Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Increases In Peptide Y-Y Levels Following Oat Β-Glucan Ingestion Are Dose-Dependent In Overweight Adults, Eleanor J. Beck, Linda C. Tapsell, Marijka J. Batterham, Susan M. Tosh, Xu-Feng Huang

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

Peptide Y-Y (PYY) is an anorexigenic hormone implicated in appetite control, and β-glucan is a fiber known to affect appetite. We hypothesized that plasma PYY levels would increase in overweight human adults consuming increasing doses of β-glucan. The objective was to test whether the effect could be seen with β-glucan delivered through extruded cereals containing a high β-glucan oat bran with demonstrated high molecular weight and solubility. Fourteen subjects consumed a control meal and 3 cereals of varying β-glucan concentration (between 2.2 and 5.5 g), and blood samples were collected over 4 hours. Analysis of raw PYY data showed a …

Antarctic Climate Change And The Environment, P C. Convey, R Bindschadler, G Di Prisco, E Fahrbach, J Gutt, D A. Hodgson, P Mayewski, C P. Summerhayes, J Turner, Sharon A. Robinson

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

The Antarctic climate system varies on timescales from orbital, through millennial to sub-annual, and is closely coupled to other parts of the global climate system. We review these variations from the perspective of the geological and glaciological records and the recent historical period from which we have instrumental data (the last 50 years). We consider their consequences for the biosphere, and show how the latest numerical models project changes into the future, taking into account human actions in the form of the release of greenhouse gases and chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere. In doing so, we provide an essential Southern Hemisphere …

Visualizing Single-Molecule Dna Replication With Fluorescence Microscopy, Nathan Tanner, Joseph J. Loparo, Antoine M. Van Oijen

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

We describe a simple fluorescence microscopy-based real-time method for observing DNA replication at the single-molecule level. A circular, forked DNA template is attached to a functionalized glass coverslip and replicated extensively after introduction of replication proteins and nucleotides (Figure 1). The growing product double-strand DNA (dsDNA) is extended with laminar flow and visualized by using an intercalating dye. Measuring the position of the growing DNA end in real time allows precise determination of replication rate (Figure 2). Furthermore, the length of completed DNA products reports on the processivity of replication. This experiment can be performed very easily and rapidly and …

Method For Measurement Of Viral Fusion Kinetics At The Single Particle Level, Daniel L. Floyd, Stephen C. Harrison, Antoine M. Van Oijen

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

Membrane fusion is an essential step during entry of enveloped viruses into cells. Conventional fusion assays typically report on a large number of fusion events, making it difficult to quantitatively analyze the sequence of the molecular steps involved. We have developed an in vitro, two-color fluorescence assay to monitor kinetics of single virus particles fusing with a target bilayer on an essentially fluid support. Influenza viral particles are incubated with a green lipophilic fluorophore to stain the membrane and a red hydrophilic fluorophore to stain the viral interior. We deposit a ganglioside-containing lipid bilayer on the dextran-functionilized glass surface of …

Serotonin 2a Receptor And Its Association With The Pathology Of Schizophrenia, Chao Deng, Kai Kang, Qing Wang

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

Dear Editor: Accumulated evidence suggests that serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors are implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia. However the results remain inconclusive, particularly in the case of binding studies using postmortemtissue.We agreewith Dean's comment that our recent paper (Kang et al., 2009) reported a decrease in the density of [3H] ketanserin binding to the 5-HT2A receptors in the superior temporal gyrus (STG), which supported earlier findings in the planum temporal cortex (Pralong et al., 2000), despite Burnet et al. reporting previously that there was no change in [3H] ketanserin binding in the STG in schizophrenia (Burnet et al., 1996).............

Are Patients Willing Participants In The New Wave Of Community-Based Medical Education In Regional And Rural Australia?, Judith Hudson, Kathryn M. Weston, Elizabeth Farmer, Rowena Ivers, Russell W. Pearson

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

Abstract of paper that was presented at General Practice Education and Training Convention 2009, Adelaide, South Australia, 2-3 September 2009.

