University of the Sunshine Coast
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Synthesized natural peptides from amphibian skin secretions increase the efficacy of a therapeutic vaccine by recruiting more T cells to the tumour site
No full textBackground: Therapeutic vaccines against cervical cancer remain ineffective. Previously, we demonstrated that blocking the signalling of a cytokine, interleukin 10, at the time of immunisation elicited significantly higher numbers of antigen specific T cells and inhibited tumour growth in mice. Results: In the current paper, we demonstrate, in a HPV16 E6/E7 transformed TC-1 tumour mouse model, that despite increased antigen specific T cell numbers, blocking IL-10 signalling at the time of immunisation does not increase the survival time of the TC-1 tumour bearing mice compared to mice receiving the same immunisation with no IL-10 signalling blockade. Moreover, the function of tumour infiltrating T cells isolated 3 weeks post TC-1 transplantation is more suppressed than those isolated 2 weeks after tumour inoculation. We demonstrate that synthesized caerin peptides, derived from amphibian skin secretions, 1) were able to inhibit TC-1 tumour growth both in vitro and in vivo; 2) are environmentally stable; and 3) promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory interlukine-6 by TC-1 cells. Notably caerin peptides were able to increase the survival time of TC-1 tumour bearing mice after therapeutic vaccination with a HPV16E7 peptide-based vaccine containing IL-10 inhibitor, via recruiting increased levels of T cells to the tumour site. Conclusion: Caerin peptides increase the efficacy of a therapeutic vaccine by recruiting more T cells to the tumour site
Residential Security: Houses and Apartments, Public and Private
No full textThis Encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work covering the interdisciplinary facets of security. The topics range from security threats (for example: cybercrime, terrorism, shoplifting and fraud), to applications on the job, to coordination between public and private sectors in handling security and emergency situations nationally and internationally. Special attention is given to security concepts, methods, functions, theories, organizations, and technology. It will also cover the history and current state of the discipline. As a resource, contributions cover best practices in security, weaknesses in current techniques, risk assessment and vulnerability in a range of businesses and critical infrastructure sectors (including heathcare, finance, energy, natural resources, government facilities, communications, and IT), and mechanisms for managing natural and human-made disasters. As an interdisciplinary tool, it will provide practical, authoritative information both for those involved in crime and security studies, as well as those from related disciplines who increasingly need to consider security as part of their work, such as police studies, counterterrorism, urban planning, public policy, and information technology. [Book Synopsis
Stercufoetin A, new oleanane-type triterpenoid from the leaves of Sterculia foetida L.
No full textFrom the leaves of Sterculia foetida L., one new oleanane-type triterpenoid, named stercufoetin A (1) together with four known ones, vergatic acid (2), β-amyrin (3), oleanolic acid (4) and maslinic acid (5) were purified by diversely chromatographic methods. Their structures were proposed by HR-APCI-MS and NMR experiments. Compounds (2–5) were notified for the first time from this species. Compound 1 showed weak cytotoxic effect against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2 and HeLa) using SRB assay
Tracing the environmental footprint of the Burkholderia pseudomallei lipopolysaccharide genotypes in the tropical “Top End” of the Northern Territory, Australia
No full textThe Tier 1 select agent Burkholderia pseudomallei is an environmental bacterium that causes melioidosis, a high mortality disease. Variably present genetic markers used to elucidate strain origin, relatedness and virulence in B. pseudomallei include the Burkholderia intracellular motility factor A (bimA) and filamentous hemagglutinin 3 (fhaB3) gene variants. Three lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen types in B. pseudomallei have been described, which vary in proportion between Australian and Asian isolates. However, it remains unknown if these LPS types can be used as genetic markers for geospatial analysis within a contiguous melioidosis-endemic region. Using a combination of whole-genome sequencing (WGS), statistical analysis and geographical mapping, we examined if the LPS types can be used as geographical markers in the Northern Territory, Australia. The clinical isolates revealed that LPS A prevalence was highest in the Darwin and surrounds (n = 660; 96% being LPS A and 4% LPS B) and LPS B in the Katherine and Katherine remote and East Arnhem regions (n = 79; 60% being LPS A and 40% LPS B). Bivariate logistics regression of 999 clinical B. pseudomallei isolates revealed that the odds of getting a clinical isolate with LPS B was highest in East Arnhem in comparison to Darwin and surrounds (OR 19.5, 95% CI 9.1–42.0; p<0.001). This geospatial correlation was subsequently confirmed by geographically mapping the LPS type from 340 environmental Top End strains. We also found that in the Top End, the minority bimA genotype bimABm has a similar remote region geographical footprint to that of LPS B. In addition, correlation of LPS type with multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was strong, and where multiple LPS types were identified within a single sequence type, WGS confirmed homoplasy of the MLST loci. The clinical, sero-diagnostic and vaccine implications of geographically-based B. pseudomallei LPS types, and their relationships to regional and global dispersal of melioidosis, require global collaborations with further analysis of larger clinically and geospatially-linked datasets
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) Vigilance Behaviour Varies between Human-Modified and Natural Environments
No full textRapid increases in urban land use extent across the globe are creating challenges for many wildlife species. Urban landscapes present a novel environment for many species, yet our understanding of wildlife behavioural adaptations to urban environments is still poor. This study compared the vigilance behaviour of a large mammal in response to urbanisation at a landscape level. Here, we investigate urban (n = 12) and non-urban (n = 12) populations of kangaroos in two regions of Australia, and the relationship between kangaroo vigilance and urbanisation. We used a linear modelling approach to determine whether anti-predator vigilance and the number of vigilant acts performed were influenced by land use type (i.e., urban or non-urban), human population densities, kangaroo demographics, and environmental factors. Kangaroo behaviour differed between the two study regions; kangaroo vigilance was higher in urban than non-urban sites in the southern region, which also had the highest human population densities, however no effect of land use was found in the northern region. Season and sex influenced the vigilance levels across both regions, with higher levels seen in winter and female kangaroos. This study is the first to compare urban and non-urban vigilance of large mammals at a landscape level and provide novel insights into behavioural adaptations of large mammals to urban environments
NMR Characterization of Rearranged Staurosporine Aglycone Analogues from the Marine Sponge Damiria sp.
No full textThe indolocarbazole family of bisindole alkaloids is best known for the natural product staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor that belongs to the indolo[2,3‐a]carbazole structural class. A large number of other indolo[2,3‐a]carbazoles have subsequently been isolated and identified, but other isomeric forms of indolocarbazole natural products have rarely been reported. An extract of the marine sponge Damiria sp., which represents an understudied genus, provided two novel alkaloids named damirines A (1) and B (2). Their structures were assigned by comprehensive NMR spectroscopic analyses, and for compound 2 this included application of the LR‐HSQMBC pulse sequence, a long‐range heteronuclear correlation experiment that has particular utility for defining proton‐deficient scaffolds. The damirines represent a new hexacyclic carbon‐nitrogen framework comprised of an indolo[3,2‐a]carbazole fused with either an aminoimidazole or a imidazolone ring. Compound 1 showed selective cytotoxic properties toward six different cell lines in the NCI‐60 cancer screen
Acute physical exercise can influence the accuracy of metacognitive judgments
No full textAcute exercise generally benefits memory but little research has examined how exercise affects metacognition (knowledge of memory performance). We show that a single bout of exercise can influence metacognition in paired-associate learning. Participants completed 30- min of moderate-intensity exercise before or after studying a series of word pairs (cloudivory), and completed cued-recall (cloud-?; Experiments 1 & 2) and recognition memory tests (cloud-? spoon; ivory; drill; choir; Experiment 2). Participants made judgments of learning prior to cued-recall tests (JOLs; predicted likelihood of recalling the second word of each pair when shown the first) and feeling-of-knowing judgments prior to recognition tests (FOK; predicted likelihood of recognizing the second word from four alternatives). Compared to noexercise control conditions, exercise before encoding enhanced cued-recall in Experiment 1 but not Experiment 2 and did not affect recognition. Exercise after encoding did not influence memory. In conditions where exercise did not benefit memory, it increased JOLs and FOK judgments relative to accuracy (Experiments 1 & 2) and impaired the relative accuracy of JOLs (ability to distinguish remembered from non-remembered items; Experiment 2). Acute exercise seems to signal likely remembering; this has implications for understanding the effects of exercise on metacognition, and for incorporating exercise into study routines
An online serious game improves clinical reasoning skills of dietetic students
No full textClinical reasoning is central to the practice of all health professionals, including dietitians. These skills are best fostered in the clinical setting under supervision of clinical educators, however, there is a need for improved reasoning skills of dietetic students prior to placement due to increasing complex learning environments. This study reports on the evaluation of an online serious game to improve clinical reasoning skills in nutrition care planning of pre‐placement dietetic students and the effect of the game on confidence in nutrition care planning. Third year dietetic students enrolled into a medical nutrition therapy course (n = 43) were eligible for inclusion to this study. A pre‐post intervention study evaluated higher and lower level clinical reasoning using two validated quizzes based on the Key Feature Approach. Confidence in nutrition care planning was assessed after the intervention with a survey using open‐ended questions. Forty‐two students completed the pre‐game and 33 the post‐game quiz and survey. Scores improved relating to the ability to discriminate information (50 vs 95%, P < 0.01), prioritise problems (24 vs 41%, P < 0.05) and develop an appropriate intervention plan (42 vs 57%, P < 0.05) after the game. Overall student grades in intervention planning improved after the game with less failing and more achieving distinctions/higher distinctions (r2 = 13.85, P < 0.01). Main themes identified from open‐ended questions were improved self‐confidence due to a real‐life learning experience, ability to reflect on performance and discriminating information. In conclusion, an online serious game provided an authentic learning experience and positively impacted dietetic students lower and higher‐level clinical reasoning skills
High-fidelity simulation improves confidence in monitoring and evaluation and reduces stress levels of pre-placement dietetic students
No full textDietetic students need to be optimally prepared for clinical placement which are becoming more challenging learning environments. Anxiety and low self‐confidence of students on placement may be detrimental to learning. This study aimed to examine the effect of a high‐fidelity simulation on confidence in monitoring and evaluation of pre‐placement dietetic students. Students enrolled into a medical nutrition therapy course before clinical placement were eligible for inclusion (n = 48). A pre‐post intervention study measured dietetic students confidence in monitoring and evaluation using a validated 10‐point Likert scale appraisal inventory before (n = 37) and after (n = 33) two standardised acute care simulations and debriefing sessions. Open‐ended questions provided insight into students experience of the simulation and a validated self‐efficacy scale measured students level of self‐efficacy after the simulation. Overall confidence in monitoring and evaluation increased after the simulation [74 (62;83) vs 89 (81;98.5), P = 0.00]. Students displayed moderate to high levels of self‐efficacy (67 [58; 73]). Self‐efficacy was positively associated with age (r = 0.35, P < 0.05) but not with pre‐simulation confidence in monitoring and evaluation. The main themes emerging from open‐ended questions were the simulation improved confidence through familiarisation to the clinical setting, opportunity to reflect on performance, immediate formative feedback and providing a safe environment to practice skills. Students further reported the learning experience left them feeling less stressed for future practice. The findings support the invaluable role of a high‐fidelity simulation in the preparation of dietetic students for clinical placement