Publications by authors named "Kirk M"

The tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris is an emerging model organism renowned for its ability to survive environmental extremes. To explore the molecular mechanisms and genetic basis of such extremotolerance, many studies rely on RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), which can be performed on populations ranging from large cohorts to individual animals. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RNA interference (RNAi) are subsequently used to confirm RNA-seq findings and assess the genetic requirements for candidate genes, respectively.

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Context: The use of prebiotics and probiotics as a treatment for psychiatric conditions has gained interest due to their potential to modulate the gut-brain axis. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in psychiatric populations.

Objective: The aim was to comprehensively review and appraise the effectiveness of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic interventions in reducing clinical depression and anxiety symptoms.

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Background: Advancements in precision oncology have led to a growing community of adults with advanced cancer who live longer but face prognostic uncertainty, with corresponding fears of the future. Their worst future fears related to cancer remain understudied, hindering support efforts.

Aims: This study aimed to characterize the presence, content, and predictors of imagined future worst-case scenarios related to cancer (WCS) among distressed adults with advanced cancer.

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Nature chooses a high-valent tungsten center at the active site of the enzyme acetylene hydratase to facilitate acetylene hydration to acetaldehyde. However, the reactions of tungsten-coordinated acetylene are still not well understood, which prevents the development of sustainable bioinspired alkyne hydration catalysts. Here we report the reactivity of two bioinspired tungsten complexes with the acetylene ligand acting as a four-: [W(CO)(CH)(PymS)] () and a two-electron donor: [WO(CH)(PymS)] (), with PMe as a nucleophile to simulate the enzyme's reactivity (PymS = 4-(trifluoromethyl)-6-methylpyrimidine-2-thiolate).

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Introduction: Emergency department (ED) peer-delivered interventions have been implemented across the country to improve outcomes for people who use drugs. In this study we describe what elements patients believe led to a positive interaction with a certified peer recovery support specialist (CPRSS) in the ED and discuss implications when those elements were missing.

Methods: This is a qualitatively driven mixed methods study embedded within a larger longitudinal study.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on understanding how pathogen genomics, specifically whole genome sequencing, is utilized in public health for infectious disease management in Australia and New Zealand.
  • Researchers plan to use qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to compare cases of pathogen genomics application and develop a rubric to pinpoint influential factors affecting its use.
  • The results will be drawn from a combination of document reviews and interviews with health technicians, aiming to uncover pathways that enhance the effectiveness of pathogen genomics in public health responses.
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  • Researchers analyzed genomic and epidemiological data to compare the population structure of a foodborne pathogen in Australia and New Zealand, two countries with strong trade and cultural connections.
  • The study found significant differences in the most common sequence types (STs) between the countries, with many STs being unique to each one, and over half of the STs represented by only a single isolate.
  • Multidrug-resistant genotypes were rare (0.8%) and not found in poultry, but a specific resistant strain was prevalent in New Zealand, highlighting the local origins of the pathogen and minimal genetic overlap between human and poultry strains in both countries.*
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  • The deployment of a public health rapid response team (PHRRT) in Central Queensland during COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) led to improved management and outcomes.
  • The existing vaccine surveillance framework helped promptly identify symptomatic residents, triggering timely interventions from the PHRRT.
  • Following the PHRRT's involvement, there were significantly fewer hospital admissions and deaths, highlighting the importance of effective communication and resource optimization in protecting vulnerable elderly populations.
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Fresh produce is an important source of foodborne outbreaks in Australia. Using descriptive analysis, we examined confirmed and suspected foodborne outbreaks associated with fresh produce in Australia recorded in the OzFoodNet outbreak register from 2001 to 2017. The outbreak register contains reports of foodborne disease outbreaks collected by OzFoodNet epidemiologists and public health officials.

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  • Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) causes right ventricular dysfunction due to increased pressure in the lungs, and this study focuses on the relationship between RV to pulmonary artery coupling and invasive heart measurements.
  • A cohort of 139 CTEPH patients was studied, showing a significant correlation between the echocardiographic TAPSE/PASP ratio and pulmonary vascular resistance, with improvements in this ratio following treatments like BPA and PEA.
  • The findings suggest that the TAPSE/PASP ratio can be a useful tool for monitoring treatment outcomes in CTEPH patients, though further research is needed to determine its prognostic value and influence on treatment decisions.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The Australian Pathogen Genomics Program (AusPathoGen) was launched in January 2021 as a national partnership aimed at enhancing public health through pathogen genomics surveillance.
  • - Successful implementation of this program relies on collaboration among academia, public health labs, and agencies, while prioritizing public health needs and building national genomics capacity.
  • - Key components for success include data integration tools like AusTrakka, standardized bioinformatics procedures, ethics agreements, and training for public health officials to effectively use genomic data.
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Treatment plan quality is a crucial component for a successful outcome of radiation therapy treatments. As the complexity of radiation therapy planning and delivery techniques increases, the role of the medical physicist in assessing treatment plan quality becomes more critical. Integrating plan quality review throughout the treatment planning process allows improvements without delaying treatment or rushing to produce changes at the last minute.

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A combination of X-ray absorption and low-temperature electronic absorption spectroscopies has been used to probe the geometric and electronic structures of the human mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component enzyme (hmARC1) in the oxidized Mo(VI) and reduced Mo(IV) forms. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis revealed that oxidized enzyme possesses a 5-coordinate [MoO(S)(PDT)] (PDT = pyranopterin dithiolene) active site with a cysteine coordinated to Mo. A 5-coordinate geometry is retained in the reduced state, with the equatorial oxo being protonated.

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Polyphenisms occur when phenotypic plasticity produces morphologically distinct phenotypes from the same genotype. Plasticity is maintained through fitness trade-offs which are conferred to different phenotypes under specific environmental contexts. Predicting the impacts of contemporary climate change on phenotypic plasticity is critical for climate-sensitive animals like amphibians, but elucidating the selective pressures maintaining polyphenisms requires a framework to control for all mechanistic drivers of plasticity.

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Background: Co-use of stimulants and opioids is often deliberate. However, the possibility remains that some people are unintentionally consuming fentanyl. To advance understanding of overdose risk, we examined the rate of concordance between self-reported fentanyl use and corresponding urine toxicology screen results.

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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the global capacity for timely outbreak reporting. However, gaps remain in our understanding of barriers and enablers to outbreak reporting, particularly at the local level. Field epidemiology training program (FETP) fellows often participate in the outbreak reporting process as part of both their training and the public health roles they assume after graduating; they therefore represent a potentially valuable source of information for better understanding these barriers and enablers.

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is a globally important pathogen with well-studied risk factors, but the burden of risk factors has not been quantified. We quantified the cost of illness attributable to specific domestic risk factors for and in Australia. We used data from a 2018-2019 case-control study to estimate odds ratios and attributable fractions for risk factors.

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Introduction: In accordance with ADP 6-22-001 and ATP 6-22.1, counseling is the process routinely executed by Army leaders to develop, mentor, and coach subordinate Soldiers and Army civilians within their organization. When implemented effectively, the counseling process can be utilized to produce capable, resilient, and satisfied subordinates who are prepared and motivated to meet mission-essential responsibilities.

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Article Synopsis
  • Gadolinium-based contrast agents are commonly used in medical imaging but have been linked to health issues like nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and encephalopathy after exposure.
  • These agents are designed to bind gadolinium tightly to minimize toxicity, but there's concern that uncoupled gadolinium could be harmful.
  • Recent research from the Kidney Institute of New Mexico discovered gadolinium-rich nanoparticles in human kidney cells, suggesting these particles may contribute to long-term toxicity from contrast agents.
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  • As the population gets older, it's important to include older adults in making health policies that affect them!
  • This review looked at many different activities aimed at getting older adults involved in these decisions and found that most were organized by the government!
  • While many initiatives focused on including older adults, there wasn’t enough effort to include a diverse group of participants, and some activities were even reported to have negative impacts!
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Health researchers are encouraged by governments, funders, and journals to conduct research in partnership with people with lived experience. However, conducting research with authentic engagement and partnership with those who are experts by experience, but may not have research methods training, requires resources and specialized skills. The McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging developed a fellowship program for trainees that builds their capacity to conduct research in partnership with older adults with relevant lived experience.

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Disease surveillance data was critical in supporting public health decisions throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At the same time, the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic revealed many shortcomings of surveillance systems for viral respiratory pathogens. Strengthening of surveillance systems was identified as a priority for the recently established Australian Centre for Disease Control, which represents a critical opportunity to review pre-pandemic and pandemic surveillance practices, and to decide on future priorities, during both pandemic and inter-pandemic periods.

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Objectives: To compare in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay for people admitted to Australian and New Zealand ICUs during 2022-23 with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonitis, incidental or exacerbating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, or without SAR-CoV-2 infections.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; analysis of Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Adult Patient Database data.

Setting, Participants: Adults (16 years or older) admitted to participating ICUs in Australia or New Zealand, 1 January 2022 - 30 June 2023.

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