Digital Commons Network^™

Sex Differences In Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types: A Meta-Analysis, James L. Nuzzo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Biopsies have been acquired from living men and women to determine proportions of Type I (slow-twitch) and II (fast-twitch) skeletal muscle fibers since the 1970s. Sex differences have been assumed but the literature has not been submitted to meta-analysis. Here, the aim was to generate effect sizes of sex differences in muscle fiber cross-sectional areas, distribution percentages, and area percentages. Data from 2875 men and 2452 women, who participated in 110 studies, were analyzed. Myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase histochemistry was used in 71.8% of studies to classify fibers as Type I, II, IIA, and/or IIX; immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide …

Elevated Plasma Sclerostin Is Associated With High Brain Amyloid-B Load In Cognitively Normal Older Adults, Jun Yuan, Steve Pedrini, Rohith Thota, James Doecke, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Charlotte E. Teunissen, Inge M. W. Verberk, Erik Stoops, Hugo Vanderstichele, Bruno P. Meloni, Christopher Mitchell, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Kathryn Goozee, Andrew C. P. Tai, Nicholas Ashton, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Junjie Gao, Delin Liu, Frank Mastaglia, Charles Inderjeeth, Minghao Zheng, Ralph Martins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mainly affect older individuals, and the possibility of an underlying link contributing to their shared epidemiological features has rarely been investigated. In the current study, we investigated the association between levels of plasma sclerostin (SOST), a protein primarily produced by bone, and brain amyloid-beta (A ) load, a pathological hallmark of AD. The study enrolled participants meeting a set of screening inclusion and exclusion criteria and were stratified into A − (n = 65) and A + (n = 35) according to their brain A load assessed using A -PET (positron emission tomography) imaging. Plasma …

Care Visits: Obligations, Opportunities And Constraints For Vietnamese Grandparent Visitors In Australia, Hien Thi Nguyen, Loretta Baldassar, Raelene Wilding

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In examining the ageing-migration nexus from a Global South perspective, this paper explores the obligations, opportunities and constraints of caregiving performed by Vietnamese grandparent visitors during their sojourns in Australia. Employing a grounded theory approach and care circulation framework, we investigate how grandparent visitors and adult migrant children experience and understand care and ageing in contexts of mobility, including an analysis of how gender, age, socio-economic contexts and culture shape and affect their care norms and practices. The analysis emphasizes the critical contributions that Vietnamese grandparents make to the reproductive labour of their adult migrant children who often face challenges …

Prevalence Of Distress And Its Associated Factors Among Caregivers Of People Diagnosed With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study, Deborah L. Kirk, Istvan Kabdebo, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims and Objectives: To (i) determine prevalence of distress among caregivers of people living with cancer, (ii) describe caregivers’ most commonly reported problems and (iii) investigate which factors were associated with caregivers’ distress. Background: The psychological distress associated with a cancer diagnosis jointly impacts those living with cancer and their caregivers(s). As the provision of clinical support moves towards a dyadic model, understanding the factors associated with caregivers’ distress is increasingly important. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Distress screening data were analysed for 956 caregivers (family and friends) of cancer patients accessing the Cancer Council Western Australia information and support line …

Maintaining Social And Emotional Wellbeing Among Older Adults During Periods Of Increased Social Isolation: Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Brigitta Scarfe, Claire Adams, Eyal Gringart, Daniel Mcaullay, Moira Sim, Natalie Strobel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Older adults are vulnerable to isolation and poor emotional wellbeing during COVID-19, however, their access to appropriate supports is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ experiences accessing social and emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Method: Ten older adults from Western Australia (Australia) aged 68 to 78 years participated in individual semi-structured interviews between December 2020 and January 2021. Responses were investigated using thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes emerged: adaptability and self-sufficiency; informal support-seeking; and digital and online technologies. Older adults were adaptable to COVID-19 restrictions; however, some were anxious about …

Lifecourse Transitions: How Icts Support Older Migrants’ Adaptation To Transnational Lives, Hien Thi Nguyen, Loretta Baldassar, Raelene Wilding

