Environmental assessments in the workplace: an analysis of workplace wellbeing facilities for people of reproductive age.

Objective: To investigate the availability of resources at an Australian university workplace to support the health, wellbeing, and transition to parenthood of female employees working during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. Type of program or service: Workplace health promotion for female employees of reproductive age.

Methods: A survey of female employees aged 18-45 years evaluated participant health practices, availability of work and parenting supports, and access to health and wellbeing resources in the workplace.

The influence of exercise intensity and exercise mode on gastrointestinal damage.

Strenuous exercise increases gastrointestinal damage, but the dose-response relationship is yet to be elucidated. It is also commonly believed that running causes greater gastrointestinal damage than cycling. Two randomised, crossover studies aimed to 1) quantify gastrointestinal damage with increasing exercise intensity, and 2) determine if running was associated with greater gastrointestinal damage than cycling.

Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: Scoping Review of Web-Based Recommendations.

Background: There is currently no scientific evidence supporting the use of specific diets in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS); the strongest dietary associations are observed with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Despite this, there are many websites that provide advice or suggestions about using various dietary approaches to control symptoms or disease progression.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the dietary advice for the symptomatic management of MS available on the internet.

The efficacy of interactive, motion capture-based rehabilitation on functional outcomes in an inpatient stroke population: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of novel interactive, motion capture-rehabilitation software to usual care stroke rehabilitation on physical function.

Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Two subacute hospital rehabilitation units in Australia.

Online dietary advice for the symptomatic management of multiple sclerosis: a scoping review protocol.

The objective of this scoping review is to identify, map and assess the range of dietary advice provided on websites for the symptomatic management of multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically in relation to the types of diets, relationship between specific food/diet/supplement and specific symptoms, citation of scientific literature to support claims and advice to consult a health professional (doctor/nutritionist/dietitian).Specifically the review question is: What dietary advice is available on websites for the symptomatic management of MS?

Bitter melon protects against ER stress in LS174T colonic epithelial cells.

Background: Bitter Melon (BM) has been used as a functional food in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for many generations and has gained a great deal of attention due to its apparent benefits in moderating some of the pathogenic processes in a variety of inflammatory conditions. BM extract (BME) has been shown to possess strong anti-oxidant properties. In addition, it can ameliorate oxidative stress and potentially ER stress.

Older patient considering treatment for advanced renal disease: protocol for a scoping review of the information available for shared decision-making.

Introduction: Older adults constitute the largest group of patients on dialysis in most parts of the world. Management of advanced renal disease in the older adult is complex; treatment outcomes and prognosis can be markedly different from younger patients. Clinical teams caring for such patients are often called on to provide information regarding prognosis and outcomes with treatment-particularly, the comparison between having dialysis treatment versus not having dialysis.

Food avoidance in athletes: FODMAP foods on the list.

We surveyed 910 athletes to assess behaviours towards self-selected food/ingredient avoidance to minimize gastrointestinal distress. Fifty-five percent eliminated at least 1 high fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) food/category, with up to 82.6% reporting symptom improvement.

Obstetric and Perinatal Morbidity in Northern Tasmanian Aboriginal Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are at increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to non-Aboriginals. Similarly, aboriginal babies are at increased risk of low birth weight and infant mortality.

Aim: To investigate the independent association of aboriginality with Tasmanian maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Commercial Hype Versus Reality: Our Current Scientific Understanding of Gluten and Athletic Performance.

Recent explosion in the prevalence of gluten-free athletes, exacerbated by unsubstantiated commercial health claims, has led to some professional athletes touting gluten-free diet as the secret to their success. Forty-one percent of athletes report adhering to a gluten-free diet (GFD), which is four-fold higher than the population-based clinical requirements. Many nonceliac athletes believe that gluten avoidance improves gastrointestinal well-being, reduces inflammation, and provides an ergogenic edge, despite the fact that limited data yet exist to support any of these benefits.

Symptoms and their recognition in adult haemodialysis patients: Interactions with quality of life.

Aim: We investigated the symptom burden in adults on haemodialysis, the recognition of symptoms by nurses and nephrologists, and the relationship between symptoms and quality of life.

Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, symptoms and quality of life in haemodialysis patients were determined using validated surveys. Nurses and nephrologists independently estimated their patients' symptoms, and these estimates were compared with patient responses (sensitivity; kappa values for interrater agreement).

Accuracy, Validity, and Reliability of an Electronic Visual Analog Scale for Pain on a Touch Screen Tablet in Healthy Older Adults: A Clinical Trial.

Background: New technology for clinical data collection is rapidly evolving and may be useful for both researchers and clinicians; however, this new technology has not been tested for accuracy, reliability, or validity.

Objective: This study aims to test the accuracy of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain on a newly designed application on the iPad (iPadVAS) and measure the reliability and validity of iPadVAS compared to a paper copy (paperVAS).

Methods: Accuracy was determined by physically measuring an iPad scale on screen and comparing it to the results from the program, with a researcher collecting 101 data points.

Brachial-to-radial SBP amplification: implications of age and estimated central blood pressure from radial tonometry.

