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Sarcopenia defined by the global leadership initiative in sarcopenia (GLIS) consensus predicts adverse postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer: analysis from a prospective cohort study
No full textBackground: Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia (GLIS) has recently established a conceptional definition of sarcopenia, which incorporated muscle strength, mass, and muscle-specific strength as three components of sarcopenia. The present study aimed to investigate the value of sarcopenia defined by the GLIS consensus in predicting the postoperative outcomes. Methods: Clinical data of 1654 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer were prospectively collected. Muscle strength was measured by the grip strength test. Muscle mass was measured by calculating skeletal muscle index (SMI) using abdominal computed tomography images. Muscle-specific strength was determined by the ratio of grip strength to SMI. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by having low muscle-specific strength (criteria 1), or low muscle strength plus low muscle mass (criteria 2), or low muscle strength plus either low muscle mass or low muscle-specific strength (criteria 3). Results: The incidence of sarcopenia identified by criteria 1, 2, and 3 were 24.2%, 17.0%, and 32.5%, respectively. All three criteria showed significant association with postoperative total complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). However, criteria 1 showed no significant association with severe complications. Criteria 2 did not remain significant in predicting DFS in the multivariate analyses. Criteria 3 showed the largest Youden index and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in predicting total complications, 3-year and 5-year mortality, and low physical performance. Conclusion: Sarcopenia defined by low muscle strength plus either low muscle mass or low muscle-specific strength showed optimal predictive value for postoperative outcomes in patients with gastric cancer
Epigenetic Alterations in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Mechanisms and Implications
No full textAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss among the elderly, and is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. While genetic associations in AMD are well-established, the molecular mechanisms underlying disease onset and progression remain poorly understood. A growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications may serve as a potential missing link regulating gene–environment interactions. This review incorporates recent findings on DNA methylation, including both hypermethylation and hypomethylation patterns affecting genes such as silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), glutathione S-transferase isoform (GSTM), and SKI proto-oncogene (SKI), which may influence key pathophysiological drivers of AMD. We also examine histone modification patterns, chromatin accessibility, the status of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AMD pathogenesis and in regulating pathways pertinent to the pathophysiology of the disease. While the field of ocular epigenetics remains in its infancy, accumulating evidence to date points to a burgeoning role for epigenetic regulation in AMD, pre-clinical studies have yielded promising findings for the prospect of epigenetics as a future therapeutic avenue
Wellbeing literacy and early childhood education: A qualitative examination of pedagogy, practices and policy in Australia
No full text© 2025 Lisa Maree BakerEarly childhood education and care (ECEC), encompassing education from birth to formal schooling, plays a critical role in children's learning, development, and wellbeing. Research highlights both short-term and long-term benefits arising from children's participation in quality ECEC settings, including improved socio-emotional, communication and cognitive skills.
In Australia, the National Quality Framework, including the Early Years Learning Framework, mandates ECEC services and professionals to teach for Learning Outcomes focused on children's wellbeing and effective communication. Within this context, the concept of wellbeing literacy offers a novel approach to understanding and promoting child wellbeing. Defined as the mindful language use about and for wellbeing, wellbeing literacy is conceptualised through a Capability Model of wellbeing literacy (CM-WL) comprising five key components: wellbeing vocabulary and knowledge, comprehension and composition of multimodal texts, context awareness and adaptability, and intentionality for wellbeing. While explored in adult, secondary, and primary education contexts, wellbeing literacy has not been researched in ECEC settings, representing a significant gap in the literature.
This thesis examines the application of wellbeing literacy to ECEC in Australia, addressing this gap at the intersection of wellbeing science and early education. This study is timely, aligning with international trends reimagining education's purpose beyond academic goals towards wellbeing outcomes, and contemporary views of literacy as multimodal and socio-cultural. Underpinned by systems theories and sociocultural perspectives, this research examines wellbeing literacy in relation to
ECEC policy, pedagogy and teaching practices.
Employing a qualitative, sequential three-study design, a content analysis of ECEC documents, surveys with ECEC teachers (n=76) and focus groups with ECEC professionals (n=28) have been conducted. Findings reveal varied usage of the term 'wellbeing' across ECEC contexts, a nuanced view of child wellbeing among ECEC professionals, and the potential of wellbeing literacy as a shared language and planning tool. This research demonstrates how wellbeing literacy can underpin relational and place-based pedagogies, inform teaching practices, and expand quality educational approaches in ECEC.
In evidencing wellbeing literacy as a relevant and valuable concept in ECEC, this thesis contends that CM-WL may provide a structured approach to understanding and promoting child wellbeing that aligns with existing pedagogies and practices. It contributes to literature by offering a contextualised perspective on child wellbeing in ECEC and pioneering the examination of wellbeing literacy in this educational context. By providing a bridge between wellbeing science and early education, this research contributes to the evolving landscape of ECEC, emphasising the importance of intentional, adaptable, and multimodal approaches to fostering children's wellbeing language and communication. This thesis provides a foundation for future research and practical applications of wellbeing literacy in early childhood settings, potentially influencing policy, pedagogy, and practices to enhance children's wellbeing outcomes and contribute to long-term societal benefits
From stress to support: an ethnographic journey of a staff-led wellbeing intervention in maternity services
No full textBACKGROUND: Addressing occupational distress in maternal services is imperative to ensuring staff retention and patient safety. Interventions to promote wellbeing among healthcare staff are urgently needed. However, little is known about the implementation of such interventions in hospital maternity services. This study aimed to explore the workplace demands and stressors experienced by healthcare staff in hospital maternity services and identify how these demands and stressors affect engagement in workplace wellbeing activities. METHODS: This qualitative study employed an ethnographic approach in maternity services in regional Australia. Data were collected through observations over a 12-week period before and during the implementation of a wellbeing program called SEED. Participants included healthcare staff and leaders employed in maternity services. Key themes and insights from the observational data were identified through reflexive thematic analysis. The study followed COREQ guidelines to report key aspects of the research team, methods, context, findings, and analysis. RESULTS: Six themes were identified, depicting both the challenges and opportunities for implementing workplace wellbeing activities in maternity services. The first three themes highlighted pre-existing challenges that affected staff engagement in wellbeing activities: (1) Disconnection Across the Service; (2) Balancing Role Expectations and Wellbeing at Work; and (3) Leaders Trusting in Wellbeing but Staff not Trusting in Leaders. The subsequent three themes described opportunities for engagement: (4) Staff are the Experts of Their Own Wellbeing and Work Environment; (5) Fostering Connection through Conversations; and (6) Cultivating Camaraderie within the Service. CONCLUSION: By identifying challenges such as disconnection and lack of trust, alongside opportunities like collaboration and camaraderie, the findings provide actionable insights for designing effective wellbeing activities. Gaining leaders' trust and commitment, followed by engaging staff in collaborative decision-making, is crucial for successful implementation. This research contributes to the global clinical community by providing a nuanced understanding of workplace wellbeing implementation in maternity services, offering a blueprint for similar interventions in healthcare settings worldwide
Capacity Building goals in young people with cerebral palsy in Australia: Analysis of publicly available National disability Insurance Scheme data
No full textBackground The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to provide person-centred care for individuals with disabilities, promoting independence and societal participation. Capacity Building supports are critical for young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) to develop essential lifelong skills. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly available NDIS Participant and Payment datasets from the June 2023 quarter. Data for young adults with CP aged 15–34 years were extracted and analysed to examine characteristics and funding allocations for Capacity Building goals, with comparisons to peers with Down syndrome and spinal cord injury (SCI). Results 99.5 % (n = 6,273) of NDIS participants aged 15–34 with CP identified at least one Capacity Building goal, totalling 110,234 goals. Average annual payments for Capacity Building supports increased with age, from 59,000 for those aged 25–34. The most frequent Capacity Building goals identified were ‘Daily Living’, ‘Social and Community Participation’, and ‘Health and Wellbeing’. Variations were observed in the types and funding allocation of Capacity Building supports accessed by young adults with CP compared to peers with Down syndrome and SCI. Conclusion This study highlights variability in NDIS funding allocation for young adults with CP as they transition into adulthood, emphasising the need for tailored funding strategies. Individualised goal setting and supports align with international best practices, enhancing independence and quality of life. Further research is needed to evaluate the outcomes of NDIS-funded supports, ensure equitable resource distribution, and inform global discussions on inclusive policies for people with disabilities
Thermal performance curves, activity and survival in a free-ranging ectotherm
