Longitudinal analysis of relationships between social support and general health in an Australian population cohort of young women.

Purpose: The influence of social support on health and quality of life has been well documented. There is less evidence on whether health status affects social support, and little is known about longitudinal relationships between social support and health in early adulthood. This study investigates these associations using both concurrent and time-lagged measures at 5 time-points over 12 years during early adulthood.

The importance of the local environment in the transmission of respiratory syncytial virus.

The role of the environment in the spread of respiratory infections is poorly understood, and consequently probably underappreciated. To improve our understanding of the environmental drivers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission, we examined RSV seasonality in two settings with unusual seasonal patterns: The Gambia (where RSV epidemics occur at different times of the year) and Southeast Florida (where RSV seasonality differs from the rest of mainland USA). We used published data to correlate the seasonality of RSV with rainfall and child nutrition in the Gambia, and with rainfall and temperature in Florida.

Validation of the MOS Social Support Survey 6-item (MOS-SSS-6) measure with two large population-based samples of Australian women.

Purpose: This study aimed to validate a 6-item 1-factor global measure of social support developed from the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) for use in large epidemiological studies.

Methods: Data were obtained from two large population-based samples of participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. The two cohorts were aged 53-58 and 28-33 years at data collection (N = 10,616 and 8,977, respectively).

Efficacy of interventions to improve feeding difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Feeding difficulties are relatively common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but current evidence for their treatment is limited. This review systematically identifies, reviews and analyses the evidence for intervention in young children with ASD and feeding difficulties.

Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify studies from January 2000 to October 2013.

Magnetic resonance imaging/angiography and transcranial Doppler velocities in sickle cell anemia: results from the SWiTCH trial.

The Stroke With Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (SWiTCH) trial compared standard (transfusions/chelation) to alternative (hydroxyurea/phlebotomy) treatment to prevent recurrent stroke and manage iron overload in children chronically transfused over 7 years before enrollment. Standardized brain magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) exams were performed at entry and exit, with a central blinded review. A novel MRA vasculopathy grading scale demonstrated frequent severe baseline left/right vessel stenosis (53%/41% ≥Grade 4); 31% had no vessel stenosis on either side.

Health actions prompted by health assessments for people with intellectual disability exceed actions recorded in general practitioners' records.

People with intellectual disability experience inadequate health care and have unmet health needs that can go unidentified or be poorly managed. Health assessments have been shown to significantly increase short-term clinical activity for people with intellectual disability. The aim of this study was to more accurately quantify the effect of health assessments for people with intellectual disability by comparing health actions recorded in health assessment booklets to actions recorded in general practitioners' (GPs) records in the 12-month period following the health assessment.

Infant feeding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs predict antenatal intention among first-time mothers in Queensland.

Aim: This study assessed infant feeding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among women from Queensland, Australia, in their first pregnancy. Antenatal feeding intention in this group was described, and the hypothesis was tested that antenatal knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about infant feeding are associated with antenatal intention for the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding for the infant's first year.

Subjects And Methods: The Feeding Queensland Babies Study is a prospective survey of infant feeding attitudes and behaviors among first-time mothers in Queensland, Australia.

A new method for performing continuous manometry during pleural effusion drainage.

Background: Pleural manometry can predict the presence of trapped lung and guide large-volume thoracentesis. The current technique for pleural manometry transduces pressure from the needle or intercostal catheter, necessitating intermittent cessation of fluid drainage at the time of pressure recordings.

Objectives: To develop and validate a technique for performing continuous pleural manometry, where pressure is transduced from an epidural catheter that is passed through the drainage tube to sit within the pleural space.

The Emergency Triage Education Kit: improving paediatric triage.

Objectives: The Emergency Triage Education Kit (ETEK) was published in 2007. To date, the impact of ETEK has not been measured. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of ETEK on paediatric triage.

A systematic review of interventions aiming to improve involvement in physical activity among adults with intellectual disability.

Background: Evidence suggests that most adults with intellectual disability do not participate in sufficient amounts of physical activity (PA). A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies that reported an intervention aiming to improve PA levels of adults with intellectual disability was conducted.

Methods: Keywords related to intellectual disability and physical activity were used to search relevant databases.

Predictors of splenic function preservation in children with sickle cell anemia treated with hydroxyurea.

Background: More than 90% of children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) lose splenic function by the age of 2 yrs. Splenic function may improve with hydroxyurea, but previous studies are conflicting. We prospectively evaluated the effect of hydroxyurea on splenic filtrative function.

Efficacy and safety of eculizumab in children and adolescents with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Background: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is rare in children, but represents a similarly serious and chronic condition as in adults. Children with PNH frequently experience complications of chronic hemolysis, recurrent thrombosis, marrow failure, serious infections, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, and decreased quality of life with reduced survival. The terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab is proven to be effective and safe in adults and approved by the FDA for treatment of PNH.

Mastery motivation as a predictor of occupational performance following upper limb intervention for school-aged children with congenital hemiplegia.

Aim: To determine the extent to which children's mastery motivation predicts occupational performance outcomes following upper limb intervention (ULI).

Method: In this cohort study, participants received 45 hours of ULI, either in an intensive group-based or distributed individualized model. The Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ) measured mastery motivation at baseline.

Acellular pertussis vaccine effectiveness for children during the 2009-2010 pertussis epidemic in Queensland.

Unlabelled: OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of three, four and five doses of acellular pertussis vaccine against pertussis notification for children aged 1 - < 4 years and 5 - < 12 years, and the effectiveness of three doses of acellular pertussis vaccine against pertussis hospitalisation for children aged 1 - < 4 years.

Design, Setting And Participants: A population-based retrospective study of children aged 1 - < 12 years residing in Queensland, Australia, during 2009 and 2010. Routinely collected notification, hospitalisation, testing and vaccination data were used to describe notification rates and testing patterns and to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) by the screening method.

Framework for handling asbestos after a tidal surge.

The tidal surge associated with Tropical Cyclone Yasi--a category 5 system--on February 3, 2011, culminated in asbestos-containing material (ACM) becoming comingled with soil, sand, vegetation, and other debris in the communities of Tully Heads and Hull Heads in Queensland, Australia. The situation was a major concern and the area was deemed by the Queensland Government a priority due to the potential public health risk. The immediate challenge was that no agreed-upon operational framework existed between key response organizations for handling ACM after a tidal surge.

Assessing bias in a prospective study of diabetes that implemented substitution sampling as a recruitment strategy.

Objective: Strategies such as reminders are frequently used to maximize baseline recruitment and for this reason are collectively termed "usual practice." The objective of this study was to investigate substitution sampling as an alternative recruitment strategy.

Study Design And Settings: Data are from the Living with Diabetes Study, which is a prospective cohort study providing a comprehensive examination of health care utilization.

Using mathematical transmission modelling to investigate drivers of respiratory syncytial virus seasonality in children in the Philippines.

We used a mathematical transmission model to estimate when ecological drivers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmissibility would need to act in order to produce the observed seasonality of RSV in the Philippines. We estimated that a seasonal peak in transmissibility would need to occur approximately 51 days prior to the observed peak in RSV cases (range 49 to 67 days). We then compared this estimated seasonal pattern of transmissibility to the seasonal patterns of possible ecological drivers of transmissibility: rainfall, humidity and temperature patterns, nutritional status, and school holidays.

A school-based comprehensive lifestyle intervention among Chinese kids against Obesity (CLICK-Obesity) in Nanjing City, China: the baseline data.

Background: urgent development of effective interventions to prevent rapidly rising childhood obesity in China is needed.

Methods: Between May 2010 and December 2013, a cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted among 4th graders in eight urban primary schools randomly assigned to intervention or control groups in Nanjing, China. A multi-component intervention program was implemented within the treatment group, while students in the control group followed their usual health education curriculum without additional intervention.

Joint associations of physical activity and hypertension with the development of type 2 diabetes among urban men and women in Mainland China.

Background: Physical activity (PA) and hypertension (HTN) are important influences on the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the joint impact of PA and HTN on T2D development is unknown.

Methods: Two community-based prospective cohort studies, with the same protocols, instruments and questionnaires, were conducted among adults in urban areas of Nanjing, China, during 2004-2007 and 2007-2010.

Long-term azithromycin for Indigenous children with non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease (Bronchiectasis Intervention Study): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Indigenous children in high-income countries have a heavy burden of bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis. We aimed to establish whether long-term azithromycin reduced pulmonary exacerbations in Indigenous children with non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease.

Methods: Between Nov 12, 2008, and Dec 23, 2010, we enrolled Indigenous Australian, Maori, and Pacific Island children aged 1-8 years with either bronchiectasis or chronic suppurative lung disease into a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial.

Biological markers of stress in pediatric acute burn injury.

Background: Burns and their associated wound care procedures evoke significant stress and anxiety, particularly for children. Little is known about the body's physiological stress reactions throughout the stages of re-epithelialization following an acute burn injury. Previously, serum and urinary cortisol have been used to measure stress in burn patients, however these measures are not suitable for a pediatric burn outpatient setting.

School readiness of children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: To examine school readiness in preschool-age children with cerebral palsy (CP) on three of five domains compared with reported norms of children with typical development (CTD).

Method: A representative population of 151 preschool-age children with CP (87 males, 64 females; 131 [87%] with spasticity, 17 [11%] dyskinesia, 3 [4%] hypotonia) were assessed at 48 or 60 months corrected age. Children were functioning in the following Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels: I, 74 (49%); II, 17 (11%); III, 14 (9%); IV, 26 (17%); V, 20 (13%).

Nasal swab samples and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays in community-based, longitudinal studies of respiratory viruses: the importance of sample integrity and quality control.

Background: Carefully conducted, community-based, longitudinal studies are required to gain further understanding of the nature and timing of respiratory viruses causing infections in the population. However, such studies pose unique challenges for field specimen collection, including as we have observed the appearance of mould in some nasal swab specimens. We therefore investigated the impact of sample collection quality and the presence of visible mould in samples upon respiratory virus detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.