Murdoch University

Seagrass meadows are among the most degraded coastal habitats worldwide, with limited natural recovery. Interest in using dredged sediments for restoration is increasing, but further study is needed to ensure sediment-seagrass compatibility. We tested a novel restoration approach in Cockburn Sound, southwestern Australia, to evaluate: (a) the feasibility of sediment capping using containment structures in a subtidal environment, (b) the potential benefits to seagrass of dredged products as a cap over port sediment, (c) the influence of adding natural organic matter (seagrass wrack) and (d) benefits of seagrass root microbiomes to restoration outcomes. We established four sediment treatments: control plots (undisturbed), plots with containment structures (experimental controls) and plots with containment structures filled with dredged products, half of which with seagrass wrack. We transplanted 1120 sprigs of the seagrass Posidonia australis, half with experimentally disrupted root-associated microbiomes. While containment structures remained intact, their addition, regardless of sediment treatment, had negative impacts on seagrass survival. By 12months, average survival dropped to 54% (±3.6SE) for all containment structures compared to 82% (±5.6SE) in control plots. Net shoot numbers declined in treatments with containment structures (approx. 40% shoot loss). Neither wrack addition nor intact root microbiomes enhanced plant performance. This study suggests that while seabed manipulation techniques such as sediment capping with dredged products using containment structures are technically feasible, they may not support seagrass restoration. With careful matching of the structures and sediments to ecological requirements, such approaches may still be valuable for restoration or other coastal management objectives in sensitive marine systems.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-026-01653-w.

Spot blotch (SB), caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, is a major yield-limiting disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the warm, humid agroclimatic zones of South Asia. The development of resistant cultivars through molecular approaches offers a sustainable strategy for managing this disease. This study aimed to identify resistant genotypes and associated single-nucleotide polymorphism markers in a panel of 187 spring bread wheat lines via field-based phenotyping and genome-wide association study (GWAS). The panel was genotyped via the DArTSeq genotyping-by-sequencing platform and evaluated for SB resistance under artificially inoculated field conditions across two crop seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) at Agua Fria, Mexico. Significant phenotypic variation was observed, with genotypes BGD54, IND56, and BGD55 showing high levels of resistance, indicating their potential as resistance donors. GWAS identified multiple marker‒trait associations (MTAs) linked to SB resistance, with seven stable MTAs consistently detected across years and models, located on chromosomes 3D, 5A, 3B, and 1B, and explaining 3.86%-18.17% phenotypic variance. Most of these MTAs colocalized with previously reported genomic regions for SB resistance. In silico analysis revealed candidate genes within these regions encoding potassium transporters, zinc finger proteins, glutathione S-transferases, FBD domain proteins, leucine-rich repeats, protein kinases, dirigent proteins, and cytochrome P450 enzymes. The identified stable MTAs and associated candidate genes offer valuable resources for marker-assisted selection and functional validation in wheat breeding programs targeting SB resistance.

This propensity score-matched study utilized data from the MSBase registry to compare outcomes between patients discontinuing OCR due to safety concerns ("Switchers") and those continuing treatment ("Continuers"). Matching was performed using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to balance treatment duration and baseline characteristics. Primary outcomes included annualized relapse rate (ARR), time to first relapse, 24-48 weeks confirmed disability worsening (CDW), and progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA). From an initial cohort of 310 Switchers and 1,315 Continuers, 66 patients who experienced at least one safety event and switched from OCR were matched with 66 Continuers. PS-IPTW analyses revealed higher ARR in Switchers (0.08, 95% CI: 0.05-0.14) versus Continuers (0.038, 95% CI: 0.02-0.07; p=0.040). Time to first relapse showed no significant difference (HR=2.23, 95% CI: 0.68-7.28; p=0.183). Trends toward increased CDW24 weeks risk (PS-IPTW HR=2.11, 95% CI: 0.93-4.75; p=0.073), while no significant difference was found at 48 weeks (HR=1.81, 95% CI: 0.83-3.30; p=0.201). PIRA risk showed a trend toward an increase in Switchers (HR=2.45, 95% CI: 0.95-6.29; p=0.063). In this propensity-score-matched analysis, OCR discontinuation due to safety concerns was associated with increased relapse activity and trends toward greater disability progression. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining therapeutic intensity and systematic monitoring during treatment transitions to mitigate safety risks Conclusion: Further research is needed to develop strategies for effectively managing adverse events to optimize patient outcomes.

