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An infant mouse model of influenza-driven nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae colonization and acute otitis media suitable for preclinical testing of novel therapies

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major otitis media (OM) pathogen, with colonization a prerequisite for disease development. Most acute OM is in children <5 years old, with recurrent and chronic OM impacting hearing and learning. Therapies to prevent NTHi colonization and/or disease are needed, especially for young children. Respiratory viruses are implicated in driving the development of bacterial OM in children.

Draft genome sequences of the pathogenic fungi Scedosporium aurantiacum and Scedosporium apiospermum from clinical isolates

Scedosporium species are filamentous fungi with inherent broad antifungal resistance that pose opportunistic infection threats. We present draft genome assemblies of S. aurantiacum (11 contigs) and S. apiospermum (9 contigs), derived from Oxford Nanopore sequencing of one Australian clinical isolate each.

Toxicity of plastic diesel exhaust in primary human airway epithelial cell cultures

Plastic pyrolysis oil, which can be produced with similar properties as diesel fuel (plastic diesel), can be used as an alternative to mineral diesel (ULSD) to run a diesel engine. This presents a potential method for recycling waste plastic. Typically plastic diesel is blended with mineral diesel, and oxygenated fuel additives such as ethers added to improve resulting fuel properties. 

Stochastic models indicate rapid smallpox spread and mass mortality of Indigenous Australians after colonial exposure

The impact of smallpox (variola) on Aboriginal communities in Australia beginning in 1789 was catastrophic and continues to cause intergenerational trauma. Historically biased perspectives and contemporary misinformation of the disease's introduction and spread impede modern-day truth-telling and efforts towards reconciliation and national healing.

Regulating the Irregular: Phage Therapy and the Case for a Regulatory Sandbox Approach in Australia

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that selectively kill bacteria and offer a promising option to address the growing global pandemic of antimicrobial-resistant infections. However, phage therapy does not easily align with traditional regulatory pathways designed for fixed-composition chemical drugs or biologics with fixed non-evolving compositions.

Personal network inference identifies children at risk of recurrent wheezing and asthma

Wheezing and asthma exacerbations are leading causes of pediatric hospital admissions. Predicting which children will experience persistent exacerbations remains challenging. Prior research has identified immune endotypes in the nasal epithelium of children with acute asthma and wheezing, characterized by varying balances of interferons and inflammatory markers. Notably, children exhibiting low interferon responses coupled with high inflammation are at an increased risk for recurrent respiratory exacerbations.

Strengthening Aboriginal family involvement in the paediatric ESCALATION system: A multi-methods study of Aboriginal families' experiences in raising concerns

To explore Aboriginal families' experiences of recognising clinical deterioration and raising their concerns within the Paediatric ESCALATION system to identify enablers and barriers to family involvement.

Understanding Otitis Media Among Aboriginal Children in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia: An Opportunity to Improve Health Outcomes

To assess the prevalence, clinical features and treatment of otitis media (OM) among Aboriginal children in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and to determine if a correlation exists between OM and protracted bacterial bronchitis.

The respiratory health effects of heated tobacco product aerosols in a primary human airway epithelial cell model

Heated-tobacco-products (HTPs) are electronic devices that "heat" a processed tobacco/chemical mixture to produce an inhalable emission. They are advertised as a reduced-risk alternative to cigarette smoking. The aim of our research was to assess their potential health impacts using a 3D human airway model.

Pre-Post Intervention to Strengthen and Sustain the Paediatric ESCALATION System (The SPECS): Study Protocol

Promptly recognising changes in an acutely unwell child’s condition is fundamental to prevent tragic outcomes. Western Australian (WA) healthcare facilities used inconsistent and varied paediatric early warning systems. To improve care consistency, a standardised ESCALATION system, inclusive of family involvement and sepsis recognition, was developed.