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Al Kalbani M, Serati M, Hofmann H, Ritchie T, Bore T. Optimizing in-situ CO 2 mineralisation: geomechanics and scalability in dunite and serpentinite rocks - Examples from Australia and New Zealand. Sci Total Environ 2024; 927:172277. [PMID: 38608887 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The collective drive towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 has spurred interest in engineering solutions for carbon capture and storage worldwide. One such approach involves the permanent storage of CO2 in earth-abundant Ca-, Fe-, and Mg-bearing silicate rocks and minerals as carbonates via the process of CO2 mineralisation. This necessitates a thorough understanding of carbonate conversion under geologically relevant conditions. Nevertheless, research on CO2 injection for mineralisation via naturally fractured host rocks or induced fractures, with a research emphasis on rock mechanics and stimulated reservoir volumes (SRV) within geoengineering CO2 storage, is continuously expanding. This research addresses critical challenges related to identifying favourable geographic locations for CO2 mineralisation. It specifically focuses on the abundant availability of Mg, Ca, and Fe cations for exothermic CO2 reactions and their impact on fracture conductivity during in-situ mineralisation. A comprehensive analysis of 26 dunite and serpentinite samples from diverse locations in Australia and New Zealand, including 10 from a cored drilled hole, was conducted. Quantification of divalent cation (Mg, Ca, Fe) content and cation release capacity using XRF and XRD revealed higher cation percentages in dunite samples (approximately 30 %) compared to serpentinite samples (approximately 26 %). Additionally, the study estimated the stimulated rock mass-to-CO2 sequestered ratio, [Formula: see text] , with dunite samples averaging approximately 2.20 [Formula: see text] values and serpentinite samples averaging approximately 2.53. Geomechanical testing enabled the prediction of fracture propagation pressures during aqueous CO2 injection for in-situ mineralisation and the estimation of fracture geometries, emphasizing the role of rock stiffness in determining fracture width (averaging 6.0 mm). Furthermore, the research estimated the rock volume exposed to CO2-laden fluid during injection, particularly focusing on the GHQ-3 sample, which theoretically amounted to approximately 600 kg of rock capable of sequestering around 300 kg of CO2 for a 10 m3 fluid volume with a CO2 concentration of 1molkg-1. The study established a relationship between injected volume and CO2 uptake, suggesting the potential for significant CO2 sequestration scalability by employing horizontal wells and fracturing additional zones, thereby creating and intersecting multiple transverse fractures along a single target zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhannad Al Kalbani
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mehdi Serati
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Harald Hofmann
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia; CSIRO, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, 4102, QLD, Australia
| | - Tom Ritchie
- Hardie Pacific, 57 Leith Street, Dunedin, 9059, New Zealand
| | - Thierry Bore
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
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Tehan PE, Perrin BM, Lazzarini PA, Al-Busaidi IS, Carroll MR. How far has diabetes-related foot disease research progressed in Australia? A bibliometric review (1970-2023). J Foot Ankle Res 2024; 17:e12012. [PMID: 38627979 DOI: 10.1002/jfa2.12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) is a leading cause of the Australian and global disease burdens and requires proportionate volumes of research to address. Bibliometric analyses are rigorous methods for exploring total research publications in a field to help identify volume trends, gaps and emerging areas of need. This bibliometric review aimed to explore the volume, authors, institutions, journals, collaborating countries, research types and funding sources of Australian publications investigating DFD over 50 years. METHODS A systematic search of the Scopus® database was conducted by two independent authors to identify all Australian DFD literature published between 1970 and 2023. Bibliometric meta-data were extracted from Scopus®, analyzed in Biblioshiny, an R Statistical Software interface, and publication volumes, authors, institutions, journals and collaborative countries were described. Publications were also categorised for research type and funding source. RESULTS Overall, 332 eligible publications were included. Publication volume increased steadily over time, with largest volumes (78%) and a 7-fold increase over the last decade. Mean co-authors per publication was 5.6, mean journal impact factor was 2.9 and median citation was 9 (IQR2-24). Most frequent authors were Peter Lazzarini (14%), Vivienne Chuter (8%) and Jonathon Golledge (7%). Most frequent institutions affiliated were Queensland University Technology (33%), University Sydney (30%) and James Cook University (25%). Most frequent journals published in were Journal Foot and Ankle Research (17%), Diabetic Medicine (7%), Journal Diabetes and its Complications (4%) and International Wound Journal (4%). Most frequent collaborating countries were the United Kingdom (9%), the Netherlands (6%) and the United States (5%). Leading research types were etiology (38%), treatment evaluation (25%) and health services research (13%). Leading funding sources were no funding (60%), internal institution (16%) and industry/philanthropic/international (10%). CONCLUSIONS Australian DFD research increased steadily until more dramatic increases were seen over the past decade. Most research received no funding and mainly investigated etiology, existing treatments or health services. Australian DFD researchers appear to be very productive, particularly in recent times, despite minimal funding indicating their resilience. However, if the field is to continue to rapidly grow and address the very large national DFD burden, much more research funding is needed in Australia, especially targeting prevention and clinical trials of new treatments in DFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta E Tehan
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Byron M Perrin
- Department of Rural Health Sciences, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter A Lazzarini
- Allied Health Research Collaborative, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ibrahim S Al-Busaidi
- Department of Primary Care and Clinical Simulation, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Matthew R Carroll
- Department of Podiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Le-Khac UN, Bolton M, Boxall NJ, Wallace SMN, George Y. Living review framework for better policy design and management of hazardous waste in Australia. Sci Total Environ 2024; 924:171556. [PMID: 38458450 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The significant increase in hazardous waste generation in Australia has led to the discussion over the incorporation of artificial intelligence into the hazardous waste management system. Recent studies explored the potential applications of artificial intelligence in various processes of managing waste. However, no study has examined the use of text mining in the hazardous waste management sector for the purpose of informing policymakers. This study developed a living review framework which applied supervised text classification and text mining techniques to extract knowledge using the domain literature data between 2022 and 2023. The framework employed statistical classification models trained using iterative training and the best model XGBoost achieved an F1 score of 0.87. Using a small set of 126 manually labelled global articles, XGBoost automatically predicted the labels of 678 Australian articles with high confidence. Then, keyword extraction and unsupervised topic modelling with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) were performed. Results indicated that there were 2 main research themes in Australian literature: (1) the key waste streams and (2) the resource recovery and recycling of waste. The implication of this framework would benefit the policymakers, researchers, and hazardous waste management organisations by serving as a real time guideline of the current key waste streams and research themes in the literature which allow robust knowledge to be applied to waste management and highlight where the gap in research remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uyen N Le-Khac
- Data Science and AI Department, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Australia.
| | - Mitzi Bolton
- Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Australia
| | - Naomi J Boxall
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia
| | - Stephanie M N Wallace
- Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yasmeen George
- Data Science and AI Department, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Australia
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Nash J, Leong T, Dawkins P, Stone E, Marshall H, Brims F. The TSANZ and Lung Foundation Australia 2023 landscape survey of lung cancer care across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Respirology 2024; 29:405-412. [PMID: 38431910 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Unwarranted variations in lung cancer care have been well described in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, with shortfalls in hospital-based workforce and infrastructure previously demonstrated. A survey of lung cancer clinicians was performed to gain an updated understanding of current workforce and infrastructure. METHODS An online Qualtrics survey included questions on institutional demographics, estimated lung cancer case load, multidisciplinary team (MDT) characteristics including workforce and local infrastructure. We sought to obtain one response from every institution treating lung cancer in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. RESULTS Responses were received from 89 institutions, estimated to include 85% centres treating lung cancer in Australia and 100% of public hospitals in Aotearoa New Zealand. Lung cancer nurse specialist and Nuclear Medicine are poorly represented in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) with just 34/88 (38%) institutions fulfilling recommended core workforce for MDT meetings. Case presentation is low with 32/88 (36%) regularly discussing all lung cancer patients at MDT. Metropolitan institutions appear to have a more comprehensive range of services on site, compared to non-metropolitan institutions. Few (4/88) institutions have embedded smoking cessation services. Compared to the previous 2021 Landscape Survey, thoracic surgery representation and core MDT workforce have improved, with modest change in specialist nurse numbers. CONCLUSION This wide-reaching survey has identified persistent deficiencies and variations in lung cancer workforce and gaps in infrastructure. Multidisciplinary collaboration and care coordination are needed to ensure all patients can access timely and equitable lung cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Nash
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tracy Leong
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Dawkins
- Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emily Stone
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplantation, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Henry Marshall
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The University of Queensland Thoracic Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Fraser Brims
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute for Respiratory Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Rutherford G, Hussain R, Tait K. Pattern of multimorbidity in middle-aged and older-aged people with mild intellectual disability in Australia. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil 2024; 37:e13215. [PMID: 38413378 DOI: 10.1111/jar.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, now constitute a major proportion of ill-health across most adult and older populations including in people with intellectual disability. The current paper is a comparative analysis of prevalence of NCDs across mid-aged and older-aged people with mild intellectual disability. METHOD Comparative data comes from two cross-sectional surveys using similar methodology and timeframes. The analysis sample comprises mid-aged group (30-50 years, N = 291) and older-aged group (≥60 years, N = 391). RESULTS People with mild intellectual disability start developing NCDs in early to mid-adulthood and increases with age. The mean number of NCDs in mid-aged group was 0.86 (SD, 0.84) compared to 3.82 in older group (SD, 2.67). CONCLUSION There needs to be early identification and management of NCDs using relevant health promotion and preventative measures at optimal intervention points. The training of healthcare professionals needs improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Rutherford
- School of Medicine & Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Rafat Hussain
- School of Medicine & Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kathleen Tait
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Sadiq S, Harvey E, Mifsud JCO, Minasny B, McBratney AB, Pozza LE, Mahar JE, Holmes EC. Australian terrestrial environments harbour extensive RNA virus diversity. Virology 2024; 593:110007. [PMID: 38346363 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Australia is home to a diverse range of unique native fauna and flora. To address whether Australian ecosystems also harbour unique viruses, we performed meta-transcriptomic sequencing of 16 farmland and sediment samples taken from the east and west coasts of Australia. We identified 2460 putatively novel RNA viruses across 18 orders, the vast majority of which belonged to the microbe-associated phylum Lenarviricota. In many orders, such as the Nodamuvirales and Ghabrivirales, the novel viruses identified here comprised entirely new clades. Novel viruses also fell between established genera or families, such as in the Cystoviridae and Picornavirales, while highly divergent lineages were identified in the Sobelivirales and Ghabrivirales. Viral read abundance and alpha diversity were influenced by sampling site, soil type and land use, but not by depth from the surface. In sum, Australian soils and sediments are home to remarkable viral diversity, reflecting the biodiversity of local fauna and flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sadiq
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Erin Harvey
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jonathon C O Mifsud
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Budiman Minasny
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences & Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alex B McBratney
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences & Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Liana E Pozza
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences & Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jackie E Mahar
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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7
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Wang SS, Eapen V, Lin PI. The relationship between mental health reforms and general population suicide rates in Australia over the past three and a half decades: 1987-2021. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115884. [PMID: 38569443 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Nearly 3,000 Australians tragically end their lives by suicide each year, underscoring a major national public health challenge with substantial socio-economic ramifications. Australia's National Mental Health Plans (NMHPs) aim to improve mental health and reduce suicide rates. This study investigates their effectiveness by analyzing how age-standardized suicide rates across Australian jurisdictions have fluctuated alongside the implementation of five NMHPs from 1987 to 2021. Findings reveal mixed impacts, with some plans linked to decreases and others associated with increases in suicide rates across different periods and regions. Notably, the recent decline in 2020 requires careful consideration amidst COVID-19 pandemic influences. These insights not only provide valuable evidence for shaping future mental health policies and initiatives but also for future health services research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Ping-I Lin
- School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia.
