Recovering Microalgal Bioresources: A Review of Cell Disruption Methods and Extraction Technologies.

Microalgae have evolved into a promising sustainable source of a wide range of compounds, including protein, carbohydrates, biomass, vitamins, animal feed, and cosmetic products. The process of extraction of intracellular composites in the microalgae industry is largely determined by the microalgal species, cultivation methods, cell wall disruption techniques, and extraction strategies. Various techniques have been applied to disrupt the cell wall and recover the intracellular molecules from microalgae, including non-mechanical, mechanical, and combined methods. A comprehensive understanding of the cell disruption processes in each method is essential to improve the efficiency of current technologies and further development of new methods in this field. In this review, an overview of microalgal cell disruption techniques and an analysis of their performance and challenges are provided. A number of studies on cell disruption and microalgae extraction are examined in order to highlight the key challenges facing the field of microalgae and their future prospects. In addition, the amount of product recovery for each species of microalgae and the important parameters for each technique are discussed. Finally, pulsed electric field (PEF)-assisted treatments, which are becoming an attractive option due to their simplicity and effectiveness in extracting microalgae compounds, are discussed in detail.

Genetic and biological characterization of Newcastle disease viruses circulating in Bangladesh during 2010-2017: further genetic diversification of class II genotype XIII in Southcentral Asia.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is endemic in Bangladesh and is a major threat to commercial poultry operations. While complete fusion (F) genes are recommended for molecular characterization and classification of NDV isolates, heretofore, only partial F gene data have been available for Bangladeshi NDVs. To this end, we obtained the full-length F gene coding sequences of 11 representative NDVs isolated in Bangladesh between 2010 and 2017. In addition, one of the viruses (MK934289/chicken/Bangladesh/C161/2010) was used in an experimental infection of chickens to establish the viral pathotype and study gross and microscopic lesions. Phylogenetic analysis provided evidence that all studied Bangladeshi isolates belong to genotype XIII.2 of class II NDVs. Six of the viruses were isolated between 2010 and 2017 and grouped together with isolates from neighbouring India during 2013-2016. Another four Bangladeshi isolates (2010-2016) formed a separate monophyletic branch within XIII.2 and showed high nucleotide distance from the isolates from India and the other six Bangladeshi viruses within the sub-genotype; however, none of these groups fulfils all classification criteria to be named as a separate sub-genotype. The eleventh Bangladeshi virus studied here (C162) was genetically more distant from the remaining isolates. It out-grouped the viruses from sub-genotypes XIII.2.1 and XIII.2.2 and showed more than 9.5 % nucleotide distance from all genotype XIII sub-genotypes. This isolate may represent an NDV variant that is evolving independently from the other viruses in the region. The experimental infection in chickens revealed that the tested isolate (C161) is a velogenic viscerotropic virus. Massive haemorrhages, congestion and necrosis in different visceral organs, and lymphoid depletion in lymphoid tissues, typical for infection with velogenic NDV, were observed. Our findings demonstrate the endemic circulation of sub-genotype XIII.2 in Southcentral Asia and further genetic diversification of these viruses in Bangladesh and neighbouring India. This constant evolution of the viruses may lead to the establishment of new genetic groups in the region. Additional historical and prospective virus and surveillance data from the region and neighbouring countries will allow a more detailed epidemiological inference.

