Publications (12)25.72 Total impact
-
Article: Cis-acting regulation of brain-specific ANK3 gene expression by a genetic variant associated with bipolar disorder.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Several genome-wide association studies for bipolar disorder (BD) have found a strong association of the Ankyrin 3 (ANK3) gene. This association spans numerous linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an ∼250-kb genomic region overlapping ANK3. The associated region encompasses predicted regulatory elements as well as two of the six validated alternative first exons, which encode distinct protein domains at the N-terminus of the protein also known as Ankyrin-G. Using RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends to identify novel transcripts in conjunction with a highly sensitive, exon-specific multiplexed mRNA expression assay, we detected differential regulation of distinct ANK3 transcription start sites and coupling of specific 5' ends with 3' mRNA splicing events in postmortem human brain and human stem cell-derived neural progenitors and neurons. Furthermore, allelic variation at the BD-associated SNP rs1938526 correlated with a significant difference in cerebellar expression of a brain-specific ANK3 transcript. These findings suggest a brain-specific cis-regulatory transcriptional effect of ANK3 that may be relevant to BD pathophysiology.Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 31 July 2012; doi:10.1038/mp.2012.104.Molecular psychiatry 07/2012; · 15.05 Impact Factor -
Article: A capillary absorption spectrometer for stable carbon isotope ratio (13C∕12C) analysis in very small samples.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A capillary absorption spectrometer (CAS) suitable for IR laser isotope analysis of small CO(2) samples is presented. The system employs a continuous-wave (cw) quantum cascade laser to study nearly adjacent rovibrational transitions of different isotopologues of CO(2) near 2307 cm(-1) (4.34 μm). This initial CAS system can achieve relative isotopic precision of about 10 ppm (13)C, or ∼1 per thousand (per mil in delta notation relative to Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite) with 20-100 picomoles of entrained sample within the hollow waveguide for CO(2) concentrations ∼400-750 ppm. Isotopic analyses of such gas fills in a 1-mm ID hollow waveguide of 0.8 m overall physical path length can be carried out down to ∼2 Torr. Overall (13)C∕(12)C ratios can be calibrated to ∼2 per thousand accuracy with diluted CO(2) standards. A novel, low-cost method to reduce cw-fringing noise resulting from multipath distortions in the hollow waveguide is presented, which allows weak absorbance features to be studied at the few ppm level (peak-to-rms) after 1000 scans are co-added in ∼10 s. The CAS is meant to work directly with converted CO(2) samples from a laser ablation-catalytic combustion micro-sampler to provide (13)C∕(12)C ratios of small biological isolates currently operating with spatial resolutions ∼50 μm.The Review of scientific instruments 02/2012; 83(2):023101. · 1.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Study of a Fixed-Bed Biomass Combustor: Influential Parameters on Ignition Front Propagation Using Parametric Analysis
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This paper presents a study of the parameters influencing the combustion behavior of an experimental counter-current fixed-bed combustor. An innovative parametric analysis has been conducted to examine a wide range of parameters from very different biomasses. This analysis based on the parametrization of front propagation velocity versus the airflow rate curve not only allows fuel properties to be compared in terms of maximum or minimum values of ignition or air flux but also enables the shape of their performance curve to be examined. The study of the data has identified the moisture content and particle size as the most influential parameters. These factors strongly determine the operational range of the fuel in terms of air mass flux and ignition front propagation velocity. Furthermore, a new parameter called char stoichiometry is defined to examine fuel combustion regimes. This factor represents the stoichiometric ratio of the air and char fraction (assuming the fuel is pure carbon). The results obtained show that the transition from an oxygen-limited regime to a reaction-limited phase takes place when the air mass flow rate reaches char stoichiometry values. This may suggest that the first phase of combustion is determined mainly by the behavior of the char matter in the fuel. On the other hand, certain parameters, such as porosity of the bed or particle shape, did not show identifiable effects in our tests, suggesting that their influence in the process seems to be less decisive than that of the other parameters previously mentioned.06/2010; -
Article: Improving the Cofiring Process of Wood Pellet and Refuse Derived Fuel in a Small-Scale Boiler Plant
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The aim of the present work is to study the viability of a cofiring system in a small-scale biomass plant using a mixture of wood pellet and refuse derived fuel (RDF pellet). RDF comes from municipal solid waste, and a valorization process via combustion is a useful way of solving the problem of the accumulation of nonrecyclable wastes. In this paper, the characterization of both fuels is carried out. In addition, a new procedure for measuring emissions, based on artificial dilution, is presented, allowing for the measurement of high peaks of certain species, such as CO, forthcoming in the cofiring process. Improving the overall process is necessary to comply with EU rules on biomass emissions. Accordingly, two approaches are studied; the use of a secondary air supply and the recirculation of gases. The results obtained indicate a better performance, thereby allowing for the application of the process to a real system (nonexperimental one).04/2008; -
Article: Ascorbic Acid Supplements and Blood Pressure
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 12/2006; 669(1):342 - 344. · 3.15 Impact Factor -
Article: Control and monitoring: phytosanitary situation of Plum pox virus in Australia
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Sharka disease does not occur in Australia and is recognized as the most serious disease threat to Australia's stone fruit industry. Strategies are in place to minimize the risk that exotic diseases like sharka should establish in Australia. These are achieved by implementing: (1) pre-import measures to reduce the threat of entry; (2) controls at the point of entry and (3) response and contingency planning to contain or eradicate any incursions into Australia. An active and on-going awareness programme within the Australian stone fruit industry is aimed at early detection of sharka disease in the orchard.Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 11/2006; 36(2):293 - 295. -
Article: The effect of single morning and evening rinses of chlorhexidine on the development of tooth staining and plaque accumulation
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Abstract A dietary aetiology for tooth staining associated with the use of chlorhexidine has been postulated. The time related activity of chlorhexidine would therefore suggest that evening rinsing would result in less staining than morning rinsing. This study measured tooth and tongue staining and plaque accumulation in a group of 18 volunteers, rinsing once at night or once in the morning with chlorhexidine in a blind cross-over design. Beverage intake during two 10-day periods was prescribed. Significantly more tooth staining, but not tongue staining, was seen with morning rinsing. Plaque accumulation showed a trend to more plaque with morning rinsing, which was not significant. The findings would be consistent with a dietary aetiology for tooth staining. However, these results emphasise the considerable duration of activity of chlorhexidine on surfaces in the oral cavity and the theory of progressive desorption of chlorhexidine from the tooth surface is questioned.Journal Of Clinical Periodontology 12/2005; 9(2):134 - 140. · 3.00 Impact Factor -
Article: A 6‐month home usage trial of a 1% chlorhexidine toothpaste
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Abstract Research and development has been aimed towards the development of toothpastes for oral hygiene and gingival health benefits. The most effective antiplaque agent to date, chlorhexidine. is difficult to formulate into active toothpaste products. Despite some encouraging findings for experimental chlorhexidine toothpastes, there are to date no commercially available products. Based on positive findings from an experimental gingivitis study, this investigation evaluated 2 chlorhexidine toothpastes, one with fluoride, as adjuncts to oral hygiene. The study was a double–blind controlled, parallel, balanced group design, extending over 6 months. A total of 297 volunteers commenced the study after screening for a minimum acceptance level of gingivitis. At baseline, 6, 12 and 24 weeks, stain, gingival, bleeding and plaque indices were recorded, together with a calculus index at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. After a baseline prophylaxis, volunteers used the allocated product 2 × per day, with no other oral hygiene instructions given. Plaque, gingival and bleeding scores improved in all 3 groups, but to an overall significantly greater extent in the active groups. However, staining and calculus indices were significantly increased in the active compared to the control group. If the local side-effects of chlorhexidine are considered to be acceptable, these chlorhexidine toothpastes could be recommended for the same clinical applications as other chlorhexidine products. The apparent compatibility of fluoride with chlorhexidine in the one product may be pertinent to caries prevention.Journal Of Clinical Periodontology 12/2005; 20(2):130 - 138. · 3.00 Impact Factor -
Article: Recommended Specifications for Microchemical Apparatus. Micro-Kjeldahl Nitrogen
04/2002; -
Article: Large-scale genome-wide association analysis of bipolar disorder identifies a new susceptibility locus near ODZ4.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We conducted a combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 7,481 individuals with bipolar disorder (cases) and 9,250 controls as part of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium. Our replication study tested 34 SNPs in 4,496 independent cases with bipolar disorder and 42,422 independent controls and found that 18 of 34 SNPs had P < 0.05, with 31 of 34 SNPs having signals with the same direction of effect (P = 3.8 × 10(-7)). An analysis of all 11,974 bipolar disorder cases and 51,792 controls confirmed genome-wide significant evidence of association for CACNA1C and identified a new intronic variant in ODZ4. We identified a pathway comprised of subunits of calcium channels enriched in bipolar disorder association intervals. Finally, a combined GWAS analysis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder yielded strong association evidence for SNPs in CACNA1C and in the region of NEK4-ITIH1-ITIH3-ITIH4. Our replication results imply that increasing sample sizes in bipolar disorder will confirm many additional loci.Nat Genet. 43(10):977-83. -
Article: Large-scale genome-wide association analysis of bipolar disorder identifies a new susceptibility locus near ODZ4
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We conducted a combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 7,481 individuals with bipolar disorder (cases) and 9,250 controls as part of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium. Our replication study tested 34 SNPs in 4,496 independent cases with bipolar disorder and 42,422 independent controls and found that 18 of 34 SNPs had P < 0.05, with 31 of 34 SNPs having signals with the same direction of effect (P = 3.8 x 10(-7)). An analysis of all 11,974 bipolar disorder cases and 51,792 controls confirmed genome-wide significant evidence of association for CACNA1C and identified a new intronic variant in ODZ4. We identified a pathway comprised of subunits of calcium channels enriched in bipolar disorder association intervals. Finally, a combined GWAS analysis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder yielded strong association evidence for SNPs in CACNA1C and in the region of NEK4-ITIH1-ITIH3-ITIH4. Our replication results imply that increasing sample sizes in bipolar disorder will confirm many additional loci.Nature genetics. 43(10):977-83. -
Article: Large-scale genome-wide association analysis of bipolar disorder identifies a new susceptibility locus near ODZ4.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We conducted a combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 7,481 individuals with bipolar disorder (cases) and 9,250 controls as part of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium. Our replication study tested 34 SNPs in 4,496 independent cases with bipolar disorder and 42,422 independent controls and found that 18 of 34 SNPs had P < 0.05, with 31 of 34 SNPs having signals with the same direction of effect (P = 3.8 Ã 10(-7)). An analysis of all 11,974 bipolar disorder cases and 51,792 controls confirmed genome-wide significant evidence of association for CACNA1C and identified a new intronic variant in ODZ4. We identified a pathway comprised of subunits of calcium channels enriched in bipolar disorder association intervals. Finally, a combined GWAS analysis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder yielded strong association evidence for SNPs in CACNA1C and in the region of NEK4-ITIH1-ITIH3-ITIH4. Our replication results imply that increasing sample sizes in bipolar disorder will confirm many additional loci.43:977-83.
