Urban Ecology: theory, policy and practice in New South Wales, Australia

The aim of this report is to provide the evidence base for embedding urban ecology into laws, policies, strategic investment decisions and actions that inform and have a positive impact on the three major cities in NSW. The report draws on academic, peer-reviewed literature and ‘grey’ literature such as reports, conference presentations, newspaper articles and government laws, policies and reports. Three thematic areas of literature are examined: Urban biodiversity and ecology Policy and legislative frameworks Built environment and urban landscape design.Case studies are presented to demonstrate best practices in applying urban ecological thinking, both within Australia and internationally. In parallel with the literature review, workshops with industry, government and community groups helped in identifying how these groups define and implement urban ecology projects and what they consider to be the barriers to and opportunities for embedding urban ecology into decision-making and practice within and between our cities.This report informs the Blueprint for Living Cities: policy to practice, a document designed to demonstrate to the NSW Environmental Trust, state government departments and agencies, local governments, industry and the community how to change from a business-as-usual approach to realistic, ecologically based city planning and practice. It positions urban ecology as a foundation for the identity and betterment of NSW cities

Inhaled nebulised unfractionated heparin for the treatment of hospitalised patients with COVID-19:A multicentre case series of 98 patients

AIMS To determine the safety and efficacy-potential of inhaled nebulised unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the treatment of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. METHODS Retrospective, uncontrolled multicentre single-arm case series of hospitalised patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, treated with inhaled nebulised UFH (5000 IU q8h, 10 000 IU q4h, or 25 000 IU q6h) for 6 ± 3 (mean ± standard deviation) days. Outcomes were activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) before treatment (baseline) and highest-level during treatment (peak), and adverse events including bleeding. Exploratory efficacy outcomes were oxygenation, assessed by ratio of oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) and FiO2 , and the World Health Organisation modified ordinal clinical scale. RESULTS There were 98 patients included. In patients on stable prophylactic or therapeutic systemic anticoagulant therapy but not receiving therapeutic UFH infusion, APTT levels increased from baseline of 34 ± 10 seconds to a peak of 38 ± 11 seconds (P < .0001). In 3 patients on therapeutic UFH infusion, APTT levels did not significantly increase from baseline of 72 ± 20 to a peak of 84 ± 28 seconds (P = .17). Two patients had serious adverse events: bleeding gastric ulcer requiring transfusion and thigh haematoma; both were on therapeutic anticoagulation. Minor bleeding occurred in 16 patients, 13 of whom were on therapeutic anticoagulation. The oxygen saturation/FiO2 ratio and the FiO2 worsened before and improved after commencement of inhaled UFH (change in slope, P < .001). CONCLUSION Inhaled nebulised UFH in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 was safe. Although statistically significant, inhaled nebulised UFH did not produce a clinically relevant increase in APTT (peak values in the normal range). Urgent randomised evaluation of nebulised UFH in patients with COVID-19 is warranted and several studies are currently underway