Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Environ Radioact 2021 Jun 9;237:106679. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

ANSTO, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, New South Wales, 2234, Australia. Electronic address:

This study presents the first measurements of anthropogenic plutonium (Pu and Pu) concentrations and atom ratios (Pu/Pu) for Tasmania, in sediment collected from Bathurst Harbour, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Australia. The weighted mean Pu/Pu atom ratio measured at this site was 0.172 ± 0. Read More

J Pediatr Nurs 2021 Jun 9;61:191-198. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales 2031, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, High Street, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia.

Objective: Many children's hospitals have established 'recreation rooms' to help reduce distress among hospitalised children and families. We investigated recreation rooms in two Australian children's hospitals to determine: 1) families' first use of the room (including discovery and delays); 2) characteristics of families accessing the room; 3) parents' positive and negative associations with the room; and 4) parents' most and least valued aspects of the room.

Method: Using a concurrent mixed methods design, parents completed questionnaires (Restorative Experiences Tool, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory) and an optional interview. Read More

J Adv Nurs 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Background: Childbirth is a normal, physiological process, yet intervention is common. Arguably the most common intervention is the insertion of a peripheral intravenous catheter; however, there are few studies guiding best practice. This study aimed to describe current intravenous catheter insertion practice, explore clinician decision-making during insertion and perceptions of women. Read More

Plant Cell Environ 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Plant Science Division, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

Foliar water uptake (FWU) occurs in plants of diverse ecosystems; however, the diversity of pathways and their associated FWU kinetics remain poorly resolved. We characterized a novel FWU pathway in two mangrove species of the Sonneratia genus, S. alba and S. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

Objectives: We compared survival and causes of death in Western Australian (WA) anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) patients with controls and the WA population.

Methods: In this data linkage study, we identified patients with incident AAV/PAN and age, sex and temporally matched controls 1980 - 2014 from the WA Rheumatic Disease Epidemiological Registry. Survival analyses and time-varying analyses were performed. Read More

Int J Ment Health Nurs 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) results in poor physical health outcomes and reduced life expectancy of up to 20 years less for people living with severe mental illness. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a locally developed practical toolkit (Let's Get Physical-Improved Physical Health in Mental Health Services-A Practical Toolkit) to support mental health clinicians to manage MetS. The study explored clinician's knowledge and attitudes towards managing MetS, confidence to screen for and intervene in MetS, and improvement in documentation. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.

Background/objectives: Vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition predominantly affecting the anogenital region in women and children. To date, there is lack of agreement amongst experts on a severity scale to aid assessment, research and treatment stratification on VLS. Furthermore, literature on best practice for long-term management of VLS is lacking. Read More

Glob Chang Biol 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, Acton, 2601, Australia.

Conservation managers are under increasing pressure to make decisions about the allocation of finite resources to protect biodiversity under a changing climate. However, the impacts of climate and global change drivers on species are outpacing our capacity to collect the empirical data necessary to inform these decisions. This is particularly the case in the Australian Alps which has already undergone recent changes in climate and experienced more frequent large-scale bushfires. Read More

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.

NAD deficiency has recently been linked with increased occurrences of congenital abnormalities and embryonic death in human and animal subjects. Early embryonic death is a major component of pregnancy loss in mares and very little is known regarding the requirement for NAD in horses. The aim of this study was to quantify NAD and its metabolites in the plasma and urine of mares after orally administering an acute dose of nicotinic acid and determine the absorption, metabolism and excretion of this essential precursor for NAD biosynthesis. Read More

Nat Protoc 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.

The L-tryptophan-derived tricyclic hydroperoxide cis-WOOH was recently identified as a novel and biologically important factor for regulating vascular tone and blood pressure under inflammatory conditions and potentially other cellular redox signaling events. cis-WOOH is highly labile and currently not available commercially. In this protocol, we provide procedures for the synthesis, purification, quantification and characterization of cis-WOOH, its epimer trans-WOOH and their respective alcohols (cis-WOH and trans-WOH). Read More

Nat Commun 2021 Jun 11;12(1):3563. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

JST-ERATO Yamauchi Materials Space-Tectonics Project, Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology, Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN Associate Professor, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Jason Fletcher, PhD Senior Biostatistician, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Barbara Riegel, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN Edith Clemmer Steinbright Professor of Gerontology, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia and Professorial Fellow, Australian Catholic University.

In this updated Self-care of Hypertension Inventory Version 3.0 (SC-HI v3.0), items were added to better reflect the Theory of Self-care of Chronic Illness and revised based on recent research. Read More

Tob Control 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Tobacco companies may attempt to minimise the impact of tobacco tax increases on consumers by gradually passing on the price rise over several months. This study examined whether there was evidence of large Australian tobacco retailers engaging in this practice (known as cushioning) over a period including both routine indexation and large annual tobacco excise increases.

Methods: Advertised prices of nine factory-made cigarette (FMC) and nine roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) products were recorded from two stores monthly from December 2016 to December 2019. Read More

Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2021 Jun 11;7(3). Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.

The ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is a transcription factor in the RAS-MEK-ERK signal transduction cascade that regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, and pathogenic sequence variants in the gene cause variable craniosynostosis inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. The reported variants are largely loss-of-function, implying haploinsufficiency as a primary disease mechanism; however, gene deletions have not been reported previously. Here we describe three probands with macrocephaly, craniofacial dysmorphology, and global developmental delay. Read More

Urol Oncol 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research & University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool , NSW.

Background: Decisional conflict and post-treatment decisional regret have been documented in men with localised prostate cancer (LPC). However, there is limited evidence regarding decisional outcomes associated with the choice between robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and radiotherapy, when both treatment options are available in the public health system. There is increasing support for multidisciplinary approaches to guide men with LPC in their decision-making process. Read More

Vet Res 2021 Jun 11;52(1):84. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.

Lamb survival is an important welfare and productivity issue for sheep industries worldwide. Lower lamb survival has been reported for primiparous ewes, but the causes of this are not well studied. The aim of this study was to determine causes of perinatal deaths for lambs born to primiparous ewes in Western Australia, and identify if infectious diseases are implicated. Read More

Microbiome 2021 Jun 11;9(1):135. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Background: Terrestrial hot spring settings span a broad spectrum of physicochemistries. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH and temperature, are key factors influencing differences in microbial composition across diverse geothermal areas. Nonetheless, analysis of hot spring pools from the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, revealed that some members of the bacterial genus, Acidithiobacillus, are prevalent across wide ranges of hot spring pHs and temperatures. Read More

Trials 2021 Jun 11;22(1):390. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.

Background: Medication management in residential aged care facilities is an ongoing concern. Numerous studies have reported high rates of inappropriate prescribing and medication use in aged care facilities, which contribute to residents' adverse health outcomes. There is a need for new models of care that enhance inter-disciplinary collaboration between residential aged care facility staff and healthcare professionals, to improve medication management. Read More

Gait Posture 2021 Jun 6;88:198-202. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Langone Health, 614 2ndAv, Suite G, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address:

Background: The spinal biomechanics of dance tasks have received little study and no studies have used a multi-segmented spinal model. Knowledge of how the segments of the spine move may be useful to the dance clinician and dance educator.

Research Question: What is the direction and amount of motion of the primary segments of the spine in elite dancers during an arabesque and a passé?

Methods: This observational study examined 59 elite dancers performing an arabesque and a passé using a three-dimensional motion analysis system with the trunk divided into a series of five segments: pelvis, lower lumbar, upper lumbar, lower thoracic and upper thoracic spine. Read More

Int J Med Inform 2021 Jun 4;153:104513. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia; Australian Aged Care Technologies Collaborative, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address:

Objectives: To map the current state-of-knowledge about the effectiveness of smart home technologies to support the health outcomes of community-dwelling older adults living with dementia.

Design: A scoping review following the methodological frameworks described by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010). Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2021 Jun 8:102095. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia (AU); Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia (AU); General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE); Dubai Future Council on Community Security, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE); Dubai Police Scientists Council, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Introduction: Mobile phones are used the world over, including in healthcare settings. This study aimed to investigate the viable microbial colonisation of mobile phones used by healthcare personnel.

Methods: Swabs collected on the same day from 30 mobile phones belonging to healthcare workers from three separate paediatric wards of an Australian hospital were cultured on five types of agar plate, then colonies from each phone were pooled, extracted and sequenced by shotgun metagenomics. Read More

Environ Res 2021 Jun 8;200:111484. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Public Health Services, Department of Health, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia. Electronic address:

Pollen is a well-established trigger of asthma and allergic rhinitis, yet concentration-response relationships, lagged effects, and interactions with other environmental factors remain poorly understood. Smartphone technology offers an opportunity to address these challenges using large, multi-year datasets that capture individual symptoms and exposures in real time. We aimed to characterise associations between six pollen types and respiratory symptoms logged by users of the AirRater smartphone app in Tasmania, Australia. Read More

Lancet Public Health 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

School of Population Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Health disparities in incarcerated populations should guide investment in the health care and research of these communities. Although users of health-care services are important in providing input into decisions about research, the voices of people in prison are absent regarding research into their health. In this Health Policy paper, we present priorities for research into the health of people in prison according to people in prison themselves. Read More

Health Promot Int 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Swansea University, Wales, UK.

Increases in childhood obesity have occurred across a relatively short time-period, yet childhood obesity prevention is a longer-term game. Programmes have only identified population-level changes after 12 years of on-the-ground activity [Romon et al.]. Read More

Sleep 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Centre for Sleep Science, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia.

Study Objectives: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two-weeks of nightly sublingual cannabinoid extract (ZTL-101) in treating chronic insomnia (symptoms ≥three months).

Methods: Co-primary study endpoints were safety of the medication based on adverse event reporting and global insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index; ISI). Secondary endpoints included: self-reported (sleep diary), actigraphy-derived and polysomnography measurements of sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE); and self-reported assessments of sleep quality (sSQ) and feeling rested upon waking. Read More

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Health Research Institute and Research Institute for Sport & Exercise, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Jun 11;15(6):e0009399. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Introduction: Intramuscular benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections are a cornerstone of secondary prophylaxis to prevent acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Uncertainties regarding inter-ethnic and preparation variability, and target exposure profiles of BPG injection are key knowledge gaps for RHD control.

Methods: To evaluate BPG pharmacokinetics (PK) in patients receiving 4-weekly doses in Ethiopia, we conducted a prospective cohort study of ARF/RHD patients attending cardiology outpatient clinics. Read More

Crit Care Med 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular ICU (CVICU), Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. ANZIC-Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Objectives: Nonpharmaceutical interventions are implemented internationally to mitigate the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 with the aim to reduce coronavirus disease 2019-related deaths and to protect the health system, particularly intensive care facilities from being overwhelmed. The aim of this study is to describe the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions on ICU admissions of non-coronavirus disease 2019-related patients.

Design: Retrospective cohort study. Read More

Parasitol Res 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.

Recent anecdotal reports from seafood processors in eastern Australia have described an increased occurrence of post-mortem myoliquefaction ('jellymeat') in broadbill swordfish Xiphias gladius, and macroscopic cysts throughout the musculature of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares. A genus of parasitic cnidarians, Kudoa (Myxosporea, Multivalvulida), species of which are known to occur in economically important wild-caught fish species globally, can cause similar quality-deterioration issues. However, Kudoa sp. Read More

Arch Virol 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause superficial epidermal infections and are only cleared if they trigger an immunological response. We analysed SNPs that had previously been investigated for association with HPV infection to determine whether they play a role in the serological response to cutaneous beta-HPVs in an Australian population. Serum samples from 1,142 participants were analysed for seropositivity against the L1 protein of 21 beta-HPV types. Read More