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.
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Recent Submissions
The first trimester human placenta responds to Zika virus infection inducing an interferon (IFN) and antiviral interferon stimulated gene (ISG) response.
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025) Van Der Hoek, K.H.; Jankovic-Karasoulos, T.; McCullough, D.; Coldbeck-Shackley, R.C.; Eyre, N.S.; Roberts, C.T.; Beard, M.R.
Background
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a positive-strand RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. Maternal ZIKV infection during pregnancy can spread to the placenta and fetus causing severe neurological defects and infants born with microcephaly. Here, we investigated ZIKV infection and the cellular innate antiviral immune response in first trimester human placental explant cultures and isolated primary villus cytotrophoblasts (CTBs).Methods
Placentas were obtained with informed consent from women undergoing elective pregnancy termination and either cultured as placental explants or used to isolate primary CTBs. Explants and CTBs were both infected with ZIKV (PRVABC59), and samples evaluated for infection by qRT-PCR, viral plaque and ELISA assays, and immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical staining.Results
We demonstrate robust infection and production of ZIKV in placental explant and CTB cultures. Both displayed delayed upregulation of interferons (IFN), most notably IFNβ and IFNλ2/3, and a panel of interferon stimulated genes (ISG) (IFI6, IFIT1, IFIT2, IFITM1, ISG15, MX1, RSAD). Stimulation of explants and CTBs with the dsRNA mimic poly(I: C), caused immediate IFN and ISG upregulation, demonstrating the first trimester placenta is innate immune competent. This suggests that either ZIKV blocks the early innate response, or the placental response is inherently hindered.Conclusion
Together these data show that first trimester placenta is susceptible to ZIKV infection which induces a delayed type III IFN antiviral response. This delay likely creates an environment favourable to ZIKV replication and dissemination across the early gestation placenta to fetal tissue, causing pathologies associated with congenital ZIKV syndrome.The cytosolic DNA sensor AIM2 promotes Helicobacter‐induced gastric pathology via the inflammasome
(Wiley, 2023) Dawson, R.E.; Deswaerte, V.; West, A.C.; Sun, E.; Wray‐McCann, G.; Livis, T.; Kumar, B.; Rodriguez, E.; Gabay, C.; Ferrero, R.L.; Jenkins, B.J.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can trigger chronic gastric inflammation perpetuated by overactivation of the innate immune system, leading to a cascade of precancerous lesions culminating in gastric cancer. However, key regulators of innate immunity that promote H. pylori–induced gastric pathology remain ill-defined. The innate immune cytosolic DNA sensor absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, as well as cancers including gastric cancer. We therefore investigated whether AIM2 contributed to the pathogenesis of Helicobacter-induced gastric disease. Here, we reveal that AIM2 messenger RNA and protein expression levels are elevated in H. pylori–positive versus H. pylori–negative human gastric biopsies. Similarly, chronic Helicobacter felis infection in wild-type mice augmented Aim2 gene expression levels compared with uninfected controls. Notably, gastric inflammation and hyperplasia were less severe in H. felis–infected Aim2 ‾/‾ versus wild-type mice, evidenced by reductions in gastric immune cell infiltrates, mucosal thickness and proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine release. In addition, H. felis– driven proliferation and apoptosis in both gastric epithelial and immune cells were largely attenuated in Aim2 ‾/‾ stomachs. These observations in Aim2 ‾/‾ mouse stomachs correlated with decreased levels of inflammasome activity (caspase-1 cleavage) and the mature inflammasome effector cytokine, interleukin-1b. Taken together, this work uncovers a pathogenic role for the AIM2 inflammasome in Helicobacter-induced gastric disease, and furthers our understanding of the host immune response to a common pathogen and the complex and varying roles of AIM2 at different stages of cancerous and precancerous gastric disease.
Bridging the Gap in Rhinoplasty Training: The Effectiveness of 3D Printed Models in Surgical Education
(Oxford University Press (OUP), 2025) Rehman, U.; Polglase, N.; Kahn, D.; Dogan, T.; Paun, S.; D’Souza, A.; Uppal, R.; Eynon-Lewis, N.; Lechner, M.
