Publications by authors named "David Masters"

Dystocia contributes to lamb and ewe mortality in the periparturient period but impacts for extensive sheep production systems remain poorly understood. Here we show that lamb and ewe mortality associated with dystocia has important impacts on sheep production in Australia and New Zealand, and quantify financial impacts for the Australian sheep industry. A systematic review of the literature identified 11 publications published since 1990 that reported sheep mortality due to dystocia in Australia or New Zealand.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Vast volumes of data, coded through hierarchical terminologies (e.g., International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision-Clinical Modification [ICD10-CM], Medical Subject Headings [MeSH]), are generated routinely in electronic health record systems and medical literature databases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the human genome have been shown to have utility as markers of identity in the differentiation of DNA from individual contributors. Massively parallel DNA sequencing (MPS) technologies and human genome SNP databases allow for the design of suites of identity-linked target regions, amenable to sequencing in a multiplexed and massively parallel manner. Therefore, tools are needed for leveraging the genotypic information found within SNP databases for the discovery of genomic targets that can be evaluated on MPS platforms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ghrelin plays a major physiological role in the control of food intake, and inverse agonists of the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) are widely considered to offer utility as antiobesity agents by lowering the set-point for hunger between meals. We identified an acylurea series of ghrelin modulators from high throughput screening and optimized binding affinity through structure-activity relationship studies. Furthermore, we identified specific substructural changes, which switched partial agonist activity to inverse agonist activity, and optimized physicochemical and DMPK properties to afford the non-CNS penetrant inverse agonist 22 (AZ-GHS-22) and the CNS penetrant inverse agonist 38 (AZ-GHS-38).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

On-farm activities that reduce GHG emissions or sequester carbon from the atmosphere to compensate for anthropogenic emissions are currently being evaluated by the Australian Government as carbon offset opportunities. The aim of this study was to examine the implications of establishing and grazing Kikuyu pastures, integrated as part of a mixed Merino sheep and cropping system, as a carbon offset mechanism. For the assessment of changes in net greenhouse gas emissions, results from a combination of whole farm economic and livestock models were used (MIDAS and GrassGro).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

SAR studies led to the identification of 4-(3-benzoylamino-6-methyl-anilino)quinazolines as potent and selective inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase. Further optimisation led to the identification of a series of 4-(3-benzoylamino-6-methyl-anilino)pyrimidines as potent inhibitors of the p38 MAP kinase signalling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A novel p38 MAP kinase inhibitor structural class was discovered through selectivity screening. The rational analogue design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of this series of bis-amide inhibitors is reported. The inhibition in vitro of human p38alpha enzyme activity and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha release is described for the series.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Biodegradable drug-delivery systems can be formulated to release drug for hours to years and have been used for the controlled release of medications in animals and humans. An important consideration in developing a drug-delivery matrix is knowledge of the long-term stability of the form of the drug and matrix after formulation and any changes that might occur to the drug throughout the delivery process. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is an effective technique for studying the state of both the drug and the matrix.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The hypothesis that antagonists of the neuropeptide Y5 receptor would provide safe and effective appetite suppressants for the treatment of obesity has prompted vigorous research to identify suitable compounds. We discovered a series of acylated aminocarbazole derivatives (e.g.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF