Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cutting Through The Fog: Recognising Brain Fog As A Significant Public Health Concern, Darren Haywood, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Brain fog is a highly common condition that can have significant impacts on quality of life and functioning. Most people will experience a condition, illness, or infection that might result in the development of brain fog. We provide a call to action to minimise the impacts of brain fog.

Summarizing Attributable Factors And Evaluating Risk Of Bias Of Mendelian Randomization Studies For Alzheimer’S Dementia And Cognitive Status: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Xiaoni Meng, Xiaochun Li, Meiling Cao, Jing Dong, Haotian Wang, Weijie Cao, Di Liu, Youxin Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: No effective treatment is available to delay or reverse the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Mild cognitive impairment, a clinical state between normal aging and AD, may offer the proper window for AD intervention and treatment. This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence from Mendelian randomization (MR) studies exploring factors attributable to AD and related cognitive status and to assess its credibility. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library to identify MR studies investigating the associations between any factor and AD and related cognitive status. The risk of bias in MR studies was evaluated …

Exercise For Postmenopausal Bone Health – Can We Raise The Bar?, Shejil Kumar, Cassandra Smith, Roderick J. Clifton-Bligh, Belinda R. Beck, Christian M. Girgis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose of Review: This review summarises the latest evidence on effects of exercise on falls prevention, bone mineral density (BMD) and fragility fracture risk in postmenopausal women, explores hypotheses underpinning exercise-mediated effects on BMD and sheds light on innovative concepts to better understand and harness the skeletal benefits of exercise. Recent Findings: Multimodal exercise programs incorporating challenging balance exercises can prevent falls. Emerging clinical trial evidence indicates supervised progressive high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) is efficacious in increasing lumbar spine BMD and is safe and well-tolerated in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis/osteopenia. There remains uncertainty regarding durability of this load-induced …

Trajectories Of Plant-Based Dietary Patterns And Their Sex-Specific Associations With Cardiometabolic Health Among Young Australian Adults, Laura E. Marchese, Sarah A. Mcnaughton, Gilly A. Hendrie, Priscila P. Machado, Therese A. O’Sullivan, Lawrence J. Beilin, Trevor A. Mori, Kacie M. Dickinson, Katherine M. Livingstone

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Plant-based diets are associated with favourable cardiovascular health markers. Although increasingly consumed among younger demographics, it is unclear how plant-based diet quality tracks from adolescence to young adulthood, and how this impacts cardiovascular health later in life. Thus, this study aimed to explore trajectories of plant-based dietary patterns from adolescence to young adulthood and investigate associations with cardiometabolic health markers in young Australian adults. Methods: Longitudinal data from 417 participants from the Raine Study were included. Semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires conducted at 14, 20, and 27 years of were used to derive three plant-based diet quality index scores: an …

Development And Validation Of An Interpretable Risk Prediction Model For The Early Classification Of Thalassemia, Jin Xin Lai, Jia Wei Tang, Shan Shan Gong, Ming Xiong Qin, Yu Lu Zhang, Quan Fa Liang, Li Yan Li, Zhen Cai, Liang Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. Current diagnostic methods mainly rely on sophisticated equipment and specifically trained technicians. This study aims to identify and genotype thalassemia by applying machine learning (ML) algorithms to routine blood parameters. This study recruited a derivation cohort of 31,311 individuals from four independent hospitals and developed eight machine learning (ML) models for the purpose. The performance of these models was compared using a set of evaluation metrics. An additional cohort of 2000 patients was recruited for external validation to assess the generalization of the models. The results demonstrated that the categorical boosting (CatBoost) model exhibited …

Interpretive Prediction Of Hyperuricemia And Gout Patients Via Machine Learning Analysis Of Human Gut Microbiome, Jia Wei Tang, Alfred Chin Yen Tay, Liang Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout result from imbalances in uric acid metabolism and are closely associated with the gut microbiota. Advanced analytical methods facilitate the exploration of microbiota complexity. In this study, 16S rRNA sequencing data from stool samples of 233 patients were thoroughly collected. Machine learning (ML) and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpretability algorithms were applied to identify core taxa and predict the metabolic functions. The results revealed that the high-contribution core taxa identified by SHAP in each group, such as Oscillospiraceae_UCG-005 and Rhodococcus provided the basis for ML prediction. Among the five classification models, Random Forest (RF) achieved the …

Relationship Between Cytomegalovirus Antibody Levels And Cognitive Performance Is Dependent On Age And Genetic Risk, Michael Vacher, Silvia Lee, Patricia Price, Phuongnhi Ha, Shelley Waters, Simon M. Laws

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is endemic worldwide. It is often acquired in childhood and persists throughout adult life. CMV is linked with several diseases of aging, but associations with cognitive performance are not consistent. Here we address whether this may reflect a dependence on putative genetic determinants, Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 and Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF), and/or the age of the subjects tested. CMV-reactive antibodies were quantitated in 419 individuals aged 71.7 [53.2—89.1] years, drawn from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle (AIBL) study. Cognitive composite scores, covering five domains, a global score of cognitive performance, brain amyloid-β (Aβ) burden and …

The First Year Of Assisted Dying In New Zealand Through The Lens Of Healthcare Professionals Not Directly Involved In The Process, Waqas Arshad, Aida Dehkhoda, Melissa Carey, David B. Menkes, Nicholas Hoeh, Frederick Sundram, Rosemary Frey, Gary Cheung

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Act 2019 was enacted in 2021, allowing terminally ill people experiencing unbearable suffering to request assisted dying if they are expected to die within six months. Healthcare professionals not directly involved in assisted dying provision may have unique perspectives on implementation, yet this remains under-explored. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted between June and November 2022. We used purposive and snowball sampling to recruit potential participants through various sources, including the Ministry of Health’s assisted dying training and communication email list. A multidisciplinary research team developed a semi-structured interview guide. The individual interviews …

Characteristics Of Australian And New Zealand Osteopaths Who Treat Patients Presenting With Non-Musculoskeletal Complaints: Outcomes From Two Practice-Based Research Networks, Brett Vaughan, Francesco Cerritelli, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Jack Feehan, Ana Paula A. Ferreira, Michael Fleischmann, Gopi Mcleod, Cindy Mcintyre, Chantal Morin, Lee Muddle, Oliver P. Thomson, Loïc Treffel, Nicholas Tripodi, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Niklas Sinderholm Sposato, Amie Steel, Jon Adams

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Australian and New Zealand osteopaths predominantly manage musculoskeletal complaints using a variety of modalities including manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle and occupational advice. There appears to be a small percentage of patients who seek osteopathy care for non-musculoskeletal issues such as conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The evidence base for osteopathic treatment as part of the management of such conditions is equivocal. The aim of this study was to describe the practice of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who report often treating patients with non-musculoskeletal complaints. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Australian and …

Eccentric-Only Versus Concentric-Only Isokinetic Strength Training Effects On Maximal Voluntary Eccentric, Concentric And Isometric Contraction Strength: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Darjan Spudić, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Conflicting results have been reported regarding the effects of resistance exercise training with eccentric (lengthening muscle) versus concentric (shortening muscle) contractions on changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength assessed by different contraction modes. Objective: The main objective of this systematic review with meta-analyses was to compare the effectiveness of maximal isokinetic eccentric-only and concentric-only strength training for changes in maximal voluntary eccentric (MVCECC), concentric (MVCCON), and isometric contraction (MVCISO) strength in healthy adults. Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar from February to March 2024 for studies that met the following criteria: (1) …

Implementing Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy After Stroke In An Early-Supported Discharge Rehabilitation Service: A Process Evaluation Using Re-Aim Quest, Ashan Weerakkody, Erin Godecke, Barby Singer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) improves upper limb (UL) function after stroke. Despite extensive evidence supporting its efficacy and multiple clinical practice guidelines recommending its provision, very few eligible stroke survivors receive mCIMT internationally. A multi-modal behaviour change intervention, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Behaviour Change Wheel, was implemented across a large early-supported discharge (ESD) rehabilitation service in Perth, Australia, to increase delivery of mCIMT within existing resources. As part of this iterative implementation process, qualitative data from stroke survivors, carers, clinicians and managers informed program adaptations to support sustained mCIMT delivery. This study aimed to …

