Ammit, AJ & O'Neill, C 1997, 'Studies of the Nature of the Binding by Albumin of Platelet-activating Factor Released from Cells', Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 272, no. 30, pp. 18772-18778.
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Ammit, AJ, Bekir, SS, Johnson, PR, Hughes, JM, Armour, CL & Black, JL 1997, 'Mast cell numbers are increased in the smooth muscle of human sensitized isolated bronchi.', American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol. 155, no. 3, pp. 1123-1129.
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Ardekani, BA, Kershaw, J, Braun, M & Kanuo, I 1997, 'Automatic detection of the mid-sagittal plane in 3-D brain images', IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 947-952.
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This article presents a detailed description of an algorithm for the automatic detection of the mid-sagittal plane in three-dimensional (3-D) brain images. The algorithm seeks the plane with respect to which the image exhibits maximum symmetry. For a given plane, symmetry is measured by the cross-correlation between the image sections lying on either side. The search for the plane of maximum symmetry is performed by using a multiresolution approach which substantially decreases computational time. The choice of the starting plane was found to be an important issue in optimization. A method for selecting the initial plane is presented. The algorithm has been tested on brain images from various imaging modalities in both humans and animals. Results were evaluated by visual inspection by neuroradiologists and were judged to be consistently correct. © 1997 IEEE.
Bootcov, MR, Bauskin, AR, Valenzuela, SM, Moore, AG, Bansal, M, He, XY, Zhang, HP, Donnellan, M, Mahler, S, Pryor, K, Walsh, BJ, Nicholson, RC, Fairlie, WD, Por, SB, Robbins, JM & Breit, SN 1997, 'MIC-1, a novel macrophage inhibitory cytokine, is a divergent member of the TGF-β superfamily', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 94, no. 21, pp. 11514-11519.
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Macrophages play a key role in both normal and pathological processes involving immune and inflammatory responses, to a large extent through their capacity to secrete a wide range of biologically active molecules. To identify some of these as yet not characterized molecules, we have used a subtraction cloning approach designed to identify genes expressed in association with macrophage activation. One of these genes, designated macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1), encodes a protein that bears the structural characteristics of a transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily cytokine. Although it belongs to this superfamily, it has no strong homology to existing families, indicating that it is a divergent member that may represent the first of a new family within this grouping. Expression of MIC-1 mRNA in monocytoid cells is up-regulated by a variety of stimuli associated with activation, including interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 2, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor but not interferon γ, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Its expression is also increased by TGF-β. Expression of MIC-1 in CHO cells results in the proteolytic cleavage of the propeptide and secretion of a cysteine-rich dimeric protein ofMr25 kDa. Purified recombinant MIC-1 is able to inhibit lipopolysaccharide -induced macrophage TNF-α production, suggesting that MIC-1 acts in macrophages as an autocrine regulatory molecule. Its production in response to secreted proinflammatory cytokines and TGF-β may serve to limit the later phases of macrophage activation.
Cassidy, DJ, Woolfrey, JL, Bartlett, JR & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'The Effect of Precursor Chemistry on the Crystallisation and Densification of Sol-Gel Derived Mullite Gels and Powders', Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 19-30.
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Stoichiometric and silica-rich mullite gels and powders were prepared using four different sol-gel methods. Thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and dilatometry techniques were used to investigate the thermal decomposition, crystallisation and sintering of these mullite precursor gels. The method of preparation, by controlled hydrolysis of various mixtures of tetraethylorthosilicate, aluminium sec-butoxide and aluminium nitrate, affected the texture of the gels, producing single-phase or diphasic samples. The crystallisation sequence of the gels depended on the composition and method of preparation. Single phase mullite crystallised from homogeneous gels at 980°C, while diphasic gels initially formed of a mixture of γ-Al2O3 spinel and mullite, or simple γ-Al2O3 spinel, which subsequently transformed to mullite at 1260°C. Dilatometry and density measurement were used to investigate the sintering of compacts formed by pressing powders prepared from gels precalcined at 500°C. Varying the heating rates from 2 to 10°C min-1 had little effect on the densification to 1500°C. However, the densification rate was sensitive to the degree of crystallinity and the amount and type of phases present at the sintering temperature. The presence of γ-Al2O3 spinel in the structure initially promoted densification, but the sintering rate was reduced considerably after mullite crystallised. Diphasic materials, especially those with an excess amount of silica in the original gel, sintered to higher densities due to the presence of excess silica promoting densification by viscous phase sintering.
