prompt diagnosis would be of invaluable significance for the best management, in terms of follow-up and therapeutics. Copyright © 2016 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Time series analysis of the impact of tobacco control policies on smoking prevalence among Australian adults, 2001-2011.

PubMed

Wakefield, Melanie A; Coomber, Kerri; Durkin, Sarah J; Scollo, Michelle; Bayly, Megan; Spittal, Matthew J; Simpson, Julie A; Hill, David

2014-06-01

To determine the impact of tobacco control policies and mass media campaigns on smoking prevalence in Australian adults. Data for calculating the average monthly prevalence of smoking between January 2001 and June 2011 were obtained via structured interviews of randomly sampled adults aged 18 years or older from Australia's five largest capital cities (monthly mean number of adults interviewed: 2375). The influence on smoking prevalence was estimated for increased tobacco taxes; strengthened smoke-free laws; increased monthly population exposure to televised tobacco control mass media campaigns and pharmaceutical company advertising for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), using gross ratings points; monthly sales of NRT, bupropion and varenicline; and introduction of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were used to examine the influence of these interventions on smoking prevalence. The mean smoking prevalence for the study period was 19.9% (standard deviation: 2.0%), with a drop from 23.6% (in January 2001) to 17.3% (in June 2011). The best-fitting model showed that stronger smoke-free laws, tobacco price increases and greater exposure to mass media campaigns independently explained 76% of the decrease in smoking prevalence from February 2002 to June 2011. Increased tobacco taxation, more comprehensive smoke-free laws and increased investment in mass media campaigns played a substantial role in reducing smoking prevalence among Australian adults between 2001 and 2011.

The short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China: comparison of time-series and case-crossover analyses.

PubMed

Ren, Meng; Li, Na; Wang, Zhan; Liu, Yisi; Chen, Xi; Chu, Yuanyuan; Li, Xiangyu; Zhu, Zhongmin; Tian, Liqiao; Xiang, Hao

2017-01-13

Few studies have compared different methods when exploring the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. This study assesses the association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality with both time-series and time-stratified-case-crossover designs. The generalized additive model (GAM) and the conditional logistic regression model were used to assess the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and diseases. A 10 μg/m 3 increment in SO 2 level was associated with an increase in relative risk for all respiratory disease mortality of 2.4% and 1.9% in the case-crossover and time-series analyses in single pollutant models, respectively. Strong evidence of an association between NO 2 and daily respiratory disease mortality among men or people older than 65 years was found in the case-crossover study. There was a positive association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. Both time-series and case-crossover analyses consistently reveal the association between three air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality. The estimates of association between air pollution and respiratory disease mortality from the case-crossover analysis displayed greater variation than that from the time-series analysis.

The short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China: comparison of time-series and case-crossover analyses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Meng; Li, Na; Wang, Zhan; Liu, Yisi; Chen, Xi; Chu, Yuanyuan; Li, Xiangyu; Zhu, Zhongmin; Tian, Liqiao; Xiang, Hao

2017-01-01

Few studies have compared different methods when exploring the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. This study assesses the association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality with both time-series and time-stratified-case-crossover designs. The generalized additive model (GAM) and the conditional logistic regression model were used to assess the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and diseases. A 10 μg/m3 increment in SO2 level was associated with an increase in relative risk for all respiratory disease mortality of 2.4% and 1.9% in the case-crossover and time-series analyses in single pollutant models, respectively. Strong evidence of an association between NO2 and daily respiratory disease mortality among men or people older than 65 years was found in the case-crossover study. There was a positive association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. Both time-series and case-crossover analyses consistently reveal the association between three air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality. The estimates of association between air pollution and respiratory disease mortality from the case-crossover analysis displayed greater variation than that from the time-series analysis.

Klatskin-mimicking lesions--a case series and literature review.

PubMed

Dumitrascu, Traian; Ionescu, Mihnea; Ciurea, Silviu; Herlea, Vlad; Lupescu, Ioana; Popescu, Irinel

2010-01-01

Obstruction of the hepatic hilum in patients without prior surgery is generally due to hilar adenocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor). However, not all the hilar strictures are malignant. Although uncommon, benign strictures of the proximal bile duct should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of Klatskin tumors, since the incidence could reach up to 25% of patients with presumed Klatskin tumor diagnosis. This group of benign proximal bile duct strictures (Klatskin-mimicking lesions) is usually represented by segmental fibrosis and non-specific chronic inflammation. The clinical and imaging features can not differentiate between benign and malignant strictures. Herein, we present a case series of three patients with benign proximal bile duct strictures (representing 4.1% of 73 patients resected with presumptive preoperative diagnosis of Klatskin tumor) and literature review. There are presented the clinical and biochemical features, imaging preoperative workup, surgical treatment and histological analysis of the specimen, along with postoperative outcome. For benign strictures of the hilum limited resections are curative. However, despite new diagnosis tools developed in the last years, patients with hilar obstructions still require unnecessary extensive resections due to impossibility of excluding the malignancy. In all cases of proximal bile duct obstruction presumed malignant, they should be managed accordingly, even with the risk of over-treatment for some benign lesions.

Surgery and perioperative management for post-intubation tracheoesophageal fistula: case series analysis

PubMed Central

Puma, Francesco; Santoprete, Stefano; Urbani, Moira; Cagini, Lucio; Andolfi, Marco; Potenza, Rossella; Daddi, Niccolò

2017-01-01

Background Post-intubation tracheoesophageal fistula (PITEF) is an often mistreated, severe condition. This case series reviewed for both the choice and timing of surgical technique and outcome PITEF patients. Methods This case series reviewed ten consecutive patients who had undergone esophageal defect repair and airway resection/reconstruction between 2000 and 2014. All cases were examined for patients: general condition, medical history, preparation to surgery, diagnostic work-up, timing of surgery and procedure, fistula size and site, ventilation type, nutrition, post-operative course and complications. Results All patients were treated according to Grillo’s technique. Overall, 6/10 patients had undergone a preliminary period of medical preparation. Additionally, 3 patients had already had a tracheostomy, one had had a gastrostomy and 4 had both. One patient had a Dumon stent with enlargement of the fistula. Concomitant tracheal stenosis had been found in 7 patients. The mean length of the fistulas was 20.5 mm (median 17.5 mm; range, 8–45 mm), at a median distance from the glottis of 43 mm (range, 20–68 mm). Tracheal resection was performed in all ten cases. The fistula was included in the resection in 6 patients, while it was excluded in the remaining 4 due to their distance. Post-repair tracheotomy was performed in 3 patients. The procedure was performed in 2 ventilated patients. Morbidity related to fistula and anastomosis was recorded in 3 patients (30%), with one postoperative death (10%); T-Tube placement was necessary in 3 patients, with 2/3 decannulations after long-stenting. Definitive PITEF closure was obtained for all patients. At 5-year follow-up, the 9 surviving patients had no fistula-related morbidity. Conclusions Primary esophageal closure with tracheal resection/reconstruction seemed to be effective treatment both short and long-term. Systemic conditions, mechanical ventilation, detailed preoperative assessment and appropriate preparation

Return to sport in Australian football league footballers after hip arthroscopy and midterm outcome.

PubMed

Amenabar, Tomas; O'Donnell, John

2013-07-01

To study the return to sport in a series of professional athletes in a single sport (Australian Rules Football), operated on arthroscopically for hip joint pathology. We performed a retrospective review of the senior author's surgical database starting in 2003. All of the patients who were Australian Football League (AFL) professional players with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up were included. Intra-articular pathologies were identified and treated. All patients were prospectively assessed with the modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) and the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS). In addition, information about the active participation of the patients in their teams and return to professional sport was obtained from AFL registers and team physicians. Since 2003, the senior author has operated on 36 male professional AFL players; 26 of 27 with at least 2 years' follow-up were available for review. The mean age at the time of surgery was 22.1 years (range, 16 to 30 years), and 8 patients had bilateral pathology; therefore 34 hips were operated on. This report refers to those 26 players and 34 hips. All but 1 of the patients returned to play professionally. By the last survey (October 2011), 16 patients (62%) were still playing professional AFL football, and they have been playing for a mean of 52.5 months after surgery. Ten patients had retired from professional football, but they had all returned to play professionally after surgery. Only one of them retired for causes related to hip disability. There was a significant improvement in preoperative outcome scores. The MHHS and NAHS improved from 83.6 to 98 and from 85.3 to 97.1, respectively, in the players who were still playing (P < .05). Rim lesions were present in 33 hips (97%). Femoral osteochondroplasty was performed in 26 hips (76%). Arthroscopic treatment of intra-articular pathologies in professional athletes resulted in a 96% rate of return to elite-level sport and a durable increase in the MHHS and NAHS. Level IV

Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barr, Andrew; Gillard, Julia; Firth, Verity; Scrymgour, Marion; Welford, Rod; Lomax-Smith, Jane; Bartlett, David; Pike, Bronwyn; Constable, Elizabeth

2008-01-01

Improving educational outcomes for all young Australians is central to the nation's social and economic prosperity and will position young people to live fulfilling, productive and responsible lives. Young Australians are therefore placed at the centre of the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals. These goals are: (1) Australian schooling…

Achieving professional status: Australian podiatrists' perceptions

PubMed Central

Borthwick, Alan M; Nancarrow, Susan A; Vernon, Wesley; Walker, Jeremy

2009-01-01

Background This paper explores the notion of professional status from the perspective of a sample of Australian podiatrists; how it is experienced, what factors are felt to affect it, and how these are considered to influence professional standing within an evolving healthcare system. Underpinning sociological theory is deployed in order to inform and contextualise the study. Methods Data were drawn from a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 21) and focus groups (n = 9) with podiatrists from across four of Australia's eastern states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory), resulting in a total of 76 participants. Semi-structured interview schedules sought to explore podiatrist perspectives on a range of features related to professional status within podiatry in Australia. Results Central to the retention and enhancement of status was felt to be the development of specialist roles and the maintenance of control over key task domains. Key distinctions in private and public sector environments, and in rural and urban settings, were noted and found to reflect differing contexts for status development. Marketing was considered important to image enhancement, as was the cache attached to the status of the universities providing graduate education. Conclusion Perceived determinants of professional status broadly matched those identified in the wider sociological literature, most notably credentialism, client status, content and context of work (such as specialisation) and an ideological basis for persuading audiences to acknowledge professional status. In an environment of demographic and workforce change, and the resultant policy demands for healthcare service re-design, enhanced opportunities for specialisation appear evident. Under the current model of professionalism, both role flexibility and uniqueness may prove important. PMID:19216783

Achieving professional status: Australian podiatrists' perceptions.

