Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Functional Amyloid Protection In The Eye Lens: Retention Of Α-Crystallin Molecular Chaperone Activity After Modification Into Amyloid Fibrils, Megan Garvey, Heath Ecroyd, Nicholas J. Ray, Juliet A. Gerrard, John A. Carver

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Amyloid fibril formation occurs from a wide range of peptides and proteins and is typically associated with a loss of protein function and/or a gain of toxic function, as the native structure of the protein undergoes major alteration to form a cross β-sheet array. It is now well recognised that some amyloid fibrils have a biological function, which has led to increased interest in the potential that these so-called functional amyloids may either retain the function of the native protein, or gain function upon adopting a fibrillar structure. Herein, we investigate the molecular chaperone ability of α-crystallin, the predominant eye …

Cost Effectiveness Of A Multi-Component School-Based Physical Activity Intervention Targeting Adolescents: The 'Physical Activity 4 Everyone' Cluster Randomized Trial, Rachel Sutherland, Penny Reeves, Elizabeth Campbell, David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Nicole Nathan, Luke Wolfenden, Anthony D. Okely, Karen Gillham, Lynda Davies, John Wiggers

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Background Few school-based interventions have been successful in reducing physical activity decline and preventing overweight and obesity in adolescent populations. As a result, few cost effectiveness analyses have been reported. The aim of this paper is to report the cost and cost effectiveness of the Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1) intervention which was a multi-component intervention implemented in secondary schools located in low-income communities. Cost effectiveness was assessed using both the physical activity and weight status trial outcomes.

Methods Intervention and Study Design: The PA4E1 cluster randomised controlled trial was implemented in 10 Australian secondary schools (5 intervention: 5 …

Lipid Anti-Lipid Antibody Responses Correlate With Disease Activity In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Vojislav Jovanovic, Nurhuda Abdul Aziz, Yan Ting Lim, Amanda Ng Ai Poh, Sherlynn Jin Hui Chan, Eliza Ho Xin Pei, Fei Chuin Lew, Guanghou Shui, Andrew M. Jenner, Li Bowen, Eoin F. Mckinney, Paul A. Lyons, Michael D. Kemeny, Kenneth G.C. Smith, Markus R. Wenk, Paul A. Macary

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by broad clinical manifestations including cardiovascular and renal complications with periodic disease flares and significant morbidity and mortality. One of the main contributing factors to the pathology of SLE is the accumulation and impaired clearance of immune complexes of which the principle components are host auto-antigens and antibodies. The contribution of host lipids to the formation of these autoimmune complexes remains poorly defined. The aim of the present study was to identify and analyze candidate lipid autoantigens and their corresponding anti-lipid antibody responses in a well-defined SLE patient cohort using …

The Effectiveness Of A Brief Intervention Using A Pedometer And Step-Recording Diary In Promoting Physical Activity In People Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Or Impaired Glucose Tolerance, Susan Furber, Claire Monger, Lisa Franco, Darren Mayne, Lauren A. Jones, Rachel Laws, Louise Waters

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute

Issue addressed: To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention using a pedometer and step-recording diary on promoting physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods: People with type 2 diabetes or IGT who attended the Illawarra Diabetes Service were invited to participate. Participants in the intervention group received a pedometer and a diary to record their daily steps for a two-week period. Both the intervention and comparison group received advice on physical activity. Physical activity levels were measured using the Active Australia Survey at baseline, and at two and 20 weeks. Results: A …