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The future is here : A review of foresight systems in anxiety and depression

- Miloyan, Beyon, Pachana, Nancy, Suddendorf, Thomas

  • Authors: Miloyan, Beyon , Pachana, Nancy , Suddendorf, Thomas
  • Date: 2014
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Cognition and Emotion Vol. 28, no. 5 (2014), p. 795-810
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  • Description: Cognitive models of anxiety and depression have long suggested a central role for future-oriented thinking in these disorders. Experimental studies suggest that anxiety and depression are characterised by distinct future-oriented thinking profiles, and that these profiles are markedly different from those of asymptomatic adults. In this paper, we review these profiles and propose two explanatory models marked by two different neurocognitive systems. The Reconstructive Memory Model emphasises a role for emotionally driven learning and retrieval in episodic foresight (i.e., the construction of future-oriented scenarios), and the Valuation Model proposes that an overweighing of risk and uncertainty estimates can be invoked to explain the future-oriented thought patterns. We consider the effectiveness of interventions aimed at altering such thought patterns. We suggest that future research aimed at elucidating the neurobiological underpinnings of future-oriented thinking in anxiety and depression can play an important role in advancing development of effective biological and psychosocial interventions for these disorders.

Targeting dietary restraint to reduce binge eating : a randomised controlled trial of a blended internet- and smartphone app-based intervention

- Linardon, Jake, Messer, Mariel, Shatte, Adrian, Skvarc, David, Rosato, John, Rathgen, April, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew

  • Authors: Linardon, Jake , Messer, Mariel , Shatte, Adrian , Skvarc, David , Rosato, John , Rathgen, April , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Psychological Medicine Vol. 53, no. 4 (2023), p. 1277-1287
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  • Description: Background Existing internet-based prevention and treatment programmes for binge eating are composed of multiple distinct modules that are designed to target a broad range of risk or maintaining factors. Such multi-modular programmes (1) may be unnecessarily long for those who do not require a full course of intervention and (2) make it difficult to distinguish those techniques that are effective from those that are redundant. Since dietary restraint is a well-replicated risk and maintaining factor for binge eating, we developed an internet- and app-based intervention composed solely of cognitive-behavioural techniques designed to modify dietary restraint as a mechanism to target binge eating. We tested the efficacy of this combined selective and indicated prevention programme in 403 participants, most of whom were highly symptomatic (90% reported binge eating once per week). Method Participants were randomly assigned to the internet intervention (n = 201) or an informational control group (n = 202). The primary outcome was objective binge-eating frequency. Secondary outcomes were indices of dietary restraint, shape, weight, and eating concerns, subjective binge eating, disinhibition, and psychological distress. Analyses were intention-to-treat. Results Intervention participants reported greater reductions in objective binge-eating episodes compared to the control group at post-test (small effect size). Significant effects were also observed on each of the secondary outcomes (small to large effect sizes). Improvements were sustained at 8 week follow-up. Conclusions Highly focused digital interventions that target one central risk/maintaining factor may be sufficient to induce meaningful change in core eating disorder symptoms. © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press.

May measurement month 2019 the global blood pressure screening campaign of the International Society of Hypertension

- Beaney, Thomas, Schutte, Aletta, Stergiou, George, Borghi, Claudio, Burger, Dylan, Charchar, Fadi, Cro, Suzie, Diaz, Alejandro, Damasceno, Albertino, Espeche, Walter, Jose, Arun, Khan, Nadia, Kokubo, Yoshihiro, Maheshwari, Anuj, Marin, Marcos, More, Arun, Neupane, Dinesh, Nilsson, Peter, Patil, Mansi, Prabhakaran, Dorairaj, Ramirez, Agustin, Rodriguez, Pablo, Schlaich, Markus, Steckelings, Ulrike, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Unger, Thomas, Wainford, Richard, Wang, Jiguang, Williams, Bryan, Poulter, Neil, M. M. M. Investigators

A survey study of attitudes toward, and preferences for, e-therapy interventions for eating disorder psychopathology

