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Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable synthetic polymer that is currently used in a number of biomedical applications. A number of concerns have been raised over the toxicity of initiators commonly employed for the synthesis of PCL. Therefore, more biocompatible initiators have been studied. The biocompatibility of PCL, itself, is adequate; however, improved bioactivity is desirable for several applications. Copolymerisation, and incorporation of bioactive fillers can both be used as ways of enhancing the bioactivity of PCL. Therefore, the global objective of this project was to enhance the bioactivity of PCL by copolymerisation of PCL with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) using a biocompatible calcium-based initiator. This calcium-initiator was expected to leave potentially bioactive calcium-initiator residues in the synthesised copolymers. A study of the ring-opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone (CL) in the presence of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) / calcium hydride (CaH2) co-initiation system was performed. Polymerisation kinetics were monitored by following the degree of conversion of CL by Fourier transform-Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Resultant PCL-b-PEG-b-PCL (PCL/PEG/PCL) triblock copolymers were analysed by NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The observed rates of polymerisation for the synthesis of PCL/PEG/PCL triblock copolymers using the PEG / CaH2 co-initiator were much lower than expected. 1H NMR and Raman microspectroscopy analysis showed that the concentration of the active calcium-PEG alkoxide was much lower than the initial feed concentration of PEG. Even so, the molecular weight of PCL/PEG/PCL triblock copolymers could be predicted from the CL : PEG feed ratio. This was found to be due to a fast reversible transfer process. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis of solutions containing acid digested, pure PCL/PEG/PCL copolymers showed calcium concentrations at equal to or greater than 77 % of the calcium feed concentration. These calcium-initiator residues were isolated and their structures confirmed by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). They were found to be a mixture of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The effect of calcium-initiator residues on the in vitro mineralisation of PCL/PEG/PCL triblock copolymers, as well as the same effect on a model calcium-salt-doped PCL homopolymer system, was studied by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). In the model studied, PCL homopolymer was doped with low concentrations (0.2 - 2 w / w % Ca) of Ca(OH)2, or CaCO3. Results from the model study showed calcium phosphate (CaP) mineral deposition on Ca(OH)2-doped PCL, and not on CaCO3-doped PCL. This was attributed to the higher solubility of Ca(OH)2, compared to CaCO3. Minimal CaP deposition was observed on PCL/PEG/PCL triblock copolymers. This was attributed to the low Ca(OH)2 concentration in these samples. For all mineralised samples in the SBF studies, the formation of carbonated HAP was observed. Overall, the synthesis of PCL/PEG/PCL copolymers using the PEG / CaH2 co-initiator was found to be a suitable method for preparing reproducible materials. The calcium-based initiator was also found to have potential for increasing the bioactivity of PCL-based materials.

This project aimed to explore the nature of psychological distress experienced by patients at the initial medical consultation prior to bone marrow transplant (BMT). BMT patients (n=20) completed standardized measures of physical and emotional distress related to their illness, the impact the illness was having on their life, anxiety and depression. Patient satisfaction with the doctor was assessed, as were doctor impressions of patient distress and behaviour during the consult. Results indicated that patient distress was best represented by the physical and emotional impact it was having on the patient's life. Overall, doctors had difficulty accurately assessing distress levels in their patients. Interpretation of multiple regression analysis revealed that doctor perception of patient behaviour was predicted more highly by patient distress levels than patient satisfaction. Due to the continual restrictions in doctors accurately assessing distress during medical consultations this research suggests that further studies are needed, in particular regarding the use of direct questioning or brief screening measures to assist doctors with the identification of distress. / Thesis (MPsychology)--University of South Australia, 2006.

Bibliography: leaves 221-237. / xi, 237 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Presents prospective data on forearm bone status in a group of Australian children. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Paediatrics, 1997?

Bibliography: leaves 298-334. / xxxi, 334, [3] leaves, [18] leaves of plates : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Provides insight into the mechanism by which dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estrogen effect osteoblast and osteoclast bone cell activities. Also demonstrates the differential effects of DHT on bone cell activities in estrogen sufficient and estrogen deficient rats suggesting that there is an interaction of estrogens and androgens on bone cell metabolism in the female rat. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physiology, 1998?

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Paracrine factors secreted by the oocyte (oocyte-secreted factors, OSFs) regulate a broad range of cumulus cell functions. The capacity of oocytes to regulate their own microenvironment by OSFs may in turn contribute to oocyte developmental competence. The aim of this thesis was to examine whether cumulus cells exhibit a low incidence of apoptosis due to their close association with oocytes and their exposure to OSFs, and to investigate if OSFs have a direct influence on bovine oocyte developmental competence during in vitro maturation (IVM). This thesis includes a series of studies designed to examine by various means the nature of the paracrine network of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their binding proteins involved in the regulation of cumulus cell apoptosis. OSFs, in particular BMP- 15 and BMP-6, but not growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9), reduced apoptosis of cumulus cells by following a gradient from the site of the oocytes. Morever, follistatin and a BMP6 neutralizing antibody, which antagonized the anti-apoptotic effects of BMP15 and BMP6, respectively, whether alone or combined, blocked ~50% of the antiapoptotic actions of oocytes. These results demonstrated that OSFs, particularly BMP-15 and BMP-6, maintain the low incidence of apoptosis by establishing a localized gradient of bone morphogenetic proteins. Results from the present thesis also demonstrated that OSFs enhance oocyte developmental competence during IVM, whether in their native form as an uncharacterized mix of growth factors secreted by the oocyte, throughout the oocyte maturation period, or as exogenous BMP-15 and GDF-9, during the first 9 hour of IVM. Also, OSFs improved embryo quality as evident by increased blastocyst total and trophectoderm cell numbers. These results were further verified in neutralization experiments of the exogenous growth factors and of the native OSFs. Follistatin and the kinase inhibitor SB-431542, which antagonize BMP-15 and GDF-9, respectively, neutralized the stimulatory effects of the exogenous growth factors, and impaired the developmental competence of control cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The work presented in this thesis has provided multiple lines of evidence that OSFregulation of the COC microenvironment is an important determinant of cumulus cell apoptosis and oocyte developmental programming. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1260892 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, 2006

