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Effects of short- and long-term exercise training on cancer cells in vitro: Insights into the mechanistic associations
Get PDFExercise is a therapeutic approach in cancer treatment, providing several benefits. Moreover, exercise is associated with a reduced risk for developing a range of cancers and for their recurrence, as well as with improving survival, even though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows that the acute effects of a single exercise session can suppress the growth of various cancer cell lines in vitro. This suppression is potentially due to altered concentrations of hormones (e.g., insulin) and cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6) after exercise. These factors, known to be involved in tumorigenesis, may explain why exercise is associated with reduced cancer incidence, recurrence, and mortality. However, the effects of short- (\u3c8 weeks) and long-term (≥8 weeks) exercise programs on cancer cells have been reported with mixed results. Although more research is needed, it appears that interventions incorporating both exercise and diet seem to have greater inhibitory effects on cancer cell growth in both apparently healthy subjects as well as in cancer patients. Although speculative, these suppressive effects on cancer cells may be driven by changes in body weight and composition as well as by a reduction in low-grade inflammation often associated with sedentary behavior, low muscle mass, and excess fat mass in cancer patients. Taken together, such interventions could alter the systemic levels of suppressive circulating factors, leading to a less favorable environment for tumorigenesis. While regular exercise and a healthy diet may establish a more cancer-suppressive environment, each acute bout of exercise provides a further “dose” of anticancer medicine. Therefore, integrating regular exercise could potentially play a significant role in cancer management, highlighting the need for future investigations in this promising area of research
Genome wide association study reveals novel associations with face morphology
Get PDFGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) on the Middle Eastern population, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been relatively limited. The present study aims to investigate genotype-face morphology associations in the UAE population through Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Phenotypic data (44 face measurements) from 172 Emiratis was obtained through three-dimensional (3D) scanning technology and an automatic face landmarking technique. GWAS analysis revealed associations of 19 genetic loci with six face features, 14 of which are novel. The GWAS analysis revealed 11 significant relationships between 44 face parameters and 242 SNPs, exceeding the GWAS significance threshold. These phenotypes were previously associated with body height, craniofacial defects, and facial characters. The most significant associations of these genetic variations were related to six main facial features which were facial convexity, left orbital protrusion, mandibular contour, nasolabial angle D, inferior facial angle B, and inferior facial angle A. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first GWAS study to investigate the association of SNP variations with face morphology in the Middle Eastern population
Interactive mapping of allergenic urban street trees in Australia
Get PDFTree pollen can be a persistent allergen for sensitised individuals, causing allergic rhinitis and asthmatic symptoms. Increased urbanisation results in larger populations living in cities and relying on urban greenspaces for recreation and associated ecosystem services, where the street landscapes are determined by urban planners. Urban forest strategies broadly divide planting choices based on biological functionality, climate resilience and environmental benefits but increasingly the associated physical and mental health impacts of urban vegetation are being considered. Here, we studied pollen allergenicity in four Australian cities by incorporating measures of allergenicity in existing street tree asset databases and visualising these using a simple and flexible mapping tool, the mapview package in R. Olea europaea (olive) and Betula nigra (river birch) were the most abundant trees with the greatest allergenic potential across all four cities, and hotspots of tree clusters with high allergenic potential could be easily visualised. The lack of allergenicity data for native Australian trees was also apparent, despite these comprising a large proportion of the urban street scapes. Incorporating allergenicity in mapview provides an interactive tool which is more easily interpretable for the public and urban landscape stakeholders than existing GIS based risk mapping techniques, and which can support decision making in future planting to avoid high concentrations of allergenic trees
Protocol for a field trial of a hearing and vision support intervention for people living in long-term care in Australia
