Examining control group changes in physical activity levels in people with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

Aims: There is evidence to suggest that physical activity measurement alone can improve physical activity levels, but this has not been investigated in people with coronary heart disease (CHD). This systematic review aims to examine changes in physical activity levels in control groups of physical activity intervention studies for people with CHD and possible explanatory factors.

Methods And Results: Five electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SportDiscus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from inception to January 2024.

Associations between change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour with risk of recurrent cardiovascular events among individuals with coronary heart disease: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and limiting time in sedentary behaviour (SB) are recommended for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Little is known about MVPA and SB changes and recurrent cardiovascular events. This study explores the associations between changes in MVPA and SB for recurrent cardiovascular events among individuals with CHD.

Exploring the impact of neighbourhood social fragmentation on early childhood developmental vulnerability.

Background: The role of the neighbourhood social context in early childhood development is less understood despite the apparent disparities in early childhood developmental vulnerability in Australia. This research investigated the influence of neighbourhood social fragmentation on developmental vulnerability in young children.

Method: Data were from the 2021 Australian Early Development Census.

Epigenetic remodeling by sex hormone receptors and implications for gender affirming hormone therapy.

Sex differences in immune system development and response to pathogens has been well documented, with females exhibiting more favorable outcomes for certain infections but a higher incidence of autoimmune disease compared to males. At least some of these sex differences are mediated by sex hormones, which signal through sex hormone receptors to remodel the regulatory chromatin landscape of cells. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of how sex hormone receptors remodel chromatin structure and epigenetic marks in different contexts in humans.

Independent and joint associations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity with risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in 40,156 Australian adults with coronary heart disease.

Objective: Explore the independent and joint associations between sedentary behaviour and physical activity with cardiovascular events, among individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Cohort study including Australians ≥45 years with CHD (2006-2020). Time in sedentary behaviour, walking, moderate-, and vigorous- physical activity were self-reported.

Developing physical Activity and Sedentary behaviour thresholds for the Secondary prevention of Heart disease (DASSH): a cohort mortality survival tree analysis.

Background: The dose-response relationship between physical activity and sedentary behaviour (SB) with mortality in people with coronary heart disease (CHD) is unclear. The aim was to identify moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB thresholds for mortality risk.

Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised Australian participants aged ≥ 45 years with self-reported CHD (2006-2020).

Mean Cartilage Attenuation Measured in an Osteoarthritis Mouse Model Using Contrast-Enhanced Micro-Computed Tomography is Indicative of Cartilage Degeneration.

ObjectiveTo develop and validate an image acquisition protocol for assessment of cartilage degeneration in an osteoarthritis (OA) mouse model using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (CECT).DesignThree-, four-, seven-, and 10-month-old male STR/ort OA ( = 8) and healthy control CBA/1 ( = 8) mice were imaged using synchrotron-radiation micro-computed tomography. Mean attenuation of cartilage and mean attenuation difference between cartilage and contrast agent (mean Δ attenuation), to control for flux, were calculated and correlated to previously published cartilage parameters measured in the same mice.

A Protocol for Enhancing Allied Health Care for Older People in Residential Care: The EAHOP Intervention.

Background: Complications due to frailty and injury after falls are a significant problem for people living in residential aged care. This can lead to a range of negative outcomes including poor physical, social, and psychological well-being. The Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety highlighted many aspects of care in residential aged care homes requiring improvement, leading to specific recommendations aimed at improving the outcomes in this area.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Thresholds for Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Morbidity Survival Tree Analysis.

Background: There are no diagnosis-specific guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to identify thresholds of MVPA and SB associated with cardiovascular events.

Methods: This cohort study included individuals with CHD.

The rate, causes and predictors of ambulance call outs to residential aged care in the Australian Capital Territory: A retrospective observational cohort study.

Older people in residential aged care are susceptible to acute illness or injury which may necessitate an ambulance call out, assessment/treatment by a paramedic and transfer to a hospital emergency department. Understanding the case mix of residential aged care ambulance attendances is important for prevention strategies and for planning services. A retrospective observational closed cohort study was designed to investigate the characteristics of emergency ambulance call outs to 15 residential aged care sites in the Australian Capital Territory over a 12-month period.

High circulating concentrations of estradiol are anabolic for bone mass and strength in an adult male to female transgender mouse model.

The effects of gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on bone microarchitecture and fracture risk in adult transgender women is unclear. To investigate the concept that skeletal integrity and strength in trans women may be improved by treatment with a higher dose of GAHT than commonly prescribed, we treated adult male mice with a sustained, high dose of estradiol. Adult male mice at 16 weeks of age were administered ~1.

Validity of the Active Australia Survey in an Australian cardiac rehabilitation population.

Objectives: To examine the long-term validity of the Active Australia Survey in a cardiac rehabilitation population using accelerometry as the reference measure.

Design: Cohort validation study.

Methods: Cardiac rehabilitation participants with coronary heart disease were recruited to a prospective cohort study.

Activity counseling early postelective percutaneous coronary intervention (ACE-PCI): Mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical activity (PA) levels of people with coronary heart disease are low in the first 30 days after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), increasing the risk of recurrent cardiac events. Following PCI, PA counseling delivered by a physiotherapist before discharge may increase the PA levels of patients. Preliminary work is required to determine the effects of the counseling session compared to usual care.

Estradiol increases cortical and trabecular bone accrual and bone strength in an adolescent male-to-female mouse model of gender-affirming hormone therapy.

The effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on the skeletal integrity and fracture risk in transitioning adolescent trans girls are unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a mouse model to simulate male-to-female transition in human adolescents in whom puberty is first arrested by using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogs with subsequent estradiol treatment. Puberty was suppressed by orchidectomy in male mice at 5 weeks of age.

Very brief intervention for physical activity behaviour change in cardiac rehabilitation: protocol for the 'Measure It!' effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial.

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a risk factor for repeat cardiac events and all-cause mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD). Cardiac rehabilitation, a secondary prevention programme, aims to increase physical activity levels in this population from a reported low baseline. This trial will investigate the effectiveness and implementation of a very brief physical activity intervention, comparing different frequencies of physical activity measurement by cardiac rehabilitation clinicians.

A metasynthesis of nurses and midwives' experiences of clinical supervision.

Problem: Given the current rate of burnout and attrition among nurses and midwives globally, there is a need to understand the effectiveness of supportive strategies to help retain this workforce.

Background: Clinical supervision can help to ensure that nurses and midwives are supported and have the capacity to cope with their job demands. Yet there are no metasyntheses that provide a collective understanding of their experiences with clinical supervision.

Testing the Effect of a Smartphone App on Hospital Admissions and Sedentary Behavior in Cardiac Rehabilitation Participants: ToDo-CR Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: People with coronary heart disease are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality even if they attend cardiac rehabilitation. High sedentary behavior levels potentially contribute to this morbidity. Smartphone apps may be feasible to facilitate sedentary behavior reductions and lead to reduced health care use.

Impact of on-site pharmacists in residential aged care facilities on the quality of medicines use: a cluster randomised controlled trial (PiRACF study).

Residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have a high prevalence of use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and resultant medicines-related harm. This study investigated the effect of an on-site pharmacist model on PIMs use and other medication outcomes for residents in RACFs. A multi-facility, non-blind, cluster randomised controlled trial, with randomisation at the facility level, was conducted.

The Utility of Preclinical Models in Understanding the Bone Health of Transgender Individuals Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

Purpose Of Review: To summarise the evidence regarding the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on bone health in transgender people, to identify key knowledge gaps and how these gaps can be addressed using preclinical rodent models.

Recent Findings: Sex hormones play a critical role in bone physiology, yet there is a paucity of research regarding the effects of GAHT on bone microstructure and fracture risk in transgender individuals. The controlled clinical studies required to yield fracture data are unethical to conduct making clinically translatable preclinical research of the utmost importance.

The role of on-site pharmacist in residential aged care facilities: findings from the PiRACF study.

Background: Residents in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have a high number of medication-related problems. Integrating on-site pharmacists (OSPs) into this setting is a possible solution and is currently gaining traction in Australia and internationally. The Pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities (PiRACF) cluster-randomised controlled trial integrated pharmacists into the RACF care team to improve medication management.

Implementing a Sedentary Behavior Change Smartphone App in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Analysis Guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework and Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation-Behavior Model.

Background: Smartphone apps used in research offer a variety of capabilities to track and influence behavior; however, they often do not translate well into real-world use. Implementation strategies for using apps to reduce sedentary behavior in cardiac rehabilitation are currently unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore (1) barriers and enablers for use of a behavioral smartphone app (Vire and ToDo-CR program) for reducing sedentary behavior in cardiac rehabilitation participants and (2) implementation strategies for future smartphone apps aimed at reducing sedentary behavior in this population.

L-ergothioneine reduces nitration of lactoferrin and loss of antibacterial activity associated with nitrosative stress.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant protein that occurs naturally in mammals, most notably in exocrine gland tissues and fluids, such as in the eye. Nitrosative stress can promote changes to tyrosine and other amino acid residues of the protein, which also reduces the activity of LF. l-ergothioneine (ET) is a potent anti-inflammatory antioxidant present in the eye and other tissues through nutrition or supplementation and that may play a role in the prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases.