Galvanic and acoustic vestibular stimulation activate different populations of vestibular afferents
- Authors: Bacsi, Ann M , Watson, Shaun , Colebatch, James G
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Clinical Neurophysiology Vol. 114, no. 2 (2003), p. 359-365
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: OBJECTIVE: To deduce whether similar or distinct populations of vestibular afferents are activated by acoustic and galvanic vestibular stimulation by comparing the effectiveness of 'matched' stimuli in eliciting vestibulospinal reflexes. METHODS: Twelve subjects (5 men, 7 women) underwent individual 'matching' of 2 ms tone burst and galvanic stimuli, using vestibulocollic reflexes so that corrected reflex amplitudes to tone burst and galvanic stimuli were within 10% of each other. These same intensities were then administered using 20 ms durations to determine whether they were equally effective in evoking vestibulospinal responses. RESULTS: Corrected reflex amplitudes for vestibulocollic responses to tone burst and galvanic stimulation were not significantly different for the right (P=0.45) or left (P=0.68) sides. All subjects had vestibulospinal responses to galvanic stimulation (average intensity 4.0 mA for both sides). The short latency (SL) and medium latency (ML) components of the vestibulospinal reflexes were larger after galvanic compared to tone burst stimulation in 11 of 12 subjects (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite evoking equal-sized vestibulocollic reflexes, there was a clear dissociation between the magnitude of tone burst and galvanic-induced vestibulospinal reflexes. Galvanic stimulation evoked SL and ML reflexes in all subjects. Tone burst stimuli evoked only small SL reflexes and, in most cases, no ML reflexes. Acoustically-evoked vestibulocollic reflexes are likely to be due to saccular excitation. The limited effectiveness of longer tone burst stimuli to evoke ML vestibulospinal reflexes suggests that saccular afferents have, at most, only a minor role in the production of these reflexes. We conclude that galvanic stimulation is more effective in eliciting vestibulospinal reflexes than tone burst stimulation, and that the two methods activate different populations of vestibular afferents.
Trends in hospitalisation rates for road traffic injuries in child motor vehicle passengers in New South Wales, July 1998 June 2005
- Authors: Du, Wei , Finch, Caroline , Hayen, Andrew , Hatfield, Julie
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 187, no. 9 (Nov 2007), p. 515-518
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To analyse changes in the incidence of injuries requiring hospitalisation for child passengers in motor vehicle crashes. Design, setting and participants: Population-based study of children (aged 0-15 years) residing in New South Wales and admitted to hospital for injuries resulting from a traffic crash in the period 1 July 1998 - 30 June 2005, identified from the NSW Inpatient Statistics Collection. Main outcome measures: Age-standardised rates of hospitalisation for injuries, and trends by inpatient demographics, severity of injuries, and injury sites and types. Results: 2297 children were hospitalised for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash over the study period. The overall hospitalisation rate for injuries was relatively constant, with a non-significant decline of -0.4% (95% Cl, -3.1% to 2.3%). The rate of hospitalisation for serious injuries also declined non-significantly (-5.5% [95% Cl, -11.8% to 1.1%]). Only hospitalisation rates for traumatic brain injuries declined significantly (-11.1% [95% Cl, -19.0% to -2.8%]) over the study period. Conclusion: The rate of hospitalisation for injuries to NSW-resident child motor vehicle passengers due to traffic crashes has not significantly decreased. High hospitalisation rates and the subsequent burden to the community and public health system make further injury prevention efforts for child motor vehicle passengers a priority.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005874
Bloodstream infection due to Acinetobacter spp: Epidemiology, risk factors and impact of multi-drug resistance
- Authors: Wareham, David , Bean, David , Khanna, Pooja , Hennessy, Enid , Krahe, Daniel , Ely, Andrew , Millar, Michael
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Vol. 27, no. 7 (2008), p. 607-612
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Acinetobacter spp. are increasingly reported as important causes of human infection. Many isolates exhibit multi-drug resistance, raising concerns over our ability to treat serious infections with these organisms. The impact of infection on clinical outcome as well as the importance of multi-drug resistance is poorly defined. A descriptive retrospective observational study was undertaken of all episodes of Acinetobacter bacteremia occurring in a UK tertiary care centre from 1998-2006. Demographics of infected patients, characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of infecting strains were recorded and the impact of antimicrobial therapy on all causes of 30-day mortality assessed. Three hundred ninety-nine episodes of Acinetobacter bacteremia were identified, with A. baumannii being the most frequently isolated species. Most episodes occurred in critical care and were associated with multidrug resistance, with carbapenem resistance rising from 0% in 1998 to 55% in 2006. Although bacteremia due to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter and a requirement for critical care were associated with a higher mortality, mortality was not reduced by the administration of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy. A prospective study is required to identify both the most effective intervention and those most likely to benefit from treatment.
