61871 research outputs found
Sort by
Factors influencing parental acceptance of trans children and young people: Findings from trans pathways
No full textTrans youth are at high risk of mental health difficulties and negative life events. Strong parental support is highly protective however there is little understanding of what factors facilitate the process of parental understanding and acceptance of a child’s gender identity. We aimed to better understand a) preexisting factors influencing levels of parental acceptance of their child’s gender identity; b) the factors parents find helpful in facilitating acceptance of their child’s gender identity once they become aware; and c) how parents experience extended family, cultural and religious reactions. Using cross-sectional survey data, we explored the experiences of parents and guardians (N = 194). Quantitative data were primarily analyzed using Bayesian regression models and qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Several factors were salient in influencing parental acceptance, including the nature of their child’s gender identity, and levels of awareness and acceptance of the child’s gender identity at time of initial parental awareness. Multiple factors aided acceptance, including information, peer support, and the quality of the dyadic relationship. Findings provide a better understanding of how parental acceptance of a child’s gender identity develops. We provide recommendations on what may help parents to optimally support their child, such as accessible, good-quality information
Prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in Aboriginal children: A whole population study
Full text linkBackground
The burden of bronchiectasis is disproportionately high in Aboriginal adults, with early mortality. Bronchiectasis precursors, that is, protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) and chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), often commence in early childhood. We previously reported a 10% prevalence of PBB in Aboriginal children aged 0 to 7 years, however there are no data on prevalence of chronic lung diseases in older children. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of PBB, CSLD, bronchiectasis, and asthma in Aboriginal children living in four communities.
Methods
A whole-population cross-sectional community co-designed study of Aboriginal children aged <18-years in four remote communities in Western Australia across two-time points, a month apart. Children were assessed by pediatric respiratory clinicians with spirometry undertaken (when possible) between March–September 2021. Children with respiratory symptoms were followed up via medical record audit from either the local medical clinic or via a respiratory specialist clinic through to March 2022 to establish a final diagnosis.
Findings
We recruited 392 (91.6%) of those in the selected communities; median age = 8.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 5.1–11.5). Seventy children (17.9%) had a chronic respiratory pathology or abnormal spirometry results. PBB was confirmed in 30 (7.7%), CSLD = 13 (3.3%), bronchiectasis = 5 (1.3%) and asthma = 17 (4.3%). The prevalence of chronic wet cough significantly increased with increasing age.
Interpretation
The prevalence of PBB, CSLD and bronchiectasis is high in Aboriginal children and chronic wet cough increases with age. This study highlights the high disease burden in Aboriginal children and the urgent need for strategies to address these conditions
A 'dynamic' tissue model of glomerular filtration barrier maintenance, adaptation and potential pathways to failure
No full textThe glomerular filtration barrier (GFB), within the kidney, is known to act as a filter. It must work effectively over its lifespan, avoiding common filter problems such as clogging. Previous mathematical studies mostly just considered how the GFB acts as a size and charge selective barrier. In contrast, here the aim is how the GFB continues to work long-term, despite its environmental changes. The overarching hypothesis presented here is that the tissue is continuously renewing, as podocyte-synthesized molecules are transported ‘upstream’ against the filtrate across the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) to exit via endothelial fenestrae. We refer to this as a ‘dynamic’ tissue, rather than the common static view of the GFB as a simple filter. This then provides a conceptual model to understand how the GFB works long-term. We use computational modelling to (i) test this conceptual model, (ii) integrate and quantify the various biological, biochemical and biophysical processes involved and (iii) predict key model parameter values that are linking to the structural/functional features of GFB. This approach helped identify potential control mechanisms to maintain GFB functional properties against a constant challenges. It also reveals potential pathways to GFB ‘failure’ or pathology. We found there is a constant gradient in the negative fixed charge (NFC) from podocytes to endothelial, which is the main driver for rapid transport of heperan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) against plasma flow. This HSPG flux is a potential anti-clogging mechanism and may enable podocytes-to-endothelial cell upstream crosstalk. We demonstrated that the existence of a constant gradient NFC distribution is beneficial to albumin sieving rate compared to a constant NFC (as assumed in past models). We argue that the role of podocytes slit diaphragms is to retain GBM extracellular matrix proteins, rather than albumin-exclusion barrier. Results are significant in terms of understanding GFB maintenance, adaption and pathology
Relationships between intrauterine fetal growth trajectories and markers of adiposity and inflammation in young adults
Full text linkBackground
There is now good evidence that events during gestation significantly influence the developmental well-being of an individual in later life. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between intrauterine growth trajectories determined by serial ultrasound and subsequent markers of adiposity and inflammation in the 27-year-old adult offspring from the Raine Study, an Australian longitudinal pregnancy cohort.
Methods
Ultrasound fetal biometric measurements including abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and head circumference (HC) from 1333 mother-fetal pairs (Gen1–Gen2) in the Raine Study were used to develop fetal growth trajectories using group-based trajectory modeling. Linear mixed modeling investigated the relationship between adult body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) of Gen2 at 20 (n = 485), 22 (n = 421) and 27 (n = 437) years and the fetal growth trajectory groups, adjusting for age, sex, adult lifestyle factors, and maternal factors during pregnancy.
Results
Seven AC, five FL and five HC growth trajectory groups were identified. Compared to the average-stable (reference) group, a lower adult BMI was observed in two falling AC trajectories: (β = −1.45 kg/m2, 95% CI: −2.43 to −0.46, P = 0.004) and (β = −1.01 kg/m2, 95% CI: −1.96 to −0.05, P = 0.038). Conversely, higher adult BMI (2.58 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.98 to 4.18, P = 0.002) and hs-CRP (37%, 95% CI: 9–73%, P = 0.008) were observed in a rising FL trajectory compared to the reference group. A high-stable HC trajectory associated with 20% lower adult hs-CRP (95% CI: 5–33%, P = 0.011).
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of understanding causes of the unique patterns of intrauterine growth. Different fetal growth trajectories from early pregnancy associate with subsequent adult adiposity and inflammation, which predispose to the risk of diabetes and cardiometabolic disease
Hear it From the Horses' Mouth: Listening to African Professionals in Australia
Full text linkThe study investigated the growing concern of the African professionals who arrived in Australia since 2007. The ongoing concern was based on the lack of job opportunity in their nominated skilled occupation in post arrival in Australia. The study used demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview to elicit information from forty (40) participants from Western Australia and Northern Territory cities and regional areas. The data analysed provided the needed perspectives about the extreme frustration of the African skilled migrants lack job opportunities in the post arrival in Australia. Based on the findings, the study made some recommendations, including counselling implications on several pathways on how African professionals could gain recognition for opportunities in their professional areas
Environmental microplastics and their additives—a critical review on advanced oxidative techniques for their removal
No full textMicroplastics (MPs) and their additives are a major concern to the environment and public health due to their toxicity. MPs originate from different categories of plastics, namely polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The removal of MPs and their additives including bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has been a major challenge. Recently, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been demonstrated to be more effective for the removal of MPs and their additives than traditional methods. Meanwhile, there are still limited studies on the application AOPs for their remediation. Consequently, there is a need for more investigation on the remediation of MPs and their additives. This review investigates the degradation of common MPs (PE, PS, PVC, and PET) and their additives (NP, BPA, and TBBPA) using AOPs including photocatalysis (PC), (electrocatalysis) photoelectrocatalysis (PEC), electro-Fenton (EF), and sonocatalysis. In-depth analyses reveal reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a driving force for the efficiency of AOPs. The complete removal of environmental MPs and their additives is quite promising with the AOPs
Systematic identification and characterization of lncRNAs and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks in the liver of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) induced with Vibrio anguillarum
No full textLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), can regulate mRNA by targeting miRNA in a competing endogenous RNA network, have become a hot topic in the research of fish immune mechanism recent years. While in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.), an economically important marine fish, there are limited researches about the role of lncRNAs in its immune response to bacterial infection. In this study, a total of 184 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) were systematically identified and characterized using whole-transcriptome sequencing of the liver of turbot challenged with Vibrio anguillarum at 0 h (control) and three different time points post infection (2 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively). Subsequently, GO and KEGG signaling pathways of differentially expressed lncRNAs were analyzed to predict their function. We found that lncRNAs in our results were significantly enriched in several immune-related signaling pathways, including the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Cytokine-cytokine receptor, MAPK signaling pathway, phagosome, PPAR signaling pathway and the regulation of autophagy. In addition, a total of 492 DE lncRNA - DE miRNA -DE mRNA networks were identified at three different time points post infection, which were consisted of 102 networks at 2 h, 122 networks at 12 h and 81 networks at 24 h post infection, respectively. Noticeably, 92 of these regulated networks were immune-related. These observations suggested that lncRNAs can regulate the expression of immune-related genes in the response to bacterial infection in turbot. Moreover, our findings would provide a new insight into the immune response of turbot to pathogen infection and lay a foundation for future study