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Lifecourse transitions from adulthood into older age are particularly complex for transnational migrants, bringing additional challenges and opportunities. Adding to the growing literature on ageing and migration, this article illustrates the ways ICTs facilitate the transnational lifecourse transitions of Vietnamese migrant grandparents in Australia through lifecourse digital learning. Research findings highlight the crucial role that digital citizenship plays in supporting migrant grandparents’ adaptation to increasingly mobile lives through practices of digital kinning and digital homing. These practices include using technological tools to maintain social support networks, exchange transnational caregiving, tackle language, nav-igation, and social integration barriers, and consume culturally relevant …

Older Adults Access To Mental Health And Social Care Services During Covid-19 Restrictions In Western Australia, Claire Adams, Eyal Gringart, Daniel Mcaullay, Moira Sim, Brigitta Scarfe, Amy Budrikis, Natalie Strobel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: This study aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health and social services among older adults in Western Australia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 194 adults aged ≥ 70 years or ≥ 60 years with chronic conditions. A questionnaire co-developed by a consumer reference group was used to collect data on social networks and service access. Frequency analyses were used to assess quantitative data. Qualitative data were assessed using thematic analyses. Results: 62.7 % of participants reported being not at all/slightly affected by COVID-19; 40.7 % reported having three/four people to chat with. …

Likeability And Perceived Effectiveness Of Messages Designed To Encourage Physical Activity Participation Among Older Adults, Michelle I. Jongenelis, Ben Jackson, Robert U. Newton, Simone Pettigrew

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue addressed: Older adults are significantly less likely than their younger counterparts to engage in physical activity. Comprehensive policies to support healthy ageing thus need to include components encouraging greater participation in physical activity in later life. This study tested potential messages for use in health communication campaigns aimed at increasing physical activity among older adults. Methods: Twelve written messages designed to encourage older adults to increase their levels of physical activity were rated by Australians aged 60-92 years (n = 369; 54 % female) on the variables of likeability and perceived effectiveness. Results: Ratings for all the tested messages …

Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein Cargo Is Altered In Alzheimer's Disease And Is Associated With Regional Brain Volume, Steve Pedrini, James D. Doecke, Eugene Hone, Penghao Wang, Rohith Thota, Ashley I. Bush, Christopher C. Rowe, Vincent Dore, Victor L. Villemagne, David Ames, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Giuseppe Verdile, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Manfred R. Raida, Kevin Taddei, Sam Gandy, Colin L. Masters, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Ralph N. Martins, Aibl Research Group

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cholesterol levels have been repeatedly linked to Alzheimer's Disease (AD), suggesting that high levels could be detrimental, but this effect is likely attributed to Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. On the other hand, High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol levels have been associated with reduced brain amyloidosis and improved cognitive function. However, recent findings have suggested that HDL-functionality, which depends upon the HDL-cargo proteins associated with HDL, rather than HDL levels, appears to be the key factor, suggesting a quality over quantity status. In this report, we have assessed the HDL-cargo (Cholesterol, ApoA-I, ApoA-II, ApoC-I, ApoC-III, ApoD, ApoE, ApoH, ApoJ, CRP, and SAA) …

Location-Specific Cutaneous Electrical Stimulation Of The Footsole Modulates Corticospinal Excitability To The Plantarflexors And Dorsiflexors During Standing, Gagan Gill, Davis A. Forman, Joanna E. Reeves, Janet L. Taylor, Leah R. Bent

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Non-noxious electrical stimulation to distinct locations of the foot sole evokes location-specific cutaneous reflex responses in lower limb muscles. These reflexes occur at latencies that may enable them to be mediated via a transcortical pathway. Corticospinal excitability to the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors was measured in 16 participants using motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Spinal excitability was measured in eight of the original participants using cervicomedullary motor evoked potentials (CMEPs). Measurements were collected with and without preceding cutaneous stimulus to either the heel (HEEL) or metatarsal (MET) locations of the foot sole, and evoked potentials were elicited to coincide with the arrival …

