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Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a significant drug binding acute phase protein that is present in rats. AGP levels areknown to increase during tissue injury, cancer and infection. Accordingly, when determining effective drug ranges and toxicity limits, consideration of drug binding to AGP is essential. However, AGP levels have not been well established during subclinical infections. The goal of this study was to establish a subclinical infection model in rats using AGP as a biomarker. This information could enhance health surveillance, aid in outlier identification, and provide more informed characterization of drug candidates. An initial study (n = 57) was conducted to evaluate AGP in response to various concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in Sprague–Dawley rats with or without implants of catheter material. A model validation study (n = 16) was then conducted using propranolol. Rats received vehicle control or S. aureus and when indicated, received oral propranolol (10 mg/kg). Health assessment and blood collection for measurement of plasma AGP or propranolol were performed over time (days). A dose response study showed that plasma AGP was elevated on day 2 in rats inoculated with S. aureus at 106, 107 or, 108 CFU regardless of implant status. Furthermore, AGP levels remained elevated on day 4 in rats inoculated with 107 or 108 CFUs of S. aureus. In contrast, significant increases in AGP were not detected in rats treated with vehicle or 103 CFU S. aureus. In the validation study, robust elevations in plasma AGP were detected on days 2 and 4 in S. aureus infected rats with or without propranolol. The AUC levels for propranolol on days 2 and 4 were 493 ± 44 h × ng/mL and 334 ± 54 h × ng/mL, respectively), whereas in noninfected rats that received only propranolol, levels were 38 ± 11 h × ng/mL and 76 ± 16.h × ng/mL, respectively. The high correlation between plasma propranolol and AGP demonstrated a direct impact of AGP on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The results indicate that AGP is a reliable biomarker in this model of subclinical infection and should be considered for accurate data interpretation.

This study explored the prevalence and predictors of solar protection behaviour in a community sample of beachgoers. A total of 670 participants was randomly selected from six beaches in the Newcastle district. The solar protection behaviour of each participant was assessed by direct observation and interview. A subsample was also asked to complete a written questionnaire to assess attitudes to solar protection use, knowledge of skin cancer and awareness of recommended solar protection behaviours. Forty‐five per cent of the beachgoers in this sample were using a high level of solar protection, and a substantial proportion (16 per cent) of the sample was not using any kind of solar protection. Sunscreen with SPF 15+ was applied to at least one body region by 69 per cent of the sample, 17 per cent of the sample were wearing a recommended hat, 15.1 per cent were using shade, and 3.4 per cent were wearing a recommended style of shirt at the time of observation. Chi‐square analyses of the data for under‐15‐year‐olds indicated that a significantly greater proportion of 0‐ to 9‐year‐olds were well protected compared to 11‐ to 14‐year‐olds, but there was no difference in use of protection by boys and girls under 15 years of age. Stepwise regression analysis of the adult sample (15 years and over) showed that the predictors of overall level of solar protection were marital status and frequency of skin self‐examination in the past 12 months. The practical implications of these findings for future community‐based skin cancer prevention programs are discussed.

Data on the associations between leisure‐time physical activity and other health behaviours are conflicting. The National Heart Foundation 1989 Risk Factor Prevalence Survey data were analysed to examine the associations between leisure‐time physical activity and other life‐style health behaviours in a national representative sample with adjustment for potential confounders. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis using data from 9054 respondents aged 20 to 69 years showed that participation in leisure‐time physical activity, even when it was not vigorous, was weakly associated with not smoking, following a special diet and moderate consumption of alcohol; it was inversely associated with obesity. These weak associations could influence health practices at a population level if, as has been hypothesised, the adoption of leisure activity promotes the adoption of other good health practices. Confirmation of earlier findings of cross‐sectional associations between activity and other positive health practices justifies future prospective or experimental studies to determine the behavioural response to adoption of leisure‐time physical activity.

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