Successful ageing from old to very old: a longitudinal study of 12,432 women from Australia.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the development of disease and disability in a large cohort of older women, the extent to which these conditions exempt them from being classified as successful agers and different trajectories of disease, disability and longevity across women's later life. METHODS: We used survey data from 12,432 participants of the 1921-26 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health from 1996 (age 70-75) to 2016 (age 90-95). Repeated measures latent class analysis (RMLCA) identified trajectories of the development of disease with or without disability and according to longevity. Bivariate analyses and multivariable multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the association between participants' baseline characteristics and membership of the latent classes. RESULTS: Over one-third of women could be considered to be successful agers when in their early 70s, few women could still be classified in this category throughout their later life or by the end of the study when they were in their 90s (~1%). RMLCA identified six trajectory groups including managed agers long survivors (9.0%) with disease but little disability, usual agers long survivors (14.9%) with disease and disability, usual agers (26.6%) and early mortality (25.7%). A small group of women having no major disease or disability well into their 80s were identified as successful agers (5.5%). A final group, missing surveys (18.3%), had a high rate of non-death attrition. Groups were differentiated by a number of social and health factors including marital status, education, smoking, body mass index, exercise and social support. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows different trajectories of disease and disability in a cohort of ageing women, over time and through to very old ages. While some women continue into very old age with no disease or disability, many more women live long with disease but little disability, remaining independent beyond their capacity to be classified as successful agers.

Transitioning of older Australian women into and through the long-term care system: a cohort study using linked data.

BACKGROUND: Over two-thirds of older Australians use different types/levels of aged care at some point in later life. Our aims were to estimate transitional probabilities and to identify risk factors influencing the movement between different levels of long-term care. METHODS: The sample consisted of 9007 women from the 1921-26 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Transitional probabilities between different levels of long-term care were estimated using a continuous-time Markov model. RESULTS: An 11-fold transition rates ratio was observed for the movement from non-user to home and community care (HACC) versus non-user to residential aged care (RAC). The predicted probabilities of remaining in the non-user state, HACC, and RAC after 10 years from the baseline were .28, .24, and .11, respectively. While the corresponding probabilities of dying from these states were .36, .65, and .90. The risk of transitioning from the non-user state to either HACC or RAC was greater for participants who were older at baseline, widowed, living outside of major cities, having difficulties in managing income, or having chronic condition, poor/fair self-rated health, or lower SF-36 scores (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Women spend a substantial period of their later life using long-term care. Typically, this will be in the community setting with a low level of care. The transition to either HACC or RAC was associated with several demographic and health-related factors. Our findings are important for the planning and improvement of long-term care among future generations of older people. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Association of optimism and social support with health-related quality of life among Australian women cancer survivors - A cohort study.

AIM: Large-scale studies investigating health-related quality of life (HRQL) in cancer survivors are limited. This study aims to investigate HRQL and its relation to optimism and social support among Australian women following a cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Data were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a large cohort study (n = 14,715; born 1946-51), with 1428 incident cancer cases ascertained 1996-2017 via linkage to the Australian Cancer Database. HRQL was measured using the Short Form-36 (median 1.7 years post-cancer-diagnosis). Multivariable linear regression was performed on each HRQL domain, separately for all cancers combined, major cancer sites, and cancer-free peers. RESULTS: Higher optimism and social support were significantly associated with better HRQL across various domains in women with and without a cancer diagnosis (p < 0.05). Mean HRQL scores across all domains for all cancer sites were significantly higher among optimistic versus not optimistic women with cancer (p < 0.05). Adjusting for sociodemographic and other health conditions, lower optimism was associated with reduced scores across all domains, with greater reductions in mental health (adjusted mean difference (AMD) = -11.54, p < 0.01) followed by general health (AMD = -11.08, p < 0.01). Social support was less consistently related to HRQL scores, and following adjustment was only significantly associated with social functioning (AMD = -7.22, p < 0.01) and mental health (AMD = -6.34, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight a strong connection between optimism, social support, and HRQL among cancer survivors. Providing psychosocial support and addressing behavioral and socioeconomic factors and other health conditions associated with optimism and social support may improve HRQL.

Bushfire-smoke trigger hospital admissions with cerebrovascular diseases: Evidence from 2019-20 bushfire in Australia.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to ambient air pollution is strongly associated with increased cerebrovascular diseases. The 2019-20 bushfire season in Australia burnt 5.4 million hectares of land in New South Wales alone, with smoke so severe it affected cities in Argentina, 11,000 km away. The smoke emitted by bushfires consists of both gaseous and particle components. It is important to note that exposure to particulate matter has been shown to be linked to a heightened risk of stroke, which is the primary kind of cerebrovascular illness, as well as an increased likelihood of hospitalisations and mortality. However, the available data is inadequate in terms of documenting the response of patients diagnosed with a proven cerebrovascular illness to bushfire smoke. Additionally, there is a lack of information about the health effects associated with particulate matter throughout the bushfire season and on days when smoke was present in 2019 and 2020.Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of (i) short-term air pollution triggered by bushfires and (ii) high smoke days in increasing the daily number of hospital admissions with cerebrovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospitalisation data were accessed from the admitted patient dataset from seven local Government areas of Hunter New England Local Health District. The bushfire period was defined from 1 October 2019 to 10 February 2020, and a same period from 2018-19 as the control. High bushfire smoke days were days when the average daily concentration of particulate matter was higher than the 95th percentile of the control period. Poisson regression models and fixed effect meta-analysis were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: In total, 275 patients with cerebrovascular admissions were identified, with 147 (53.5%) during the bushfire (2019-20) and 128 (46.5%) in the control period (2018-19). There was no significant increase in daily admissions for cerebrovascular disease (Incidence Rate Ratio, IRR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.81-1.34; p-value: 0.73), acute stroke (IRR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.88-1.50; p-value: 0.29) or acute ischaemic stroke (IRR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.87-1.59; p-value: 0.28), over the entire bushfire period. However, the high bushfire smoke days were associated with increased acute ischaemic stroke-related hospital admissions across lead 0-3 and the highest cumulative effect was observed with lead 0 (IRR:1.52; 95% CI: 1.01-2.29; p-value: 0.04). In addition, during the bushfire period, particulate matter, both PM10 and PM2.5 (defined as particulates that have an effective aerodynamic diameter of 10, and 2.5 microns, respectively), were also associated with increased acute ischaemic stroke admissions with a lag of 0-3 days. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results suggested a possible association between particulate matter and high smoke days with increased hospital admissions due to acute ischaemic stroke during the recent Australian bushfire season.

Exposure to urban green spaces and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from two low and lower-middle-income countries.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health globally, with limited access to mental health care affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the most. In response, alternative strategies to support mental health have been necessary, with access to green spaces being a potential solution. While studies have highlighted the role of green spaces in promoting mental health during pandemic lockdowns, few studies have focused on the role of green spaces in mental health recovery after lockdowns. This study investigated changes in green space access and associations with mental health recovery in Bangladesh and Egypt across the pandemic. Methods: An online survey was conducted between January and April 2021 after the first lockdown was lifted in Bangladesh (n = 556) and Egypt (n = 660). We evaluated indoor and outdoor greenery, including the number of household plants, window views, and duration of outdoor visits. The quantity of greenness was estimated using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). This index was estimated using satellite images with a resolution of 10x10m during the survey period (January-April 2021) with Sentinel-2 satellite in the Google Earth Engine platform. We calculated averages within 250m, 300m, 500m and 1000m buffers of the survey check-in locations using ArcGIS 10.3. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate relationships between changes in natural exposure and changes in mental health. Results: The results showed that mental health improved in both countries after the lockdown period. People in both countries increased their time spent outdoors in green spaces after the lockdown period, and these increases in time outdoors were associated with improved mental health. Unexpectedly, changes in the number of indoor plants after the lockdown period were associated with contrasting mental health outcomes; more plants translated to increased anxiety and decreased depression. Refocusing lives after the pandemic on areas other than maintaining indoor plants may assist with worrying and feeling panicked. Still, indoor plants may assist with depressive symptoms for people remaining isolated. Conclusion: These findings have important implications for policymakers and urban planners in LMICs, highlighting the need to increase access to natural environments in urban areas to improve mental health and well-being in public health emergencies.

Biocomputational characterisation of MBO_200107 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant caprae: a molecular docking and simulation study.

