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Perceptions of deployment of Australian Army reservists by their employers

Orme GJ, Kehoe J

Mil Med, 2012 Aug;177(8):894-900.
PMID: 22934366

The views and concerns of the employers of reservists sent on overseas deployments are largely unknown. A survey was conducted of 126 Australian employers who participated in Exercise Boss Lift sponsored by the Australian Defence Force, which involved a visit to their employees deployed on overseas service in the Solomon Islands and Malaysia during the period 2006-2010. Employers reported a substantial number of positive aspects of reservist deployment for both their enterprise and the individual reservist employee, including an increase in leadership, teamwork, skills, maturity, and confidence. There were 40% fewer reported negatives, which primarily concerned the costs associated with the absence of an important employee. The employers expressed needs for greater information regarding dates of absence of their reservist employee and assistance from the ADF to enable them to enhance the overall deployment. Importantly, employers sought confirmation of ways to effectively manage the transition of their reservist from military service back to their civilian roles. Some employers offered to act as advocates.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia
Nonhuman Primate Models for Nipah and Hendra Virus Countermeasure Evaluation

Mire CE, Satterfield BA, Geisbert TW

Methods Mol Biol, 2023;2682:159-173.
PMID: 37610581 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3283-3_12

Hendra and Nipah viruses are henipaviruses that have caused lethal human disease in Australia and Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines, respectively. These viruses are considered Category C pathogens by the US Centers for Disease Control. Nipah virus was recently placed on the World Health Organization Research and Development Blueprint Roadmaps for vaccine and therapeutic development. Given the infrequent and unpredictable nature of henipavirus outbreaks licensure of vaccines and therapeutics will likely require an animal model to demonstrate protective efficacy against henipavirus disease. Studies have shown that nonhuman primates are the most accurate model of human henipavirus disease and would be an important component of any application for licensure of a vaccine or antiviral drug under the US FDA Animal Rule. Nonhuman primate model selection and dosing are discussed regarding vaccine and therapeutic studies against henipaviruses.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia
Bioactive α,β-conjugated 3-keto-steroids from the Australian brown alga Cystophora xiphocarpa

Holland I, Bakri YM, Sakoff J, Zaleta Pinet D, Motti C, van Altena I

Phytochemistry, 2021 Aug;188:112798.
PMID: 34020274 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112798

As part of our ongoing study of the specialised metabolites present in brown algae belonging to the Cystophora genus, eight new steroids including three pairs of diastereoisomers were isolated from Cystophora xiphocarpa (Harvey) (Sargassacea, Fucales). The metabolites identified by standard spectrometric methods are (16S,22S)-16,22-dihydroxyergosta-4,24(28)-dien-3-one and (16S,22R)-16,22-dihydroxyergosta-4,24(28)-dien-3-one, (16S,22S,24R)-16,22,24-trihydroxyporifera-4,28-dien-3-one and (16S,22S,24S)-16,22,24-trihydroxystigma-4,28-dien-3-one along with (16S,22S,24E)-16,22-dihydroxystigma-4,24(28)-dien-3-one and (16S,20S)-16,20-dihydroxyergosta-4,24(28)-dien-3-one. (16S,22S,24E)-16,22-Dihydroxystigma-4,24(28)-dien-3-one possessed the most potent cytotoxicity of the steroids in this series with cell growth inhibitions of GI50 8.7 ± 0.7 μM against colon cancer HT29, GI50 5.6 ± 0.8 μM against the breast cancer line MCF-7 and GI50 4.5 ± 0.2 μM against the ovarian cancer cell line A2780. (16S,22R)-16,22-dihydroxyergosta-4,24(28)-dien-3-one was found to be active against the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 with a GI50 of 6.2 ± 0.1 μM.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia
Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Sarcopenia and Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults: Recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) Expert Working Group

Daly RM, Iuliano S, Fyfe JJ, Scott D, Kirk B, Thompson MQ, et al.

