title: The role of seagrass vegetation and local environmental conditions in shaping benthic bacterial and macroinvertebrate communities in a tropical coastal lagoon.

authors: Alsaffar, Z

abstract: We investigated the influence of seagrass canopies on the benthic biodiversity of bacteria and macroinvertebrates in a Red Sea tropical lagoon. Changes in abundance, number of taxa and assemblage structure were analyzed in response to seagrass densities (low, SLD; high, SHD; seagrasses with algae, SA), and compared with unvegetated sediments. Biological and environmental variables were examined in these four habitats (hereafter called treatments), both in the underlaying sediments and overlaying waters, at three randomly picked locations in March 2017. Differences between treatments were more apparent in the benthic habitat than in the overlaying waters. The presence of vegetation (more than its cover) and changes in sedimentary features (grain size and metals) at local scales influenced the observed biological patterns, particularly for macroinvertebrates. Of note, the highest percentage of exclusive macroinvertebrate taxa (18% of the gamma diversity) was observed in the SHD treatment peaking in the SA for bacteria. Benthic macroinvertebrates and bacteria shared a generally low number of taxa across treatments and locations; approximately, 25% of the gamma diversity was shared among all treatments and locations for macrofauna, dropping to 11% for bacteria. Given the low overlap in the species distribution across the lagoon, sustaining the connectivity among heterogeneous soft sediment habitats appears to be essential for maintaining regional biodiversity. This study addresses a current scientific gap related to the relative contributions of vegetated and unvegetated habitats to biodiversity in tropical regions.

text: The role of seagrass vegetation and local environmental conditions in shaping benthic bacterial and macroinvertebrate communities in a tropical coastal lagoon. We investigated the influence of seagrass canopies on the benthic biodiversity of bacteria and macroinvertebrates in a Red Sea tropical lagoon. Changes in abundance, number of taxa and assemblage structure were analyzed in response to seagrass densities (low, SLD; high, SHD; seagrasses with algae, SA), and compared with unvegetated sediments. Biological and environmental variables were examined in these four habitats (hereafter called treatments), both in the underlaying sediments and overlaying waters, at three randomly picked locations in March 2017. Differences between treatments were more apparent in the benthic habitat than in the overlaying waters. The presence of vegetation (more than its cover) and changes in sedimentary features (grain size and metals) at local scales influenced the observed biological patterns, particularly for macroinvertebrates. Of note, the highest percentage of exclusive macroinvertebrate taxa (18% of the gamma diversity) was observed in the SHD treatment peaking in the SA for bacteria. Benthic macroinvertebrates and bacteria shared a generally low number of taxa across treatments and locations; approximately, 25% of the gamma diversity was shared among all treatments and locations for macrofauna, dropping to 11% for bacteria. Given the low overlap in the species distribution across the lagoon, sustaining the connectivity among heterogeneous soft sediment habitats appears to be essential for maintaining regional biodiversity. This study addresses a current scientific gap related to the relative contributions of vegetated and unvegetated habitats to biodiversity in tropical regions.

year: 2020

title: When appearances are misleading: Psychosocial consequences of facial masking in Parkinson’s disease

