External and internal exposome as triggers of biological signalling in systemic sclerosis - A narrative synthesis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune chronic connective tissue disorder with a complex pathogenesis and a strong gene-environment interaction. Despite the low prevalence of SSc, with around 100-250 cases per million, the morbidity and mortality are high and disproportionately affecting women. In this context, we review the influence of the external and internal exposome on the "immunome" in SSc.

Factorial randomised controlled trial to examine the potential effect of a text message-based intervention on reducing adolescent susceptibility to e-cigarette use: a study protocol.

Introduction: Adolescent e-cigarette use, globally and within Australia, has increased in recent years. In response, public health agencies have called for the development of education and communication programmes targeting adolescents. Despite such recommendations, few rigorous evaluations of such interventions currently exist.

Predictive value of synaptic plasticity for functional decline in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Previous research suggested that quadripulse (QPS)-induced synaptic plasticity is associated with both cognitive and motor function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and does not appear to be reduced compared to healthy controls (HCs).

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between the degree of QPS-induced plasticity and clinically significant decline in motor and cognitive functions over time. We hypothesized that MS patients experiencing functional decline would exhibit lower levels of baseline plasticity compared to those without decline.

Differential pulmonary toxicity and autoantibody formation in genetically distinct mouse strains following combined exposure to silica and diesel exhaust particles.

Background: Inhalation of airborne particulate matter, such as silica and diesel exhaust particles, poses serious long-term respiratory and systemic health risks. Silica exposure can lead to silicosis and systemic autoimmune diseases, while DEP exposure is linked to asthma and cancer. Combined exposure to silica and DEP, common in mining, may have more severe effects.

Differential Pulmonary Toxicity and Autoantibody Formation in Genetically Distinct Mouse Strains Following Combined Exposure to Silica and Diesel Exhaust Particles.

Background: Inhalation of airborne particulate matter, such as silica and diesel exhaust particles, poses serious long-term respiratory health risks. Silica exposure can lead to silicosis and systemic autoimmune diseases, while DEP exposure is linked to asthma and cancer. Combined exposure to silica and DEP, common in mining, may have more severe effects.

Long-term potentiation-like plasticity is retained during relapse in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the degree of synaptic plasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients during acute relapses compared to stable MS patients and healthy controls (HCs) and to analyze its functional relevance.

Methods: Facilitatory quadripulse stimulation (QPS) was applied to the primary motor cortex in 18 acute relapsing and 18 stable MS patients, as well as 18 HCs. The degree of synaptic plasticity was measured by the change in motor evoked potential amplitude following QPS.

New models to support parents to pack healthy lunchboxes: Parents acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and adoption of the SWAP IT m-Health program.

Objectives: This report aims to evaluate the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and adoption of a healthy lunchbox program (SWAP IT), from the parent perspective.

Methods: SWAP IT is an mobile health (m-Health) program aimed to support parents in swapping out discretionary foods for healthier alternatives. Following receipt of the program, parents completed validated scales assessing the Acceptability (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness (IAM), and Feasibility (FIM) via a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI).

Continuous phase separation of stable emulsions from biphasic whole-cell biocatalysis by catastrophic phase inversion.

The main bottleneck for the industrial implementation of highly promising multi-phase whole-cell biocatalytic processes is the formation of stable Pickering-type emulsions, hindering efficient downstream processing. Especially for the crucial step of phase separation, state-of-the-art processes require time-consuming and costly process steps (excessive centrifugation/use of de-emulsifiers). In contrast, using the phenomenon of catastrophic phase inversion (CPI), efficient phase separation can be achieved by addition of an excess dispersed phase within minutes.

Exposure to silicates and systemic autoimmune-related outcomes in rodents: a systematic review.

Background: Autoimmunity can result from the interplay between genetic background and effects of environmental and/or occupational exposure to hazardous materials. Several compounds, including silica dust, have been linked with systemic autoimmunity and systemic autoimmune diseases, based on epidemiological evidence. For asbestos, a strong link with systemic autoimmune diseases does not yet exist, however, several studies have documented features of autoimmunity following asbestos exposure.

A trial of a six-month sugar-sweetened beverage intervention in secondary schools from a socio-economically disadvantaged region in Australia.

Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness of a school-based intervention in reducing adolescents' sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and percentage of energy from SSBs. Secondary outcomes were SSB consumption within school, average daily energy intake, and body mass index z-scores.

Methods: Six secondary schools located in New South Wales, Australia were recruited to participate in a six-month pilot randomised controlled trial (1:1).

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Synthesis Aggravates Brain Injury, Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity and Impairs Neurological Recovery in a Murine Stroke Model.

Inhibition of fatty acid synthesis (FAS) stimulates tumor cell death and reduces angiogenesis. When SH-SY5Y cells or primary neurons are exposed to hypoxia only, inhibition of FAS yields significantly enhanced cell injury. The pathophysiology of stroke, however, is not only restricted to hypoxia but also includes reoxygenation injury.

A Multicomponent mHealth-Based Intervention (SWAP IT) to Decrease the Consumption of Discretionary Foods Packed in School Lunchboxes: Type I Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: There is significant opportunity to improve the nutritional quality of foods packed in children's school lunchboxes. Interventions that are effective and scalable targeting the school and home environment are therefore warranted.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent, mobile health-based intervention, SWAP IT, in reducing the energy contribution of discretionary (ie, less healthy) foods and drinks packed for children to consume at school.

A cluster randomised controlled trial of a secondary school intervention to reduce intake of sugar-sweetened beverages: Mid-intervention impact of switchURsip environmental strategies.

Issue Addressed: Secondary schools provide an opportune setting for interventions addressing excessive sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake in adolescence. This trial aimed to assess the impact of school environmental strategies, delivered as part of a broader intervention, among Year 7-9 students' SSB consumption.

Methods: Between March and July 2018, we conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial with 862 students attending six secondary schools (3 intervention and 3 control) in New South Wales.

Lithium modulates miR-1906 levels of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles contributing to poststroke neuroprotection by toll-like receptor 4 regulation.

Lithium is neuroprotective in preclinical stroke models. In addition to that, poststroke neuroregeneration is stimulated upon transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Preconditioning of MSCs with lithium further enhances the neuroregenerative potential of MSCs, which act by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Enhancing the potential effects of text messages delivered via an m-health intervention to improve packing of healthy school lunchboxes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of different lunchbox messages on parents' intention to pack a healthy lunchbox.

Design: This study employed an experimental design.

Setting: A series of messages were developed to align with the six constructs of the Health Belief Model.

Prevalence of current school-level nutrition policies and practices of secondary schools in NSW, Australia.

Issue Addressed: Lowering the rates of adolescent overweight and obesity is a public health priority. The implementation of nutrition policies and practices in schools is recommended by various health organisations, but there is little information on the extent of their implementation. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of the implementation of recommended school-level nutrition policies and practices in secondary schools in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and reported barriers and facilitators to the adoption of such policies and practices in school plans.

Increased telomere length and mtDNA copy number induced by multi-walled carbon nanotube exposure in the workplace.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) except MWCNT-7 have been classified as Group 3 ["Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans"] by the IARC. Despite considerable mechanistic evidence in vitro/in vivo, the classification highlights a general lack of data, especially among humans. In our previous study, we reported epigenetic changes in the MWCNT exposed workers.

A cross-sectional study to determine the energy density and nutritional quality of primary-school children's lunchboxes.

Objective: The present study describes the energy content of primary-school children's lunchboxes and the proportion of lunchbox foods considered discretionary. Subgroup analyses by sex, socio-economic status, age and weight status were undertaken.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Distinct autophagy-apoptosis related pathways activated by Multi-walled (NM 400) and Single-walled carbon nanotubes (NIST-SRM2483) in human bronchial epithelial (16HBE14o-) cells.

Given the recent development in the field of particle and fibre toxicology, parallels have been drawn between Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and asbestos. It is now established that both multi-walled (MWCNTs) and single-walled (SWCNTs) carbon nanotubes might contribute to pulmonary disease. Although multiple mechanisms might be involved in CNT induced pathogenesis, systematic understanding of the relationship between different CNT exposure (MWCNT vs SWCNT) and autophagy/ apoptosis/ necrosis, in human lung epithelial cells remains limited.

Protocol for an effectiveness- implementation hybrid trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an m-health intervention to decrease the consumption of discretionary foods packed in school lunchboxes: the 'SWAP IT' trial.

Background: At a population level, small reductions in energy intake have the potential to contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of childhood obesity. In many school systems, there is the potential to achieve a reduction in energy intake through modest improvements in foods packed in children's school lunchboxes. This study will assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multi-component intervention that uses an existing school-based communication application to reduce the kilojoule content from discretionary foods and drinks consumed by children from school lunchboxes whilst at school.

A cross-sectional study of the nutritional quality of student canteen purchases from New South Wales primary-school canteens.

Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of student canteen purchases at recess and lunch, including: (i) the mean energy (kilojoules), saturated fat (grams), total sugar (grams) and Na (milligrams) and percentage of energy from saturated fat and total sugar; and (ii) the proportion and types of foods purchased that are healthier (green) and less healthy (amber/red) according to a state school canteen policy.

Design: A cross-sectional study of student canteen food and beverage recess and lunch purchases.

Setting: Twenty-six randomly selected government primary schools that were non-compliant with a state school canteen policy from a region of New South Wales, Australia, were approached to participate.

A randomized controlled trial to assess the potential efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of an m-health intervention targeting parents of school aged children to improve the nutritional quality of foods packed in the lunchbox 'SWAP IT'.

Background: Scalable interventions that improve the nutritional quality of foods in children's lunchboxes have considerable potential to improve child public health nutrition. This study assessed the potential efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of an m-health intervention, 'SWAP IT', to improve the energy and nutritional quality of foods packed in children's lunchboxes.

Methods: The study employed a 2X2 factorial cluster randomized-controlled trial design.

The effectiveness of lunchbox interventions on improving the foods and beverages packed and consumed by children at centre-based care or school: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of lunchbox interventions aiming to improve the foods and beverages packed and consumed by children at centre-based care or school; and subsequent impact on children's adiposity.

Methods: Systematic search of nine databases for controlled trials published in English between 1995-January 2017. Where appropriate, data were pooled in a random effects meta-analysis.

Two-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial to assess the sustainability of a school intervention to improve the implementation of a school-based nutrition policy.

Issue Addressed: School-based nutrition policies can have a positive effect on the school food environment. The primary aim of this study was to assess the primary school adherence to a mandatory state-wide healthy canteen policy 12 months after an effective multi-strategic implementation intervention concluded.

Methods: Primary schools were randomised to (a) a 12-14 months multi-strategic intervention or (b) no-intervention (control).

Availability of food and beverage items on school canteen menus and association with items purchased by children of primary-school age.

Objective: To (i) describe the proportion of foods and beverages available on school canteen menus classified as having high ('green'), moderate ('amber') or low ('red') nutritional value; (ii) describe the proportion of these items purchased by students; and (iii) examine the association between food and beverage availability on school canteen menus and food and beverage purchasing by students.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted as part of a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: A nested sample of fifty randomly selected government schools from the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia, who had participated in an RCT of an intervention to improve the availability of healthy foods sold from school canteens, was approached to participate.