J Nutr Health Aging, 2022;26(6):637-651.
PMID: 35718874 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-022-1801-0

Sarcopenia and frailty are highly prevalent conditions in older hospitalized patients, which are associated with a myriad of adverse clinical outcomes. This paper, prepared by a multidisciplinary expert working group from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR), provides an up-to-date overview of current evidence and recommendations based on a narrative review of the literature for the screening, diagnosis, and management of sarcopenia and frailty in older patients within the hospital setting. It also includes suggestions on potential pathways to implement change to encourage widespread adoption of these evidence-informed recommendations within hospital settings. The expert working group concluded there was insufficient evidence to support any specific screening tool for sarcopenia and recommends an assessment of probable sarcopenia/sarcopenia using established criteria for all older (≥65 years) hospitalized patients or in younger patients with conditions (e.g., comorbidities) that may increase their risk of sarcopenia. Diagnosis of probable sarcopenia should be based on an assessment of low muscle strength (grip strength or five times sit-to-stand) with sarcopenia diagnosis including low muscle mass quantified from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis or in the absence of diagnostic devices, calf circumference as a proxy measure. Severe sarcopenia is represented by the addition of impaired physical performance (slow gait speed). All patients with probable sarcopenia or sarcopenia should be investigated for causes (e.g., chronic/acute disease or malnutrition), and treated accordingly. For frailty, it is recommended that all hospitalized patients aged 70 years and older be screened using a validated tool [Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Hospital Frailty Risk Score, the FRAIL scale or the Frailty Index]. Patients screened as positive for frailty should undergo further clinical assessment using the Frailty Phenotype, Frailty Index or information collected from a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). All patients identified as frail should receive follow up by a health practitioner(s) for an individualized care plan. To treat older hospitalized patients with probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, or frailty, it is recommended that a structured and supervised multi-component exercise program incorporating elements of resistance (muscle strengthening), challenging balance, and functional mobility training be prescribed as early as possible combined with nutritional support to optimize energy and protein intake and correct any deficiencies. There is insufficient evidence to recommend pharmacological agents for the treatment of sarcopenia or frailty. Finally, to facilitate integration of these recommendations into hospital settings organization-wide approaches are needed, with the Spread and Sustain framework recommended to facilitate organizational culture change, with the help of 'champions' to drive these changes. A multidisciplinary team approach incorporating awareness and education initiatives for healthcare professionals is recommended to ensure that screening, diagnosis and management approaches for sarcopenia and frailty are embedded and sustained within hospital settings. Finally, patients and caregivers' education should be integrated into the care pathway to facilitate adherence to prescribed management approaches for sarcopenia and frailty.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia
Fulltext Chronic hydatid cyst in malaysia: a rare occurence

Suria Hayati MP, Boon Teck Eugene C, Jan Jin B, Mohd Rose I

Malays J Med Sci, 2015 Jan-Feb;22(1):79-83.
PMID: 25892954 MyJurnal

Hydatid cysts are not endemic in Malaysia and are rarely seen. We hereby report a case of hydatid cyst of the liver in a 55-year-old Chinese-Australian lady who presented with a calcified liver cyst and negative hydatid serology. A liver segmentectomy was performed and revealed a well-circumscribed, calcified liver cyst containing only creamy whitish material without the typical daughter cyst. A histological examination revealed different layers of the cyst wall and the presence of loose, calcified scolices without a daughter cyst. The case highlights the importance of considering hydatid cyst in the differential diagnosis of liver cyst even in non-endemic areas, as the ease of travelling and migration allows the condition to be seen outside the endemic region.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia
Effectiveness of a food literacy and positive feeding practices program for parents of 0 to 5 years olds in Western Australia

Tartaglia J, Jancey J, Scott JA, Dhaliwal SS, Begley A

Health Promot J Austr, 2024 Apr;35(2):263-275.
PMID: 37160723 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.742

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Lifelong eating behaviours are established in childhood. Improving parents' food literacy skills is essential, as parents play a fundamental role in establishing their children's healthy eating behaviours and preferences for nutritious food. This paper describes the development and evaluation of an innovative program that combines food literacy with positive parent feeding practices, targeting parents in disadvantaged areas of Western Australia.
METHODS: The Food Sensations® for Parents five-week program was delivered to participants from community-based parenting organisations during 2020 and 2021. Formative research and a pre-post evaluation design were adopted.
RESULTS: Pre- and post-evaluation data were collected from 224 participants (96% female). There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean score for 13 food literacy behaviours, 10 positive parenting feeding practices and a mean increase in parents' daily vegetable intake of 1/3 serve. Participants reported significantly greater net improvements in food literacy behaviours than feeding practices, the largest being the Use a nutrition information panel to make food choices (33.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found English as a first language, being older than 35, and from a higher Socio-Economic Index for Areas resulted in a higher likelihood of positive changes in behaviours and practices.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the program is effective in improving the frequency of use of food literacy behaviours, positive parenting feeding practices and increasing vegetable consumption. SO WHAT?: Analysing improvements in food literacy behaviours and feeding practices provides clarity on what change can be expected with a five-week parent program.

Matched MeSH terms: Western Australia
Malaysia. Malaysia tries to follow Australia's path

Science, 2014 Jul 11;345(6193):164-5.
PMID: 25013064 DOI: 10.1126/science.345.6193.164
Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Field Worker Evaluation of Dengue Vector Surveillance Methods: Factors That Determine Perceived Ease, Difficulty, Value, and Time Effectiveness in Australia and Malaysia

Azil AH, Ritchie SA, Williams CR

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Oct;27(7):705-14.
PMID: 25186807 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514548760

This qualitative study aimed to describe field worker perceptions, evaluations of worth, and time costs of routine dengue vector surveillance methods in Cairns (Australia), Kuala Lumpur and Petaling District (Malaysia). In Cairns, the BG-Sentinel trap is a favored method for field workers because of its user-friendliness, but is not as cost-efficient as the sticky ovitrap. In Kuala Lumpur, the Mosquito Larvae Trapping Device is perceived as a solution for the inaccessibility of premises to larval surveys. Nonetheless, the larval survey method is retained in Malaysia for prompt detection of dengue vectors. For dengue vector surveillance to be successful, there needs to be not only technical, quantitative evaluations of method performance but also an appreciation of how amenable field workers are to using particular methods. Here, we report novel field worker perceptions of dengue vector surveillance methods in addition to time analysis for each method.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Environmental risk factors in inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based case-control study in Asia-Pacific

Ng SC, Tang W, Leong RW, Chen M, Ko Y, Studd C, et al.

Gut, 2015 Jul;64(7):1063-71.
PMID: 25217388 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-307410

The rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Asia supports the importance of environmental risk factors in disease aetiology. This prospective population-based case-control study in Asia-Pacific examined risk factors prior to patients developing IBD.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Fulltext Assessing the threat of chikungunya virus emergence in Australia

Viennet E, Knope K, Faddy HM, Williams CR, Harley D

Commun Dis Intell Q Rep, 2013 Jun;37(2):E136-43.
PMID: 24168087

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a major threat to Australia given the distribution of competent vectors, and the large number of travellers returning from endemic regions. We describe current knowledge of CHIKV importations into Australia, and quantify reported viraemic cases, with the aim of facilitating the formulation of public health policy and ensuring maintenance of blood safety.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Risk factors and aetiology of cerebral infarction in young adults: a comparative study between Malaysia and Australia

Tan KS, Tan CT, Churilov L, MacKay MT, Donnan GA

Int J Stroke, 2010 Oct;5(5):428-30.
PMID: 20854631 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2010.00478.x
Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Fulltext Human melioidosis reported by ProMED

Nasner-Posso KM, Cruz-Calderón S, Montúfar-Andrade FE, Dance DA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ

Int J Infect Dis, 2015 Jun;35:103-6.
PMID: 25975651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.05.009

OBJECTIVE: There are limited sources describing the global burden of emerging diseases. A review of human melioidosis reported by ProMED was performed and the reliability of the data retrieved assessed in comparison to published reports. The effectiveness of ProMED was evaluated as a source of epidemiological data by focusing on melioidosis.
METHODS: Using the keyword 'melioidosis' in the ProMED search engine, all of the information from the reports and collected data was reviewed using a structured form, including the year, country, gender, occupation, number of infected individuals, and number of fatal cases.
RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four entries reported between January 1995 and October 2014 were identified. A total of 4630 cases were reported, with death reported in 505 cases, suggesting a misleadingly low overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 11%. Of 20 cases for which the gender was reported, 12 (60%) were male. Most of the cases were reported from Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, with sporadic reports from other countries.
CONCLUSIONS: Internet-based reporting systems such as ProMED are useful to gather information and synthesize knowledge on emerging infections. Although certain areas need to be improved, ProMED provided good information about melioidosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Epidemiological data on pneumococcal infections in Asian countries

Jamal F

Vaccine, 1999 Jul 30;17 Suppl 1:S75-8.
PMID: 10471186
Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Taxonomy of Trichinella and the epidemiology of infection in the Southeast Asia and Australian regions

Pozio E

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2001;32 Suppl 2:129-32.
PMID: 12041576

Seven species belonging to the Trichinella genus (five with encapsulated larvae and two with non-encapsulated larvae in host muscles) and three additional genotypes have been described to date: T. spiralis (genotype T1), a cosmopolitan species with a high infectivity to swine and rats; T. nativa (T2), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in arctic and subarctic areas of the Holarctic region, and its related genotype (Trichinella T6), detected in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and Ontario; T. britovi (T3), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in temperate areas of Europe and Asia, and its related genotypes Trichinella T9 in Japan and Trichinella T8 in South Africa and Namibia; T. murrelli (T5), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in temperate areas of the USA; T. nelsoni (T7), etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis in Africa south of the Sahara; T. pseudospiralis (T4), a non-encapsulated cosmopolitan species infecting both mammals and birds; and T. papuae (T10), a recently discovered non-encapsulated species in sylvatic swine of Papua New Guinea. In the Southeast Asia and Australian regions, T. spiralis, T. pseudospiralis and T. papuae have been detected in sylvatic and domestic animals and in humans. A focus of human trichinellosis due to T. papuae was recently discovered in Papua New Guinea, with a prevalence of 28.9%. Trichinellosis has also been documented in domestic animals and/or humans in Cambodia, Indonesia (Bali and Sumatra), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and New Zealand, and in wildlife of Tasmania.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Phylogenetic analysis of enterovirus 71 strains isolated during linked epidemics in Malaysia, Singapore, and Western Australia

McMinn P, Lindsay K, Perera D, Chan HM, Chan KP, Cardosa MJ

J Virol, 2001 Aug;75(16):7732-8.
PMID: 11462047

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a frequent cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) epidemics associated with severe neurological sequelae in a small proportion of cases. There has been a significant increase in EV71 epidemic activity throughout the Asia-Pacific region since 1997. Recent HFMD epidemics in this region have been associated with a severe form of brainstem encephalitis associated with pulmonary edema and high case fatality rates. In this study, we show that four genetic lineages of EV71 have been prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997, including two previously undescribed genogroups (B3 and B4). Furthermore, we show that viruses belonging to genogroups B3 and B4 have circulated endemically in Southeast Asia during this period and have been the primary cause of several large HFMD or encephalitis epidemics in Malaysia, Singapore, and Western Australia.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Birth defects in the offspring of non-Caucasian, non-Indigenous women in Western Australia

Kwon S, Bower C, English D

Birth Defects Res. Part A Clin. Mol. Teratol., 2003 Jul;67(7):515-21.
PMID: 14565623

Birth defects in infants born to non-Caucasian, non-Indigenous mothers in Australia have not been described in detail previously.

Matched MeSH terms: Western Australia/epidemiology
Do the Chinese somatize depression? A cross-cultural study

Parker G, Cheah YC, Roy K

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2001 Jun;36(6):287-93.
PMID: 11583458

A large literature argues for the Chinese--whether in mainland China or elsewhere--being highly likely to express depression somatically, leading to predictable detection and diagnostic difficulties. If true, detection might be assisted if a set of somatic proxies of depression were identified, and this was the principal initial objective in mounting this study.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Menangle and Nipah virus infections of pigs

Kirkland PD, Daniels PW, Nor MN, Love RJ, Philbey AW, Ross AD

Vet. Clin. North Am. Food Anim. Pract., 2002 Nov;18(3):557-71, ix.
PMID: 12442583

Viruses belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae generally have not been recognized as a significant cause of disease in pigs until recently. Between 1997 and 1999, there were large outbreaks of disease in pigs in Australia and Malaysia due to infection with viruses that have been shown to be new members of the Paramyxoviridae family. This article reviews current knowledge of Menangle and Nipah virus infections in pigs, the only major species of domestic animals to experience serious disease after infection with these viruses.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Kunjin virus: an Australian variant of West Nile?

Hall RA, Scherret JH, Mackenzie JS

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2001 Dec;951:153-60.
PMID: 11797773

Kunjin (KUN) is a flavivirus in the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex that was first isolated from Culex annulirostris mosquitoes captured in northern Australia in 1960. It is the etiological agent of a human disease characterized by febrile illness with rash or mild encephalitis and, occasionally, of a neurological disease in horses. KUN virus shares a similar epidemiology and ecology with the closely related Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus, the major causative agent of arboviral encephalitis in Australia. Based on traditional antigenic methods, KUN was initially found to be similar to, but distinct from, reference strains of West Nile (WN) virus and designated as a new species. However, more recent phylogenic analyses have revealed that some strains of WN virus, including the isolates from New York, are more similar to KUN virus and form a separate lineage to other WN viruses. An unusual KUN isolate from Malaysia and the African virus Koutango appear to form additional lineages within the WN group of viruses. While these findings are in agreement with the Seventh Report of the International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses that designates KUN as a subtype of West Nile, they also suggest that the species should be further subdivided into additional subtypes.

Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology
Global programme on AIDS. AIDS surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region

Wkly. Epidemiol. Rec., 1993 Dec 10;68(50):371-5.
PMID: 8305295
Matched MeSH terms: Australia/epidemiology

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