Australian Catholic University

About: Australian Catholic University is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 2721 authors who have published 10013 publications receiving 215248 citations. The organization is also known as: ACU & ACU National.

The age-prospective memory-paradox: an exploration of possible mechanisms

Abstract: Background: The age-prospective memory-paradox describes the general pattern of age-related deficits in laboratory-based prospective memory tasks and age-related benefits in naturalistic tasks that are carried out in participants' everyday lives. However, the mechanisms which are critical in determining the direction of age effects remain poorly delineated. Method: Twenty young and 20 old adults performed a laboratory and a naturalistic prospective memory task, which were similar in structure and demand. Several factors highlighted in recent theoretical models as potentially important to understanding the paradox (motivation, metacognitive awareness, activity absorption, control over the task) were assessed and their contribution to the age paradox empirically explored. Results: First, analyzing mean level age differences, the paradox was confirmed. Second, exploring possible correlates of the paradox revealed that, while low levels of daily activity absorption, high motivation and good metacognitive awareness were associated with age benefits in prospective memory performance in the naturalistic task, high ongoing activity absorption and low control over the prospective memory cue seem important for understanding age deficits in lab-based tasks. Conclusion: The current study confirms the age-prospective memory-paradox within one sample and with carefully matched laboratory and naturalistic tasks. Additionally, it takes an important step forward in clarifying the role of different factors in understanding age effects across these different contexts. The results indicate that the relative importance of different factors vary as a function of assessment context, with conceptual as well as applied implications.

The Effect of Childhood Trauma on Later Psychological Adjustment

Abstract: This study examined whether adult attachment and cognitive distortion mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological adjustment. The participants were 219 students (40 men and 117 women) enrolled in a university degree. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, which assessed retrospective accounts of childhood trauma; the Relationships Scales Questionnaire, which measured two dimensions of adult attachment (model-of-self and model-of-other); the Cognitive Distortions Scale, which measured internal attributions and perceptions of controllability; and the Trauma Symptom Inventory, which assessed posttraumatic symptoms and was used in this study to measure psychological adjustment. Results supported the hypothesis that model-of-self and cognitive distortion are related constructs. The influence of model-of-self on psychological adjustment however was only via its effect on cognitive processes. In other words, a negative model-of-self influenced cognitive distortion, which in turn influenced the expression of symptoms in adults reporting a history of childhood trauma. The implications for therapy were considered.

The respiratory health of urban indigenous children aged less than 5 years: study protocol for a prospective cohort study

Abstract: Despite the burden of acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being a substantial cause of childhood morbidity and associated costs to families, communities and the health system, data on disease burden in urban children are lacking. Consequently evidence-based decision-making, data management guidelines, health resourcing for primary health care services and prevention strategies are lacking. This study aims to comprehensively describe the epidemiology, impact and outcomes of ARI in urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) in the greater Brisbane area. An ongoing prospective cohort study of Indigenous children aged less than five years registered with a primary health care service in Northern Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Children are recruited at time of presentation to the service for any reason. Demographic, epidemiological, risk factor, microbiological, economic and clinical data are collected at enrolment. Enrolled children are followed for 12 months during which time ARI events, changes in child characteristics over time and monthly nasal swabs are collected. Children who develop an ARI with cough as a symptom during the study period are more intensely followed-up for 28 (±3) days including weekly nasal swabs and parent completed cough diary cards. Children with persistent cough at day 28 post-ARI are reviewed by a paediatrician. Our study will be one of the first to comprehensively evaluate the natural history, epidemiology, aetiology, economic impact and outcomes of ARIs in this population. The results will inform studies for the development of evidence-based guidelines to improve the early detection, prevention and management of chronic cough and setting of priorities in children during and after ARI. Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry Registration Number: 12614001214628 . Registered 18 November 2014

European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)/European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR) position paper on how to prevent atrial fibrillation endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS)

Abstract: ACEI, : angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors AF, : atrial fibrillation ARB, : angiotensin receptor blockers AVNRT, : atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia BMI, : body mass index CHADS2, : cardiac failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, stroke (doubled) CHA2DS2-VASc, : congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction, hypertension, age ≥75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke/transient ischaemic attack (doubled)-vascular disease, age 65–74, sex category (female) CI, : confidence interval FU, : follow-up HR, : hazard ratio HDL, : high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ICD, : implantable cardioverter defibrillators LA, : left atrium LDL, : low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LV, : left ventricle NOAC, : non-VKA oral anticoagulant OAC, : oral anticoagulation OR, : odds ratio OSA, : obstructive sleep apnoea n 3-PUFA, : ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids RAAS, : renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system RR, : relative risk SBP, : systolic blood pressure SAMe-TT2R2, : sex (female), age (<60 years), medical history, treatment (interacting drugs, eg amiodarone for rhythm control), tobacco use (within 2 years) (doubled), Race (non-Caucasian) (doubled) SVT, : supraventricular tachyarrhythmia VKA, : vitamin K antagonist Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important and highly prevalent arrhythmia, which is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality, including a four- to five-fold increased risk for stroke,1,2 a two-fold increased risk for dementia,3,4 a three-fold risk for heart failure,2 a two-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction,5,6 and a 40–90% increased risk for overall mortality2,7 The constantly increasing number of AF patients and recognition of increased morbidity, mortality, impaired quality of life, safety issues, and side effects of rhythm control strategies with antiarrhythmic drugs, and high healthcare costs associated with AF have spurred numerous investigations to develop more effective treatments for AF and its complications8 Although AF treatment has been studied extensively, AF prevention has received relatively little attention, while it has paramount importance in the prevention of morbidity and mortality, and complications associated with arrhythmia and its treatment Current evidence shows a clear association between the presence of modifiable risk factors and the risk of developing AF By implementing AF risk reduction strategies aiming at risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which are interrelated, we impact upon the escalating …