Biomedical subjects

Karin Ried

Publications and source records attributed to Karin Ried.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Setting directions for capacity building in primary health care: a survey of a research network.

BACKGROUND: The South Australian Research Network 'SARNet' aims to build research capacity in primary health care, as part of a national government-funded strategy to integrate research into clinical practice. Internationally, research networks have been a fundamental part of research culture change, and a variety of network models exist. The 'SARNet' model uses a whole system, multidisciplinary approach to capacity building and supports individuals and groups. We undertook a descriptive baseline survey in order to understand the background and needs of SARNet members and to tailor network activities towards those needs. METHODS: A questionnaire survey, assessing members' professional background, research experience, and interest in research development and training, was sent to all members who joined the network in its first year. The visual 'research spider' tool was used to ascertain members' experience in ten core research skills, as well as their interest in developing these skills. Individuals were asked to classify themselves into one of four categories of researchers, based on previous research experience. These self-assessment categories ranged from non-participant to academic. RESULTS: Network membership was diverse. Of the 89 survey participants, 55% were general practitioners or allied health professionals. Overall, most survey respondents indicated little to moderate experience in 7 out of the 10 skills depicted in the 'research spider'. In comparison, respondents were generally highly interested in developing their research skills in all areas. Respondents' research skills correlated significantly with their self-assessed category of research participation (Spearman rank correlation, r = 0.82, p < 0.0005). Correlations between research category and publication record (Gamma association, gamma = 0.53, p < 0.0005) or funding record (Gamma association, gamma = 0.62, p < 0.0005) supported the internal validity of the survey instrument. CONCLUSION: Literature describing evaluation of the impact of networks is scarce. Our survey questionnaire could provide a useful instrument for evaluation of both networks and capacity building initiatives. The survey including the 'research spider' tool provided valuable information about members' needs and interest in strategies to develop their research skills. Initial needs analyses as well as on-going evaluation of network activities are important to include into the business plans of research networks, in order to ensure the network's effectiveness and support of its membership.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for fatigue in adults with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review.

AIM: This paper reports a systematic review of non-pharmacological interventions for fatigue in adults with three common autoimmune conditions. BACKGROUND: A considerable proportion of people with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus experience compromised quality of life due to fatigue. Recent reviews of pharmacotherapies for fatigue in these conditions remain inconclusive, and systematic evidence for effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions was unavailable. Our paper addresses this gap. METHODS: The literature search used the key words fatigue, energy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus. It included 19 electronic databases and libraries, three evidence-based journals, two internet search engines, was dated 1987-2006, and limited to English. Non-pharmacological experimental studies about fatigue comprising more than five adults were included. Meta-analysis was not possible due to diverse interventions and outcome measures, therefore studies were analysed by types of interventions used to reduce fatigue. RESULTS: Of 653 hits, 162 papers were reviewed, and 36 met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-three primary studies reported 14 randomized controlled trials and 19 quasi-experimental designs. Most interventions were tested with people with multiple sclerosis. Exercise, behavioural, nutritional and physiological interventions were associated with statistically significant reductions in fatigue. Aerobic exercise was effective, appropriate and feasible for reducing fatigue among adults with chronic autoimmune conditions. Electromagnetic field devices showed promise. The diversity of interventions, designs, and using 24 different instruments to measure fatigue, limited comparisons. CONCLUSION: Low impact aerobic exercise gradually increasing in intensity, duration and frequency may be an effective strategy in reducing fatigue in some adults with chronic auto-immune conditions. However, fatigue is a variable and personal experience and a range of behavioural interventions may be required. Well-designed studies testing these promising strategies and consensus on outcome fatigue measures are needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Interpreting and understanding meta-analysis graphs--a practical guide.

Ideally, clinical decision making ought to be based on the latest evidence available. However, to keep abreast with the continuously increasing number of publications in health research, a primary health care professional would need to read an insurmountable number of articles every day covered in more than 13 million references and over 4800 biomedical and health journals in Medline alone. With the view to address this challenge, the systematic review method was developed. This article provides a practical guide for appraising systematic reviews for relevance to clinical practice and interpreting meta-analysis graphs as part of quantitative systematic reviews.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed2005

Common chromosomal fragile site FRA16D mutation in cancer cells.