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8
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Lafontaine N, Brown SJ, Perros P, Papini E, Nagy EV, Attanasio R, Hegedüs L, Walsh JP. Use of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and euthyroid patients: A survey of members of the Endocrine Society of Australia. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2024; 100:477-485. [PMID: 38462996 DOI: 10.1111/cen.15049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine condition usually managed with levothyroxine (LT4). However, controversy remains around the use of liothyronine (LT3). We aimed to investigate the practices of Australian endocrinologists when managing patients with hypothyroidism, their use of LT3 + LT4 combination therapy and use of thyroid hormones in euthyroid patients. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS Members of the Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. MEASUREMENTS We analysed questionnaires that had complete demographic data. RESULTS Eighty-seven questionnaires fulfilled the criteria. LT4 was used as first line treatment for hypothyroidism by all respondents. Only 45% reported that their patients were dispensed the brand of LT4 that they recommend. LT3 (alone or in combination) was prescribed by 44% in their clinical practice. Although 49% of respondents would consider LT3 + LT4 in patients with normal TSH who had ongoing symptoms of hypothyroidism, the inability of LT4 to restore normal physiology was ranked the least likely explanation for persistent symptoms and only 32% would consider it for themselves if they were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The majority (55%), in accordance with evidence, would not prescribe thyroid hormone to euthyroid individuals but 39% would consider use in euthyroid female infertility with high levels of thyroid antibodies and 11% in euthyroid patients with a simple goitre growing over time. LT4 use in pregnancy was variable among members. CONCLUSIONS Australian endocrinologists mostly follow international guidelines when prescribing thyroid hormone therapy and many prescribe combination LT3 and LT4 therapy, particularly for patients who remain symptomatic on LT4 monotherapy. Prescribing practices are largely similar to other countries who have completed similar questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lafontaine
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Suzanne J Brown
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Petros Perros
- Institute of Translational and Clinical Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Enrico Papini
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy
| | - Endre V Nagy
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Roberto Attanasio
- Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Scientific Committee, Milan, Italy
| | - Laszlo Hegedüs
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - John P Walsh
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
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Baron HR, Haberfield J. Exotic Animal Practice in Australasia. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2024:S1094-9194(24)00015-X. [PMID: 38631921 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The diverse and unparalleled ecological landscape of Australasia has forged a unique environment for exotic animal practice, characterized by its rich biodiversity and stringent legislation. From its origins in the 1960s to its current status as a dedicated specialist niche, the exotic pet veterinary profession in Australasia has undergone a remarkable evolution. The profession faces hurdles in education and training, with limited dedicated institutes offering comprehensive programs, leading to a knowledge gap that employers must bridge. However, the close-knit community of passionate veterinarians has forged unique training pathways and opportunities, establishing a vibrant and highly skilled group of professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish R Baron
- The Unusual Pet Vets, 210 Karingal Drive, VIC 3199, Australia.
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Ford PA, Keane CA. Australian men's help-seeking intentions for anxiety symptoms: The impact of masculine norm conformity and gender role conflict. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29114. [PMID: 38633657 PMCID: PMC11021970 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Research highlights a discrepancy between the number of men experiencing mental illness and those seeking professional help, particularly for anxiety. Conformity to masculine norms (CMN) and gender role conflict (GRC) have been recognised as barriers to men's mental health help-seeking, but few studies have examined these relationships for anxiety. This study aimed to examine the relationship between anxiety severity and help-seeking intentions in Australian men, and the additional impact of CMN and GRC. A total of 610 Australians aged 18-89 years (M = 46.02, SD = 17.14) participated in an online survey, which included demographic information and four standardised questionnaires measuring anxiety, help-seeking intentions, CMN, and GRC. CMN but not GRC was found to fully mediate the relationship between anxiety severity and anxiety-related help-seeking intentions. The results have theoretical implications for the study of masculinity and clinical implications for therapeutic approaches for men with anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice A. Ford
- Faculty of Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, Discipline of Psychology, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT, 0810, Australia
| | - Carol A. Keane
- Faculty of Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, Discipline of Psychology, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT, 0810, Australia
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Puljević C, King M, Meciar I, Gartner C. Smoking out Australia's growing illicit tobacco market: Current trends and future challenges. Int J Drug Policy 2024; 127:104424. [PMID: 38614017 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Data from the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Border Force show notable recent increases in illicit tobacco seizures across Australia. The illicit tobacco market results in substantial losses in tax revenue, funds organised crime, and perpetuates tobacco use, threatening to undermine Australia's ability to achieve its national commercial tobacco endgame goal of 5 % or less smoking prevalence by 2030. This commentary discusses recent trends in Australia's illicit tobacco trade, reasons why this is of concern, potential drivers of Australians' illicit tobacco use, and policy measures that could be implemented to mitigate increasing illicit tobacco trade such as implementing a track and trace system, increased investment in the Australian Border Force to enhance detection of illicit tobacco shipments at Australia's borders, and encouraging public tip-offs of illicit tobacco sales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheneal Puljević
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Michael King
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, Charles Sturt University, Australia
| | - Isabel Meciar
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Coral Gartner
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Wong MKL, McRae JM. Leptanillavoldemort sp. nov., a gracile new species of the hypogaeic ant genus Leptanilla (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Pilbara, with a key to Australian Leptanilla. Zookeys 2024; 1197:171-182. [PMID: 38651116 PMCID: PMC11033553 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Leptanilla Emery, 1870 of the family Formicidae, subfamily Leptanillinae, comprises miniscule, pale, blind ants that are rarely collected and poorly understood due to their hypogaeic (i.e. underground) lifestyles. Here we describe a new Leptanilla species from two workers collected via subterranean scraping in the arid Pilbara region of Western Australia. Leptanillavoldemortsp. nov. is the second leptanilline species documented in Australia after the elusive Leptanillaswani Wheeler, 1932. Workers of L.voldemortsp. nov. display a remarkably gracile morphology characterised by elongated legs, antennae, and mandibles, and they are easily differentiated from other Leptanilla species. We also provide new measurements for L.swani from two workers found proximally to the type locality of L.voldemortsp. nov. A key to the worker caste of Leptanilla species of the Australian continent is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark K. L. Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyAustralia
- Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Floreat, WA 6014, AustraliaCentre for Environment and Life Sciences, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationFloreatAustralia
| | - Jane M. McRae
- Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, 5 Bishop Street, Jolimont, WA 6014, AustraliaBennelongia Environmental ConsultantsJolimontAustralia
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Okoffo ED, Tan E, Grinham A, Gaddam SMR, Yip JYH, Twomey AJ, Thomas KV, Bostock H. Plastic pollution in Moreton Bay sediments, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Sci Total Environ 2024; 920:170987. [PMID: 38365023 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The mounting issue of plastic waste in the aquatic ecosystem is a growing source of concern. Most plastic waste originates on land and a significant proportion of this eventually finds its way into the marine environment, which is widely regarded as a major repository for plastic debris. Currently, there exists a substantial gap in our understanding of how much plastic, the main polymer types, and the distribution of plastic in the marine environment. This study aimed to provide information on mass concentrations of a range of plastics in the surface sediments in the semi-enclosed Moreton Bay, just offshore the large city of Brisbane, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Surface sediment samples were quantitatively analysed for a suite of 7 common plastic polymer types (i.e., polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) using a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by double-shot microfurnace pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS). The advantage of this approach is that it can measure plastics below the limit of visual detection. The study revealed that Σ7plastics were consistently present in the samples, although the concentrations displayed a wide range of concentrations from 3.3 to 2194.2 μg/g across different sites. Among the polymers analysed, PE and PVC were found at the highest concentrations, ranging from 2.3 to 1885.9 μg/g and 3.0-979.5 μg/g, respectively. Based on the average concentrations of plastics measured, the dry bulk density and volume of sediments within the top 10 cm of the bay, it was estimated that there is a minimum of 7000 t of plastics stored in the surface sediments of the bay. This study is the first to report the mass concentrations of identified plastics and identify the main polymer types in Moreton Bay. This is important information to develop management plans to reduce the plastic waste entering the coastal marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis D Okoffo
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Emmeline Tan
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Alistair Grinham
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology, University of Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Josie Yee Hang Yip
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Alice J Twomey
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Helen Bostock
- School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Australia
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Yap S, Luo Q, Wade S, Ngo P, Goldsbury D, Sarich P, Banks E, Weber M, Canfell K, David M, Steinberg J. Impact of weighting on the association between sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviours and cancer, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the Australian 45 and Up Study. Cancer Epidemiol 2024; 90:102567. [PMID: 38603997 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2024.102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Weighting can improve study estimate representativeness. We examined the impact of weighting on associations between participants' characteristics and cancer, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the Australian 45 and Up Study cohort. METHODS Raking weighted cohort data to the 2006 Australian population for seven sociodemographic characteristics. Deaths were ascertained via linkage to routinely collected data. Cox's proportional hazards regression quantified associations between 11 sociodemographic and health characteristics and cancer, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The ratios of hazard ratios (RHRs) compared unweighted and weighted estimates. RESULTS Among 195,052 included participants (median follow-up 11.4 years), there were 7200 cancer, 5912 cardiovascular and 21,840 all-cause deaths. Overall, 102/111 (91.9%) weighted HRs did not differ significantly from unweighted HRs (100%, 86.5% and 89.2% of 37 HRs for cancer, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, respectively). Significant differences included a somewhat stronger association between single/widowed/divorced (versus married/de-facto) and cardiovascular mortality (unweighted HR=1.25 (95%CI:1.18-1.32), weighted HR=1.33 (95%CI:1.24-1.42), RHR=1.06 (95%CI:1.02-1.11)); and between no school certificate/qualification (versus university degree) and all-cause mortality (unweighted HR=1.21 (95%CI:1.15-1.27), weighted HR=1.28 (95%CI:1.19-1.38), RHR=1.06 (95%CI:1.03-1.10)). CONCLUSION Our results support the generalisability of most estimates of associations in the 45 and Up Study, particularly in relation to cancer mortality. Slight distortion of a few associations with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarsha Yap
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Qingwei Luo
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Wade
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Preston Ngo
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Goldsbury
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Sarich
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emily Banks
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Marianne Weber
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Canfell
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael David
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julia Steinberg
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Beeston SL, Poropat SF, Mannion PD, Pentland AH, Enchelmaier MJ, Sloan T, Elliott DA. Reappraisal of sauropod dinosaur diversity in the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, through 3D digitisation and description of new specimens. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17180. [PMID: 38618562 PMCID: PMC11011616 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Skeletal remains of sauropod dinosaurs have been known from Australia for over 100 years. Unfortunately, the classification of the majority of these specimens to species level has historically been impeded by their incompleteness. This has begun to change in the last 15 years, primarily through the discovery and description of several partial skeletons from the Cenomanian-lower Turonian (lower Upper Cretaceous) Winton Formation in central Queensland, with four species erected to date: Australotitan cooperensis, Diamantinasaurus matildae, Savannasaurus elliottorum, and Wintonotitan wattsi. The first three of these appear to form a clade (Diamantinasauria) of early diverging titanosaurs (or close relatives of titanosaurs), whereas Wintonotitan wattsi is typically recovered as a distantly related non-titanosaurian somphospondylan. Through the use of 3D scanning, we digitised numerous specimens of Winton Formation sauropods, facilitating enhanced comparison between type and referred specimens, and heretofore undescribed specimens. We present new anatomical information on the holotype specimen of Diamantinasaurus matildae, and describe new remains pertaining to twelve sauropod individuals. Firsthand observations and digital analysis enabled previously proposed autapomorphic features of all four named Winton Formation sauropod species to be identified in the newly described specimens, with some specimens exhibiting putative autapomorphies of more than one species, prompting a reassessment of their taxonomic validity. Supported by a specimen-level phylogenetic analysis, we suggest that Australotitan cooperensis is probably a junior synonym of Diamantinasaurus matildae, but conservatively regard it herein as an indeterminate diamantinasaurian, meaning that the Winton Formation sauropod fauna now comprises three (rather than four) valid diamantinasaurian species: Diamantinasaurus matildae, Savannasaurus elliottorum, and Wintonotitan wattsi, with the latter robustly supported as a member of the clade for the first time. We refer some of the newly described specimens to these three species and provide revised diagnoses, with some previously proposed autapomorphies now regarded as diamantinasaurian synapomorphies. Our newly presented anatomical data and critical reappraisal of the Winton Formation sauropods facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the mid-Cretaceous sauropod palaeobiota of central Queensland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Beeston
- Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, Winton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen F. Poropat
- Western Australian Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre, School of Earth and Planetary Science, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Philip D. Mannion
- Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adele H. Pentland
- Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, Winton, Queensland, Australia
- Western Australian Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre, School of Earth and Planetary Science, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Trish Sloan
- Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, Winton, Queensland, Australia
| | - David A. Elliott
- Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, Winton, Queensland, Australia
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Chen Y, Tower M, Zimmerman PA, Layh J, Sparke V, Prichard R, Mason M, Lin FF. Perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among health professional students in Australia: a qualitative study. J Public Health Policy 2024:10.1057/s41271-024-00483-4. [PMID: 38594480 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-024-00483-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Using two qualitative data sources: free-text responses to an open-ended question of an online survey and subsequent interviews and focus groups, we explored perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among health professional students enrolled in Australian universities during the pandemic with data collected from October 2021 to April 2022. Students provided free-text responses to the open-ended question (n = 313) in the online survey and participated in interviews or focus groups (n = 17). Data analysis revealed three themes, including perceptions of COVID-19 seriousness and the risk of contracting the virus, information dissemination, and attitudes toward the vaccine mandate. The study identified evolving perceptions of COVID-19 seriousness among Australian health professional students and their sentiments toward the vaccine mandate. There is a need to ensure the quality of information dissemination related to the vaccine mandate. This may not only support students' uptake of mandatory vaccination but also provide a means for them to address vaccination with healthcare consumers and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyan Chen
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia.
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia.
- University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Dr, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia.
| | - Marion Tower
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Janice Layh
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Vanessa Sparke
- Nursing and Midwifery, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Roslyn Prichard
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Matt Mason
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Frances Fengzhi Lin
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
- Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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17
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Power BD, Kandane-Rathnayake R, Tiller G, Renton WD, Cox A, Johnstone L, Hoi A, Gowdie P. Enrolment of the first paediatric cohort into the Australian lupus registry and biobank: A single-centre experience. Lupus 2024:9612033241244879. [PMID: 38587355 DOI: 10.1177/09612033241244879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aim to report on the feasibility of establishment of the first paediatric cohort as part of the longitudinal database of the Australian Lupus Registry and Biobank (ALRB) and to describe the enrolment data with a focus on clinical characteristics, serological data, treatment strategies and patient/parent-reported outcome measures. METHODS All patients under the age of 18 years with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) attending the paediatric rheumatology service of a single, tertiary hospital were identified. Patients were enrolled in the ALRB if they met ≥4/11 of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1997 SLE classification criteria or the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) 2012 classification criteria. Enrolment data including demographics, clinical characteristics, serological profiles, disease activity and damage assessments were recorded. Peds-QL Rheumatology and General Modules were used to assess patient and parent-reported outcomes. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were eligible for inclusion, with 26 patients (96%) consenting for enrolment. Twenty-five patients (92%) consented for biobanking. Twenty patients (77%) were female. The median age at enrolment was 16 years (interquartile range (IQR) 13.7, 17.4). The median disease duration from diagnosis was 3.2 years (IQR 1.4, 5.3). Sixteen patients (62%) had synovitis, 16 (62%) had cutaneous involvement, 4 (15%) had serositis, 17 (65%) had haematological involvement and 7 (27%) had renal involvement at enrolment. Nineteen patients (73%) were prescribed at least two disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDs). Hydroxychloroquine (n = 22, 85%) and mycophenolate mofetil (n = 9, 35%) were the most commonly prescribed DMARDs. The median SLEDAI-2K score was 2 (IQR 2, 4). Six patients (23%) had active disease (SLEDAI-2K ≥6) at enrolment. Three patients (11.5%) had reported damage using the SLICC/ACR Damage Index. Twenty-three children (88%) and eighteen parents (69%) completed the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Quality of life scores reported across domains of physical, emotional, social and school functioning at enrolment were comparable to previously studied paediatric cohorts with SLE and other chronic diseases. CONCLUSION We have established our centre as the first paediatric participating site of the ALRB, providing contemporary data on the clinical characteristics, serological profile and health-related quality of life outcomes of Australian children with SLE. Paediatric involvement with this national registry will provide a unique perspective for future clinical and scientific research. Collection of Australian-specific paediatric longitudinal data will also enable a broader understanding of SLE within a multicultural Australian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn D Power
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Georgina Tiller
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Rheumatology Team, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - William D Renton
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Rheumatology Team, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Angela Cox
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Rheumatology Team, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lilian Johnstone
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alberta Hoi
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Gowdie
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Rheumatology Team, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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18
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Henson GJ, van der Mei I, Taylor BV, Blacklow P, Claflin SB, Palmer AJ, Hurst C, Campbell JA. The quality of life impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS): evidence from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study. Qual Life Res 2024:10.1007/s11136-024-03620-4. [PMID: 38578380 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03620-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE People living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in metropolitan Victoria, Australia, experienced a 112-day, COVID-19-related lockdown in mid-2020. Contemporaneously, Australian PwMS elsewhere experienced minimal restrictions, resulting in a natural experiment. This study investigated the relationships between lockdowns, COVID-19-related adversity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It also generated health state utilities (HSU) representative of changes in HRQoL. METHODS Data were extracted from Australian MS Longitudinal Study surveys, which included the Assessment of Quality of Life-Eight Dimensions (AQoL-8D) instrument and a COVID-19 questionnaire. This COVID-19 questionnaire required participants to rank their COVID-19-related adversity across seven health dimensions. Ordered probits were used to identify variables contributing to adversity. Linear and logit regressions were applied to determine the impact of adversity on HRQoL, defined using AQoL-8D HSUs. Qualitative data were examined thematically. RESULTS N = 1666 PwMS (average age 58.5; 79.8% female; consistent with the clinical presentation of MS) entered the study, with n = 367 (22.0%) exposed to the 112-day lockdown. Lockdown exposure and disability severity were strongly associated with higher adversity rankings (p < 0.01). Higher adversity rankings were associated with lower HSUs. Participants reporting major adversity, across measured health dimensions, had a mean HSU 0.161 (p < 0.01) lower than participants reporting no adversity and were more likely (OR: 2.716, p < 0.01) to report a clinically significant HSU reduction. Themes in qualitative data supported quantitative findings. CONCLUSIONS We found that COVID-19-related adversity reduced the HRQoL of PwMS. Our HSU estimates can be used in health economic models to evaluate lockdown cost-effectiveness for people with complex and chronic (mainly neurological) diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen J Henson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia
| | - Ingrid van der Mei
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia
| | - Bruce V Taylor
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia
| | - Paul Blacklow
- Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, 7005, Australia
| | - Suzi B Claflin
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia
| | - Andrew J Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia
| | - Carol Hurst
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia
| | - Julie A Campbell
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, 7000, Australia.
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19
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Linnegar B, Kerlin DH, Eby P, Kemsley P, McCallum H, Peel AJ. Horse populations are severely underestimated in a region at risk of Hendra virus spillover. Aust Vet J 2024. [PMID: 38567676 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the size and distribution of the horse population in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW, including changes from 2007 to 2021, to better understand populations at risk of Hendra virus transmission. METHODS Census data from the 2007 Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak were compared with data collected annually by New South Wales Local Land Services (LLS) (2011-2021), and with field observations via road line transects (2021). RESULTS The horse populations reported to LLS in 2011 (3000 horses; 0.77 horses/km2) was 145% larger than that reported during the EI outbreak in 2007 (1225 horses; 0.32 horses/km2). This was inconsistent with the 6% increase in horses recorded from 2011 to 2020 within the longitudinal LLS dataset. Linear modelling suggested the true horse population of this region in 2007 was at least double that reported at the time. Distance sampling in 2021 estimated the region's population at 10,185 horses (3.89 per km2; 95% CI = 4854-21,372). Field sampling and modelling identified higher horse densities in rural cropland, with the percentage of conservation land, modified grazing, and rural residential land identified as the best predictors of horse densities. CONCLUSIONS Data from the 2007 EI outbreak no longer correlates to the current horse population in size or distribution and was likely not a true representation at the time. Current LLS data also likely underestimates horse populations. Ongoing efforts to further quantify and map horse populations in Australia are important for estimating and managing the risk of equine zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Linnegar
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - D H Kerlin
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - P Eby
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Large Landscape Conservation, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - P Kemsley
- North Coast Local Land Services, Wollongbar, New South Wales, Australia
| | - H McCallum
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - A J Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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Yu J, Houston L, Gianacas C, Lee V, Fletcher RA, Chen AXN, Arnott C. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to dietary salt intake and the acceptability of salt substitute among the Australian culturally and linguistically diverse community: An online survey. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2024. [PMID: 38563696 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The Australian culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities may be at higher risk of salt intake than recommended given the use of a combination of discretionary sources and exposure to processed foods within a western country. This survey aimed to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward dietary salt and the acceptability of salt substitutes in the CALD communities. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults who self-reported being a part of a CALD community, which was defined as non-Indigenous cultural groups in Australia having cultural or linguistic connections with their overseas place of birth, ancestry or ethnic origin, religion, preferred language or language spoken at home. A total of 218 respondents opened the survey link. A total of 196 completed the entire survey. The majority of respondents (162, 83%) were aware that high salt intake causes serious health problems. Altogether 134 (69%) respondents were aware that there is a recommended amount for daily salt consumption although only 59 (44%) knew precise recommendations as <5 g salt per day. Around one quarter of the respondents rarely or never looked for ‟low in salt'' or ‟reduced salt'' messages on food labels when shopping. Over half specified they always or often added salt during cooking or preparing foods in the household. Almost 4 in 5 CALD respondents were willing to reduce their salt intake for health and 3 in 4 were open to trying a salt substitute. Further research into the utility of a salt substitute intervention in the Australian CALD community is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lauren Houston
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chris Gianacas
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vivian Lee
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert A Fletcher
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Xun-Nan Chen
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Clare Arnott
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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21
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Hirani R, Powley T, Mondy P, Irving DO. The prevalence of selected clinically significant red blood cell antigens among Australian blood donors. Pathology 2024; 56:398-403. [PMID: 38142183 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion can cause some patients to form antibodies to RBC antigens when RBC phenotypes do not match that of the blood donor. Transfusion practitioners can order phenotyped RBC units for patients with known RBC antibodies or those who are at risk of forming them. However, with increasing demand for phenotyped RBC units, contemporary data on antigen prevalence is required to manage the changing supply. A total of 490,491 blood donors, including 103,798 (21.2%) first-time blood donors, from 2019 were analysed for the prevalence of selected clinically relevant blood group antigens. Prevalence of the phenotype R1R1 (D+ C+ E- c- e+) increased from the previous estimate of 17.3% to 24.0% in first-time blood donors. The prevalence of R1r (D+ C+ E- c+ e+) decreased from 35.3% to 30.8%. R1R1 was more common in blood donors born in Asia or the Middle East. The prevalence of Fy(a-b-) in donors where Fy antigens were tested was 0.2%. Of these, 71.8% stated their region of birth as Africa. The prevalence of Jk(a-b-) is 0.01% in donors where the Jk antigens were tested with region of birth stated as either Oceania or Asia. The increasing prevalence of the c-negative phenotype in R1R1 individuals is associated with the changing demographics of the Australian community. For R1R1 individuals with childbearing potential, the transfusion of RhD negative blood, which is usually c-positive, may increase the possibility of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn during pregnancy. Continued diversification of the Australian blood donor panel will support having the appropriate phenotyped RBC units available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Hirani
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Tanya Powley
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Phillip Mondy
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David O Irving
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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22
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Cope ED, Gupta N, Koehler AV, Gasser RB, Crowe A. Ocular Dirofilariasis in Migrant from Sri Lanka, Australia. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:829-830. [PMID: 38526371 PMCID: PMC10977853 DOI: 10.3201/eid3004.240125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We describe a case of imported ocular dirofilariasis in Australia, linked to the Hong Kong genotype of Dirofilaria sp., in a migrant from Sri Lanka. Surgical extraction and mitochondrial sequences analyses confirmed this filarioid nematode as the causative agent and a Dirofilaria sp. not previously reported in Australia.
