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Point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing is advantageous, enabling diagnosis of active infection in a single visit. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load Finger-Stick assay (Xpert HCV VL FS) for HCV RNA detection (finger-stick) and the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay (plasma) compared with the Abbott RealTime HCV Viral Load assay by venepuncture. Plasma and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples were collected from participants in an observational cohort in Australia. Of 223 participants enrolled, HCV RNA was detected in 40% of participants (85 of 210) with available Xpert HCV Viral Load testing. Participants receiving HCV therapy were excluded from subsequent analyses (n = 16). Sensitivity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay for HCV RNA quantification in plasma collected by venepuncture was 100.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 96.9%-100.0%) and specificity was 100.0% (95% CI, 94.4%-100.0%). Sensitivity of the Xpert HCV VL FS assay for HCV RNA quantification in samples collected by finger-stick was 100.0% (95% CI, 93.9%-100.0%) and specificity was 100.0% (95% CI, 96.6%-100.0%). The Xpert HCV VL FS test can accurately detect active infection from a finger-stick sample in 1 hour allowing single-visit HCV diagnosis.

This study investigated the physical and psychosocial consequences of living with osteoarthritis (OA) in daily life and peoples' views of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the role of physiotherapy. In-depth interview data were used from a prospective qualitative study conducted by the senior author (KY). Participants were 15 volunteers with knee OA who were awaiting TKA at a specialized orthopaedic tertiary care facility in Toronto. A modified grounded theory method approach was used to analyze the interview data. The findings showed that experiences for the participants with OA were conceptualized as a "breakpoint." The breakpoint was centred on the experiences/processes of living with unremitting pain, the limitations of mobility, leisure and social activities, and the resulting consequences to the participant's physical and psychological well-being. In addition to the above experiences, participants also discussed their perceptions of TKA surgery. The findings showed that expectations of TKA were linked to participants' knowledge of the procedure and its outcomes. The participants listed acquaintances, friends, family members, and doctors as the main sources of knowledge for TKA. On the basis of the above analysis, recommendations are made for developing a preoperative physiotherapy program that would focus on minimizing preoperative disability and maximizing postoperative recovery.

The image-free robotic sculpting tool achieved accurate implementation of the surgical plan with small errors in implant placement. The next step will be to determine whether accurate implant placement translates into a clinical and functional benefit for the patient.

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