Search

Contains fulltext : 250001.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 284026.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

01 december 2021, Contains fulltext : 244592.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 250001.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 284026.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 250001.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

01 december 2021, Item does not contain fulltext

Contains fulltext : 233086.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Venoms are complex mixtures of biologically active molecules that impact multiple physiological systems. Manufacture of antivenoms (AVs) therefore requires potency testing using in vivo models to ensure AV efficacy. As part of ongoing research to replace small animals as the standard model for AV potency testing, we developed an alternate in vivo method using the embryonated egg model (EEM). In this model, the survival of chicken embryos envenomated in ovo is determined prior to 50% gestation, when they are recognized as animals by animal welfare legislation. Embryos were found to be susceptible to a range of snake, spider, and marine venoms. This included funnel-web spider venom for which the only other vertebrate, non-primate animal model is newborn mice. Neutralization of venom with standard AV allowed correlation of AV potency results from the EEM to results from animal assays. Our findings indicate that the EEM provides an alternative, insensate in vivo model for the assessment of AV potency. The EEM may enable reduction or replacement of the use of small animals, as longer-term research that enables the elimination of animal use in potency testing continues.

Contains fulltext : 233086.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 233086.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 227445.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 227445.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

25 augustus 2019, Contains fulltext : 214875.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)

Background: Speech and language therapy (SLT) benefits people with aphasia following stroke. Group level summary statistics from randomised controlled trials hinder exploration of highly complex SLT interventions and a clinically relevant heterogeneous population. Creating a database of individual participant data (IPD) for people with aphasia aims to allow exploration of individual and therapy-related predictors of recovery and prognosis. Aim: To explore the contribution that individual participant characteristics (including stroke and aphasia profiles) and SLT intervention components make to language recovery following stroke. Methods and procedures: We will identify eligible IPD datasets (including randomised controlled trials, non-randomised comparison studies, observational studies and registries) and invite their contribution to the database. Where possible, we will use metaand network meta-analysis to explore language performance after stroke and predictors of recovery as it relates to participants who had no SLT, historical SLT or SLT in the primary research study. We will also examine the components of effective SLT interventions. Outcomes and results: Outcomes include changes in measures of functional communication, overall severity of language impairment, auditory comprehension, spoken language (including naming), reading and writing from baseline. Data captured on assessment tools will be collated and transformed to a standardised measure for each of the outcome domains. Conclusion: Our planned systematic-review-based IPD meta- and network meta-analysis is a large scale, international

25 augustus 2019, Contains fulltext : 214875.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)

25 augustus 2019, Contains fulltext : 214875.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)

Influenza is a highly contagious, acute, febrile respiratory infection that can have fatal consequences particularly in individuals with chronic illnesses. Sporadic reports suggest that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may be efficacious in the influenza setting. We investigated the potential of human IVIg to ameliorate influenza infection in ferrets exposed to either the pandemic H1N1/09 virus (pH1N1) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). IVIg administered at the time of influenza virus exposure led to a significant reduction in lung viral load following pH1N1 challenge. In the lethal H5N1 model, the majority of animals given IVIg survived challenge in a dose dependent manner. Protection was also afforded by purified F(ab')2 but not Fc fragments derived from IVIg, supporting a specific antibody-mediated mechanism of protection. We conclude that pre-pandemic IVIg can modulate serious influenza infection-associated mortality and morbidity. IVIg could be useful prophylactically in the event of a pandemic to protect vulnerable population groups and in the critical care setting as a first stage intervention.

BACKGROUND: The current method used to measure haemagglutinin (HA) content for influenza vaccine formulation, single radial immunodiffusion (SRID), is lengthy and relies on the availability of matched standardised homologous reagents. The 2009 influenza pandemic highlighted the need to develop alternate assays that are able to rapidly quantitate HA antigen for vaccine formulation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to develop an enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) for the rapid quantitation of H1, H3, H5 and B influenza HA antigens. METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) selected for haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) activity were conjugated with horseradish peroxidase and used to establish a capture-detection EIA for the quantitation of HA antigen. Results were compared with the appropriate reference SRID assays to investigate assay performance and utility. RESULTS: Quantitation of HA antigen by EIA correlated well with current reference SRID assays. EIA results showed equivalent precision and exhibited a similar capacity to detect HA antigen in virus samples that had been used in either stability or splitting studies, or subjected to physical or chemical stresses. EIA exhibited greater sensitivity than SRID and has the potential to be used in high-throughput applications. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the utility of EIA as a suitable alternative to SRID for HA antigen quantitation and stability assessment. This approach would lead to earlier availability of both seasonal and pandemic vaccines, because of the extended cross-reactivity of reagents.

Contains fulltext : 57579.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospitalization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.

Contains fulltext : 57579.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospitalization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.

Contains fulltext : 57579.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospitalization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.

Item does not contain fulltext, Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospitalization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.

Item does not contain fulltext, Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospitalization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.

Item does not contain fulltext, Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospitalization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.

Introduction Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) continues to be a distressing side effect of paediatric cancer treatment. It is estimated that 70%-80%of patients experience nausea and vomiting. Successful control of CINV upfront is vital, complete control during the acute phase reduces the incidence of CINV in the delayed phase and importantly is associated with reduced incidence in subsequent chemotherapy cycles. Internationally, significant changes have been made to CINV prevention guidelines. Compliance with these recommendations represents a major challenge in improving CINV outcomes in children with cancer. With new evidence supporting the use of NK1 antagonists, newer 5HT-3 antagonists and options for breakthrough CINV in children, these recommendations need to be explored for appropriateness of implementation at a local level. Methods A literature review was undertaken to identify studies that evaluated antiemetics for prevention of CINV in paediatric oncology patients with a focus on new agents and publications in the last 5 years. Results Recent guidelines make recommendations for the use of antiemetics according to the emetic potential of the chemotherapy. NK1 antagonist aprepitant and 5HT-3 antagonist palonosetron are included in these guidelines for prevention of acute nausea and vomiting. Atypical antipsychotics olanzapine and levomepromazine are new additions for the management of breakthrough and refractory CINV. Conclusions Recommendations are made for the prevention of CINV in children in the Australian context.

Introduction Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) continues to be a distressing side effect of paediatric cancer treatment. It is estimated that 70%-80%of patients experience nausea and vomiting. Successful control of CINV upfront is vital, complete control during the acute phase reduces the incidence of CINV in the delayed phase and importantly is associated with reduced incidence in subsequent chemotherapy cycles. Internationally, significant changes have been made to CINV prevention guidelines. Compliance with these recommendations represents a major challenge in improving CINV outcomes in children with cancer. With new evidence supporting the use of NK1 antagonists, newer 5HT-3 antagonists and options for breakthrough CINV in children, these recommendations need to be explored for appropriateness of implementation at a local level. Methods A literature review was undertaken to identify studies that evaluated antiemetics for prevention of CINV in paediatric oncology patients with a focus on new agents and publications in the last 5 years. Results Recent guidelines make recommendations for the use of antiemetics according to the emetic potential of the chemotherapy. NK1 antagonist aprepitant and 5HT-3 antagonist palonosetron are included in these guidelines for prevention of acute nausea and vomiting. Atypical antipsychotics olanzapine and levomepromazine are new additions for the management of breakthrough and refractory CINV. Conclusions Recommendations are made for the prevention of CINV in children in the Australian context.