jane Maguire | University of Technology Sydney (original) (raw)

Papers by jane Maguire

Research paper thumbnail of Giving and receiving of gifts between pharmaceutical and medical specialists in Australia

Internal Medicine Journal, 2006

Background: This study investigated the 'gift-relationship' between pharmaceutical companies and ... more Background: This study investigated the 'gift-relationship' between pharmaceutical companies and doctors.

Research paper thumbnail of The role of tenascin C in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular Research, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery

BioFactors, 2014

Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect i... more Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery Abstract Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4); a key signalling molecule associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Both Tn-C and TLR-4 are increased in unstable human atheroma, but their effects on local inflammatory conditions have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association and functional implications of Tn-C/TLR-4 signalling in large artery atherosclerotic stroke. Plasma Tn-C was measured by ELISA and found to be higher in recent stroke patients (n 5 336; median 12.77 mg/mL, inter-quartile range 10.23-15.74 mg/mL) than in controls (n 5 321; median 11.31 mg/mL, interquartile range 8.89-13.90 mg/mL), P < 0.001. Plasma Tn-C was also independently positively associated with stroke (odds ratio for highest Tn-C quartile 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.37-3.76). Assessment of Tn-C associated chronic cytokine secretion was performed in vitro using paired, human, macroscopically disease matched, carotid atheroma tissue biopsies obtained from five patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. A 4-day incubation with specific Tn-C blocking antibodies (Abs) increased secretion of TLR-4-associated cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1b, tumour necrosis factor and C-C motif chemokine (CCL)3 and expression of TLR-4 in the tissue. These results suggest with Tn-C blockade another endogenous TLR-4 ligand upregulates TLR-4 expression and subsequent cytokine secretion. Titration of the Tn-C Abs also dose dependently increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL3 in

Research paper thumbnail of Plasma Angiopoietin-1 Is Lower After Ischemic Stroke and Associated With Major Disability But Not Stroke Incidence

Research paper thumbnail of Recommendations from the International Stroke Genetics Consortium, part 1: standardized phenotypic data collection

Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Redefining old: Optimising health and wellbeing

Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life,... more Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life, including health and wellbeing, are increasingly being addressed in positive and meaningful ways. Determinants of health and the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ model provide an anchor point for this paper to discuss how a positivistic view has evolved. Further, effective models of care, as well as social, behavioural, personal, and economic determinants of health are discussed Finally, first-hand stories from older people redefine ‘old,’ and highlight personal strategies to optimise health and wellbeing.

Research paper thumbnail of Editorial: Nursing and Midwifery Research and Scholarship In The Hunter New England Local Health District

Hne Handover For Nurses and Midwives, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Sexual diversity and social stigma on HIV prevention for Thai gay men

Australian nursing & midwifery journal, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in Common Genetic Predisposition to Ischemic Stroke by Age and Sex

Stroke, 2015

Evidence from epidemiological studies points to differences in factors predisposing to stroke by ... more Evidence from epidemiological studies points to differences in factors predisposing to stroke by age and sex. Whether these arise because of different genetic influences remained untested. Here, we use data from 4 genome-wide association data sets to study the relationship between genetic influence on stroke with both age and sex. Using genomic-relatedness-matrix restricted maximum likelihood methods, we performed 4 analyses: (1) we calculated the genetic correlation between groups divided by age and (2) by sex, (3) we calculated the heritability of age-at-stroke-onset, and (4) we evaluated the evidence that heritability of stroke is greater in women than in men. We found that genetic factors influence age at stroke onset (h(2) [SE]=18.0 [6.8]; P=0.0038), with a trend toward a stronger influence in women (women: h(2) [SE]=21.6 [3.5]; Men: h(2) [SE]=13.9 [2.8]). Although a moderate proportion of genetic factors was shared between sexes (rG [SE]=0.68 [0.16]) and between younger and older cases (rG [SE]=0.70 [0.17]), there was evidence to suggest that there are genetic susceptibility factors that are specific to sex (P=0.037) and to younger or older groups (P=0.056), particularly for women (P=0.0068). Finally, we found a trend toward higher heritability of stroke in women although this was not significantly greater than in men (P=0.084). Our results indicate that there are genetic factors that are either unique to or have a different effect between younger and older age groups and between women and men. Performing large, well-powered genome-wide association study analyses in these groups is likely to uncover further associations.

