High levels of psychosocial distress among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross- sectional survey

Background The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has had a profound and prolonged impact on healthcare services and healthcare workers.Aims The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study aimed to investigate the severity and prevalence of mental health issues,as well as the social,workplace and financial disruptions experienced by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods A nationwide,voluntary,anonymous,single timepoint,online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020.Individuals self-identifying as frontline healthcare workers in secondary or primary care were invited to participate.Participants were recruited through health organisations,professional associations or colleges,universities,government contacts and national media.Demographics,home and work situation,health and psychological well-being data were collected.Results A total of 9518 survey responses were received;of the 9518 participants,7846(82.4%)participants reported complete data.With regard to age,4110(52.4%)participants were younger than 40 years;6344(80.9%)participants were women.Participants were nurses(n=3088,39.4%),doctors(n=2436,31.1%),allied health staff(n=1314,16.7%)or in other roles(n=523,6.7%).In addition,1250(15.9%)participants worked in primary care.Objectively measured mental health symptoms were common:mild to severe anxiety(n=4694,59.8%),moderate to severe burnout(n=5458,70.9%)and mild to severe depression(n=4495,57.3%).Participants were highly resilient(mean(SD)=3.2(0.66)).Predictors for worse outcomes on all scales included female gender;younger age;pre-existing psychiatric condition;experiencing relationship problems;nursing,allied health or other roles;frontline area;being worried about being blamed by colleagues and working with patients with COVID-19.Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significant mental health symptoms in frontline healthcare workers.Crisis preparedness together with policies and practices addressing psychological well-being are needed.

In vitro investigation of the effect of dairy propionibacteria on rumen pH,lactic acid and volatile fatty acids

Ruminal acidosis is a prevalent disorder in ruminants such as dairy cows and feedlot beef cattle, caused primarily by the inclusion of a high percentage of readily fermentable concentrates in the diet. The disorder presents as an accumulation of lactic acid, a decrease of pH in the rumen and a subsequent imbalance of the rumen fermentation process with detrimental impacts on the animal＇s health and productivity. Dairy propionibacteria, a group of bacteria characterised by utilization of lactic acid as the favoured carbon source, with propionic acid produced as a by-product, were evaluated in this study as potential direct-fed microbials for use in controlling ruminal acidosis. Acidosis was simulated by introduction of high concentrations of lactic acid into rumen fluid samples and a multi-strain in vitro analysis was conducted, whereby changes in pH and lactic acid metabolism were compared in identical acidified rumen samples, following inoculation with various propionibacteria. This was followed by a study to evaluate the effect of bacterial inoculation dosage on acid metabolism. The results indicated that lactic acid levels in the rumen fluid were significantly reduced, and propionic acid and acetic acid concentrations both significantly increased, following addition of propionibacteria. Significant ＇between strains＇ differences were observed, with Propionibacterium acidopropionici 341, Propionibacterium freudenreichfi CSCC 2207, Propionibacterium jensenfi NCFB 572 and P. jensenii 702 each producing more rapid reduction of lactic acid concentration than P. freudenreich# CSCC 2206, P. acidopropionici ATCC 25562 and Propionibacterium thoenii ATCC 4874. Furthermore, the efficacy of this application was dosage related, with the rates of reduction in lactic acid levels and production of propionic acid, both significantly greater for the higher （10^10 cfu mL-1） compared with lower （10^5 cfu mL-1） dosage inoculation. The results confirmed that the introduction of propionibacteria could promote more rapid reduction of lactic acid levels than would occur without their addition, demonstrating their potential in controlling ruminal acidosis.

Anti-Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhoea: Current Treatments and Side-Effects

Chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) is a common side-effect experienced by patients being treated with a variety of antineoplastic agents. Approximately 80% of patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment for colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers present with CID;moreover, about 5% of early deaths associated with combination anti-cancer chemotherapy are due to CID. Chronic post-treatment diarrhoea amongst cancer survivors can persist for more than 10 years greatly effecting long-term quality of life. Gastrointestinal toxicities such as diarrhoea and vomiting are amongst the primary contributors to dose reductions and delays throughout anti-cancer treatment, presenting a significant hurdle in clinical management of anti-cancer regimes and often result in sub-optimum treatment. However, little is known about pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CID. This work provides a review of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea, current management guidelines, and shortcomings of current treatments as well as emerging and already existing anti-diarrhoeal treatments potentially suitable for CID.

Recent developments on Opuntia spp.,their bioactive composition,nutritional values,and health effects

Opuntia is a plant that grows in wild,arid,and semi-arid regions,and it is a renowned food source that is presently undervalued.The chemical composition and properties of the Opuntia genus have attracted research and commercial interest as its species are rich in phytochemicals,nutrients,and bioactive compounds.Several of these constituents have revealed anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antibacterial,anti-cancer,anti-atherosclerotic,antidiabetic,neurological,and gut protective characteristics.This review provides an extensive and up-to-date evidence synthesis of the nutrients in the Opuntia genus,its phytochemical composition,health benefits,the influence of the processing technologies on its bioactive components,and the potential for functional food product development.Due to its high nutritional value,Opuntia genus has the potential to contribute to improving food security and contribute to the food industry as food additive or preservative.Accordingly,Opuntia products can be utilized as food substitutes as part of a well-balanced diet and may potentially have pharmacological properties.The Opuntia genus is also used as animal feed,a source of nutraceuticals,an addition to edible packaging materials,wastewater treatment,and land rehabilitation in arid regions.Opuntia is a rich source of minerals,essential amino acids,and vitamins,and is high in antioxidants,making it a promising candidate for the management of non-communicable diseases.The potential health-promoting effects of Opuntia consumption remain relatively unexplored,and further research human trials are required to unravel its mechanisms of action.