Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Bop2-Te: Bayesian Optimal Phase 2 Design For Jointly Monitoring Efficacy And Toxicity With Application To Dose Optimization, Kai Chen, Heng Zhou, J Jack Lee, Ying Yuan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

We propose a Bayesian optimal phase 2 design for jointly monitoring efficacy and toxicity, referred to as BOP2-TE, to improve the operating characteristics of the BOP2 design proposed by Zhou et al. (2017). BOP2-TE utilizes a Dirichlet-multinomial model to jointly model the distribution of toxicity and efficacy endpoints, making go/no-go decisions based on the posterior probability of toxicity and futility. In comparison to the original BOP2 and other existing designs, BOP2-TE offers the advantage of providing rigorous type I error control in cases where the treatment is toxic and futile, effective but toxic, or safe but futile, while optimizing …

A Combinatorial Approach To Synthetic Data Generation For Machine Learning, Krishna Khadka, Jaganmohan Chandrasekaran, Yu Lei, Raghu Kacker, D Richard Kuhn

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Datasets used in machine learning often contain sensitive information, including personally identifiable health and financial details. A common challenge faced by organizations and researchers is the risk of privacy breaches when using real-world data. Synthetic data can be used as an alternative to the real-world data. In existing synthetic data generation techniques, an encoder processes the real-world data to map it into a lower-dimensional latent space. Random sampling is then performed in this latent space. Subsequently, a decoder network is utilized to generate synthetic data from these sampled points in the latent space. Such approaches typically require generating a large …

Prickle4 Drives Microenvironmental Remodeling And Resistance To Parp Inhibition In Idh-Mutant Glioma, Ju Yang, Hua Yang, Yifan Yuan, Chenyang Zhang, Ziwei Fu, Yanyan Chen, Yinghong Xiong, Shuyu Chen, Kexin Ling, Ying Liu, Jason T Huse, Bo Chen, Timothy A Chan, Zengxin Qi, Zhao Zhang, Xiuping Liu, Yuxiang Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes sensitize gliomas to PARP inhibition (PARPi) by inducing epigenetic reprogramming of DNA damage repair circuits. However, tumors treated with PARPi eventually relapse despite initial responsiveness. In this study, it is demonstrated that the anti-angiogenic agent lenvatinib synergizes effectively with PARPi, resulting in substantial tumor regression and significantly extended survival. Genomic analysis of tumors reveals that PARPi induces widespread transcriptomic changes that are predominantly pro-inflammatory, thereby promoting tumor angiogenesis. Prickle4, a planar cell polarity protein, is identified as a critical mediator of PARPi-induced neovascularization. Targeting Prickle4 effectively overcomes PARPi resistance in these tumors. Collectively, these …

Alternative Polyadenylation Signatures Distinguish Maladaptive Right Ventricular Remodeling In Pulmonary Hypertension: Implications For Rna-Based Diagnostics And Therapeutics, Janani Subramaniam, Venkata Jonnakuti, Scott D Collum, Sandra Martineau, Kai-Lieh Huang, Sandra Breuils-Bonnet, Andrea L Frump, Bindu H Akkanti, Jayeshkumar A Patel, Manish K Patel, Ismael Salas De Armas, Isabella N Lefebvre, Rajko Radovancevic, Elvin Blanco, Eric J Wagner, Igor Gregoric, Sriram Nathan, Biswajit Kar, Steeve Provencher, Sebastien Bonnet, François Potus, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Increased pulmonary vascular pressures due to vascular remodeling, elevated vascular resistance, and vasoconstriction characterize Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The narrowing of the pulmonary arteries and obstruction of blood flow increase the Right Ventricular (RV) afterload, forcing the RV to undergo structural and functional changes. While adaptive remodeling leads to RV compensation by maintaining function, maladaptive remodeling leads to RV decompensation, characterized by worsening function and eventual failure. At present, there is no effective treatment for these patients as therapies for left ventricular failure are ineffectual, and there are no therapies specifically targeting the RV. Therefore, there is a clear need …