Estropause, Sex Hormones And Metal Homeostasis In The Mouse Brain, Tianbing Liu, Richard L. Bowen, Andrea C. Wilson, Craig S. Atwood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alterations in brain metal ion homeostasis have been reported with aging and are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. To assess whether age-related changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) hormones might be involved in modulating brain metal ion homeostasis, we treated 7.5-month intact, sham-ovariecomized and ovariectomized C57B6SJL mice with vehicle or leuprolide acetate (for 9-months) to differentiate between whether sex steroids or gonadotropins might modulate brain metal ion concentrations. Unlike other aging mammals, there was no increase in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations following estropause in mice, suggesting there was sufficient residual production by the follicle depleted …

Association Between Non-Tea Flavonoid Intake And Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes: The Australian Diabetes, Obesity And Lifestyle Study, Mary D. Adu, Catherine P. Bondonno, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Marc Sim, Raymond J. Davey, Kevin Murray, Simone Radavelli Bagatini, Dianna J. Magliano, Robin M. Daly, Jonathan E. Shaw, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Studies examining the association between flavonoid intake and measures of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, as markers of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) across the adult lifespan, may provide insights into how flavonoids influence T2DM risk. This study examined the cross-sectional associations between flavonoid intakes, from dietary sources other than tea, and biomarkers of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in adults aged 25 years and older participating in the Australian diabetes, obesity and lifestyle (AusDiab) study. Additionally, longitudinal associations between non-tea flavonoid intakes and incident T2DM over 12 years were explored. Eligible participants (n = 7675) had no previous history of …

The Association Between Alzheimer's Disease-Related Markers And Physical Activity In Cognitively Normal Older Adults, Steve Pedrini, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Akinori Nakamura, Michelle Tegg, Eugene Hone, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Christopher C. Rowe, Vincent Dore, Victor L. Villemagne, David Ames, Naoki Kaneko, Samantha L. Gardener, Kevin Taddei, Binosha Fernando, Ian Martins, Prashant Bharadwaj, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Colin L. Masters, Belinda Brown, Ralph N. Martins, Aibl Research Group

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Previous studies have indicated that physical activity may be beneficial in reducing the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between habitual physical activity levels and brain amyloid deposition and AD-related blood biomarkers (i.e., measured using a novel high-performance mass spectrometry-based assay), in apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers and noncarriers. We evaluated 143 cognitively normal older adults, all of whom had brain amyloid deposition assessed using positron emission tomography and had their physical activity levels measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We …

An Intergenerational Playgroup In An Australian Residential Aged-Care Setting: A Qualitative Case Study, Gabrielle B. Rosa Hernandez, Carolyn M. Murray, Mandy Stanley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Intergenerational programs are emerging within the aged-care context as they provide a unique opportunity for older adults living with or without cognitive impairments to connect with children. One type of intergenerational program is an ‘intergenerational playgroup’ which creates opportunities for children to develop their skills, parents to create a local peer support network and provides older adults at risk of isolation with vital community interaction. The objective of this research was to evaluate an intergenerational playgroup taking place weekly within a residential aged-care setting. A qualitative case study research design was used to perform five observation sessions and semi-structured in-depth …

Perspectives On Wider Integration Of The Health-Assistive Smart Home, Gordana Dermody, Jenna Mikus, Davina Porock, Dov Sugarman, Naeem K. Janjua, Christopher How, Roschelle Fritz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Most older adults desire to be as independent as possible and remain living in their ancestral home as they age. Aging-in-place maximizes the independence of older adults, enhancing their wellbeing and quality of life while decreasing the financial burden of residential care costs. However, due to chronic disease, multimorbidity, and age-related changes, appropriate conditions are required to make aging-in-place possible. Remote monitoring with smart home technologies could provide the infrastructure that enables older adults to remain living independently in their own homes safely. The health-assistive smart home shows great promise, but there are challenges to integrating smart homes on a …

