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Summary: Increasingly, weeds have been taking on global distributions. With the proliferation of invasive weeds has come the challenge of managing these species over broad geographical regions, with diverse habitats and political jurisdictions. Here, we review the management of Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asteraceae; mile‐a‐minute) throughout its invaded range, extending through most of the Pacific islands and southern and south‐east Asia. Context matters when determining the best course of action for managing M. micrantha, as it has invaded a large variety of agricultural and natural systems. In Queensland, Australia and Florida, USA, M. micrantha has been targeted in relatively successful eradication campaigns, highlighting the importance of early detection and rapid response methods, while elsewhere in its invaded range, populations are either still increasing or showing limited signs of decline. An inter‐regional approach to research and management should incorporate successful management strategies employed throughout the invaded range including, but not limited to, chemical and cultural control practices, manual and mechanical control, classical biological control using the rust fungus Puccinia spegazzinii, plant–plant competition and integrated approaches utilising two or more control methods concurrently. Additional knowledge of M. micrantha genetics is required to determine if management approaches could be fine‐tuned for particular populations. Countries bordering the Mekong River formed a network in 2011 to co‐ordinate the management of invasive species such as M. micrantha. Expanding such a collaborative approach to other regions could further reduce populations of M. micrantha and limit its spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanum elaeagnifolium is a weed of national significance in Australia. However, the genetic diversity of S. elaeagnifolium is poorly understood. Four amplified fragment length polymorphism primer combinations were utilised to investigate the genetic variation and structure of 187 S. elaeagnifolium individuals collected from 94 locations in Australia. High genetic diversity was found, with an average Jaccard's genetic similarity at 0.26. Individuals were assigned to two genetic clusters or considered as admixed according to their membership coefficient value ( q) calculated by Bayesian model-based genetic structure analysis. This suggested that Australian S. elaeagnifolium may have originated from two distinct gene pools. These results were further supported by principal co-ordinates analysis. Large spatial groups of individuals assigning to these two gene pools were found in western Victoria and south-western New South Wales ( NSW) and northern NSW, which correlated well with the early records of S. elaeagnifolium in both regions. The high genetic diversity found here could add difficulties to effective control of S. elaeagnifolium across regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade) is an invasive perennial weed in Australia, with aerial growth commencing in spring from either the perennial root system or the soil seedbank, with senescence occurring in autumn. A total of 642 S. elaeagnifolium individuals were collected at flowering from 92 locations in south-eastern Australia to study morphological variation and its implications for management. Large morphological variation was found between individuals from different locations. Leaf length, width and area ranged from 1.44 to 10.6 cm, 0.39 to 4.09 cm and 0.41 to 25.8 cm2 respectively. Plants from higher rainfall regions were significantly taller and had larger leaves, suggesting a possible correlation between rainfall and morphology. Scanning electron microscopy comparison of leaf surfaces showed lower trichome and stomatal densities on the adaxial surface (67.0 ± 3.3 trichomes mm−2 and 603.4 ± 29.2 stomata mm−2 respectively) than on the abaxial surface (131.9 ± 7.2 trichomes mm−2 and 813.7 ± 30.5 stomata mm−2 respectively). The morphological plasticity of S. elaeagnifolium highlighted in this study could probably contribute to its adaptability and partly explain its establishment and continuing expansion in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A range of Meiyu onset dates (MODs) have been presented but they are highly controversial. The problem is, however, crucial to local activities and meteorological service. The 1957–2001 MODs determined at several typical stations in the mid- and lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley (MLYRV) are employed to construct a regionally averaged index for quantifying the Meiyu onset time in the valley, and the ocean-atmospheric features in the extremely early and late Meiyu onset years are investigated, statistically. Results show that, typically, the Meiyu season starts in June at a regional mean level, and the MOD is of good relationship with the Meiyu duration that dominates the total precipitation during the Meiyu period, i.e., the earlier the Meiyu establishes, the longer it may persist, and thus the more the total rainfall might be. In June, at the lower troposphere the meridional temperature gradient is much larger over the MLYRV with the Meiyu front more northward in early than late onset years. Additionally, the early onset years are often accompanied in the upper troposphere by the extended South Asia High, western Pacific subtropical high more north-westward, East Asian summer monsoon and Walker circulation stronger in comparison to the late onset years. And viewed from sea surface temperature (SST) field for the early onset years, SST is lower in the central and eastern Pacific near the equator, maybe in association with the cool phase of ENSO, and considerably higher in the subtropical western North Pacific than for the late onset years. In addition, there are probably some abnormal precursory signals for the early (late) Meiyu onset years, such as SST being higher (lower) with respect to the mean around the western Pacific warm pool, the Intertropical Convergence Zone more (less) active and the local Hadley circulation stronger (weaker) in previous boreal winter. In northern spring, the convection is probably stronger (weaker) about the Philippines. The North Pacific SST at lower latitudes might be warmer (cooler) from previous April to May, and SST appears higher (lower) over the waters around Australia in proceeding boreal winter and spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the incidental necropsy findings associated with anisakid nematode infections of black noddy terns, Anous minutus Boie, 1844 (Charadriiformes: Laridae), from offshore islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Specimens collected from the proventriculi were identified morphologically as Contracaecum magnipapillatum Chapin, 1925 (Rhabditida: Anisakidae), using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The entire nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced to provide reference sequences for morphologically well-identified voucher specimens. Interestingly, after an alignment with closely related taxa using BLAST, sequences of the ITS1 and ITS2 were 100% identical to the sequences assigned to Contracaecum septentrionale Kreis, 1955, from a razorbill, Alca torda Linnaeus, 1758 (Charadriiformes: Alcidae), from Spain. These results either raise questions about the ITS as a genetic marker for some members of Contracaecum, or the identity of the specimens assigned to C. septentrionale, given that no supporting morphological data was associated with them. We highlight the need for a combined morphological and molecular approach to parasite diagnostics and the use of multiple genetic loci to resolve the molecular taxonomy of cryptic species. Morphological identifications should be taxonomically robust, transparent and precede the deposition of molecular barcodes in public repositories. The gross and histopathological findings of our investigation concur with previous reports of widespread Contracaecum infections in black noddies and support the contention that Contracaecum spp. are an unlikely primary cause of mortality., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: People living with a cancer diagnosis often experience cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Between 9% and 45% of people report CRF as moderate to severe, negatively impacting their quality-of-life (QOL). The evidence-base for managing CRF recommends exercise-related therapies over pharmaceutical interventions. One such exercise-like therapy is Baduanjin mind-body exercise (MBE), which has additional benefits. A remotely delivered program may further benefit people with CRF. The primary objective of this pilot will test study feasibility of a remotely delivered Baduanjin MBE exercise program for people living with CRF., Methods: This is a randomized wait-list controlled pilot study and