Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity Is Associated With Liver Insulin Sensitivity In Obese Non-Diabetic Men, Daniel L.T Chen, Rachael Brown, Carsten Liess, Anne Poljak, Aimin Xu, Jialiang Zhang, Michael Trenell, Arthur Jenkins, Donald B. Chisholm, Dorit Samocha-Bonet, Vaughan G. Macefield, Jerry R. Greenfield

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Introduction: Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) may play a role in insulin resistance in obesity. However, the direction and nature of the relationship between MSNA and insulin resistance in obesity remain unclear. We hypothesized that resting MSNA would correlate inversely with both muscle and liver insulin sensitivity and that it would be higher in insulin-resistant vs. insulin-sensitive subjects.

Materials and methods: Forty-five non-diabetic obese subjects were studied. As no significant relationships were found in women, the data presented in on 22 men aged 48 ± 12 years. Two-step (15 and 80 mU/m2/min) hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps were performed using deuterated …

Lean Body Mass Associated With Upper Body Strength In Healthy Older Adults While Higher Body Fat Limits Lower Extremity Performance And Endurance, Karen E. Charlton, Marijka Batterham, Kelly Langford, Jenna Lateo, Erin Brock, Karen L. Walton, Philippa M. Lyons-Wall, Katie Eisenhauer, Nick Green, Cameron Mclean

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Impaired strength adversely influences an older person's ability to perform activities of daily living. A cross-sectional study of 117 independently living men and women (age = 73.4 9.4 year; body mass index (BMI) = 27.6 4.8 kg/m2) aimed to assess the association between body composition and: (1) upper body strength (handgrip strength, HGS); (2) lower extremity performance (timed up and go (TUG) and sit to stand test (STS)); and (3) endurance (6-minute walk (SMWT). Body composition (% fat; lean body mass (LBM)) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Habitual physical activity was measured using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire …

Maternal Obesity Is Associated With The Formation Of Small Dense Ldl And Hypoadiponectinemia In The Third Trimester, Barbara J. Meyer, Frances M. Stewart, Elizabeth A. Brown, Josephine Cooney, Solveig Nilsson, Gunilla Olivecrona, Jane E. Ramsay, Bruce A. Griffin, Muriel J. Caslake, Dilys J. Freeman

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

CONTEXT: Maternal obesity is associated with high plasma triglyceride, poor vascular function, and an increased risk for pregnancy complications. In normal-weight pregnant women, higher triglyceride is associated with increased small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HYPOTHESIS: In obese pregnancy, increased plasma triglyceride concentrations result in triglyceride enrichment of very low-density lipoprotein-1 particles and formation of small dense LDL via lipoprotein lipase. DESIGN: Women (n = 55) of body mass index of 18-46 kg/m(2) were sampled longitudinally at 12, 26, and 35 weeks' gestation and 4 months postnatally. SETTING: Women were recruited at hospital antenatal appointments, and study visits were in a …

Sediment Disturbance Associated With Trampling By Humans Alters Species Assemblages On A Rocky Intertidal Seashore, Todd E. Minchinton, Katie J. Fels

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Our observations reveal that species living on rocky intertidal reefs can be positively and negatively associated with increasing sediment load. We therefore tested the hypothesis that sediment disturbance, including increased sediment loads associated with trampling by humans, alters the abundance of macroinvertebrates on a sheltered rocky intertidal platform in southern Australia. First we trampled the reef in shallow water at several disturbance intensities, simulating different numbers of people walking on the platform on a rising tide, and determined that sediment load was directly related to trampling intensity. Trampling displaced sediment, and up to an order of magnitude more sediment accumulated …

Food Groups And Fatty Acids Associated With Self-Reported Depression: An Analysis From The Australian National Nutrition And Health Surveys, Barbara J. Meyer, Nithin Kolanu, David A. Griffiths, Ben Grounds, Peter R. C Howe, Irene A. Kreis

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the associations between incidence of depression and dietary intakes of foods and fatty acids in adult Australians. Methods Data from the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey (NNS), the 1995 Australian National Health Survey (NHS) and an updated fatty acid database were merged and the 24-h fatty acid intakes were calculated for the 10 986 adult participants ages 18 to 79 y in the 1995 NNS. The merged data set was used to run a logistic regression with depression as the response variable and the food groups and calculated fatty acid values, …

Improvement Of Major Depression Is Associated With Increased Erythrocyte Dha, Barbara J. Meyer, Brin F. S Grenyer, Trevor Crowe, Alice J. Owen, Elizabeth M. Grigonis-Deane, Peter R.C Howe

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The aim of this study was to determine if changes in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status following tuna oil supplementation correlated with changes in scores of depression. A total of 95 volunteers receiving treatment for major depression were randomised to consume 8 × 1 g capsules per day of HiDHA (2 g DHA, 0.6 g EPA and 10 mg Vitamin E) or olive oil (placebo) for 16 weeks, whilst undergoing weekly counseling sessions by trained clinical psychologists using a standard empirically validated psychotherapy. Depression status was assessed using the 17 item Hamilton rating scale for depression and the Beck Depression …

Demographic Patterns Of A Widespread Long-Lived Tree Are Associated With Rainfall And Disturbances Along Rainfall Gradients In Se Australia, Janet S. Cohn, Ian D. Lunt, Ross A. Bradstock, Quan Hua, Simon Mcdonald

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Predicting species distributions with changing climate has often relied on climatic variables, but increasingly there is recognition that disturbance regimes should also be included in distribution models. We examined how changes in rainfall and disturbances along climatic gradients determined demographic patterns in a widespread and long-lived tree species, Callitris glaucophylla in SE Australia. We examined recruitment since 1950 in relation to annual (200-600 mm) and seasonal (summer, uniform, winter) rainfall gradients, edaphic factors (topography), and disturbance regimes (vertebrate grazing [tenure and species], fire). A switch from recruitment success to failure occurred at 405 mm mean annual rainfall, coincident with a …

Higher Regular Fat Dairy Consumption Is Associated With Lower Incidence Of Metabolic Syndrome But Not Type 2 Diabetes, J C. Y Louie, V M. Flood, A M. Rangan, G Burlutsky, T P. Gill, B Gopinath, P Mitchell

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background and aims Limited evidence suggests habitual dairy consumption to be protective against metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and type 2 diabetes among older adults. We assessed the association of baseline consumption of dairy products with the incidence of MetSyn and type 2 diabetes among a cohort of Australian adults aged 49 years and over. Methods and results A validated 145-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess food and nutrient intake at baseline. Ten-year incidence of MetSyn and type 2 diabetes were obtained from 1807 and 1824 subjects respectively. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by discrete time logistic regression modelling. …

Can Poor Health Literacy Contribute To Potential Side Effects Associated With Buying Over-The-Counter Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?, J R. Mullan, Judy Mullan, K M. Weston, A Bonney, C Magee

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

No abstract provided.

Glutathionylation Potentiates Benign Superoxide Dismutase 1 Variants To The Toxic Forms Associated With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Luke Mcalary, Justin J. Yerbury, J. Andrew Aquilina

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Dissociation of superoxide dismutase 1 dimers is enhanced by glutathionylation, although the dissociation constants reported to date are imprecise. We have quantified the discreet dissociation constants for wild-type superoxide dismutase 1 and six naturally occurring sequence variants, in their unmodified and glutathionylated forms, at the ratios expressed. Unmodified superoxide dismutase 1 variants that shared similar dissociation constants with SOD1WT had disproportionately increased dissociation constants when glutathionylated. This defines a key role for glutathionylation in superoxide dismutase 1 associated familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Are Parents' Working Patterns Associated With Their Child's Sleep? An Analysis Of Dual-Parent Families In Australia, Christopher A. Magee, Peter Caputi, Don C. Iverson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Insufficient sleep in children predicts emotional and behavioral problems, poorer school performance, and health problems. Child sleep durations have declined in recent decades, suggesting a need to identify and understand predictors of short sleep. The present study investigated whether aspects of parental employment (i.e. parental work hours, and non-standard work hours) were associated with sleep in children. Data collected from 2477 children aged 6–7 years as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were used in this paper. Child sleep duration, bedtimes, and wake times were determined from parent self-report using time-use diaries. Parents completed a survey assessing their …

