Melbourne Residents Research Articles

Ethnicity and Risk for Colorectal Cancers Showing Somatic BRAF V600E Mutation or CpG Island Methylator Phenotype

Colorectal cancers arising from serrated polyps are characterized by the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) and somatic mutation (V600E) in the BRAF proto-oncogene. Few epidemiologic studies have investigated risk factors for these tumors. We conducted a cohort study of 41,328 residents of Melbourne, Australia that included 9,939 participants of southern European origin and 31,389 of Anglo-Celtic origin. Colorectal adenocarcinomas were identified from population-based cancer registries. BRAF V600E mutation in tumors was determined using a PCR-based allelic discrimination method. Tumors were classified as CIMP positive when at least three of five markers (RUNX3, CACNA1G, SOCS1, NEUROG1, and IGF2) were methylated according to MethyLight analysis. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by Cox regression with adjustment for risk factors for colorectal cancer. During follow-up, 718 participants were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. CIMP assays were done for 579 and BRAF V600E mutation testing for 582. After adjustment for other risk factors, when compared with people of Anglo-Celtic origin, those of southern European origin had lower incidence of colorectal cancer that had CIMP (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.67) or BRAF mutations (HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.16-0.58) but similar incidence of colorectal cancer without CIMP (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.70-1.05) or BRAF (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.74-1.11). People of southern European origin had lower risk of colorectal cancers with CIMP and BRAF mutation than people of Anglo-Celtic origin, which may in part be due to genetic factors that are less common in people of southern European origin.

Does the prescriptive lifestyle of Seventh-day Adventists provide ‘immunity’ from the secular effects of changes in BMI?

To examine the effect of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) membership on 'immunity' to the secular effects of changes in BMI. Three independent, cross-sectional, screening surveys conducted by Sydney Adventist Hospital in 1976, 1986 and 1988 and a survey conducted among residents of Melbourne in 2006. Two hundred and fifty-two SDA and 464 non-SDA in 1976; 166 SDA and 291 non-SDA in 1986; 120 SDA and 300-non SDA in 1988; and 251 SDA and 294 non-SDA in 2006. Height and weight measured by hospital staff in 1976, 1986 and 1988; self-reported by respondents in 2006. The mean BMI of non-SDA men increased between 1986 and 2006 (P < 0.001) but did not change for SDA men or non-SDA women. Despite small increases in SDA women's mean BMI (P = 0.030) between 1988 and 2006, this was no different to that of SDA men and non-SDA women in 2006. The diet and eating patterns of SDA men and women were more 'prudent' than those of non-SDA men and women, including more fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts and legumes, and less alcohol, meat, sweetened drinks and coffee. Many of these factors were found to be predictors of lower BMI. The 'prudent' dietary and lifestyle prescriptions of SDA men appear to have 'immunised' them to the secular effects of changes that occurred among non-SDA men's BMI. The dietary and lifestyle trends of SDA women did not reflect the increase in their BMI observed in 2006.

“I expected something else”

This article investigates German interactions with Australia both as an abstract space and as a concrete place. Germans have a long history of migration to Australia, which continues through to the present. For the most recent migrants, their relationship with and knowledge of Australia began long before their arrival in the country, often through new media such as the Internet. These Germans built up a set of assumptions about their destination that sometimes was in stark contrast with what they encountered upon arrival. Their abstract knowledge found its way into concrete interactions with the new surroundings. The resulting settlement patterns of Germans in Melbourne correspond to shifts in migration patterns in their contrast between Assisted Passage and more recent migration. Despite the relatively wide distribution of German-born residents of Melbourne, awareness of fellow Germans and engagement in networks continues.

Public Perceptions About Sex Offenders and Community Protection Policies

Sex offenders and sex crimes provoke a great deal of anxiety in our society, and over the past decade, lawmakers have passed a variety of social policies designed to protect the public from sexual victimization. The purpose of this study was to examine public perceptions about sex offenders and community protection policies. Data were obtained from a sample of 193 residents in Melbourne, Florida. It was hypothesized that the public holds some inaccurate beliefs about sex offenders, and that there is strong public support for community protection policies. It was found that community members believe that sex offenders have very high recidivism rates, view sex offenders as a homogeneous group with regard to risk, and are skeptical about the benefits of sex offender treatment. The hypothesis that public perceptions contradict empirical research was supported. Community members were overwhelmingly in favor of public disclosure of information about registered sex offenders, although they did not express as much support for residence restrictions. Implications for public policy, and for the media's role in shaping public perceptions, are discussed.

‘Hollywood In Madrid’: American Film Producers and the Franco Regime, 1950–1970

‘Hollywood In Madrid’: American Film Producers and the Franco Regime, 1950–1970

A Tale of Two Cities: A Neuroimaging Investigation of Melbourne–Sydney Rivalry Comparing Cortical Thickness in Healthy Adults

We sought to identify neurobiological correlates of Melbourne-Sydney rivalry through neuroimaging measures of a key brain region involved in cognitive and emotional regulation. Twenty subjects from each city were recruited from two large neuroimaging databases, and were scanned on a GE Signa 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Cortical thickness of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was measured using a tessellated mesh method, after image segmentation. These measures were compared with key sporting, financial and academic variables. Residents of Melbourne had a significantly thicker ACC (p < 0.0001) than Sydney residents, and this difference remained significant when age and intracranial volume were controlled for (p = 0.001). This difference mirrored that in variables measuring wealth, sporting and academic success. The thinner ACC seen in Sydney-siders may reflect the effects of increased stress due to elevated property prices, relative lack of sporting success and other variables. An alternative explanation is that a thinner ACC is the result of increasing cortical refinement and efficiency, and a marker of a more mature city. However, if these findings are a result of latitudinal effects, this may have significant implications for residents of more northern regions of the Australian continent.

Leisure Experiences in Tourist Attractions: Exploring the Motivations of Local Residents

This study was conducted to explore leisure motivations with regard to tourist attractions. A survey of a convenience sample of residents of Melbourne, Australia, was conducted. The sample was then segmented based on the likelihood of visiting a cross-section of Melbourne's tourist attractions in the next 6 months. Analysis using Unger and Kernan's (1983) Subjective Leisure Scale (SLS) was then undertaken to explore whether there were differences across the segments in terms of their leisure motivations. The results highlight that, within this context, intrinsic satisfaction, perceived freedom and arousal emerged as stronger underlying dimensions of motivations to visit tourist attractions, rather than mastery, spontaneity and involvement. This information provides insights for marketers of tourist attractions with regard to what residents are seeking when they visit local tourist attractions. The information can be used to develop more positive experiences at tourist attractions for this important sector of the market.

Red Meat, Chicken, and Fish Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract Background: Red meat and processed meat consumption have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in some, but not all, relevant cohort studies. Evidence on the relationship between risk of colorectal cancer and poultry and fish consumption is inconsistent. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 37,112 residents of Melbourne, Australia recruited from 1990 to 1994. Diet was measured with a food frequency questionnaire. We categorized the frequency of fresh red meat, processed meat, chicken, and fish consumption into approximate quartiles. Adenocarcinomas of the colon or rectum were ascertained via the Victorian Cancer Registry. Results: We identified 283 colon cancers and 169 rectal cancers in an average of 9 years of follow-up. For rectal cancer, the hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] in the highest quartile of consumption of fresh red meat and processed meat were 2.3 (1.2–4.2; P for trend = 0.07) and 2.0 (1.1–3.4; P for trend = 0.09), respectively. The corresponding hazard ratios (95% CIs) for colon cancer were 1.1 (0.7–1.6; P for trend = 0.9) and 1.3 (0.9–1.9; P for trend = 0.06). However, for neither type of meat was the heterogeneity between subsites significant. Chicken consumption was weakly negatively associated with colorectal cancer (hazard ratio highest quartile, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6–1.0; P for trend = 0.03), whereas hazard ratios for fish consumption were close to unity. Conclusion: Consumption of fresh red meat and processed meat seemed to be associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer. Consumption of chicken and fish did not increase risk.

Exploring Resident Preferences for Street Trees in Melbourne, Australia

Residents of Melbourne, Australia (n = 192) were surveyed regarding their preferences for 36 trees presented in black-and-white photographs. The findings indicate preference for medium-sized trees with a globular or oval form. Foliage texture also arose as an important factor, with higher preference for trees with relatively broad or coarse foliage. While there was no overall preference for either native or introduced trees, categories derived statistically from preference ratings suggest this criterion may have been a consideration for many residents. Some findings could not be predicted from the published literature, which has largely been conducted in the Northern Hemisphere.

A disaggregate approach to crash rate analysis

This paper presents a disaggregate approach to crash rate analysis. Enumerating crash rates on a per trip-kilometer basis, the proposed method removes the linearity assumption inherent in the conventional quotient indicator of accidents per unit travel distance. The approach involves combining two disparate datasets on a geographic information systems (GIS) platform by matching accident records to a defined travel corridor. As an illustration of the methodology, travel information from the Victorian Activity and Travel Survey (VATS) and accident records contained in CrashStat were used to estimate the crash rates of Melbourne residents in different age–sex groups according to time of the day and day of the week. The results show a polynomial function of a cubic order when crash rates are plotted against age group, which contrasts distinctly with the U-shape curve generated by using the conventional aggregate quotient approach. Owing to the validity of the many assumptions adopted in the computation, this study does not claim that the results obtained are conclusive. The methodology, however, is seen as providing a framework upon which future crash risk measures could be based as the use of spatial tracking devises become prevalent in travel surveys.

Dental needs of elderly hostel residents in inner Melbourne.

The purpose of this study was to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of elderly hostel residents in Melbourne. One hundred and seventy-five subjects aged 65+ were selected from 20 hostels within a 10 km radius of Melbourne's central business district. Subjects were clinically examined and interviewed using a standard questionnaire. In the course of the clinical examination, coronal caries, root caries, periodontal disease, denture status and related treatment needs were assessed. The mean age of the subjects was 83.7, the majority of whom were female (80 per cent). About 35 per cent of the sample were dentate. The mean number of teeth present among dentate persons was 13.8, the mean coronal caries experience was 24.9 DMFT and mean root caries was 2.3 R-DF. Of the dentate subjects, 46 per cent required at least one restoration for coronal caries and 30 per cent required at least one restoration for root caries. Most dentate subjects had calculus and none had deep pockets, therefore, indications for periodontal treatment did not include complex care. More than 50 per cent of lower full dentures were retained unsatisfactorily and about half of the total number of subjects required prosthetic treatment. Although there was a high number of treatment needs, most requirements involved simple technologies that could be delivered by auxiliaries.

Vision impairment predicts 5 year mortality

AIMTo describe predictors of mortality in the 5 year follow up of the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP) cohort.METHODSThe Melbourne VIP was a population based study of the distribution and...

Operated and unoperated cataract in Australia

To quantify the prevalence of cataract, the outcomes of cataract surgery and the factors related to unoperated cataract in Australia. Participants were recruited from the Visual Impairment Project: a cluster, stratified sample of more than 5,000 Victorians aged 40 years and over. At examination sites interviews, clinical examinations and lens photography were performed. Cataract was defined in participants who had: had previous cataract surgery, cortical cataract greater than 4/16, nuclear greater than Wilmer standard 2, or posterior subcapsular greater than 1 mm2. The participant group comprised 3,271 Melbourne residents, 403 Melbourne nursing home residents and 1,473 rural residents. The weighted rate of any cataract in Victoria was 21.5%. The overall weighted rate of prior cataract surgery was 3.79%. Two hundred and forty-nine eyes had had prior cataract surgery. Of these 249 procedures, 49 (20%) were aphakic, 6 (2.4%) had anterior chamber intraocular lenses and 194 (78%) had posterior chamber intraocular lenses. Two hundred and eleven of these operated eyes (85%) had best-corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better, the legal requirement for a driver's license. Twenty-seven (11%) had visual acuity of less than 6/18 (moderate vision impairment). Complications of cataract surgery caused reduced vision in four of the 27 eyes (15%), or 1.9% of operated eyes. Three of these four eyes had undergone intracapsular cataract extraction and the fourth eye had an opaque posterior capsule. No one had bilateral vision impairment as a result of cataract surgery. Surprisingly, no particular demographic factors (such as age, gender, rural residence, occupation, employment status, health insurance status, ethnicity) were related to the presence of unoperated cataract. Although the overall prevalence of cataract is quite high, no particular subgroup is systematically underserviced in terms of cataract surgery. Overall, the results of cataract surgery are very good, with the majority of eyes achieving driving vision following cataract extraction.

Epidemiology of pterygium in Victoria, Australia

AIMTo describe the prevalence of and risk factors for pterygium in a population based sample of residents of the Australian state of Victoria who were aged 40 years and older.METHODSThe...

Epidemiology of ocular trauma in Australia

Purpose To describe the prevalence and risk factors of ocular trauma in a representative sample of Australians aged 40 and over who reside in the state of Victoria. Design Population-based cross-sectional study. Participants Australians aged 40 years and older living in Victoria. Methods Cluster, stratified sampling was used to identify permanent residents for a population-based study of eye disease. A standardized examination that included visual acuity and information about ocular trauma was conducted. Main outcome measures Self-reported history of ocular trauma and circumstances surrounding the events. Results A total of 3271 (83% of eligible) Melbourne residents and 1473 (92% of eligible) rural residents were examined. The overall rate of eye injury history in Victoria was 21.1% (95% confidence limits [CL] 19.6%, 22.5%). Men were far more likely than women to have ever experienced an eye injury (34.2% versus 9.9%), and rural men were more likely than Melbourne men to have ever had an eye injury (42.1% versus 30.5%). The workplace accounted for the majority of eye injuries (60%), followed by the home (24%). The location with the highest percent of people reporting the use of eye protection at the time of the injury was the workplace (18.5%); the workplace accounted for the lowest rate of hospitalization (4.9%). The industry with highest cumulative rate of eye injuries was communication (14 per 1000), whereas the highest occupation-specific cumulative rates of eye injury were recorded for tradespersons (18 per 1000). Conclusions Although ocular trauma is usually not associated with bilateral vision impairment, it is a major public health problem in Australia. Rural men, people engaged in hammering or sport, and those in the trades are at highest risk and require specific, targeted, prevention messages.

The need for cataract surgery: projections based on lens opacity, visual acuity, and personal concern

AIMTo assess the projected needs for cataract surgery by lens opacity, visual acuity, and patient concern.METHODSData were collected as part of the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project, a population based study...

Use of eye care services by people with diabetes: the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project

AIMThe use of eye care services by people with and without diabetes was investigated in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP), a population based study of eye disease in a...

Increasing the Workload of the Overloaded Housewife

This article shows that although wives are usually bearing an inordinate share of a household’s unpaid workload, a substantial minority of husbands request or demand wives perform additional tasks, or carry out those they are already performing more frequently or in a more thorough way. Quantitative and qualitative data for the study were collected from a quota sample of 114 female and 80 male Melbourne residents selected from 125 households. The study found that most wives were distressed by their partner’s attempts to increase their workload. Nevertheless, ultimately most of them complied. Power, time availability, and ideological theories are drawn upon in an attempt to explain why husbands pressed wives to do more work at home than they were already performing and why most wives deferred. It is argued that if we are going to increase our understanding of these complex social processes, it is necessary to conduct longitudinal studies that focus on negotiation processes and which take into account the judgements of actors about the fairness of their relationships, and the role that their feelings play in their relationships as well as the impact of wider and more immediate structural forces.

Reliability of a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary antioxidant intake

OBJECTIVE Epidemiologic evidence of a role for antioxidants in the prevention of chronic disease has been inconclusive, in part due to the difficulty of measuring past diets of free-living populations. The purpose of the current study was to examine the reliability of a 19-item, self-administered, semiquantitative, food frequency questionnaire to assess intake of the major dietary antioxidants.METHODS Reliability was established by administering the food frequency questionnaire a second time by telephone. The subjects comprised 151 participants in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project, a study of the distribution and determinants of eye disease in Melbourne residents aged 40 and over.RESULTS Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from 0.39 for spinach to 0.76 for yoghurt, and all were highly significant (all p=0.001). The reliability of the instrument was not influenced by gender, English speaking ability, or the number of days between the first and second administration of the questionnaire.CONCLUSION In conclusion, we have shown this 19-item food frequency questionnaire to be highly reliable. It should be useful for anyone involved in the study of the relationship of dietary antioxidant intake to health outcomes in large populations where limitations of time and money prohibit the collection of more detailed dietary intake information.

DNA Restriction Fragment Analysis to Define an Extended Cluster of Tuberculosis in Homeless Men and Their Associates

A cluster of tuberculosis in men associated with shelters for the homeless in Melbourne, diagnosed between April 1984 and July 1991, was reviewed with respect to the genetic relatedness of the infecting strains. Relatedness was determined by examination of Southern blot analyses of restriction enzyme-digested genomic DNA, using probes for repetitive sequences. From the initial 24 cases selected, isolates were available from 19, and 18 were identical. A total of 571 other Australian and Solomon Islands strains were examined for relatedness to these strains. Nine additional case strains were found to be identical; all were from recent Melbourne residents and at least 7 were epidemiologically related to the original case cluster. The identification of a single infecting strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in these 27 cases suggests that reactivation disease in this group may not be as important as infection or reinfection from another case or cases.