Chow, TWS & Li, J-Y 1997, 'Higher-order Petri net models based on artificial neural networks', Artificial Intelligence, vol. 92, no. 1-2, pp. 289-300.
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In this paper, the properties of higher-order neural networks are exploited in a new class of Petri nets, called higher-order Petri nets (HOPN). Using the similarities between neural networks and Petri nets this paper demonstrates how the McCullock-Pitts
Gan, L & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'The effects of mechanical properties of thin films on nano-indentation data: Finite element analysis', Computational Materials Science, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 273-281.
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Mechanical properties of thin films are commonly determined using nano or ultra-microhardness indentation. Understanding the relationship of the measured data and the mechanical properties of the indented materials is of importance in order to obtain reliable mechanical properties, particularly of the thin films. Using finite element analysis, the effects of the elastic modulus, yield strength, and strain hardening of the film on indentation data are analysed and discussed for the indentation with 2, 8, 10 and 50 μm radius indenters. Elastic modulus of the films on a single ductile substrate shows relatively small influence whereas yield strength and strain hardening are found to have significant effect on the measured data. © 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Gay, V & Leydekkers, P 1997, 'Multimedia in the ODP-RM standard', IEEE MULTIMEDIA, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 68-73.
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NA
Ghevondian, N & Hung Nguyen 1997, 'Using fuzzy logic reasoning for monitoring hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients', Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. 'Magnificent Milestones and Emerging Opportunities in Medical Engineering' (Cat. No.97CH36136), vol. 19, pp. 1108-1111.
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Ghevondian, N & Nguyen, H 1997, 'Low power portable monitoring system of parameters for hypoglycaemic patients', Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. 'Magnificent Milestones and Emerging Opportunities in Medical Engineering' (Cat. No.97CH36136), vol. 19, pp. 1029-1031.
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Gimm, O, Marsh, DJ, Andrew, SD, Frilling, A, Dahia, PLM, Mulligan, LM, Zajac, JD, Robinson, BG & Eng, C 1997, 'Germline Dinucleotide Mutation in Codon 883 of theRETProto-Oncogene in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B Without Codon 918 Mutation', The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 82, no. 11, pp. 3902-3904.
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The autosomal dominant multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes (MEN 2) comprise three clinically distinct entities, MEN 2A, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and MEN 2B, which share a common clinical feature: medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MEN 2B is considered to have the most aggressive form of MTC. Therefore, early detection of MEN 2B in order to prevent potentially lethal MTC is important. More than 95% of all MEN 2B cases are caused by germline mutation at codon 918 (M918T) in exon 16 of the RET proto-oncogene. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of germline codon 883 mutation (A883F) in 2 of 3 unrelated MEN 2B eases without codon 918 mutation. Our data demonstrate a novel etiologic event which may have roles in predisposition to MEN 2B when present in the germline and in the pathogenesis of sporadic MTC when somatic.
Hall, J, Viney, R & Lourenco, RD 1997, 'Whither private health insurance?', AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 119-120.
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Hall, J, Viney, R & Lourenco, RDA 1997, 'Whither private health insurance?', AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 347-348.
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Harvey, LA, Newton-John, T, Davis, GM, Smith, MB & Engel, S 1997, 'A comparison of the attitude of paraplegic individuals to the Walkabout Orthosis and the Isocentric Reciprocal Gait Orthosis', Spinal Cord, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 580-584.
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Howard, GM, Nguyen, TV, Pocock, NA, Kelly, PJ & Eisman, JA 1997, 'Influence of handedness on calcaneal ultrasound: Implications for assessment of osteoporosis and study design', Osteoporosis International, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 190-194.
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Hung Nguyen, Duy-Ky Nguyen, Shannon, A & Owens, D 1997, 'Estimation of minimal model parameters with the use of an adaptive observer for suprabasal insulin action', Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. 'Magnificent Milestones and Emerging Opportunities in Medical Engineering' (Cat. No.97CH36136), vol. 5, pp. 2146-2148.
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Based on the minimal model, insulin sensitivity (S I) and glucose effectiveness (S G) can be estimated from the results of an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). However, this task is complex because the suprabasal insulin action (X) at any one time depends on the whole history of plasma insulin levels since the basal steady-state was disrupted. In this paper, we develop an adaptive observer for accurate estimation of insulin action (X). This adaptive observer forms the foundation of a new way to identify minimal model parameters. Compared to the well-known MINMOD program, this new technique is robust as it is less dependent on initial estimates, and accurate as it minimises both the plasma glucose error and insulin action error.
