cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Educators as referrers for central auditory processing assessments: who else refers and why?
Creators: name: Heine, Chyrisse
name: Slone, M
name: Wilson, Wayne
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 44
subject: Human society
classificationCode: 47
subject: Language, communication and culture

description: This study aimed to investigate the referrers (including educators) and reasons children were referred to an audiology clinic for central auditory processing (CAP) evaluation, to identify a referral pathway for listening problems and professional development needs. A case file audit was used to examine the intake questionnaire completed by 150 parents whose child was diagnosed with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). School staff were the most common referrers, followed by medical/allied health professionals, and family members. The most common concerns leading to referral were literacy, speech, language, and academic underperformance, followed by hearing, listening, and processing difficulties and emotional-behavioral issues. Significant correlations were observed between the referral sources and concerns. Results suggest that CAPD is primarily conceptualized as part of a more general educational concern. Continuing education and informational counseling is required to ensure that CAP referrals continue to be appropriately made.
Effects of testosterone treatment on body fat and lean mass in obese men on a hypocaloric diet: a randomised controlled trial
Creators: name: Fui, MNT
name: Prendergast, Luke
name: Dupuis, P
name: Raval, Manjri
name: Strauss, BJ
name: Zajac, JD
name: Grossmann, M
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 32
subject: Biomedical and clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3202
subject: Clinical sciences
classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: Background: Whether testosterone treatment has benefits on body composition over and above caloric restriction in men is unknown. We hypothesised that testosterone treatment augments diet-induced loss of fat mass and prevents loss of muscle mass. Methods: We conducted a randomised double-blind, parallel, placebo controlled trial at a tertiary referral centre. A total of 100 obese men (body mass index ≥ 30kg/m2) with a total testosterone level of or below 12nmol/L and a median age of 53years (interquartile range 47-60) receiving 10weeks of a very low energy diet (VLED) followed by 46weeks of weight maintenance were randomly assigned at baseline to 56weeks of 10-weekly intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (n = 49, cases) or matching placebo (n = 51, controls). The main outcome measures were the between-group difference in fat and lean mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and visceral fat area (computed tomography). Results: A total of 82 men completed the study. At study end, compared to controls, cases had greater reductions in fat mass, with a mean adjusted between-group difference (MAD) of -2.9kg (-5.7 to -0.2; P = 0.04), and in visceral fat (MAD -2678mm2; -5180 to -176; P = 0.04). Although both groups lost the same lean mass following VLED (cases -3.9kg (-5.3 to -2.6); controls -4.8kg (-6.2 to -3.5), P = 0.36), cases regained lean mass (3.3kg (1.9 to 4.7), P < 0.001) during weight maintenance, in contrast to controls (0.8kg (-0.7 to 2.3), P = 0.29) so that, at study end, cases had an attenuated reduction in lean mass compared to controls (MAD 3.4kg (1.3 to 5.5), P = 0.002). Conclusions: While dieting men receiving placebo lost both fat and lean mass, the weight loss with testosterone treatment was almost exclusively due to loss of body fat.
Computing Interpretable Representations of Cell Morphodynamics
Creators: name: Cavanagh, Harry
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2022

description: Shape changes (morphodynamics) are one of the principal ways cells interact with their environments and perform key intrinsic behaviours like division. These dynamics arise from a myriad of complex signalling pathways that often organise with emergent simplicity to carry out critical functions including predation, collaboration and migration. A powerful method for analysis can therefore be to quantify this emergent structure, bypassing the low-level complexity. Enormous image datasets are now available to mine. However, it can be difficult to uncover interpretable representations of the global organisation of these heterogeneous dynamic processes. Here, such representations were developed for interpreting morphodynamics in two key areas: mode of action (MoA) comparison for drug discovery (developed using the economically devastating Asian soybean rust crop pathogen) and 3D migration of immune system T cells through extracellular matrices (ECMs). For MoA comparison, population development over a 2D space of shapes (morphospace) was described using two models with condition-dependent parameters: a top-down model of diffusive development over Waddington-type landscapes, and a bottom-up model of tip growth. A variety of landscapes were discovered, describing phenotype transitions during growth, and possible perturbations in the tip growth machinery that cause this variation were identified. For interpreting T cell migration, a new 3D shape descriptor that incorporates key polarisation information was developed, revealing low-dimensionality of shape, and the distinct morphodynamics of run-and-stop modes that emerge at minute timescales were mapped. Periodically oscillating morphodynamics that include retrograde deformation flows were found to underlie active translocation (run mode). Overall, it was found that highly interpretable representations could be uncovered while still leveraging the enormous discovery power of deep learning algorithms. The results show that whole-cell morphodynamics can be a convenient and powerful place to search for structure, with potentially life-saving applications in medicine and biocide discovery as well as immunotherapeutics.
Disrupting the Allosteric Interaction between the Plasmodium falciparum cAMP-dependent Kinase and Its Regulatory Subunit
Creators: name: Littler, DR
name: Bullen, HE
name: Harvey, KL
name: Beddoe, Travis
name: Crabb, BS
name: Rossjohn, J
name: Gilson, PR
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 3101
subject: Biochemistry and cell biology
classificationCode: 32
subject: Biomedical and clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3202
subject: Clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3207
subject: Medical microbiology
classificationCode: 34
subject: Chemical sciences
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences

description: The ubiquitous second messenger cAMP mediates signal transduction processes in the malarial parasite that regulate host erythrocyte invasion and the proliferation of merozoites. In Plasmodium falciparum, the central receptor for cAMP is the single regulatory subunit (R) of protein kinase A (PKA). To aid the development of compounds that can selectively dysregulate parasite PKA signaling, we solved the structure of the PKA regulatory subunit in complex with cAMP and a related analogue that displays antimalarial activity, (Sp)-2-Cl-cAMPS. Prior to signaling, PKA-R holds the kinase's catalytic subunit (C) in an inactive state by exerting an allosteric inhibitory effect. When two cAMP molecules bind to PKA-R, they stabilize a structural conformation that facilitates its dissociation, freeing PKA-C to phosphorylate downstream substrates such as apical membrane antigen 1. Although PKA activity was known to be necessary for erythrocytic proliferation, we show that uncontrolled induction of PKA activity using membrane-permeable agonists is equally disruptive to growth.
General practice trainees face practice ownership with fear
Creators: name: Sturgiss, E
name: Haesler, Emily
name: Anderson, K
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2022
Subjects: classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4203
subject: Health services and systems
classificationCode: 4205
subject: Nursing
classificationCode: 4206
subject: Public health

description: Objectives The aim of the present secondary analysis of data collected in a grounded theory study was to explore the perceptions of Registrars and new Fellows to practice ownership and management. Methods Focus groups and interviews with Registrars and recent Fellows were undertaken to explore the desire to become an owner, facilitators and barriers to practice ownership and delivery models for practice ownership education. A secondary thematic analysis was conducted to understand emerging concepts related to perceptions of general practice ownership. Results A surprisingly strong theme of fear was evident across focus group and interview participants. Expressed fear was specifically related to financial concerns, lack of relevant knowledge and skills and concern over balancing different roles. Moderating factors included previous life and educational experiences, as well as role modelling. Conclusions Graduation of a cohort of new general practitioners (GPs) who express fear towards practice ownership is concerning. Creating more positive learning environments and opportunity for open discussion regarding practice management and ownership is an important step in providing adequate support for new GPs to give serious consideration to career options. What is known about the topic? The traditional model of general practice ownership has been for a doctor to own and/or manage the practice. Fewer new GPs are taking on the role of owning a general practice, and disinterest has been presumed to play a significant role in this trend. It has been reported that current curricula provide insufficient focus on providing learning opportunities for general practice trainees on ownership and management models; however, recent research has shown that general practice trainees have a strong interest in receiving this knowledge during their training. What does this paper add? The present qualitative research evaluated the emotional response that general practice trainees (Registrars) expressed when they considered practice ownership. GP Registrars expressed fear when asked about the prospect of owning their own practice. This may be influenced by the role modelling they receive during their training. What are the implications for practitioners? Supervisors involved in general practice training should ensure their trainees have the opportunity to learn about practice ownership during their training. Supervisors should also be aware that their own behaviour and attitudes towards practice ownership is observed by their trainees and it can colour the emotional response the trainee has when considering owning a practice.
Telemedicine for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (TeleGDM): A Mixed-Method Study Protocol of Effects of a Web-Based GDM Support System on Health Service Utilization, Maternal and Fetal Outcomes, Costs, and User Experience
Creators: name: Rasekaba, Tshepo
name: Lim, K
name: Blackberry, Irene
name: Gray, K
name: Furler, J
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4203
subject: Health services and systems
classificationCode: 4205
subject: Nursing
classificationCode: 4206
subject: Public health