Research paper thumbnail of Living within stories: Exploring the experiences of people with transient ischemic attack

Nursing & Health Sciences, 2015

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) significantly increases a person&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s risk... more A transient ischemic attack (TIA) significantly increases a person&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s risk of ischemic stroke. However, little is known about the experiences of these people or what influences their decision to access care. This article explores the stories of three people who experienced a TIA. All participants were interviewed after receiving a diagnosis of TIA by a specialist neurologist. By utilizing a framework of narrative inquiry, several storylines were revealed across temporal, social, and geographical landscapes. The main storylines include: bodily disruption, time stasis, altered temporal perceptions, the roles of others, and help-seeking behavior. The primary author also reflects upon his own origin and explores how this inquiry has influenced his perceptions, career, and nursing practice. This inquiry may assist healthcare workers to gain insight into the experiences of people with TIA and suggests how involvement of significant others is beneficial when educating people at risk of TIA.

Research paper thumbnail of Narrative Inquiry, a relational research metodology

Qualitative research endeavour to investigate individuals’ perspective of events and experiences.... more Qualitative research endeavour to investigate individuals’ perspective of events and experiences. Narrative Inquiry as a methodology gives participants an opportunity to tell their stories and place participant, researcher and event in relation to each other. A narrative researcher will analyse stories told in relation to their own experience and must therefore first ground themselves in relation to the theme of the narrative. During data collection relational ethics have a strong influence of how the narrative is received. There is a focus on subjectivity and development of relational ethical space that includes an effort to explore and honour individuals’ values and experiences. People use stories to explain and make sense of experiences, it is a logic method for individuals to categorise and create an understanding of events. To live through any illness is an event worthy of a narrative and Narrative Inquiry gives participants an opportunity to tell their stories with an emphasis...

Research paper thumbnail of The suitability for Narrative Inquiry in health research

Narrative inquiry is an emerging methodology in nursing, although commonly used in education and ... more Narrative inquiry is an emerging methodology in nursing, although commonly used in education and sociology for many years. As an emerging methodology in nursing research there are some differences, both in collection and the presentation of the collected data which hinders the understanding of narrative inquiry and it is often seen as an undependable 'novel'. We, as human beings, describe our experiences and realities narratively. We explore and comprehend events by telling and listening to stories, we dream narratively, people live narrative lives. Thus, the illness trajectory can be seen as a narrative. A classic narrative has beginning (normal life) - an event (an illness, acute or chronic) and an end (a ‘new’ normal life). ‘Ill people bleed stories’ and storytelling can support patients in their understating of their illness. This makes narrative inquiry suitable for health research. Patients storytelling support their understating of their illness and narrative inquiry ...

Research paper thumbnail of Nursing and Midwifery Research and Scholarship in the Hunter New England

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring the impact of an interprofessional multimedia learning resource on Japanese nurses and nursing students using the Theory of Planned Behavior Medication Safety Questionnaire

Nursing & Health Sciences, 2015

Interprofessional communication and teamwork are essential for medication safety; however, limite... more Interprofessional communication and teamwork are essential for medication safety; however, limited educational opportunities for health professionals and students to develop these skills exist in Japan. This study evaluated the impact of an interprofessional multimedia learning resource on registered nurses&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and nursing students&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; intention to practice in a manner promoting medication safety. Using a quasi-experimental design, Japanese registered nurses and nursing students (n = 203) were allocated to an experimental (n = 109) or control group (n = 94). Behavioral intentions of medication safety and the predictor variables of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms were measured using a Japanese version of the Theory of Planned Behavior Medication Safety Questionnaire. Registered nurses in the experimental group demonstrated a greater intention to collaborate and practice in a manner that enhanced medication safety, evidenced by higher scores than the control group on all predictor variables. The results demonstrate the potential for interprofessional multimedia learning resources to positively impact the behaviors of Japanese registered nurses in relation to safe medication practices. Further research in other contexts and with other cohorts is warranted.

Research paper thumbnail of Shared genetic basis for migraine and ischemic stroke: A genome-wide analysis of common variants

Neurology, 2015

To quantify genetic overlap between migraine and ischemic stroke (IS) with respect to common gene... more To quantify genetic overlap between migraine and ischemic stroke (IS) with respect to common genetic variation. We applied 4 different approaches to large-scale meta-analyses of genome-wide data on migraine (23,285 cases and 95,425 controls) and IS (12,389 cases and 62,004 controls). First, we queried known genome-wide significant loci for both disorders, looking for potential overlap of signals. We then analyzed the overall shared genetic load using polygenic scores and estimated the genetic correlation between disease subtypes using data derived from these models. We further interrogated genomic regions of shared risk using analysis of covariance patterns between the 2 phenotypes using cross-phenotype spatial mapping. We found substantial genetic overlap between migraine and IS using all 4 approaches. Migraine without aura (MO) showed much stronger overlap with IS and its subtypes than migraine with aura (MA). The strongest overlap existed between MO and large artery stroke (LAS; ...

