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    Increased Abundance of Nuclear HDAC4 Impairs Neuronal Development and Long-Term Memory
    (Frontiers Media, 30/03/2021) Fitzsimons H; Main P; Wheeler D; Tan WJ
    Dysregulation of the histone deacetylase HDAC4 is associated with both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, and a feature common to many of these disorders is impaired cognitive function. HDAC4 shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm in both vertebrates and invertebrates and alterations in the amounts of nuclear and/or cytoplasmic HDAC4 have been implicated in these diseases. In Drosophila, HDAC4 also plays a critical role in the regulation of memory, however, the mechanisms through which it acts are unknown. Nuclear and cytoplasmically-restricted HDAC4 mutants were expressed in the Drosophila brain to investigate a mechanistic link between HDAC4 subcellular distribution, transcriptional changes and neuronal dysfunction. Deficits in mushroom body morphogenesis, eye development and long-term memory correlated with increased abundance of nuclear HDAC4 but were associated with minimal transcriptional changes. Although HDAC4 sequesters MEF2 into punctate foci within neuronal nuclei, no alteration in MEF2 activity was observed on overexpression of HDAC4, and knockdown of MEF2 had no impact on long-term memory, indicating that HDAC4 is likely not acting through MEF2. In support of this, mutation of the MEF2 binding site within HDAC4 also had no impact on nuclear HDAC4-induced impairments in long-term memory or eye development. In contrast, the defects in mushroom body morphogenesis were ameliorated by mutation of the MEF2 binding site, as well as by co-expression of MEF2 RNAi, thus nuclear HDAC4 acts through MEF2 to disrupt mushroom body development. These data provide insight into the mechanisms through which dysregulation of HDAC4 subcellular distribution impairs neurological function and provides new avenues for further investigation.
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    Physical activity participation in community dwelling stroke survivors: Synergy and dissonance between motivation and capability. A qualitative study
    (Elsevier, 2016) Morris JH; Oliver T; Kroll T; Joice SA; Willaims B
    Objectives The evidence supporting benefits of physical activity (PA) on fitness, functioning, health and secondary prevention after strokeis compelling. However, many stroke survivors remain insufficiently active. This study explored survivors’ perspectives and experiences ofPA participation to develop an explanatory framework that physiotherapists and other health professionals can use to develop person-specificstrategies for PA promotion.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data was audio-recorded and transcribed. Analysis followed theFramework Approach.Setting Community setting, interviews conducted within participants’ homes.Participants Community dwelling stroke survivors (n = 38) six months or more after the end of their rehabilitation, purposively selected bydisability, PA participation and socio-demographic status.Results Findings suggest that survivors’ beliefs, attitudes, and physical and social context generated synergy or dissonance between motivation(desire to be active) and capability (resources to be active) for PA participation. Dissonance occurred when motivated survivors had limitedcapability for activity, often leading to frustration. Confidence to achieve goals and determination to overcome barriers, acted as activitycatalysts when other influences were synergistic. We illustrate these relationships in a dynamic explanatory model that can be used to supportboth novel interventions and personal activity plans.Conclusions This study suggests a shift is required from purely pragmatic approaches to PA promotion towards conceptual solutions. Under-standing how synergy or dissonance between motivation and capability influence individual survivors’ behaviour will support physiotherapists and other health professionals in promoting PA. This study provides a model for developing person-centred, tailored interventions that address barriers encountered by stroke survivors.
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    Using citizen data to understand earthquake impacts: Aotearoa New Zealand’s earthquake Felt Reports
    (Massey University, 2021-12) Goded T; Tan ML; Becker JS; Horspool N; Canessa S; Huso R; Jonathan H; Johnston D
    Aotearoa New Zealand's national seismic network, GeoNet, administers Felt Reports, including the Felt RAPID and Felt Detailed databases, which are being collected at present. NZ has a long tradition of using earthquake Felt Reports provided by the public to analyse the damage caused by moderate to large earthquakes. From traditional paper-based Felt Reports to current online reports (using the GeoNet website or a mobile app), researchers have been using such data to obtain a geographical distribution of the damage caused by an earthquake and to assess what actions people take during shaking. Felt Reports include questions on people's reactions, indoor and outdoor effects of earthquake shaking, building damage, and tsunami evacuation. The database of long online Felt Reports (Felt Classic between 2004 and 2016 and Felt Detailed from 2016 to the present) comprises over 930,000 reports from more than 30,000 earthquakes. Current research being carried out using this data includes: 1) updating of the NZ Ground Motion to Intensity Conversion Equation and Intensity Prediction Equation, 2) understanding human behaviour for earthquakes and related hazards such as tsunami, 3) developing a predictive model of human behaviour in earthquakes to estimate injuries and fatalities, and 4) improving public education. This paper summarises the history of NZ earthquake Felt Reports as well as the research currently being carried out using this data. Finally, we discuss how citizen science helps in the understanding of earthquake impacts and contributes to the aim of improving Aotearoa New Zealand's resilience to future events.
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    Genomic Analysis of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium DT160 Associated with a 14-Year Outbreak, New Zealand, 1998-2012.
    (2017-06) Bloomfield SJ; Benschop J; Biggs PJ; Marshall JC; Hayman DTS; Carter PE; Midwinter AC; Mather AE; French NP
    During 1998-2012, an extended outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium definitive type 160 (DT160) affected >3,000 humans and killed wild birds in New Zealand. However, the relationship between DT160 within these 2 host groups and the origin of the outbreak are unknown. Whole-genome sequencing was used to compare 109 Salmonella Typhimurium DT160 isolates from sources throughout New Zealand. We provide evidence that DT160 was introduced into New Zealand around 1997 and rapidly propagated throughout the country, becoming more genetically diverse over time. The genetic heterogeneity was evenly distributed across multiple predicted functional protein groups, and we found no evidence of host group differentiation between isolates collected from human, poultry, bovid, and wild bird sources, indicating ongoing transmission between these host groups. Our findings demonstrate how a comparative genomic approach can be used to gain insight into outbreaks, disease transmission, and the evolution of a multihost pathogen after a probable point-source introduction.