PubMed

Borthwick, Alan M; Nancarrow, Susan A; Vernon, Wesley; Walker, Jeremy

2009-02-13

This paper explores the notion of professional status from the perspective of a sample of Australian podiatrists; how it is experienced, what factors are felt to affect it, and how these are considered to influence professional standing within an evolving healthcare system. Underpinning sociological theory is deployed in order to inform and contextualise the study. Data were drawn from a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 21) and focus groups (n = 9) with podiatrists from across four of Australia's eastern states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory), resulting in a total of 76 participants. Semi-structured interview schedules sought to explore podiatrist perspectives on a range of features related to professional status within podiatry in Australia. Central to the retention and enhancement of status was felt to be the development of specialist roles and the maintenance of control over key task domains. Key distinctions in private and public sector environments, and in rural and urban settings, were noted and found to reflect differing contexts for status development. Marketing was considered important to image enhancement, as was the cache attached to the status of the universities providing graduate education. Perceived determinants of professional status broadly matched those identified in the wider sociological literature, most notably credentialism, client status, content and context of work (such as specialisation) and an ideological basis for persuading audiences to acknowledge professional status. In an environment of demographic and workforce change, and the resultant policy demands for healthcare service re-design, enhanced opportunities for specialisation appear evident. Under the current model of professionalism, both role flexibility and uniqueness may prove important.

Painful legs and moving toes syndrome: a 76-patient case series.

PubMed

Hassan, Anhar; Mateen, Farrah J; Coon, Elizabeth A; Ahlskog, J Eric

2012-08-01

To better characterize the clinical features, electrophysiologic features, and treatment outcomes of painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) syndrome. Large case series. Neurology outpatient clinic at a tertiary referral center, 1983-2011. All cases of PLMT seen at our institution during an 18-year period were identified using our medical record linkage system. Key demographic, clinical, imaging, and electrophysiologic features of PLMT. Treatment outcomes and long-term follow-up are also reported. Of 76 cases identified (including 50 women [66%]), the mean age at onset was 58 years (range, 24-86 years) and at neurologic evaluation was 63 years (range, 26-88 years). Pure lower limb involvement was most common (69 patients [91%]), and 44 cases (58%) were bilateral. The most frequently diagnosed causes were peripheral neuropathy (21 cases [28%]), previous trauma (8 [11%]), and radiculopathy (7 [9%]); 32 cases (42%) were cryptogenic. Electromyography consistently showed irregular 50-millisecond to 1-second bursts of normal motor unit potential firing at 2 to 200 Hz accompanying the movements. Pain occurred first in nearly all cases and was more distressing to patients than the movements. Both components were difficult to treat, with no consistent benefit from a variety of drugs and therapeutic modalities. The syndrome persisted in most patients (83%) during the mean follow-up of 4.6 years, suggesting low likelihood of spontaneous resolution. Painful legs and moving toes syndrome is a debilitating clinical syndrome, not because of the movements but rather because of the pain, which often is refractory to treatment. Segmental lower limb involvement is most common, and neurophysiologic findings support a pathophysiologic process localizing to a central generator at the spinal cord or brainstem level.

Organisational Culture and Values and the Adaptation of Academic Units in Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Zilwa, Deanna

2007-01-01

This study explores connections between the organisational culture and values of academic units in Australian universities and their efforts to adapt to external environmental pressures. It integrates empirical findings from case studies with theories of organisational culture and values and adaptation. It identifies seven dimensions of academic…

Outdoor Adventure in Australian Outdoor Education: Is It a Case of Roast for Christmas Dinner?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lugg, Alison

2004-01-01

Outdoor adventure activities, typically originating from other countries, form the basis of most Australian outdoor education programs. Research on adventure-based outdoor education in Australia and elsewhere has tended to focus on determining the benefits of participating in such programs. Less attention has been paid to a critical examination of…

EFFECTS OF FOREFOOT RUNNING ON CHRONIC EXERTIONAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME: A CASE SERIES

PubMed Central

Gregory, Robert; Alitz, Curtis; Gerber, J. Parry

2011-01-01

Introduction: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition that occurs almost exclusively with running whereby exercise increases intramuscular pressure compromising circulation, prohibiting muscular function, and causing pain in the lower leg. Currently, a lack of evidence exists for the effective conservative management of CECS. Altering running mechanics by adopting forefoot running as opposed to heel striking may assist in the treatment of CECS, specifically with anterior compartment symptoms. Case Description: The purpose of this case series is to describe the outcomes for subjects with CECS through a systematic conservative treatment model focused on forefoot running. Subject one was a 21 y/o female with a 4 year history of CECS and subject two was a 21 y/o male, 7 months status-post two-compartment right leg fasciotomy with a return of symptoms and a new onset of symptoms on the contralateral side. Outcome: Both subjects modified their running technique over a period of six weeks. Kinematic and kinetic analysis revealed increased step rate while step length, impulse, and peak vertical ground reaction forces decreased. In addition, leg intracompartmental pressures decreased from pre-training to post-training. Within 6 weeks of intervention subjects increased their running distance and speed absent of symptoms of CECS. Follow-up questionnaires were completed by the subjects at 7 months following intervention; subject one reported running distances up to 12.87 km pain-free and subject two reported running 6.44 km pain-free consistently 3 times a week. Discussion: This case series describes a potentially beneficial conservative management approach to CECS in the form of forefoot running instruction. Further research in this area is warranted to further explore the benefits of adopting a forefoot running technique for CECS as well as other musculoskeletal overuse complaints. PMID:22163093

Clinical and Molecular Features of Renal and Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma Tumor Association Syndrome (RAPTAS): Case Series and Literature Review.

PubMed

Casey, Ruth T; Warren, Anne Y; Martin, Jose Ezequiel; Challis, Benjamin G; Rattenberry, Eleanor; Whitworth, James; Andrews, Katrina A; Roberts, Thomas; Clark, Graeme R; West, Hannah; Smith, Philip S; Docquier, France M; Rodger, Fay; Murray, Vicki; Simpson, Helen L; Wallis, Yvonne; Giger, Olivier; Tran, Maxine; Tomkins, Susan; Stewart, Grant D; Park, Soo-Mi; Woodward, Emma R; Maher, Eamonn R

2017-11-01

The co-occurrence of pheochromocytoma (PC) and renal tumors was linked to the inherited familial cancer syndrome von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease more than six decades ago. Subsequently, other shared genetic causes of predisposition to renal tumors and to PC, paraganglioma (PGL), or head and neck paraganglioma (HNPGL) have been described, but case series of non-VHL-related cases of renal tumor and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma tumor association syndrome (RAPTAS) are rare. To determine the clinical and molecular features of non-VHL RAPTAS by literature review and characterization of a case series. A review of the literature was performed and a retrospective study of referrals for investigation of genetic causes of RAPTAS. Literature review revealed evidence of an association, in addition to VHL disease, between germline mutations in SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, TMEM127, and MAX genes and RAPTAS [defined here as the co-occurrence of tumors from both classes (PC/PGL/HNPGL and renal tumors) in the same individual or in first-degree relatives]. In both the literature review and our case series of 22 probands with non-VHL RAPTAS, SDHB mutations were the most frequent cause of non-VHL RAPTAS. A genetic cause was identified in 36.3% (8/22) of kindreds. Renal tumors and PC/PGL/HNPGL tumors share common molecular features and their co-occurrence in an individual or family should prompt genetic investigations. We report a case of MAX-associated renal cell carcinoma and confirm the role of TMEM127 mutations with renal cell carcinoma predisposition. Copyright © 2017 Endocrine Society

A critical examination of the definition of 'psychoactive effect' in Australian drug legislation.

PubMed

Barratt, Monica J; Seear, Kate; Lancaster, Kari

2017-02-01

As the number of new 'psychoactive substances' detected globally has risen exponentially, the policy response of assessing and prohibiting each new substance individually has become increasingly unworkable. In an attempt to disrupt the availability of new as-yet-unscheduled substances, Ireland (2010), Poland (2011), Romania (2012), New Zealand (2013), Australia (2015) and the United Kingdom (2016) have enacted generic or blanket ban legislation that prohibits all 'psychoactive substances' that are not already regulated or belong to exempt categories. How such generic legislation defines 'psychoactive substance' is therefore crucial. While there is a growing critical literature relating to blanket bans of 'psychoactive substances', the Australian legislation is yet to be described or critically analysed. In this commentary, we aim to draw the attention of local and international drug policy scholars to Australia's newest legislative approach to 'psychoactive substances'. Using the Australian experience as a case study, we first describe and trace the origins of this generic banning approach, especially focusing on how 'psychoactive effect' came to be defined. Then, we critically examine the assumptions underpinning this definition and the possibilities silenced by it, drawing on the work of poststructuralist and critical scholars. In doing so, we explore and raise a series of questions about how this legislation works to stabilise drugs, drug harms and drug effects, as well as addiction realities; how the category of 'psychoactive substances' is produced through this legislation; and some of the material-discursive effects which accompany this rendering of the 'problem'. We offer this commentary not as a comprehensive discussion of each of these elements but rather as a starting-point to promote further discussion and debate within the drug policy field. To this end, we conclude with a suggested research agenda that may help guide such future work. Copyright © 2016

The Australian Bibliographic Network--An Introduction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hannan, Chris

1982-01-01

Focuses on the centralized, online, shared-cataloging facility of the Australian Bibliographic Network operated by the National Library of Australia. Existing automated library systems in Australia, selection and implementation of Washington Library Network software, comparison of Australian and U.S. automation, and projections for future…

Australian Education Index Data Base (AUSINET). Users Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Findlay, Margaret A., Comp.