Molecular characterization of aviadenovirus serotypes and pathogenicity of the identified adenovirus in broiler chickens
Full text linkInclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically significant viral disease that primarily affects broiler chickens. At least 12 different aviadenovirus serotypes are responsible for causing IBH. This study aimed to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analysis to characterize fowl adenovirus isolates that were in circulation from 2019 to 2021 and investigate the pathogenicity of the isolated strains in commercial broiler chickens. Suspected liver samples were molecularly identified using hexon gene targeting by PCR, and viruses were isolated using chick embryo liver cell culture. For serotype identification, the fowl adenovirus-positive samples were subjected to hexon gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity of two isolates was tested in commercial chickens via the oral route. The phylogenetic analysis of the hexon gene showed that the isolated viruses clustered with serotype 8a species E. On testing the pathogenicity of the isolates based on necropsy and histopathological examination, no mortality was observed; however, lesions were observed in the liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, bursa, and lung specimens with intermittent virus shedding at different time points throughout the experimental period. Further research on the likelihood of vaccine production is warranted to limit disease-related losses
Transition to Practice Programs in Nursing: A Rapid Review
No full textBackground
Transition to practice can be exceedingly stressful for newly qualified nurses as they grapple with the “reality shock” of everyday practice as an RN. Transition to practice programs were implemented as a support strategy to ease the transition from student to RN and are designed to increase graduates' confidence and competence, improve their professional adjustment, and increase their retention.
Method
This rapid review was framed by the Cochrane Methods Rapid Review, supported by the PRISMA statement checklist, aiming to identify and describe the benefits of transition to practice programs for newly graduated RNs and their impact on workforce retention.
Results
The literature revealed that mixed evidence exists regarding the value and benefits of graduate nurse transition programs to both the graduate and the health service.
Conclusion
There are multiple inconsistencies across clinical settings, organizations, and preceptor-ship/mentoring training, among others, particularly in relation to duration of the program and the amount of formalized contact/study days
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in surfactant protein A1 are not associated with a lack of responsiveness to antenatal steroid therapy in a pregnant sheep model
Full text linkTreatment with antenatal steroids (ANS) is standard practice for reducing the risk of respiratory distress in the preterm infant. Despite clear overall benefits when appropriately administered, many fetuses fail to derive benefit from ANS therapies. In standardized experiments using a pregnant sheep model, we have demonstrated that around 40% of ANS-exposed lambs did not have functional lung maturation significantly different from that of saline-treated controls. Surfactant protein A is known to play an important role in lung function. In this genotyping study, we investigated the potential correlation between polymorphisms in SFTPA1, messenger RNA and protein levels, and ventilation outcomes in animals treated with ANS. 45 preterm lambs were delivered 48 h after initial ANS therapy and 44 lambs were delivered 8 days after initial ANS therapy. The lambs were ventilated for 30 min after delivery. SFTPA1 mRNA expression in lung tissue was not correlated with arterial blood PaCO2 values at 30 min of ventilation in lambs delivered 48 h after treatment. SFTPA1 protein in lung tissue was significantly correlated with PaCO2 at 30 min of ventilation in lambs ventilated both 48 h and 8 days after ANS treatment. Six different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Ovis aries SFTPA1 sequence were detected by Sanger Sequencing. No individual SNPs or SNP haplotypes correlated with alterations in PaCO2 at 30 min of ventilation or SFTPA1 protein levels in the lung. For the subset of animals analyzed in the present study, variable lung maturation responses to ANS therapy were not associated with mutations in SFTPA1