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This paper explores the influence of political traditions on policymaking at the interface of national and transnational governance. It uncovers various dimensions of influence on boundary-setting through policy change, derived from a case study examining how Australia reconceptualised longstanding freedom of residential movement and equal treatment for citizens across the Tasman. These policymaking activities spanned boundaries across policy subsystems at the interface of both domestic and transnational arenas, in response to perceived dilemmas. This paper focuses on the enabling role of neoliberal ideations to effect an agenda driven by more covert motives. In context of bilateral economic integration, conflicting traditions created a dilemma for Australia, which sought to maintain the advantages of the free labour-market whilst minimizing the problem of granting access to social security and citizenship to those perceived to be unsuitable. I find that Australia, in resolving this dilemma, allowed neoliberal conceptions of labour as a commodity, thereby enabling traditions of exclusion and border control, to override longstanding trans-Tasman traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction In 2022 the Radiation Oncology Nurses (RON) Specialist Practice Network of the Cancer Nursing Society of Australia completed the first national workforce study of RONs in Australia. Objectives The qualitative component of the study describes responses by the RONs on a range of issues. This data aimed to provide information and personal reflection on topics such as satisfaction with their work, role components, work practices, departmental tasks, education, career progression, and opportunities for advancement. Methodology Researcher-initiated questions sought responses to aspects of the RON role in six distinct categories, plus further comments could be added. The questions explored consistencies, insight, and reflection from the attitudes and perspectives of RONs. Content analysis of the data resulted in seven groups of responses condensed into meaning units and further into codes and themes. Results A total of 140 RONs from both the public and private sectors provided 416 responses. The resultant themes included perceiving the RON role as personally rewarding and satisfying, being able to spend time with patients, providing holistic care, and making a positive difference to patients. RONs reported enjoyment of working with colleagues, autonomy in their work, and satisfaction with the outcomes of their nursing interventions. Conversely, many RONs felt that the role was often undervalued and misunderstood by nursing management and other health professionals. They perceived that many administrative, cleaning, and stock management tasks could be undertaken by other staff. The lack of formal RON education nationally was also considered an issue by many respondents, and career progression was further limited by the lack of opportunities. Conclusion This important study provided valuable insights into the RON role, and perceptions were generally positive. However, many responded that it was a waste of scarce nursing resources to undertake tasks that could be done by other staff. The lack of formal post-graduate RON education nationally was also an issue that many RONs would like to see addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tachyphylaxis for slowing of gastric emptying is seen with continuous exposure to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). We therefore aimed to establish whether prolonged use of a "short-acting" GLP-1 receptor agonist, lixisenatide, achieves sustained slowing of gastric emptying and reduction in postprandial glycemia.Research Design and Methods: A total of 30 patients with metformin-treated type 2 diabetes underwent assessment of gastric emptying (scintigraphy) and glucose metabolism (dual tracer technique) after a 75-g glucose drink, before and after 8 weeks' treatment with lixisenatide (20 μg subcutaneously daily) or placebo, in a double-blind randomized parallel design.Results: Gastric retention of the glucose drink was markedly increased after lixisenatide versus placebo (ratio of adjusted geometric means for area under the curve [AUC] over 240 min of 2.19 [95% CI 1.82, 2.64], P < 0.001), associated with substantial reductions in the rate of systemic appearance of oral glucose (P < 0.001) and incremental AUC for blood glucose (P < 0.001). Lixisenatide suppressed both glucagon (P = 0.003) and insulin (P = 0.032), but not endogenous glucose production, over 120 min after oral glucose intake. Postprandial glucose lowering over 240 min was strongly related to the magnitude of slowing of gastric emptying by lixisenatide (r = -0.74, P = 0.002) and to the baseline rate of emptying (r = 0.52, P = 0.048) but unrelated to β-cell function (assessed by β-cell glucose sensitivity).Conclusions: Eight weeks' treatment with lixisenatide is associated with sustained slowing of gastric emptying and marked reductions in postprandial glycemia and appearance of ingested glucose. Short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists therefore potentially represent an effective long-term therapy for specifically targeting postprandial glucose excursions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resveratrol