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The role of the Cathaysia Block, South China, and its linkage with orogenesis in the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents remain unresolved because of uncertainties in its paleoposition in supercontinental reconstructions. The lithostratigraphic, geochronologic, geochemical (including isotopic), and paleocurrent data on late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic sub-basins in the Cathaysia Block reveal spatio-temporal, tectono-sedimentary, and provenance diversity that show linkages with previously adjacent terranes and orogens in East Gondwana. An abundance of siliceous and conglomeratic rocks, local unconformities, and pinch-out in certain layers indicate a late Cryogenian proximal deposition, late Ediacaran transgression, and Middle Cambrian uplift. Cryogenian to early Ordovician strata contain predominantly 1000-900 Ma (late Grenvillian age) detrital zircon population, whereas 1300-1050 Ma (early Grenvillian age) zircons are only dominant in strata earlier than late Ediacaran. Besides, 850-700 Ma zircons are the most prominent group in the Middle Cambrian strata along with an occasional increase in the 650-500 Ma (Pan-African age) zircons. The Grenvillian age zircon groups exhibit significant sediment input from the eastern Indian terrane (990-950 Ma) and western Australia (1300-1050 Ma), underlining the fact that the Cathaysia Block was located between these two terranes in the northern part of East Gondwana. The diminishing contribution of early Grenvillian components in the late Ediacaran strata can be linked to the Pinjarra Orogeny (550-520 Ma), which led to uplift that blocked the transport of detritus from Australia. Middle Cambrian provenance variation with high abundance of 850-700 Ma components indicates the presence of intrinsic sediment from the Wuyishan terrane of South China. Given that the Cathaysia Block was a passive continental margin, this change was caused by the uplift of the southeastern Cathaysia Block, which was related to the far-field stress effects of the late phase of the Kuunga Orogeny (530-480 Ma). The decrease in abundance of early Grenvillian and Pan-African zircons in space implies that they were transported into the basins through independent drainage systems. This is consistent with the local and temporal variations in paleocurrent orientations during the Cambrian, further implying diverse and complex drainage systems in the southwestern Cathaysia Block during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are currently limited Australian data on the outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients. We present the largest cohort of elderly MM patients aged ≥65 years undergoing ASCT in Australia and report their outcomes based on our two‐centre experience. Our study affirms that ASCT is well tolerated, safe and effective in elderly MM patients aged ≥65 years and should be considered an important component of treatment in patients who are fit enough for the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This report describes 17 cases of red‐bellied black snake envenomation (RBBS; Pseudechis porphyriacus) in dogs in south‐eastern Queensland. Patients were prospectively enrolled for the treatment with a new tiger‐brown snake antivenom 8000 units, (TBAV; Padula Serums Pty Ltd, VIC, Australia). Case Report: Clinical diagnosis of RBBS envenomation was made by either snake venom detection kit, snake identification using scale counting, or owner observed dog‐snake interaction in patients with clinical signs of envenomation. An RBBS venom antigen sandwich ELISA was used to retrospectively quantify venom levels in frozen serum and urine. Mechanical ventilation was required in 11% (2/17) patients, whole blood transfusion in 12% (2/17), tissue swelling at the bite site occurred in 53% (9/17) and facial palsy in 12% (2/17). One dog was euthanised, and overall, 94% (16/17) survived to hospital discharge. Clinicopathological changes pre‐TBAV included variable haemolysis, increased CK, pigmenturia and mildly prolonged active clotting time with a median of 134 s (n = 13, range 91–206 s). Haematological profiles post envenomation revealed anaemia (6/6) and spherocytosis (5/5), which resolved without the use of corticosteroids. Pre‐TBAV, median RBBS venom antigen concentration was 22.6 ng/mL (n = 15, range 2–128) in serum and 58 ng/mL (range 1–452) in urine; RBBS venom antigen was undetectable in serum post‐TBAV in all patients. Conclusion: Some RBBS envenomed dogs required, critical care including mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion, additional antivenom and prolonged hospitalisation. TBAV was effective with excellent prognosis despite stated specificity for tiger and brown snake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biobanking consent processes should accord with patients' preferences and be offered in a consistent and systematic manner. However, these aims can be difficult to achieve under healthcare professionals' (HCPs) time-constrained workflows, resulting in low participation rates. This current perspective provides a brief overview of HCP involvement in consent and reports new data on participant attrition at each step of the biobanking consent process as experienced by 113 patients at an Australian tertiary cancer centre. To determine attrition in this HCP-driven consent process, we reviewed medical records for the following events: inclusion of biobanking consent forms; visible patient and HCP signatures; consent status selected (decline or accept) and specimen registration with local biobank. Accessible medical records revealed the following data: 75 of 85 records included viewable forms; 22 of 85 records included patient and 19 of 85 included HCP signatures; 15 of 85 records included signed and completed forms and 3 of 85 had samples banked with annotated clinical data. We compared these data with self-reported experiences of being approached to participate by HCPs. Of the 15 participants (17.6%) who