Prevalence Of Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorder, And Dual Diagnosis Among Adults In Custody, Darcy J. Coulter, Lindsay A. Pearce, Matthew Legge, Jesse T. Young, David B. Preen, Ed C. Heffernan, Jocelyn D. Jones, Stuart A. Kinner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The prevalence of mental illness, substance use disorders, and their dual diagnosis is disproportionately high among people in prisons compared to the community. Accurate prevalence estimates are required to inform resourcing of prison health services and reduce the risk of harm to people experiencing these conditions. Existing estimates, where available, often rely on only one data source. Method: We used three data sources – self-reported history of diagnoses, in-prison medical records, and administrative data to estimate the prevalence of mental illness, substance use disorder, and dual diagnosis among two large cohorts of non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander …

The Effect Of Muscle Warm-Up On Voluntary And Evoked Force-Time Parameters: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis With Meta-Regression, Cody J. Wilson, João Pedro Nunes, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: While muscle contractility increases with muscle temperature, there is no consensus on the best warm-up protocol to use before resistance training or sports exercise due to the range of possible warm-up and testing combinations available. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine the effects of different warm-up types (active, exercise-based vs. passive) on muscle function tested using different activation methods (voluntary vs. evoked) and performance test criteria (maximum force vs. rate-dependent contractile properties), with consideration of warm-up task specificity (specific vs. non-specific), temperature measurement method (muscle vs. skin), baseline temperatures, and subject-specific variables (training status and …

Cognitive Frailty And Cardiometabolic Risk In Middle-Aged And Older Adults: Evidence From The Uk And China, Haiyang Yan, Jingjing Lang, Chengfeng Li, Samaneh Eftekhariranjbar, Guoyan Jiang, Jing Lei, Lixin Sun, Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo, Zhongyang Guan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Cognitive frailty, a novel construct integrating cognitive and physical deficits, is increasingly recognized in aging research. Aims: This study aimed to examine the associations between cognitive frailty and cardiometabolic risk in two nationally representative cohorts from China and the United Kingdom. Methods: We analyzed data from 7,628 participants in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and 4,703 participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), all aged ≥ 50 years. Frailty was assessed using the frailty index (FI) in the main analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for incident cardiometabolic …

High-Dose Beta-Alanine Supplementation For Two Weeks Did Not Enhance Intermittent Endurance Or Sprint Performance In Trained Futsal Players, Hossein Miraftabi, Erfan Berjisian, Marzieh Nouri Dizicheh, Alireza Naderi, Masoud Bodaghi, Majid S. Koozehchian, Fatemeh Shabkhiz, Alvaro Lopez-Samanes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-dose beta-alanine (BA) supplementation on physical performance, blood lactate concentration, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in trained futsal players. Methods: Sixteen trained futsal players participated in a randomized, parallel, double-blind experiment, completing a two-week supplementation period with either 12 g/day of BA (n = 8; age: 19 ± 2 years; height: 1.78 ± 0.03 m; body mass: 68.5 ± 5.4 kg) or a placebo (PLA) (n = 8; age: 18 ± 1 years; height: 1.74 ± 0.08 m; body mass: 65.6 ± 6.4 kg). Athletes completed the futsal intermittent …

Impact Of Exercise In Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Across Different Treatment Phases: A Systematic Review, Linda Toniolo, Anita Borsati, Cristina Crespo-Garcia, Diana Giannarelli, Christian Ciurnelli, Gloria Adamoli, Lorenzo Belluomini, Ilaria Trestini, Daniela Tregnago, Federico Schena, Robert U. Newton, Salvatore Paiella, Roberto Salvia, Michele Milella, Sara Pilotto, Alice Avancini

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: With a dismal prognosis of 8–10 % 5-year survival since diagnosis, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive oncological diseases. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise medicine on safety and feasibility, physical fitness, body composition, patient-reported outcomes, and clinical outcomes across different treatment phases in patients with pancreatic cancer. Method: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were systematically screened to identify single-arm studies and randomized/non-randomized controlled trials investigating a physical exercise intervention in patients with pancreatic cancer. The RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools were used to evaluate study quality for randomized and non-randomized studies, respectively. Qualitative …

