How long has the college presented its annual Festival of Christmas?

Abbot Pennings answers a question about Festival of Christmas, archived from the SNC website

Depletion of DNMT1 in differentiated human cells highlights key classes of sensitive genes and an interplay with polycomb repression

Additional file 3: Figure S2. Changes in methylation levels by genomic element. (A) Protein levels in knockdown lines by western blotting. As a control HCT116 colon cancer cells which are WT or have a homozygous mutation in DNMT1 (KO) are shown: the DNMT1-specific top band is indicated by the arrowhead at right. (B) Median levels of methylation are shown for each genomic element (listed at top). The positions of medians are also indicated at right (arrowheads). The differences between WT and KD medians were used to plot Fig. 1d. (C) Density distribution of methylation at the three main elements involved in gene regulation, shown by cell line. Demethylation seems most marked at gene bodies (Genes), indicated by increased density of probes at low methylation (β) values

Imparting carrier status results detected by universal newborn screening for sickle cell and cystic fibrosis in England: a qualitative study of current practice and policy challenges

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Universal newborn screening for early detection of children affected by sickle cell disorders and cystic fibrosis is currently being implemented across England. Parents of infants identified as carriers of these disorders must also be informed of their baby's result. However there is a lack of evidence for most effective practice internationally when doing so. This study describes current or proposed models for imparting this information in practice and explores associated challenges for policy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with Child Health Coordinators from all English Health Regions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Diverse methods for imparting carrier results, both within and between regions, and within and between conditions, were being implemented or planned. Models ranged from result by letter to in-person communication during a home visit. Non-specialists were considered the best placed professionals to give results and a similar approach for both conditions was emphasised. While national guidance has influenced choice of models, other factors contributed such as existing service structures and lack of funding. Challenges included uncertainty about guidance specifying face to face notification; how best to balance allaying parental anxiety by using familiar non-specialist health professionals with concerns about practitioner competence; and extent of information parents should be given. Inadequate consideration of resource and service workload was seen as the main policy obstacle. Clarification of existing guidance; more specific protocols to ensure consistent countrywide practice; integration of the two programmes; and 'normalising' carrier status were suggested as improvements.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Differing models for communicating carrier results raise concerns about equity and clinical governance. However, this variation provides opportunity for evaluation. Timely and more detailed guidance on protocols with clarification of existing recommendations is needed.</p

Communicating genetic information: a difficult challenge for future pediatricians

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of the pediatrician as genetic counselor is ideal because pediatricians have medical knowledge and experience with genetic disorders (e.g. Down syndrome). Moreover, pediatricians can provide comprehensive care in a medical home to patients with genetic disorders. However, changes in the curriculum of the pediatric resident are necessary to address the future challenges of effectively communicating genetic information to patients. The objective of this study was to explore these challenges and make recommendations for training to adequately prepare pediatricians for their future role as genetic counselors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three reviewers independently searched PubMed, OVID, and Medline databases to identify articles describing the challenges of communicating genetic information to patients, published from 1960 to December 2005. After the publications were identified and reviewed, four major areas of interest were identified in order to categorize the findings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-five publications were identified during the literature search. From the review, the following categories were selected to organize the findings: (1) Inherent difficulties of communicating and comprehending genetic information; (2) Comprehension of genetic information by pediatricians; (3) Genetics training in residency programs; and (4) The effect of genetic information on the future role of pediatricians and potential legal implications.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pediatricians and residents lack essential knowledge of genetics and communication skills for effective counseling of patients. The review indicated that successful communication of genetic information involves a number of important skills and considerations. It is likely that these skills and considerations are universally required for the communication of most complex specialized medical information. In the past, communication skills have not been considered a priority. Today, these skills have become a demanding professional and even legal obligation. However, the challenges involved in communicating complex medical information cannot be successfully addressed with universal, one-size-fits-all recommendations. Residency training programs require changes to adequately prepare future pediatricians for the growing challenge of communicating genetic information. Four important skills should be considered in the training of residents to improve the communication of complex information to patients. These skills are (1) discriminating, (2) understanding, (3) simplifying, and (4) explaining information.</p

Chronic Stimulation of Extensor Digitorum Longus Autografts in Rats.

Free whole muscle autografts do not spontaneously recover all the characteristics of control muscles after degeneration and regeneration of their muscle fibers. Chronic 10 Hz electrical stimulation of normal muscles enhances characteristics not fully restored in grafts. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic stimulation on the structural and functional characteristics of grafts. The following hypotheses were tested. Compared to non-stimulated nerve-intact grafts, chronic stimulation of nerve-intact grafts would: (1) increase capillarization, (2) increase oxidative capacity, and (3) increase resistance to fatigue. The hypotheses were tested by first performing nerve-intact transplantations on extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles in rats. Reinnervation of the grafts occurred 14 days post-transplantation. The grafts were then stimulated chronically 8 hours/day at 10 Hz. After 26 days of electrical stimulation, contractile properties were measured in situ and in vitro and the muscles were prepared for histochemical and biochemical analysis. Measurements included time to peak tension, half relaxation time, twitch tension, maximum tetanic tension, fatigue time, histochemical myofibrillar ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase activities, fiber areas, capillarity, and concentration of cytochrome c. The measurements obtained for stimulated EDL grafts were compared to the same measurements for stimulated EDL muscles, non-stimulated EDL muscles, and non-stimulated EDL grafts. The stimulated grafts demonstrated similar directional changes in contractile properties as the stimulated normal muscles. These changes included increases in contraction and relaxation times, and decreases in mean fiber area and absolute maximum tetanic tension. The non-stimulated grafts had full restoration to control values for concentration of cytochrome c, and number of capillaries/fiber. The number of capillaries/mm('2) and resistance to fatigue surpassed values for control muscles by 42 and 50%, respectively. Compared to non-stimulated grafts, chronically stimulated grafts demonstrated a 64% greater oxidative capacity, 29% greater number of capillaries/fiber, 46% greater number of capillaries/mm('2) and 72% greater resistance to fatigue. The present study indicates that increasing activity in grafted skeletal muscle, by means of chronic 10 Hz stimulation, has beneficial effects in enhancing their oxidative capacity, capillarity, and resistance to fatigue.Ph.D.Animal PhysiologyUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/159158/1/8304466.pd

The Symbiotic Heart: A design strategy for a nature inclusive building

This thesis is a qualitative thesis depicting the way a design strategy can be constructed for a nature inclusive building by giving an example case. By first doing a set of case studies of projects describing themselves as nature inclusive and looking into their design strategy, then applying this to a case location together with the help of literature and an urban ecologist to test if this is a reliable way of designing. The main findings of this paper are that to set up a design strategy that is actually nature inclusive, the location needs to be thoroughly studied with the help of experts in the field of ecology to translate natures requirements to design elements.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Building Technology | Sustainable Desig