Hutvágner, G, Barta, E & Bánfalvi, Z 1997, 'Isolation and sequence analysis of a cDNA and a related gene for cytochrome P450 proteins from Solanum chacoense', Gene, vol. 188, no. 2, pp. 247-252.
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Inosine-containing degenerate PCR primers corresponding to the heme-binding domain of cytochrome P450 proteins have been synthesized and used for cloning cDNAs by the RT-PCR technique from Solanum chacoense. One clone in which the primer was immediately followed by sequences corresponding to the remaining part of the conserved domain was obtained. A leaf cDNA and a genomic library were constructed from S. chacoense. Clones homologous to the PCR fragment were isolated by plaque hybridization from both libraries (CYPs.ch-1 and CYPs.ch-2, respectively). Based on DNA sequence analysis, the selected clones are 87.6% identical and belong to the CYP71 family. The CYPs.ch genes are present in multiple copies in the S. chacoense as well as in the S. tuberosum genome with some polymorphisms. The CYPs.ch transcripts are slightly induced by methyl jasmonate and abscisic acid in S. chacoense foliage.
Jahanfar, S, Eden, JA, Nguyen, T, Wang, XL & Wilcken, DEL 1997, 'A twin study of polycystic ovary syndrome and lipids', Gynecological Endocrinology, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 111-117.
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Johnson, PR, Ammit, AJ, Carlin, SM, Armour, CL, Caughey, GH & Black, JL 1997, 'Mast cell tryptase potentiates histamine-induced contraction in human sensitized bronchus', European Respiratory Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 38-43.
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The mast cell plays a pivotal role in the early asthmatic response via release of mediators, which directly influence airway smooth muscle tone. Canine mast cell tryptase has been reported to potentiate the contractile response of canine isolated airways to histamine. The aim of this study was to investigate whether human mast cell tryptase potentiated contractile responses in human isolated bronchi. The effect of tryptase differed according to the sensitization status of the bronchi. In lung tissue from sensitized patients (those whose bronchial tissue contracted in response to the application of any of four common antigens) 90 ng.mL-1 of human purified lung tryptase markedly potentiated the contractile response to histamine. The maximal response as a percentage of maximal contraction to acetylcholine was 80 +/- 8% in control tissues and 119 +/- 6% in tryptase treated tissues (n = 4; p < 0.05). Tryptase, at a dose of 200 ng.mL-1, also potentiated responses but to a lesser degree, 100 +/- 5% (n = 4; p < 0.05). In nonsensitized bronchi, neither 90 nor 200 ng.mL-1 tryptase had any significant effect on histamine responses. The increased response in the presence of tryptase in sensitized tissue was inhibited by the calcium voltage-dependent channel antagonist, verapamil (10(-6) M). We have shown, for the first time, that human mast cell tryptase potentiates contraction in sensitized bronchi via a calcium-related mechanism. These findings provide a link between a mast cell derived product and in vitro human airway hyperresponsiveness.
Jung, BP, Nguyen, T, Kolakowski, LF, Lynch, KR, Heng, HHQ, George, SR & O'Dowd, BF 1997, 'Discovery of a Novel Human G Protein-Coupled Receptor Gene (GPR25) Located on Chromosome 1', Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 230, no. 1, pp. 69-72.
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We amplified human genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides based on the primary sequence of the genes encoding the somatostatin receptors (SSTR) and the somatostatin-like receptor gene SLC-1. One resultant DNA fragment was used to screen a genomic DNA library resulting in the isolation of a gene, GPR25, encoding an additional member of the G protein-coupled receptor family (GPCR). GPR25 is intronless throughout its open reading frame (ORF) and encodes a protein of 360 amino acids. The receptor encoded by GPR25 shares highest identity to the receptor encoded by GPR15, angiotensin II type 1A receptor, and somatostatin receptor 5. Northern analysis found no transcripts expressed in liver or any of the 12 brain regions analyzed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis localized GPR25 to chromosome lq32.1.
Kennerson, ML, Nassif, NT, Dawkins, JL, Dekroon, RM, Yang, JG & Nicholson, GA 1997, 'The Charcot–Marie–Tooth Binary Repeat Contains a Gene Transcribed from the Opposite Strand of a Partially Duplicated Region of theCOX10Gene', Genomics, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 61-69.
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Kervella, B & Gay, V 1997, 'MHEGAM - A multimedia messaging system', IEEE MULTIMEDIA, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 22-29.
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MHEGAM (MHEG-1 Advanced Mail) is a complete multimedia messaging system for the creation, exchange, and restitution of multimedia messages that express spatial and temporal synchronization among their components. MHEGAM can be based on the standard messa
Knepper, M, Moricca, S & Milthorpe, BK 1997, 'Stability of hydroxyapatite while processing short-fibre reinforced hydroxyapatite ceramics', BIOMATERIALS, vol. 18, no. 23, pp. 1523-1529.
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Lapsys, KM, Furler, SM, Moore, KR, Kguyen, TV, Herzog, H, Howard, G, Samaras, K, Carey, DG, Morrison, KA, Eisman, JA & Chisholm, DJ 1997, 'Relationship of a Novel Polymorphic Marker Near the Human Obese (OB) Gene to Fat Mass in Healthy Women', Obesity Research, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 430-433.
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AbstractLAPSYS, NM, SM FURLER, KR MOORE, TV NGUYEN, H HERZOG, G HOWARD, K SAMARAS, DG CAREY, NA MORRISON, JA EISMAN, DJ CHISHOLM. Relationship of a novel polymorphic marker near the human obese (OB) gene to fat mass in healthy women.The cloning of the murine obese (ob)gene and its human homologue has recently been reported. Mutations in the mouse obgene result in hereditary obesity; however, the role of variations of OBin the regulation of bodyweight in humans has yet to be determined. The contribution of putative genetic variations in the human OBgene to total and regional fat mass in a normal twin population has been analyzed through linkage and association with a novel polymorphic marker, located in proximity to this gene. The polymorphic dinucleotide repeat, isolated from a PI clone containing the human OB gene, was physically localized by long‐range restriction mapping to within 30 kilobases of the OB locus. The marker was genotyped in a population of 47 healthy female/female dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs for which direct measures of central abdominal and whole body fat had been obtained by dual X‐ray absorbtiometry. Possible linkage between the microsatellite marker and whole‐body (p=0.008), but not central abdominal (p=0.09), fat deposits was indicated. No association between fat depot phenotype and marker genotype was detected. These results suggest that genetic variation in or close to the human OB gene may play a role in the size of body fat stores in healthy women.
Learoyd, DL 1997, 'Genetic Testing for Familial Cancer', Archives of Surgery, vol. 132, no. 9, pp. 1022-1022.
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Lewis, DD, Milthorpe, BK & Bellenger, CR 1997, 'Mechanical comparison of materials used for extracapsular stabilisation of the stifle joint in dogs', AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, vol. 75, no. 12, pp. 890-896.
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Liaw, D, Marsh, DJ, Li, J, Dahia, PLM, Wang, SI, Zheng, Z, Bose, S, Call, KM, Tsou, HC, Peacoke, M, Eng, C & Parsons, R 1997, 'Germline mutations of the PTEN gene in Cowden disease, an inherited breast and thyroid cancer syndrome', Nature Genetics, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 64-67.
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Liu, Y & Hoang, DB 1997, 'OSI remote procedure call: Standardization issues, design and implementation', COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS, vol. 20, no. 6, pp. 462-474.
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OSI Remote Procedure Call (RPC) has been identified as an essential communications and distribution mechanism for open distributed processing environments. This paper presents a design and implementation of an RPC protocol based on the ISO's second Commi
Lutton, P & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'Biomaterjals in the Marketplace: Focus on Orthopedic and Dental Applications', Materials Technology, vol. 12, no. 3-4, pp. 121-126.
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Lutton, P & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'The Status of Biomaterials for Orthopedic and Dental Applications: Part I – Materials', Materials Technology, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 59-64.
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Materials used for orthopedic and dental implantation are reviewed, and the mechanical properties of biocompatible metal, polymer, and ceramic materials are compared with those of human tissue.
Lutton, P & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'The Status of Biomaterials for Orthopedic and Dental Applications: Part II -Bioceramics in Orthopedic and Dental Applications', Materials Technology, vol. 12, no. 3-4, pp. 107-111.
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The applicability of ceramics for orthopedic and dental applications is assessed and future trends are identified.
Lutton, PP & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'Status of biomaterials for orthopedic and dental applications: Part I - materials', Materials Technology, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 59-63.
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Materials used for orthopedic and dental implantation are reviewed, and the mechanical properties of biocompatible metal, polymer, and ceramic materials are compared with those of human tissue.
Madden, KN, Johnson, KA, Howlett, CR, Milthorpe, BK, Robins, G, Ikada, Y & Schindhelm, K 1997, 'Resorbable and non-resorbable augmentation devices for tenorrhaphy of xenografts in extensor tendon deficits: 12 week study', BIOMATERIALS, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 225-234.
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Martinez-Coll, A, Cooper, P, Murphy, G & Nguyen, H 1997, 'Assessment of a laser-powered multiwavelength near-infrared spectrometer', Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings, vol. 2, pp. 696-699.
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Near infrared spectroscopy is a non-invasive technique for measuring relative blood volume and oxygen saturation in tissue. We have designed and built a research NIR-spectrometer which offers the flexibility to study changes in blood oxygen saturation (SO 2) and in blood volume (BV) during skeletal muscle pacing. The instrument consists of five 1 watt solid state lasers (780, 800, 830, 850 and 980 nm) fired sequentially at 5 μs pulses for a 1 ms cycle, and a 5 mm 2 photodiode receiver. Features of the spectrometer include, rapid realtime data acquisition (1000 samples/s), receiver protection against ambient light, large dynamic optical power output adjustable for each wavelength, and portability. In vitro photon scattering experiments and linear response to blood oxygen saturation changes for differential absorption (780-850 nm) provide an accurate measure of changes in SO 2, while the 800 nm signal can be used as a measure of blood volume change independently of SO 2 (±2%-SO 2 error). In addition, the 980 nm signal level is explored as an index of mean pathlength which may provide crucial information for determining absolute SO 2.
Morrison, NA, Qi, JC, Tokita, A, Kelly, PJ, Crofts, L, Nguyen, TV, Sambrook, PN & Eisman, JA 1997, 'Correction: Prediction of bone density from vitamin D raceptor alleles', Nature, vol. 387, no. 6628, pp. 106-106.
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Nguyen, TV, Sambrook, PN & Eisman, JA 1997, 'Sources of Variability in Bone Mineral Density Measurements: Implications for Study Design and Analysis of Bone Loss', Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 124-135.
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Abstract Measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) is a useful tool for monitoring efficacy in osteoporosis therapy. However, the ability to detect true change for a subject as well as for a group of subjects is dependent on the precision of the measurement. In this paper, short-term and long-term reliability of bone mass measurements were examined at the spine and femoral neck using dual-photon and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and related to guidelines for study design. The concepts involved in these analyses are relevant to a study for any therapy involving a quantitative trait. Short-term reliability was assessed by repeated measures in 60 subjects aged 46 ± 9 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD]), and in 32 elderly subjects (aged 75 ± 5 years), on the same day with repositioning. Long-term variability in the rate of linear changes in BMD was assessed in a cohort of 293 women and 184 men, aged 60+, each having BMD measured on three separate occasions over an average interval of 2 years. Short-term variability in BMD was assessed using the coefficient of reliability (R) and standard deviation (SD) of measurement error. Long-term variability in BMD was modeled by linear regression. In the younger sample, the SD of measurement error for the lumbar spine and femoral neck was 14 and 25 mg/cm2, respectively, yielding coefficients of reliability for short-term measurements of 0.99 and 0.97, respectively. In the elderly sample, the coefficient of reliability was 0.96 and 0.77 for lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively. For long-term variability, for which a linear rate of change in BMD was assumed, the SD of intrasubject variation in the women was 42 mg/cm2 at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck and in men 57 and 42 mg/cm2, respectively. The between-subject SD of the rates of change was higher in males than females (21 and 14 mg/cm2/year, respectively; p = 0.037). Importantly, intrasubject estimati...
O'Brien, BA, Harmon, BV, Cameron, DP & Allan, DJ 1997, 'Apoptosis is the mode of beta-cell death responsible for the development of IDDM in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse.', Diabetes, vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 750-757.
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The NOD/Lt mouse, a widely used model of human autoimmune IDDM, was used to establish the mode of beta-cell death responsible for the development of IDDM. Apoptotic cells were present within the islets of Langerhans in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of pancreases harvested from 3- to 18-week-old female NOD/Lt mice (a range of 11-50 apoptotic cells per 100 islets). Immunohistochemical localization of insulin to the dying cells confirmed the beta-cell origin of the apoptosis. Although some islets from age-matched control female NOD/scid mice contained apoptotic cells, virtually all of these cells were insulin negative as determined by immunohistochemistry. The small number of apoptotic insulin-positive cells identified in islets from NOD/scid mice (a range of 0-1 apoptotic cells per 100 islets) was not statistically significant, compared with the numbers recorded in NOD/Lt mice. All dying cells showed the morphological changes characteristic of cell death by apoptosis and stained positively with the TUNEL method for end-labeling DNA strand breaks. The maximum mean amount of beta-cell apoptosis occurring in NOD/Lt mice was at week 15 (50 apoptotic cells per 100 islets), which coincided with the earliest onset of diabetes as determined by blood glucose, urine glucose, and pancreatic immunoreactive insulin measurements. While there was no peak incidence of beta-cell apoptosis throughout the time period studied (weeks 3-18), the incidence of apoptosis decreased at week 18, by which time 50% of the animals had overt diabetes. The low levels of beta-cell apoptosis observed is indicative of a gradual deletion of the beta-cell population throughout the extensive preclinical period seen in this model and would be sufficient to account for the beta-cell loss resulting in IDDM. Apoptosis of beta-cells preceded the appearance of T-cells (CD3-positive by immunohistochemistry) in islets. Lymphocytic infiltration of islets (insulitis) was not detected until week...
O'Dowd, BF, Nguyen, T, Jung, BP, Marchese, A, Cheng, R, Heng, HHQ, Kolakowski, LF, Lynch, KR & George, SR 1997, 'Cloning and chromosomal mapping of four putative novel human G-protein-coupled receptor genes', Gene, vol. 187, no. 1, pp. 75-81.
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We report the discovery of four novel human putative G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) genes. Gene GPR20 was isolated by amplifying genomic DNA with oligos based on the opioid and somatostatin related receptor genes and subsequent screening of a genomic library. Also, using our customized search procedure of a database of expressed sequence tags (dbEST), cDNA sequences that partially encoded novel GPCRs were identified. These cDNA fragments were obtained and used to screen a genomic library to isolate the full-length coding region of the genes. This resulted in the isolation of genes GPR21, GPR22 and GPR23. The four encoded receptors share significant identity to each other and to other members of the receptor family. Northern blot analysis revealed expression of GPR20 and GPR22 in several human brain regions while GPR20 expression was detected also in liver. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to map GPR20 to chromosome 8q, region 24.3-24.2, GPR21 to chromosome 9, region q33, GPR22 to chromosome 7, region q22-q31.1, and GPR23 to chromosome X, region q13-q21.1.
Paterson, MJ, McCulloch, DG, Paterson, PJK & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'The morphology and structure of sol–gel derived zirconia films on stainless steel', Thin Solid Films, vol. 311, no. 1-2, pp. 196-206.
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Sol-gel zirconia films of various thicknesses were deposited on 316 stainless steel and treated using one of two firing regimes. The resulting effect on the structure of these films was investigated. One set of films were fired using a regime typically e
Payten, WM & Ben-Nissan, B 1997, 'Optimal structure formation using a chaotic self-organisational algorithm', Computers & Graphics, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 685-688.
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Optimal engineering shape design is becoming increasingly important as the efficient utilisation of material can account for significant cost savings during production. Traditional optimisation techniques based on finite element analysis using functional
Poon, CS & Braun, M 1997, 'Image segmentation by a deformable contour model incorporating region analysis', Physics in Medicine and Biology, vol. 42, no. 9, pp. 1833-1841.
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Deformable contour models are useful tools for image segmentation. However, many models depend mainly on local edge-based image features to guide the convergence of the contour. This makes the models sensitive to noise and the initial estimate. Our model incorporates region-based image features to improve its convergence and to reduce its dependence on initial estimation. Computational efficiency is achieved by an optimization strategy, modified from the greedy algorithm of Williams and Shah. The model allows a simultaneous optimization of multiple contours, making it useful for a large variety of segmentation problems.
Qu, X 1997, 'Is Insulin Resistance in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Related to Changes in Protein Kinase C in Skeletal Muscle?', American Journal of Hypertension, vol. 10, no. 9, pp. 1053-1057.
