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Longitudinal Effect of Stroke on Cognition: A Systematic Review
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Inc., by Wiley. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Background
Stroke is associated with an increased risk of dementia; however, the impact of stroke on cognition has been found to be variable, such that stroke survivors can show decline, remain stable, or revert to baseline cognitive functioning. Knowing the natural history of cognitive impairment after stroke is important for intervention. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the longitudinal course of cognitive function in stroke survivors.
Methods and Results
Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO) were searched using OvidSP from inception to July 15, 2016. Longitudinal studies with ≥2 time points of cognitive assessment after stroke were included. In total, 5952 articles were retrieved and 14 were included. There was a trend toward significant deterioration in cognitive test scores in stroke survivors (8 studies). Cognitive stability (3 studies) and improvement (3 studies) were also demonstrated, although follow‐up time tended to be shorter in these studies. Variables associated with impairment included age, ethnicity, premorbid cognitive performance, depression, stroke location, and history of previous stroke. Associations with APOE*E4 (apolipoprotein E with the E4 allele) allele status and sex were mixed.
Conclusions
Stroke is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, but cognitive decline is not a consequence. Factors associated with decline, such as sociodemographic status, health‐related comorbidity, stroke history, and clinical features could be used in models to predict future risk of dementia after stroke. A risk model approach could identify patients at greatest risk for timely intervention to reduce the frequency or delay the onset of poststroke cognitive impairment and dementia.Tang is supported by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Doctoral Research Fellowship (DRF‐2015‐08‐006). Robinson is supported by an NIHR professorship (NIHR‐RP‐011‐043) and an NIHR Senior Investigator award. Siervo is supported by a Medical Research Council Grant (MR/N007921/1)
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment and Opportunist Waterborne Infections – Are There Too Many Gaps to Fill?
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article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is a relatively new approach in identifying health risks associated with the ubiquitous presence of pathogens and opportunists in the human environment. The methodology builds on experimental and meta-analytical data to identify measurable factors that contribute to, and can quantify, the likely extent of disease given a particular exposure. Early modelling was particularly focused on food-borne disease, and subsequently water-borne disease, with the emphasis focused on ingestion and its role in enteric disease. More recently, there has been a focus on translating these principles to opportunist waterborne infections (OWI) with primary focus on Legionella spp. Whereas dose and susceptibility are well documented via the ingestion route of exposure there is considerably less certainty regarding both factors when understanding Legionella spp. and other OWI. Many OWI can arise through numerous routes of transmission with greatly differing disease presentations. Routes of Legionella spp. infection do not include ingestion, but rather aspiration and inhalation of contaminated water are the routes of exposure. The susceptible population for OWI is a vulnerable sub-set of the population unlike those associated with enteric disease pathogens. These variabilities in dose, exposure and susceptibility call in to question whether QMRA can be a useful tool in managing risks associated with OWI. Consideration of Legionella spp. as a well-documented subject of research calls into question whether QMRA of OWI is likely to be a useful tool in developing risk management strategies.This research received no external funding
Green Synthesis of Three-Dimensional Hybrid N-Doped ORR Electro-Catalysts Derived from Apricot Sap
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article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Rapid depletion of fossil fuel and increased energy demand has initiated a need for
an alternative energy source to cater for the growing energy demand. Fuel cells are an enabling
technology for the conversion of sustainable energy carriers (e.g., renewable hydrogen or bio-gas)
into electrical power and heat. However, the hazardous raw materials and complicated experimental
procedures used to produce electro-catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells
has been a concern for the effective implementation of these catalysts. Therefore, environmentally
friendly and low-cost oxygen reduction electro-catalysts synthesised from natural products are
considered as an attractive alternative to currently used synthetic materials involving hazardous
chemicals and waste. Herein, we describe a unique integrated oxygen reduction three-dimensional
composite catalyst containing both nitrogen-doped carbon fibers (N-CF) and carbon microspheres
(N-CMS) synthesised from apricot sap from an apricot tree. The synthesis was carried out via
three-step process, including apricot sap resin preparation, hydrothermal treatment, and pyrolysis
with a nitrogen precursor. The nitrogen-doped electro-catalysts synthesised were characterised by
SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, and BET techniques followed by electro-chemical testing for ORR catalysis
activity. The obtained catalyst material shows high catalytic activity for ORR in the basic medium by
facilitating the reaction via a four-electron transfer mechanism.The authors are thankful for the support of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative
(ASTRI), ARC Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation (IH 150100003), the University of Adelaide,
School of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemistry. The technical support provided by Adelaide Microscopy
and the Micro Analysis Research Facility at Flinders Microscopy (Flinders University) was greatly appreciated
Characteristics of Effective Interventions Promoting Healthy Eating for Pre-Schoolers in Childcare Settings: An Umbrella Review
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article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings have a pivotal role in shaping
children’s dietary food habits by providing the contextual environment within which they develop
these behaviours. This study examines systematic reviews for (1) the effectiveness of interventions to
promote healthy eating in children aged 2–5 years attending centre-based childcare; (2) intervention
characteristics which are associated with promoting healthy eating and; (3) recommendations for
child-health policies and practices. An Umbrella review of systematic reviews was undertaken
using a standardized search strategy in ten databases. Twelve systematic reviews were examined
using validated critical appraisal and data extraction tools. Children’s dietary food intake and
food choices were significantly influenced. Interventions to prevent obesity did not significantly
change children’s anthropometric measures or had mixed results. Evidence was more convincing if
interventions were multi-component, addressed physical activity and diet, targeted individual-level
and environmental-level determinants and engaged parents. Positive outcomes were mostly
facilitated by researchers/external experts and these results were not replicated when implemented
in centres by ECEC providers without this support. The translation of expert-led interventions into
practice warrants further exploration of implementation drivers and barriers. Based on the evidence
reviewed, recommendations are made to inform child-health directed practices and policies.There were no sources of funding for this study
Cost-Effective Double-Layer Hydrogel Composites for Wound Dressing Applications
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article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Although poly vinyl alcohol-poly acrylic acid (PVA-PAA) composites have been widely used for biomedical applications, their incorporation into double-layer assembled thin films has been limited because the interfacial binding materials negatively influence the water uptake capacity of PVA. To minimize the effect of interfacial binding, a simple method for the fabrication of a double-layered PVA-PAA hydrogel was introduced, and its biomedical properties were evaluated in this study. Our results revealed that the addition of PAA layers on the surface of PVA significantly increased the swelling properties. Compared to PVA, the equilibrium swelling ratio of the PVA-PAA hydrogel increased (p = 0.035) and its water vapour permeability significantly decreased (p = 0.04). Statistical analysis revealed that an increase in pH value from 7 to 10 as well as the addition of PAA at pH = 7 significantly increased the adhesion force (p < 0.04). The mechanical properties—including ultimate tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break—remained approximately untouched compared to PVA. A significant increase in biocompatibility was found after day 7 (p = 0.016). A higher release rate for tetracycline was found at pH = 8 compared to neutral pH.We acknowledge the use of South Australian nodes of the Australian Microscopy &
Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF) and Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) at Flinders
University. The support of International Research Grant for Australia-China Joint International Laboratory for
Health Technologies is gratefully acknowledged
Alternative Respiratory Pathway Component Genes (AOX and ND) in Rice and Barley and Their Response to Stress
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article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Plants have a non-energy conserving bypass of the classical mitochondrial cytochrome
c pathway, known as the alternative respiratory pathway (AP). This involves type II NAD(P)H
dehydrogenases (NDs) on both sides of the mitochondrial inner membrane, ubiquinone, and the
alternative oxidase (AOX). The AP components have been widely characterised from Arabidopsis,
but little is known for monocot species. We have identified all the genes encoding components of the
AP in rice and barley and found the key genes which respond to oxidative stress conditions. In both
species, AOX is encoded by four genes; in rice OsAOX1a, 1c, 1d and 1e representing four clades, and
in barley, HvAOX1a, 1c, 1d1 and 1d2, but no 1e. All three subfamilies of plant ND genes, NDA, NDB
and NDC are present in both rice and barley, but there are fewer NDB genes compared to Arabidopsis.
Cyanide treatment of both species, along with salt treatment of rice and drought treatment of barley
led to enhanced expression of various AP components; there was a high level of co-expression of
AOX1a and AOX1d, along with NDB3 during the stress treatments, reminiscent of the co-expression
that has been well characterised in Arabidopsis for AtAOX1a and AtNDB2
New information on Brindabellaspis stensioi Young, 1980, highlights morphological disparity in Early Devonian placoderms
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Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted
use, provided the original author and source are credited.Acid-prepared specimens of the placoderm Brindabellaspis
stensioi (Early Devonian of New South Wales, Australia)
revealed placoderm endocranial anatomy in unprecedented
detail. Brindabellaspis has become a key taxon in discussions of
early gnathostome phylogeny, and the question of placoderm
monophyly versus paraphyly. The anterior orientation of the
facial nerve and related hyoid arch structures in this taxon
resemble fossil osteostracans (jawless vertebrates) rather than
other early gnathostomes. New specimens of Brindabellaspis
now reveal the previously unknown anterior region of the
skull, including an exceptionally elongate premedian bone
forming a long rostrum, supported by a thin extension
of the postethmo-occipital unit of the braincase. Lateral
overlap surfaces indicate an unusual anterior position for
the jaws. Digital rendering of a synchrotron radiation scan
reveals a uniquely specialized ethmoid commissure sensory
canal, doubled back and fused into a midline canal. The
visceral surface of the premedian bone has a plexus of
perichondral bone canals. An updated skull roof reconstruction
of Brindabellaspis adds to the highly variable dermal skull
patterns of the probably non-monophyletic ‘acanthothoracids’.
The unusual morphology revealed by the new specimens
suggests that the earliest known reef fish fauna contained a
diverse range of fishes with specialized ecological roles.For acid preparation of specimens, and making them available for study, we thank A. Ritchie (AM
F81911), R. Dunstone (ANU V1224), C. Findlay (ANU V2584), B. Young (ANU V3247), and P. Pridmore, V. Elder and
C. Findlay (ANU 49493). For initial photography from which images were scanned, we thank B. Young (ANU V3247)
and C. Findlay (ANU 49493)
National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, and Management of Heart Failure in Australia 2018
Get PDFPublished by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.The “National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection and Management of Heart Failure in Australia 2018” has been jointly developed by the Heart Foundation and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. The Heart Foundation and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand are grateful for the contributions of all persons and entities involved in the development of the Guideline
Efficient Near-Infrared Electroluminescence at 840 nm with “Metal-Free” Small-Molecule:Polymer Blends
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Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Copyright line for this article was changed on 16 July 2018 after
original online publication.Due to the so‐called energy‐gap law and aggregation quenching, the efficiency of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) emitting above 800 nm is significantly lower than that of visible ones. Successful exploitation of triplet emission in phosphorescent materials containing heavy metals has been reported, with OLEDs achieving remarkable external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) up to 3.8% (peak wavelength > 800 nm). For OLEDs incorporating fluorescent materials free from heavy or toxic metals, however, we are not aware of any report of EQEs over 1% (again for emission peaking at wavelengths > 800 nm), even for devices leveraging thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Here, the development of polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) peaking at 840 nm and exhibiting unprecedented EQEs (in excess of 1.15%) and turn‐on voltages as low as 1.7 V is reported. These incorporate a novel triazolobenzothiadiazole‐based emitter and a novel indacenodithiophene‐based transport polymer matrix, affording excellent spectral and transport properties. To the best of knowledge, such values are the best ever reported for electroluminescence at 840 nm with a purely organic and solution‐processed active layer, not leveraging triplet‐assisted emission.European Community's Seventh Framework Programme. Grant Numbers: FP7/2007‐2013, 607585
H2020 ETN MSCA. Grant Number: 643238
EPSRC. Grant Number: EP/P006280/1
International Science Programme
Uppsala University
Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award holde
Volar plating in distal radius fractures: A prospective clinical study on efficacy of dorsal tangential views to avoid screw penetration
Get PDFThis manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This author accepted manuscript is made available following 12 month embargo from date of publication (June 2018) in accordance with the publisher’s archiving policyThe purpose of this prospective cohort study of patients treated with volar plating for distal radius fractures is to evaluate the efficacy (defined as detection rate, or the ability to detect dorsally protruding screws) of additional dorsal tangential views (DTV) after obtaining standard anteroposterior (AP) and elevated lateral views by evaluating the change in intraoperative strategy in 100 patients.
Materials and methods
100 patients aged 18 years and older undergoing volar plating for acute extra- or intra- articular distal radius fractures were prospectively enrolled. Intraoperative fluoroscopy views, including AP, elevated lateral and DTV were obtained. Intraoperative –screw– revision frequency for dorsal screw protrusion, screw position relative to volar plate and to dorsal compartment, and screw lengths were evaluated.
Results
Additional DTV led to a change of intraoperative management in 31 of 100 (31%) of patients. A total of 35 out of 504 screws (6.9%) were changed. Screws in the two most radial screws in the plate were at the highest risk of being revised; 16 (46%) screws in most radial position and nine (26%) screws in the 2nd from radial position were revised. Furthermore, five (14%) screws in both the 2nd from ulnar and most ulnar screw holes were revised after DTV. No screws were revised in the central hole. The median length of revised protruding screws was 22 mm (range, 12–26 mm), and these were changed to a mean length of 20 mm (range, 10–22 mm).
Conclusion
In this prospective series of 100 patients, obtaining additional DTV is found to be efficacious as it led to change in intraoperative strategy in one-third of patients. We concur with previous pilot studies that DTV, after obtaining conventional AP and elevated lateral views, is advised to avoid dorsally protruding screws, which could minimise the potential for iatrogenic extensor tendon rupture after volar plating for distal radius fractures. Diagnostic accuracy of DTV is subject of a subsequent prospective cohort study with post-operative CT to serve as the reference standard.No funding was provided for this study