This manual describes the contents, purpose, and use of the Australian Education Index Database (AEII), which is produced by the Library and Information Services Unit of the Australian Council for Educational Research to provide access to Australian generated information both in published and unpublished forms. An overview of AEII is followed by…

[Classification and treatment of symbrachydactyly. A series of 117 cases].

PubMed

Foucher, G; Medina, J; Pajardi, G; Navarro, R

2000-07-01

In the present study, a modification has been proposed of the Blauth and Gekeler classification, aimed at a more accurate definition of appropriate surgical treatment. An analysis was made of a series of 120 cases of symbrachydactyly (117 patients); however, surgery was only performed in 86 cases (51 toe transfers in 49 patients; mean age at surgery 12 months). Type I included the separation of short and sometimes stiff fingers; type II, the 'pseudo-cleft', could be subdivided into three groups. Type IIA included those hands with more than two long and frequently hypoplastic digits, regarding which a decision had to be made between removal of rudimentary fingers or their stabilization. In type IIB, hand function was good and surgery was rarely needed. Type III (monodactylous) could also be subdivided into two categories, i.e., normal thumb in type IIIA and hypoplasia in IIIB. Finally, in type IVA, toe transfer surgery was performed on condition that wrist mobility was sufficient to compensate for the insufficient mobility of the artificial thumb on the anterior aspect of the radius. In all cases, a weak but useful pincer movement was obtained, with poor cosmetic results. In the case of toe transfers, surgery was advocated before the age of one year; and although mobility was disappointing (35 degrees active motion), good growth and excellent discrimination (5 mm on average) was observed. Symbrachydactyly is a fairly frequent congenital malformation; its diverse clinical features require a precise classification to better determine adequate treatment management.

Diagnosis and clinical characteristics of congenital anosmia: case series report.

PubMed

Qu, Qiuyi; Liu, Jianfeng; Ni, Daofeng; Zhang, Qiuhang; Yang, Dazhang; Wang, Naya; Wu, Xueyan; Han, Honglei

2010-12-01

congenital anosmia is extremely rare and tends to present late. We report on a series of patients with congenital anosmia to analyze its clinical characteristics and present illustrative cases. retrospective chart review. tertiary care centre. thirty-five patients with congenital anosmia were reviewed. A thorough medical history taking, physical examination, and nasal endoscopy were performed in all patients. T&T olfactory testing (n = 33), olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) (n = 33), and sinonasal computed tomography (CT) (n = 35) were carried out. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the olfactory pathway (n = 34) were available. Serum sex hormones were tested (n = 33). physical examination, olfactory testing, MRI of the olfactory pathway, and serum sex hormones. twenty cases were isolated congenital anosmia (ICA). Fifteen cases were congenital anosmia with other anomalies, including 12 cases with Kallmann syndrome (KS), two with CHARGE syndrome, and one with hypoplasia of the nasal cavity and nasal sinus. T&T olfactory testing indicated anosmia (n = 33). No OERP was obtained (n = 33). CT scans indicated three abnormal patients, including two with unilateral choanal atresia and one with hypoplasia of the nasal cavity and sinus. MRI demonstrated aplasia or hypoplasia of the olfactory bulbs, tracts, and olfactory sulci (n = 34). Serum sex hormones were low in 12 patients with KS. early diagnosis of congenital anosmia on the basis of olfactory symptoms is difficult. MRI of the olfactory pathway plays an important role in anatomic location. ICA is the most common congenital anosmia. KS is the primary presentation of congenital anosmia with other anomalies.

Therapeutic Assessment of Complex Trauma: A Single-Case Time-Series Study.

PubMed

Tarocchi, Anna; Aschieri, Filippo; Fantini, Francesca; Smith, Justin D

2013-06-01

The cumulative effect of repeated traumatic experiences in early childhood incrementally increases the risk of adjustment problems later in life. Surviving traumatic environments can lead to the development of an interrelated constellation of emotional and interpersonal symptoms termed complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Effective treatment of trauma begins with a multimethod psychological assessment and requires the use of several evidence-based therapeutic processes, including establishing a safe therapeutic environment, reprocessing the trauma, constructing a new narrative, and managing emotional dysregulation. Therapeutic Assessment (TA) is a semistructured, brief intervention that uses psychological testing to promote positive change. The case study of Kelly, a middle-aged woman with a history of repeated interpersonal trauma, illustrates delivery of the TA model for CPTSD. Results of this single-case time-series experiment indicate statistically significant symptom improvement as a result of participating in TA. We discuss the implications of these findings for assessing and treating trauma-related concerns, such as CPTSD.

Application of Pyridostigmine in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders: A Case Series.

PubMed

Manini, Mhd Louai; Camilleri, Michael; Grothe, Rayna; Di Lorenzo, Carlo

2018-04-01

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders are common in children. Treatment is challenging with limited medical and surgical options. Pyridostigmine, an acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor, increases acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction promoting intestinal contractions. Little is known about the role and dosing of pyridostigmine in pediatric GI motility disorders. We present a case series of children with GI dysmotility managed with oral pyridostigmine. Patients' diagnoses include chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, gastroparesis with delayed small bowel transit, chronic constipation with failure to thrive, and prolonged ileus after pelvic surgery with chronic opioid use. Pyridostigmine was effective and safe in all cases. Pyridostigmine decreased abdominal distention, increased bowel movement frequency, and improved enteral feeding tolerance. Effective dosing ranged between 0.25-2.0 mg/kg/day. One patient experienced cramping abdominal pain while on pyridostigmine, but pain resolved after medication was discontinued. We found oral pyridostigmine to be helpful in children with different GI motility problems. Pyridostigmine should be considered in such patients when other treatment interventions have not been beneficial.

Therapeutic Assessment of Complex Trauma: A Single-Case Time-Series Study

PubMed Central

Tarocchi, Anna; Aschieri, Filippo; Fantini, Francesca; Smith, Justin D.

2013-01-01

The cumulative effect of repeated traumatic experiences in early childhood incrementally increases the risk of adjustment problems later in life. Surviving traumatic environments can lead to the development of an interrelated constellation of emotional and interpersonal symptoms termed complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Effective treatment of trauma begins with a multimethod psychological assessment and requires the use of several evidence-based therapeutic processes, including establishing a safe therapeutic environment, reprocessing the trauma, constructing a new narrative, and managing emotional dysregulation. Therapeutic Assessment (TA) is a semistructured, brief intervention that uses psychological testing to promote positive change. The case study of Kelly, a middle-aged woman with a history of repeated interpersonal trauma, illustrates delivery of the TA model for CPTSD. Results of this single-case time-series experiment indicate statistically significant symptom improvement as a result of participating in TA. We discuss the implications of these findings for assessing and treating trauma-related concerns, such as CPTSD. PMID:24159267

Abandoning the common law: medical negligence, genetic tests and wrongful life in the Australian High Court.

PubMed

Faunce, Thomas; Jefferys, Susannah

2007-05-01

The Australian High Court recently found that the common law could allow parents to claim tortious damages when medical negligence was proven to have led to the birth of an unplanned, but healthy, baby (Cattanach v Melchior (2003) 215 CLR 1). In Harriton v Stephens (2006) 80 ALJR 791; [2006] HCA 15 and Waller v James; Waller v Hoolahan (2006) 80 ALJR 846; [2006] HCA 16 the High Court in a six-to-one decision (Kirby J dissenting) decided that no such claim could be made by a child when medical negligence in failing to order an in utero genetic test caused the child severe disability. In an era when almost all pregnancies will soon require patented fetal genetic tests as part of the professional standard of care, the High Court, by barring so-called "wrongful life" (better termed "wrongful suffering") claims, may have created a partial immunity from suit for their corporate manufacturers and the doctors who administer them. What lessons can be learnt from this case about how the Australian High Court is, or should be, approaching medical negligence cases and its role as guardian of the Australian common law?

A comparison of morbidity in the Australian Defence Force with Australian general practice.

PubMed

Neath, A T; Quail, G G

2001-01-01

This study was designed to examine morbidity patterns among Australian Defence Forces members and to compare them with civilian general practice. The study was conducted in the outpatient departments of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 6 Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. The patients studied were male and female members of the RAAF (66%), Army (25%), and Navy (9%). The problems managed at all primary care consultations during 1993 and 1994 were coded using the Ninth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (Clinical Modification). The codes were grouped and compared against a major study of Australian general practice. In the 6 Hospital study, 21,910 problems were managed at 19,909 consultations. The main differences found between the two studies were that service personnel had more medical examinations, more musculoskeletal and respiratory problems, and fewer psychological and cardiovascular problems. Most of the differences observed may reflect the Defence Force's recruitment selection criteria and the emphasis on physical fitness and diet.

Acute hypopituitarism complicating Russell's viper envenomation: case series and systematic review.

