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A model of population dynamics with complex household structure and mobility: implications for transmission and control of communicable diseasesHouseholds are known to be high-risk locations for the transmission of communicable diseases. Numerous modelling studies have demonstrated the important role of households in sustaining both communicable diseases outbreaks and endemic transmission, and as the focus for control efforts. However, these studies typically assume that households are associated with a single dwelling and have static membership.
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Machine Learning-Based DNA Methylation Score for Fetal Exposure to Maternal SmokingFetal exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with the development of noncommunicable diseases in the offspring. Maternal smoking may induce such long-term effects through persistent changes in the DNA methylome, which therefore hold the potential to be used as a biomarker of this early life exposure. With declining costs for measuring DNA methylation, we aimed to develop a DNA methylation score that can be used on adolescent DNA methylation data and thereby generate a score for in utero cigarette smoke exposure.
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Difficulties in developmental follow-up of preterm neonates in a randomised-controlled trialProbiotics may be neuroprotective for preterm neonates due to their anti-inflammatory effects and ability to facilitate nutrition. AIM: To assess long-term effects of early probiotic supplementation on neuropsychological development in preterm infants
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Repair of an Attenuated Low-Passage Murine Cytomegalovirus Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Identifies a Novel Spliced Gene Essential for Salivary Gland TropismThe cloning of herpesviruses as bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) has revolutionized the study of herpesvirus biology, allowing rapid and precise manipulation of viral genomes. Several clinical strains of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) have been cloned as BACs; however, no low-passage strains of murine CMV, which provide a model mimicking these isolates, have been cloned. Here, the low-passage G4 strain of was BAC cloned. G4 carries an m157 gene that does not ligate the natural killer cell-activating receptor, Ly49H, meaning that unlike laboratory strains of MCMV, this virus replicates well in C57BL/6 mice.
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Ambient Air Pollution, Extreme Temperatures and Birth Outcomes: A Protocol for an Umbrella Review, Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPrenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and extreme temperatures are among the major risk factors of adverse birth outcomes and with potential long-term effects during the life course. Although low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are most vulnerable, there is limited synthesis of evidence in such settings. This document describes a protocol for both an umbrella review (Systematic Review 1) and a focused systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from LMICs (Systematic Review 2).
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Minimal structural lung disease in early life represents significant pathologyIn this cohort, as compared with the AREST CF cohort, the authors highlight the limited correlation between infection and inflammation with lung function and structural impairment, and that this was mainly explained by the mild changes identified in lung function and on chest CT scan.
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Financial Interventions to Increase Vaccine CoverageRecent vaccine mandates in Australia, as in other high income settings, have sought to change the behavior of parents, including those who would otherwise access nonmedical exemptions. Since 2014, Australian state governments have introduced and progressively tightened policies restricting the access of unvaccinated children to early education and child care.
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An introduction to clinical trial designThis manuscript will give a brief overview of clinical trial design including the strengths and limitations of various approaches
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An integrative analysis of non-coding regulatory DNA variations associated with autism spectrum disorderOverall, we found that the regulatory variants in autism spectrum disorder cases were enriched in ASD-risk genes and genes involved in fetal neurodevelopment
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Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Rationale for a pathophysiological rather than treatment based approach to diagnosisThis review describes the evolution of bronchopulmonary dysplasia definitions, evaluates the benefits and limitations of each approach