description: BACKGROUND: Women with insulin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) require close monitoring and support to manage their diabetes. Recent changes to the diagnostic criteria have implications for service provision stemming from increased prevalence, suggesting an increased burden on health services in the future. Telemedicine may augment usual care and mitigate service burdens without compromising clinical outcomes but evidence in GDM is limited. OBJECTIVE: The Telemedicine for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (TeleGDM) trial aims to explore the use of telemedicine in supporting care and management of women with GDM treated with insulin. METHODS: The TeleGDM is a mixed-methods study comprising an exploratory randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a qualitative evaluation using semistructured interviews. It involves women with insulin-treated GDM who are up to 35 weeks gestation. Participating patients (n=100) are recruited face-to-face in outpatient GDM clinics at an outer metropolitan tertiary hospital with a culturally diverse catchment and a regional tertiary hospital. The second group of participants (n=8) comprises Credentialed Diabetes Educator Registered Nurses involved in routine care of the women with GDM at the participating clinics. The RCT involves use of a Web-based patient-controlled personal health record for GDM data sharing between patients and clinicians compared to usual care. Outcomes include service utilization, maternal and fetal outcomes (eg, glycemic control, 2nd and 3rd trimester fetal size, type of delivery, baby birth weight), diabetes self-efficacy, satisfaction, and costs. Semistructured interviews will be used to examine user experiences and acceptability of telemedicine. RESULTS: The trial recruitment is currently underway. Results are expected by the end of 2016 and will be reported in a follow-up paper. CONCLUSIONS: Innovative use of technology in supporting usual care delivery in women with GDM may facilitate timely access to GDM monitoring data and mitigate care burdens without compromising maternal and fetal outcomes. The intervention may potentially reduce health service utilization.
Multiscale derivation, analysis and simulation of collective dynamics models: geometrical aspects and applications
Creators: name: Diez, Antoine
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2022

description: This thesis is a contribution to the study of swarming phenomena from the point of view of mathematical kinetic theory. This multiscale approach starts from stochastic individual based (or particle) models and aims at the derivation of partial differential equation models on statistical quantities when the number of particles tends to infinity. This latter class of models is better suited for mathematical analysis in order to reveal and explain large-scale emerging phenomena observed in various biological systems such as flocks of birds or swarms of bacteria. Within this objective, a large part of this thesis is dedicated to the study of a body-attitude coordination model and, through this example, of the influence of geometry on self-organisation. The first part of the thesis deals with the rigorous derivation of partial differential equation models from particle systems with mean-field interactions. After a review of the literature, in particular on the notion of propagation of chaos, a rigorous convergence result is proved for a large class of geometrically enriched piecewise deterministic particle models towards local BGK-type equations. In addition, the method developed is applied to the design and analysis of a new particle-based algorithm for sampling. This first part also addresses the question of the efficient simulation of particle systems using recent GPU routines. The second part of the thesis is devoted to kinetic and fluid models for body-oriented particles. The kinetic model is rigorously derived as the mean-field limit of a particle system. In the spatially homogeneous case, a phase transition phenomenon is investigated which discriminates, depending on the parameters of the model, between a “disordered” dynamics and a self-organised “ordered” dynamics. The fluid (or macroscopic) model was derived as the hydrodynamic limit of the kinetic model a few years ago by Degond et al. The analytical and numerical study of this model reveal the existence of new self-organised phenomena which are confirmed and quantified using particle simulations. Finally a generalisation of this model in arbitrary dimension is presented.
Randomised controlled trial of an iPad based early intervention for autism: TOBY playpad study protocol
Creators: name: Granich, J
name: Dass, A
name: Busacca, M
name: Moore, D
name: Anderson, A
name: Venkatesh, S
name: Duong, T
name: Vellanki, P
name: Richdale, Amanda
name: Trembath, David
name: Cairns, D
name: Marshall, W
name: Rodwell, T
name: Rayner, M
name: Whitehouse, AJO
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2022
Subjects: classificationCode: 3213
subject: Paediatrics
classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4201
subject: Allied health and rehabilitation science
classificationCode: 4204
subject: Midwifery

description: Background: Evidence for early intensive behavioural interventions (EIBI) by therapists as an effective treatment for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is growing. High-intensity and sustained delivery of quality EIBI is expensive. The TOBY (Therapy Outcomes by You) Playpad is an App-based platform delivering EIBI to facilitate learning for young children with ASD, while enabling parents to become co-therapists. Intervention targets include increasing joint attention, imitation and communication of children with ASD. The primary aim of the study presented in this protocol is to determine the effectiveness of the TOBY App in reducing ASD symptoms when used as a complement to conventional EIBI. The secondary aim is to examine parental attributes as a result of TOBY App use. Methods and design: Children aged less than 4;3 years diagnosed with ASD and parents will be recruited into this single-blind, randomised controlled trial using a pragmatic approach. Eligible participants will be randomised to the treatment group 'TOBY therapy + therapy as usual' or, the control group 'therapy as usual' for six months. The treatment will be provided by the TOBY App and parent where a combination of learning environments such as on-iPad child only (solo), partner (with parent) and off-iPad - Natural Environment (with parent) Tasks will be implemented. Parents in the treatment group will participate in a TOBY training workshop. Treatment fidelity will be monitored via an App-based reporting system and parent diaries. The primary outcome measure is the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. The secondary outcome measures involve diagnostics, functional and developmental assessments, including parent questionnaires at baseline (T0), three months (T1) and six months (T2). Discussion: This trial will determine the effectiveness of the TOBY App as a therapeutic complement to other early interventions children with ASD receive. The trial will also determine the feasibility of a parent delivered early intervention using the iPad as an educational platform, and assess the impact of the TOBY App on parents' self-efficacy and empowerment in an effort to reduce children's ASD symptoms. The outcomes of this trial may have EIBI services implications for newly diagnosed children with ASD and parents.
Malnutrition: The Importance of Identification, Documentation, and Coding in the Acute Care Setting
Creators: name: Kellett, Jane
name: Kyle, Greg
name: Itsiopoulos, Catherine
name: Naunton, Mark
name: Luff, Narelle
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 32
subject: Biomedical and clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3210
subject: Nutrition and dietetics

description: Malnutrition is a significant issue in the hospital setting. This cross-sectional, observational study determined the prevalence of malnutrition amongst 189 adult inpatients in a teaching hospital using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment tool and compared data to control groups for coding of malnutrition to determine the estimated unclaimed financial reimbursement associated with this comorbidity. Fifty-three percent of inpatients were classified as malnourished. Significant associations were found between malnutrition and increasing age, decreasing body mass index, and increased length of stay. Ninety-eight percent of malnourished patients were coded as malnourished in medical records. The results of the medical history audit of patients in control groups showed that between 0.9 and 5.4% of patients were coded as malnourished which is remarkably lower than the 52% of patients who were coded as malnourished from the point prevalence study data. This is most likely to be primarily due to lack of identification. The estimated unclaimed annual financial reimbursement due to undiagnosed or undocumented malnutrition based on the point prevalence study was AU$8,536,200. The study found that half the patients were malnourished, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. It is imperative that malnutrition is diagnosed and accurately documented and coded, so appropriate coding, funding reimbursement, and treatment can occur.
Patient satisfaction with hospital inpatient care: effects of trust, medical insurance and perceived quality of care
Creators: name: Shan, L
name: Li, Y
name: Ding, D
name: Wu, Qunhong
name: Liu, Chaojie
name: Jiao, M
name: Hao, Yanhua
name: Han, Y
name: Gao, L
name: Hao, J
name: Wang, L
name: Xu, W
name: Ren, J
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4203
subject: Health services and systems
classificationCode: 420306
subject: Health care administration
classificationCode: 4205
subject: Nursing

description: Objective: Deteriorations in the patient-provider relationship in China have attracted increasing attention in the international community. This study aims to explore the role of trust in patient satisfaction with hospital inpatient care, and how patient-provider trust is shaped from the perspectives of both patients and providers. Methods: We adopted a mixed methods approach comprising a multivariate logistic regression model using secondary data (1200 people with inpatient experiences over the past year) from the fifth National Health Service Survey (NHSS, 2013) in Heilongjiang Province to determine the associations between patient satisfaction and trust, financial burden and perceived quality of care, followed by in-depth interviews with 62 conveniently selected key informants (27 from health and 35 from non-health sectors). A thematic analysis established a conceptual framework to explain deteriorating patient-provider relationships. Findings: About 24% of respondents reported being dissatisfied with hospital inpatient care. The logistic regression model indicated that patient satisfaction was positively associated with higher level of trust (OR = 14.995), lower levels of hospital medical expenditure (OR = 5.736-1.829 as compared with the highest quintile of hospital expenditure), good staff attitude (OR = 3.155) as well as good ward environment (OR = 2.361). But patient satisfaction was negatively associated with medical insurance for urban residents and other insurance status (OR = 0.215-0.357 as compared with medical insurance for urban employees). The qualitative analysis showed that patient trust the most significant predictor of patient satisfaction is shaped by perceived high quality of service delivery, empathic and caring interpersonal interactions, and a better designed medical insurance that provides stronger financial protection and enables more equitable access to health care. Conclusion: At the core of high levels of patient dissatisfaction with hospital care is the lack of trust. The current health care system reform in China has yet to address the fundamental problems embedded in the system that caused distrust. A singular focus on doctor-patient inter-personal interactions will not offer a successful solution to the deteriorated patient-provider relationships unless a systems approach to accountability is put into place involving all stakeholders.
A Transcriptomic Signature of Mouse Liver Progenitor Cells
Creators: name: Passman, AM
name: Low, J
name: London, R
name: Tirnitz-Parker, JEE
name: Miyajima, A
name: Tanaka, M
name: Strick-Marchand, H
name: Darlington, GJ
name: Finch-Edmondson, M
name: Ochsner, S
name: Zhu, C
name: Whelan, James
name: Callus, BA
name: Yeoh, GCT
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2022
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 3101
subject: Biochemistry and cell biology

description: Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) can proliferate extensively, are able to differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, and contribute to liver regeneration. The presence of LPCs, however, often accompanies liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), indicating that they may be a cancer stem cell. Understanding LPC biology and establishing a sensitive, rapid, and reliable method to detect their presence in the liver will assist diagnosis and facilitate monitoring of treatment outcomes in patients with liver pathologies. A transcriptomic meta-analysis of over 400 microarrays was undertaken to compare LPC lines against datasets of muscle and embryonic stem cell lines, embryonic and developed liver (DL), and HCC. Three gene clusters distinguishing LPCs from other liver cell types were identified. Pathways overrepresented in these clusters denote the proliferative nature of LPCs and their association with HCC. Our analysis also revealed 26 novel markers, LPC markers, including Mcm2 and Ltbp3, and eight known LPC markers, including M2pk and Ncam. These markers specified the presence of LPCs in pathological liver tissue by qPCR and correlated with LPC abundance determined using immunohistochemistry. These results showcase the value of global transcript profiling to identify pathways and markers that may be used to detect LPCs in injured or diseased liver.
Eucalypts, wildlife and nature conservation: From individual trees to landscape patterns
Creators: name: Bennett, Andrew
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 30
subject: Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
classificationCode: 3007
subject: Forestry sciences
classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 3103
subject: Ecology
classificationCode: 41
subject: Environmental sciences
classificationCode: 4101
subject: Climate change impacts and adaptation
classificationCode: 4102
subject: Ecological applications

description: Eucalypts - gums, stringybarks, box, ironbarks and mallees -Are key elements of ecosystems occupied by much of Australia's distinctive and unique wildlife. Individual eucalypts provide an array of food resources (e.g. foliage, seeds, nectar, sap) for animals, while shelter, refuge and breeding sites for many species are associated with the physical structures of eucalypts (e.g. dense foliage, bark crevices, hollows) and fallen material (logs, leaf litter). Stands of eucalypts make up patches of habitat that sustain populations and communities of animals. The size and shape of a patch, its tree-species composition and age structure, and the context of the patch (isolation, topographic position) influence the species that occur and the structure of animal communities. At a landscape scale, the extent and spatial pattern of eucalypt forests and woodlands and the types of land uses and disturbance regimes they experience (e.g. logging, grazing, fire) shape the distribution and conservation status of animal species across extensive areas. Eucalypts form a distinctive part of the natural and cultural heritage of Australia, yet too often they are taken for granted. The value that Australians place on the protection, management and restoration of eucalypts, from individual trees to ecosystems, will have a critical role in determining the future of Australian wildlife.
Effect of Biofield Treatment on the Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Aluminium Powders
Creators: name: Trivedi, Mahendra
Publisher: name: SMN - The ScienceMedia Network
Year: 2016
Subjects: Natural Sciences
Chemistry

description: Aluminium powders are used in a wide range from propelling rockets to improving personal hygiene. More popular industrial applications include manufacture of silver metallic pigments, paints, inks, plastics, packaging, textiles and aerospace industry. As thick film pastes used in the manufacture of silicon solar cells, and as reducing agent and sources of heat, used in alumina thermic and exothermic applications.
In the present investigation, Aluminium powders were exposed to non-contact Biofield treatment. Both the exposed and unexposed powders were later characterized by various techniques. The average particle size, after a slight initial decrease was found to increase after 80 days of treatment substantially, which suggested the operation of competing mechanisms fracture and sintering (micro welding). The BET surface area monotonically decreased which was consistent with increase in particle size. SEM photographs showed that samples exposed to Biofield after 38 days showed growth in particle size and particles joined at inter and intra particle boundaries. X-ray diffraction of the powder samples indicated both increase and decrease in crystallite size, unit cell volume, change in nuclear charge per unit volume of atom and atomic weight of samples exposed to Biofield even after 106 days. These results indicated that properties of Aluminium powders could be changed even up to atomic level by exposure to Biofield.
Quantitation and identification of intact major milk proteins for high-throughput LC-ESI-Q-TOF MS analyses
Creators: name: Vincent, D
name: Elkins, A
name: Condina, MR
name: Ezernieks, V
name: Rochfort, Simone
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 3101
subject: Biochemistry and cell biology
classificationCode: 34
subject: Chemical sciences
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
classificationCode: 3401
subject: Analytical chemistry

description: Cow’s milk is an important source of proteins in human nutrition. On average, cow’s milk contains 3.5% protein. The most abundant proteins in bovine milk are caseins and some of the whey proteins, namely beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, and serum albumin. A number of allelic variants and post-translationally modified forms of these proteins have been identified. Their occurrence varies with breed, individuality, stage of lactation, and health and nutritional status of the animal. It is therefore essential to have reliable methods of detection and quantitation of these proteins. Traditionally, major milk proteins are quantified using liquid chromatography (LC) and ultra violet detection method. However, as these protein variants co-elute to some degree, another dimension of separation is beneficial to accurately measure their amounts. Mass spectrometry (MS) offers such a tool. In this study, we tested several RP-HPLC and MS parameters to optimise the analysis of intact bovine proteins from milk. From our tests, we developed an optimum method that includes a 20-28-40% phase B gradient with 0.02% TFA in both mobile phases, at 0.2 mL/min flow rate, using 75°C for the C8 column temperature, scanning every 3 sec over a 600–3000 m/z window. The optimisations were performed using external standards commercially purchased for which ionisation efficiency, linearity of calibration, LOD, LOQ, sensitivity, selectivity, precision, reproducibility, and mass accuracy were demonstrated. From the MS analysis, we can use extracted ion chromatograms (EICs) of specific ion series of known proteins and integrate peaks at defined retention time (RT) window for quantitation purposes. This optimum quantitative method was successfully applied to two bulk milk samples from different breeds, Holstein-Friesian and Jersey, to assess differences in protein variant levels.
Comparison and analysis of Wuding and avian chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells
Creators: name: Tong, HQ
name: Jiang, ZQ
name: Dou, TF
name: Li, QH
name: Xu, ZQ
name: Liu, LX
name: Gu, DH
name: Rong, H
name: Huang, Y
name: Chen, XB
name: Jois, Markandeya
name: Pas, MFW te
name: Ge, CR
name: Jia, JJ
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 3105
subject: Genetics

description: Chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells are located between the basement membrane and the sarcolemma of mature muscle fibers. Avian broilers have been genetically selected based on their high growth velocity and large muscle mass. The Wuding chicken is a famous local chicken in Yunnan Province that undergoes non-selection breeding and is slow growing. In this study, we aimed to explore differences in the proliferation and differentiation properties of satellite cells isolated from the two chicken breeds. Using immunofluorescence,hematoxylin-eosin staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, we analyzed the in vitro characteristics of proliferating and differentiating satellite cells isolated from the two chicken breeds. The growth curve of satellite cells was S-shaped, and cells from Wuding chickens entered the logarithmic phase and plateau phase 1 day later than those from Avian chicken. The results also showed that the two skeletal muscle satellite cell lines were positive for Pax7, MyoD and IGF-1. The expression of Pax7 followed a downward trend, whereas that of MyoD and IGF-1 first increased and subsequently decreased in cells isolated from the two chickens. These data indicated that the skeletal muscle satellite cells of Avian chicken grow and differentiate faster than did those of Wuding chickens. We suggest that the methods of breeding selection applied to these breeds regulate the characteristics of skeletal muscle satellite cells to influence muscle growth.
O'ZBEKISTON HUDUDIDA ISTIQOMAT QILGAN IBTIDOIY ODAMLAR
Creators: name: Narzulloyev, Farrux
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: Ushbu maqolada qadimgi davrlarda hozirgi O'zbekiston hududida istiqomat qilib kelgan ibtidoiy odamlarning manzilgohlari va ularning turmush tarzi va ular tanasining genetik tuzilishi haqida ma'lumotlar beriladi.
Longitudinal bone, muscle and adipose tissue changes in physically active subjects - sex differences during adolescence and maturity
Creators: name: Culvenor, Adam
name: Boeth, H
name: Diederichs, G
name: Wirth, W
name: Duda, G
name: Eckstein, F
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 32
subject: Biomedical and clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3202
subject: Clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3208
subject: Medical physiology
classificationCode: 3213
subject: Paediatrics

description: Objectives: To explore changes in bone, muscle and adipose tissue composition in athletes with high physical activity levels at different stages of life. Methods: Thigh MRIs were acquired at baseline and 2-year follow-up for 20 young (16±1 years) and 20 mature (46±5 years) athletes (10 males, 10 females, respectively). Longitudinal changes in cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of femoral bone, quadriceps muscle, and thigh subcutaneous (SCF) and intermuscular (IMF) adipose tissue were evaluated. Results: Adolescent males displayed significant muscle (+5.0%, 95%CI: 0.8, 9.2) and bone growth (+2.9%, 95%CI: 1.3, 4.5), whereas adolescent females did not (muscle: +0.8%, 95%CI: -2.2, 3.8; bone: +1.9%, 95%CI: -2.1, 5.6). Adolescent and mature females showed significant SCF increases (+11.0%, 95%CI: 0.9, 21.1 and +6.0%, 95%CI: 0.6, 11.4, respectively), whereas adolescent and mature males did not (+7.2%, 95%CI: -8.0, 22.5 and +1.5%, 95%CI: -9.7, 11.8, respectively). Muscle and bone changes were highly correlated in adolescent males (r=0.66), mature males (r=0.75) and mature females (r=0.68) but not in adolescent females (r=-0.11). Conclusions: The results suggest sex-specific patterns of age-related change in bone, muscle and adipose tissue, and tight coupling of bone and muscle growth. Sex-specific bone-muscle-adipose tissue relationships may have implications for understanding sex differences in fracture risk.
Impact of HIV status notification on risk behaviors among men who inject drugs in Kermanshah, west of Iran
Creators: name: Noroozi, A
name: Mirzazadeh, A
name: Farhoudian, A
name: Hajebi, A
name: Khankeh, HR
name: Higgs, Peter
name: Sharifi, H
name: Armoon, B
name: Noroozi, M
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4202
subject: Epidemiology
classificationCode: 4206
subject: Public health

