Reprints, International Markets and Local Literary Taste: New Empiricism and Australian Literature

Taking a cue from Franco Moretti's research, my article applies statistical methods to probe the history of publishing Australian novels both locally and internationally. By temporarily suspending our discipline's preoccupation with close readings and canonical judgements, I aim to demonstrate how the computational analysis of large-scale publication data about Australian novels can also provoke alternative kinds of, and responses to, Australian literary history

Irreversible acute kidney injury following efavirenz/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine overdose

Nephrotoxicity due to chronic use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is well described, but very little is known or published about the effects of acute toxicity or the clinical management of this condition. We present here a case of acute and irreversible renal failure that followed an intentional overdose of fixed dose combination antiretroviral therapy containing efavirenz, TDF and emtricitabine. The renal histology findings are discussed and a rationale for the use of emergency haemodialysis in the management of TDF overdose is presented

Prevalence of hepatitis B and vaccination response in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis at a tertiary centre in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a concern in dialysis populations where vaccination has been less successful than in the general population. Possible reasons for poor response to vaccination in this population include malnutrition, age, uraemia, dialysis vintage, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the generalized immunosuppressive state of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods: This retrospective point prevalent cohort study evaluated the prevalence of HBV infection in a dialysis population at a tertiary centre in South Africa where there is a high prevalence of HIV. In addition, antibody responses following natural HBV infection versus vaccination were examined in the same population as well as factors that may affect the HBV vaccination antibody response.Results: There were 107 study participants. The prevalence rate of chronic HBV was high at 6.5% (n = 7), whereas 48 (45%) patients demonstrated evidence of HBV exposure. Patients with naturally acquired immunity demonstrated a more robust and sustained antibody response over the study period, whereas booster dose(s) were required to achieve similar levels of protection in the vaccinated group. Only one (2.1%) of those requiring vaccination never achieved an adequate seroprotection response to vaccination at any time point during the study period. Older age was the only factor shown to reduce seroconversion after primary vaccination. Despite high HIV prevalence (23%), HIV status did not affect antibody response to vaccination.Conclusion: We therefore conclude that in a cohort of dialysis patients with high HBV prevalence, natural immunity provides sustained and adequate protection. HBV vaccination in this dialysis cohort was successful, but additional booster doses were frequently required to achieve adequate seroprotection, regardless of HIV status

The Influence of Caffeine Expectancies on Simulated Soccer Performance in Recreational Individuals

Caffeine (CAF) has been reported to improve various facets associated with successful soccer play, including gross motor skill performance, endurance capacity and cognition. These benefits are primarily attributed to pharmacological mechanisms. However, evidence assessing CAF’s overall effects on soccer performance are sparse with no studies accounting for CAF’s potential psychological impact. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess CAF’s psychological vs. pharmacological influence on various facets of simulated soccer performance. Utilising a double-dissociation design, eight male recreational soccer players (age: 22 ± 5 years, body mass: 78 ± 16 kg, height: 178 ± 6 cm) consumed CAF (3 mg/kg/body mass) or placebo (PLA) capsules, 60 min prior to performing the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) interspersed with a collection of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), blood glucose and lactate, heart rate and performing the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Whole-body dynamic reaction time (DRT) was assessed pre- and post- LIST, and endurance capacity (TLIM) post, time-matched LIST. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (v24) whilst subjective perceptions were explored using template analysis. Mean TLIM was greatest (p < 0.001) for synergism (given CAF/told CAF) (672 ± 132 s) vs. placebo (given PLA/told PLA) (533 ± 79 s). However, when isolated, TLIM was greater (p = 0.012) for CAF psychology (given PLA/told CAF) (623 ± 117 s) vs. pharmacology (given CAF/told PLA) (578 ± 99 s), potentially, via reduced RPE. Although DRT performance was greater (p = 0.024) post-ingestion (+5 hits) and post-exercise (+7 hits) for pharmacology vs. placebo, psychology and synergism appeared to improve LSPT performance vs. pharmacology. Interestingly, positive perceptions during psychology inhibited LSPT and DRT performance via potential CAF over-reliance, with the opposite occurring following negative perceptions. The benefits associated with CAF expectancies may better suit tasks that entail lesser cognitive-/skill-specific attributes but greater gross motor function and this is likely due to reduced RPE. In isolation, these effects appear greater vs. CAF pharmacology. However, an additive benefit may be observed after combining expectancy with CAF pharmacology (i.e., synergism).N/

Risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury in South African critically ill adults: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background There is a marked paucity of data concerning AKI in Sub-Saharan Africa, where there is a substantial burden of trauma and HIV. Methods Prospective data was collected on all patients admitted to a multi-disciplinary ICU in South Africa during 2017. Development of AKI (before or during ICU admission) was recorded and renal recovery 90 days after ICU discharge was determined. Results Of 849 admissions, the mean age was 42.5 years and mean SAPS 3 score was 48.1. Comorbidities included hypertension (30.5%), HIV (32.6%), diabetes (13.3%), CKD (7.8%) and active tuberculosis (6.2%). The most common reason for admission was trauma (26%). AKI developed in 497 (58.5%). Male gender, illness severity, length of stay, vasopressor drugs and sepsis were independently associated with AKI. AKI was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate of 31.8% vs 7.23% in those without AKI. Age, active tuberculosis, higher SAPS 3 score, mechanical ventilation, vasopressor support and sepsis were associated with an increased adjusted odds ratio for death. HIV was not independently associated with AKI or hospital mortality. CKD developed in 14 of 110 (12.7%) patients with stage 3 AKI; none were dialysis-dependent. Conclusions In this large prospective multidisciplinary ICU cohort of younger patients, AKI was common, often associated with trauma in addition to traditional risk factors and was associated with good functional renal recovery at 90 days in most survivors. Although the HIV prevalence was high and associated with higher mortality, this was related to the severity of illness and not to HIV status per se

PRN OPINION PAPER: Application of precision medicine across pharmacy specialty areas

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149551/1/jac51107_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149551/2/jac51107.pd

Erratum to: Methods for evaluating medical tests and biomarkers

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41512-016-0001-y.]