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / The mammalian hyaluronidases represent a family of enzymes that can degrade hyaluronan. This thesis examines the properties of hyaluronidase-1 and hyaluronidase-3, as well as the production of hyaluronan and the expression of hyaluronidase and hyaluronan synthases in mineralising osteoblasts. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1278426 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2007

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Paracrine factors secreted by the oocyte (oocyte-secreted factors, OSFs) regulate a broad range of cumulus cell functions. The capacity of oocytes to regulate their own microenvironment by OSFs may in turn contribute to oocyte developmental competence. The aim of this thesis was to examine whether cumulus cells exhibit a low incidence of apoptosis due to their close association with oocytes and their exposure to OSFs, and to investigate if OSFs have a direct influence on bovine oocyte developmental competence during in vitro maturation (IVM). This thesis includes a series of studies designed to examine by various means the nature of the paracrine network of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their binding proteins involved in the regulation of cumulus cell apoptosis. OSFs, in particular BMP- 15 and BMP-6, but not growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9), reduced apoptosis of cumulus cells by following a gradient from the site of the oocytes. Morever, follistatin and a BMP6 neutralizing antibody, which antagonized the anti-apoptotic effects of BMP15 and BMP6, respectively, whether alone or combined, blocked ~50% of the antiapoptotic actions of oocytes. These results demonstrated that OSFs, particularly BMP-15 and BMP-6, maintain the low incidence of apoptosis by establishing a localized gradient of bone morphogenetic proteins. Results from the present thesis also demonstrated that OSFs enhance oocyte developmental competence during IVM, whether in their native form as an uncharacterized mix of growth factors secreted by the oocyte, throughout the oocyte maturation period, or as exogenous BMP-15 and GDF-9, during the first 9 hour of IVM. Also, OSFs improved embryo quality as evident by increased blastocyst total and trophectoderm cell numbers. These results were further verified in neutralization experiments of the exogenous growth factors and of the native OSFs. Follistatin and the kinase inhibitor SB-431542, which antagonize BMP-15 and GDF-9, respectively, neutralized the stimulatory effects of the exogenous growth factors, and impaired the developmental competence of control cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The work presented in this thesis has provided multiple lines of evidence that OSFregulation of the COC microenvironment is an important determinant of cumulus cell apoptosis and oocyte developmental programming. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1260892 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, 2006

Bone defects resulting from non-unions, fractures, significant revision joint replacements, tumour resection and osteolysis present a clinical problem. While autografts are considered the gold standard, ubiquitous use of this reparative technique is limited by graft supply and site morbidity. Recent progresses in tissue engineering using stem cells, bone enhancing molecules and gene therapy have provided more hypotheses for bone defect treatment. In vivo assessment to test these hypotheses requires animal models to mimic human conditions. Immunodeficient or nude animals have the advantage of hosting materials from human and other xenographic origins without immuno-intolerance or rejection. A thorough understanding of the biology in nude animals is vital for the further advancement of connective tissue healing and regeneration strategies. Nude mice are excellent xenographic hosts for in- vivo characterisation and provide a reproducible animal source. The immune deficiencies of nude compared to normal animals may however, influence bone healing and need to be addressed. This dissertation (a) investigated potential bone defect models in nude mice and nude rats (b) incorporated the selected bone defect model to evaluate the effect of T cell deficiency and age on bone defect healing in nude animals (c) determined the feasibility of a critical size defect (CSD) in nude mice. A distal-femur-condylar-defect (DFCD) model was successfully performed in nude mice and rats. The model was found to have some advantages as a bone defect model: (1) located at a weight-bearing skeletal site (2) no requirements for an internal or external fixator (3) does not obstruct or limit mobility (4) location is not in close proximity to any major organs such as the brain (5) easy identification of surface anatomy (6) defect size is standardised and reproducible (7) does not require lengthy and complicated surgery and (8) cost effective. This dissertation confirmed that bone healing in nude mice is similar to that of normal immunocompetent mice. Absence of T lymphocytes did not delay or inhibit bone repair. Use of older nude mice did not seem to affect the healing rate, in contrast to older normal mice, which showed delay in bone healing in the initial phase. Establishment of critical sized defects in mice at a weight-bearing location was not feasible due to the robust healing of murine. This dissertation recommends that the DFCD model could be utilized for the assessment of xenogenic materials at early time point.