Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Psychometric Properties Of The Quick Inventory Of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (Qids-Sr) In Patients With Hbv-Related Liver Disease, Mei Liu, Yuanyuan Wang, Jing Zhao, Sujun Zheng, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Zhong-Ping Duan, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Comorbid depression in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common. Developing accurate and time efficient tools to measure depressive symptoms in HBV is important for research and clinical practice in China.

Aims: This study tested the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR) in HBV patients.

Methods: The study recruited 245 depressed patients with HBV and related liver disease. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the QIDS-SR.

Results: Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.796 for QIDS-SR. The QIDS-SR total score was significantly correlated …

Do Images Of A Personalised Future Body Shape Help With Weight Loss? A Randomised Controlled Study, Gemma Ossolinski, Moyez Jiwa, Alexandra Mcmanus, Richard Parsons

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: This randomised controlled study evaluated a computer-generated future self-image as a personalised, visual motivational tool for weight loss in adults.

Methods: One hundred and forty-five people (age 18–79 years) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 25 kg/m2 were randomised to receive a hard copy future self-image at recruitment (early image) or after 8 weeks (delayed image). Participants received general healthy lifestyle information at recruitment and were weighed at 4-weekly intervals for 24 weeks. The image was created using an iPad app called ‘Future Me’. A second randomisation at 16 weeks allocated either an additional future self-image …

An Update On The Perioperative Management Of Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Adrian Regli, Karin Becke, Britta Von Ungern-Sternberg

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose of review: This review summarises the current evidence for the management for children with recent upper respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, the review includes management guidelines for children with upper respiratory tract infections.

Recent findings: Good history and clinical examination is sufficient in most children presenting with URTI. Testing for immune markers or preoperative NO measurement does not add any additional value. Preoperative bronchodilator administration, iv induction with propofol and non-invasive airway management all reduce the occurrence of respiratory adverse events.

Summary: Most children can be safely anaesthetised even in the presence of an upper respiratory tract infection if the …

Association Between Schizophrenia And Violence Among Chinese Female Offenders, Jun Wang, Xiao-Min Zhu, Si-Mei Zhang, Jian-Song Zhou, Qiguang Li, Qun Wang, Shao-Ling Zhong, Chee H. Ng, Gabor S. Ungvari, Yu-Tao Xiang, Xiao-Ping Wang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Little is known about the association between schizophrenia and violence in women in China. This study aimed to examine the association between schizophrenia and violence in Chinese female offenders. Fifty-two schizophrenia patients were identified from the female offenders who received forensic psychiatric assessments in 2011 in Hunan province, China. Using a propensity score matching method, 104 matched controls without psychiatric disorders were selected from female criminals in Hunan province. Violent offences and homicides were verified and recorded. The percentages of violent offences and homicides were significantly higher in female offenders with schizophrenia than in controls (78.8% vs. 30.8%, P < 0.001; 44.2% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that diagnosis of schizophrenia, younger age at first offence, living in rural area and a lower education level were independently and positively associated with violent offences, while having a diagnosis of schizophrenia and lower education level were associated with homicides. There appears to be an independent and positive association between schizophrenia and violent offence in Chinese female offenders. Effective preventive approaches on violence in female schizophrenia patients are warranted.

Duration Of Untreated Bipolar Disorder: A Multicenter Study, Ling Zhang, Xin Yu, Yi-Ru Fang, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Helen F.K. Chiu, Hui-Chun Li, Hai-Chen Yang, Qing-Rong Tan, Xiu-Feng Xu, Gang Wang, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Little is known about the demographic and clinical differences between short and long duration of untreated bipolar disorder (DUB) in Chinese patients. This study examined the demographic and clinical features of short (≤2 years) and long DUB (>2 years) in China. A consecutively recruited sample of 555 patients with bipolar disorder (BD) was examined in 7 psychiatric hospitals and general hospital psychiatric units across China. Patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics were collected using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. The mean DUB was 3.2 ± 6.0 years; long DUB accounted for 31.0% of the sample. Multivariate analyses revealed …

Longitudinal Changes In Prospective Memory And Their Clinical Correlates At 1-Year Follow-Up In First-Episode Schizophrenia, Fu-Chun Zhou, Chuan-Yue Wang, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Yan Zhou, Liang Zhang, Jingjing Zhou, David H.K. Shum, David Man, Deng-Tang Liu, Jun Li, Yu-Tao Ziang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

This study aimed to investigate prospective memory (PM) and the association with clinical factors at 1-year follow-up in first-episode schizophrenia (FES). Thirty-two FES patients recruited from a university-affiliated psychiatric hospital in Beijing and 17 healthy community controls (HCs) were included. Time- and event-based PM (TBPM and EBPM) performances were measured with the Chinese version of the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CCAMPROMPT) at baseline and at one-year follow-up. A number of other neurocognitive tests were also administered. Remission was determined at the endpoint according to the PANSS score _ 3 for selected items. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant …

Molecular Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance For Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Northern Territory, Australia, David Whiley, Ella Trembizki, Cameron Buckley, Kevin Freeman, Rob Baird, Miles Beaman, Marcus Chen, Basil Donovan, Ratan Kundu, Christopher Fairley, Rebecca Guy

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally recognized health threat; new strategies are needed to enhance AMR surveillance. The Northern Territory of Australia is unique in that 2 different first-line therapies, based primarily on geographic location, are used for gonorrhea treatment. We tested 1,629 N. gonorrhoeae nucleic acid amplification test–positive clinical samples, collected from regions where ceftriaxone plus azithromycin or amoxicillin plus azithromycin are recommended first-line treatments, by using 8 N. gonorrhoeae AMR PCR assays. We compared results with those from routine culture-based surveillance data. PCR data confirmed an absence of ceftriaxone resistance and a low level of azithromycin …

Mind The (Treatment) Gap: A Global Perspective On Current And Future Strategies For Prevention Of Fragility Fractures, H C.W. Harvey, E V. Mccloskey, Paul Mitchell, B Dawson-Hughes, D D. Pierroz, J Reginster, R Rizzoli, C Cooper, J A. Kanis

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

This narrative review considers the key challenges facing healthcare professionals and policymakers responsible for providing care to populations in relation to bone health. These challenges broadly fall into four distinct themes: (1) case finding and management of individuals at high risk of fracture, (2) public awareness of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, (3) reimbursement and health system policy and (4) epidemiology of fracture in the developing world. Findings from cohort studies, randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, in addition to current clinical guidelines, position papers and national and international audits, are summarised, with the intention of providing a prioritised approach …

Tracking Of Vitamin D Status From Childhood To Early Adulthood And Its Association With Peak Bone Mass, Kun Zhu, Wendy Oddy, Patrick Holt, Wendy Chan She Ping-Delfos, Jennifer Mountain, Stephen Lye, Craig Pennell, Prue Hart, John Walsh

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: To our knowledge, there are few longitudinal studies of vitamin D status from childhood to early adulthood, and it is uncertain whether vitamin D predicts peak bone mass in young adults.

Objectives: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the long-term stability of vitamin D status from ages 6 to 20 y in healthy individuals and to study associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] at different developmental stages and bone mass measured at age 20 y.

Design: Participants were offspring of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) study. Serum 25(OH)D was assessed at ages 6, 14, 17, …

“Life Within The Person Comes To The Fore”: Pastoral Workers’ Practice Wisdom On Using Arts In Palliative Care, Clare O'Callaghan, Libby Byrne, Eleni Cokalis, David Glenister, Margaret Santilli, Rose Clark, Therese Mccarthy, Natasha Michael

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Pastoral care (also chaplaincy, spiritual care) assists people to find meaning, personal resources, and connection with self, others, and/or a higher power. Although essential in palliative care, there remains limited examination of what pastoral workers do. This study examined how pastoral workers use and consider the usefulness of art-based modalities.

Methods: Qualitative research was used to examine the practice wisdom (tacit practice knowledge) of pastoral workers experienced in using visual arts and music in palliative care. Two focus groups were conducted. Thematic analysis was informed by grounded theory.

Results: Six pastoral workers shared information. Three themes emerged. First, pastoral …

Extending Awareness Of Healthcare Ethics At Cabrini Health: Junior Clinicians' Perspectives, Clare O'Callaghan, Julia Trimboli, Xavier Symons, Margaret Staples, Emma Patterson, Natasha Michael

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

As Catholic healthcare organizations form a substantive part of healthcare delivery in the USA and Australia, ethical standards for Catholic health care were developed to guide practice. This study examined junior staff’s understanding of Catholic ethics. Using a qualitative descriptive design, we recruited 22 medical and nursing staff to interviews/focus groups. Though Catholic ethics seldom informed ethical approaches, the principles were acknowledged as being useful to support development of confident and respectful care approaches. Findings provide early insights into challenges faced in considering implementation of ethical codes across both secular and religious healthcare organizations, suggesting that a more creative and …

The Unmet Needs Of Aboriginal Australians With Musculoskeletal Pain: A Mixed Method Systematic Review, Ivan B. Lin, Samantha Bunzli, Donna Mak, Charmaine Green, Roger Goucke, Juli Coffin, Peter B. O'Sullivan

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) conditions are the biggest cause of disability and internationally, Indigenous peoples experience a higher burden. There are conflicting reports about Aboriginal Australians and MSP. We conducted a systematic review to describe the prevalence, associated factors, impacts, care access, health care experiences, and factors associated with MSP among Aboriginal Australians.

Methods: A systematic search of quantitative and qualitative scientific and grey literature (PROSPERO number: CRD42016038342). Articles were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Due to study heterogeneity a narrative synthesis was conducted.

Results: Of 536 articles identified, 18 were included (14 quantitative, 4 qualitative), of high …

Editorial Commentary: The Acrid Bioscrew In Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Of The Knee, Leo Pinczewski, Lucy J. Salmon

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Bioresorbable screws have been widely adopted for graft fixation in knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on the promise of screw resorbtion and replacement by bone. When considering the value of bioresorbable screws, it is imperative to understand that the “A” in PGA and PLA, the base ingredient of all bioscrews, is for Acid. All resorb by a process of hydrolysis; the speed and extent of resorbtion is determined by both the acidity of the screw and the environment in which it is placed. Regrettably, the promise of reliable, predictable screw resorbtion and replacement by bone remains elusive, despite the …

Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Patient And Physician's Perspective, Derek Maule, Mark Boccola, Reginald V. Lord

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

This article is co-authored by a patient with oesophageal adenocarcinoma and his physician, who performed oesophagectomy. The patient relates his pre-operative preparation and post-operative experience. The physician comments on the alarming increase in the incidence of this cancer, risk factors, and treatment. As illustrated by the patient’s report, the physician also discusses the importance of maintaining adequate nutrition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and a positive psychological attitude.

The Respiratory Pressure-Abdominal Volume Curve In A Porcine Model, Adrian Regli, Bart L. De Keulenaer, Bhajan Singh, Lisen E. Hockings, Bill Noffsinger, Peter V. Van Heerden

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Increasing intra-abdominal volume (IAV) can lead to intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) or abdominal compartment syndrome. Both are associated with raised morbidity and mortality. IAH can increase airway pressures and impair ventilation. The relationship between increasing IAV and airway pressures is not known. We therefore assessed the effect of increasing IAV on airway and intra-abdominal pressures (IAP).

Methods: Seven pigs (41.4 +/−8.5 kg) received standardized anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. A latex balloon inserted in the peritoneal cavity was inflated in 1-L increments until IAP exceeded 40 cmH₂O. Peak airway pressure (pP_AW), respiratory compliance, and IAP (bladder pressure) …

What Is The Scope To Test A Smoking Cessation Intervention Aimed At Young People Admitted To Hospital?, George Tambakis, Jonathan Darby, Moyez Jiwa

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Young adults are reluctant to use evidence-based smoking cessation interventions. Subsequently, they are less successful at giving up smoking compared to older adults. This highlights the need for innovative strategies to engage young people in smoking cessation. A novel intervention using photoageing technology has been shown to be an effective trigger for smoking cessation.

Aims: To conduct a pilot study deploying photoageing care technology to trigger smoking cessation attempts in young adults admitted to hospital.

Method: A randomised controlled trial was designed. Thirty participants were recruited from a regional hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were allocated to the intervention …

The Normal Ranges Of Cardiovascular Parameters Measured Using The Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor, Giles N. Cattermole, P.Y Mia Leung, Grace Y.L Ho, Peach W.S Lau, Cangel P.Y Chan, Stewart S.W Chan, Brendan E. Smith, Colin A. Graham, Timothy H. Rainer

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a noninvasive transcutaneous continuous wave Doppler method for assessing hemodynamics. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in adults (aged 18– 60 years) for this device. This study aimed to (1) measure cardiovascular indices using USCOM in healthy adults aged 18–60 years; (2) combine these data with those for healthy children (aged 0–12), adolescents (aged 12–18), and the elderly (aged over 60) from our previously published studies in order to present normal ranges for all ages, and (3) establish normal ranges of USCOM-derived variables according to both weight and age. This …

Be Well: A Systems-Based Wellness Intervention Using Mindfulness In The Workplace – A Case Study, Kate M. Levett, Sharyn Coughlan, Sharon Longridge, Violet Roumeliotis, Jon Adams

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Healthy work environments are essential in determining improved well-being of Australians. Job stress has been identified as a significant factor in psychological distress. This study evaluated the effect of introducing a systems-based workplace wellness programme using mindfulness in the workplace.

Methods: The programme ‘Be Well’ was introduced as part of a systems-based approach to workplace health promotion, and evaluated using sick leave as a proxy for workplace stress, and the stress satisfaction offset score to determine the degree of change in stress and satisfaction.

Results: There was significant reduction in sick leave (2014 vs. 2012) (p<.001), and significant improvement in stress satisfaction offset score (p<.05). Logistic regression analysis identified the programme components most predictive of reduced stress and higher job satisfaction.

Conclusion: The impacts …

Isolated Intractable Nausea And Vomiting With Hiccups Heralds A Neuromyelitis Optica Area Postrema Syndrome, Michal Lubomski, Jacqueline Lubomski, Irene Tan, Michael Hayes

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

No abstract is available for this article.

Beneficial Effects On Pregnancy Outcomes Of Thyroid Hormone Replacement For Subclinical Hypothyroidism, N. Blumenthal, C. Eastman

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Hypothyroidismand raised thyroid antibody levels have been associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes. Several studies have investigated causal associations, but results have been inconsistent and fewstudies have reported the effects of thyroxine replacement therapy on pregnancy outcomes in hypothyroid patients. Objective.The primary study objective was to determine the outcome of pregnancies in women diagnosed with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) (serum TSH > 2.5mIU/L) and those with elevated circulating thyroid autoantibody levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and after the institution of appropriate thyroxine replacement therapy to maintain the serum TSH ≤ 2.5mIU/L. Study Design. This prospective observational study was undertaken …

Knowledge Mobilisation For Policy Development: Implementing Systems Approaches Through Participatory Dynamic Simulation Modelling, Louise Freebairn, Lucie Rychetnik, Jo-An Atkinson, Paul Kelly, Geoff Mcdonnell, Nick Roberts, Christine Whittall, Sally Redman

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Evidence-based decision-making is an important foundation for health policy and service planning decisions, yet there remain challenges in ensuring that the many forms of available evidence are considered when decisions are being made. Mobilising knowledge for policy and practice is an emergent process, and one that is highly relational, often messy and profoundly context dependent. Systems approaches, such as dynamic simulation modelling can be used to examine both complex health issues and the context in which they are embedded, and to develop decision support tools.

Objective: This paper reports on the novel use of participatory simulation modelling as a …

Perceptions Of Recent Medical Graduates And Their Workplace Supervisors Towards A Medical School Clinical Audit Program, Stephanie Davis, Ilse O'Ferrall, Samuel Hoare, Caroline Bulsara, Donna B. Mak

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: This study explores how medical graduates and their workplace supervisors perceive the value of a structured clinical audit program (CAP) undertaken during medical school.

Methods: Medical students at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle complete a structured clinical audit program in their final year of medical school. Semi-structured inter-views were conducted with 12 Notre Dame graduates (who had all completed the CAP), and seven workplace supervisors (quality and safety staff and clinical supervisors). Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Both graduates and workplace supervisors perceived the CAP to be valuable. …

Evidence For A Comprehensive Approach To Aboriginal Tobacco Control To Maintain The Decline In Smoking: An Overview Of Reviews Among Indigenous Peoples, Catherine Chamberlain, Susan Perlan, Sue Brennan, Lucie Rychetnik, David Thomas, Raglan Maddox, Noore Alam, Emily Banks, Andrew Wilson, Sandra Eades

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of disease and premature mortality among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians. While the daily smoking prevalence among Indigenous Australians has declined significantly from 49% in 2001, it remains about three times higher than that of non-Indigenous Australians (39 and 14%, respectively, for age ≥15 years in 2014–15). This overview of systematic reviews aimed to synthesise evidence about reducing tobacco consumption among Indigenous peoples using a comprehensive framework for Indigenous tobacco control in Australia comprised of the National Tobacco Strategy (NTS) and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (NATSIHP) principles …

Can Peer Education Improve Beliefs, Knowledge, Motivation And Intention To Engage In Falls Prevention Amongst Community-Dwelling Older Adults?, Linda Khong, Richard G. Berlach, Keith D. Hill, Anne-Marie Hill

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of delivering a contemporary peer-led falls prevention education presentation on community-dwelling older adults’ beliefs, knowledge, motivation and intention to engage in falls prevention strategies. A two-group quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test study using a convenience sample was conducted. A new falls prevention training package for peer educators was developed, drawing on contemporary adult learning and behaviour change principles. A 1-h presentation was delivered to community-dwelling older adults by peer educators trained with the new package (intervention group). Control group participants received an existing, 1-h falls prevention presentation by trained peer educators who had …

Effectiveness Of Peers In Delivering Programs Or Motivating Older People To Increase Their Participation In Physical Activity: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Elissa Burton, Kaela Farrier, Keith Hill, James Codde, Phil Airey, Anne-Marie Hill

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of peers to deliver programs or encourage older people to be physically active and improve physical outcomes. Peer reviewed articles published in English between January 1976 and June 2016, retrieved from six databases according to the predefined inclusion criteria were included. Where possible results were pooled and meta-analyses conducted. Eighteen articles were included in the review, a total of 3,492 intervention participants, average age 66.5 years and 67.1% were female. Overall, study quality was medium to high. Interventions mainly included resistance, flexibility and cardiovascular training, however there …

Physical Determinants Of Division 1 Collegiate Basketball, Women’S National Basketball League And Women’S National Basketball Association Athletes: With Reference To Lower Body Sidedness, T Spiteri, M Binetti, A Scanlan, V Dalbo, F Dolci, C Specos

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

In female basketball the assumed components of success include power, agility, and the proficiency at executing movements using each limb. However, the importance of these attributes in discriminating between playing levels in female basketball have yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare lower body power, change of direction (COD) speed, agility, and lower-body sidedness between basketball athletes participating in Division 1 Collegiate basketball (United States), Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) (Australia), and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) (United States). Fifteen female athletes from each league (N = 45) completed a double and single leg counter-movement …

Patient Evaluation Of Emotional Comfort Experienced (Peece): Developing And Testing A Measurement Instrument, A Williams, L Lester, C Bulsara, A Petterson, K Bennett, E Allen, D Joske

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: The Patient Evaluation of Emotional Comfort Experienced (PEECE) is a 12-item questionnaire which measures the mental well-being state of emotional comfort in patients. The instrument was developed using previous qualitative work and published literature.

Design: Instrument development.

Setting: Acute Care Public Hospital, Western Australia.

Participants: Sample of 374 patients.

Interventions: A multidisciplinary expert panel assessed the face and content validity of the instrument and following a pilot study, the psychometric properties of the instrument were explored.

Main outcome measures: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis assessed the underlying dimensions of the PEECE instrument; Cronbach’s α was used to determine the …

Community-Based Prescribing For Impetigo In Remote Australia: An Opportunity For Antimicrobial Stewardship, S Oliver, J Cush, J Ward

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Background: To support antibiotic prescribing for both hospital and community-based health professionals working in remote North Western Australia, a multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Committee was established in 2013. This Committee is usually focused on hospital-based prescribing. A troubling increase in sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim resistance in Staphylococcus aureus antibiograms from 9 to 18% over 1 year prompted a shift in gaze to community prescribing.

What we did: Finding a paucity of relevant research, we first investigated contextual factors influencing local prescribing. We also designed a systematic survey of experts with experience relevant to our setting using a structured response survey (12 questions) …

Lack Of Evidence For Decreased Protein Stability In The 2397 (Met) Haplotype Of The Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Protein Implicated In Parkinson’S Disease, Ryan S. Anderton, Lauren Hill, Rhiannon Morris, Frank L. Mastaglia, Wayne Greene, Sherif Boulos

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Missense mutations in the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the leading genetic cause of autosomal dominant familial Parkinson’s disease. We previously reported that two mutations within the ROC domain, namely R1441C and A1442P, exhibit increased protein degradation leading to lowered steady state LRRK2 protein levels in HEK293 cells. More recently, the common WD40 domain LRRK2 haplotype, Met2397, which is a risk factor for Crohn’s disease, has been shown to lower steady state protein levels in HEK293 cells. In view of recent evidence implicating LRRK2 and inflame-mation in PD, we investigated the effects of Met2397 on LRRK2 expression, …

Changes In Fatty Acid Composition Of Human Milk In Response To Cold-Like Symptoms In The Lactating Mother And Infant, Andrew S. Gardner, Ibrahim A. Rahman, Ching T. Lai, Anna Hepworth, Naomi Trengove, Peter E. Hartmann, Donna T. Geddes

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Infants rely on their innate immune systems to protect them from infection. Human milk (HM) contains fatty acids (FAs) and monoacylglycerols that are known to exhibit antiviral and antibacterial properties in vitro. The specific fat content of HM may potentially affect the efficacy of this antimicrobial activity. This preliminary study investigates whether the proportions of FA in HM change in response to infections, leading to cold-like symptoms in the mother or infant. Milk samples were obtained from mothers (n = 26) when they and their infants were healthy, and when mother, infant, or both suffered cold-like symptoms. The milk was …