75 results on '"Smoll, N"'
Search Results
2. Non-assisted versus neuro-navigated and XperCT-guided external ventricular catheter placement: a comparative cadaver study
- Author
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Gautschi, Oliver P., Smoll, N. R., Kotowski, M., Schatlo, B., Tosic, M., Stimec, B., Fasel, J., Schaller, K., and Bijlenga, P.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Cerebral Lactate Correlates with Early Onset Pneumonia after Aneurysmal SAH
- Author
-
Radolf, S., Smoll, N., Drenckhahn, C., Dreier, J. P., Vajkoczy, P., and Sarrafzadeh, A. S.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Comparing Breast-Reduction Techniques: Time-to-Event Analysis and Recommendations
- Author
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Hunter-Smith, D. J., Smoll, N. R., Marne, B., Maung, H., and Findlay, M. W.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Cerebral Lactate Correlates with Early Onset Pneumonia after Aneurysmal SAH
- Author
-
Radolf, S., Smoll, N., Drenckhahn, C., Dreier, J., Vajkoczy, P., Sarrafzadeh, A., Radolf, S., Smoll, N., Drenckhahn, C., Dreier, J., Vajkoczy, P., and Sarrafzadeh, A.
- Abstract
Pneumonia is a significant medical complication following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aSAH may initiate immune interactions leading to depressed immunofunction, followed by an increased risk of infection. It remains unclear as to whether there is a possible association between cerebral metabolism and infections. Clinical and microdialysis data from aSAH patients prospectively included in the CoOperative Study on Brain Injury Depolarisations protocol Berlin were analyzed. Levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and glutamate were measured hourly using microdialysis in the cerebral extracellular fluid. The occurrence of pneumonia (defined by positive microbiological cultures) and delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) was documented prospectively. Eighteen aSAH patients (52.7 ± 10.7years), classified according to the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons in low (I-III, n = 9) and high (IV-V, n = 9) grades, were studied. Eight patients (45%) experienced DIND, 10 patients (56%) pneumonia (mean onset day 2.6). Lactate was elevated at day 3 in infected patients (n = 9, median = 6.82mmol/L) vs. patient without infections (n = 6, median = 2.90mmol/L, p = 0.036). The optimum cut-off point to predict pneumonia at day 3 was 3.57mmol/L with a sensitivity of 0.77, and a specificity of 0.66 (area under curve was 0.833 with p = 0.034). Lactate at day 7 was higher in DIND patients compared to no-DIND-patients (p = 0.016). Early elevated lactate correlated with occurrence of bacterial pneumonia, while late elevations with DIND after aSAH. Future investigations may elucidate the relationship between cerebral lactate and markers of immunocompetence and more detailed to identify patients with higher susceptibility for infections.
- Published
- 2019
6. Non-assisted versus neuro-navigated and XperCT-guided external ventricular catheter placement: a comparative cadaver study
- Author
-
Gautschi, Oliver, Smoll, N., Kotowski, M., Schatlo, B., Tosic, M., Stimec, B., Fasel, J., Schaller, K., Bijlenga, P., Gautschi, Oliver, Smoll, N., Kotowski, M., Schatlo, B., Tosic, M., Stimec, B., Fasel, J., Schaller, K., and Bijlenga, P.
- Abstract
Background and purpose: Accurate placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) for the treatment of hydrocephalus is of paramount importance for its functionality and in order to minimize morbidity and complications. The aim of this study was to compare two different drain insertion assistance tools with the traditional free-hand anatomical landmark method, and to measure efficacy, safety and precision. Methods: Ten cadaver heads were prepared by opening large bone windows centered on Kocher's points on both sides. Nineteen physicians, divided in two groups (trainees and board certified neurosurgeons) performed EVD insertions. The target for the ventricular drain tip was the ipsilateral foramen of Monro. Each participant inserted the external ventricular catheter in three different ways: 1) free-hand by anatomical landmarks, 2) neuronavigation-assisted (NN), and 3) XperCT-guided (XCT). The number of ventricular hits and dangerous trajectories; time to proceed; radiation exposure of patients and physicians; distance of the catheter tip to target and size of deviations projected in the orthogonal plans were measured and compared. Results: Insertion using XCT increased the probability of ventricular puncture from 69.2 to 90.2% (p = 0.02). Non-assisted placements were significantly less precise (catheter tip to target distance 14.3 ± 7.4mm versus 9.6 ± 7.2mm, p = 0.0003). The insertion time to proceed increased from 3.04 ± 2.06min. to 7.3 ± 3.6min. (p < 0.001). The X-ray exposure for XCT was 32.23mSv, but could be reduced to 13.9mSv if patients were initially imaged in the hybrid-operating suite. No supplementary radiation exposure is needed for NN if patients are imaged according to a navigation protocol initially. Conclusion: This ex vivo study demonstrates a significantly improved accuracy and safety using either NN or XCT-assisted methods. Therefore, efforts should be undertaken to implement these new technologies into daily clinical practice. However, the accura
- Published
- 2019
7. Extent of resection, functional outcomes and survival for limbic and paralimbic gliomas in a single center experience
- Author
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Goga, C, Stienen, MN, Smoll, N, May, A, Momjian, S, Schaller, K, Goga, C, Stienen, MN, Smoll, N, May, A, Momjian, S, and Schaller, K
- Published
- 2018
8. Objective functional testing in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease
- Author
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Joswig, Holger, Stienen, M N, Smoll, N R, Gautschi, O P, University of Zurich, and Stienen, M N
- Subjects
10180 Clinic for Neurosurgery ,2732 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine ,2728 Neurology (clinical) ,610 Medicine & health ,2746 Surgery - Published
- 2017
9. Influence of the Intensive Care Unit Environment on the Reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
- Author
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Stienen, M.N., additional, Geisseler, O., additional, Velz, J., additional, Maldaner, N., additional, Sebök, M., additional, Dannecker, N., additional, Rothacher, Y., additional, Schlosser, L., additional, Smoll, N., additional, Keller, E., additional, Brugger, P., additional, and Regli, L., additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Objective functional testing in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease
- Author
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Joswig, Holger; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3540-3910, Stienen, M N, Smoll, N R, Gautschi, O P, Joswig, Holger; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3540-3910, Stienen, M N, Smoll, N R, and Gautschi, O P
- Published
- 2017
11. Validity and Reliability of an Objective Measurement of Functional Impairment in Lumbar Degenerative Spine Disease: The Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) Test
- Author
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Gautschi, O., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Corniola, M., additional, Joswig, H., additional, Chau, I., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Stienen, M., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage—Insights from a Swiss National Database (Swiss SOS)