has been reported to lower glycemia in rodent models of type 2 diabetes associated with the stimulation of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is known to slow gastric emptying, stimulate insulin secretion, and suppress glucagon secretion and energy intake. Objective: We evaluated the effects of 5 wk of resveratrol treatment on GLP-1 secretion, gastric emptying, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Design: Fourteen patients with diet-controlled type-2 diabetes [mean ± SEM glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): 6.4 ± 0.2% (46.4 ± 2.2 mmol/mol)] received resveratrol (500 mg twice daily) or a placebo over two 5-wk intervention periods with a 5-wk washout period in between in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Before and after each intervention period (4 visits), body weight and HbA1c were measured, and patients were evaluated after an overnight fast with a standardized mashed-potato meal labeled with 100 µg 13C-octanoic acid to measure blood glucose and plasma GLP-1 concentrations and gastric emptying (breath test) over 240 min. Daily energy intake was estimated from 3-d food diaries during the week before each visit. Results: Fasting and postprandial blood glucose and plasma total GLP-1 as well as gastric emptying were similar at each assessment, and the change in each variable from weeks 0 to 5 did not differ between resveratrol and placebo groups. Similarly, changes in HbA1c, daily energy intake, and body weight after 5 wk did not differ between the 2 treatments. Conclusions: In patients with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes, 5 wk of twice-daily 500 mg-resveratrol supplementation had no effect on GLP-1 secretion, glycemic control, gastric emptying, body weight, or energy intake. Our observations do not support the use of resveratrol for improving glycemic control. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12613000717752. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses topics within the issue including environmental changes in the Mediterranean region, the history of rock mining in Australia, and the history of climate variability in southern Africa.

Aim: To evaluate sex differences in gastric emptying and the glycaemic response to a glucose drink and a high carbohydrate meal in type 2 diabetes (T2D)., Methods: In cohort 1, 70 newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve Chinese patients with T2D (44 men) recruited from a diabetes outpatient clinic ingested a 75-g glucose drink containing 150 mg 13 C-acetate. In cohort 2, 101 Australian patients with T2D (67 male) recruited from the community, managed by diet and/or metformin monotherapy, ingested a semi-solid mashed potato meal, labelled with 100 μl 13 C-octanoic acid. Breath samples were collected over 3 and 4 h, respectively, for assessment of gastric emptying, and venous blood was sampled for evaluation of glycaemia (with and without adjustment for each participant's estimated total blood volume)., Results: Gastric emptying was slower in female than male subjects in both cohorts (both p < .01). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that gastric emptying was independently associated with sex (both p < .05). Without adjustment for blood volume, the glycaemic responses to oral glucose and the mixed meal were greater in female subjects (both p < .001). However, after adjustment for blood volume, the glycaemic responses were greater in men (both p < .05)., Conclusions: Gastric emptying is slower in women than men with T2D, associated with a reduced blood volume-adjusted glycaemic response to oral glucose and a mixed meal in women. These observations highlight the sex difference in postprandial glucose handling, which is relevant to the personalized management of postprandial glycaemia in T2D., (© 2024 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aims: Liraglutide reduces bodyweight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying this effect., Methods: The comparative effects of liraglutide, glimepiride and placebo on energy intake, appetite, nausea, gastric emptying, antral distension, bodyweight, gastrointestinal hormones, fasting plasma glucose and resting energy expenditure (REE), were assessed in subjects with T2DM randomised to treatment A (liraglutide-placebo), B (placebo-glimepiride) or C (glimepiride-liraglutide). Assessments were performed at the end of each 4-week treatment period., Results: Energy intake was less (NS) with liraglutide vs placebo and glimepiride, and 24-h REE was higher (NS) with liraglutide vs placebo and glimepiride. Fasting hunger was less (p=0.01) with liraglutide vs placebo and glimepiride, and meal duration was shorter with liraglutide (p=0.002) vs placebo. Paracetamol AUC(0-60 min) and C(max) were less (p<0.01) and fasting peptide YY was lower (p ≤ 0.001) after liraglutide vs placebo and glimepiride. Bodyweight reductions of 1.3 and 2.0 kg were observed with liraglutide vs placebo and glimepiride (p<0.001). There were no differences on antral distension, nausea, or other gastro-intestinal hormones., Conclusion: Liraglutide caused decreased gastric emptying and increased reduction in bodyweight. The mechanisms of the liraglutide-induced weight-loss may involve a combined effect on energy intake and energy expenditure., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)