Research UNE (University of New England)
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Amyloid β accumulation and inner retinal degenerative changes in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mouse
No full textThe APP-PS1ΔE9 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exhibits age dependent amyloid β (Aβ) plaque formation in their central nervous system due to high expression of mutated human APP and PSEN1 transgenes. Here we evaluated Aβ deposition and changes in soluble Aβ accumulation in the retinas of aged APP-PS1 mice using a combination of immunofluorescence, retinal flat mounts and western blotting techniques. Aβ accumulation in the retina has previously been shown to be associated with retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in animal models of glaucoma. This study investigated changes in the inner retinal function and structure in APP-PS1 mice using electrophysiology and histological approaches respectively. We report for the first time a significant decline in scotopic threshold response (STR) amplitudes which represents inner retinal function in transgenic animals compared to the wild type counterparts (
Multibreed genomic evaluation for sensory eating quality of lamb using consumer assessments
No full textThis paper reports updated genetic parameter estimates for correlations between consumer eating quality and carcase traits for Australian sheep. Seven consumer sensory-assessment traits (tenderness, flavour, juiciness, smell, overall liking, star rating and MQ4 index) were collected on loin and topside cuts (n ~ 6,500). Heritability estimates (ℎ2) were low to moderate for these traits (0.09 ℎ2 g) between sensory traits were high within cuts (̂ g > 0.96) and across cuts (̂ 0.96) and across cuts (̂ g > 0.73). There were moderate to high genetic correlations between the consumer sensory and the objective eating quality traits (intramuscular fat and shear force), and low to weakly negative correlations between the sensory traits and carcase lean meat yield. These estimates will be used to revise selection indexes and develop breeding values for consumer eating quality. 0.73). There were moderate to high genetic correlations between the consumer sensory and the objective eating quality traits (intramuscular fat and shear force), and low to weakly negative correlations between the sensory traits and carcase lean meat yield. These estimates will be used to revise selection indexes and develop breeding values for consumer eating quality
The Recorder, by David Lasocki and Robert Ehrlich, New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 2022, xiv + 372 pp., ISBN-978-0-30011-870-4 (hardback), ISBN978-0-30027-064-8 (e-book)
No full textThe Recorder by David Lasocki and Robert Ehrlich is a comprehensive and definitive work that dives deep into the history, development, and cultural significance of one of the world’s most enduring musical instruments. The book is the pinnacle of Lasocki’s lifetime of research into the recorder, its music, and its players, with important contributions by his co-author Robert Ehrlich and by Nikolaj Tarasov, and an epilogue by recorder virtuoso Michala Petri
Microspectroscopic visualization of how biochar lifts the soil organic carbon ceiling
No full textThe soil carbon (C) saturation concept suggests an upper limit to the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). It is set by the mechanisms that protect soil organic matter from mineralization. Biochar has the capacity to protect new C, including rhizodeposits and microbial necromass. However, the decadal-scale mechanisms by which biochar influences the molecular diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and temporal changes in SOC persistence, remain unresolved. Here we show that the soil C storage ceiling of a Ferralsol under subtropical pasture was raised by a second application of Eucalyptus saligna biochar 8.2 years after the first application—the first application raised the soil C storage ceiling by 9.3 Mg new C ha−1 and the second application raised this by another 2.3 Mg new C ha−1 . Linking direct visual evidence from one-, two-, and three-dimensional analyses with SOC quantification, we found high spatial heterogeneity of C functional groups that resulted in the retention of rhizodeposits and microbial necromass in microaggregates (53–250 µm) and the mineral fraction
Australian Health Law: 2nd edition
No full textWritten by leading experts in health law, this book combines detailed discussion and critical analysis of Australian health law as it relates to individual and public health matters. It offers a cohesive, in-depth examination of health law at local, state and national levels, while also reflecting upon broader global considerations. The comprehensive coverage includes discussion of the underpinning influences and principles relevant to health law, the law regulating Australia’s health care system, health care practitioner regulation, key legal principles relevant to the patient–practitioner relationship, and health law at the beginning of life, throughout the life course, and at the end of life.Meticulously researched and extensively updated in its second edition, it is an invaluable resource for scholars, students and practitioners on Australian health law
Identification of key discriminating variables between spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) whistle types
No full textDescriptions of the six different spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) whistle types were developed from a random sample of 600 whistles collected across a 2-yr period from a Fijian spinner dolphin population. An exploratory multivariate visualization suggested an inverse relationship between delta and minimum frequency (58.6%) as well as whistle duration (18.1%) as the most discriminating variables in this dataset. All three of these variables were deemed to be significant when considered jointly in a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA): delta frequency (F5594 = 27.167, p 5594 = 14.889, p 5594 = 24.303, p
Cell Cycle Deficits in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms to Drive Innovative Therapeutic Development
No full textCell cycle dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Specialised function obligates neuronal cells to subsist in a quiescent state of cell cycle once differentiated and therefore the circumstances and mechanisms underlying aberrant cell cycle activation in post-mitotic neurons in physiological and disease conditions remains an intriguing area of research. There is a strict requirement of concurrence to cell cycle regulation for neurons to ensure intracellular biochemical conformity as well as interrelationship with other cells within neural tissues. This review deliberates on various mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation in neuronal cells and underscores potential implications of their non-compliance in neural pathology. Recent research suggests that successful duplication of genetic material without subsequent induction of mitosis induces inherent molecular flaws that eventually assert as apoptotic changes. The consequences of anomalous cell cycle activation and subsequent apoptosis are demonstrated by the increased presence of molecular stress response and apoptotic markers. This review delineates cell cycle events under normal physiological conditions and deficits amalgamated by alterations in protein levels and signalling pathways associated with cell-division are analysed. Cell cycle regulators essentially, cyclins, CDKs, cip/kip family of inhibitors, caspases, bax and p53 have been identified to be involved in impaired cell cycle regulation and associated with neural pathology. The pharmacological modulators of cell cycle that are shown to impart protection in various animal models of neurological deficits are summarised. Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms that are indispensable to cell cycle regulation in neurons in health and disease conditions will facilitate targeted drug development for neuroprotection
Retinoid x receptor modulation protects against ER stress response and rescues glaucoma phenotypes in adult mice
No full textRetinoid X receptors (RXRs) play an important role in transcription, are involved in numerous cellular networks from cell proliferation to lipid metabolism and are essential for normal eye development. RXRs form homo or heterodimers with other nuclear receptors, bind to DNA response elements and regulate several biological processes including neurogenesis. Mounting evidence suggests that RXR activation by selective RXR modulators (sRXRms) may be neuroprotective in the central nervous system. However, their potential neuroprotective role in the retina and specifically in glaucoma remains unexplored. This study investigated changes in RXR expression in the human and mouse retina under glaucomatous stress conditions and investigated the effect of RXR modulation on the RGCs using pharmacological approaches. RXR protein levels in retina were downregulated in both human glaucoma and experimental RGC injury models while RXR agonist, bexarotene treatment resulted in upregulation of RXR expression particularly in the inner retinal layers. Retinal electrophysiological recordings and histological analysis indicated that inner retinal function and retinal laminar structure were preserved upon treatment with bexarotene. These protective effects were associated with downregulation of ER stress marker response upon bexarotene treatment under glaucoma conditions. Overall, retinal RXR modulation by bexarotene significantly protected RGCs in vivo in both acute and chronic glaucoma models
Problematic educational pathways: Maintaining French as a heritage language in Australia
No full textSex-Specific Effect of BDNF Val66Met Genotypes on the Progression of Open-Angle Glaucoma
No full textPURPOSE. To investigate whether the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met genotype is associated with the rate of progression of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). METHODS. In this retrospective cohort study, 148 OAG patients (292 eyes) were enrolled with a median follow-up period of 5.3 (range, 1.1–8.6) years. All participants had undergone regular clinical examinations by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans and Humphrey (SITA) visual field tests. BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms were genotyped in all participants. Longitudinal visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) changes were compared between Met carriers (n = 68, 135 eyes) and Val homozygotes (n = 80, 157 eyes) by using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS. There was no significant difference in mean rates of progression for the two genotypes. However, there was a significant association between the Val66Met genotypes and slower OAG progression, as suggested by a higher rate of global RNFL loss in Val/Val homozygotes (P = 0.008) in the long-term survival analysis. The effect demonstrated a degree of sex specificity, with the significant difference present only in females (P = 0.016) but not males. Similar sexual dimorphism was presented in superior (P = 0.005 in females, P = 0.38 in males) and inferior (P = 0.004 in females, P = 0.41 in males) RNFL loss. No significant difference was observed in visual field parameters. CONCLUSIONS. Our results suggested that carriage of Met allele reduces the rate of long-term OAG progression. However, the fact that this effect is observed only in females indicates BDNF Val66Met influences the progression rate of OAG in a sex-specific manner