Research paper thumbnail of Redefining old: Optimising health and wellbeing

Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life,... more Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life, including health and wellbeing, are increasingly being addressed in positive and meaningful ways. Determinants of health and the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ model provide an anchor point for this paper to discuss how a positivistic view has evolved. Further, effective models of care, as well as social, behavioural, personal, and economic determinants of health are discussed Finally, first-hand stories from older people redefine ‘old,’ and highlight personal strategies to optimise health and wellbeing.

Research paper thumbnail of Non- participant observation of gay men in entertainment venues in Bangkok: An ethnographic study of gay men to develop health promotion and HIV prevention

Thailand has seen an increase in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) making HIV/A... more Thailand has seen an increase in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) making HIV/AIDS a major national health priority. As part of understanding the HIV problem for MSM in Thailand there is a need for a deeper exploration of the daily lives of Thai gay men. This study aim to explore social behaviours related to the risk of HIV infection of gay men in Bangkok. Nonparticipant observation was conducted in eight entertainment venues specific for gay men in Bangkok. The field work was conducted in a three month period (May-August 2014). The researcher visited the entertainment venues accompanied by the Bangkok Rainbow staff (Gay men NGO). Field notes were conducted away venue. The results indicated entertainment venues provide the opportunity for gay behaviours which in turn, may increase the risk of contracting HIV infection. Alcohol also makes it difficult for people to control themselves and set appropriate behaviour limits. There needs to be efforts to promote from pub...

Research paper thumbnail of Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery

BioFactors, 2014

Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect i... more Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery Abstract Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4); a key signalling molecule associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Both Tn-C and TLR-4 are increased in unstable human atheroma, but their effects on local inflammatory conditions have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association and functional implications of Tn-C/TLR-4 signalling in large artery atherosclerotic stroke. Plasma Tn-C was measured by ELISA and found to be higher in recent stroke patients (n 5 336; median 12.77 mg/mL, inter-quartile range 10.23-15.74 mg/mL) than in controls (n 5 321; median 11.31 mg/mL, interquartile range 8.89-13.90 mg/mL), P < 0.001. Plasma Tn-C was also independently positively associated with stroke (odds ratio for highest Tn-C quartile 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.37-3.76). Assessment of Tn-C associated chronic cytokine secretion was performed in vitro using paired, human, macroscopically disease matched, carotid atheroma tissue biopsies obtained from five patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. A 4-day incubation with specific Tn-C blocking antibodies (Abs) increased secretion of TLR-4-associated cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1b, tumour necrosis factor and C-C motif chemokine (CCL)3 and expression of TLR-4 in the tissue. These results suggest with Tn-C blockade another endogenous TLR-4 ligand upregulates TLR-4 expression and subsequent cytokine secretion. Titration of the Tn-C Abs also dose dependently increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL3 in

Research paper thumbnail of Plasma Angiopoietin-1 Is Lower After Ischemic Stroke and Associated With Major Disability But Not Stroke Incidence

Research paper thumbnail of Polygenic overlap between kidney function and large artery atherosclerotic stroke

Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation, 2014

Epidemiological studies show strong associations between kidney dysfunction and risk of ischemic ... more Epidemiological studies show strong associations between kidney dysfunction and risk of ischemic stroke (IS), the mechanisms of which are incompletely understood. We investigated whether these associations may reflect shared heritability because of a common polygenic basis and whether this differed for IS subtypes. Polygenic models were derived using genome-wide association studies meta-analysis results for 3 kidney traits: estimated glomerular filtration rate using serum creatinine (eGFRcrea: n=73 998), eGFR using cystatin C (eGFRcys: n=22 937), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (n=31 580). For each, single nucleotide polymorphisms passing 10 P value thresholds were used to form profile scores in 4561 IS cases and 7094 controls from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. Scores were tested for association with IS and its 3 aetiological subtypes: large artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, and small vessel disease. Polygenic scores correlating with higher eGFRcrea were ...

Research paper thumbnail of Giving and receiving of gifts between pharmaceutical and medical specialists in Australia

Internal Medicine Journal, 2006

Background: This study investigated the 'gift-relationship' between pharmaceutical companies and ... more Background: This study investigated the 'gift-relationship' between pharmaceutical companies and doctors.

Research paper thumbnail of The role of tenascin C in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular Research, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery

BioFactors, 2014

Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect i... more Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery Abstract Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4); a key signalling molecule associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Both Tn-C and TLR-4 are increased in unstable human atheroma, but their effects on local inflammatory conditions have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association and functional implications of Tn-C/TLR-4 signalling in large artery atherosclerotic stroke. Plasma Tn-C was measured by ELISA and found to be higher in recent stroke patients (n 5 336; median 12.77 mg/mL, inter-quartile range 10.23-15.74 mg/mL) than in controls (n 5 321; median 11.31 mg/mL, interquartile range 8.89-13.90 mg/mL), P < 0.001. Plasma Tn-C was also independently positively associated with stroke (odds ratio for highest Tn-C quartile 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.37-3.76). Assessment of Tn-C associated chronic cytokine secretion was performed in vitro using paired, human, macroscopically disease matched, carotid atheroma tissue biopsies obtained from five patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. A 4-day incubation with specific Tn-C blocking antibodies (Abs) increased secretion of TLR-4-associated cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1b, tumour necrosis factor and C-C motif chemokine (CCL)3 and expression of TLR-4 in the tissue. These results suggest with Tn-C blockade another endogenous TLR-4 ligand upregulates TLR-4 expression and subsequent cytokine secretion. Titration of the Tn-C Abs also dose dependently increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL3 in

Research paper thumbnail of Plasma Angiopoietin-1 Is Lower After Ischemic Stroke and Associated With Major Disability But Not Stroke Incidence

Research paper thumbnail of Recommendations from the International Stroke Genetics Consortium, part 1: standardized phenotypic data collection

Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Redefining old: Optimising health and wellbeing

Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life,... more Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life, including health and wellbeing, are increasingly being addressed in positive and meaningful ways. Determinants of health and the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ model provide an anchor point for this paper to discuss how a positivistic view has evolved. Further, effective models of care, as well as social, behavioural, personal, and economic determinants of health are discussed Finally, first-hand stories from older people redefine ‘old,’ and highlight personal strategies to optimise health and wellbeing.

Research paper thumbnail of Editorial: Nursing and Midwifery Research and Scholarship In The Hunter New England Local Health District

Hne Handover For Nurses and Midwives, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Sexual diversity and social stigma on HIV prevention for Thai gay men

Australian nursing & midwifery journal, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in Common Genetic Predisposition to Ischemic Stroke by Age and Sex

Stroke, 2015

Evidence from epidemiological studies points to differences in factors predisposing to stroke by ... more Evidence from epidemiological studies points to differences in factors predisposing to stroke by age and sex. Whether these arise because of different genetic influences remained untested. Here, we use data from 4 genome-wide association data sets to study the relationship between genetic influence on stroke with both age and sex. Using genomic-relatedness-matrix restricted maximum likelihood methods, we performed 4 analyses: (1) we calculated the genetic correlation between groups divided by age and (2) by sex, (3) we calculated the heritability of age-at-stroke-onset, and (4) we evaluated the evidence that heritability of stroke is greater in women than in men. We found that genetic factors influence age at stroke onset (h(2) [SE]=18.0 [6.8]; P=0.0038), with a trend toward a stronger influence in women (women: h(2) [SE]=21.6 [3.5]; Men: h(2) [SE]=13.9 [2.8]). Although a moderate proportion of genetic factors was shared between sexes (rG [SE]=0.68 [0.16]) and between younger and older cases (rG [SE]=0.70 [0.17]), there was evidence to suggest that there are genetic susceptibility factors that are specific to sex (P=0.037) and to younger or older groups (P=0.056), particularly for women (P=0.0068). Finally, we found a trend toward higher heritability of stroke in women although this was not significantly greater than in men (P=0.084). Our results indicate that there are genetic factors that are either unique to or have a different effect between younger and older age groups and between women and men. Performing large, well-powered genome-wide association study analyses in these groups is likely to uncover further associations.

