Australians' Well-Being and Resilience During COVID-19: The Role of Trust, Misinformation, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Locus of Control.

: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian state and federal governments enacted boarder closures, social distancing measures, and lockdowns. By the end of October 2020, the 112-day lockdown in the Australian state of Victoria was the longest continuous lockdown period internationally. Previous studies have examined how the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions have affected Australians' mental health and well-being; however, less is known about the relationship between psychological variables and well-being.

Stereotactic Body Therapy for Urologic Cancers-What the Urologist Needs to Know.

Background: stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is a disruptive radiation therapy technique which is increasingly used for the treatment of urologic cancers. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview on the current landscape of SABR in urologic cancers and highlight advancements on the horizon.

Methods: a narrative review of the contemporary role of SABR in urologic cancers is conducted.

Advanced Dynamic Centre of Pressure Diagnostics with Smart Insoles: Comparison of Diabetic and Healthy Persons for Diagnosing Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Although diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) has a very high prevalence among people with diabetes, gait analysis using cyclograms is very limited, and cyclogram research, in general, is limited to standard measures available in software packages. In this study, cyclograms (movements of the centre of pressure, COP, on and between the plantar surfaces) of diabetics and healthy individuals recorded with a smart insole were compared in terms of geometry and balance index, BI. The latter was calculated as the summed product of standard deviations of cyclogram markers, i.

An Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Anxiety and Depression in Children: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of BEST-Foundations.

Background/objectives: Parent-child attachment and family relationships have been identified as risk factors for childhood internalising symptoms such as anxiety and depressive symptoms. This mixed-methods evaluation examined the feasibility of a recently developed attachment-based family intervention, Behaviour Exchange Systems Therapy-Foundations (BEST-F), delivering 16 h of therapy over 8 weeks to treat internalising symptoms in children aged between 3 and 11 years.

Methods: The quantitative outcomes of this uncontrolled study of 17 families were based on the parent-reported Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) measure, completed at four-timepoints (baseline, pre-, post-intervention, and follow-up), while qualitative data were collected from interviews with participants at follow-up.

The Role of Caregivers in Promoting Connectedness in Youth with Mental Health Concerns.

Mental health concerns among youth represent a critical global public health issue. Research has found that youth with mental health concerns are often reliant on their caregivers while being isolated from peers. Guided by the recovery model of mental health care, this study investigates the often-overlooked role of caregivers in fostering 'connectedness' in youth; Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine caregivers of youth with mental health issue; Results: Thematic analysis underscored three tasks in the role of caregivers in promoting connectedness in youth: (a) understanding the nature and quality of social networks, (b) supporting readiness to engage in social relationships, and (c) promoting their youth's social problem solving and self-efficacy; Discussion: These tasks highlight the complex dialectics faced by caregivers in supporting youth recovery.

The Effect of Increasing the Body's Core Temperature and Improving Blood Flow by Using Far-Infrared Rays Emitted from Functional Loess Bio-Balls.

Background: Low-energy far-infrared rays (FIRs) are widely used in the treatment of wounds, lymphedema, and various vascular diseases, and various types of products that emit infrared rays are being used at home for patients with blood flow-related diseases without experimental evidence.

Methods: Blood flow and epidermal temperature were measured while applying conductive heat and FIRs via an electric mat (non-intervention) or a loess bio-ball mat (intervention).

Results: In the control group ( = 30), there was a minimal change in blood flow and epidermal temperature in the right and left middle fingers (LMF, RMF) as the mat temperature gradually increased.

Do Medical Graduates from a Rural Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship Work in Similar Rural Communities?

(1) Background: Medical graduates who have undertaken longitudinal rural training have consistently been found to be more likely to become rural doctors and work in primary care settings. A limitation of such findings is the heterogeneous nature of rural medical education and contested views of what constitutes 'rurality', especially as it is often reported as a binary concept (rural compared to metropolitan). To address the identified gaps in workforce outcomes for rural medical training and to demonstrate accountability to the communities we serve, we investigated whether Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) graduates are practicing in communities with similar rural classification to those where they trained.

Promoting Healthy Aging for Older People Living with Chronic Disease by Implementing Community Health Programs: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases could be mitigated by expanding community programs. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of delivering a community wellness program for older adults living with chronic disease. A two-group randomized controlled study, with blinded assessments, enrolling adults (≥50 years) with chronic disease, was conducted at a Western Australian community hub.

Gender, Mental Health Stigma, and Help-Seeking in Arabic- and Swahili-Speaking Communities in Australia.

Australia is an ethnically diverse nation with large numbers of migrants and refugees entering the country yearly. Despite research demonstrating that individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities experience an elevated risk of developing a mental illness, mental health services uptake is consistently low. To improve the mental health outcomes of these CaLD individuals in Australia, there is an urgent need to understand barriers to treatment, such as stigma.

Developing Pre-Implementation Strategies for a Co-Designed, Technology-Assisted Parenting Intervention Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) Approach.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major risk factor for mental disorders in children. Parenting interventions can mitigate the impact of family-level ACEs and subsequently improve young people's mental health. However, a substantial research-to-practice gap hinders access to, and uptake of, available interventions.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals Among University Students in Seven Cities in Southern and Central China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The misuse of antibiotics in both humans and food-producing animals poses significant risks to human health and contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance. Raising public awareness is crucial to managing antibiotic resistance, particularly among university students, as they represent a future force in tackling this global issue. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to May 2024 in seven cities in Southern and Central China to assess university students' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding antibiotic use in humans and food-producing animals.

COCHLEA: Longitudinal Cognitive Performance of Older Adults with Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implants at 4.5-Year Follow-Up.

Objectives: Hearing loss is highly prevalent in older adults and is independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Cochlear implants are usually the only effective treatment for people with severe-profound hearing loss, who have the highest risk of cognitive decline and dementia, however, very few receive them. Current evidence of the effects of cochlear implant use on cognitive decline/dementia outcomes is limited and unclear.

The Impact of Dexamphetamine Treatment for Obesity on Executive Function: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Pilot Study.

Background: Amphetamines increase dopamine levels in mid-brain regions which, in turn, impact top-down executive function. Repeated exposure is linked to substance use disorders. Nonetheless, amphetamines are used to manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and eating-related disorders.

Circadian Intervention Improves Parkinson's Disease and May Slow Disease Progression: A Ten Year Retrospective Study.

Background: The involvement of the circadian system in the etiology and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) is becoming an increasingly important topic. The prodromal symptoms of PD include insomnia, fatigue, depression and sleep disturbance which herald the onset of the primary symptoms of bradykinesia, tremor and rigidity while robbing patients of their quality of life. Light treatment (LT) has been implemented for modifying circadian function in PD but few studies have examined its use in a protracted term that characterizes PD itself.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Biomarker of Illness State in Bipolar Disorder: A Critical Review.

Mitochondria are organelles involved in different cellular functions, especially energy production. A relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder (BD), has been reported in the scientific literature, which suggests altered energy production and higher levels of oxidative stress compared to healthy controls. Specifically, in BD, the hypothesis of a biphasic pattern of energy availability has been postulated according to mood states.

Exploring Causal Associations Between Serum Inflammatory Markers and Female Reproductive Disorders: A Mendelian Randomisation Study.

Although inflammation may disrupt immunoendocrine crosstalk essential for female reproductive function, causal links to disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis remain unestablished. This study aimed to utilise Mendelian randomisation (MR) methods to explore causal associations between serum inflammatory markers and common reproductive disorders, aiming to identify novel mechanisms and potential avenues for treatment. Total causal effects of serum inflammatory markers (interleukins, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, etc.

Microbeam Radiation Therapy Bio-Dosimetry Enhanced by Novel Radiosensitiser Combinations in the Treatment of Brain Cancer.

: Brain cancer is notoriously resistant to traditional treatments, including radiotherapy. Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), arrays of ultra-fast synchrotron X-ray beams tens of micrometres wide (called peaks) and spaced hundreds of micrometres apart (valleys), is an effective alternative to conventional treatments. MRT's advantage is that normal tissues can be spared from harm whilst maintaining tumour control.

Interleukin-6 Modulation in Ovarian Cancer Necessitates a Targeted Strategy: From the Approved to Emerging Therapies.

Despite significant advances in treatments, ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal gynecological cancers in women. The frequent detection at the advanced stages has contributed to low survival rates, resistance to various treatments, and disease recurrence. Thus, a more effective approach is warranted to combat OC.

Pan-Cancer Insights: A Study of Microbial Metabolite Receptors in Malignancy Dynamics.

Background/objectives: The role of the gut microbiome in cancer biology has become an increasingly prominent area of research, particularly regarding the role of microbial metabolites and their receptors (MMRs). These metabolites, through the various gut-organ axes, have been proven to influence several pathogenetic mechanisms. This study conducted a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of MMR transcriptomic profiles across twenty-three cancer types, exploring the mechanisms through which they can influence cancer development and progression.

Loneliness and Social Isolation of Older Adults and Quality of Dyadic Relationships with Migrant Domestic Workers: A Mixed-Method Study.

Loneliness among older individuals is widespread globally, leading to increasing public health and policy concerns. Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) offer continuous services for older adults worldwide, recompensing for dwindling support from family members. The study objectives were to explain how the quality of dyadic relationships with MDWs is associated with older adults' loneliness and further explore older adults' perceived experiences of care by MDWs.

The Detoxification Effects of Melatonin on Aflatoxin-Caused Toxic Effects and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms.

Aflatoxins (AFTs) are a form of mycotoxins mainly produced by and , which are common contaminants in various agricultural sources such as feed, milk, food, and grain crops. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic one among all AFTs. AFB1 undergoes bioactivation into AFB1-8,9-epoxide, then leads to diverse harmful effects such as neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, nephrotoxicity, and immunotoxicity, with specific molecular mechanisms varying in different pathologies.

An In Silico Investigation of the Pathogenic G151R G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K Channel 4 Variant to Identify Small Molecule Modulators.

Primary aldosteronism is characterised by the excessive production of aldosterone, which is a key regulator of salt metabolism, and is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Studies have investigated the association between primary aldosteronism and genetic alterations, with pathogenic mutations being identified. This includes a glycine-to-arginine substitution at position 151 (G151R) of the G protein-activated inward rectifier potassium (K) channel 4 (GIRK4), which is encoded by the gene.

Effects of Dietary Bromide, Magnesium and Tryptophan and Immunocastration on Growth Performance and Behaviour of Entire Male Pigs.

The growth of boars may be inhibited because of aggressive and/or sexual activity. Dietary Br, Mg and tryptophan (Trp) as well as immunocastration may reduce these behaviours. In Experiment 1, 200 boars and 40 barrows were allocated to six groups of four pens of 10 pigs per treatment.

The Ideal Canine Companion: Re-Exploring Australian Perspectives on Ideal Characteristics for Companion Dogs.

Defining the ideal characteristics of canine companions is imperative to those seeking to improve human-dog relationships. Previous investigations into the preferred traits of companion dogs were conducted before substantial recent events, such as the rise of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered human lifestyles and potentially affected canine preferences and owner satisfaction. This study surveyed Australian adults ( = 337) online to assess these shifts.