PubMed

Rajagopala, S; Thabah, M M; Ariga, K K; Gopalakrishnan, M

2015-09-01

Chronic hypopituitarism following Russell viper envenomation (RVE) is a rare but well-recognized syndrome. The clinical features, associations, management and outcomes of RVE associated-acute hypopituitarism (AHP) are not well described. To describe the clinical features, intensive care unit (ICU) management and outcomes of a series of patients with RVE-AHP and identify the clinical associations of RVE-AHP. We describe a series of patients with prospectively identified AHP related to RVE and describe our findings comparing RVE with and without AHP and a systematic search of literature on AHP related to RVE. We identified nine cases of AHP related to RVE. Unexplained hypoglycemia (100%) and hypotension (66.7%) were the most common findings at presentation. AHP occurred after a median of 9 (range, 2-14) days after severe envenomation and was associated with multi-organ dysfunction, lower platelet counts, more bleeding and transfusions when compared to patients with RVE alone. The presence of clinically defined capillary leak syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation and mortality were not different from those without AHP. Our systematic search yielded 12 cases of AHP related to RVE; data on associated clinical manifestations, therapy and ASV administration were not available in most reports. AHP is a very rare complication of RVE. Unexplained hypoglycemia and hypotension should prompt evaluation for AHP in RVE. AHP is associated with severe RVE, multi-organ dysfunction, bleeding and need for transfusion. Prompt treatment with steroids may reduce mortality related to AHP in RVE. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Physicians. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Provision of pandemic disease information by health sciences librarians: a multisite comparative case series*†‡§

PubMed Central

Featherstone, Robin M; Boldt, R. Gabriel; Torabi, Nazi; Konrad, Shauna-Lee

2012-01-01

Objective: The research provides an understanding of pandemic information needs and informs professional development initiatives for librarians in disaster medicine. Methods: Utilizing a multisite, comparative case series design, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews and examined supplementary materials in the form of organizational documents, correspondence, and websites to create a complete picture of each case. The rigor of the case series was ensured through data and investigator triangulation. Interview transcripts were coded using NVivo to identify common themes and points of comparison. Results: Comparison of the four cases revealed a distinct difference between “client-initiated” and “librarian-initiated” provision of pandemic information. Librarian-initiated projects utilized social software to “push” information, whereas client-initiated projects operated within patron-determined parameters to deliver information. Health care administrators were identified as a key audience for pandemic information, and news agencies were utilized as essential information sources. Librarians' skills at evaluating available information proved crucial for selecting best-quality evidence to support administrative decision making. Conclusions: Qualitative analysis resulted in increased understanding of pandemic information needs and identified best practices for disseminating information during periods of high organizational stress caused by an influx of new cases of an unknown infectious disease. PMID:22514506

Benefits of group cognitive remediation therapy in anorexia nervosa: case series.

PubMed

Tchanturia, Kate; Larsson, Emma; Brown, Amy

2016-03-01

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is a treatment targeting cognitive difficulties in psychiatric disorders. CRT has been used with patients with severe anorexia nervosa (AN) in individual and group formats. Research of group CRT in AN is limited. Evaluation of a series of CRT groups delivered in inpatient and intensive daycare services was performed. Participants' self-reported cognitive flexibility and central coherence, as well as motivation to change were assessed pre- and post-group. Additionally, patients' evaluative feedback was collected after completion of the group. There was a significant improvement in the patients' self-reported cognitive flexibility and bigger picture thinking, as well as in their self-efficacy to change. The feedback questionnaires highlighted that patients found the sessions useful and reported confidence in using some of the skills and strategies they learnt in the group. In line with evidence from small-scale reports, this larger scale case series study indicates that group CRT leads to increased flexibility and bigger picture thinking, as well as improved confidence in the ability to change for participants. CRT in a group format seems to be a practical and helpful intervention for patients with AN in intensive treatment programmes.

Secondary Analysis and Large-Scale Assessments. Monograph in the Faculty of Education Research Seminar and Workshop Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tobin, Kenneth; Fraser, Barry J.

Large scale assessments of educational progress can be useful tools to judge the effectiveness of educational programs and assessments. This document contains papers presented at the research seminar on this topic held at the Western Australian Institute of Technology in November, 1984. It is the fifth in a series of publications of papers…

Issues Arising from the Use of University Ilectures: A Case Study of One Australian Campus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dobinson, Toni J.; Bogachenko, Tatiana

2018-01-01

Australian universities have moved towards greater reliance on technology as a learning tool. The use of podcasts or recorded lectures (sometimes called ilectures) is now common practice in both on-campus and online modes. Using a qualitative approach to data collection which included recorded interviews, an online survey of open-ended questions…

Linguistic aspects of Australian Aboriginal English.

PubMed

Butcher, Andrew

2008-08-01

It is probable that the majority of the 455 000 strong Aboriginal population of Australia speak some form of Australian Aboriginal English (AAE) at least some of the time and that it is the first (and only) language of many Aboriginal children. This means their language is somewhere on a continuum ranging from something very close to Standard Australian English (SAE) at one end, through to something very close to creole at the other. The phonetics and phonology, grammar, and lexicon of AAE are influenced to varying degrees by the Australian Aboriginal language substrate. There are also some features typical of non-standard Englishes in general, and some which have been retained from earlier forms of the colonial language. Many teachers still see this variety as an uneducated or corrupted form of Standard Australian English, rather than as a different dialect of English that is just as efficient a medium of communication.

Osseous outgrowth on the buccal maxilla associated with piezosurgery-assisted en-masse retraction: A case series.

PubMed

Tunçer, Nilüfer İrem; Arman-Özçırpıcı, Ayça; Oduncuoğlu, Bahar Füsun; Kantarcı, Alpdoğan

2018-01-01

Piezoelectric surgery is a novel surgical approach used in orthodontic treatment for rapid tooth movement. This paper presents a case series wherein osseous outgrowths were observed in response to piezosurgery-assisted en-masse retraction. Sixteen patients requiring upper premolar extractions were treated with miniscrew-supported en-masse retraction and received minimally invasive decortication via piezosurgery. Computed tomography (CT) of the maxillary anterior region was performed to investigate the nature of the outgrowths. In 8 of the 16 patients, hemispheric or disc-shaped osseous outgrowths were observed on the sites where piezosurgery was performed during retraction. CT images revealed that these outgrowths were alveolar bone. This case series presents a previously unreported osseous response to piezosurgery-assisted tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. The response is mostly transient and is observed in 50% of the treated patients, suggesting a bone turnover that can be assessed clinically and radiographically.

Osseous outgrowth on the buccal maxilla associated with piezosurgery-assisted en-masse retraction: A case series

PubMed Central

Arman-Özçırpıcı, Ayça; Oduncuoğlu, Bahar Füsun; Kantarcı, Alpdoğan

2018-01-01

Piezoelectric surgery is a novel surgical approach used in orthodontic treatment for rapid tooth movement. This paper presents a case series wherein osseous outgrowths were observed in response to piezosurgery-assisted en-masse retraction. Sixteen patients requiring upper premolar extractions were treated with miniscrew-supported en-masse retraction and received minimally invasive decortication via piezosurgery. Computed tomography (CT) of the maxillary anterior region was performed to investigate the nature of the outgrowths. In 8 of the 16 patients, hemispheric or disc-shaped osseous outgrowths were observed on the sites where piezosurgery was performed during retraction. CT images revealed that these outgrowths were alveolar bone. This case series presents a previously unreported osseous response to piezosurgery-assisted tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. The response is mostly transient and is observed in 50% of the treated patients, suggesting a bone turnover that can be assessed clinically and radiographically. PMID:29291189

Successful treatment of rare-earth magnet ingestion via minimally invasive techniques: a case series.

PubMed

Kosut, Jessica S; Johnson, Sidney M; King, Jeremy L; Garnett, Gwendolyn; Woo, Russell K

2013-04-01

Cases of rare-earth magnet ingestions have been increasingly reported in the literature. However, these descriptions have focused on the severity of the injuries, rather than the clinical presentation and/or therapeutic approach. We report a series of eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 10 years, who ingested powerful rare-earth magnets. The rare-earth magnets were marketed in 2009 under the trade name Buckyballs(®) (Maxfield & Oberton, New York, NY). They are about 5 mm in size, spherical, and brightly colored, making them appealing for young children to play with and place in their mouths. Three children presented within hours of ingestion, and the magnets were successfully removed via endoscopy in two, whereas the third child required laparoscopy. No fistulas were found in these children. A fourth child presented 2 days after ingestion with evidence of bowel wall erosion, but without fistula formation; the magnets were removed via laparoscopy. A fifth child ingested nine magnets in a ring formation, which were removed via colonoscopy without evidence of injury or fistula formation. The three remaining children presented late (5-8 days after ingestion) and were found to have associated fistulas. They were treated successfully with a combination of endoscopy and laparoscopy with fluoroscopy. None of the children in our series required an open surgical procedure. All children were discharged home without complications. This case series highlights the potential dangers of rare-earth magnet ingestion in children. Our experience suggests that prompt intervention using minimally invasive approaches can lead to successful outcomes.

Burns from illegal drug manufacture: case series and management.

PubMed

Porter, C J W; Armstrong, J R

2004-01-01

This case series presents our experience with burns sustained while manufacturing illegal drugs. All adult burn admissions in an 18-month period were retrospectively reviewed. All patients suspected of sustaining burns from illegal drug manufacture were contacted. Information regarding the burn mechanism was sought. Nine of the 64 adult burn admissions were caused by explosions during the manufacture of cannabis oil. Young males with hand and face burns were heavily represented. First-aid treatment was often ignored in favor of hiding incriminating evidence. Only two patients gave honest admission histories. Illegal drug manufacture is becoming more common as synthetic drugs become more consumer desirable. Burns sustained may be thermal and/or chemical. Dishonest patient histories negatively influence burn management. A high level of suspicion is required for diagnosing and treating burns from illegal drug manufacture. Public education is unlikely to be effective as the financial rewards outweigh the perceived risks.

The versatility of intraosseous vascular access in perioperative medicine: a case series.

PubMed

Anson, Jonathan A; Sinz, Elizabeth H; Swick, John T

2015-02-01

Intraosseous vascular access is a time-tested procedure that is reemerging in popularity. This is primarily a result of the emphasis on intraosseous access in the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Modern intraosseous insertion devices are easy to learn and use, suggesting the possibility of use beyond the resuscitation setting. We present a case series of recent intraosseous insertions for a variety of indications by anesthesiologists at our institution to demonstrate the potential utility of this alternative access technique. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pinhole Surgical Technique for treatment of marginal tissue recession: A case series.

PubMed

Reddy, Saravanan Sampoornam Pape

2017-01-01

The field of periodontal plastic surgery is always a subject of fascination for periodontists, and the importance of pink esthetics is gaining its pace. Preservation of what is existing is more important than its replacement. The same principle also applies to soft-tissue esthetic procedures thereby the concept of minimal surgical invasion came into existence. This article presents a series of five cases with 18 recession sites which were treated with a minimally invasive Pinhole Surgical Technique which resulted in overall root coverage of 96.7% after 6-month follow-up with minimal complications.

Brief Report: Retrospective Case Series of Oxcarbazepine for Irritability/Agitation Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Douglas, Jessica F.; Sanders, Kevin B.; Benneyworth, M. Hannah; Smith, Jessica L.; DeJean, Virginia M.; McGrew, Susan G.; Veenstra-VanderWeele, Jeremy

2013-01-01

We examined response to oxcarbazepine prescribed for irritability/agitation symptoms in a retrospective case series of 30 patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The average patient was 12.0 years old (range 5-21) and taking two other psychotropic medications (range 0-4). Fourteen patients (47 %) had a clinical global impression of…

A scan statistic for identifying optimal risk windows in vaccine safety studies using self-controlled case series design.

PubMed

Xu, Stanley; Hambidge, Simon J; McClure, David L; Daley, Matthew F; Glanz, Jason M

2013-08-30

In the examination of the association between vaccines and rare adverse events after vaccination in postlicensure observational studies, it is challenging to define appropriate risk windows because prelicensure RCTs provide little insight on the timing of specific adverse events. Past vaccine safety studies have often used prespecified risk windows based on prior publications, biological understanding of the vaccine, and expert opinion. Recently, a data-driven approach was developed to identify appropriate risk windows for vaccine safety studies that use the self-controlled case series design. This approach employs both the maximum incidence rate ratio and the linear relation between the estimated incidence rate ratio and the inverse of average person time at risk, given a specified risk window. In this paper, we present a scan statistic that can identify appropriate risk windows in vaccine safety studies using the self-controlled case series design while taking into account the dependence of time intervals within an individual and while adjusting for time-varying covariates such as age and seasonality. This approach uses the maximum likelihood ratio test based on fixed-effects models, which has been used for analyzing data from self-controlled case series design in addition to conditional Poisson models. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Four Management Agendas for Australian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharrock, Geoff

2012-01-01

In a new mixed economy of higher learning, Australian universities require more strategic management to compete and collaborate sustainably. However, many scholars argue that new modes of university management are at odds with scholarly aims and values. This article examines how Australian universities frame their missions and communicate their…

Serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma: a case series and literature review.

PubMed

Pathiraja, P; Dhar, S; Haldar, K

2013-01-01

Minimal uterine serous cancer (MUSC) or serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC) has been described by many different names since 1998. There have been very few cases reported in literature since EIC/MUSC was recognized as a separate entity. The World health Organization (WHO) Classification favors the term serous EIC. Although serous EIC is confined to the uterine endometrium at initial histology diagnosis, a significant number of patients could have distal metastasis at diagnosis, without symptoms. Serous EIC is considered as being the precursor of uterine serous cancer (USC), but pure serous EIC also has an aggressive behavior similar to USC. It is therefore prudent to have an accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical staging. There are very few published articles in literature that discuss the pure form of serous EIC. The aim of this series is to share our experience and review evidence for optimum management of serous EIC. We report a series of five women treated in our institute in the last 3 years. We reviewed the relevant literature on serous EIC and various management strategies, to recommend best clinical practice. Pure serous EIC is a difficult histopathological diagnosis, which requires ancillary immunohistochemical staining. It can have an aggressive clinical behavior with early recurrence and poor survival. Optimum surgical staging, with appropriate adjuvant treatment, should be discussed when treating these patients.

Multidisciplinary management of Paget-Schroetter syndrome. A case series of eight patients.

PubMed

Rosa Salazar, Vladimir; Otálora Valderrama, Sonia Del Pilar; Hernández Contreras, María Encarnación; García Pérez, Bartolomé; Arroyo Tristán, Andrés Del Amor; García Méndez, María Del Mar

2015-08-01

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) in the context of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is an uncommon but potentially very serious condition affecting young, healthy adults, in which secondary post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) can be a complication with major implications. The best treatment option remains controversial, with current guidelines recommending anticoagulation for at least 3 months. However, an incidence of PTS of approximately 50% after 6 months, 30% after 1 year and 25% after 2 years has been found using this therapeutic approach. Consequently, specialized units recommend local thrombolysis and early decompressive surgery. We describe a series of eight cases treated in this way. None of the patients showed signs of complications, and an early return to regular activities with no PTS was observed in 90% of cases. Copyright © 2014 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma - characteristics and survival in aboriginal and non-aboriginal Western australians.

PubMed

Frydrych, A M; Slack-Smith, L M; Parsons, R; Threlfall, T

2014-01-01

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of malignancy affecting the oral cavity. While exposures to main risk factors for oral SCC such as smoking and alcohol use are higher amongst the Aboriginal people, little is known about oral cancer in this population. This study aimed to describe characteristics and survival of oral SCC in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians. All primary oral SCC cases reported to the Western Australian Cancer Registry (WACR) between 1990 and 1999 were analysed with respect to person characteristics including: date of birth, sex and indigenous status; and disease characteristics including: date of biopsy, disease stage and site as well as date of recurrence and date of death. Exclusion criteria included diagnosis not based on incisional or excisional biopsy, diagnosis other than oral SCC or a history of another malignant neoplasm. Aboriginal individuals were more likely to reside in rural areas. No statistically significant differences in oral SCC characteristics and survival were noted between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australians. This study provides new information on person and disease characteristics of Aboriginal Western Australians diagnosed with oral SCC.

Dance-related concussion: a case series.

PubMed

Stein, Cynthia J; Kinney, Susan A; McCrystal, Tara; Carew, Elizabeth A; Bottino, Nicole M; Meehan Iii, William P; Micheli, Lyle J

2014-01-01

Sport-related concussion is a topic of increasing public and media attention; the medical literature on this topic is growing rapidly. However, to our knowledge no published papers have described concussion specifically in the dancer. This case series involved a retrospective chart review at a large teaching hospital over a 5.5-year period. Eleven dancers (10 female, 1 male) were identified who experienced concussions while in dance class, rehearsal, or performance: 2 in classical ballet, 2 in modern dance, 2 in acro dance, 1 in hip hop, 1 in musical theater, and 3 were unspecified. Dancers were between 12 and 20 years old at the time of presentation. Three concussions occurred during stunting, diving, or flipping. Three resulted from unintentional drops while partnering. Two followed slips and falls. Two were due to direct blows to the head, and one dancer developed symptoms after repeatedly whipping her head and neck in a choreographed movement. Time to presentation in the sports medicine clinic ranged from the day of injury to 3 months. Duration of symptoms ranged from less than 3 weeks to greater than 2 years at last documented follow-up appointment. It is concluded that dancers do suffer dance-related concussions that can result in severe symptoms, limitations in dance participation, and difficulty with activities of daily living. Future studies are needed to evaluate dancers' recognition of concussion symptoms and care-seeking behaviors. Additional work is also necessary to tailor existing guidelines for gradual, progressive, safe return to dance.

Facial Firework Injury: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Tadisina, Kashyap Komarraju; Abcarian, Ariane; Omi, Ellen

2014-01-01

Fireworks are used to celebrate a variety of religious, patriotic, and cultural holidays and events around the world. Fireworks are common in the United States, with the most popular holiday for their use being national Independence Day, also known as July Fourth. The use of fireworks within the context of celebrations and holidays presents the ideal environment for accidents that lead to severe and dangerous injuries. Injuries to the face from explosions present a challenging problem in terms of restoring ideal ocular, oral, and facial function. Despite the well documented prevalence of firework use and injury, there is a relatively large deficit in the literature in terms of firework injury that involves the face. We present a unique case series that includes 4 adult male patients all with severe firework injuries to the face that presented at an urban level 1 trauma center. These four patients had an average age of 26.7 years old and presented within 5 hours of each other starting on July Fourth. Two patients died from their injuries and two patients underwent reconstructive surgical management, one of which had two follow up surgeries. We explore in detail their presentation, management, and subsequent outcomes as an attempt to add to the very limited data in the field of facial firework blast injury. In addition, the coincidence of their presentation within the same 5 hours brings into question the availability of the fireworks involved, and the possibility of similar injuries related to this type of firework in the future. PMID:25035740

Facial firework injury: a case series.

PubMed

Tadisina, Kashyap K; Abcarian, Ariane; Omi, Ellen

2014-07-01

Fireworks are used to celebrate a variety of religious, patriotic, and cultural holidays and events around the world. Fireworks are common in the United States, with the most popular holiday for their use being national Independence Day, also known as July Fourth. The use of fireworks within the context of celebrations and holidays presents the ideal environment for accidents that lead to severe and dangerous injuries. Injuries to the face from explosions present a challenging problem in terms of restoring ideal ocular, oral, and facial function. Despite the well documented prevalence of firework use and injury, there is a relatively large deficit in the literature in terms of firework injury that involves the face. We present a unique case series that includes 4 adult male patients all with severe firework injuries to the face that presented at an urban level 1 trauma center. These four patients had an average age of 26.7 years old and presented within 5 hours of each other starting on July Fourth. Two patients died from their injuries and two patients underwent reconstructive surgical management, one of which had two follow up surgeries. We explore in detail their presentation, management, and subsequent outcomes as an attempt to add to the very limited data in the field of facial firework blast injury. In addition, the coincidence of their presentation within the same 5 hours brings into question the availability of the fireworks involved, and the possibility of similar injuries related to this type of firework in the future.