authors: Wootton, Adrienne

subjects: Parkinson's disease

abstract: Facial masking, the loss of expressive facial mobility in Parkinson’s disease, has the potential to impact communication, emotion perception, subjective wellbeing, and social relationship functioning. This unique symptom has been studied in the context of the healthcare and casual interactions, but little is known about how it affects people who have Parkinson’s in their family interactions. Since no cure for Parkinson’s disease presently exists, lessening the impact of the condition is an important aspect of Parkinson’s management.  However, research has been missing the voices of those who experience facial masking. This gap underscores the need to deepen our understanding of this symptom and the difficulties it may create. Thus, this research project sought to understand experiences and challenges related to facial masking in Parkinson’s, to transform those insights to targeted clinical tools, and to investigate the significance of masking in the psychosocial wellbeing of both people with Parkinson’s and their partners or family members. 
	In Study 1, in-depth personal accounts were collected of nine people who had Parkinson’s and their spouses or partners were separately interviewed about their experiences of facial masking. The study aimed to explore the common experiences and challenges related to facial masking, on an individual level and within close relationships.  Facial masking was often falsely perceived by partners as a negative affect and wrongly interpreted to mean a lack of care or interest. The loss of expression and its misinterpretation was described as a barrier to emotional connection by some participants. Loss of the ability to physically embody one’s thoughts and feelings was unsettling and distressing for both people with Parkinson’s and their partners. The interviews revealed most participants had low awareness that this symptom was an aspect of Parkinson’s, with nearly all indicating a wish for greater education and support around this symptom. 
	Study 2 involved the development and validation of two separate questionnaires that evaluated the socioemotional consequences of facial masking, one for individuals who have Parkinson’s and the other for their partner, spouse, or other family member. Questionnaire items were derived from the findings of Study 1 and a review of relevant concepts in existing literature. Psychometric properties of the questionnaires were statistically evaluated among a community sample of 80 people who had Parkinson’s and 58 of their significant others. This included an item-level assessment, an exploratory investigation of the factor structure, an evaluation of the internal and test-retest reliability, and evaluation of the construct validity of the questionnaires. Results indicated the questionnaires had good reliability and initial evidence of validity. Modified (revised) versions of the questionnaires were produced based on the psychometric findings of Study 2. 	
	Study 3 described the functioning of the participants in the psychometric study above. This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of facial masking and various psychosocial outcomes, and a study-specific measure of the impact of facial masking in Parkinson’s (developed in Study 2). Ratings of facial masking were made by self-report and significant other reports, along with healthcare professional and researcher ratings based on a videotaped conversation. Healthcare professional ratings of FM were not found to be significantly related to self/significant other ratings of facial masking severity. Overall, having more negative consequences of FM was linked to poorer psychosocial outcomes, but suggested people with Parkinson’s and their significant others may be affected in different ways. 
	Findings of this programme of research add to what is known about the consequences of facial masking in casual and healthcare provider social interactions, by examining this symptom from the perspective of those living with facial masking in Parkinson’s. The results build upon and are generally consistent with the small amount of existing evidence showing that facial masking can have a detrimental impact on subjective wellbeing. The main implication of this research is that facial masking is a topic that warrants greater clinical attention and communication. The findings also call attention to the fact that facial masking is a common feature of Parkinson’s, yet in New Zealand, people with the condition and their families seem to lack knowledge about this symptom and desire greater education and support.

text: When appearances are misleading: Psychosocial consequences of facial masking in Parkinson’s disease Facial masking, the loss of expressive facial mobility in Parkinson’s disease, has the potential to impact communication, emotion perception, subjective wellbeing, and social relationship functioning. This unique symptom has been studied in the context of the healthcare and casual interactions, but little is known about how it affects people who have Parkinson’s in their family interactions. Since no cure for Parkinson’s disease presently exists, lessening the impact of the condition is an important aspect of Parkinson’s management.  However, research has been missing the voices of those who experience facial masking. This gap underscores the need to deepen our understanding of this symptom and the difficulties it may create. Thus, this research project sought to understand experiences and challenges related to facial masking in Parkinson’s, to transform those insights to targeted clinical tools, and to investigate the significance of masking in the psychosocial wellbeing of both people with Parkinson’s and their partners or family members. 
	In Study 1, in-depth personal accounts were collected of nine people who had Parkinson’s and their spouses or partners were separately interviewed about their experiences of facial masking. The study aimed to explore the common experiences and challenges related to facial masking, on an individual level and within close relationships.  Facial masking was often falsely perceived by partners as a negative affect and wrongly interpreted to mean a lack of care or interest. The loss of expression and its misinterpretation was described as a barrier to emotional connection by some participants. Loss of the ability to physically embody one’s thoughts and feelings was unsettling and distressing for both people with Parkinson’s and their partners. The interviews revealed most participants had low awareness that this symptom was an aspect of Parkinson’s, with nearly all indicating a wish for greater education and support around this symptom. 
	Study 2 involved the development and validation of two separate questionnaires that evaluated the socioemotional consequences of facial masking, one for individuals who have Parkinson’s and the other for their partner, spouse, or other family member. Questionnaire items were derived from the findings of Study 1 and a review of relevant concepts in existing literature. Psychometric properties of the questionnaires were statistically evaluated among a community sample of 80 people who had Parkinson’s and 58 of their significant others. This included an item-level assessment, an exploratory investigation of the factor structure, an evaluation of the internal and test-retest reliability, and evaluation of the construct validity of the questionnaires. Results indicated the questionnaires had good reliability and initial evidence of validity. Modified (revised) versions of the questionnaires were produced based on the psychometric findings of Study 2. 	
	Study 3 described the functioning of the participants in the psychometric study above. This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of facial masking and various psychosocial outcomes, and a study-specific measure of the impact of facial masking in Parkinson’s (developed in Study 2). Ratings of facial masking were made by self-report and significant other reports, along with healthcare professional and researcher ratings based on a videotaped conversation. Healthcare professional ratings of FM were not found to be significantly related to self/significant other ratings of facial masking severity. Overall, having more negative consequences of FM was linked to poorer psychosocial outcomes, but suggested people with Parkinson’s and their significant others may be affected in different ways. 
	Findings of this programme of research add to what is known about the consequences of facial masking in casual and healthcare provider social interactions, by examining this symptom from the perspective of those living with facial masking in Parkinson’s. The results build upon and are generally consistent with the small amount of existing evidence showing that facial masking can have a detrimental impact on subjective wellbeing. The main implication of this research is that facial masking is a topic that warrants greater clinical attention and communication. The findings also call attention to the fact that facial masking is a common feature of Parkinson’s, yet in New Zealand, people with the condition and their families seem to lack knowledge about this symptom and desire greater education and support.