will take place in Sydney, Australia. Subject to informed consent, 40 adults with moderate CRF levels and receiving or previously received adjuvant chemotherapy, will undertake a home-based 8-week Baduanjin MBE program supported by online resources and instructors. The primary feasibility outcomes are recruitment, enrollment, retention, and adherence rates; and safety as measured by tolerance and adverse-event frequency. Clinical outcomes (eg, changes in CRF, QOL, and participant perceptions) are assessed at pre-intervention, week 1, week 4, week 8, and post-intervention. Analyses follows the Intent-to-Treat (all participants as per randomization) and per-protocol (participants adhering to the protocol). Missing data will be imputed from previous data entries and regression models may be tested to predict missing outcomes., Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the feasibility and effects of Baduanjin MBE on CRF using a remote delivery method. These feasibility data will inform a fully powered future trial investigating evidence of effect on CRF and QOL. Trial registration : Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR 12623000177651). Ringgold ID : 651498 Chinese Medicine Centre., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Liriomyza huidobrensis is a leafminer fly and significant horticultural pest. It is a quarantine listed species in many countries and is now present as an established pest in Australia. Liriomyza huidobrensis uses a broad range of host plants and has potential for spread into various horticultural systems and regions of Australia. Rapid in-field identification of the pest is critically needed to assist efforts to manage this pest. Morphological identification of the pest is effectively limited to specialist examinations of adult males. Generally, molecular methods such as qPCR and DNA barcoding for identification of Liriomyza species require costly laboratory-based hardware. Herein, we developed two independent and rapid LAMP assays targeted to independently inherited mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Both assays are highly sensitive and specific to L. huidobrensis. Positive signals can be detected within 10 min on laboratory and portable real-time amplification fluorometers. Further, we adapted these assays for use with colorimetric master mixes, to allow fluorometer free in-field diagnostics of L. huidobrensis. Our LAMP assays can be used for stand-alone testing of query specimens and are likely to be essential tools used for rapid identification and monitoring of L. huidobrensis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Few studies have compared gait speed and its correlates among different ethnogeographic regions. The goals of this study were to describe usual and rapid gait speed, and identify their correlates across Australian, Asian, and African countries., Methods: We used data from 6 population-based cohorts of adults aged 65+ from 6 countries and 3 continents (N = 6 472), with samples ranging from 231 to 1 913. All cohorts are members of the Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium collaboration. We investigated whether clinical (body mass index [BMI], hypertension, stroke, apolipoprotein status), psychological (cognition, mood, general health), and behavioral factors (smoking, drinking, physical activity) correlated with usual (N = 4 cohorts) and rapid gait speed (N = 3 cohorts) similarly across cohorts. Regression models were controlled for age, sex, and education, and were sex-stratified., Results: Age- and sex-standardized usual gait speed means ranged from 0.61 to 1.06 m/s and rapid gait speed means ranged from 1.16 to 1.64 m/s. Lower BMI and better cognitive function consistently correlated with faster gait speed in all cohorts. Less consistently, not having hypertension and greater physical activity engagement were associated with faster gait speed. Associations with mood, smoking, and drinking were largely nonsignificant. These patterns were not attenuated by demographics. There was limited evidence that the associations differed by sex, except physical activity, where the greater intensity was associated with usual gait among men but not women., Conclusions: This study is among the first to describe the usual and rapid gait speeds across older adults in Africa, Asia, and Australia., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Risk attitude is known to influence physicians' decision-making under uncertainty. Research on the risk attitudes of physicians is therefore important in facilitating a better understanding of physicians' decisions. However, little is known about the stability of physicians' risk attitudes across domains. Using five waves of data from a prospective panel study of Australian physicians from 2013 to 2017, we explored the stability of risk attitudes over a four-year period and examined the association between negative life events and risk attitudes among 4417 physicians. Further, we tested the stability of risk attitude across three domains most relevant to a physician's career and clinical decision-making (financial, career and clinical). The results showed that risk attitude was stable over time at both the mean and individual levels but the correlation between domains was modest. There were no significant associations between negative life events and risk attitude changes in all three domains. These findings suggest that risk attitude can be assumed to be constant but domain-specificity needs to be considered in analyses of physician decision-making., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing interest None., (Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The majority of research on the safety of marine edible fish has primarily focused on anisakid nematodes, neglecting the potential risks posed by other parasites, including those belonging to the family Gnathostomatidae. In Australia, there have been few reported cases of human infections with gnathostomatid parasites since 2011. However, due to the absence of a standardized diagnostic test in the country, it is believed that the actual number of infections is higher than reported. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and prevalence of infectious gnathostomatid parasites in selected commercial fish species in Australia. A total of 1947 marine fish from northern Australia, representing 9 families, 16 genera, and 30 species, were examined for gnathostomatid nematode infections. Overall, 12.3 % of the fish were found to be infected with at least one gnathostomatid larva. Among the species examined, the yellow-dabbled flounder (Branchypleura novaezeelandiae) exhibited the highest prevalence (83.3 %; n = 6) and the largest number of gnathostomatid larvae. The identification of the gnathostomatid larvae was confirmed as belonging to the genus Echinocephalus based on both morphological characteristics and sequence data. No significant correlation was observed between the prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection with the length or weight of the examined fish species. Notably, several of the infected fish species are considered popular choices in the Australian market. Hence, it is imperative to raise awareness among relevant food safety authorities regarding the occurrence of these parasites. The findings from this study should be taken into consideration for the revision of current seafood safety protocols in the country., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare there is no conflict of interest to report., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: With increasing multidisciplinary care strategies, palliative medicine practitioner perceptions toward acupuncture integration are significant. Objective: To evaluate acupuncture availability and acceptability in Australian palliative care. Outcomes: (1) Domains of the survey included participant characteristics, (2) workplace availability, (3) personal attitudes, and (4) recommendation likelihood. Design: An online REDCap survey of Australian palliative medicine practitioners was administered. Results: Acupuncture was mostly not available/permitted at workplaces (45.2%) due to cost/funding (57.1%) and limited evidence (57.1%). When available by workplace (24.2%) or affiliated service (4.8%), doctors mostly administered acupuncture (66.7%). Respondents were not up to date with current research (71.4%). Referral likelihood increased with confidence in provider (80.0%), workplace availability (77.1%), and patient prior/current use (77.1%). Patient acupuncture discussions were rare (62.9%) with barriers of effectiveness uncertainty (71.4%) and limited knowledge of availability (57.1%). Conclusion: Despite available integrative services and acceptability by Australian palliative medicine practitioners, utilization is low. Further research into acupuncture effectiveness for palliative symptoms, feasibility, and patient acceptability is required.

Two new species of the genus Tripaphylus Richiardi in Anonymous, 1878 (family Sphyriidae) are described from elasmobranch hosts caught as bycatch within the Demersal and Timor Reef Fisheries which operate in the Northern Territory exclusive economic zone. Tripaphylus squidwardi n. sp. was collected from Carcharhinus coatesi Whitley and had a prevalence of 11.6%. Tripaphylus dippenaarae n. sp. was collected from Rhizoprionodon acutus (Rüppell) and had a prevalence of 28.2%. The new species are distinguished from existing congeneric species by the body proportions and shape of the adult female and by the arrangement of lobes on the ventral surface of the cephalothorax., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Scedosporium species have drawn significant interest as inhabitants of polluted soil and water and as cause of high mortality in near-drowning patients. So far, most cases have been reported from Europe and Australia, while knowledge on their prevalence and genotypic diversity from Asia is scant., Objectives: To increase the knowledge of the genetic diversity and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Scedosporium species involved in human infections from China., Methods: Here, we applied the ISHAM-MLST consensus scheme for molecular typing of Scedosporium species and revealed both high species diversity and high genotypic diversity among 45 Chinese clinical Scedosporium isolates., Results: Among the five species, Scedosporium boydii (n = 22) was the most common, followed by S. apiospermum (n = 18), S. aurantiacum (n = 4) and S. dehoogii (n = 1). S. aurantiacum was reported for the first time from clinical samples in China. The predominant sequence types (STs) were ST17 in S. apiospermum, ST4 in S. boydii and ST92 in S. aurantiacum, including four novel STs (ST40, ST41, ST42 and ST43) in S. apiospermum. Based on the CLSI-M38 A2 criterion, voriconazole was the only antifungal compound with low MIC values (MIC 90  ≤ 1 μg/ml) for all Scedosporium isolates in our study., Conclusions: The genetic diversity of clinical isolates of Scedosporium species from China is extremely high, with S. boydii being predominant and S. aurantiacum being firstly reported here. VOR was the only antifungal compound with low MIC values for all Scedosporium isolates in our study, which should be recommended as the firstline antifungal treatment against scedosporiosis in China., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The cue-lure-responding New Guinea fruit fly, Bactrocera trivialis, poses a biosecurity risk to neighbouring countries, e.g., Australia. In trapping programs, lure caught flies are usually morphologically discriminated from non-target species; however, DNA barcoding can be used to confirm similar species where morphology is inconclusive, e.g., Bactrocera breviaculeus and B. rufofuscula. This can take days-and a laboratory-to resolve. A quicker, simpler, molecular diagnostic assay would facilitate a more rapid detection and potential incursion response. We developed LAMP assays targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit L (EIF3L); both assays detected B. trivialis within 25 min. The BtrivCOI and BtrivEIF3L assay anneal derivatives were 82.7 ± 0.8 °C and 83.3 ± 1.3 °C, respectively, detecting down to 1 × 10 1 copies/µL and 1 × 10 3 copies/µL, respectively. Each assay amplified some non-targets from our test panel; however notably, BtrivCOI eliminated all morphologically similar non-targets, and combined, the assays eliminated all non-targets. Double-stranded DNA gBlocks were developed as positive controls; anneal derivatives for the COI and EIF3L gBlocks were 84.1 ± 0.7 °C and 85.8 ± 0.2 °C, respectively. We recommend the BtrivCOI assay for confirmation of suspect cue-lure-trapped B. trivialis, with BtrivEIF3L used for secondary confirmation when required., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Specimens of Dolichoperoides macalpini (Nicoll, 1914) (Digenea: Dolichoperoididae) were collected from Australian venomous snakes (Elapidae): Notechis scutatus Peters, 1861 and Austrelaps superbus (Günther, 1858) from Tasmania and surrounding islands and N. s. occidentalis Glauert, 1948 from wetlands near Perth, Western Australia. Despite variation in morphological measurements, genetic analysis showed that the one species of digeneans infected the snakes from all locations. This study presents the first DNA sequences for D. macalpini (internal transcribed spacer, 18S, 28S), confirming its placement in a family separate from the Reniferidae and Telorchiidae. Analysis of the infection dynamics of infection in Western Australian snakes showed significant differences in levels of infection between wetland locations, season and year of collection. Infection of D. macalpini was reported in the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, in freshly euthanised snakes in Western Australia, and in the lung in Tasmanian snakes, consistent with earlier reports. Differences in morphology and site of infection are suggested to be due to a combination of season and maturity of the digenean, with infection potentially occurring early in the season, as the snakes emerge from torpor. The need for research on the seasonal dynamics of infection with this parasite is discussed., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Although undergoing an abortion is stressful for most women, little attention has been given to their psychological wellbeing. This protocol aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and primary effects of a complex intervention to promote positive coping behaviors and alleviate depression symptoms among Chinese women who have undergone an abortion., Methods: A two-arm randomized controlled trial design will be used. Participants will be recruited at their first appointment with the abortion clinic and randomly allocated to receive either the Stress-And-Coping suppoRT (START) intervention (in addition to standard abortion care) or standard care only. All participants will be followed-up at two- and six-weeks post-abortion. Approval has been granted by local and university ethics committees. This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship., Discussion: The results will assist refinement and further evaluations of the START intervention, contribute to improved abortion care practices in China, and enrich the evidence on improving women's psychological well-being following abortion in China., Trial Registration: Registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials.gov: ChiCTR2100046101. Date of registration: 4 May 2021.

