Adelaide Research & Scholarship
Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) is the University of Adelaide’s digital repository. AR&S provides a platform for the collection, organisation, access and preservation of the research and scholarly outputs of the University community in digital formats, as well as digital management of information in physical formats.
University of Adelaide higher degree by research theses are deposited into the AR&S Theses community as part of the final thesis lodgement process.
AR&S also serves as the home of the digital collections of University Library Archives and Special Collections. Items include digitized representations of physical items, such as photographs and full texts, and digital-born materials, allowing worldwide access to our heritage and research collections.
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Recent Submissions
In Vivo investigation of xenotransplanted human blood-derived scaffold into mice as a biodegradable construct for improvement of pelvic floor repair
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2025) Behnia-Willison, F.; Aryan, P.; Salehnia, M.; Willison, N.; Nguyen, T.T.T.; Tansu, N.; Abbott, D.
Objective: We developed an autologous, novel human blood-derived scaffold (hBDS) to improve pelvic floor disorders. Both in vivo biocompatibility and biodegradation were investigated and compared by subcutaneous implantation, in the abdominal wall, and the back muscle of mice. Methods and Materials: After preparing the scaffold, it was xenotransplanted subcutaneously, and in vivo biodegradation and host responses were assessed morphologically using hematoxylin, eosin, and Masson’s trichrome staining over 6 weeks. Immunohistochemistry for the CD136 marker was conducted to evaluate vascularization. In another series of experiments, the scaffold was sutured at multiple points on the abdominal wall and back muscle to prolong its biodegradation time and assess the scar formation around the transplantation site. Results: Three days after implantation, no infection or severe inflammation was observed, and the scaffold was surrounded by connective tissue and fibroblasts, indicating initial scaffold degradation. By 1 week, the scaffold exhibited high biodegradation and increased fibroblast infiltration. Scaffold degradation was extensive at 2 weeks, with continued fibroblast infiltration and new collagen deposition. By 3 weeks, the scaffold had completely degraded, with minimal inflammation. The normal dermal structure was restored by weeks four to six after transplantation. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the neovascularization at one- and 2-week post- transplantation. Suturing the scaffold on the peritoneum and back muscle resulted in higher fibroblast infiltration and collagen formation around the suture compared to the non-suture group, with no morphological differences between the abdominal wall and back muscle reactions. Conclusion: The novel human blood-derived scaffold demonstrated biodegradation and high biocompatibility. Suturing the scaffold on the abdominal wall or back muscle effectively improves clinical symptoms, while further improvements are needed for its clinical application.
Systematic reviewers' perspectives on sharing review data, analytic code, and other materials: A survey
(Wiley, 2023) Nguyen, P.; McKenzie, J.E.; Hamilton, D.G.; Moher, D.; Tugwell, P.; Fidler, F.M.; Haddaway, N.R.; Higgins, J.P.T.; Kanukula, R.; Karunananthan, S.; Maxwell, L.J.; McDonald, S.; Nakagawa, S.; Nunan, D.; Welch, V.A.; Page, M.J.
Background There are many benefits of sharing data, analytic code, and other materials, yet these items are infrequently shared among systematic reviews (SRs). It is unclear which factors influence authors' decisions to share data, code, or materials when publishing their SRs. Therefore, we aimed to explore systematic reviewers' perspectives on the importance of sharing review materials and factors that might influence such practices. Methods We searched PubMed for SRs published from January to April 2021, from which we randomly allocated 50% to this survey and 50% to another survey on the replication of SRs. We sent an electronic survey to authors of these SRs (n = 4671) using Qualtrics. Quantitative responses were summarized using frequency analysis. Free-text answers were coded using an inductive approach. Results The response rate was 9% (n = 417). Most participants supported routine sharing of search strategies (84%) but fewer for analytic code (43%) or files documenting data preparation (38%). Most participants agreed that normative practices within the discipline were an important facilitator (78%). Major perceived barriers were lack of time (62%) and suitable sharing platforms (31%). Few participants were required by funders (19%) or institutions (17%) to share data, and only 12% of participants reported receiving training on data sharing. Commonly perceived consequences of data sharing were lost opportunities for future publications (50%), misuse of data (48%), and issues with intellectual property (40%). In their most recent reviews, participants who did not share data cited the lack of journal requirements (56%) or noted the review did not include any statistical analysis that required sharing (29%). Conclusion Certain types of review materials were considered unnecessary for sharing, despite their importance to the review's transparency and reproducibility. Structural barriers and concerns about negative consequences hinder data sharing among systematic reviewers. Normalization and institutional incentives are essential to promote data-sharing practices in evidence-synthesis research.
Supporting healthy lifestyles for First Nations women and communities through co-design: lessons and early findings from remote Northern Australia
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2024) Dias, T.; MacKay, D.; Canuto, K.; Boyle, J.A.; D’Antoine, H.; Hampton, D.; Martin, K.; Phillips, J.; Bartlett, N.; Mcintyre, H.D.; Graham, S.; Corpus, S.; Connors, C.; McCarthy, L.; Kirkham, R.; Maple-Brown, L.J.