The principal objective of this study was to delineate the potentiality of the MBO_200107 protein from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant caprae in cancer research. It is a cytoplasmic protein, comprised of a 354-long amino acid chain, alkaline, had a molecular weight of 39089.37 Da, an isoelectric point of 9.62 and a grand average of hydropathicity of -0.345. One of the functional domains was predicted as Gammaglutamylcyclotransferase (GGCT). Among tertiary structures, the Modeller and Phyre2 model satisfied all the quality parameters, though they are truncated; contrarily, the I-TASSER model is full length and contains the sequence for the GGCT domain, though it did not meet all the quality parameters. It also has significant sequence similarities (47.5% by EMBOSS Water and 72.4% by EMBOSS Matcher) with a human GGCT, and the conserved sequences are confined to the GGCT domain of the MBO_200107. According to molecular docking analyses, the protein has a binding affinity of -4.8 kcal/mol by Autodock Vina and -56.465 kcal/mol by HPEPDOCK to the human glutathione (GSH), an essential metabolite for GGCT metabolism. The Molecular dynamic simulation of the docked complex showed the binding efficiency of the GSH to MBO_200107 with a minimal structural alteration. The in silico findings mentioned above revealed that the protein could be used as a supplementary tool in cancer research, such as designing vaccines or drugs where the role of GGCT has been implicated. Further, we recommend fully characterising the protein and conducting essential in vitro and in vivo experiments to determine its detailed usefulness.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Effect of short-term exposure to air pollution on daily cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalisations in areas with a low level of air pollution.

Exposure to air pollution is associated with increased cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the evidence regarding the short-term effect of air pollution on cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalisations in areas with relatively low air pollution levels is limited. This study aims to examine the effect of short-term exposure to different air pollutants on hospital admissions due to cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases in rural and regional Australia with low air pollution. The study was conducted in five local Government areas of Hunter New England Local Health District (HNE-LHD). Hospitalisation data from January 2018 to February 2020 (820 days) were accessed from the HNE-LHD admitted patients' dataset. Poisson regression model was used to examine the association between the exposure (air pollutants) and outcome variables (hospitalisation due to cardio- and cerebrovascular disease). The concentrations of gaseous air pollutants, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Ammonia (NH3) were below national benchmark concentrations for every day of the study period. In single pollutant models, SO2 and NO2 significantly increased the daily number of cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalisations. The highest cumulative effect for SO2 was observed across lag 0-3 days (Incidence Rate Ratio, IRR: 1.77; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 1.18-2.65; p-value: 0.01), and for NO2, it was across lag 0-2 days (IRR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02-1.25; p-value: 0.02). In contrast, higher O3 was associated with decreased cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalisations, with the largest effect observed at lag 0 (IRR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89-0.98; p-value: 0.02). In the multi-pollutant model, the effect of NO2 remained significant at lag 0 and corresponded to a 21% increase in cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalisation (95% CI: 1-44%; p-value = 0.04). Thus, the study revealed that gaseous air pollutants, specifically NO2, were positively related to increased cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalisations, even at concentrations below the national standards.

The evolving roles and impacts of 5G enabled technologies in healthcare: The world epidemic COVID-19 issues.

The latest 5G technology is being introduced the Internet of Things (IoT) Era. The study aims to focus the 5G technology and the current healthcare challenges as well as to highlight 5G based solutions that can handle the COVID-19 issues in different arenas. This paper provides a comprehensive review of 5G technology with the integration of other digital technologies (like AI and machine learning, IoT objects, big data analytics, cloud computing, robotic technology, and other digital platforms) in emerging healthcare applications. From the literature, it is clear that the promising aspects of 5G (such as super-high speed, high throughput, low latency) have a prospect in healthcare advancement. Now healthcare is being adopted 5G-based technologies to aid improved health services, more effective medical research, enhanced quality of life, better experiences of medical professionals and patients in anywhere-anytime. This paper emphasizes the evolving roles of 5G technology for handling the epidemiological challenges. The study also discusses various technological challenges and prospective for developing 5G powered healthcare solutions. Further works will incorporate more studies on how to expand 5G-based digital society as well as to resolve the issues of safety-security-privacy and availability-accessibility-integrity in future health crises.

A comprehensive review on COVID-19 vaccines: development, effectiveness, adverse effects, distribution and challenges.

The present SARS-CoV-2 induced COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for millions of deaths, illnesses, and economic loss worldwide. There are 21 COVID-19 vaccines from different platforms approved worldwide for emergency use until 13 August 2021. Later, BNT162b2 obtained full approval from the FDA. The efficacy of the leading vaccines such as BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, Gam-Covid-Vac, Ad26.COV2.S, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBIBP-CorV, against SARS-CoV-2 documented as 95%, 94.1%, 91.6%, 67%, 70.4%, and 78.1%, respectively. Moreover, against the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBV152 showed 88%, 70%, and 65.2% efficacy, respectively. Apart from the common adverse effects such as fever, fatigue, headache, and pain in the injection site, Bell's palsy with BNT162b2, myocarditis and pericarditis with mRNA-1273, and thrombosis with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 have been reported though seemed not alarming. Furthermore, global production and distribution of vaccines should be ensured in an equal and justifiable way that the immunity and protection against the virus would be optimum and persistent.

Impact of localized surface plasmon resonance on efficiency of zinc oxide nanowire-based organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells fabricated under ambient conditions.

Organometal halide perovskites as hybrid light absorbers have been investigated and used in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their low-cost, easy processability and potential for high efficiency. Further enhancing the performance of solution processed PSCs without making the device architecture more complex is essential for commercialization. In this article, the overall improvement in the performance of ZnO nanowires (NWs)-based PSCs fabricated under ambient conditions, incorporating Ag nanoparticles (NPs) delivering a device efficiency of up to 9.7% has been demonstrated. This study attributes the origin of the improved photocurrent to the improved light absorption by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) with the incorporation of Ag NPs. These findings represent a basis for the application of metal NPs in photovoltaics and could lead to facile tuning of optical absorption of the perovskite layer giving higher current-density (J SC) and suppressed recombination effects leading to higher open-circuit voltage (V OC).

NLRP3 inflammasome activation in COVID-19: an interlink between risk factors and disease severity.

NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical immune component that plays a crucial role in mounting innate immune responses. The deleterious effects of inflammasome activation have been correlated with the COVID-19 disease severity. In the presence of several underlying disorders, the immune components of our bodies are dysregulated, creating conditions that could adversely affect us other than providing a required level of protection. In this review, we focused on the occurrence of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to SARS-COV-2 infection, dysregulation of NLRP3 activation events in the presence of several comorbidities, the contribution of activated NLRP3 inflammasome to the severity of COVID-19, and available therapeutics for the treatment of such NLRP3 inflammasome related diseases based on current knowledge. The primed state of immunity in individuals with comorbidities (risk factors) could accelerate many deaths and severe COVID-19 cases via activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the release of downstream inflammatory molecules. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the host-pathogen interaction is needed to clarify the pathophysiology and select a potential therapeutic approach.

Coinfection of fungi with SARS-CoV-2 is a detrimental health risk for COVID-19 patients.

