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Eocene liverwort and moss species preserved in Anglesea amber from Australia
No full textFive bryophyte fossils recovered in amber at Anglesea, Victoria (Australia) are presented, dating from the late middle Eocene (42Ma), reinforcing the significance of ancient tree resin deposits. Exceptional detail preserved in two of these specimens provide adequate basis for their description as new species, Radula panduriformis sp. nov., and the new genus Hyponychium pentadactylum gen. et sp. nov. The deeply dissected five-lobed underleaves of Hyponychium differ from extant and extinct taxa, and in the absence of sporophytic characters, the affinity of this fossil is uncertain. Other fossils described herein retain significant detail, but the absence of sporophytic characteristics limits their classification to the genus level or higher, highlighting the difficulty of precisely identifying fossil bryophyte relationships. All fossils presented are the earliest recorded examples of their families from the Southern Hemisphere and supports established knowledge of the presence of warm and humid forests in middle Eocene Victoria
A review of the use of tumour DNA methylation for breast cancer subtyping and prediction of outcomes
No full textDNA methylation in breast tumours has been extensively studied and has provided valuable insights into the clinical heterogeneity of breast cancer. In this review, we summarise the current literature that has used DNA methylation markers to subtype breast cancer and predict progression and survival. Widespread methylation differences have been observed across breast cancer subtypes at both the candidate genes and in genome-wide analyses, most notably between oestrogen receptor (ER) positive and ER-negative subtypes and for triple-negative tumours. Studies that attempted to create breast cancer subtypes using methylation data showed limited agreement in their capacity to group breast tumours, possibly due to methodological differences. Although many studies have reported associations of tumour DNA methylation with breast cancer outcomes and used machine learning methods to derive prediction models for survival, the extent to which these would replicate in independent datasets is currently unclear. We conclude that despite the potential of genome-wide methylation markers to unravel the heterogeneity of breast cancer, they currently appear to have limited clinical utility. Larger studies and replication of findings across studies are required to address the limitations of the existing literature
Mid- and far-infrared data for the analysis of Australian plant exudates
No full textPlant exudates have been used around the world for cultural expression and various applications throughout the archaeological record and continue today. Indigenous Australians utilize specific plant exudates for their physiochemical properties and as a fundamental connection to Country. This manuscript contains data related to the analysis of aged Australian native plant exudates, using an assemblage from turn of the 20th century with provenance information but no further information on the collectors. Data from these aged samples are augmented by parallel examples from worldwide locations that have been more extensively characterized. Data were acquired via laboratory-based mid-infrared spectroscopy (mid-IR) and synchrotron-based far-infrared spectroscopy (far-IR). Spectral data are presented, organised by genera with multiple samples (Xanthorrhoea, Aracauria, Acacia, Callitris, Eucalyptus) for both mid- and far-IR regions to allow direct comparisons of the fingerprint areas for both spectral regions. All spectra were normalised to their highest and lowest values for presentation. Further comparisons can be made with future work on native Australian plant exudates in collections and cultural heritage materials, to identify their genera and species. This manuscript presents the collected spectral data in the mid and far infrared
Efficient enamel subsurface lesion remineralisation and dentine tubule occlusion by high concentration CPP-ACP: a randomised, cross-over in situ study
No full textThis study assessed the efficacy of 60% CPP-ACP to remineralise white spot lesions (WSLs) in enamel and to occlude patent dentinal tubules in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, in situ study. Human enamel specimens with subsurface lesions (WSLs) and root dentine specimens with open dentinal tubules were prepared and inserted into intra-oral appliances worn by volunteers. Participants wore the appliances 24 h a day for four 14-consecutive day treatment periods with a 7-day washout period between treatments. Four treatments applied with a micro-brush once daily were 60% CPP-ACP with and without 1100ppm F as SnF2, 1100ppm F as SnF2 alone and a placebo as negative control. Mineral content was measured using transverse microradiography and dentine tubules were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were analysed using a repeated measures ANOVA with a Sidak adjustment for multiple comparisons. Once daily application of 60% CPP-ACP with or without SnF2 produced 36.6 ± 1.6% and 28.8 ± 1.5% remineralisation of the WSLs respectively, and both were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that for treatment by SnF2 alone (8.8 ± 0.7%) or placebo control (2.3 ± 0.4%). SEM analysis of the dentine samples showed that daily application of 60% CPP-ACP with or without SnF2 produced near complete dentinal tubule occlusion.10.1038/s41598-025-14005-
CLOX and neurotox: Utility of the clock drawing task in monitoring for immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy
No full textImmune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS)-associated cognitive impairment is common in patients who receive chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. This study evaluated the utility of the clock drawing task (CDT) in detecting ICANS in patients with haematological cancers following CAR-T therapy. Data were collected from CAR-T patients at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Patients underwent frequent assessments using the immune effector cell-associated encephalopathy (ICE) score and the CDT, scored using a modified CLOX (CLOX-M) rating scale, during their admission. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients who received CAR-T therapy between September 2022 and February 2024 to assess for ICANS and changes in ICE score and CLOX-M. A total of 1208 clock drawings were time matched within an hour of an ICE score for 54 patients (39% female, 64.36 ± 13.25 years). Fourteen (26%) patients developed ICANS. Change in CLOX-M scores from baseline and ICE scores was significantly correlated (ρ = 0.34, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the CLOX-M score has moderate discriminatory power (Area Under the Curve [AUC] = 0.737). A decrease in CLOX-M score of 2 or more had high specificity (0.994) but low sensitivity (0.263) for detecting ICANS. The CDT can be used to complement the ICE score to improve ICANS monitoring
Examining the Relationship Between Time Spent on Social Media Platforms and Body Image Concerns
No full textOBJECTIVE: Research has suggested that a relationship may exist between frequent use of social networking sites (SNSs) and body dissatisfaction; however, there is a lack of research around newer SNS platforms with larger visual imprints, such as TikTok and Snapchat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between time spent on different SNSs and body dissatisfaction. METHODS: An online survey was completed by 199 participants. RESULTS: A hierarchical linear regression did not reveal a significant relationship between overall time spent on SNSs and body dissatisfaction. A stepwise regression of time spent on individual SNSs revealed that only time spent on TikTok was significantly associated with body dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the type of SNSs used, and not the overall time spent on SNSs, may be driving relationships with levels of body dissatisfaction. Further research is required to clarify how different SNS types relate to body image
The most energetic transients: Tidal disruptions of high-mass stars
No full textWe present the class of extreme nuclear transients (ENTs), including the most energetic single transient yet found, Gaia18cdj. Each ENT is coincident with its host-galaxy nucleus and exhibits a smooth (150 days) flare. ENTs are extremely rare (≥1 × 10-3 cubic gigaparsec per year) compared to any other known class of transients. They are at least twice as energetic (0.5 × 1053 to 2.5 × 1053 erg) as any other known transient, ruling out supernova origins. Instead, the high peak luminosities, long flare timescales, and immense radiated energies of the ENTs are most consistent with the tidal disruption of high-mass ( [Formula: see text] ) stars by massive ( [Formula: see text] ) supermassive black holes (SMBHs). ENTs will be visible to high redshifts (z ~ 4 to 6) in upcoming surveys, providing an avenue to study the high-mass end of the SMBH mass distribution, complementing recent studies of actively accreting SMBHs at high redshifts with the James Webb Space Telescope
The role of serological testing for vaccination with a focus on immunocompromised patients: a synthesis of current evidence
No full textImmunocompromised individuals are at high risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, but typically have impaired immune responses to vaccination and require altered vaccination schedules. Serological testing can inform vaccination decisions in this vulnerable population, but is frequently ordered inappropriately. Furthermore, misinterpretion of serological results can misguide clinical decisions. We reviewed existing recommendations and supporting literature to define key criteria for appropriate serological testing in immunocompromised persons. We identified three key criteria: 1) there must be an established immune correlate of protection; 2) there must be a reliable, validated commercial serology test; and 3) test results must inform clinical decisions around vaccination or post-exposure prophylaxis. Serology results can most accurately guide clinical decision-making for hepatitis B, measles, rabies, rubella and yellow fever. In this article, we provide a synthesis of this published evidence to guide clinicians and vaccine providers on the appropriate utilisation of serological testing
Comprehensive humoral and cellular immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in adults with cancer
No full textBACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted people with cancer. Initial vaccine studies excluded patients with malignancy. Immunocompromised individuals remain vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, necessitating detailed understanding of vaccine response. The epidemiology of COVID-19 in Australia offered unique opportunities to study cancer populations with minimal community exposure to SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: SerOzNET prospectively examined previously unvaccinated patients with solid and haematological malignancies receiving up to five COVID-19 vaccine doses. Antibody response was measured by live virus neutralisation assay (neutralising antibody (NAb); positive titre ≥1:20; study primary endpoint) and commercial assay. T cell response was measured by cytometric bead array; positive defined as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) ≥10 pg/mL in response to Spike antigen. Patient and physician-reported adverse events were secondary endpoints. OUTCOMES: 395 adults were enrolled prior to receiving mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 = 347; mRNA-1273 = 1) or viral vector vaccine (ChadOx1-S = 43) for initial two-dose course, plus up to three additional doses. Median age was 58 years (range: 20-85); 60 % were female; 35 % had haematological malignancy, 2/395 (0.5 %) had baseline positive nucleocapsid antibody indicating prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure. NAb response post dose three was demonstrated in 84 % overall; 96 % of patients with solid cancers and 64 % with haematological cancer (p 3 doses to elicit NAb, with many demonstrating T cell response, which may be an alternative pathway of immune protection