Assessment Of The Multidisciplinary Education For A Major Change In Clinical Practice; A Prospective Cohort Study, Ian M. R Wright, Chris H. Wake, Helene Anderson, Shirley Graham

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

Background: New approaches are often introduced to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and other areas of the health service in either a haphazard or cataclysmic fashion. The needs of staff education are often addressed incompletely or too late. Rarely is education assessed after the introduction of a major change. We changed the basis of our NICU respiratory support. We conducted a major educational and support program before this intervention. This study documented and assessed the educational components of this change in our health service provision.

Methods: Senior medical and nursing staff attended training abroad and an education program was …

Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating Of Young Quartz Using The Fast Component, Alastair C. Cunningham, Jakob Wallinga

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

have attempted to isolate the fast component of the quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal using a curve-fitting procedure. By pre-determining the decay constants, the procedure is simple enough to be scripted, allowing a large number of aliquots to be processed. A Monte Carlo error routine is used, in which simulated decay curves are fitted with several exponentials, which vary in their decay rates according to the measured distributions of fast and medium component decay rates. The derived error term is closely related to the intensity of the fast component signal, but is also influenced by the degree of similarity …

Flux Estimates Of Isoprene, Methanol And Acetone From Airborne Ptr-Ms Measurements Over The Tropical Rainforest During The Gabriel 2005 Campaign, G Eerdekens, L Ganzeveld, J Vila-Guerau De Arellano, T Klupfel, V Sinha, N Yassaa, J Williams, H Harder, Dagmar Kubistin, M Martinez, J Lelieveld

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

Tropical forests are a strong source of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) to the atmosphere which can potentially impact the atmospheric oxidation capacity. Here we present airborne and ground-based BVOC measurements representative for the long dry season covering a large area of the northern Amazonian rainforest (6-3° N, 50-59° W). The measurements were conducted during the October 2005 GABRIEL (Guyanas Atmosphere-Biosphere exchange and Radicals Intensive Experiment with the Learjet) campaign. The vertical (35 m to 10 km) and diurnal (09:00-16:00) profiles of isoprene, its oxidation products methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone and methanol and acetone, measured by PTR-MS (Proton Transfer …

Crvena Stijena Excavations 2004 - 2006, Preliminary Report, Mile Bakovic, Bojana Mihailovic, Dusan Mihailovic, Mike W. Morley, Zvezdana Vusovic-Lucic, Robert Whallon, Jamie Woodward

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

The excavations and geological studies made in 2004-2006 at the Paleolithic site of Crvena Stijena in Montenegro are described in preliminary form. Earlier exca vations hadre moved virtually all of the layers later than the Middle Paleolithic, as well as a large part of the Mid dle Paleolithic, leaving a 9 m tall profile through these deposits. A small deposit of in tact Mesolithic layersr emained, however, and the Mesolithic materials recov ered in 2004-2006 are pre sented in some detail, along with accompanying 14C dates. Geological in vestigations were made of the entire remaining section of Middle Paleolithic deposits. …

Characterizing The Litter In Postfire Environments: Implications For Seedling Recruitment, Andrew J. Denham, Robert Whelan, Tony D. Auld

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

Litter accumulation after fire influences the magnitude of seed predation and seed germination. How litter accumulation and patchiness influence postfire seedling recruitment is poorly known. Species with persistent seed banks have seeds available for germination in the immediate postfire period. In contrast, plants with transient seed banks must flower after fire to place seeds in the postfire habitat. In southeastern Australian sclerophyll forests, most seedling recruitment occurs within 3 yr after fire. We found that less litter had accumulated in sites mass, including some species with very light seeds. In contrast, the seed mass of transient seed bank species is …

Intensive Versus Conventional Glucose Control In Critically Ill Patients, S Finfer, R Bellomi, D Blair, S Y-S Su, D Foster, V Dhingra, D Cook, P Dodek, W R. Henderson, P C. Hebert, D K. Heyland, C Mcarthur, E Mcdonald, I Mitchell, J A. Myburgh, R Nor-Ton, J Potte, Blake Robinson

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

Background The optimal target range for blood glucose in critically ill patients remains unclear. Methods Within 24 hours after admission to an intensive care unit(ICU), adults who were expected to require treatment in the ICU on 3 or more consecutive days were randomly assigned to undergo either intensive glucose control, with a target blood glucose range of 81 to 108 mg per deciliter(4.5 to 6.0 mmol per liter), or conventional glucose control, with a target of 180 mg or less per deciliter(10.0 mmol or less per liter). We defined the primary end point as death from any cause within 90 …

Testing Common Habitat-Based Surrogates Of Invertebrate Diversity In A Semi-Arid Rangeland, John R. Gollan, Michael B. Ashcroft, Gerasimos Cassis, Andrew P. Donnelly, Scott A. Lassau

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

Habitat-based surrogates are a low cost alternative to intensive biodiversity surveys, though they have been poorly investigated in semi-arid ecosystem compared to others such as temperate woodlands. In this study we tested potential habitat-based surrogates of invertebrate richness in a semi-arid rangeland in northwest Australia. Potential surrogates were: distance from artificial watering-point; soil hardness; habitat complexity; and individual complexity components. Generalised additive models (GAMs) were used to relate abundance and richness of selected invertebrates with environmental factors and cluster analysis was used to examine similarity in species composition. The most frequently selected factor was soil hardness, but taxa varied as …

Faces Of The Teouma Lapita People: Art, Accuracy And Facial Approximation, Susan Hayes, Frederique Valentin, Hallie Buckley, Matthew Spriggs, Stuart Bedford

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

In 2008 we completed facial approximations of four individuals from the early Lapita Culture, a seafaring people who were the first to settle the islands of the Western Pacific circa 3000 years ago. Typically an approximation is performed as a 3D sculpture or using computer graphics. We chose to sketch what we have been able to determine from the remains because the artistic conventions of drawing work with visual perception in ways that are more complementary to the knowledge, theories and methods that make up the facial approximation of human remains.

Transforming Higher Education Through Learning-Oriented Assessment, Mike Keppell, Dominique Parrish

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

Outcomes By the completion of the workshop participants will be able to: • Recognise the distinct characteristics of a learning-oriented assessment task • Determine the appropriateness of learning-oriented assessment for their own context • Design a learning-oriented assessment task for a subject they are currently teaching • Examine a model for transforming and leading change in higher education through learning-oriented assessment • Explore potential avenues for transforming and leading change in assessment in the university setting.

Predicting The Response Of Coastal Wetlands Of Southeastern Australia To Sea-Level Rise, Kerrylee Rogers, Neil Saintilan

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

Coastal saltmarsh is an endangered ecological community in New South Wales and sea-level rise has been listed as a key threatening process. Over the previous five decades moderate rates of sea-level rise have coincided with the invasion of saltmarsh by mangrove. Surface elevation tables (SETs) were installed in 12 coastal wetlands in Southeastern Australia to establish elevation and accretion trajectories for comparisons with mangrove encroachment of saltmarsh and sea-level rise. SETs confirmed that the elevational response of wetlands is more complex than accretion alone and elevation changes may also be attributed to below-ground processes that alter the soil volume such …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of An Exercise Intervention Targeting Cardiovascular And Metabolic Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer Patients From The Radar Trial, Daniel A. Galvão, Nigel Spry, Dennis R. Taaffe, James W. Denham, David Joseph, David S. Lamb, Gregory Levin, Gillian Duchesne, Robert U. Newton

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

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy leads to a number of adverse effects including deterioration of the musculoskeletal system and increased risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects, efficacy, retention and compliance of a physical exercise intervention in a large established cohort of prostate cancer patients from the Randomised Androgen Deprivation and Radiotherapy (RADAR) study. Specifically, we aim to compare short- and long-term effects of a prostate cancer-specific supervised exercise program to a standard public health physical activity strategy utilizing printed resources on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Our primary outcomes are …

Teacher Education Students' Use Of Concept Maps As Cognitive Tools Within Assessment, Victoria Neville, Sue Bennett, Lori Lockyer

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

Poster that was presented at the HERDSA 2009 Conference.

A Phase Iii Clinical Trial Of Exercise Modalities On Treatment Side-Effects In Men Receiving Therapy For Prostate Cancer, Robert U. Newton, Dennis R. Taaffe, Nigel Spry, Robert A. Gardiner, Gregory Levin, Bradley A. Wall, David Joseph, Suzanne K. Chambers, Daniel A. Galvao

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

Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is accompanied by a number of adverse side effects including reduced bone mass and increased risk for fracture, reduced lean mass and muscle strength, mood disturbance and increased fat mass compromising physical functioning, independence, and quality of life. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effects of long term exercise on reversing musculoskeletal-related side effects, and cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors in men receiving androgen deprivation for their prostate cancer. Specifically, we aim to investigate the effects of a 12-month exercise program designed to load the musculoskeletal system and reduce cardiovascular and diabetes …

A Community Outbreak Of Meningococcal Serogroup B Disease In Western Sydney: The Challenges Of Identification And Significance, Andrew Jardine, George Truman, Vicky Sheppeard, Denise Gibbons, Jane Thomas, Kathryn M. Weston

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

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia guidelines provide information for early clinical and public health management of meningococcal disease, including community outbreaks. While community outbreaks of meningococcal serogroup C infections have been reported, community outbreaks of meningococcal serogroup B infections have not been declared in Australia. Three cases of meningococcal serogroup B disease occurred in 2 adjacent suburbs in western Sydney in Spring 2008. Although the temporal and geographic proximity of these cases fulfilled the criteria for a community outbreak, difficulties in establishing an epidemiological or serosubgroup link, and arbitrary definition of the term 'community' provide challenges for identifying such outbreaks. …

Technical Note: Formal Blind Intercomparison Of Oh Measurements: Results From The International Campaign Hoxcomp, E Schlosser, T Brauers, H -P Dorn, H Fuchs, R Haseler, A Hofzumahaus, F Holland, A Wahner, Yugo Kanaya, Y Kajii, K Miyamoto, S Nishida, K Watanabe, A Yoshino, Dagmar Kubistin, M Martinez, M Rudolf, H Harder, H Berresheim, T Elste, C Plass-Dulmer, G Stange, U Schurath

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

Hydroxyl radicals (OH) are the major oxidizing species in the troposphere. Because of their central importance, absolute measurements of their concentrations are needed to validate chemical mechanisms of atmospheric models. The extremely low and highly variable concentrations in the troposphere, however, make measurements of OH difficult. Three techniques are currently used worldwide for tropospheric observations of OH after about 30~years of technical developments: Differential Optical Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS), Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LIF), and Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (CIMS). Even though many measurement campaigns with OH data were published, the question of accuracy and precision is still under discussion. Here, …

Coastal Saltmarsh Vulnerability To Climate Change In Se Australia, Neil Saintilan, Kerrylee Rogers

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

Coastal saltmarsh has been listed as an Endangered Ecological Community in New South Wales. Recent research has highlighted the importance of coastal saltmarsh as a source of nutrition for fish, a nocturnal feeding habitat for microbats, and a roosting habitat for several species of migratory shorebirds. Since European colonisation, coastal saltmarsh has been reclaimed for agricultural, residential and industrial use, and the past five decades has seen a consistent replacement of saltmarsh by mangrove throughout SE Australia. Analysis of data from the network of Surface Elevation Tables in NSW and Victoria has demonstrated a link between the replacement of saltmarsh …