- Description: C1
Constrained action selection in children with developmental coordination disorder
- Authors: Pettit, Lewis , Charles, Jennifer , Wilson, Andrew , Plumb, Mandy , Brockman, Anne , Williams, Justin , Mon-Williams, Mark
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Human Movement Science Vol. 27, no. 2 (2008), p. 286-295
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The effect of advance ('precue') information on short aiming movements was explored in adults, high school children, and primary school children with and without developmental coordination disorder (n=10, 14, 16, 10, respectively). Reaction times in the DCD group were longer than in the other groups and were more influenced by the extent to which the precue constrained the possible action space. In contrast, reaction time did not alter as a function of precue condition in adults. Children with DCD showed greater inaccuracy of response (despite the increased RT). We suggest that the different precue effects reflect differences in the relative benefits of priming an action prior to definitive information about the movement goal. The benefits are an interacting function of the task and the skill level of the individual. Our experiment shows that children with DCD gain a benefit from advance preparation in simple aiming movements, highlighting their low skill levels. This result suggests that goal-directed RTs may have diagnostic potential within the clinic.
Non-target flanker effects on movement in a virtual action centred reference frame
- Authors: Carr, Sherilene , Phillips, James , Meehan, James
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Experimental Brain Research Vol. 184, no. 1 (2008), p. 95-103
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Visual selective attention is thought to underly inhibitory control during pointing movements. Accounts of inhibitory control during pointing movements make differential predictions about movement deviations towards or away from highly salient non-target flankers based on their potential cortical activation and subsequent inhibition: (1) Tipper et al. (Vis Cogn 4:1-38, 1997) "response vector model" predicts movements away from highly salient flankers; (2) Welsh and Elliott's (Q J Exp Psychol 57:1031-1057, 2004a and J Mot Behav 36:200-211, 2004b) "response activation model" predicts movements towards highly salient flankers early in the response, that is resolved by a race for inhibition. To eliminate the confounds of physical properties, such as obstacle avoidance and information cues of non-target objects, pointing was conducted in a virtual environment (graphical user interface). Participants were 14 skilled computer users who moved a computer cursor with a mouse to virtual targets. Analysis revealed non-target flankers significantly interfered with movement consistent with action centred selective attention, and reflecting a proximity-to-hand effect. Spatial analysis revealed evidence of highly salient flankers attracting movement, and less salient flankers repelling movement, supporting Welsh and Elliott's response activation model. These effects were achieved in a virtual 2D environment where interference caused by the physical properties of objects was less cogent.
Online corrections in children with and without DCD
- Authors: Plumb, Mandy , Wilson, Andrew , Mulroue, Amy , Brockman, Anne , Williams, Justin , Mon-Williams, Mark
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Human Movement Science Vol. 27, no. 5 (2008), p. 695-704
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Human arm movements need 'online' corrections due to noise in perception and action. A Step-Perturbation paradigm explored online corrections in control children and children with DCD aged between 7 and 13 years. Control children found the task straightforward: a distracter had no effect and they managed to stop relatively quickly. Children with DCD found the task difficult and the apparatus was modified accordingly (decreased postural and force production demands). The distracter affected some children with DCD and some found it difficult to stop. All of the DCD population showed poorer performance in both the perturbation and non-perturbation condition. Nevertheless, there was no interaction between group and condition. Thus, this study found no evidence for specific deficits in online correction mechanisms in DCD. We suggest that: (i) fundamental problems in generating basic movements can account for the documented difficulties in correcting on-going movements, and (ii) such fundamental difficulties make it very difficult to pinpoint specific mechanism deficits.
