Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Structure Of The Theta Subunit Of Escherichia Coli Dna Polymerase Iii In Complex With The Epsilon Subunit, Max A Keniry, Ah-Young Park, Elisabeth A. Owen, Samir M. Hamdan, Guido Pintacuda, Gottfried Otting, Nicholas E. Dixon

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The catalytic core of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III contains three tightly associated subunits, the α, ε, and θ subunits. The θ subunit is the smallest and least understood subunit. The three-dimensional structure of θ in a complex with the unlabeled N-terminal domain of the ε subunit, ε186, was determined by multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure was refined using pseudocontact shifts that resulted from inserting a lanthanide ion (Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, or Ho³⁺) at the active site of ε186. The structure determination revealed a three-helix bundle fold that is similar to the solution …

Beyond The Rhetoric: What Do We Mean By A 'Model Of Care'?, Patricia Davidson, Elizabeth Halcomb, L Hickman, J Phillips, B Graham

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background: Contemporary health care systems are constantly challenged to revise traditional methods of health care delivery. These challenges are multifaceted and stem from: (1) novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments; (2) changes in consumer demands and expectations; (3) fiscal and resource constraints; (4) changes in societal demographics in particular the ageing of society; (5) an increasing burden of chronic disease; (6) documentation of limitations in traditional health care delivery; (7) increased emphasis on transparency, accountability, evidence-based practice (EBP) and clinical governance structures; and (8) the increasing cultural diversity of the community. These challenges provoke discussion of potential alternative models of care, …

The Chronic Heart-Failure Assistance By Telephone (Chat) Study: Assessment Of Telephone Support For Vulnerable Patients With Chronic Disease, Julie Yallop, Bianca Chan, Leon Piterman, Andrew Tonkin, Andrew Forbes, Patricia M. Davidson, Robyn Clark, Elizabeth Halcomb, Andrea Nangle, Simon Stewart, Joanne Croucher, Henry Krum

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Aim: To determine whether telephone support using an evidence-based protocol for chronic heart failure (CHF) management will improve patient outcomes and will reduce hospital readmission rates in patients without access to hospital-based management programs. Methods: The rationale and protocol for a cluster-design randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a semi-automated telephone intervention for the management of CHF, the Chronic Heart-failure Assistance by Telephone (CHAT) Study is described. Care is coordinated by trained cardiac nurses located in Heartline, the national call center of the National Heart Foundation of Australia in partnership with patients' general practitioners (GPs). Conclusions: The CHAT Study model represents …

Low And High Trait Impulsiveness In The Stop-Signal Task: Underlying Differences In Erps But Not Performance, Aneta Dimoska, Stuart J. Johnstone

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Caring For Someone Dying At Home, Sharon R. Bourgeois, Amanda Johnson

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Assisting those caring for a terminally ill family member at home can be a rewarding but challenging nursing experience. Providing adequate nursing support is critical to the success of this type of caring.

Does Landing Technique Displayed During Volleyball Training Replicate The Demands Of Competition?, C Wild, Bridget J. Munro, Julie R. Steele

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Despite chronic lower extremity syndromes being extremely problematic in volleyball internationally, there is a lack of research pertaining to the demands experienced by volleyball players in terms of landings performed during competition and whether these are replicated during training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences in landing mechanics displayed by volleyball players during competition compared to training. Video data (25 Hz) of the Australian Men's volleyball team were collected for three training sessions and two competition matches at the Asian men's Volleyball Championships in 2003. Frequency data for six players were analysed (Chi-square analysis) to …

Nosocomial And Community Transmission Of Measles Virus Genotype D8 Imported By A Returning Traveller From Nepal, Kathryn M. Weston, Dominic Dwyer, Mala Ratnamohan, Kenneth Mcphie, Sau-Wan Chan, James Branley, Lisa Allchin, Krishna Hort

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Measles is uncommon in Australia due to effective national vaccination strategies. In mid-2003, a cluster of nine cases of measles occurred in western Sydney. The index case was a 29-year-old traveller recently returned from Nepal. The case presented to hospital and transmitted the disease to two others in the Emergency Department. Further cases resulted from both community and nosocomial transmission. The median age of cases was 24 years, with three cases in children aged under four years. Only one person had a documented history of measles vaccination, a child who had received one dose of vaccine overseas. One case was …

Impact Of Transatlantic Transport Episodes On Summertime Ozone In Europe, G Guerova, I Bey, J Attie, R Martin, J Cui, M Sprenger

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

This paper reports on the transport of ozone (O₃) and related species over the North Atlantic ocean and its impact on Europe. Measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) columns from the GOME and MOPITT satellite instruments, respectively, are used in conjunction with the GEOS-CHEM global model of transport and tropospheric chemistry to identify the major events of long range transport that reach Europe over the course of summer 2000. Sensitivity model simulations are used to analyse observed O₃ distributions with respect to the impact of long range transport events. For that purpose, …

Fatality After Deliberate Ingestion Of Sustained-Release Ibuprofen: A Case Report, David Wood, Jane Monaghan, Peter Streete, Alison L. Jones, Paul Dargan

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Introduction Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug available over the counter and on prescription for the management of pain and inflammation. Severe toxicity is rare following deliberate self-poisoning with ibuprofen, and patients are usually either asymptomatic or develop only mild gastrointestinal toxicity. Although there have been nine other reported fatalities, co-existent factors have probably contributed to all of these deaths. We report here a fatality from isolated toxicity following self-poisoning with sustained-release ibuprofen. Case report A 26-year-old female presented after deliberate ingestion of up to 105 g sustained-release ibuprofen, with a reduced level of consciousness, severe metabolic acidosis and haemodynamic …

Australian Clinical Toxicology Investigators Collaboration Randomized Trial Of Different Loading Infusion Rates Of N-Acetylcysteine [6], I B. Gawarammana, S L. Greene, Paul I. Dargan, Alison L. Jones

Graduate School of Medicine - Papers (Archive)

Adverse reactions to N-acetylcysteine are reported in 6% to 23% of patients who are administered the antidote for treatment of paracetamol poisoning.1 Because paracetamol is the most common pharmaceutical product taken in overdose in many countries, it is essential that attempts be made to prevent or minimize adverse effects caused by N-acetylcysteine. We congratulate Kerr et al2 on their attempt to address this important issue.

Depression In The Patient With Copd, Ian G. Wilson

Graduate School of Medicine - Papers (Archive)

This paper explores the recent literature surrounding comorbid depression and COPD. The literature reveals a high prevalence of depression in patients with COPD and some evidence that the depression is a result of the disease. The literature highlights the negative impact of depression on quality of life and a possible impact on mortality. Depression also negatively impacts on compliance and smoking cessation. Treatment of depression in COPD, particularly by cognitive behavioral therapy, has positive impact on quality of life. Tricyclic antidepressants have a positive impact on mood and COPD, but side effects limit their use. The advent of the new …

Challenges To Temperature Regulation When Working In Hot Environments, Nigel Taylor

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The focus of this revuew us upon acute exposure to hot environments and the accompanying physiological changes. The target audience includes physiologists, physicians and occupational health and safety practioners. Using the principles of thermodynamics, the avenues for human heat exchange and explored, leading to an evaluation of some methods used to assess thermally-stressful environments. In particular, there is a critique of the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index, and an overview of an alternative means by which such assessments may be undertaken (the heat stress index). These principles and methods are combined to illustrate how one may evaluate the risk of …

The Role Of Attention In Processing Configural And Shape Information In 3d Novel Objects, Simone K. Favelle, Stephen Palmisano, Darren Burke, William G. Hayward

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Recent research suggests that there is an advantage for processing configural information in scenes and objects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which attention may account for this configural advantage. In Experiment 1, we found that cueing the location of change in single object displays improved detection performance for both configural and shape changes, yet cueing attention away from the location of change was detrimental only for shape change detection. A configural advantage was present for each cueing condition. Experiments 2A and 2B examined whether the configural advantage persisted in conditions where attention was distributed …

Pop Promotions For Alcolhol: Increasing Brand Loyalty Or Just Increasing Binge Drinking?, Melissa Lynch, Sandra C. Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The consumption of alcohol by young Australians in general, and at risky levels has increased. University students, as part of this group, display consistent and increasing risky drinking patterns. One key area of interest in understanding this situation is the use of alcohol advertising and marketing. Of particular interest to this research is the use of point-of-purchase promotions in licensed venues and the impact they may have on consumption. In order to help understand these promotions, focus groups were conducted with male university students between the age of 18 and 24 years from the University of Wollongong. Overall, the perception …

Ethical Issues In Social Marketing, Sandra C. Jones, Danika V. Hall

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

"As a community ofprofessionals we have adopted no standards of ethics and it is probable that most of our community has not read or analysed the guidelines set up for either commercial advertising or commercial marketing" (Smith, 2001) Unfortunately, deciding what is ethical in social marketing (as in marketing in general) is rarely simple. In most cases, there is not a definitive right and wrong; for example, it is often the case that we are dealing with controversial products or sensitive behaviours (e.g., contraceptives and central practices) and/or two principles which are seen to be "right" by different groups are …

Use Of Homework By Mental Health Case Managers In The Rehabilitation Of Persistent And Recurring Psychiatric Disability, Peter Kelly, Frank P. Deane, Nikolaos Kazantzis, Trevor P. Crowe, Lindsay G. Oades

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Homework refers to between-session activities that are tied to therapeutic goals. Homework has been suggested as being an important clinical adjunct to case management practices, however, to date, research has not examined case managers’ use of homework. Aims: To identify the degree that case managers use homework within their clinical practice and explore the way it is administered with people diagnosed with a persistent and recurring psychiatric illness. Method: A survey was completed by 122 case managers (63% of those approached) comprising nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and welfare/support workers. Results: Ninety-three percent of case managers implement homework, …

Infants' Discrimination Of Faces By Using Biological Motion Cues, Janine Spencer, Justin O'Brien, Alan Johnston, Harold C. Hill

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

We report two experiments in which we used animated averaged faces to examine infants' ability to perceive and discriminate facial motion. The faces were generated by using the motion recorded from the faces of volunteers while they spoke. We tested infants aged 4 ^ 8 months to assess their ability to discriminate facial motion sequences (condition 1) and discrim- inate the faces of individuals (condition 2). Infants were habituated to one sequence with the motion of one actor speaking one phrase. Following habituation, infants were presented with the same sequence together with motion from a different actor (condition 1), or …

Does Hero Always Help? Differences In Nutrient Intake Among Obese Subjects With And Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Prior To Dietary Intervention, Sze Yen Tan, Lynda J. Gillen, Marijka Batterham, Xu-Feng Huang, Cassandra J. Quick, Yasmine Probst, Serina Faraji, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at The 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 29 November - 2 December, Sydney, Australia

Importance Of Soy Protein And Isoflavone Intake For Protection Against Heart Disease, A Thorp, J Buckley, A Coates, Trevor A Mori, Jo Hodgson, Jackie Mansour, Peter Howe, Barbara Meyer

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at The 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 29 November - 2 December, Sydney, Australia

What Is The Nature Of Hang Gliding Injuries In Australia?, Bridget J. Munro, J Dassen, A Wijnen, C Fogg, J Steele

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Study Using Automated Dietary Assessment In Primary Care, Y. C. Probst

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

An automated dietary assessment website has been developed for patients with metabolic syndrome. Computers have been set up in local GP practices to which the GP may refer their patients. These patients enter their dietary information into the website and receive an individualised dietary prescription put together by a dietitian. This study outlines the profile of patients using the website and their rates of completion of the assessment. Recruited patients were primarily female(66%). Ranging between 22 and 75 years of age patients reported to be overweight(77%), have high cholesterol (53%), elevated blood pressure (54%) and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (35%). …

Consumer Understanding And Use Of Health Claims For Foods, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Health claims for foods are permitted in an increasing number of countries but there are very few studies evaluating the effect of such claims on purchase behavior and consumer health. There are significant differences between countries, but in general consumers see health claims as useful, they prefer short succinct wording rather than long and complex claims, and they believe claims should be approved by government. Consumers view a food as healthier if it carries a health claim and this “halo” effect may discourage them seeking further nutrition information. Consumers do not clearly distinguish between nutrient content, structure-function and health claims. …

Communicating Health Benefits - Do We Need Health Claims?, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Many countries are now permitting health claims on foods and Food Standards Australia New Zealand is developing new regulations to permit their use in Australia. However there is no clear understanding of how consumers use health claims and their likely impact on consumer food behaviour or health. More research is needed, but a review of previous studies allows some common conclusions can be drawn. Health claims on foods are seen by consumers as useful, and when a product features a health claim they view it as healthier and state they are more likely to purchase it. Consumers are sceptical of …

Breakfast And The Diets Of Australian Adults: An Analysis Of Data From The 1995 National Nutrition Survey, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The aim of this study was to describe the nutrients provided to Australian adults by the breakfast meal and compare the food and nutrient intakes and health of regular breakfast eaters and skippers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics was commissioned to undertake additional analysis of data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey (NNS). The survey included 24 hour recalls, physical measurements and a food habits questionnaire collected during the period February 1995 to March 1996, with a nationally representative sample of 10851 Australians aged nineteen years and older. The median nutrient intakes at breakfast and the proportion of …

Australian Consumers Are Sceptical About But Influenced By Claims About Fat On Food Labels, C. Chan, C. Patch, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: To explore the beliefs and attitudes of Australian consumers to claims about fat made on the labels of packaged food.

Design: Content analysis of transcripts from focus group discussions.

Subjects: 26 females and 10 males aged 20-80y, recruited by advertisement into six focus groups, stratified by age, sex and health status.

Results: Awareness of claims about fat was high in this sample of Australians and participants admitted that they influenced their purchase decisions. The most preferred form of claim was “X% fat free”. Claims were considered most useful on foods that were high in fat. There was considerable scepticism …

Attitudes And Intentions Toward Purchasing Novel Foods Enriched With Omega-3 Fatty Acids, C. Patch, P. G. Williams, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: To identify the nature, strength and relative importance of influences on intentions to consume foods that are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Design: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire. Setting: Community based residents living in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Subjects: Two sub-samples were surveyed via questionnaire: Community members who responded to a local media advertisement (n=79), and subjects in a dietary intervention trial for type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=50). Variables Measures: Using the TPB variables – intention, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control - questionnaire items were constructed to …

Plant Sterol/Stanol Prescription Is An Effective Treatment Strategy For Managing Hypercholesterolemia In Outpatient Clinical Practice, C. Patch, Linda C. Tapsell, P. G. Williams

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective To determine the effectiveness of prescribing 2 g plant sterols/stanols per day as an addition to standard practice in a dietary outpatient clinic. Design A randomized parallel design of comparative 12-week interventions. Subjects/Setting Patients referred by a general practitioner to a dietary outpatient clinic for the management of hyperlipidemia were eligible. Twenty-five patients (15 women and 10 men) completed the study. Intervention Counselling regarding diet for hyperlipidemia was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. The intervention group was instructed to incorporate ~25 g/day of margarine containing plant sterols/stanols, which delivered ~2 g of plant sterols/stanols. Main …

Overview Of Computerized Dietary Assessment Programs For Research And Practice In Nutrition Education, Y. Probst, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Computerized dietary assessment programs are often used for nutrition education research and practice. This article provides an informal overview of 29 dietary assessment programs mentioned in the literature covered by MEDLINE from 1996 to 2003, along with the components and capabilities of these programs derived from additional sources as needed. According to the literature, the advantages of using computers for dietary assessment include standardization of the questioning sequence, fast and easy processing, immediate results, and increased flexibility.The disadvantages include the need for typing skills and computer literacy, as well as potential bias in the responses if an interviewer is required.

Low Plasma Vitamin E Levels In Major Depression: Diet Or Disease?, A. J. Owen, Marijka Batterham, Y. C. Probst, Brin F. Grenyer, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

"Objective: Levels of vitamin E have been reported to be lower in patients suffering major depression, but whether this is due to inadequate dietary intake or the pathophysiology of depression is not known, and was the subject of the present study. Setting: Wollongong, Australia. Methods: Plasma vitamin E (a-tocopherol) was measured in 49 adults with major depression, age (mean7s.d.): 47712 y. In a subset (n¼19) usual dietary intake of vitamin E was determined by diet history. Results: Subjects had significantly lower plasma a-tocopherol (4.7170.13 mmol/mmol cholesterol) than has previously been reported for healthy Australians, and plasma a-tocopherol was inversely related …

Walnuts And Dietary Approaches To The Prevention And Management Of Abnormal Lipid Profiles In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Linda C. Tapsell, L. J. Gillen, C. S. Patch

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Dietary fat is considered central to the management of obesity and heart disease risk, and more recently with the risk of type 2 diabetes, given its observed role in the development of insulin resistance in mechanistic studies. For changes in lipid profiles, foods delivering substantial amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to saturated fats are of interest, and walnuts fit this category.As a class of foods, nuts have been shown to provide benefits to health in a number of clinical trials. A review of the cardiovascular benefits of nuts indicated their value on thrombotic factors, inflammatory markers and endothelial function.Including …