Little is known about the palliative care needs of people living with a mental illness and a life-limiting illness. To gain an understanding of palliative care need and service utilization in adult inpatients with mental health issues across a metropolitan area health service in Perth, Western Australia. Data were collected at four sites from patient medical records. Adult patients who were admitted at study sites' mental health units were eligible for inclusion. In total, 192 patient records were reviewed. Almost one-third of patients (32%, n = 61) had at least one condition listed in the Gold Standards Framework, and 30% (n = 18) of these could have potentially benefited from palliative care. There was evidence of one patient receiving some form of palliative care. In this cohort, there was unmet need for palliative care, especially among older adults. The majority of patients with potential palliative care needs were admitted to older adult mental health wards. There are missed opportunities to provide holistic care to adult inpatients with mental health issues experiencing life-limiting conditions, likely to result in poorer symptom control and reduced quality of life. Approaches to identify and respond to palliative care needs in mental health settings need to be adopted.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is widely adopted for assessing biochemical composition in agriculture. This study evaluated the feasibility of 400 MHz NMR to detect biochemical differences in Hass avocados grown under conventional (N = 101) and regenerative (N = 105) farming practices in Southwestern Australia. Phosphite, associated with Phytophthora root rot management, was a key discriminating feature (area under ROC curve = 0.96), being detected in 90% of conventional avocados (mean: 49 mg/kg) and 6 regenerative samples (mean: 24 mg/kg). To assess translational potential, water extracts of five samples were analyzed using 80 MHz benchtop NMR. Phosphite was detectable below the strictest maximum residue limit (25 mg/kg), demonstrating the potential of NMR as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for monitoring phosphite residues. This proof-of-concept benchtop NMR approach demonstrates analytical feasibility but requires further validation before application in field-based traceability or regulatory contexts, with a potential future relevance to environmental monitoring, sustainable agriculture, and other crop systems.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient closely associated with the prevention of multiple diseases, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. The serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is the primary biomarker for assessing vitamin D status, and its precise quantification is critical for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are widely used analytical methods; however, methodological discrepancies often lead to inconsistent results that may be further influenced by demographic factors such as age and gender. In this study, we evaluated the consistency and correlation between CLIA and LC-MS/MS measurements using a Generative Fuzzy Inference System (GENFIS). Analysis of 138 serum samples showed that LC-MS/MS produced significantly higher 25(OH)D concentrations than CLIA (p < 0.01; mean difference = 1.33 ± 3.71; 95% CI: − 5.95 to 8.61), though the two methods exhibited strong linear correlation and agreement (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.8257; R² = 0.9075; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93). GENFIS analysis indicated a possible 30–40-year female pattern of larger between the detection differences of two methods. To verify this finding, an additional 59 samples were analyzed, revealing a relative risk (RR) of 3.18 (95% CI: 1.71–5.93; p < 0.05) for this subgroup compared with other populations, supporting the GENFIS inference. These results highlight age- and gender-related differences in 25(OH)D measurement between CLIA and LC-MS/MS, providing valuable insights for improving the standardization and clinical interpretation of vitamin D testing.

A main challenge identified by youth during exercise and sport is the lack of knowledge and awareness around type 1 diabetes (T1D) particularly in community sport settings. Working with youth living with T1D, parents and community sport coaches, our team has developed resources for the T1D and sporting community. This study was to evaluate the acceptability and usability of the resources. Participants completed an online evaluation survey consisting of a T1D quiz and ratings of subjective knowledge and confidence perception. The quiz on exercise and T1D management knowledge consisted of questions developed from the content of the resources and included: an understanding of T1D; signs and symptoms associated with T1D; identification and management of hypoglycaemic episodes. Participants were then provided access to the resources over a 4-week exposure period. After 4 weeks, participants completed the same online survey. Participants were interviewed to collect qualitative information relating to the usability and acceptability of the resources, which included concepts around confidence, trust, and frequency of use. 24 coaches, mean age of 38 years, participated in the study. After the 4-week exposure period, coaches' scores significantly better (p < 0.001) on the standardised T1D quiz from 67.3% to 81.8%. Similarly, coaches' self-perceived ratings of knowledge and confidence increased significantly (p < 0.001) after the 4-week period by an average of 1.6 Likert-scale rating points across all four components. In interviews, coaches indicated high trust and perceived usefulness of the resources, and provided recommendations regarding further tailoring of information, language, and design of resources to enable wide community engagement. The resources developed were found to be informative, trustworthy, acceptable, and easy to use. Following minor amendments, the resources will be implemented into community sport settings through a nationwide launch.