Therapist-Assisted, Internet-Based Treatment for Panic Disorder: Can General Practitioners achieve comparable patient outcomes to Psychologists?
- Authors: Shandley, Kerrie , Austin, David , Klein, Britt , Pier, Ciaran , Schattner, Peter , Pierce, David , Wade, Victoria
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Medical Internet Research Vol. 10, no. 2 (2008), p. 1-15
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Mental illness is an escalating concern worldwide. The management of disorders such as anxiety and depression largely falls to family doctors or general practitioners (GPs). However, GPs are often too time constrained and may lack the necessary training to adequately manage the needs of such patients. Evidence-based Internet interventions represent a potentially valuable resource to reduce the burden of care and the cost of managing mental health disorders within primary care settings and, at the same time, improve patient outcomes. Objective: The present study sought to extend the efficacy of a therapist-assisted Internet treatment program for panic disorder, Panic Online, by determining whether comparable outcomes could be achieved and maintained when Panic Online was supported by either GPs or psychologists. Methods: Via a natural groups design, 96 people with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) completed the Panic Online program over 12 weeks with the therapeutic assistance of their GP (n = 53), who had received specialist training in cognitive behavioral therapy, or a clinical psychologist (n = 43). Participants completed a clinical diagnostic telephone interview, conducted by a psychologist, and a set of online questionnaires to assess panic-related symptoms at three time periods (pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 month follow-up). Results: Both treatments led to clinically significant improvements on measures of panic and panic-related symptomatology from pretreatment to posttreatment. Both groups were shown to significantly improve over time. Improvements for both groups were maintained at follow-up; however, the groups did differ significantly on two quality of life domains: physical (F1,82 = 9.13, P = .00) and environmental (F1,82 = 4.41, P = .04). The attrition rate was significantly higher among those being treated by their GP (χ 2 1 = 4.40, P = .02, N = 96). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that Internet-based interventions are an effective adjunct to existing mental health care systems. Consequently, this may facilitate and enhance the delivery of evidence-based mental health treatments to increasingly large segments of the population via primary care systems and through suitably trained health professionals.
- Description: Background: Mental illness is an escalating concern worldwide. The management of disorders such as anxiety and depression largely falls to family doctors or general practitioners (GPs). However, GPs are often too time constrained and may lack the necessary training to adequately manage the needs of such patients. Evidence-based Internet interventions represent a potentially valuable resource to reduce the burden of care and the cost of managing mental health disorders within primary care settings and, at the same time, improve patient outcomes. Objective: The present study sought to extend the efficacy of a therapist-assisted Internet treatment program for panic disorder, Panic Online, by determining whether comparable outcomes could be achieved and maintained when Panic Online was supported by either GPs or psychologists. Methods: Via a natural groups design, 96 people with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) completed the Panic Online program over 12 weeks with the therapeutic assistance of their GP (n = 53), who had received specialist training in cognitive behavioral therapy, or a clinical psychologist (n = 43). Participants completed a clinical diagnostic telephone interview, conducted by a psychologist, and a set of online questionnaires to assess panic-related symptoms at three time periods (pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 month follow-up). Results: Both treatments led to clinically significant improvements on measures of panic and panic-related symptomatology from pretreatment to posttreatment. Both groups were shown to significantly improve over time. Improvements for both groups were maintained at follow-up; however, the groups did differ significantly on two quality of life domains: physical (F1,82 = 9.13, P = .00) and environmental (F1,82 = 4.41, P = .04). The attrition rate was significantly higher among those being treated by their GP (
Using a voice-centered relational method of data analysis in a feminist study exploring the working world of nursing unit managers
- Authors: Paliadelis, Penny , Cruickshank, Mary
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Qualitative Health Research Vol. 18, no. 10 (2008), p. 1444-1453
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: In this article, we discuss the application of a data analysis method used in a feminist study that explored the working world of nursing unit managers in Australia. The decision to use a voice-centered relational approach to the data was based on a desire to delve into the working world of nursing unit managers and uncover the layers within the narratives that specifically related to their perceptions of themselves, their world, and the context in which they work. Throughout this article, the focus is on how this method was applied to uncover multiple layers of meaning within the data, rather than on the researchers' and participants' roles in the coconstruction of interview data. An excerpt from an interview transcript is used to illustrate how the stories of the participants were explored using this method.
