Ardekani, BA, Braun, M, Hutton, BF, Kanno, I & Iida, H 1996, 'Minimum cross-entropy reconstruction of PET images using prior anatomical information', Physics in Medicine and Biology, vol. 41, no. 11, pp. 2497-2517.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
An algorithm is presented for the reconstruction of PET images using prior anatomical information derived from MR images of the same subject. The cross-entropy or Kullback-Leiber distance is a measure of dissimilarity between two images. We propose to reconstruct PET images by minimizing a weighted sum of two cross-entropy terms. The first is the cross-entropy between the measured emission data and the forward projection of the current estimate of the PET image. Minimizing this term alone is equivalent to the ML-EM reconstruction. The second term is the cross-entropy between the current estimate of the PET image and a prior image model which incorporates anatomical information derived from registered MR images. A weighting parameter determines the relative emphasis given to the emission data and the prior model in the reconstruction. Details of this algorithm are presented as well as test reconstructions for real and simulated data. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated with respect to errors in prior anatomical information. The algorithm provided significant improvement in the quality of reconstructed images as compared with the ML-EM reconstruction technique. The reconstructed images had higher resolution as compared with the images obtained from MAP-like reconstructions which do not utilize anatomical information. The algorithm displayed robustness with respect to errors in prior anatomical information.
Ben-Nissan, B & Martin, D 1996, 'Sol-gel zirconia coatings aimed at dust suppression in aluminosilicate high temperature insulating blankets', Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 187-196.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
The feasibility of reducing the amount of loftable fibres in aluminosilicate blankets by coating with sol-gel zirconia was studied. A zirconium alkoxide based solution was employed to coat small samples of blanket using a dip-coating technique. The zirconia coatings and two grades of blanket were analysed using DTA, XRD, SEM and optical microscopy techniques to characterize any reactions and phase changes occurring in the system over a range of temperatures. It was found that dip-coated samples fired at temperatures of 700-800°C displayed reasonably coherent coatings providing an "anchoring" effect at the surface of the material by bonding loose surface fibres in a network of zirconia. © 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Ben-Nissan, B & Payten, W 1996, 'Biocompatible, Strong Modular Ceramic Knee Prosthesis with Greater Wear Resistance Designed to Have Long Life under Stress', Materials Technology, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 175-177.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Australian researchers have designed a largely ceramic knee prosthesis that by reducing friction and wear is expected to have a much longer lifetime in use than existing models. The new design enables taking advantage of the biocompatibility of ceramics while overcoming them inherent drawback of brittleness. The new design also eliminates the need for the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bonding cement and allows retention of all the ligaments, hence increasing stability.
Carey, DG, Nguyen, TV, Campbell, LV, Chisholm, DJ & Kelly, P 1996, 'Genetic influences on central abdominal fat: a twin study.', Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 722-726.
View description>>
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies of regional fat distribution have focused on the clinical importance of central abdominal obesity. Central adiposity is strongly related to insulin resistance, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease. While significant genetic influences on body mass index (BMI), total body and subcutaneous fat have been demonstrated, the inheritance of central abdominal obesity, has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess genetic effects on regional fat distribution and associated metabolic parameters. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We directly measured total body, central abdominal (C-abd) and non-abdominal fat using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 50 monozygotic (MZ) and 36 dizygotic (DZ) female twins, of age (mean +/- SD), 44 +/- 12 and 47 +/- 14 y; BMI 24 +/- 5 and 24 +/- 3 kg/m2; C-abd fat 33 +/- 9 and 32 +/- 9%, respectively. Total variance in all parameters was independent of zygosity and genetic analyses of regional adiposity were performed before and after adjusting for age and percentage total body fat. RESULTS: A genetic influence was observed on the population variance in total fat, C-abd fat (C-abd fat rMZ = 0.66 vs rDZ = 0.20, p = 0.03) and non abdominal fat. After adjusting C-abd fat for age and total body fat there was a independent genetic influence on C-abd fat accounting for approximately 70% of the population variance (rMZ = 0.61 vs rDZ = 0.40, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of inter-subject variance in central abdominal fat in non-obese individuals is due to genetic factors. The inheritance of abdominal obesity, with its associated metabolic consequences, may contribute to the familial aggregation of insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Eng, C 1996, 'The relationship between specific RET proto-oncogene mutations and disease phenotype in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. International RET mutation consortium analysis', JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 276, no. 19, pp. 1575-1579.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Esteban, L & Hoang, D 1996, 'The connection array for image summarisation', Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, vol. 41, no. 1-2, pp. 75-86.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
The connection array is a very dense and very fast summarisation of a bitmap. The data structure contains information that is useful for classification, recognition and image searching. It is calculated during the image production stage of a recognition system and holds the following information for objects in a scene: object shape, containment, relative placement, and numerical data like area and perimeter. The connection array is an efficient structure for storing object features and it is effective in all stages of a recognition process.