Short And Long Sleep Duration Are Associated With Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease In Australian Adults, Christopher A. Magee, Len Kritharides, John Attia, Patrick Mcelduff, Emily Banks

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

A growing number of studies from a range of different countries have observed an association between sleep duration and cardiovascular disease. The objective of this paper was to examine the associations between sleep duration and prevalent cardiovascular disease in a large sample of Australian adults, and identify the sociodemographic and health-related factors moderating these associations. Participants included 218 155 Australian adults aged 45 years and over. The results indicated that 6 h versus 7 h sleep was associated with increased odds of heart disease [odds ratio (OR) = 1.11 (1.06–1.17)], diabetes [OR = 1.15 (1.09–1.22)], stroke [OR = 1.25 (1.14–1.38)] …

Alterations To Melanocortinergic, Gabaergic And Cannabinoid Neurotransmission Associated With Olanzapine-Induced Weight Gain, Katrina Weston-Green, Xu-Feng Huang, Chao Deng

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background/Aim: Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are used to treat schizophrenia but can cause serious metabolic side-effects, such as obesity and diabetes. This study examined the effects of low to high doses of olanzapine on appetite/ metabolic regulatory signals in the hypothalamus and brainstem to elucidate the mechanisms underlying olanzapineinduced obesity. Methodology/Results: Levels of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65, enzyme for GABA synthesis) mRNA expression, and cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) binding density (using [3H]SR- 141716A) were examined in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) of female Sprague Dawley rats following 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 …

Preeclampsia Is Associated With Compromised Maternal Synthesis Of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Leading To Offspring Deficiency, Vanessa A. Mackay, Shahzya S. Huda, Frances M. Stewart, Kahmeng Tham, Louise A. Mckenna, Iain Martin, Fiona Jordan, E Ann Brown, Leanne Hodson, Ian A. Greer, Barbara J. Meyer, Dilys J. Freeman

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Obesity and excessive lipolysis are implicated in preeclampsia (PE). Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with low maternal body mass index and decreased lipolysis. Our aim was to assess how maternal and offspring fatty acid metabolism is altered in mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy with PE (n=62) or intrauterine growth restriction (n=23) compared with healthy pregnancies (n=164). Markers of lipid metabolism and erythrocyte fatty acid concentrations were measured. Maternal adipose tissue fatty acid composition and mRNA expression of adipose tissue fatty acid–metabolizing enzymes and placental fatty acid transporters were compared. Mothers with PE had higher plasma triglyceride (21%, P<0.001) and nonesterified fatty acid (50%, P<0.001) concentrations than controls. Concentrations of major n−6 and n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes were 23% to 60% lower (all P<0.005) in PE and intrauterine growth restriction mothers and offspring compared with controls. Subcutaneous adipose tissue −5 and −6 desaturase and very long-chain fatty acid elongase mRNA expression was lower in PE than controls (respectively, mean [SD] control 3.38 [2.96] versus PE 1.83 [1.91], P=0.030; 3.33 [2.25] versus 1.03 [0.96], P<0.001; 0.40 [0.81] versus 0.00 [0.00], P=0.038 expression relative to control gene [square root]). Low maternal and fetal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in PE may be the result of decreased maternal synthesis.

Physiological Strain Associated With Wearing Body Armour Of Increasing Ballistic Protection, Anne M. J Van Den Heuvel, Wilko Van Dijk, Sean R. Notley, Mark J. Patterson, Gregory E. Peoples, Nigel A.S Taylor

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Australian Healthy Eating Index Is Associated With Homocysteine, Vitamin B12 And Folate Biomarkers, Ali Sadeghpour, Jo Russell, Vicki Flood, Paul Mitchell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Intake Of Isoflavone And Lignan Phytoestrogens And Associated Demographic And Lifestyle Factors In Older Australian Women, Katherine Hanna, Sheila O'Neill, Philippa M. Lyons-Wall

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The purpose was to determine intake of phytoestrogens in a sample of older Australian women, and to investi-gate associated lifestyle factors. Subjects were an age-stratified sample of 511 women aged 40-80 y, randomly selected from the electoral roll and participating in the Longitudinal Assessment of Ageing in Women at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess isoflavone and lignan intake over the past month from food and supplements using a 112-item phytoestrogen frequency questionnaire. Data were also collected on nutrient intakes, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, non-prescription supplements, hormone therapy, education and occupation. Logistic regression …

Genetic Adult Lactase Persistence Is Associated With Risk Of Crohn's Disease In A New Zealand Population, Deborah Nolan, Dug Yeo Han, Wen Jiun Lam, Angharad R. Morgan, Alan G. Fraser, Linda C. Tapsell, Lynnette R. Ferguson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is an infective agent found in ruminants and milk products, which has been suggested to increase the risk of gastrointestinal inflammation in genetically susceptible hosts. It is hypothesized that lactase persistence facilitates exposure to such milk products increasing the likelihood of adverse outcomes. Individuals either homozygous or heterozygous for the T allele of DNA variant, rs4988235, located 14kb upstream from the LCT locus, are associated with having lactase persistence. The aim of this study was to determine whether lactase persistence as evident by the T allele of rs4988235 is associated with Crohn’s Disease (CD) …

Is Sleep Duration Associated With Obesity In Older Australian Adults?, Christopher A. Magee, Peter Caputi, Don C. Iverson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between sleep duration and obesity in older Australian adults. Method: Self-reported health data were collected through the 45 and Up Study. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to test the relationship between sleep duration and body mass index, controlling for a range of demographic and health-related variables. Results: The sample included 45,325 Australian adults aged 55 to 95 years. The regression models demonstrated that short and long sleep were associated with obesity in 55- to 64-year-olds but not in those aged 65 years and above. Discussion: The present results suggest that the relationships between sleep …

Psychophysiological Changes Associated With Gambling Behaviour On Electronic Gaming Machines: The Effects Of Gambling Outcome, Betting Stakes And Personality, Kathryn Baudinette, Craig J. Gonsalvez

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

It has been argued that electronic gaming machines (EGM) are extremely addictive, often described as the "crack cocaine of gambling". Little research has been conducted on the psychophysiology of gambling behaviours. This study used state-of-the-art technology to investigate the effect of gambling outcome (wins and losses) and betting stake (high and low) on physiological responding. HR and SCL were recorded on a second-bysecond basis to win and loss events in high and low stake conditions while healthy controls (N=43) gambled on an EGM. The relationship between personality (impulsivity and reward/punishment sensitivity) and physiological responding to wins and losses were also …

Are Toe Weakness And Deformity Associated With Falls In Older People, Karen J. Mickle, Bridget J. Munro, Stephen Lord, Hylton B. Menz, Julie R. Steele

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities are highly prevalent foot problems in older adults, affecting up to 74% of this population. One suggested cause of these toe deformities is inadequate strength of the intrinsic flexor muscles of the toes [1]. Adequate toe flexor strength is essential to control body weight shifts, propel the body during gait and assist in shock absorption during repeated impacts. Furthermore, a previous study using a qualitative measure of toe flexor strength reported associations between poor toe flexor strength and poor performance in balance and functional tests in elderly people [2]. Of further concern, in a …

Reflex Changes Associated With Anticipatory Postural Adjustments Preceding Voluntary Arm Movements In Standing Humans, Siddharth Vedula, Paul J. Stapley, Robert E. Kearney

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Dynamic changes in human stability, such as those induced by upper body movements, are preceded by anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in the rest of the body. We measured the excitability of the stretch reflex of the triceps-surae muscle group during APAs associated with unilateral right arm raises in standing humans. Our results demonstrate that reflex excitability and underlying muscle activity are linked during the APA period, but that they differ in their relative timing. This supports the idea that reflexes are controlled independently of muscle activation.

An Investigation Into The Potential Barriers Associated With Warfarin Prescribing In An Elderly Population Residing In Illawarra Based Aged Care Facilities, Judy Mullan

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Warfarin Prescribing: • Systems varied - faxed warfarin-specific chart - faxed warfarin orders - phone calls from GPs - phone call from RN to GP’s secretary dose recorded on chart with a ‘post-it’ note • Common problems - faxes (misplaced or not received) - ? current orders • “If there was a standard package for dealing with nursing homes then we would go along with that and just get used to it” (GP)

An Investigation Into The Potential Barriers Associated With Warfarin Prescribing In An Elderly Population Residing In Illawarra-Based Aged Care Facilities, Judy Mullan, Margaret L. Jordan

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Warfarin Prescribing: • Systems varied - faxed warfarin-specific chart - faxed warfarin orders - phone calls from GPs - phone call from RN to GP’s secretary dose recorded on chart with a ‘post-it’ note • Common problems - faxes (misplaced or not received) - ? current orders • “If there was a standard package for dealing with nursing homes then we would go along with that and just get used to it” (GP)

Cannabis-Induced Psychosis-Like Experiences Are Associated With High Schizotypy, Emma Barkus, John Stirling, Richard Hopkins, Shon Lewis

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that cannabis use is a risk factor for developing schizophrenia. We tested the hypothesis that cannabis use increases the likelihood of psychosis-like experiences in non-clinical participants who scored highly on a measure of schizotypy. METHOD: The psychological effects of cannabis were assessed in 137 healthy individuals (76% female, mean age 22 years) using a newly developed questionnaire concerned with subjective experiences of the drug: the Cannabis Experiences Questionnaire. The questionnaire has three subscales: Pleasurable Experiences, Psychosis-Like Experiences and After-Effects. Respondents also completed the brief Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. RESULTS: Cannabis use was reported by 72% of …

Ling, A New Integron-Associated Gene Cassette Encoding A Lincosamide Nucleotidyltransferase, Renee S. Levings, Ruth M. Hall, Diane Lightfoot, Steven P. Djordjevic

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Lincosamide antibiotics include lincomycin, a compound produced by several actinomycetes, and its semisynthetic chlorinated derivative clindamycin. These antibiotics block the peptidyltransferase activity of the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, inhibiting protein synthesis, and are active against most gram-positive cocci and anaerobes. However, they are not generally effective against gram-negative bacilli due to intrinsic resistance.

Ascorbic Acid Losses In Vegetables Associated With Cook-Chill Food Preparation, Karen E. Charlton, Paula Patrick, L Dowling, E Jensen

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objective. To assess ascorbic acid (AA) losses in four vegetables (broccoli, peas, cauliflower and cabbage) at each production stage in a cook-chill food service system. Setting. A long-stay psychiatric hospital in Cape Town. Design. Cross-sectional analytical study. On two repeat occasions, three samples of each vegetable were taken at the following stages: (i) delivery (day 1); (ii) after preparation (day 2); (iii) after cooking (day 5); (iv) after blastchilling (day 5); and (v) in the holdroom and after regeneration over a 4-day period (days 6 - 9). AA content of each sample was assessed in duplicate using the 2,6 dichloroindophenol …

Estimated Intake Of Milk Fat Is Negatively Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Factors And Does Not Increase The Risk Of A First Acute Myocardial Infarction. A Prospective Case-Control Study, Eva Warensjo, Jan-Hakan Jansson, Lars Berglund, Kurt Boman, Bo Ahren, Lars Weinehall, Bernt Lindahl, Goran Hallmans, Bengt Vessby

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Milk fat is high in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and high intakes of SFA are associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the potential risk of a first-ever acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to the estimated milk-fat intake, reflected as the proportions of pentadecanoic acid (15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (17:0) in serum lipid esters. This was evaluated in a study population selected within the Västerbotten Intervention Program and the northern Sweden ‘Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular disease’ survey populations. A prospective case–control design was used. The proportions of the biomarkers …

The Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus And Associated Risk Factors In Elderly Coloured South Africans, Karen E. Charlton, Naomi S. Levitt, Carl J. Lombard

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objective. To determine the prevalence of diabetes and its associated risk factors in elderly coloured South Africans. Research design. Cross-sectional analytical study. Methods. A random sample of 200 non-institutionalised coloured (mixed ancestry) subjects aged 65 years of age, resident in urban Cape Town, was drawn by means of a two-stage cluster design. The survey procedure included an oral glucose tolerance test, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity and alcohol intake assessments. Results. The prevalence of diabetes was 28.7% (95% Cl 21.7 - 35.7%), 25.7% in men and 30.3% in women. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 15% (95% Cl 9.2 …