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Mammographic density refers to the radiological appearance of fibroglandular and adipose tissue on a mammogram of the breast. Women with relatively high mammographic density for their age and body mass index are at significantly higher risk for breast cancer. The association between mammographic density and breast cancer risk is well-established, however the molecular and cellular events that lead to the development of high mammographic density are yet to be elucidated. Puberty is a critical time for breast development, where endocrine and paracrine signalling drive development of the mammary gland epithelium, stroma, and adipose tissue. As the relative abundance of these cell types determines the radiological appearance of the adult breast, puberty should be considered as a key developmental stage in the establishment of mammographic density. Epidemiological studies have pointed to the significance of pubertal adipose tissue deposition, as well as timing of menarche and thelarche, on adult mammographic density and breast cancer risk. Activation of hypothalamic-pituitary axes during puberty combined with genetic and epigenetic molecular determinants, together with stromal fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and immune signalling factors in the mammary gland, act in concert to drive breast development and the relative abundance of different cell types in the adult breast. Here, we discuss the key cellular and molecular mechanisms through which pubertal mammary gland development may affect adult mammographic density and cancer risk.

On a mammogram, breast density (also known as mammographic density) is shown as white and bright regions and is associated with reduced sensitivity in cancer detection and increased breast cancer risk. However, many Australian women are unaware of the significance of breast density as it is not routinely reported or discussed. In order to address this lack of knowledge, Australian breast cancer researchers with expertise in mammographic density formed the InforMD alliance (INformation FORum on Mammographic Density) in 2016. The alliance is working to raise awareness of breast density with the goal of improving breast cancer diagnosis and health outcomes for women. The InforMD website (www.InforMD.org.au) was launched in October 2016, coinciding with a major nationwide public awareness campaign by the alliance during breast cancer awareness month. The website contains unbiased, accurate, updated information on breast density. The website also provides summaries of major research articles in layperson language, recent news items related to breast density, links to relevant information for health professionals, events, and feature articles. Members of the public and health professionals can also subscribe for news updates. The interactive online Forum section facilitates discussion between health professionals, scientists and members of the public. To increase online traffic to the website, Facebook (www.facebook.com/BeInforMD) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/BeInforMD_) pages were launched in December 2016. Since its launch, InforMD has generated considerable interest. The public awareness campaign reached over 7 million Australians through a combination of newspaper, TV, radio, and online news. The website has attracted 13,058 unique visitors and 30,353 page views (data as of 19/12/2017). Breast cancer researchers have a significant role to play in disseminating information to the public on breast density. A combination of mainstream and social media, together with

Melioidosis is a disease with protean clinical manifestations caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is endemic in countries surrounding the newly independent East Timor, but has yet to be isolated or demonstrated serologically in that country. One illness that can be clinically indistinguishable from melioidosis is pulmonary tuberculosis, a condition with a very high prevalence in East Timor. We used an indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) to measure antibodies to B. pseudomallei in 407 East Timorese evacuated to Darwin, Australia, in September 1999. Assuming a positive IHA titer as ≥1:40, the overall seroprevalence rate was 17.0%, in keeping with other seroprevalence studies from the region. The IHA titres ranged up to 1:320. After adjusting for age, females were 2.5 times more likely to be seropositive than males (p=0.0001). There was an inverse relationship between seropositivity and age. This study shows that exposure to B. pseudomallei occurs in East Timor melioidosis is also likely to occur. Due to the lack of laboratory facilities at present, it may be some time before a laboratory-confirmed case proves that melioidosis occurs. In the meantime, clinicians in East Timor should include melioidosis in the differential diagnosis of the many conditions that it may mimic.

The study reported here was conducted in order to explore the mechanism of action of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the treatment of Burkholderia pseudomallei infections (otherwise known as melioidosis). Use of G-CSF as an adjunct to antibiotics has been associated with decreasing mortality among patients with melioidosis in the tropical region of the Northern Territory of Australia. However, using an in vitro whole blood assay, no significant difference was detected in the bactericidal activity of samples obtained from dialysis patients, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls, and there was no improvement following coincubation with G-CSF.

Two mechanics working at a garage in tropical northern Australia simultaneously developed upper limb melioidosis ulcers. Both patients had Burkholderia pseudomallei of identical pulsed-field get electrophoresis (PFGE) type (Spe I). Environmental sampling identified B. pseudomallei in a container of commercial hand wash detergent as the likely source of infection, although there were multiple isolates of different PFGE types to the clinical isolates.