Search

Your search keyword '"Griffiths, Megan"' showing total 389 results
Start Over Author "Griffiths, Megan"
389 results on '"Griffiths, Megan"'

3. Who am I?

Author

Griffiths, Megan

Published
2017

6. Towards a self-disseminating vaccine to control vampire bat rabies in its reservoir

Author

Griffiths, Megan Eva

Subjects
QR355 Virology
Abstract

Viruses that circulate in wildlife can have devastating health and economic consequences when they enter human and livestock populations. Efforts to mitigate the burden of these zoonotic pathogens currently tend to focus on the spillover hosts; however, since this approach does not address the reservoir of disease, it prolongs the risk of re-emergence as viruses continue to circulate unimpeded in wildlife. Vaccination of wildlife reservoirs has the potential to prevent spillover, but is hampered by the logistical challenge of delivering vaccine to and achieving sufficient coverage in large, reclusive animal populations. Whilst orally available vaccines held inside edible baits have seen success in combating disease in some wildlife reservoirs, unique dietary requirements or behaviours can preclude the use of this strategy. The obligate blood-feeding common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus, reservoir host of rabies virus and primary source of rabies cases throughout Latin America, is one species in which edible baits are unsuitable, and other management strategies have thus far failed. Virally vectored transmissible vaccines which utilise the replicative capabilities of live viral vectors to spread autonomously between hosts, offer a potential solution. However, progress towards real world use of such vaccines is hampered by the selection of vaccine vectors which will prove both safe and efficacious. A betaherpesvirus recently identified in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus betaherpesvirus; DrBHV) presents a promising candidate vector. In this thesis, I aimed to identify the key characteristics of DrBHV, and evaluate its biological and epidemiological suitability to vector a transmissible vaccine targeting rabies virus. The results presented here are based on field-collected samples, subjected to a combination of PCR, deep sequencing, and computer modelling. In Chapter 2, I aimed to assess the prevalence and host specificity of DrBHV, and the similarity of its genome composition to other betaherpesviruses currently considered for use as vaccine vectors. I used PCR to amplify a conserved region of the herpesvirus genome in saliva samples from Peruvian bats, with 96.9% of vampire bats testing positive, regardless of demographic group. Sanger sequencing of these regions and those from other positive bats revealed specificity of DrBHV to the Phyllostomidae family. Thus, DrBHV is able to spread efficiently within vampire bats, with only rare infection of closely related and cohabitating bat species. Metagenomic sequencing was able to construct a full genome consensus sequence for DrBHV similar in length and composition to betaherpesviruses in other species. This sequencing also showed the presence of multiple strain infections, suggesting that DrBHV may have the capacity to superinfect individuals, evading the host immune response. I aimed to further explore superinfection and DrBHV diversity in Chapter 3, by the amplification and deep sequencing of the highly variable gene encoding glycoprotein B. I identified eleven strains of DrBHV which varied in prevalence and geographic distribution across Peru. The phylogeographic structure of these strains was predictable from both host genetics and landscape topology, informing long-term DrBHV-vectored vaccine deployment strategies. Multi-strain infections were observed in 79% of infected bats and resampling of marked individuals showed strain acquisitions by already infected individuals, implying that pre-existing immunity and strain competition are unlikely to inhibit vaccine spread. Finally, in Chapter 4, I used the strain-specific prevalence data to fit models of DrBHV transmission. I identified the most likely model to include lifelong, persistent infection with cycles of latency and re-activation, a mechanism which would allow vaccinated individuals to boost their own immunity, and continually transmit vaccines to other bats throughout their lifetime. Simulations of vaccine spread show that a DrBHV-vectored vaccine can reach a population equilibrium coverage of >80% after a single introduction of vaccine, resulting in a 95% decrease in the size of rabies outbreaks. Furthermore, ongoing vaccine transmission is able to maintain these levels of vaccine coverage long-term, even in the presence of realistic levels of reversion, negating the need for recurrent and costly vaccination campaigns. In summary, the work presented in this thesis supports DrBHV as a candidate to vector a transmissible vaccine targeting a major source of rabies in Latin America and shows how accessible genomic data can enlighten vector selection and deployment strategies for transmissible vaccines. This work constitutes a fundamental step towards what would be the first deployment of a transmissible vaccine to prevent spillover of a zoonotic virus, thus allowing the management of disease to shift from reactive damage control to proactive prevention.