Get PDFIntroduction: Hearing and vision impairments are prevalent among residents in long-term care settings. Hearing and vision impairments frequently go unsupported, affecting residents\u27 quality of life and healthcare costs. This paper describes the protocol for a pre−post evaluation and process evaluation of a pragmatic sensory support intervention (SSI) that was developed with residents, informal caregivers and long-term care workers. Methods and Analysis: A prospective pre−post-intervention trial within long-term care will be conducted, including three groups: residents (n = 87), informal caregivers (n = 87) and long-term care workers (n = 40). Outcome measures include health-related quality of life and well-being measures relevant to each group measured at baseline, 3- and 6-months post-intervention. Health resource and sensory device utilisation will be captured from routine data and by direct observation. Qualitative interviews, including a representative sample of residents and informal caregivers, will be conducted as part of a simultaneous process evaluation. Generalised linear models and paired t-tests will be used to evaluate the effects on residents\u27 and caregivers\u27 quality of life and sensory device use. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be examined using within-trial analysis, economic modelling and budget impact assessment. A process evaluation will use descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to assess the intervention\u27s reach, adoption, implementation, acceptability, mechanisms of change and contextual influences. Conclusion: Hearing and vision impairments are common but under-supported in older adults in long-term care. This protocol involves a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation challenges of a pragmatic SSI to optimise hearing and vision function and improve the quality of life for long-term care residents and their caregivers
Primary care physicians\u27 responses to treatment burden in people with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative video analysis in China
No full textPURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the approaches general practitioners (GPs) use to respond to the treatment burden faced by people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 29 videos of GP-patient consultations in an academic general practice clinic in China. Thematic analysis and a framework matrix approach were used to identify patterns in GPs\u27 responses to the identified issues. RESULTS: The median length of the 29 video-recorded consultations was 23 minutes 54 seconds. We identified 77 segments focusing on discussions about treatment burden. In 37.7% of these segments, the GP elicited and responded to discussions about treatment burden, whereas in 23.4%, the patient initiated the discussion and the GP responded to it, leaving 39.0% in which the patient initiated the discussion but the GP did not respond. In thematic analysis, medication was the component of treatment burden most frequently identified by both patients and GPs, followed by personal resources, medical information, and administrative burden. General practitioners used 12 response approaches to address patients\u27 treatment burden. The most frequently used included active listening and nonverbal skills, shared decision making, and confidence and self-efficacy support, which were broadly applied across various issues. In contrast, GPs typically reserved health record management, motivational interviewing, and awareness of the patient\u27s background for specific issues. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical encounters, GPs used a wide variety of approaches to respond to different aspects of the treatment burden of type 2 diabetes. Our findings emphasize the need to improve GPs\u27 response strategies through increased responsiveness and more rapid surfacing of issues during visits
Intelligent reflecting surface-aided covert wireless communications with finite-alphabet inputs
No full textThis treatise evaluates the performance improvement attained upon integrating an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) into covert wireless communications under finite-alphabet inputs. Specifically, we first derive an analytical expression for a lower bound of the achievable mutual information (MI). Then, we derive an analytical expression for an upper bound of the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence for the covertness, based on which we conceive an optimization problem to maximize the covert MI under the constraints on covertness, IRS coefficients and average transmit power. We utilize the semidefinite relaxation (SDR) technique along with the Gaussian randomization method to achieve high-quality solutions for both the transmit power and IRS reflection beamforming. We further propose a low-complexity algorithm, in which we derive analytical expressions for the transmit power and phase shift of each IRS element. Our numerical results demonstrate that, with finite-alphabet inputs, the devised IRS-aided scheme can achieve considerable covert performance gain on the basis of the scheme having no IRS
Design and technology in Western Australia: Exploring the journey of pre-service teachers
No full textThe disparities in practice and beliefs among Design and Technology (D&T) teachers highlight a significant educational issue, as teachers’ beliefs are fundamentally shaped by their personal educational journeys. This study investigated how pre-service teachers in Western Australia navigated their experiences and how these shaped their beliefs about D&T education and practice. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology (Smith et. al., 2022) and in-depth semi-structured interviews, this research explored the subjective experiences of 10 pre-service D&T teachers by examining multiple touchpoints, including their schooling, university course, and professional placement experiences. Central to this research is the understanding that teaching beliefs are deeply personal and shaped by individual experiences. Drawing on scholars like Jones and Carter (2007), Pajares (1992), and Calderhead and Robson (1991), the study emphasised how pre-service teachers’ experiences can influence their teaching beliefs and practices. These beliefs are often developed through school experiences and later influenced by university education and professional placements. The literature review shows how rigid these beliefs can be and how they may conflict with the formal education provided by initial teacher education (ITE) programs. It emphasises the significant role mentor teachers play in shaping and changing pre-existing ideas. This study’s findings offer insights into shared and unique experiences among pre-service D&T teachers. It is one of the only studies to apply IPA within this