Characterisation of Platelet Releasate Proteome in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Reveals Dysregulation of Inflammatory Signalling and Extracellular Vesicle Dynamics.

Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease characterised by blood-brain barrier dysfunction and leukocyte infiltration into the CNS. Platelets are best known for their contributions to haemostasis, however, upon activation, platelets release an abundance of soluble and vesicular-associated proteins, termed the platelet releasate (PR). This milieu contains numerous inflammatory and vasoactive proteins, that can attract leukocytes and alter endothelial permeability.

Platelet inhibition by hypochlorous acid involves cAMP signalling.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), made by neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase, has been suggested to inhibit platelets, however, the mechanisms involved have not been described. Here we confirm that HOCl exposure changes platelet morphology and inhibits platelet spreading and aggregation. HOCl effects could be reversed by glutathione suggesting a role for cysteine oxidation.

Effects of exercise on cAMP-mediated platelet inhibition in young women: a pilot study.

Purpose: Exercise has been shown to reduce platelet reactivity and increase platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin, an endothelium-derived inhibitor of platelet activation, in middle-aged men and women. It is currently unknown if these beneficial effects can also be observed in young women and the intracellular mechanisms involved have not been identified. In this study, the feasibility of detecting changes in platelet reactivity, prostacyclin sensitivity and cAMP signalling were tested.

Roles of G proteins and their GTPase-activating proteins in platelets.

Platelets are small anucleate blood cells supporting vascular function. They circulate in a quiescent state monitoring the vasculature for injuries. Platelets adhere to injury sites and can be rapidly activated to secrete granules and to form platelet/platelet aggregates.

RhoGAP6 interacts with COPI to regulate protein transport.

RhoGAP6 is the most highly expressed GTPase-activating protein (GAP) in platelets specific for RhoA. Structurally RhoGAP6 contains a central catalytic GAP domain surrounded by large, disordered N- and C-termini of unknown function. Sequence analysis revealed three conserved consecutive overlapping di-tryptophan motifs close to the RhoGAP6 C-terminus which were predicted to bind to the mu homology domain (MHD) of δ-COP, a component of the COPI vesicle complex.

Nondairy food applications of whey and milk permeates: Direct and indirect uses.

Permeates are generated in the dairy industry as byproducts from the production of high-protein products (e.g., whey or milk protein isolates and concentrates).

Analysis of protein phosphorylation using Phos-tag gels.

Phosphorylation is a major regulatory mechanism controlling protein and cell function. Phosphoproteomics is continuing to reveal the extent and complexity of protein phosphorylation. In particular, most proteins are emerging to contain multiple phosphorylation sites.

Pembrolizumab induces HIV latency reversal in people living with HIV and cancer on antiretroviral therapy.

In people living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART), virus persists in a latent form where there is minimal transcription or protein expression. Latently infected cells are a major barrier to curing HIV. Increasing HIV transcription and viral production in latently infected cells could facilitate immune recognition and reduce the pool of infected cells that persist on ART.

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis as a Complementary Technique for Stickiness Determination in Model Whey Protein Powders.

The α-relaxation temperatures (T), derived from the storage and loss moduli using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), were compared to methods for stickiness and glass transition determination for a selection of model whey protein concentrate (WPC) powders with varying protein contents. Glass transition temperatures (T) were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and stickiness behavior was characterized using a fluidization technique. For the lower protein powders (WPC 20 and 35), the mechanical T determined from the storage modulus of the DMA (T onset) were in good agreement with the fluidization results, whereas for higher protein powders (WPC 50 and 65), the fluidization results compared better to the loss modulus results of the DMA (T peak).

The use of rapid, small-scale column tests to determine the efficiency of bauxite residue as a low-cost adsorbent in the removal of dissolved reactive phosphorus from agricultural waters.

Bauxite residue, the by-product produced in the alumina industry, is a potential low-cost adsorbent in the removal of phosphorus (P) from aqueous solution, due to its high composition of residual iron oxides such as hematite. Several studies have investigated the performance of bauxite residue in removing P; however, the majority have involved the use of laboratory "batch" tests, which may not accurately estimate its actual performance in filter systems. This study investigated the use of rapid, small-scale column tests to predict the dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) removal capacity of bauxite residue when treating two agricultural waters of low (forest run-off) and high (dairy soiled water) phosphorus content.

Re-using bauxite residues: benefits beyond (critical raw) material recovery.

Since the world economy has been confronted with an increasing risk of supply shortages of critical raw materials (CRMs), there has been a major interest in identifying alternative secondary sources of CRMs. Bauxite residues from alumina production are available at a multi-million tonnes scale worldwide. So far, attempts have been made to find alternative re-use applications for bauxite residues, for instance in cement / pig iron production.

Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence area, but not intensity, is associated with myopia.

Background: Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) has been used as a biomarker of time spent outdoors. Smaller CUVAF area is associated with myopia in southern hemisphere cohorts. Further research is required to determine if this association is replicated in northern latitudes and whether average CUVAF intensity is a valuable metric.

Myopes have significantly higher serum melatonin concentrations than non-myopes.

Purpose: Experimental animal models of myopia demonstrate that higher melatonin (Mel) and lower dopamine (DA) concentrations actively promote axial elongation. This study explored the association between myopia and serum concentrations of DA and Mel in humans.

Methods: Morning serum concentrations of DA and Mel were measured by solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry from 54 participants (age 19.

Implementing health promotion tools in Australian Indigenous primary health care.

Background: In Australia, significant resources have been invested in producing health promotion best practice guidelines, frameworks and tools (herein referred to as health promotion tools) as a strategy to improve Indigenous health promotion programmes. Yet, there has been very little rigorous implementation research about whether or how health promotion tools are implemented. This paper theorizes the complex processes of health promotion tool implementation in Indigenous comprehensive primary healthcare services.

The use of conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) as a biomarker of time spent outdoors.

Purpose: Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) has been used in previous Southern Hemisphere myopia research as a marker for time spent outdoors. The validity of CUVAF as an indicator of time spent outdoors is yet to be explored in the Northern Hemisphere. It is unclear if CUVAF represents damage attributed to UV exposure or dry eye.

Improving Health Promotion Using Quality Improvement Techniques in Australian Indigenous Primary Health Care.

Although some areas of clinical health care are becoming adept at implementing continuous quality improvement (CQI) projects, there has been limited experimentation of CQI in health promotion. In this study, we examined the impact of a CQI intervention on health promotion in four Australian Indigenous primary health care centers. Our study objectives were to (a) describe the scope and quality of health promotion activities, (b) describe the status of health center system support for health promotion activities, and (c) introduce a CQI intervention and examine the impact on health promotion activities and health centers systems over 2 years.

Six Year Refractive Change among White Children and Young Adults: Evidence for Significant Increase in Myopia among White UK Children.

Objective: To determine six-year spherical refractive error change among white children and young adults in the UK and evaluate differences in refractive profiles between contemporary Australian children and historical UK data.

Design: Population-based prospective study.

Participants: The Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) study Phase 1 examined 1068 children in two cohorts aged 6-7 years and 12-13 years.

Determinants of access to chronic illness care: a mixed-methods evaluation of a national multifaceted chronic disease package for Indigenous Australians.

Objectives: Indigenous Australians have a disproportionately high burden of chronic illness, and relatively poor access to healthcare. This paper examines how a national multicomponent programme aimed at improving prevention and management of chronic disease among Australian Indigenous people addressed various dimensions of access.

Design: Data from a place-based, mixed-methods formative evaluation were analysed against a framework that defines supply and demand-side dimensions to access.

The Changing Profile of Astigmatism in Childhood: The NICER Study.

Purpose: We performed a prospective study of the changing profile of astigmatism in white school children in Northern Ireland.

Methods: Of the 399 6- to 7-year-old and 669 12- to 13-year-old participants in Phase 1 of the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) study, 302 (76%) of the younger and 436 (65%) of the older cohort were re-examined three years later (Phase 2). Stratified random cluster sampling was used.

Risk Factors for Childhood Myopia: Findings From the NICER Study.

Purpose: We explored risk factors for myopia in 12- to 13-year-old children in Northern Ireland (NI).

Methods: Stratified random sampling was performed to obtain representation of schools and children. Cycloplegia was achieved using cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1%.

Evaluating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion activities using audit and feedback.

Indigenous primary health care (PHC) services have been identified as exemplary models of comprehensive PHC; however, many practitioners in these services struggle to deliver effective health promotion. In particular, practitioners have limited capacity and resources to evaluate health promotion activities. Best practice health promotion is important to help address the lifestyle and wider factors that impact on the health of people and communities.

The characteristics, implementation and effects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion tools: a systematic literature search.

Background: Health promotion by and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter Indigenous) Australians is critically important given a wide gap in health parity compared to other Australians. The development and implementation of step-by-step guides, instruments, packages, frameworks or resources has provided a feasible and low-resource strategy for strengthening evidence-informed health promotion practice. Yet there has been little assessment of where and how these tools are implemented or their effectiveness.

Follow-up of Indigenous-specific health assessments - a socioecological analysis.

Objectives: To describe patterns of uptake of Indigenous-specific health assessments and associated follow-up items, and examine the barriers and enablers to delivery and billing of follow-up over the first 3 years of implementation of the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package (ICDP).

Design, Setting And Participants: We used a socioecological approach to analyse data derived from the Sentinel Sites Evaluation of the ICDP - with data from 24 sites across Australia. Administrative data (1 May 2009 to 30 May 2012) and program data (1 March 2010 to 30 May 2012) were provided by the Department of Health.

An investigation into the validity of self-reported classification of refractive error.

Purpose: To assess the validity of questionnaire use in the self-identification of refractive status.

Methods: Two hundred and forty adults (21-60 years of age) presenting for a routine eye examination at various optometric practices in Northern Ireland were asked to complete one of two questionnaires. Both questionnaires used identical questions to ascertain age, gender, current spectacle use, age of first spectacle use and level of education.