Search Results (5)

In recent years, an increasing number of case reports have mentioned the presence of illicit nootropics, smart drugs or mind doping products on the market. To better understand the extent of the problem, a market surveillance study was organised by the General European Official Medicines Control Laboratory Network and associated member Australia to detect substandard, falsified or illegal medicines or dietary supplements containing unauthorised nootropic molecules of natural or synthetic origin. From January 2020 to September 2024, 159 different samples were documented, which yielded a comprehensive dataset of 166 molecular identification entries. Within this dataset, 34 distinct molecules were identified. Most samples were sold or presented as dietary supplements (49%) or medicines (32%). The vast majority (69%) were collected from the illegal market. Prescription drugs and non-authorised drugs only available on prescription in Russia were found in pharmacological quantities; some of the latter (noopept, phenylpiracetam and phenibut) were intercepted as large bulk quantities of raw material. Unauthorised novel foods, prescription or higher amounts of melatonin, and clinically uncharacterised research molecules were also reported. This study highlights the need for more active monitoring and screening of such products, as consumption of some of the reported samples could have detrimental health effects. Furthermore, as a large number of the samples were presented as dietary supplements, consumers may not be aware of the possible dangers and side-effects of these products. Full article

Increasing urbanisation is occurring in Australia’s major cities and in almost every country in the world. This creates a challenge for the urban water sector, which not only needs to provide traditional water services (i.e., wastewater, domestic water) for a rapidly growing population, but also to service potential additional demands to contribute to enhanced amenity, and to do so in the context of climate change. This paper is focused on stormwater management controls for the develop of new greenfield urban sites in the three major east coast Australian cities—Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. While stormwater management in all three cities is focused on the protection of community values of the waterways, including environment (ecology), amenity and recreation, the scale or type of the waterways considered is considerably different—Melbourne has adopted a regional waterway strategy, while the Sydney and Brisbane approach is more localised. Pollution load reduction targets (TSS, TP, TN and litter) from new urban areas have been enforced in all three cities for many years, although there is concern that these targets primarily aimed at protecting the values of downstream bays (e.g., Port Phillip Bay, Sydney Harbour and Morton Bay) will not necessarily protect the values of the contributing waterways. However, targets to control stormwater volumes entering waterways are proving to be considerably more difficult to both develop and implement. These targets are typically expressed as volumes of stormwater to be harvested and/or infiltrated for every additional hectare of directly connected impervious (DCI) surface created as a result of urban development. The three cities have approached the setting of stormwater flow targets somewhat differently, as is apparent from the details provided in the paper. Additionally, we argue that there is a need for the development of new targets related to the reuse of stormwater and its integration with wastewater and domestic water management. Full article

Background: Major limb amputation (MLA) can be a common outcome due to severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetic foot disease (DFD), and it carries a significant mortality burden. In New Zealand (NZ), there is little documentation of the incidence rate and mortality after MLA. The aim was to report the national crude and standardised rates and the mortality post MLA. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all MLAs that occurred within NZ from 1/1/2010 to 31/12/2021 due to DFD and/or PAD. Two national databases (National Minimum Dataset and the Australasian Vascular Audit) were utilised. The crude rates were calculated as cases per 100,000 in the NZ population per year including all ages (using the 2013 and 2018 NZ census figures). The age-standardised rates used the World Health Organization standard population. Post-operative mortality was calculated from the date of first hospitalisation for MLA. Results: From 2010 to 2021, there were 5293 MLA procedures in 4242 patients. On average, there were 8.5 MLAs per week and 441.1 MLAs annually. The overall crude rate was 9.44 per 100,000, and the standardised rate was 6.12 per 100,000. Over the 12 years, the crude rate decreased by 22% (p < 0.001), and the standardised rate decreased by 20.4% (p < 0.001). After MLA, the 30-day and 1-year mortality was 9.5% and 29.6%, respectively. From 2010 to 2021, the relative reduction in 30-day mortality was 45.1% (p < 0.001), and the reduction in 1-year mortality was 24.5% (p < 0.001). Increasing age, female sex and end-stage renal failure were predictors of 30-day and 1-year mortality. Conclusions: A considerable number of MLAs occur in NZ, with substantial perioperative mortality; however, the national incidence rates and mortality have improved over the last 12 years. This data might serve as benchmark to further reduce MLAs and improve patient outcomes. Full article

Stress urinary incontinence is a significant social, medical, and economic problem. It is caused, at least in part, by degeneration of the sphincter muscle controlling the tightness of the urinary bladder. This muscular degeneration is characterized by a loss of muscle cells and a surplus of a fibrous connective tissue. In Western countries approximately 15% of all females and 10% of males are affected. The incidence is significantly higher among senior citizens, and more than 25% of the elderly suffer from incontinence. When other therapies, such as physical exercise, pharmacological intervention, or electrophysiological stimulation of the sphincter fail to improve the patient’s conditions, a cell-based therapy may improve the function of the sphincter muscle. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge on stem cells suitable for therapy of urinary incontinence: mesenchymal stromal cells, urine-derived stem cells, and muscle-derived satellite cells. In addition, we report on ways to improve techniques for surgical navigation, injection of cells in the sphincter muscle, sensors for evaluation of post-treatment therapeutic outcome, and perspectives derived from recent pre-clinical studies. Full article

We analyze noncontractible investments in a model with shading. A seller can make an investment that affects a buyer’s value. The parties have outside options that depend on asset ownership. When shading is not possible and there is no contract renegotiation, an optimum can be achieved by giving the seller the right to make a take-it-or-leave-it offer. However, with shading, such a contract creates deadweight losses. We show that an optimal contract will limit the seller’s offers, and possibly create ex post inefficiency. Asset ownership can improve matters even if revelation mechanisms are allowed. Full article