Estradiol Concentrations and Wellbeing in Trans People Using Estradiol Hormone Therapy.

Purpose: In trans people undergoing feminizing hormone therapy, optimal estradiol concentrations are unclear, and anecdotally, some individuals desire supraphysiologic estradiol concentrations. We aimed to assess associations between estradiol concentration and psychological distress, well-being, and dysphoria. Second, we aimed to explore relationships between estradiol concentration and the risk of medical conditions potentially associated with estradiol therapy.

Effect of spironolactone and cyproterone acetate on breast growth in transgender people: a randomized clinical trial.

Context: Transgender people with sex recorded male at birth desiring feminization commonly use cyproterone acetate or spironolactone as anti-androgens with estradiol, but the optimal anti-androgen is unclear.

Objective: To assess the effect of anti-androgens on breast development. We hypothesized this would be greater in those treated with cyproterone acetate than spironolactone due to more potent androgen receptor antagonism and suppression of serum total testosterone concentrations.

The prevalence of, and factors associated with, a risk of depression in residential aged care services residents: Findings from the FIRST study.

Objectives: Depression is common amongst Australian residential aged care services (RACS) residents. This study aimed to estimate the risk of depression amongst residents and identify factors associated with this risk. In care settings such as RACS, time-efficient screening tools to identify depression risk may be a preferred tool.

Childhood Cancer Incidence and Survival in South Australia and the Northern Territory, 1990-2017, with Emphasis on Indigenous Peoples.

Background & Aims: Reports of a rise in childhood cancer incidence in Australia and globally prompted the investigation of cancer incidence and survival in South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) over a 28-year period, with emphasis on Indigenous peoples.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of two prospective longitudinal databases, the SA and NT Cancer Registries (1990-2017), included all reported cases of childhood cancers. Poisson regression provided estimates of incidence rate ratios and survival was modelled using Cox proportional hazard models for children aged <5 and ≥5 years.

Dietary Strategies to Reduce Triglycerides in Women of Reproductive Age: A Simulation Modelling Study.

Many women of reproductive age have poor diet quality and are at higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Triglycerides are a critical risk factor for chronic diseases, and although they can be influenced by diet, there are minimal dietary intervention studies identifying key foods/food groups that reduce triglycerides. We performed data simulation modelling to estimate the potential reductions in fasting triglycerides that could be achieved by different dietary strategies in reproductive age women.

Imprinted gene alterations in the kidneys of growth restricted offspring may be mediated by a long non-coding RNA.

Altered epigenetic mechanisms have been previously reported in growth restricted offspring whose mothers experienced environmental insults during pregnancy in both human and rodent studies. We previously reported changes in the expression of the DNA methyltransferase and the imprinted genes (Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C) and (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1) in the kidney tissue of growth restricted rats whose mothers had uteroplacental insufficiency induced on day 18 of gestation, at both embryonic day 20 (E20) and postnatal day 1 (PN1). To determine the mechanisms responsible for changes in the expression of these imprinted genes, we investigated DNA methylation of KvDMR1, an imprinting control region (ICR) that includes the promoter of the antisense long non-coding RNA ( opposite strand/antisense transcript 1).

Development and internal validation of the SMILE-FSS: a Free Sugars Screener for Australian children aged 2 and 5 years.

Objective: To develop and internally validate a Free Sugars Screener (FSS) for Australian children aged 2 and 5 years.

Design: Using data collected from a ninety-nine-item (2-year-olds) and ninety-eight-item (5-year-olds) FFQ in the Study of Mothers' and Infants' Life Events affecting oral health (SMILE-FFQ), a regression-based prediction modelling approach was employed to identify a subset of items that accurately estimate total free sugars intake (FSI). The predictors were grams of free sugars (FSg) for individual items in the SMILE-FFQ and child's age and sex.

Anxiety and Depression in Early Gestation and the Association with Subsequent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Disadvantaged Population.

Objectives: Evaluate the association between poor mental health and risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a cohort of women from a socioeconomically disadvantaged community.

Methods: A total of 1363 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies recruited to the Screening Tests to Predict Poor Outcomes of Pregnancy study in Adelaide, Australia. Women were assessed for mental health in the first trimester, including likelihood of depression, high functioning anxiety, perceived stress and risk of developing a mental health disorder.

Development of an initiatives package to increase children's vegetable intake in long day care centres using the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) randomised factorial experiment.

Objective: To inform a package of initiatives to increase children's vegetable intake while in long day care (LDC) by evaluating the independent and combined effects of three initiatives targeting food provision, the mealtime environment and the curriculum.

Design: Using the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) framework, a 12-week, eight-condition ( 7 intervention, 1 control) randomised factorial experiment was conducted. Children's dietary intake data were measured pre- and post-initiative implementation using the weighed plate waste method (1× meal and 2× between-meal snacks).

The association of breast feeding for at least six months with hemodynamic and metabolic health of women and their children aged three years: an observational cohort study.

Background: Breastfeeding is important for both mother and child in reducing risk of future cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it may be an effective method to improve cardio-metabolic health, particularly those who are exposed to pregnancy complications which increase later CVD risk for both mother and child. The aim of this study is to assess differences in cardiometabolic health at three years postpartum in mothers who breastfed for at least six months and their children compared to those who did not.

Elevated Maternal Folate Status and Changes in Maternal Prolactin, Placental Lactogen and Placental Growth Hormone Following Folic Acid Food Fortification: Evidence from Two Prospective Pregnancy Cohorts.

Folic acid (FA) food fortification in Australia has resulted in a higher-than-expected intake of FA during pregnancy. High FA intake is associated with increased insulin resistance and gestational diabetes. We aimed to establish whether maternal one-carbon metabolism and hormones that regulate glucose homeostasis change in healthy pregnancies post-FA food fortification.

DraculR: A Web-Based Application for In Silico Haemolysis Detection in High-Throughput microRNA Sequencing Data.

The search for novel microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in plasma is hampered by haemolysis, the lysis and subsequent release of red blood cell contents, including miRNAs, into surrounding fluid. The biomarker potential of miRNAs comes in part from their multicompartment origin and the long-lived nature of miRNA transcripts in plasma, giving researchers a functional window for tissues that are otherwise difficult or disadvantageous to sample. The inclusion of red-blood-cell-derived miRNA transcripts in downstream analysis introduces a source of error that is difficult to identify posthoc and may lead to spurious results.

Early pregnancy cardio metabolic risk factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome 10 years after the first pregnancy.

Background: We aimed to compare risk factors for CVD 10 years postpartum among women who had ≥ 1 compared to no cardio metabolic risk factor in early first pregnancy.

Methods: Women of the SCOPE (Screening fOr Pregnancy Endpoints) study from Adelaide, South Australia were invited to participate in a cardiovascular risk assessment 10 years after the delivery of the first child. Data from 141 women who completed all the assessments are included in the analyses.

Pelvic Pain in Transgender People Using Testosterone Therapy.

This descriptive study aimed to assess the characteristics of pelvic pain and explore predictive factors for pelvic pain in transgender (trans) individuals using testosterone therapy. An online cross-sectional survey was open between August 28, 2020, and December 31, 2020, to trans people presumed female at birth, using testosterone for gender affirmation, living in Australia, and >16 years of age. The survey explored characteristics of pelvic pain following initiation of testosterone therapy, type and length of testosterone therapy, menstruation history, and relevant sexual, gynecological, and mental health experiences.

Lipid profiles and hypertriglyceridemia among transgender and gender diverse adults on gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Background: The effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on lipid profiles among transgender adults have been inconsistent and incompletely characterized.

Objective: To longitudinally assess changes to lipid profiles following hormone therapy and to establish prevalence rates of hyperlipidemia/low HDL-cholesterol.

