School of Medicine Publications - UQ eSpace

AAA Evar at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital: 1994-2004

2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

A basaloid neoplasm with ductal differentiation

2009-03-19T00:00:00Z

CASE REPORT A 77-year-old man noticed the gradual growth of a plaque lesion with a 4-year history on his left temporal region. On examination, he had a partly pigmented, waxy, and elevated plaque lesion measuring 2 × 1.5 cm on his left side of the temporal region (Fig. 1). The nodule was completely excised after the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. Histopathologic examination showed a neoplasm composed of lobules of basaloid cells (Fig. 2). No evidence of recurrence has been observed at 1 year after excision.

A baseline study of importance of bovines for human Schistosoma Japonicum infections around Poyang Lake, China: Villages studied and snail sampling strategy

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

An epidemiologic survey among four administrative villages around Poyang Lake, in Jiangxi Province, China (two experimental and two controls) is being conducted to determine if bovine infections are responsible for the persistence of human schistosomiasis transmission on Yangtze River marshlands. A previously published paper presented the experimental design and baseline data for humans and bovines. This paper presents basic data for the four villages using remote sensing, and baseline data for snails that includes geographic information systems and remote sensing technology to classify the areas of bovine grazing ranges and habitats suitable for snails. A new method for sampling Oncomelania snails in China is used to determine the distribution, density, and infection rates of snails throughout the grazing ranges from season to season over a four-year period. Hypothetically, treating bovines should reduce infection rates in snails to below the critical number necessary to maintain infections in man and bovines.

A basis function feature-based approach for skin lesion discrimination in dermatology dermoscopy images

2009-04-02T00:00:00Z

A battlefield occupational risk not to be ignored

2012-11-15T00:00:00Z

ABCA12 is a major causative gene for non-bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma

2009-11-25T00:00:00Z

ABCA12 is involved in lipid transport from the Golgi apparatus to cell periphery in epidermal keratinocytes

2009-11-27T00:00:00Z

Mutations in ABCA12 lead to harlequin ichthyosis and lamellar ichthyosis. The keratinocyte lipid transporter ABCA12 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, and members of the ABCA subfamily have closely related functions as lipid transporters. Previously, we reported that the pathomechanism of harlequin ichthyosis involves the defective function of the lipid transporter ABCA12.To further elucidate the precise distribution pattern and function of ABCA12, we performed double-labeling immunofl uorescence staining for ABCA12 and for Golgi-associated or lamellar granule-associated molecules both on normal human epidermis and cultured normal human keratinocytes. We studied the precise localization of ABCA12 and other molecules using confocal laser scanning microscope. In normal human epidermis, ABCA12 was observed mainly in the granular layers with glucosylceramide (one of the major lamellar granule contents) and transglutaminase 1 (a cornifi ed cell envelope-associated keratinization marker), but not always colocalized with GM130 and TGN46 (Golgi-related molecules) that were expressed from the lower epidermis. In normal human keratinocytes cultured in high Ca++ concentration medium, ABCA12 colocalized with GM130 (a cis-Golgi- associated molecule), TGN46 (a trans-Golgi-associated molecule) and glucosylceramide. Transglutaminase 1 was restricted to the cell membrane and ABCA12 localization was within the cytoplasm distinct from transglutaminase 1 localization. The present results suggest that ABCA12 is mainly expressed in differentiated, granular layer keratinocytes with glucosylceramide and transglutaminase 1, and, at the subcellular level, ABCA12 is distributed from the cisside of the Golgi apparatus to trans-Golgi network, lamellar granules at the cell periphery. Our results suggest that ABCA12 may play an important role in lipid transport from the cis-side of the Golgi apparatus through the trans-Golgi network, to the cell periphery via lamellar granules in human epidermal granular layer keratinocytes

Abdominal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm

2011-03-14T00:00:00Z

Most abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) are asymptomatic and are found on physical exam or incidentally during radiological studies for other indications. These aneurysms are repaired primarily because their risk of rupture increases geometrically as the size exceeds 5 cm. The potential morbidity of intraoperative visceral and spinal ischemia involved with TAAA repair may be reduced with various adjunctive maneuvers.

Abdominal binder improves lung volumes and voice in people with tetraplegic spinal cord injury

2012-12-17T15:59:26Z

Abdominal binder use in people with spinal cord injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2009-11-05T00:00:00Z

Abdominal injury and the seat-belt sign

Wotherspoon, S. og Chu, K. og Brown, A. — 2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

Abdominal palpation haptic device for colonoscopy simulation using pneumatic control

2012-06-25T09:54:41Z

In this paper, we describe the development of a haptic device to be used in a simulator aiming to train the skills of gastroenterology assistants in abdominal palpation during colonoscopy, as well as to train team interaction skills for the colonoscopy team. To understand the haptic feedback forces to be simulated by the haptic device, we conducted an experiment with five participants of varying BMI. The applied forces and displacements were measured and hysteresis modeling was used to characterize the experimental data. These models were used to determine the haptic feedback forces required to simulate a BMI case in response to the real-time user interactions. The pneumatic haptic device consisted of a sphygmomanometer bladder as the haptic interface and a fuzzy controller to regulate the bladder pressure. The haptic device showed good steady state and dynamic response was adequate for simulating haptic interactions. Tracking accuracy averaged 94.2 percent within 300 ms of the reference input while the user was actively applying abdominal palpation and minor repositioning.

Abdominal sacral colpopexy or vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse: A prospective randomized study

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

A bedside assay to detect streptococcus pneumoniae in children with empyema

2011-10-21T00:00:00Z

A behavior genetic investigation of adolescent motherhood and offspring mental health problems

2008-03-03T00:00:00Z

The present study examines the relations between adolescent motherhood and children's behavior, substance use, and internalizing problems in a sample of 1,368 children of 712 female twins from Australia. Adolescent motherhood remained significantly associated with all mental health problems, even when using a quasiexperimental design capable of controlling for genetic and environmental confounds. However, the relation between adolescent motherhood and offspring behavior problems and substance use was partially confounded by family background variables that influence both generations. The results are consistent with a causal relation between adolescent motherhood and offspring mental health problems, and they highlight the usefulness of behavior genetic designs when examining putative environmental risks for the development of psychopathology. The generalizability of these results to the United States, which has a higher adolescent birth rate, is discussed.

Aberrant cervical thymus mimicking a cervical mass

Conwell, Louise og Batch, J. A. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

A case of a 9-year-old female with suprasternal extension of the thymus mimicking thyroid gland enlargement is described. Ultrasonography successfully established the diagnosis. Aberrant cervical thymic tissue is an infrequently reported cause of paediatric neck masses. It is important to be aware of this entity to prevent anxiety and inappropriate investigation and/or intervention.

Aberrant methylation of ppENK in mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

2011-03-09T00:00:00Z

Aberrant methylation of preproenkephalin and p16 genes in pancreatic Intraepithelial neoplasia and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

2011-03-09T00:00:00Z

Aberrant methylation of the 5 ' CpG island of TSLC1 is common in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and is first manifest in high-grade PanINs

2011-03-09T00:00:00Z

Aberrant mucin assembly in mice causes endoplasmic reticulum stress and spontaneous inflammation resembling ulcerative colitis

2009-04-07T00:00:00Z

Aberrant mucin glycoprotein patterns of chronic rhinosinusitis patients with bacterial biofilms

2011-02-24T00:00:00Z

A beta cell-specific knockout of hormone-sensitive lipase in mice results in hyperglycaemia and disruption of exocytosis

2011-09-20T00:00:00Z

A better understanding of the term radial scar

2011-03-14T00:00:00Z

Background: Radial scar is a breast lesion with mammographic and histologic features similar to carcinoma. We reviewed the characteristics of patients with radial scars to better understand these lesions and to determine the incidence of associated carcinoma. Methods: Records for all patients undergoing diagnostic wire localized excisional breast biopsy from January 1993 to September 1999 were reviewed to identify those with histologic or mammographic evidence of radial scar. Clinical records, mammograms, and pathologic slides of these patients were reviewed. Results: We identified 45 cases of radial scar: 10 patients had mammographic and histologic evidence of radial scar (group I), 29 only mammographic evidence (group II), and 6 only histologic evidence (group III). Breast cancer risk was similar in the three patient groups. Carcinoma was identified in 18 patients with mammographic radial scars. Conclusions: Mammographically detected radial scars were associated with carcinoma in 18 of 39 (46%) cases. Histologically identified radial scars are not associated with malignancy and should not be confused with mammographically identified lesions.