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    The role of the organisation following disaster: Insights from nurse experiences after the Canterbury earthquakes
    (Massey University, 20/09/2016) Mounsey ZM; Johal SS; Naswell K
    This research aimed to explore nurse perceptions of impacts and organisational support following the Canterbury NZ earthquake sequence. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 nurses in the Canterbury area to explore the challenges faced during and following the 2010/11 earthquake sequence. The interviews took place three years after the start of the earthquake sequence to enable exploration of longer term aspects of the recovery process. The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. A number of themes were identified that related to organisations, including initial impact, emotional impact, work impact and organisational support. Changes to workloads and roles were both organisationally driven and personally motivated. There is a need to consider the psychosocial impact of working and living in a post disaster context. There is also a need to develop support packages to ensure the health and wellbeing of health care professionals. This research highlights a number of ways in which organisations can support employees following disasters.
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    Retract p < 0.005 and propose using JASP, instead
    (F1000Research, 12/12/2017) Perezgonzalez JD; Frías-Navarro MD
    Seeking to address the lack of research reproducibility in science, including psychology and the life sciences, a pragmatic solution has been raised recently: to use a stricter p < 0.005 standard for statistical significance when claiming evidence of new discoveries. Notwithstanding its potential impact, the proposal has motivated a large mass of authors to dispute it from different philosophical and methodological angles. This article reflects on the original argument and the consequent counterarguments, and concludes with a simpler and better-suited alternative that the authors of the proposal knew about and, perhaps, should have made from their Jeffresian perspective: to use a Bayes factors analysis in parallel (e.g., via JASP) in order to learn more about frequentist error statistics and about Bayesian prior and posterior beliefs without having to mix inconsistent research philosophies.
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    The incidence of sexually acquired reactive arthritis: A systematic literature review
    (Springer, 2016) Denison HJ; Curtis EM; Clynes MA; Bromhead C; Dennison EM; Grainger R
    Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an inflammatory spondyloarthritis occurring after infection at a distant site. Chlamydia trachomatis is proposed to be the most common cause of ReA, yet the incidence of sexually acquired ReA (SARA) has not been well established. We therefore carried out a systematic literature review to collate and critically evaluate the published evidence regarding the incidence of SARA. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using free-text and MeSH terms relating to infection and ReA. The title and abstract of articles returned were screened independently by two reviewers and potentially relevant articles assessed in full. Data was extracted from relevant articles and a risk of bias assessment carried out using a validated tool. Heterogeneity of study methodology and results precluded meta-analysis. The search yielded a total of 11,680 articles, and a further 17 were identified from review articles. After screening, 55 papers were assessed in full, from which 3 met the relevant inclusion criteria for the review. The studies reported an incidence of SARA of 3.0-8.1 % and were found to be of low to moderate quality. More studies are required to address the lack of data regarding the incidence of SARA. Specific and sensitive classification criteria must be developed in order for consistent classification and valid conclusions to be drawn. In clinical practice, it is recommended clinicians discuss the possibility of ReA developing at the time of STI diagnosis and to encourage patients to return if they experience any relevant symptoms.
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    Exploring the needs and coping strategies of New Zealand parents in the neonatal environment
    (Wiley, 17/02/2022) Dodge A; Gibson C; Williams M; Ross K
    Aim Having an infant admitted to a neonatal care facility can be highly distressing for parents given the fragile state of their child and the often-unfamiliar environment. This study aimed to explore the needs and coping strategies of parents in this setting. Methods An online qualitative survey was used to explore the needs of parents who had a child discharged from a New Zealand neonatal unit in the past 12 months. A total of 394 parents participated in the study (387 mothers, 5 fathers), providing 970 responses across three open-ended questions examining their needs, unmet needs and coping strategies. The study included participants across both neonatal intensive care units and special care baby units, with prematurity (47%) the most common reason for admission. An inductive form of thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Four themes were developed that capture the needs and coping strategies expressed by parents in this study: communication and information; physical contact and access to the baby; emotional and non-medical support; and involvement, autonomy and respect. Conclusions The themes developed largely centre around the struggle parents face when confronting the uncertainty of the neonatal environment and the difficulty in establishing their parental role. Parental distress may be reduced through communicating accurate information regularly and providing empathetic understanding, while opportunities for physical contact and involvement may assist in raising parental confidence and scaffolding the journey to independent care of their infant.
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    Citizen science initiatives in high-impact weather and disaster risk reduction
    (Massey University, 20/12/2021) Vinnell LJ; Becker JS; Scolobig A; Johnston DM; Tan ML; McLaren L
    High-impact weather events cause considerable social and economic harm, with these effects likely to increase as climate change drives extremes and population growth leads to commensurate growth in exposure. As part of the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather Research Programme, the 10-year High-Impact Weather (HIWeather) Project facilitates global cooperation and collaboration to improve weather prediction, forecasting, and warning. As part of this, the HIWeather Citizen Science Project identifies and promotes activities which involve citizens in the warning value chain, from “sensors” where they passively provide data, through to “collaborators” where they are involved in designing, running, interpreting, and applying the research. As well as benefitting global efforts to reduce societal impacts of weather and other natural hazards, citizen science also encourages hazard awareness and scientific literacy and interest. This editorial introduces the HIWeather Citizen Science Project special issue, summarizing the three papers in this issue in the broader context of high-impact weather and citizen science.