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Infection of Western Gray Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) with Australian arboviruses associated with human infection

- Gyawali, Narayan, Taylor-Robinson, Andrew, Bradbury, Richard, Potter, Abbey, Aaskov, John

  • Authors: Gyawali, Narayan , Taylor-Robinson, Andrew , Bradbury, Richard , Potter, Abbey , Aaskov, John
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Vol. 20, no. 1 (2020), p. 33-39
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  • Description: More than 75 arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) have been identified in Australia. While Alfuy virus (ALFV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV), Edge Hill virus (EHV), Kokobera virus (KOKV), Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Sindbis virus (SINV), Ross River virus (RRV), Stratford virus (STRV), and West Nile virus strain Kunjin (KUNV) have been associated with human infection, there remains a paucity of data regarding their respective transmission cycles and any potential nonhuman vertebrate hosts. It is likely that these viruses are maintained in zoonotic cycles involving native animals rather than solely by human-to-human transmission. A serosurvey (n = 100) was undertaken to determine the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against a panel of Australian arboviruses in western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) obtained from 11 locations in the midwest to southwest of Western Australia. Neutralizing antibodies against RRV were detected in 25%, against BFV in 14%, and antibodies to both viruses in 34% of serum samples. The prevalence of antibodies against these two viruses was the same in males and females, but higher in adult than in subadult kangaroos (p < 0.05). Twenty-one percent of samples had neutralizing antibodies against any one or more of the flaviviruses ALFV, EHV, KOKV, MVEV, and STRV. No neutralizing antibodies against SINV and KUNV were detected. If this sample of kangaroo sera was representative of the broader Australian population of macropods, it suggests that they are common hosts for RRV and BFV. The absence or low seroprevalence of antibodies against the remaining arboviruses suggests that they are not prevalent in the region or that kangaroos are not commonly infected with them. The detection of neutralizing antibodies to MVEV requires further investigation as this virus has not been identified previously so far south in Western Australia. © Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Genetic polymorphisms do not predict interindividual variability to cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the primary motor cortex

- Pellegrini, Michael, Zoghi, Maryam, Jaberzadeh, Shapour

  • Authors: Pellegrini, Michael , Zoghi, Maryam , Jaberzadeh, Shapour
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Brain Connectivity Vol. 11, no. 1 (2021), p. 56-72
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  • Description: Introduction: High variability between individuals (i.e., interindividual variability) in response to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has become a commonly reported issue in the tDCS literature in recent years. Inherent genetic differences between individuals have been proposed as a contributing factor to observed response variability. This study investigated whether tDCS interindividual variability was genetically mediated. Methods: A large sample size of 61 healthy males received cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS) and sham-tDCS of the primary motor cortex at 1 mA and 10 min via 6 × 4 cm active and 7 × 5 cm return electrodes. Corticospinal excitability (CSE) was assessed via 25 single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Intracortical inhibition was assessed via twenty-five 3 msec interstimulus interval (ISI) paired-pulse MEPs, known as short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). Intracortical facilitation (ICF) was assessed via twenty-five 10 msec ISI paired-pulse MEPs. Gene variants encoding for excitatory and inhibitory neuroreceptors were determined via saliva samples. Predetermined thresholds and statistical cluster analyses were used to subgroup individuals. Results: Two distinct subgroups were identified, "responders"reducing CSE following c-tDCS and "nonresponders"showing no reduction or even increase in CSE. Differences in CSE between responders and nonresponders following c-tDCS were not explained by changes in SICI or ICF. Conclusions: No significant relationships were reported between gene variants and interindividual variability to c-tDCS, suggesting that the chosen gene variants did not influence the activity of the neuroreceptors involved in eliciting changes in CSE in responders following c-tDCS. In this largest c-tDCS study of its kind, novel insights were reported into the contribution genetic factors may play in observed interindividual variability to c-tDCS. This study adds insight into the issue of interindividual variability to c-tDCS. It highlights not all individuals respond to c-tDCS similarly when exposed to the same stimulus parameters. This disparity in response to c-tDCS between individuals does not appear to be genetically mediated. For c-tDCS to progress to large-scale clinical application, reliability, predictability and reproducibility are essential. Systematically investigating factors contributing to interindividual variability take steps towards this progress the c-tDCS field towards the potential development of screening tools to determine clinical suitability to c-tDCS to ensure its application in those who may benefit the most. © 2020 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

A qualitative analysis of internet trolling

- March, Evita, Marrington, Jessica

  • Authors: March, Evita , Marrington, Jessica
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Vol. 22, no. 3 (2019), p. 192-197
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  • Description: Internet trolling is receiving increasing research attention and exploration; however, disagreement and confusion surround definitions of the behavior. In the current study, 379 participants (60 percent women) completed an online questionnaire providing qualitative responses to the following: How do you define Internet trolling? What kind of behaviors constitutes Internet trolling? Does Internet trolling differ from Internet cyberbullying? Have you ever been trolled online, and if so how did it feel? Word frequency analyses indicated that Internet trolling is most commonly characterized as an abusive aggressive behavior. Responses also highlight the subjective nature of humor in trolling depending on whether an individual has trolled. Interestingly, the groups that indicated trolling as a "bullying" behavior were the groups who had never been trolled. Results of the current study highlight the need to differentiate between "kudos" trolling and Cyber Abuse. © 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

A modified MTS proliferation assay for suspended cells to avoid the interference by hydralazine and β-Mercaptoethanol

- Wang, Yutang, Nguyen, Dinh, Anesi, Jack, Kelly, Jason, Ahmady, Fahima, Charchar, Fadi

  • Authors: Wang, Yutang , Nguyen, Dinh , Anesi, Jack , Kelly, Jason , Ahmady, Fahima , Charchar, Fadi
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Assay and Drug Development Technologies Vol. 19, no. 3 (2021), p. 184-190. https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1062671
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  • Description: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay is one of the most commonly used tests of cell proliferation. Hydralazine has been reported to interfere with the performance of the MTS assay when used on adherent cells. This study aimed to investigate whether hydralazine interferes with the performance of the MTS assay on suspended cells. THP-1 (a monocytic leukemia cell line) cells were cultured in the presence or absence of hydralazine (0, 10, 50, 100, and 500 μM) for 2 or 24 h. Cell numbers were analyzed using the MTS, trypan blue exclusion, or microscopic assays. A modified version of the standard MTS assay was established by centrifuging the cells and replacing the test medium with fresh culture medium immediately before the addition of the MTS reagent. Culture of THP-1 cells with hydralazine at concentrations of 50, 100, and 500 μM for 2 h increased absorbance (p < 0.001) in the standard MTS assay, whereas both the trypan blue exclusion assay and microscopy suggested no change in cell numbers. Culture of THP-1 cells with 100 and 500 μm hydralazine for 24 h increased absorbance (p < 0.05) in the standard MTS assay; however, trypan blue exclusion and microscopy suggested a decrease in cell numbers. In a cell-free system, hydralazine (100 and 500 μM) increased absorbance in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The modified MTS assay produced results consistent with trypan blue exclusion and microscopy using THP-1 cells. In addition, the modified MTS assay produced reliable results when K562 and Jurkat cells were incubated with hydralazine or β-mercaptoethanol (βME). In conclusion, a simple modification of the standard MTS assay overcame the interference of hydralazine and βME when assessing suspended cells. © Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2021. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the Federation University Australia affiliates “Yutang Wang, Dinh Nguyen, Jack Anesi, Jason Kelly, Fahima Ahmady, Fadi Charchar" is provided in this record**

The effects of monophasic anodal transcranial pulsed current stimulation on corticospinal excitability and motor performance in healthy young adults : a randomized double-blinded sham-controlled study

- Dissanayaka, Thusharika, Zoghi, Maryam, Farrell, Michael, Egan, Gary, Jaberzadeh, Shapour

  • Authors: Dissanayaka, Thusharika , Zoghi, Maryam , Farrell, Michael , Egan, Gary , Jaberzadeh, Shapour
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Brain Connectivity Vol. 12, no. 3 (2022), p. 260-274
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  • Description: Introduction: Transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) could be used to deliver electrical pulses at different frequencies to entrain the cortical neurons of the brain. Frequency dependence of these pulses in the induction of changes in corticospinal excitability (CSE) has not been reported. Objective: We aimed to assess the effect of anodal tPCS (a-tPCS) at theta (4 Hz), and gamma (75 Hz) frequencies on CSE as assessed by the peak-to-peak amplitude of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and motor performance. Method: In a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled, crossover design study, 17 healthy participants attended 3 experimental sessions and received either a-tPCS at 4 and 75 Hz, or sham a-tPCS with 1.5 mA for 15 min. The amplitude of TMS-induced resting MEPs and time for completion of the grooved pegboard test were recorded at baseline, immediately after, and 30 min after a-tPCS. Results: Both a-tPCS at 75 and 4 Hz showed significantly increased CSE compared with sham. The a-tPCS at 75 Hz induced significantly higher CSE changes compared with 4 Hz. There was a significant increase in intracortical facilitation and a significant reduction in short-interval intracortical inhibition with both 4 and 75 Hz stimulations. However, the inhibition and facilitation did not correlate with CSE. Motor performance was unaffected by the interventions. Conclusion: The high CSE changes in M1 in a-tPCS at 75 Hz provide an initial understanding of the frequency-specific effect of a-tPCS. More research is needed to establish this concept and to assess its behavioral relevance. Transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) is a novel brain stimulation technique that can modulate neural oscillation via the pulsatile current induced by the stimulation. Using anodal tPCS, we demonstrate the neuromodulatory effect induced by the stimulation at theta and gamma frequencies. Our findings recommend anodal tPCS as a potential therapeutic tool for treating many neurological conditions with altered theta and gamma neural oscillatory activity. © Copyright 2022, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

Development of a suicidal ideation detection tool for primary Healthcare settings : Using open access online psychosocial data

- Meyer, Denny, Abbott, Jo-Anne, Rehm, Imogen, Bhar, Sunil, Barak, Azy, Deng, Gary, Wallace, Klaire, Ogden, Edward, Klein, Britt

  • Authors: Meyer, Denny , Abbott, Jo-Anne , Rehm, Imogen , Bhar, Sunil , Barak, Azy , Deng, Gary , Wallace, Klaire , Ogden, Edward , Klein, Britt
  • Date: 2017
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Telemedicine and e-Health Vol. 23, no. 4 (2017), p. 273-281
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  • Description: Background: Suicidal patients often visit healthcare professionals in their last month before suicide, but medical practitioners are unlikely to raise the issue of suicide with patients because of time constraints and uncertainty regarding an appropriate approach. Introduction: A brief tool called the e-PASS Suicidal Ideation Detector (eSID) was developed for medical practitioners to help detect the presence of suicidal ideation (SI) in their clients. If SI is detected, the system alerts medical practitioners to address this issue with a client. The eSID tool was developed due to the absence of an easy-to-use, evidence-based SI detection tool for general practice. Material and Methods: The tool was developed using binary logistic regression analyses of data provided by clients accessing an online psychological assessment function. Ten primary healthcare professionals provided advice regarding the use of the tool. Results: The analysis identified eleven factors in addition to the Kessler-6 for inclusion in the model used to predict the probability of recent SI. The model performed well across gender and age groups 18-64 (AUR 0.834, 95% CI 0.828-0.841, N = 16,703). Healthcare professionals were interviewed; they recommended that the tool be incorporated into existing medical software systems and that additional resources be supplied, tailored to the level of risk identified. Conclusion: The eSID is expected to trigger risk assessments by healthcare professionals when this is necessary. Initial reactions of healthcare professionals to the tool were favorable, but further testing and in situ development are required. © 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Exploring nature-and social-connectedness as mediators of the relationship between nature-based exercise and subjective wellbeing

- McNeil, Dominic, Singh, Ashumeet, Chambers, Timothy

  • Authors: McNeil, Dominic , Singh, Ashumeet , Chambers, Timothy
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Ecopsychology Vol. 14, no. 4 (2022), p. 226-234
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  • Description: Background and Objectives: Underlying mechanisms behind the benefits of nature-based exercise (NBE) for subjective wellbeing (SWB) remain largely unknown. Nature-and social-connectedness may be the factors that contribute to better subjective welling. This study explores whether nature connectedness and social connectedness mediate the relationship between NBE and SWB. Method: Participants (N = 359 Australian citizens; Female = 229 (63.8%); Mage = 40.15, SD = 16.23) recruited through social media responded to an online survey focused on NBE, SWB, social connectedness, and nature connectedness. Results: Correlations revealed positive associations between variables. The relationship between NBE and SWB was significantly serially mediated by nature connectedness and social connectedness. Yet, at an individual level, social connectedness mediated the relationship, but nature connectedness was not significant. Conclusion: It is important that researchers better understand potential mechanisms associated with increased perception of happiness and life satisfaction through nature. Individuals who exercise in nature, with stronger connections to nature, perceive a stronger bond to the social world, and are more likely to have greater wellbeing. The importance of social connectedness identified further supports that more research is needed to better understand the role of connection to humanity regarding exercise in nature. © Copyright 2022, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2022.

Intimate partner cyberstalking : exploring vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, borderline traits, and rejection sensitivity

- Duffy, Allison, March, Evita, Jonason, Peter

  • Authors: Duffy, Allison , March, Evita , Jonason, Peter
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Vol. 26, no. 3 (2023), p. 147-152
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  • Description: Intimate partner cyberstalking refers to the monitoring and controlling of an intimate partner through technologies. Unlike the cyberstalking of strangers, less is known about the motives and perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking. In this study, we explore how vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, and borderline traits (i.e., the "Vulnerable Dark Triad") and rejection sensitivity relate to the perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking. Participants (N = 278; 58 percent women) were recruited through social media and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Positive correlations were observed between vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, borderline traits, rejection sensitivity, and intimate partner cyberstalking. Borderline traits moderated the relationship between participant sex (men and women) and intimate partner cyberstalking, and women with high borderline traits were most likely to cyberstalk intimate partners. Lastly, there was a significant indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on intimate partner cyberstalking through rejection sensitivity. These findings highlight the importance of relational insecurity and rejection sensitivity in intimate partner cyberstalking and provide useful directions for future research exploring cyberstalking behaviors in intimate relationships. Copyright © 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Social media markers to identify fathers at risk of postpartum depression : a machine learning approach

- Shatte, Adrian, Hutchinson, Delyse, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew, Teague, Samantha

  • Authors: Shatte, Adrian , Hutchinson, Delyse , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew , Teague, Samantha
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Vol. 23, no. 9 (2020), p. 611-618
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  • Description: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health issue in mothers and fathers alike; yet at-risk fathers often come to the attention of health care professionals late due to low awareness of symptoms and reluctance to seek help. This study aimed to examine whether passive social media markers are effective for identifying fathers at risk of PPD. We collected 67,796 Reddit posts from 365 fathers, spanning a 6-month period around the birth of their child. A list of "at-risk"words was developed in collaboration with a perinatal mental health expert. PPD was assessed by evaluating the change in fathers' use of words indicating depressive symptomatology after childbirth. Predictive models were developed as a series of support vector machine classifiers using behavior, emotion, linguistic style, and discussion topics as features. The performance of these classifiers indicates that fathers at risk of PPD can be predicted from their prepartum data alone. Overall, the best performing model used discussion topic features only with a recall score of 0.82. These findings could assist in the development of support and intervention tools for fathers during the prepartum period, with specific applicability to personalized and preventative support tools for at-risk fathers. © Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2020.

Age of initiation and Internet gaming disorder : The role of self-esteem

- Beard, Charlotte, Haas, Amie, Wickham, Robert, Stavropoulos, Vasileios

  • Authors: Beard, Charlotte , Haas, Amie , Wickham, Robert , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
  • Date: 2017
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Vol. 20, no. 6 (2017), p. 397-401
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  • Description: The link between early initiation and problematic use has been observed for substance use disorders; however, this link has not been as clearly established for Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Available studies indicate that individuals who initiate Internet use at younger ages exhibit an increased risk for general Internet addiction. Prior research also suggests unique cognitive processes in online gaming, such that an individual's overall sense of self-worth can become contingent upon self-esteem derived from the gaming environment. The current research examines the mediational role of self-esteem variables in the relationship between age of initiation and IGD symptomatology. Data were analyzed from 1,044 adult participants (mean age = 30.90; standard deviation: 9.28; 35.0% female) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk who reported playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Age of gaming initiation is directly linked to IGD, as earlier age predicted overall IGD symptom severity (b = -0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI: -0.17, -0.03]), controlling for self-esteem factors. In addition, self-esteem factors emerged as mediators of the effect, where global self-esteem served as a protective factor (b = -0.05, 95% CI: [-0.07, -0.02]) and high gaming-contingent self-worth (GCSW; b = -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.15, -0.04]) was associated with more negative outcomes. Earlier age of gaming initiation is associated with IGD symptomatology. Although risks of screen time are often referred to in terms of physical consequences, the present study provides support regarding the inclusion of self-esteem factors in the link between early use and IGD. © Copyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2017.

The role of individual differences in cyber dating abuse perpetration

- March, Evita, Grieve, Rachel, Clancy, Elizabeth, Klettke, Bianca, Van Dick, Rolf, Hernandez Bark, Alina

  • Authors: March, Evita , Grieve, Rachel , Clancy, Elizabeth , Klettke, Bianca , Van Dick, Rolf , Hernandez Bark, Alina
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Vol. 24, no. 7 (2021), p. 457-463
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  • Description: There is a growing research interest in cyber dating abuse (CDA). CDA includes abusive online behavior toward a current or former intimate partner, such as aggression, control, harassment, and humiliation. Despite the potential overlap and reciprocal relationship of CDA and intimate partner violence, there remains considerable paucity in research exploring predictors of this abusive online behavior. In the current study, we adopt the General Aggression Model framework and explore the role of gender, hegemonic masculinity, vulnerable narcissism, and sexual aggression myths to predict perpetration of CDA. Participants (N = 415, 51 percent women; Mage = 32.68 years) were recruited via social media advertisements and completed an anonymous, confidential online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised the Conformity to Masculine Roles Norms Inventory, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Acceptance of Modern Myths About Sexual Aggression Scale, and a modified Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that hegemonic masculinity, vulnerable narcissism, and sexual aggression myths were all significant positive predictors of perpetrating CDA. As gender was a significant predictor until the inclusion of these variables, a multiple mediation analysis was performed, indicating that both hegemonic masculinity and sexual aggression myths fully mediated the relationship between gender and perpetrating CDA. These results add to the growing body of research exploring how CDA emerges as a behavior and highlight possible implications for management and intervention. © Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2021.

The effect of a single session of non-invasive brain stimulation on balance in healthy individuals : a systematic review and best evidence synthesis

- Behrangrad, Shabnam, Zoghi, Maryam, Kidgell, Dawson, Jaberzadeh, Shapour

  • Authors: Behrangrad, Shabnam , Zoghi, Maryam , Kidgell, Dawson , Jaberzadeh, Shapour
  • Date: 2021
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Brain Connectivity Vol. 11, no. 9 (2021), p. 695-716
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  • Description: Aim: To evaluate the effects of a single session of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on postural balance. Introduction: The NIBS has been used widely in improving balance. However, the effect of a single session of NIBS on balance in healthy individuals has not been systemically reviewed. Methods: A systematic literature review and best evidence synthesis were conducted, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, to determine the effects of different NIBS techniques on balance function in healthy individuals. The methodological quality of included articles was assessed by the risk of bias, and the Downs and Black tool. Data were analyzed by using the best evidence synthesis. Thirty-five articles were included that used the following NIBS techniques: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-TDCS), cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (c-TDCS), continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and cerebellum on balance. Results: Strong evidence showed that a-TDCS of M1, SMA improve balance in healthy participants, and the a-TDCS of DLPFC induces improvement only in dual task balance indices. Also, the findings indicate that cerebellar a-TDCS might significantly improve balance, if at least 10 min cerebellar a-TDCS with an intensity of
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