Delayed postoperative diet is associated with a greater incidence of prolonged postoperative ileus and longer stay in hospital for patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

AIM: Recent evidence favours a move away from delaying postoperative nutrition towards early feeding practices for better patient outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of the present study was to investigate postoperative diet progression and patient outcomes in a secondary hospital with a view to inform future practice. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of gastrointestinal surgery patients (n = 69) at a Western Australian general hospital. Demographic data and outcomes were collected from patient records and included presence or absence of prolonged postoperative ileus, length of stay in hospital, days on minimal nutrition and days until first flatus or stool. RESULTS: A significant positive association was observed between number of days a patient remained on minimal nutrition and length of stay in the overall group (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). Patients who developed prolonged postoperative ileus (n = 18, 26%) had a greater number of days on minimal nutrition (20.0 vs 8.0 days, P < 0.01), longer stay in hospital (15.0 vs 8.0 days, P < 0.01) and increased number of days to first flatus or stool (4.0 vs 2.4 days, P < 0.01) compared with those who did not develop prolonged postoperative ileus (n = 51, 74%). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study of current practice in a secondary-care general hospital highlights the gap between traditional care and the improved outcomes reported in the literature when early feeding practices are adopted after GI surgery. Further investigation of barriers and enablers is necessary to provide insight into developing the most appropriate strategy to achieve this.

A survey of scientists' awareness of and attitudes to the use of human blood products and alternatives in human assisted reproductive technology.

Scientists working in assisted reproduction [members of Scientists in Reproductive Technology (SIRT) Australia, and subscribers of the online forums EmbryoMail and Quartec] were invited to complete an online questionnaire on the use of human blood products in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). A total of 260 started the questionnaire, with 208 (80%) completing it. A total of 62% of respondents had worked in human ART ≥8 years and 68% had post-graduate qualifications. The majority (82%) reported using products of animal or human origin, with 75% knowing why protein was added to culture media and 41% not worried by this. Almost half (49%) of respondents were unaware of regulations surrounding the use of human blood products in health care and 70% were unaware of adverse events involving human blood products in human ART. Most respondents (70%) indicated that they were not concerned about infections such as hepatitis, but agents such as prions were a cause for concern (57%). A total of 57% of respondents were unaware of alternatives, but 77% would use a suitable alternative. Using blood products in human ART is surrounded by a lack of awareness, often independent of respondents' qualifications or experience. A better understanding of these products and possible alternatives is required if informed decisions about their suitability are to be made.

Executive functioning deficits among adults with Bipolar Disorder (types I and II): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Executive functioning (EF) deficits contribute to a significant proportion of the burden of disease associated with bipolar disorder (BD). Yet, there is still debate in the literature regarding the exact profile of executive functioning in BD. The purpose of the present project was to assess whether EF deficits exist among adults suffering BD, and whether these deficits (if apparent) differ by BD subtype. METHODS: A systematic search identified relevant literature. Randomised controlled trials that used neuropsychological assessment to investigate EF among adults 16-65 years) with a remitted DSM diagnosis of BD (type I or II) were included. Studies were published between 1994 and 2015. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken. For individual studies, standardised mean differences (Cohen's d) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and represented in forest plots to illustrate differences in executive performance between groups. Summary effects were produced and tests of heterogeneity employed to assess the dispersion and generalisability of results. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies met criteria for inclusion. Six domains of EF were identified: Set-shifting (SS), inhibition (INH), planning (PLA), verbal fluency (VF), working memory (WM), and attention (ATT). BD1s performed worse than HCs in all domains. BD2s demonstrated impairment in VF, WM, SS, and ATT. The results were mixed for comparisons between BD1s and BD2s, but revealed that BD2s can experience similar (or sometimes greater) EF impairment. LIMITATIONS: Only a limited number of studies that included BD2 samples were available for inclusion in the current study. Subgroup analysis to elucidate potential moderators of within-study variance was not undertaken. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to have compared the EF of remitted BD1s, BD2s, and HCs. The results provided useful insight into the EF profile of patients with BD, and offered commentary as to some of the contradictory results reported in the literature. A standardised methodological protocol for assessment of EF in BD was proposed. The information in this review could enhance our understanding of EF impairment inherent in BD, and the methods and efficacy with which clinicians assess and treat this population.

Longitudinal changes in maternal serum concentrations of antimüllerian hormone in individual women during conception cycles and early pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To study antimüllerian hormone (AMH) from gestation week 0-7. DESIGN: Longitudinal study of 85 pregnant women with AMH and reproductive hormones sampled during conception cycle and early pregnancy until week 7. SETTING: Fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Of 85 pregnant women, 69 had a singleton pregnancy, 1 a twin pregnancy, and 15 had a nonviable pregnancy (3 chemical pregnancies, 11 miscarriages, and 1 blighted ovum). INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Relationship between AMH and gestation week, woman's age, body mass index (BMI), FSH dose, treatment modality, reproductive hormones, viability of pregnancies, and fetal gender. RESULT(S): During the conception cycle, 86.1% of women had their maximum AMH at or before ovulation. The AMH level did not remain constant in viable pregnancies, but moved significantly away from baseline pregnancy level. In natural pregnancies the overall trend was for decreasing AMH level. In treatment pregnancies AMH level either consistently increased or decreased from gestation week 4 (time of first positive hCG) through to week 7. In contrast, the AMH level in nonviable pregnancies showed sporadic changes, both increasing and decreasing in the same individual from gestation weeks 4-7. The AMH level was negatively correlated with patient's age (r = -0.507) and P level (r = -0.220), but no other associations were observed with BMI, FSH dose, treatment modality, or fetal gender. CONCLUSION(S): The AMH level peaked at or before ovulation in most women, trended down with natural pregnancies, and consistently increased or decreased in women with a viable pregnancy after therapy. Nonviable pregnancies showed erratic AMH patterns. Factors responsible for these different responses in pregnancy remain to be identified.

Speech-language pathology practices with Indigenous Australians with acquired communication disorders.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the needs of Indigenous Australian adults with acquired communication disorders (ACD) following stroke or brain injury and how these needs are met by speech-language pathology (SLP) services. In order for the profession to respond to the challenges of providing culturally appropriate, well-tailored and accessible services, more information on current practice and SLPs' concerns and attitudes is required. METHOD: This paper reports on a national survey with completed responses from 112 SLPs, who worked with adult neurological populations, about their levels of contact with Indigenous clients, cultural competency training and potential sources of support. RESULT. Of the total respondents, 63 SLPs reported clinical contact with Indigenous clients and :they also answered questions on their assessment, intervention and discharge practices; liaison with family; and involvement with Aboriginal Health Professionals and interpreters. This group reported insufficient knowledge about Indigenous culture, lack of support and lower levels of confidence overall in working with these clients as compared to non-Indigenous clients. They wanted more flexible services for their Indigenous clients, good access to interpreters and culturally appropriate assessments and treatments delivered in culturally appropriate settings. CONCLUSION: This research provides a useful starting point towards understanding SLPs' perspectives and practice at a national level.