Publications by authors named "Heath K"

We identified an AMOTL1 variant in a patient that adds evidence supporting the clinical and molecular overlap between AMOTL1-related disorders and other syndromes affecting craniofacial, cardiac, and hepatic development. As more cases are identified, we propose naming this entity as AMOTL1-associated multiple congenital anomalies or craniofaciocardiohepatic syndrome (CFCHS).

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Disaster simulation exercises are important to test service processes, capabilities, and deficiencies; disaster response planning should encompass the entire multidisciplinary team over an extended period. Our service simulated a modest eight burn casualty scenario to test our service capabilities over a 10-week period across medical, nursing, and allied health professions. Requirements due to the mass burns casualty cohort were predicted in terms of theatre requirements, allied health treatment hours required, and nursing hours requirements.

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Introduction: Drought is one of the biggest problems for crop production and also affects the survival and persistence of soil rhizobia, which limits the establishment of efficient symbiosis and endangers the productivity of legumes, the main source of plant protein worldwide.

Aim: Since the biodiversity can be altered by several factors including abiotic stresses or cultural practices, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of water availability, plant genotype and agricultural management on the presence, nodulation capacity and genotypic diversity of rhizobia.

Method: A field experiment was conducted with twelve common bean genotypes under irrigation and rain-fed conditions, both in conventional and organic management.

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Introduction: Despite universal access to government-funded direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in 2016, the rate of hepatitis C treatment uptake in Australia has declined substantially. Most hepatitis C is related to injecting drug use; reducing the hepatitis C burden among people who inject drugs (PWID) is, therefore, paramount to reach hepatitis C elimination targets. Increasing DAA uptake by PWID is important for interrupting transmission and reducing incidence, as well as reducing morbidity and mortality and improving quality of life of PWID and meeting Australia's hepatitis C elimination targets.

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Background: Heterozygous Indian Hedgehog gene (IHH) variants are associated with brachydactyly type A1 (BDA1). However, in recent years, numerous variants have been identified in patients with short stature and more variable forms of brachydactyly. Many are located in the C-terminal domain of IHH (IHH-C), which lacks signaling activity but is critical for auto-cleavage and activation of the N-terminal (IHH-N) peptide.

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The ecologically and economically vital symbiosis between nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and leguminous plants is often thought of as a bi-partite interaction, yet studies increasingly show the prevalence of non-rhizobial endophytes (NREs) that occupy nodules alongside rhizobia. Yet, what impact these NREs have on plant or rhizobium fitness remains unclear. Here, we investigated four NRE strains found to naturally co-occupy nodules of the legume alongside in native soils.

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Postpolymerization modification of highly defined "scaffold" polymers is a promising approach for overcoming the existing limitations of controlled radical polymerization such as batch-to-batch inconsistencies, accessibility to different monomers, and compatibility with harsh synthesis conditions. Using multiple physicochemical characterization techniques, we demonstrate that poly(2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl azlactone) (PVDMA) scaffolds can be efficiently modified with a coumarin derivative, doxorubicin, and camptothecin small molecule drugs. Subsequently, we show that coumarin-modified PVDMA has a high cellular biocompatibility and that coumarin derivatives are liberated from the polymer in the intracellular environment for cytosolic accumulation.

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There is no universally accepted definition for rare diseases: in Europe a disease is considered to be rare when affecting fewer than 1 in 2000 people. European Reference Networks (ERNs) have been the concrete response to address the unmet needs of rare disease patients and many pan-European issues in the field, reducing inequities, and significantly increasing accessibility to high-quality healthcare across Europe. ERNs are virtual networks, involving centres and patient representatives with the general scope to facilitate discussion on complex cases requiring highly specialised competences and trained expertise.

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A 1-week-old girl died suddenly and unexpectedly. At autopsy the major finding was of a right dominant coronary artery circulation with an inapparent left coronary artery ostium. After careful examination, an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery was found with the ostium located in the non-coronary cusp immediately adjacent to the commissure of the non- and left coronary cusps.

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Introduction: Longitudinal studies can provide timely and accurate information to evaluate and inform COVID-19 control and mitigation strategies and future pandemic preparedness. The Optimise Study is a multidisciplinary research platform established in the Australian state of Victoria in September 2020 to collect epidemiological, social, psychological and behavioural data from priority populations. It aims to understand changing public attitudes, behaviours and experiences of COVID-19 and inform epidemic modelling and support responsive government policy.

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The autosomal dominant spondylometaphyseal dysplasia Sutcliff type or corner fracture type FN1-related is characterized by a combination of metaphyseal irregularities simulating fractures ("corner fractures"), developmental coxa vara, and vertebral changes. It is linked to heterozygous mutations in FN1 and COL2A1. Vertebral changes as delayed vertebral ossification, ovoid vertebral bodies, anterior vertebral wedging, and platyspondyly have been observed in this condition, while odontoid abnormalities have not been reported.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type VI is a rare genetic disorder linked to mutations in the SERPINF1 gene, leading to severe bone deformities and frequent fractures, particularly during childhood.
  • - Four patients (three adults, one adolescent) exhibited symptoms like marked short stature, severe bone deformities, chronic pain, and limited mobility, with some being wheelchair-bound; however, they did not show common features like blue sclera or dentinogenesis imperfecta.
  • - Novel genetic variants were found in the patients, indicating a possible founder effect, and this study provides valuable insights into the long-term outcomes and prognosis of individuals with OI type VI.
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Acromesomelic dysplasia, PRKG2 type (AMDP, MIM 619636), is an extremely rare autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia characterized by severe disproportionate short stature presenting with acromesomelia, mild metaphyseal widening of the long bones and mild spondylar dysplasia. To date, only four variants have been reported; one nonsense, one splice-site, and two frameshifts in five AMDP families. Here, we report the first missense variant and a second splice-site variant in PRKG2 in two patients with clinical and radiological features of acromesomelic dysplasia.

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Purpose Of Review: Individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at a much greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population. This review discusses dietary patterns as a means of addressing modifiable risk factors following TBI exposure. Evidence-based resources for practicing Physiatrists and Brain Injury Medicine specialists pertaining to nutrition education and counseling are also provided.

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Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease culminating in the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic cells. There is a need for the development of novel antigen-specific strategies to delay cell destruction, including combinatorial strategies that do not elicit systemic immunosuppression. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is expressed by immune cells, β-cells, and gut bacteria and is immunomodulatory.

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Background/aim: NovoSorb Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix (BTM) is a relatively novel, biodegradable polyurethane-based dermal regeneration template. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term scarring outcomes and safety of BTM in patients who underwent dermal reconstruction involving ≥5% of the total body surface area.

Methods: This was a postmarket, multicenter, observational cohort study involving evaluation of long-term outcomes in patients treated with BTM.

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Background: In 2021, the Australian Government Department of Health commissioned a consortium of modelling groups to generate evidence assisting the transition from a goal of no community COVID-19 transmission to 'living with COVID-19', with adverse health and social consequences limited by vaccination and other measures. Due to the extended school closures over 2020-21, maximizing face-to-face teaching was a major objective during this transition. The consortium was tasked with informing school surveillance and contact management strategies to minimize infections and support this goal.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate how factors like vector length, implant angle, and patient characteristics influence the accuracy of electrogram sensing in insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs).
  • It involved analyzing 1800 ECG tracings from 150 participants using different distances, angles, and postures, finding that longer vector lengths (75 mm) and oblique angles improved P- and R-wave amplitudes significantly.
  • The findings suggest that optimizing vector length and implant angle can enhance electrogram visibility, which is crucial for reducing false alerts in cardiac monitoring.
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Objective: We describe COVID-19 risk reduction strategies adopted by Victorian adults during December 2021-January 2022, a period of high COVID-19 infection and limited government mandated public health measures.

Methods: In February 2022, participants of a Victorian-based cohort study (Optimise) completed a cross-sectional survey on risk reduction behaviours during December 2021-January 2022. Regression modelling estimated the association between risk reduction and demographics.

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A multitude of conditions may cause acute and unexpected upper airway compromise in both children and adults. These include mechanical blockage of the airways either from internal obstructions due to inhaled food or foreign objects, or from external compression. In addition, kinking of the airway in cases of positional asphyxia may compromise aeration.

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Background: Coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, and depression are common burdensome conditions.

Objectives: To examine whether multidimensional preventive in-home visits were associated with fewer emergency and inpatient care episodes and higher quality of care.

Research Design: An observational, retrospective data analysis.

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