Publications by authors named "Suzzanne J Owen"

Glucocorticoids (GCs) control essential metabolic processes in virtually every cell in the body and play a vital role in the development of fetal tissues and organ systems. The biological actions of GCs are mediated via glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), the cytoplasmic transcription factors that regulate the transcription of genes involved in placental and fetal growth and development. Several experimental studies have demonstrated that fetal exposure to high maternal GC levels early in gestation is associated with adverse fetal outcomes, including low birthweight, intrauterine growth restriction and anatomical and structural abnormalities that may increase the risk of cardiovascular, metabolic and neuroendocrine disorders in adulthood.

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Respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a major clinical problem globally, particularly for patients with chronic pulmonary disorders, such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis (nCFB) and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, critically ill and immunocompromised patients are also at significant risk of P. aeruginosa infection.

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ABSTRACT Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease that is endemic to tropical northern Australia and Southeast Asia, with a mortality rate of 14 to 50%. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent which infects numerous parts of the human body, including the brain, which results in the neurological manifestation of melioidosis. The olfactory nerve constitutes a direct conduit from the nasal cavity into the brain, and we have previously reported that B.

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This study examined the effect of age, ovariectomy and dietary phytoestrogen ingestion on 17-β-estradiol-mediated relaxant responses and messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of oestrogen receptor subtypes in the rat isolated bladder. Female Wistar rats (8 weeks) were anaesthetised, and the ovaries were removed (ovx) or left intact (sham). Rats were fed either normal rat chow (soy, phytoestrogens) or a non-soy (phytoestrogen free) diet.

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Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative environmental bacterium and the causative agent of melioidosis, a potentially fatal, acute or chronic disease endemic in the tropics. Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated quorum sensing and signalling have been associated with virulence and biofilm formation in numerous bacterial pathogens. In the canonical acyl-homoserine lactone signalling paradigm, AHLs are detected by a response regulator.

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This study examined the effect of age, ovariectomy and dietary phytoestrogen ingestion on adenosine A(2B) receptor mediated relaxant responses and mRNA expression of adenosine receptor subtypes in the rat isolated bladder. Female Wistar rats (8 weeks) were anaesthetised and the ovaries were removed (ovx) or left intact (sham). Rats were fed either normal rat chow (soy, phytoestrogens) or a non-soy (phytoestrogen free) diet.

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Aims: Development of urinary incontinence, for many women, occurs following menopause. Dietary phytoestrogens consumed over the long term may affect the contractile function and maintenance of the urinary bladder in post menopausal women. This study examined the muscarinic receptor mediated contractile responses in the rat isolated bladder in response to ovariectomy and long term dietary phytoestrogen consumption.

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Background: Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is generally considered to be acquired via inhalation of dust or water droplets from the environment. In this study, we show that infection of the nasal mucosa is potentially an important portal of entry in melioidosis.

Methods: After intranasal inoculation of mice, infection was monitored by bioluminescence imaging and by immunohistological analysis of coronal sections.

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