Published
2022
Full Text
View/download PDF

14. Conditional sanctioning in a legume– Rhizobium mutualism

Author

Westhoek, Annet, Clark, Laura J., Culbert, Michael, Dalchau, Neil, Griffiths, Megan, Jorrin, Beatriz, Karunakaran, Ramakrishnan, Ledermann, Raphael, Tkacz, Andrzej, Webb, Isabel, James, Euan K., Poole, Philip S., and Turnbull, Lindsay A.

Published
2021

15. Advances in understanding bat infection dynamics across biological scales

Author

Sánchez, Cecilia A., primary, Phelps, Kendra L., additional, Frank, Hannah K., additional, Geldenhuys, Marike, additional, Griffiths, Megan E., additional, Jones, Devin N., additional, Kettenburg, Gwenddolen, additional, Lunn, Tamika J., additional, Moreno, Kelsey R., additional, Mortlock, Marinda, additional, Vicente-Santos, Amanda, additional, Víquez-R, Luis R., additional, Kading, Rebekah C., additional, Markotter, Wanda, additional, Reeder, DeeAnn M., additional, and Olival, Kevin J., additional

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

17. An Analysis of Vascular Access Thrombosis Events From the Proactive IV irOn Therapy in hemodiALysis Patients Trial

Author

Winnett, Georgia, Akbani, Habib, Winearls, Christopher, Wessels, Julie, Ayub, Waqar, Connor, Andrew, Brown, Alison, Moriarty, Jim, Chowdury, Paramit, Griffiths, Megan, Dasgupta, Indranil, Bhandari, Sunil, Doulton, Timothy, Macdougall, Iain, Barratt, Jonathan, Vilar, Enric, Mitra, Sandip, Ramakrishna, Babu, Nicholas, Johann, Ross, Calum, Khwaja, Arif, Hall, Matt, Kirk, Adam, Smith, Stuart, Jesky, Mark, Day, Clara, Alchi, Bassam, Stratton, Jon, Clarke, Helen, Walsh, Stephen, Brown, Rebecca, McCafferty, Kieran, Solomon, Laurie, Ramadoss, Suresh, Basanyake, Kolitha, Lawman, Sarah, Kalra, Philip, Balasubramaniam, Gowrie, Power, Albert, Banerjee, Debasish, Swift, Pauline, Wellberry-Smith, Matt, Goldsmith, Christopher, Ledson, Thomas, Mikhail, Ashraf, Benzimra, Ruth, Bell, Samira, Severn, Alison, Neary, John, Doyle, Arthur, Thomson, Peter, Shivashankar, Girish, Bolton, Stephanie, Quinn, Michael, Maxwell, Peter, Harty, John, Ford, Ian, Anker, Stefan, Farrington, Kenneth, McMurray, John, Tomson, Charles, Wheeler, David, Petrie, Mark, Connolly, Eugene, Jhund, Pardeep, MacDonald, Michael, Mark, Patrick, Walters, Matthew, Peacock, Janet, Isles, Chris, Reddan, Donal, Aziz, Jane, Boyle, Sarah, Burton, Claire, Clarke, Ross, Dinnett, Eleanor, Hillen, Neil, Kean, Sharon, Kerr, Claire, Murray, Heather, Reid, Amanda, Wetherall, Kirsty, Wilson, Robbie, White, Claire, Andani, Sadiq, Thomson, Peter C., Mark, Patrick B., Robertson, Michele, Anker, Stefan D., Jardine, Alan G., Kalra, Philip A., Wheeler, David C., Winearls, Christopher G., and Macdougall, Iain C.

Published
2022
Full Text
View/download PDF

21. Do you get us? A multi-experiment, meta-analytic test of the effect of felt understanding in intergroup relations

Author

Livingstone, Andrew G., Windeatt, Stacey, Nesbitt, Laura, Kerry, Judith, Barr, Sophia Accion, Ashman, Luke, Ayers, Rebecca, Bibby, Hannah, Boswell, Emily, Brown, Jessica, Chiu, Man, Cowie, Eleanor, Doherr, Eleanor, Douglas, Harry, Durber, Lara, Ferguson, Max, Ferreira, Megan, Fisk, Isabella, Fleming, Ben, Griffiths, Megan, Hamilton, Selina, Harman, Emma, Hurford, Georgina, Ingle, Natascha, Inwood, Helena, Kimber, Emil, Kwak, Weronika, King, Helen Mallinson, Mathews, Lauren, Meehan, Emma, Morton, Maija, Murphy, Louie, Nissen, Josefine, Oades, Jack, Plumbly, Isabella, Price-Bish, Georgia, Ransom, Caitlyn, Sharpe, Anna, Shaw, Jessica-Anne, Szlajter, Marta, Tan, Weiting, Walters, Charlotte, White, Jonathan, Wilson, Heidi, Windeatt, Gemma, and Wu, Jung-Ching

Published
2020
Full Text
View/download PDF

23. Management of paediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

Author

Springford, Laurie R., Griffiths, Megan, and Bajaj, Yogesh

Abstract

Paediatric sleep-disordered breathing is a common condition which varies in severity from snoring to obstructive sleep apnoea. Paediatric sleep-disordered breathing is usually diagnosed clinically, with investigations such as polysomnography reserved for more complex cases. Management can involve watching and waiting, medical or adjunct treatments and adenotonsillectomy. National working groups have sought to standardise the pathway for surgery and improve the management of surgical and anaesthetic complications. Current guidelines use age, weight and comorbidities to stratify risk for these surgical cases. This article summarises these recommendations and outlines the important factors that indicate cases that may be more suitable for management in secondary and tertiary units. Appropriate case selection will reduce pressure on tertiary units while maintaining training opportunities in district general hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

24. Pediatric pulmonary hypertension: insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 is a novel marker associated with disease severity and survival

Author

Griffiths, Megan, Yang, Jun, Nies, Melanie, Vaidya, Dhananjay, Brandal, Stephanie, Williams, Monica, Matsui, Elizabeth C., Grant, Torie, Damico, Rachel, Ivy, Dunbar, Austin, Eric D., Nichols, William C., Pauciulo, Michael W., Lutz, Katie, Rosenzweig, Erika B., Hirsch, Russel, Yung, Delphine, and Everett, Allen D.

Published
2020
Full Text
View/download PDF

27. Kynurenine pathway metabolism evolves with development of preclinical and scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension

Author

Simpson, Catherine E., primary, Ambade, Anjira S., additional, Harlan, Robert, additional, Roux, Aurelie, additional, Aja, Susan, additional, Graham, David, additional, Shah, Ami A., additional, Hummers, Laura K., additional, Hemnes, Anna R., additional, Leopold, Jane A., additional, Horn, Evelyn M., additional, Berman-Rosenzweig, Erika S., additional, Grunig, Gabrielle, additional, Aldred, Micheala A., additional, Barnard, John, additional, Comhair, Suzy A.A., additional, Tang, W. H. Wilson, additional, Griffiths, Megan, additional, Rischard, Franz, additional, Frantz, Robert P., additional, Erzurum, Serpil C., additional, Beck, Gerald J., additional, Hill, Nicholas S., additional, Mathai, Stephen C., additional, Hassoun, Paul M., additional, and Damico, Rachel L., additional

