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The role of fathers in supporting the development of their NICU infantContemporary models of NICU care emphasize the critical role of parents in supporting their infant's development. Fathers play an important, but underutilized, role throughout their infant's NICU journey. This narrative review describes the main direct and indirect mechanisms through which fathers support the development of their NICU infant, and the barriers and facilitators to this support as described in current research.
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Centralising Local Aboriginal Language and Culture in Healthy Skin Books on the See Treat Prevent (SToP) Trial in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia: A Process and Impact InquiryLanguage is significant for communicating knowledge across cultures and generations and has the power to attribute meanings and alter our worldviews. More than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders languages were spoken in 1788. This number has diminished to approximately 110 languages spoken in 2016, of which 90% were considered endangered in 2019. Language custodians and speakers across Australia are working to preserve and ensure languages are strongly spoken into the future.
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Acute rheumatic feverAcute rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disorder resulting from Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis or impetigo in children and adolescents, which may evolve to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with persistent cardiac valve damage. RHD causes substantial mortality and morbidity globally, predominantly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, with an interplay of social determinants of health and genetic factors determining overall risk.
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Immune impacts of infant whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccination on co-administered vaccinesWe compared the effect of a heterologous wP/aP/aP primary series (hereafter mixed wP/aP) versus a homologous aP/aP/aP primary schedule (hereafter aP-only) on antibody responses to co-administered vaccine antigens in infants and toddlers.
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Lytic activity, stability, biofilm disruption capabilities and genomic characterisation of two bacteriophages active against respiratory MRSAThis study aimed to characterise bacteriophages for potential therapeutic use against Staphylococcus aureus, focusing on clinical respiratory isolates of methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains. Specifically, it sought to evaluate phage lytic activity, host range, stability, biofilm disruption capabilities, and overall safety for therapeutic use.
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Quantitative electroencephalogram and machine learning to predict expired sevoflurane concentration in infantsProcessed electroencephalography (EEG) indices used to guide anesthetic dosing in adults are not validated in young infants. Raw EEG can be processed mathematically, yielding quantitative EEG parameters (qEEG). We hypothesized that machine learning combined with qEEG can accurately classify expired sevoflurane concentrations in young infants. Knowledge from this may contribute to development of future infant-specific EEG algorithms.
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Care provided to women during and after a pregnancy complicated by hyperglycaemia: the impacts of a multi-component health systems interventionAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience a disproportionate burden of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. A multi-component health systems intervention aiming to improve antenatal and postpartum care was implemented across Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and Far North Queensland (FNQ) between 2016 and 2019. Components included clinician education, improving recall systems, enhancing policies and guidelines, and embedding Diabetes in Pregnancy (DIP) Clinical Registers in systems of care. This program was evaluated to determine impacts on clinical practice and maternal health.
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Does exercise in cool water cause a higher risk of hypoglycaemia than in thermoneutral conditions in type 1 diabetes?The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise in cool water results in a greater decrease in blood glucose concentration than in thermoneutral water or on land in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
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Teaching Kitchens: An innovative program for enhancing self-management skills in adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) – A feasibility studyAdolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are faced with unique challenges to nutrition management. The current Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) T1D management model includes individualised education at diagnosis and annual reviews. Currently, no group education is provided to develop self-management skills for healthy meal preparation. Teaching Kitchens offers a skills-based program in food literacy and nutrition. This feasibility study explored if a Teaching Kitchens program at PCH engaged adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years, living with T1D.
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Psychological and self care outcomes for children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers attending diabetes camp: A mixed methods studyDiabetes camps for children and adolescents living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) offer an important opportunity to foster self-efficacy and 'common humanity', a sense that they are not alone in their challenges. The current study primarily aimed to assess whether psychological wellbeing, diabetes self care behaviours and HbA1c improved amongst campers and their caregivers, and whether these would be sustained at 3- and 6-months.