ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6231-5305
Current Organisations
Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation
,
Banyule Community Health
,
Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 06-06-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FMICB.2022.898976
Abstract: Endophytic microorganisms are an important source of bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, fungal endophytes obtained from A*STAR’s Natural Product Library (NPL) and previously isolated from different habitats of Singapore were investigated for their ersity, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. A total of 222 fungal strains were identified on the basis of sequence analysis of ITS region of the rDNA gene. The identified fungal strains belong to 59 genera distributed in 20 orders. Majority of the identified strains (99% 219 strains) belong to the phylum Ascomycota , while two strains belonged to the phylum Basidiomycota , and only one strain was from Mucoromycota phylum. The most dominant genus was Colletotrichum accounting for 27% of all the identified strains. Chemical elicitation using 5-azacytidine and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and variation of fermentation media resulted in the discovery of more bioactive strains. Bioassay-guided isolation and structure elucidation of active constituents from three prioritized fungal strains: Lophiotrema sp. F6932, Muyocopron laterale F5912, and Colletotrichum tropicicola F10154, led to the isolation of a known compound palmarumycin C 8 and five novel compounds palmarumycin CP 30 , muyocopronol A-C and tropicicolide. Tropicicolide displayed the strongest antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus with an IC 50 value of 1.8 μg/ml but with a weaker activity against the Candida albicans presenting an IC 50 of 7.1 μg/ml. Palmarumycin C 8 revealed the best antiproliferative activity with IC 50 values of 1.1 and 2.1 μg/ml against MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, respectively.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-12-2016
Abstract: A key challenge to providing quality developmental care in remote Aboriginal primary health care (PHC) centers has been the absence of culturally appropriate developmental screening instruments. This study focused on the cross-cultural adaptation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, 3rd edition (ASQ-3), with careful attention to language and culture. We aimed to adapt the ASQ-3 for use with remote dwelling Australian Aboriginal children, and to investigate the cultural appropriateness and feasibility of the adapted ASQ-3 for use in this context. We undertook a qualitative study in two remote Australian Aboriginal communities, using a six-step collaborative adaptation process. Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) were trained to use the adapted ASQ-3, and follow-up interviews examined participants’ views of the cultural acceptability and usefulness of the adapted instrument. The adapted ASQ-3 was found to have high face validity and to be culturally acceptable and relevant to parents, AHWs, and early childhood development experts.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-05-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.14502
Abstract: To determine health practitioners' experience of using the culturally adapted Ages and Stages Questionnaire - Talking about Raising Aboriginal Kids (ASQ-TRAK) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 (ASQ-3) with Australian Aboriginal families and their perception about parents' acceptability and understanding of the instruments. We surveyed a convenience s le of practitioners who had used both the ASQ-TRAK and the ASQ-3 developmental screening tools with Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory and South Australia. We compared their experience and perception about parents' acceptability and understanding of both instruments. All 38 respondents used the ASQ-3 and 35 the ASQ-TRAK 100% rated the ASQ-TRAK as more acceptable and easier to understand for parents compared with 68% (P < 0.001) and 52.6% (P < 0.001), respectively, for the ASQ-3. A greater proportion of respondents were satisfied using the ASQ-TRAK (100%) than the ASQ-3 (65.7%) (P = 0.003). A higher proportion indicated that the ASQ-TRAK was respectful (85.3% compared with ASQ-3 27.8%, P < 0.001), culturally relevant (70.6% compared to 16.2%, P < 0.001) and engaging (76.5% compared to 16.2%, P < 0.001). Qualitative exploration of respondents' comments supported the quantitative findings. The ASQ-TRAK was considered more culturally appropriate, engaging and useful. Our findings demonstrate that the culturally adapted ASQ-TRAK is preferred to the ASQ-3 by health practitioners in the Australian Aboriginal context. Failing to address cultural and linguistic factors and applying measurement tools developed for one population to another, is problematic in any setting. While further research is required to explore parents' experience directly, these data provide support for the ASQ-TRAK to be used in this context.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2023
DOI: 10.1111/PPL.13909
