The Impact of Preprocedural Platelet Function Testing on Periprocedural Complication Rates Associated With Pipeline Flow Diversion: An International Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is necessary to minimize the risk of periprocedural thromboembolic complications associated with aneurysm embolization using pipeline embolization device (PED). We aimed to assess the impact of platelet function testing (PFT) on reducing periprocedural thromboembolic complications associated with PED flow diversion in patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel. METHODS: Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms requiring PED flow diversion were identified from 13 centers for retrospective evaluation. Clinical variables including the results of PFT before treatment, periprocedural DAPT regimen, and intracranial complications occurring within 72 h of embolization were identified. Complication rates were compared between PFT and non-PFT groups. Differences between groups were tested for statistical significance using the Wilcoxon rank sum, Fisher exact, or χ 2 tests. A P -value <.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: 580 patients underwent PED embolization with 262 patients dichotomized to the PFT group and 318 patients to the non-PFT group. 13.7% of PFT group patients were clopidogrel nonresponders requiring changes in their pre-embolization DAPT regimen. Five percentage of PFT group [2.8%, 8.5%] patients experienced thromboembolic complications vs 1.6% of patients in the non-PFT group [0.6%, 3.8%] ( P = .019). Two (15.4%) PFT group patients with thromboembolic complications experienced permanent neurological disability vs 4 (80%) non-PFT group patients. 3.7% of PFT group patients [1.5%, 8.2%] and 3.5% [1.8%, 6.3%] of non-PFT group patients experienced hemorrhagic intracranial complications ( P > .9). CONCLUSION: Preprocedural PFT before PED treatment of intracranial aneurysms in patients premedicated with an aspirin and clopidogrel DAPT regimen may not be necessary to significantly reduce the risk of procedure-related intracranial complications.

Acceptability and effectiveness study of therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for agriculture producers.

Agriculture producers are less likely to seek or to receive mental health services compared to the general population. Additional research is needed to identify effective and accessible mental health interventions for this underserved population. This study used a mixed-methods approach and open trial design to examine the acceptability and effectiveness of therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) supplemented with an additional agricultural resource for clients from agricultural backgrounds receiving ICBT in routine care. Clients (n = 34) participated in an online, five-lesson course that provided psychoeducation and strategies for dealing with symptoms of anxiety and depression, with weekly therapist assistance. Clients also received a tailored resource (developed with input from those with an agricultural background) providing culturally specific information and case stories pertinent to agricultural communities. Intent-to-treat analyses showed that the ICBT program was effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms among the agricultural population. Large within-group pre-to-post-treatment Cohen's effect sizes of d = 1.14, 95 % CI [0.41, 1.86] and d = 1.15, 95 % CI [0.42, 1.87] were found for depression and anxiety, respectively and comparable to the same program offered to the general population. Clients also experienced reductions in perceived stress and significant improvements in resiliency from pre- to post-treatment. Semi-structured interviews conducted at post-treatment with the agricultural clients (n = 31) on their experiences with ICBT identified four main themes: perceived strengths of ICBT and the tailored resource, suggestions to improve service delivery for agriculture producers, clients experienced internal and external challenges to participating in ICBT, and the positive impact of the course reached beyond the client. Very high satisfaction rates were found. These results provide support for the acceptability and effectiveness of ICBT with a tailored resource offered in routine care among agriculture producers.

The Impact of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration on Unruptured Aneurysm Occlusion After Flow Diversion: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: Endoluminal flow diversion reduces blood flow into intracranial aneurysms, promoting thrombosis. Postprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is necessary for the prevention of thromboembolic complications. The purpose of this study is to therefore assess the impact that the type and duration of DAPT has on aneurysm occlusion rates and iatrogenic complications after flow diversion. METHODS: A retrospective review of a multicenter aneurysm database was performed from 2012 to 2020 to identify unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with single device flow diversion and ≥12-month follow-up. Clinical and radiologic data were analyzed with aneurysm occlusion as a function of DAPT duration serving as a primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Two hundred five patients underwent flow diversion with a single pipeline embolization device with 12.7% of treated aneurysms remaining nonoccluded during the study period. There were no significant differences in aneurysm morphology or type of DAPT used between occluded and nonoccluded groups. Nonoccluded aneurysms received a longer mean duration of DAPT (9.4 vs 7.1 months, P = 0.016) with a significant effect of DAPT duration on the observed aneurysm occlusion rate (F(2, 202) = 4.2, P = 0.016). There was no significant difference in the rate of complications, including delayed ischemic strokes, observed between patients receiving short (≤6 months) and prolonged duration (>6 months) DAPT (7.9% vs 9.3%, P = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: After flow diversion, an abbreviated duration of DAPT lasting 6 months may be most appropriate before transitioning to low-dose aspirin monotherapy to promote timely aneurysm occlusion while minimizing thromboembolic complications.

Determinants of intracranial aneurysm retreatment following embolization with a single flow-diverting stent.

PURPOSE: Flow diverting stents have revolutionized the treatment of intracranial aneurysms through endoluminal reconstruction of the parent vessel. Despite this, certain aneurysms require retreatment. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical and radiologic determinants of aneurysm retreatment following flow diversion. METHODS: A multicenter flow diversion database was evaluated to identify patients presenting with an unruptured, previously untreated aneurysm with a minimum of 12 months' clinical and angiographic follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed to identify determinants of retreatment. RESULTS: We identified 189 aneurysms treated in 189 patients with a single flow-diverting stent. Mean age was 54 years, and 89% were female. Complete occlusion was achieved in 70.3% and 83.6% of patients at six and 12 months, respectively. Aneurysm retreatment with additional flow-diverting stents occurred in 5.8% of cases. Univariate analysis revealed that dome diameter ≥10 mm (p = 0.012), pre-clinoid internal carotid artery location (p = 0.012), distal > proximal parent vessel diameter (p = 0.042), and later dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) discontinuation (p < 0.001) were predictive of retreatment. Multivariate analysis identified discontinuation of DAPT >12 months (p = 0.003) as a strong determinant of retreatment with dome diameter ≥10 mm trending toward statistical significance (p = 0.064). Large aneurysm neck diameter, presence of aneurysm branch vessels, patient age, smoking history, and hypertension were not determinant of retreatment on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged DAPT is the most important determinant of aneurysm retreatment following single-device flow diversion. Abbreviating DAPT duration to only six months should be a consideration in this population, especially for patients with a large aneurysm dome diameter.

Surface Area of Decompressive Craniectomy Predicts Bone Flap Failure after Autologous Cranioplasty: A Radiographic Cohort Study.

Skull bone graft failure is a potential complication of autologous cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy (DC). Our objective was to investigate the association of graft size with subsequent bone graft failure after autologous cranioplasty. This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients age ≥18 years who underwent primary autologous cranioplasty between 2010 and 2017. The primary outcome was bone flap failure requiring graft removal. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors were recorded; three-dimensional (3D) reconstructive imaging was used to perform accurate measurements. Univariate and multi-variate regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for the primary outcome. Of the 131 patients who underwent primary autologous cranioplasty, 25 (19.0%) underwent removal of the graft after identification of bone flap necrosis on computed tomography (CT); 16 (64%) of these were culture positive. The mean surface area of craniectomy defect was 128.5 cm2 for patients with bone necrosis and 114.9 cm2 for those without bone necrosis. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that size of craniectomy defect was independently associated with subsequent bone flap failure; logistic regression analysis demonstrated a defect area >125 cm2 was independently associated with failure (odds ratio [OR] 3.29; confidence interval [CI]: 0.249-2.135). Patient- and operation-specific variables were not significant predictors of bone necrosis. Our results showed that increased size of antecedent DC is an independent risk factor for bone flap failure after autologous cranioplasty. Given these findings, clinicians should consider the increased potential of bone flap failure after autologous cranioplasty among patients whose initial DC was >125 cm2.

Factors associated with Noninvasive ventilation compliance in patients with ALS/MND.

Background: Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) improves survival and quality of life (QOL) in ALS, use of NIV is suboptimal. Objective: To determine compliance with "early" NIV initiation, requisite for the feasibility of a large study of early NIV initiation, and examine factors impacting compliance. Methods: Seventy-three ALS participants with forced vital capacities (FVC) >50% were enrolled. Participants with FVC over 80% (Group 1) were initiated on NIV early (FVC between 80 and 85%). Participants with FVC between 50 and 80% (Group 2) started NIV at FVC between 50 and 55%. Symptom surveys, QOL scores, and NIV compliance (machine download documenting use ≥4 hours/night >60% of time) were collected following NIV initiation. Results: 53.6% of Group 1 and 50% of Group 2 were compliant 28 days following NIV initiation, with increased compliance over time. Participants who were unmarried, had lower income, lower educational attainment, or limited caregiver availability were less likely to be compliant. Bothersome symptoms in non-compliant participants included facial air pressure, frequent arousals with difficulty returning to sleep, and claustrophobia. Both compliant and noncompliant participants felt improved QOL with NIV; improvement was significantly greater in compliant participants. Conclusions: These data suggest ALS patients can comply with NIV early in their disease, and potentially benefit as evidenced by improved QOL scores, supporting both feasibility and need for a study comparing early versus late NIV initiation. Moreover, modifiable symptoms were identified that could be optimized to improve compliance. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of "early" intervention on survival and QOL.

Survival Outcomes Following Discontinuation of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab for Advanced Melanoma in a Population-based Cohort.

AIMS: Induction ipilimumab and nivolumab followed by maintenance nivolumab improve overall survival compared with ipilimumab alone in patients with advanced melanoma, but immune-related adverse events (irAE) occur commonly. The need for induction discontinuation because of irAE and the relationship between irAE and survival in non-trials patients are unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with unresectable stage III-IV melanoma receiving first-line combination immunotherapy at one of six centres between December 2017 and February 2020 outside of trials were identified retrospectively. Landmark 12-week Kaplan-Meier analyses and log-rank tests were used to evaluate associations between discontinuation of induction therapy on overall survival and time to treatment failure (TTF). Multivariable analysis of factors influencing overall survival and TTF was undertaken. RESULTS: Among 95 patients, the median age was 62 years, 38.9% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥1 and 22.1% had brain metastases. The median follow-up for the whole cohort was 19.8 months by the reverse Kaplan-Meier method. Any grade and grade 3-4 irAE were noted in 78.9% and 44.2% of the cohort, respectively. 44.2% of patients completed induction immunotherapy, whereas 41.1% did not due to irAE. Twelve-week landmark overall survival and TTF were similar in patients who completed induction versus those who did not due to irAE. On multivariable analysis, any grade irAE (versus none) was associated with longer overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.82, P = 0.02) and TTF (hazard ratio = 0.38, 95% confidence interval = 0.17-0.81, P = 0.01). Grade 3-4 irAE correlated with longer TTF (hazard ratio = 0.45, 95% confidence interval = 0.20-1.01, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this population-based cohort, discontinuation of induction immunotherapy as a result of irAE did not adversely affect overall survival or TTF. irAE observed during ipilimumab and nivolumab induction were associated with improved survival outcomes.

Factors associated with care-seeking for low back pain when genetics and the familial environment are considered.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Care-seekers for LBP cause substantial economic burden to governments and the healthcare system. OBJECTIVE: To investigate lifestyle and health-related factors associated with care-seeking (including pain medication use) in individuals experiencing LBP, after controlling for important genetic and early environmental confounders through the use of a within-twin pair case-control design. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of observational longitudinal data, derived from the Australian Twin low BACK pain (AUTBACK) study, was performed on 66 twin pairs that presented with similar symptoms of LBP at baseline but became discordant for care-seeking behaviour over one month. METHODS: Subjective and objective assessment of pain intensity, disability, depression, sleep quality, physical activity and body mass index were performed. Data was analysed using stepwise conditional logistic regression in two stages: within-pair case-control for monozygotic and dizygotic twins together; and within-pair case-control analysis of monozygotic twins only. Results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Higher LBP intensity (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.3-6.8) and poorer sleep quality (OR 10.9; 95% CI 1.5-77.7) were the main factors that increased the likelihood of care-seeking for LBP. These associations remained significant and increased in magnitude after adjusting for genetic confounding. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with higher LBP intensity and worse sleep quality are more likely to seek care for LBP, and this relationship is likely to be causal after adjustment of familial and genetic confounding.

The effect of mental fatigue on the performance of Australian football specific skills amongst amateur athletes.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of induced mental fatigue on the performance of Australian football (AF) specific skills amongst amateur AF players. DESIGN: Randomised cross over trial. METHODS: Twenty-five amateur AF players performed a series of standardised tests from the Australian Football League (AFL) Draft Combine after completing a 30-min Stroop test (mental fatigue condition) or 30-min control condition. The AFL Draft Combine tests included the standing vertical jump test, running vertical jump test, agility test, 20m sprint, Matthew Lloyd clean hands test, Brad Johnson goal kicking test and a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) test. RESULTS: The Stroop test score decreased during the Stroop test (first five trials: mean=84.7, SD=3.5; last five trials: mean=82.2, SD=5.0, p=0.03). The Yo-Yo IR1 test (mental fatigue: median=920m, IQR=400; control: median=1040m, IQR=760; p=0.03) and Brad Johnson goalkicking test (mental fatigue: median=19.0, IQR=5.0; control: median=25.0, IQR=10.0, p=0.048) were negatively affected by mental fatigue. No other Draft Combine tests demonstrated a negative affect from mental fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Mental fatigue had a detrimental influence on the performance of AF specific skills. The findings may have implications for AF players who are required to sustain attention and concentration for prolonged periods before and during matches.

A systematic review of viral transmission risk to healthcare staff comparing laparoscopic and open surgery.

BACKGROUND: Throughout the United Kingdom, there have been sweeping changes to the practice of medicine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the surgical speciality, there have been changes to both elective and emergency practice. Concern regarding potential aerosolisation during invasive procedures have been raised - including the use of pneumoperitoneum to facilitate laparoscopy. The aim of this study is to systematically review the data available to date regarding the potential risk posed to theatre staff by laparoscopy. METHOD: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Only publications in peer-reviewed journals were considered. PubMed, Ovid Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library were searched. The search period was between 1st January 1980 and 27th April 2020. Bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. RESULTS: 4209 records were identified, resulting in 9 unique studies being selected. The included studies examined viral DNA aerosoliation generated by electrosurgery and CO2 laser ablation, with one study examining viral DNA aerosolisation following laparoscopy. Each of these demonstrated that viral DNA (Hepatitis B Virus and Human Papilloma Virus) was detectable in the surgical smoke plume. CONCLUSION: The data and analysis reported in this study reflect the most up-to-date evidence available for the surgeon to assess risk towards healthcare staff. It was constrained by heterogeneity of reporting for several outcomes and lack of comparable studies. There is currently insufficient data to recommend open or a minimally invasive surgical approach with regard to theatre team safety in the COVID-19 era.

Gut Microbiota and Neurologic Diseases and Injuries.

The brain-gut axis is a bidirectional communication pathway connecting the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal tract via nerve transmission, hormone, immune system, and other molecular signals. The bacterial flora of the human gut contributes direct and indirect signals to the CNS along the brain-gut axis. Alterations in gut flora, a state known as dysbiosis, has been tied to systemic inflammation, increased bacterial translocation, and increased absorbance of microbial by-products. An increase in recent literature has highlighted the role of the gut-brain axis in CNS pathology. This chapter reviews the association between gut flora dysbiosis and disorders of the central nervous system including autoimmune disease, developmental disorders, physiologic response to traumatic injury, and neurodegenerative disease.

HIV Prevention Method Preferences Within Sexual Partnerships Reported by HIV-Negative MSM and TW in Tijuana, Mexico.

To assess the potential for decreased condom use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is scaled-up in Latin America, we examined HIV prevention method preferences (neither PrEP nor condoms, condoms only, PrEP only, or PrEP with condoms) within 1302 sexual partnerships reported by 397 HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Tijuana, Mexico. Using PrEP with condoms (56%) was preferred to using condoms only (24%), using PrEP only (17%), and using neither PrEP nor condoms (3%). Compared to using condoms only, using PrEP only was preferred within primary (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.92, 8.90) and condomless sex practicing (AOR = 6.97, 95% CI 3.92, 12.40) partnerships, suggesting PrEP use may not displace condom use among MSM and TW in Tijuana and other similar settings.

Meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes after laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is a common low-risk intervention. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are being used increasingly as primary outcomes in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to review and meta-analyse the PROs in RCTs comparing laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair techniques in adult patients. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Only RCTs in peer-reviewed journals were considered. PubMed, Ovid Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched. In addition, four trial registries were searched. The search interval was between 1 January 1998 and 1 May 2018. Identified publications were reviewed independently by two authors. The review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42018099552). Bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. RESULTS: Some 7192 records were identified, from which 58 unique RCTs were selected. Laparoscopic hernia repair was associated with significantly less postoperative pain in three intervals: from 2 weeks to within 6 months after surgery (risk ratio (RR) 0·74, 95 per cent c.i. 0·62 to 0·88), 6 months to 1 year (RR 0·74, 0·59 to 0·93) and 1 year onwards (RR 0·62, 0·47 to 0·82). Paraesthesia (RR 0·27, 0·18 to 0·40) and patient-reported satisfaction (RR 0·91, 0·85 to 0·98) were also significantly better in the laparoscopic repair group. CONCLUSION: The data and analysis reported in this study reflect the most up-to-date evidence available for the surgeon to counsel patients. It was constrained by heterogeneity of reporting for several outcomes.

Spinal cord injury and the human microbiome: beyond the brain-gut axis.

In addition to standard management for the treatment of the acute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI), implementation of novel neuroprotective interventions offers the potential for significant reductions in morbidity and long-term health costs. A better understanding of the systemic changes after SCI could provide insight into mechanisms that lead to secondary injury. An emerging area of research involves the complex interplay of the gut microbiome and the CNS, i.e., a brain-gut axis, or perhaps more appropriately, a CNS-gut axis. This review summarizes the relevant literature relating to the gut microbiome and SCI. Experimental models in stroke and traumatic brain injury demonstrate the bidirectional communication of the CNS to the gut with postinjury dysbiosis, gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue-mediated neuroinflammatory responses, and bacterial-metabolite neurotransmission. Similar findings are being elucidated in SCI as well. Experimental interventions in these areas have shown promise in improving functional outcomes in animal models. This commensal relationship between the human body and its microbiome, particularly the gut microbiome, represents an exciting frontier in experimental medicine.

Complex Feed-Forward and Feedback Mechanisms Underlie the Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injury and the Gut-Microbiota-Brain Axis.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to nearly 1 in 3 injury-related deaths in the United States and accounts for a substantial public health burden and cost. The current literature reports that physiologic responses in the gastrointestinal system after TBI include, but are not limited to, epithelial barrier dysfunction, microbiota changes, and immunologic transformations. Recent evidence suggests gut alterations after TBI modify the homeostasis of the bidirectional gut-microbiota-brain axis, resulting in altered immune responses in the periphery and the brain. This cascade possibly contributes to impaired central nervous system (CNS) healing. Although attention to the gut-brain-microbiota axis has been increasing in the literature, the precise mechanisms underlying the changes observed after TBI remain unclear. The purpose of this review are to describe our current understanding regarding alterations to the gut-microbiota-brain axis after TBI, highlight the pathophysiologic changes involved, and evaluate how these variations modify healing in the CNS or even contribute to secondary injury. We also discuss current investigations into potential medical therapies directed at the gut-microbiota-brain axis, which might offer improved outcomes after TBI.

Movement responses to environment: fast inference of variation among southern elephant seals with a mixed effects model.

Like many species, movement patterns of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) are being influenced by long-term environmental change. These seals migrate up to 4,000 km from their breeding colonies, foraging for months in a variety of Southern Ocean habitats. Understanding how movement patterns vary with environmental features and how these relationships differ among individuals employing different foraging strategies can provide insight into foraging performance at a population level. We apply new fast-estimation tools to fit mixed effects within a random walk movement model, rapidly inferring among-individual variability in southern elephant seal environment-movement relationships. We found that seals making foraging trips to the sea ice on or near the Antarctic continental shelf consistently reduced speed and directionality (move persistence) with increasing sea-ice coverage but had variable responses to chlorophyll a concentration, whereas seals foraging in the open ocean reduced move persistence in regions where circumpolar deep water shoaled. Given future climate scenarios, open-ocean foragers may encounter more productive habitat but sea-ice foragers may see reduced habitat availability. Our approach is scalable to large telemetry data sets and allows flexible combinations of mixed effects to be evaluated via model selection, thereby illuminating the ecological context of animal movements that underlie habitat usage.

Oral and vaginal HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis product attribute preferences among female sex workers in the Mexico-US border region.

