ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2482-7953
Current Organisations
Queensland University of Technology
,
Preston and Northcote Community Hospital
,
University of Queensland
,
La Trobe University
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2019
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-11-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13384
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACTBIO.2022.01.035
Abstract: There is an unmet clinical need for a spinal fusion implant material that recapitulates the biological and mechanical performance of natural bone. We have developed a bioceramic, Sr-HT-Gahnite, which has been identified as a potential fusion device material. This material has the capacity to transform the future of the global interbody devices market, with follow on social, economic, and environmental benefits, rooted in its remarkable combination of mechanical properties and bioactivity. In this study, and in line with FDA requirements, the in vivo preclinical systemic biological safety of a Sr-HT-Gahnite interbody fusion device is assessed over 26 weeks in sheep under good laboratory practice (GLP). Following the in-life phase, animals are assessed for systemic biological effects via blood haematology and clinical biochemistry, strontium dosage analysis in the blood and wool, and histopathology examination of the distant organs including adrenals, brain, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and bronchi, skeletal muscle, spinal nerves close to the implanted sites, ovaries, and draining lymph nodes. Our results show that no major changes in blood haematology or biochemistry parameters are observed, no systemic distribution of strontium to the blood and wool, and no macroscopic or histopathological abnormalities in the distant organs when Sr-HT-Gahnite was implanted, compared to baseline and control values. Together, these results indicate the systemic safety of the Sr-HT-Gahnite interbody fusion device. The results of this study extend to the systemic safety of other Sr-HT-Gahnite implanted medical devices in contact with bone or tissue, of similar size and manufactured using the described processes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This paper is considered original and innovative as it is the first that thoroughly reports the systemic biological safety of previously undescribed bioceramic material, Sr-HT-Gahnite. The study has been performed under good laboratory practice, in line with FDA requirements for assessment of a new interbody fusion device, making the results broadly applicable to the translation of sheep models to the human cervical spine and also the translation of Sr-HT-Gahnite as a biomaterial for use in additional applications. We expect this study to be of broad interest to the readership of Acta Biomaterilia. Its findings are directly applicable to researchers and clinicians working in bone repair and the development of synthetic biomaterials.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1039/D2MH00785A
Abstract: A material- and scale-independent ceramic self-shaping technique using heterogeneous green body compositions resulted in a rich set of shape changes. A model predicted shape change precisely and can serve as a design tool for future developments.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-2014
DOI: 10.1017/S003329171400172X
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are persistent disabling neurodevelopmental disorders clinically evident from early childhood. For the first time, the burden of ASDs has been estimated for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010). The aims of this study were to develop global and regional prevalence models and estimate the global burden of disease of ASDs. A systematic review was conducted for epidemiological data (prevalence, incidence, remission and mortality risk) of autistic disorder and other ASDs. Data were pooled using a Bayesian meta-regression approach while adjusting for between-study variance to derive prevalence models. Burden was calculated in terms of years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), which are reported here by world region for 1990 and 2010. In 2010 there were an estimated 52 million cases of ASDs, equating to a prevalence of 7.6 per 1000 or one in 132 persons. After accounting for methodological variations, there was no clear evidence of a change in prevalence for autistic disorder or other ASDs between 1990 and 2010. Worldwide, there was little regional variation in the prevalence of ASDs. Globally, autistic disorders accounted for more than 58 DALYs per 100 000 population and other ASDs accounted for 53 DALYs per 100 000. ASDs account for substantial health loss across the lifespan. Understanding the burden of ASDs is essential for effective policy making. An accurate epidemiological description of ASDs is needed to inform public health policy and to plan for education, housing and financial support services.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-02-2023
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13614
