Transcript HealtheX Abstract Presentation 2015.ppsx

HealtheX
Abstract Writing
Workshop
Professor Andrew
Shelling
Abstract guidelines
The body of the abstract should be no more than 250 words.
The following sub-headings must be used:
Background
Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Referencing/results tables/figures are not necessary.
Abstract structure
Title:
Background:
Objectives:
Methods:
Results:
Discussion:
Abstract structure
Title:
Something relevant but catchy.
Not too long and not too short.
Not too general, but not too specific.
Accurate, but informative.
Abstract structure
Background:
Probably 2-3 sentences, but if you find a way to be concise, it could be done in
a single sentence.
Why would I care about what you have done?
Think about a funnel. Starting broad, narrowing down, and to smoothly linking
into the objectives.
Development of an Animal Model of Age Related Nuclear Cataract
Background: Age-related Nuclear Cataract (ANRC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a
progressive disorder leading to clouding of the ocular lens resulting in an inability to focus light onto the retina.
With increasing age, the levels of antioxidants in the lens nucleus decreases resulting in oxidative damage to
proteins and nuclear cataract. Emerging evidence indicates that exposure of animal lenses to hyperbaric oxygen
(HBO) may be an appropriate model for mimicking the cataractogenic process in humans.
Objectives: To determine whether bovine lenses treated with HBO reflect biochemical changes seen in human
ARNC.
Methods: Bovine lenses were exposed to either hyperbaric nitrogen (control) or hyperbaric oxygen for 5 hours.
Lenses were dissected into 3 regions (outer cortex, inner cortex and nuclear regions) and biochemical assays
performed to measure the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), a marker of oxidative stress, malondaldyhyde (MDA),
changes in protein solubility and protein aggregation.
Results: In all regions, GSH levels decreased in HBO lenses compared to controls with the most significant
decrease observed in the nuclear region. Increased MDA levels and increased protein insolubility were detected
in the inner cortex and nuclear regions of HBO lenses relative to control. Increased protein aggregation was
evident in HBO lenses compared to control.
Discussion: These results show that HBO treatment causes a decrease in GSH levels in the lens nucleus, an
increase in oxidative damage, increased protein insolubility, and increased protein aggregation. This is
consistent with the biochemical changes seen in human ARNC indicating that this animal model may be useful
for safely testing potential therapeutic agents in the future.
Abstract structure
Objectives:
Clearly state the problem you want to solve, or the hypothesis you have
developed and want to investigate.
Abstract structure
Methods:
This should only be a few sentences long.
What, how and who.
It should only give enough information to allow the reader to understand
what and how was actually done.
It is about practical things like: who and what was actually studied, how many
samples, what were the doses, how many patients were included, dates,
location, etc.
If relevant, how was the data was analysed?
Fetal Anaemia Impairs Heart Growth and Increases Indices of Cardiovascular Risk in Adult Survivors of
Intrauterine Transfusion
Background: Fetal anaemia alters coronary conductance, flow and architecture in adult sheep, but effects in
humans are unknown.
Objectives: To compare cardiovascular and metabolic function of adults who received intrauterine transfusion
for treatment of fetal anaemia with that of their unaffected siblings.
Method: Participants were individuals who received intrauterine transfusion at National Women’s Hospital
from 1963-1992, and their unaffected sibling(s). Assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure, lipids,
glucose tolerance test, heart rate variability analysis and cardiac MRI. Data were analysed using multiple
regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI and birth weight z-score.
Results: Affected participants (n=95) were younger than unaffected (n=92, mean±SEM: 33.7±1.0 vs.
40.1±1.1years, p<0.001), born at lower gestation (34.3±0.2 vs. 39.5±0.2weeks, p<0.001) and of lower birth
weight (2.5±0.1 vs. 3.3±0.1kg, p<0.001). Affected participants had lower end diastolic volume (153.2±2.5 vs.
165.8±2.6ml, p=0.001), end systolic volume (57.5±1.4 vs. 63.6±1.5, p=0.006), stroke volume (95.5±1.5 vs.
102.2±1.6ml, p=0.005) and left ventricular mass (125.8±2.1 vs. 133.1±2.1g, p=0.02), reduced high density
lipoprotein concentration (1.44±0.04 vs. 1.56±0.04mmol/L, p=0.04) and augmented sympathovagal tone (low
frequency to high frequency ratio 2.3±0.3 vs. 1.5±0.3, p=0.04).
Discussion: These findings suggest that heart growth is impaired by fetal anaemia, leading to reduced cardiac
mass and smaller cardiac chambers in adulthood. A smaller heart implies lower myocyte number and greater
work per unit of myocardium. Furthermore, reduced high density lipoprotein and augmented sympathovagal
tone suggest increased cardiovascular risk. These findings provide the first evidence in humans that fetal
anaemia has potentially deleterious cardiovascular consequences in adulthood.
Abstract structure
Results:
This is most important section, and is likely to be the longest.
Describe what you saw. While you are limited by size, you need to provide as
much detail in this section about what you found.
You may chose to include only one result, or it could be several results.
No vague statements, like “most” or “some”. Be specific, descriptive and use
numbers to describe exactly what you saw, and provide actual p values.
Don’t just say
“Affected participants were generally younger than unaffected”,
actually provide the data
“Affected participants (n=95) were younger than unaffected (n=92,
mean±SEM: 33.7±1.0 vs. 40.1±1.1years, p<0.001)”
Fetal Anaemia Impairs Heart Growth and Increases Indices of Cardiovascular Risk in Adult Survivors of
Intrauterine Transfusion
Background: Fetal anaemia alters coronary conductance, flow and architecture in adult sheep, but effects in
humans are unknown.
Objectives: To compare cardiovascular and metabolic function of adults who received intrauterine transfusion
for treatment of fetal anaemia with that of their unaffected siblings.
Method: Participants were individuals who received intrauterine transfusion at National Women’s Hospital
from 1963-1992, and their unaffected sibling(s). Assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure, lipids,
glucose tolerance test, heart rate variability analysis and cardiac MRI. Data were analysed using multiple
regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI and birth weight z-score.
Results: Affected participants (n=95) were younger than unaffected (n=92, mean±SEM: 33.7±1.0 vs.
40.1±1.1years, p<0.001), born at lower gestation (34.3±0.2 vs. 39.5±0.2weeks, p<0.001) and of lower birth
weight (2.5±0.1 vs. 3.3±0.1kg, p<0.001). Affected participants had lower end diastolic volume (153.2±2.5 vs.
165.8±2.6ml, p=0.001), end systolic volume (57.5±1.4 vs. 63.6±1.5, p=0.006), stroke volume (95.5±1.5 vs.
102.2±1.6ml, p=0.005) and left ventricular mass (125.8±2.1 vs. 133.1±2.1g, p=0.02), reduced high density
lipoprotein concentration (1.44±0.04 vs. 1.56±0.04mmol/L, p=0.04) and augmented sympathovagal tone (low
frequency to high frequency ratio 2.3±0.3 vs. 1.5±0.3, p=0.04).
Discussion: These findings suggest that heart growth is impaired by fetal anaemia, leading to reduced cardiac
mass and smaller cardiac chambers in adulthood. A smaller heart implies lower myocyte number and greater
work per unit of myocardium. Furthermore, reduced high density lipoprotein and augmented sympathovagal
tone suggest increased cardiovascular risk. These findings provide the first evidence in humans that fetal
anaemia has potentially deleterious cardiovascular consequences in adulthood.
Abstract structure
Discussion:
This is about the take-home message, and is written in a few short concise
sentences.
Sometimes, this is the only section that people read.
Usually it should be related back to the objective of the study, but other
interesting or unexpected findings could be mentioned.
Finally, you need to express an opinion about what this finding means in the
bigger picture of the field. Don’t exaggerate, but be prepared to make a
statement.
Tips for the winning abstract
Keep it simple, and use clear and concise language. It should make sense to an
educated non-expert. But it also needs to be scientifically robust, and contain enough
detail to convince the reader that this is good research.
Sometimes less is more. The word limit is a guide, not a target. You might be able to
say what you need to say in 225 words, you don’t need 249 to say everything.
Abstract killers
Jargon is death.
Avoid any jargon or any technical terms that aren’t common.
The judges are likely to be a broad audience, and may not appreciate too much jargon.
Abstract killers
Acronyms are death (AAD)
Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations that are not commonly understood.
Even if you define what they are, they can still be a distraction.
Abstract killers
Avoid long long sentences.
Break up sentences into easy to digest chunks, and use comma’s to help indicate to the
reader when to pause.
Write short and concise sentences.
Tips for the winning abstract
If you are having problems with getting the length write, just write what you think you
need to say.
Then do a word count.
Come back and delete and adjust to suit.
Because you only have 250 words, every word is important. Find the most exact word
to concisely describe what you are referring to. If a word isn’t important, delete it.
However, if there is something really really important, don’t hesitate to say it more
than once, possibly in a slightly different way each time.
Tips for successful (grant) writing
Begin writing your application well in advance of deadlines.
Write for a research literate but non-specialist assessment panel (Marsden).
Write for a more general scientific audience (HRC).
Check spelling, structure and grammar, and allow time for review, peer review
and rewriting.
Readability
Structure.
Use headings, and don’t be scared of white space.
Avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
Development of an Animal Model of Age Related Nuclear Cataract
Age-related Nuclear Cataract (ANRC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a progressive disorder
leading to clouding of the ocular lens resulting in an inability to focus light onto the retina. With increasing age,
the levels of antioxidants in the lens nucleus decreases resulting in oxidative damage to proteins and nuclear
cataract. Emerging evidence indicates that exposure of animal lenses to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) may be an
appropriate model for mimicking the cataractogenic process in humans. To determine whether bovine lenses
treated with HBO reflect biochemical changes seen in human ARNC. Bovine lenses were exposed to either
hyperbaric nitrogen (control) or hyperbaric oxygen for 5 hours. Lenses were dissected into 3 regions (outer
cortex, inner cortex and nuclear regions) and biochemical assays performed to measure the antioxidant
glutathione (GSH), a marker of oxidative stress, malondaldyhyde (MDA), changes in protein solubility and
protein aggregation. In all regions, GSH levels decreased in HBO lenses compared to controls with the most
significant decrease observed in the nuclear region. Increased MDA levels and increased protein insolubility
were detected in the inner cortex and nuclear regions of HBO lenses relative to control. Increased protein
aggregation was evident in HBO lenses compared to control. These results show that HBO treatment causes a
decrease in GSH levels in the lens nucleus, an increase in oxidative damage, increased protein insolubility, and
increased protein aggregation. This is consistent with the biochemical changes seen in human ARNC indicating
that this animal model may be useful for safely testing potential therapeutic agents in the future.
Development of an Animal Model of Age Related Nuclear Cataract
Background: Age-related Nuclear Cataract (ANRC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a
progressive disorder leading to clouding of the ocular lens resulting in an inability to focus light onto the retina.
With increasing age, the levels of antioxidants in the lens nucleus decreases resulting in oxidative damage to
proteins and nuclear cataract. Emerging evidence indicates that exposure of animal lenses to hyperbaric oxygen
(HBO) may be an appropriate model for mimicking the cataractogenic process in humans. Objectives: To
determine whether bovine lenses treated with HBO reflect biochemical changes seen in human
ARNC. Methods: Bovine lenses were exposed to either hyperbaric nitrogen (control) or hyperbaric oxygen for 5
hours. Lenses were dissected into 3 regions (outer cortex, inner cortex and nuclear regions) and biochemical
assays performed to measure the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), a marker of oxidative stress, malondaldyhyde
(MDA), changes in protein solubility and protein aggregation. Results: In all regions, GSH levels decreased in
HBO lenses compared to controls with the most significant decrease observed in the nuclear region. Increased
MDA levels and increased protein insolubility were detected in the inner cortex and nuclear regions of HBO
lenses relative to control. Increased protein aggregation was evident in HBO lenses compared to
control. Discussion: These results show that HBO treatment causes a decrease in GSH levels in the lens nucleus,
an increase in oxidative damage, increased protein insolubility, and increased protein aggregation. This is
consistent with the biochemical changes seen in human ARNC indicating that this animal model may be useful
for safely testing potential therapeutic agents in the future.
Development of an Animal Model of Age Related Nuclear Cataract
Background: Age-related Nuclear Cataract (ANRC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a
progressive disorder leading to clouding of the ocular lens resulting in an inability to focus light onto the retina.
With increasing age, the levels of antioxidants in the lens nucleus decreases resulting in oxidative damage to
proteins and nuclear cataract. Emerging evidence indicates that exposure of animal lenses to hyperbaric oxygen
(HBO) may be an appropriate model for mimicking the cataractogenic process in humans.
Objectives: To determine whether bovine lenses treated with HBO reflect biochemical changes seen in human
ARNC.
Methods: Bovine lenses were exposed to either hyperbaric nitrogen (control) or hyperbaric oxygen for 5 hours.
Lenses were dissected into 3 regions (outer cortex, inner cortex and nuclear regions) and biochemical assays
performed to measure the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), a marker of oxidative stress, malondaldyhyde (MDA),
changes in protein solubility and protein aggregation.
Results: In all regions, GSH levels decreased in HBO lenses compared to controls with the most significant
decrease observed in the nuclear region. Increased MDA levels and increased protein insolubility were detected
in the inner cortex and nuclear regions of HBO lenses relative to control. Increased protein aggregation was
evident in HBO lenses compared to control.
Discussion: These results show that HBO treatment causes a decrease in GSH levels in the lens nucleus, an
increase in oxidative damage, increased protein insolubility, and increased protein aggregation. This is
consistent with the biochemical changes seen in human ARNC indicating that this animal model may be useful
for safely testing potential therapeutic agents in the future.
Fetal Anaemia Impairs Heart Growth and Increases Indices of Cardiovascular Risk in Adult Survivors of
Intrauterine Transfusion
Background: Fetal anaemia alters coronary conductance, flow and architecture in adult sheep, but effects in
humans are unknown.
Objectives: To compare cardiovascular and metabolic function of adults who received intrauterine transfusion
for treatment of fetal anaemia with that of their unaffected siblings.
Method: Participants were individuals who received intrauterine transfusion at National Women’s Hospital
from 1963-1992, and their unaffected sibling(s). Assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure, lipids,
glucose tolerance test, heart rate variability analysis and cardiac MRI. Data were analysed using multiple
regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI and birth weight z-score.
Results: Affected participants (n=95) were younger than unaffected (n=92, mean±SEM: 33.7±1.0 vs.
40.1±1.1years, p<0.001), born at lower gestation (34.3±0.2 vs. 39.5±0.2weeks, p<0.001) and of lower birth
weight (2.5±0.1 vs. 3.3±0.1kg, p<0.001). Affected participants had lower end diastolic volume (153.2±2.5 vs.
165.8±2.6ml, p=0.001), end systolic volume (57.5±1.4 vs. 63.6±1.5, p=0.006), stroke volume (95.5±1.5 vs.
102.2±1.6ml, p=0.005) and left ventricular mass (125.8±2.1 vs. 133.1±2.1g, p=0.02), reduced high density
lipoprotein concentration (1.44±0.04 vs. 1.56±0.04mmol/L, p=0.04) and augmented sympathovagal tone (low
frequency to high frequency ratio 2.3±0.3 vs. 1.5±0.3, p=0.04).
Discussion: These findings suggest that heart growth is impaired by fetal anaemia, leading to reduced cardiac
mass and smaller cardiac chambers in adulthood. A smaller heart implies lower myocyte number and greater
work per unit of myocardium. Furthermore, reduced high density lipoprotein and augmented sympathovagal
tone suggest increased cardiovascular risk. These findings provide the first evidence in humans that fetal
anaemia has potentially deleterious cardiovascular consequences in adulthood.
Using discourse to inform policy: Increasing the alcohol purchase age in New Zealand
Background: The legal alcohol purchase age is part of the Law Commission’s Alcohol Reform currently debated
in New Zealand. Despite the purchase age policy, many underage youth access and consume alcohol. To address
alcohol-related harm it is necessary to understand and attend to social norms and beliefs governing alcohol
consumption behaviour. Attitudes towards the access to and consumption of alcohol by young people influence
effectiveness of legislation.
Objectives: To understand the complex and differing perspectives on the purchase age held by various social
groups in New Zealand.
Methods: This research used a sociological approach, performing discourse analysis on a variety of text
including: submissions to the Law Commission, media releases, blogs, and transcriptions from interviews and
focus groups held with tertiary students.
Results: Three competing sets of discourse were found. Disagreement occurred over the social construction of
youth, what the focus of alcohol law and intervention should be, and the expected level of impact of legislation
increasing the purchase age.
Discussion: Discourse arguing against increasing the purchase age raises valid concerns to address. Reform to
increase the alcohol purchase age may be more effective and accepted if concerns from various social groups
are met, such as encouraging and respecting development of adult responsibility within youth, not neglecting
problems from excessive drinking by older adults, and addressing needs for cultural and contextual change. An
ideal alcohol policy will weave multiple strands into a mutually respectful, responsive and supportive package.
Take home message
Keep it simple, use clear and concise language.
Use headings, and don’t be scared of white space.
Sometimes less is more.
Avoid any jargon or any technical terms.
Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations.
Avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
Write short and concise sentences.