Background: Notable fungal coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients have been reported worldwide in an alarming way. Mucor spp. and Rhizopus spp. were commonly known as black fungi, whereas Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. were designated as white fungi implicated in those infections. In this review, we focused on the global outbreaks of fungal coinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the role of the human immune system, and a detailed understanding of those fungi to delineate the contribution of such coinfections in deteriorating the health conditions of COVID-19 patients based on current knowledge. Main body: Impaired CD4 + T cell response due to SARS-CoV-2 infection creates an opportunity for fungi to take over the host cells and, consequently, cause severe fungal coinfections, including candidiasis and candidemia, mucormycosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Among them, mucormycosis and CAPA have been reported with a mortality rate of 66% in India and 60% in Colombia. Moreover, IPA has been reported in Belgium, Netherlands, France, and Germany with a morbidity rate of 20.6%, 19.6%, 33.3%, and 26%, respectively. Several antifungal drugs have been applied to combat fungal coinfection in COVID-19 patients, including Voriconazole, Isavuconazole, and Echinocandins. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 deteriorates the immune system so that several fungi could take that opportunity and cause life-threatening health situations. To reduce the mortality and morbidity of fungal coinfections, it needs immunity boosting, proper hygiene and sanitation, and appropriate medication based on the diagnosis.

Onset and progression of chronic disease and disability in a large cohort of older Australian women.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the probability of onset and progression of disease and disability, length of life with or without disease and/or disability, and incidence of mortality, and to identify factors associated with transitioning to disease and/or disability over time. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. Data were provided by 12,432 participants (born 1921-26) of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health linked with National Death Index data from 1996 (age: 70-75) to 2016 (age: 90-95). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A five-state Markov model was fitted to estimate the transition probability, length of life with or without disease and/or disability, and the association between baseline characteristics and disease/disability/mortality risk. RESULTS: Over two-thirds of women had died by age 90-95, and only 3.8% of these had died with no chronic disease and disability. Those reporting chronic disease were more likely to have experienced disability (Transition Rate Ratio: 2•72, 95%CI= 2•52-2•93) than those who died without disability. At age 70-75, the expected life without chronic disease and disability was 7•68 (95%CI: 7•52-7•80) years, life with chronic disease but no disability was 4•39 (95%CI=4•23-4•49) years, and life with disability was 3.76 (95%CI=3•66-3•92) years. The factors difficulties managing on available income (HR=1•18, 95%CI=1•02-1•38), did not complete secondary school (HR=1•19, 95%CI=1•03-1•37), and overweight/obese (HR=1•36, 95%CI=1•20-1•55) were associated with an increased risk of disability. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide important insights on the onset and progression of disease and disability in older women, underscoring the importance of addressing mid-/early old-life risk factors, managing chronic conditions, and delaying disability onset and progression through targeted intervention programs.

The Impact of Education and Lifestyle Factors on Disability-Free Life Expectancy From Mid-Life to Older Age: A Multi-Cohort Study.

Objectives: Low education and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, and no exercise are modifiable risk factors for disability and premature mortality. We aimed to estimate the individual and joint impact of these factors on disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) and total life expectancy (TLE). Methods: Data (n = 22,304) were from two birth cohorts (1921-26 and 1946-51) of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health and linked National Death Index between 1996 and 2016. Discrete-time multi-state Markov models were used to assess the impact on DFLE and TLE. Results: Compared to the most favourable combination of education and lifestyle factors, the least favourable combination (low education, obesity, current/past smoker, and no exercise) was associated with a loss of 5.0 years TLE, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 3.2-6.8 and 6.4 years DFLE (95%CI: 4.8-7.8) at age 70 in the 1921-26 cohort. Corresponding losses in the 1946-51 cohort almost doubled (TLE: 11.0 years and DFLE: 13.0 years). Conclusion: Individual or co-ocurrance of lifestyle risk factors were associated with a significant loss of DFLE, with a greater loss in low-educated women and those in the 1946-51 cohort.

Task rotation in an underground coal mine: Implications on injury and musculoskeletal discomfort.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of a task rotation schedule on musculoskeletal injury and the challenges of implementing a task rotation schedule within an underground coal mine. METHODS: This was a pre-post cross-sectional intervention study with two underground coal mines. Participant-surveys were collected at baseline and 12-months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in musculoskeletal discomfort between the two sites in any body region. Tasks were rotated two to three times a shift on average. CONCLUSIONS: The task rotation schedule did not have a significant impact upon musculoskeletal discomfort although this does not necessarily reflect that the rotation schedule was in-effective in curbing injury, rather highlights the complexity of developing a successful task rotation schedule within an underground coal mine. The task rotation schedule, its implementation and execution need consideration and further investigation to assist in effectively controlling injury and fatigue risk.

Housing and Care for Older Women in Australia.

Background: Housing is essential for healthy ageing, being a source of shelter, purpose, and identity. As people age, and with diminishing physical and mental capacity, they become increasingly dependent on external supports from others and from their environment. In this paper we look at changes in housing across later life, with a focus on the relationship between housing and women's care needs. Methods: Data from 12,432 women in the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were used to examine the interaction between housing and aged care service use across later life. Results: We found that there were no differences in access to home and community care according to housing type, but women living in an apartment and those in a retirement village/hostel were more likely to have an aged care assessment and had a faster rate of admission to institutional residential aged care than women living in a house. The odds of having an aged care assessment were also higher if women were older at baseline, required help with daily activities, reported a fall, were admitted to hospital in the last 12 months, had been diagnosed or treated for a stroke in the last 3 years, or had multiple comorbidities. On average, women received few services in the 24 months prior to admission to institutional residential aged care, indicating a potential need to improve the reach of these services. Discussion: We find that coincident with changes in functional capacities and abilities, women make changes to their housing, sometimes moving from a house to an apartment, or to a village. For some, increasing needs in later life are associated with the need to move from the community into institutional residential aged care. However, before moving into care, many women will use community services and these may in turn delay the need to leave their homes and move to an institutional setting. We identify a need to increase the use of community services to delay the admission to institutional residential aged care.

Alcohol Consumption in the Australian Mining Industry: The Role of Workplace, Social, and Individual Factors.

BACKGROUND: Coal miners have been reported to have higher rates of risky/harmful alcohol misuse; however, it is not known if metalliferous mining employees whose working conditions differ in workplace practices, also have increased rates of risky/harmful alcohol misuse. This study aimed to examine alcohol consumption in a sample of Australian metalliferous mining workers and to examine the demographic and workplace factors associated with risky/harmful alcohol use. METHODS: All employees from a convenience sample of four Australian mine sites were invited to complete a paper-based cross-sectional survey between June 2015 and May 2017. The survey contained questions relating to social networks, health behaviors, psychological distress, demographic characteristics, and risky/harmful drinking. Current alcohol use was measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a validated measure of risky and/or harmful drinking. Factors associated with risky/harmful drinking were investigated using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. FINDINGS: A total of 1,799 participants completed the survey (average site response rate 95%). Overall, 94.8% of males and 92.1% of females reported using alcohol in the preceding 12 months. The odds of risky/harmful alcohol use were significantly higher in those who were male, younger, and reported higher psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: This study identified that metalliferous mining employees engage in at-risk levels of alcohol consumption significantly higher than the national average despite workplace policies and practices that restrict alcohol use. Personal and workplace risk factors that may help target specific employee groups and inform the development of tailored, integrated multicomponent intervention strategies for the industry were identified.

Coronaviruses in wild birds - A potential and suitable vector for global distribution.

The recurrent appearance of novel coronaviruses (CoVs) and the mortality and morbidity caused by their outbreaks aroused a widespread response among the global science community. Wild birds' high biodiversity, perching and migratory activity, ability to travel long distances and possession of a special adaptive immune system may make them alarming sources of zoonotic CoV-spreading vectors. This review gathers the available evidence on the global spread of CoVs in wild birds to date. The major wild birds associated with different types of CoVs are Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Pelecaniformes, Galliformes, Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, Accipitriformes, Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes and so on. However, the main type of CoVs found in wild birds is gammacoronavirus, followed by deltacoronavirus. Consequently, it is imperative to enable thorough research and continuous monitoring to fill the study gap in terms of understanding their role as zoonotic vectors and the frequent appearance of novel CoVs.