Gan, L, Ben-Nissan, B & Ben-David, A 1996, 'Modelling and finite element analysis of ultra-microhardness indentation of thin films', Thin Solid Films, vol. 290-291, pp. 362-366.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
High stresses and complex deformations usually develop in thin films during indentation tests. Understanding the stresses and deformations in thin films is beneficial for the development of sound mechanical and thermomechanical components. This paper investigates the stress field and deformations in thin films under microindentation using finite element analysis. The features of the distribution of stress and strain are described. The change of the stress distribution as a function of Young's modulus to the equivalent yield stress ratio (E/σey) of the film is presented. The effects of the thickness of the film and the radius of the indenter on the stress are investigated. The results from the finite element analysis are found to be in a good agreement with experimental data and can be used to develop a reliable mechanical design methodology.
Garrett, Q & Milthorpe, BK 1996, 'Human serum albumin adsorption on hydrogel contact lenses in vitro', INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, vol. 37, no. 13, pp. 2594-2602.
View description>>
To improve the understanding of the formation of protein deposits on hydrogel lenses. METHODS: A study of protein adsorption on three commercial hydrogel contact lenses of different materials, Etafilcon A (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate [HEMA] polymer with sodium methacrylate and 2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol trimethacrylate), tefilcon (poly[HEMA] cross-linked and copolymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), and vifilcon A (methacrylic acid polymer with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, HEMA and N-vinyl pyrrolidone) was undertaken by using a single protein solution, human serum albumin (HSA), and a radiolabel-tracer technique. RESULTS: Static adsorption leading to multilayer adsorption was observed. Complete reversibility for adsorbed HSA on lenses did not exist. Some was tightly bound, whereas most was loosely bound and could be removed easily by rinsing in phosphate-buffered saline. Irreversible adsorption of HSA on the lenses was found to be time dependent and did not reach a maximum value even after 48 hours of adsorption. The amount of HSA adsorbed on the lenses-irreversibly as well as totally adsorbed protein- was in the order of vifilcon A > tefilcon > etafilcon A. Adsorption of HSA on the lenses increases with decreasing pH (range, 7.4 to 4) but always follows the above trend with respect to the different types of lenses. CONCLUSIONS: Irreversible binding of HSA on lenses is governed by the kinetics of protein denaturation. Electrostatic interactions may not play a major role in HSA adsorption on hydrogel lenses. Some other factors, such as hydrophobic dehydration, and special monomer units, such as N-vinyl pyrrolidone in the lens materials, may favor adsorption of HSA.
George, A 1996, 'Multidrug resistance in enteric and other Gram-negative bacteria', FEMS Microbiology Letters, vol. 139, no. 1, pp. 1-10.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
George, AM 1996, 'Multidrug resistance in enteric and other Gram-negative bacteria', FEMS Microbiology Letters, vol. 139, no. 1, pp. 1-10.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Heiber, M, Marchese, A, Nguyen, T, Heng, HHQ, George, SR & O'Dowd, BF 1996, 'A Novel Human Gene Encoding a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPR15) Is Located on Chromosome 3', Genomics, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 462-465.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
We used sequence similarities among G-protein-coupled receptor genes to discover a novel receptor gene. Using primers based on conserved regions of the opioid-related receptors, we isolated a PCR product that was used to locate the full-length coding region of a novel human receptor gene, which we have named GPR15. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of the receptor encoded by GPR15 with other receptors revealed that it shared sequence identity with the angiotensin II AT1 and AT2 receptors, the interleukin 8b receptor, and the orphan receptors GPR1 and AGTL1. GPR15 was mapped to human chromosome 3q11.2-q13.1.
Howes, LG, Nguyen, T & Jackson, B 1996, 'SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF QUINAPRIL IN HYPERTENSIVE GERIATRIC PATIENTS', Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol. 44, no. 9, pp. 1135-1135.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Jacobs, M & Leydekkers, P 1996, 'Specification of synchronization in multimedia conferencing services using the TINA lifecycle model.', Distributed Syst. Eng., vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 185-196.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Multimedia conferencing services have specific performance requirements with respect to the exchange of continuous media. One of these requirements is the synchronization within and between related streams. This article identifies synchronization requirements and solutions relevant for conferencing services that operate in an open distributed environment as defined in TINA-C. Based on the TINA service lifecycle, synchronization requirements and policies are described from different stakeholder perspectives. Synchronization is then specified in detail using the TINA information, computational and engineering languages. Finally, a description of the implementation of synchronization for a multimedia conferencing service is provided using a DPE platform. The synchronization object is proposed as an additional component available for the DPE that needs to deal with real-time audio-visual streams.
Johnson, AG, Nguyen, TV & Day, RO 1996, 'Evaluation of the Takeda TM-2420 in the elderly.', J Hum Hypertens, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 61-61.
Johnson, AG, Nguyen, TV, Owe-Young, R, Williamson, DJ & Day, RO 1996, 'Potential mechanisms by which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs elevate blood pressure: the role of endothelin-1.', J Hum Hypertens, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 257-261.
View description>>
To determine whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to hypertension associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage in healthy, elderly, normotensive individuals a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of indomethacin was undertaken in 41 healthy, elderly individuals with stable normotension or controlled hypertension (blood pressure (BP) < or = 160/90 mm Hg). The main outcome measures were systolic and diastolic BP, heart rate, cardiac output, weight, creatinine clearance, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, endothelin-1 and arginine vasopressin concentrations and 24 h urinary endothelin-1 and 6 keto prostaglandin F1 alpha outputs. Analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the effect of indomethacin on BP and related parameters. Indomethacin treatment for 1 month increased systolic (+/- s.e.m.: 4.1 +/- 2.2 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval 0 to 8.3 mm Hg) and diastolic BP (2.7 +/- 1.1 mm Hg; 0.4 to 4.9 mm Hg) without altering cardiac output (P = 0.59), implying an increase in total peripheral resistance. Indomethacin treatment produced a small increase in weight (1.4 +/- 0.4 kg; 0.6 to 2.2 kg), a small reduction in renal function (creatinine clearance: 6.8 +/- 1.8 mis/min; 3.3 to 10.3 mis/min) but a significant (83%) increase in daily urinary endothelin-1 production (13.1 +/- 3.4 ng/ml; 6.4 to 19.8 ng/ml) without altering plasma ET-1 concentration, suggesting increased renal synthesis. In conclusion, renal paracrine effects of ET-1 may contribute to NSAID-induced blood pressure elevation in humans.
Keen, RW, Nguyen, T, Sobnack, R, Perry, LA, Thompson, PW & Spector, TD 1996, 'Can biochemical markers predict bone loss at the hip and spine?: A 4-year prospective study of 141 early postmenopausal women', Osteoporosis International, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 399-406.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Khvorostov, PV 1996, 'Edge quality metric for arbitrary two‐dimensional edges', Optical Engineering, vol. 35, no. 11, pp. 3222-3222.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
A quality metric for an arbitrary 2D edge contour is presented. This metric is constructed from measured physical characteristics of the edge. It enables a comparison of performance of different edge detecting algorithms and provides a tool for the optimization of edge detectors. The metric was verified using the Canny's edge detector applied to a set of artificial images varying in image quality. © 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Kim, WS, Deng, ZM, Nassif, NT, Smith, A & Trent, RJ 1996, 'Establishment of Sequence-Tagged Sites on 15q11-q13 byAlu-Vector PCR Cloning of Yac-Generated Fragments', Disease Markers, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 241-246.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Angelman syndrome (AS) is caused by the loss of function of undefined gene(s) on human chromosome 15. The majority of subjects have deletions involving maternally-derived chromosome 15q II-q 13, and the shortest region of deletion overlap (SRO) has been localized to the region between D15S10 and D15S113. In this study, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), 6G-D4, 9H-D2 and 37D-F9, mapping within the AS SRO, were isolated from the ICI Y AC library.Alu-vector PCR products were amplified from the YACs and from YACs A229A2 and A33FI 0 which had been obtained from the St. Louis Y AC library. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced, and three new sequence-tagged sites were generated within the AS SRO, facilitating the characterization of gene(s) involved in the Angelman syndrome.
Kolakowski, LF, Jung, BP, Nguyen, T, Johnson, MP, Lynch, KR, Cheng, R, Heng, HHQ, George, SR & O'Dowd, BF 1996, 'Characterization of a human gene related to genes encoding somatostatin receptors', FEBS Letters, vol. 398, no. 2-3, pp. 253-258.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
We report the identification of a gene, named SLC‐11, encoding a novel G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR). A customized search procedure of a database of expressed sequence tags (dbEST) retrieved a human cDNA sequence that partially encoded a GPCR. A genomic DNA fragment identical to the cDNA was obtained and used to screen a library to isolate the full‐length coding region of the gene. This gene was intronless in its open reading frame, and encoded a receptor of 402 amino acids, and shared −40% amino acid identity in the transmembrane (TM) regions to the five known human somatostatin receptors. Northern blot analysis revealed that SLC‐1 is expressed in human brain regions, including the forebrain and hypothalamus. Expression in the rat was highest in brain, followed by heart, kidney, and ovary. Expression of SLC‐1 in COS‐7 cells failed to show specific binding to radiolabelled Tyr1‐somatostatin‐14, naloxone, bremazocine, 1,3‐di(2‐tolyl)‐guanidine (DTG), or haloperidol. A repeat polymorphism of the form (CA)n was discovered in the 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) of the gene and SLC‐1 was mapped to chromosome 22, q13.3.
Lam, S, Shen, Y, Nguyen, T, Messier, TL, Brann, M, Comings, D, George, SR & O'Dowd, BF 1996, 'A Serotonin Receptor Gene (5HT1A) Variant Found in a Tourette's Syndrome Patient', Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 219, no. 3, pp. 853-858.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Serotonergic pathway disturbances have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders such as Tourette's syndrome (TS), substance abuse, and depression. In order to search for the presence of an association between these neuropsychiatric disorders and particular serotonin receptors isolated from these patients, we have started to analyze the structure of these receptor genes. We now report that a missense nucleotide change in the 5HT1A receptor gene produces a variant form of the 5HT1A receptor (Arg219 to Leu) identified in DNA extracted from a TS patient. Also, in several DNA samples examined, both in controls and in the patients, we found a second missense nucleotide change which resulted in an amino acid change (Asn417 to Lys) located in the carboxyl tail of the receptor. Several other polymorphic changes have been reported previously in the human 5HT1A receptor and we have also confirmed these findings in our samples.
Li, JY & Chow, TWS 1996, 'Functional Approximation of Higher-Order Neural Networks', Journal of Intelligent Systems, vol. 6, no. 3-4, pp. 239-260.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Maddocks, I, Somogyi, A, Abbott, F, Hayball, P & Parker, D 1996, 'Attenuation of morphine-induced delirium in palliative care by substitution with infusion of oxycodone', Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 182-189.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Marsh, DJ, McDowall, D, Hyland, VJ, Andrew, SD, Schnitzler, M, Gaskin, EL, Nevell, DF, Diamond, T, Delbridge, L, Clifton‐Bligh, P & Robinson, BG 1996, 'The identification of false positive responses to the pentagastrin stimulation test in RET mutation negative members of MEN 2A families', Clinical Endocrinology, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 213-220.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
OBJECTIVE The pentagastrin stimulation test is the traditional test used for the identification of asymptomatic individuals in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). The identification of mutations in the RET proto‐oncogene segregating with the disease phenotype in MEN 2A and FMTC families has made it possible to re‐examine the validity of using this test for the identification of affected family members.DESIGN Sequential and single pentagastrin stimulation test data were collected following the identification of RET mutation positive and RET mutation negative members of families with MEN 2A or FMTC.PATIENTS RET mutations were identified in 16 Australian and New Zealand MEN 2A or FMTC families. An analysis of 39 individuals from these families was included in this study. Thirty‐two individuals (14 males, 18 females) had previously been determined as RET mutation negative. Seven individuals (6 males, 1 female) had previously been determined as RET mutation positive. Two RET mutation negative males had thyroidectomy based on prior pentagastrin test results.MEASUREMENTS Serum calcitonin levels in response to stimulation with pentagastrin were measured at 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 minutes post injection. Mutation analysis of the RET proto‐oncogene was performed in all individuals. In two RET mutation negative individuals from two MEN 2A families, thyroidectomy was performed and C‐cells were quantitated in order to determine the diagnosis of C‐cell hyperplasia.RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.013) between RET mutation negative male and female mean peak calcitonin responses of 282 ± 236 and 96 ± 62 (mean ±SD) ng/l respectively. False positive responses to pentagastrin stimulation were identified in seven individuals who were RET mutation negative in two of the 16 families. Hist...