The Impact Of Skeletal Muscle Disuse On Distinct Echo Intensity Bands: A Retrospective Analysis, Zachary S. Logeson, Rob J. Maclennan, Gerard Kyle B. Abad, Johnathon M. Methven, Molly R. Gradl, Matheus D. Pinto, Ronei S. Pinto, Matt S. Stock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Echo intensity (EI) is a novel tool for assessing muscle quality. EI has traditionally been reported as the mean of the pixel histogram, with 0 and 255 arbitrary units (A.U.) representing excellent and poor muscle quality, respectively. Recent work conducted in youth and younger and older adults suggested that analyzing specific EI bands, rather than the mean, may provide unique insights into the effectiveness of exercise and rehabilitation interventions. As our previous work showed deterioration of muscle quality after knee joint immobilization, we sought to investigate whether the increase in EI following disuse was limited to specific EI bands. Thirteen …

Exploring Issues Of Resilience And Technology Use For Older People - A Scoping Review Protocol, Timothy J. Smith, Khui Hung Lee, Kan Yu, Leisa Armstrong, David M. Cook

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this scoping review is to understand the extent of issues of resilience implied by the interactions of older people with financial, social, and health related technologies. Older people aged 60+, technology use or non-use, and issues of resilience studied over the last four years (2019-2022) demarcate the scope of this review. Key exclusion criteria are older adults living in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, care homes and hospital in-patients. It also excludes studies on the perspectives of older peoples’ clinicians. The review will be carried out according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. The …

The Nursing Care Of People With Class Iii Obesity In An Acute Care Setting: A Scoping Review, Bev Ewens, Vivien Kemp, Mandy (Amanda) Towell-Barnard, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background

Patients with Class III obesity pose unique challenges to health care staff and organisations. Care requirements of this population are unique and require specialised equipment and knowledge to meet these needs, maintain the quality of care, as well as the safety of patients and staff.

Aim

To synthesise the evidence on the nursing care of Class III obese patients in acute care settings.

Methods

A scoping review informed by JBI. CINAHL Plus, Medline, Scopus, Proquest Central, Web of Science and Embase were searched for primary research articles about the nursing management of people classified as Class III obese in …

Alzheimer's Disease Research Progress In Australia: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium In Sydney, Claire E. Sexton, Kaarin J. Anstey, Filippo Baldacci, C. J. Barnum, Anna M. Barron, Kaj Blennow, Henry Brodaty, Samantha Burnham, Fanny M. Elahi, Jürgen Götz, Yun-Hee Jeon, Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Susan M. Landau, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Simon M. Laws, Darren M. Lipnicki, Hanzhang Lu, Colin L. Masters, Wendy Moyle, Akinori Nakamura, Giulio Maria Pasinetti, Naren Rao, Christopher Rowe, Perminder S. Sachdev, Peter R. Schofield, Einar M. Sigurdsson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference held its sixth Satellite Symposium in Sydney, Australia in 2019, highlighting the leadership of Australian researchers in advancing the understanding of and treatment developments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. This leadership includes the Australian Imaging, Biomarker, and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL), which has fueled the identification and development of many biomarkers and novel therapeutics. Two multimodal lifestyle intervention studies have been launched in Australia; and Australian researchers have played leadership roles in other global studies in diverse populations. Australian researchers have also played an instrumental role in efforts to understand mechanisms …

Musculoskeletal Responses To Exercise Plus Nutrition In Men With Prostate Cancer On Androgen Deprivation: A 12-Month Rct, Jack Dalla Via, Patrick J. Owen, Robin M. Daly, Niamh L. Mundell, Patricia M. Livingston, Timo Rantalainen, Stephen J. Foulkes, Jeremy L. Millar, Declan G. Murphy, Steve F. Fraser

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer has multiple adverse effects on musculoskeletal health. This 12-month randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of multicomponent exercise training combined with whey protein, calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD), structure and strength, body composition, muscle strength, and physical function in ADT-treated men.

Methods: Seventy ADT-treated men were randomized to exercise plus supplementation (Ex + Suppl; n = 34) or usual care (control; n = 36). Ex + Suppl involved thrice weekly progressive resistance training plus weight-bearing impact exercise with daily multinutrient supplementation. Primary outcomes were DXA …

Study Protocol For A Prospective Process Evaluation Of A Culturally Secure Rehabilitation Programme For Aboriginal Australians After Brain Injury: The Healing Right Way Project, Rachel Skoss, Jane White, Mandy J. Stanley, Melanie Robinson, Sandra Thompson, Elizabeth Armstrong, Judith M. Katzenellenbogen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

INTRODUCTION: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) people are Australia's First Peoples, having the longest continuous culture in the world and deep spiritual connections with ancestral land. Improvements in their health and well-being is a major policy goal of Australian governments, as the legacy of colonisation and disruption of cultural practices contribute to major health challenges. Lack of culturally secure services impacts participation of Aboriginal people in health services. Aboriginal people with a brain injury typically experience poor access to rehabilitation and support following hospital discharge. 'Healing Right Way' (HRW) is a randomised control trial …

Widowed Young: The Role Of Stressors And Protective Factors For Resilience In Coping With Spousal Loss, Jane Marie Chami, Julie Ann Pooley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

While distressing, late life spousal loss is considered a normative life event and most demonstrate resilient recovery from grief. However, for 5–7% of the population spousal loss comes early, before the age of 50, and little is known about the factors that influence adjustment in this population. We used the DPM integrative framework to examine correlates and predictors of mental wellbeing and grief intensity in an international sample of 603 young widows and widowers. Contrary to existing bereavement research, loss-orientated stressors (e.g., expectedness and cause of death) did not predict bereavement outcomes. Employment and financial wellbeing were the only statistically …

Fruit And Vegetable Intake Is Inversely Associated With Perceived Stress Across The Adult Lifespan, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Marc Sim, Richard L. Prince, Nicola P. Bondonno, Catherine P. Bondonno, Richard Woodman, Reindolf Anokye, James Dimmock, Ben Jackson, Leesa Costello, Amanda Devine, Mandy J. Stanley, Joanne M. Dickson, Dianna J. Magliano, Jonathan E. Shaw, Robin M. Daly, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background & aims: Poor nutritional habits are linked to higher perceived stress, but the relationship between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and stress is uncertain. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between FV intake and perceived stress in a population-based cohort of men and women aged ≥ 25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between serum carotenoids, biomarkers of FV intake, and perceived stress.

Methods: In Australian men and women, dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire in 1999–2000 (n …

A Rapidly Aging World In The 21st Century: Hopes From Glycomics And Unraveling The Biomarkers Of Aging With The Sugar Code, Xinwei Yu, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A global rise in life expectancy comes with an increased burden of serious life-long health issues and the need for useful real-time measures of the aging processes. Studies have shown the value of biochemical signatures of immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycosylation as clinically relevant biomarkers to differentiate healthy from accelerated aging. Most human biological processes rely on glycosylation of proteins to regulate their function, but these events appear sensitive to environmental changes, age, and the presence of disease. Specifically, variations in N-glycosylation of IgG can adversely affect inflammatory pathways underpinning unhealthy aging and chronic disease pathogenesis. This expert review highlights the …

Changes In Exercise And Musculoskeletal Symptoms Of Novice Nurses: A One-Year Follow-Up Study, Judith Dianne Pugh, Lucy Gelder, Kylie Cormack, Anne M. Williams, Diane E. Twigg, Margaret Giles, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Nursing is a high-risk occupation for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and many nursing students have a history of musculoskeletal symptoms.

Aims

To quantify (1) changes in exercise and musculoskeletal symptoms from pre-registration to 12-month registered nurses, and (2) the best predictor of severity of musculoskeletal symptoms from measures of the five physical fitness components and exercise participation.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, August 2013 to April 2015, 62 (55.9%) of 111 nursing students fitness tested completed questionnaires measuring nursing work history, exercise, and musculoskeletal symptoms at baseline and 12 months post-registration.