Research paper thumbnail of Living within stories: Exploring the experiences of people with transient ischemic attack

Nursing & Health Sciences, 2015

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) significantly increases a person&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s risk... more A transient ischemic attack (TIA) significantly increases a person&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s risk of ischemic stroke. However, little is known about the experiences of these people or what influences their decision to access care. This article explores the stories of three people who experienced a TIA. All participants were interviewed after receiving a diagnosis of TIA by a specialist neurologist. By utilizing a framework of narrative inquiry, several storylines were revealed across temporal, social, and geographical landscapes. The main storylines include: bodily disruption, time stasis, altered temporal perceptions, the roles of others, and help-seeking behavior. The primary author also reflects upon his own origin and explores how this inquiry has influenced his perceptions, career, and nursing practice. This inquiry may assist healthcare workers to gain insight into the experiences of people with TIA and suggests how involvement of significant others is beneficial when educating people at risk of TIA.

Research paper thumbnail of Narrative Inquiry, a relational research metodology

Qualitative research endeavour to investigate individuals’ perspective of events and experiences.... more Qualitative research endeavour to investigate individuals’ perspective of events and experiences. Narrative Inquiry as a methodology gives participants an opportunity to tell their stories and place participant, researcher and event in relation to each other. A narrative researcher will analyse stories told in relation to their own experience and must therefore first ground themselves in relation to the theme of the narrative. During data collection relational ethics have a strong influence of how the narrative is received. There is a focus on subjectivity and development of relational ethical space that includes an effort to explore and honour individuals’ values and experiences. People use stories to explain and make sense of experiences, it is a logic method for individuals to categorise and create an understanding of events. To live through any illness is an event worthy of a narrative and Narrative Inquiry gives participants an opportunity to tell their stories with an emphasis...

Research paper thumbnail of The suitability for Narrative Inquiry in health research

Narrative inquiry is an emerging methodology in nursing, although commonly used in education and ... more Narrative inquiry is an emerging methodology in nursing, although commonly used in education and sociology for many years. As an emerging methodology in nursing research there are some differences, both in collection and the presentation of the collected data which hinders the understanding of narrative inquiry and it is often seen as an undependable 'novel'. We, as human beings, describe our experiences and realities narratively. We explore and comprehend events by telling and listening to stories, we dream narratively, people live narrative lives. Thus, the illness trajectory can be seen as a narrative. A classic narrative has beginning (normal life) - an event (an illness, acute or chronic) and an end (a ‘new’ normal life). ‘Ill people bleed stories’ and storytelling can support patients in their understating of their illness. This makes narrative inquiry suitable for health research. Patients storytelling support their understating of their illness and narrative inquiry ...

Research paper thumbnail of Nursing and Midwifery Research and Scholarship in the Hunter New England

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring the impact of an interprofessional multimedia learning resource on Japanese nurses and nursing students using the Theory of Planned Behavior Medication Safety Questionnaire

Nursing & Health Sciences, 2015

Interprofessional communication and teamwork are essential for medication safety; however, limite... more Interprofessional communication and teamwork are essential for medication safety; however, limited educational opportunities for health professionals and students to develop these skills exist in Japan. This study evaluated the impact of an interprofessional multimedia learning resource on registered nurses&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and nursing students&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; intention to practice in a manner promoting medication safety. Using a quasi-experimental design, Japanese registered nurses and nursing students (n = 203) were allocated to an experimental (n = 109) or control group (n = 94). Behavioral intentions of medication safety and the predictor variables of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms were measured using a Japanese version of the Theory of Planned Behavior Medication Safety Questionnaire. Registered nurses in the experimental group demonstrated a greater intention to collaborate and practice in a manner that enhanced medication safety, evidenced by higher scores than the control group on all predictor variables. The results demonstrate the potential for interprofessional multimedia learning resources to positively impact the behaviors of Japanese registered nurses in relation to safe medication practices. Further research in other contexts and with other cohorts is warranted.

Research paper thumbnail of Shared genetic basis for migraine and ischemic stroke: A genome-wide analysis of common variants

Neurology, 2015

To quantify genetic overlap between migraine and ischemic stroke (IS) with respect to common gene... more To quantify genetic overlap between migraine and ischemic stroke (IS) with respect to common genetic variation. We applied 4 different approaches to large-scale meta-analyses of genome-wide data on migraine (23,285 cases and 95,425 controls) and IS (12,389 cases and 62,004 controls). First, we queried known genome-wide significant loci for both disorders, looking for potential overlap of signals. We then analyzed the overall shared genetic load using polygenic scores and estimated the genetic correlation between disease subtypes using data derived from these models. We further interrogated genomic regions of shared risk using analysis of covariance patterns between the 2 phenotypes using cross-phenotype spatial mapping. We found substantial genetic overlap between migraine and IS using all 4 approaches. Migraine without aura (MO) showed much stronger overlap with IS and its subtypes than migraine with aura (MA). The strongest overlap existed between MO and large artery stroke (LAS; ...