Abstract: Pathogenesis‐related (PR) signaling plays multiple roles in plant development under abiotic and biotic stress conditions and is regulated by a plethora of plant physiological as well as external factors. Here, our study was conducted to evaluate the role of an ACC deaminase‐producing endophytic bacteria in regulating ethylene‐induced PR signaling in red pepper plants under salt stress. We also evaluated the efficiency of the bacteria in down‐regulating the PR signaling for efficient colonization and persistence in the plant endosphere. We used a characteristic endophyte, Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20 and its ACC deaminase knockdown mutant ( acdS − ). The wild‐type M. oryzae CBMB20 was able to decrease ethylene emission by 23% compared to the noninoculated and acdS − M. oryzae CBMB20 inoculated plants under salt stress. The increase in ethylene emission resulted in enhanced hydrogen peroxide concentration, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activity, β‐1,3 glucanase activity, and expression profiles of WRKY , CaPR1 , and CaPTI1 genes that are typical salt stress and PR signaling factors. Furthermore, the inoculation of both the bacterial strains had shown induction of PR signaling under normal conditions during the initial inoculation period. However, wild‐type M. oryzae CBMB20 was able to down‐regulate the ethylene‐induced PR signaling under salt stress and enhance plant growth and stress tolerance. Collectively, ACC deaminase‐producing endophytic bacteria down‐regulate the salt stress‐mediated PR signaling in plants by regulating the stress ethylene emission levels and this suggests a new paradigm in efficient colonization and persistence of ACC deaminase‐producing endophytic bacteria for better plant growth and productivity.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.EARLHUMDEV.2016.08.005
Abstract: Early detection of developmental problems is important for facilitating access to targeted intervention and maximising its positive effects. The later problems are identified, the more likely that they will become increasingly difficult to ameliorate. Standardised developmental screening tools are known to improve detection rates of developmental problems compared to clinical judgement alone and are widely recommended for use with all children. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) is a tool that is widely used in Australia. However, mainstream screening tools may not be appropriate for remote-dwelling Australian Aboriginal children. While Australian Aboriginal children face multiple developmental risk factors, there are no developmental screening tools that have been validated for use in this population. To determine the concurrent validity of the culturally adapted ASQ-3 - the ASQ-TRAK - for Australian Aboriginal children compared to the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III), a standardised, professionally administered developmental assessment. The ASQ-TRAK and Bayley-III were administered cross-sectionally to 67 Central Australian Aboriginal children between 2 and 36months of age. The ASQ-TRAK communication, gross motor, fine motor and problem-solving domains and the corresponding domains on the Bayley-III were moderately correlated. Overall sensitivity for the ASQ-TRAK was 71% (95% CI 29-96) and specificity was 92% (95% CI 88-99). Percentage agreement between the ASQ-TRAK and the Bayley-III was 90%. The ASQ-TRAK shows promise as a tool that can be used to improve developmental monitoring for remote dwelling Australian Aboriginal children. Further research is necessary to build on the current findings.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-07-2023
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.773
Abstract: The ASQ‐TRAK, a strengths‐based approach to developmental screening, has high acceptability and utility across varied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts. While substantive knowledge translation has seen many services utilise ASQ‐TRAK, we now need to move beyond distribution and support evidence‐based scale‐up to ensure access. Through a co‐design approach, we aimed to (1) understand community partners' perspectives of barriers and enablers to ASQ‐TRAK implementation and (2) develop an ASQ‐TRAK implementation support model to inform scale‐up. The co‐design process had four phases: (i) partnership development with five community partners (two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations) (ii) workshop planning and recruitment (iii) co‐design workshops and (iv) analysis, draft model and feedback workshops. Seven co‐design meetings and two feedback workshops with 41 stakeholders (17 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), identified seven key barriers and enablers, and a shared vision – all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families have access to the ASQ‐TRAK. Implementation support model components agreed on were: (i) ASQ‐TRAK training, (ii) ASQ‐TRAK support, (iii) local implementation support, (iv) engagement and communications, (v) continuous quality improvement and (vi) coordination and partnerships. This implementation support model can inform ongoing processes necessary for sustainable ASQ‐TRAK implementation nationally. This will transform the way services provide developmental care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, ensuring access to high quality, culturally safe developmental care. Well‐implemented developmental screening leads to more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receiving timely early childhood intervention services, improving developmental trajectories and optimising long‐term health and wellbeing.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 04-04-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S2040174422000101