Findings

Nurses’ exercise participation declined post-registration and 38.0% were …

Inconsistent Use Of Resistance Exercise Names In Research Articles: A Brief Note, James L. Nuzzo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Academic fields require standard nomenclature to communicate concepts effectively. Previous research has documented resistance training exercises are named inconsistently. This inconsistent use has been observed among fitness professionals and within resistance training textbooks. The purpose of the current note was to explore inconsistent use of resistance training exercise names in scientific articles. Keyword searches were performed in PubMed to identify articles that referred to 4 different resistance training exercises. The search was limited to titles and abstracts of articles published between 1960 and 2020. For exercise 1, "shoulder press," "overhead press," and "military press" were searched. For exercise 2, "arm …

Potential Of Sorghum Polyphenols To Prevent And Treat Alzheimer's Disease: A Review Article, Nasim Rezaee, Warnakulasuriya Mary Ann Dipika Fernando, Eugene Hone, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Stuart K. Johnson, Stuart Gunzburg, Ralph Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and the build-up of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. This leads to neuronal damage, cell death and consequently results in memory and learning impairments leading to dementia. Although the exact cause of AD is not yet clear, numerous studies indicate that oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contribute to its onset and progression. There is no effective therapeutic approach to stop the progression of AD and its associated symptoms. Thus, early intervention, preferably, pre-clinically when the brain is not significantly affected, is a …

The Development Of Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinator Positions: A Culturally Secure Rehabilitation Service Initiative As Part Of A Clinical Trial, Elizabeth Armstrong, Kathy Mccoy, Rebecca Clinch, Maureen Merritt, Renee Speedy, Meaghan Mcallister, Kym Heine, Natalie Ciccone, Melanie Robinson, Julie Coffin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Brain injury, resulting from stroke and traumatic brain injury, is a common occurrence in Australia, with Aboriginal people affected at a significant rate and impact felt by individuals, families and communities. Access to brain injury rehabilitation services for Aboriginal people is reported to be often limited, with very little support outside the hospital environment. Our research involving Aboriginal brain injury survivors and their families to date has revealed that people often manage ‘on their own’ following such events. Following recommendations from survivors and their families, the Healing Right Way clinical trial, currently underway in Western Australia, has created the role …

Therapeutic Potential Of Mitophagy-Inducing Microflora Metabolite, Urolithin A For Alzheimer’S Disease, Dona Pamoda W. Jayatunga, Eugene Hone, Harjot Khaira, Taciana Lunelli, Harjinder Singh, Gilles J. Guillemin, Binosha Fernando, Manohar L. Garg, Giuseppe Verdile, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction including deficits of mitophagy is seen in aging and neuro-degenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Apart from traditionally targeting amyloid beta (Aβ), the main culprit in AD brains, other approaches include investigating impaired mitochondrial pathways for potential therapeutic benefits against AD. Thus, a future therapy for AD may focus on novel candidates that enhance optimal mitochondrial integrity and turnover. Bi-oactive food components, known as nutraceuticals, may serve as such agents to combat AD. Uro-lithin A is an intestinal microbe-derived metabolite of a class of polyphenols, ellagitannins (ETs). Urolithin A is known to exert many health benefits. Its antioxidant, …

Hypogonadism Induced By Surgical Stress And Brain Trauma Is Reversed By Human Chorionic Gonadotropin In Male Rats: A Potential Therapy For Surgical And Tbi-Induced Hypogonadism?, Rastafa I. Geddes, Amita Kapoor, Kentaro Hayashi, Ryan Rauh, Marlyse Wehber, Quinn Bongers, Alex D. Jansen, Icelle M. Anderson, Gabrielle Farquhar, Sivan Vadakkadath-Meethal, Toni E. Ziegler, Craig S. Atwood

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is an almost universal, yet underappreciated, endocrinological complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal of this study was to determine whether the developmental hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment could reverse HH induced by a TBI. Methods: Plasma samples were collected at post-surgery/post-injury (PSD/PID) days -10, 1, 11, 19 and 29 from male Sprague-Dawley rats (5- to 6-month-old) that had undergone a Sham surgery (craniectomy alone) or CCI injury (craniectomy + bilateral moderate-to-severe CCI injury) and treatment with saline or hCG (400 IU/kg; i.m.) every other day. Results: Both Sham and CCI injury significantly decreased …