Publications by authors named "M P Playford"

Background And Aims: Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) serves a dual function as a vitamin D carrier and actin scavenger. Free DBP is present in high concentrations in serum, while a smaller pool is bound to lipoproteins like HDL and VLDL. The role of DBP's interaction with lipoproteins remains unclear.

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  • Anthelmintic treatment in lactating dairy cattle may improve milk production, but optimal use depends on identifying which cows benefit most, potentially reducing drug resistance.
  • An observational study in south-west Victoria found no significant difference in milk production between cows with low and elevated fecal egg counts (FEC) shortly after calving.
  • The variability in FEC and milk yield across farms indicates that individual FEC results might not effectively identify cows that need anthelmintic treatment in these pasture-based dairy systems.
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  • Psoriasis is linked to higher cardiovascular risk, but how this connection works is not well understood, especially regarding systemic inflammation and skin disease severity.
  • The study aims to determine if systemic inflammation acts as a mediator between the severity of psoriasis and cardiovascular disease using data from two patient cohorts in the U.S. and Sweden.
  • Key outcomes analyzed include coronary artery health using advanced imaging and rates of hospitalization or death due to cardiovascular issues, with a focus on the roles of psoriasis severity and inflammation markers.
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This review summarises up-to-date research on the diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection in livestock and anthelmintic resistance in GIN. It was commissioned to assist funding bodies to prioritise and guide research and extension efforts to improve the health, welfare and productivity of grazing ruminants in the face of challenge with GIN. A comprehensive review of published articles from journals, books and websites was undertaken, with a focus on peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024 involving genera of GIN in grazing sheep and cattle with economic importance to New Zealand.

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  • Dyslipidemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, can be mitigated by time-restricted feeding (TRF), which limits food intake to a 12-hour window, resulting in reduced weight gain and cholesterol levels in preclinical mouse models.
  • In studies involving mice with LDLR mutations, TRF significantly decreased hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis by promoting lipid metabolism and excretion, demonstrating potential benefits for heart health.
  • The findings suggest that TRF could serve as an effective lifestyle intervention for reducing cardiovascular risks, particularly in individuals with LDLR-related conditions, though it may not be effective for those lacking the ApoE protein.
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