Narita, Y, Eberl, S, Iida, H, Hutton, BF, Braun, M, Nakamura, T & Bautovich, G 1996, 'Monte Carlo and experimental evaluation of accuracy and noise properties of two scatter correction methods for SPECT', Physics in Medicine and Biology, vol. 41, no. 11, pp. 2481-2496.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Scatter correction is a prerequisite for quantitative SPECT, but potentially increases noise. Monte Carlo simulations (EGS4) and physical phantom measurements were used to compare accuracy and noise properties of two scatter correction techniques: the triple-energy window (TEW), and the transmission dependent convolution subtraction (TDCS) techniques. Two scatter functions were investigated for TDCS: (i) the originally proposed mono-exponential function (TDCS(mono) and (ii) an exponential plus Gaussian scatter function (TDCS(Gauss)) demonstrated to be superior from our Monte Carlo simulations. Signal to noise ratio (S/N) and accuracy were investigated in cylindrical phantoms and a chest phantom. Results from each method were compared to the true primary counts (simulations), or known activity concentrations (phantom studies). 99mTc was used in all cases. The optimized TDCS(Gauss) method overall performed best, with an accuracy of better than 4% for all simulations and physical phantom studies. Maximum errors for TEW and TDCS(mono) of -30 and -22%, respectively, were observed in the heart chamber of the simulated chest phantom. TEW had the worst S/N ratio of the three techniques. The S/N ratios of the two TDCS methods were similar and only slightly lower than those of simulated true primary data. Thus, accurate quantitation can be obtained with TDCS(Gauss), with a relatively small reduction in S/N ratio.
Nassif, NT & Mackinlay, AG 1996, 'Detection and characterization of two novel hypervariable microsatellite repeat regions within intron 2 of the α-globin gene of the bivalve mollusc Anadara trapezia', Gene, vol. 183, no. 1-2, pp. 225-230.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Nguyen, HT, Luzio, SD, Dolben, J, West, J, Beck, L, Coates, PA & Owens, DR 1996, 'Dominant risk factors for retinopathy at clinical diagnosis in patients with type II diabetes mellitus', Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 211-219.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
A study of 270 newly presenting, previously untreated, type II diabetic patents revealed that 38 patients (14%) had already developed diabetic retinopathy (DR). Among this group, 26 patients had lesions of background diabetic retinopathy and 12 patients
Nguyen, TV, Morrison, NA, Sambrook, PN, Kelly, PJ & Eisman, JA 1996, 'Vitamin D receptor gene and osteoporosis.', J Clin Endocrinol Metab, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 1674-1675.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
O'BRIEN, BA, HARMON, BV, CAMERON, DP & ALLAN, DJ 1996, 'BETA-CELL APOPTOSIS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF IDDM IN THE MULTIPLE LOW-DOSE STREPTOZOTOCIN MODEL', The Journal of Pathology, vol. 178, no. 2, pp. 176-181.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Although insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from irreversible loss of beta cells, the mode of cell death responsible for this loss has not previously been categorized. In this study, the multiple low-dose streptozotocin (stz) model (intraperitoneal injection of stz at a concentration of 40 mglkg body weight per day for five consecutive days) was used to investigate beta-cell death during the development of IDDM in male C57B116 mice. Apoptotic cells were evident by light microscopy within the islets of Langerhans of treated animals from day 2 (the day of the second stz injection) until day 17. Immunohistochemical localization of insulin to the dying cells confirmed the beta-cell origin of the apoptosis. Two peaks in the incidence of beta-cell apoptosis occurred: the first at day 5, which corresponded to an increase in blood glucose concentration, and the second at day 11, when lymphocytic infiltration of the islets (insulitis) was maximal. Insulitis did not begin until day 9, by which time treated animals had developed overt diabetes as revealed by blood glucose and pancreatic immunoreactive insulin (IRI) measurements. Beta-cell apoptosis preceded the appearance of T-cells in the islets and continued throughout the period of insulitis. Thus, whether induced by stz or a subsequent immune response, apoptosis is the mode of cell death responsible for beta-cell loss in the multiple low-dose stz model of IDDM.