Evidence of Australian bat lyssavirus infection in diverse Australian bat taxa.

PubMed

Field, Hume Ernest

2018-05-21

Historically, Australia was considered free of rabies and rabieslike viruses. Thus, the identification of Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) in 1996 in a debilitated bat found by a member of the public precipitated both public health consternation and a revision of lyssavirus taxonomy. Subsequent observational studies sought to elaborate the occurrence and frequency of ABLV infection in Australian bats. This paper describes the taxonomic diversity of bat species showing evidence of ABLV infection to better inform public health considerations. Blood and/or brain samples were collected from two cohorts of bats (wild-caught and diagnostic submissions) from four Australian states or territories between April 1996 and October 2002. Fresh brain impression smears were tested for ABLV antigen using fluorescein-labelled anti-rabies monoclonal globulin (CENTOCOR) in a direct fluorescent antibody test; sera were tested for the presence of neutralising antibodies using a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. A total of 3,217 samples from 2,633 bats were collected and screened: brain samples from 1,461 wild-caught bats and 1,086 submitted bats from at least 16 genera and seven families, and blood samples from 656 wild-caught bats and 14 submitted bats from 14 genera and seven families. Evidence of ABLV infection was found in five of the six families of bats occurring in Australia, and in three of the four Australian states/territories surveyed, supporting the historic presence of the virus in Australia. While the infection prevalence in the wild-caught cohort is evidently low, the significantly higher infection prevalence in rescued bats in urban settings represents a clear and present public health significance because of the higher risk of human exposure. © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Is Family Therapy Useful for Treating Children with Anorexia Nervosa? Results of a Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lock, James; le Grange, Daniel; Forsberg, Sarah; Hewell, Kristen

2006-01-01

Objective: Research suggests that family-based treatment (FBT) is an effective treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). This retrospective case series was designed to examine its usefulness with younger children. Method: Data were abstracted from medical records of 32 children with a mean age of 11.9 years (range 9.0-12.9) meeting…

Urinary Tract Resections in Advanced-stage Cervical Cancer - A Series of Eight Cases.

PubMed

Oprescu, Dana Nuti; Bacalbasa, Nicolae; Balescu, Irina; Filipescu, Alexandru

2017-06-01

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in women worldwide and is unfortunately diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease. Whenever local invasion is present, neoadjuvant therapy might be needed in order to limit the degree of local invasion. However, in certain cases local invasion persists even after completing the neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy; in these patients more extensive resections might be needed in order to achieve a radical resection. We present a case series of eight patients in whom segmental ureteral or uretero-vesical resections were performed as part of the radical resections for locally advanced cervical tumors. The continuity of the urinary tract was re-established by performing ureteral reimplantation via uretero-neocystostomy, augmentation cystoplasties with ureteral reimplantations. In a single case ureteral reimplantation was not feasible, a definitive cutaneous ureterostomy being performed. The postoperative course was uneventful in seven cases while in a single case urinary leak occurred, necessitating the exteriorization of the ureter in terminal cutaneous ureterostomy. Ureteral resections can be safely performed in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Australian Literature in the Primary Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Sullivan, Colleen, Ed.

This book was designed to supply information on available resources in Australian children's literature and a tradition of teaching which incorporates the Australian experience in an inclusive manner. Essays and their authors consist of the following: (1) "Children's Books in Australia: Two Hundred Years of Social Life" (Maurice Saxby);…

The Communication Patterns of Chinese Students with Their Lecturers in an Australian University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ai, Bin

2017-01-01

Chinese students are now the largest group of international students in the Australian higher education sector. The patterns of Chinese communication and education affect the ways that Chinese students engage with their lecturers and manage their learning relationships. A case study of these patterns provides a small window through which to…

Some Hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from the Great Australian Bight in the collection of the South Australian Museum.

PubMed

Watson, Jeanette E

2018-04-16

This report adds to knowledge of the shelf hydroid fauna of the Great Australian Bight. Hydroids were collected by the South Australian Museum and Department of Primary Industries of South Australia (PIRSA). Well known species are annotated, poorly known species are redescribed and four new species are described.

Possible association of cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease and chronic Crohn disease: a case series report.

PubMed

Salva, Katrin A; Stenstrom, Melissa; Breadon, Jonith Y; Odland, Paul Blair; Bennett, Daniel; Longley, Jack; Wood, Gary S

2014-02-01

IMPORTANCE Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (CRDD), a variant of Rosai-Dorfman disease limited to the skin, has a wide range of clinical presentations. Rosai-Dorfman disease is believed to result from an aberrant response to antigens, caused by immunosuppressive macrophages. Macrophage-mediated immunosuppression is also implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn disease, linking these otherwise unrelated entities. To our knowledge, the coexistence of these disorders has been described in only 2 cases, 1 of them confined to the skin and soft tissue. OBSERVATIONS We present a series of 3 patients who developed purely CRDD in the context of long-standing Crohn disease. Statistical estimates suggested that the association of these 2 disorders is not due to chance (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Our case series provides the clinical correlate to the pathogenetic parallels between CRDD and Crohn disease. Crohn disease is frequently complicated by various skin manifestations, which may be mimicked by CRDD. Therefore, it may be prudent for clinicians to include CRDD in the list of differential diagnoses when examining skin lesions in patients with Crohn disease.

Possible Association of Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman Disease and Chronic Crohn Disease A Case Series Report

PubMed Central

Salva, Katrin A.; Stenstrom, Melissa; Breadon, Jonith Y.; Odland, Paul Blair; Bennett, Daniel; Longley, Jack; Wood, Gary S.

2014-01-01

IMPORTANCE Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (CRDD), a variant of Rosai-Dorfman disease limited to the skin, has a wide range of clinical presentations. Rosai-Dorfman disease is believed to result from an aberrant response to antigens, caused by immunosuppressive macrophages. Macrophage-mediated immunosuppression is also implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn disease, linking these otherwise unrelated entities. To our knowledge, the coexistence of these disorders has been described in only 2 cases, 1 of them confined to the skin and soft tissue. OBSERVATIONS We present a series of 3 patients who developed purely CRDD in the context of long-standing Crohn disease. Statistical estimates suggested that the association of these 2 disorders is not due to chance (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Our case series provides the clinical correlate to the pathogenetic parallels between CRDD and Crohn disease. Crohn disease is frequently complicated by various skin manifestations, which may be mimicked by CRDD. Therefore, it may be prudent for clinicians to include CRDD in the list of differential diagnoses when examining skin lesions in patients with Crohn disease. PMID:24305684

Applications of time-series analysis to mood fluctuations in bipolar disorder to promote treatment innovation: a case series.

PubMed

Holmes, E A; Bonsall, M B; Hales, S A; Mitchell, H; Renner, F; Blackwell, S E; Watson, P; Goodwin, G M; Di Simplicio, M

2016-01-26

Treatment innovation for bipolar disorder has been hampered by a lack of techniques to capture a hallmark symptom: ongoing mood instability. Mood swings persist during remission from acute mood episodes and impair daily functioning. The last significant treatment advance remains Lithium (in the 1970s), which aids only the minority of patients. There is no accepted way to establish proof of concept for a new mood-stabilizing treatment. We suggest that combining insights from mood measurement with applied mathematics may provide a step change: repeated daily mood measurement (depression) over a short time frame (1 month) can create individual bipolar mood instability profiles. A time-series approach allows comparison of mood instability pre- and post-treatment. We test a new imagery-focused cognitive therapy treatment approach (MAPP; Mood Action Psychology Programme) targeting a driver of mood instability, and apply these measurement methods in a non-concurrent multiple baseline design case series of 14 patients with bipolar disorder. Weekly mood monitoring and treatment target data improved for the whole sample combined. Time-series analyses of daily mood data, sampled remotely (mobile phone/Internet) for 28 days pre- and post-treatment, demonstrated improvements in individuals' mood stability for 11 of 14 patients. Thus the findings offer preliminary support for a new imagery-focused treatment approach. They also indicate a step in treatment innovation without the requirement for trials in illness episodes or relapse prevention. Importantly, daily measurement offers a description of mood instability at the individual patient level in a clinically meaningful time frame. This costly, chronic and disabling mental illness demands innovation in both treatment approaches (whether pharmacological or psychological) and measurement tool: this work indicates that daily measurements can be used to detect improvement in individual mood stability for treatment innovation (MAPP).

Applications of time-series analysis to mood fluctuations in bipolar disorder to promote treatment innovation: a case series

PubMed Central

Holmes, E A; Bonsall, M B; Hales, S A; Mitchell, H; Renner, F; Blackwell, S E; Watson, P; Goodwin, G M; Di Simplicio, M

2016-01-01

Treatment innovation for bipolar disorder has been hampered by a lack of techniques to capture a hallmark symptom: ongoing mood instability. Mood swings persist during remission from acute mood episodes and impair daily functioning. The last significant treatment advance remains Lithium (in the 1970s), which aids only the minority of patients. There is no accepted way to establish proof of concept for a new mood-stabilizing treatment. We suggest that combining insights from mood measurement with applied mathematics may provide a step change: repeated daily mood measurement (depression) over a short time frame (1 month) can create individual bipolar mood instability profiles. A time-series approach allows comparison of mood instability pre- and post-treatment. We test a new imagery-focused cognitive therapy treatment approach (MAPP; Mood Action Psychology Programme) targeting a driver of mood instability, and apply these measurement methods in a non-concurrent multiple baseline design case series of 14 patients with bipolar disorder. Weekly mood monitoring and treatment target data improved for the whole sample combined. Time-series analyses of daily mood data, sampled remotely (mobile phone/Internet) for 28 days pre- and post-treatment, demonstrated improvements in individuals' mood stability for 11 of 14 patients. Thus the findings offer preliminary support for a new imagery-focused treatment approach. They also indicate a step in treatment innovation without the requirement for trials in illness episodes or relapse prevention. Importantly, daily measurement offers a description of mood instability at the individual patient level in a clinically meaningful time frame. This costly, chronic and disabling mental illness demands innovation in both treatment approaches (whether pharmacological or psychological) and measurement tool: this work indicates that daily measurements can be used to detect improvement in individual mood stability for treatment innovation (MAPP

Karyotype analysis and sex determination in Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami).