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin And Fibrinogen-To-Albumin Ratio Are Indicators Of Kidney Disease In Sickle Cell Disease Patients With Microalbuminuria: A Multicentre Case-Control Study In Ghana, Stephen Twumasi, Enoch Odame Anto, Christian Obirikorang, Richard Kobina Dadzie Ephraim, Benedict Sackey, Vivian Paintsil, Richard Owusu Ansah, Alfred Effah, Allwell Adofo Ayirebi, Angela Opoku, Godfred Yawson Scott, Leslie Osei, Joyce Duku, Emmanuel Asafo Adjei, Lilian Antwi Boateng

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is present in secondary granules of neutrophils and it is a relatively newly recognized marker of kidney diseases. The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) is a marker of inflammation but its diagnostic value has not been determined in sickle cell disease patients with kidney diseases. This study investigated the diagnostic roles of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (sNGAL) and FAR for kidney diseases in steady-state adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Methods: This study employed a prospective case-control design and recruited 104 SCD participants and 80 non-SCD patients. Participants’ information was thoroughly documented using a structured questionnaire and …

Voluntary Activation Of The Ankle Plantar Flexors: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Molly E. Coventry, Christopher Latella, Brady Green, Andrea B. Mosler, Jayden Peak, Maria Luciana Perez Armendariz, Ebonie K. Rio, Myles C. Murphy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Voluntary activation is a measure of neural drive, typically measured during maximal contractions, and provides insight into motor function. This systematic review examined voluntary activation assessment of the ankle plantar flexors in healthy and pathological populations, and the association of participant age and positioning (knee and ankle joint angles) with voluntary activation level. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted. Six electronic databases were systematically searched for studies that assessed voluntary activation of the ankle plantar flexors using the interpolated twitch technique or the central activation ratio. Meta-analyses were performed using an inverse variance, random-effects maximal likelihood model …

Caveolin 1 And 2 Enhance The Proliferative Capacity Of Bcam-Positive Corneal Progenitors, Yuzuru Sasamoto, Shoko Kiritoshi, Catherine A.A. Lee, Yoshiko Fukuda, Gabrielle Martin, Bruce R. Ksander, Markus H. Frank, Natasha Y. Frank

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Caveolin (CAV) 1 and 2 are integral membrane proteins that constitute major components of small membrane pouches termed caveolae. While several functions have been described in other tissues, the roles of CAV1 and CAV2 in the ocular surface have remained unknown. In the current study, we investigated the expression and function of CAV1 and CAV2 in the human cornea. We found CAV1 and CAV2 to be preferentially expressed by proliferative Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM)-positive progenitor cells along the entire limbal and corneal basal epithelial layer. Functional gene knockdown studies reveal that BCAM, BCAM co-expressed Laminin α5 (LAMA5) and Laminin …

Effects Of Short- And Long-Term Exercise Training On Cancer Cells In Vitro: Insights Into The Mechanistic Associations, Francesco Bettariga, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvão, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Exercise is a therapeutic approach in cancer treatment, providing several benefits. Moreover, exercise is associated with a reduced risk for developing a range of cancers and for their recurrence, as well as with improving survival, even though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows that the acute effects of a single exercise session can suppress the growth of various cancer cell lines in vitro. This suppression is potentially due to altered concentrations of hormones (e.g., insulin) and cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6) after exercise. These factors, known to be involved in tumorigenesis, may …

Exercise Medicine As Adjunct Therapy During Radiation For Cancer Of The Prostate To Improve Treatment Efficacy – Protocol For The Eradicate Study: A Phase Ii Randomised Controlled Trial, Oliver Schumacher, Robert U. Newton, Colin Tang, Raphael Chee, Sjoerd B. Vos, Ronny S. Low, David Joseph, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvão

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Tumour hypoxia resulting from inadequate perfusion is common in many solid tumours, including prostate cancer, and constitutes a major limiting factor in radiation therapy that contributes to treatment resistance. Emerging research in preclinical animal models indicates that exercise has the potential to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment by modulating tumour perfusion and reducing hypoxia; however, evidence from randomised controlled trials is currently lacking. The ‘Exercise medicine as adjunct therapy during RADIation for CAncer of the prostaTE’ (ERADICATE) study is designed to investigate the impact of exercise on treatment response, tumour physiology, and adverse effects of treatment in prostate …

Is Maternal Diabetes During Pregnancy Associated With Neurodevelopmental, Cognitive And Behavioural Outcomes In Children? Insights From Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis In Ten Birth Cohorts, Rachelle A. Pretorius, Demetris Avraam, Mònica Guxens, Jordi Julvez, Jennifer R. Harris, Johanna Thorbjornsrud Nader, Tim Cadman, Ahmed Elhakeem, Katrine Strandberg-Larsen, Hanan El Marroun, Serena Defina, Tiffany C. Yang, Rosie Mceachan, John Wright, Jesús Ibarluzea, Loreto Santa-Marina, Juana Mari Delgado, Marisa Rebagliato, Marie Aline Charles, Chloe Vainqueur, Silvia Maritano, Daniela Zugna, Wen Lun Yuan, Barbara Heude, Rae Chi Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Growing evidence shows that dysregulated metabolic intrauterine environments can affect offspring’s neurodevelopment and behaviour. However, the results of individual cohort studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal diabetes before pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with neurodevelopmental, cognitive and behavioural outcomes in children. Methods: Harmonised data from > 200 000 mother-child pairs across ten birth cohorts in Europe and Australia were available. Mother-child pairs were included for analysis to determine whether GDM was recorded (yes or no) and whether at least one neurodevelopmental, cognitive and behavioural outcome was available in children aged 3 to 13 …

The Effect Of Prednisolone Ingestion And Acute Exercise On Lipocalin-2 And Its Variants In Young Men: A Pilot Randomised Crossover Study, Carlie Bauer, Rhiannon K. Patten, Qiyang Sun, Haoyun Li, Daniels Konja, Mary Woessner, Xuzhu Lin, Andrew Garnham, David L. Hare, Peter R. Ebeling, Marc Sim, Joshua R. Lewis, Yu Wang, Lewan Parker, Itamar Levinger

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has three main variants; polyaminated (hLCN2) and non-polyaminated (C87A and R81E). The polyaminated form is proposed to positively influence energy control, whereas the non-polyaminated forms negatively impact energy control in mice. Glucocorticoids negatively affect glucose regulation and exercise has a positive effect. We hypothesise that glucocorticoids will suppress, while exercise will increase hLCN2, and decrease C87A and R81E, which will be associated with improved insulin sensitivity. In a randomised crossover design, nine young healthy men (aged 27.8 ± 4.9 years; BMI 24.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2) completed 30 min of high-intensity aerobic exercise (90–95% heart rate reserve) after glucocorticoid …

The Experience Of Mothers Of Autistic Children With A Pathological Demand Avoidance Profile: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Sam Curtis, Elizabeth Izett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Emergent research literature has identified emotional and behavioural challenges for autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. However, understanding of their parents’ experience is limited. This study aimed to explore the experience of parents of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were completed with ten parents of autistic children with a pathological demand avoidance profile, aged between 5 and 11 years (M = 8.5, SD = 1.90). All participants were mothers, aged 33–50 years (M = 42, SD = 5.35). To explore what meaning participants gave to their lived experience, an interpretative phenomenological …

Prevalence Of Sleep Disturbances And Factors Associated Among School Going Children In Uganda, A Cross-Sectional Study, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Sleep disturbances greatly impact children's academic performance and social well-being. This study set out to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances and factors associated among school going children in Kawempe division, Kampala, Uganda. Methods: In a community cross-sectional study, 548 study participants using random cluster sampling were enrolled. The children start lessons at 8am and end the days classes at 5pm. Random cluster sampling method was used to select participants from the 19 parishes in Kawempe district. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). Descriptive statistics and multivariate binary logistic regression were …

In The Pursuit Of Parent Caregiver Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study, Glenda E. Hux, Natalie King, Sarah A. Schoen

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Unmet needs in parent of children with chronic and complex conditions often result in adverse outcomes to their mental health and well-being. This descriptive phenomenological study explores their lived experiences and daily participation patterns. Thirteen participants in a global cohort shared their experiences via a secure digital platform. Five themes emerged illustrating the parents' pursuit of well-being and the barriers encountered: Embodying the Caregiver Life, Navigating Intricate Realities, Emotional and Existential Landscape, Navigating Healthcare Systems, and Connected Yet Alone. This study underlies parents' occupational participation challenges and the crucial need to address them using parent-centered approaches to promote family well-being.

How Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Perceive Respiratory Interventions: A Mixed-Methods Study To Inform Implementation Efforts, Jason Ackrivo, Danny Bracy, Lauren B. Elman, John Hansen-Flaschen, Zachary Simmons, Piera Pasinelli, Terry Heiman-Patterson, Steven M. Kawut, Meghan B. Lane-Fall

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that commonly leads to respiratory failure. Early respiratory interventions that may improve symptoms and outcomes are underused when prescribed. We sought to characterize patient perspectives and preferences for respiratory care to enable identification of implementation strategies to improve the uptake of ALS respiratory interventions.

METHODS: A prospective multicenter mixed-methods observational study was conducted using semistructured interviews of participants recently diagnosed with ALS at 4 academic centers in the United States. Eligible patients were those with an ALS diagnosis in the previous 12 months, forced vital capacity < 80% predicted normal, or presence of dyspnea or orthopnea.

RESULTS: Twenty-four patients …

Public Views Towards Lifespan, Healthspan, And Healthy Longevity Medicine In Singapore: A Qualitative Study From The Healthy Longevity (Helo) Initiatives, Belinda Wang, Anna Szucs, Elena Sandalova, Zhi Meng Lim, E. J. Horberg, Paul A. O’Keefe, Louis Island, Sonny Rosenthal, Andrea B. Maier

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Introduction: Healthy Longevity Medicine (HLM) offers a strategy to reduce the healthspan-lifespan gap, yet public perspectives remain unclear. This study refines the Healthy Longevity (HELO) framework through a qualitative exploration of public views towards lifespan, healthspan, and HLM.Methods: Individuals living in Singapore participated in semi-structured group or individual discussions to explore (a) their understanding of lifespan and healthspan, (b) motivational factors for health behaviours, and (c) their awareness of HLM. Sampling maximised variation across age, sex, and ethnicity. Data obtained through 13 discussions were analysed with a mixed, inductive-deductive approach employing the HELO framework.Results: Thirty-six participants (mean age = 49.4 …

A Reversal In Fortunes: A Case Of Triumphant Retrograde Intubation., Vishal Tharani, Nickolas Meier

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

A 48-year-old male presented to the emergency department in respiratory distress, with a history of poorly controlled asthma and a remote history of pulmonary embolus. After failing a non-invasive ventilation trial and numerous treatments for presumed status asthmaticus, he was planned for intubation. During the procedure, a large supraglottic mass was visualized, obstructing the airway and preventing successful orotracheal intubation via video laryngoscopy. Securing the airway was complicated by cardiac arrest, likely hypoxia-driven. The patient underwent a successful retrograde intubation followed by post-cardiac arrest stabilization. This case highlights the technique and its role in difficult airway management.

Introducing The Outpace Framework For Health Care Quality Improvement, Michele Bolles, Heather M. Alger, Mitchell S. V. Elkind, Howard Haft, Sabra C. Lewsey, Mariell Jessup, Karen E. Joynt Maddox, Chiadi E. Ndumele, Clyde W. Yancy, Christine Rutan, Michelle Congdon, Katherine Overton, Lynn Serdynski, Kathie Thomas, Gregg C. Fonarow

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Equitable, timely, and evidence-based care remains a central goal across health care ecosystems, yet significant quality gaps, care variability, and health disparities persist. Professional societies, including the American Heart Association, have long developed clinical practice guidelines to provide standardized, evidence-based recommendations across the cardiovascular care continuum. These guidelines are operationalized into quality measures to monitor care, identify gaps, and guide improvement. Professional societies, agencies, and health systems have applied implementation science strategies, such as education, data sharing, and evaluation, to improve care quality and achieve quality measures defined in the clinical practice guidelines. American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines …