Search
Research
Two decades of increasing incidence of childhood-onset type 2 diabetes in Western Australia (2000–2019)This retrospective population‐based study aimed to determine the incidence of type 2 diabetes from 2012 to 2019 in Western Australian youth aged under 16 years, and to examine temporal trends between 2000 and 2019, using data from the Western Australian Children’s Diabetes Database (WACDD). The data extracted for eligible patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to standard criteria, included diagnosis year, age, sex and self‐reported Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status.
Research
Validation of a novel theory of mind measurement tool: The social robot video taskSocial communication difficulties in autism spectrum disorder have been associated with poor Theory of Mind (ToM), an ability to attribute mental states to others. Interventions using humanoid robots could improve ToM that may generalize to human-human interactions. Traditionally, ToM has been measured using the Firth-Happe Animations (FHA) task which depicts interactions between two animated triangles.
Research
ERS International Congress 2020 Virtual: highlights from the Allied Respiratory Professionals AssemblyThis article provides an overview of outstanding sessions that were (co)organised by the Allied Respiratory Professionals Assembly during the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2020, which this year assumed a virtual format. The content of the sessions was mainly targeted at allied respiratory professionals, including respiratory function technologists and scientists, physiotherapists, and nurses.
Research
Maternal diet, depression and antidepressant treatment in pregnancy and across the first 12 months postpartum in the MPEWS pregnancy cohort studyThere is increasing interest in the association between perinatal depression and diet including whether diet may have an impact on depressive symptoms and equally whether depression influences diet. Furthermore, whether pharmacological treatment of depression with antidepressant medication also may influence diet.
Research
FcgammaRIIb Expression Is Decreased on Naive and Marginal Zone-Like B Cells From Females With Multiple SclerosisB cells are critical to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms by which they contribute to the disease are poorly defined. We hypothesised that the expression of CD32b (FcγRIIb), a receptor for the Fc region of IgG with inhibitory activities in B cells, is lower on B cell subsets from people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or MS. CD32b expression was highest on post-naive IgM+ B cell subsets in healthy controls. For females with MS or CIS, significantly lower CD32b expression was identified on IgM+ B cell subsets, including naive and IgMhi MZ-like B cells, when compared with control females. Lower CD32b expression on these B cell subsets was associated with detectable anti-Epstein Barr Virus viral capsid antigen IgM antibodies, and higher serum levels of B cell activating factor. To investigate the effects of lower CD32b expression, B cells were polyclonally activated in the presence of IgG immune complexes, with or without a CD32b blocking antibody, and the expression of TNF and IL-10 in B cell subsets was assessed.
Research
Associations between School Readiness and Student Wellbeing: A Six-Year Follow Up StudyIt is well established that children’s school readiness is associated with their later academic achievement, but less is known about whether school readiness is also associated with other measures of school success, such as students’ social and emotional wellbeing. While some previous research has shown a link between early social and emotional development and student wellbeing, results are mixed and the strength of these relationships vary depending on whether data is based on child, teachers or parents ratings and which specific student wellbeing outcomes are measured.
Research
Study protocol of a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of probiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy in inducing desensitisation or tolerance in children with peanut allergy compared with oral immunotherapyPeanut allergy is the the most common cause of life-threatening food-induced anaphylaxis. There is currently no effective long-term treatment. There is a pressing need for definitive treatments that improve the quality of life and prevent fatalities.
Research
Profile of severely growth-restricted births undelivered at 40 weeks in Western AustraliaHigher levels of poor perinatal outcomes among FGR births highlight the importance of appropriate management including fetal growth monitoring
Research
A qualitative examination of the cognitive and behavioural challenges experienced by children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorderThe findings suggest consistency between caregivers in their reports of the difficulties experienced by children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Research
Understanding obesity among companion dogs: New measures of owner's beliefs and behaviour and associations with body condition scoresThe findings provide a method for assessing a wide range of factors that may be associated with obesity among companion dogs