No full textTemperature profoundly influences the distribution and diversity of ectotherms, yet in natural settings, interactions between environmental temperatures, behaviour, physiological function and the influence of these factors on individual survival remain poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear as to how trade-offs between these factors are optimised in wild, free-ranging species. We combined temperature-sensitive radio transmitters and accelerometers to measure in situ body temperatures and field-based thermal locomotor performance, estimating thermal optimum and maximum performance. This allowed us to quantify the effectiveness of thermoregulation in the wild and determine whether seasonal trade-offs in thermoregulatory behaviour shape thermal performance and influence survival in the Australian central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Lizards adjusted their behaviour to maintain optimal body temperatures, achieving greater thermoregulatory precision in spring and summer when environmental costs of thermoregulation were low, but reducing that precision in winter when costs were higher. Activity time and maximum locomotor performance were higher during seasons when thermoregulatory precision was high. Maximum locomotor performance in the field was a strong predictor of survival, regardless of sex, even though survival probabilities were higher in males than females. Higher locomotor performance was associated with increased mortality risk, but survival was not influenced by activity levels or thermoregulatory indices. These findings highlight the complex trade-offs that ectotherms must navigate to balance behavioural thermoregulation and survival. Our data demonstrate the important influence of seasonal and sex-specific variation on behaviour and fitness-related outcomes. Interpreting field-derived thermal performance curves alongside laboratory measures is crucial for distinguishing 'true' physiological capacity from the integrated ecological contexts that shape performance and fitness in nature. Such insights are vital for predicting how ectotherms may respond to future climate warming
Comparison of three reconstruction algorithms for low-dose phase-contrast computed tomography of the breast with synchrotron radiation
No full textBACKGROUND: Phase-contrast breast CT imaging holds promise for improved diagnostic accuracy, but an optimal reconstruction algorithm must balance objective image quality metrics with subjective radiologist preferences. PURPOSE: This study systematically compares three reconstruction algorithms-filtered back projection (FBP), unified tomographic reconstruction (UTR), and customized simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (cSART)-to identify the most suitable approach for phase-contrast breast CT imaging. METHODS: Fresh mastectomy samples were scanned at the Australian synchrotron using monochromatic 32 keV X-rays, a mean glandular dose of 2 mGy, flat-panel detectors with 0.1 mm pixels, and 6-m distance between the rotation stage and the detector. Paganin's phase retrieval method was used in conjunction with all three CT reconstruction algorithms. Objective metrics, including spatial resolution, contrast, signal-to-noise, and contrast-to-noise, were evaluated alongside subjective assessments by seven experienced radiologists. Ratings included perceptible contrast, sharpness, noise, calcification visibility, and overall quality. RESULTS: cSART excelled in objective metrics, outperforming UTR and FBP. However, subjective evaluations favored FBP due to its higher image contrast, revealing a discrepancy between objective and subjective assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the contrast-focused nature of radiologists' subjective assessments and the potential of cSART for delivering superior objective image quality. These insights inform the development of hybrid evaluation tools and guide clinical translation for future live patient imaging studies
Author Correction: A deep catalogue of protein-coding variation in 983,578 individuals (Nature, (2024), 631, 8021, (583-592), 10.1038/s41586-024-07556-0)
No full text10.1038/s41586-024-08571-
Effective strategies for humanitarian migrants' employment, inclusion and integration – The role of international management
No full textEmployment constitutes one of the main predictors for humanitarian migrants' positive integration into a receiving country. With the estimates of global humanitarian migrant populations being at a record high, International Management faces the pressing need to deal with issues relating to humanitarian migrants' employment, inclusion and integration. Yet, forced migration and displacement have been studied largely in isolation from International Management research and practice. In this editorial, we describe the circumstances that have stimulated this special issue regarding the role of International Management in the employment, inclusion and integration of humanitarian migrants. Specifically, we outline why we consider forced migration and displacement as an International Management task, offer insights into effective strategies for humanitarian migrants' employment, inclusion and integration and highlight the need to carefully reflect on the migration discourse, the migration terminology, and certain present integration and resettlement practices. We conclude with a reflection on how this special issue contributes to advancing International Management research, highlighting future research avenues and informing practice and policy on how to foster the labour market integration of humanitarian migrants
Broad-line active galactic nuclei in the 6dF Galaxy Survey
No full textABSTRACT
The Six-degree Field Galaxy Survey (6dFGS) is a spectroscopic redshift survey of the Southern hemisphere completed in 2006. While it provides 136 304 spectra of mostly low-redshift galaxies, a large and reliable catalogue of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) that are selected based on spectral signatures is still lacking. In this work, we present an extensive list of verified broad emission-line AGNs in the 6dFGS sample. We visually confirm the AGN nature of all spectra, and disentangle fibre cross-talk to remove bogus AGNs. The final catalogue contains 2513 unique broad-line AGNs with a median redshift of 0.207, of which 891 are identified for the first time. A flux-limited subsample contains 665 AGNs to a K-band magnitude of 13. This new sample adds to the list of known low-luminosity AGNs in the Southern hemisphere and thus provides a basis for investigations of low-redshift AGNs with the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory