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Experiences of Urinary Incontinence in Women Who Are Post-Menopausal:A Systematic Review
No full textTo synthesise the qualitative knowledge of urinary incontinence in post-menopausal women to better understand the experiences and impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life. Urinary incontinence can be an unpleasant and stressful experience as many women assume it is a part of the natural ageing process. The experiences of urinary incontinence can impact many women in different ways as some are reluctant to discuss or report the incidences with health professionals. There were 85 studies identified in the review, and 61 were screened for eligibility. Only four were included in the review. Common themes were identified in the studies that included psychological, physical, informational/education, social, practical needs, intimacy and sexual aspects. The psychological and physical aspects were noted in all the included studies. Many of the studies identified the difficulties post-menopausal women endure in managing episodes of urinary incontinence, as many expressed shame and embarrassment when urinary incontinence occurred. The physical aspects included concerns about maintaining good hygiene and managing irritation on their skin from constant washing. The physical aspect also included exhaustion and tiredness from managing urinary incontinence episodes. Many women in the studies expressed a desire to have ongoing education about managing urinary incontinence and the need to discuss the topic more openly. The social impact of urinary incontinence was also captured in the review, as many women expressed the desire to be social with family and friends but felt reluctant due to the fear of urinary incontinence occurring in front of other people. The practical burden of managing urinary incontinence was illustrated in this review, as some women faced many challenges in managing soiled clothing, constant washing of clothing and the skin and the need to visit the bathroom regularly. The intimacy and sexual components of their lives have been disrupted by episodes of urinary incontinence and replaced with excuses for intimate activities. Post-menopausal women living with urinary incontinence experience a range of different burdens across many different areas in trying to manage their condition. Healthcare professionals need to acknowledge that post-menopausal women are reluctant to seek treatment due to shame and feelings that urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging. To ensure quality of life for post-menopausal women living with urinary incontinence, healthcare professionals need to tailor treatment strategies to provide better care.</p
The Influence of Running Technique Modifications on Vertical Tibial Load Estimates:A Combined Experimental and Machine Learning Approach in the Context of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Get PDFBackground/Objectives: Currently, there is no strong evidence to support interventions for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), a common running injury associated with tibial loading. Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and axial tibial acceleration (TA) are the most common methods of estimating tibial loads, yet clinical recommendations for technique modification to reduce these metrics are not well documented. This study investigated whether changes to speed, cadence, stride length, and foot-strike pattern influence vGRF and TA. Additionally, machine-learning models were evaluated for their ability to estimate vGRF metrics. Methods: Sixteen runners completed seven 1 min trials consisting of preferred technique, ±10% speed, ±10% cadence, forefoot, and rearfoot strike. Results: A 10% speed reduction decreased peak tibial acceleration (PTA), vertical average loading rate (VALR), vertical instantaneous loading rate (VILR), and vertical impulse by 13%, 10.9%, 9.3%, and 3.2%, respectively. A 10% cadence increase significantly reduced PTA (11.5%), VALR (15.6%), VILR (13.5%), and impulse (3.5%). Forefoot striking produced significantly lower PTA (26.6%), VALR (68.3%), and VILR (68.9%). Habitual forefoot strikers had lower VALR (58.1%) and VILR (47.6%) compared to rearfoot strikers. Machine-learning models predicted all four vGRF metrics with mean average errors of 9.5%, 10%, 10.9%, and 3.4%, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that small-scale modifications to running technique effectively reduce tibial load estimates. Machine-learning models offer an accessible, affordable tool for gait retraining by predicting vGRF metrics without reliance on IMU data. The findings support practical strategies for reducing MTSS risk.<br/
Independent evolution of satellite DNA sequences in homologous sex chromosomes of Neotropical armored catfish (Harttia)
No full textThe Neotropical armored catfish Harttia is a valuable model for studying sex chromosome evolution, featuring two independently evolved male-heterogametic systems. This study examined satellitomes—sets of satellite DNAs—from four Amazonian species: H. duriventris (X1X2Y), H. rondoni (XY), H. punctata (X1X2Y), and H. villasboas (X1X2Y). These species share homologous sex chromosomes, with their satellitomes showing a high number of homologous satellite DNAs (satDNAs), primarily located on centromeres or telomeres, and varying by species. Each species revealed a distinct satDNA profile, with independent amplification and homogenization events occurring, suggesting an important role of these repetitive sequences in sex chromosome differentiation in a short evolutionary time, especially in recently originated sex chromosomes. Whole chromosome painting and bioinformatics revealed that in Harttia species without heteromorphic sex chromosomes, a specific satDNA (HviSat08-4011) is amplified in the same linkage group associated with sex chromosomes, suggesting an ancestral system. Such sequence (HviSat08-4011) has partial homology with the ZP4 gene responsible for the formation of the egg envelope, in which its role is discussed. This study indicates that these homologous sex chromosomes have diverged rapidly, recently, and independently in their satDNA content, with transposable elements playing a minor role when compared their roles on autosomal chromosome evolution.</p
Developing physical Activity and Sedentary behaviour thresholds for the Secondary prevention of Heart disease (DASSH):a cohort mortality survival tree analysis
No full textBackground: The dose–response relationship between physical activity and sedentary behaviour (SB) with mortality in people with coronary heart disease (CHD) is unclear. The aim was to identify moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB thresholds for mortality risk. Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised Australian participants aged ≥ 45 years with self-reported CHD (2006–2020). Self-reported MVPA (min/wk) and SB (hr/day) were the exposures. Cardiac and all-cause mortality were the main outcomes. Survival regression trees identified MVPA and SB thresholds influencing mortality survival rate. Cox regression models and the C-statistic were used to examine the thresholds, comparing them to public health guidelines. Results: The cohort included 40,156 participants (mean (SD) age, 70.3(10.3) years; 15,278 females (38%)). During a median follow-up of 11.1 (IQR,6.2–14.4) years, 2,497 cardiac and 12,240 all-cause deaths were recorded. The threshold for MVPA and all-cause and cardiac mortality was ≥ 146 min/wk and ≥ 96 min/wk, respectively. For SB, the threshold for mortality was < 5–6 h/day. Sex-specific differences in thresholds for MVPA and SB were found. All MVPA and SB thresholds had equivalent associated risk reductions and predictive abilities for cardiac and all-cause mortality to the public health guidelines. Conclusion: The newly identified thresholds suggest that the public health physical activity guidelines are suitable for reducing risks of all-cause mortality in people with CHD. For reducing risks of cardiac mortality, the threshold is suggested to be much lower. The SB suggested thresholds for reducing risks of mortality are 5–6 h/day. Further research is required to explore these thresholds and sex-specific differences.</p
Diagnostic radiography students’ neonatal mobile X-ray imaging infection prevention and control practices
Get PDFIntroduction: Neonates represent a unique population with complex medical needs. Diagnostic medical imaging is crucial for diagnosing and treating their conditions, often utilising mobile imaging equip- ment. A key aspect of providing mobile X-ray imaging for neonates is infection prevention and control (IPC). This study investigated the IPC practices of diagnostic radiography students conducting mobile X-ray imaging in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Method: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study employed purposive sampling and used an online questionnaire to collect data from diagnostic radiography students at a higher education institution in Gauteng, South Africa. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The survey had a response rate of 51.1% (n = 141, N = 276), primarily from the second-year cohort (44.7%). Most participants (n = 132; 93.6%) had access to dedicated NICU and IPC policies, but only 63.1% (n = 89) were familiar with the IPC protocols. The major- ity of participants (n = 134; 95%) recognised the importance of lim- iting cross-contamination in the NICU. Participants rated their IPC practices as average (n = 60; 49.6%) and high (n = 64; 45.4%). More reported cleaning the mobile X-ray machine (n = 89; 63%) and wash- ing hands (n = 114; 81%) before examinations rather than after, with image receptors (n = 106; 75%) mostly cleaned after the examination. Conclusion: The IPC practices of diagnostic radiography students during mobile X-ray imaging in the NICU were inconsistent. Most students understood the importance of IPC; however, inconsistencies in cleaning mobile X-ray machines, image receptors and radiographic markers were reported. It is necessary to explore the reasons for these divergent IPC practices to develop strategies to enhance IPC practice compliance
A ‘new economic model’ in Australia? The political economy of the Australian Labor Party
Get PDFThe election of the Labor government in Australia in 2022, under the leadershipof Anthony Albanese, marked a change in the political and economic directionof the country. Post-pandemic, the Labor government claims that it is seekingto develop a ‘new economic model’ in Australia. Drawing upon comparativepolitical economy (CPE) literature, we use the case of Australia to understandhow political parties can develop and shape new ‘policy paradigms’, orgoverning narratives as they recalibrate their political economy. First, weoutline the discourse, policy developments and key institutional changes thatare taking place under the Labour government. We then apply four policyparadigms (neo-corporatism, market design, neoliberalism, and labourism) tosystematically analyse what the Albanese government is seeking to achieve.The Australian case is a striking example of how centre-left parties, areseeking to create new ‘political imaginaries’ in a post-third- way era
Stroke-related factors associated with gait asymmetry in ambulatory stroke survivors:A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: Gait asymmetry, characterized by spatial (e.g., step length) and temporal (e.g., swing time) differences between the paretic and non-paretic limbs, is common after stroke. Despite increasing research on gait asymmetry, its associations with stroke-related factors remain unclear. Research question: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate these associations and provide insights for post-stroke rehabilitation. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus identified observational studies published between January 2000 and June 2024. Studies examining the relationship between stroke-related factors and post-stroke gait asymmetry were included. Meta-analyses were performed on factors with sufficient data, extracting correlation coefficients (r) to estimate effect sizes. Results: Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria, with eight studies (n = 468 participants) included in meta-analyses. Temporal asymmetry was significantly associated with lower limb motor and sensory deficits (r = −0.73; 95 % CI: −0.88 to −0.57; p < 0.01), leg strength (r = −0.50; 95 % CI: −0.64 to −0.36; p < 0.01), spasticity (r = 0.51; 95 % CI: 0.31–0.72; p < 0.01), and overall motor performance (r = −0.68; 95 % CI: −0.74 to −0.61; p < 0.01). Spatial asymmetry was significantly associated with leg strength (r = −0.31; 95 % CI: −0.45 to −0.17; p < 0.01), spasticity (r = 0.67; 95 % CI: 0.49–0.85; p < 0.01), and overall lower limb impairments (r = −0.44; 95 % CI: −0.64 to −0.23; p < 0.01). Significance: Lower limb motor and sensory deficits, along with overall motor performance, were the factors most strongly associated with temporal asymmetry. Spasticity and/or contracture was the factor most strongly associated with spatial asymmetry. These findings highlight the need to assess and manage gait asymmetry separately in post-stroke rehabilitation.</p
Associations Between the Built Environment and Adult Obesity and the Mediating Role of Physical Activity:A Systematic Review
No full textAssociations between the built environment (BE) and adult obesity are well established. Physical activity (PA) is shown to mediate this association; however, no review has comprehensively synthesized the evidence required to understand this mediating relationship and its variation across different measures of the BE, PA, and obesity. Four electronic databases were searched, and 19 articles published between 2005 and 2022 were reviewed. PA partially explained the associations between the BE and obesity, with effects varying widely across studies (0.48%–48.7%). Objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous PA consistently mediated the association between walkability and obesity, with higher PA accounting for 8.5%–11.6% of the relationship. Domain-specific PA such as walking for transport mediated walkability–obesity associations, but only few studies examined such relationships. PA was an inconsistent mediator of associations between other BE exposures (street connectivity, land-use mix, accessibility, and greenspace) and obesity. PA's mediating role in the BE-obesity relationship is context-dependent; BE features that promoted PA in less dense urban areas of some countries showed different effects in denser urban settings of other countries. Despite limited longitudinal studies from diverse settings, evidence from this review suggests that the BE has the potential to facilitate PA and reduce global obesity and related chronic conditions.</p
The development of single-item measures of Flourishing:the Brief Scales of Flourishing (BS-F)
No full textThe Brief Scales of Flourishing (BS-F) comprise single items to assess flourishing and languishing on a continuum and derives classification of these states. The convergent and criterion validity of the BS-F was compared against established flourishing measures using samples from the United States (n = 303) and United Kingdom (n = 301). There was strong concordance between the BS-F flourishing and languishing status in comparison with status derived from the Mental Health Continuum Short Form; 77.5% and 85.3% of participants were, respectively, correctly classified as flourishing and languishing. Continuum measures reported large correlations with existing flourishing scales. The criterion validity of the BS-F was supported with comparable performance in predicting key outcomes (e.g. mental health, work–life balance, alexithymia). The BS-F items reliably capture individual differences and accurately classify individuals. The BS-F offers a practical alternative to longer measures in time-constrained settings including longitudinal studies and population monitoring where brief assessment is essential.</p
Trolling for Terrorism:Searching for Signals and Noise in Internet Research Agency Messaging
No full textMessaging by Russia’s Internet Research Agency (IRA) leveraged U.S. social media platforms, influence networks, and events to produce short- and long-term influence goals. During the 2016 U.S. election campaign, the IRA appears to have been aware of a terrorist attack before it occurred and sought to shape reactions. Data from a public archive of Twitter (X) posts attributed to the IRA show that, prior to the attack, the IRA increased the salience of their messaging connecting Muslims to terrorism and Democrats to weak records on terrorism and immigration from Muslim areas. To increase the reach of this operation, the IRA retweeted a set of accounts voicing these views, day after day, to increase the visibility of those accounts and shape the flow of messaging on the platform. The operation led to higher engagement with their tweets about terrorism after the attacks.</p