O'Dowd, BF, Nguyen, T, Lynch, KR, Kolakowski, LF, Thompson, M, Cheng, R, Marchese, A, Ng, G, Heng, HHQ & George, SR 1996, 'A novel gene codes for a putative G protein‐coupled receptor with an abundant expression in brain', FEBS Letters, vol. 394, no. 3, pp. 325-329.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Following the cloning of the dopamine receptors we continued a search of the human genome for related genes. We searched an EST data base and discovered cDNA fragments encoding novel G protein‐coupled receptor genes. The available GenBank sequence of one of these EST fragments showed that it encoded a receptor with closest similarity to the D2 dopamine and adrenergic receptors. This cDNA was used to isolate the gene (GPR19), and the encoded receptor also demonstrated similarity with the neuropeptide Y receptor. The gene was mapped to chromosome 12, in region p13.2–12.3. Northern blot analysis revealed expression of GPR19 in peripheral regions, and brain regions significantly overlapping with the D2 receptor gene expression. A sequence of the rat orthologue of GPR19 was obtained and in situ hybridization analysis demonstrated a very abundant expression in rat brain.
Paterson, MJ & Ben-Nissan, B 1996, 'Multilayer sol-gel zirconia coatings on 316 stainless steel', Surface and Coatings Technology, vol. 86-87, no. PART 1, pp. 153-158.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Multilayer alkoxide based sol-gel zirconia coatings were fired under two regimes. SET I coatings were fired by drying each layer at 380°C and then performing a final firing at 800°C. For SET II coatings, each layer was fired to 380°C and then 800°C in a single firing. The structure of the SET I coatings was found to be thickness dependent. In addition, significant substrate reaction was found to occur with increasing thickness. For SET II samples the coating structure did not change significantly after a thickness of 600 nm was reached. Substrate reaction also appeared to be lessened. This behaviour indicates that the phase change rate within the coatings during firing is related to the amount of reaction with the substrate. In addition, the higher amount of monoclinic phase present in the SET II coatings suggests that the phase changes occurring may be dependent on total firing time at 800°C.
Pocock, NA, Noakes, KA, Howard, GM, Nguyen, TV, Kelly, PJ, Sambrook, PN, Eisman, JA & Freund, J 1996, 'Screening for osteoporosis: what is the role of heel ultrasound?', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 164, no. 6, pp. 367-370.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
Rodgers, KJ, Melrose, J & Ghosh, P 1996, 'Biotinylated trypsin and its application as a sensitive, versatile probe for the detection and characterisation of an ovine chondrocyte serine proteinase inhibitor using Western blotting', ELECTROPHORESIS, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 213-218.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
Biotinylated trypsin (bT) was used as a probe on Western blots of 10-20% polyacrylamide gradient Tris-Tricine gels for the detection of serine proteinase inhibitors (SPIs) isolated from extracts of ovine articular cartilage and from chondrocyte condition
Rodgers, KJ, Melrose, J & Ghosh, P 1996, 'Purification and characterisation of 6 and 58 kDa forms of the endogenous serine proteinase inhibitory proteins of ovine articular cartilage', BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, vol. 377, no. 12, pp. 837-845.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
The major ovine articular cartilage (AC) serine proteinase inhibitory protein (SPI), a 58 kDa glycoprotein (SPI-58), was purified to homogeneity by sequential Sephacryl S-300 gel permeation, concanavalin A affinity, Mono Q anion exchange and Superose 12
Vinh, H, Wain, J, Vo, TN, Cao, NN, Mai, TC, Bethell, D, Nguyen, TT, Tu, SD, Nguyen, MD & White, NJ 1996, 'Two or three days of ofloxacin treatment for uncomplicated multidrug-resistant typhoid fever in children', Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 958-961.
View/Download from: Publisher's site
View description>>
An open randomized comparison of 2 days (Ofx2) versus 3 days (Ofx3) of oral ofloxacin treatment (15 mg/kg/day) was conducted with Vietnamese children between 1 and 15 years of age with suspected typhoid fever. Of 108 children enrolled, 100 were blood culture positive for Salmonella typhi, and 86% of the isolates were multidrug resistant. There were no significant adverse effects. The therapeutic responses were similar in both groups, with mean (+/- standard deviation) fever clearances of 107 +/- 60 h in the Ofx3 group and 100 +/- 64 h in the Ofx2 group (P > 0.2). There were six 'clinical' failures in the Ofx2 group and two clinical failures in the Ofx3 group (P > 0.2), in which fever and symptoms persisted for more than 1 week after the start of treatment, but only one of these was culture positive (Ofx3). There was one suspected relapse, and one carrier was identified. Short courses of ofloxacin are simple, inexpensive, safe, and effective for the treatment of uncomplicated multidrug-resistant typhoid fever.