Background: Rhinoplasty is a common facial plastic surgery procedure for both functional and aesthetic indications. The use of 3-dimensional (3D) models has been reported as a potential method for providing hands-on training for learning rhinoplasty without jeopardizing patient care. Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a novel model for rhinoplasty training. Methods: The rhinoplasty models were designed and produced with proprietary 3D printing technology. Face and content validity were assessed during a rhinoplasty course involving 53 surgeons. Criterion validity was evaluated in a training session with 20 surgical residents, measuring improvements in surgical skills after practice with the 3D models, with an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSAT). Results: All surgeons (n = 53, 100%) stated that the rhinoplasty model aided in their learning and development. In all, 91% (n = 48) of surgeons rated the realism of the model as excellent or very good in comparison to cadaveric specimens. Assessment of criterion validity showed a statistically significant improvement in OSAT scores among surgical residents, increasing from a baseline of 11.7/40 (SD ± 1.80) to 21.6/40 (SD ± 1.79) post session (P < .0001). Conclusions: The 3D rhinoplasty models showed good content, face, and criterion validity, objectively improving residents’ surgical performance. Rhinoplasty 3D models may serve as a precadaveric training adjunct, equipping trainees with fundamental skills before cadaveric dissection, or as a primary training modality in countries with limited cadaver access. Therefore the models offer an innovative approach to training the next generation of rhinoplasty surgeons.
Parental management of autoimmune disease with complementary and alternative medicine: a scoping review of the literature in OECD countries
(BMC, 2025) Maio, J.; Smith, C.A.; Ward, P.R.
Introduction: The prevalence of autoimmune disease (AD) is increasing in both paediatric and adult populations, resulting in a rise in healthcare utilisation for symptom management. With no known cure for ADs, management options include conventional medical treatment and/or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. Despite the high cost of CAM therapy in Australia, its use continues to rise, especially among adults and children with chronic disease. Methods: This review was guided by the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. We reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Database searched included OVID (Medline, Embase, PsycInfo) CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Only primary empirical papers were included. Screening and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently with a third reviewer resolving discrepancies. Results: Our review identified 42 primary research papers published between 1990 and 2021 that addressed parental management of AD with CAM. Commonly reported CAM practices included massage, homeopathy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture, with vitamins and minerals being the most frequently mentioned CAM products. Parents cited dissatisfaction with conventional medication, concerns about its side effects, and the perception of CAM as natural or safer than conventional medicine as primary reasons for CAM use. Parental CAM use strongly predicted child CAM use, yet there was low disclosure of CAM practices to conventional physicians. Reasons for non-disclosure included concerns about negative responses from physicians and perceptions of limited physician understanding of CAM. Parental educational level and family income were also predictive of CAM use. Conclusions: This review highlights the widespread use of CAM by parents managing their children’s AD and emphasises the need for improved communication between parents and healthcare providers. Methodological inconsistencies highlight the necessity for standardised protocols in future CAM research. Additionally, future studies should recognise the interplay between social structures and individual agency in shaping healthcare decisions. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. Protocol registration DOI: https:// doi.org/ 10.17605/OSF.IO/9NJCE.
A systematic review of the current state of marine functional connectivity research
(Inter-Research Science Publisher, 2025) Tanner, S.E.; Sturrock, A.M.; Öztürk, R.; Smoliński, S.; Terzi, Y.; Reis-Santos, P.; Barboza, F.R.; Blanco, A.; Borsa, P.; Castilho, R.; Costantini, F.; Muzaffer Feyzioğlu, A.; Guizien, K.; Guy-Haim, T.; Kaplan, D.M.; Kotta, J.; Lett, C.; Martinho, F.; Nanninga, G.B.; Pérez-Ruzafa, Á.; et al.
Marine functional connectivity underpins biodiversity and ecosystem functions, en suring resilience in marine and land–sea interface ecosystems. Research on this topic has ad vanced rapidly in recent decades, as reflected in the growing body of primary literature and the increasing number of reviews covering a variety of topics and methodologies. Here, we systematically extracted and analysed information from 215 reviews across the entire field to synthesize the current state of marine functional connectivity research, highlighting the main topics, methods, taxa, geographic areas, and future research priorities. Word co-occurrence and network analyses revealed imbalances in review topics, with certain habitats (e.g. coral reefs), taxa (e.g. fish), and geo graphic areas (e.g. North Atlantic) receiving disproportionate attention. These disparities likely arise from variations in funding, field site accessibility, public interest, and/or delays in adopting new concepts and methodologies. Research priorities were broadly grouped into 2 themes: (1) ‘Methods’, highlighting the need to integrate and advance sampling, modelling, and ana lysis techniques, and (2) ‘Ecology and Application’, stressing the need to understand connectivity drivers, particularly the impacts of climate change, and to integrate connectivity knowledge into marine conservation and management. There was also a third overarching theme emphasizing the importance of expanding spatial and temporal coverage of connectivity knowledge and data by embracing new technologies, growing collaborative networks and targeting understudied habitats, areas, and taxa. Tackling the identified research priorities will further improve our ability to quantify connectivity patterns and drivers, and facilitate efforts to actively apply this knowledge and data in marine management and conservation.