- Linardon, Jake, Shatte, Adrian, Tepper, Hannah, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew

  • Authors: Linardon, Jake , Shatte, Adrian , Tepper, Hannah , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Eating Disorders Vol. 53, no. 6 (2020), p. 907-916
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  • Description: Objective: E-therapy shows promise as a solution to the barriers that stand in the way of people receiving eating disorder (ED) treatment. Despite the potential for e-therapy to reduce the well-known treatment gap, little is known about public views and perspectives on this mode of intervention delivery. This study explored attitudes toward, and preferences for, e-therapy among individuals spanning the spectrum of eating pathology. Method: Survey data assessing e-therapy attitudes and preferences were analyzed from 713 participants recruited from the public. Participants were categorized into one of five subgroups based on the type of self-reported ED symptoms and severity/risk level, ranging from high risk to a probable threshold or subthreshold ED. Results: Attitudes toward e-therapies appeared to be relatively positive; participants largely supported health care insurance coverage of costs for e-therapies, and were optimistic about the wide-ranging benefits of e-therapy. Although three-quarters of participants expressed a preference for face-to-face therapy, a significant percentage of participants (

Addressing global disparities in blood pressure control : perspectives of the International Society of Hypertension

- Schutte, Aletta, Jafar, Tazeen, Poulter, Neil, Damasceno, Albertino, Khan, Nadia, Nilsson, Peter, Alsaid, Jafar, Neupane, Dinesh, Kario, Kazuomi, Beheiry, Hind, Brouwers, Sofie, Burger, Dylan, Charchar, Fadi, Cho, Myeong-Chan, Guzik, Tomasz, Haji Al-Saedi, Ghazi, Ishaq, Muhammad, Itoh, Hiroshi, Jones, Erika, Khan, Taskeen, Kokubo, Yoshihiro, Kotruchin, Praew, Muxfeldt, Elizabeth, Odili, Augustine, Patil, Mansi, Ralapanawa, Udaya, Romero, Cesar, Schlaich, Markus, Shehab, Abdulla, Mooi, Ching

  • Authors: Schutte, Aletta , Jafar, Tazeen , Poulter, Neil , Damasceno, Albertino , Khan, Nadia , Nilsson, Peter , Alsaid, Jafar , Neupane, Dinesh , Kario, Kazuomi , Beheiry, Hind , Brouwers, Sofie , Burger, Dylan , Charchar, Fadi , Cho, Myeong-Chan , Guzik, Tomasz , Haji Al-Saedi, Ghazi , Ishaq, Muhammad , Itoh, Hiroshi , Jones, Erika , Khan, Taskeen , Kokubo, Yoshihiro , Kotruchin, Praew , Muxfeldt, Elizabeth , Odili, Augustine , Patil, Mansi , Ralapanawa, Udaya , Romero, Cesar , Schlaich, Markus , Shehab, Abdulla , Mooi, Ching
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Cardiovascular Research Vol. 119, no. 2 (2023), p. 381-409
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  • Description: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of preventable death in the world. Yet, its global prevalence is increasing, and it remains poorly detected, treated, and controlled in both high- and low-resource settings. From the perspective of members of the International Society of Hypertension based in all regions, we reflect on the past, present, and future of hypertension care, highlighting key challenges and opportunities, which are often region-specific. We report that most countries failed to show sufficient improvements in BP control rates over the past three decades, with greater improvements mainly seen in some high-income countries, also reflected in substantial reductions in the burden of cardiovascular disease and deaths. Globally, there are significant inequities and disparities based on resources, sociodemographic environment, and race with subsequent disproportionate hypertension-related outcomes. Additional unique challenges in specific regions include conflict, wars, migration, unemployment, rapid urbanization, extremely limited funding, pollution, COVID-19-related restrictions and inequalities, obesity, and excessive salt and alcohol intake. Immediate action is needed to address suboptimal hypertension care and related disparities on a global scale. We propose a Global Hypertension Care Taskforce including multiple stakeholders and societies to identify and implement actions in reducing inequities, addressing social, commercial, and environmental determinants, and strengthening health systems implement a well-designed customized quality-of-care improvement framework. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Fadi Charchar” is provided in this record**

