Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Changes In Muscle Damage Markers In Female Basketball Players, A Moreira, Kazunori Nosaka, Ja Nunes, L Viveiros, A.Z. Jamurtas, M.S. Aoki

Research outputs 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in muscle soreness, blood muscle damage markers, muscle strength and agility following an official basketball match. Eleven elite female professional basketball players (27.4 ± 4.8 years, 179.5 ± 5.5 cm, 72.0 ± 7.8 kg) of a team participated in this study. The official match was the seventh match of the season in the first phase of the Brazilian National Female Basketball Championship. Muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), and myoglobin concentration (Mb) were determined before and after the match (post-match, 24 and 48 hours after the match). The 1RM …

The Measurement Of Oestradiol, Progesterone, Lh, Fsh And Hcg For Assisted Reproduction: A Comparison Of The Siemens Centaur Cp And Roche E411 Automated Analysers, Melissa Stemp, Allison Mcclements, Patricia Sykes, Vince Chapple, Phillip Matson

Research outputs 2013

Objective: To compare the results of two automated analysers by measuring reproductive hormones using the same quality control.

Methods: Results obtained by the Roche Cobas e411 automated analyser in a specialised fertility clinic were compared to the Siemens Centaur CP for the reproductive hormones oestradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH and hCG.

Results: Commercially-available quality control (QC) samples showed significant differences between the two assays for all five hormones at one or more levels. In clinical samples, the range of concentrations encountered was similar to the QC samples for LH and FSH but much higher for oestradiol, progesterone, and hCG showing the …

Preventing Maternal And Early Childhood Obesity: The Fetal Flaw In Australian Perinatal Care, Margaret R. Miller, Lydia A. Hearn, Paige Van Der Plight, Jane Willcox, Karen Campbell

Research outputs 2013

Almost half of Australian women of child-bearing age are overweight or obese, with a rate of 30–50% reported in early pregnancy. Maternal adiposity is a costly challenge for Australian obstetric care, with associated serious maternal and neonatal complications. Excess gestational weight gain is an important predictor of offspring adiposity into adulthood and higher maternal weight later in life. Current public health and perinatal care approaches in Australia do not adequately address excess perinatal maternal weight or gestational weight gain. This paper argues that the failure of primary health-care providers to offer systematic advice and support regarding women’s weight and related …

Melanoma Biomolecules: Independently Identified But Functionally Intertwined, Danielle E. Dye, Sandra Medic, Mel R. Ziman Dr, Deirdre R. Coombe

Research outputs 2013

The majority of patients diagnosed with melanoma present with thin lesions and generally these patients have a good prognosis. However, 5% of patients with early melanoma (thick) will have recurrence and die within 10 years, despite no evidence of local or metastatic spread at the time of diagnosis. Thus, there is a need for additional prognostic markers to help identify those patients that may be at risk of recurrent disease. Many studies and several meta-analyses have compared gene and protein expression in melanocytes, naevi, primary, and metastatic melanoma in an attempt to find informative prognostic markers for these patients. However, …

Online Healthy Lifestyle Support In The Perinatal Period: What Do Women Want And Do They Use It?, Lydia A. Hearn, Margaret R. Miller, Anna Fletcher

Research outputs 2013

Unhealthy weight gain and retention during pregnancy and postpartum is detrimental to mother and child. Although various barriers limit the capacity for perinatal health care providers (PHCPs) to offer healthy lifestyle counselling, they could guide women to appropriate online resources. This paper presents a project designed to provide online information to promote healthy lifestyles in the perinatal period. Focus groups or interviews were held with 116 perinatal women and 76 PHCPs to determine what online information perinatal women and PHCPs want, in what form, and how best it should be presented. The results indicated that women wanted smartphone applications (apps) …

Promoting Abstinence From Alcohol During Pregnancy: Implications From Formative Research, Kathryn France, Robert Donovan, Nadine Henley, Carol Bower, Elizabeth Elliott, Janet Payne, Heather D'Antoine, Anne Bartu

Research outputs 2013

This research developed messages to promote abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy and identified elements that enhance message persuasiveness. An exploratory phase was conducted in 2009 that comprised four focus groups with 23 women inWestern Australia and elicited beliefs and attitudes on alcohol use during pregnancy and motivations for behavior change. Four television concepts were subsequently developed and appraised in five focus groups with 31 participants using standard advertising pretesting questions. The implications for campaigns addressing prenatal alcohol exposure and further research are noted and limitations discussed. Funding was received from Healthway and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Advances In Personalized Targeted Treatment Of Metastatic Melanoma And Non-Invasive Tumor Monitoring, Dragana Klinac, Elin S. Gray, Michael Millward, Mel R. Ziman Dr

Research outputs 2013

Despite extensive scientific progress in the melanoma field, treatment of advanced stage melanoma with chemotherapeutics and biotherapeutics has rarely provided response rates higher than 20%. In the past decade, targeted inhibitors have been developed for metastatic melanoma, leading to the advent of more personalized therapies of genetically characterized tumors. Here we review current melanoma treatments and emerging targeted molecular therapies. In particular we discuss the mutant BRAF inhibitors Vemurafenib and Dabrafenib, which markedly inhibit tumor growth and advance patients’ overall survival. However this response is almost inevitably followed by complete tumor relapse due to drug resistance hampering the encouraging initial …

Internal Quality Control For The Direct Mar Igg Test: A Simple And Effective Method Using Spiked Seminal Plasma, Kailin Yap, Tara Cawley, Phillip Matson

Research outputs 2013

Objective: To introduce a system using spiked seminal plasma for the QC of the MAR direct test, and to facilitate the determination of assay variability.

Methods: A simple quality control (QC) system for use in the direct MAR test was developed using samples prepared by adding serum to antibody-negative centrifuged seminal plasma to obtain optimal binding, and storing 0.4 mL aliquots at −20 °C in straws. The serum was either from vasectomised men (positive control) or an antibody-negative woman (negative control). QC samples were thawed and mixed 1:1 with donor semen and pre-incubated for 1 hr at 37 …

Two Case Studies Assessing The Effect Of Oral Contraceptive Pills Upon Serum Amh Concentrations: Results From An External Quality Assurance (Eqa) Scheme, Emily Zuvela, Melanie Walls, Phillip Matson

Research outputs 2013

Objective: To describe the effect of combined oral contraceptives (COC) on serum AMH level in 2 women.

Methods: The COC was initially stopped after over 12 years use then restarted, with the serum being analysed by 6–8 laboratories in an EQA scheme using the same assay (Beckman Coulter Gen II).

Results: In both women, the AMH rose significantly after cessation of the pill, and then dropped after resumption.

Conclusions: In summary, AMH was affected by the combined oral contraceptive pill and further studies on the effect of oral contraceptives are warranted.

Neonatal Outcomes After Preterm Birth By Mothers' Health Insurance Status At Birth: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Kristjana Einarsdóttir, Fatima A. Haggar, Amanda T. Langridge, Anthony S. Gunnell, Helen Leonard, Fiona J. Stanley

Research outputs 2013

Background: Publicly insured women usually have a different demographic background to privately insured women, which is related to poor neonatal outcomes after birth. Given the difference in nature and risk of preterm versus term births, it would be important to compare adverse neonatal outcomes after preterm birth between these groups of women after eliminating the demographic differences between the groups. Methods: The study population included 3085 publicly insured and 3380 privately insured, singleton, preterm deliveries (32–36 weeks gestation) from Western Australia during 1998–2008. From the study population, 1016 publicly insured women were matched with 1016 privately insured women according to …

Review Of Kidney Disease Among Indigenous People, Sasha A. Stumpers, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Kidney disease is a significant health problem for all Australians, but severe kidney disease is more common among Indigenous people than among non- Indigenous people. In particular, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the overall levels of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are consistently reported as significantly higher than among other Australians. Information on CKD among Indigenous Australians is available from self-reported survey data, as well as from community-based studies and screening programs [10-20] but the main focus in the literature has been on ESKD. The incidence of ESKD is especially high …

Review Of Physical Activity Among Indigenous People, Caitlin A. Gray, Rona Macniven, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Physical activity is important for all Australians, particularly in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic conditions, and for social and emotional wellbeing. Chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, endocrine conditions (such as diabetes), and certain cancers, account for 70% of the observed difference in the burden of disease between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Modifiable risk factors, particularly behavioural determinants such as physical activity, can help to reduce the extent and impact of these conditions, and assist in the prevention, management and treatment of disease. The levels and impacts of physical inactivity are greater for Indigenous people than they …

Viral Escape From Hiv-1 Neutralizing Antibodies Drives Increased Plasma Neutralization Breadth Through Sequential Recognition Of Multiple Epitopes And Immunotypes, Constantinos K. Wibmer, Jinal N. Bhiman, Elin S. Gray, Nancy Tumba, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Carolyn Williamson, Lynn Morris, Penny L. Moore

Research outputs 2013

Identifying the targets of broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 and understanding how these antibodies develop remain important goals in the quest to rationally develop an HIV-1 vaccine. We previously identified a participant in the CAPRISA Acute Infection Cohort (CAP257) whose plasma neutralized 84% of heterologous viruses. In this study we showed that breadth in CAP257 was largely due to the sequential, transient appearance of three distinct broadly neutralizing antibody specificities spanning the first 4.5 years of infection. The first specificity targeted an epitope in the V2 region of gp120 that was also recognized by strain-specific antibodies 7 weeks earlier. Specificity …

Creating Cultural Empathy And Challenging Attitudes Through Indigenous Narratives, Cobie Rudd, Moira Sim, Colleen Hayward, Toni Wain

Research outputs 2013

The poorer health status of Indigenous Australians has been largely attributed to social disadvantage and their marginalisation within mainstream society (Marmot, 2011). This includes access to health care, as well as proximity to health services, availability and cultural appropriateness of health services, transport availability, health insurance, the affordability of health services and patient proficiency in English (AIHW, 2011).

The interpersonal attitudes and behaviours of non-Indigenous health providers, both conscious and unconscious, are also known to contribute to disparities in treatment, impairment of communication between health providers and patients, and consequently, patients’ mistrust of the health system due to negative past …

Tackling Overweight And Obesity: Does The Public Health Message Match The Science?, Katherine Hafekost, David Lawrence, Francis Mitrou, Therese O'Sullivan, Stephen R. Zubrick

Research outputs 2013

Background

Despite the increasing understanding of the mechanisms relating to weight loss and maintenance, there are currently no validated public health interventions that are able to achieve sustained long-term weight loss or to stem the increasing prevalence of obesity in the population. We aimed to examine the models of energy balance underpinning current research about weight-loss intervention from the field of public health, and to determine whether they are consistent with the model provided by basic science. EMBASE was searched for papers published in 2011 on weight-loss interventions. We extracted details of the population, nature of the intervention, and key …

Assisted Vaginal Deliveries In Mothers Admitted As Public Or Private Patients In Western Australia, Kristjana Einarsdottir, Fatima Haggar, Sarah Stock, Anthony Gunnell, Fiona Stanley

Research outputs 2013

Background: Mothers delivering as private patients in Australia have a high rate of assisted deliveries, which could lead to adverse infant outcomes in this group of patients. We investigated whether the risk of adverse infant outcomes after assisted deliveries was different for mothers admitted as public or private patients for delivery, when compared with unassisted deliveries.

Methods and findings: We included 158,241 vaginal, singleton, term birth admissions in our study where the infant was live born and without birth defects. The study population was identified from statutory birth and hospital data collections held by the Western Australian (WA) Department of …

The Characterisation Of Pax3 Expressant Cells In Adult Peripheral Nerve [Journal Article], Judith Blake, Melanie Ziman

Research outputs 2013

Pax3 has numerous integral functions in embryonic tissue morphogenesis and knowledge of its complex function in cells of adult tissue continues to unfold. Across a variety of adult tissue lineages, the role of Pax3 is principally linked to maintenance of the tissue’s resident stem/progenitor cell population. In adult peripheral nerves, Pax3 is reported to be expressed in nonmyelinating Schwann cells, however, little is known about the purpose of this expression. Based on the evidence of the role of Pax3 in other adult tissue stem and progenitor cells, it was hypothesised that the cells in adult peripheral nerve that express Pax3 …

Loci Associated With N-Glycosylation Of Human Immunoglobulin G Show Pleiotropy With Autoimmune Diseases And Haematological Cancers, Gordan Lauc, Jennifer E. Huffman, Maja Pucic, Lina Zgaga, Barbara Adamczyk, Ana Muzinic, Mislav Novokmet, Ozren Polasek, Olga Gornik, Jasminka Kristic, Toma Keser, Veronique Vitart, Blanca Scheijen, Hae-Won Uh, Mariam Molokhia, Alan L. Patrick, Paul Mckeigue, Ivana Kolcic, Ivan K. Lukic, Olivia Swann, Frank N. Van Leeuwen, L. R. Ruhaak, Jeanine J. Houwing-Duistermaat, P. E. Slagboom, Marian Beekman, Anton J.M. De Craen, Andre M. Deelder, Qiang Zeng, Wei Wang, Nicholas D. Hastie, Ulf Gyllensten, James F. Wilson, Manfred Wuhrer, Alan F. Wright, Pauline M. Rudd, Caroline Hayward, Yurii Aulchenko, Harry Campbell, Igor Rudan

Research outputs 2013

Glycosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) influences IgG effector function by modulating binding to Fc receptors. To identify genetic loci associated with IgG glycosylation, we quantitated N-linked IgG glycans using two approaches. After isolating IgG from human plasma, we performed 77 quantitative measurements of N-glycosylation using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) in 2,247 individuals from four European discovery populations. In parallel, we measured IgG N-glycans using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) in a replication cohort of 1,848 Europeans. Meta-analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) results identified 9 genome-wide significant loci (P,2.2761029) in the discovery analysis and two of the same loci (B4GALT1 and …

The Guinea Pig As A Model For Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (Ad): The Impact Of Cholesterol Intake On Expression Of Ad-Related Genes, Mathew Sharman, Seyyed H.M. Nik, Mengqi Chen, Daniel Ong, Linda K. Wijaya, Simon Laws, Kevin Taddei, Morgan Newman, Michael Lardelli, Ralph Martins, Guiseppe Verdile

Research outputs 2013

We investigated the guinea pig, Cavia porcellus, as a model for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), both in terms of the conservation of genes involved in AD and the regulatory responses of these to a known AD risk factor - high cholesterol intake. Unlike rats and mice, guinea pigs possess an Ab peptide sequence identical to human Ab. Consistent with the commonality between cardiovascular and AD risk factors in humans, we saw that a high cholesterol diet leads to up-regulation of BACE1 (b-secretase) transcription and down-regulation of ADAM10 (a-secretase) transcription which should increase release of Ab from APP. Significantly, guinea pigs possess …

Trkb Receptor Signalling: Implications In Neurodegenerative, Psychiatric And Proliferative Disorders, Vivek K. Gupta, Yuyi You, Veer Gupta, Alexander Klistorner, Stuart L. Graham

Research outputs 2013

The Trk family of receptors play a wide variety of roles in physiological and disease processes in both neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. Amongst these the TrkB receptor in particular has attracted major attention due to its critical role in signalling for brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3) and neurotrophin-4 (NT4). TrkB signalling is indispensable for the survival, development and synaptic plasticity of several subtypes of neurons in the nervous system. Substantial evidence has emerged over the last decade about the involvement of aberrant TrkB signalling and its compromise in various neuropsychiatric and degenerative conditions. Unusual changes in TrkB signalling …

Increased Risk For Obesity And Diabetes With Neurodegeneration In Developing Countries [Journal Article], Ian J. Martins

Research outputs 2013

The incidence of global obesity and Type 2 diabetes has increased and is predicted to rise to 30% of the global population. Diet and lifestyle factors are incapable to resolve the increased incidence for obesity and diabetes in various populations of the world. Developing countries have come to the forefront because of the higher diabetic epidemic. The urbanization may possibly provide an explanation for the global diabetic epidemic. In Western countries the metabolic syndrome and non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have reached 30 % of the population and now at present NAFLD afflicts 20% of developing populations. Western diets …

The Unmet Promise Of Occupational Health And Safety Harmonisation: Continued Complexity For Small, Multi-Jurisdictional Firms, Susanne T. Bahn, Susan Mayson, Rowena Barrett, Llandis G. Barratt-Pugh

Research outputs 2013

Harmonisation of state-based occupational health and safety (OHS) regimes is a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) initiative designed to ‘cut red tape’ for Australian firms. However Western Australia’s, South Australia’s and Victoria’s lack of harmonisation makes it problematic for firms that conduct business in multiple jurisdictions. In this paper we investigate what impacts harmonisation has on firms generally and specifically smaller, multi-jurisdictional firms. First, we look at the requirements of the model WHS Act and what it said about managerial responsibilities for OHS. We focus on the due diligence clause which places personal liability on company directors or persons conducting …

Harmonisation Of Construction Health And Safety Laws In Australia, Manikam Pillay

Research outputs 2013

For over four decades all states and territories in Australia have maintained their own and separate set of laws for the management of health and safety risks in construction. This resulted in at least ten different sets of health and safety legislation. Responding to calls for national uniformity, a harmonised set of laws wer issued in 2011 by the Federal Government, in the form of Model Work Health and safety Act and Regulations. These, together with industry-specific codes of practice, are expected to provide construction organisations their first ever common set of standards and benchmarks across the states and territories …

A Review Of Cricket Fielding Requirements, D Macdonald, John B. Cronin, J Mills, Michael Mcguigan, R Stretch

Research outputs 2013

Cricket is played in three formats at elite level: Test, One Day and Twenty20. Fielding is an important component of cricket, as all players are obliged to field. However, there is a paucity of literature on fielding compared with that on batting and bowling. We review the available literature in terms of technical, mental, physiological and physical factors important to fielding, to identify knowledge gaps and better understand the performance requirements of fielding in cricket.

Characteristics And Quality Of Life Of Patients Presenting To Cancer Support Centres: Patient Rated Outcomes And Use Of Complementary Therapies, Bonnie J. Furzer, Kemi E. Wright, Anna S. Petterson, Karen E. Wallman, Timothy R. Ackland, David Jl Joske

Research outputs 2013

Background: In order to effectively target and provide individualised patient support strategies it is crucial to have a comprehensive picture of those presenting for services. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics and patient rated outcomes of individuals presenting to SolarisCare cancer support centres and their choices regarding complementary and integrated therapies (CIT).Methods: A cohort with a current or previous cancer diagnosis aged 18 - 87 years presenting to a SolarisCare centre during a 5-day period completed a questionnaire. Four SolarisCare centres participated in the trial including regional and metropolitan locations. Outcomes included medical and demographic characteristics, …

Retinal Vascular Biomarkers For Early Detection And Monitoring Of Alzheimer's Disease, Shawn Frost, Yogi Kanagasingam, Hamid Sohrabi, J Vignarajan, P Bourgeat, Olivier Salvado, Victor Villemagne, Christopher Rowe, S Lance Macaulay, Cassandra Szoeke, Kathryn A. Ellis, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2013

The earliest detectable change in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain. Early detection of AD, prior to irreversible neurological damage, is important for the efficacy of current interventions as well as for the development of new treatments. Although PiB-PET imaging and CSF amyloid are the gold standards for early AD diagnosis, there are practical limitations for population screening. AD-related pathology occurs primarily in the brain, but some of the hallmarks of the disease have also been shown to occur in other tissues, including the retina, which is more accessible for imaging. Retinal vascular changes …

Lifestyle Factors, Medication Use And Risk For Ischaemic Heart Disease Hospitalisation: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study, Anthony S. Gunnell, K Einarsdottir, Daniel A. Galvao, S Joyce, S Tomlin, Vicki J. Graham, Caroline Mcintyre, Robert U. Newton, T Briffa

Research outputs 2013

Background:Lifestyle factors have been implicated in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) development however a limited number of longitudinal studies report results stratified by cardio-protective medication use.Purpose:This study investigated the influence of self-reported lifestyle factors on hospitalisation for IHD, stratified by blood pressure and/or lipid-lowering therapy.Methods:A population-based cohort of 14,890 participants aged 45+ years and IHD-free was identified from the Western Australian Health and wellbeing Surveillance System (2004 to 2010 inclusive), and linked with hospital administrative data. Adjusted hazard ratios for future IHD-hospitalisation were estimated using Cox regression.Results:Current smokers remained at higher risk for IHD-hospitalisation (adjusted HR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.22-2.03) after adjustment …

Rationale, Design And Methods For A Community-Based Study Of Clustering And Cumulative Effects Of Chronic Disease Processes And Their Effects On Ageing: The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study, A James, M Hunter, L Straker, J Beilby, R Bucks, T Davis, R H. Eikelboom, D Hillman, J Hui, J Hung, M Knuiman, D A. Mackey, Robert U. Newton, L J. Palmer, A W. Musk, Investigator Group Busselton Healthy Ageing Study

Research outputs 2013

Background: The global trend of increased life expectancy and increased prevalence of chronic and degenerative diseases will impact on health systems. To identify effective intervention and prevention strategies, greater understanding of the risk factors for and cumulative effects of chronic disease processes and their effects on function and quality of life is needed.The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study aims to enhance understanding of ageing by relating the clustering and interactions of common chronic conditions in adults to function. Longitudinal (3-5 yearly) follow-up is planned. Methods/design. Phase I (recruitment) is a cross-sectional community-based prospective cohort study involving up to 4,000 'Baby Boomers' …

Predicting Optimal Cancer Rehabilitation And Supportive Care (Polaris): Rationale And Design For Meta-Analyses Of Individual Patient Data Of Randomized Controlled Trials That Evaluate The Effect Of Physical Activity And Psychosocial Interventions On Health-Related Quality Of Life In Cancer Survivors, Laurien M. Buffart, Joeri Kalter, Mai Jm Chinapaw, Martijn W. Heymans, Neil K. Aaronson, Kerry S. Courneya, Paul B. Jacobsen, Robert Newton, Irma M. Verdonck-De Leeuw, Johannes Brug

Research outputs 2013

Effective interventions to improve quality of life of cancer survivors are essential. Numerous randomized controlled trials have evaluated the effects of physical activity or psychosocial interventions on health-related quality of life of cancer survivors, with generally small sample sizes and modest effects. Better targeted interventions may result in larger effects. To realize such targeted interventions, we must determine which interventions that are presently available work for which patients, and what the underlying mechanisms are (that is, the moderators and mediators of physical activity and psychosocial interventions). Individual patient data meta-analysis has been described as the ‘gold standard’ of systematic review …

Brief Oral Health Promotion Intervention Among Parents Of Young Children To Reduce Early Childhood Dental Decay, Peter Arrow, Joseph Raheb, Margaret Miller

Research outputs 2013

Background: Severe untreated dental decay affects a child's growth, body weight, quality of life as well as cognitive development, and the effects extend beyond the child to the family, the community and the health care system. Early health behavioural factors, including dietary practices and eating patterns, can play a major role in the initiation and development of oral diseases, particularly dental caries. The parent/caregiver, usually the mother, has a critical role in the adoption of protective health care behaviours and parental feeding practices strongly influence children's eating behaviours. This study will test if an early oral health promotion intervention through …