Geelong Football Club

About: Geelong Football Club is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Wool. The organization has 1503 authors who have published 1826 publications receiving 34162 citations. The organization is also known as: Geelong Cats.

Identification and outcomes of clinical phenotypes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease: Australian National Motor Neuron Disease observational cohort.

Abstract: Objective To capture the clinical patterns, timing of key milestones and survival of patients presenting with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) within Australia. Methods Data were prospectively collected and were timed to normal clinical assessments. An initial registration clinical report form (CRF) and subsequent ongoing assessment CRFs were submitted with a completion CRF at the time of death. Design Prospective observational cohort study. Participants 1834 patients with a diagnosis of ALS/MND were registered and followed in ALS/MND clinics between 2005 and 2015. Results 5 major clinical phenotypes were determined and included ALS bulbar onset, ALS cervical onset and ALS lumbar onset, flail arm and leg and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). Of the 1834 registered patients, 1677 (90%) could be allocated a clinical phenotype. ALS bulbar onset had a significantly lower length of survival when compared with all other clinical phenotypes (p Conclusions The establishment of a cohort registry for ALS/MND is able to determine clinical phenotypes, survival and monitor time to key milestones in disease progression. It is intended to expand the cohort to a more population-based registry using opt-out methodology and facilitate data linkage to other national registries.

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine candidate significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 shedding in ferrets

Abstract: Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are likely to be critical in the management of the ongoing pandemic. A number of candidates are in Phase III human clinical trials, including ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222), a replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine candidate. In preclinical trials, the efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 against SARS-CoV-2 challenge was evaluated in a ferret model of infection. Groups of ferrets received either prime-only or prime-boost administration of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 via the intramuscular or intranasal route. All ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 administration combinations resulted in significant reductions in viral loads in nasal-wash and oral swab samples. No vaccine-associated adverse events were observed associated with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 candidate, with the data from this study suggesting it could be an effective and safe vaccine against COVID-19. Our study also indicates the potential for intranasal administration as a way to further improve the efficacy of this leading vaccine candidate.

Tick-borne infectious diseases in Australia.

Abstract: Tick bites in Australia can lead to a variety of illnesses in patients. These include infection, allergies, paralysis, autoimmune disease, post-infection fatigue and Australian multisystem disorder. Rickettsial (Rickettsia spp.) infections (Queensland tick typhus, Flinders Island spotted fever and Australian spotted fever) and Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) are the only systemic bacterial infections that are known to be transmitted by tick bites in Australia. Three species of local ticks transmit bacterial infection following a tick bite: the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is endemic on the east coast of Australia and causes Queensland tick typhus due to R. australis and Q fever due to C. burnetii; the ornate kangaroo tick (Amblyomma triguttatum) occurs throughout much of northern, central and western Australia and causes Q fever; and the southern reptile tick (Bothriocroton hydrosauri) is found mainly in south-eastern Australia and causes Flinders Island spotted fever due to R. honei. Much about Australian ticks and the medical outcomes following tick bites remains unknown. Further research is required to increase understanding of these areas.

Genetic association of the activin A receptor gene (ACVR2A) and pre-eclampsia

Abstract: Pre-eclampsia is a common serious disorder of human pregnancy, which is associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The suspected aetiology of pre-eclampsia is complex, with susceptibility being attributable to multiple environmental factors and a large genetic component. Recently, we reported significant linkage to chromosome 2q22 in 34 Australian/New Zealand (Aust/NZ) pre-eclampsia/eclampsia families, and activin A receptor type IIA (ACVR2A) was identified as a strong positional candidate gene at this locus. In an attempt to identify the putative risk variants, we have now comprehensively re-sequenced the entire coding region of the ACVR2A gene and the conserved non-coding sequences in a subset of 16 individuals from these families. We identified 45 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with 9 being novel. These SNPs were genotyped in our total family sample of 480 individuals from 74 Aust/NZ pre-eclampsia families (including the original 34 genome-scanned families). Our best associations between ACVR2A polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia were for rs10497025 (P = 0.025), rs13430086 (P = 0.010) and three novel SNPs: LF004, LF013 and LF020 (all with P = 0.018). After correction for multiple hypothesis testing, none of these associations reached significance (P > 0.05). Based on these data, it remains unclear what role, if any, ACVR2A polymorphisms play in pre-eclampsia risk, at least in these Australian families. However, it would be premature to rule out this gene as significant associations between ACVR2A SNPs and pre-eclampsia have recently been reported in a large Norwegian (HUNT) population sample.

Praxis of Rework Mitigation in Construction

Abstract: Rework is a pervasive problem within the construction industry, but many firms are reluctant to openly acknowledge it is an issue because it can potentially damage their reputations. Using a case study approach, this paper aims to examine how an AU$375 million program alliance, which experienced cost and schedule overruns and an increase in safety incidents as a result of rework, addressed this problem. The case analysis revealed that rework could be significantly reduced by having an authentic leadership style in place, empowering as well as actively engaging with contractors, and focusing on continuous improvement. As a result, the alliance was able go beyond lessons that were superficial (i.e., identifying procedures that were not followed) and undertake new and improved ways of doing business that encompassed context-specific learning. The novelty of the case study findings highlights the need to reduce rework by focusing greater attention on changing behaviors, particularly the motivations of...