Search

The pentatomoid family Acanthosomatidae is best known for maternal care, and their behaviour is a favoured subject of evolutionary biologists. Despite this interest, knowledge of the taxonomy of Australian acanthosomatid is cursory and their biology has not been investigated. A significant taxonomic impediment exists for Australian acanthosomatids, and many new species await description, and when fully documented Australia will in all likelihood be the centre of diversity for this family. In line with this, the Australian acanthosomatid genus P anaetius ( Blaudusinae: Blaudusini) is revised, P . lobulatus Stål and P . trabifer Horváth are redescribed, and two new species are described: P anaetius eliasi sp. nov. and P . laevicornis sp. nov. A key to species is provided. The male and female genitalia are illustrated. The plant associations of P anaetius are documented, and a fern host plant is documented for P . eliasi. A phylogenetic analysis of P anaetius establishes its monophyly, and the ingroup relationships are fully resolved, with P . laevicornis sister to all other species of P anaetius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the acanthosoamtid genus Duadicus Dallas is described from Australia: D. namyatovae sp. nov., which is endemic to Western Australia. The type species D. pallidus is redescribed including the first detailed description of the male and female genitalia. Digital images, scanning electron micrographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided for both species. Host plant associations for both species are given, with preferences for species belonging to Melaleuca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Previous research has mainly targeted older people with high risk of falling. The effectiveness of exercise interventions in older people with mild levels of balance dysfunction remains unexplored. Objective. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a home balance and strength exercise intervention in older people systematically screened as having mild balance dysfunction. Design. This was a community-based, randomized controlled trial with assessors blinded to group allocation. Participants. Study participants were older people who reported concerns about their balance but remained community ambulant (n=225). After a comprehensive balance assessment, those classified as having mild balance dysfunction (n=165) were randomized into the trial. Intervention. Participants in the intervention group (n=83) received a 6-month physical therapist-prescribed balance and strength home exercise program, based on the Otago Exercise Program and the Visual Health Information Balance and Vestibular Exercise Kit. Participants in the control group (n=82) continued with their usual activities. Outcome Measures. Laboratory and clinical measures of balance, mobility, and strength were assessed at baseline and at a 6-month reassessment. Results. After 6 months, the intervention group (n=59) significantly improved relative to the control group (n=62) for: the Functional Reach Test (mean difference=2.95 cm, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.75 to 4.15), the Step Test (2.10 steps/15 seconds, 95% CI=1.17 to 3.02), hip abductor strength (0.02, 95% CI=0.01 to 0.03), and gait step width (2.17 cm, 95% CI=1.23 to 3.11). There were nonsignificant trends for improvement on most other measures. Fourteen participants in the intervention group (23.7%) achieved balance performance within the normative range following the exercise program, compared with 3 participants (4.8%) in the control group. Limitations. Loss to follow-up (26.6%) was slightly higher than in some similar studies but was unlikely to have biased the results. Conclusions. A physical therapist-prescribed home exercise program targeting balance and strength was effective in improving a number of balance and related outcomes in older people with mild balance impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background/Purpose: Older people commonly have concerns about their balance and mobility. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of mild balance dysfunction in community-dwelling older people with self-expressed concerns about balance and to determine factors associated with the presence of mild balance dysfunction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in Melbourne, Australia. Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment using clinical and force platform measures to detect mild levels of balance dysfunction. The independent association between potential factors and the presence of mild balance dysfunction was examined by multiple logistic regression while adjusting for confounding effects. Results: A total of 225 participants were recruited. Using a classification algorithm following assessment, 165 participants [73%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 68%–79%] were classified as having mild balance dysfunction. Some of the clinical measures such as the Step Test appeared to be able to discriminate between those with mild balance dysfunction and those without. Factors that were associated with mild balance impairment include: walking velocity [odds ratio (OR) = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.694–0.963); self-report physical activity level (OR = 0.798, 95% CI: 0.649–0.981); and self-reported balance concerns during walking (OR = 2.207, 95% CI: 1.020–4.785). Conclusion: The majority of participants who reported balance concerns had measurable mild balance dysfunction. Early risk identification should target those have lower physical activity level, have slower walking velocity, and express concerns about their balance during walking. Further research should investigate the utility of the simple clinical measures in isolation to classify risk of mild balance dysfunction. Health professionals should refer older people who report balance-related concerns to appropriate investigators and interventionists. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are inversely related to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Apolipoproteins AI and AII are the major protein constituents of HDL particles. APOAI and APOAII genetic polymorphisms have been proposed to affect transcriptional efficiency of their respective genes, thereby altering serum lipid levels and influencing atherosclerotic disease risk. 556 subjects with angiographically proven CAD (>50% stenosis) and 1109 randomly selected individuals from metropolitan Perth, Western Australia, were included in an association study. APOAI −75G/A (rs670) and APOAII −256T/C (rs5082) polymorphisms were both found to be not associated with plasma HDL levels. In a case–control analysis of 484 male CAD patients and 498 male controls, individuals carrying the ‘CC’ genotype for the APOAII rs5082 polymorphism had significantly lower risk of CAD than the ‘T’ allele carriers (OR=0.57, 95% CI 0.39–0.84, p =0.004). The minor ‘A’ allele of the APOAI rs670 polymorphism was found to be not associated with CAD, contrary to previous reports. We conclude that the APOAII rs5082 polymorphism appears to be cardioprotective in this representative Caucasian Australian population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Falls-related injuries are common and costly in Australia. They have a considerable impact on an older person's health and quality of life, yet very little is known about falls-related issues in people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This research aimed to explore the needs of older Chinese Australians in relation to falls prevention and to help the future design of culturally-appropriate falls prevention programs among this ethnic group. Two focus group discussions were conducted in Cantonese with 15 Chinese older people in Melbourne. Findings highlighted that this group of Chinese older people had a need for further education on falls risk factors and prevention strategies, preferably in their first language. Allied health services were viewed as being unfamiliar to participants. Findings indicated that falls prevention programs need to take into account Chinese older people's special language needs and service delivery preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advanced working face model of DInSAR and GPS joint encryption observation was established based on the basic theory of mining subsidence. The two encryption times that are surge point and dramatic reduction point of surface subsidence velocity were obtained from this model. Therefore the effectiveness of surface dynamic deformation monitoring of DInSAR technology was improved. At last DInSAR and GPS data monitored during mining Long wall 32 in West Cliff colliery in Australia were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The first consensus standardised neonatal parenteral nutrition formulations were implemented in many neonatal units in Australia in 2012. The current update involving 49 units from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and India was conducted between September 2015 and December 2017 with the aim to review and update the 2012 formulations and guidelines., Methods: A systematic review of available evidence for each parenteral nutrient was undertaken and new standardised formulations and guidelines were developed., Results: Five existing preterm Amino acid-Dextrose formulations have been modified and two new concentrated Amino acid-Dextrose formulations added to optimise amino acid and nutrient intake according to gestation. Organic phosphate has replaced inorganic phosphate allowing for an increase in calcium and phosphate content, and acetate reduced. Lipid emulsions are unchanged, with both SMOFlipid (Fresenius Kabi, Australia) and ClinOleic (Baxter Healthcare, Australia) preparations included. The physicochemical compatibility and stability of all formulations have been tested and confirmed. Guidelines to standardise the parenteral nutrition clinical practice across facilities have also been developed., Conclusions: The 2017 PN formulations and guidelines developed by the 2017 Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Consensus Group offer concise and practical instructions to clinicians on how to implement current and up-to-date evidence based PN to the NICU population.