Macrobrachium australiense, is one of Australia's most widespread freshwater invertebrates. Although a significant amount of research has been conducted to understand the diversity of crustacean species in Australia, there has been considerably less effort focused on their Temnocephalidae symbionts. The present study aims to identify Temnocephalidae species found in M. australiense, along with determining their impacts on the fitness of their hosts. A total of 54 M. australiense (common Australian river prawn) were examined for evidence of infection with Temnocephalidae species, of which 96.3% showed at least one sign of infection with Temnocephalidae. Due to damage and immaturity of the worms collected from, they have been referred to as Temnocephalidae sp. based on the presence of tentacles on the anterior margin of the body, and pedunculate sucker located dorsally on the ventral surface. Possible mechanical damage to gill lamellae resulting from either egg deposition or autolysis is evident. In the phylogenetic tree built based on sequences of the 28S rRNA gene, specimens in the present study grouped separately from other Temnocephalidae species reported from Australia., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Specimens of a pentastomid, identified as a nymphal Linguatula serrata, have previously been reported from the nasal cavity of the endangered Australian marsupial, the spotted-tail quoll, Dasyurus maculatus. These specimens were made available for morphological and molecular characterisation to confirm their species identity., Methods: Specimens were examined by light microscopy. Molecular sequencing attempts were unsuccessful., Results: Examination showed that the specimens were adult pentastomes of the genus Linguatula. Morphological differences are reported between these specimens and published measurements of specimens from other hosts collected from the same region., Conclusions: This is the first confirmed report of an adult Linguatula pentastome in a native Australian animal. Due to the small number of specimens and the lack of successful molecular characterisation, the pentastomes have been referred to Linguatula sp. until future work can confirm the species identity. The need for combined molecular and morphological analysis of pentastome specimens is reiterated., (© 2021. Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Cases of gnathostomiasis, an infection caused by consuming infected seafood, have been reported in Australia. However, doubt exists over the validity of these diagnoses as there are no reports of Gnathostoma spp. in Australian teleost fish. Also, the diagnoses in human cases were based on a serological test developed in Thailand. The specificity and sensitivity of this test in non-endemic areas are uncertain. Interestingly, parasites belonging to the genus Echinocephalus, which morphologically are very similar to Gnathostomum, are commonly found in Australian fish and shellfish and can potentially infect humans. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of these zoonotic nematodes within commercial fish and to characterise nematode larvae in order to provide insights into the specific identity of the potential causative agents of gnathostomiasis in Australia. Six edible fish species (n = 163) were examined. Gnathostomid-type larvae were found only in Acanthopagrus australis and Rhabdosargus sarba. Detailed examination and sequence data suggested parasite larvae belonged to the genus Echinocephalus. Further investigation of the occurrence of zoonotic nematodes within marine environments and observation of their spatial and temporal patterns will help raise awareness of the significance of this food safety issue within global fishing industries and health sectors. The accurate identification of zoonotic nematodes is a key component of disease surveillance and control. This information can also be used to develop specific and sensitive diagnostic test., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 (Trematoda: Clinostomidae) is a cosmopolitan, zoonotic genus of fluke that has been poorly studied in an Australian setting. Following previous reports of reservoir fish in Australian fish ponds being heavily infected with Clinostomum metacercaria, the current study was conducted to determine the specific identity of Clinostomum sp. in inland Australia, by examining and characterizing parasites collected from a potential definitive host, cormorants. A total of 33 parasite specimens belonging to the genus Clinostomum were collected from two cormorants (little black cormorants, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) that were collected from the Narrandera Fisheries Research Centre, New South Wales, at the same locality where metacercaria of Clinostomum sp. have been reported in fish. All specimens in our study were immature adults. Clinostomum specimens with similar morphology have been identified as C. complanatum in the past, based on their morphological characteristics. However, phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS sequence data in the present study suggest they are the same as the Clinostomum sp. previously reported from carp gudgeons (Hypseleotris spp.) from the same farm, and distinct from C. complanatum. The ITS sequences obtained from the specimens in the present study were most similar to those belonging to C. phalacrocoracis (never reported in Australia). Our specimens formed a distinct clade on the phylogenetic tree and their specific identity awaits until fully mature specimens are described in future studies., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard)) is an endangered carnivorous marsupial, limited to the islands of Tasmania in southern Australia. The parasites of the Tasmanian devil are understudied. This study aimed to increase the knowledge of the nematode fauna of Tasmanian devils. Ten Tasmanian devils were examined for parasites from northern and southern Tasmania. Nematodes that were collected were morphologically characterized as two separate species. Molecular sequencing was undertaken to verify the identity of these species. A new genus and species of oxyurid nematode was collected from a single Tasmanian devil from the northern part of Tasmania. The nematode is differentiated from oxyurids described from other Australian amphibians, reptiles and marsupials by the characters of the male posterior end - that is, in having three pairs of caudal papillae, two pairs peri-cloacal, one large pair post-cloacal, a long tapering tail, a stout spicule and a gubernaculum and accessory piece, as well as its much larger overall size. Molecular sequencing was unsuccessful. The remaining nematodes collected from the Tasmanian devil in this study were all identified as Baylisascaris tasmaniensis Sprent, 1970, through morphology and molecular sequencing. This paper presents the first description of a new genus and species of oxyurid nematode from the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophiloxyuris longus n. gen., n. sp. The need to undertake more sampling of the parasites of endangered hosts, such as the Tasmanian devil, to assist with a better understanding of their conservation management, is discussed.