PubMed

Ortega, Madison T; Foote, Dustin J; Nees, Nicholas; Erdmann, Jason C; Bangs, Charles D; Rosenfeld, Cheryl S

2017-01-01

Sexual differentiation across taxa may be due to genetic sex determination (GSD) and/or temperature sex determination (TSD). In many mammals, males are heterogametic (XY); whereas females are homogametic (XX). In most birds, the opposite is the case with females being heterogametic (ZW) and males the homogametic sex (ZZ). Many reptile species lack sex chromosomes, and instead, sexual differentiation is influenced by temperature with specific temperatures promoting males or females varying across species possessing this form of sexual differentiation, although TSD has recently been shown to override GSD in Australian central beaded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). There has been speculation that Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami) exhibit TSD alone and/or in combination with GSD. Thus, we sought to determine if this species possesses sex chromosomes. Blood was collected from one sexually mature female and two sexually mature males residing at Sylvan Heights Bird Park (SHBP) and shipped for karyotype analysis. Karyotype analysis revealed that contrary to speculation, Australian Brush-turkeys possess the classic avian ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes. It remains a possibility that a biased primary sex ratio of Australian Brush-turkeys might be influenced by maternal condition prior to ovulation that result in her laying predominantly Z- or W-bearing eggs and/or sex-biased mortality due to higher sensitivity of one sex in environmental conditions. A better understanding of how maternal and extrinsic factors might differentially modulate ovulation of Z- or W-bearing eggs and hatching of developing chicks possessing ZW or ZZ sex chromosomes could be essential in conservation strategies used to save endangered members of Megapodiidae.

Karyotype analysis and sex determination in Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami)

PubMed Central

Ortega, Madison T.; Foote, Dustin J.; Nees, Nicholas; Erdmann, Jason C.; Bangs, Charles D.

2017-01-01

Sexual differentiation across taxa may be due to genetic sex determination (GSD) and/or temperature sex determination (TSD). In many mammals, males are heterogametic (XY); whereas females are homogametic (XX). In most birds, the opposite is the case with females being heterogametic (ZW) and males the homogametic sex (ZZ). Many reptile species lack sex chromosomes, and instead, sexual differentiation is influenced by temperature with specific temperatures promoting males or females varying across species possessing this form of sexual differentiation, although TSD has recently been shown to override GSD in Australian central beaded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). There has been speculation that Australian Brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami) exhibit TSD alone and/or in combination with GSD. Thus, we sought to determine if this species possesses sex chromosomes. Blood was collected from one sexually mature female and two sexually mature males residing at Sylvan Heights Bird Park (SHBP) and shipped for karyotype analysis. Karyotype analysis revealed that contrary to speculation, Australian Brush-turkeys possess the classic avian ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes. It remains a possibility that a biased primary sex ratio of Australian Brush-turkeys might be influenced by maternal condition prior to ovulation that result in her laying predominantly Z- or W-bearing eggs and/or sex-biased mortality due to higher sensitivity of one sex in environmental conditions. A better understanding of how maternal and extrinsic factors might differentially modulate ovulation of Z- or W-bearing eggs and hatching of developing chicks possessing ZW or ZZ sex chromosomes could be essential in conservation strategies used to save endangered members of Megapodiidae. PMID:28910392

Hemoadsorption by CytoSorb in septic patients: a case series.

PubMed

Kogelmann, Klaus; Jarczak, Dominik; Scheller, Morten; Drüner, Matthias

2017-03-27

Septic shock, defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, is a highly lethal condition that causes substantial morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients. One of the hallmarks of sepsis is the excessive release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators causing refractory hypotension, tissue damage, metabolic acidosis and ultimately multiple organ failure. In this context, cytokine reduction by hemoadsorption represents a new concept for blood purification, developed to attenuate the overwhelming systemic levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators released in the early phase of sepsis. In the present case series, we evaluated the impact of a new hemoadsorption device (CytoSorb) used as adjunctive therapy, on hemodynamics and clinically relevant outcome parameters in 26 critically ill patients with septic shock and in need of renal replacement therapy. We found that treatment of these patients with septic shock was associated with hemodynamic stabilization and a reduction in blood lactate levels. Actual mortality in the overall patient population was lower than mortality predicted by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II). These effects seem to be more pronounced in patients in whom therapy started within 24 h of sepsis diagnosis, whereas a delay in the start of therapy was associated with a poor response to therapy in terms of reduction of catecholamine demand and survival. Moreover, from our patient population, medical patients seemed to benefit more than post-surgical patients in terms of survival. Treatment using the CytoSorb device was safe and well-tolerated with no device-related adverse events during or after the treatment sessions. Hemoadsorption using CytoSorb resulted in rapid hemodynamic stabilization and increased survival, particularly in patients in whom therapy was started early. Given the positive clinical experience of this case series

Intrathoracic pressure regulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a feasibility case-series.

PubMed

Segal, Nicolas; Parquette, Brent; Ziehr, Jonathon; Yannopoulos, Demetris; Lindstrom, David

2013-04-01

Intrathoracic pressure regulation (IPR) is a novel, noninvasive therapy intended to increase cardiac output and blood pressure in hypotensive states by generating a negative end expiratory pressure of -12 cm H2O between positive pressure ventilations. In this first feasibility case-series, we tested the hypothesis that IPR improves End tidal (ET) CO2 during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ETCO2 was used as a surrogate measure for circulation. All patients were treated initially with manual CPR and an impedance threshold device (ITD). When IPR-trained medics arrived on scene the ITD was removed and an IPR device (CirQLATOR™) was attached to the patient's advanced airway (intervention group). The IPR device lowered airway pressures to -9 mmHg after each positive pressure ventilation for the duration of the expiratory phase. ETCO2, was measured using a capnometer incorporated into the defibrillator system (LifePak™). Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Results were compared using paired and unpaired Student's t test. p values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. ETCO2 values in 11 patients in the case series were compared pre and during IPR therapy and also compared to 74 patients in the control group not treated with the new IPR device. ETCO2 values increased from an average of 21 ± 1 mmHg immediately before IPR application to an average value of 32 ± 5 mmHg and to a maximum value of 45 ± 5mmHg during IPR treatment (p<0.001). In the control group ETCO2 values did not change significantly. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rates were 46% (34/74) with standard CPR and ITD versus 73% (8/11) with standard CPR and the IPR device (p<0.001). ETCO2 levels and ROSC rates were significantly higher in the study intervention group. These findings demonstrate that during CPR circulation may be significantly augmented by generation of a negative end expiratory pressure between each breath. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights

Porous and nonporous orbital implants for treating the anophthalmic socket: A meta-analysis of case series studies.

PubMed

Schellini, Silvana; Jorge, Eliane; Sousa, Roberta; Burroughs, John; El-Dib, Regina

2016-01-01

To assess the efficacy and safety of porous and nonporous implants for management of the anophthalmic socket. Case series meta-analysis was conducted with no language restriction, including studies from: PUBMED, EMBASE and LILACS. Study eligibility criteria were case series design with more than 20 cases reported, use of porous and/or nonporous orbital implants, anophthalmic socket and, treatment success defined as no implant exposure or extrusion. Complications rates from each included study were quantified. Proportional meta-analysis was performed on both outcomes with a random-effects model and the 95% confidential intervals were calculated. A total of 35 case series studies with a total of 3,805 patients were included in the meta-analysis. There are no studies comparing porous and nonporous implants in the anophthalmic socket treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between porous polyethylene (PP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) on implant exposure: 0.026 (0.012-0.045) vs 0.054 (0.041-0.070), respectively and, neither on implant extrusion: 0.0042 (0.0008-0.010) vs. 0.018 (0.004-0.042), respectively. However, there was a significant difference supporting the use of PP when compared to bioceramic implant: 0.026 (0.012 -0.045) vs. 0.12 (0.06-0.20), respectively, on implant exposure. PP implants showed lower chance of exposure than bioceramic implant for anophthalmic socket reconstruction, although we cannot rule out the possibility of heterogeneity bias due to the nature and level of evidence of the included studies. Clinical trials are necessary to expand the knowledge of porous and nonporous orbital implants in the anophthalmic socket management.

Asperger Syndrome in India: Findings from a Case-Series with Respect to Clinical Profile and Comorbidity

PubMed Central

Sreedaran, Priya; Ashok, M. V.

2015-01-01

Asperger syndrome (AS) is an autism spectrum disorder with a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. We describe the clinical profile and psychiatric comorbidity in a series of affected individuals referred to an Indian general hospital psychiatry setting. Gilliam Asperger's disorder scale was used to evaluate the clinical characteristics while Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-KID and MINI-PLUS were used to assess psychiatric comorbidity. The profile of subjects with AS in our case-series appears similar to that published elsewhere with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. Mental health professionals should evaluate for psychiatric comorbidity in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. PMID:25969609

Asperger syndrome in India: findings from a case-series with respect to clinical profile and comorbidity.

PubMed

Sreedaran, Priya; Ashok, M V

2015-01-01

Asperger syndrome (AS) is an autism spectrum disorder with a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. We describe the clinical profile and psychiatric comorbidity in a series of affected individuals referred to an Indian general hospital psychiatry setting. Gilliam Asperger's disorder scale was used to evaluate the clinical characteristics while Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-KID and MINI-PLUS were used to assess psychiatric comorbidity. The profile of subjects with AS in our case-series appears similar to that published elsewhere with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. Mental health professionals should evaluate for psychiatric comorbidity in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Xenogeneic Collagen Matrix Versus Connective Tissue Graft: Case Series of Various Gingival Recession Treatments.

