Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Applications Of The Reflective Practice Questionnaire In Medical Education, Shane L. Rogers, Lynn E. Priddis, Nicole Michels, Michael Tieman, Lon J. Van Winkle

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: We sought to determine whether the Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ) is a reliable measure of reflective capacity and related characteristics in medical students. We also planned to learn how the RPQ could be used in medical education. Methods: The RPQ is a 40 item self-report questionnaire that includes a multi-faceted approach to measuring reflective capacity. It also includes sub-scales on several other theoretically relevant constructs such as desire for improvement, confidence, stress, and job satisfaction. The reliabilities of reflective capacity and other sub-scales were determined by calculating their Cronbach alpha reliability values. In the present study, the RPQ was …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Emergency Department Staff During The Implementation Of The Four-Hour Rule/National Emergency Access Target Policy In Australia: A Qualitative Social Dynamic Perspective, Roberto Forero, Shizar Nahidi, Josephine De Costa, Daniel Fatovich, Gerry Fitzgerald, Sam Toloo, Sally Mccarthy, David Mountain, Nick Gibson, Mohammed Mohsin, Wing Nicola Man

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The Four-Hour Rule or National Emergency Access Target policy (4HR/NEAT) was implemented by Australian State and Federal Governments between 2009 and 2014 to address increased demand, overcrowding and access block (boarding) in Emergency Departments (EDs). This qualitative study aimed to assess the impact of 4HR/NEAT on ED staff attitudes and perceptions. This article is part of a series of manuscripts reporting the results of this project. Methods: The methodology has been published in this journal. As discussed in the methods paper, we interviewed 119 participants from 16 EDs across New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA) and …

Perspectives On Ethnic And Racial Disparities In Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias: Update And Areas Of Immediate Need, Ganesh M. Babulal, Yakeel T. Quiroz, Benedict C. Albensi, Eider Arenaza-Urquijo, Arlene J. Astell, Claudio Babiloni, Alex Bahar-Fuchs, Joanne Bell, Gene L. Bowman, Adam M. Brickman, Gael Chetelat, Carrie Ciro, Ann D. Cohen, Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, Hiroko H. Dodge, Simone Dreux, Steven Edland, Anna Esbensen, Lisbeth Evered, Michael Ewers, Keith N. Fargo, Juan Fortea, Hector Gonzalez, Deborah R. Gustafson, Elizabeth Head, James A. Hendrix, Scott M. Hofer, Leigh A. Johnson, Roos Jutten, Kerry Kilborn, Krista L. Lanctot, Jennifer J. Manly, Ralph N. Martins, Michelle M. Mielke, Martha Clare Morris, Melissa E. Murray, Esther S. Oh, Mario A. Parra, Robert A. Rissman, Catherine M. Roe, Octavio A. Santos, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Lon S. Schneider, Nicole Schupf, Sietske Sikkes, Heather M. Snyder, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Yaakov Stern, Andre Strydom, Yi Tang, Graciela Muniz Terrera Muniz Terrera, Yaakov Stern, Andre Strydom, Yi Tang, Graciela Muniz Terrera, Charlotte Teunissen, Debora Melo Van Lent, Michael Weinborn, Linda Wesselman, Donna M. Wilcock, Henrik Zetterberg, Sid E. O’Bryant, International Society To Advance Alzheimer’S Research And Treatment, Alzheimer’S Association

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs) are a global crisis facing the aging population and society as a whole. With the numbers of people with ADRDs predicted to rise dramatically across the world, the scientific community can no longer neglect the need for research focusing on ADRDs among underrepresented ethnoracial diverse groups. The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART; alz.org/ISTAART) comprises a number of professional interest areas (PIAs), each focusing on a major scientific area associated with ADRDs. We leverage the expertise of the existing international cadre of ISTAART scientists and experts to synthesize a …

The Longitudinal Association Between Natural Outdoor Environments And Mortality In 9218 Older Men From Perth, Western Australia, Wilma L. Zijlema, Ania Stasinska, David Blake, Mila Dirgawati, Leon Flicker, Bu B. Yeap, Jonathan Golledge, Graeme J. Hankey, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Jane Heyworth

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background/Aim: Natural outdoor environments may mitigate harmful environmental factors associated with city living. We studied the longitudinal relationship between natural (‘green and blue’) outdoor environments and mortality in a cohort of older men residing in Perth, Western Australia. Methods: We studied a cohort of 9218 men aged 65 years and older from the Health In Men Study. Participants were recruited in 1996–99 and followed until 2014, during which 5889 deaths were observed. Time-varying residential surrounding greenness based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and the number and size of parks, natural space and waterbodies were defined to characterize the natural …

Specificity And Transfer Of Lower-Body Strength: Influence Of Bilateral Or Unilateral Lower-Body Resistance Training, Brendyn B. Appleby, Stuart J. Cormack, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Appleby, BB, Cormack, SJ, and Newton, RU. Specificity and transfer of lower-body strength: Influence of bilateral or unilateral lower-body resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 318-326, 2019-To examine the development of lower-body strength using either bilateral or unilateral resistance training. Developmental rugby players (n = 33; mean training age = 5.4 ± 2.9 years; 1 repetition maximum [1RM] 90° squat = 178 ± 27 kg) completed an 18-week randomized controlled training design (bilateral group [BIL], n = 13; unilateral group [UNI], n = 10; comparison, n = 10). The 8-week training phase involved 2 lower-body, volume-load matched resistance sessions …

Summary Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2018, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet, Millie Harford-Mills, Andrea Macrae, Neil Drew

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This latest Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health provides an up-to-date, plain language summary of the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific information on:

• population
• births
• deaths
• common health conditions
• key health risk and protective factors.

The Summary has been prepared by the HealthInfoNet as part of its effort to help 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The Summary aims to make this information available to all people, including those without a specialised knowledge …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2018, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (Overview) aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The initial sections of the Overview provide information about the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population, and various measures of population health status. The remaining sections are about selected health conditions and risk and protective factors that contribute to the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These sections comprise an introduction and evidence of the extent of …

Altering Brain Dynamics With Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation, Onno Van Der Groen, Jason B. Mattingley, Nicole Wenderoth

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Random noise can enhance the detectability of weak signals in nonlinear systems, a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance (SR). This concept is not only applicable to single threshold systems but can also be applied to dynamical systems with multiple attractor states, such as observed during the phenomenon of binocular rivalry. Binocular rivalry can be characterized by marginally stable attractor states between which the brain switches in a spontaneous, stochastic manner. Here we used a computational model to predict the effect of noise on perceptual dominance durations. Subsequently we compared the model prediction to a series of experiments where we measured …

Newborn Care Practices Of Mothers In Arab Societies: Implication For Infant Welfare, Diana H. Arabiat, Lisa Whitehead, Mohammad A. Al Jabery, Muhammad Darawad, Sadie Geraghty, Suhaila Halasa

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

INTRODUCTION: There are at least 22 Arab league states and sections in Northern Africa, southwestern Asia, and Europe that incorporate the vast Middle Eastern culture. The purpose of this study was to identify the cultural variations in newborn care practices, self-management of common illnesses, and their potential impact on infant welfare.

METHOD: A qualitative design using a focus group approach with 37 Arab mothers in Jordan was used.

RESULTS: Findings revealed strong similarities in terms of beliefs, care practices, and the experience of intergenerational conflict in establishing and maintaining traditional practices among mothers. Potentially harmful practices included restrictive swaddling, rubbing …

The Chest Australia Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of An Intervention To Increase Consultation Rates In Smokers At Risk Of Lung Cancer, Jon D. Emery, Sonya R. Murray, Fiona M. Walter, Andrew Martin, Stephen Goodall, Danielle Mazza, Emily Habgood, Yvonne Kutzer, David John Barnes, Peter Murchie

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: International research has focused on screening and mass media campaigns to promote earlier patient presentation and detect lung cancer earlier. This trial tested the effect of a behavioural intervention in people at increased risk of lung cancer on help-seeking for respiratory symptoms.

Methods: Parallel, individually randomised controlled trial. Eligible participants were long-term smokers with at least 20 pack-years, aged 55 and above. The CHEST intervention entailed a consultation to discuss and implement a self-help manual, followed by self-monitoring reminders to encourage help-seeking for respiratory symptoms. The control group received a brief discussion about lung health. Both groups had baseline …

Utilising A Multi‐Item Questionnaire To Assess Household Food Security In Australia, Lucy M. Butcher, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Maria M. Ryan, Johnny Lo, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Issue addressed: Currently, two food sufficiency questions are utilised as a proxy measure of national food security status in Australia. These questions do not capture all dimensions of food security and have been attributed to underreporting of the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate food security using the short form of the US Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) within an Australian context; and explore the relationship between food security status and multiple socio-demographic variables.

Methods: Two online surveys were completed by 2334 Australian participants from November 2014 to February 2015. Surveys contained the short form of …

Cannabis Consumption Patterns Explain The East-West Gradient In Canadian Neural Tube Defect Incidence: An Ecological Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research Datasets

While a known link between prenatal cannabis exposure and anencephaly exists, the relationship of prenatal cannabis exposure with neural tube defects (NTDs) generally has not been defined. Published data from Canada Health and Statistics Canada were used to assess this relationship. Both cannabis use and NTDs were shown to follow an east-west and north-south gradient. Last year cannabis consumption was significantly associated (P < .0001; cannabis use–time interaction P < .0001). These results were confirmed when estimates of termination for anomaly were used. Canada Health population data allowed the calculation of an NTD odds ratio) of 1.27 (95% confidence interval = 1.19-1.37; P < 10−11) for high-risk provinces versus the remainder with an attributable fraction in exposed populations of 16.52% (95% confidence interval = 12.22-20.62). Data show a robust positive statistical association between cannabis consumption as both a qualitative and quantitative variable and NTDs on a background of declining NTD incidence. In the context of multiple mechanistic pathways these strong statistical findings implicate causal mechanisms.

Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Among People With Cardiovascular Diseases In Southeast Georgia, Chimuanya Okoli, Stacy Carswell, Sewuese Akuse, Kelly L. Sullivan

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Proper treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease is essential and can be challenged by non-disclosed use of complementary or alternative treatments. The objective of this study was to assess which demographics were associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and if education affects the use of CAM.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified random sample of residents of Southeastern Georgia. Sampling was stratified by urban/rural residence in order to reach sufficient rural residents. Participants that indicated they had been diagnosed with hypertension or …

Quasi-Likelihood Ratio Tests For Homoscedasticity Of Variance In Linear Regression, Lili Yu, Varadan Sevilimedu, Robert Vogel, Hani Samawi

Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Two quasi-likelihood ratio tests are proposed for the homoscedasticity assumption in the linear regression models. They require few assumptions than the existing tests. The properties of the tests are investigated through simulation studies. An example is provided to illustrate the usefulness of the new proposed tests.

Glioma Grading Using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Molecular Data, Syed M.S. Reza, Manar D. Samad, Zeina A. Shboul, Karra A. Jones, Khan M. Iftekharuddin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

A glioma grading method using conventional structural magnetic resonance image (MRI) and molecular data from patients is proposed. The noninvasive grading of glioma tumors is obtained using multiple radiomic texture features including dynamic texture analysis, multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis, and multiresolution fractal Brownian motion in structural MRI. The proposed method is evaluated using two multicenter MRI datasets: (1) the brain tumor segmentation (BRATS-2017) challenge for high-grade versus low-grade (LG) and (2) the cancer imaging archive (TCIA) repository for glioblastoma (GBM) versus LG glioma grading. The grading performance using MRI is compared with that of digital pathology (DP) images in the …

Feature-Guided Deep Radiomics For Glioblastoma Patient Survival Prediction, Zeina A. Shboul, Mahbubul Alam, Lasitha Vidyaratne, Linmin Pei, Mohamed I. Elbakary, Khan M. Iftekharuddin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Glioblastoma is recognized as World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV glioma with an aggressive growth pattern. The current clinical practice in diagnosis and prognosis of Glioblastoma using MRI involves multiple steps including manual tumor sizing. Accurate identification and segmentation of multiple abnormal tissues within tumor volume in MRI is essential for precise survival prediction. Manual tumor and abnormal tissue detection and sizing are tedious, and subject to inter-observer variability. Consequently, this work proposes a fully automated MRI-based glioblastoma and abnormal tissue segmentation, and survival prediction framework. The framework includes radiomics feature-guided deep neural network methods for tumor tissue segmentation; followed …

Non-Contact Trapping And Stretching Of Biological Cells Using Dual-Beam Optical Stretcher On Microfluidic Platform, Aotuo Dong, Balaadithya Uppalapati, Shariful Islam, Brandon Gibbs, Ganesan Kamatchi, Sacharia Albin, Makarand Deo

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Optical stretcher is a tool in which two counter-propagating, slightly diverging, and identical laser beams are used to trap and axially stretch microparticles in the path of light. In this work, we utilized the dual-beam optical stretcher setup to trap and stretch human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and mammalian breast cancer (MBC) cells. Experiments were performed by exposing the HEK cells to counter-propagating laser beams for 30 seconds at powers ranging from 100 mW to 561 mW. It was observed that the percentage of cell deformation increased from 16.7% at 100 mW to 40.5% at 561 mW optical power. The …

Improving The Care Of Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome By Implementing Rooming In, Tammi M. Clutter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Opioid use and drug abuse has led to an increase in fetal exposure to illicit drugs in the United States, putting these infants at risk for developing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Parental involvement in the care of these infants during their hospitalization has become an essential part of the treatment process

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to implement rooming in for infants with in utero exposure to opioids as a quality improvement practice change.

Methods: A literature search relating to improving the care of infants with NAS was conducted. Educational handouts were provided to staff regarding the …

Evaluating The Consistency Of A Breathing Flow Recording Device Across Different Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators, Samuel Jennings Munnis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the organization in charge of approving respiratory devices in the United States, as permitted by 42 CFR Part 84. Standards that NIOSH uses to certify powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are based on respiratory data collected before the 21^st century. With new technologies, it is possible to gain a more accurate understanding of breathing flow of healthcare workers (HCWs). A new portable breathing flow recording device developed by The S.E.A. Group was intended for use with a Sundström SR100 mask with a P100 filter. This study tests the device with …

Assessment Of Fracture Resistance Of Maxillary First Molars After Root Canal Preparation Using Three Different Rotary Instruments (V-Taper, Protaper, Vortex Blue): Finite Element Analysis, Mehran Malakpour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Long term success of endodontically treated teeth has been one of the most challenging aspects of the field of endodontics due to reduced fracture resistance of these teeth. Recently, researchers have heightened focus on conservative endodontics in order to sustain the tooth integrity, and reduce factors impacting the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. As a result, rotary instrument manufacturers have developed files that have a minimal effect on original root canal anatomy. This study used Finite Element Analysis to investigate the dental biomechanical effect of rotary instrumentation during root canal therapy. The aim of this study is to …

Breath Practices For Survivor And Caregiver Stress, Depression, And Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder: Connection, Co-Regulation, Compassion, Patricia L. Gerbarg, Richard P. Brown, Chris C. Streeter, Martin Katzman, Monica Vermani

NYMC Faculty Publications

Does compassion itself benefit the healing process or does the activation of neurophysiological processes, from which the experience of compassion arises, trigger a cascade of physical and psychological changes that support health and well-being? Exploration of the neurological substrates of compassion reveals multiple healing pathways that can be activated by mind-body practices. Furthermore, these pathways affect physical health, emotion regulation, and how we perceive and relate to others.

Physiological states affect the capacity for empathy, compassion and understanding. A state of calm alertness based on sympatho-vagal balance may support such high-level prosocial functions. Evidence suggests that polyvagal-informed mind-body practices, particularly …

Effects Of Different Combinations Of Concentric And Eccentric Resistance Training Programs On Traditional And Alternative Hamstrings-To-Quadriceps Ratios, Cassio V. Ruas, Ronei S. Pinto, Guy G. Haff, Camila D. Lima, Lee E. Brown

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Resistance training is often recommended for combined increases in traditional and alternative hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios in order to reduce knee strength imbalance and associated hamstrings and knee ligament injury risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentric and eccentric resistance training programs on traditional and alternative H:Q ratios. Forty male volunteers were assigned to one of 4 groups: concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON, n = 10), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC, n = 10), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC, n = 10), or no training (control (CNTRL), n = 10). Traditional …

Introducing The First Whole Genomes Of Nationals From The United Arab Emirates, Habiba S. Alsafar, Mariam Al-Ali, Gihan Daw Elbait, Mustafa H. Al-Maini, Dymitr Ruta, Braulio Peramo, Andreas Henschel, Guan K. Tay

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) provides an in depth description of genome variation. In the era of large-scale population genome projects, the assembly of ethnic-specific genomes combined with mapping human reference genomes of underrepresented populations has improved the understanding of human diversity and disease associations. In this study, for the first time, whole genome sequences of two nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at >27X coverage are reported. The two Emirati individuals were predominantly of Central/South Asian ancestry. An in-house customized pipeline using BWA, Picard followed by the GATK tools to map the raw data from whole genome sequences of …

Verifying Head Impacts Recorded By A Wearable Sensor Using Video Footage In Rugby League: A Preliminary Study, Lauchlan Carey, Peter Stanwell, Douglas P. Terry, Andrew S. Mcintosh, Shane V. Caswell, Grant L. Iverson, Andrew J. Gardner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Rugby league is a full-contact collision sport with an inherent risk of concussion. Wearable instrumented technology was used to observe and characterize the level of exposure to head impacts during game play.

Purpose: To verify the impacts recorded by the x-patch™ with video analysis.

Study design: Observational case series.

Methods: The x-patch™ was used on eight men’s semi-professional rugby league players during the 2016 Newcastle Rugby League competition (five forwards and three backs). Game day footage was recorded by a trained videographer using a single camera located at the highest midfield location to verify the impact recorded by the …

Microbiological Evaluation Of The Ability Of The Deko-190 Washer/Disinfector To Remove Clostridium Difficile Spores From Bedpan Surfaces, Deirdre A. Collins, Kerry C. Carson, Thomas V. Riley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen causing mild diarrhoea to life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis, and its spores frequently contaminate hospital environments and equipment. Washer/Disinfectors (WDs) are commonly used to clean and decontaminate soiled equipment in health care facilities. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the DEKO-190 WD in removing C. difficile spores from bedpans.