Defining internet-supported therapeutic interventions
- Authors: Barak, Azy , Klein, Britt , Proudfoot, Judith
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Annals of Behavioral Medicine Vol. 38, no. 1 (2009), p. 4-17
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: BACKGROUND: The field of Internet-supported therapeutic interventions has suffered from a lack of clarity and consistency. The absence of professional leadership and of accepted governing approaches, terminology, professional standards, and methodologies has caused this field to be diffused and unstructured. Numerous terms have been used to label and describe the activities conducted over the Internet for mental and physical health purposes: web-based therapy, e-therapy, cybertherapy, eHealth, e-Interventions, computer-mediated interventions, and online therapy (or counseling), among others. METHODS: Following a comprehensive review, we conceptualized Internet-supported interventions, using four categories based on prime practice approaches: web-based interventions, online counseling and therapy, Internet-operated therapeutic software, and other online activities (e.g., as supplements to face-to-face therapy). We provide a working definition and detailed description of each category, accompanied by numerous examples. CONCLUSIONS: These categories may now serve as guiding definitions and related terminologies for further research and development in this emerging field.
The lived experience of venous access
- Authors: Robinson-Reilly, Melissa , Paliadelis, Penny , Cruickshank, Mary
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Supportive Care in Cancer Vol. 17
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: E1
β-Adrenergic signaling regulates NR4A nuclear receptor and metabolic gene expression in multiple tissues
- Authors: Myers, Stephen , Eriksson, Natalie , Burow, Rachel , Wang, Mary Shu-Ching , Muscat, George
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Vol. 309, no. 1-2 (2009), p. 101-108
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The nuclear hormone receptor (NR) 4A subgroup of orphan nuclear receptors includes three members, Nur77 (NR4A1), Nurr1 (NR4A2) and Nor-1 (NR4A3). Previously we have identified the rapid and robust (in vitro and in vivo) induction of the NR4A subgroup following β-adrenergic stimulation in mouse skeletal muscle. This was concomitant with changes in the expression of genes involved in the regulation of nutrient metabolism. We have isolated mouse tissue of cardiovascular, endocrine and gastrointestinal origin at 1, 4, 8 and 24 h after a single intraperitoneal injection of the β-adrenergic agonist, isoprenaline. We similarly identified the significant induction (between 1 and 4 h) of the NR4A genes in many of these tissues. Moreover, we have utilized TaqMan ® Low Density Arrays to determine the β-adrenergic-sensitive metabolic gene expression in liver, white adipose and heart. In summary, cross-talk between β-adrenergic and NR4A signaling occurs in several tissues, and is accompanied by modulation of metabolic gene expression. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Increased production through parasite control : can ancient breeds of sheep teach us new lessons?
- Authors: Piedrafita, David , Raadsma, Herman , Gonzalez, Jorge , Meeusen, Els
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trends in Parasitology Vol. 26, no. 12 (2010), p. 568-573
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: With a rising world population and economic development, the global demand for meat, milk and other animal products is increasing dramatically. Controlling parasitic diseases in livestock, in particular helminth infections, could rapidly improve productivity and resource utilization. There is a growing interest in indigenous ruminant breeds because these animals have adapted to survive with minimal maintenance in the presence of high exposure to parasite infection. Recent findings on the mechanisms of parasite resistance in indigenous breeds are discussed, and the possibility that such studies may lead to new insight into the immunity and control of parasites proposed. These findings have important implications for the preservation of poorly characterized local indigenous breeds.