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Corniola, M.-V., additional, Smoll, N., additional, Burkhardt, J.-K., additional, Fung, C., additional, Schöni, D., additional, Röthlisberger, M., additional, Bervini, D., additional, Valsecchi, D., additional, Arrighi, M., additional, Maduri, R., additional, Danura, H., additional, Fathi, A.-R., additional, Keller, E., additional, Regli, L., additional, Fandino, J., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Guzman, R., additional, Schatlo, B., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Bijlenga, P., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Incidence, Therapy, and Outcome of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. The Swiss Study on Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (Swiss SOS)
- Author
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Schatlo, B., primary, Fung, C., additional, Stienen, M., additional, Fathi, A., additional, Fandino, J., additional, Smoll, N., additional, Tok, S., additional, Daniel, R., additional, Zumofen, D., additional, Burkhard, J., additional, Dan-Ura, H., additional, Röthlisberger, M., additional, Reinert, M., additional, Winkler, K., additional, Ahlborn, P., additional, Mendes-Pereira, V., additional, D́Alonzo, D., additional, Seule, M., additional, Kerkeni, H., additional, Bervini, D., additional, Sailer, M., additional, Kuhlen, D., additional, Remonda, L., additional, Rohde, V., additional, Mostaguir, K., additional, Marbacher, S., additional, Valsecchi, D., additional, Corniola, M., additional, Schöni, D., additional, Woernle, C., additional, Regli, L., additional, Levivier, M., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Mariani, L., additional, Beck, J., additional, Guzman, R., additional, Raabe, A., additional, Bijlenga, P., additional, Keller, E., additional, and Schaller, K., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Surgical Resident Education Is Safe for Noninstrumented Lumbar Spine Surgery: 4.5-Year Outcomes of a Prospective Observational Study
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Tessitore, E., additional, Schaller, K., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, and Gautschi, O., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Correlation of Pain, Functional Disability, and Health-Related Quality of Life with Radiological Grading Scales for Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- Author
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Corniola, M., primary, Stienen, M., additional, Joswig, H., additional, Chau, I., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Schaller, K., additional, Smoll, N., additional, and Gautschi, O., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Does Smoking Influence the Postoperative Outcome? 4.5-Year Results of a Prospective Observational Study
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Tessitore, E., additional, Schaller, K., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, and Gautschi, O., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. The Timed-up-and-go (TUG) Test: Illustrative Case Presentation to Demonstrate Its Relation to Pain, Functional Disability, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Corniola, M., additional, Joswig, H., additional, Smoll, N., additional, Chau, I., additional, Jucker, D., additional, and Gautschi, O., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Gender Differences in Subjective and Objective Measures for Patients with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- Author
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Gautschi, O., primary, Corniola, M., additional, Smoll, N., additional, Joswig, H., additional, Chau, I., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Stienen, M., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Outcomes after Combined Use of Intraoperative MRI and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in High-Grade Glioma Surgery
- Author
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Schatlo, B., primary, Fandino, J., additional, Smoll, N., additional, Wetzel, O., additional, Remonda, L., additional, Marbacher, S., additional, Perrig, W., additional, Landolt, H., additional, and Fathi, A., additional
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Is Surgical Resident Education Safe? Cohort Study on Complication Rates and Postoperative Outcome after Anterior Cervical Discectomy
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Joswig, H., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Gautschi, O., additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Is Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture Related to Solar Activity?
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Battaglia, M., additional, Schatlo, B., additional, Woernle, C., additional, Fung, C., additional, Röthlisberger, M., additional, Daniel, R., additional, Fathi, A., additional, Hildebrandt, G., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Bijlenga, P., additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Gastrointestinal Morbidity after Lumbar Spondylodesis Surgery
- Author
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Stienen, M., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Schaller, K., additional, Tessitore, E., additional, and Gautschi, O., additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Incidence and relative survival of anaplastic astrocytomas
- Author
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Smoll, N. R., primary and Hamilton, B., additional
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Podocalyxin-like protein is expressed in glioblastoma multiforme stem-like cells and is associated with poor outcome
- Author
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Binder, Z, Siu, I, Eberhart, C, Ap Rhys, C, Bai, R, Staedtke, V, Zhang, H, Smoll, N, Piantadosi, S, Piccirillo, S, Dimeco, F, Weingart, J, Vescovi, A, Olivi, A, Riggins, G, Gallia, G, Binder, ZA, Siu, IM, Eberhart, CG, Bai, RY, Smoll, NR, Piccirillo, SG, Weingart, JD, Riggins, GJ, Gallia, GL, VESCOVI, ANGELO LUIGI, Binder, Z, Siu, I, Eberhart, C, Ap Rhys, C, Bai, R, Staedtke, V, Zhang, H, Smoll, N, Piantadosi, S, Piccirillo, S, Dimeco, F, Weingart, J, Vescovi, A, Olivi, A, Riggins, G, Gallia, G, Binder, ZA, Siu, IM, Eberhart, CG, Bai, RY, Smoll, NR, Piccirillo, SG, Weingart, JD, Riggins, GJ, Gallia, GL, and VESCOVI, ANGELO LUIGI
- Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant adult brain tumor and is associated with poor survival. Recently, stem-like cell populations have been identified in numerous malignancies including GBM. To identify genes whose expression is changed with differentiation, we compared transcript profiles from a GBM oncosphere line before and after differentiation. Bioinformatic analysis of the gene expression profiles identified podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL), a protein highly expressed in human embryonic stem cells, as a potential marker of undifferentiated GBM stem-like cells. The loss of PODXL expression upon differentiation of GBM stem-like cell lines was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Analytical flow cytometry of numerous GBM oncosphere lines demonstrated PODXL expression in all lines examined. Knockdown studies and flow cytometric cell sorting experiments demonstrated that PODXL is involved in GBM stem-like cell proliferation and oncosphere formation. Compared to PODXL-negative cells, PODXL-positive cells had increased expression of the progenitor/stem cell markers Musashi1, SOX2, and BMI1. Finally, PODXL expression directly correlated with increasing glioma grade and was a marker for poor outcome in patients with GBM. In summary, we have demonstrated that PODXL is expressed in GBM stem-like cells and is involved in cell proliferation and oncosphere formation. Moreover, high PODXL expression correlates with increasing glioma grade and decreased overall survival in patients with GBM. © 2013 Binder et al.
- Published
- 2013
25. Cerebral Lactate Correlates with Early Onset Pneumonia after Aneurysmal SAH
- Author
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Radolf, S., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Drenckhahn, C., additional, Dreier, J. P., additional, Vajkoczy, P., additional, and Sarrafzadeh, A. S., additional
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Whole Brain Radiation Therapy With Simultaneous Integrated Boost to 1-4 Brain Metastases: A Prospective Study
- Author
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Caparrotti, F., primary, Fargier, O., additional, Laouiti, M., additional, Smoll, N., additional, and Weber, D., additional
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Relative survival of patients with supratentorial low-grade gliomas
- Author
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Smoll, N. R., primary, Gautschi, O. P., additional, Schatlo, B., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Weber, D. C., additional
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms Are More Likely to be Discovered Ruptured in the Male Population
- Author
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Gautschi, O., primary, Smoll, N., additional, Hofmann-Apitius, M., additional, Ebeling, C., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Bijlenga, P., additional
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Relative Survival of Supratentorial Low-Grade Gliomas
- Author
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Smoll, N., primary, Gautschi, O., additional, Schatlo, B., additional, Schaller, K., additional, and Weber, D., additional
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. 4134 POSTER The Incidence of Medulloblastomas in Adults and Children – a Brief Report
- Author
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Smoll, N., primary
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Cerebral Lactate Correlates with Early Onset Pneumonia after Aneurysmal SAH
- Author
-
Radolf, S., Smoll, N., Drenckhahn, C., Dreier, J., Vajkoczy, P., Sarrafzadeh, A., Radolf, S., Smoll, N., Drenckhahn, C., Dreier, J., Vajkoczy, P., and Sarrafzadeh, A.
- Abstract
Pneumonia is a significant medical complication following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aSAH may initiate immune interactions leading to depressed immunofunction, followed by an increased risk of infection. It remains unclear as to whether there is a possible association between cerebral metabolism and infections. Clinical and microdialysis data from aSAH patients prospectively included in the CoOperative Study on Brain Injury Depolarisations protocol Berlin were analyzed. Levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and glutamate were measured hourly using microdialysis in the cerebral extracellular fluid. The occurrence of pneumonia (defined by positive microbiological cultures) and delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) was documented prospectively. Eighteen aSAH patients (52.7 ± 10.7years), classified according to the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons in low (I-III, n = 9) and high (IV-V, n = 9) grades, were studied. Eight patients (45%) experienced DIND, 10 patients (56%) pneumonia (mean onset day 2.6). Lactate was elevated at day 3 in infected patients (n = 9, median = 6.82mmol/L) vs. patient without infections (n = 6, median = 2.90mmol/L, p = 0.036). The optimum cut-off point to predict pneumonia at day 3 was 3.57mmol/L with a sensitivity of 0.77, and a specificity of 0.66 (area under curve was 0.833 with p = 0.034). Lactate at day 7 was higher in DIND patients compared to no-DIND-patients (p = 0.016). Early elevated lactate correlated with occurrence of bacterial pneumonia, while late elevations with DIND after aSAH. Future investigations may elucidate the relationship between cerebral lactate and markers of immunocompetence and more detailed to identify patients with higher susceptibility for infections.
32. Non-assisted versus neuro-navigated and XperCT-guided external ventricular catheter placement: a comparative cadaver study
- Author
-
Gautschi, Oliver, Smoll, N., Kotowski, M., Schatlo, B., Tosic, M., Stimec, B., Fasel, J., Schaller, K., Bijlenga, P., Gautschi, Oliver, Smoll, N., Kotowski, M., Schatlo, B., Tosic, M., Stimec, B., Fasel, J., Schaller, K., and Bijlenga, P.
- Abstract
Background and purpose: Accurate placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) for the treatment of hydrocephalus is of paramount importance for its functionality and in order to minimize morbidity and complications. The aim of this study was to compare two different drain insertion assistance tools with the traditional free-hand anatomical landmark method, and to measure efficacy, safety and precision. Methods: Ten cadaver heads were prepared by opening large bone windows centered on Kocher's points on both sides. Nineteen physicians, divided in two groups (trainees and board certified neurosurgeons) performed EVD insertions. The target for the ventricular drain tip was the ipsilateral foramen of Monro. Each participant inserted the external ventricular catheter in three different ways: 1) free-hand by anatomical landmarks, 2) neuronavigation-assisted (NN), and 3) XperCT-guided (XCT). The number of ventricular hits and dangerous trajectories; time to proceed; radiation exposure of patients and physicians; distance of the catheter tip to target and size of deviations projected in the orthogonal plans were measured and compared. Results: Insertion using XCT increased the probability of ventricular puncture from 69.2 to 90.2% (p = 0.02). Non-assisted placements were significantly less precise (catheter tip to target distance 14.3 ± 7.4mm versus 9.6 ± 7.2mm, p = 0.0003). The insertion time to proceed increased from 3.04 ± 2.06min. to 7.3 ± 3.6min. (p < 0.001). The X-ray exposure for XCT was 32.23mSv, but could be reduced to 13.9mSv if patients were initially imaged in the hybrid-operating suite. No supplementary radiation exposure is needed for NN if patients are imaged according to a navigation protocol initially. Conclusion: This ex vivo study demonstrates a significantly improved accuracy and safety using either NN or XCT-assisted methods. Therefore, efforts should be undertaken to implement these new technologies into daily clinical practice. However, the accura
33. The piriformis muscle and its relationship to the autonomics of the pelvis: a single bilateral case.
- Author
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Smoll N and Ebrall P
- Abstract
Objective: To report the first known finding of a variation in the medial attachments of the piriformis muscle that affects its relationship to autonomic grey rami communicantes. Method: Cadaveric dissection for continuing general educational development. Results: An incidental finding was a single case of anomolous attachment of the medial fibres of the piriformis muscle bilaterally such that the fibres arose medial to the ventral sacral foramina. This resulted in the muscle being pierced by sacral sympathetic gray rami that contribute to the autonomic nervous system within the pelvis. Conclusion: Anomalous attachment of the medial fibres of the piriformis can occur with the anatomical result being the piercing of skeletal muscle by branches within the autonomic nervous system. A speculative question is whether this anatomical finding may allow for an autonomic piriformis syndrome analogous to the musculoskeletal pirifomis syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
34. Clinically relevant complications related to posterior atlanto-axial fixation in atlanto-axial instability and their management.
- Author
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Gautschi, O. P., Payer, M., Corniola, M. V., Smoll, N. R., Schaller, K., and Tessitore, E.
- Subjects
- *
SURGICAL complications , *ATLANTO-axial joint , *SURGICAL technology , *RETROSPECTIVE studies , *FOLLOW-up studies (Medicine) , *CLINICAL trials , *SURGERY - Abstract
Background: The Magerl transarticular technique and the Harms-Goel C1 lateral mass-C2 isthmic screw technique are the two most commonly used surgical procedures to achieve fusion at C1-C2 level for atlanto-axial instability. Despite recent technological advances with an increased safety, several complications may still occur, including vascular lesions, neurological injuries, pain at the harvested bone graft site, infections, and metallic device failure. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients (n = 42 cases) undergoing a Harms-Goel C1-C2 fixation surgery with polyaxial C1 lateral mass screws and C2 isthmic screws at two different institutions between 2003 and 2012 and report clinical and radiological complications. One patient was lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up of the remaining 41 patients was 18.7 months (range 12-90). A clinically relevant complication was defined as a complication determining the onset of a new neurological deficit or requiring the need for a revision surgery. Results: A total of 14 complications occurred in 10 patients (24.4% of 41 patients). Greater occipital nerve neuralgia was evident in 4 patients (9.8%). All but one completely resolved at the end of the follow-up. Persistent neck pain was reported by 3 patients (7.3%), hypoesthesia by 1 patient (2.4%), and anesthesia in the C2 area on both sides in 1 patient (2.4%). Furthermore, a superficial, a deep, and a combined superficial and deep wound infection occurred in 1 patient each (2.4%). One patient (2.4%) had pain at the iliac bone graft donor site for several weeks with spontaneous resolution. A posterior progressive intestinal herniation through the iliac scar was seen in 1 case (2.4%), which required surgical repair. No vascular damages occurred. Altogether, 5/41 patients (12.2%) had a clinically relevant complication including 4 patients necessitating a revision surgery at the C1-C2 level (9.8%). Conclusions: Atlanto-axial fixation surgery remains a challenging procedure because of the proximity of important neurovascular structures. Nevertheless, on the basis of our current experience, the C1 lateral mass-C2 isthmic screw technique appears to be safe with a low incidence of clinically relevant complications. Postoperative C2 neuralgia, as the most frequent problem, is due to surgical manipulation during preparation of the C1 screw entry point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Podocalyxin-like protein is expressed in glioblastoma multiforme stem-like cells and is associated with poor outcome
- Author
-
Charles G. Eberhart, Sara Grazia Maria Piccirillo, Gregory J. Riggins, Renyuan Bai, Zev A. Binder, Nicolas R. Smoll, Angelo L. Vescovi, Francesco DiMeco, Steven Piantadosi, I-Mei Siu, Alessandro Olivi, Jon D. Weingart, Gary L. Gallia, Colette M. Ap Rhys, Hao Zhang, Verena Staedtke, Harrison, Jeffrey K, Binder, Z, Siu, I, Eberhart, C, Ap Rhys, C, Bai, R, Staedtke, V, Zhang, H, Smoll, N, Piantadosi, S, Piccirillo, S, Dimeco, F, Weingart, J, Vescovi, A, Olivi, A, Riggins, G, and Gallia, G
- Subjects
Cellular pathology ,Pathology ,Cellular differentiation ,lcsh:Medicine ,Stem cell marker ,0302 clinical medicine ,Stem Cell Research - Nonembryonic - Human ,lcsh:Science ,Cancer ,Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ,0303 health sciences ,Multidisciplinary ,Tumor ,Brain Neoplasms ,RNA-Binding Proteins ,Cell Differentiation ,Cell sorting ,Prognosis ,Flow Cytometry ,Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Gene Knockdown Techniques ,Neoplastic Stem Cells ,Stem Cell Research - Nonembryonic - Non-Human ,Research Article ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,General Science & Technology ,Sialoglycoproteins ,Nerve Tissue Proteins ,Biology ,Cell Line ,glioblastoma multiforme ,03 medical and health sciences ,Rare Diseases ,SOX2 ,Cell Line, Tumor ,Spheroids, Cellular ,Glioma ,Biomarkers, Tumor ,medicine ,Genetics ,Humans ,030304 developmental biology ,Cell Proliferation ,Neoplastic ,SOXB1 Transcription Factors ,lcsh:R ,Neurosciences ,medicine.disease ,Stem Cell Research ,Embryonic stem cell ,Survival Analysis ,Brain Disorders ,nervous system diseases ,Brain Cancer ,Gene Expression Regulation ,BMI1 ,Cancer research ,lcsh:Q ,Cellular ,Spheroids ,Neoplasm Grading ,Glioblastoma ,Biomarkers - Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant adult brain tumor and is associated with poor survival. Recently, stem-like cell populations have been identified in numerous malignancies including GBM. To identify genes whose expression is changed with differentiation, we compared transcript profiles from a GBM oncosphere line before and after differentiation. Bioinformatic analysis of the gene expression profiles identified podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL), a protein highly expressed in human embryonic stem cells, as a potential marker of undifferentiated GBM stem-like cells. The loss of PODXL expression upon differentiation of GBM stem-like cell lines was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Analytical flow cytometry of numerous GBM oncosphere lines demonstrated PODXL expression in all lines examined. Knockdown studies and flow cytometric cell sorting experiments demonstrated that PODXL is involved in GBM stem-like cell proliferation and oncosphere formation. Compared to PODXL-negative cells, PODXL-positive cells had increased expression of the progenitor/stem cell markers Musashi1, SOX2, and BMI1. Finally, PODXL expression directly correlated with increasing glioma grade and was a marker for poor outcome in patients with GBM. In summary, we have demonstrated that PODXL is expressed in GBM stem-like cells and is involved in cell proliferation and oncosphere formation. Moreover, high PODXL expression correlates with increasing glioma grade and decreased overall survival in patients with GBM. © 2013 Binder et al.
- Published
- 2013
36. Lessons learnt from the first two SARS-CoV-2 Omicron waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in six remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective epidemiological review.
- Author
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Hempenstall A, Telfer B, Cowley S, Shadrach S, Taunton C, Short J, Smoll N, Rasalam R, Whitehead O, Roach P, Koko K, Stafford J, Matysek R, Whitcombe R, Khandaker G, King J, Moodley N, Finney M, Lacey R, Donohue S, Gair R, and Panaretto K
- Abstract
Objective: To describe the preparedness for, epidemiological characteristics of and public health responses to the first and second waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in six remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland from late 2021., Design: This was a descriptive epidemiological study. Data were collated by each participating public health unit. Case and outbreak characteristics were obtained from the statewide Notifiable Conditions System., Setting, Participants: Six discrete remote First Nations communities across Queensland were selected to represent a broad geographic spread across the state: Badu Island, Cherbourg, Lockhart River, Palm Island, Woorabinda and Yarrabah. People with a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test result recorded between 13 December 2021 and 12 June 2022 who acquired the infection and isolated in one of the six communities., Main Outcome Measures: COVID-19 vaccination coverage among First Nations people; number of COVID-19 cases reported; and attack rates for each community., Results: All six First Nations communities led the COVID-19 preparedness and planning. COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates before the first outbreak ranged from 59% to 84% for the first dose and from 39% to 76% for the second dose across the six communities. During the study period, 2624 cases of COVID-19 in these communities were notified to Queensland Health. Attack rates for each community were: Badu Island, 23%; Cherbourg, 34%; Lockhart River, 18%; and Palm Island, Woorabinda and Yarrabah, 35% each. The 2624 cases included 52 cases (2%) involving hospital admission and two cases (< 1%) in which the person died from COVID-19., Conclusions: It is likely that the co-designed, collaborative partnerships between local councils, community-controlled health services, state health services and public health units positively impacted the management and outcomes of COVID-19 in each of the six communities., (© 2024 The Author(s). Medical Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AMPCo Pty Ltd.)
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- 2024
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37. Onward Virus Transmission after Measles Secondary Vaccination Failure.
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Tranter I, Smoll N, Lau CL, Williams DL, Neucom D, Barnekow D, and Dyda A
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- Humans, Immunization, Secondary, Disease Outbreaks, Treatment Failure, Vaccination, Measles transmission, Measles prevention & control, Measles epidemiology, Measles Vaccine administration & dosage, Measles virus immunology
- Abstract
Measles in persons with secondary vaccination failure (SVF) may be less infectious than cases in unvaccinated persons. Our systematic review aimed to assess transmission risk for measles after SVF. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception dates. Inclusion criteria were articles describing persons who were exposed to measles-infected persons who had experienced SVF. Across the included 14 studies, >3,030 persons were exposed to measles virus from SVF cases, of whom 180 were susceptible, indicating secondary attack rates of 0%-6.25%. We identified 109 cases of SVF from the studies; 10.09% (n = 11) of case-patients transmitted the virus, resulting in 23 further cases and yielding an effective reproduction number of 0.063 (95% CI 0.0-0.5). These findings suggest a remarkably low attack rate for SVF measles cases, suggesting that, In outbreak situations, public health management of unvaccinated persons could be prioritized over persons with SVF.
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- 2024
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38. Outbreak investigation of norovirus gastroenteritis in a childcare facility in Central Queensland, Australia: a household level case series analysis.
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Schulz C, Wyatt A, Walker J, Smoll N, Field E, and Khandaker G
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- Humans, Queensland epidemiology, Child, Preschool, Female, Male, Infant, Child, Adult, Child Day Care Centers, Adolescent, Feces virology, Middle Aged, Gastroenteritis epidemiology, Gastroenteritis virology, Disease Outbreaks, Caliciviridae Infections epidemiology, Caliciviridae Infections virology, Norovirus genetics, Family Characteristics
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Introduction: Noroviruses are one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis in all age groups, including children. However, little has been reported on the transmission of norovirus within childcare facilities and the subsequent impact at the household level., Methods: We conducted an outbreak investigation of norovirus gastroenteritis in Central Queensland, Australia during May 2021, in a childcare facility and the associated exposed households. Case definitions and outbreak management were employed as per the Communicable Disease Network Australia guidelines for norovirus and suspected viral gastroenteritis. Each case or carer and respective household member was interviewed to determine the date and time of symptom onset, health outcomes, and infector-infectee pairs. We estimated attack rates within the childcare facility and households, and basic reproductive number (R0) for norovirus using time-dependent methods., Results: A total of 41 people developed gastrointestinal symptoms as a result of this outbreak, with 25 cases (61%) acquiring the infection in the centre and 16 cases (39%) occurring at households. Serial intervals were estimated as a mean 2.4 days (standard deviation 1.7 days), with a majority of cases (73%) in children under two years of age within the centre. Three faecal specimens were obtained, all detecting norovirus genotype II. The time-dependent R
0 was 1.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.0-2.2)., Discussion: The attack rate within the childcare facility was highest amongst children aged less than 2 years, highlighting the risk of infection for this age group. We recommend the exclusion of asymptomatic household contacts from childcare facilities to reduce the length and severity of norovirus outbreaks. Further investigation into childcare facility risk factors and associated households are required to optimise public health interventions., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)- Published
- 2024
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39. Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in Central Queensland, Australia.
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Gale E, Smoll N, Al Imam MH, Walker J, Kirk M, Pam S, Menzies R, and Khandaker G
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- Humans, Queensland epidemiology, Female, Male, Infant, Child, Preschool, Child, Adolescent, Infant, Newborn, Adult, Middle Aged, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections epidemiology, Hospitalization statistics & numerical data, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human, Seasons
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Abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants. Little is known about the epidemiology, burden, and seasonality of RSV in subtropical regions of Australia like Central Queensland. This information is important to plan prevention strategies, including therapeutics, future vaccines, and health system preparedness. We collected data on laboratory-confirmed RSV cases and admissions in Central Queensland for the period 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022. From July 2021, RSV was listed as a nationally notifiable condition on laboratory-confirmed diagnosis. During the study period, 1,142 laboratory-confirmed cases of RSV (50.0% female sex) were reported, with 169 cases (14.8%) requiring hospital admission, 12 of which (7.1%) required intensive care unit/high dependency unit admissions; two deaths occurred. Of cases requiring hospital admission, RSV was listed as the primary diagnosis in 113/169 cases (66.9%); 63/169 admitted cases (37.3%) had a major comorbidity. Of all cases, 55.4% were in children < 5 years of age (20.9% hospitalised); 35.7% in children < 2 years of age (24.3% hospitalised), and 19.1% in children < 12 months of age (27.5% hospitalised). Children under five years of age made up 78.1% of admissions, a rate of 9.0 admissions per 1,000 children over the 18-month study period, with an average age of 15.8 months (standard deviation, SD: 13.1 months) in this cohort. Indigenous children aged < 5 years were over-represented in cases (rate ratio, RR: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.3-1.9) and admissions (RR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0-2.4). Antibiotics were prescribed to 48.5% of admitted cases under two years of age, despite documented bacterial infection in only 26.3% of these cases; antibiotic prescription was significantly higher in those who received a chest X-ray (p < 0.001). Of all cases, 33.5% occurred in July 2022 alone, with greater than 75.0% of cases occurring during June-August 2022. RSV showed year-round activity with a distinctive winter peak in 2022; however, this season was likely affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions and behaviours. Ongoing surveillance is required to better understand the epidemiology and seasonality of RSV in Central Queensland., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)
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- 2024
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40. Estimating the incidence of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in three regions of Queensland, Australia, winter 2022: findings from a novel longitudinal testing-based sentinel surveillance programme.
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May F, Ginige S, Firman E, Li YS, Soonarane YK, Smoll N, Hunter I, Pery B, Macfarlane B, Bladen T, Allen T, Green T, Walker J, Slinko V, Stickley M, Khandaker G, Anuradha S, and Wattiaux A
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- Humans, Incidence, Queensland epidemiology, Male, Female, Adult, Middle Aged, Longitudinal Studies, Aged, Young Adult, Seasons, Adolescent, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 diagnosis, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections epidemiology, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections diagnosis, Sentinel Surveillance, Influenza, Human epidemiology, Influenza, Human diagnosis, SARS-CoV-2
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Objective: The 2022 Australian winter was the first time that COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were circulating in the population together, after two winters of physical distancing, quarantine and borders closed to international travellers. We developed a novel surveillance system to estimate the incidence of COVID-19, influenza and RSV in three regions of Queensland, Australia., Design: We implemented a longitudinal testing-based sentinel surveillance programme. Participants were provided with self-collection nasal swabs to be dropped off at a safe location at their workplace each week. Swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR. Symptomatic participants attended COVID-19 respiratory clinics to be tested by multiplex PCR for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B and RSV. Rapid antigen test (RAT) results reported by participants were included in the analysis., Setting and Participants: Between 4 April 2022 and 3 October 2022, 578 adults were recruited via their workplace. Due to rolling recruitment, withdrawals and completion due to positive COVID-19 results, the maximum number enrolled in any week was 423 people., Results: A total of 4290 tests were included. Participation rates varied across the period ranging from 25.9% to 72.1% of enrolled participants. The total positivity of COVID-19 was 3.3%, with few influenza or RSV cases detected. Widespread use of RAT may have resulted in few symptomatic participants attending respiratory clinics. The weekly positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 detected during the programme correlated with the incidence of notified cases in the corresponding communities., Conclusion: This testing-based surveillance programme could estimate disease trends and be a useful tool in settings where testing is less common or accessible. Difficulties with recruitment meant the study was underpowered. The frontline sentinel nature of workplaces meant participants were not representative of the general population but were high-risk groups providing early warning of disease., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
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- 2024
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41. Evaluating Pilot Implementation of 'PenCS Flu Topbar' App in Medical Practices to Improve National Immunisation Program-Funded Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Central Queensland, Australia.
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Khandaker G, Chapman G, Khan A, Al Imam MH, Menzies R, Smoll N, Walker J, Kirk M, and Wiley K
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- Child, Humans, Female, Pregnancy, Queensland epidemiology, Seasons, Vaccination, Australia epidemiology, Influenza, Human epidemiology, Influenza, Human prevention & control, Influenza Vaccines, Mobile Applications
- Abstract
Background: The 'PenCS Flu Topbar' app was deployed in Central Queensland (CQ), Australia, medical practices through a pilot programme in March 2021., Methods: We evaluated the app's user experience and examined whether the introduction of 'PenCS Flu Topbar' in medical practices could improve the coverage of NIP-funded influenza vaccinations. We conducted a mixed-method study including a qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with key end-users and a quantitative analysis of influenza vaccine administrative data., Results: 'PenCS Flu Topbar' app users reported positive experiences identifying patients eligible for NIP-funded seasonal influenza vaccination. A total of 3606 NIP-funded influenza vaccinations was administered in the eight intervention practices, 14% higher than the eight control practices. NIP-funded vaccination coverage within practices was significantly higher in the intervention practices (31.2%) than in the control practices (27.3%) (absolute difference: 3.9%; 95% CI: 2.9%-5.0%; p < 0.001). The coverage was substantially higher in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged more than 6 months, pregnant women and children aged 6 months to less than 5 years for the practices where the app was introduced when compared to control practices: incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.4 (95% CI: 1.8-3.2), IRR 2.7 (95% CI: 1.8-4.2) and IRR 2.3 (1.8-2.9) times higher, respectively., Conclusions: Our evaluation indicated that the 'PenCS Flu Topbar' app is useful for identifying the patients eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccination and is likely to increase NIP-funded influenza vaccine coverage in the eligible populations. Future impact evaluation including a greater number of practices and a wider geographical area is essential., (© 2024 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
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- 2024
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42. Epidemiology of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities during postvaccine period: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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Hashan MR, Smoll N, Chapman G, King C, Walker J, Kirk M, Akbar D, Booy R, and Khandaker G
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- Humans, Aged, Homes for the Aged statistics & numerical data, Vaccination statistics & numerical data, Vaccine Efficacy, Nursing Homes statistics & numerical data, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 prevention & control, COVID-19 mortality, COVID-19 Vaccines administration & dosage, SARS-CoV-2, Disease Outbreaks prevention & control
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Objective: We aimed to define the epidemiology of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities (ACFs) during the postvaccine period, including vaccine effectiveness (VE) for this high-risk group., Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis., Data Sources: Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched through 1 September 2023., Eligibility Criteria: Any original observational studies and trials reporting data on COVID-19 outbreaks among the partially/fully vaccinated residents from ACFs during or after the worldwide implementation of vaccine roll-out., Data Extraction and Synthesis: We estimated the attack rate, case fatality rate, mortality rate and VE during postvaccine period. Random effect model was adopted for meta-analysis. Quality assessment on all included studies was performed using the Meta Quality Appraisal Tool., Results: 38 articles were included from 12 countries reporting 79 outbreaks with 1708 confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 78 ACFs. The pooled attack rate was 28% (95% CI 20% to 37%) among the fully vaccinated residents. Two-thirds (62.5%) of the index cases were unvaccinated healthcare professionals (eg, physicians, nurses) and caregivers. Unvaccinated residents had a significantly higher rates (12%) (95% CI 7% to 19%) of mortality compared with the vaccinated residents (2%) (95% CI% 1 to 4%) and the post-COVID-19 vaccine estimates for case fatality rate (13% vs 23%) and hospitalisation rate (17% vs 37%) were substantially lower. VE in preventing disease among residents in ACFs was 73% (95% CI 49% to 86). Overall, the included studies were heterogeneous in nature, however, the risk of bias was low to moderate., Conclusions: Our study reaffirmed the impact of vaccination as a key public health measure to minimise the burden of COVID-19 in ACFs. Facilities with higher crowding indexes should be prioritised for vaccination and should advocate for higher vaccination targets among staff and residents as a critical intervention strategy to minimise disease burden in this vulnerable population., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
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- 2024
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43. Outbreak of ciguatera poisoning in a commercial vessel: lessons learnt and prospects of early diagnosis, management, and prophylaxis.
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Krasnova S, Smoll N, Carter S, McManus M, Kumar D, and Khandaker G
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- Animals, Humans, Australia epidemiology, Disease Outbreaks prevention & control, Early Diagnosis, Ciguatera Poisoning diagnosis, Ciguatera Poisoning epidemiology, Ciguatoxins
- Abstract
An outbreak of food poisoning of unknown origin was notified to Central Queensland Public Health Unit on 9 December 2021. The bulk carrier sailing from Higashiharima, Japan to Gladstone, Australia reported an incident of sudden illness, with 19 out of 20 sailors on board reporting a combination of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. Central Queensland Public Health Unit started the outbreak investigation as per Queensland Health public health management guidelines. All 20 of the sailors consumed a self-caught barracuda and squid, prepared by the ship's cook, the day before. Unconsumed samples of the fish and squid were sent for testing. The affected sailors were triaged on arrival and were provided with medical care as required. The barracuda sample contained ciguatoxins (CTXs; P-CTX-1, P-CTX-2, P-CTX-3) with a total count of 3.40 ug/kg confirming the diagnosis. We propose the usage of the combination of gastrointestinal symptoms and paraesthesia in the light of a recent intoxication event for early detection of ciguatera poisoning (CP) in the eastern seaboard of Australia., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND)
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- 2023
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44. Protocol for a winter sentinel surveillance program of notifiable respiratory viruses in Queensland.
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Ginige S, Firman E, Li YS, Soonarane Y, Smoll N, May F, Hunter I, Pery B, Macfarlane B, Bladen T, Allen T, Lennon M, Walker J, Slinko V, Stickley M, Khandaker G, Anuradha S, and Wattiaux A
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- Adult, Humans, Sentinel Surveillance, Queensland epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 Testing, Influenza, Human, COVID-19 epidemiology, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
- Abstract
Background: With the reduction in access to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and changes in testing guidelines in Australia, a reduced number of people are seeking testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), limiting the opportunity to monitor disease transmission. Knowledge of community transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses is essential to better predict subsequent surges in cases during the pandemic to alert health services, protect vulnerable populations and enhance public health measures. We describe a methodology for a testing-based sentinel surveillance program to monitor disease in the community for early signal detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses., Methods/design: A longitudinal active testing-based sentinel surveillance program for respiratory viruses (including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus) will be implemented in some regions of Queensland. Adults will be eligible for enrolment if they are part of specific community groups at increased risk of exposure and have not had a COVID-19 infection in the last 13 weeks. Recruitment via workplaces will occur in-person, via email and through online advertisement. Asymptomatic participants will be tested via PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection by weekly self-collected nasal swabs. In addition, symptomatic participants will be asked to seek SARS-CoV-2 and additional respiratory virus PCR testing at nominated COVID-19 testing sites. SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus prevalence data will be analysed weekly and at the end of the study period., Discussion: Once implemented, this surveillance program will determine the weekly prevalence of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in the broader community by testing a representative sample of adults, with an aim to detect early changes in the baseline positivity rate. This information is essential to define the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in the community in near-real time to inform public health control measures and prepare health services and other stakeholders for a rise in service demand., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2022 Ginige et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)
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- 2022
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45. Roles, experiences and perspectives of the stakeholders of "10,000 Lives" smoking cessation initiative in Central Queensland: Findings from an online survey during COVID-19 situation.
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Khan A, Green K, Smoll N, Khandaker G, Gartner C, and Lawler S
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- Humans, Queensland epidemiology, Smoking epidemiology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Smoking Cessation, COVID-19 epidemiology
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Issue Addressed: The "10,000 Lives" initiative was launched in Central Queensland in November 2017 to reduce daily smoking prevalence to 9.5% by 2030 by promoting available smoking cessation interventions. One of the main strategies was to identify and engage possible stakeholders (local champions for the program) from hospitals and community organisations to increase conversations about smoking cessation and referrals to Quitline. We aimed to understand the roles, experiences and perceptions of stakeholders (possible champions for delivering smoking cessation support) of the "10,000 Lives" initiative in Central Queensland, Australia., Methods: We conducted a mixed-method online survey during the COVID-19 situation (23 June 2020 to 22 August 2020) with a cross-section of possible stakeholders who were targeted for involvement in "10, 000 Lives" using a structured questionnaire with mostly closed-ended questions. Questions were asked regarding their roles, experiences and perceptions about smoking cessation and "10,000 Lives"., Results: Among the 110 respondents, 52 (47.3%) reported having provided smoking cessation support, including referral to Quitline, brief intervention and promoting existing interventions. Among them (n = 52), 31 (59.6%) were from hospitals and health services, 14 (26.9%) were from community services and three (5.8%) were from private medical practices while four of them did not report their setting. Twenty-five respondents (22.7%) self-identified as being directly involved with the "10, 000 Lives" initiative, which significantly predicted provision of smoking cessation support (OR 6.0, 95% CI: 2.1-19.8). However, a substantial proportion (63.5%) of those (n = 52) who reported delivering cessation support did not identify as contributing to "10,000 Lives"., Conclusions: Stakeholders from hospitals, health services and community services are the main providers of smoking cessation support in Central Queensland. More could be done to support other stakeholders to feel confident about providing cessation support and to feel included in the initiative. SO WHAT?: Engaging with a range of stakeholders is critical for health promotion program success, to further develop the program and to ensure its sustainability. As such, funding needs to be allocated to the activities that enable this process to occur., (© 2022 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association.)
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- 2022
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46. Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant on a single liquified natural gas (LNG) vessel, with estimates of vaccine effectiveness.
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Smoll N, Walker J, Hassan Al Imam M, Auriac J, Andrews R, Jeremijenko A, Kirk M, and Khandaker G
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- Australia epidemiology, Disease Outbreaks, Humans, Natural Gas, Vaccine Efficacy, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 prevention & control, SARS-CoV-2 genetics
- Abstract
In August 2021, there was an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant on an international liquified natural gas (LNG) vessel offshore to Gladstone, Queensland. Fourteen of the 26 crew members aboard the vessel tested positive for SARS-COV-2 on PCR during the outbreak. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 52% for all lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, 65% for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and 100% for severe SARS-CoV-2. The attack rate (AR) of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was 54% (14/26). With heightened public health measures and infection control practices, we were able to declare the outbreak over in 26 days., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)
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- 2022
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47. Protocol on establishing a prospective enhanced surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases in residential aged care facilities in Central Queensland, Australia: an observational study.
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Hashan MR, Chapman G, Walker J, Jayne Davidson S, Auriac J, Smoll N, Kirk M, Akbar D, Booy R, and Khandaker G
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- Aged, Humans, Queensland, Prospective Studies, Australia epidemiology, Observational Studies as Topic, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, COVID-19, Influenza Vaccines
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Introduction: Infectious diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity among the highly vulnerable occupants of residential aged care facilities (RACFs). The burden of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) among RACFs residents is mostly unknown and there is a lack of quality data from population-based prospective VPD surveillance in RACFs. The increasing burden of emerging and existing VPDs (eg, COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal, pertussis and varicella-zoster) necessitates the establishment of an active enhanced surveillance system to provide real-time evidence to devise strategies to reduce the burden of VPDs in RACFs., Method and Analysis: This study proposes a prospective active enhanced surveillance that will be implemented in RACFs across the Central Queensland (CQ) region. The study aims to measure the burden, identify aetiologies, risk factors, predictors of severe outcomes (eg, hospitalisations, mortality) and impact of the existing National Immunization Program (NIP) funded vaccines in preventing VPDs in this vulnerable population. CQ Public Health Unit (CQPHU) will implement the active surveillance by collecting demographic, clinical, pathological, diagnostic, therapeutic and clinical outcome data from the RACFs based on predefined selection criteria and case report forms as per routine public health practices. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate regression analysis will be conducted to identify the predictors of morbidity and clinical outcomes following infection., Ethics and Dissemination: The study has been approved by the CQHHS Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (reference number HREC/2021/QCQ/74305). This study involves data that is routinely collected as part of the surveillance of notifiable conditions under the Public Health Act 2005. The CQHHS HREC approved a request to waive consent requirements of study participants as researchers will be provided non-identifiable data. The findings from the study will be actively disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, social and print media, federal, state, and local authorities to reflect on the results that may facilitate revision of policy and highlight the stakeholders, funding bodies both locally and internationally., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
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- 2022
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48. "Scary to get, more scary not to": COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers in Central Queensland, Australia, a cross-sectional survey.
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Chapman G, Al Imam MH, Khan A, Smoll N, Adegbija O, Kirk M, Khandaker G, and Wiley K
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- Australia epidemiology, COVID-19 Vaccines, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Personnel, Humans, Male, Queensland epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 prevention & control, Vaccines
- Abstract
Background: Behavioural and social drivers (BeSD) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance among Australian healthcare workers (HCW) living and working in regional areas are not well studied. Understanding local HCWs' COVID-19 risk perceptions and potential barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake is crucial in supporting rollout. We aimed to understand the COVID-19 vaccine drivers among HCW in Central Queensland (CQ), Australia., Method: A cross-sectional online survey of HCWs in CQ between 17 May and 31 May 2021, based on the BeSD framework adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Data for Action guidance, consisting of the five instrument domains: what people think and feel; social processes; motivations; practical issues; and vaccination uptake., Results: Of the 240 responding HCWs within Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, 78% were female. Of the participating HCWs, 64% percent had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; of those who had not yet received a vaccine, 53% said they were willing to receive one. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance included: belief that the vaccine was important for their health (81%; odds ratio (OR): 7.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.5-15.5); belief that their family and friends wanted them to have the vaccine (64%; OR: 6.7; 95% CI: 2.9-16.7); trust in the vaccine (72%; OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 3.5-12.0); and confidence in being able to answer patients' questions about the vaccine (99%)., Conclusions: These findings suggest that a combination of communications and educational material framed around the benefits and social norms of vaccination, along with materials addressing vaccine safety concerns, will encourage HCW to take up a COVID-19 vaccine., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)
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- 2022
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49. Epidemiology of mumps outbreaks and the impact of an additional dose of MMR vaccine for outbreak control in regional Queensland, Australia, 2017-2018.
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Walker J, Adegbija O, Smoll N, Khan A, Whicker J, Carroll H, Harris RR, and Khandaker G
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- Case-Control Studies, Disease Outbreaks prevention & control, Humans, Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine, Northern Territory, Queensland epidemiology, Retrospective Studies, Mumps epidemiology, Mumps prevention & control
- Abstract
Background: In recent years, there have been ongoing outbreaks of mumps reported in Northern and North-Western Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Australia. We aimed to define the epidemiology of mumps outbreaks in Central Queensland, Australia between October 2017 and October 2018 and evaluate the effectiveness of an additional dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine., Methods: A retrospective case control study was conducted, including outbreak investigations with laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps and subsequent comparison with matched controls. We analysed mandatory notifications from the Queensland Health Notifiable Conditions System database and immunisation information from the Queensland Health Vaccination Information and Admin System (VIVAS) and the Australian Immunisation Register., Results: Between October 2017 and October 2018, there were 93 cases of mumps reported in Central Queensland with three distinct outbreaks: a discrete Indigenous community; a correctional facility; and a boarding school. Among all cases, 74 (79.6%) were fully vaccinated and 14 (15.1%) were partially vaccinated with MMR vaccine. Eighty-six cases (92.5%) were reported among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In all outbreaks, an additional dose of MMR vaccine was offered with 35.4%, 73.6% and 35.8% of the target population being immunised in the discrete Indigenous community, the correctional facility and the boarding school, respectively. Prior to this additional dose of MMR, the mumps attack rate was 31.0 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 24.2-39.0) per 1000 population, compared to the post-additional dose MMR attack rate of 10.6 (95% CI: 6.7-15.9) per 1000 population., Conclusion: An additional or booster dose of MMR should be included as an effective public health intervention strategy, particularly in communal or high-density living conditions to control mumps outbreaks in highly vaccinated populations., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)
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- 2021
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50. Re-emergence of dengue virus in regional Queensland: 2019 dengue virus outbreak in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia.
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Walker J, Pyke A, Florian P, Moore F, Smoll N, Adegbija O, Khan A, Hasan R, Carroll H, Harris RR, and Kandaker G
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- Animals, Australia epidemiology, Disease Outbreaks, Humans, Queensland epidemiology, Dengue epidemiology, Dengue Virus genetics
- Abstract
Objective(s): To describe an autochthonous dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) outbreak in Central Queensland from May 2019 and subsequent public health actions., Design and Setting: Public health outbreak investigation of locally acquired DENV-2 cases in Rockhampton, Central Queensland. This included laboratory investigations, associated mosquito vector surveillance, and control measures implemented in response to the outbreak., Results: Twenty-one locally-acquired DENV-2 cases were identified during the Rockhampton outbreak (from 23 May to 7 October 2019): 13 laboratory-confirmed and eight probable cases. Clinical symptoms included lethargy (100%); fever (95%); headache (95%); and aches and pains (90%). Inspections of premises demonstrated that Aedes aegypti was present in 9.5% of those investigated which was more than half of the premises identified as containing mosquitoes. Nucleotide sequencing of a DENV-2 isolate recovered from the first confirmed case and DENV-2 RNA from an additional 5 patients indicated a single DENV-2 strain was responsible for the outbreak which was most closely related to DENV-2 strains from Southeast Asia., Conclusions: The 2019 DENV-2 outbreak in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia, likely resulted from the importation of a strain, most closely related to DENV-2 strains from Southeast Asia and is the first reported outbreak in the region specifically implicating DENV-2. Given the presence of Aedes aegypti in Rockhampton, appropriate medical and mosquito avoidance advice; ongoing surveillance; and deployment of mosquito control strategies for the prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases should be priorities for this region., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
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