Ability and heritability: Investigating the continuous effect of IQ score on IQ etiology in multiple samples

2011-03-31T00:00:00Z

Biometrical analyses have concluded that high IQ, at least given a relatively unrestrictive definition of top 15%, does not appear to have the distinct causal influences one might expect of a distinct phenotype. However, it remains possible that there are quantitative changes in the causal factors (or in the magnitude of their influence) across the full distribution of ability. This possibility was examined using an extension to the DeFries-Fulker Regression method that allows examination of changes in the contribution of additive genetic and shared environmental influences as a continuous function of increase in the trait scores (Cherny, Fulker & DeFries, (1992), Behavior Gentics, 22(2), p.153–162). Analysis using a collaborative sample of 11,000 twin pairs from four countries demonstrated a linear increase in shared environmental influences as ability level increases. Examination of sample heterogeneity demonstrated that this pattern only applied to the portion of the sample that was above the age of 13, and corresponded to an increase from a value of 0 for the bottom half of the distribution to 0.39 for the top half. This pattern is suggestive of a persistence of shared environmental effects further into development for higher IQ individuals. This same pattern was seen in longitudinalanalysis of the Colorado Longitudinal Twin Sample, although the interaction effect seen at age 16 was only suggestive. The effect was additionally tested in sibling pairs from the Colorado Adoption Project. Results again showed a trend at age 16 but only in biological and not adoptive siblings. Implications of and possible explanations for this pattern of results will be discussed. © Springer

Ability of bioelectrical impedance to predict percentage fat mass in children of two different ethnic origins

2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Ability of Bioelectrical Impedance to Predict Percentage Fat Mass in Children of Two Different Ethnic Origins

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Detailed analysis of body composition in children has helped to understand changes that occur in growth and disease. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has gained popularity as a simple, non-invasive and inexpensive tool of body composition assessment. Being an indirect technique, prediction equations have to be used in the assessment of body composition. There are many prediction equations available in the literature for the assessment of body composition from BIA. This study aims to cross-validate some of those prediction equations to determine the suitability of their use on Australian children of white Caucasian and Sri Lankan origins. Height, weight and BIA were measured. Total body water was measured using the isotope dilution method (D2O). Fat-mass (FM) and %FM were estimated from BIA using ten prediction equations described in the literature. Five to 14.99-year-old healthy, 96 white Caucasians and 42 Sri Lankan children were studied. The equation of Schaefer et al was the most suitable prediction equation for this group with the lowest mean bias for %FM assessment in both Caucasian (–1.0±9.6%) and Sri Lankan (1.6±5.2%) children and the fat content of the individuals did not influence the predictions by this equation. Impedance index (height2/impedance) explained for 80% of TBW in white Caucasians and 93% in Sri Lankans and figures were similar for the prediction of FFM. We conclude that BIA can be used effectively in the assessment of body composition in children. However, for the assessment of body composition using BIA, either prediction equations should be derived to suit the local populations or existing equations should be cross-validated to determine their suitability before their application.

Ability of commonly used prediction equations to predict resting energy expenditure in children with inflammatory bowel disease

2010-12-06T00:00:00Z

A biographical note on Marcel Proust's Professor Cottard

Pearn, J. og Gardner-Thorpe, C. — 2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

A biomarker-based mathematical model to predict bone-forming potency of human synovial and periosteal mesenchymal stem cells

2010-03-30T00:00:00Z

A biomechanical investigation of anterior vertebral stapling

2012-03-18T00:00:00Z

An immature calf spine model was used to undertake anatomical and biomechanical investigations of an anterior vertebral staple used in the thoracic spine to treat scoliosis. The study involved three stages: (1) displacement controlled testing to determine changes in bending stiffness of the spine following staple insertion, (2) measurement of forces in the staple using strain gauges, and (3) micro-CT scanning of vertebrae following staple insertion to describe the associated anatomical changes. The results suggest that the mechanism of action of stapling may be a consequence of hemiepiphysiodesis causing convex growth arrest, rather than the production of sustained compressive forces across the motion segment.

A biomechanical investigation of vertebral staples for fusionless scoliosis correction

2012-03-18T00:00:00Z

A biomechanical study of top screw pullout in anterior scoliosis correction constructs

2012-03-18T00:00:00Z

A biopsychosocial perspective on adjustment and quality of life following brain tumor: A systematic evaluation of the literature

2010-04-01T00:00:00Z

A bivalent Neisseria meningitidis recombinant lipidated factor H binding protein vaccine in young adults: results of a randomised, controlled, dose-escalation phase-1 trial

2012-11-15T11:05:39Z

A blueprint for identifying and managing patients within a heart failure service

2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

A blueprint for staging of murine melanocytic lesions based on the Cdk4 R24C/R24C :: Tyr- NRAS Q 61K model

2012-07-16T23:21:09Z

A blueprint for telerehabilitation guidelines

2011-10-18T00:00:00Z

Abnormal access to semantic representations during category generation in schizophrenia

2009-12-08T00:00:00Z

Abnormal epidermal kindlin-1 expression leads to loss of keratinocyte matrix adhesion, cytoskeletal disruption and apoptosis in Kindler Syndrome patient skin

McMillan, James R. — 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z

Abnormal exercise forearm vascular responses in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope

2012-05-31T00:00:00Z

Abnormal expression of stromelysin-2 (MMP10) in Marfan syndrome (MFS) and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aneurysm

2008-02-18T14:12:24Z

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participating in extracellular matrix remodelling and degradation are believed to be important mechanisms in the development of aortic aneurysm. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP10) leading to the breakdown of protein components associated with cell–cell adhesions and cell–cell matrix attachments may also be a factor resulting in structural disorganization, cell detachment and abnormal cell migration, proliferation and apoptosis. We have examined the distribution and expression of MMP10 in the aortic wall and in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of normal aorta and aortic aneurysm associated with MFS and BAV. Aortic tissue was collected from normal (4 M; 9 F; age 40 ± 12 years, mean ± SD), MFS (6 M; 3 F; 42 ± 24 years) and BAV (10 M; 4 F; 62 ± 17 years). Immunohistochemistry of aortic tissue showed enhanced expression of MMP10 in MFS and BAV VSMCs (normal = 2.2 ± 0.3; MFS = 3.0 ± 1.4; BAV = 3.8 ± 1.1, arbitrary units/VSMC/microscope field). Similarly, cultured VSMCs showed increased expression of MMP10 in cultured MFS and BAV aneurysm (moderate) compared to control VSMCs (mild). Scratch wound migration assay revealed MMP10 expression at the leading front of cell migration. Increased expression of MMP10 was also observed in apoptotic VSMCs that were stained positively with cleaved caspase-3. Overexpression of MMP10 in migrating VSMCs derived from MFS and BAV aneurysm suggests abnormal regulation of MMP10 that is likely to contribute to weaker cell and matrix bonding and the progression of aneurysm.

Abnormal extracellular matrix protein transport associated with increased apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells in Marfan syndrome and bicuspid aortic valve thoracic aortic aneurysm

2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

Background - Marfan syndrome (MS) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the fibrillin gene FBN1. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a congenital heart malformation of unknown cause. Both conditions are associated with ascending aortic aneurysm and premature death. This study examined the relationship among the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins fibrillin, fibronectin, tenascin, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis. The role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)- 2 in VSMC apoptosis was studied in MS aneurysm. Methods and Results - Aneurysm tissue was obtained from patients undergoing surgery ( MS: 4 M, 1 F, age 27 - 45 years; BAV: 3 M, 2 F, age 28 - 65 years). Normal aorta from subjects with nonaneurysm disease was also collected ( 4 M, 1 F, age 23 - 93 years). MS and BAV aneurysm histology showed areas of cystic medial necrosis (CMN) without inflammatory infiltrate. Immunohistochemical study of cultured MS and BAV VSMC showed intracellular accumulation and reduction of extracellular distribution of fibrillin, fibronectin, and tenascin. Western blot showed no increase in expression of fibrillin, fibronectin, or tenascin in MS or BAV VSMC and increased expression of MMP-2 in MS VSMCs. There was 4-fold increase in loss of cultured VSMC incubated in serum-free medium for 24 hours in both MS ( 27 +/- 8%) and BAV ( 32 +/- 14%) compared with control ( 7 +/- 5%). Conclusions - In MS and BAV there is alteration in both the amount and quality of secreted proteins and an increased degree of VSMC apoptosis. Up-regulation of MMP-2 might play a role in VSMC apoptosis in MS VSMC. The findings suggest the presence of a fundamental cellular abnormality in BAV thoracic aorta, possibly of genetic origin.