Research paper thumbnail of Redefining old: Optimising health and wellbeing

Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life,... more Globally, people are ageing. Accordingly, during this time of population change, quality of life, including health and wellbeing, are increasingly being addressed in positive and meaningful ways. Determinants of health and the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ model provide an anchor point for this paper to discuss how a positivistic view has evolved. Further, effective models of care, as well as social, behavioural, personal, and economic determinants of health are discussed Finally, first-hand stories from older people redefine ‘old,’ and highlight personal strategies to optimise health and wellbeing.

Research paper thumbnail of Non- participant observation of gay men in entertainment venues in Bangkok: An ethnographic study of gay men to develop health promotion and HIV prevention

Thailand has seen an increase in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) making HIV/A... more Thailand has seen an increase in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) making HIV/AIDS a major national health priority. As part of understanding the HIV problem for MSM in Thailand there is a need for a deeper exploration of the daily lives of Thai gay men. This study aim to explore social behaviours related to the risk of HIV infection of gay men in Bangkok. Nonparticipant observation was conducted in eight entertainment venues specific for gay men in Bangkok. The field work was conducted in a three month period (May-August 2014). The researcher visited the entertainment venues accompanied by the Bangkok Rainbow staff (Gay men NGO). Field notes were conducted away venue. The results indicated entertainment venues provide the opportunity for gay behaviours which in turn, may increase the risk of contracting HIV infection. Alcohol also makes it difficult for people to control themselves and set appropriate behaviour limits. There needs to be efforts to promote from pub...

Research paper thumbnail of Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery

BioFactors, 2014

Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect i... more Tenascin-C is increased in atherothrombotic stroke patients and has an anti-inflammatory effect in the human carotid artery Abstract Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4); a key signalling molecule associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Both Tn-C and TLR-4 are increased in unstable human atheroma, but their effects on local inflammatory conditions have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association and functional implications of Tn-C/TLR-4 signalling in large artery atherosclerotic stroke. Plasma Tn-C was measured by ELISA and found to be higher in recent stroke patients (n 5 336; median 12.77 mg/mL, inter-quartile range 10.23-15.74 mg/mL) than in controls (n 5 321; median 11.31 mg/mL, interquartile range 8.89-13.90 mg/mL), P < 0.001. Plasma Tn-C was also independently positively associated with stroke (odds ratio for highest Tn-C quartile 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.37-3.76). Assessment of Tn-C associated chronic cytokine secretion was performed in vitro using paired, human, macroscopically disease matched, carotid atheroma tissue biopsies obtained from five patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. A 4-day incubation with specific Tn-C blocking antibodies (Abs) increased secretion of TLR-4-associated cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1b, tumour necrosis factor and C-C motif chemokine (CCL)3 and expression of TLR-4 in the tissue. These results suggest with Tn-C blockade another endogenous TLR-4 ligand upregulates TLR-4 expression and subsequent cytokine secretion. Titration of the Tn-C Abs also dose dependently increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL3 in

Research paper thumbnail of Plasma Angiopoietin-1 Is Lower After Ischemic Stroke and Associated With Major Disability But Not Stroke Incidence

Research paper thumbnail of Polygenic overlap between kidney function and large artery atherosclerotic stroke

Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation, 2014

Epidemiological studies show strong associations between kidney dysfunction and risk of ischemic ... more Epidemiological studies show strong associations between kidney dysfunction and risk of ischemic stroke (IS), the mechanisms of which are incompletely understood. We investigated whether these associations may reflect shared heritability because of a common polygenic basis and whether this differed for IS subtypes. Polygenic models were derived using genome-wide association studies meta-analysis results for 3 kidney traits: estimated glomerular filtration rate using serum creatinine (eGFRcrea: n=73 998), eGFR using cystatin C (eGFRcys: n=22 937), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (n=31 580). For each, single nucleotide polymorphisms passing 10 P value thresholds were used to form profile scores in 4561 IS cases and 7094 controls from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. Scores were tested for association with IS and its 3 aetiological subtypes: large artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, and small vessel disease. Polygenic scores correlating with higher eGFRcrea were ...