Migration and Sexual Resocialisation: The Case of Central and East Europeans in London

Based upon a survey of more than three thousand respondents and forty in-depth interviews, the aim of this article is to examine the impact of migration on sexual resocialisation. In particular, we show how living in London influenced the attitudes of Central and East European migrants towards pre-marital sex and homosexuality. While the general acceptability of pre-marital sex was not affected by time spent in London, differences were noted in the meaning attached to sex outside marriage in the United Kingdom compared with Central and Eastern Europe. Particularly significant changes were observed in our respondents? attitudes towards homosexuality, with a greater liberalisation the result of extrication from mechanisms of social control, re-socialisation into new social norms regarding sex and sexuality, greater visibility of sexual difference in London and, in particular, inter-personal contacts with gays and lesbians. Limitations to the general liberalisation of attitudes were also noted

Human iPSC-Derived Neural Crest Stem Cells Exhibit Low Immunogenicity

Recent clinical trials are evaluating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a cellular therapy in the field of regenerative medicine. The widespread clinical utility of iPSCs is expected to be realized using allogeneic cells that have undergone thorough safety evaluations, including assessment of their immunogenicity. IPSC-derived neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) have significant potential in regenerative medicine; however, their application in cellular therapy has not been widely studied to date, and no reports on their potential immunogenicity have been published so far. In this study, we have assessed the expression of immune-related antigens in iPSC-NCSCs, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II and co-stimulatory molecules. To investigate functional immunogenicity, we used iPSC-NCSCs as stimulator cells in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. In these experiments, iPSC-NCSCs did not stimulate detectable proliferation of CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells or induce cytokine production. We show that this was not a result of any immunosuppressive features of iPSC-NCSCs, but rather more consistent with their non-immunogenic molecular phenotype. These results are encouraging for the potential future use of iPSC-NCSCs as a cellular therapy

Whole-genome microarrays of fission yeast: characteristics, accuracy, reproducibility, and processing of array data

Background: The genome of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has recently been sequenced, setting the stage for the post-genomic era of this increasingly popular model organism. We have built fission yeast microarrays, optimised protocols to improve array performance, and carried out experiments to assess various characteristics of microarrays.|Results: We designed PCR primers to amplify specific probes (180-500 bp) for all known and predicted fission yeast genes, which are printed in duplicate onto separate regions of glass slides together with control elements (similar to13,000 spots/slide). Fluorescence signal intensities depended on the size and intragenic position of the array elements, whereas the signal ratios were largely independent of element properties. Only the coding strand is covalently linked to the slides, and our array elements can discriminate transcriptional direction. The microarrays can distinguish sequences with up to 70% identity, above which cross-hybridisation contributes to the signal intensity. We tested the accuracy of signal ratios and measured the reproducibility of array data caused by biological and technical factors. Because the technical variability is lower, it is best to use samples prepared from independent biological experiments to obtain repeated measurements with swapping of fluorochromes to prevent dye bias. We also developed a script that discards unreliable data and performs a normalization to correct spatial artefacts.|Conclusions: This paper provides data for several microarray properties that are rarely measured. The results define critical parameters for microarray design and experiments and provide a framework to optimise and interpret array data. Our arrays give reproducible and accurate expression ratios with high sensitivity. The scripts for primer design and initial data processing as well as primer sequences and detailed protocols are available from our website

All-cause hospitalisation according to demographic group in people living with HIV in the current ART era: Recent findings from a cohort study in the UK

OBJECTIVE: We investigated differences in all-cause hospitalisation between key demographic groups among people with HIV in the UK in the current ART era. DESIGN/METHODS: We used data from the Royal Free HIV Cohort study between 2007 and 2018. Individuals were classified into five groups: men who have sex with men (MSM), Black African men who have sex with women (MSW), MSW of other ethnicity, Black African women and women of other ethnicity. We studied hospitalisations during the first year after HIV diagnosis (Analysis-A) separately from those more than one year after diagnosis (Analysis-B). In Analysis-A, time to first hospitalisation was assessed using Cox regression adjusted for age and diagnosis date. In Analysis-B, subsequent hospitalisation rate was assessed using Poisson regression, accounting for repeated hospitalisation within individuals, adjusted for age, calendar year, time since diagnosis. RESULTS: The hospitalisation rate was 30.7/100 person-years in the first year after diagnosis and 2.7/100 person-years subsequently; 52% and 13% hospitalisations respectively were AIDS-related. Compared to MSM, MSW and women were at much higher risk of hospitalisation during the first year [aHR (95%CI): 2.7 (1.7-4.3), 3.0 (2.0-4.4), 2.0 (1.3-2.9), 3.0 (2.0-4.5) for Black African MSW; other ethnicity MSW; Black African women; other ethnicity women respectively, Analysis-A] and remained at increased risk subsequently [corresponding aIRR (95% CI): 1.7 (1.2-2.4), 2.1 (1.5-2.8), 1.5 (1.1-1.9), 1.7 (1.2-2.3), Analysis-B]. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting with universal healthcare, substantial variation exists in hospitalisation risk across demographic groups, both in early and subsequent periods after HIV diagnosis, highlighting the need for targeted interventions

New Symmetries in Crystals and Handed Structures

For over a century, the structure of materials has been described by a combination of rotations, rotation-inversions and translational symmetries. By recognizing the reversal of static structural rotations between clockwise and counterclockwise directions as a distinct symmetry operation, here we show that there are many more structural symmetries than are currently recognized in right- or left-handed handed helices, spirals, and in antidistorted structures composed equally of rotations of both handedness. For example, though a helix or spiral cannot possess conventional mirror or inversion symmetries, they can possess them in combination with the rotation reversal symmetry. Similarly, we show that many antidistorted perovskites possess twice the number of symmetry elements as conventionally identified. These new symmetries predict new forms for "roto" properties that relate to static rotations, such as rotoelectricity, piezorotation, and rotomagnetism. They also enable symmetry-based search for new phenomena, such as multiferroicity involving a coupling of spins, electric polarization and static rotations. This work is relevant to structure-property relationships in all material structures with static rotations such as minerals, polymers, proteins, and engineered structures.Comment: 15 Pages, 4 figures, 3 Tables; Fig. 2b has error

Pollutant dispersion in a developing valley cold-air pool

Pollutants are trapped and accumulate within cold-air pools, thereby affecting air quality. A numerical model is used to quantify the role of cold-air-pooling processes in the dispersion of air pollution in a developing cold-air pool within an alpine valley under decoupled stable conditions. Results indicate that the negatively buoyant downslope flows transport and mix pollutants into the valley to depths that depend on the temperature deficit of the flow and the ambient temperature structure inside the valley. Along the slopes, pollutants are generally entrained above the cold-air pool and detrained within the cold-air pool, largely above the ground-based inversion layer. The ability of the cold-air pool to dilute pollutants is quantified. The analysis shows that the downslope flows fill the valley with air from above, which is then largely trapped within the cold-air pool, and that dilution depends on where the pollutants are emitted with respect to the positions of the top of the ground-based inversion layer and cold-air pool, and on the slope wind speeds. Over the lower part of the slopes, the cold-air-pool-averaged concentrations are proportional to the slope wind speeds where the pollutants are emitted, and diminish as the cold-air pool deepens. Pollutants emitted within the ground-based inversion layer are largely trapped there. Pollutants emitted farther up the slopes detrain within the cold-air pool above the ground-based inversion layer, although some fraction, increasing with distance from the top of the slopes, penetrates into the ground-based inversion layer.Peer reviewe

Novel exomphalos genetic mouse model: The importance of accurate phenotypic classification.

Rodent models of abdominal wall defects (AWD) may provide insight into the pathophysiology of these conditions including gut dysfunction in gastroschisis, or pulmonary hypoplasia in exomphalos. Previously, a Scribble mutant mouse model (circletail) was reported to exhibit gastroschisis. We further characterise this AWD in Scribble knockout mice

Cognitive and behavioral predictors of light therapy use

Objective: Although light therapy is effective in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mood disorders, only 53-79% of individuals with SAD meet remission criteria after light therapy. Perhaps more importantly, only 12-41% of individuals with SAD continue to use the treatment even after a previous winter of successful treatment. Method: Participants completed surveys regarding (1) social, cognitive, and behavioral variables used to evaluate treatment adherence for other health-related issues, expectations and credibility of light therapy, (2) a depression symptoms scale, and (3) self-reported light therapy use. Results: Individuals age 18 or older responded (n = 40), all reporting having been diagnosed with a mood disorder for which light therapy is indicated. Social support and self-efficacy scores were predictive of light therapy use (p's<.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that testing social support and self-efficacy in a diagnosed patient population may identify factors related to the decision to use light therapy. Treatments that impact social support and self-efficacy may improve treatment response to light therapy in SAD. © 2012 Roecklein et al

Prospective association of social circumstance, socioeconomic, lifestyle and mental health factors with subsequent hospitalisation over 6–7 year follow up in people living with HIV

Background: Predictors of hospitalisation in people with HIV (PLHIV) in the contemporary treatment era are not well understood. / Methods: This ASTRA sub-study used clinic data linkage and record review to determine occurrence of hospitalisations among 798 PLHIV from baseline questionnaire (February to December 2011) until 1 June 2018. Associations of baseline social circumstance, socioeconomic, lifestyle, mental health, demographic and clinical factors with repeated all-cause hospitalisation from longitudinal data were investigated using Prentice-Williams-Peterson models. Associations were also assessed in 461 individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with viral load ≤50 copies/ml and CD4 count ≥500 cells/ µl. / Findings: Rate of hospitalisation was 5.8/100 person-years (95% CI: 5.1–6.5). Adjusted for age, demographic group and time with diagnosed HIV, the following social circumstance, socioeconomic, lifestyle and mental health factors predicted hospitalisation: no stable partner (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.59; 95% CI=1.16–2.20 vs living with partner); having children (aHR=1.50; 1.08–2.10); non-employment (aHR=1.56; 1.07–2.27 for unemployment; aHR=2.39; 1.70–3.37 for sick/disabled vs employed); rented housing (aHR=1.72; 1.26–2.37 vs homeowner); not enough money for basic needs (aHR=1.82; 1.19–2.78 vs enough); current smoking (aHR=1.39; 1.02–1.91 vs never); recent injection-drug use (aHR=2.11; 1.30–3.43); anxiety symptoms (aHRs=1.39; 1.01–1.91, 2.06; 1.43–2.95 for mild and moderate vs none/minimal); depressive symptoms (aHRs=1.67; 1.17–2.38, 1.91; 1.30–2.78 for moderate and severe vs none/minimal); treated/untreated depression (aHRs=1.65; 1.03–2.64 for treated depression only, 1.87; 1.39–2.52 for depressive symptoms only; 1.53; 1.05–2.24; for treated depression and depressive symptoms, versus neither). Associations were broadly similar in those with controlled HIV and high CD4. / Interpretation: Social circumstance, socioeconomic disadvantage, adverse lifestyle factors and poorer mental health are strong predictors of hospitalisation in PLHIV, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and care. / Funding: British HIV Association (BHIVA) Research Award (2017); SMR funded by a PhD fellowship from the Royal Free Charity