Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur J Neurol 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

We present a 23-year-old male professional Australian Football player who experienced a total of seven sports-related concussions between May-2015-March-2019, not associated with loss of consciousness (see supplementary materials for clinical details). Advanced brain imaging was performed after the latter four of these, revealing that his brain underwent a pattern of focal, but transient, increases in T2 relaxometry following concussive events. Read More

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.

Background: To determine if pre-existing dementia is associated with poorer quality of care and outcomes after stroke in the acute hospital phase.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of pooled data from the Australian Stroke Foundation national audit conducted in 2015 and 2017. Dementia status was obtained from the medical records. Read More

Micron 2020 May 14;136:102877. Epub 2020 May 14.

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, NSW, 2010, Darlinghurst, Australia. Electronic address:

Cognition 2020 Jun 1;202:104305. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.

Prior prospective memory (PM) research shows paradoxical findings-young adults outperform older adults in laboratory settings, but the reverse is found in naturalistic settings. Moreover, young-old outperform old-old adults in laboratory settings, but show no age differences in naturalistic settings. Here we highlight how time-based task characteristics have differed systematically between studies conducted in laboratory (time-interval cues) and naturalistic settings (time-of-day cues) and argue that this apparent paradox is a function of comparing disparate task types. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2020 May 25;736:139654. Epub 2020 May 25.

Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Australia.

Dietary characteristics and oxidative stress are closely linked to the wellbeing of individuals. In recent years, various urinary biomarkers of food and oxidative stress have been proposed for use in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), in efforts to objectively monitor the food consumed and the oxidative stress experienced by individuals in a wastewater catchment. However, it is not clear whether such biomarkers are suitable for wastewater-based epidemiology. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2020 May 21;736:139574. Epub 2020 May 21.

Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address:

Improving risk assessment and remediation rests on better understanding of contaminant bioavailability. Despite their strong toxicological attributes, little is known about the partitioning behaviour and bioavailability of polar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aquatic environments. The present study provides an insight into the bioavailable fractions of polar PAHs and their parent analogues in the tissues of the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, a model aquatic bio-indicator organism. Read More

Public Health 2020 Jun 1;183:126-131. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address:

Objective: Obesity is one of the most common risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in Australia and worldwide. Recent studies show that people with normal body mass index (BMI) but with central obesity are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiometabolic diseases. This risk has not been explained well. Read More

Stem Cells Transl Med 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Western Centre for Health, Research and Education, Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Mesenchymal stem cells (multipotent stromal cells; MSCs) have been under investigation for the treatment of diverse diseases, with many promising outcomes achieved in animal models and clinical trials. The biological activity of MSC therapies has not been fully resolved which is critical to rationalizing their use and developing strategies to enhance treatment efficacy. Different paradigms have been constructed to explain their mechanism of action including tissue regeneration, trophic/anti-inflammatory secretion, and immunomodulation. Read More

Australas J Ageing 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: To investigate the language and meanings that retirees give to goals, including their perceptions of the benefits and limitations of pursuing goals in retirement.

Methods: In-depth interviews and mini-group discussions were conducted with 60 community-dwelling Australian retirees aged 57 to 88 years. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically. Read More

Chem Asian J 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Qingdao University, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 308 Ningxia Road, 266071, Qingdao, CHINA.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as the rate-determining reaction of water splitting has been attracting enormous attention. As present, only some noble-metal oxide materials (IrO 2 and RuO 2 ) have been reported as efficient OER electrocatalysts for OER. However, the high cost and scarcity of these noble-metal oxide materials greatly hamper their large-scale practical application. Read More

PLoS One 2020 4;15(6):e0233849. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Physiology unit, Faculty of Medicine, Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Background: Sleep is a natural, restorative, physiological process that is characterized by perceptual disengagement from and unresponsiveness to whatever going around, which is reversible. Sleep quality refers to a sense of being rested and refreshed after waking up from sleep. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are vulnerable to poor sleep quality as they suffer from social stigma and Anti-Retroviral drug side effects. Read More

PLoS One 2020 4;15(6):e0233796. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Background: Rugby union match demands are complex, requiring the development of multiple physical qualities concurrently. Quantifying the physical qualities of age grade rugby union players is vital for practitioners to support athlete preparation and long-term development.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to identify the methods used to quantify the physical qualities of male age grade (≤ Under-20) rugby union players, present the normative values for physical qualities, and compare physical qualities between age grades and positions. Read More

PLoS One 2020 4;15(6):e0234048. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Perth Blood Institute, Hollywood Private Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Background: Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication proven effective in the initial treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism. Anti-Xa direct oral anticoagulants are alternatives to warfarin; however there is limited data assessing satisfaction after switching from warfarin to an anti-Xa direct oral anticoagulant in patients for treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Objectives: To assess medication satisfaction in patients requiring anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism after conversion from warfarin to an anti-Xa direct oral anticoagulant. Read More

PLoS One 2020 4;15(6):e0234027. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.

Introduction: We repeated our study of intensified training on a ketogenic low-carbohydrate (CHO), high-fat diet (LCHF) in world-class endurance athletes, with further investigation of a "carryover" effect on performance after restoring CHO availability in comparison to high or periodised CHO diets.

Methods: After Baseline testing (10,000 m IAAF-sanctioned race, aerobic capacity and submaximal walking economy) elite male and female race walkers undertook 25 d supervised training and repeat testing (Adapt) on energy-matched diets: High CHO availability (8.6 g∙kg-1∙d-1 CHO, 2. Read More

Int J Audiol 2020 Jun 4:1-7. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Ear Science Clinic, Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco East, Australia.

Recent changes to cochlear implant (CI) candidacy criteria have led to the inclusion of candidates with greater levels of hearing in the contralateral and/or implanted ear. This study assessed the impact of various hearing loss configurations on CI uptake rates (those assessed as eligible for CI, who proceed to CI). Retrospective cohort study. Read More

Res Nurs Health 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Swallowing difficulties are common in older people and can complicate the administration of oral medications. The aim of this study was to explore factors affecting healthcare workers in their practices of oral medication administration to aged care residents with swallowing difficulties. A purposeful sample of 17 healthcare workers composed of clinical/care managers, registered nurses (RNs), enrolled nurses (ENs), and assistants in nursing (AINs) from three aged care facilities in Queensland, Australia participated in semi-structured interviews. Read More

Psychol Trauma 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

School of Psychology.

Demand for telehealth services with psychologists and other health professionals has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result some members of the community are unable to access face-to-face assistance for trauma-related mental health issues. This has led to an increase in usage of alternative digital mental health options such as smartphone apps and other Internet-enabled assistance. The Australian Federal Government has promoted digital mental health options for many years, and it has a comprehensive architecture of digital resources in place, but will it be enough to deal with the expected rise in symptoms of trauma among the general population in the wake of COVID-19? (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved). Read More

J Pers Soc Psychol 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

School of Psychology.

Risk taking is typically viewed through a lens of individual deficits (e.g., impulsivity) or normative influence (e. Read More

Am Psychol 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

School of Psychology, University of Queensland.

The contagiousness and deadliness of COVID-19 have necessitated drastic social management to halt transmission. The immediate effects of a nationwide lockdown were investigated by comparing matched samples of New Zealanders assessed before (N = 1,003) and during the first 18 days of lockdown (N = 1,003). Two categories of outcomes were examined: (a) institutional trust and attitudes toward the nation and government and (b) health and well-being. Read More

JMIR Res Protoc 2020 Jun 4;9(6):e18105. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently demonstrate aggression and externalizing behaviors in the acute care hospital environment. Pediatric acute care nursing staff are often not trained in managing aggression and, in particular, lack confidence in preventing and managing externalizing behaviors in children with ASD. High-fidelity simulation exercises will be used in this study to provide deliberate practice for acute care pediatric nursing staff in the management of aggressive and externalizing behaviors. Read More

HERD 2020 Jun 4:1937586720929044. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

Objectives: This study investigated the level of acceptance in Singapore of the eight principles of design underpinning the Environmental Assessment Tool-High Care (EAT-HC), which is commonly used in Australia to evaluate environments for the care of people living with dementia. A secondary goal was to identify topics particularly relevant to the Singaporean context, which are not included in the Australian EAT-HC.

Background: This study was undertaken in preparation for the development of a Singaporean version of the Australian EAT-HC. Read More

Adv Mater 2020 Jun 3:e1908176. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Physics, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, 33006, Spain.

The biaxial van der Waals semiconductor α-phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO ) has recently received significant attention due to its ability to support highly anisotropic phonon polaritons (PhPs)-infrared (IR) light coupled to lattice vibrations-offering an unprecedented platform for controlling the flow of energy at the nanoscale. However, to fully exploit the extraordinary IR response of this material, an accurate dielectric function is required. Here, the accurate IR dielectric function of α-MoO is reported by modeling far-field polarized IR reflectance spectra acquired on a single thick flake of this material. Read More

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2020 Jun 3:e13269. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Psycho-Oncology Research Group, Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.

Introduction: Cancer patients and caregivers have myriad unmet needs which can have detrimental consequences on their psychosocial wellbeing. This systematic review aims to identify the unmet supportive care needs of immigrant and native Chinese cancer patients and caregivers.

Methods: We systematically searched various electronic databases (e. Read More

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2020 Jun 3:e13251. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia.

Objective: Employ the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance framework to evaluate the effectiveness of a co-located exercise clinic model in increasing access to exercise for people undergoing cancer treatment in a private clinic in Western Australia.

Methods: This retrospective evaluation utilised a mixed-method approach to gather feedback from key stakeholder groups involved with the exercise clinic. Questionnaires and workout summary sheets were gathered from 237 exercise clinic participants over the 50-month evaluation period. Read More

Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Purpose: To meet the needs of an ageing population and optimise health expenditure, delivery of care should be based on evidence. However, the level of evidence-based care delivered to patients with eye conditions is rarely assessed. This study thus aimed to determine the percentage of eyecare encounters at which a sample of adult Australians received appropriate care (i. Read More

Matern Child Health J 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.

Objectives: To identify maternal and perinatal risk factors associated with childhood anaemia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in three remote Katherine East Aboriginal communities in Northern Territory, Australia. Children born 2004-2014 in Community A and 2010-2014 in Community B and C, and their respective mothers were recruited into the study. Read More

J Occup Rehabil 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Insurance Work and Health Group, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.

Objectives To describe the incidence, duration, and patterns of working time loss claims in compensated Australian workers with low back pain (LBP), and compare this with limb fracture (LF) and non-specific limb condition (NSLC) claims. Methods The National Dataset for Compensation-based Statistics was used for this study. Accepted workers' compensation time loss claims for LBP, LF or NSLC occurring between July 2010 and June 2015 were included. Read More

Nanoscale Res Lett 2020 Jun 3;15(1):124. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Graphene has been demonstrated to be a promising material for optoelectronics and photodetection devices because of its ultra-broadband optical absorption and high carrier mobility. However, its integration with optoelectronic systems has been limited by the zero-bandgap and the lack of a gain mechanism. Herein, we demonstrate a novel photodetector based on the graphene nanoribbons (GRNs) with a sizable bandgap. Read More

Sci Adv 2020 May 22;6(21):eaaz4926. Epub 2020 May 22.

Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia.

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) form pores in cholesterol-rich membranes, but cholesterol alone is insufficient to explain their cell and host tropism. Here, we show that all eight major CDCs have high-affinity lectin activity that identifies glycans as candidate cellular receptors. Streptolysin O, vaginolysin, and perfringolysin O bind multiple glycans, while pneumolysin, lectinolysin, and listeriolysin O recognize a single glycan class. Read More

Sci Adv 2020 May 1;6(18):eaav2516. Epub 2020 May 1.

Climate Change Research Centre and ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Poleward transport of warm Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) has been linked to melting of Antarctic ice shelves. However, even the steady-state spatial distribution and mechanisms of CDW transport remain poorly understood. Using a global, eddying ocean model, we explore the relationship between the cross-slope transports of CDW and descending Dense Shelf Water (DSW). Read More

Sci Adv 2020 Apr 24;6(17):eaaz0424. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Department of Geology, Lakehead University, P7B 5E1 Ontario, Canada.

Quantifying the compositional evolution of mantle-derived melts from source to surface is fundamental for constraining the nature of primary melts and deep Earth composition. Despite abundant evidence for interaction between carbonate-rich melts, including diamondiferous kimberlites, and mantle wall rocks en route to surface, the effects of this interaction on melt compositions are poorly constrained. Here, we demonstrate a robust linear correlation between the Mg/Si ratios of kimberlites and their entrained mantle components and between Mg/Fe ratios of mantle-derived olivine cores and magmatic olivine rims in kimberlites worldwide. Read More

Sci Adv 2020 Apr 17;6(16):eaay8271. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) has the potential to quantify the diversity in spatial arrangements of molecules in intact cells. However, this requires that the single-molecule emitters are localized with ultrahigh precision irrespective of the sample format and the length of the data acquisition. We advance SMLM to enable direct distance measurements between molecules in intact cells on the scale between 1 and 20 nm. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 1;12(5):e7917. Epub 2020 May 1.

Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, CAN.

Introduction Gender disparity in academic and organizational settings has been the topic of numerous studies, which have attributed under representation of females within medicine to both individual and institutional reasons. The main objective of our study was to assess gender disparity in leadership positions in committees of professional societies of family medicine (FM). Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, we collected publicly available information from 3 major FM societies (College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and the World Organization of Family Doctors) and also collected the academic/leadership information for each committee member, including bibliometric parameters of their research productivity. Read More

Infect Drug Resist 2020 13;13:1411-1417. Epub 2020 May 13.

Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: Roles and incidence of some microorganisms that transiently or permanently colonize the human stomach are still unknown despite advances in gastroenterology. We aimed to examine the incidence of four microorganisms, , and , in the antral biopsy specimens of patients with gastroduodenal conditions.

Patients And Methods: Patients (67 females, 33 males; mean age = 49. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2020 12;15:3377-3389. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Universities Zone, Minia 61111, Egypt.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of hepatic diseases all over the world. This necessitates the need to discover novel anti-HCV drugs to overcome emerging drug resistance and liver complications.

Purpose: Total extract and petroleum ether fraction of the marine sponge ( spp. Read More

Plant Physiol 2020 Jun;183(2):439-440

Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Plant Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Integrated Critical Care, School of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address:

Objective: The authors aimed to test whether a bolus of magnesium followed by continuous intravenous infusion might prevent the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery.

Design: Sequential, matched, case-controlled pilot study.

Setting: Tertiary university hospital. Read More

Anal Chim Acta 2020 Jul 6;1121:74-82. Epub 2020 May 6.

International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China; Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia. Electronic address:

Achieving a biosensing interface without baseline drift caused by variables in matrix samples is essential for real-time detection of analytes. In this study, we developed a molecular beacon based electrochemical aptasensor to realize the ratiometric signal quantification of VEGF in serum by surface modification of nanocomposites of graphene oxide/methylene blue (GO/MB) and AuNPs followed by the attachment of ferrocene-labeled aptamer (aptamer-Fc) against VEGF. The presence of VEGF can trigger the configuration change of aptamer-Fc, resulting in the redox probe Fc being far away from the electrode surface to attenuate the electrochemical communication between electrode and Fc. Read More

Heart Lung Circ 2020 Apr 9. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Background: Ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) carries significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical management includes coronary artery bypass surgery alone or concomitant with mitral valve repair or replacement. There is ongoing debate regarding the appropriate approach to the mitral valve in relation to long-term outcomes. Read More

Mil Med Res 2020 Jun 3;7(1):26. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Defence Science and Technology Group, Port Melbourne, VIC, 3207, Australia.

Background: Attrition rate in new army recruits is higher than in incumbent troops. In the current study, we identified the risk factors for attrition due to injuries and physical fitness failure in recruit training. A variety of predictive models were attempted. Read More

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020 Jun 3;20(1):100. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.

Background: The inadequate follow-up of test results is a key patient safety concern, carrying severe consequences for care outcomes. Patients discharged from the emergency department are at particular risk of having test results pending at discharge due to their short lengths of stay, with many hospitals acknowledging that they do not have reliable systems for managing such results. Health information technology hold the potential to reducing errors in the test result management process. Read More

Trials 2020 Jun 4;21(1):474. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Monash University Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Melbourne, Australia.

Objectives: Objective: To undertake a pilot, feasibility RCT of umbilical cord blood derived cell therapy for treatment of adult patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus related moderate-to-severe pneumonia to prevent progression to severe ARDS.

Hypothesis: Expanded cord blood derived cell therapy will be feasible, well tolerated and show potential efficacy in the treatment of acute COVID-19 related moderate to severe pneumonia in adult patients because of their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Trial Design: Pilot, parallel design randomised controlled trial. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2020 Jun 3;21(1):211. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (too much sitting) can contribute to renal dysfunction. However, the potential benefits of behavioural change (e.g. Read More

BMC Med Ethics 2020 Jun 3;21(1):45. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney School of Dentistry, 2-18 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia.

Background: What can the analysis of the evolution of a code of ethics tell us about the dental profession and the association that develops it? The establishment of codes of ethics are foundational events in the social history of a profession. Within these documents it is possible to find statements of values and culture that serve a variety of purposes. Codes of ethics in dentistry have not frequently presented as the subjects of analyses despite containing rich information about the priorities and anxieties within the profession's membership at the time that the code was written. Read More

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020 Jun 3;17(1):71. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.

Background: Young adulthood represents an influential transitional period marked by poor dietary habits and excess weight gain. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are a major source of excess caloric intake among young adults, yet little is known about the correlates of SSB consumption. This study examines the individual and situational correlates of SSB consumption, using real-time assessment of Australian young adults' eating occasions. Read More

BMC Evol Biol 2020 Jun 3;20(1):64. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria.

Background: The latest advancements in DNA sequencing technologies have facilitated the resolution of the phylogeny of insects, yet parts of the tree of Holometabola remain unresolved. The phylogeny of Neuropterida has been extensively studied, but no strong consensus exists concerning the phylogenetic relationships within the order Neuroptera. Here, we assembled a novel transcriptomic dataset to address previously unresolved issues in the phylogeny of Neuropterida and to infer divergence times within the group. Read More

BMC Med 2020 Jun 1;18(1):167. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Clinical Research and Data Center, South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Background: This article aims to summarize the key characteristics of registered trials of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), in terms of their spatial and temporal distributions, types of design and interventions, and patient characteristics among others.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the registered COVID-19 trials has been performed on platforms including ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP), Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (CHiCTR), Australian Clinical Trials Registry, Britain's National Research Register (BNRR), Current Control Trials (CCT), and Glaxo Smith Kline Register. Read More

BMC Health Serv Res 2020 Jun 3;20(1):492. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Medical Genomics Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Background: Despite the rapid uptake of genomic technologies within cancer care, few studies provide detailed information on the costs of sequencing across different applications. The objective of the study was to examine and categorise the complete costs involved in genomic sequencing for a range of applications within cancer settings.

Methods: We performed a cost-analysis using gross and micro-costing approaches for genomic sequencing performed during 2017/2018 across different settings in Brisbane, Australia. Read More

Metabolites 2020 Jun 1;10(6). Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia.

Polyketides are a remarkable class of natural products with diverse functional and structural diversity. The class includes many medicinally important molecules with antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal and anticancer properties. Native bacterial, fungal and plant hosts are often difficult to cultivate and coax into producing the desired product. Read More

Aust Health Rev 2020 Jun;44(3):415-420

National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Peter Doherty Research Institute for Infection and Immunity, Level 5, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia. Email: and Department of Medicine - Royal Melbourne Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Melbourne, Vic. 3050, Australia; and Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3050, Australia.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the features of sustainable antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs in Australian rural hospitals and develop recommendations on incorporating these features into rural hospitals' AMS programs. Methods Lead AMS clinicians with knowledge of at least one AMS program sustained for >2 years in a health service in rural Australia were recruited to the study. A series of interviews was conducted and the transcripts analysed thematically using a framework method. Read More