Neither the molecular basis for common fragile site DNA instability nor the contribution of this form of chromosomal instability to cancer is clearly understood. Fragile site FRA16D (16q23.2) is within regions of frequent loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) in breast and prostate cancers, is associated with homozygous deletions in various adenocarcinomas and t(14;16) chromosomal translocations in multiple myeloma. The FOR (WWOX) gene spans FRA16D and encodes a partner of p53 that also has a role in apoptosis. Previously untested 53 cancer cell lines were screened for deletions within the FOR/WWOX gene. Deletions were detected in Co115, KM12C and KM12SM. Homozygous deletions in these and two previously identified tumour cell lines were intragenic on both alleles, indicating a distinct mutation mechanism from that causing LOH. Identical FRA16D deletions in two cell lines (one derived from the primary carcinoma and the other from a secondary metastasis) demonstrate that FRA16D DNA instability can be an early, transient event. Sequence analysis across one deletion locates one endpoint within a polymorphic AT-dinucleotide repeat and the other adjacent to an AT-rich mini-satellite repeat implicating AT-rich repeats in FRA16D DNA instability. Another deletion is associated with de novo repetition of the 9 bp AT-rich sequence at one of the deletion endpoints. FRA16D deleted cells retain cytogenetic fragile site expression indicating that the deletions are susceptible sites for breakage rather than regions that confer fragility. Most cell lines with FRA16D homozygous deletions also have FRA3B deletions, therefore common fragile sites represent highly susceptible genome-wide targets for a distinct form of mutation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Building a culture of research dissemination in primary health care: the South Australian experience of supporting the novice researcher.

The Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) program in Australia aims to build research capacity in primary health care. In South Australia, the program (PHCRED-SA) has addressed skill building in dissemination of research findings by providing support for peer reviewed publication. The support included comprehensive advice and feedback for novice and inexperienced researchers and writers in the publication process of the program's 2003 Conference Proceedings. This paper describes the South Australian experience of supporting novice researchers in research dissemination by applying the PHCRED-SA capacity building support model.

Communication↗

PubMed2005

Supplementation of infant formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids does not influence the growth of term infants.

BACKGROUND: Adequate growth is an important indicator of health and well-being in infants. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the effect of supplementing infant formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) on the growth of term infants. DESIGN: Using the methodology outlined by the Cochrane Collaboration, we reviewed all known randomized controlled trials that involved LCPUFA supplementation of infant formula fed to term infants. Outcome measures were weight, length, and head circumference. Original data obtained from the investigators of published trials were used. Outcomes were analyzed with fixed-effects or random-effects model meta-analyses and were reported as weighted mean differences with 95% CIs. RESULTS: We identified 14 eligible trials that had data available for meta-analysis (1846 infants). Trial quality was generally high. Meta-analysis showed no significant effect of LCPUFA supplementation on infant weight, length, or head circumference at any assessment age. Similarly, subgroup analyses showed that supplementation with only n-3 LCPUFAs (no arachidonic acid) had no significant effect on infant weight, length, or head circumference. The source of LCPUFA supplementation (phospholipid or triacylglycerol) also did not significantly affect infant growth. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that LCPUFA supplementation of infant formula influences the growth of term infants in either a positive or a negative way.

Fatty Acids, Unsaturated↗

PubMed2004

Consumption of foods by young children with diagnosed campylobacter infection - a pilot case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether parentally reported habitual intake of specific foods differed between children with diagnosed Campylobacter jejuni infection and children of a comparison group without diagnosed infection. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Information was collected from the parents or primary caregivers of South Australian children aged 1-5 years with diagnosed C. jejuni (cases, n=172) and an age- and gender-matched group of uninfected children (controls, n=173). Frequency of consumption of 106 food and drink items was determined for the preceding two months by food-frequency questionnaire. Four children in the control group had recorded diarrhoeal episodes during the assessment period and were excluded, so 169 responses were evaluated for this group. Information was gathered on possible confounders including socio-economic status. Response frequencies were classified into three levels of consumption (rarely, weekly or daily) and statistical comparison was made by frequency of consumption of foods versus the 'rarely' classification for cases and controls, respectively. RESULTS: Frequency of consumption of most foods, including starchy foods and fruits and vegetables, did not differ between cases and controls. However, reported consumption of eight food items (block and processed cheese (slices and spread), salami/fritz (a form of processed sausage), chicken nuggets, pasteurised milk, fish (canned or fresh) and hot French fries) was significantly higher by controls. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that reported consumption of starchy foods was lower by cases than by controls was not supported by the data. However, consumption of some processed and unprocessed foods was higher by controls. Some of these foods have established bactericidal actions in vitro that may indicate a possible mechanism for this apparent protection.

Campylobacter Infections↗

PubMed2004

Gastrointestinal health. The role of pro- and pre-biotics in standard foods.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhoea is a common symptom of gastrointestinal illness, ranking among the 20 most frequent reasons for patient encounters in general practice in Australia. Children under 5 years of age are especially vulnerable to bacterial gastroenteritis such as infections with Campylobacter jejuni. Everyday diet, in particular the regular consumption of pro- and pre-biotics, can help with the maintenance of a healthy gastrointestinal system. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the potential of 'everyday standard' food items such as cheese to promote healthy gastrointestinal microflora and to prevent gastrointestinal illness such as diarrhoea. DISCUSSION: Some common food items such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, garlic and cheese contain probiotics in the form of live lactic acid bacteria, and/or prebiotics in the form of fructans, a dietary fibre. Cheese contains both probiotic bacteria and the prebiotic dietary fibre inulin. The regular consumption of cheese has been associated with a reduction in the risk of Campylobacter enteritis.

Cheese↗