Abstract: The shifting landscape in Australia's tobacco and cannabis policies and emerging new products and modes of administration may increase experimentation and the risks of addiction to these drugs. We analysed cross‐sectional data from the 2019 National Drug Strategy and Household Survey ( n = 22,015) of Australians aged 14 and above. Latent class analysis was used to identify distinct groups based on types of tobacco and cannabis products used. The socio‐demographic, health‐rated correlates and past‐year substance use of each latent class was examined. A four‐class solution was identified: co‐use of tobacco and cannabis (2.4%), cannabis‐only (5.5%), tobacco‐only (8.0%) and non‐user (84.0%). Males (odds ratio [OR] range 1.5–2.9), younger age (OR range 2.4–8.4), moderate to high psychological distress (OR range 1.3–3.0), using illicit substances in the last year (OR range 1.41–22.87) and high risk of alcohol use disorder (OR range 2.0–21.7) were more likely to be in the tobacco/cannabis use classes than non‐users. Within the co‐use class, 78.4% mixed tobacco with cannabis and 89.4% had used alcohol with cannabis at least once. Approximately 16% of respondents used tobacco or cannabis, or both substances, and no major distinct subgroups were identified by the use of different product types. Mental health issues and the poly‐substance use were more common in the class who were co‐users of cannabis and tobacco. Existing policies need to minimise cannabis and tobacco‐related harms to reduce the societal burden associated with both substances.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2000
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2018
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 12-2006
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/PY17030
Abstract: Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are a new institution for health systems management in the Australian healthcare system. PHNs will play a key role in mental health reform through planning and commissioning primary mental health services at a regional level, specifically adopting a stepped care approach. Selected PHNs are also trialling a healthcare homes approach. Little is known about the systems levers that could be applied by PHNs to achieve these aims. A rapid review of academic and grey literature published between 2006 and 2016 was undertaken to describe the use of systems levers in commissioning primary care services. Fifty-six documents met the inclusion criteria, including twelve specific to primary mental healthcare. Twenty-six levers were identified. Referral management, contracts and tendering processes, and health information systems were identified as useful levers for implementing stepped care approaches. Location, enrolment, capitation and health information systems were identified as useful in implementing a healthcare homes approach. Other levers were relevant to overall health system functioning. Further work is needed to develop a robust evidence-base for systems levers. PHNs can facilitate this by documenting and evaluating the levers that they deploy, and making their findings available to researchers and other commissioning bodies.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2006
DOI: 10.1080/J.1440-1614.2006.01803.X
Abstract: Objectives: This paper reports on changes, over time and between states, in the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the private psychiatric sector in Australia between 1984 and 2004. Method: Data for ECT services, and all specialist psychiatry services provided under the Medicare system, have been analysed in absolute numbers and as utilization rates. Results: Changes in the use of ECT over time are different from other services provided by private psychiatrists. As in other countries, the use of ECT initially declined in period studied but has increased in recent years. In addition, there is a clear pattern of differential use of ECT between the states and territories. Conclusions: This descriptive study cannot ‘explain’ the results obtained: other data, incorporated into an explanatory model using regression analysis, are needed to determine the factors underlying the utilization patterns obtained in this study. Thus, further work is needed. Furthermore, it is important to analyse data at a lower level of geographical aggregation than that of the state/territory: this (state/territory) aggregation conceals differences in utilization between metropolitan, minor city, rural and remote regions of the country.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 28-07-2001
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1039/D1NR01389K
Abstract: Optimization of the carbon dots synthetic parameters, including type of solvent, heating time, dopant quantity, and particle size distribution range, to gain a better understanding of their effect on carbon dots photophysical and biological behavior.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1753-6405.2010.00590.X
Abstract: Although there is population data on the prevalence and treated prevalence of mental disorders by urban-rural indices, there is a lacuna of information pertaining to employees. This paper examines the prevalence and treated prevalence of psychological distress in employees by urban-rural indicators. Cross-sectional employee Health and Performance at Work Questionnaire responses (n=78,726 from 58 large companies) are interrogated by indices of remoteness (Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia), psychological distress (Kessler 6) and treatment-seeking behaviours for mental health problems. The overall prevalence of moderate or high psychological distress in employees was 35.2%. The prevalence varied only slightly (maximum to minimum difference of 4.6%) by rural/remote indices. Overall treatment-seeking behaviour for psychological distress was low (22.5%). The percentage of employees seeking treatment for high levels of psychological distress was the lowest in very remote regions (15.1%). Very remote employees are less likely to access mental health treatments and may be an employee subgroup that would benefit from specific employer health interventions aimed to increase treatment-seeking behaviours. Employees in very remote Australia could benefit from specific interventions aimed to increase mental health awareness/literacy.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1017/S1744133106006244
Abstract: Australia has a national, compulsory and universal health insurance scheme, called Medicare. In 1996 the Government changed the Medicare Benefit Schedule Book in such a way as to create different financial incentives for consumers or producers of out-of-hospital private psychiatric services, once an in idual consumer had received 50 such services in a 12-month period. The Australian Government introduced a new Item (319) to cover some special cases that were affected by the policy change. At the same time, the Commonwealth introduced a ‘fee-freeze’ for all medical services. The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, it is necessary to describe the three policy interventions (the constraints on utilization, the operation of the new Item and the general ‘fee-freeze’.) The new Item policy was essentially a mechanism to ‘d en’ the effect of the ‘constraint’ policy, and these two policy changes will be consequently analysed as a single intervention. The second objective is to evaluate the policy intervention in terms of the (stated) Australian purpose of reducing utilization of psychiatric services, and thus reducing financial outlays. Thus, it is important to separate out the different effects of the three policies that were introduced at much the same time in November 1996 and January 1997. The econometric results indicate that the composite policy change (constraining services and the new 319 Item) had a statistically significant effect. The analysis of the Medicare Benefit (in constant prices) indicates that the ‘fee-freeze’ policy also had a statistically significant effect. This enables separate determination of the several policy changes. In fact, the empirical results indicate that the Commonwealth Government underestimated the ‘savings’ that would arise from the ‘constraint’ policy.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2012.03.020
Abstract: Increasing demand on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) services led to a recommendation that low risk patients be considered for twice weekly ECT rather than the usual thrice weekly. We evaluated whether practice changed and compared patient clinical outcomes for twice and thrice weekly ECT. Medical records for all patients receiving ECT in the 2-year study period (1/9/08 to 30/8/10) were reviewed to determine ECT protocol, diagnosis, admission duration and readmission rates. During the study period, 119 patients received 150 treatment courses. Patient outcomes were compared for twice weekly ECT and thrice weekly ECT protocols, as well as for 1 year before and after the recommendation (1/9/09). Twice weekly ECT courses increased (8-20) after the recommendation while thrice weekly ECT courses decreased (64-30). The recommendation had no significant effect on patient outcomes. Comparing twice and thrice weekly ECT, patient clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups, though non-affective twice weekly patients waited longer before starting ECT. In the context of resource constraints, psychiatrists can be influenced to examine and change their ECT prescribing practice. This bodes well for the implementation of evidence-based treatment into mental health services. Secondly, for adults, there appear to be no significant differences in clinical outcomes for twice versus thrice weekly ECT.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-07-2014
Abstract: Concerns about fragmented mental health service delivery persist, particularly for people with severe and persistent mental illness. The objective was to review evidence regarding outcomes attributed to system-level intersectoral linkages involving mental health services and non-clinical support services, and to identify barriers and facilitators to the intersectoral linkage process. A systematic, qualitative review of studies describing attempts to coordinate the activities of multiple service agencies at the policy, program or organisational level was conducted. Electronic databases Medline, PsycINFO and EMBASE were searched via OVID from inception to July 2012. Of 1593 studies identified, 40 were included in the review – 26 in adult and 14 in vulnerable youth populations. Identified mechanisms to promote positive system-level outcomes included: interagency coordinating committees or intersectoral/interface workers engaged in joint service planning formalised interagency collaborative agreements a single care plan in which the responsibilities of all agencies are described cross-training of staff to ensure staff culture, attitudes, knowledge and skills are complementary service co-location and blended funding initiatives to ensure funding aligns with program integration. Identified barriers included: adequacy of funding and technology ensuring realistic workloads overcoming ‘turf issues’ between service providers and disagreements regarding areas of responsibility ensuring integration strategies are implemented as planned and maintaining stakeholder enthusiasm. System-level intersectoral linkages can be achieved in various ways and are associated with positive clinical and non-clinical outcomes for services and clients. Some linkage mechanisms present greater implementation challenges than others (e.g. major technology upgrades or co-location in geographically remote areas). In some instances (e.g. co-location) alternative options may achieve equivalent benefits. Publication bias could not be discounted, and studies using high-quality research designs are scarce. The limited information base applicable to system-level integration argues strongly for the evaluation of the models that evolve in the rollout of the national Partners in Recovery initiative.
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 2024
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2022
End Date: 2025
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2015
End Date: 2018
Funder: Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Nature et Technologies
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2019
End Date: 2020
Funder: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2021
End Date: 2021
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity