The effect of a supplementary ('Gist-based') information leaflet on colorectal cancer knowledge and screening intention: a randomized controlled trial.

Guided by Fuzzy Trace Theory, this study examined the impact of a 'Gist-based' leaflet on colorectal cancer screening knowledge and intentions; and tested the interaction with participants' numerical ability. Adults aged 45-59 years from four UK general practices were randomly assigned to receive standard information ('The Facts', n = 2,216) versus standard information plus 'The Gist' leaflet (Gist + Facts, n = 2,236). Questionnaires were returned by 964/4,452 individuals (22 %). 82 % of respondents reported having read the information, but those with poor numeracy were less likely (74 vs. 88 %, p < .001). The 'Gist + Facts' group were more likely to reach the criterion for adequate knowledge (95 vs. 91 %; p < .01), but this was not moderated by numeracy. Most respondents (98 %) intended to participate in screening, with no group differences and no interaction with numeracy. The improved levels of knowledge and self-reported reading suggest 'The Gist' leaflet may increase engagement with colorectal cancer screening, but ceiling effects reduced the likelihood that screening intentions would be affected

Neuropsychological deep structure : the electromagnetic emergence of human nature, psychopathology, and the scope of clinical mental health intervention

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rochester. Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Department of Counseling and Human Development, 2025.Cognitive neuropsychology and psychotherapy research have tended to proliferate in domain-specific and theory-specific siloes without a common understanding of human nature and developmental change processes. Deep Structure Theory (DST) is presented as a framework that synthetically integrates and unifies across all neurocognitive modalities, providing a framework for future research throughout cognitive neuroscience to develop together iteratively rather than laterally. Deep structure algorithms describe the emergence of compiled electromagnetic oscillatory abstract information from the nature of complex neural systems; this forms a basis for unifying mental states with the rest of nature, including biology, chemistry, and quantum electrodynamics. Likewise, the Deep Structure Psychotherapy (DSP) Model is presented as the application of DST to the integration and augmentation of psychotherapy, thus providing a framework for clinical science also to develop iteratively based on the transtheoretical mechanisms by which the brain structures the mind. The epistemological and historical contexts for DST and DSP are introduced, alongside their basic technical apparatus and existing empirical literature. A pilot naturalistic experimental study (n = 97) tests the feasibility of deep structural priming as an augmentative intervention across ten sessions of psychotherapy. Priming refers to the replacement of targeted neural circuitry and corresponding emergent abstract information with an antidote. The test group (n = 50) received specific targetantidote priming and systematic priming episodes in comparison to the control group (n = 47). Relative to controls, the test group demonstrated a greater average linear rate of symptomatology reduction per session according to self-report and clinician-report measures, and a greater average linear rate of wellbeing increase per session. The gains in wellbeing were sensitive to comorbidity count and were marginally impacted by corresponding within-wave shifts in chronic pain. The statistical findings overall suggest deep structural priming could be a feasible clinical technique, corroborated metaanalytically across the data sources. Session 10 effect sizes were moderate (SMD = -.55 - .64), while longitudinal change effect sizes were large (SMD = .84 - 1.01), indicative of clinical significance, although analyses of diagnostic incidence proportions were mixed. The Reaction-Time Instrument for Depression (RTID) uses the deep structural priming mechanism to tap unconscious mental states with reaction time latencies for pertinent information relative to non-pertinent information (RTID depression priming scores). Supplementary cross-sectional data (n = 682) yielded a two-factor solution for depressive (15 items) and non-depressive (12 items) subscales in an exploratory factor analysis. A ROC curve analysis supported the sensitivity and specificity of the instrument, and these data demonstrated predictive and concurrent validity for RTID depression priming scores with PHQ-9 and CES-D depression scores. Intervention study data also demonstrated the concurrent, construct, and predictive validity of the measure, as well its test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Analysis of the intervention itself showed the test group experienced marginally significant linear rates of RTID depression priming score reduction per session relative to controls, when controlling for within-wave shifts in chronic pain and comorbidity count. Instruments utilizing the deep structural priming mechanism may represent a direct means to measure clinical change

Comparison of various staining methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium in cell-free culture

The complete development of Cryptosporidium in host cell-free medium first described in 2004, represented a significant advance that can facilitate many aspects of Cryptosporidium research. A current limitation of host cell-free cultivation is the difficulty involved in visualising the life-cycle stages as they are very small in size, morphologically difficult to identify and dispersed throughout the media. This is in contrast to conventional cell culture methods for Cryptosporidium, where it is possible to focus on the host cells and view the foci of infection on the host cells. In the present study, we compared three specific and three non-specific techniques for visualising Cryptosporidium parvum life-cycle stages in cell-free culture; antibody staining using anti-sporozoite and anti-oocyst wall antibodies (Sporo-Glo™ and Crypto Cel), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) using a Cryptosporidium specific rRNA oligonucleotide probe and the non-specific dyes; Texas Red, carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and 4,6′ diamino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI). Results revealed that a combination of Sporo-Glo™ and Crypto Cel staining resulted in easy and reliable identification of all life-cycle stages

Increasing awareness of gynecological cancer symptoms and reducing barriers to medical help seeking: does health literacy play a role?

Health literacy may influence the efficacy of print-based public health interventions. A key part of the U.K. cancer control strategy is to provide information to the public on earlier diagnoses with a view to improving the United Kingdom's relatively poor 1-year cancer survival statistics. This study examined the effect of health literacy on the efficacy of a gynecological cancer information leaflet. Participants (n = 451) were recruited from 17 Cancer Research UK events. Health literacy was assessed with the Newest Vital Sign test. Gynecological cancer symptom awareness and barriers to medical help seeking were assessed before and after participants read the leaflet. Symptom awareness improved, and barriers to medical help seeking were reduced (ps .05). As predicted, individuals with lower health literacy benefited less after exposure to the leaflet (ps < .01 for interactions). Despite careful consideration of information design principles in the development of the leaflet, more intensive efforts may be required to ensure that inequalities are not exacerbated by reliance on print-based public health interventions

Cryptosporidium propagation systems

A method for culturing Cryptosporidium comprising the steps of: (i) introducing a stage in the life cycle of Cryptosporidium into a simple medium; and (ii) culturing the Cryptosporidium

Quantitative evaluation of an information leaflet to increase prompt help-seeking for gynaecological cancer symptoms

Background Provision of written information may improve awareness of cancer symptoms and encourage timely presentation in primary care. This study assessed changes in symptom knowledge, perceived barriers to help-seeking, anxiety and intention to seek help, following exposure to a leaflet to raise awareness of gynaecological cancer symptoms. Methods Women (N = 484) completed questionnaires before and after reading the leaflet. The primary outcome was change in anticipated time to help-seeking for 12 symptoms. Changes in symptom knowledge, barriers and anxiety, and their association with prompt help-seeking were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and logistic regression analyses. Results After reading the leaflet, symptom knowledge increased (p &lt; 0.001), and perceived barriers (p &lt; 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.008) decreased. The number of symptoms for which women anticipated seeking help promptly increased (p &lt; 0.001). Changes in knowledge (OR 4.21, 95 % CI 1.95-9.13) and perceived barriers (OR 4.60, 95 % CI 1.91-11.04) were independently associated with increased help-seeking. Conclusion Increased symptom knowledge and lowered perceived barriers were related to increased prompt anticipated help-seeking. This occurred without an increase in anxiety. This intervention is effective in altering knowledge, beliefs and help-seeking intentions for gynaecological cancer symptoms, at least in the short-term, and should be trialled in primary care. </div

Echinococcus granulosus from Mexican pigs is the same strain as that in Polish pigs

Samples of Echinococcus granulosus from seven pigs from Mexico were compared with isolates of the parasite from pigs in Poland and representative strains and species of Echinococcus. Isolates from pigs in Mexico were found to be genetically identical to E. granulosus from Polish pigs and distinct from other major genotypes by sequencing part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mtDNA locus, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 using five different enzymes, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. These results were complemented by data on hook morphology and together strengthen the view that Echinococcus maintained in a cycle involving pigs and dogs is a distinct strain that is conserved genetically in different geographical areas. The present study supports the close relationship of the cervid, camel and pig strains and raises the question of their taxonomic status

Pyrrhocoricin as a potential drug delivery vehicle for Cryptosporidium parvum

This study analysed the intracellular delivery capacity of insect derived pyrrhocoricin with a peptide cargo in Cryptosporidium parvum in vitro using fluorescence microscopy. Results revealed that pyrrhocoricin was capable of acting as a delivery vehicle in transducing peptides across the parasite cell membrane for multiple life-cycle stages. The successful transduction may aid in target validation and the delivery of future peptide-based drugs against this important human pathogen