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Research

A New Era for PPARγ: Covalent Ligands and Therapeutic Applications

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a prominent ligand-inducible transcription factor involved in adipocyte differentiation, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and cell proliferation, making it a therapeutic target for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. 

Research

Automated Insulin Delivery Is Associated with Reduced Hospital Admissions and Costs for Acute Diabetes Complications in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

This study evaluated the association between insulin regimen, hospitalization for acute diabetes complications, and related health care costs in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Hospital admissions for diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia between January 5, 2022, and April 30, 2024, were analyzed in Western Australian children with T1D. Admissions due to newly diagnosed T1D were excluded. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using generalized estimating equations, adjusted for age, diabetes duration, and socioeconomic status.

Research

Islet autoimmunity in young First Nations women with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes in First Nations peoples is low yet type 2 diabetes is at epidemic proportions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of islet autoimmunity in First Nations women with dysglycaemia and its association with clinical features.

Research

NMR Spectroscopy-Based Lipoprotein and Glycoprotein Biomarkers Differentiate Acute and Chronic Inflammation in Diverse Healthy and Disease Population Cohorts

Understanding the distribution and variation in NMR-based inflammatory markers is crucial to the evaluation of their clinical utility in disease prognosis and diagnosis. We applied high-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy of blood plasma and serum to measure the acute phase reactive glycoprotein signals  and the subregions of the lipoprotein-based Supramolecular Phospholipid Composite signals in a large multicohort population study.

Research

The usability and feasibility of a self-compassion chatbot (COMPASS) for youth living with type 1 diabetes

Although it is well established that youth with type 1 Diabetes (T1D) experience high rates of distress, current clinical care is often under-resourced and unable to provide sufficient or timely psychological support. The current study was designed to evaluate the safety, usability and feasibility of 'COMPASS,' a self-compassion chatbot intervention. 

Research

Does exercise in cool water cause a higher risk of hypoglycaemia than in thermoneutral conditions in type 1 diabetes?

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise in cool water results in a greater decrease in blood glucose concentration than in thermoneutral water or on land in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Research

Teaching Kitchens: An innovative program for enhancing self-management skills in adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) – A feasibility study

Adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are faced with unique challenges to nutrition management. The current Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) T1D management model includes individualised education at diagnosis and annual reviews. Currently, no group education is provided to develop self-management skills for healthy meal preparation. Teaching Kitchens offers a skills-based program in food literacy and nutrition. This feasibility study explored if a Teaching Kitchens program at PCH engaged adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years, living with T1D.

Research

Care provided to women during and after a pregnancy complicated by hyperglycaemia: the impacts of a multi-component health systems intervention

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience a disproportionate burden of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. A multi-component health systems intervention aiming to improve antenatal and postpartum care was implemented across Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and Far North Queensland (FNQ) between 2016 and 2019. Components included clinician education, improving recall systems, enhancing policies and guidelines, and embedding Diabetes in Pregnancy (DIP) Clinical Registers in systems of care. This program was evaluated to determine impacts on clinical practice and maternal health.

Research

Psychological and self care outcomes for children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers attending diabetes camp: A mixed methods study

Diabetes camps for children and adolescents living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) offer an important opportunity to foster self-efficacy and 'common humanity', a sense that they are not alone in their challenges. The current study primarily aimed to assess whether psychological wellbeing, diabetes self care behaviours and HbA1c improved amongst campers and their caregivers, and whether these would be sustained at 3- and 6-months.

Research

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Childhood Islet Autoimmunity

This cohort study examines whether there is a temporal association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of islet autoimmunity among Australian children with a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes.