Contemporary American Drama: William Vaughn Moody and Eugene O\u27Neil

In any study of contemporary American drama, two names inevitably stand out from among the myriads of native playwrights - those names - William Vaughn Moody and Eugene O\u27Neil. Yet neither of these can be literary pigeon-holed. Moody\u27s death prevented him reaching his full development. Consequently his work is mostly indicative - indicative of what it might have been had he lived

The economic and industrial history of Fall River

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: pages 18 and 58 appears to be missing from the thesis. Our determination is that this is the result of misnumbering by the author, and no substantive content is actually missing. If you are able to determine otherwise, please contact us

Contact tracing for chronic hepatitis B in primary care? : A ‘snapshot’ audit in Grampian, Northeast Scotland

Peer reviewedPostprin

Surface proteins that promote adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to human desquamated nasal epithelial cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The natural habitat of <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>is the moist squamous epithelium in the anterior nares. About 20% of the human population carry <it>S. aureus </it>permanently in their noses and another 60% of individuals are intermittent carriers. The ability of <it>S. aureus </it>to colonize the nasal epithelium is in part due to expression of surface proteins clumping factor B (ClfB) and the iron-regulated surface determinant A (IsdA), which promote adhesion to desquamated epithelial cells present in the anterior part of the nasal vestibule. <it>S. aureus </it>strain Newman defective in IsdA and ClfB exhibited reduced but not completely defective adherence to squamous cells in indicating that other cell surface components might also contribute.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Surface proteins IsdA, ClfB, and the serine-aspartic acid repeat proteins SdrC, SdrD and SdrE were investigated to determine their contribution to the adherence of <it>S. aureus </it>to desquamated nasal epithelial cells. This was achieved by expression of ClfB, IsdA, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE on the surface of the surrogate Gram-positive host <it>Lactococcus lactis </it>and by isolating mutants of <it>S. aureus </it>Newman defective in one or more factor. The level of adherence of strains to squamous cells isolated from the nares of volunteers was measured. Results consistently showed that ClfB, IsdA, SdrC and SdrD each contributed to the ability of <it>S. aureus </it>to adhere to squamous cells. A mutant lacking all four proteins was completely defective in adherence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ability of <it>S. aureus </it>Newman to adhere to desquamated nasal epithelial cells is multifactorial and involves SdrD and SdrC as well as ClfB and IsdA.</p

Differential Hox expression in murine embryonic stem cell models of normal and malignant hematopoiesis

The Hox family are master transcriptional regulators of developmental processes, including hematopoiesis. The Hox regulators, caudal homeobox factors (Cdx1-4), and Meis1, along with several individual Hox proteins, are implicated in stem cell expansion during embryonic development, with gene dosage playing a significant role in the overall function of the integrated Hox network. To investigate the role of this network in normal and aberrant, early hematopoiesis, we employed an in vitro embryonic stem cell differentiation system, which recapitulates mouse developmental hematopoiesis. Expression profiles of Hox, Pbx1, and Meis1 genes were quantified at distinct stages during the hematopoietic differentiation process and compared with the effects of expressing the leukemic oncogene Tel/PDGFR;2. During normal differentiation the Hoxa cluster, Pbx1 and Meis1 predominated, with a marked reduction in the majority of Hox genes (27/39) and Meis1 occurring during hematopoietic commitment. Only the posterior Hoxa cluster genes (a9, a10, a11, and a13) maintained or increased expression at the hematopoietic colony stage. Cdx4, Meis1, and a subset of Hox genes, including a7 and a9, were differentially expressed after short-term oncogenic (Tel/PDGFR;2) induction. Whereas Hoxa4-10, b1, b2, b4, and b9 were upregulated during oncogenic driven myelomonocytic differentiation. Heterodimers between Hoxa7/Hoxa9, Meis1, and Pbx have previously been implicated in regulating target genes involved in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion and leukemic progression. These results provide direct evidence that transcriptional flux through the Hox network occurs at very early stages during hematopoietic differentiation and validates embryonic stem cell models for gaining insights into the genetic regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis

How safe is your curry? Food allergy awareness of restaurant staff

Background: Incidents of severe and fatal anaphylaxis to accidentally ingested food allergens are increasing. Individuals are more likely to encounter difficulties when eating away from home. In restaurants, front-of-house and kitchen staff may be called upon to provide information about ingredients or ensure certain food allergens are excluded from dishes. Following a series of reactions related to the accidental ingestion of peanuts in curries we assessed food allergy awareness and allergen avoidance practices amongst the staff of Asian-Indian restaurants. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered by telephone to one member of staff in each restaurant. Results: Fifty percent (40/80) of restaurants participated. Responders included managers, owners, waiters and chefs. Most (90%) had received food hygiene training, but only 15% food allergy training. 25% could name three common food allergens. 3 in 4 listed nuts, but less than 1in 5 mentioned peanuts. Common misunderstandings included 60% of staff believing an individual experiencing an allergic reaction should drink water to dilute the allergen. A less prevalent, but perhaps more concerning, was the misunderstanding that cooking food would prevent it causing an allergic reaction (25%). Despite poor knowledge, all respondents were comfortable and 65% were “very comfortable” with providing a “safe” meal for a customer with a food allergy. 60% expressed interest in future food allergy training. Conclusions: Despite high confidence in their own understanding of allergy, many staff lacked the knowledge to provide “safe” meals for food allergic customers. Traditionally tree nuts are a common ingredient in Asian-Indian dishes cuisine and there was widespread, but not universal, awareness of tree nuts as a common allergen. Peanuts were less commonly recognised as a common allergen, an observation of extreme concern as peanuts are being substituted for tree nuts as they are cheaper and avoid having to inflate meal prices. Our data highlights the need for greater training of restaurant staff. In parallel, food allergic customers need to exercise vigilance when making meal choices and develop skills to order a safe meal. The management of allergy is multifaceted, and this study indicates the importance of health professionals working beyond the clinical setting to collaborate with colleagues in the hospitality industry, public health and environmental health in coordinated endeavours to improve patient safety

Effects of centrally administered etanercept on behaviour, histology and TNF-α expression in mice following a peripheral immune challenge

Background: Peripheral cytokines affect central nervous system (CNS) function, triggering anxiety and cognitive decline. Although peripheral blockade of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) by etanercept, has been effective in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, it is yet unknown whether central blockade of TNF-α is beneficial for immune-challenged CNS function. This study investigated effects of central etanercept administration post-peripheral immune challenge, on behaviour and histology. Methods: 12-week-old C57BL/6 mice (n=40) were challenged with either LPS or saline, administered peripherally 24hr before being treated with etanercept or artificial CSF (aCSF), via intracerebroventricular injection. Mice underwent behavioural analyses for locomotion (open field test: OFT), memory (Y maze) and anxiety (elevated zero maze: EZM) 24hr post etanercept/aCSF treatment. Brain tissue was then collected to estimate number of hippocampal microglia and expression of Tnfa. Results: Acute systemic challenge with LPS decreased weight in mice at 24hr, and impaired locomotor activity. LPS significantly increased anxiety-like behaviour (2-way ANOVA: Interaction: P=0.096; Saline/LPS challenge: P=0.0006, aCSF/etanercept treatment: P=0.0008), which was reversed by etanercept and significantly reduced cognition in the Y Maze (Interaction: P=0.037, Saline/LPS challenge: P=0.31, aCSF/etanercept treatment: P=0.80), which was not reversed by etanercept. LPS challenge also increased Tnfa expression in the hippocampus (Interaction: F(1,13)=28.04, P=0.0001, Saline/LPS challenge: P=0.0003, aCSF/etanercept treatment: P=0.021) and etanercept treatment was effective in reducing this Tnfa expression (P=0.001). Etanercept also significantly reduced microglial numbers within the hippocampus, which were increased following LPS administration (2-way ANOVA: Interaction: P= 0.0041; Saline/LPS challenge: P<0.0001, etanercept/aCSF: P=0.08,). Conclusion: A single dose of etanercept was found to be effective in significantly decreasing anxiety, Tnfa expression and microglia numbers 48hr post-peripheral immune challenge. The present study suggests that there is effective cross-talk between peripheral and central immune systems. Additionally behavioural and biological changes caused by LPS challenge which may be mediated by TNF-α related central inflammation, were reversed by etanercept treatment

Ameliorating Patient Stigma Amongst Staff Working With Personality Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-Management Versus Skills Training.

Background: Patients diagnosed with a personality disorder (PD) are often stigmatized by the healthcare staff who treat them. Aims: This study aimed to compare the impact on front-line staff of a self-management Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based training intervention (ACTr) with a knowledge- and skills-based Dialectical Behaviour Training intervention (DBTr). Method: A service-based randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing the effects of 2-day ACTr (N = 53) and DBTr (N = 47) staff workshops over 6 months. Primary outcome measures were staff attitudes towards patients and staff-patient relationships. Results: For both interventions, staff attitudes, therapeutic relationship, and social distancing all improved pre- to postintervention, and these changes were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Although offering different resources to staff, both ACTr and DBTr were associated with an improved disposition towards PD patients. Future research could evaluate a combined approach, both for staff working with PD patients and those working with other stigmatized groups