successfully completed consent, only five could recall being asked and providing consent. The low enrolment rate is a considerable lost opportunity because most patients (59%) who were not asked to participate indicated they would have consented if asked. Furthermore, in comparing self-reported experiences with medical records, we believe cancer patients' preferences for participation are mismatched with actual biobanking enrolment, which has considerable attrition at each step in the consent process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Bacteraemias in children are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of local epidemiology and trends is important to inform practitioners of likely pathogens in the sick child. This study aimed to determine trends over time in pathogenic organisms causing paediatric bacteraemia in North Queensland and to audit a hospital's blood culture results with respect to contamination rate. Methods This was a retrospective review of 8385 blood cultures collected from children attending a tertiary centre in North Queensland over a 10-year period (2001-2010). Results There were 696 positive blood cultures (8.3%) with 70 different bacterial species detected. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 48.6% and 51.4% of isolates, respectively. Overall, bacteraemia accounted for 4.7 per 1000 admissions. The rate of contamination was 60.6% among positive blood cultures and 5.0% for all blood cultures sampled. These results were compared with previous published reports. Notable differences were seen in the frequencies of S almonella and group A S treptococcus bacteraemias in North Queensland when compared with other reports. There was also a decline in vaccine-preventable infections such as S . pneumoniae and an increasing trend of community-acquired MRSA bacteraemia. Conclusion This study has demonstrated the unique profile of causative pathogens of paediatric bacteraemias in tropical Australia. In light of the increasing prevalence of MRSA, empiric treatment for sepsis for children in this region needs to be reconsidered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social capital among close friends is the norms of trust and reciprocity shared by a group of friends within multi-stranded networks. This research investigated the factors that contribute to the levels of friendship social capital. It also analyzed whether friendship social capital was associated with participation in voluntary associations and whether those who reported high levels of social capital with their friends also reported higher levels of generalized trust in the wider society. Through an online survey of young Australian residents aged 16 to 25 (N=283) closed networks were found to be associated with very high levels of social capital among friends. Further, those with very high levels of friendship social capital were more likely to participate in organized groups and to report high levels of generalized social capital than those with lower levels of friendship social capital. Thus, promoting friendship networks of young people could benefit society more broadly by fostering participation in voluntary activities and generalized social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Royal College of Nursing, Australia has supported the development and growth of transcultural nursing in Australia for well over a decade. The College's leadership role has been evident on a number of fronts with events, publications and national networking opportunities for nurses who share a passion for furthering the principles and practice of transcultural nursing. This paper traces the journey of transcultural nursing in Australia from the perspective of the College, beginning with its role in forming the Transcultural Nursing Society in the 1990s. Achievements are highlighted, as well as continuing work over the intervening years, demonstrating the involvement and leadership of the College in Australia, in this important area of nursing practice. With increasing complexity in the ethnic profile of Australia's society, it is of ongoing relevance for the College to promote transcultural nursing as a discipline of study, research, practice and management in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To compare the profitability and technical efficiency of firms in a monopoly industry, airports, operating with different degrees of market power and under differing regulatory regimes, minimalist in New Zealand and interventionist in Australia. Design/methodology/approach - Unlike previous privatisation studies, this study measures efficiency and profitability separately. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), the technical efficiency of privatised airports is assessed, and this independent measure is used in regression analyses to determine whether efficiency, regulation or privatisation is related to airport profitability. Findings - For firms with monopolistic characteristics operating under minimalist regulation, profitability is related to market power, not efficiency improvements. For firms operating in a regulated environment, profitability is related to regulation, which constrains market power but does not impede efficiency. Research limitations/implications - This study is limited by its small sample size and its generalisability due to its single industry and regional focus. However, the findings support assertions that the impact of privatisation cannot be assessed independently of industry structure and regulation. Practical implications - Policy makers considering SOE privatisation in non-competitive markets should introduce either competition or regulation if firm efficiency is a desired outcome. Originality/value - Academics and policy makers should be aware that privatisation and competition are not only complementary, as per the extant literature, but they are essential bedfellows. In the absence of competition, regulation is required to control for market power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]