Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Traditional And Cluster Set Structures On Bar Path Kinematics During High-Volume Power Clean Training, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Shayne Vial, Kristina L. Kendall, Paul Comfort, Jiahao Yang, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of traditional (TRAD) and cluster (CLU) set structures on bar path kinematics during a series of high-volume power clean sets, and compare insights gained from discrete versus waveform analysis. Twenty participants completed TRAD or CLU protocols in a randomised, crossover design. Each protocol involved three sets of nine repetitions at 70% of one-repetition maximum. In CLU sets, a 30-second inter-repetition rest was applied. During TRAD sets, peak velocity declined, and significant (p ≤ 0.05) changes were observed in both vertical and horizontal barbell displacement across repetitions, indicating fatigue-related technical alterations. …

Emergency Clinicians’ Knowledge And Practice Of Pain Assessment For Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study, Carrie Janerka, Kaoru Nosaka, Aaron Lapuz Alejandro, Jeffery Hughes, Natasya Raja Azlan, Amineh Rashidi, Wenhong Zhao, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Older adults with cognitive impairment frequently present to emergency departments and often experience poor pain management. Patients’ impaired self-reporting, limited clinician training, inconsistent use of behavioural tools, and environmental pressures have been reported challenges. This study examined emergency clinicians’ knowledge and practices in assessing pain for this population. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted across two emergency departments in Australia. An 86-item survey collected clinicians’ pain assessment knowledge and practices. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were thematically analysed. Results 148 clinicians (110 nurses, 21 doctors, 17 allied health staff) responded to the survey …

Influence Of Chronotype On Cycling Performance In Simulated 20-Km Time Trials—A Pilot Study, Sabrina Forster, Sascha Schwindling, Chris Abbiss, Fabienne Döringer, Andreas Klütsch, Anne Hecksteden, Tim Meyer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The chronotype (CT) refers to an individual's diurnal preference towards morningness (M) or eveningness (E). The aim of this study was to determine the influence of chronotype on 20-km cycling performance throughout the day. Seventy-six competitive male cyclists and triathletes completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire to determine chronotype. Only participants categorised as ‘definite’ M- (n = 10) and E-types (n = 7) were included in the study. In a randomised order and separated by 2–7 days, participants performed four self-paced 20-km cycling time trials at four different times of the day (06:00 h, 12:00 h, 18:00 h, 22:00 h). Mental readiness …

Towards A Person-Centred Holistic Consultation Framework For Paramedics Attending Non-Acute Presentations: A Multidisciplinary Commentary, Robbie King, Angela Martin, Alan M. Batt, Sonia Louise Martin, Nigel Barr, Caroline Hwang, Bill Lord, Peter O’Meara, Louise Reynolds, Staffan Hammarbäck, Shaun Hosein, Julie Kempton, Brendan Shannon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Traditional rapid-assessment models may not be fully suited for the complex non-acute presentations that paramedics commonly encounter. As paramedicine evolves to meet non-acute patient needs, extended practice community paramedic roles are emerging to deliver holistic and collaborative community-based healthcare. Purpose: This commentary outlines the need for a person-centred holistic clinical consultation framework for paramedics attending complex non-acute presentations. A framework that provides a structured and systematic process for paramedics, particularly those who are transitioning into extended practice community paramedic roles, to guide them in conducting holistic person-centred assessments. This commentary highlights the importance of understanding the biopsychosocial factors influencing …

Can Dna Be Glycosylated?, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Associations Between Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors And Abdominal Aortic Calcification In The Uk Biobank Imaging Study, Nicola P. Bondonno, Abadi K. Gebre, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Jonathan Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Richard Woodman, John P. Kemp, James Webster, Carl Schultz, Cassandra Smith, Afsah Saleem, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, Emma L. Duncan, Joseph Hung, Wai H. Lim, Parminder Raina, John T. Schousboe, Nicholas C. Harvey, Marc Sim, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and aims: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) reflects subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but its lifestyle determinants remain uncertain. We investigated how a Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS) relates to AAC and whether AAC mediates the HLS-ASCVD association. Methods and results: Participants from the UK Biobank Imaging study were assessed for AAC from DXA images. A Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS), based on smoking, physical activity, diet quality, alcohol consumption, sleep, and BMI was developed, and categorised as low, moderate and high. Cross-sectional associations with (i) any AAC (AAC≥1) and (ii) high AAC (AAC≥6) were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. The …

Attitudes And Expectations Towards Acupuncture For Primary Dysmenorrhoea: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Survey In Australia, Weiting Liu, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Khui Hung Lee, Timothy Leen Kang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To describe attitudes towards acupuncture and expectations regarding potential treatment outcomes among women with self-reported primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) residing in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was conducted to assess attitudes and treatment expectancy using an adapted version of previously published complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attitude scale and a validated acupuncture expectancy scale (AES). Data were analysed descriptively, with exploratory analysis conducted to support the interpretation of response patterns. Ethical approval was obtained from the Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee (2023-04471-LIU) and participants provided electronic informed consent. Results: A total of 247 responses were received. …

Barriers And Facilitators To Providing Women Postpartum Care By Health Care Providers In The First 12 Months After Childbirth: A Systematic Qualitative Meta-Aggregation Review, Maryam Rouhi, Silvana Bettiol, Sarah Prior, Narges Rouhi, Theodora Dedo Azu, Christine Stirling, Lynne Staff, Linda Jones, Antigoni Leftherioti, Patricia Nicholson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Postpartum care is crucial for maternal and infant health but remains inconsistently administered. This systematic qualitative review aimed to synthesize health care providers’ perspectives by exploring the barriers and facilitators experienced by health care providers in administering optimal maternal care during the first 12 months after childbirth. Methods: A systematic qualitative meta-aggregation review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Peer-reviewed qualitative studies from January 2010 to April 2024 were retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science. Findings were mapped onto the Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Results: Twenty-three studies were included. Four key themes …

Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Syndrome Through The Lens Of Gut‑Derived Uremic Toxins, Chudan Xu, Matthew Snelson, Francine Z. Marques

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) syndrome represents a complex, interconnected cluster of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. These conditions share overlapping metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular pathways, with the gut microbiome increasingly recognised as a key contributor and common underlying risk factor. Uremic toxins, traditionally considered waste products of host and microbial metabolism, are now recognised as active mediators of tissue damage across the CKM spectrum, particularly in the context of impaired renal function. Their production and accumulation are amplified by disrupted intestinal barrier integrity, chronic inflammation, and reduced renal clearance, collectively driving systemic …

Emerging Blood-Based Biomarkers For The Detection Of Parenchymal Brain Metastasis: Current Progress And Future Perspectives, Désirée Sexauer, Elin S. Gray, Helen Rizos, Pauline Zaenker, Aaron B. Beasley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Parenchymal brain metastases of solid malignancies remain a significant clinical challenge, as they are often detected at later symptomatic stages, which are typically associated with worse prognosis. Delayed detection limits treatment options and contributes to poor outcomes, while early detection is critical for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. In this comprehensive review, we investigated the potential use and challenges of blood-based biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA, noncoding RNAs, extracellular vesicles, proteins, and other immune-related biomarkers, for the early detection of parenchymal brain metastasis. The use of blood-based liquid biopsies offers a promising avenue for early detection …

Feasibility Of A Clinical Supervision Training Program For Mental Health Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study, Jennifer Hamilton, Lesley Barr, Marie Boulianne, Irene Ngune, Julie Sharrock, Debbie Massey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Clinical supervision is widely recognised as a valuable method of workplace support and professional development. Effective supervision requires clinical supervisors to be trained on theory and practice. Oftentimes, training is interdisciplinary and may not address discipline-specific needs. Aim: This study evaluated the implementation of a clinical supervision training program developed specifically for mental health nurses and informed by community and consumer involvement. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used. A purposeful sample of 18 mental health nurses who completed the training program participated. Data collection included the Acceptability, Feasibility, Appropriateness Scale and open-ended qualitative survey responses. Quantitative data …

Meta-Analysis Of Dna Methylation Aging Signatures In 17 Human Tissues, Macsue Jacques, Kirsten Seale, Sarah Voisin, Anna Lysenko, Robin Grolaux, Bernadette Jones-Freeman, Severine Lamon, Mandhri Abeysooriya, Itamar Levinger, Carlie Bauer, Adam P. Sharples, Aino Heikkinen, Elina Sillanpaa, Miina Ollikainen, Cassandra Smith, James R. Broatch, Navabeh Zarekookandeh, Linn Gillberg, Ida Blom, Jesse R. Poganik, Mahdi Moqri, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Matthew Taper, Cassandra Malecki, Sean Lal, Nathalie Saurat, Steve Horvath, Andrew Teschendorff, Nir Eynon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Epigenetic changes, in particular DNA methylation, accumulate with age across different tissues, but whether these changes follow consistent patterns across different organs remains poorly understood. Here we show, through a meta-analysis of more than 15,000 human methylation profiles spanning 17 tissues, that aging produces both conserved and tissue-specific epigenetic signatures. We identify systemic shifts in methylation levels, increases in methylation variability, and growing molecular disorder across tissues. Network analysis revealed tightly connected gene clusters that are not modified by beneficial interventions, alongside a more modifiable cluster linked to NAD⁺ metabolism, supporting NAD⁺ as a potential therapeutic target in …