Background: The period before, during, and after pregnancy presents an opportunity to reduce diabetes-related risks, which in Australia disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women/communities is essential to ensure acceptability and sustainability of lifestyle modifications. Using a novel co-design approach, we aimed to identify shared priorities and potential lifestyle strategies. We also reflected on learnings from this approach. Methods: We conducted 11 workshops and 8 interviews at two sites in Australia’s Northern Territory (Central Australia and Top End), using experience-based co-design (EBCD) and incorporating principles of First Nations participatory research. Workshops/interviews explored participant’ experiences and understanding of diabetes in pregnancy, contextual issues, and potential lifestyle strategies. Participants included three groups: 1) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age (defined as aged 16-45 years); 2) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members; and 3) health/community services professionals. The study methodology sought to amplify the voices of Aboriginal women. Findings: Participants included 23 women between ages 16-45 years (9 with known lived experience of diabetes in pregnancy), 5 community members and 23 health professionals. Key findings related to identified priority issues, strategies to address priorities, and reflections on use of EBCD methodology. Priorities were largely consistent across study regions: access to healthy foods and physical activity; connection to traditional practices and culture; communication regarding diabetes and related risks; and the difficulty for women of prioritising their health among competing priorities. Strategies included implementation of a holistic women’s program in Central Australia, while Top End participants expressed the desire to improve nutrition, peer support and community awareness of diabetes. EBCD provided a useful structure to explore participants’ experiences and collectively determine priorities, while allowing for modifications to ensure co-design methods were contextually appropriate. Challenges included the resource-intensive nature of stakeholder engagement, and collaborating effectively with services and communities when researchers were “outsiders”. Conclusions: A hybrid methodology using EBCD and First Nations participatory research principles enabled collaboration between Aboriginal women, communities and health services to identify shared priorities and solutions to reduce diabetes-related health risks. Genuine co-design processes support self-determination and enhance acceptability and sustainability of health strategies.
SCREEN: A Graph-based Contrastive Learning Tool to Infer Catalytic Residues and Assess Enzyme Mutations
(Oxford University Press, 2024) Pan, T.; Bi, Y.; Wang, X.; Zhang, Y.; Webb, G.; Gasser, R.B.; Kurgan, L.; Song, J.; Zhang, Z.
The accurate identification of catalytic residues contributes to our understanding of enzyme functions in biological processes and pathways. The increasing number of protein sequences necessitates computational tools for the automated prediction of catalytic residues in enzymes. Here, we introduce SCREEN, a graph neural network for the high-throughput prediction of catalytic residues via the integration of enzyme functional and structural information. SCREEN constructs residue representations based on spatial arrangements and incorporates enzyme function priors into such representations through contrastive learning. We demonstrate that SCREEN (1) consistently outperforms currently-available predictors; (2) provides accurate results when applied to inferred enzyme structures; and (3) generalizes well to enzymes dissimilar from those in the training set. We also show that the putative catalytic residues predicted by SCREEN mimic key structural and biophysical characteristics of native catalytic residues. Moreover, using experimental datasets, we show that SCREEN’s predictions can be used to distinguish residues with a high mutation tolerance from those likely to cause functional loss when mutated, indicating that this tool might be used to infer disease-associated mutations. SCREEN is publicly available at https://github.com/BioColLab/SCREEN and https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/biocode/tool/7580.
Priority Populations in Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Interventions: A Scoping Review
(Wiley, 2025) Palacios, T.; Hunter, K.E.; Johnson, B.J.; Libesman, S.; Shrestha, N.; Yin, H.S.; Williams, J.G.; Seidler, A.L.
Background Childhood obesity disproportionately affects priority populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups and those with lower socio-economic backgrounds. These groups often encounter barriers to accessing public health services and may benefit from targeted interventions. Objective This scoping review aimed to identify the characteristics of populations involved in interventions to prevent early childhood obesity and to understand whether and how existing interventions targeted and reached priority populations. Methods Databases and trial registries were systematically searched until 4 October 2024, for planned, ongoing, and completed randomised controlled trials evaluating parent-focussed, behavioural interventions for childhood obesity prevention, starting within the first year of life. Two reviewers independently extracted data using a customised tool. Results Of the 11 960 articles identified, 82 trials were eligible. Most trials (87%) were conducted (or planned) in high-income countries, 11% in upper middle-income countries, and 2% in lower middle-income countries. Priority populations included parent–child dyads from specific ethnic or racial groups facing psychological, social, and/or economic disadvantages. Among the completed trials, 54% targeted priority populations, yet only 33% exclusively enrolled participants from these groups. Additionally, less than a quarter of the trials involved priority populations in the design of interventions (17%) and developed tailored interventions for these groups (21%). Conclusions Current interventions do not sufficiently target, reach and engage priority populations. To achieve health equity in early childhood obesity prevention, it is essential to include underserved and at-risk populations in research and intervention design.