A Gut-Activated Nhr-86-Cyp Pathway Mediates The Neuroprotective Effects Of Enterococcus Faecium Probiotics In A Nematode Model Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Yu Sang, Jie Ren, Alejandro Aballay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with oxidative stress, and while probiotics may influence neuronal health, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the sod-1 A4VM amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) model in Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigated the protective effects of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium against oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. Animals fed E. faecium showed reduced motor neuron degeneration under oxidative stress compared to those maintained on a standard Escherichia coli diet. Transcriptome analysis revealed a significant enrichment of oxidoreductase genes, including cytochrome P450 (cyp) genes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of cyp genes impaired E. faecium-mediated neuroprotection, and this loss correlated with increased reactive oxygen …

Guadecitabine Improved Relapse-Free Survival In High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia And Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients After Transplant: Phase Ii Results From A Single Center, Betül Oran, Peter Thall, Amin Alousi, Gheath Al-Atrash, Rohtesh Mehta, David Marin, Partow Kebriaei, Uday Popat, Roland Bassett, Qaiser Bashir, Jin Im, Amanda Olson, Jessica Jewell, Portia Smallbone, Elizabeth Shpall, Richard Champlin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This phase II, single-center clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of guadecitabine, with or without donor lymphocyte infusion, following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The study had three treatment cohorts based on post-transplant disease status. Cohort 1 included patients with hematologic relapse after transplant (N=13). Cohort 2 consisted of patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) detected after transplant (N=18). Cohort 3 compromised patients in remission without MRD within 100 days after transplant (N=24). The primary objectives were achievement of morphological complete remission in cohort 1 and MRD eradication …

Endogenous Processes Underlying Clock-Like Mutational Signatures, Teresa Druck, Rami I Aqeilan, C Marcelo Aldaz, Nicola Zanesi, Kay Huebner

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Wellcome Trust scientists have shown that “mutational signatures” in specific nucleotide contexts accumulate in genomes of mammalian tissues, providing clues to underlying causes of specific signatures. Analysis of cancer genomes has identified more than 50 single‐base substitution (SBS) signatures, with SBS1, SBS5, and SBS40 linked to aging and present in normal tissues. SBS1 results from cytosine demethylation, whereas SBS5 and SBS40 arise from unknown endogenous mechanisms. We hypothesized that loss of fragile‐site genes drives these two signatures. FHIT, located at FRA3B, is frequently deleted in cancers, and Fhit‐deficient mouse tissues exhibit a mutation profile resembling human SBS5. Data mining of …

Preclinical Ischemic Stroke Multicenter Trials (Prism) Collective Statement: Opportunities, Challenges, And Recommendations For A New Era, Cenk Ayata, Philip M Bath, Anna M Planas, Stuart M Allan, Johannes Boltze, Ryan P Cabeen, Claire L Gibson, Marilyn J Cipolla, Marcio A Diniz, Stefano Fumagalli, Fahmeed Hyder, Raymond C Koehler, Arthur Liesz, Sarah K Mccann, Tim Magnus, Louise D Mccullough, Emily S Sena, Simone Beretta, Jaroslaw Aronowski, Francesca Bosetti, Clinton B Wright, Patrick D Lyden, Lauren H Sansing

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Preclinical stroke research faces a critical translational gap, with animal studies failing to reliably predict clinical efficacy. To address this, the field is moving toward rigorous, multicenter preclinical randomized controlled trials (mpRCTs) that mimic phase 3 clinical trials in several key components. This collective statement, derived from experts involved in mpRCTs, outlines considerations for designing and executing such trials. mpRCTs offer advantages such as increased sample sizes, robust statistical design, incorporation of heterogeneity, and standardized protocols, but they face challenges in finding the right balance between standardization and heterogeneity, appropriate stroke model selection, and outcome measures, as well as the …

Intratumoral Bacteria Are Immunosuppressive And Promote Immunotherapy Resistance In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Natalie L Silver, Jin Dai, Travis D Kerr, Jessica Altemus, Rekha Garg, Hannah Simmons, Tyler Alban, Laura Noel-Romas, Vladimir Makarov, David J H Shih, Shwetha V Kumar, Akeem Santos, Rehan Akbani, Adam Burgener, Mohammed Dwidar, Neil Gross, Andrew G Sikora, Elias J Sayour, Apollo Stacy, Christian Jobin, Timothy A Chan, Renata Ferrarotto, Daniel J Mcgrail

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite the promise of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), mediators of response are poorly understood. To address this, here we analyzed oropharyngeal HNSCCs treated with neoadjuvant durvalumab (anti-PDL1) alone or in combination with tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) from the CIAO clinical trial ( NCT03144778 ). We found that only the total abundance of intratumoral bacteria predicted ICB response, which was validated in multiple independent cohorts. High intratumoral bacteria abundance was associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, characterized by an accumulation of neutrophils coupled with depletion of T cells and other adaptive immune cells. Experimental elevation …

The Experience Of Homelessness Among Older Adults In Bhutan - A Narrative Inquiry Study, Phuntsho Om

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A shift in the demographics of homelessness started to occur in the 1900s, with a significant increase in the number of middle-aged or elderly men and women being recognised as a part of the homeless population. The rising urgent global concern of homelessness of older adults necessitates a deeper understanding of the lived experience and holistic well-being of these marginalised adults. This thesis aimed to explore the phenomenon of homelessness of older adults in Bhutan, which is an often neglected topic in both national and international gerontological research.

Employing narrative inquiry within the constructivist approach as articulated by Pino Gravidia …

Patient Experiences Of Receiving Home-Based Immunotherapy Infusions - A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, Patricia Ann Cook

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Context: The treatment of cancer and chronic health conditions has been greatly revolutionised via intravenous immunotherapy infusions. Demand, both globally and in Australia, is increasing due to several factors including aging and increased populations, subsequent increases of cancer cases, new immunotherapy indications and increased survival rates.

In Perth, Western Australia, a private service provider commenced delivering a home based immunotherapy infusions model of care as a hospital substitution service provider in 2013 and the service has now been extended across Australia. The safety and efficacy of home-based infusions have been well documented in research, and an increasing number of patients …

Measuring Cancer Equity Globally: Harmonising International Rural-Urban Classifications For Exploring Cancer Outcomes, Charlene Wright, Sharina Riva, Megan Crichton, Helena Rodi, Hannah Jongebloed, Lucy Leigh, Elizabeth A. Johnston, Rebecca J. Bergin, Anna Chapman, Laura Alston, Fiona Crawford–Williams, Nicolas H. Hart, Joel Rhee, Lan Gao, Kate Gunn, Harry Gasper, Anna Ugalde, Skye Marshall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Geographic disparities in cancer outcomes represent a critical health equity challenge, with rural populations consistently experiencing poorer outcomes than urban populations. The lack of harmonised rurality measures creates substantial barriers to evidence synthesis and has precluded meta-analyses. This perspectives paper discusses concepts of rurality, identifies rurality classification systems used by cancer researchers in OECD countries that can be harmonised with the OECD Extended Typology, and develops recommendations for consistent rural-urban coding. Targeted searches of grey and published literature on cancer policy and rurality classification systems were conducted. The secondary analysis examined studies identified through systematic database searching of OVID Medline, …

Nursing Leadership And Pandemic Preparedness Via Game-Based Learning Simulation: A Narrative Review (Registered Nurses And Undergraduate Nursing Students), Scott James Andrews, Olivia Gallagher, Alecka Miles, Carol Crevacore, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Early progression of newly registered nurses into leadership roles is commonplace in clinical settings. Nurses and student nurses can prepare for leadership by gaining exposure through simulation-based learning. A novel and expanding modality are game-based learning (GBL) simulation. Nurse leaders play a crucial role during pandemics, guiding their teams through crises and ensuring effective response strategies. Reviewing the literature to identify the content, structure, and effectiveness of current pandemic preparedness and GBL simulation in nursing education is necessary to identify lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic response to guide workforce preparation for future surge planning. Aim: The aim of …

Unraveling The Significance Of Fecal Microrna Profile In Alzheimer’S Disease, Kavisha Katuwawala, Prashant Bharadwaj, Ian Martins, B. G.D.N.K. De Silva, Vincent Ho, Asiri Dissanayake, Ralph N. Martins, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive decline, affects millions globally. With no current cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing disease progression. Early identification is therefore crucial. Fecal microRNA (miRNA) analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool. Evidence suggests that miRNAs present in fecal samples may regulate gene expression linked to AD pathology, impacting cellular functions and disease progression. Dietary factors critically influence gut microbiota composition and diversity, affecting brain health via the gut brain axis. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats modulate miRNA expression and gut microbiota, influencing AD risk. …