To assess the potential uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) products among female sex workers (FSWs) vulnerable to HIV infection, we examined the influence of product attributes on willingness to use products among 271 HIV-negative FSWs in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (2016-2017). Via five-point Likert scale ratings, participants indicated their willingness to use hypothetical products with six attributes: formulation (pill, gel, liquid, or ring), frequency of use (daily, on-demand, or monthly), cost per use (10 or 200 pesos), effectiveness (40% or 80%), side effects (none or mild), and access point (healthcare clinic or non-governmental organization). Conjoint analysis was used to determine the impact of attributes on product ratings and identify preferred product attributes. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with formulation preferences. In both cities, formulation and frequency of use had the greatest impact on ratings. Participants in Ciudad Juarez indicated a strong preference for oral pills, whereas participants in Tijuana indicated roughly equal preferences for oral pills and vaginal gels. Monthly product use was preferred in both cities. Compared to preferring oral pills (38%), preferring vaginal gels (28%) was associated with practicing vaginal lubrication (adjusted odds ratio = 2.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-4.04). Oral PrEP may be acceptable to many FSWs in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez; however, continued development of behaviorally-congruent vaginal PrEP products may also facilitate uptake and ensure sufficient coverage.

Genetic relatedness reveals total population size of white sharks in eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Conservation concerns exist for many sharks but robust estimates of abundance are often lacking. Improving population status is a performance measure for species under conservation or recovery plans, yet the lack of data permitting estimation of population size means the efficacy of management actions can be difficult to assess, and achieving the goal of removing species from conservation listing challenging. For potentially dangerous species, like the white shark, balancing conservation and public safety demands is politically and socially complex, often leading to vigorous debate about their population status. This increases the need for robust information to inform policy decisions. We developed a novel method for estimating the total abundance of white sharks in eastern Australia and New Zealand using the genetic-relatedness of juveniles and applying a close-kin mark-recapture framework and demographic model. Estimated numbers of adults are small (ca. 280-650), as is total population size (ca. 2,500-6,750). However, estimates of survival probability are high for adults (over 90%), and fairly high for juveniles (around 73%). This represents the first direct estimate of total white shark abundance and survival calculated from data across both the spatial and temporal life-history of the animal and provides a pathway to estimate population trend.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the post-operative adverse effects associated with mosquito net mesh in comparison to commercial hernia mesh for inguinal hernia repair in low income countries.

PURPOSE: Abdominal wall hernia is a common surgical condition, with more than 20 million estimated to be repaired each year. Mesh repair is the standard for most repairs; however, the mesh material itself may be a barrier to care, the cost prohibitively high for some populations and healthcare systems. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to produce a pooled comparison between the adverse event rate associated with mosquito net mesh and commercial hernia mesh. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Ovid Embase/Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and the Cochrane library were searched. In addition, the ISRCTN register, ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTR Platform and EU Clinical Trials Register were searched. RESULTS: Five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. The RCTs were deemed to have similar sample populations after inspection of their sample parameters. Therefore, the adverse effects were compared individually (reoccurrence, haematoma, seroma, infection, and serous discharge) and pooled. A total of 313 mosquito net meshes were included in the study, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups for pooled adverse effects or individually. CONCLUSIONS: There is not a significant difference between the commercial mesh group and the mosquito net mesh group for pooled [odds ratio 0.93 (0.63, 1.35)] and individual adverse event rates. However, the 95% confidence intervals of these results are still wide. To reduce this uncertainty sample sizes must increase in future studies.

Assessment of Age-Related Differences in Functional Capacity Using the Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT).

Clinical trials for primary prevention and early intervention in preclinical AD require measures of functional capacity with improved sensitivity to deficits in healthier, non-demented individuals. To this end, the Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT) was developed as a direct performance-based assessment of functional capacity that is sensitive to changes in function across multiple populations. Using a realistic virtual reality environment, the VRFCAT assesses a subject's ability to complete instrumental activities associated with a shopping trip. The present investigation represents an initial evaluation of the VRFCAT as a potential co-primary measure of functional capacity in healthy aging and preclinical MCI/AD by examining test-retest reliability and associations with cognitive performance in healthy young and older adults. The VRFCAT was compared and contrasted with the UPSA-2-VIM, a traditional performance-based assessment utilizing physical props. Results demonstrated strong age-related differences in performance on each VRFCAT outcome measure, including total completion time, total errors, and total forced progressions. VRFCAT performance showed strong correlations with cognitive performance across both age groups. VRFCAT Total Time demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC=.80 in young adults; ICC=.64 in older adults) and insignificant practice effects, indicating the measure is suitable for repeated testing in healthy populations. Taken together, these results provide preliminary support for the VRFCAT as a potential measure of functionally relevant change in primary prevention and preclinical AD/MCI trials.