Methods: This longitudinal study followed lipid profiles of 366 transgender and gender-diverse adult patients (170 transfeminine and 196 transmasculine; mean age, 28 years) in Washington DC USA.

A prospective registry analysis of psychosocial and metabolic health between women with and without metabolic syndrome after a complicated pregnancy.

Purpose: Pregnancy complications affect over one quarter of Australian pregnancies, and this group of mothers is vulnerable and more likely to experience adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in the postpartum period. Metabolic syndrome is common in this population and may be associated with postpartum mental health issues. However, this relationship remains poorly understood.

Effectiveness of a nurse practitioner-led cardiovascular prevention clinic at reduction of metabolic syndrome following maternal complications of pregnancy: a preliminary analysis.

Aim: Maternal complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour, and placental abruption, are associated with increased risk of future cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle interventions that focus on preventative strategies for this young, high-risk population of women may assist in cardiometabolic disease risk reduction. The aim of this preliminary registry analysis was to observe the change in maternal metabolic syndrome status after receiving a nurse practitioner-led lifestyle intervention delivered soon after a complicated pregnancy.

Breastfeeding outcomes in late preterm infants: A multi-centre prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To describe (1) infant feeding practices during initial hospitalisation and up to 6 months corrected age (CA) in infants born late preterm with mothers intending to breastfeed, (2) the impact of early feeding practices on hospital length of stay and (3) maternal and infant factors associated with duration of breastfeeding.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of infants born at 34+0 to 36+6 weeks gestational age during 2018-2020. Families were followed up until the infant reached 6 months of age (corrected for prematurity).

Haemolysis Detection in MicroRNA-Seq from Clinical Plasma Samples.

The abundance of cell-free microRNA (miRNA) has been measured in blood plasma and proposed as a source of novel, minimally invasive biomarkers for several diseases. Despite improvements in quantification methods, there is no consensus regarding how haemolysis affects plasma miRNA content. We propose a method for haemolysis detection in miRNA high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data from libraries prepared using human plasma.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and cardio-metabolic risk factors in women and children at 3 years postpartum.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is thought to be associated with cardio-metabolic risk factor development in women and their children during the early postpartum period and early childhood. We hypothesized that these women and their children would exhibit increased abnormal cardio-metabolic risk factors three years after pregnancy.

Methods: Women from the Screening Tests to Predict Poor Outcomes of Pregnancy study were invited to attend a follow-up with the child from their index pregnancy at 3 years postpartum.

Young-Onset Gastrointestinal Adenocarcinoma Incidence and Survival Trends in the Northern Territory, Australia, with Emphasis on Indigenous Peoples.

Background and Aims: A concerning rise in incidence of young-onset cancers globally led to the examination of trends in incidence and survival of gastrointestinal (GI) adenocarcinomas in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia, over a 28-year period, with a special emphasis on Indigenous peoples. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of a prospective longitudinal database, NT Cancer Registry (1990−2017), includes all reported cases of GI (oesophagus, gastric, small intestinal, pancreas, colon, and rectum) adenocarcinomas. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence ratio ratios, and survival was modelled using Cox proportional hazard models separately for people aged 18−50 years and >50 years.

Placental Transcription Profiling in 6-23 Weeks' Gestation Reveals Differential Transcript Usage in Early Development.

The human placenta is a rapidly developing transient organ that is key to pregnancy success. Early development of the conceptus occurs in a low oxygen environment before oxygenated maternal blood begins to flow into the placenta at ~10-12 weeks' gestation. This process is likely to substantially affect overall placental gene expression.

Effects of low-dose oral micronised progesterone on sleep, psychological distress, and breast development in transgender individuals undergoing feminising hormone therapy: a prospective controlled study.

Objective: The role of micronised progesterone in hormone regimens for transgender individuals undergoing feminising hormone therapy remains uncertain. We aimed to determine the effect of oral micronised progesterone on sleep quality, psychological distress, and breast development in transgender individuals undergoing feminising hormone therapy.

Design: Prospective case-control study.