PubMed

Chevalier, Grégoire; Cherkaoui, Selma; Kruk, Hanna; Bensaïd, Xavier; Danan, Marc

A xenogeneic collagen matrix recently has been suggested as an alternative to connective tissue graft for the treatment of gingival recession. The matrix avoids the second surgical site, and as a consequence could decrease surgical morbidity. This new matrix was used in various clinical situations and compared to connective tissue graft (CTG) in a split-mouth design case series. A total of 17 recessions were treated with a coronally advanced flap, 9 with CTG, and 8 with the matrix. Mean recession reduction was 2.00 mm with the CTG and 2.00 mm with the matrix. No significant statistical differences between the techniques were observed in this case report.

Xenogeneic Collagen Matrix Versus Connective Tissue Graft: Case Series of Various Gingival Recession Treatments.

PubMed

Chevalier, Grégoire; Cherkaoui, Selma; Kruk, Hanna; Bensaïd, Xavier; Danan, Marc

2016-08-24

A xenogeneic collagen matrix recently has been suggested as an alternative to connective tissue graft for the treatment of gingival recession. The matrix avoids the second surgical site, and as a consequence could decrease surgical morbidity. This new matrix was used in various clinical situations and compared to connective tissue graft (CTG) in a split-mouth design case series. A total of 17 recessions were treated with a coronally advanced flap, 9 with CTG, and 8 with the matrix. Mean recession reduction was 2.00 mm with the CTG and 2.00 mm with the matrix. No significant statistical differences between the techniques were observed in this case report.

The short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China: comparison of time-series and case-crossover analyses

PubMed Central

Ren, Meng; Li, Na; Wang, Zhan; Liu, Yisi; Chen, Xi; Chu, Yuanyuan; Li, Xiangyu; Zhu, Zhongmin; Tian, Liqiao; Xiang, Hao

2017-01-01

Few studies have compared different methods when exploring the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. This study assesses the association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality with both time-series and time-stratified–case-crossover designs. The generalized additive model (GAM) and the conditional logistic regression model were used to assess the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and diseases. A 10 μg/m3 increment in SO2 level was associated with an increase in relative risk for all respiratory disease mortality of 2.4% and 1.9% in the case-crossover and time-series analyses in single pollutant models, respectively. Strong evidence of an association between NO2 and daily respiratory disease mortality among men or people older than 65 years was found in the case-crossover study. There was a positive association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. Both time-series and case-crossover analyses consistently reveal the association between three air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality. The estimates of association between air pollution and respiratory disease mortality from the case–crossover analysis displayed greater variation than that from the time-series analysis. PMID:28084399

Selection Methods for Undergraduate Admissions in Australia. Does the Australian Predominate Entry Scheme the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) Have a Future?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blyth, Kathryn

2014-01-01

This article considers the Australian entry score system, the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), and its usage as a selection mechanism for undergraduate places in Australian higher education institutions and asks whether its role as the main selection criterion will continue with the introduction of demand driven funding in 2012.…

Public Concern about the Sale of High-Caffeine Drinks to Children 12 Years or Younger: An Australian Regulatory Perspective

PubMed Central

Pollard, Christina Mary; McStay, Catrina Lisa; Meng, Xingqiong

2015-01-01

Background. Dietary exposure to high caffeine is a health risk for children. Governments are considering measures to restrict the sale of formulated caffeinated beverages (FCB) to children. Objectives. To investigate community concern about sales of high-caffeine drinks to children among Western Australian adults and describe Australian and New Zealand regulatory processes regarding FCB. Methods. Data from the 2009 and 2012 Department of Health's Nutrition Monitoring Survey Series of 2,832 Western Australians aged 18–64 years was pooled with descriptive and ordinal logistic regression analysis performed. Current regulatory processes for FCB are reported. Results. Most (85%) participants were concerned about the sale of high-caffeine drinks to children; 77.4% were very concerned in 2012 compared to 66.5% in 2009, p < .008. Females and those living with children had higher concern (odds ratio (OR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–3.10; OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.51–3.09, resp., p < .001). Concern increased with each year of age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02, 1.05, p < .001). Conclusions. Community concern regarding sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children is high and increasing. Being female and living with children were associated with greater concern. These findings support the Australian and New Zealand regulatory controls of FCB, including labelling, promotion, and advertising to children. PMID:26504823

Public Concern about the Sale of High-Caffeine Drinks to Children 12 Years or Younger: An Australian Regulatory Perspective.

PubMed

Pollard, Christina Mary; McStay, Catrina Lisa; Meng, Xingqiong

2015-01-01

Dietary exposure to high caffeine is a health risk for children. Governments are considering measures to restrict the sale of formulated caffeinated beverages (FCB) to children. Objectives. To investigate community concern about sales of high-caffeine drinks to children among Western Australian adults and describe Australian and New Zealand regulatory processes regarding FCB. Data from the 2009 and 2012 Department of Health's Nutrition Monitoring Survey Series of 2,832 Western Australians aged 18-64 years was pooled with descriptive and ordinal logistic regression analysis performed. Current regulatory processes for FCB are reported. Most (85%) participants were concerned about the sale of high-caffeine drinks to children; 77.4% were very concerned in 2012 compared to 66.5% in 2009, p < .008. Females and those living with children had higher concern (odds ratio (OR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-3.10; OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.51-3.09, resp., p < .001). Concern increased with each year of age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02, 1.05, p < .001). Community concern regarding sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children is high and increasing. Being female and living with children were associated with greater concern. These findings support the Australian and New Zealand regulatory controls of FCB, including labelling, promotion, and advertising to children.

Contact lens management of irregular corneas after traumatic aphakia: A pediatric case series.

PubMed

Aung, Yin-Yin; McLeod, Andrew

2015-10-01

Pediatric patients account for 35% of all cases that present after ocular trauma and 20.9% of those result in a ruptured globe. When repairing the globe, the removal of the natural lens results in a significant change in refractive error and loss of accommodation. In addition, the eye can have scarring, irregular astigmatism, and changes to the ocular surface. Treatment and vision rehabilitation should be aggressive and done quickly to prevent amblyopia. Advanced lens designs are often needed to treat both the irregular ocular surface and the aphakia. Treatment options are often confounded with the usual issues of contact lens compliance, intolerance, and complications. This case series follows three aphakic pediatric patients through the contact lens fitting process after sustaining a ruptured globe that left them aphakic with residual irregular astigmatism and corneal scarring. Patient 1 is a 3-year-old Hispanic male fit with a bitoric gas permeable contact lens with irregular astigmatism and an elevated central corneal scarring. Patient 2 is a 12-year-old Caucasian male with minimal residual astigmatism fit in a multifocal soft contact lens. Patient 3 is an 8-year-old African American male fit with a hybrid contact lens that was needed to vault the irregular astigmatism and central corneal scarring. Treating patients with irregular corneas or aphakia can be challenging in their own right, but in combination are some of the most advanced specialty contact lens fittings. This case series followed three pediatric patients through the fitting process and demonstrated the options and challenges when fitting this unique patient population. Copyright © 2015 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A survey of Australian prosthodontists: The use of posts in endodontically treated teeth.

PubMed

Sambrook, Raelene; Burrow, Michael

2018-05-09

This study aimed to gain insight into common practices of Australian prosthodontists when placing a post in an endodontically treated tooth (ETT). A 17-question open- and closed- format questionnaire was sent to registered Australian prosthodontists. The response rate was 55% (n=95). The majority of respondents indicated the purpose of a post was to retain a core (n=94, 99%). The decision to place a post is affected by the quantity of remaining tooth structure (n=91, 96%) and the definitive restoration (n=68, 72%). The ideal post length is neither a short nor long post with the most frequent response (n=52, 34%) being 'as long as possible without disturbing the apical seal'. The apical seal requirements were defined as 4-5mm of Gutta Percha for 77% of respondents. The most preferred post type was a custom cast metal post (n=85, 49%). The most popular luting cement was resin composite (n=84, 39%). The results from this survey do not provide a definitive guide for restoring an ETT. However, it illustrates how Australian prosthodontists address this clinical challenge. The multiple responses received for a number of questions suggest that the material and technique employed in the Australian context is influenced by the individual clinical case. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Colonial and post-colonial aspects of Australian identity.

PubMed

Tranter, Bruce; Donoghue, Jed

2007-06-01

Since the 1988 Bicentennial and the 2001 centenary of federation celebrations colonial images have flourished in Australia, highlighting the roles of convicts and free settlers during early colonization. Old sites, such as Port Arthur have been re-invigorated, and in 2004 Tasmanians celebrated the bicentenary of 'white' settlement. However, social scientists have given little attention to the role of colonial and post-colonial figures and myths as aspects of Australian national identity. We seek to address this issue by examining how convicts, free settlers, bushrangers and ANZACs are associated with contemporary identity in Australia. We examine evidence from the 2003 Australian Survey of Social Attitudes and find that historical figures such as the ANZACs and post-World War II immigrants comprise important aspects of national identity. A substantial majority of Australians judged ANZACs to be important, countering recent claims of the 'demise of the digger'. Sporting heroes are also at the core of Australian identity. Colonial figures appear to be far less important, although views on national identity vary according to social location. In particular, left-wing, university educated, younger, postmaterialist Australians view convicts and bushrangers as relatively important, indicating the salience of the larrikin in Australian identity.

[Neurodevelopment in patients with retinopathy of prematurity treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. Case series].

PubMed

Martínez-García, Sarah Melania; Hernández-Da Mota, Sergio Eustolio; Rubio-Rangel, Araceli; Rojas-Flores, Ignacio; Vieyra-López, Mayra Edith; Martínez-Castellanos, María Ana; Zavala-Martínez, María Teresa; Gómez García, Anel