“Lest we forget” : An overview of Australia’s response to the recovery and identification of unrecovered historic military remains

Peer reviewedPostprin

Molecular genetics of nicotine dependence and abstinence: whole genome association using 520,000 SNPs

BACKGROUND: Classical genetic studies indicate that nicotine dependence is a substantially heritable complex disorder. Genetic vulnerabilities to nicotine dependence largely overlap with genetic vulnerabilities to dependence on other addictive substances. Successful abstinence from nicotine displays substantial heritable components as well. Some of the heritability for the ability to quit smoking appears to overlap with the genetics of nicotine dependence and some does not. We now report genome wide association studies of nicotine dependent individuals who were successful in abstaining from cigarette smoking, nicotine dependent individuals who were not successful in abstaining and ethnically-matched control subjects free from substantial lifetime use of any addictive substance. RESULTS: These data, and their comparison with data that we have previously obtained from comparisons of four other substance dependent vs control samples support two main ideas: 1) Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose allele frequencies distinguish nicotine-dependent from control individuals identify a set of genes that overlaps significantly with the set of genes that contain markers whose allelic frequencies distinguish the four other substance dependent vs control groups (p < 0.018). 2) SNPs whose allelic frequencies distinguish successful vs unsuccessful abstainers cluster in small genomic regions in ways that are highly unlikely to be due to chance (Monte Carlo p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: These clustered SNPs nominate candidate genes for successful abstinence from smoking that are implicated in interesting functions: cell adhesion, enzymes, transcriptional regulators, neurotransmitters and receptors and regulation of DNA, RNA and proteins. As these observations are replicated, they will provide an increasingly-strong basis for understanding mechanisms of successful abstinence, for identifying individuals more or less likely to succeed in smoking cessation efforts and for tailoring therapies so that genotypes can help match smokers with the treatments that are most likely to benefit them

Characteristics of Adults in the Hepatitis B Research Network in North America Reflect Their Country of Origin and Hepatitis B Virus Genotype

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide; populations that migrate to the US and Canada might be disproportionately affected. The Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) is a cooperative network of investigators from the United States and Canada, created to facilitate clinical, therapeutic, and translational research in adults and children with hepatitis B. We describe the structure of the network and baseline characteristics of adults with hepatitis B enrolled in the network

Head position on facial soft tissue depth measurements obtained using computed tomography

Facial soft tissue depth (FSTD) studies employing clinical computed tomography (CT) data frequently rely on depth measurements from raw 2D orthoslices. However, the position of each patient's head was not standardized in this method, potentially decreasing measurement reliability and accuracy. This study measured FSTDs along the original orthoslice plane and compared these measurements to those standardized by the Frankfurt horizontal (FH). Subadult cranial CT scans (n = 115) were used to measure FSTDs at 18 landmarks. Significant differences were observed between the methods at eight of these landmarks (p < 0.05), demonstrating that high-quality data are not generated simply by employing modern imaging modalities such as CT. Proper technique is crucial to useful results, and maintaining control over head position during FSTD data collection is important. This is easily and most readily achieved in CT techniques by rotating the head to the FH plane after constructing a 3D rendering of the data

Temporal mapping of the closure of the anterior fontanelle and contiguous sutures using computed tomography, in silico models of modern infants

The aim of this study is to quantify and statistically model the age-related decline in the fibrous connective tissue interface of the anterior fontanelle in modern Australian infants, using three-dimensional, semi-automated computed-assisted design protocols. Non-linear regression with variance models, using power functions, combined with quantile regression of the 5th and 95th population percentiles, were utilised to assess absolute anterior fontanelle surface area (AFSA) as a function of age, using multi-slice cranial computed tomography scans obtained from 256 infants aged < 30 months (males: n = 126, females: n = 109) from Brisbane children’s hospitals. Normalised AFSA (NFSA), standardised for variation in cephalic size, followed a progressive decline from birth, the greatest velocity change occurring between the 3–6 and 6–9 month cohorts. Growth of the neurocranium is the most significant within the first 8 months postpartum, with a mean increase of 19.03 mm in maximum cranial length and 10.04 mm in breadth. Directionality of fontanelle closure, quantified using spline curves refutes fundamental assumptions that the anterior fontanelle is consistent with a quadrilateral, and contiguous sutures exhibit constant velocity of closure. The present study provides normative values for fontanelle size and diameters as well as new predictive non-linear models for age substantiation, screening of developmental abnormalities and indicators of suspected child maltreatment in modern infants aged birth to 30 months.</p

Echinocandin resistance due to simultaneous FKS mutation and increased cell wall chitin in a Candida albicans bloodstream isolate following brief exposure to caspofungin

Echinocandins are first-line agents for treating severe invasive candidiasis. Glucan synthase gene (FKS1) mutations lead to echinocandin resistance but the role of enhanced chitin expression is not well recognized in clinical isolates. We report a case of bloodstream Candida albicans infection with both Fks1 hotspot mutation and elevated cell wall chitin

Apophyseal ossification of the iliac crest in forensic age estimation: New standards for modern Australian subadults using computed tomography

Risser grading on multi slice CT of Australian subadults reveals interesting anatomical deviations, highlighting flaws in the ossification progression stated by Risser. Appearance of the apophysis is witnessed 6 months to 12 months earlier in multi slice CT than pseudo-radiographs. Circumventing radiographic limitations such as superimposition, a modified eight-stage multi slice CT scoring-tier was developed for appearance and fusion of the apophysis, demonstrating origins from three secondary ossification centres. Complete fusion/obliteration occurs between 18.4 years to 19.7 years in males and 19.3 years to 20.3 years in females; indicating secular change in Australian children in contrast to anthropological standards of Coimbra individuals and the 23-year demarcation published by previous authors. The contributions of this original research are extensive. Caution in the derivation of ossification standards from conventional radiographs is advised, with conflicting timings and morphological progression to CT assessment. Retrospective clinical data acquisition provides the ideal catalyst for the advancement of anthropological subadult research, demonstrated by the construction of refined, Australian standards for age estimation of the current milieu. Bayesian posteriors of the multi slice CT scoring-tier demonstrate successful doli incapax age estimation for utility in criminal proceedings

A review of large-scale conservation in England, Scotland and Wales (JP019)

There has been a growing interest across the British conservation community in recent years in establishing conservation over large areas. Much of this thinking was crystallised in the Making Space for Nature report (Lawton and others 2010) , and has since become prominent in conservation policy. To maximise the success of future projects, there is a need to get a better overview of the many large-scale conservation (LSC) initiatives that already exist, and to investigate what can be learned from past experience. To date there has been no thorough study of the scope, spatial extent, management and planning approaches and effectiveness of LSC. This report summarises the results of a research study that provides the first comprehensive review of large-scale conservation initiatives in England, Scotland and Wales. The study was made up of a series of linked research projects with funding and support from Defra, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural Resources Wales and was carried out by the University of Southampton, University of Cambridge, Natural England and Atkins