1. HealtheX Abstract Writing Workshop Professor Andrew Shelling

2. 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 guidelines

3. Title: Background: Objectives: Methods: Results: Discussion: Abstract structure

4. Title: Something relevant but catchy. Not too long and not too short. Not too general, but not too specific. Accurate, but informative. Abstract structure

5. 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. Abstract structure

6. 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.

7. Objectives: Clearly state the problem you want to solve, or the hypothesis you have developed and want to investigate. Abstract structure

8. 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? Abstract structure

9. 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.

10. 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)” Abstract structure

11. 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.

12. 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. Abstract structure

13. 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. Tips for the winning abstract

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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. Abstract killers

17. 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 the winning abstract

18. 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. Tips for successful (grant) writing

19. Structure. Use headings, and don’t be scared of white space. Avoid grammatical and spelling errors. Readability

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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. Take home message