Tall Orders: A Comparison Of Resident Food Behaviours By Dwelling Type And Apartment Characteristics In Australia, Joelie Mandzufas, Siobhan Hickling, Kevin Murray, Sarah Foster, Gina S.A. Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To accommodate population growth, Australian cities are becoming denser, with more Australians living in apartments. However, there is little understanding of whether this shift towards apartment living raises any potential short- and long-term implications for dietary health. Using an Australian nationally representative household survey, this cross-sectional study compared meal-purchasing frequency and fruit and vegetable intake by dwelling type, apartment block height, and number of bedrooms in the apartment. Adjusted mean differences were derived from linear regressions, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Apartment residents purchased 0.72 more meals out each week than house residents (p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.599,0.831]) and consumed 0.10 fewer daily serves of vegetables (p = 0.002, 95% CI [0.038,0.163]). Among apartment residents, those in high-rise blocks purchased 0.80 more meals out each week than low-rise residents (p = 0.012, 95% CI [0.250,1.348]), and residents of one-bedroom or studio apartments ate 0.25 fewer serves of fruit per day than residents in apartments with at least three bedrooms (p = 0.003, 95% CI [0.038,0.163]). These findings provide important evidence to inform policy and targeted interventions that promote healthy food behaviours in apartment-living populations.

A Collaborative Communities-Of-Practice Methodology For Environmental Design Research: A Case Study Application In Palliative Care, Emil E. Jonescu, Benjamin Farrell, Chamil Erik Ramanayaka, Lori Delaney, Edward Litton, Talia J. Uylaki, Gareth Watts, Bella Brigham, Frances Bellemore, Davinia Seah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Environmental design in palliative care settings receives increasing attention, yet methodologies for studying such environments often lack interdisciplinary integration. Traditional research designs may overlook the lived expertise of clinicians and designers. Objectives: This article describes a collaborative, cross-disciplinary communities-of-practice model developed as a methodological framework to enable effective environmental evaluation and design processes in healthcare settings. Its application is illustrated through a case study in a palliative care unit. Methods: A co-designed, multi-methods approach was developed by a team of clinicians, facility managers, and academic researchers. The methodology included a scoping review, site-specific environmental data logging (sound, temperature, lighting), and …

Developing Consumer Consensus On Remote Assessment And Management Of Physical Function In Older Adults (Ramp): International Modified Delphi Process, Elsa Dent, Christopher Hurst, Jack Dalla Via, Jackson J. Fyfe, Paul Jansons, Eleanor J. Hayes, Gary Skinner, Marc Sim, Mylene Aubertin-Leheudre, Sabine Britting, Fanny Buckinx, Gavin Connolly, Lora Giangregorio, Jennifer R.A. Jones, Pauline Kelly, Robert Kob, Suzanne N. Morin, Girish Nandakumar, Lucas B.R. Orssatto, Maria Pearson, Daniel Pinto, Esmee M. Reijnierse, Catherine M. Said, Mohamed Salem, Vina P.S. Tan, Rosanna Tran

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Remote health care delivery, including the use of digital health interventions, is emerging as a tool for assessing and managing physical function, but its design and implementation often overlook the needs and preferences of older adult end users. Objective: The primary aim of this modified Delphi process was to develop consumer consensus on preferences for remote assessment and management of physical function in older adults. Methods: Research and consumer experts of the Remote Assessment and Management of Physical Function in Older Adults (RAMP) Working Group co-developed the Round 1 Delphi survey, which was advertised to consumers (adults aged ≥60 …

Importance Of Strength Training To Prevent Secondary Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Injury In Military Personnel, Peter Ladlow, Russell J. Coppack, Robyn P. Cassidy, Rachel Rodgers, Robert Barker-Davies, Paul Comfort, Nicholas J. Ripley, Christopher Bramah, Colin Suffield, Debra Hayhurst, Marina De Vecchis, Samual R. Higgins, Alexander N. Bennett, Oliver O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Considerable operational and financial costs are associated with musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) across military organisations. Following an MSKI, reaching ‘medically fully deployable’ status is often contingent on meeting physical employment standards. Strength training has a critical role to play in military physical preparation, injury mitigation and guiding rehabilitation practice. Low levels of muscle strength are associated with increased MSKI risk, and previous MSKI is a leading risk factor for re-injury. When an MSKI does occur, it is essential that all attempts to mitigate the risk of secondary MSKI are met. Maximal force (muscle strength) and rapid force (rate of force development …

Sustainable Healthcare In Action: Six Practice Changes That Make A Difference, Christine Catling, Carol Crevacore, Melisa Young, Wayne Varndell, Jack Cornish, Sue Sheppard-Law, Elaine Correia Moll

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Problem: Planetary health, linking the well-being of human populations with the stability of Earth's natural systems, is increasingly recognised as essential for all organisations. Healthcare is a major contributor to environmental harm, responsible for an estimated 4.4% of global net emissions. As a result, healthcare workers have an important role in driving sustainable, low-waste practices within clinical settings. Aim: This paper outlines six practical, evidence-informed changes that can be introduced within healthcare organisations: adopting reusable tourniquets, reducing unnecessary glove use, recycling medication blister packs, promoting reusable nappies, using reusable or compostable blueys, and reintroducing stainless steel holloware. Discussion: These examples …

Professional Quality Of Life Among Medical Surgical And Telemetry Registered Nurses, William Lim, Emy-Lee Marie Anglo Ricafrente, Jenny Carrillo

Publications 2026-present

No abstract provided.

Joint Cancer Nurses Society Of Australia–Clinical Oncology Society Of Australia Position Statement On The Contribution Of Nurses To Cancer Survivorship Care In Australia, Raymond J. Chan, Gemma Mcerlean, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Carla Thamm, Carmel O'Kane, Nicolas H. Hart, Gillian Blanchard, Anne Mellon, Justin Hargreaves, Mei Krishnasamy, Michael Jefford

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To describe the development, consultation, and endorsement process for a joint position statement from the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) regarding the contribution of nurses to cancer survivorship care in Australia. Methods: A development team of nursing and oncology experts (n = 11) was convened in September 2025. The draft position statement was informed by key literature, including the COSA Model of Survivorship Care, Australian Cancer Plan, a modified Delphi study defining nurse capabilities in survivorship care, and an overview of systematic reviews on nurse-led care models. A consultation survey …

Machine Learning Derived Abdominal Aortic Calcification Is Associated With Physical Frailty In Community-Dwelling Adults: The Uk Biobank Imaging Study, Abadi K. Gebre, Marion Mundt, Elsa Dent, James Webster, Afsah Saleem, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, Yuandan Zhang, Cassandra Smith, Parminder Raina, John P. Kemp, William D. Leslie, John T. Schousboe, Nicholas C. Harvey, Joshua R. Lewis, Marc Sim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) is often present in frail individuals. However, it remains unclear whether subclinical CVD, e.g., abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), is associated with frailty. This study investigated the cross-sectional relationship between AAC scored using a validated machine learning model (ML-AAC24) and physical frailty. 49,081 participants from the UK Biobank Imaging Study without atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) diagnosis were included. ML-AAC24 extent was categorised as low, moderate and high, based on established severity categories. Physical frailty was based on a modified Fried’s frailty phenotype comprising weak hand grip strength, slow walking speed, weight loss, exhaustion, and physical inactivity. Individuals with …

Negotiating Relationships With Food, The Body, And Physical Activity: Who Is The Healthiest Of Them All?, Valeria Varea, Victoria Evans, Dawn Penney, Eibhlish O'Hara

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Healthy eating and regular exercise are things that many people aspire to, mainly for health reasons. However, these practices can be complex given broader societal discourses. This paper aims to critically interrogate the social conditions and discursive formations that underpin everyday exercisers’ relationships with food, the body, and physical activity by using biopower and biopedagogies as a theoretical approach, and healthism as a set of discourses. Photo elicitation interviews with vignettes were conducted with nine participants who were regular exercisers. We constructed three different scenarios from the interview data and the theoretical approach: 1. Anna: A performance-driven, health compliant, private …