context. Key themes identified include positive school experiences, the practical and hands-on nature of D&T, and the influence of teachers and family, which are all important in shaping teachers’ initial beliefs. Additionally, factors determining why individuals chose to become D&T teachers included identifying teaching as a career, enjoying the practical aspects of D&T, and having a passion for teaching. University experiences highlight the importance of knowledgeable lecturers incorporating hands-on practicals with theoretical knowledge. Curriculum breadth and peer influences were also seen as important. Furthermore, findings illuminated real concerns regarding gender perspectives, particularly the experiences of females in D&T education; an area that requires greater attention. Finally, professional placement experiences were instrumental in shaping beliefs and solidifying practices, with supportive mentorship, student engagement, pedagogical approaches, and a passion for teaching emerging as significant themes. This study’s insights into how beliefs are formed and transformed through various stages of pre-service teachers’ education and professional placements emphasise the need for a well-rounded ITE program that balances traditional skills with modern design thinking, preparing future educators for the evolving demands of D&T education
Acting as song: A holistic pedagogy for sung characterisation in music theatre
No full textActing as song is a new philosophical approach to music theatre training enabling student actors to integrate singing and acting offering holistic, embodied acting-singing methods. Acting as song demands we abandon thinking that singing and acting are mutually exclusive, and that a character cannot be true-to-life because they are singing. Rather, singing is considered acting. Through practice based research, I show that acting as song results in more holistic, authentic, believable characterisation. It requires that acting and singing be integrated in multiple ways, that dramaturgical music analysis is made accessible to all students and embodied learning is used across educational contexts
Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori nursing and midwifery academic workforce across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Get PDFBackground: Promoting a representative and supportive industry for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori nursing and midwifery academic staff is a key tenet of Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand universities, and fundamental to strengthening the health workforce. Surprisingly, information about this workforce is unknown. Aim: The aim of the study was to gain an understanding of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori nursing and midwifery academic workforce. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey of organisations that provide accredited nursing and midwifery education within Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Demographic, academic and employment information relating to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori nursing and midwifery staff was collected. Findings: Thirty-three organisations responded, reporting a total of 55 staff. Aotearoa New Zealand universities (n = 6) had between one and four Māori or Aboriginal staff members. Australian universities (n = 27) reported between one and nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, with 10 universities reporting that they had none. Most staff held a PhD or Master\u27s degree and were employed at lecturer level in a full-time continuing position. There were 10 appointed into a professoriate level position. Workload was predominantly allocated to teaching and research. Discussion: Neither country has reached parity with the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori overall population. Substantial efforts are required to grow this workforce. In addition, as most staff hold lower-level academic positions, greater succession planning through increased mentorship and professional development is urgently needed
Codesigning training for health providers to improve detection and response to elder abuse
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: Screening for elder abuse can improve detection, but many health providers lack the necessary skills and confidence. To address this, training for health providers on elder abuse screening was codesigned as part of a trial aimed at improving elder abuse detection and response. Research Design and Methods: Between March and April 2023, 7 health providers and 10 older people and family carers participated in 2 national Australian online codesign workshops. Using the World Café method, discussions focused on what knowledge and skills health providers needed for screening; clinical and social issues affecting screening and referral; and support older people needed throughout the process. Data were thematically analyzed. Results: Participants said health providers should take a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to screening, and explain the limits of confidentiality to older people. Clinical, social, and systemic issues such as dementia, ethnic diversity, and housing availability complicated screening and referrals. To facilitate disclosure, participants said health providers needed to reflect on whether they held ageist views. There were differing opinions on the length of the training and whether all health providers or only social workers should screen for abuse. Discussion and Implications: Participants\u27 feedback on trauma-informed care, consent, and cognitive impairment concorded with evidence on best practice responses to elder abuse and were integrated into the training. Given operational constraints in health services, feedback from health providers about the training length and the inclusion of all health providers in screening were prioritized. The training is being evaluated in a national trial