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent used for the treatment and control of neglected tropical diseases. In Australia, ivermectin is primarily used for scabies and is licensed in children aged ≥5 years weighing >15 kg. However, young children, aged <5 years, are particularly vulnerable to scabies and its secondary complications. Therefore, this study aimed to determine an appropriate ivermectin dose for children aged 2 to 4 years and weighing ≤15 kg. We conducted a prospective, pharmacokinetic study of ivermectin in Indigenous Australian children aged between 5 and 15 years and weighing >15 kg. Doses of 200 μg/kg rounded to the nearest whole or half 3 mg tablet were given to children with scabies and ivermectin concentrations determined at two time points after dosing. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using non-linear mixed effects modelling. A separate covariate database of children aged 2 to 4 years and weighing <15 kg was used to generate 1000 virtual patients and simulate the dose required to achieve equivalent drug exposure in young children as those aged ≥5 years. Overall, 26 children who had 48 ivermectin concentrations determined were included, 11 (42%) were male, the median age was 10.9 years and median body weight 37.6 kg. The final model was a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and linear elimination. For simulated children aged 2 to 4 years, a dose of 3 mg in children weighing 10-15 kg produced similar drug exposures to those >5 years. The median simulated area under the concentration-time curve was 976 μg∙h/L. Using modelling, we have identified a dosing strategy for ivermectin in children aged 2 to 4 years and weighing less than 15 kg that can be prospectively evaluated for safety and efficacy., Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: AG has attended the MSD Asia Pacific forum. No other authors have competing interests.

Being listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, knowledge on the biology, health and diseases of the scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith) is limited; this is especially true for its parasites. In this paper, a new species, Pulchrascaris australis, is morphologically described followed by genetic characterisation based on the sequence of the ITS region. The new species can be easily differentiated from its congeners based on the morphology of the mouthpart, spicules, plectanes, eggs and vulva. Phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguish specimens in the present study from other parasitic nematodes found in the Australasian waters and elsewhere. The sequencing data also suggest that Terranova larval type I found previously in various fish from New Caledonian and Australian (Queensland) waters also belong to Pulchrascaris australis n. sp.

We confirm the presence of nymphs of the introduced pentastomid, Linguatula serrata, in the introduced rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in Australia, based on morphological and molecular results. Two nymphs were collected from a single rabbit near the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. Unlike reports of nymphs from domestic animals, these nymphs were not encapsulated, despite having the morphological features of infective nymphs. The possibility of different development pathways in lagomorphs is discussed. Examination of feral deer for L. serrata was unsuccessful and potential reasons for a lack of infection in these animals are postulated. Our results reiterate the need for a combined morphological and molecular approach to the identification of L. serrata. Further sampling of a range of feral and native animals is required to determine the true range of intermediate hosts and their relative importance in the transmission of L. serrata in Australia.

Terranova pectinolabiata n. sp. is described from the great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran, from Australian waters. This represents the first report of a species of Terranova from the host species. The new species is characterised by the morphology of the caudal plates and labia. ITS sequences were obtained for 20 specimens which were identical, despite morphological variation that has traditionally been indicative of separation of species. Additionally, genetic analyses confirmed the identification of the larval Terranova Type II previously reported in Australian and New Caledonian waters as Terranova pectinolabiata n. sp.

There are limited reports of infectious agents affecting Australian cowtail stingrays. In the present study, a new species of ascaridoid nematode belonging to the genus Mawsonascaris is described. The most distinct characteristic features were observed in females (the presence of a polar spine in the eggs and a flap-like projection in the vulval area). An identification key for Mawsonascaris spp. is provided. Additionally, internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences were obtained for the new species. Alignment of the ITS sequence of the specimens in the present study with those deposited in GenBank showed that there exists no other highly similar sequence. Phylogenetic analyses resulted in a distinct grouping of our specimens supporting morphological distinction from previously described Mawsonascaris spp. Histology was used to investigate the pathology caused by the infection. Necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis were evident at the border of the nodules formed by parasite. A large number of parasites were present in muscularis mucosae and submucosa but not in the muscularis of the stomach. The parasites were associated with an increased inflammatory response, which was also found in the muscularis mucosae and submucosa. Similar pathology has been described in elasmobranchs infected by cestodes, although with more severe lesions., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Zao Ren An Shen (ZRAS), a Chinese Herbal Medicine product, has been proposed as an alternative to recommended treatments for chronic insomnia. There is a lack of strong evidence supporting this proposition., Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of ZRAS capsule for chronic insomnia compared to placebo., Methods: A parallel-group, double-blind, randomized-controlled trial will be performed in Western Sydney University, Australia. After a 1-week placebo run-in, adults with chronic insomnia (n = 90) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either ZRAS capsule or placebo for 4 weeks. Insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Scale score), sleep parameters (measured with the Consensus Sleep Diary and actigraphy), fatigue levels (Fatigue Severity Scale score), psychological status (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale score), quality of life (Assessment of Quality of Life score), and adverse events will be assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment and at a 1-month follow-up., Expected Outcomes: We hypothesize that ZRAS capsule will improve insomnia severity, sleep parameters, fatigue levels, psychological status, and quality of life better than placebo at mid-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. We also hypothesize that the number of adverse events provoked by ZRAS capsule will be similar to placebo at these time-points., Trial Registration: Australia New-Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number ACTRN12619000140156).

Premise of the Study: Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade), having originated in the Americas, is now a serious summer-growing, perennial weed in many countries, including Australia. Most surfaces of the plants have a dense covering of trichomes, giving them a silvery-white appearance, hence the common name. We aimed to identify structural and functional properties of its leaves, especially the trichomes, that may affect the uptake of foliar-applied tracer dyes., Methods: The structure of leaves of Solanum elaeagnifolium was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The potential for transport of materials between trichomes and veins was studied with symplastic (carboxyfluorescein diacetate) and apoplastic (lucifer yellow) tracer dyes., Key Results: Mature leaves had a dense covering of complex, stellate trichomes on both surfaces, particularly the abaxial. The basal cells of Solanum elaeagnifolium trichomes penetrated into the underlying palisade mesophyll layers. The innermost lobes of these basal cells sometimes contacted the bundle sheath of the veins, but were not observed to directly contact the xylem or phloem. We found that neither symplastic nor apoplastic dyes were transferred between the basal cells of the trichomes and the vascular tissues. The trichome layer repelled water-based tracer dyes, while one of four adjuvants tested facilitated entry of both symplastic and apoplastic dyes., Conclusions: Our results did not support a transport function for the trichomes. The trichomes may protect the mesophytic leaves from invertebrate herbivory, while also probably decreasing radiation absorbed resulting in cooler leaves in this summer-growing species.

Background: Quality acupuncture influences the outcomes of clinical research, and issues associated with effective administration of acupuncture in randomized controlled trials need to be addressed when appraising studies., Objective: The study objective was to achieve consensus on domains and items for inclusion in a rating scale to assess quality acupuncture administered in clinical research., Study Design and Subjects: An active group of Australian acupuncture researchers initially identified a pool of items assessing quality. The Delphi consensus process was then used to select and reduce the number of items, and an additional expert panel of 42 researchers were invited to participate. Participants initially ranked items along a five-point scale for the first Delphi round, and indicated an agree or disagree response during the second round. For an item to be retained into the second round, an item had to attain greater than 80% agreement that the item described a dimension of quality acupuncture and related study design., Results: Thirty-two (32) experts agreed to participate in the study. After two rounds of the Delphi process, consensus was reached on 14 domains and 26 items relating to quality acupuncture. Domains, items, and minimum standards related to study design; rationale of the intervention; criteria relating to needling stimulation either manual or electrostimulation; duration and frequency of treatment; and practitioner training., Conclusions: Items for inclusion in an instrument to assess quality acupuncture in clinical research were identified. Further development of the instrument including relative weighting of items and reliability testing is under way.

Currently there are no widely used systems to electronically record individual patient consultations with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners. As TCM practice differs significantly from western medicine both in diagnosis and treatment, using information systems created for western medicine is not suitable. There is a need for information systems developed specifically for TCM practitioners to manage patient consultation and treatments. Such system should be designed to facilitate safe and effective practice by providing decision support, utilising existing knowledge such as known herb-drug interactions to signal safety risks. Utilising current and developing standards and vocabularies such as those developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is important to facilitate interoperability with other systems. To facilitate continued growth in consumer demand, this type of system should be compatible with the needs of the individual electronic health records and other medical systems, and provide interfaces to external systems such as Medicare, pathology and radiology systems, and insurance systems. This paper presents the high level design of a patient consultation system for TCM practitioners that addresses the individual practitioner's needs for health records entry, storage, retrieval, display and support in managing health care delivery to patients and be part of Australia's emerging e-health system.

Aim: To explore and compare the features of menstruation, perception and management of menstrual pain between two cohorts of Australian and Chinese women., Methods: A pilot comparison study was carried out using modified valid menstrual questionnaires. The study included 120 Australian women and 122 Chinese women aged from 18 to 45 years with primary dysmenorrhea., Results: Australian women rated menstrual pain as more intense than Chinese women (8.5 ± 1.5 on a 10-point pain scale vs 7.3 ± 1.8, P < 0.001), duration of pain was 36% longer (3.0 ± 2.5 vs 2.2 ± 0.9 days, P = 0.002) and menarche commenced earlier (12.7 ± 1.5 vs 14.2 ± 1.4 years, P < 0.001). The mean reported menstrual interval was also shorter (29.2 ± 5.3 vs 30.52 ± 3.7, P = 0.020) with heavier overall menstrual flow (P = 0.002) and fewer clots in menstrual blood (83% vs 95.8%, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in duration of menstruation (5.2 ± 1.3 vs 5.4 ± 1.1 days; P = 0.180). Correlations were found between earlier menarche and increased intensity of menstrual pain (r = -0.16, P = 0.011), and between heavier menstrual flow and increased intensity of menstrual pain (r = 0.19, P = 0.003)., Conclusion: Evidence from this pilot study suggested that the clinical menstrual presentations in the cohorts of Australian and Chinese women were different. Although the findings are preliminary, evaluating ethnic differences in menstruation and experimental menstrual pain models may not only provide some information about underlying mechanisms but may also predict or explain group differences., (© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2010 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Objective: To explore the extent to which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic categories for primary dysmenorrhoea are useful in describing the clinical presentation of this condition in Australian women in comparison with Chinese women, and therefore the potential usefulness of these categories in guiding TCM treatment of Australian women., Design and Setting: A comparative study of 120 Australian and 122 Chinese women aged from 18 to 45 years with primary dysmenorrhoea., Main Outcome Measures: Modified valid TCM diagnostic protocol., Results: Difference in menstruation and menstrual pain profiles between the two groups of women found in the same study did not translate into differences in the underlying syndrome according to TCM diagnostic categories. The study found that Australian and Chinese women were represented in broadly similar proportions across the defined five diagnostic categories., Conclusion: Some evidence suggests that although the clinical presentation of symptoms in Australian and Chinese women is different, the distribution of women across the diagnostic categories in TCM is similar. Therefore, the TCM protocol used to diagnose primary dysmenorrhoea and guide treatment is unlikely to require adaptation for use with Australian women.

