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Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent and co-morbid in acute coronary syndrome patients. Somatic and cognitive subtypes of depression and anxiety in acute coronary syndrome have been shown to be associated with mortality although their association with patient outcomes is unknown, as are the mechanisms that underpin these associations. We are conducting a prospective cohort study which aims to examine in acute coronary syndrome patients: (1) the role of somatic subtypes of depression and anxiety as predictors of health related quality of life outcomes; (2) how somatic subtypes of depression and anxiety relate to long term vocational functioning and healthcare utilisation; and (3) the role of the autonomic nervous system assessed by heart rate variability as a moderator of these associations. Methods Patients are being screened after index admission for acute coronary syndrome at a single, high volume centre, MonashHeart, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia. The inclusion criterion is all patients aged > 21 years old and fluent in English admitted to MonashHeart, Monash Health with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. The primary outcome is mean health related quality of life (Short Form-36) Physical and Mental Health Summary scores at 12 and 24 months in subtypes with somatic symptoms of depression and anxiety. Depressive domains are assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory II and the Cardiac Depression Scale. Anxiety is measured using the Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Crown Crisp Phobic Anxiety questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include clinical variables, healthcare service utilisation and vocational functioning. Discussion This manuscript presents the protocol for a prospective cohort study which will investigate the role of somatic subtypes of depression and anxiety as predictors of health related quality of life, long-term vocational functioning and health service use, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in moderating these associations. Findings from the study have the potential to inform more effective pharmacological, psychological and behavioural interventions and better guide health policy on the use of health care resources.

Determination of whether the cysteines within the drug-binding pocket of P-gp were accessible to the aqueous medium by testing whether they could be labeled with charged thiol-reactive compounds is described. The results of this study indicate that regions of the drug-binding pocket are accessible to the aqueous medium.

Research has been conducted on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The determination of the differences between the mature and immature CFTR structures has been conducted.

A study on the 170 kDa plasma membrane glycoprotein called p-glycoprotein (P-gp) was conducted to investigate whether two forms of P-gp detected in the P-gp third cytoplasmic loop, that are both very similar polypeptides, are active and function as drug pumps. Results suggest that only one of the molecules is active and is able to interact with the other P-gp form. Further, this interaction is promoted by the presence of drug substrates.

Nutritional disorders in the elderly are often the result of psychological factors. It is possible that appropriate health and diet concern in adult life, which is usually associated with food restriction, becomes a vulnerability in the elderly. In addition, the elderly can become nutritionally vulnerable as a result of social isolation, impaired taste sensation, poverty and reduced mobility. Anorexia of the elderly may have some of the features of anorexia nervosa, especially views on food and eating.

Keywords: aged care, eating disorder, nutrition Introduction Much emphasis is placed on the importance of good diet, usually in the context of concern about the health hazards of obesity [1]. [...]

A FORTRAN program is described that aids in construction of screening tests by performing a type of Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis as well as calculating measures such as sensitivity and specificity. CUTOFF could be applied in any setting where the optional cutoff for separating persons into two classes is required. (Author/SLD)

A PC program for comparing two kappa coefficients of agreement obtained from the same sample of observations is described. The program employs a Monte Carlo permutation test to assess the statistical significance of the difference between kappa values.

All nine point mutations identified in cytoplasmic loops (CLs) 1 and 2 from patients with cystic fibrosis were reconstructed in the expression vector pcDNA3-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). These were then expressed temporarily in COS-1 and HEK-293 cells and stably in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Findings indicated that misprocessing of the channel induces the disease symptoms in the patients. The N-terminal CLs seem to have no effect on the anion translocation pathway of CFTR.