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Conclusion: Whilst objective testing on music perception showed no individual differences between cochlear implant (CI) devices, subjective music perception was found to be superior with the MED-EL device in the majority of cases evaluated. Objective: To compare speech and music perception through two different CI systems in the same individuals. Methods: Six post-lingually deaf patients, who had been implanted with a Cochlear™ Nucleus® device in one ear and a MED-EL SONATATI100 on the contralateral side were evaluated. One subject was excluded from group analysis because of significant differences in performance between ears. Subjects completed a questionnaire designed to assess implant users' listening habits. Subjective assessments of each subject were made for comparison of speech and music perception with each system and preferences of system. The subjects consecutively used each system with the contralateral device turned off, and were objectively assessed for specific musical skills. Speech perception in quiet and in noise was tested. Results: For all objective tests of music discrimination and speech perception in noise, there were no statistically significant differences between MED-EL and Cochlear CI systems. Subjectively, four subjects thought their MED-EL device was better than their Cochlear device for music appreciation. Four thought that music sounded more natural, less tinny and more reverberant with their MED-EL CI than with their Cochlear CI. One subject rated all these to be equal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the extent to which (1) promotional characters are used on food packaging for healthful and less-healthful food and (2) different companies use this persuasive marketing strategy. Design: Cross-sectional supermarket audit of all food and beverages featuring promotional characters on the packaging. Setting: Three Australian supermarket chains. Variables Measured: Frequency of observed products, package size, nutritional composition. Analysis: Frequencies and bivariate analyses was conducted. Nutritional composition (healthful vs less healthful) was analyzed by character type and company type, that is, whether the company was signed to the Australian Food and Grocery Council Responsible Marketing to Children Initiative (RMCI) signatory. Results: Products featuring promotional characters on packaging (n = 352) were predominantly less- healthful food and beverages (76%). Nutritional composition varied significantly by character type, with 69% of products with sportspersons, celebrities, or movie tie-ins being healthful, compared with 48% of licensed and 21% of company-owned characters. Only 13 of the 75 companies using characters on packaging were RMCI signatory. Conclusions and Implications: Promotional characters are largely used on food packaging to promote less-healthful food to children. Most of these characters are company-owned characters that are not subject to any form of regulation in Australia. Further efforts to limit this form of marketing to children are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Selection of specialist trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology has traditionally been hospital based. Aims: To report the outcomes of a state-wide selection process and suggest possibilities for future trainee selection. Methods: Applicants were screened for interview using a standardised curriculum vitae (CV) and referee reports, and the highest-ranked applicants were offered an interview. Scores from CV, interview and references were collated to give an overall score for each candidate. The candidates were then ranked in order of merit and integrated training program (ITP) hospitals ranked their preferences for candidates. The candidates were then offered positions based on a preference-matching system. Scores for selection components were correlated. Selection matching and trainee retention rates are reported. Results: In a 4 year period, 155 unique applicants made 183 applications, 65% were interviewed and 43% offered a position; 76% of the successful candidates were preference matched to theirs and the ITP's first choice. The retention rate to date is 92%. Conclusion: A state-wide selection process offers a transparent and meritorious means of selection of trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology. It has significant advantages over an individual hospital-based selection process for both trainees and hospitals. Outcome data for the optimal trainee to be selected are difficult to define. Reporting and reviewing data with a national selection process are imperative. The current selection process does not address issues that may be important for selection such as manual dexterity or psychological preparedness for the speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke care across Australian hospitals is variable. The impact on health outcomes, in particular levels of disability for patients in rural areas, is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether geographic location and access to stroke units are associated with differences in health outcomes in patients with acute stroke. Retrospective cohort study of consecutive eligible admissions from 32 hospitals (12 rural) in New South Wales between 2003 and 2007. Health status measured at discharge included level of independence (modified Rankin score: mRS) and frequency of severe complications during hospitalization. Multivariable analyses included adjustment for patient casemix and clustering. Among 2254 eligible patients, 55% were treated in metropolitan hospitals. Stroke unit treatment varied significantly (rural 3%; metropolitan 77%). Age, gender and stroke type did not differ by location (mean age 74, 50% female). After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, important risk factors and validated stroke prognostic variables, patients treated in rural hospitals had a greater odds of dying during hospitalization compared with those treated in metropolitan hospitals (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-2.05). There were no differences in mortality or frequency of severe complications between patients treated in rural and metropolitan hospitals when we adjusted for access to stroke units (aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.62-1.61). Nevertheless, patients treated in rural hospitals were more dependent (mRS 3-5) at discharge (aOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.23-2.70) despite adjusting for stroke unit status. Patients with stroke treated in rural hospitals have poorer health outcomes, especially if not managed in stroke units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Carpobrotus rossii (CR) has a history of use as a food and therapeutic agent by Australian indigenous peoples and early European settlers and is believed to contain a number of pharmacologically active polyphenolic compounds. Aims of the study: Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL), platelet aggregation, and inflammation contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity of CR extract using human blood components. Materials and methods: An assay employing in vitro copper-induced oxidation of serum lipids was used to assess antioxidant activity of CR extract (and tannin, flavonoid and pre- and post-flavonoid fractions). The effects of CR extract on ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and on basal (unstimulated) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA)-stimulated cytokine release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were also investigated. Results: CR extract increased the lag time of serum oxidation (maximum of ∼4-fold at 20μg/ml) in a concentration-dependent manner. The antioxidant activity resided only in the tannin and post-flavonoid fractions. CR had no effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation, but significantly decreased collagen-induced platelet aggregation. LPS, but not PHA, significantly increased the release of IL-1β and TNF-α from PBMC. CR extract alone inhibited monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 release and in the presence of LPS, inhibited IL-10, TNF-α and MCP-1 release compared to LPS alone. Conclusion: CR has significant in vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet and, potentially, anti-inflammatory activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]