Is Gippsland environmentally iodine deficient? Water iodine concentrations in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Rahman, Ashequr , Deacon, Nicholas , Panther, Barbara , Chesters, Janice , Savige, Gayle
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 18, no. 6 (2010), p. 223-229
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective:This paper provides evidence of environmental iodine deficiency in the Gippsland region. Design:Quantitative study; water samples were collected from 18 water treatment plants and four rain water tanks across Gippsland and water iodine concentrations were measured. Setting:Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. Main outcome measures:This paper reports on the iodine concentration of drinking water from sources across Gippsland and examines the contribution of iodine from water to the Gippsland diet. This study also briefly examines the relationship between the concentration of iodine in water and distance from the sea. The cut-off value for water iodine concentrations considered to be indicative of environmental iodine deficiency is <2 µg L−1. Results:The mean iodine concentration of water from 18 Gippsland water treatment plants was 0.38 µg L−1 and would therefore make negligible difference to the dietary intake of iodine. This finding also falls well below the suggested dietary intake of iodine from water estimated by the 22nd Australian Total Diet Study. Our study found no linear relationship between the water iodine concentration and distance from the sea. Conclusion:As Gippsland has environmental iodine deficiency there is a greater probability that people living in this region are at higher risk of dietary iodine deficiency than those living in environmentally iodine sufficient regions. Populations living in areas known to have environmental iodine deficiency should be monitored regularly to ensure that problems of iodine deficiency, especially amongst the most vulnerable, are addressed promptly.
Online alcohol interventions: A systematic review
- Authors: White, Angela , Kavanagh, David , Stallman, Helen , Klein, Britt , Kay-Lambkin, Frances , Proudfoot, Judith , Drennan, Judy , Connor, Jason , Baker, Amanda , Hines, Emily , Young, Ross
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Journal of Medical Internet Research Vol. 12, no. 5 (2010), p. e62p.1-e62p.12
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: There has been a significant increase in the availability of online programs for alcohol problems. A systematic review of the research evidence underpinning these programs is timely. Objectives: Our objective was to review the efficacy of online interventions for alcohol misuse. Systematic searches of Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted for English abstracts (excluding dissertations) published from 1998 onward. Search terms were: (1) Internet, Web*; (2) online, computer *; (3) alcohol*; and (4) Eeffect *, trial*, random* (where * denotes a wildcard). Forward and backward searches from identified papers were also conducted. Articles were included if (1) the primary intervention was delivered and accessed via the Internet, (2) the intervention focused on moderating or stopping alcohol consumption, and (3) the study was a randomized controlled trial of an alcohol-related screen, assessment, or intervention. Results: The literature search initially yielded 31 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 17 of which met inclusion criteria. Of these 17 studies, 12 (70.6%) were conducted with university students, and 11 (64.7%) specifically focused on at-risk, heavy, or binge drinkers. Sample sizes ranged from 40 to 3216 (median 261), with 12 (70.6%) studies predominantly involving brief personalized feedback interventions. Using published data, effect sizes could be extracted from 8 of the 17 studies. In relation to alcohol units per week or month and based on 5 RCTs where a measure of alcohol units per week or month could be extracted, differential effect sizes to posttreatment ranged from 0.02 to 0.81 (mean 0.42, median 0.54). Pre-post effect sizes for brief personalized feedback interventions ranged from 0.02 to 0.81, and in 2 multi-session modularized interventions, a pre-post effect size of 0.56 was obtained in both. Pre-post differential effect sizes for peak blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) ranged from 0.22 to 0.88, with a mean effect size of 0.66. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that users can benefit from online alcohol interventions and that this approach could be particularly useful for groups less likely to access traditional alcohol-related services, such as women, young people, and at-risk users. However, caution should be exercised given the limited number of studies allowing extraction of effect sizes, the heterogeneity of outcome measures and follow-up periods, and the large proportion of student-based studies. More extensive RCTs in community samples are required to better understand the efficacy of specific online alcohol approaches, program dosage, the additive effect of telephone or face-to-face interventions, and effective strategies for their dissemination and marketing.
