Publications by authors named "Nicole Watson"

Tissue repair is often impaired in pathological states, highlighting the need for innovative wound-healing technologies. This study introduces composite hyaluronic acid gas-entrapping materials (GEMs) delivering carbon monoxide (CO) to promote wound healing in pigs. These composite materials facilitate burst release followed by sustained release of CO over 48 h.

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Serious mental illness (SMI) remains a leading cause of disability worldwide. However, there is limited Australian evidence of community-based programs to enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of adults experiencing SMI. Foundations is a long-term community-based psychosocial outreach support program delivered in Tasmania, Australia.

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Recreational sedentary screen time (rSST) is the most prevalent sedentary behavior for adults outside of work, school, and sleep, and is strongly linked to poor health. StandUPTV is a mHealth trial that uses the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework to develop and evaluate the efficacy of three theory-based strategies for reducing rSST among adults. This paper describes the preparation and optimization phases of StandUPTV within the MOST framework.

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Purpose: Ulnar variance (UV) is a radiographic measurement relating the articular surface heights of the distal radius and ulna. Abnormal UV increases the risk for wrist pathology; however, it only provides a static measurement of an inherently dynamic bony relationship that changes with wrist position and loading. The purpose of this study was to investigate how full-body weight-bearing affects UV using weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT).

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As part of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical laboratories have been faced with massive increases in testing, resulting in sample collection systems, reagent, and staff shortages. We utilized self-collected saline gargle samples to optimize high throughput SARS-CoV-2 multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in order to minimize cost and technologist time. This was achieved through elimination of nucleic acid extraction and automation of sample handling on a widely available robotic liquid handler, Hamilton STARlet.

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The purpose of this study was to compare strength, bulk and time of repair of human cadaveric flexor digitorum profundus tendons repaired in situ versus ex situ. Ninety-six human cadaveric flexor digitorum profundus tendons were transected 5 mm distal to the A2-pulley and randomized to 2-strand, 4-strand or 6-strand repairs. We found no significant differences in repair strength between in situ and ex situ repairs, but repair strength increased with increasing number of strands.

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An important aspect of an indefinite life household panel study is to provide a sample of children who become new generations of respondents over time. The representativity of children and young adults in the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey is assessed after 16 waves. Estimates from the HILDA Survey are compared to official data sources of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and include demographic, education, employment, income and residential mobility variables.

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Children of problem gamblers are at risk of harm, however, there are no population level estimates as to how many children are currently exposed to parental problem- and at-risk gambling. The current study analysed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, a nationally representative survey, to derive the first ever national estimates of the proportion of problem, moderate, and low risk gamblers (as measured by PGSI) in the Australian parent population. It also reports how many children under 15 years of age in Australia are exposed to parental gambling across the gambling risk categories.

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To increase the repertoire of PCR based laboratory developed tests (LDTs) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, we describe a new multiplex assay (SORP), targeting the SARS-CoV-2's, Spike and ORF8 genes. The widely used human RNaseP internal control was modified to specifically co-amplify the RNaseP mRNA. The SORP triplex assay was tested on a cohort (n = 372; POS = 144/NEG = 228) of nasopharyngeal flocked swab (NPFS) specimens, previously tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using a PCR assay targeting E and RdRp genes.

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While there is discussion of increasing rates of mental disorders, epidemiological research finds little evidence of change over time. This research generally compares cross-sectional surveys conducted at different times. Declining response rates to representative surveys may mask increases in mental disorders and psychological distress.

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Background: This study aims to provide biomechanical data on the effect of patella height in the setting of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using finite element analysis. The study will also examine patellofemoral joint biomechanics using variable femoral insertion sites for MPFL reconstruction.

Methods: A previously validated finite element knee model was modified to study patella alta and baja by translating the patella a given distance to achieve each patella height ratio.

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A quarter of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene indicating MEN2. Therefore genetic testing is recommended for all patients presenting with MTC. Approximately 40% of MTCs have somatic RET mutations.

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Background: The drawbacks of iliac crest autograft as graft material for spine fusion are well reported. Despite continued modifications to improve bone healing capacity, the efficacy of synthetic graft materials as stand-alone replacements remains uncertain. The rabbit posterolateral fusion model is an established environment for testing of fusion concepts.

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The identification of somatic calreticulin (CALR) mutations can be used to confirm the diagnosis of a myeloproliferative disorder in Philadelphia chromosome-negative, JAK2 and MPL wild type patients with thrombocytosis. All pathogenic CALR mutations result in an identical C-terminal protein and therefore may be identifiable by immunohistochemistry. We sought to test the sensitivity and specificity of mutation specific immunohistochemistry for pathogenic CALR mutations using a commercially available mouse monoclonal antibody (clone CAL2).

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Germline mutations of the BAP1 gene have been implicated in a cancer predisposition syndrome which includes mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, cutaneous melanocytic lesions, renal cell carcinoma, and possibly other malignancies. Double hit inactivation of BAP1 with subsequent loss of expression of the BAP1 protein also occurs in approximately 50% of mesotheliomas. The link between BAP1 mutation and lung cancer is yet to be fully explored.

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Gynecologic and primary peritoneal serous carcinoma may be difficult to distinguish from abdominal mesotheliomas clinically, morphologically, and immunohistochemically. BAP1 double-hit inactivation and subsequent loss of protein expression have been reported in more than half of all abdominal mesotheliomas. We therefore sought to investigate the expression of BAP1 in serous carcinoma and explore its potential utility as a marker in the differential diagnosis with mesothelioma.

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Background: Pancreatic cancer is both common and highly lethal and therefore new biomarkers or potential targets for treatment are needed. Loss of BRCA associated protein-1 (BAP1) expression has been found in up to a quarter of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Given the close anatomical relationship between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we therefore sought to investigate the frequency of loss of BAP1 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

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Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapy is only indicated in RAS wild-type colorectal carcinomas (CRCs). It is recommended that both NRAS and KRAS mutation testing to be performed before a CRC is considered RAS wild-type. Given that mutation-specific immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been shown to be sensitive and specific for the detection of NRAS mutations in melanoma, we assessed the specificity of NRAS mutation-specific IHC in CRC.

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There is some uncertainty about pathological grading of mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma, defined as colorectal cancer demonstrating at least 50% mucinous differentiation. Under the WHO 2000 classification mucinous colorectal cancer was considered high grade. However under the current WHO 2010 classification microsatellite unstable/mismatch repair-deficient (MSI/MMRd) mucinous colorectal cancer is considered low grade, whereas microsatellite stable/mismatch repair proficient (MSS/MMRp) tumours are high grade.

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BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that functions as a tumor suppressor gene. Double hit BAP1 inactivation has been reported in a range of tumor types, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), sometimes in association with germline mutation.We performed immunohistochemistry for BAP1 on a well-characterized cohort of 211 ICC patients undergoing surgical resection with curative intent at 3 institutions based in 3 different countries.

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Primary intracranial tumors occur with an incidence of between 2.5 and 6 per 100,000 individuals. They require specialist expertise for investigation and management including input from radiology, pathology, neurosurgery, and oncology.

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Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) syndrome secondary to germline fumarate hydratase (FH) mutation presents with cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas, and a distinctive aggressive renal carcinoma. Identification of HLRCC patients presenting first with uterine leiomyomas may allow early intervention for renal carcinoma. We reviewed the morphology and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings in patients with uterine leiomyomas and confirmed or presumed HLRCC.

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