description: Background: It is unclear whether knowing of current HIV status is associated with change in injecting behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran. The objective of the present study was to determine whether awareness of HIV positive status is associated with a reduction in injecting risk behaviors, after matching for socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: Five hundred male PWID were recruited in 2014 from two drop-in centers (DICs) in Kermanshah west of Iran. Trained interviewers collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, HIV testing and drug-related risk behaviors over the last month prior to interview using a structured questionnaire. Our primary exposure of interest was awareness of HIV status used to group participants into three categories: positive, negative, unaware. We used coarsened exact matching to make the three groups statistically equivalent based on age, place of residence, education and income, and then compared them regarding the proportion of borrowing, lending and reuse of syringes. Results: Matched sample (n=320) had a mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of 33.5 ±7.6 yr. Overall, 25% (95% CI: 14%, 32%) of participants reported “borrowing a syringe” in the past month and 15% (95% CI: 7%, 22%) of them reported “lending a used syringe” to others in the past month. In comparison to PWID who were unaware of their HIV status, those knew they were HIV positive (OR 1.68, CI95%1.32-2.81) or negative (OR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.71) were both more likely to report borrowing syringes in past month. Conclusions: PWID WHO know they are positive for HIV are more likely to borrow another person’s syringe, to report reuse of their own used syringes and less likely to report lending their syringes to others. Strategies to scale up HIV testing and counseling for PWID, which also increase awareness of HIV status, may decrease injecting related the risk behaviors.
Techniques used for the isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles: results of a worldwide survey
Creators: name: Gardiner, C
name: Di Vizio, D
name: Sahoo, S
name: Thery, C
name: Witwer, KW
name: Wauben, M
name: Hill, Andrew
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 3101
subject: Biochemistry and cell biology
classificationCode: 310101
subject: Analytical biochemistry
classificationCode: 3105
subject: Genetics

description: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an important mode of intercellular communication. Research in this field has grown rapidly in the last few years, and there is a plethora of techniques for the isolation and characterization of EVs, many of which are poorly standardized. EVs are heterogeneous in size, origin and molecular constituents, with considerable overlap in size and phenotype between different populations of EVs. Little is known about current practices for the isolation, purification and characterization of EVs. We report here the first large, detailed survey of current worldwide practices for the isolation and characterization of EVs. Conditioned cell culture media was the most widely used material (83%). Ultracentrifugation remains the most commonly used isolation method (81%) with 59% of respondents use a combination of methods. Only 9% of respondents used only 1 characterization method, with others using 2 or more methods. Sample volume, sample type and downstream application all influenced the isolation and characterization techniques employed.
Screen time of infants in Sydney, Australia: a birth cohort study
Creators: name: Chandra, M
name: Jalaludin, B
name: Woolfenden, S
name: Descallar, J
name: Nicholls, L
name: Dissanayake, Cheryl
name: Williams, K
name: Murphy, E
name: Walter, A
name: Eastwood, J
name: Eapen, V
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2022
Subjects: classificationCode: 32
subject: Biomedical and clinical sciences
classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 4206
subject: Public health
classificationCode: 52
subject: Psychology
subject: FOS: Psychology

description: Objectives: To determine the amount of daily screen time in children 18 months of age and ascertain correlations that may be contributing to excessive screen use. Design: A birth cohort was followed with telephone interviews at 6, 12 and 18 months of age. Information about screen time was collected at 18 months. Setting: Parents were recruited from postnatal wards of 2 major public hospitals and at home visits conducted for new mothers within 4 weeks of birth in South Western Sydney (SWS). Participants: Parents of 500 children with infants 18 months of age residing in SWS. Primary and secondary outcomes: Screen time in infants 18 months of age and associated correlations. Results: A large percentage of children 18 months of age (40%) had screen times >2 hours daily. There were significant associations between more than 2 hours of screen time daily and mothers without a partner (OR 4.32 (95% CI 1.67 to 11.15)); having <3 siblings (no siblings: OR 2.44 (95% CI 1.20 to 4.94); 12 siblings: OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.06 to 4.08)); an employed father (OR 1.96 (95% CI 1.09 to 3.52)); no outdoor equipment at home (OR 1.89 (95% CI 1.08 to 3.34)) and fewer than 5 outings per week (OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.37 to 3.17)). Conclusions: There is emerging evidence that excess screen time in children causes adverse cognitive, developmental and health outcomes. This study has shown that a large proportion of very young children residing in SWS have screen exposures for >2 hours per day. Factors contributing to excess screen time have also been identified in this study; however, a greater understanding of risk factors needs to be ascertained in order to facilitate greater public health efforts to reduce screen exposure.
The antimicrobial resistance crisis: management through gene monitoring
Creators: name: Michael, CA
name: Franks, Ashley
name: Labbate, M
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 32
subject: Biomedical and clinical sciences
classificationCode: 3207
subject: Medical microbiology
classificationCode: 320701
subject: Medical bacteriology

description: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an acknowledged crisis for humanity. Its genetic origins and dire potential outcomes are increasingly well understood. However, diagnostic techniques for monitoring the crisis are currently largely limited to enumerating the increasing incidence of resistant pathogens. Being the end-stage of the evolutionary process that produces antimicrobial resistant pathogens, these measurements, while diagnostic, are not prognostic, and so are not optimal in managing this crisis. A better test is required. Here, using insights from an understanding of evolutionary processes ruling the changing abundance of genes under selective pressure, we suggest a predictive framework for the AMR crisis. We then discuss the likely progression of resistance for both existing and prospective antimicrobial therapies. Finally, we suggest that by the environmental monitoring of resistance gene frequency, resistance may be detected and tracked presumptively, and how this tool may be used to guide decision-making in the local and global use of antimicrobials.
Development of a Molecular Breeding Strategy for the Integration of Transgenic Traits in Outcrossing Perennial Grasses
Creators: name: Badenhorst, Pieter E
name: Smith, Kevin F
name: Spangenberg, German
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 30
subject: Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
classificationCode: 3001
subject: Agricultural biotechnology
subject: FOS: Agricultural biotechnology
classificationCode: 3002
subject: Agriculture, land and farm management
classificationCode: 3004
subject: Crop and pasture production
classificationCode: 300404
subject: Crop and pasture biochemistry and physiology

description: Molecular breeding tools, such as genetic modification, provide forage plant breeder with the opportunity to incorporate high value traits into breeding programs which, in some cases would not be available using any other methodology. Despite the potential impact of these traits little work has been published that seeks to optimize the strategies for transgenic breeding o incorporate transgenic breeding with other modern genomics-Assisted breeding strategies. As th number of new genomics assisted breeding tools become available it is also likely that multiple tool may be used within the one breeding program. In this paper we propose a strategy for breedin genetically-modified forages using perennial ryegrass as an example and demonstrate how thi strategy may be linked with other technologies, such as genomic selection. Whilst the model used i perennial ryegrass the principles outlined are valid for those designing breeding strategies for othe outcrossing forage species.
Introduced Helicidae Garden Snails in Australia: Morphological and Molecular Diagnostics, Species Distributions and Systematics
Creators: name: Blacket, MJ
name: Shea, M
name: Semeraro, L
name: Malipatil, Mallik
Publisher: name: La Trobe
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 31
subject: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
classificationCode: 41
subject: Environmental sciences
classificationCode: 4101
subject: Climate change impacts and adaptation

description: There is a large number of Helicidae land snails native to the Western Palearctic, many of which have become invasive species in other parts of the world. In the past, multiple helicid species were introduced to Australia where they can now be major agricultural and horticultural pests. Determining which species have become established is essential for effective biosecurity and pest management. Here we have shown that three helicid species currently occur in Australia: Brown (Cornu aspersum Müller), Green (Cantareus apertus Born) and White (Theba pisana Müller) Garden Snails. A fourth formerly present species, the Chocolate Banded snail (Eobania vermiculata Müller) appears currently to be locally extinct. All four of these species are known to be highly invasive worldwide. Our study assessed the effectiveness of employing DNA barcoding for identification of garden snails in Australia through characterising DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and nuclear ITS2 loci. We were able to distinguish all four species, as well as other commonly intercepted Helicidae species. DNA sequences and diagnostic images of the helicid garden snails currently found in Australia have been added to the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD), as project AMPH (Australian Mollusc Pests—Helicidae), to aid in the identification of intercepted specimens, morphologically ambiguous individuals, or small juvenile specimens. We also examined the diagnostic morphological characters (juvenile and adult) that can be used to identify these species (including an illustrated key), and summarize relevant systematic and nomenclatural changes. We also provide the first specimen records for Green Garden Snails in eastern Australia, where they were previously unknown and may become a serious plant pest.