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the association between hyperglycemia in pregnancy (type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)) and child developmental risk in Europid and Aboriginal women. PANDORA is a longitudinal birth cohort recruited from a hyperglycemia in pregnancy register, and from normoglycemic women in antenatal clinics. The Wave 1 substudy included 308 children who completed developmental and behavioral screening between age 18 and 60 months. Developmental risk was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) or equivalent modified ASQ for use with Aboriginal children. Emotional and behavioral risk was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between developmental scores and explanatory variables, including maternal T2D in pregnancy or GDM. After adjustment for ethnicity, maternal and child variables, and socioeconomic measures, maternal hyperglycemia was associated with increased developmental “concern” (defined as score ≥1 SD below mean) in the fine motor (T2D odds ratio (OR) 5.30, 95% CI 1.77–15.80 GDM OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.55–10.11) and problem-solving (T2D OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.05–6.98 GDM OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.17–5.54) domains, as well as increased “risk” (score ≥2 SD below mean) in at least one domain (T2D OR 5.33, 95% CI 1.85–15.39 GDM OR 4.86, 95% CI 1.95–12.10). Higher maternal education was associated with reduced concern in the problem-solving domain (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11–0.69) after adjustment for maternal hyperglycemia. Maternal hyperglycemia is associated with increased developmental concern and may be a potential target for intervention so as to optimize developmental trajectories.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-10-2023
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.670
Abstract: Accurate data on the health of Australia's First Nations peoples is critical in determining appropriate public health programs and establishing a baseline against which to measure progress. The effective translation of evidence into practice continues to be a challenge for Australian health departments and policymakers. The objective of this scoping review was to (i) determine the extent and range of policies relevant to the health and well‐being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory (NT) to (ii) identify what data is reported to be used as evidence to reconcile policy goals with outcomes, (iii) to describe issues acknowledged by policy makers relating to data availability and/or limitations, and to (iv) examine how principles of Indigenous inclusion and self‐determination are included in these policies. A search for current policy documents, strategic plans/initiatives or frameworks was conducted across Ovid Medline, PubMed, Informit, Scopus, in addition to a web‐based search for grey literature. Current policy documents for the period 2010‐2021 were included providing at least one of the goals or objectives were relevant to the health and well‐being of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from the NT. The search located 2610 unique citations. Full‐text screening was conducted on 85 documents, a total of 49 policy documents or strategic plans/frameworks were included in the final synthesis. The source of data being used as evidence was unclear or absent in 10 of the 49 (20.4%) identified policy documents. Limitations of the available data were mentioned to some extent, but detailed information on quality and completeness was largely absent. In mapping the key principles of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health contexts, only two policies articulated the need for information sharing and data governance. This review underscores the importance of providing clear information about which data is being used to inform policy decisions so that they may be evaluated and critiqued in meaningful ways that ensure decision makers are accountable. Specific data items and/or indicators should be explicitly referenced as evidence used in the development of policies promoting the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their communities from the outset so that evaluation is clear and policy makers are held accountable.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.EARLHUMDEV.2021.105481