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

30. State of Australia's Young People: A Report on the Social, Economic, Health and Family Lives of Young People

Author

Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Muir, Kristy, Mullan, Killian, Powell, Abigail, Flaxman, Saul, Thompson, Denise, and Griffiths, Megan

Abstract

This report presents a comprehensive picture of how young Australians are faring by bringing together data from a variety of sources and drawing on the comments of young people themselves. Overall the report presents a positive picture, showing how important young people are to this country and why it makes good economic and social sense for governments to invest in lifting outcomes for all young people. While the report shows that by and large young people are healthy, happy and productive, it also highlights some areas of real concern including: (1) Not all young people are on the same footing. Indigenous young people, those not engaged in education or work, young people with a disability and those living in low socio economic households are at serious risk of social exclusion; (2) 1 in 4 young people are living with a mental disorder and 1 in 3 young people experience moderate to high levels of psychological distress; (3) Almost 1 in 3 young people are an unhealthy weight (either over or under weight); (4) Male and female teenagers aged 15-19 years had the highest hospitalisation rates for acute intoxication from alcohol among all age groups; and (5) Young people are more likely to become victims of some violent crimes (including sexual offences and assaults) and are less likely than older victims to report a violent crime. The report also highlights emerging issues like the increasing risk that cyber bullying is posing to young people's wellbeing and underlines the important role that families, education and employment play in young people's development. (Contains 42 tables, 17 figures, and 80 footnotes.) [This report was produced for the Office for Youth, DEEWR and the Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales.]

Published
2009

31. Metabolomic Differences in Connective Tissue Disease–Associated Versus Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the PVDOMICS Cohort.

Author

Simpson, Catherine E., Hemnes, Anna R., Griffiths, Megan, Grunig, Gabriele, Tang, W. H. Wilson, Garcia, Joe G. N., Barnard, John, Comhair, Suzy A., Damico, Rachel L., Mathai, Stephen C., and Hassoun, Paul M.

Subjects
LIPID metabolism, PULMONARY arterial hypertension, BLOOD pressure, PULMONARY circulation, METABOLOMICS, RIGHT heart ventricle, MACHINE learning, REGRESSION analysis, PULMONARY artery, CONNECTIVE tissue diseases, VASODILATORS, SEX hormones, RESEARCH funding, PHENOTYPES, LONGITUDINAL method, ALGORITHMS, FATTY acids, DISEASE complications
Abstract

Objective: Patients with connective tissue disease–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD‐PAH) experience worse survival and derive less benefit from pulmonary vasodilator therapies than patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH). We sought to identify differential metabolism in patients with CTD‐PAH versus patients with IPAH that might underlie these observed clinical differences. Methods: Adult participants with CTD‐PAH (n = 141) and IPAH (n = 165) from the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Phenomics (PVDOMICS) study were included. Detailed clinical phenotyping was performed at cohort enrollment, including broad‐based global metabolomic profiling of plasma samples. Participants were followed prospectively for ascertainment of outcomes. Supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms and regression models were used to compare CTD‐PAH versus IPAH metabolomic profiles and to measure metabolite‐phenotype associations and interactions. Gradients across the pulmonary circulation were assessed using paired mixed venous and wedged samples in a subset of 115 participants. Results: Metabolomic profiles distinguished CTD‐PAH from IPAH, with patients with CTD‐PAH demonstrating aberrant lipid metabolism with lower circulating levels of sex steroid hormones and higher free fatty acids (FAs) and FA intermediates. Acylcholines were taken up by the right ventricular–pulmonary vascular (RV‐PV) circulation, particularly in CTD‐PAH, while free FAs and acylcarnitines were released. In both PAH subtypes, dysregulated lipid metabolites, among others, were associated with hemodynamic and RV measurements and with transplant‐free survival. Conclusions: CTD‐PAH is characterized by aberrant lipid metabolism that may signal shifted metabolic substrate utilization. Abnormalities in RV‐PV FA metabolism may imply a reduced capacity for mitochondrial beta oxidation within the diseased pulmonary circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

33. Developing transmissible vaccines for animal infections.

Author

Streicker, Daniel G., Griffiths, Megan E., Antia, Rustom, Bergner, Laura, Bowman, Peter, dos Santos de Moraes, Maria Vitoria, Esvelt, Kevin, Famulare, Mike, Gilbert, Amy, He, Biao, Jarvis, Michael A., Kennedy, David A., Kuzma, Jennifer, Wanyonyi, Carolyne Nasimiyu, Remien, Christopher, Rocke, Tonie, Rosenke, Kyle, Schreiner, Courtney, Sheen, Justin, and Simons, David

Subjects
*VACCINE development, *WHITE-nose syndrome, *EBOLA virus disease, RABBIT diseases
Abstract

The article discusses the potential of transmissible vaccines (TVs) to revolutionize public health, wildlife conservation, and animal welfare by immunizing wildlife populations at scales necessary to interrupt pathogen transmission. Topics include vaccine safety criteria, staged development with established checkpoints, and equitable partnerships with international governance.

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

34. Advances in Understanding Bat Health and Disease dynamics

Author

Sanchez, Cecilia A., Phelps, Kendra L., Frank, Hannah K., Geldenhuys, Marike, Griffiths, Megan E., Jones, Devin N., Lunn, Tamika J., Moreno, Kelsey R., Mortlock, Marinda, Vicente-Santos, Amanda, Viquez-R, Luis, Anthony, Simon J., Kading, Rebekah C., DeeAnn M. Reeder, and Olival, Kevin J.

Subjects
Chiroptera, disease ecology, biomarkers, health, stress
Abstract

In the past two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in research on bat-associated viruses and other microbes. Here, we synthesize the main themes and topics from a conference symposium focused on advances in the research of bats and their microbes, including physiological, immunological, ecological, and epidemiological research that has improved our understanding of bat health and infectious disease transmission. We present priority areas for bat health and disease research at the individual, population, and community levels, and outline critical gaps and opportunities for future bat pathogen research., 2020 - 2022 (July) data download from WoS

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

37. Insulin‐like growth factor binding Protein‐4: A novel indicator of pulmonary arterial hypertension severity and survival

Author

Torres, Guillermo, primary, Yang, Jun, additional, Griffiths, Megan, additional, Brandal, Stephanie, additional, Damico, Rachel, additional, Vaidya, Dhananjay, additional, Simpson, Catherine E., additional, Pauciulo, Michael W., additional, Nichols, William C., additional, Ivy, David D., additional, Austin, Eric D., additional, Hassoun, Paul M., additional, and Everett, Allen D., additional

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

39. Critical care nursing workforce in crisis: A discussion paper examining contributing factors, the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and potential solutions

Author

Vogt, Katharina Sophie, primary, Simms‐Ellis, Ruth, additional, Grange, Angela, additional, Griffiths, Megan Elizabeth, additional, Coleman, Rebecca, additional, Harrison, Reema, additional, Shearman, Nathan, additional, Horsfield, Claire, additional, Budworth, Luke, additional, Marran, Jayne, additional, and Johnson, Judith, additional

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

46. Low‐affinity insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 7 and its association with pulmonary arterial hypertension severity and survival.

Author

Torres, Guillermo, Lancaster, Andrew C., Yang, Jun, Griffiths, Megan, Brandal, Stephanie, Damico, Rachel, Vaidya, Dhananjay, Simpson, Catherine E., Martin, Lisa J., Pauciulo, Michael W., Nichols, William C., Ivy, David D., Austin, Eric D., Hassoun, Paul M., and Everett, Allen D.

Abstract

Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBPs) are a family of growth factor modifiers, some of which are known to be independently associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) survival. IGF factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is a unique low‐affinity IGFBP that, independent of IGF, stimulates prostacyclin production. This study proposed to establish associations between IGFBP7 and PAH severity and survival, using enrollment and longitudinal samples. Serum IGFBP7 levels were significantly elevated in patients with PAH compared to controls. After adjusting for age and sex, logarithmic increases in IGFBP7 were associated with a 20 m shorter six‐minute walk distance (6MWD; p < 0.001), a 2−3 mmHg higher mean right atrial pressure (p < 0.001 and 0.02), and a higher likelihood of a greater REVEAL 2.0 risk category placement (p < 0.001). Kaplan−Meier analysis demonstrated significantly decreased survival with IGFBP7 above the median and Cox multivariable analysis adjusted for age and sex, demonstrated higher serum IGFBP7 was an independent predictor of survival. Though the exact mechanism is still unknown, given IGFBP7's role as a prostacyclin stimulant, it has potential use as a therapeutic target for disease modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

47. An Analysis of Vascular Access Thrombosis Events From the Proactive IV irOn Therapy in hemodiALysis Patients Trial

Author

Thomson, Peter C., primary, Mark, Patrick B., additional, Robertson, Michele, additional, White, Claire, additional, Anker, Stefan D., additional, Bhandari, Sunil, additional, Farrington, Kenneth, additional, Jardine, Alan G., additional, Kalra, Philip A., additional, McMurray, John, additional, Reddan, Donal, additional, Wheeler, David C., additional, Winearls, Christopher G., additional, Ford, Ian, additional, Macdougall, Iain C., additional, Winnett, Georgia, additional, Akbani, Habib, additional, Winearls, Christopher, additional, Wessels, Julie, additional, Ayub, Waqar, additional, Connor, Andrew, additional, Brown, Alison, additional, Moriarty, Jim, additional, Chowdury, Paramit, additional, Griffiths, Megan, additional, Dasgupta, Indranil, additional, Doulton, Timothy, additional, Macdougall, Iain, additional, Barratt, Jonathan, additional, Vilar, Enric, additional, Mitra, Sandip, additional, Ramakrishna, Babu, additional, Nicholas, Johann, additional, Ross, Calum, additional, Khwaja, Arif, additional, Hall, Matt, additional, Kirk, Adam, additional, Smith, Stuart, additional, Jesky, Mark, additional, Day, Clara, additional, Alchi, Bassam, additional, Stratton, Jon, additional, Clarke, Helen, additional, Walsh, Stephen, additional, Brown, Rebecca, additional, McCafferty, Kieran, additional, Solomon, Laurie, additional, Ramadoss, Suresh, additional, Basanyake, Kolitha, additional, Lawman, Sarah, additional, Kalra, Philip, additional, Balasubramaniam, Gowrie, additional, Power, Albert, additional, Banerjee, Debasish, additional, Swift, Pauline, additional, Wellberry-Smith, Matt, additional, Goldsmith, Christopher, additional, Ledson, Thomas, additional, Mikhail, Ashraf, additional, Benzimra, Ruth, additional, Bell, Samira, additional, Severn, Alison, additional, Neary, John, additional, Doyle, Arthur, additional, Thomson, Peter, additional, Shivashankar, Girish, additional, Bolton, Stephanie, additional, Quinn, Michael, additional, Maxwell, Peter, additional, Harty, John, additional, Anker, Stefan, additional, Tomson, Charles, additional, Wheeler, David, additional, Petrie, Mark, additional, Connolly, Eugene, additional, Jhund, Pardeep, additional, MacDonald, Michael, additional, Mark, Patrick, additional, Walters, Matthew, additional, Peacock, Janet, additional, Isles, Chris, additional, Aziz, Jane, additional, Boyle, Sarah, additional, Burton, Claire, additional, Clarke, Ross, additional, Dinnett, Eleanor, additional, Hillen, Neil, additional, Kean, Sharon, additional, Kerr, Claire, additional, Murray, Heather, additional, Reid, Amanda, additional, Wetherall, Kirsty, additional, Wilson, Robbie, additional, and Andani, Sadiq, additional

Published
2022
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results