Patients’ And Health Professionals’ Perspectives On Transforming The Burden Of Haemodialysis (Hd) Treatment To An Opportunity: An In-Depth Qualitative Investigation, Haseeba Shouket, Eyal Gringart, Deirdre Drake, Ulrich Steinwandel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Most patients with End Stage Kidney Failure (ESKF) in Pakistan must undergo maintenance haemodialysis (HD) to survive. Session duration and the often lifelong nature of this treatment, along with other factors associated with HD, make it difficult to tolerate. This study took a positive psychological perspective and considered that HD sessions’ duration, which has been a major challenge for HD patients, can be turned to an opportunity for patients’ meaningful engagement. Such meaningful engagement can positively transform Pakistani patients’ experience of HD and extend into their lives outside HD. Twenty-four HD patients and six healthcare professionals were interviewed to explore …

Precision Exercise For Breast Cancer-Related Outcomes: Towards Personalised Training Based On Tumour, Treatment And Patient Characteristics, Cristina Crespo-Garcia, Anita Borsati, Dennis R. Taaffe, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, John P. Campbell, Alice Avancini, Emily Jeffery, Daniel A. Galvao, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Exercise is a promising strategy associated with improved cancer-related outcomes through multiple biological mechanisms. However, current exercise guidelines largely adopt a one-size-fits-all approach and overlook inter-individual variability in response. Given the heterogeneity of breast cancer, precision exercise prescriptions may better target biological pathways linked to therapeutic efficacy and long-term prognosis. Observational studies consistently show that higher physical activity levels are associated with improved survival outcomes, including reduced all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. In contrast, evidence from interventional trials remains limited and inconsistent, with effects on tumour response and survival largely derived from secondary or exploratory analyses. These discrepancies likely reflect …

Protective Effect Of Lower Limb Strength On Lower Limb Injuries Within International Sixes Lacrosse Players: A Nine-Month Prospective Study, Nicholas Joel Ripley, Matthew Collier, Jack T. Fahey, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Abstract – Ripley, NJ, Collier, M, Fahey, JT, and Comfort, P. Protective effect of lower limb strength on lower limb injuries within international sixes lacrosse players: A nine-month prospective study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The aim of this study was to prospectively determine whether lower limb strength, assessed through the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), offers a protective effect to future lower limb injury in international men's sixes lacrosse players. Nineteen elite nonprofessional men's sixes lacrosse players from the British Men's Lacrosse team (25.4 ± 4.1 years, 1.8 ± 0.1 m, 88.9 ± 6.8 kg) performed 3 trials of …

The Basis For Recommending The Selection Of Samplers In Determining Occupational Exposures To Aerosols, Martin Harper, Pieter Bertier, Marcus Cattani, Karen Galea, Darrah Sleeth, Steven Verpaele

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Measurements are considered to be the basis of exposure assessments used to determine risks to workers. Inhalation exposure poses the greatest risk for most airborne chemicals, and measurements are based on collecting (sampling) and analyzing air samples. Samplers have been developed for more than 120 years. Each new design has been intended to address flaws perceived in earlier designs. Users are faced with a varied array of samplers from which to choose. Comparisons are difficult to make because tests of sampler performance were not standardized until recently and have not been applied consistently. The existing large body of work does …

The Impact Of A Vancomycin Intervention On Vancomycin-Associated Nephrotoxicity In Children: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Megan R. Nettleton, Hwi Eun Mary Shim, Joanne Abbotsford, Zoy Goff, Briony Hazelton, Matthew O'Brien, Tenielle Porter, Thomas Snelling, Daniel K. Yeoh, Asha C. Bowen, Christopher C. Blyth, Anita J. Campbell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Vancomycin is first-line treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. However, despite guideline recommendations, there is no evidence that targeting vancomycin trough concentrations of ≥15 mg/L in children confers clinical benefit and is associated with vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity (VAN). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a vancomycin safety bundle on VAN and vancomycin utilisation in hospitalised paediatric inpatients. Method: A pre–post-intervention study was conducted in a tertiary paediatric hospital comparing January–December 2018 (pre-intervention) to May 2019–April 2020 (post-intervention). Hospitalised children, aged 30 days to <18 years, that received intravenous vancomycin with at least one trough concentration were included. The intervention bundle comprised: (1) lowered empiric vancomycin trough targets (5–15 mg/L), (2) enhanced creatinine monitoring (concomitant serum creatinine with vancomycin trough), (3) guideline modification (reduced pre-authorised indications for empiric vancomycin use), and (4) prescriber education initiatives. Ethical approval was granted by the WA Child and Adolescent Health Service Research Ethics Committee, Governance Evidence Knowledge Outcomes Program (Reference no: 41830) and the study conforms with the National Health and Medical Research Council's Ethical considerations in quality assistance and evaluation activities. Results: A total of 314 vancomycin prescriptions were analysed (n = 204 pre-intervention; n = 110 post-intervention). Post-intervention, VAN incidence decreased almost twofold from 0.46 to 0.25 episodes per 1000 patient bed days (p ≤ 0.01), and vancomycin prescription days decreased by 19%. Total hospital drug costs for vancomycin decreased by AUD $16 033. Overall, and for paediatric invasive MRSA, no significant difference in clinical outcomes or 30-day mortality was observed between study periods. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the implementation of a vancomycin safety bundle significantly reduced paediatric VAN and vancomycin utilisation without compromising clinical outcomes. These data support antimicrobial stewardship interventions to improve medication safety for children.

Developing Provider Digital Twins For Personalized Provider-Patient Communication Via A Rag-Based Conversational Framework, Pengze Li, Yutong Hu, Jianfu Li, Garit Gemeinhardt, Fang Li, Muhammad Amith, Licong Cui, Antonio J Forte, Cui Tao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Digital twins have emerged as a paradigm in precision and personalized medicine, enabling data-driven modeling of individuals to support tailored interventions. While most existing work focuses on patient-oriented twins, little attention has been given to modeling the provider’s role, particularly in clinical communication. In this study, we present GRACE (Generalized RAG-Enhanced Conversation Framework), a framework for constructing a provider digital twin (ProDT) that emulates key aspects of clinicians’ communicative and cognitive behavior. GRACE integrates three modules: a physician-informed dialog script generation and optimization module for provider-patterned conversation, a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipeline for factual grounding and timely knowledge updating, and …

Sport Training Day Affects Adolescent Athletes’ Sleep Schedules, Abigail Larson, Jena Heck Street, Roman De Guia, Jacob J. Capin

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Sufficient sleep is integral to overall health whereas suboptimal sleep puts athletes at greater risk for injury, lengthens their recovery time, and decreases their performance. Our purpose was to compare sleep across training days (i.e., competition, practice, and rest) in adolescent athletes, specifically identifying differences between nights before and after training.

Methods: Participants [n = 33 (14 male, 19 female), aged 15.6 ± 1.0 years] wore an activPAL accelerometer continuously for 14 consecutive days and completed a sleep log noting training day status (i.e., competition, practice, rest).

Results: Athletes slept less on the day after competition compared to …

Clinical Challenges Associated With Enhancing Hypertension Among The Underserved African American Population, Ashley Richardson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background 

African Americans face a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, tend to develop complications at younger ages, and have disproportionately higher mortality rates. Key social determinants of health (SDoH)—including food deserts, unequal access to healthcare, and geographic disparities in healthcare resources—contribute to these ongoing inequities. Addressing both systemic and individual barriers is crucial for effective hypertension management.

Objective

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a culturally relevant, community-based intervention designed to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among Black adults with uncontrolled hypertension.

Methods 

Quality improvement (QI) initiatives typically employ multicomponent, equity-focused models. The primary components of …

The Postsynaptic Scaffolding Protein Sapap3 Shapes Mitochondrial Activity: The Case Of Huntington's Disease, Patrícia Coelho, Ildete Luísa Ferreira, Ana Sofia Lourenço, Daniela Marinho, Sandra Isabel Anjo, Zongwei Fang, Lígia Fão, Sandra I. Mota, Philippe J. Mas, Mário Carvalho, Rui Jorge Nobre, Carina Henriques, Joana Fraga, Dongqing Wang, Sandra Macedo Ribeiro, Luís Pereira De Almeida, Patrícia Monteiro, Isaura Simões, Darren J. Hart, Bruno Manadas, João Peça, Pedro Castanheira, A. Cristina Rego

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Postsynaptic scaffolding protein SAP90/PSD95-associated protein 3 (SAPAP3) modulates cortico-striatal signalling and regulates the maintenance of synaptic structure. Notably, SAPAP3 defects have been reported in several human psychiatric disorders that share pathophysiological features with Huntington’s disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the expression of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) and marked dysfunction of cortico-striatal synapses and mitochondria. However, the role of SAPAP3 in mitochondrial function and HD pathophysiology remains unexplored. SAPAP3 was extracted from striatal synaptoneurosomes and analyzed by SWATH-MS proteomics to identify potential interactors, revealing SAPAP3 association with several mitochondrial proteins, particularly Mic60. These data were further complemented with proximity ligation …