Nucleotide variation in a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit1 (cox1) gene from asexual stages of bucephalids of southern Australian scallops (Chlamys asperrima, Chlamys bifrons and Pecten fumatus) was investigated using a mutation scanning-sequencing approach. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis revealed three main profile types (A, B and C) for parasites isolated from scallops. Sequence analysis revealed that samples represented by profiles B and C had a high degree (97.3%) of sequence similarity, whereas they were approximately 21% different in sequence from those represented by profile A. These findings suggested that at least two types or species (represented by profile A, or profile B or C) of bucephalid infect scallops, of which both were detected in South Australia, while only one was found in Victoria. The prevalence of bucephalids (and their SSCP haplotypes) appeared to differ among the three species of scallop in South Australia as well as between the two scallop species in Victoria, indicating a degree of host specificity. Adult bucephalids were collected from Eastern Australian Salmon (Arripis trutta), in an attempt to match them with the asexual stages from the scallop hosts. Neither of the two taxa of adult bucephalid (Telorhynchus arripidis and an un-named Telorhynchus species) shared SSCP profiles with the bucephalids from scallops, but were genetically similar, suggesting that the asexual stages from scallops may represent the genus Telorhynchus. This study, which assessed nucleotide sequence variation in a portion of the mitochondrial cox1 gene for bucephalids found in scallops and arripid fish, illustrates the usefulness of the mutation scanning approach to elucidate complex life-cycles of marine parasites.

Marteilia sydneyi (Paramyxea) is the causative agent of QX disease in oysters. In spite of the economic impact of this disease, its origin and the precise reason(s) for its apparent spread in Australian waters are not yet known. Given such knowledge gaps, investigating the population genetic structure(s) of M. sydneyi populations could provide insights into the epidemiology and ecology of the parasite and could assist in its prevention and control. In this study, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)-based analysis of a region (195 bp) of the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of ribosomal DNA was employed to investigate genetic variation within and among five populations of M. sydneyi from oysters from five different locations in eastern Australia. The analysis showed the existence of a genetic variant of M. sydneyi common to the Great Sandy Strait, and the Richmond and Georges Rivers, as distinct from variants at the Pimpama and Clarence Rivers. Together with historical and other information relating to the QX disease outbreaks in eastern Australia, the molecular findings support the proposal that the parasite originated in the Great Sandy Strait and/or Richmond River and then extended southward along the coast. From a technical perspective, the study demonstrated the usefulness of SSCP as a tool to study the population genetics and epidemiology of M. sydneyi.

This study examined genetic variability within Spirometra erinacei (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) from different host species and geographical origins in Australia using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based mutation detection approach, followed by DNA sequencing. Part of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (p cox 1) was amplified by PCR, scanned for sequence variation by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and representative samples from different host species were selected for DNA sequencing. While no variation in SSCP profiles was detected among S. erinacei samples from dog, fox, cat, tiger snake and python, they differed in profile from 5 specimens from the green tree frog (Litoria caerulea). This was supported by sequence data which demonstrated that p cox 1 sequences of samples from the latter host species differed at 8 of 393 (2%) nucleotide positions from those from the non-amphibian host. Using a nucleotide difference in the p cox 1 sequence, a PCR-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) could be employed to unequivocally delineate between samples from non-amphibian and amphibian hosts. These findings demonstrate the existence of at least two genotypes within S. erinacei, which may have important implications for studying the epidemiology, ecology and systematics of this cestode., (Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.)

The nucleotide variation in a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment within and among species of Capillaria sensu lato from Australian marsupials and rodents was analyzed using a mutation scanning/sequencing approach. The fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was amplified by PCR from parasite DNA, and analysed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing. There was no significant variation in SSCP profiles within a morphospecies from a particular host species, but significant variation existed among morphospecies originating from different host species. The same morphospecies was found to occur in 1-3 tissue habitats within one host individual or within different individuals of a particular species of host from the same or different geographical areas, and morphospecies appeared to be relatively host specific at the generic level. The results indicated that the species of Capillaria sensu lato examined, although highly variable in their host and tissue specificity, may exhibit the greatest degree of specificity at the level of host genus.