Edith Cowan University

About: Edith Cowan University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Tourism. The organization has 4040 authors who have published 13529 publications receiving 339582 citations. The organization is also known as: Edith Cowan & ECU.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized as complete or partial upper airflow cessation during sleep Although it has been widely accepted that OSA is a risk factor for the development of hypertension, the studies focusing on this topic revealed inconsistent results We aimed to clarify the association between OSA and hypertension, including essential and medication-resistant hypertension Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed PubMed and Embase databases were used for searching the relevant studies published up to December 31, 2016 A quantitative approach of meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) Results Twenty-six studies with 51 623 participants (28 314 men, 23 309 women; mean age 518 years) met inclusion criteria and were included in this study Among them, six studies showed a significant association between OSA and resistant hypertension (pooled OR = 2842, 95% CI = 1703-3980, P < 005) Meanwhile, the combination of 20 original studies on the association of OSA with essential hypertension also presented significant results with the pooled ORs of 1184 (95% CI = 1093-1274, P < 005) for mild OSA, 1316 (95% CI = 1197-1433, P < 005) for moderate OSA and 1561 (95% CI = 1287-1835, P < 005) for severe OSA Conclusions Our findings indicated that OSA is related to an increased risk of resistant hypertension Mild, moderate and severe OSA are associated essential hypertension, as well a dose-response manner relationship is manifested The associations are relatively stronger among Caucasians and male OSA patients

The Philosophy of Critical Realism—An Opportunity for Information Systems Research

Abstract: It is argued that recent research in the information systems field has tended to either emphasise the structural/collective dimension or the agency/individual dimension, not both. Structuration theory is a more recent attempt to address both agency and structure, however there are a number of issues with the use of structuration theory in information systems research, not the least of which is its lack of recognition of the temporal and longitudinal nature of information systems development. A relatively new philosophy, critical realism, provides the potential for a new approach to social investigations in its provision of an ontology for the analytical separation of structure and agency. The philosophy is introduced and its implications for sociological investigation are discussed.

Increased mast cells and neutrophils in submucosal mucous glands and mucus plugging in patients with asthma

Abstract: Background: Mucus plugging of the airways is invariably seen in cases of fatal asthma, mucus production is associated with asthma attacks, and the area of submucosal glands is increased in asthma. Mediators secreted from mast cells and neutrophils can stimulate mucous gland secretion. A study was undertaken to count the mast cells and neutrophils in submucosal glands and to relate cell numbers to the presence of mucus in the airway lumen. Methods: Cartilaginous airways obtained at necropsy from cases of fatal asthma (n=8), non-fatal asthma (n=8), and control cases (n=8) were examined. Contiguous transverse sections were stained for mast cell tryptase and neutrophil elastase, and with Periodic Acid Schiff solution to identify mucus. Mucous gland area, lumen area, and the percentage of the relaxed lumen area occupied by mucus (mucus occupying ratio, MOR) were measured. Mast cells (intact and degranulated) and neutrophils per area of submucosal gland were calculated. Results: Compared with controls, the cases of fatal asthma had increased mucous gland area, MOR, percentage of degranulated mast cells, and numbers of neutrophils in the submucosal glands (p<0.05). In cases of non-fatal asthma the MOR and the numbers of mast cells and neutrophils in the submucosal glands were increased (p<0.05). When all cases were pooled together, the MOR correlated with the total number of mast cells ( r =0.55, p=0.005) and with the number of degranulated mast cells in the submucosal glands ( r =0.51, p=0.013), but not with the number of neutrophils ( r =0.21, p=0.121). Conclusion: These results show that mucous gland area, MOR, and mucous gland inflammation are increased in asthma and that degranulation of mast cells may contribute to secretion of mucus into the lumen in cases of fatal asthma.

Social and Ecological Structures Supporting Adolescent Connectedness to School: A Theoretical Model

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a time of great change. For most young people, this is a healthy and happy experience; however, for some it is characterized by many health, social, and academic challenges. A student's feeling of connectedness to school helps meet these challenges. Little is known, however, about the school characteristics that promote this connection and, more importantly, how this connection occurs. This article reviews the connectedness literature and integrates health promotion, adolescent development, and ecological frameworks to describe how a school context fosters this connection. METHOD: A systematic search and review process was used to retrieve scholarly articles pertaining to the research topic. RESULTS: Each retrieved article was summarized, and a subsequent model was developed to define a school ecology and describe how this ecology influences a student's need to feel connected to school and the positive influence this connection has on adolescent health and well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating developmental, ecological, and health promotion intervention theories and frameworks assists in the identification of interpersonal and organizational aspects of a school environment, which satisfy an individual's needs to feel autonomous, competent, and connected, and to improve health and well-being outcomes for adolescents.