Abstract: Developmental monitoring, performed using culturally relevant tools, is of critical importance for all young children. The ASQ-TRAK is the culturally and linguistically adapted Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), a developmental screening tool, for Australian Aboriginal children. While the ASQ-TRAK has been well received in practice, investigating its psychometric properties will enable professionals to make informed decisions about its use. To conduct a rigorous validation study of the ASQ-TRAK by applying Kane's argument-based approach. The ASQ-TRAK, Bayley-III and/or BDI-2 were administered cross-sectionally to 336 Australian Aboriginal children aged 2-48 months across ten participating sites in the Northern Territory and South Australia. A s le of staff and caregivers completed feedback surveys about the ASQ-TRAK. ASQ-TRAK domain scores were moderately positively correlated with corresponding domain scores on the Bayley-III or BDI-2. Inter-rater and inter-instrument reliability were high. Sensitivity (83%), specificity (83%) and negative predictive value (99%) were acceptable. Staff and caregivers expressed high levels of satisfaction with the ASQ-TRAK. Regular developmental screening can provide important information about developmental vulnerability and the need for services. The ASQ-TRAK should be administered by trained Aboriginal community-based workers and the implementation approach carefully planned. Areas for future research include longitudinal follow-up of children, investigating existing norms and cut-off scores, and considering the appropriateness of the ASQ-TRAK with Aboriginal people from different locations. The ASQ-TRAK has the potential to fill an important gap by enabling better access to high-quality developmental monitoring and targeted early intervention.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-04-2023
DOI: 10.1111/CCH.13006
Abstract: Recently in Australia, access to culturally safe developmental practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families has been enhanced by the availability of a culturally appropriate developmental screening tool, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire – Talking about Raising Aboriginal Kids (ASQ‐TRAK). This paper aims (i) to describe the uptake of the ASQ‐TRAK developmental screening tool in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations and mainstream services in Australia and (ii) to explore the extent to which organizations using the ASQ‐TRAK have engaged training for staff. A retrospective review of ASQ‐TRAK sales and training records from January 2015 to May 2020 to determine the ASQ‐TRAK distribution by jurisdiction and service type and the number of services that have engaged training. Five hundred ASQ‐TRAK kits have been distributed across 77 agencies. Of those, 100 kits (20%) have been purchased by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations. Most have been distributed in the Northern Territory (NT) (178, 36%), Western Australia (165, 33%) and South Australia (64, 13%). Of the 15 ASQ‐TRAK training workshops, nine have been in the NT. Of the 196 practitioners trained, 25 were identified as facilitators for their organization. Despite substantive research translation across Australia, with evidence of its acceptability in different contexts, most Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations have not yet accessed the ASQ‐TRAK, and most organizations have not participated in training. There is an imperative to progress knowledge translation to improve quality and accessibility of culturally appropriate developmental care. Adequately resourced ASQ‐TRAK implementation support is needed to ensure sustainable implementation at scale.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1111/CCH.12721
Abstract: Children with medical complexity (CMC) have high care needs, often unmet by traditional healthcare models. In response to this need, the Complex Care Service (CCS) at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne was created. Although preliminary parent satisfaction data were available, we lacked knowledge of how the various components of the expanded service were valued and contributed to overall caregiver satisfaction. The aims of this study were to (a) determine what caregivers value most about the CCS and (b) explore caregiver perceptions of care. All caregivers of children enrolled in the RCH CCS in April 2017 were invited to participate. A purposefully designed survey explored caregiver perceptions of care, including patient quality of care the extent to which the CCS components added value and satisfaction and frequency of contact. Participants were also invited to answer open-ended questions and provide general comments. Responses were received from 53 families (51%). We found that 24-hr phone advice, coordination of appointments, a key contact, and access to timely information were the most important components of the service. More than 90% of caregivers indicated that they were satisfied with care and that the CCS improved their child's quality of care. Coordination, communication, family-centred care, quality care, and access were emergent themes within comments. This study provides important information regarding the design and operation of services for CMC throughout Australia and further afield. Our findings highlight the importance of the key contact and family-centred care. This has implications for practice, as maintaining service quality, as the CCS expands and is implemented more widely, is a major sustainability challenge. It is crucial that we have a detailed understanding of what elements are required to support effective care coordination, to achieve successful implementation on a larger scale.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-10-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1754.2010.01883.X
Abstract: Aim: To trial the Brigance developmental screening tool as an instrument for identifying Australian Aboriginal children at risk of developmental disability and requiring diagnostic developmental assessment. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional study of Australian Aboriginal children, aged 3–7 years, resident in three remote communities in the Northern Territory. Following informed consent, children were screened by a paediatrician using the Brigance screen. Results: There were 195 children identified as eligible, and 124 (64%) participated. All children screened, scored below the cut‐off for detecting children likely to have developmental disabilities or academic delays. Furthermore, all children scored below the at‐risk cut‐offs that indicate high probability of disabilities in at‐risk children. Conclusions: The Brigance screen identified all children in these high‐risk Aboriginal communities as well behind their age peers. Language and cultural relevance, and the method of administration limit the use of this screening tool. However, we cannot ignore the uniformly poor performance on a mainstream tool used with children expected to succeed in a mainstream educational setting. Recommendations include adapting an appropriate instrument to guide developmental surveillance and monitoring in remote Australian Aboriginal communities. This study further supports the pressing need for quality early childhood services that address the significant risk confronting Aboriginal children and prepare them in a way that ensures school and future success.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-08-2022
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1951215
Abstract: The neonatal early onset sepsis calculator (Sepsis Calculator) is a screening tool for managing neonates at risk of early onset sepsis (EOS). In large tertiary centers it has been found to reduce empiric antibiotic use in newborns with suspected EOS by up to half, without missing EOS confirmed by blood culture. To evaluate the effect of implementation of the Sepsis Calculator at a low-dependency special care nursery in Australia on rates of antibiotic treatment for suspected EOS in newborns, and, to determine the compliance rate in applying the Sepsis Calculator. We undertook a retrospective medical record audit at The Women's at Sandringham Hospital during two two-month periods pre- and post-introduction of the Sepsis Calculator. The management of infants suspected of EOS and length of stay post-delivery were compared. Compliance with Sepsis Calculator use was measured. 526 infants were included: 266 in period 1 and 260 in period 2. There was no significant change in the proportion of infants who received empirical antibiotics for suspected EOS following introduction of the Sepsis Calculator (6 of 266 during period 1 2.2% vs. 8 of 260 during period 2 3.1% While we did not see a reduction in empirical antibiotic use, this is likely due to the already low baseline antibiotic treatment rate at our institution. Further exploration of how the calculator benefits infants and improves care in non-tertiary special care nurseries, including evaluating LOS, is needed.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-08-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.15099
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 17-04-2021
DOI: 10.1093/IJE/DYAB074
Abstract: Rigorously designed longitudinal studies can inform how best to reduce the widening health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. A systematic review was performed to identify and present the breadth and depth of longitudinal studies reporting the health and well-being of Indigenous children (aged 0–18 years) globally. Databases were searched up to 23 June 2020. Study characteristics were mapped according to domains of the life course model of health. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools. Reported level of Indigenous involvement was also appraised PROSPERO registration CRD42018089950. From 5545 citations, 380 eligible papers were included for analysis, representing 210 in idual studies. Of these, 41% were located in Australia (n = 88), 22.8% in the USA (n = 42), 11.9% in Canada (n = 25) and 10.9% in New Zealand (n = 23). Research tended to focus on either health outcomes (50.9%) or health-risk exposures (43.8%) 55% of studies were graded as ‘good’ quality and 89% of studies made at least one reference to the involvement of Indigenous peoples over the course of their research. We identified gaps in the longitudinal assessment of cultural factors influencing Indigenous child health at the macrosocial level, including connection to culture and country, intergenerational trauma, and racism or discrimination. Future longitudinal research needs to be conducted with strong Indigenous leadership and participation including holistic concepts of health. This is critical if we are to better understand the systematic factors driving health inequities experienced by Indigenous children globally.
Location: Singapore
No related grants have been discovered for Anita D'Aprano.