Ovarian cancer, cancer stem cells and current treatment strategies : a potential role of magmas in the current treatment methods

- Ahmed, Nuzhat, Kadife, Elif, Raza, Ali, Short, Mary, Jubinsky, Paul, Kannourakis, George

  • Authors: Ahmed, Nuzhat , Kadife, Elif , Raza, Ali , Short, Mary , Jubinsky, Paul , Kannourakis, George
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: Cells Vol. 9, no. 3 (Mar 2020), p. 35
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  • Description: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) constitutes 90% of ovarian cancers (OC) and is the eighth most common cause of cancer-related death in women. The cancer histologically and genetically is very complex having a high degree of tumour heterogeneity. The pathogenic variability in OC causes significant impediments in effectively treating patients, resulting in a dismal prognosis. Disease progression is predominantly influenced by the peritoneal tumour microenvironment rather than properties of the tumor and is the major contributor to prognosis. Standard treatment of OC patients consists of debulking surgery, followed by chemotherapy, which in most cases end in recurrent chemoresistant disease. This review discusses the different origins of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the major sub-type of EOC. Tumour heterogeneity, genetic/epigenetic changes, and cancer stem cells (CSC) in facilitating HGSOC progression and their contribution in the circumvention of therapy treatments are included. Several new treatment strategies are discussed including our preliminary proof of concept study describing the role of mitochondria-associated granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor signaling protein (Magmas) in HGSOC and its unique potential role in chemotherapy-resistant disease.

Thermochemolysis of winery wastewater particulates-molecular structural implications for water reuse

- Mosse, Kim, Verheyen, Vincent, Cruickshank, Alicia, Patti, Antonio, Cavagnaro, Timothy

  • Authors: Mosse, Kim , Verheyen, Vincent , Cruickshank, Alicia , Patti, Antonio , Cavagnaro, Timothy
  • Date: 2012
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis Vol. 97, no. 164-170 (2012), p.
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  • Description: Environmental concerns have increased the interest in winery wastewater remediation and reuse. These practices require more detailed understanding of wastewater composition to ensure optimum usage, and to minimize the risk of long term soil degradation and grape contamination. Particulate organic matter is an important contributor to the carbon burden in winery wastewaters. This article investigates the molecular structure of particulates from the most common winery wastewater treatment processes via infrared spectroscopic and thermochemolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques. Study of the organic composition of both influent and effluent particles enabled further insight into which compounds could prove problematic during treatment and on discharge. The yield and molecular structure of desorbed or “guest” compounds were found to strongly correlate with those produced during pyrolytic cracking. These “guest” compounds and macromolecular fragments form a continuum whose separation is based on molecular size. Polyphenolic and lignin derived compounds tended to survive the water treatment processes within assemblages of microbial detritus. No evidence was found for particles adsorbing and concentrating other unrelated organics such as anthropogenic chemicals from winery wastewaters. Any release of particulates will require careful management to prevent localized accumulation of recalcitrant compounds to toxic levels.

Stereotyping stigma: undergraduate health students' perceptions at handover

- Doyle, Kerrie, Cruickshank, Mary

  • Authors: Doyle, Kerrie , Cruickshank, Mary
  • Date: 2012
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: The Journal of nursing education Vol. 51, no. 5 (2012), p. 255-261
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  • Description: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that errors in communication are one of the leading causes of adverse patient outcomes. Consequently, the WHO developed the High 5s Project to review, among other variables, handover of patients between shifts, professionals, and organizations. Seven countries were involved in the initial project. Australia responded by using the ISOBAR (Identify, Situation, Observations, Background, Agreed plan, and Read-back) tool as a template. However, none of the countries involved considered the social and emotional effects of handover on the staff or patients, although research has demonstrated that attitudes and values can be handed over from one nurse to another during this process. This article shows how the nurse who hands over care from one shift to the next can transfer stigma and labeling and offers suggestions for nurse educators and clinicians to apply national standards and core values to clinical practice and education.

The roles of depression, life control and affective distress on treatment attendance and perceived disability in chronic back pain sufferers throughout the duration of the condition

- Oraison, Humberto, Loton, Daniel, Kennedy, Gerard

  • Authors: Oraison, Humberto , Loton, Daniel , Kennedy, Gerard
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 20, no. 19 (2023), p.
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  • Description: The aims of this study were to examine psychological factors that predict treatment seeking and disability over the total duration of experiencing back pain. A sample of 201 adults experiencing chronic back pain was recruited through health professionals and completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), the Oswestry Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the life control and affective distress variables of the West Haven–Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (WHYMP), and participants disclosed the number of treatment sessions attended over the course of the illness. Depression, life control and affective distress were tested as indirect predictors of disability severity that were mediated by treatment attendance. Each unit increase in life control predicted attending nearly 30 more treatment sessions, each unit increase in affective distress predicted attending 16 fewer treatments and each unit increase in depression predicted 4 fewer treatments, together explaining 44% of variance in treatment seeking. The effects of life control and affective distress on disability were explained by treatment attendance, whereas depression retained a direct effect on disability. Treatment attendance had an effect on disability. The findings show that participants with lower life control and higher affective distress and depression had higher levels of pain and disability, in part due to due to their treatment-seeking behaviour. © 2023 by the authors.

Structural behaviour of an Australian silty clay (Coode Island silt) stabilised by treatment with slag lime

- Falah, Mahroo, Ranjbar Pouya, Kaveh, Tolooiyan, Ali, Mackenzie, Kenneth

  • Authors: Falah, Mahroo , Ranjbar Pouya, Kaveh , Tolooiyan, Ali , Mackenzie, Kenneth
  • Date: 2018
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Applied Clay Science Vol. 157, no. (2018), p. 198-203
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  • Description: A microstructural study of Coode Island Silt (CIS), a soft silty clay from the Melbourne area of Australia, stabilised with slag lime is reported. Slag lime is a blend of 80–85 wt% slag, 15 wt% hydrated lime, Ca(OH)2 and 3–8 wt% gypsum CaSO4.2H2O, and is typically used for soil stabilisation in roading applications. The morphologies of several homogeneous mixtures of slag lime and CIS were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), which indicated the formation of the cementitious phases calcium carbonate, calcium silicate hydrate, calcium aluminium silicate hydrate, and calcium aluminium silicate carbonate. The progress of the CIS-slag lime reactions was also investigated by pH measurements. Slag lime was found to very actively promote pozzolanic reactions with CIS, shown by SEM to form crystalline reticular calcium silicate hydrate and other cementitious products. The most effective pozzolanic reactions occurred in a composite containing 12.5 wt% slag lime with CIS and contained the cement mineral ettringite, contributing to its high strength. These composites constitute a new class of materials with excellent potential for construction applications.

May measurement month 2018 : A pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the international society of hypertension

- Beaney, Thomas, Burrell, Louise, Castillo, Rafael, Charchar, Fadi, Cro, Suzie, Damasceno, Albertino, Kruger, Ruan, Nilsson, Peter, Prabhakaran, Dorairaj, Ramirez, Agustin, Schlaich, Markus, Schutte, Aletta, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Touyz, Rhian, Wang, Ji-Guang, Weber, Michael, Poulter, Neil

  • Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Burrell, Louise , Castillo, Rafael , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Damasceno, Albertino , Kruger, Ruan , Nilsson, Peter , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Schlaich, Markus , Schutte, Aletta , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Touyz, Rhian , Wang, Ji-Guang , Weber, Michael , Poulter, Neil
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 40, no. 25 (2019), p. 2006-2017
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  • Description: Aims: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results: Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion: May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk.

Assessment of clogging phenomena in granular filter media used for stormwater treatment

- Kandra, Harpreet, McCarthy, David, Fletcher, Tim, Deletic, Ana

  • Authors: Kandra, Harpreet , McCarthy, David , Fletcher, Tim , Deletic, Ana
  • Date: 2014
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Hydrology Vol. 512, no. (2014), p. 518-527
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  • Description: Hydraulic performance of granular filter media and its evolution over time is a key design parameter for stormwater filtration and infiltration systems that are now widely used in management of polluted urban runoff. In fact, clogging of filter media is recognised as the main limiting factor of these stormwater treatment systems. This paper focuses on the effect of physical characteristics of filter media and flow-through rates on the clogging of stormwater filters. Five replicate experimental columns were constructed using zeolite, scoria, riversand and polymeric glass beads, and different flow-through rates were achieved using restricted outlets. The systems were dosed with semi-synthetic stormwater and the evolution of hydraulic performance and sediment removal rate was observed (for four filter media and across four flow rates) to investigate impacts of media type and flow rate. It was found that shape and smoothness of filter media grains had limited effect on clogging and sediment removal rate. All media except scoria clogged after similar volumes of stormwater but scoria-based filters were found to be highly variable in performance, most likely due to breakdown of its particles. Conversely, flow-through rate significantly affected clogging and sediment removal rate. For instance, in the case of zeolite filters, the systems with the lowest flow rate clogged after application of over 30. m of stormwater, while the unrestricted zeolite columns (with 200 times the flow rate) clogged after only 10. m of applied stormwater. At the same time, the zeolite filters with the lowest flow rate had an overall treatment efficiency of 88% compared with the unrestricted design's efficiency of 59%. Further work is needed to analyse the influence of filter bed design, stormwater inflow characteristics and drying and wetting regimes on clogging and to understand the location of the clogged material in these filters. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Singing the blues : a literature review of the effects of music on postnatal depression

- Terry, Melissa, Terry, Daniel

  • Authors: Terry, Melissa , Terry, Daniel
  • Date: 2012
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research Vol. , no. 3 (2012), p.
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  • Description: Postnatal depression, also known as postpartum depression, is not a new condition, but has been well documented for decades, as have the treatments. The most common treatments for postnatal depression include pharmacological, psychological, psychosocial, relaxation and other holistic methods and may be used individually or in various combinations. Recently, the western world has come to acknowledge and use more traditional or complementary and alternative styles of therapy. These specifically include massage, meditation and yoga, and music therapy. Music has become more popular as more research defines its power over the body, both physically and mentally. It is anticipated with the right information any woman, no matter her location, could use this powerful tool to alleviate the symptoms of postnatal depression. This would also save further distress of separation from family and other support networks as well as reduce financial burdens when seeking care. A literature review was conducted to determine if this relatively new intervention in western society has been used and to determine what the outcomes have been. Currently, no research has been conducted which relates to the use of music as an intervention for women with postnatal depression, particularly those in rural areas.

Tendon neuroplastic training : Changing the way we think about tendon rehabilitation : A narrative review

- Rio, Ebonie, Kidgell, Dawson, Lorimer Moseley, Graham, Gaida, Jamie, Docking, Sean, Purdam, Craig, Cook, Jill

  • Authors: Rio, Ebonie , Kidgell, Dawson , Lorimer Moseley, Graham , Gaida, Jamie , Docking, Sean , Purdam, Craig , Cook, Jill
  • Date: 2016
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 50, no. 4 (2016), p. 209-215
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  • Description: Tendinopathy can be resistant to treatment and often recurs, implying that current treatment approaches are suboptimal. Rehabilitation programmes that have been successful in terms of pain reduction and return to sport outcomes usually include strength training. Muscle activation can induce analgesia, improving self-efficacy associated with reducing one's own pain. Furthermore, strength training is beneficial for tendon matrix structure, muscle properties and limb biomechanics. However, current tendon rehabilitation may not adequately address the corticospinal control of the muscle, which may result in altered control of muscle recruitment and the consequent tendon load, and this may contribute to recalcitrance or symptom recurrence. Outcomes of interest include the effect of strength training on tendon pain, corticospinal excitability and short interval cortical inhibition. The aims of this concept paper are to: (1) review what is known about changes to the primary motor cortex and motor control in tendinopathy, (2) identify the parameters shown to induce neuroplasticity in strength training and (3) align these principles with tendon rehabilitation loading protocols to introduce a combination approach termed as tendon neuroplastic training. Strength training is a powerful modulator of the central nervous system. In particular, corticospinal inputs are essential for motor unit recruitment and activation; however, specific strength training parameters are important for neuroplasticity. Strength training that is externally paced and akin to a skilled movement task has been shown to not only reduce tendon pain, but modulate excitatory and inhibitory control of the muscle and therefore, potentially tendon load. An improved understanding of the methods that maximise the opportunity for neuroplasticity may be an important progression in how we prescribe exercise-based rehabilitation in tendinopathy for pain modulation and potentially restoration of the corticospinal control of the muscle-tendon complex.

Integrated clinical pathway of transurethral resection of the prostate : Impact on clinical quality, cost and patient and staff satisfaction

- Khowaja, Khurshid

  • Authors: Khowaja, Khurshid
  • Date: 2004
  • Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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  • Description: "The central focus of this study is an investigation into how the implementation of a clinical pathway for the surgical procedure of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) impacted on clinical quality, cost, and patient and staff satisfaction at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Pakistan"
  • Description: Doctor of Philosophy

E-mental health interventions for the treatment and prevention of eating disorders : an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

- Linardon, Jake, Shatte, Adrian, Messer, Mariel, Firth, Joseph, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew

  • Authors: Linardon, Jake , Shatte, Adrian , Messer, Mariel , Firth, Joseph , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Vol. 88, no. 11 (2020), p. 994-1007
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  • Description: Objectives: E-mental health (digital) interventions can help overcome existing barriers that stand in the way of people receiving help for an eating disorder (ED). Although e-mental health interventions for treating and preventing EDs have been met with enthusiasm, earlier reviews brought attention to poor quality of evidence, and offered solutions to enhance their evidence base. To assess developments in the field, we conducted an updated meta-analysis on the efficacy of e-mental health interventions for treating and preventing EDs, paying attention to whether trial quality and outcomes have improved in recent trials. We also assessed whether user-centered design principles have been implemented in existing digital interventions. Method: Four databases were searched for RCTs of digital interventions for treating and preventing EDs. Thirty-six RCTs (28 prevention- and 8 treatment-focused) were included. Results: Some evidence that study quality improved in recent prevention-focused trials was found. Few trials involved the end-user in the design or development stage of the intervention. Issues with intervention engagement were noted, and 1 in 4 participants dropped out from prevention- and treatment-focused trials. Digital interventions were more effective than control conditions in reducing established risk factors and symptoms in prevention- (g’s = 0.19 to 0.43) and treatment-focused trials (g’s = 0.29 to 0.69), respectively. Effect sizes have not increased in recent trials. Few trials compared a digital intervention with a face-to-face intervention. Whether digital interventions can prevent ED onset is unclear. Conclusion: Digital interventions are a promising approach to ED treatment and prevention, but improvements are still needed. Three key recommendations are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)What is the public health significance of this article?: E-mental health interventions show promise in addressing eating disorder symptoms and risk factors. However, issues with study quality, drop-out, and engagement are noted, and researchers are encouraged to involve the end-user in all stages of the intervention development and implementation to optimize outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) © 2020 American Psychological Association

The experience of treatment via an internet-based cognitive behavioural self-help protocol for social anxiety disorder

- Hardwick, Damian

  • Authors: Hardwick, Damian
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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  • Description: The aim of the present study was to gain an understanding of the experience of treatment via an Internet-based cognitive behavioural self-help protocol for social anxiety disorder. Participants were four adults, aged between 22-46 years, who fulfilled DSM-IV-TR crriteria for a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder.
  • Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

Analyzing dropout in alcohol recovery programs : a machine learning approach

- Collin, Adele, Ayuso-Muñoz, Adrian, Tejera-Nevado, Paloma, Prieto-Santamaría, Lucia, Verdejo-García, Antonio, Díaz-Batanero, Carmen, Fernández-Calderón, Fermin, Albein-Urios, Natalia, Lozano, Oscar, Rodríguez-González, Alejandro

  • Authors: Collin, Adele , Ayuso-Muñoz, Adrian , Tejera-Nevado, Paloma , Prieto-Santamaría, Lucia , Verdejo-García, Antonio , Díaz-Batanero, Carmen , Fernández-Calderón, Fermin , Albein-Urios, Natalia , Lozano, Oscar , Rodríguez-González, Alejandro
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Clinical Medicine Vol. 13, no. 16 (2024), p.
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  • Description: Background: Retention in treatment is crucial for the success of interventions targeting alcohol use disorder (AUD), which affects over 100 million people globally. Most previous studies have used classical statistical techniques to predict treatment dropout, and their results remain inconclusive. This study aimed to use novel machine learning tools to identify models that predict dropout with greater precision, enabling the development of better retention strategies for those at higher risk. Methods: A retrospective observational study of 39,030 (17.3% female) participants enrolled in outpatient-based treatment for alcohol use disorder in a state-wide public treatment network has been used. Participants were recruited between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019. We applied different machine learning algorithms to create models that allow one to predict the premature cessation of treatment (dropout). With the objective of increasing the explainability of those models with the best precision, considered as black-box models, explainability technique analyses were also applied. Results: Considering as the best models those obtained with one of the so-called black-box models (support vector classifier (SVC)), the results from the best model, from the explainability perspective, showed that the variables that showed greater explanatory capacity for treatment dropout are previous drug use as well as psychiatric comorbidity. Among these variables, those of having undergone previous opioid substitution treatment and receiving coordinated psychiatric care in mental health services showed the greatest capacity for predicting dropout. Conclusions: By using novel machine learning techniques on a large representative sample of patients enrolled in alcohol use disorder treatment, we have identified several machine learning models that help in predicting a higher risk of treatment dropout. Previous treatment for other substance use disorders (SUDs) and concurrent psychiatric comorbidity were the best predictors of dropout, and patients showing these characteristics may need more intensive or complementary interventions to benefit from treatment. © 2024 by the authors.

Patient navigation across the cancer care continuum : an overview of systematic reviews and emerging literature

- Chan, Raymond, Milch, Vivienne, Crawford‐Williams, Fiona, Agbejule, Oluwaseyifunmi, Joseph, Ria, Johal, Jolyn, Dick, Narayanee, Wallen, Matthew, Ratcliffe, Julie, Agarwal, Anupriya, Nekhlyudov, Larissa, Tieu, Matthew, Al-Momani, Manaf, Turnbull, Scott, Sathiaraj, Rahul, Keefe, Dorothy, Hart, Nicolas

  • Authors: Chan, Raymond , Milch, Vivienne , Crawford‐Williams, Fiona , Agbejule, Oluwaseyifunmi , Joseph, Ria , Johal, Jolyn , Dick, Narayanee , Wallen, Matthew , Ratcliffe, Julie , Agarwal, Anupriya , Nekhlyudov, Larissa , Tieu, Matthew , Al-Momani, Manaf , Turnbull, Scott , Sathiaraj, Rahul , Keefe, Dorothy , Hart, Nicolas
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article , Review
  • Relation: CA Cancer Journal for Clinicians Vol. 73, no. 6 (2023), p. 565-589
  • Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1194051
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  • Description: Patient navigation is a strategy for overcoming barriers to reduce disparities and to improve access and outcomes. The aim of this umbrella review was to identify, critically appraise, synthesize, and present the best available evidence to inform policy and planning regarding patient navigation across the cancer continuum. Systematic reviews examining navigation in cancer care were identified in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Epistemonikos, and Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) databases and in the gray literature from January 1, 2012, to April 19, 2022. Data were screened, extracted, and appraised independently by two authors. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Review and Research Syntheses was used for quality appraisal. Emerging literature up to May 25, 2022, was also explored to capture primary research published beyond the coverage of included systematic reviews. Of the 2062 unique records identified, 61 systematic reviews were included. Fifty-four reviews were quantitative or mixed-methods reviews, reporting on the effectiveness of cancer patient navigation, including 12 reviews reporting costs or cost-effectiveness outcomes. Seven qualitative reviews explored navigation needs, barriers, and experiences. In addition, 53 primary studies published since 2021 were included. Patient navigation is effective in improving participation in cancer screening and reducing the time from screening to diagnosis and from diagnosis to treatment initiation. Emerging evidence suggests that patient navigation improves quality of life and patient satisfaction with care in the survivorship phase and reduces hospital readmission in the active treatment and survivorship care phases. Palliative care data were extremely limited. Economic evaluations from the United States suggest the potential cost-effectiveness of navigation in screening programs. © 2023 The Authors. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Cancer Society.

The association of long-noncoding rna with persistent blood pressure reduction in hypertension treatment in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

- Aleu, Mark

  • Authors: Aleu, Mark
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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  • Description: Background: Essential hypertension (EH) is a complex multifactorial condition caused by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic component of hypertension (HTN) accounts for 30-50% of BP variations but the exact genetic pathways involved are very complex and unclear. Nevertheless, there is increasing evidence that the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) is involved in EH. Early RAAS inhibition has been shown to reduce BP permanently in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model through unknown BP regulating genes in the kidney. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as regulators of gene expression at all levels. They play regulatory roles in EH pathophysiology by sequestering microRNAs, binding to messenger RNAs and interacting with proteins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and the regulatory role of kidney lncRNAs following early RAAS inhibition in SHRs. Design and Methods: SHRs were treated with the angiotensin receptor blocker, losartan (7.5mg/kg/d) and vehicle between 10-14 weeks of age. Kidney cortices were harvested at 14 and 20 weeks of age and RNA was extracted. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to profile differences in renal lncRNAs expression at 20 weeks (6 weeks post treatment). Bioinformatic analyses was applied to assess renal lncRNA expression, correlations between lncRNA expression and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and gene co-expression at 20 weeks. lncRNAs expression was confirmed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RNA pull-down assay, RNA sequencing and mass spectroscopy was conducted to assess mRNA and protein interaction with LncRNA in HEK293 cell line. False discovery rate (FDR) and statistical significance was set as P<0.05. Results: Early RAAS inhibition with losartan significantly reduced MAP (P <0.0001) and SBP at 14 weeks (P < 0.0001) compared to controls in SHRs . This reduction was maintained at 20 weeks (P < 0.001) indicating a legacy of reduced BP following early RAAS inhibition.In addition, RNA-seq identified 15 differentially expressed lncRNAs (13 increased, 2 decreased) at 20 weeks, six weeks after treatment was stopped (FDR<0.05). Furthermore, we found correlations (r>|0.8|) between the expression of lncRNA, miRNA (miR-145-5p, miR-339-5p, miR-423-5p) and mRNA (Bcl6, Nrd1, Smad7, Bdkrb2, Ren, Adamts1) which may represent the genetic networks underpinning long-term BP reduction in SHRs . RT-qPCR validation identified differential expression of 13 lncRNAs (11 up-regulated, 2 down-regulated) at 20 weeks (P < 0.05). LncRNA AABR07021465.2 and AABR07014855.1 expression in the kidney was consistent in both RNA-seq analysis and qPCR validation (P<0.05). RNA-pulldown and sequencing showed binding between lncRNA AABR07021465.2 and 133 mRNAs including angiotensinogen (AGT), apolipoprotein B/A1 (APOB/A1), fibronectin 1 (FN1), hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGF-
  • Description: Doctor of Philosophy