Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs are important therapeutics for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Ecnoglutide (XW003) is a novel, long-acting GLP-1 analog. We conducted a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 145 adults with T2DM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA full understanding of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine-mediated antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants will inform vaccine effectiveness and vaccination development strategies. Here, we offer insights into the inactivated vaccine-induced antibody responses after prime-boost vaccination at both the polyclonal and monoclonal levels. We characterized the VDJ sequence of 118 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and found that 20 neutralizing mAbs showed varied potency and breadth against a range of variants including XBB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTriptolide is a valuable multipotent antitumor diterpenoid in Tripterygium wilfordii, and its C-14 hydroxyl group is often selected for modification to enhance both the bioavailability and antitumor efficacy. However, the mechanism for 14-hydroxylation formation remains unknown. Here, we discover 133 kb of tandem duplicated CYP82Ds encoding 11 genes on chromosome 12 and characterize CYP82D274 and CYP82D263 as 14-hydroxylases that catalyze the metabolic grid in triptolide biosynthesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Ther Nucleic Acids
December 2022
The success of the two mRNA vaccines developed by Moderna and BioNTech during the COVID-19 pandemic increased research interest into the application of mRNA technologies. Compared with the canonical linear mRNA used in these vaccines, circular mRNA has been found to mediate more potent and durable protein expression and demands a simpler manufacturing procedure. However, the application of circular mRNA is still at the initiation stage, and proof of concept for its use as a future medicine or vaccine is required.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMitochondrial DNA B Resour
August 2022
Z.J. Liu et S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study aimed to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's views of self-collection introduced in the renewed National Cervical Screening Program.
Methods: A total of 79 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women (50 screened in previous five years, 29 under-screened) from five clinics across three Australian states/territories participated. Topics discussed were perceptions of self-collection, the instruction card and suggestions for implementing self-collection.
Objective: To examine the cost benefits of a heat health warning system (HHWS) in South Australia.
Methods: Information from key agencies was used to estimate the costs associated with the South Australian HHWS, including for three targeted public health interventions. Health cost savings were estimated based on previously reported HHWS-attributable reductions in hospital and emergency department (ED) admissions and ambulance callouts.
Heat shock protein (Hsp90), a critical molecular chaperone that regulates the maturation of a large number of oncogenic client proteins, plays an essential role in the growth of neoplastic cells. Herein, DDO-6600 is identified to covalent modification of Cys598 on Hsp90 from in silico study and is verified by a series of biological assays. We demonstrated that DDO-6600 covalently bound to Cys598 on the Hsp90 C terminus and exhibited antiproliferative activities against multiple tumor cells without inhibiting ATPase activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAust N Z J Public Health
August 2021
Objective: To describe how the Australian Government Department of Health policies address equity in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methods: We searched the websites of the Australian Government Department of Health, Kidney Health Australia, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and the National Rural Health Alliance for policies using the search terms: kidney, renal and chronic.
Results: We included 24 policies that addressed groups of people that experience health inequities: 23 addressed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 18 rural/remote communities, 12 low socioeconomic status groups, six culturally and linguistically diverse communities and four addressed gender disparities.
Objective: To investigate perspectives of primary health care providers (HCPs) on providing cervical screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who experience a higher burden of cervical cancer than other Australian women.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 13 HCPs from four Australian Indigenous primary health care centres (PHCCs). Transcripts were thematically analysed.
Objectives: To identify and describe chronic disease prevention programs offered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Methods: ACCHSs were identified through the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW website. Chronic disease programs were identified from the Facebook page and website of each ACCHS.
Objective: To identify and describe caregiver perspectives on factors important for the health and wellbeing of urban Aboriginal children.
Methods: Caregivers of Aboriginal children participating in the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH) were asked to describe the single most important factor that would help their children to be healthy and well. Responses were analysed using thematic and content analysis.
Background: Small for gestational age (SGA) is a major determinant of poor perinatal outcome. Detecting SGA at term using ultrasound is challenging and we often plan birth based on clinical assessment.
Aims: To determine the incidence of SGA infants with birthweight <10th centile among women undergoing planned birth at term for suspected SGA despite a normal estimated fetal weight (EFW) on ultrasound at 35-37 weeks.
Background: The Solomon Islands is a developing country facing significant barriers to the provision of quality antenatal and obstetric care. The maternal mortality rate is 114/100 000 live births, ranking the Solomon Islands 113th globally. Investigating maternal mortality may yield valuable insight into improving these numbers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControl of attention is thought to be specifically impaired in schizophrenia due to abnormal function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The PFC plays a critical role in the identification of relevant stimuli and the development of appropriate biases for the identified signals, including selection of an appropriate attentional 'zoom'. We examined how demands associated with changes in attentional requirements in a Sustained Attention Task (SAT) may contribute to differences in functional involvement of the PFC and relation to clinical status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To quantify the childhood infectious disease burden and antibiotic use in the Northern Territory's East Arnhem region through synthesis and analysis of historical data resources.
Methods: We combined primary health clinic data originally reported in three separate publications stemming from the East Arnhem Healthy Skin Project (Jan-01 to Sep-07). Common statistical techniques were used to explore the prevalence of infectious conditions and the seasonality of infections, and to measure rates of antibiotic use.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder, which seriously undermines the health of maternity and fetus. However, its cause and pathogenesis remain elusive. Flawed decidualization is considered to be related to preeclampsia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAust N Z J Public Health
August 2017
Objective: To describe Aboriginal community members' perspectives on the outcomes and origins of resilience among Aboriginal children.
Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 36 Aboriginal adults (15 health service professionals, 8 youth workers and 13 community members) at two urban and one regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in New South Wales. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.
Objective: To describe and evaluate Hearing EAr health and Language Services (HEALS), a New South Wales (NSW) health initiative implemented in 2013 and 2014 as a model for enhanced clinical services arising from Aboriginal health research.
Methods: A case-study involving a mixed-methods evaluation of the origins and outcomes of HEALS, a collaboration among five NSW Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, and local service providers. Service delivery data was collected fortnightly; semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and caregivers of children who participated in HEALS.
A gene encoding a KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEOBOX PROTEIN1 (KD1) is highly expressed in both leaf and flower abscission zones. Reducing the abundance of transcripts of this gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by both virus-induced gene silencing and stable transformation with a silencing construct driven by an abscission-specific promoter resulted in a striking retardation of pedicel and petiole abscission. In contrast, Petroselinum, a semidominant KD1 mutant, showed accelerated pedicel and petiole abscission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAust N Z J Public Health
October 2014
Objective: Examining the association between socioeconomic disadvantage and heat-related emergency department (ED) visits during heatwave periods in Brisbane, 2000-2008.
Methods: Data from 10 public EDs were analysed using a generalised additive model for disease categories, age groups and gender.
Results: Cumulative relative risks (RR) for non-external causes other than cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were 1.
Aust N Z J Public Health
February 2014