Repurposing Licensed Drugs with Activity Against Epstein-Barr Virus for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Approach.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as a necessary factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may also be a driver of disease activity. Although it is not clear whether ongoing viral replication is the driver for MS pathology, MS researchers have considered the prospect of using drugs with potential efficacy against EBV in the treatment of MS. We have undertaken scientific and lived experience expert panel reviews to shortlist existing licensed therapies that could be used in later-stage clinical trials in MS.

Parental Somatic Mosaicism Detected During Prenatal Diagnosis.

Objective: Accurate recurrence risks are essential for genomic counselling and parental reproductive choices. Historically, Sanger sequencing was used to test parental samples, which has a limited sensitivity of ∼ 10% for detecting somatic mosaicism. Next generation sequencing (NGS) methods, utilised for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) and trio prenatal exome sequencing in our laboratory, have greater sensitivity.

Demonstration of a container-less method for investigating high-temperature alloy properties using ED-XRD.

As new alloys are being developed for additive manufacturing (AM) applications, questions related to the temperature-dependent structural and compositional stability of these alloys remain. In this work, the benefits and limitations of a unique method for testing this stability are presented. This system employs the use of polychromatic synchrotron light to perform energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction (ED-XRD) on an electrostatically levitated sample at high temperatures.

Exploring bias risks in artificial intelligence and targeted medicines manufacturing.

Background: Though artificial intelligence holds great value for healthcare, it may also amplify health inequalities through risks of bias. In this paper, we explore bias risks in targeted medicines manufacturing. Targeted medicines manufacturing refers to the act of making medicines targeted to individual patients or to subpopulations of patients within a general group, which can be achieved, for example, by means of cell and gene therapies.

Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on international student wellbeing in Australia.

Issue Addressed: International students are at a heightened risk of experiencing negative health and wellbeing outcomes, which was further exacerbated during the COVID-19 lockdowns. This research sought to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of international students in Australia.

Methods: Thirty-one international students participated in qualitative in-depth interviews between March and April 2022 to explore their experiences of health and wellbeing during 2020-2021 while they lived and studied in Australia.

Vibrational study of CO, O, and H Adsorbed on the CoCrFeNi (110) High Entropy Alloy Surface.

The vibrational properties of CO, O, and H molecularly or dissociatively adsorbed on a CoCrFeNi(110) surface have been probed using high-resolution energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and modeled using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Large (∼20 mm) single-crystal, quaternary face-centered cubic CoCrFeNi was synthesized via a modified Czochralski technique. We show strong evidence that CO adsorbs primarily on bridge and on-top sites in compositionally varied local environments, which reflect the random, multielemental surface composition inherent in a high entropy alloy.

Views and preferences of food-insecure pregnant women regarding food insecurity screening and support within routine antenatal care.

Background: Food insecurity is a public health concern that has profound impact on physical and mental health, and on social well-being. Pregnancy is a period in which food insecurity is likely to be particularly deleterious, due to the serious impact on both mother and child. Food insecurity is not routinely screened in antenatal healthcare settings, and the preferences of pregnant women regarding food insecurity screening and support are poorly understood.

Digital Apps to Improve Mobility in Adults with Neurological Conditions: A Health App-Focused Systematic Review.

The provision of mobility exercises through a smartphone application (app) for people undertaking neurological rehabilitation may improve mobility outcomes. However, it is difficult for clinicians and consumers to select high-quality, appropriate apps. This review aimed to identify (1) which mobile health (mHealth) apps are suitable for prescribing mobility exercises for adults with neurological health conditions, (2) how well these apps incorporate telehealth strategies, and (3) how well these apps rate in terms of quality and capacity for behaviour change.

Cultural food practices and sources of nutrition information among pregnant and postpartum migrant women from low- and middle-income countries residing in high income countries: A systematic review.

Women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may engage in a range of cultural food practices during pregnancy, including restricting or avoiding foods high in protein and iron, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals. While research has explored the cultural food practices of pregnant women in LMICs, there is less understanding of the continued cultural food practices of women who migrate to high-income countries and then become pregnant. This systematic review explores the existing research on cultural food practices and sources of nutrition information among pregnant and postpartum migrant women from LMICs, residing in high-income countries.

Assessing the Quality and Behavior Change Potential of Vaping Cessation Apps: Systematic Search and Assessment.

Background: An increasing number of people are using vapes (e-cigarettes), and with growing evidence of associated harms, there is a need for acceptable cessation support and interventions. Smartphone apps for health and well-being have increased in popularity and use. Limited published literature assesses the potential of apps to support vaping cessation.

Barriers and enablers to antenatal care attendance for women referred to social work services in a Victorian regional hospital: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Women referred to social work services during pregnancy are more likely to experience social disadvantage than those who are not, resulting in reduced antenatal care attendance. Lack of antenatal care engagement leads to poor identification and management of concerns that can have immediate and long-term health consequences for women and their babies. Identifying the barriers and enablers to antenatal care attendance for women referred to social work services is important for designing models of care that promote effective engagement.

Cross-cultural food practices and nutrition seeking behaviors among pregnant and postpartum Indian women living in Australia.

No research has explored the experiences of Indian women who become pregnant after they migrate to Australia, and how their existing traditions mix with their new environment and subsequently impact eating patterns. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven women of Indian heritage who were living in Australia, and data were thematically analyzed. The researchers identified two main themes were identified (a) foods to eat and which to avoid, and (b) support networks and sources of health information during pregnancy.

The value of standards for health datasets in artificial intelligence-based applications.

Artificial intelligence as a medical device is increasingly being applied to healthcare for diagnosis, risk stratification and resource allocation. However, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the risk of algorithmic bias, which may perpetuate existing health inequity. This problem arises in part because of systemic inequalities in dataset curation, unequal opportunity to participate in research and inequalities of access.

Could commercial meal kits be part of the solution to food insecurity during pregnancy? An Australian exploratory study.

Aim: To explore the nutritional content of meal kits from two main Australian companies over a 6-week period against healthy eating guidelines for pregnancy.

Method: Across the 6-week period, weekly meal kits from both Provider 1 and Provider 2 were purchased, 36 individual meals were assessed. All data were analysed for the development of a macronutrient and micronutrient profile of meals.

How, why and for whom does a basic income contribute to health and wellbeing: a systematic review.

Ensuring that people have a sufficient income to meet their basic needs and that it keeps pace with costs of living are important when considering ways to reduce health inequities. Many have argued that providing a basic income is one way to do this. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the existing peer reviewed evidence on the health and wellbeing impacts of basic income interventions.

Antenatal healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding food insecurity in pregnancy: A qualitative investigation based at a specialist antenatal hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Food insecurity exists when accessibility and availability of nutritious food is restricted, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to food insecurity, which is concerning as optimal nutrition to support both their own health and the health and growth of their unborn child is critical. Antenatal healthcare providers (AHPs) are central to provision of pregnancy care.

Democratising or disrupting diagnosis? Ethical issues raised by the use of AI tools for rare disease diagnosis.

Computational phenotyping (CP) technology uses facial recognition algorithms to classify and potentially diagnose rare genetic disorders on the basis of digitised facial images. This AI technology has a number of research as well as clinical applications, such as supporting diagnostic decision-making. Using the example of CP, we examine stakeholders' views of the benefits and costs of using AI as a diagnostic tool within the clinic.

Artificial intelligence and medical research databases: ethical review by data access committees.

Background: It has been argued that ethics review committees-e.g., Research Ethics Committees, Institutional Review Boards, etc.

Food insecurity screening procedures used in reproductive healthcare settings.

Context: Food insecurity is an important determinant of health and should be identified by clinicians during routine reproductive healthcare. The procedures used in reproductive healthcare settings to identify people experiencing food insecurity have not been fully researched.

Objective: The objective of this study was to synthesize evidence from published studies that describe the procedures implemented by clinicians in healthcare settings to identify food insecurity in pregnant women, or women of reproductive age (15 years-49 years).

Measuring Food Insecurity in India: A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence.

Purpose Of Review: India is home to an estimated 200 million malnourished people, suggesting widespread food insecurity. However, variations in the methods used for determining food insecurity status mean there is uncertainty in the data and severity of food insecurity across the country. This systematic review investigated the peer-reviewed literature examining food insecurity in India to identify both the breadth of research being conducted as well as the instruments used and the populations under study.

What's in a commercial meal kit? Structured review of Australian meal kits.

Objective: The aim of this project is to review the products and recipes contained within popular subscription meal kits to determine if they are suitable for wider use among people who are food insecure.

Design: Across the 6-week period, weekly meal kits from both HelloFresh and Markey Spoon were purchased, resulting in thirty-six individual meals that were prepared and assessed. Meals were assessed based on the content included in the meal kit compared with the recipe card and the nutrition panel, the costs of the individual foods if purchased at one of two major supermarkets and the ease of preparation.

The coping continuum and acts reciprocity - a qualitative enquiry about household coping with food insecurity in Victoria, Australia.

Objective: Food insecurity exists when a household has limited or uncertain access to food. This paper explores the strategies employed by households who are already accessing emergency and community food assistance to meet their food needs.

Method: Interviews to explore strategies used to mitigate food insecurity of people living in Victoria, Australia, between June 2018 and January 2019.