year: 2021

title: Characteristics and outcomes of patients with small cell lung cancer - findings from a New Zealand SACT database

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

abstract: Background Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) SCLC generally presents late and is treated with systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). Māori are over represented in Lung Cancer statistics but disparities between Māori and non-Māori in patterns of care and survival from SCLC have not been previously reported. 
Methods We used the custom-built SACT database collected by the Oncology Department at Waikato Hospital NZ, which recorded comprehensive lung cancer patient factors and SACT regimens from 2000 to 2021. We reported summary statistics to review the treatment by ethnicity, explored Kaplan Meier all-cause survival of patients, and estimated the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of surviving 12 months. 
Results 742 patients with SCLC were included in this study, with 43% identified as Māori. Approximately 75% of patients received SACT, and there was no difference in the uptake of SACT between Māori and non-Māori. The median survival for SCLC was 8.5 months. After adjustment, patients treated with carboplatin plus etoposide (with/without durvalumab) or cisplatin plus etoposide were 1.5 times or 4.9 times respectively more likely to survive 12 months than those without a SACT regimen.
Conclusion There was no significant evidence of disparities in patterns of care and outcomes between Māori and non-Māori with SCLC. Carboplatin/cisplatin in combination with etoposide remained the primary first line SACT regimen for patients with SCLC in this New Zealand cancer treatment centre.

text: Characteristics and outcomes of patients with small cell lung cancer - findings from a New Zealand SACT database Background Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) SCLC generally presents late and is treated with systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). Māori are over represented in Lung Cancer statistics but disparities between Māori and non-Māori in patterns of care and survival from SCLC have not been previously reported. 
Methods We used the custom-built SACT database collected by the Oncology Department at Waikato Hospital NZ, which recorded comprehensive lung cancer patient factors and SACT regimens from 2000 to 2021. We reported summary statistics to review the treatment by ethnicity, explored Kaplan Meier all-cause survival of patients, and estimated the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of surviving 12 months. 
Results 742 patients with SCLC were included in this study, with 43% identified as Māori. Approximately 75% of patients received SACT, and there was no difference in the uptake of SACT between Māori and non-Māori. The median survival for SCLC was 8.5 months. After adjustment, patients treated with carboplatin plus etoposide (with/without durvalumab) or cisplatin plus etoposide were 1.5 times or 4.9 times respectively more likely to survive 12 months than those without a SACT regimen.
Conclusion There was no significant evidence of disparities in patterns of care and outcomes between Māori and non-Māori with SCLC. Carboplatin/cisplatin in combination with etoposide remained the primary first line SACT regimen for patients with SCLC in this New Zealand cancer treatment centre.

year: 2023-02-10