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23
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Scheelings TF, Koehler AV, Gasser RB. New records of Hepatozoon and Oswaldofilaria from saltwater crocodiles ( Crocodylus porosus) in Australia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100926. [PMID: 38560660 PMCID: PMC10981083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Diseases affecting wild Australian saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are rarely reported due to the difficulty in capturing animals and obtaining samples. In this investigation, we identified two haemoparasites (Hepatozoon and a filarial nematode) in saltwater crocodiles in Darwin, Australia. Light microscopic examination identified Hepatozoon in 7/7 (100%) wild crocodiles and in 2/20 (10%) of captive ones. When genomic DNAs from these same samples were further investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sequencing, we detected Hepatozoon in all 27 blood samples. Using both microscopy and PCR-based sequencing, we detected a filarial worm (proposed to be Oswaldofilaria) in one of 20 captive crocodiles. The sequence data were compared with sequence data available in public databases, and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the operational taxonomic units of Hepatozoon and Oswaldofilaria discovered here in these crocodiles are likely new species. This study is the first to use molecular tools to explore haemoparasites in Australian saltwater crocodiles and highlights the importance of health investigations in poorly studied vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Franciscus Scheelings
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Anson V. Koehler
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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24
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Luk M, Longman J. Young people's experiences of the Northern Rivers 2017 flood and its effects on their mental health. Aust J Rural Health 2024; 32:343-353. [PMID: 38456227 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore young people's (YP) experiences of catastrophic flooding in the Northern Rivers area of northern NSW in 2017 and its effect on their mental health. DESIGN Content analysis of free-text survey responses (written responses to open questions, rather than selecting a response option). SETTING Northern Rivers NSW. PARTICIPANTS YP aged 16-25 years who were Northern Rivers residents at the time of the 2017 flood. RESULTS YP found their flood experience to be novel and challenging. They expressed worry, distress, anxiety, and worsened pre-existing mental health issues as a result of the flood. YP reported a number of primary stressors (inadequate preparedness, warning and support during the flood) and secondary stressors (loss/damage of property and possessions, financial strain and disruptions to daily life) which potentially contributed to poor mental health. Some YP reported positive outcomes from their flood experience, notably increased community connectedness and personal resilience. However, they also expressed concern for the future, particularly potential reoccurrence of extreme floods as well as climate change. YP conveyed a desire for better community involvement to improve preparedness for future floods and a clear motivation to take action on climate change. CONCLUSION The flood was a challenging experience for YP which was commonly described as negatively affecting their mental health. Understanding what YP view as significant events or issues arising from their personal flood experience may help target support mechanisms and services to maintain their mental. More focus on community-based initiatives to improve disaster preparedness can support mental health in YP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Luk
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, The University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jo Longman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, The University Centre for Rural Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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25
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Abbas G, Ghafar A, McConnell E, Beasley A, Bauquier J, Wilkes EJA, El-Hage C, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Hurley J, Gauci CG, Beveridge I, Ling E, Jacobson C, Stevenson MA, Nielsen MK, Hughes KJ, Jabbar A. A national survey of anthelmintic resistance in ascarid and strongylid nematodes in Australian Thoroughbred horses. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 24:100517. [PMID: 38064906 PMCID: PMC10757041 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
This study quantified the extent of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in ascarid and strongylid nematodes against commonly used anthelmintics in Australian Thoroughbred horses. Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs, n = 86) and egg reappearance period (ERP) tests were conducted on 22 farms across Australia. Faecal egg counts (FECs) were determined using the modified McMaster technique, and percent faecal egg count reduction (%FECR) was calculated using the Bayesian hierarchical model and hybrid Frequentist/Bayesian analysis method. The results were interpreted using old (published in 1992) and new (2023) research guidelines of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). The species composition of strongylid nematodes was detected utilising a DNA-metabarcoding method using pre- and post-treatment samples. Resistance was observed in strongylid nematodes to commonly used single-active and combination anthelmintics, including ivermectin (IVM %FECR range: 82%-92%; 95% lower credible interval (LCI) range: 80%-90%), abamectin (ABM: 73%-92%; 65%-88%), moxidectin (MOX: 89%-91%; 84%-89%), oxfendazole (OFZ: 0%-56%; 0%-31%) and its combination with pyrantel (OFZ + PYR: 0%-82%; 0%-78%). Resistance in Parascaris spp. was observed to IVM (10%-43%; 0%-36%), ABM (0%; 0%) and MOX (0%; 0%). When the new thresholds recommended by the WAAVP were used, AR was detected in six additional FECRTs for strongylids and three more tests for Parascaris spp., introducing resistance to OFZ and OFZ + PYR in the latter. Shortened ERPs (4-6 weeks) of strongylids were observed in 31 FECRTs in which AR was not detected at 2 weeks post-treatment for all the anthelmintics tested. Among cyathostomins, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Coronocyclus coronatus were the most prevalent species at 2 weeks post-treatment, whereas the main species appearing at five weeks following treatments with macrocyclic lactones were Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Cylicocyclus ashworthi. After treatment with OFZ + PYR, the latter three, plus Coronocyclus coronatus and Cyathostomum catinatum, were detected at 5 weeks post-treatment. Overall, the study highlights the prevalence of AR in both ascarids and strongylid nematodes against commonly used anthelmintic products to control worms in Australian horses. The results indicate that ML combination products provided acceptable efficacy at 2 weeks. However, ERP calculations suggest that products work less effectively than previously measured. It is suggested to regularly monitor the efficacy of the anthelmintics and consider changing the worm control practices to better manage worms and AR in Australian horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazanfar Abbas
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Abdul Ghafar
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Emma McConnell
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anne Beasley
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - Jenni Bauquier
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | | | - Charles El-Hage
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Peter Carrigan
- Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales 2337, Australia
| | - Lucy Cudmore
- Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales 2337, Australia
| | - John Hurley
- Swettenham Stud, Nagambie, Victoria 3608, Australia
| | - Charles G Gauci
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Ian Beveridge
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Elysia Ling
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Caroline Jacobson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mark A Stevenson
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Martin K Nielsen
- M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Kristopher J Hughes
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2650, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
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26
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Lowell A, Jones Y, Aitken R, Baker DR, Lovell J, Togni S, Gon D Arra D, Sometimes B, Smith M, Anderson J, Sharp R, Karidakis M, Quinlivan S, Truong M, Lawton P. Why surveys are 'very hard': exploring challenges and insights for collection of authentic patient experience information with speakers of Australian First Nations languages. Rural Remote Health 2024; 24:8380. [PMID: 38632667 DOI: 10.22605/rrh8380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health services collect patient experience data to monitor, evaluate and improve services and subsequently health outcomes. Obtaining authentic patient experience information to inform improvements relies on the quality of data collection processes and the responsiveness of these processes to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations. This study explores the challenges and considerations in collecting authentic patient experience information through survey methods with Australians who primarily speak First Nations languages. METHODS First Nations language experts, interpreters, health staff and researchers with expertise in intercultural communication engaged in an iterative process of critical review of two survey tools using qualitative methods. These included a collaborative process of repeated translation and back translation of survey items and collaborative analysis of video-recorded trial administration of surveys with languages experts (who were also receiving dialysis treatment) and survey administrators. All research activities were audio- or video-recorded, and data from all sources were translated, transcribed and inductively analysed to identify key elements influencing acceptability and relevance of both survey process and items as well as translatability. RESULTS Serious challenges in achieving equivalence of meaning between English and translated versions of survey items were pervasive. Translatability of original survey items was extensively compromised by the use of metaphors specific to the cultural context within which surveys were developed, English words that are familiar but used with different meaning, English terms with no equivalent in First Nations languages and grammatical discordance between languages. Discordance between survey methods and First Nations cultural protocols and preferences for seeking and sharing information was also important: the lack of opportunity to share the 'full story', discomfort with direct questions and communication protocols that preclude negative or critical responses constrained the authenticity of the information obtained through survey methods. These limitations have serious implications for the quality of information collected and result in frustration and distress for those engaging with the survey. CONCLUSION Profound implications for the acceptability of a survey tool as well as data quality arise from differences between First Nations cultural and communication contexts and the cultural context within which survey methods have evolved. When data collection processes are not linguistically and culturally congruent there is a risk that patient experience data are inaccurate, miss what is important to First Nations patients and have limited utility for informing relevant healthcare improvement. Engagement of First Nations cultural and language experts is essential in all stages of development, implementation and evaluation of culturally safe and effective approaches to support speakers of First Nations languages to share their experiences of health care and influence change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Lowell
- Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Dr, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
| | - Yomei Jones
- Royal Darwin Hospital, PO Box 41096, Rocklands Dr, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia
| | - Robyn Aitken
- Flinders University, Rocklands Rd, Tiwi, NT 0810, Australia
| | - Dikul R Baker
- Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Dr, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
- Present address: Self Employed, 7 Howley Cres., Anula, NT 0812, Australia
| | - Judith Lovell
- Charles Darwin University, Central Australian Campus, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
- Present address: Batchelor Institute, Central Australian Campus, 475 Stuart Hwy, Alice Springs, NT 0873, Australia
| | - Samantha Togni
- S2 Consulting, PO Box 137, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia
| | | | - Beth Sometimes
- Self Employed, 12 Giles St, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
| | - Margaret Smith
- Self Employed, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
| | - Julie Anderson
- Self Employed, 3 Wilkinson St, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
| | - Rachael Sharp
- Department of Health, Health House, PO Box 41326, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia
- Present address: Top End Mental Health Service, RDH Campus, Nightingale Rd, GPO Box 140, Parap, NT 0804, Australia
| | - Maria Karidakis
- School of Languages and Linguistics, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Sarita Quinlivan
- The Purple House (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation), PO Box 5060, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia
- Present address: Warlukurlangu Artists, Ral Ral Ave, Yuendumu, NT 0872, Australia
| | - Mandy Truong
- Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia
- Present address: Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia
| | - Paul Lawton
- Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia
- Present address: The Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia
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27
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Cheney K, Mignacca E, Black KI, Homer C, Bradfield Z. An exploration of the contraceptive counselling practices of midwives who provide postpartum care in Australia. Midwifery 2024; 131:103948. [PMID: 38335692 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to explore and describe midwives' attitudes and practices relating to their provision of postpartum contraception counselling. DESIGN We used an exploratory cross-sectional design. Recruitment used an anonymous online survey using electronic communication platforms of professional, and special-interest organisations, over six months . Descriptive and quantitative analysis was used. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Australian Midwives who provide postpartum care. MEANING AND FINDINGS A total of 289 complete responses were included. Findings from this national survey of midwives showed that almost 75% of Australian midwives reported providing some contraceptive advice to women. Those working in continuity of care models were significantly more likely to fulfil this responsibility. More than half (67%) indicated they had not received any formal contraception education or training. Those working in private obstetric-led settings were significantly less likely to have received education compared to midwives in community settings. Systems barriers preventing the provision of contraceptive counselling included: clinical workload; lack of management support; lack of education; and models of care. KEY CONCLUSIONS Most midwives (82%) wanted to provide postpartum contraception counselling as part of their role. They cited barriers from within the health system, ambiguity about roles and responsibilities and offered solutions to improve the provision of postnatal contraception counselling. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Recommendations include the development of education programs for midwives. Continuity of care models provided the time, autonomy and opportunity for midwives to undertake contraceptive counselling and fulfil this part of their professional scope. Consideration should be given to expanding access and provision of continuity of midwifery care. An urgent investment in the education and skills of midwives is recommended to ensure all women across acute and community services benefit from improved outcomes associated with pregnancy spacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Cheney
- The Sydney School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Emily Mignacca
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, Oral Health Therapy, Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Kirsten I Black
- The Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Caroline Homer
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Zoe Bradfield
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, Oral Health Therapy, Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University Perth, WA 6102, Australia
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28
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Nikodijevic CJ, Probst YC, Tan SY, Neale EP. Metabolisable energy from nuts and patterns of nut consumption in the Australian population: a secondary analysis of the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024; 37:538-549. [PMID: 38238999 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nut intake is not associated with increased body weight, which may be explained by their metabolisable energy, among other factors. Therefore, total energy intake may be overestimated among nut consumers. This study aimed to describe the metabolisable energy from nuts and nut consumption patterns in the Australian population. METHODS A nut-specific database was expanded to include metabolisable energy of nuts (based on nut type and form) and applied to the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS). Participants were Australians aged 2 years and older from the 2011-12 NNPAS (n = 12,153, with n = 4,765 nut consumers). Mean metabolisable energy intake was compared with mean energy intake using Atwater factors in nut consumers. Additionally, nut consumption patterns were explored, including the proportion of nuts consumed at meals and snacks. RESULTS Among nut consumers, mean metabolisable energy from nuts based only on nut type was 241.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 232.0, 250.5) kJ/day and mean metabolisable energy considering both nut type and form was 260.7 (95% CI: 250.2, 271.2) kJ/day. Energy intake from nuts using Atwater factors was 317.6 (95% CI: 304.8, 330.3) kJ/day. Nuts were more likely to be consumed at snack occasions, with approximately 63% of nut intake occurring as a snack. CONCLUSION Application of metabolisable energy to the 2011-12 NNPAS has a significant impact on calculation of energy intake from nuts. Nut consumption patterns identified a majority of nut consumption occurring as snacks. These findings may inform strategies to support nut consumption in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J Nikodijevic
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yasmine C Probst
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sze-Yen Tan
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth P Neale
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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29
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Harney BL, Sacks-Davis R, van Santen DK, Traeger MW, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, Fairley CK, Roth N, Bloch M, Matthews GV, Donovan B, Guy R, Stoové M, Hellard ME, Doyle JS. Hepatitis C virus reinfection incidence among gay and bisexual men with HIV in Australia from 2016 to 2020. Liver Int 2024; 44:1024-1031. [PMID: 38291946 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is some concern that hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection might impact HCV micro-elimination efforts among gay and bisexual men (GBM) with HIV. However, there is a limited understanding of reinfection incidence in the context of unrestricted government-funded HCV treatment. We aimed to estimate HCV reinfection incidence among GBM with HIV in Australia from 2016 to 2020. METHODS Data were from 39 clinics participating in ACCESS, a sentinel surveillance network for blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections across Australia. GBM with HIV who had evidence of treatment or spontaneous clearance with at least one positive HCV RNA test, a subsequent negative HCV RNA test, and at least one additional HCV RNA test between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2020 were eligible for inclusion. A new HCV RNA positive test and/or detectable viral load was defined as a reinfection. Generalised linear modelling was used to examine trends in reinfection. RESULTS Among 12 213 GBM with HIV who had at least one HCV test, 540 were included in the reinfection incidence analysis, of whom 38 (7%) had evidence of reinfection during the observation period. Over 1124 person-years of follow-up, the overall rate of reinfection was 3.4/100PY (95% CI 2.5-4.6). HCV reinfection incidence declined on average 30% per calendar year (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91). CONCLUSION HCV reinfection incidence has declined among GBM with HIV in Australia since government-funded unrestricted DAAs were made available. Ongoing HCV RNA testing following cure and prompt treatment for anyone newly diagnosed is warranted to sustain this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L Harney
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniela K van Santen
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael W Traeger
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason Asselin
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Norman Roth
- Prahran Market Clinic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Bloch
- Holdsworth House Medical Practice, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gail V Matthews
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health & Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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30
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Garavelis KN, Hayes N, Rose TA, Maloney M, Liddle K, Moritz K, Gullo M, Gullo HL, McMah R, Heussler H, Reid N. Exploring the experience of service users following attendance at a student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic. Disabil Rehabil 2024; 46:1298-1308. [PMID: 37029616 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2193430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the current study was to understand service users' experiences at a recently established student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic for children and adolescents with suspected or confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. METHOD Semi-structured interviews were completed at 3-months post-clinic attendance with 10 service users: eight parents/caregivers and two youth workers/case managers. Interview data were analysed thematically using NVivo12. RESULTS Four main themes were developed: (1) clinic attendance seen as a positive event; (2) validation, clarification, and relief, but also challenges post-assessment; (3) need for further support and importance of advocacy; and (4) drawing on lived experiences for future service improvements. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrated that service users reported benefits from tailored services delivered by student practitioners that were validating, supportive, and holistic. Findings from the current study can inform the development and implementation of future innovative service delivery models for individuals with suspected or confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khari Nicola Garavelis
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicole Hayes
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tanya A Rose
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Maree Maloney
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen Liddle
- Faculty of Medicine, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen Moritz
- Faculty of Medicine, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Matthew Gullo
- National Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
| | - Hannah L Gullo
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Therapies Annexe, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rebeccah McMah
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Therapies Annexe, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- Faculty of Medicine, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Natasha Reid
- Child Health Program, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
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Lim G, Bourne A, Hill A, McNair R, Lyons A, Amos N. Community connection is associated with lower psychological distress for sexual minority women who view community connection positively. Cult Health Sex 2024; 26:513-530. [PMID: 37452686 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2023.2231043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
We examined factors associated with sexual minority women's evaluations of belonging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Australia, and assessed whether a positive view of community participation impacted levels of psychological distress. 2424 cisgender sexual minority women participated in a national, online, cross-sectional survey of LGBTIQ adult Australians' health and well-being. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with sexual minority women's belonging to the LGBTQ community, feelings towards community connection, and associations between community connection and recent psychological distress. Most sexual minority women (58.9%) reported feeling that they are part of the LGBTQ community, and a majority of the participants felt positive about being connected to this community (68.5%). Participants who were bisexual, non-university educated, and who resided in an outer-suburban location were least likely to evaluate participation in the LGBTQ community positively. Feeling positive about community connection was associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Feeling a part of LGBTQ community was associated with lower psychological distress, but this link appears contingent upon positive feelings about community participation. Sexual minority women's' relationships to the LGBTQ community are often complex, and community connection and participation in and of itself is not a panacea for the negative outcomes associated with sexual minority stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gene Lim
- Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Hill
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ruth McNair
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony Lyons
- Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalie Amos
- Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Igwe EO, Nealon J, O'Shaughnessy P, Ormonde C, Traynor V. Perioperative knowledge, self-efficacy and clinical practices related to postoperative delirium care in older people across geographical regions in Australia. Aust J Rural Health 2024; 32:354-364. [PMID: 38456229 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In older people undergoing surgery, there is a lower tolerance for complications. This highlights the need for documented clinical practices on proper prevention, pre-screening and management of complications such as postoperative delirium (POD). Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines exist for delirium management; however, the management of delirium in clinical settings differs widely. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop an understanding of the knowledge, components of self-efficacy (confidence/competence), and clinical practice related to POD care among preoperative and recovery nurses across different types of geographical locations in Australia. DESIGN A 27-item online survey was sent out to professional associations focused on perioperative care across Australia. The participants included practicing registered nurses specialising in perioperative care. The main outcome measures were Knowledge, confidence/competence and clinical practice relating to POD care in older patients. FINDINGS Respondents were categorised into two groups-major cities and rural and remote. Mean age was 46.3 years for respondents in Australian major cities and 49.5 for the comparison group. There was a statistically significant difference between Australian major cities and 'rural and remote' in confidence in detecting hyperactive delirium, 25.2% versus 11.7% respectively as well as managing hyperactive delirium, 13.8% versus 1.7%, respectively. Similar results were also observed on hypoactive delirium. Respondents from both groups did not mirror the ideal situation in managing a hyperactive delirium. DISCUSSION Results from this study are inconclusive and there is no clear-cut observation in clinical practice or knowledge between the two geographical categories in this study. CONCLUSION The absence of a distinct strategy with POD prevention highlights the need for a uniform approach and consensus on POD prevention and management in older people. This can be achieved by creating more awareness and education through professional development related to POD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezinne O Igwe
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica Nealon
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pauline O'Shaughnessy
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Callum Ormonde
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Victoria Traynor
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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Aslan AT, Paterson DL. Epidemiology and clinical significance of carbapenemases in Australia: a narrative review. Intern Med J 2024; 54:535-544. [PMID: 38584572 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria (CP-GNB) infections threaten public health with high mortality, morbidity and treatment costs. Although frequencies remain low in Australia (total number of CP-GNB infections reported was 907 in 2022), blaIMP-4 has established low levels of endemicity in many states. Imipenemase metallo-β-lactamase types alone accounted for more than half of all carbapenemases in carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales isolates in Australia, particularly in Enterobacter cloacae complex. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase constitutes almost 25% of all carbapenemases in Australia and was identified predominantly in Escherichia coli. The OXA-48-like carbapenemases include almost 10% of all carbapenemases and are mainly seen in Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli. Although K. pneumoniae carbapenemase-type carbapenemases are rare in Australia, some local outbreaks have occurred. Most carbapenem-resistant (CR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in Australia do not produce carbapenemases. Finally, OXA-23-like carbapenemases are overwhelmingly positive in CR-Acinetobacter baumannii strains in Australia. Treatment of CR-GNB infections challenges physicians. Of 10 new antibiotics active against at least some CR-GNB infections that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, just three are approved for use in Australia. In this context, there is still an unmet need for novel antibacterials that can be used for the treatment of CR-GNB infections in Australia, as well as a pressing requirement for new mechanisms to 'de-link' antibiotic sales from their availability. In this narrative review, we aim to overview the epidemiology and clinical significance of carbapenem resistance in Australia as it pertains to Enterobacterales, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Tarik Aslan
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David L Paterson
- ADVANCE-ID, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Le Moal F, Michaud M, Coveney J. Exploring unequal class logics of mealtime food socialisation. An ethnography of family meals in France and Australia. Appetite 2024; 195:107195. [PMID: 38160732 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Regular family mealtimes are occasions to model food consumption and have been associated with health and well-being benefits for children. This study aimed to investigate children's mealtime food socialisation in socially diverse households. Nine families from France and five from Australia were recruited, ranging from lower middle-class to upper-class positions, with children mostly between the ages of five to eight. The data is composed of the observations of 47 mealtimes and semi-directive interviews with both parents. The results showed that food socialisation and parents' understanding of children's taste development were linked to the household's social class position as well as to the temporal, cognitive and emotional resources parents possessed at mealtimes, in a similar manner across France and Australia. The more capital and resources the parents had, the more they were able to perform an intensive food socialisation style, which led them to prepare balanced menus and get children to eat the food served. The less capital and resources the parents had, the more they engaged in a hands-off food socialisation style, leading them to serve more child-oriented and less diverse menus. Importantly, all parents strived to serve healthy food, but limited resources prevented some of them from doing so. These food socialisation styles were also connected to the development of different social skills in children: with the intensive model, children were closely managed by their parents at the table but also learnt negotiation skills, whereas with the hands-off style, children learnt to be quite autonomous in their eating. The findings presented here contribute to Hays' intensive mothering concept and to Lareau's class-based parenting models. They also challenge Bourdieu's differentiation between a taste of necessity and a taste of luxury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fairley Le Moal
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences of Flinders University, Australia; Centre Max Weber UM5283, France; Institut Paul Bocuse Research Centre, France.
| | | | - John Coveney
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences of Flinders University, Australia
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Forbes D, Lisy K, Wood C, White V, Evans S, Afshar N, Ristevski E, Sharma A, Changrani K, Jefford M. Factors beyond diagnosis and treatment that are associated with return to work in Australian cancer survivors-A systematic review. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2024; 20:198-209. [PMID: 37357383 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Return to work (RTW) is a marker of functional recovery for working-age cancer survivors. Identifying factors that impact on RTW in cancer survivors is an essential step to guide further research and interventions to support RTW. This systematic review aimed to identify nontreatment, non-cancer-related variables impacting RTW in Australian cancer survivors. A systematic search was conducted in EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Studies were eligible if they included: (1) adults living post diagnosis of malignancy; (2) quantitative data for nontreatment, non-cancer-related variables impacting RTW; (3) only Australian participants. Included studies were critically appraised, and relevant data extracted and synthesized narratively. Six studies were included in the review, published between 2008 and 2020. Studies were of variable quality and mixed methodologies. One study included malignancies of any type with the remainder focusing on survivors of colorectal cancer (n = 3), oropharyngeal cancer (n = 1), and glioblastoma multiforme (n = 1). Multiple factors were related to RTW in individual studies, including older age, presence of three or more comorbidities, fewer work hours pre-morbidly, lower body mass index, longer than recommended sleep duration, and not having private health insurance; however, there was limited consistency in findings between studies. Other variables examined included: occupation type, household income, healthy lifestyle behaviors, flexibility, and duration of employment with workplace; however, no significant associations with RTW were reported. Further research is required to gather compelling evidence on factors that influence RTW in Australian cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Forbes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karolina Lisy
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin Wood
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Victoria White
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sue Evans
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nina Afshar
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Cancer Health Services Research Unit, Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eli Ristevski
- Monash Rural Health, Monash University, Warragul, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arun Sharma
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Krisha Changrani
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Jefford
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Fox H, Hempenstall A, Pilot P, Callander E, Smith S, McDonald MI, Hanson J. Significant healthcare resource utilisation in the management of skin and soft tissue infections in the Torres Strait, Australia. Rural Remote Health 2024; 24:8572. [PMID: 38632695 DOI: 10.22605/rrh8572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (First Nations Australians) living in remote communities are hospitalised with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) at three times the rate of non-First Nations Australians. The Torres Strait in tropical northern Australia has a highly dispersed population mainly comprising First Nations Australians. This study aimed to define the health service utilisation and health system costs associated with SSTIs in the Torres Strait and to improve the quality of regional healthcare delivery. METHODS The research team conducted a retrospective, de-identified audit of health records for a 2-year period, 2018-2019. The aim was to define health service utilisation, episodes of outpatient care, emergency department care, inpatient care and aeromedical retrieval services for SSTIs. RESULTS Across 2018 - 2019, there were 3509 outpatient episodes of care for SSTIs as well as 507 emergency department visits and 100 hospitalisations. For individuals with an SSTI, the mean outpatient clinic episode cost $240; the mean emergency department episode cost $400.85, the mean inpatient episode cost $8403.05 while an aeromedical retrieval service cost $18,670. The total costs to the health system for all services accessed for SSTI management was $6,169,881 per year, 3% of the total annual health service budget. CONCLUSION Healthcare costs associated with SSTIs in the Torres Strait are substantial. The implementation of effective preventative and primary care interventions may enable resources to be reallocated to address other health priorities in the Torres Strait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haylee Fox
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 1 Parklands Drive, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Allison Hempenstall
- Thursday Island Hospital, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, 165 Douglas St, Thursday Island, Qld 4875, Australia
| | - Pelista Pilot
- Thursday Island Hospital, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, 165 Douglas St, Thursday Island, Qld 4875, Australia
| | - Emily Callander
- School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, 1/14-88 McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Qld 4878, Australia
| | - Simon Smith
- Cairns Hospital, Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, 165 The Esplanade, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
| | - Malcolm I McDonald
- College of Public Health, Medical and Vet Sciences, James Cook University, 1/14-88 McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Qld 4878, Australia
| | - Josh Hanson
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Cnr High St and Botony St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
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37
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Kral P, Allen FL, Larsen S, Holst-Hansen T, Olivieri AV, Manton A. Treatment effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg on health-related quality of life from STEP 1 SF-6D derived from SF-36 with Australian weights. Diabetes Obes Metab 2024; 26:1171-1179. [PMID: 38195847 DOI: 10.1111/dom.15426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to determine the comparative treatment effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo on health utility index scores [6-dimension short-form survey (SF-6D)] with Australian weights in full analysis set (FAS) and in post-hoc subgroups of the STEP 1 trial, defined according to different body mass index (BMI) cut-off points and presence of comorbidities at baseline. The study also explored the correlation between baseline BMI and SF-6D in the STEP 1 trial population. METHODS The 36-item SF survey (SF-36) scores from STEP 1 were mapped to SF-6D health states and converted to utility index scores using an Australian valuation algorithm. The change from baseline in SF-6D utility score (95% confidence intervals) was compared between semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo at week 68 using the mixed model for repeated measurements approach. The relationship between utility scores and BMI at baseline was assessed by multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for demographic and clinical parameters. RESULTS The estimated mean treatment difference in SF-6D utility score favoured semaglutide 2.4 mg, and, at week 68, it was 0.057 (0.038-0.076) for the FAS. A greater treatment effect was noted in subgroups with presence of symptomatic comorbidities, i.e. 0.077 (0.027-0.128) to 0.105 (0.030-0.179) at week 68. A 1-unit increase in BMI was associated with a utility loss of 0.0075 (-0.0089 to -0.0062) for the FAS population, while controlling for demographic and clinical parameters. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study showing statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in SF-6D utility scores with weight-loss pharmacotherapy in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavol Kral
- IQVIA, Bratislava, Slovakia, IQVIA, Bratislava, Slovakia
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38
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Youlden DR, Gupta S, Frazier AL, Moore AS, Gottardo NG, Aitken JF. Incidence and survival for childhood cancer by endorsed non-stage prognostic indicators in Australia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30889. [PMID: 38265260 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An international expert panel recently recommended 15 'non-stage prognostic indicators' (NSPIs) across eight childhood cancers, classified as essential or additional, for collection in population-based cancer registries. We aimed to describe the incidence distribution and survival of each of these NSPIs. PROCEDURES Cases were extracted from the Australian Childhood Cancer Registry. The study cohort (n = 4187) comprised all children aged under 15 years diagnosed with an eligible cancer between 2010 and 2018, with follow-up until 31 December 2020. NSPI data were collected directly from each patient's medical records. Differences in 5-year relative survival were assessed using multivariable flexible parametric models, adjusted for sex and age group at diagnosis. RESULTS The availability of data varied, exceeding 85% for all essential NSPIs apart from histologic subtype for Wilms tumours (69%) and lineage for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (78%). Information on additional NSPIs tended to be recorded less often, particularly cytogenetic subtype for non-alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (28%) and astrocytoma (4%). Eight NSPIs exhibited a significant difference in survival, with the largest disparity occurring among children with astrocytoma according to tumour grade (5-year relative survival of 18% for grade IV disease compared with 99% for grade I disease; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that most of the recommended NSPIs can be retrieved from medical records in Australia in recent years, allowing the capability of assessing survival within patient subgroups of clinical interest. Reporting of NSPI data has the capability to inform local and global understanding of population-level disparities in childhood cancer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny R Youlden
- Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew S Moore
- Oncology Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicholas G Gottardo
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joanne F Aitken
- Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Abbas G, Bauquier J, Beasley A, Jacobson C, El-Hage C, Wilkes EJA, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Hurley J, Beveridge I, Nielsen MK, Hughes KJ, Stevenson MA, Jabbar A. Worm control practices used by Thoroughbred horse managers in Australia: A national survey. Vet Parasitol 2024; 327:110116. [PMID: 38244523 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
This study assessed worm control practices used by Australian Thoroughbred farm managers with an online questionnaire survey. The questionnaire comprised 52 questions (close-ended: 44; open-ended: 8) about farm demography and general husbandry practices, farm managers' knowledge of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and their importance, diagnosis, worm control strategies and anthelmintics, anthelmintic resistance (AR) and grazing management. Following the pilot survey, the link for the questionnaire survey was sent to all (n = 657) registered members of the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia on 12th April 2020. The response rate for the questionnaire was 18.5% (122 of 675). The farm managers reported a good understanding of GIN and their importance in different age groups of horses as most respondents (70% of 122) perceived worm-related illness to be more important in young (i.e., foals, weanlings and yearlings) than adult (> 3 years old) horses. Although most respondents (93%, 113 of 122) used anthelmintics prophylactically to control GIN, only 15% (18 of 122) observed worm-related illness in their horses. Just under 40% of respondents were performing faecal egg counts, with less than 20% using the results of faecal egg counts to guide deworming decisions. The interval-based deworming strategy was the most common method (≥55% of 122 respondents) to control GIN in all age groups of horses. Macrocyclic lactones were the first choice of anthelmintics for all age groups of horses. Although the majority of respondents (88%, 107 of 122) perceived resistance in GIN against commonly used anthelmintics as an important issue in managing worms in horses, only 29% assessed the efficacy of anthelmintics and 91% (111 of 122) were unaware of AR on their properties. Grazing management practices, such as manure removal, were more frequently performed on smaller paddocks (<0.20 ha: 58%) than on larger paddocks (>0.20 ha: 18%). Multiple correspondence analyses showed that the likelihood of suboptimal worm control practices on small farms (n = ≤50 horses) was greater than that of medium (n = 51-100) and large (n = >100) farms. This study provides insights into the demography of Thoroughbred farms in Australia, husbandry practices used by stud managers and their knowledge about worms, control options and AR concerns, thereby paving the way for taking any initiatives to address the problem of AR in GIN of Australian Thoroughbred horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazanfar Abbas
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Jenni Bauquier
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Anne Beasley
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Caroline Jacobson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charles El-Hage
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | | | - Peter Carrigan
- Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucy Cudmore
- Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Hurley
- Swettenham Stud, Nagambie, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Beveridge
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Martin K Nielsen
- M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Kristopher J Hughes
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark A Stevenson
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
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40
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Griebsch C, Kirkwood N, Ward MP, Norris JM. Serological evidence of exposure of healthy dogs to Leptospira in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Aust Vet J 2024; 102:215-221. [PMID: 38220214 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
In 2017, highly fatal canine leptospirosis emerged in Sydney, Australia. Based on results of microscopic agglutination testing (MAT), serovar Copenhageni appeared to be the most common causative serovar. Prior to this, no clinical cases had been reported since 1976. In a serosurvey of healthy dogs in Australian shelters in 2004, 2.4% of 431 New South Wales dogs had serological evidence of exposure to Copenhageni, the most prevalent serovar. The aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of Leptospira exposure and associated serovars in healthy Sydney dogs, previously unvaccinated against Leptospira. Serum samples from 411 healthy dogs in leptospirosis hotspots and neighbouring suburbs were collected before vaccination. MAT for 23 serovars was performed at the WHO Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory in Queensland, Australia. The overall seroprevalence was 4.1% (17/411) with low titres (1/50-1/200) detected. Eleven dogs were from known leptospirosis hotspots. Eight dogs were known to hunt rodents. One dog had been in contact with a leptospirosis positive dog 1 year prior. Serovar Topaz was the most prevalent serovar (n = 5) followed by serovars Australis (n = 4), Copenhageni (n = 4), Djasiman (n = 2), Cynopteri (n = 1), Javanica (n = 1), Medanensis (n = 1), and Pomona (n = 1). In conclusion, serological evidence of exposure of dogs in Sydney to Leptospira is low, but apparently has increased since 2004. Positive titres to serovars not previously reported to cause disease in dogs could be due to low virulence of those serovars or cross-reactivity with other serovars.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Griebsch
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - N Kirkwood
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - M P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - J M Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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Watanabe C, Yanagihara A, Miyata R, Mitsui T, Honda C, Fujinami D, Kumazawa S. Catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase B inhibitory activities of Australian bee pollen. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2024:zbae041. [PMID: 38561637 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Bee pollen is an apicultural product collected by honeybees from flower stamens and used as a functional food worldwide. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the functions of Australian bee pollen. Australian bee pollen extracts and their main components were tested for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) inhibitory activities. These enzymes are key neurotransmitters involved in Parkinson's disease and depression. Myricetin (5), tricetin (6), and luteolin (7) exhibited high COMT inhibitory activities (half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 23.3, 13.8, and 47.4 µM, respectively). In contrast, 5, 7, and annulatin (8) exhibited MAOB inhibitory activities (IC50 = 89.7, 32.8, and 153 µM, respectively). Quantitative analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that 5 was abundant in Australian bee pollen extracts. Our findings suggest that 5 contributes to the COMT and MAOB inhibitory activities of Australian bee pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Watanabe
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Aoi Yanagihara
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Miyata
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
- Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Taichi Mitsui
- Nagaragawa Research Center, API Co., Ltd., 692-3 Nagara, Gifu, Japan
| | - Chihiro Honda
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Fujinami
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shigenori Kumazawa
- Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
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Gardener SL, Fuller SJ, Naismith SL, Baker L, Kivipelto M, Villemagne VL, Grieve SM, Yates P, Rainey‐Smith SR, Chen J, Thompson B, Armstrong NJ, Fernando MG, Blagojevic Castro C, Meghwar S, Raman R, Gleason A, Ireland C, Clarnette R, Anstey KJ, Taddei K, Garg M, Sohrabi HR, Martins RN. The AUstralian multidomain Approach to Reduce dementia Risk by prOtecting brain health With lifestyle intervention study (AU-ARROW): A study protocol for a single-blind, multi-site, randomized controlled trial. Alzheimers Dement (N Y) 2024; 10:e12466. [PMID: 38596483 PMCID: PMC11002765 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study (FINGER) led to the global dementia risk reduction initiative: World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS). As part of WW-FINGERS, the Australian AU-ARROW study mirrors aspects of FINGER, as well as US-POINTER. METHOD AU-ARROW is a randomized, single-blind, multisite, 2-year clinical trial (n = 600; aged 55-79). The multimodal lifestyle intervention group will engage in aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching, dietary advice to encourage MIND diet adherence, BrainHQ cognitive training, and medical monitoring and health education. The Health Education and Coaching group will receive occasional health education sessions. The primary outcome measure is the change in a global composite cognitive score. Extra value will emanate from blood biomarker analysis, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and retinal biomarker tests. DISCUSSION The finalized AU-ARROW protocol is expected to allow development of an evidence-based innovative treatment plan to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk, and effective transfer of research outcomes into Australian health policy. Highlights Study protocol for a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, the AU-ARROW Study.The AU-ARROW Study is a member of the World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) initiative.AU-ARROW's primary outcome measure is change in a global composite cognitive score.Extra significance from amyloid PET imaging, brain MRI, and retinal biomarker tests.Leading to development of an innovative treatment plan to reduce cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Gardener
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and CareSchool of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Alzheimer's Research AustraliaRalph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research InstituteNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Lifestyle Approaches Towards Cognitive Health Research GroupMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Stephanie J. Fuller
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Laura Baker
- Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Miia Kivipelto
- Karolinska InstitutetSolnaStockholmSweden
- FINGERS Brain Health InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - Victor L. Villemagne
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and CareSchool of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
- University of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
- Austin Health, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for Positron Emission TomographyHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
| | - Stuart M. Grieve
- Imaging and Phenotyping Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Paul Yates
- Austin Health, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for Positron Emission TomographyHeidelbergVictoriaAustralia
| | - Stephanie R. Rainey‐Smith
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and CareSchool of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Alzheimer's Research AustraliaRalph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research InstituteNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Lifestyle Approaches Towards Cognitive Health Research GroupMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
- The University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Healthy AgeingMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Juliana Chen
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Discipline of Nutrition and DieteticsSusan Wakil School of Nursing and MidwiferyCharles Perkins CentreThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Belinda Thompson
- Department of Health SciencesAustralian Lymphoedema EducationResearch and TreatmentMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Malika G. Fernando
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Carolina Blagojevic Castro
- Alzheimer's Research AustraliaRalph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research InstituteNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Healthy AgeingMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Silochna Meghwar
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Rema Raman
- Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research InstituteUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andrew Gleason
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeuroscienceCentral Clinical SchoolThe Alfred CentreMonash UniversityVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Roger Clarnette
- The University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Kevin Taddei
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and CareSchool of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Manohar Garg
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hamid R. Sohrabi
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and CareSchool of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Alzheimer's Research AustraliaRalph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research InstituteNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Centre for Healthy AgeingMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Ralph N. Martins
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and CareSchool of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Alzheimer's Research AustraliaRalph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research InstituteNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Department of Biomedical SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Centre for Healthy AgeingMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
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Kettlewell N, Zhang Y. Age penalties and take-up of private health insurance. Health Econ 2024; 33:636-651. [PMID: 38141165 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Financial penalties for delayed enrollment could be useful tools to encourage people to enroll earlier in health insurance markets, but little is known about how effective they are. We use a large administrative dataset for a 10% random sample of all Australian tax-filers to study how people respond to a step-wise age-based penalty, and whether the effect has changed over time. Individuals must pay a 2% premium surcharge for each year they delay enrollment beyond age 31. The penalty stops after 10 years of continuous hospital cover. The age-based penalty creates discontinuities in the incentive to insure by age, which we exploit to estimate causal effects. We find that people respond as expected to the initial age-penalty, but not to subsequent penalties. The 2% premium loading results in a 0.78-3.69 percentage points (or 2.1%-9.0%) increase in the take-up rate at age 31. We simulate the penalty impact and implications of potential reforms, and conclude that modest changes around the policy make little difference in the age distribution of insured, premiums or take-up rates. Our study provides important evidence on an understudied area in the literature and offers insights for countries considering financial penalties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Prowse SR, Treweek S, Kiezebrink K, Hanna C. Evidencing the impacts of health research: Insights from trials reported in the 2018 Australian Engagement and Impact Assessment. Health Promot J Austr 2024; 35:423-432. [PMID: 37493241 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED While definitions of impact may vary, they often refer to the wider benefits of research evidenced beyond academia. We evaluated case studies featuring randomised trials from the 2018 Engagement and Impact Assessment to better understand how the impacts of health research are evidenced and assessed within Australia. METHODS We collated and evaluated 'high' scoring case studies submitted by higher education institutions with a focus on randomised trials across all areas of health research. A qualitative coding system was used for manual content analysis to assess the key characteristics of trials reported, subsequent impacts and the methods used to evidence impacts. RESULTS A total of 14 case studies were identified citing 35 clinical trials. The majority of interventions were behavioural with a focus on mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders. Most trials were phase III, focused on the treatment of the indication and were funded by industry. Contribution to clinical guidelines was the highest cited research impact. While there was evidence of researchers seeking to maximise trial impact, case studies lacked details on the role of trial participants and other beneficiaries in generating impact. CONCLUSIONS The impacts of health research can be improved through a better understanding of the priorities and agendas of funders, providing evidence of tangible impact rather than information that is contextual or predictive, and through the early development of impact strategies involving both researchers and beneficiaries. SO WHAT?: Large-scale impact exercises intended for a broad range of disciplines may not be reflective of the depth and scope of health sciences research including trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Prowse
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Shaun Treweek
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Kirsty Kiezebrink
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Catherine Hanna
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Hanson J, Radlof S, Littlejohn M, Hempenstall A, Edwards R, Nakata Y, Gregson S, Hayes R, Smith S, McKinnon M, Binks P, Tong SYC, Davies J, Davis JS. Hepatitis B genotypes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: correlation with clinical course and implications for management. Intern Med J 2024; 54:647-656. [PMID: 37548345 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in Far North Queensland (FNQ) is greater than twice that of the general Australian population. CHB is common in Torres Strait Islanders diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) - and in Aboriginals with HCC living in the Northern Territory - however, Aboriginals diagnosed with HCC in FNQ very rarely have CHB. The explanation for this apparent disparity is uncertain. AIMS To determine the HBV genotypes in the FNQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and their correlation with clinical phenotype. METHODS We determined the HBV genotype of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living with CHB in FNQ and correlated this with demographic and clinical findings. RESULTS 134/197 (68%) enrolled individuals had a sufficient viral load for genotyping. All 40 people with HBV/D genotype had Aboriginal heritage, whereas 85/93 (91%) with HBV/C had Torres Strait Islander heritage (P < 0.0001). Individuals with HBV/D were younger than those with HBV/C (median (interquartile range) age: 43 (39-48) vs 53 (42-66) years, P = 0.0002). However, they were less likely to be HBeAg positive (1/40 (3%) vs 23/93 (25%), P = 0.001). All three HCCs developed in Torres Strait Islanders; two-thirds were infected with HBV/C14; genotyping was not possible in the other individual. All 10 diagnoses of cirrhosis occurred in Torres Strait Islanders, 6/10 were infected with HBV/C14, genotyping was not possible in the other four individuals. CONCLUSIONS HBV genotypes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in FNQ differ markedly, which could explain the significant differences in the clinical phenotype in the two populations and might be used to inform cost-effective CHB care in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Hanson
- Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Sharna Radlof
- Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Ros Edwards
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yoko Nakata
- Torres and Cape Health and Hospital Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sandra Gregson
- Torres and Cape Health and Hospital Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard Hayes
- Torres and Cape Health and Hospital Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon Smith
- Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melita McKinnon
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Paula Binks
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane Davies
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Joshua S Davis
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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O'Brien A, Hart J, Higgins A, Arthur I, Lee GH, Leung M, Kennedy K, Bradbury S, Foster S, Warren S, Korman TM, Abbott IJ, Heney C, Bletchley C, Warner M, Wells N, Wilson D, Varadhan H, Stevens R, Lahra M, Newton P, Maley M, van Hal S, Ingram PR. Nocardia species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility within Australia. Intern Med J 2024; 54:613-619. [PMID: 37929813 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nocardia is a ubiquitous saprophyte capable of causing human disease. Disease is primarily respiratory or cutaneous, usually acquired via inhalation or inoculation. Under the influence of environmental and host factors, Nocardia incidence and species distribution demonstrate geographical variation. AIMS To examine for differences in Nocardia incidence within Western Australia (WA) and analyse species distribution in the context of prior published studies. To analyse antibiogram data from a nationwide passive antimicrobial resistance surveillance program. METHODS Retrospective extraction of laboratory data for Western Australian Nocardia isolates over a 21-year period. Analysis of Nocardia antimicrobial susceptibility testing data submitted to the Australian Passive Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (APAS) program between 2005 and 2022. RESULTS Nine hundred sixty WA isolates were identified, giving an annual incidence of 3.03 per 100 000 population with apparent latitudinal variation. The four most common species identified within WA and amongst APAS isolates were N. nova, N. cyriacigeorgica, N. brasiliensis and N. farcinica. APAS data demonstrated that all species exhibited high rates of susceptibility to linezolid (100%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (98%). Amikacin (>90% susceptibility for all species except N. transvalensis) was the next most active parenteral agent, superior to both carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins. Susceptibility to oral antimicrobials (other than linezolid) demonstrated significant interspecies variation. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate geographical variation in the distribution of Nocardia incidence. Four species predominate in the Australian setting, and nationwide data confirm a high in vitro susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and linezolid, justifying their ongoing role as part of first-line empiric therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aine O'Brien
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Julie Hart
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ammie Higgins
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian Arthur
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gar-Hing Lee
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Leung
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Karina Kennedy
- ACT Health, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Susan Bradbury
- ACT Health, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Sarah Foster
- Launceston General Hospital, Tasmanian Health Service (THS), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sanchia Warren
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Tony M Korman
- Monash Health, Monash Infectious Diseases, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Claire Heney
- Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Morgyn Warner
- Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas Wells
- South Australia Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Desley Wilson
- South Australia Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hemalatha Varadhan
- Hunter New England, NSW Health Pathology, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert Stevens
- South Eastern Sydney, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Monica Lahra
- NSW Health Pathology, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Newton
- Illawarra-Shoalhaven, NSW Health Pathology, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Maley
- South Western Sydney, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Microbiology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sebastian van Hal
- NSW Health Pathology, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul R Ingram
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Hsieh MT, Shakespeare TP, Winkley L, Goonetilleke D, Yap SZL, Tahir ARM. Long-term outcomes of definitive radiation with volumetric modulated arc therapy and concurrent chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus in a regional Australian cancer centre. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2024; 68:325-332. [PMID: 38450897 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care in the curative intent treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anus. Volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) is a highly conformal radiation therapy technique that has been implemented to reduce toxicity for these patients. However, there are few reports evaluating the long-term outcomes of VMAT. Thus, we evaluated the survival and toxicity outcomes of anal cancer patients treated in our regional cancer centre undergoing curative intent chemoradiotherapy using VMAT and following the Australian EviQ guidelines. METHODS All consecutive patients treated with the VMAT technique for curative-intent definitive chemoradiotherapy for anal SCC at our institution from 2013 until 2022 were retrospectively reviewed for survival and toxicity outcomes. Kaplan-Meier estimates of locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, anal cancer-specific survival and overall survival were obtained. RESULTS In total, 44 patients were analysed. The median follow-up was 48.9 months (Range 7.8-107). 97.7% of patients completed the prescribed radiation therapy and 88.6% chemotherapy. Five patients (11.4%) recurred. Four (9.1%) had isolated local failures, and one (2.3%) had an isolated distant failure. There were no regional nodal failures. The Kaplan-Meier estimates for locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, anal cancer-specific survival and overall survival were 90.3%, 97.7%, 88.1%, 97.1% and 87% at 3 years, and 90.3%, 97.7%, 88.1%, 93.0% and 72.3% at 5 years, respectively. Acute grade 3 genitourinary (GU), gastrointestinal (GI) and skin toxicities occurred in 2.2%, 6.8% and 13.6% of patients, respectively. There were no acute grade 4 toxicities. Late grade 2 GU and GI toxicities occurred in 6.8% and 11.3% of patients, respectively. There were no late grade 3 or 4 toxicities or treatment-related deaths. The 5 -year colostomy-free survival rate was 86.4%. CONCLUSION Outcomes for anal SCC after definitive chemoradiotherapy using VMAT in our regional cancer centre results in low rates of grade 3/4 toxicity, high rates of organ preservation and excellent survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ti Hsieh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
- RCS Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Philip Shakespeare
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
- RCS Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lauren Winkley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Goonetilleke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shaun Zheng Liang Yap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Abdul Rahim Mohd Tahir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
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Payne M, Williamson S, Wang Q, Zhang X, Sintchenko V, Pavic A, Lan R. Emergence of Poultry-Associated Human Salmonella enterica Serovar Abortusovis Infections, New South Wales, Australia. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:691-700. [PMID: 38526124 PMCID: PMC10977856 DOI: 10.3201/eid3004.230958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis is a ovine-adapted pathogen that causes spontaneous abortion. Salmonella Abortusovis was reported in poultry in 2009 and has since been reported in human infections in New South Wales, Australia. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a clade of 51 closely related isolates from Australia originating in 2004. That clade was genetically distinct from ovine-associated isolates. The clade was widespread in New South Wales poultry production facilities but was only responsible for sporadic human infections. Some known virulence factors associated with human infections were only found in the poultry-associated clade, some of which were acquired through prophages and plasmids. Furthermore, the ovine-associated clade showed signs of genome decay, but the poultry-associated clade did not. Those genomic changes most likely led to differences in host range and disease type. Surveillance using the newly identified genetic markers will be vital for tracking Salmonella Abortusovis transmission in animals and to humans and preventing future outbreaks.
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Nielsen TC, Nassar N, Boulton KA, Guastella AJ, Lain SJ. Estimating the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in New South Wales, Australia: A Data Linkage Study of Three Routinely Collected Datasets. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1558-1566. [PMID: 36652127 PMCID: PMC10981615 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05887-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Routinely collected data help estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in jurisdictions without active autism surveillance. We created a population-based cohort of 1,211,834 children born in 2002-2015 in New South Wales, Australia using data linkage. Children with ASD were identified in three datasets - disability services, hospital admissions, and ambulatory mental health data. The prevalence of ASD in the cohort was 1.3% by age 12 and prevalence at age 6 increased an average of 4.1% per year (95% Confidence Interval, 3.3%, 4.8%). Most children with ASD were identified in disability services data (87%), although data linkage identified 1,711 additional cases that were more likely female, older at first contact, and living in major cities and less disadvantaged areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Nielsen
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Natasha Nassar
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Kelsie A Boulton
- Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam J Guastella
- Brain and Mind Centre, Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha J Lain
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Liu R, Mazza D, Li CK, Subasinghe AK. What do women need to know about long-acting reversible contraception? Perspectives of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Health Promot J Austr 2024; 35:276-284. [PMID: 37161644 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To identify components of an online education intervention to improve preference for, and uptake of, long-acting reversible contraception in women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). ISSUE ADDRESSED Women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds have greater rates of unintended pregnancies than those born locally and are less likely to use long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which are highly effective at reducing unintended pregnancy. Increasing the uptake of LARC in women from CALD backgrounds may reduce the burden of unintended pregnancy in this high-risk group. An online education intervention has been shown to be effective at increasing preference for and uptake of LARC in young women. We aimed to describe what women from CALD backgrounds thought were the potentially effective components of an online education intervention to increase preference for, and uptake of, long-acting reversible contraception. METHODS This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with six Australian English-speaking women from each of Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern cultural backgrounds. Women were recruited through targeted Facebook advertising. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 18 participants were interviewed. We have demonstrated the importance of messages tailored to cultural values, translating the video, widening the target audience to both men and women and using specific social media platforms. For all women, the video needs to highlight the covertness of contraceptive methods, alongside stating cost and approach to access. For Indian women, the video needs to highlight the effect of LARC methods on the menstrual period for Indian women and include basic information on women's health. For Middle Eastern women the video should be explicit about LARC not equating to abortion and emphasise the low efficacy of natural contraceptive methods. For Chinese women, the video should address the misconception that hormones damage the body. Regarding delivery of the video, it should be translated and delivered by a female doctor from the same culture. For Chinese women, the video should include women from the same culture sharing anecdotes and use WeChat and Chinese schools as a platform for dissemination. For Middle Eastern and Indian women government websites should be used for dissemination. The video should be made available to all decision-makers in the reproductive planning process including male partners of Middle Eastern women, parents and peers of Chinese women, and for Indian women the male partner, family, and community leaders. CONCLUSIONS There is a wide range of cultural adaptations that can be made to the online education videos about LARCs to improve uptake of LARCs and hence reduce the burden of unintended pregnancy in women from CALD grounds. SO WHAT?: Our findings will be used to modify an online education video about LARCs so that it is culturally appropriate for women from CALD backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Liu
- Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danielle Mazza
- Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ching Kay Li
- Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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