ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9741-2738
Current Organisations
Edith Cowan University
,
Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen eV
,
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Universitätsmedizin
,
Max-Planck-Institut für Multidisziplinäre Naturwissenschaften
,
University of Notre Dame Australia
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Publications
Structural heterogeneity of α-synuclein fibrils amplified from patient brain extracts
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-12-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-019-13564-W
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) are clinically distinctive diseases that feature a common neuropathological hallmark of aggregated α-synuclein. Little is known about how differences in α-synuclein aggregate structure affect disease phenotype. Here, we lified α-synuclein aggregates from PD and MSA brain extracts and analyzed the conformational properties using fluorescent probes, NMR spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. We also generated and analyzed several in vitro α-synuclein polymorphs. We found that brain-derived α-synuclein fibrils were structurally different to all of the in vitro polymorphs analyzed. Importantly, there was a greater structural heterogeneity among α-synuclein fibrils from the PD brain compared to those from the MSA brain, possibly reflecting on the greater variability of disease phenotypes evident in PD. Our findings have significant ramifications for the use of non-brain-derived α-synuclein fibrils in PD and MSA studies, and raise important questions regarding the one disease-one strain hypothesis in the study of α-synucleinopathies.
Genipin prevents alpha-synuclein aggregation and toxicity by affecting endocytosis, metabolism and lipid storage
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-04-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-023-37561-2
Abstract: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide for which there are only symptomatic therapies. Small molecules able to target key pathological processes in PD have emerged as interesting options for modifying disease progression. We have previously shown that a (poly)phenol-enriched fraction (PEF) of Corema album L. leaf extract modulates central events in PD pathogenesis, namely α-synuclein (αSyn) toxicity, aggregation and clearance. PEF was now subjected to a bio-guided fractionation with the aim of identifying the critical bioactive compound. We identified genipin, an iridoid, which relieves αSyn toxicity and aggregation. Furthermore, genipin promotes metabolic alterations and modulates lipid storage and endocytosis. Importantly, genipin was able to prevent the motor deficits caused by the overexpression of αSyn in a Drosophila melanogaster model of PD. These findings widens the possibility for the exploitation of genipin for PD therapeutics.
Experiences of Western Australian rural nursing graduates
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-05-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.15849
Abstract: To determine whether the current rural graduate programmes in Western Australia adequately support new graduate nurses transitioning into practice. Graduate nurse's transition to employment is a time of significant change and challenge, often resulting in periods of transition shock. These challenges are magnified in rural areas where graduates have to relocate to commence their career with limited rural nursing experience. Graduate programmes were developed to smooth the transition for university trained bachelor's degree registered nurses into the workforce. Supportive graduate nursing programmes are essential for enabling transition to practice and reduce attrition rates. Longitudinal convergent mixed method parallel design was informed by Duchscher's transition stage model. Thematic analysis was applied to all interviews. COREQ checklist was completed. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the survey responses. New graduates cycled through both transition shock and honeymoon periods on commencement of employment, reporting high levels of satisfaction in simultaneity with signs of transition shock. Satisfaction dropped within 7 months indicating a transition crisis before an adjustment period occurred at the end of their graduate year. Limited resources were highlighted as obstacles to providing adequate support to rural graduate nurses. The honeymoon stage of transition co‐existed with transition shock at the commencement of graduate programmes, which may obscure the need for continuing adequate support. Inadequate and/or a lack of preceptorship was evident throughout the Western Australian rural graduate programmes. Graduate programmes need to be structured but flexible to allow for in idual differences in graduates’ and clinical contexts. Structured but flexible graduate programmes allow for in idual differences in graduates and clinical situations. New graduate nurses would benefit from a break midway through their graduate year to assist and overcome the transition crisis stage. Education of nurses undertaking the preceptor role is required to deliver adequate support to graduate nurses and decrease transition shock.
Perceived Nexus Between Non-Invigilated Summative Assessment and Mental Health Difficulties: A Cross Sectional Studies
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-03-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10805-023-09472-W
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly led to changes in the mode of teaching, learning and assessments in most tertiary institutions worldwide. Notably, non-invigilated summative assessments became predominant. These changes heightened anxiety and depression, especially among in iduals with less resilient coping mechanism. We explored the perceptions and experiences of mental health difficulties of students in tertiary education regarding non-invigilated alternative assessments in comparison to invigilated assessments. A pragmatic, mixed method cross sectional design was conducted online via Qualtrics. Thematic analysis of text was carried out using NVivo 12. In the quantitative analysis, univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic models were used to examine the potential factors for preference among students in higher education. A total of 380 Nursing and Social Science students responded to the survey. Approximately 77% of students perceived non-invigilated assessments to be less stressful compared to invigilated exams. Age, course of study, stage of studies, and number of units enrolled per semester were identified as significant drivers for students’ perceived preference for non-invigilated assessments. There was an inverse relationship between the perception of stress associated with invigilated exams and the age of students. For instance, students aged between 18-24 were 5 times more likely to prefer non-invigilated exams compared to those aged 55 or more. Comparatively, students in early stages of studies had higher preference for non-invigilated assessments. However, there was a preference reversal for students enrolled in 2 or less units per semester. Social sciences students were two times more likely to prefer non-invigilated examinations to invigilated examinations compared to nursing students. The findings reinforce the use of alternative assessments in higher education as a mitigating agency to lessen the mental health burden of tertiary students in post COVID-19 era.
Contemporary nursing graduates’ transition to practice
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-03-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.15234
Abstract: To critically review contemporary transition theories to determine how they apply to the newly qualified graduate registered nurse programmes. Graduate nurse transition to employment is the time of significant change which has resulted in high attrition rates. Graduates are often challenged by their expectation of nursing practice and the reality of the role. The transition from hospital‐based training to university‐based training has resulted in the need for primary employment to commence with graduate/orientation/internship programmes to help support new graduates transition into clinical practice. One transition model, Duchscher's stages of transition theory, utilised three former theories to develop a final model. A narrative critical literature review. The theories selected for the review were Kramer's reality shock theory, Benner's novice to expert theory, Bridges transition theory and Duchscher's stages of transition theory. Duchscher's stages of transition theory reflects the experiences of registered nursing transition into the workforce directly from university. The application of the theory is effective to guide understanding of the current challenges that new graduate nurse's experience today. There is a need for new graduates to complete their university degree as advanced beginners in order to decrease the experience of transition shock and keep pace with rapidly changing demands of the clinical environment. This may be achieved by increasing ward‐based simulation in university education. A theoretical framework can provide a deep understanding of the various stages and processes of transition and enable development of successful programmes. Both universities and hospitals need to adapt their current practice to align with the needs of new graduates due to large student numbers and ongoing systematic advancements to decrease the attrition rate.
Mapping interactions with the chaperone network reveals factors that protect against tau aggregation
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-04-2018
Alpha-synuclein research: defining strategic moves in the battle against Parkinson’s disease
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-07-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41531-021-00203-9
Abstract: With the advent of the genetic era in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research in 1997, α-synuclein was identified as an important player in a complex neurodegenerative disease that affects million people worldwide. PD has been estimated to have an economic impact of $51.9 billion in the US alone. Since the initial association with PD, hundreds of researchers have contributed to elucidating the functions of α-synuclein in normal and pathological states, and these remain critical areas for continued research. With this position paper the authors strive to achieve two goals: first, to succinctly summarize the critical features that define α-synuclein’s varied roles, as they are known today and second, to identify the most pressing knowledge gaps and delineate a multipronged strategy for future research with the goal of enabling therapies to stop or slow disease progression in PD.
Related Organisations
The University Of Edinburgh
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Deutsches Zentrum Für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen EV
Location: Germany
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Universitätsmedizin
Location: Germany
Max-Planck-Institut Für Multidisziplinäre Naturwissenschaften
Location: Germany
Related Funding Activities
No related grants have been discovered for Amanda Fowler.