Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Early Adverse Experiences And Health: The Transition To College, Kelly B. Filipkowski, Kristin E. Heron, Joshua M. Smyth

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: This study cross-sectionally and prospectively examined the impact of adversity experienced prior to college on the health and well-being of students adjusting to their first college semester. Methods: Two-hundred sixteen (216) first-year students completed measures of adverse life experiences, perceived stress, physical symptoms, and health-related behaviors during the first 2 weeks of college entry and again at the end of the first semester. Results: Reported adversity prior to college predicted greater perceived stress and physical symptoms at college entry and an increase in physical symptoms over the semester; perceived stress mediated the prospective changes. Early adversity …

The Influence Of A Crosshair Visual Aid On Observer Detection Of Simulated Fetal Heart Rate Signals, Rebecca A. Kennedy, Mark W. Scerbo, Brittany L. Anderson-Montoya, Lee A. Belfore Ii, Alfred Z. Abuhamad, Stephen S. Davis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective To determine whether a visual aid overlaid on fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings increases detection of critical signals relative to images with no visual aid.

Study Design In an experimental study, 21 undergraduate students viewed 240 images of simulated FHR tracings twice, once with the visual aids and once without aids. Performance was examined for images containing three different types of FHR signals (early deceleration, late deceleration, and acceleration) and four different FHR signal-to-noise ratios corresponding to FHR variability types (absent, minimal, moderate, and marked) identified by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2008). Performance was …

Initiation And Retention In Couples Outpatient Treatment For Parents With Drug And Alcohol Use Disorders, Abbly L. Braitman, Michelle L. Kelley

Psychology Faculty Publications

The focus of the current study was to identity mental health, relationship factors, substance use related problems, and individual factors as predictors of couples-based substance abuse treatment initiation and attendance. Heterosexual couples with children that met study criteria were invited to attend 12 sessions of outpatient behavioral couples therapy. Men were more likely to initiate treatment if they had a higher income, had greater relationship satisfaction, were initiating treatment for alcohol use disorder only, were younger when they first suspected a problem, and had higher depression but lower hostility or phobic anxiety. Men attended more treatment sessions if they reported …

Behavioral Couples Treatment For Substance Use Disorder: Secondary Effects On The Reduction Of Risk For Child Abuse, Michelle L. Kelley, Adrian J. Bravo, Abby L. Braitman, Adrienne K. Lawless, Hannah R. Lawrence

Psychology Faculty Publications

Risk for child abuse was examined prior to and after behavioral couples treatment (BCT) among 61 couples in which one or both parents were diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). All couples were residing with one or more school-age children. Mothers and fathers completed pretreatment, post-intervention, and 6 month post-intervention follow-up assessments. Results of piecewise latent growth models tested whether the number of BCT sessions attended and number of days abstinent from drugs and alcohol influenced relationship satisfaction and its growth over time, and in turn if relationship satisfaction and change in relationship satisfaction influenced risk for child abuse. For …

Molly Users Versus Non-Users In A Sample Of College Alcohol Drinkers: Differences In Substance-Related Harms And Sensation Seeking, Ashley N. Linden-Carmichael, Amy L. Stamates, Brynn E. Sheehan, Cathy Lau-Barraco

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Molly is one form of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) that is touted to be more pure and potentially less harmful than other forms, such as ecstasy. Media reports and case studies suggest that this drug is popular among college students and is related to adverse health problems. The current study sought to address the knowledge gaps about Molly by examining whether users differ in substance use outcomes and sensation seeking than nonusers. Specifically, this study tested whether Molly users engaged in heavier use of other substances and experienced more substance-related harms in general than nonusers. Further, the current study investigated whether …

Personalized Boosters For A Computerized Intervention Targeting College Drinking: The Influence Of Protective Behavioral Strategies, Abby L. Braitman, James M. Henson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: Computerized interventions are cost-effective and can quickly deliver individual feedback to many students. However, in-person interventions are more efficacious. The current study sought to improve the efficacy of a popular online intervention via e-mailed boosters with personalized feedback.

Participants: Participants were 213 student drinkers at a southeastern public university, ages 18-24. Methods: Students were randomized into (1) intervention only, or (2) intervention plus booster. Alcohol consumption and related problems were assessed at baseline, 2weeks post, and 4weeks post.

Results: Boosters yielded reductions in drinking, but not alcohol-related problems. Boosters were associated with significant reductions for drinking frequency, heavy drinking …

Socioeconomic, Bio-Demographic And Health/Behavioral Determinants Of Neonatal Mortality In Nigeria: A Multilevel Analysis Of 2013 Demographic And Health Survey, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Yun Zhao, Reeta Lamichhane

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Nigeria ranks as one of the countries in the world with considerable burden of neonatal mortality. This study aims to investigate the association of socioeconomic, bio-demographic and health/behavioural factors with neonatal mortality in the country using the most current available evidence.

Methods:

The 2013 Nigeria demographic and health survey (NDHS) dataset was analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify determinants associated with neonatal mortality. The role of breastfeeding was examined by conducting analyses with and without adjustment for ‘breastfeeding status’. Complex sample analysis was used to control for the complex sampling design used in NDHS.

Results:

Neonatal …

Climate Change And Malaria Control: The Importance Of Mitigation And A Call To Action, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Kazeem Adefemi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Malaria has remained an important target for global disease control efforts for decades. The streams of funds and, consequently, availability of effective interventions for the disease have resulted in considerable reduction in its burden, globally. Despite the relative success of such global efforts, malaria remains a significant threat in over a hundred countries, worldwide, leading to about one million deaths and hundreds of millions of hospital visits, annually. Many researchers and health commentators have argued that global warming, a consequence of climate change, could be linked – directly or indirectly – to the persistence as well as the re-emergence of …

A Randomised Control Trial Of Salvage Radiotherapy And Androgen Deprivation Therapy Following Prostatectomy: Commentary On Five Year Follow-Up Findings, Scott Williams, John W. Yaxley, Geoffrey D. Coughlin, Robert A. Gardiner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

No abstract provided.

The Eff-1a Cytoplasmic Domain Influences Hypodermal Cell Fusions In C. Elegans But Is Not Dependent On 14-3-3 Proteins., Jessica H Shinn-Thomas, Jacob J Del Campo, Jianjun Wang, William A Mohler

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Regulatory and biophysical mechanisms of cell-cell fusion are largely unknown despite the fundamental requirement for fused cells in eukaryotic development. Only two cellular fusogens that are not of clear recent viral origin have been identified to date, both in nematodes. One of these, EFF-1, is necessary for most cell fusions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Unregulated EFF-1 expression causes lethality due to ectopic fusion between cells not developmentally programmed to fuse, highlighting the necessity of tight fusogen regulation for proper development. Identifying factors that regulate EFF-1 and its paralog AFF-1 could lead to discovery of molecular mechanisms that control cell fusion …

Predictors Of Sun Protection Behaviours And Sunburn Among Australian Adolescents, Simone Pettigrew, Michelle Jongenelis, Mark Strickland, Carolyn Minto, Terry Slevin, Geoffrey Jalleh, Chad Lin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Excessive sun exposure and sunburn increase individuals’ risk of skin cancer. It is especially important to prevent sunburn in childhood due to the higher relative risk of skin cancer across the life span compared to risk associated with sunburn episodes experienced later in life. This study examined demographic and attitudinal factors associated with engagement in a range of sun protection behaviours (wearing a hat, wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade, and staying indoors during the middle of the day) and the frequency of sunburn among Western Australian adolescents to provide insights of relevance for future sun protection campaigns. …

A Survey Of Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices In Relation To Mosquitoes And Mosquito-Borne Disease In Western Australia, Abbey Potter, Andrew Jardine, Peter J. Neville

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

On average, more than 1,000 individuals will acquire a mosquito-borne disease in Western Australia (WA) each year. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in relation to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease have not yet been investigated within Australia. A randomized telephone survey of 2,500 households across 12 regions in WA was undertaken between February and May 2014. The aim of the survey was to obtain baseline KAP data surrounding mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in different regions of WA, across a range of age groups and between males and females. The results of this survey indicate that the majority of respondents are aware …

Plain Language Review Of Volatile Substance Use Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People, Trish Amaranti

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This review is a plain language version of the Review of volatile substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2016). It provides key information on the use of volatile substances (petrol, paint, glue and other substances), among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Technical terms are explained and information is provided in an easy to understand format, with additional graphs and images to illustrate data. This plain language review provides background information on volatile substance use in Australia as well as information that has specific relevance to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait …

Changes In The Plasma Proteome At Asymptomatic And Symptomatic Stages Of Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease, Julia Muenchhoff, Anne Poljak, Anbupalam Thalamuthu, Veer Gupta, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Mark Raftery, Colin Masters, John Morris, Randall Bateman, Anne Fagan, Ralph Martins, Perminder Sachdev

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The autosomal dominant form of Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) is far less prevalent than late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), but enables well-informed prospective studies, since symptom onset is near certain and age of onset is predictable. Our aim was to discover plasma proteins associated with early AD pathology by investigating plasma protein changes at the asymptomatic and symptomatic stages of ADAD. Eighty-one proteins were compared across asymptomatic mutation carriers (aMC, n = 15), symptomatic mutation carriers (sMC, n = 8) and related noncarriers (NC, n = 12). Proteins were also tested for associations with cognitive measures, brain amyloid deposition and glucose …

Serum Concentrations Of The Biomarkers Ca125, Ca15-3, Psa And Papp-A In Early Pregnancy, Melissa J. Stemp, Peter Roberts, Allison Mcclements, Vincent Chapple, Phillip Matson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Blood samples were collected serially from 14 women with healthy pregnancies, beginning in gestational week 4 at the time of a positive pregnancy test through to the identification of a foetal heart by ultrasound. Six biomarkers were measured in the serum retrospectively including two reproductive hormones (progesterone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)) and four additional biomarkers (prostate-specific antigen (PSA), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A)) measured on a Siemens Centaur XP and a Roche Cobas e411 automated analysers, respectively. The progesterone and hCG results were unremarkable following established patterns, but distinctive patterns …

Drug Therapy For Obesity With Anti-Aging Genes Modification, Ian J. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nutritional regulation and drug therapy has been the focus of the current obesity epidemic in various countries in the world. Epigenetics is the major mechanism for the development of insulin resistance and obesity with unhealthy diets, oxidative stress and environmental factors relevant to alterations in gene expression with effects on mitochondrial biogenesis, adipose tissue lipid metabolism and energy expenditure. Anti-aging genes are involved in the regulation of adipogenesis with increased sensitivity to anti-aging gene dysfunction associated with adipocyte-neuron interactions compared to other cells. Unhealthy diets downregulate adipocyte anti-aging genes associated with the development of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) …

Epidemiology And Risk Factors For Community-Associated Clostridium Difficile Infection: A Narrative Review, Lauren E. Bloomfield, Thomas V. Riley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was once considered a primarily nosocomial concern. Emerging evidence from the last 20 years has highlighted a drastic shift in the known epidemiology of CDI, with disease outside of hospitals apparently occurring more frequently and causing severe disease in populations that were thought to be at low risk. This narrative review summarises potential pathways for infection outside of the hospital environment and highlights likely routes of transmission. Further, evidence is presented on potential risk factors for development of disease. Understanding the epidemiology of CDI outside of hospitals is essential to the ability to prevent and control …

Impaired Energy Metabolism: Involvement In Neurodegenerative Processes And Cns Ageing, Veer B. Gupta, Vivek K. Gupta

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

World is experiencing a consistent and steady increase in the ageing population with even higher proportional differences in the developed countries. Increase in ageing populations is directly correlated with the increased prevalence of age-related degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as Alzheimer’s disease and various other forms of dementias, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, retinal degenerative disorders, Huntington’s’ disease, multiple sclerosis, psychiatric and behavioural disorders amongst others.

Magnesium Therapy Prevents Senescence With The Reversal Of Diabetes And Alzheimer’S Disease, Ian James Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In the current global epidemic for Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease there has been a major interest in magnesium therapy to delay the severity of NAFLD, Type 3 diabetes and neurodegeneration in the developing and developed world. The objective of magnesium therapy is to activate the anti-aging gene Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) to prevent cardiovascular disease, NAFLD and diabetes. Reduced consumption of nutrients such as fatty acids, glucose, cholesterol and increased magnesium consumption is closely linked to reduced bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and activation of Sirt1 relevant to active nuclear and mitochondria interactions …

Type 3 Diabetes With Links To Nafld And Other Chronic Diseases In The Western World, Ian J. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In the year 2015 it is now estimated that 30% of the Western World will now progress to non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and by the year 2050 if NAFLD remains untreated in the Western world the prevalence of the disease may rise to 40% of the global population. Type 3 diabetes and circadian rhythm disturbances may be involved in the induction of NAFLD that may promote insulin resistance and various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, pancreatic disease, kidney disease and neurodegenerative disease. Multiple risk factors that induce Type 3 diabetes and NAFLD include stress, magnesium deficiency, bacterial …

Abcb5-Targeted Chemoresistance Reversal Inhibits Merkel Cell Carcinoma Growth, Sonja Kleffel, Nayoung Lee, Cecilia Lezcano, Brian Wilson, Kristine Sobolewski, Karim Saab, Hansgeorg Mueller, Qian Zhan, Christian Posch, Christopher Elco, Andrew Dorosario, Sarah Garcia, Manisha Thakuria, Yaoyu Wang, Linda Wang, George Murphy, Markus Frank, Tobias Schatton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with profound but poorly understood resistance to chemotherapy, which poses a significant barrier to clinical MCC treatment. Here we show that ATP-binding cassette member B5 (ABCB5) confers resistance to standard-of-care MCC chemotherapeutic agents and provide proof-of-principle that ABCB5 blockade can inhibit human MCC tumor growth through sensitization to drug-induced cell cytotoxicity. ABCB5 expression was detected in both established MCC lines and clinical MCC specimens at levels significantly higher than those in normal skin. Carboplatin- and etoposide-resistant MCC cell lines exhibited increased expression of ABCB5, along with enhanced ABCB1 and …

A Meta-Analytic Review Of The Efficacy Of Physical Exercise Interventions On Cognition In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Adhd, Wei Z. Tan, Julie Ann Pooley, Craig P. Speelman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This review evaluates the efficacy of using physical exercise interventions on improving cognitive functions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This review includes a meta-analysis based on a random-effects model of data reported in 22 studies with 579 participants aged 3–25 year old. The results revealed an overall small to medium effect of exercise on cognition, supporting the efficacy of exercise interventions in enhancing certain aspects of cognitive performance in individuals with ASD and/or ADHD. Specifically, similar to the general population literature, the cognitive benefits of exercise are not consistent across all aspects …

The Effectiveness Of Self-Management Mobile Phone And Tablet Apps In Long-Term Condition Management: A Systematic Review, Lisa Whitehead, Philippa Seaton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Long-term conditions and their concomitant management place considerable pressure on patients, communities, and health care systems worldwide. International clinical guidelines on the majority of long-term conditions recommend the inclusion of self-management programs in routine management. Self-management programs have been associated with improved health outcomes; however, the successful and sustainable transfer of research programs into clinical practice has been inconsistent. Recent developments in mobile technology, such as mobile phone and tablet computer apps, could help in developing a platform for the delivery of self-management interventions that are adaptable, of low cost, and easily accessible.

Objective:

We conducted a systematic review …

Musculoskeletal Asymmetry In Football Athletes: A Product Of Limb Function Over Time, Nicolas H. Hart, Sophia Nimphius, Jason Weber, Tania Spiteri, Timo Rantalainen, Michael Dobbin, Robert Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

Asymmetrical loading patterns are commonplace in football sports. Our aim was to examine the influence of training age and limb function on lower-body musculoskeletal morphology.

Methods

Fifty-five elite football athletes were stratified into less experienced ( ≤ 3 yr; n = 27) and more experienced ( > 3 yr; n = 28) groups by training age. All athletes underwent whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans and lower-body peripheral quantitative computed tomography tibial scans on the kicking and support limbs.

Results

Significant interactions between training age and limb function were evident across all skeletal parameters (F16, 91 = 0.182, P = 0.031, …

Compliance, Palatability And Feasibility Of Paleolithic And Australian Guide To Healthy Eastin Diets In Healtthy Women: A 4-Week Dietary Intervention, Angela Genoni, Johnny Lo, Philippa Lyons-Wall, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

(1) Background/Objectives:

The Paleolithic diet has been receiving media coverage in Australia and claims to improve overall health. The diet removes grains and dairy, whilst encouraging consumption of fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and nuts. Our aim was to compare the diet to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) in terms of compliance, palatability and feasibility;

(2) Subjects/Methods:

39 healthy women (age 47 ± 13 years, BMI 27 ± 4 kg/m²) were randomised to an ad-libitum Paleolithic (n = 22) or AGHE diet (n = 17) for 4-weeks. A food checklist was completed daily, with mean discretionary consumption …

An Approach To Measuring And Encouraging Research Translation And Research Impact, Andrew M. Searles, Chrisotpher M. Doran, John R. Attia, Darryl A. Knight, John H. E. Wiggers, Simon Deeming, Joërg Mattes, Brad Webb, Steve Hannan, Rod Ling, Kim Edmunds, Penny Reeves, Michael Nilsson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Research translation, particularly in the biomedical area, is often discussed but there are few methods that are routinely used to measure it or its impact. Of the impact measurement methods that are used, most aim to provide accountability - to measure and explain what was generated as a consequence of funding research. This case study reports on the development of a novel, conceptual framework that goes beyond measurement. The Framework To Assess the Impact from Translational health research, or FAIT, is a platform designed to prospectively measure and encourage research translation and research impact. A key assumption underpinning FAIT …

Discriminant Validity Of The Hospital Anxiety And Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory (Ii) And Beck Anxiety Inventory To Confirmed Clinical Diagnosis Of Depression And Anxiety In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Tina Phan, Owen Carter, Claire Adams, Grant Waterer, Li Ping Chung, Maxine Hawkins, Cobie Rudd, Mel R. Ziman, Natalie Strobel

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the discriminant validity of commonly used depresson and anxiety screening tools in order to determine the most suitable tool for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients (n = 56) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). These scores were compared to confirmed clinical diagnosis of depression and anxiety using the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview. HADS depression subscale (HADS-D) sensitivity/specificity was 78/81 %; BDI-II 89/77 %; HADS anxiety subscale (HADS-A) 71/81 %; and BAI 89/62 %. HADS-D sensitivity/specificity was improved …

Learning Preferences Of Enrolled Nursing Students: Educational Preparation And Training For Workplace Readiness, Kalpana Raghunathan, Sonia Allen, Elisabeth R. Jacob

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In Australia there are two entry levels in nursing: the Registered Nurse (RN) and the Enrolled Nurse (EN). Nursing education research is predominately focused on higher education for Registered Nurses and postgraduate nursing students; as a result, the educational preferences of Enrolled Nursing students in the vocational education and training (VET) setting have not been identified. Enrolled Nursing students have some distinct educational needs as they transition through education into the workforce due to their diversity in learner characteristics and backgrounds. As the role of this group continues to expand in the workplace to meet the demands of the health …

Discriminating Talent Identified Junior Australian Footballers Using A Fundamental Gross Athletic Movement Assessment, Carle T. Woods, Henry Banyard, Ian Mckeown, Job Fransen, Sam J. Robertson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Talent identification (TID) is a pertinent component of the sports sciences, affording practitioners the opportunity to target developmental interventions to a select few; optimising financial investments. However, TID is multi-componential, requiring the recognition of immediate and prospective performance. The measurement of athletic movement skill may afford practitioners insight into the latter component given its augmented relationship with functional sport specific qualities. It is currently unknown whether athletic movement skill is a discriminant quality in junior Australian football (AF). This study aimed to discriminate talent identified junior AF players from their non-talent identified counterparts using a fundamental gross athletic movement assessment. …

The Association Between Glycosylation Of Immunoglobulin G And Hypertension: A Multiple Ethnic Cross-Sectional Study, Youxin Wang, Lucija Klarić, Xinwei Yu, Kujtim Thaqi, Jing Dong, Mislav Novokmet, Jim Wilson, Ozren Polasek, Youqin Liu, Jasminka Krištić, Siqi Ge, Maja Pučić-Baković, Lijuan Wu, Yong Zhou, Ivo Ugrina, Manshu Song, Jie Zhang, Xiuhua Guo, Qiang Zeng, Igor Rudan, Harry Campbell, Yurii Aulchenko, Gordan Lauc, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

More than half of all known proteins, and almost all membrane and extra-cellular proteins have oligosaccharide structures or glycans attached to them. Defects in glycosylation pathways are directly involved in at least 30 severe human diseases. A multiple center cross-sectional study (China, Croatia, and Scotland) was carried out to investigate the possible association between hypertension and IgG glycosylation. A hydrophilic interaction chromatography of fluorescently labeled glycans was used to analyze N-glycans attached to IgG in plasma samples from a total of 4757 individuals of Chinese Han, Croatian, and Scottish ethnicity. Five glycans (IgG with digalactosylated glycans) significantly differed in participants …