Cohort profile: the BABY1000 pilot prospective longitudinal birth cohort study based in Sydney, Australia.

Purpose: The health of parents prior to conception, a woman's health during pregnancy and the infant's environment across their first months and years collectively have profound effects on the child's health across the lifespan. Since there are very few cohort studies in early pregnancy, gaps remain in our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning these relationships, and how health may be optimised. 'BABY1000', a pilot prospective longitudinal birth cohort study, aims to (1) identify factors before and during pregnancy and early life that impact longer-term health and (2) assess the feasibility and acceptability of study design to inform future research.

Efficacy of two doses of external counterpulsation (ECP) on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized SHAM-controlled trial.

Aims: To determine the efficacy of two doses of external counterpulsation (ECP) on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and any persistent benefits 7 weeks following treatment.

Methods: 50 participants with T2D were randomly assigned to either 1) 20x45-minute ECP sessions over 7 weeks (ECP), 2) 20x30-minute ECP sessions over 7 weeks (ECP) or 3) SHAM control. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 7 weeks of the intervention and 7 weeks after the interventions finished.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Partial Meal Replacement Preconception Weight Loss Program for Women with Overweight and Obesity.

About half of Australian women have a body mass index in the overweight or obese range at the start of pregnancy, with serious consequences including preterm birth, gestational hypertension and diabetes, caesarean section, stillbirth, and childhood obesity. Trials to limit weight gain during pregnancy have had limited success and reducing weight before pregnancy has greater potential to improve outcomes. The PreBabe Pilot study was a randomised controlled pilot trial to assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential weight loss achieved using a commercial online partial meal replacement program, (MR) vs.

Maternal exposures and the infant gut microbiome: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Early life, including the establishment of the intestinal microbiome, represents a critical window of growth and development. Postnatal factors affecting the microbiome, including mode of delivery, feeding type, and antibiotic exposure have been widely investigated, but questions remain regarding the influence of exposures on infant gut microbiome assembly. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on exposures before birth, which affect the early intestinal microbiome.

The relationship between physical activity, and physical performance and psycho-cognitive functioning in older adults living in residential aged care facilities.

Objectives: Insight into modifiable factors related to falls risk in older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is necessary to tailor preventive strategies for this high-risk population. Associations between physical activity (PA), physical performance and psycho-cognitive functioning have been understudied in aged care residents. This study investigated associations between PA, and both physical performance and psycho-cognitive functioning in older adults living in RACFs.

Exertional dyspnea associated with chest wall strapping is reduced when external dead space substitutes for part of the exercise stimulus to ventilation.

Chest wall strapping has been used to assess mechanisms of dyspnea with restrictive lung disease. This study examined the hypothesis that dyspnea with restriction depends principally on the degree of reflex ventilatory stimulation. We compared dyspnea at the same (iso)ventilation when added dead space provided a component of the ventilatory stimulus during exercise.