Effects Of Recreational Football On Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Health, And Functional Performance In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yanzhao Lei, Yanmei Ding, Bo Wang, Hengzhi Deng, Mingyue Yin, Kai Xu, Hengxian Liu, Meiling Tao, Yanfeng Li, Yilin Zhang, Yuhang Liu, Fanhao Meng, Hansen Li, Xing Zhang, Bitai Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of recreational football on body composition, cardiometabolic health, and functional performance in children and adolescents. Additionally, it explored potential moderators through subgroup analyses. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six databases in May 2025. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, and effect sizes were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD, Hedges’ g). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 20 studies (N = 2,906; age range: 8–17 years) were included. Of the participants, 1,524 (52.44%) were male, 1,174 …

Optimising Vaginal Microbiome Profiling For Clinical Translation: A Comparative Assessment Of Sample Storage Methods And A Vagina-Specific 16s Rrna Gene Database, Alishum Ali, Jeffrey A. Keelan, Blagica Penova-Veselinovic, Morten E. Allentoft, Michael Bunce, Claus T. Christophersen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vaginal microbiome composition has been linked to risk of preterm birth (PTB), a persistent global health challenge. 16S rRNA microbial profiling has identified specific vaginal community state types (CSTs) that have been associated with PTB risk. Diagnostic profiling requires standardised pre-analytical protocols. We evaluated two storage methods and validated a curated, vagina-specific 16S rRNA gene database (VagDB) to enhance annotation. Paired Copan FLOQ swabs from 22 women at high PTB risk were processed for either (a) dry/immediate freezing or (b) Amies-stabilisation/refrigeration. Amplicon sequence variants were generated via 16S rRNA gene (V4) PCR and Illumina sequencing. We assessed diversity, composition, and …

The Effectiveness Of Virtual Reality Aggression And Violence De-Escalation Training For Nursing And Midwifery Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Joshua Johnson, Brennen Mills, Luke Hopper, Sara Hansen, Kelley Mumford, Renju Joseph, Susan Philip, Gina Kruger, Abdi D. Osman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Nursing students experience substantial exposure to aggression and violence while attending clinical placement. De-escalation training can effectively prepare students for aggressive encounters, yet is resource-intensive to deliver. Immersive virtual reality (VR) may improve training accessibility for nursing students. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a VR de-escalation training program to improve nursing students’ confidence in managing patient aggression and its perceived usability. Methods: This study utilized a single-group quasi-experimental pre-/post-test design. Undergraduate Australian nursing students (n = 221) completed a VR de-escalation training program, providing pre-/postintervention self-reported confidence in coping with patient aggression, system usability, and motion sickness data. …

Barriers And Facilitators To Recruiting Older Adult Care Homeresidents Into Clinical Trials Of Medicines And Vaccines: A Scoping Review, Selvarani Subbarayan, Imogen A. Smith-Dodd, Gabriel Nicolson, Jennifer K. Burton, Janet T. Scott, Seshadri S. Vasan, Susan D. Shenkin, Roy L. Soiza, The Watch Consortium

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Excluding Care Home (CH) residents from clinical trials of medicines and vaccines has led to an evidence gap. Findings from younger adults may not be generalisable to CH residents with frailty and dementia. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate pharmacological treatments directly in CH residents to assess their safety and efficacy.

Methods: As part of the Widening Access to Trials in Care Homes project, we conducted a scoping review using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology to identify barriers and facilitators to recruiting CH residents into clinical trials of medicinal products. We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library …

A Mass Cytometry-Based Blood Cell Phenotyping Workflow Enabling Inclusion Of Resource-Limited And Rural Sites In Immune System Studies, Natalie J. Smith, Michael Cohen, Lauren Tracey, Julie Alipaz, Christina Loh, David King, Neha Pulyani, Rebecca Auzins, Elin Gray, Sandra Taylor, Rajat Rai, Steven Kao, Barbara Fazekas De St Groth, Helen M. Mcguire