Objectives: The reference standard for noninvasive estimation of central blood pressure (BP) is radial tonometry calibrated using brachial SBP and DBP. Brachial-to-radial-SBP amplification (B-R-SBPAmp) may introduce error into central BP estimation, but the magnitude of such amplification is uncertain. This study aimed to determine the magnitude and effect of ageing on B-R-SBPAmp; the effect of B-R-SBPAmp on radial tonometry estimated central SBP; and correlates of B-R-SBPAmp.

No Effects of a Short-Term Gluten-free Diet on Performance in Nonceliac Athletes.

Purpose: Implementation of gluten-free diets among nonceliac athletes has rapidly increased in recent years because of perceived ergogenic and health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on exercise performance, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, perceived well-being, intestinal injury, and inflammatory responses in nonceliac athletes.

Methods: Thirteen competitive endurance cyclists (8 males, 5 females) with no positive clinical screening for celiac disease or history of irritable bowel syndrome (mean ± SD; age, 32 ± 7 yr; weight, 71.

Can probiotic yogurt prevent diarrhoea in children on antibiotics? A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To estimate the efficacy of a probiotic yogurt compared to a pasteurised yogurt for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children.

Design And Setting: This was a multisite, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted between September 2009 and 2012. The study was conducted through general practices and pharmacies in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Vanilloid-like agents inhibit aggregation of human platelets.

Introduction: Plant-derived and endogenous vanilloid-like agents exert their effects on cells through transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). Little is known about the effects of these agents on platelet aggregation. We investigated the effect of various vanilloid-like agents on in-vitro platelet aggregation and tested whether this action is mediated through TRPV1.

Exploring the popularity, experiences, and beliefs surrounding gluten-free diets in nonceliac athletes.

Adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) for nonceliac athletes (NCA) has become increasingly popular despite a paucity of supportive medical or ergogenic evidence. This study aimed to quantify the demographics of NCA and determine associated experiences, perceptions, and sources of information related to GFD. Athletes (n = 910, female = 528, no gender selected = 5) completed a 17-question online survey.

Hypolipidaemic effect of crude extract from Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) in healthy rats.

Carpobrotus rossii (CR) was used by the Aboriginal population and early European settlers both as a food and therapeutic agent. Based on the presence of flavonoids in CR and results from our previous in vitro investigations, this study aimed to determine whether consumption of CR crude leaf extract: (a) affected lipoprotein profile, resting glucose, systolic blood pressure and vascular function, and (b) produced toxic effects (haematological measures, organ weight) in healthy rats. Male Hooded-Wistar rats (~230 g) were supplemented for 4 weeks with CR extract in their drinking water (35 mg/kg body weight daily).

Development and experimental application of an HPLC procedure for the determination of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in serum samples from human subjects.

Total capsaicins are extracted from 2 mL aliquots of serum or plasma using methyl-isobutyl ketone, evaporation of the extract to dryness and reconstitution with 200 μL of acetonitrile. The HPLC mobile phase is 40:60 water:acetonitrile. The absorbance of the eluent is monitored at 205 nm.

Age-related changes in physical fall risk factors: results from a 3 year follow-up of community dwelling older adults in Tasmania, Australia.

As the population ages, fall rates are expected to increase, leading to a rise in accidental injury and injury-related deaths, and placing an escalating burden on health care systems. Sixty-nine independent community-dwelling adults (60-85 years, 18 males) had their leg strength, physical activity levels and their annual fall rate assessed at two timepoints over three years, (summer 2010 and summer 2013) monitoring balance. Force platform measures of medio-lateral sway range increased significantly under conditions of eyes open (mean difference MD 2.

Effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, inflammation and exercise performance in the heat.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of multi-strain probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, systemic markers of inflammation and running performance when exercising in the heat.

Methods: Ten male runners were randomized to 4 weeks of daily supplementation with a probiotics capsule (45 billion CFU of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus strains) or placebo, separated by a washout period (double-blind, cross-over trial). After each treatment, the runners exercised to fatigue at 80% of their ventilatory threshold at 35 °C and 40% humidity.

Coingestion of carbohydrate and protein during training reduces training stress and enhances subsequent exercise performance.

Researchers have focused primarily on investigating the effects of coingesting carbohydrate (CHO) and protein (PRO) during recovery and, as such, there is limited research investigating the benefits of CHO+PRO coingestion during exercise for enhancing subsequent exercise performance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether coingestion of CHO+PRO during endurance training would enhance recovery and subsequent exercise performance. Ten well-trained male cyclists (aged 29.

Make vitamin D while the sun shines, take supplements when it doesn't: a longitudinal, observational study of older adults in Tasmania, Australia.

Low vitamin D status has been associated with a number of chronic conditions, particularly in older adults. The aim of this study was to identify how best to maintain optimum vitamin D status throughout the year in this high-risk population. The main objectives of the study were to assess seasonal vitamin D status; identify the main determinants of vitamin D status; determine if taking part in the study led to alterations in participant behaviour and vitamin D status.