- Description: Background: There has been a significant increase in the availability of online programs for alcohol problems. A systematic review of the research evidence underpinning these programs is timely. Objectives: Our objective was to review the efficacy of online interventions for alcohol misuse. Systematic searches of Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted for English abstracts (excluding dissertations) published from 1998 onward. Search terms were: (1) Internet, Web*; (2) online, computer *; (3) alcohol*; and (4) E\effect *, trial*, random* (where * denotes a wildcard). Forward and backward searches from identified papers were also conducted. Articles were included if (1) the primary intervention was delivered and accessed via the Internet, (2) the intervention focused on moderating or stopping alcohol consumption, and (3) the study was a randomized controlled trial of an alcohol-related screen, assessment, or intervention. Results: The literature search initially yielded 31 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 17 of which met inclusion criteria. Of these 17 studies, 12 (70.6%) were conducted with university students, and 11 (64.7%) specifically focused on at-risk, heavy, or binge drinkers. Sample sizes ranged from 40 to 3216 (median 261), with 12 (70.6%) studies predominantly involving brief personalized feedback interventions. Using published data, effect sizes could be extracted from 8 of the 17 studies. In relation to alcohol units per week or month and based on 5 RCTs where a measure of alcohol units per week or month could be extracted, differential effect sizes to posttreatment ranged from 0.02 to 0.81 (mean 0.42, median 0.54). Pre-post effect sizes for brief personalized feedback interventions ranged from 0.02 to 0.81, and in 2 multi-session modularized interventions, a pre-post effect size of 0.56 was obtained in both. Pre-post differential effect sizes for peak blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) ranged from 0.22 to 0.88, with a mean effect size of 0.66. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that users can benefit from online alcohol interventions and that this approach could be particularly useful for groups less likely to access traditional alcohol-related services, such as women, young people, and at-risk users. However, caution should be exercised given the limited number of studies allowing extraction of effect sizes, the heterogeneity of outcome measures and follow-up periods, and the large proportion of student-based studies. More extensive RCTs in community samples are required to better understand the efficacy of specific online alcohol approaches, program dosage, the additive effect of telephone or face-to-face interventions, and effective strategies for their dissemination and marketing.
Predictors of psychosocial distress 12 months after diagnosis with early and advanced prostate cancer
- Authors: Couper, Jeremy , Love, Anthony , Duchesne, Gillian , Bloch, Sidney , MacVean, Michelle , Dunai, Judy , Scealy, Marita , Costello, Anthony , Kissane, David
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 193, no. 5 (2010), p. S58-S61
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To assess psychosocial distress in patients with early (localised) and advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer (PCA) at diagnosis (Time 1) and 12 months later (Time 2), and identify psychosocial factors predictive of later distress. Design, participants and setting: Observational, prospective study of 367 men with early (211) or advanced (156) PCA recruited as consecutive attendees at clinics at seven public hospitals and practices in metropolitan Melbourne between 1 April 2001 and 30 December 2005. Both groups completed questionnaires at Time 1 and Time 2. Main outcome measures: Health-related quality of life as assessed by the Short Form 36-item Health Survey; psychological distress, including depression and anxiety as assessed by the Brief Symptom Inventory; and coping patterns as assessed by the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale. Results: Over the 12 months, both the early and advanced RCA group showed reduced vitality and increased depression and anxiety; this effect was greater in the advanced PCA group. Mental health, social functioning and role-emotional functioning also deteriorated in the advanced group. Predictors of depression at Time 2 for the early PCA group were depression, vitality and a fatalistic coping pattern at Time 1; anxiety at Time 2 was predicted by anxiety and vitality at Time 1. In the advanced PCA group, depression at Time 2 was predicted by depression and mental health at Time 1; anxiety at Time 2 was predicted by anxiety, mental health, cognitive avoidance and lower anxious preoccupation at Time 1. Conclusions: Men with early PCA experience decreasing vitality and increasing psychological distress over the 12 months following diagnosis; this trend is accelerated after diagnosis with advanced RCA. A fatalistic coping pattern at diagnosis of early PCA predicts later depression while cognitive avoidance and lower anxious preoccupation at diagnosis of advanced PCA predict later anxiety.
PTP1B regulates Eph receptor function and trafficking
- Authors: Nievergall, Eva , Janes, Peter , Stegmayer, Caroline , Vail, Mary , Haj, Fawaz , Teng, Shyh , Neel, Benjamin , Bastiaens, Phillippe , Lackmann, Martin
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Cell Biology Vol. 191, no. 6 (2010), p. 1189-1203
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Eph receptors orchestrate cell positioning during normal and oncogenic development. Their function is spatially and temporally controlled by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear and the identity of most regulatory PTPs are unknown. We demonstrate here that PTP1B governs signaling and biological activity of EphA3. Changes in PTP1B expression significantly affect duration and amplitude of EphA3 phosphorylation and biological function, whereas confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) reveals direct interactions between PTP1B and EphA3 before ligand-stimulated receptor internalization and, subsequently, on endosomes. Moreover, overexpression of wild-type (w/t) PTP1B and the [D-A] substrate–trapping mutant decelerate ephrin-induced EphA3 trafficking in a dose-dependent manner, which reveals its role in controlling EphA3 cell surface concentration. Furthermore, we provide evidence that in areas of Eph/ephrin-mediated cell–cell contacts, the EphA3–PTP1B interaction can occur directly at the plasma membrane. Our studies for the first time provide molecular, mechanistic, and functional insights into the role of PTP1B controlling Eph/ephrin-facilitated cellular interactions.
Responding to a rural health workforce shortfall : Double degree preparation of the nurse midwife
- Authors: Francis, Karen , Birks, Melanie , Al-Motlaq, Mohammad , Davis, Jenny , Miles, Maureen , Bailey, Carolyn
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 18, no. 5 (2010), p. 210-211
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Nursing education in Australia has been provided in the tertiary sector since the mid 1980s although the complete transfer of hospital based programs was not finalised until 1993.1,2 Pre-service nursing programs produce and graduate nurses who are generalist prepared and able to work in any practice context as novice registered nurses. Specialist education that traditionally incorporated midwifery was undertaken following registration and after a period of practice as a nurse.3 In recent years, views regarding midwifery as a specialism of nursing have been challenged by champions including the peak professional body representing midwifery, the Australian College of Midwives. Advocates maintained that women desire choices regarding birthing options and that midwives have, and continue to be dissatisfied with the current health care system that restricts their practice.4 By the beginning of the 21st Century, direct entry midwifery programs were part of the educational landscape
The effect of short-term creatine loading on active range of movement
- Authors: Sculthorpe, Nicholas , Grace, Fergal , Jones, Peter , Fletcher, Iain
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism Vol. 35, no. 4 (2010), p. 507-511
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: During high-intensity exercise, intracellular creatine phosphate (PCr) is rapidly broken down to maintain adenosine triphosphate turnover. This has lead to the widespread use of creatine monohydrate as a nutritional ergogenic aid. However, the increase in intracellular PCr and the concomitant increase in intracellular water have not been investigated with regard to their effect on active range of movement (ROM). Forty male subjects (age, 24+/-3.2 years) underwent restricted randomization into 2 equal groups, either an intervention group (CS) or a control group (C). The CS group ingested 25 g.day(-1) of creatine monohydrate for 5 days, followed by 5 g.day(-1) for a further 3 days. Before (24 h before starting supplementation (PRE) and after (on the 8th day of supplementation (POST)) this loading phase, both groups underwent goniometry measurement of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and ankle. Data indicated significant reductions in active ROM in 3 movements: shoulder extension (57+/-11.3 degrees PRE vs. 48+/-11.2 degrees POST, p<0.01), shoulder abduction (183.4+/-6.8 degrees PRE vs. 180.3+/-5.1 degrees POST, p<0.05), and ankle dorsiflexion (14.2+/-4.7 degrees PRE vs. 12.1+/-6.4 degrees POST, p<0.01). There was also a significant increase in body mass for the CS group (83.6+/-6.2 kg vs. 85.2+/-6.3 kg, p<0.05). The results suggest that short-term supplementation with creatine monohydrate reduces the active ROM of shoulder extension and abduction and of ankle dorsiflexion. Although the mechanism for this is not fully understood, it may be related to the asymmetrical distribution of muscle mass around those joints.
A roadmap to generate renewable protein binders to the human proteome
- Authors: Colwill, Karen , Persson, Helena , Jarvik, Nicholas , Wyrzucki, Arkadiusz , Wojcik, John , Koide, Akiko , Kossiakoff, Anthony , Koide, Shohei , Sidhu, Sachdev , Dyson, Michael , Pershad, Kritika , Pavlovic, John , Karatt-Vellatt, Aneesh , Schofield, Darren , Kay, Brian , McCafferty, John , Mersmann, Michael , Meier, Doris , Mersmann, Jana , Helmsing, Saskia , Hust, Michael , Dubel, Stefan , Berkowicz, Susan , Freemantle, Alexia , Spiegel, Michael , Sawyer, Alan , Layton, Daniel , Nice, Edouard , Dai, Anna , Rocks, Oliver , Williton, Kelly , Fellouse, Frederic , Hersi, Kadija , Pawson, Tony , Nilsson, Peter , Sundberg, Marten , Sjoberg, Ronald , Sivertsson, Asa , Schwenk, Jochen , Takanen, Jenny , Hober, Sophia , Uhlen, Mathias , Dahlgren, Lars-Goran , Flores, Alex , Johansson, Ida , Weigelt, Johan , Crombet, Lissette , Loppnau, Peter , Kozieradzki, Ivona , Cossar, Doug , Arrowsmith, C. , Edwards, Aled , Graslund, Susanne
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nature Methods Vol. 8, no. 7 (2011), p. 551-558
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite the wealth of commercially available antibodies to human proteins, research is often hindered by their inconsistent validation, their poor performance and the inadequate coverage of the proteome. These issues could be addressed by systematic, genome-wide efforts to generate and validate renewable protein binders. We report a multicenter study to assess the potential of hybridoma and phage-display technologies in a coordinated large-scale antibody generation and validation effort. We produced over 1,000 antibodies targeting 20 SH2 domain proteins and evaluated them for potency and specificity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), protein microarray and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). We also tested selected antibodies in immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Our results show that high-affinity, high-specificity renewable antibodies generated by different technologies can be produced quickly and efficiently. We believe that this work serves as a foundation and template for future larger-scale studies to create renewable protein binders.
ADRA2A polymorphisms and ADHD in adults : Possible mediating effect of personality
- Authors: de Cerqueira, Caio , Polina, Evelise , Contini, Veronica , Marques, Francine , Grevet, Eugenio , Salgado, Carlos , da Silva, Paula , Picon, Felipe , Belmonte-De-Abreu, Paulo , Bau, Claiton
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychiatry Research Vol. 186, no. 2-3 (2011), p. 345-350
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Several studies have tested for the association between polymorphisms in the ADRA2A gene and childhood ADHD. A meta-analysis of these results, however, has pointed towards a significant heterogeneity, raising the need for explanatory studies. As the effect of other relevant clinical characteristics could be a possible source, we studied three polymorphisms in the ADRA2A gene (−1291 C>G–MspI or rs1800544; −262 G>A–HhaI or rs1800544; 1780 C>T–DraI or rs553668) in 403 adult patients with ADHD assessed in relation to comorbidity and personality characteristics, as well as in 232 controls. The diagnosis followed DSM-IV criteria, and personality dimensions were evaluated with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). There were no significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between cases and controls. Patients carrying the G allele of rs1800544 presented lower scores in harm avoidance, and carriers of the T allele of rs553668 had more novelty seeking and less harm avoidance and persistence. Additionally, the haplotype carrying the G-G-T alleles (rs1800544–rs1800545–rs553668) was associated with lower scores in harm avoidance and persistence, and higher scores in novelty seeking compared to other haplotypes. These findings suggest that the conflicting findings obtained in association studies between ADRA2A polymorphisms and ADHD might be related to temperament profiles, and support additional studies addressing these effects in larger samples.