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The mechanism of insulin resistance in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has not been clearly identified, but protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated as a mechanism of insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes mellitus and in a diet-induced (f
Qu, X, Cooney, G & Donnelly, R 1997, 'Short-term metabolic and haemodynamic effects of GR79236 in normal and fructose-fed rats', European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 338, no. 3, pp. 269-276.
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The adenosine (A1) receptor agonist, GR79236 (N-[(1S,trans)-2-hydroxycyclopentyl]adenosine), inhibits catecholamine-induced lipolysis in vitro, but the short-term metabolic and haemodynamic effects have not been previously reported in the fructose fed mo
Samaras, K, Spector, TD, Nguyen, TV, Baan, K, Campbell, LV & Kelly, PJ 1997, 'Independent genetic factors determine the amount and distribution of fat in women after the menopause.', J Clin Endocrinol Metab, vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 781-785.
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Central adiposity is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease in women. We studied postmenopausal twins to explore the strength and the relationship between genetic influences on body fat and its distribution in a group where cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality. Healthy twin women were recruited from a national media campaign. One hundred nineteen monozygotic (MZ) and 97 dizygotic twin pairs were studied (mean +/- SE age 60 +/- 0.3 yr; 10 +/- 0.4 yr post menopausal). Total and central body fat were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Intrapair resemblance was significantly greater in MZ pairs for total fat (MZ vs. dizygotic, r = 0.70 +/- 0.05 vs. r = 0.46 +/- 0.08, P = 0.005) and central fat (r = 0.62 +/- 0.06 vs. r = 0.35 +/- 0.09, P = 0.005), suggesting a strong genetic influence on these traits. Model-fitting analysis indicated that genetic factors contribute up to 60% of total population variance in both total and central body fat. The heritability of central fat remained, after adjustment for the heritability of total fat, suggesting an independent genetic influence on fat distribution. These results were unchanged after adjusting for the effects of estrogen replacement and smoking. In conclusion, total adiposity and central abdominal fat mass in normal postmenopausal women are under strong genetic influence. The data suggest that some of the genes responsible for central adiposity and its metabolic sequelae will be different from those responsible for total adiposity.
Sawzdargo, M, George, SR, Nguyen, T, Xu, S, Kolakowski, LF & O'dowd, BF 1997, 'A Cluster of Four Novel Human G Protein-Coupled Receptor Genes Occurring in Close Proximity to CD22 Gene on Chromosome 19q13.1', Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 239, no. 2, pp. 543-547.
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In our search for novel human galanin receptor (GALR) subtypes, human genomic DNA was PCR amplified using sets of degenerate primers based on conserved sequences in human and rat GALR. The sequence of one of the subcloned PCR products revealed homology to a sequence in the 3' region of the human CD22 gene following a BLAST search of GenBank's database. A search for open reading frames (ORF) in the non-coding CD22 sequence resulted in identification of two novel putative intronless genes, GPR40 and GPR41. The recent submission of sequence overlapping the downstream CD22 sequence revealed a possible polymorphic insert containing a third intronless gene, GPR42, sharing 98% amino acid identity with GPR41, followed by a fourth intronless gene, GPR43. Thus, the GPR40, GPR41, GPR42, and GPR43 genes, respectively, occur downstream from CD22, a gene previously localized on chromosome 19q13.1. The four putative novel human genes encode new members of the GPCR family and share little homology with GALR.
Simpson, AM, Andrews, S, Hill, R, Hannan, G & Tuch, BE 1997, 'Inducible Insulin Expression In A Human Hepatoma Cell Line', Diabetologia, vol. 40, no. 0, pp. 1501-1501.
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Simpson, AM, Marshall, GM, Tuch, BE, Maxwell, L, Szymanska, B, Tu, J, Beynon, S, Swan, MA & Camacho, M 1997, 'Gene therapy of diabetes: glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in a human hepatoma cell line (HEP G2inslg)', GENE THERAPY, vol. 4, no. 11, pp. 1202-1215.
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In order to design a feasible somatic cell gene delivery system for the treatment of type I diabetes, a suitable cell type needs to be determined. We have previously shown that the stable transfection of the full-length insulin cDNA into the human liver
Smith, MM, Little, CB, Rodgers, K & Ghosh, P 1997, '[Animal models used for the evaluation of anti-osteoarthritis drugs].', Pathol Biol (Paris), vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 313-320.
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Naturally occurring osteoarthritis occurs in a variety of animal species including mice, guinea pigs, dogs and cynomolgus macaques and some of these animals have been used to evaluate the ability of anti-osteoarthritis drugs to reduce synovial inflammation and preserve cartilage integrity. However, the genetically determined animal models of osteoarthritis require the establishment of colonies which may take several years to develop and may be influenced by the strain of animal used and ill-defined environmental factors. On the other hand, the injection of irritants or enzymes into joints, or destabilization by surgical means, can rapidly and reproducibly lead to joint arthropathy and has therefore been more widely used. Although small animals, particularly rats and rabbits, have been the favoured target species, large animals such as dogs and sheep offer many advantages including the opportunity to undertake topographical analysis of joint cartilage and serial aspiration of synovial fluid. Meniscectomy is a common orthopaedic procedure which, in man and animals, is known to lead to osteoarthritis. In the past we have used this technique to induce osteoarthritis in pure bred dogs but more recently we have employed pure bred Merino sheep, which were matched for age, sex and weight. Using this ovine model we have been able to monitor the early and intermediate stages of cartilage metabolism, as well as identify key proteinases responsible for the loss of proteoglycans from these tissues in osteoarthritis. The effects of anti-osteoarthritis drugs on inflammatory mediators and cartilage metabolism has been successfully studied using the ovine model of osteoarthritis.
Tan, A, Milthorpe, BK & Huff, JW 1997, 'A technique for quantitation of protein deposits on rigid gas permeable contact lenses.', CLAO J, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 177-184.
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a method for quantitating protein on rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and apply it to worn lenses. METHODS: We built a video microscope and wrote software to measure light absorbance by contact lenses before and after protein staining with Coomassie brilliant blue. We corrected for the temporal stability and spatial uniformity of the system, and set the iris aperture so that both lens surfaces could be simultaneously focused. We examined four RGP lens types worn by 22 patients. Standard curves were prepared with plastic discs spiked with dialyzed Coomassie blue-stained bovine serum albumin. RESULTS: The method was linear (R2 = 0.99) from 14 to over 100 microg protein per image and independent of dioptric power from -6 to +14 diopters. Protein quantities on worn Equalens II, Advent, Quantum II, and Fluoroperm 92 lenses were not significantly different (123 +/- 36, 111 +/- 28, 110 +/- 23, and 83 +/- 15 microg/lens; means +/- SEMs, P > 0.7). Patients differed (P < 0.05) in protein deposition, independently of lens type, and fit a Poisson distribution. DISCUSSION: The method is adequate for quantitating protein on RGP lenses or for examining the efficacy of cleaning regimens or care systems. However, because of the non-Gaussian distribution of patient protein deposits, paired or cross-over experimental design and testing is recommended for studying protein deposition in clinical trials.
Trent, RJ, Sheffield, LJ, Deng, ZM, Kim, WS, Nassif, NT, Ryce, C, Woods, CG, Michaelis, RC, Tarleton, J & Smith, A 1997, 'The elusive Angelman syndrome critical region.', Journal of Medical Genetics, vol. 34, no. 9, pp. 714-718.
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Tuch, BE, Beynon, S, Tabiin, MT, Sassoon, R, Goodman, RJ & Simpson, AM 1997, 'Effect of β-Cell Toxins on Genetically Engineered Insulin-Secreting Cells', Journal of Autoimmunity, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 239-244.
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The betacyte is a genetically engineered insulin-secreting liver cell line that is glucose responsive. Whether this cell. is affected by specific beta-cell toxins is unknown. To explore this possibility we exposed these cells and those from the NIT-1 bet
Valenzuela, SM, Martin, DK, Por, SB, Robbins, JM, Warton, K, Bootcov, MR, Schofield, PR, Campbell, TJ & Breit, SN 1997, 'Molecular Cloning and Expression of a Chloride Ion Channel of Cell Nuclei', Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 272, no. 19, pp. 12575-12582.
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Ion channels are known to be present on the plasma membrane of virtually all cells and have been found on the membranes of various intracellular organelles. However, until recently they were believed not to occur at the nuclear membrane. In this study we describe the molecular cloning and characterization of a nuclear ion channel protein, designated nuclear chloride channel-27 (NCC27), from the human myelomonocytic cell line, U937. NCC27 is a novel chloride ion channel protein that was found to localize principally to the cell nucleus, Its only known homologue is a bovine chloride ion channel protein (p64) believed to localize to internal organelles. NCC27 therefore represents the first human member of a new class of organellar chloride ion channel proteins.