METHODS: Plastic carriers were inoculated with suspensions of C. difficile spores in autoclaved (sterile) human faeces. The carriers were then taped to a sterile plastic bedpan which was subjected to short, long or intensive wash cycles in the WD using one of two …

Weight Management Among School-Aged Children And Adolescents: A Quantitative Assessment In A Ghanaian Municipality, Daniel Gyamfi, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Acheampong, Evans A. Asamoah, Bernard Berko Sampong, Emmanuella Nsenbah Batu, Enoch O. Anto

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent overweight, obesity and underweight have become an issue of grave concern to both the developed and developing countries in context of global burden of non-communicable diseases. Unhealthy weight status is a significant public health issue for developing countries, of which Ghana is not excluded. This study evaluated the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight and its related factors among school-aged children and adolescents.

METHODS: A total of 1004 participants were randomly selected from six schools. A structured questionnaire on demography and socioeconomic status of students' parents/guardians was completed by the selected students. Anthropometric parameters were measured, …

Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain And Amyloid-Β Are Associated With The Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites In Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Henrik Zetterberg, Kathryn Goozee, Chai K. Lim, Kelly R. Jacobs, Nicholas J. Ashton, Abdul Hye, Steve Pedrini, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Tejal Shah, Prita R. Asih, Preeti Dave, Kaikai Shen, Kevin Taddei, David B. Lovejoy, Gilles J. Guillemin, Kaj Blennow, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Blood markers indicative of neurodegeneration (neurofilament light chain; NFL), Alzheimer's disease amyloid pathology (amyloid-β; Aβ), and neuroinflammation (kynurenine pathway; KP metabolites) have been investigated independently in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the association of these markers of neurodegeneration and AD pathology with neuroinflammation has not been investigated previously. Therefore, the current study examined whether NFL and Aβ correlate with KP metabolites in elderly individuals to provide insight on the association between blood indicators of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation.

METHODS: Correlations between KP metabolites, measured using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and plasma NFL and Aβ concentrations, measured using …

The Detection Of Cmv In Saliva Can Mark A Systemic Infection With Cmv In Renal Transplant Recipients, Shelley Waters, Silvia Lee, Megan Lloyd, Ashley Irish, Patricia Price

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is often transmitted through saliva. The salivary gland is a site of CMV replication and saliva can be used to diagnose congenital CMV infections. CMV replication is monitored in whole blood or plasma in renal transplant recipients (RTR) and associates with clinical disease. However, these assays may not detect replication in the salivary gland and there is little data linking detection in saliva with systemic infection and clinical sequelae. RTR (n = 82) were recruited > 2 years after transplantation. An in-house quantitative PCR assay was used to detect CMV UL54 in saliva samples. CMV DNA was …

Steroid Therapy And Outcome Of Parapneumonic Pleural Effusions (Stoppe): Study Protocol For A Multicenter, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial, Deirdre B. Fitzgerald, Grant W. Waterer, Catherine A. Read, Edward T. Fysh, Ranjan Shrestha, Christopher Stanley, Sanjeevan Muruganandan, Norris S. H. Lan, Natalia D. Popowicz, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, Najib M. Rahman, Seng Khee Gan, Kevin Murray, Yun Chor Gary Lee

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major global disease. Parapneumonic effusions often complicate CAP and range from uninfected (simple) to infected (complicated) parapneumonic effusions and empyema (pus). CAP patients who have a pleural effusion at presentation are more likely to require hospitalization, have a longer length of stay and higher mortality than those without an effusion. Conventional management of pleural infection, with antibiotics and chest tube drainage, fails in about 30% of cases. Several randomized controlled trials (RCT) have evaluated the use of corticosteroids in CAP and demonstrated some potential benefits. Importantly, steroid use in pneumonia has an acceptable safety …

A Study Of The Food Environment At Australian Family Day Care, Ruth Wallace, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Overweight and obesity in childhood is a significant public health issue. Family day care (FDC) offers a setting where good eating habits can be nurtured in young children, yet often the food environment is unhealthy. This study aims to determine FDC educators’ knowledge and confidence about nutrition and the barriers and enablers to supporting healthy food environments. Australian FDC educators were recruited to a mixed methods study using self-administered e-surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews. The survey data (n = 188) revealed good knowledge about sugary foods, but poor knowledge of protein-rich foods. Nutrition knowledge was not associated with confidence …