Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Glucose Gel As A Potential Alternative Treatment To Infant Formula For Neonatal Hypoglycaemia In Australia, Raenee L. Barbe, Amy K. Ekin, Pushparani Sivakumar, Kay Howard, Therese O'Sullivan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Infant formula is often used as a treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia in Australia; however, there are concerns that this may jeopardise mother-baby bonding and breastfeeding. Successful use of glucose gel as an alternative treatment for hypoglycaemia has been reported. We wanted to investigate in a pilot study whether the use of glucose gel has the potential to quickly and safely restore normoglycaemia in the infants of diabetic mothers in an Australian setting. Infants with asymptomatic hypoglycaemia were treated with glucose gel (n = 36) and compared to a historical group of infants which had been treated with infant formula …

White Matter Hyperintensities And The Mediating Role Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy In Dominantly-Inherited Alzheimer’S Disease, Seonjoo Lee, Molly E. Zimmerman, Atul Narkhede, Sara E. Nasrabady, Giuseppe Tosto, Irene B. Meier, Tammie L.S. Benzinger, Daniel S. Marcus, Anne M. Fagan, Nick C. Fox, Nigel J. Cairns, David M. Holtzman, Virginia Buckles, Bernardino Ghetti, Eric Mcdade, Ralph Martins, Andrew J. Saykin, Colin L. Masters, John M. Ringman, Stefan Fӧrster, Peter R. Schofield, Reisa A. Sperling, Keith A. Johnson, Jasmeer P. Chhatwal, Stephen Salloway, Stephen Correia, Clifford R. Jack, Jr, Michael Weiner, Randall J. Bateman, John C. Morris, Richard Mayeux, Adam M. Brickman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume on MRI is increased among presymptomatic individuals with autosomal dominant mutations for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). One potential explanation is that WMH, conventionally considered a marker of cerebrovascular disease, are a reflection of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and that increased WMH in this population is a manifestation of this vascular form of primary AD pathology. We examined whether the presence of cerebral microbleeds, a marker of CAA, mediates the relationship between WMH and estimated symptom onset in individuals with and without autosomal dominant mutations for AD.

Participants and methods: Participants (n = 175, …

Complex Training And Countermovement Jump Performance Across Multiple Sets: Effect Of Back Squat Intensity, Nick Poulos, Anic Chaouachi, Martin Buchheit, Denis Slimani, Greg Haff, Robert Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of back squats on countermovement jump performance across multiple sets using a strength-power potentiation complex training protocol. Fifteen elite volleyball players performed three unloaded countermovement jumps (CMJ) following three repetitions of the back squat performed at either 65% or 87% of 1-RM, respectively, repeated for 10 sets. A control session of three CMJs was also repeated for 10 sets. Mean jump height performance was enhanced compared to performing CMJs only irrespective of which intensity was used (65% 1-RM: +3.3 ± 2.2% [CI: 1.0 to 5.6]; 87% 1-RM: 2.6 ± …

Nitrate-Rich Vegetables Do Not Lower Blood Pressure In Individuals With Mildly Elevated Blood Pressure: A 4-Wk Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Joshua R. Lewis, Richard L. Prince, Amanda Devine, Nicola P. Bondonno, Catherine P. Bondonno, Lisa G. Wood, Ian B. Puddey, Natalie C. Ward, Kevin D. Croft, Richard J. Woodman, Lawrence J. Beilin, Jonathan M. Hodgson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background - Emerging evidence suggests that increasing intakes of nitrate-rich vegetables may be an effective approach to reduce blood pressure.

Objective - Our primary aim was to determine whether daily consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables over 4 wk would result in lower blood pressure.

Design - Thirty participants with prehypertension or untreated grade 1 hypertension were recruited to a randomized controlled crossover trial with 4-wk treatment periods separated by 4-wk washout periods. Participants completed 3 treatments in random order: 1) increased intake (∼200 g/d) of nitrate-rich vegetables [high-nitrate (HN); ∼150 mg nitrate/d], 2) increased intake (∼200 g/d) of nitrate-poor …

Can Exercise Delay Transition To Active Therapy In Men With Low-Grade Prostate Cancer? A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial, Daniel A. Galvao, Dickon Hayne, Mark Frydenberg, Suzanne K. Chambers, Dennis R. Taaffe, Nigel Spry, Paul A. Scuffham, Robert S. Ware, Nicolas H. Hart, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction

Active surveillance is a strategy for managing low-risk, localised prostate cancer, where men are observed with serial prostate-specific antigen assessments to identify signs of disease progression. Currently, there are no strategies to support active surveillance compliance nor are there interventions that can prevent or slow disease progression, ultimately delaying transition to active treatment before it is clinically required. Recently, we proposed that exercise may have a therapeutic potential in delaying the need for active treatment in men on active surveillance.

Methods and analysis

A single-blinded, two arm, multicentre randomised controlled trial will be undertaken with 168 patients randomly allocated …

Correlation Between Circulating Tumour Dna And Metabolic Tumour Burden In Metastatic Melanoma Patients, Ashleigh Mcevoy, Lydia Warburton, Zeyad Al-Ogaili, Leisl Celliers, Lesley Calapre, Michelle R. Pereira, Muhammad A. Khattak, Tarek M. Meniawy, Michael Millward, Mel R. Ziman Dr, Elin S. Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) may serve as a measure of tumour burden and a useful tool for non-invasive monitoring of cancer. However, ctDNA is not always detectable in patients at time of diagnosis of metastatic disease. Therefore, there is a need to understand the correlation between ctDNA levels and the patients' overall metabolic tumour burden (MTB). Methods: Thirty-two treatment naïve metastatic melanoma patients were included in the study. MTB and metabolic tumour volume (MTV) was measured by 18F-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT). Plasma ctDNA was quantified using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Results: CtDNA was detected in 23 …

Image Analysis Of Periapical Radiograph For Bone Mineral Density Prediction, Rini Widyaningrum, Sri Lestari, Ferry Jie

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease. Parameter from any bone site in the body has possibility to be developed as a predictor of osteoporosis. The alteration in the mandible trabecular bone is visible in periapical radiographs. The aim of this study was to correlate the area parameter and the integrated density of periapical radiograph with bone mineral density. Image analysis of periapical radiograph i.e. measurement of area parameter and integrated density was done on Region of Interest (ROI) by using canny edge detection method. Result of this study showed that the area parameter has asignificant (α < 0.05) negative correlation with the bone mass density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (r = -0.371) and T-score of the lumbar spine (r = -0.383). The linear regression test showed that the area parameter only can be used to predict T-score of the lumbar spine (F=5.822, α < 0.05). The integrated density showed a significant (α < 0.05) negative correlation with T-score of hip (r = -0.332) and T-score of lumbar spine (r = -0.377). It can be concluded that the area parameter can be used as one of input parameters for computer-aided system of osteoporosis early detection by using periapical radiograph.

What Drives Food Insecurity In Western Australia? How The Perceptions Of People At Risk Differ To Those Of Stakeholders, Lucy M. Butcher, Maria M. Ryan, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Johnny Lo, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Food insecurity is considered a “wicked” problem due to the highly complex and at times undefined casual factors. Although many stakeholders are working to address the problem, a possible divergence exists between their views on food insecurity and those of the people who are actually experiencing the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was a difference between the opinions of those “at risk” and stakeholders. A total of seven focus groups (two stakeholder groups n = 10, five “at-risk” groups n = 34) and three interviews (stakeholders n = 3) were conducted to ascertain perceptions. …

Efficient Production Of A Mature And Functional Gamma Secretase Protease, Imran Khan, Sudarsan Krishnaswamy, Miheer Sabale, David M. Groth, Linda Wijaya, Michael Morici, Imre Berger, Christiane Schaffitzel, Paul E. Fraser, Ralph N. Martins, Giuseppe Verdile

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Baculoviral protein expression in insect cells has been previously used to generate large quantities of a protein of interest for subsequent use in biochemical and structural analyses. The MultiBac baculovirus protein expression system has enabled, the use of a single baculovirus to reconstitute a protein complex of interest, resulting in a larger protein yield. Using this system, we aimed to reconstruct the gamma (γ)-secretase complex, a multiprotein enzyme complex essential for the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. A MultiBac vector containing all components of the γ-secretase complex was generated and expression was observed for all components. The complex was active …

Nurse-Led Primary Health Care For Homeless Men: A Multimethods Descriptive Study, Michael A. Roche, Christine M. Duffield, Judith Smith, Dana A. Kelly, Robyn Cook, Jen M. Bichel-Findlay, Carla Saunders, David J. Carter

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim: To explore the primary healthcare needs and health service use of homeless men in inner Sydney. Background: People experiencing homelessness have greater health needs than the general population and place high demands on tertiary care, which is expensive and may not be the optimum service for their needs. Accessible, approachable and affordable primary healthcare services could improve the health of homeless persons and potentially decrease costs to the healthcare system. Methods: A multimethod design using a cross-sectional survey (n = 40) and administrative data (n = 2 707 daily summaries) collected from a nurse-led primary healthcare clinic for homeless …

Suicidal Ideation In The Perinatal Period: A Systematic Review, Avril O'Connor, Sadie Geraghty, Gemma Doleman, Annemarie De Leo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: To examine literature surrounding suicidal ideation and suicidality in the perinatal period. Design: Systematic Literature Review of published 15 research studies. Findings: There is a scarcity of prospective studies conducted in suicidal ideation during the perinatal period. More research is needed to ensure childbearing women at risk of suicidal ideation during pregnancy receive the appropriate care and maternity services required to support them throughout this period. Key conclusions: Midwives play an important role in screening women for possible emotional distress and mood disorders during pregnancy. Therefore, midwives need to have knowledge of risk factors so vulnerable women are monitored …

Monitoring And Managing Fatigue In Basketball, Toby Edwards, Tania Spiteri, Benjamin Piggott, Joshua Bonhotal, G. Gregory Haff, Christopher Joyce

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The sport of basketball exposes athletes to frequent high intensity movements including sprinting, jumping, accelerations, decelerations and changes of direction during training and competition which can lead to acute and accumulated chronic fatigue. Fatigue may affect the ability of the athlete to perform over the course of a lengthy season. The ability of practitioners to quantify the workload and subsequent fatigue in basketball athletes in order to monitor and manage fatigue levels may be beneficial in maintaining high levels of performance and preventing unfavorable physical and physiological training adaptations. There is currently limited research quantifying training or competition workload outside …

Resting Hormone Alterations And Injuries: Block Vs. Dup Weight-Training Among D-1 Track And Field Athletes, Keith B. Painter, Guy Gregory Haff, N. Travis Triplett, Charles Stuart, Guy Hornsby, Mike W. Ramsey, Caleb D. Bazyler, Michael H. Stone

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Daily undulating periodization (DUP), using daily alterations in repetitions, has been advocated as a superior method of resistance training, while traditional forms of programming for periodization (Block) have been questioned. Nineteen Division I track and field athletes were assigned to either a 10-week Block or DUP training group. Year and event were controlled. Over the course of the study, there were four testing sessions, which were used to evaluate a variety of strength characteristics, including maximum isometric strength, rate of force development, and one repetition maximum (1RM). Although, performance trends favored the Block group for strength and rate of force …

Ipilimumab Activity In Advanced Uveal Melanoma: A Pooled Analysis, Muhammad A. Khattak, Elin Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Uveal Melanoma is a rare tumour that displays different clinical behavior and molecular features compared with cutaneous melanoma. It is generally resistant to systemic therapy and there is no current standard effective therapy to treat patients with advanced disease.

Patients and methods

We searched Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and major oncology conference abstracts from the past 5 years to identify relevant studies evaluating ipilimumab monotherapy in uveal melanoma. Data were extracted on ipilimumab dose, sample size, Objective Response Rate (ORR), Progression Free Survival (PFS), median Overall Survival (mOS), Disease Control Rate (DCR), 1 year Overall Survival (1yrOS) and 2 year …

Movement Economy In Soccer: Current Data And Limitations, Filippo Dolci, Nicolas H. Hart, Andrew Kilding, Paola Chivers, Ben Piggott, Tania Spiteri

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Soccer is an intermittent team-sport, where performance is determined by a myriad of psychological, technical, tactical, and physical factors. Among the physical factors, endurance appears to play a key role into counteracting the fatigue-related reduction in running performance observed during soccer matches. One physiological determinant of endurance is movement economy, which represents the aerobic energy cost to exercise at a given submaximal velocity. While the role of movement economy has been extensively examined in endurance athletes, it has received little attention in soccer players, but may be an important factor, given the prolonged demands of match play. For this reason, …

Robotic Arm Rehabilitation In Chronic Stroke Patients With Aphasia May Promote Speech And Language Recovery (But Effect Is Not Enhanced By Supplementary Tdcs), Adam Buchwald, Carolyn Falconer, Avrielle Rykman-Peltz, Mar Cortes, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Gary W. Thickbroom, Hermano Igo Krebs, Felipe Fregni, Linda M. Gerber, Clara Oromendia, Johanna Chang, Bruce T. Volpe, Dylan J. Edwards

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the extent to which robotic arm rehabilitation for chronic stroke may promote recovery of speech and language function in individuals with aphasia.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 17 individuals from a hemiparesis rehabilitation study pairing intensive robot assisted therapy with sham or active tDCS and evaluated their speech (N = 17) and language (N = 9) performance before and after a 12-week (36 session) treatment regimen. Performance changes were evaluated with paired t-tests comparing pre- and post-test measures. There was no speech therapy included in the treatment protocol.

Results: Overall, the individuals …

Proficiency In Pole Handling During Nordic Walking Influences Exercise Effectiveness In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Eiji Fujita, Karen Yakushi, Masaki Takeda, Mohammod Monirul Islam, Masaki Nakagaichi, Dennis Taaffe, Nobuo Takeshima

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nordic walking (NW) is a total body version of walking increasingly used as a health-promoting activity by middle-aged and older adults. The present study examined the relationship between force exerted through the pole and physiological response during NW. In this non-randomized exercise trial, 17 participants comprising 8 middle-aged and older recreationally trained Nordic walkers (NWrec: 63.7 ± 8.1 years) and 9 experienced NW instructors (NWinstr: 57.5 ± 7.8 years) underwent outdoor ordinary walking (OW) and NW bouts as fast as possible for 12 minutes. Walking distance, speed, heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (METs and J/kg/m) and upper and lower limb …

Manipulation Of Human Verticality Using High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Taiza E.G. Santos, Diandra B. Favoretto, Iman Ghodratti Toostani, Diego C. Nascimento, Brunna P. Rimoli, Eduardo Bergonzoni, Tenysson Will Lemos, Dennis Q. Truong, Alexandre C.B. Delbem, Bahador Makkiabadi, Renato Moraes, Francisco Louzada, Marom Bikson, Joao P. Leite, Dylan J. Edwards

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Using conventional tDCS over the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) we previously reported that it is possible to manipulate subjective visual vertical (SVV) and postural control. We also demonstrated that high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) can achieve substantially greater cortical stimulation focality than conventional tDCS. However, it is critical to establish dose-response effects using well-defined protocols with relevance to clinically meaningful applications.

Objective: To conduct three pilot studies investigating polarity and intensity-dependent effects of HD-tDCS over the right TPJ on behavioral and physiological outcome measures in healthy subjects. We additionally aimed to establish the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of this stimulation protocol.

Methods: …

Vulnerable, Single And Living In Poverty: Women’S Challenges To Accessing Food In The Australian Capital Territory, Tanya Lawlis, Amanda Devine, Penney Upton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: To explore challenges to food access faced by vulnerable women living in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounds.

Method: Qualitative study comprising semi‐structured interviews supplemented with quantitative demographic data.

Results:Forty‐one women, mean age of 43 years, living in government and community housing who had an income of

Conclusion: Access to safe, nutritious and healthy food is difficult for women living in poverty. Acknowledgement of challenges that contribute to women’s food insecurity by all stakeholders is essential to address the problem and build sustainable actions and solutions.

Implications for public health: Collaboration from all stakeholders within our food system …

Public Health Implications Of Metal Ash Concentrations From Prescribed Burns: A Study Of Open Jarrah Forests, John Edwards

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Ash is not a homogenous product. It is the solid residue of combustion and contains a complex mixture of chemical products. The fire that produces ash is non-discriminatory in that it will burn anything that is combustible. The ash residue resulting from fires varies and is dependent on its source, and burn characteristics such as the temperature of the fire. Ash comprises particles of carbon, soot and trace elements. Ash presents public health risk to people and communities, through direct and indirect ingestion, inhalation and absorption. The health effects of ash exposure are not limited to symptoms affecting the eyes, …

Holistic Health: Shaping Women’S Experiences Of Positive Body Image, Helen Elizabeth Monks

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This PhD thesis seeks to contribute to a nuanced understanding of positive body image and how it is expressed among a group of women participating in holistic health culture in a modern Western society. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth ethnographic interviews with 25 women in Perth, Western Australia, to illuminate an understanding of their holistic health beliefs and practices, perceptions of appearance and health ideals, as well as their understandings of positive body image. Thematic analysis of the data through Nvivo revealed several overarching themes, demonstrating how certain aspects of holistic health culture may encourage or dissuade the development …

Exploring The Preparedness Of Novice (Student) Paramedics For The Mental Health Challenges Of The Paramedic Profession: Using The Wisdom Of The Elders, Lisa Holmes

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study investigates the preparedness of novice (student) paramedics for the mental health challenges of the paramedic profession and identifies the coping strategies used by veteran paramedics to successfully meet these challenges. The lived experience of veteran paramedics is utilised to provide this important assistance.

Initially, two surveys were developed and administered to 16 course coordinators and 302 students of the 16 accredited undergraduate degree paramedicine courses across Australia and New Zealand, to identify the perceived need (for preparation) within the curriculum. In addition, the anticipations, confidence and fears of novice (student) paramedics, course coordinators and veteran paramedics were also …

Mindfulness At Work: Assessing The Impact Of Practising Mindfulness In The Workplace On Engagement, Wellbeing, Happiness And Positivity, Fiona Peters

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Aim: The purpose of this study carried out in Perth, Western Australia was to examine the effect of mindfulness training on workers in a university setting, by assessing the impact of mindfulness training on their sense of wellbeing, happiness, positivity and level of engagement in their jobs.

Method: Participants (n = 54) were recruited through the Edith Cowan University staff Health and Wellness Program, Live Life Longer and randomly allocated into two groups of 27. Both groups were invited to take part in 6 weeks of mindfulness training with staggered starts, group 2 began once group 1 had completed the …