Female sex hormones and the oral contraceptive pill modulate asthma severity through GLUT-1.

Females are disproportionately affected by asthma. An increased understanding of how female sex hormones influence key pathophysiological processes that underpin asthma may identify new, more effective asthma therapies, particularly for females with severe, poorly controlled asthma. We assessed the effects of oral ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (representing OCP use) and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and estradiol injections on key features of experimental asthma, and determined their effects on glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1).

Patient experiences of crisis home treatment teams: a systematic review and thematic synthesis.

Purpose: Crisis home treatment teams (CHTTs) provide rapid at-home assessments and crisis support to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Exploring patient feedback on CHTTs can provide policymakers and service planners useful insight regarding service enhancements and improvements in care quality. The current systematic review aims to explore patient experiences on CHTTs, to inform policy decision-making and care quality.

Developing a psychosocial competency framework for adult and older adult acute mental health inpatient care.

Objectives: Acute mental health inpatient settings care for those with acute and complex mental health needs. This study aimed to develop a psychosocial competency framework for use by multidisciplinary professional practitioners working in adult and older adult acute mental health inpatient settings.

Methods: The competence framework was developed through an iterative developmental process.

Barriers and facilitators to engagement in psychological therapy in first episode psychosis: A meta-ethnography and qualitative comparative analysis.

Objectives: Disengagement from psychological therapies in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is a common occurrence, with personal costs associated with untreated problems. This study aimed to establish the barriers and facilitators of people experiencing FEP to engagement in psychological therapies by undertaking a meta-ethnography and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) of existing qualitative literature.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in multiple databases including Psychinfo, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, EthOs, OPENgrey and Procrest in July 2021 (updated in July 2024).

β3 accelerates microtubule plus end maturation through a divergent lateral interface.

β-tubulin isotypes exhibit similar sequences but different activities, suggesting that limited sequence divergence is functionally important. We investigated this hypothesis for TUBB3/β3, a β-tubulin linked to aggressive cancers and chemoresistance in humans. We created mutant yeast strains with β-tubulin alleles that mimic variant residues in β3 and find that residues at the lateral interface are sufficient to alter microtubule dynamics and response to microtubule targeting agents.

Urinary Metabolite Profiles of Participants with Overweight and Obesity Prescribed a Weight Loss High Fruit and Vegetable Diet: A Single Arm Intervention Study.

Background/objectives: Thus far, no studies have examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable (F and V) intake, urinary metabolite quantities, and weight change. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore changes in urinary metabolomic profiles during and after a 10-week weight loss intervention where participants were prescribed a high F and V diet (7 servings daily).

Methods: Adults with overweight and obesity ( = 34) received medical nutrition therapy counselling to increase their F and V intakes to national targets (7 servings a day).

A feasibility randomized controlled trial of an individually delivered, peer support intervention to reduce the impact of psychosis stigma and discrimination for people with psychosis: the let's talk study.

Background: Stigma of mental health conditions hinders recovery and well-being. The Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) program shows promise in reducing stigma but there is uncertainty about the feasibility of a randomized trial to evaluate a peer-delivered, individual adaptation of HOP for psychosis (Let's Talk).

Methods: A multi-site, Prospective Randomized Open Blinded Evaluation (PROBE) design, feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the peer-delivered intervention (Let's Talk) to treatment as usual (TAU).

Psychosocial interventions offered across inpatient and crisis settings to the social networks of service users with psychosis: A systematic review.

Psychosocial interventions are provided to support caregivers of people with psychosis in the community. However, less is known about the efficacy of these interventions in inpatient and crisis settings. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and narrative synthesis to examine the types and efficacy of psychosocial interventions offered in inpatient and crisis settings for caregivers of people with psychosis.

Development of a core outcome set for psychological therapy trials on acute psychiatric inpatient wards.

Background: Consensus on what outcomes should be included in trials of psychological therapies on acute psychiatric inpatient wards is currently lacking. Inclusion of different viewpoints, including service user perspectives, is crucial in ensuring that future trials measure outcomes which are meaningful and important. Development of a Core Outcome Set (COS), a minimum standardised set of outcomes to be measured and reported, would help improve synthesis and interpretation of clinical trial data in this area.

Plasma lipids and glycaemic indices in australians following plant-based diets versus a meat-eating diet.

Background: Vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns are known to beneficially modulate risk factors for cardiovascular disease; however, the current literature does not differentiate between various plant-based diets. This study aimed to examine the association between various plant-based diets and plasma lipids and glycaemic indices compared to a regular meat-eating diet.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of Australian adults (n = 230) aged 30-75yrs habitually consuming the following were recruited: vegan, lacto-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or regular meat-eater.

Cruciferous vegetables lower blood pressure in adults with mildly elevated blood pressure in a randomized, controlled, crossover trial: the VEgetableS for vaScular hEaLth (VESSEL) study.

Background: Higher cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in observational studies. The pathways involved remain uncertain. We aimed to determine whether cruciferous vegetable intake (active) lowers 24-h brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP; primary outcome) compared to root and squash vegetables (control) in Australian adults with mildly elevated BP (SBP 120-160 mmHg inclusive).

The RNA-binding protein EIF4A3 promotes axon development by direct control of the cytoskeleton.

The exon junction complex (EJC), nucleated by EIF4A3, is indispensable for mRNA fate and function throughout eukaryotes. We discover that EIF4A3 directly controls microtubules, independent of RNA, which is critical for neural wiring. While neuronal survival in the developing mouse cerebral cortex depends upon an intact EJC, axonal tract development requires only Eif4a3.

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis Examining the Facilitators and Barriers of Psychological Intervention Delivery in Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams.

Background: Mental health crisis rates in the United Kingdom are on the rise. The emergence of community mental health models, such as Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams (CRHTTs), offers a vital pathway to provide intensive assessment and treatment to individuals in their homes, including psychological interventions. Previous qualitative literature has identified facilitators and barriers to the implementation of psychological interventions within CRHTT settings; however, a synthesis of this literature has not yet been conducted.

Patient's Experiences of a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Informed Crisis Intervention for Psychosis Delivered in Inpatient Settings: A Qualitative Exploration.

Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis (CBTp) should be offered to patients receiving psychiatric inpatient care, yet very little is known about patients' perspectives on this. The aim of this study was to examine patients' experiences of a CBTp-informed intervention delivered in inpatient settings. We recruited 10 participants from the intervention arm of a randomised controlled trial examining the feasibility and acceptability of a CBTp-informed intervention for psychiatric inpatient settings.

β3 accelerates microtubule plus end maturation through a divergent lateral interface.

β-tubulin isotypes exhibit similar sequences but different activities, suggesting that limited sequence divergence is functionally important. We investigated this hypothesis for TUBB3/β3, a β-tubulin linked to aggressive cancers and chemoresistance in humans. We created mutant yeast strains with β-tubulin alleles that mimic variant residues in β3 and find that residues at the lateral interface are sufficient to alter microtubule dynamics and response to microtubule targeting agents.

Bone mineral density and body composition in Australians following plant-based diets vs. regular meat diets.

Background And Aims: Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition play an important role in maintaining metabolic health and physical functioning. Plant-based diets (PBDs) are known to be lower in protein and calcium, which can impact BMD and body composition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various PBDs compared to regular meat diet and whole-body BMD, body composition, and weight status.

Homeostatic Measure of Insulin Resistance Is Associated With Future Asthma Exacerbations: A 1-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that insulin resistance affects asthma outcomes. However, the effect of the homeostatic measure of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) on airway inflammation and asthma exacerbations (AEs) is poorly understood.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between HOMA-IR and clinical and inflammatory characteristics in patients with asthma, and the association between HOMA-IR and AEs in the following year.

Effects of Moderate- Versus Vigorous-Intensity Exercise Training on Asthma Outcomes in Adults.

Background: The therapeutic effects of exercise have prompted calls for it to be embedded into standard asthma care, but evidence informing the optimal exercise intensity is lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise training on asthma outcomes and inflammation.

Methods: This was a 12-week randomized controlled trial in 46 adults with asthma randomized to either (1) 45-minute moderate-intensity exercise training 3 times/wk, (2) 30-minute vigorous-intensity exercise training 3 times/wk, or (3) the control group.

Critical Success Factors for Intersectoral Collaboration: Homelessness and COVID-19 - Case Studies and Learnings from an Australian City.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally impacted people experiencing homelessness, including people sleeping rough, people in temporary accommodation and those living in boarding houses. This paper reports on intersectoral responses across six health and social care agencies in Inner Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Prior to the pandemic the six agencies had established an , in recognition of the need for intersectoral collaboration to address the complex health needs of people experiencing homelessness.

DIGIPREDICT: physiological, behavioural and environmental predictors of asthma attacks-a prospective observational study using digital markers and artificial intelligence-study protocol.

Introduction: Asthma attacks are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality but are preventable in most if detected and treated promptly. However, the changes that occur physiologically and behaviourally in the days and weeks preceding an attack are not always recognised, highlighting a potential role for technology. The aim of this study 'DIGIPREDICT' is to identify early digital markers of asthma attacks using sensors embedded in smart devices including watches and inhalers, and leverage health and environmental datasets and artificial intelligence, to develop a risk prediction model to provide an early, personalised warning of asthma attacks.

Protein Intake and Physical Activity Levels as Determinants of Sarcopenia Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Community screening for sarcopenia is complex, with barriers including access to specialized equipment and trained staff to conduct body composition, strength and function assessment. In the current study, self-reported dietary protein intake and physical activity (PA) in adults ≥65 years was assessed relative to sarcopenia risk, as determined by body composition, strength and physical function assessments, consistent with the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) definition. Of those screened ( = 632), 92 participants (77% female) were assessed as being at high risk of developing sarcopenia on the basis of dietary protein intake ≤1 g∙kg∙day [0.