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Insight into disease detection and treatment through comprehensive immune phenotyping relies on the generation of high-quality data. However, the execution of robust immune monitoring in clinical trials by flow cytometry is complex due to logistical challenges in sample preparation and reagent stability. These challenges are exacerbated when considering remote and rural communities in Australia, which are burdened by both an increased prevalence and a worse prognosis of many chronic and infectious pathologies. This is not unique to the Australian context as globally remote and rural communities are underrepresented in biomedical research studies, contributing to persistent health inequities. To address these …

Efficacy And Safety Of Tai Chi For Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Shun Chen, Weiting Liu, Qinwei Fu, Mingyu Huang, Weilan Lin, Yanting Ding, Ming Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Tai Chi, a form of complementary intervention emphasizing breathing and mind-body connection, is increasingly recognized for its potential in pain management. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for chronic musculoskeletal pain management in adults. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE, WoS, CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Databases, CENTRAL, and WHO ICTRP were searched from database inception through May 2025, with an additional supplementary search conducted in January 2026. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Tai Chi with other interventions for chronic …

Scope Of Nursing Work And Models Of Service Delivery In Australian Primary And Secondary Schools: A Scoping Review, Anita Moyes, Chelsey Williams, Elizabeth Rankin, Imelda Hoodcamp, Eliza Jane Potter, Brent A. Hayward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To map the scope of nursing work and models of service delivery in Australian primary and secondary schools for children aged 3–18 years. Design: Scoping Review. Data Sources: A search of CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, ERIC, Informit and Google was conducted in August 2024 for peer reviewed, non-peer reviewed and grey literature giving insight into nursing work in primary and secondary Australian schools in urban, regional and remote areas of all Australian states and territories. Methods: The review employed Johanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and reported the findings in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews …

Thorium Lung Burdens Of Norm Workers Revisited, Gregory S. Hewson, Martin I. Ralph, Marcus Cattani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Historical thorium bioassay data collected from Australian mine workers in the 1990s, including in vivo lung counting and thoron-in-breath (TIB) measurements, were re-evaluated using current dosimetric and biokinetic models. Revised daily thorium intakes from bioassay were compared with previous estimates to assess changes in the dose profile and potential implications for contemporary operations. Reanalysis revealed lower estimates of annual dose, including the number of workers assessed as exceeding 20 mSv. However, it was found that intakes derived from industry personal air sampling (PAS) underestimated intake by up to three-fold. This study determined that sensitive bioassay techniques, such as TIB using …

Becoming A Nurse: A Lifelong Journey Beyond The Transition To Professional Practice-An Analytical Discursive Paper, Seung A. Park, Eckert, Rebecca Sharp, Judy Duchscher, Micah D.J. Peters

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To reconceptualise becoming a nurse as a lifelong developmental journey that extends beyond the traditional focus on new graduate transition, and to inform policies and practices supporting recruitment, retention and career sustainability. Background: The global nursing shortage persists, exacerbated by high attrition rates among new graduates and an aging workforce. While existing literature predominantly examines the transition from student to professional practice, we propose that ‘becoming a nurse’ begins earlier and extends beyond clinical roles into retirement. Design: An analytical discursive paper. Data Sources: Key theoretical frameworks (Schlossberg's Transition Model, Kennedy's Integrated Transition Model, Benner's Novice-to-Expert framework and Duchscher's …

Higher Legume And Cruciferous Vegetable Intakes Are Associated With Lower Cardiometabolic Risk In Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study, Neal Mcnamara, C. Blekkenhorst, Trevor Mori, Lawrence J. Beilin, Therese A. O'Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and aims: Evidence suggests not all vegetables are the same for cardiometabolic health. Intake of specific vegetable groups exhibit significantly stronger associations with improved cardiometabolic health outcomes in adult populations. Few studies have investigated these relationships in young adults. This study aimed to investigate the relative contributions of specific vegetable groups to cardiometabolic risk in a cohort of young adults. Methods and results: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in participants from the Western Australia-based Raine Study (n = 638) at the 22-year follow-up. Using a food frequency questionnaire, vegetables were grouped into allium, cruciferous, green leafy, legumes, and yellow-orange-red. …

Lived Experience Of Secondary Vicarious Trauma Among The Tegaru Australian Diaspora In The Postwar Context Of Tigray, Hailay Abrha Gesesew, Fauk, Kiflu Gebremicael Tesfamicael, Gebremeskel Mamu Werid, Lillian Mwanri, Amanuel Gebremedhin, Kidane Gebremariam, Semira Hailu, Kalayu Brhane Mruts, Michael Musker, Fisaha Haile Tesfay, Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema, Paul Ward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The war in Tigray has caused humanitarian and public health crises in North Ethiopia in addition to a high prevalence of mental health symptoms among the Tegaru (people from Tigray) diaspora in Australia. To date, there have been no studies that have explored mechanisms of vicarious mental health and resilience among Tegaru diasporas in Australia. Methods: We conducted 14 in-depth interviews with Tegaru people living in South Australia from September 2023 to June 2024. Data analysis involved an initial stage of open coding, followed by conceptual coding. We also applied “interanalyst validity” to validate the code of framework. Results: …

Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions For Dementia Caregivers: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Aisling Smyth, Lambert, Mark Jenkins, Adugnaw Zeleke Alem, Misganaw Gebrie Worku, Sujatha Shanmugasundaram

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Caregivers of people living with dementia frequently report poor sleep. This systematic review describes evidence from randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological sleep interventions for dementia carers. Methods: A systematic search of major databases was undertaken. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. Narrative synthesis followed Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines due to substantial heterogeneity. Findings: Eighteen articles were included. Risk of Bias analyses revealed most studies had high overall risk of bias, primarily from selection of reported result bias. Interventions comprised of five categories: sleep-promoting, carer well-being, exercise, technology-based and complementary therapy. High variability between …

S-Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide: Its Effects On Cardiometabolic Outcomes In High-Fat Fed C57bl/6 Mice And Relevance To Human Health, Caroline R. Hill, Balmer, Hayley Abbiss, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis, Armaghan Shafaei, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

S-Methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) is an organosulfur compound with demonstrated hypocholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant benefits in rodents. However, the doses used have limited translatability for humans. We explored whether SMCSO could blunt development of diet-induced metabolic syndrome features in mice using doses that are potentially more translatable and achievable in humans. Male mice (C57BL/6; n = 54) were randomly assigned into one of five groups: [1] normal-diet; [2] high-fat-diet; or high-fat-diet with [3] 60 mg kg⁻¹, [4] 170 mg kg⁻¹, or [5] 350 mg per kg per body weight (BW) of SMCSO, respectively. Doses were administered …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2025, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This Overview provides a summary of the most recent indicators of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (of all ages, where data are available). The topics included in the Overview cover chronic health conditions which are featured on the HealthInfoNet website. Over the years as additional funding has been obtained and in consultation with HealthInfoNet networks, more topics have been covered on the website and are now included in the Overview. The topics aim to reflect the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health over this period and going forward.

The Prevalence Of Varus Thrust: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Haonan Shen, Nicole D'Souza, Claire E. Hiller, Marnee J. Mckay, Kun Hu, Zhiyong Wang, Milena Simic

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To determine the prevalence of varus thrust in adults with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA), including across clinically relevant subgroups. A secondary objective was to explore whether varus thrust prevalence varied according to age, body mass index (BMI), and knee pain severity, where sufficient data were available. Design: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five electronic databases and Google Scholar were searched from inception to January 21, 2025. Studies reporting varus thrust during gait in adults, assessed using clinical observation methods, were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Results: …

Aspiring Athletes Managing Sport, Education, Social, And Family Life: A Scoping Review, Donna Howard, Ivan Jeftic, Paul Goods, Ben Jackson, Caitlin Fox-Harding, Michael Rosenberg

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: This scoping review considers the experiences of aspiring high school-aged athletes as they navigate the complexities of managing sport, education, social, and family life. The review synthesises existing literature on the decisions, barriers, facilitators, and support systems that influence aspiring athletes' pathways. Design: Systematic scoping review. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR framework, four databases were searched (SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, CINAHL), and studies involving aspiring high school aged athletes were uploaded to Covidence. Results: Across the four databases 1781 studies were identified through abstract screening and 61 of these studies were used for the final review. Despite the significant commitment that …