Abnormal fibrillin, fibronectin and tenascin transport associated with increased apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells in marfan syndrome and congenital bicuspid aortic valve

2010-12-07T00:00:00Z

Abnormal fibrillin, fibronectin and tenascin transport associated with increased apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells in Marfan syndrome and congenital bicuspid aortic valve

2010-12-07T00:00:00Z

Abnormal forearm vascular responses during dynamic leg exercise in patients with vasovagal syncope

2012-05-31T00:00:00Z

Abnormal Functional Connectivity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2007-08-14T00:00:00Z

Abnormalities of left atrial function after cardioversion: an atrial strain rate study

2008-02-28T00:00:00Z

Background and objectives: The role of atrial myocardial dysfunction after cardioversion is unclear. In a comparison of patients after successful cardioversion from chronic atrial fibrillation ( CAF) and normal controls, we sought to determine whether Doppler-derived atrial strain rate ( A-sr) could be used to measure global left atrial function and whether A-sr was reduced in patients with CAF. Methods: A-sr was measured from the basal septal, lateral, inferior and anterior atrial walls from the apical four-chamber and two-chamber views in 37 patients with CAF who had been cardioverted to sinus rhythm and followed up for 6 months, and in a cohort of 37 healthy people. Conventional measures of atrial function included peak transmitral A-wave velocity, A-wave velocity time integral, atrial fraction and the left atrial ejection fraction. Doppler tissue imaging was used to estimate atrial contraction velocity ( A' velocity). In addition to amplitude parameters, the time to peak A-sr was measured from aortic valve closure. Results: Immediately after cardioversion, A-sr in the CAF cohort ( baseline) was significantly lower than in controls ( mean ( SD) -0.53 ( 0.31) v -1.6 ( 0.75) s(-1); p < 0.001); the A-sr correlated with A' velocity ( r = 0.63; p < 0.001) in patients. Atrial function improved over time, with maximal change observed in the initial 4 weeks after cardioversion. The time to peak A-sr was increased in the CAF group compared with controls ( 0.55 ( 0.15) v 0.46 ( 0.12) s), but this failed to normalise over time. Conclusion: A-sr is a descriptor of atrial function, which is reduced after cardioversion from CAF and subsequently recovers.

Abnormalities of quantitative myocardial contrast echo in diabetic subjects with normal coronary angiograms: A non-invasive technique for detection of coronary microangiopathy?

2007-08-23T00:00:00Z

Abnormalities of the PTH-vitamin D axis and bone turnover markers in children, adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis: comparison with healthy controls

2007-08-15T00:00:00Z

Abnormalities of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in cystic fibrosis (CF) are well documented. We tested the hypothesis that alterations in calcium metabolism are related to vitamin D deficiency, and that bone resorption is increased relative to accretion in patients with CF. Calcitropic hormones, electrolytes, osteocalcin (OC) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), (markers of bone mineralisation), urinary deoxypyridinoline [total (t) Dpd, a marker of bone resorption] and lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS BMD), expressed as a z-score, were measured in 149 (81 M) CF and 141 (61 M) control children aged 5.3-10.99 years, adolescents aged 11-17.99 years and adults aged 18-55.9 years. Data were analysed by multiple regression to adjust for age. In patients, FEV1% predicted and CRP (as disease severity markers), genotype and pancreatic status (PS) were recorded. The distribution of PTH differed between groups (P<0.0001), with CF levels both below and above the control range. 25OH vitamin D (25OHD) was not different in control and CF subjects (P=0.06). Active hormonal vitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) was lower in the CF group (P<0.0001), not explained by 25OHD or disease severity, as was serum magnesium (P<0.0001). OC was decreased in CF adults (P=0.004), and tDpd increased in CF adolescents (P=0.003) and adults (P=0.03). The ratio of OC to tDpd (a measure of bone coupling) was similar in CF and control children, but decreased in CF adolescents (P=0.04) and adults (P=0.02), suggesting decreased overall bone accrual in CF adolescents and uncoupling of bone balance in adults. 1,25(OH)2D was weakly correlated with OC in CF children (r=0.43, P=0.01), and with tDpd in CF and control adolescents (r=0.33, P=0.05 and r=0.36, P=0.02, respectively); thus there was limited evidence of association of calcitropic hormones, which had an abnormal pattern in all age groups, with bone turnover. There was no association between calcitropic hormones or bone turnover markers and LS BMD z-score. Despite vitamin D sufficiency, abnormalities of calcium metabolism and bone turnover markers were still apparent and bone accretion was decreased relative to resorption in the CF adolescent and adult groups. These changes were not fully explained by disease severity or genotype, but are consistent with reports of decreased BMD and unique bone histomorphometry in older subjects with CF.

Abnormal left and right ventricular myocardial characteristics are independently associated with obesity

2007-08-23T00:00:00Z