An evaluation of the Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) pilot project

A pilot project, developed by Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT was designed to identify patients within general practice with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and refer them to public health advisor who could provide support and individually tailored weight management programme over a period of one year. The aim of the IGT project was to prevent progression of IGT to the more serious condition of type 2 diabetes. Six general practices in Bradford and Airedale were involved in referring their clients into the pilot IGT project. This report details the methods and findings for an evaluation undertaken by the Centre for Health Promotion Research at Leeds Metropolitan University. A discussion of evidence and recommendations about the nature and future direction of the pilot project are made in the final sections 5 and 6 respectively

An Evaluation of the Bradford District Health Trainers Programme - Phase 2

Health trainers are health workers who offer one-to-one support to help individuals make changes to improve their health. The government regards health trainers as being an important mechanism to help tackle health inequalities through improving access to health advice, support and services in disadvantaged communities (Department of Health, 2005). As one of the 12 early adopter sites of the national health trainer programme, Bradford was one of the first places in the country to have health trainers working out in local communities. The early adopter phase was evaluated in 2006 to provide feedback on the development and functioning of the programme and any early outcomes. The evaluation findings indicated that the health trainer role was successful at supporting people to make changes to improve their health. Since the initial evaluation one significant development has been the piloting of the senior health trainer role. Three senior health trainers were recruited in November 2006 and placed in three localities, all areas of disadvantage. Their role was to support the work of health trainers on the ground and to use community development skills to improve access to the health trainer programme. At the time of the second evaluation there were 32 health trainers and 3 senior health trainers working in Bradford providing support to those individuals and communities with greatest health needs

Direct entry by RNase E is a major pathway for the degradation and processing of RNA in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli endoribonuclease E has a major influence on gene expression. It is essential for the maturation of ribosomal and transfer RNA as well as the rapid degradation of messenger RNA. The latter ensures that translation closely follows programming at the level of transcription. Recently, one of the hallmarks of RNase E, i.e. its ability to bind via a 5'-monophosphorylated end, was shown to be unnecessary for the initial cleavage of some polycistronic tRNA precursors. Here we show using RNA-seq analyses of ribonuclease-deficient strains in vivo and a 5'-sensor mutant of RNase E in vitro that, contrary to current models, 5'-monophosphate-independent, 'direct entry' cleavage is a major pathway for degrading and processing RNA. Moreover, we present further evidence that direct entry is facilitated by RNase E binding simultaneously to multiple unpaired regions. These simple requirements may maximize the rate of degradation and processing by permitting multiple sites to be surveyed directly without being constrained by 5'-end tethering. Cleavage was detected at a multitude of sites previously undescribed for RNase E, including ones that regulate the activity and specificity of ribosomes. A potentially broad role for RNase G, an RNase E paralogue, in the trimming of 5'-monophosphorylated ends was also revealed

Report on a collecting trip of the British Myriapod Group to Hungary in 1994

During a collecting trip participated jointly by the members of the British Myriapod Group and by Hungarian experts in 1994, 34 species of millipedes, 14 of centipedes, 8 of woodlice and 73 of spiders were recorded from Hungary. Two records of the millipede species Boreoiulus tenuis (Bigler, 1913) and Styrioiulus styricus (Verhoeff, 1896) were new to the fauna of Hungary

Woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea) and the centipede Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda) collected from Hungary by the British Myriapod Group in 1994:

Twenty-seven species of woodlice are recorded from Hungary in 1994 during a joint collecting trip undertaken by the British Myriapod Group and Hungarian experts. Five species, Armadillidium vulgare (LATREILLE, 1804), Protracheoniscus politus (C. KOCH, 1841), Trachelipus rathkii (BRANDT, 1833), Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii BRANDT, 1833 and Trachelipus nodulosus (C.KOCH, 1838), were widely recorded and accounted for 48% of the 1,200 specimens collected. The first Hungarian record of Trichoniscus provisorius RACOVITZA, 1908 is given. Records of the apparently rare species, including Trichoniscus steinboecki VERHOEFF, 1931, Hyloniscus vividus (C. KOCH, 1841), Haplophthalmus montivagus VERHOEFF, 1941 and Lepidoniscus minutus (C. KOCH, 1838) are presented for semi-natural habitats. It is suggested that some of these species, particularly H. montivagus, may have been over looked and consequently may be under recorded. Other apparently rare species, including Androniscus roseus (C. KOCH, 1838), Oniscus asellus Linnaeus, 1758, Porcellio spinicornis SAY, 1818 and Armadillidium nasatum BUDDE-LUND, 1885 are recorded from synanthropic sites. The potential value of synanthropic habitats for Oniscidea is highlighted. A record for the centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata LINNAEUS, 1758 is given

A study of two bird fleas, ceratophyllus gallinae (schrank) and dasypsyllus gallinulae (dale), in the nests of hole – nesting birds

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The first small-molecule inhibitors of members of the ribonuclease E family

The Escherichia coli endoribonuclease RNase E is central to the processing and degradation of all types of RNA and as such is a pleotropic regulator of gene expression. It is essential for growth and was one of the first examples of an endonuclease that can recognise the 5′-monophosphorylated ends of RNA thereby increasing the efficiency of many cleavages. Homologues of RNase E can be found in many bacterial families including important pathogens, but no homologues have been identified in humans or animals. RNase E represents a potential target for the development of new antibiotics to combat the growing number of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics in use currently. Potent small molecule inhibitors that bind the active site of essential enzymes are proving to be a source of potential drug leads and tools to dissect function through chemical genetics. Here we report the use of virtual high-throughput screening to obtain small molecules predicted to bind at sites in the N-terminal catalytic half of RNase E. We show that these compounds are able to bind with specificity and inhibit catalysis of Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNase E and also inhibit the activity of RNase G, a paralogue of RNase E

Methods of producing new nutrient data for popularly consumed multi ethnic foods in the UK

Minority ethnic groups in UK disproportionately suffer from nutrition related diseases compared to the mainstream population, contributing to widening health inequalities. However, reliable nutrient composition data of the traditional foods of these ethnic groups, which play an important part in their diets, is lacking. This makes it impossible to provide adequate and culturally acceptable nutrition interventions to reduce prevalent metabolic disorders. This study aimed to identify and analyse popularly consumed African and Caribbean foods in the UK for macro and micronutrients. Various approaches including focus group discussions, individual interviews and 24 hr dietary recalls were used to identify traditional foods. Defined criteria were used to prioritise and prepare 33 composite samples (26 dishes, 4 snacks and 3 beverages) for nutrient analyses in a UK accredited laboratory. This study methodology is novel because it uses various approaches to generate new data of commonly consumed ethnic foods and traditional recipes. In addition, the approach used in preparation of the food samples enhanced their authenticity and representativeness compared to previously published work. This paper describes the procedures undertaken and analytical methods used to develop a multi ethnic nutrient data for inclusion in UK food composition tables

Excretion patterns of coccidian oocysts and nematode eggs during the reproductive season in Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita)

Individual reproductive success largely depends on the ability to optimize behaviour, immune function and the physiological stress response. We have investigated correlations between behaviour, faecal steroid metabolites, immune parameters, parasite excretion patterns and reproductive output in a critically endangered avian species, the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita). In particular, we related haematocrit, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, excreted immune-reactive corticosterone metabolites and social behaviour with parasite excretion and two individual fitness parameters, namely, number of eggs laid and number of fledglings. We found that the frequency of excretion of parasites’ oocysts and eggs tended to increase with ambient temperature. Paired individuals excreted significantly more samples containing nematode eggs than unpaired ones. The excretion of nematode eggs was also significantly more frequent in females than in males. Individuals with a high proportion of droppings containing coccidian oocysts were more often preened by their partners than individuals with lower excretion rates. We observed that the more eggs an individual incubated and the fewer offspring fledged, the higher the rates of excreted samples containing coccidian oocysts. Our results confirm that social behaviour, physiology and parasite burden are linked in a complex and context-dependent manner. They also contribute background information supporting future conservation programmes dealing with this critically endangered species

Views on risk, prevention and management of type 2 diabetes among UK Black Caribbeans

Background: Development of effective, culturally-tailored interventions to address excess risk of type 2 diabetes among Black Caribbeans in the United Kingdom (UK) requires understanding of the views and experiences of the target population. We explored the social context of views on risk, prevention and management of type 2 diabetes among this ethnic group. Methods: The Food, Diabetes and Ethnicity (FOODEY) study included 56 Black Caribbean men and women aged 24-90 years (21 (38%) diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes). Nine focus groups were conducted in community hubs in Leeds, Bradford, Birmingham, and Huddersfield, UK. Inductive themes were identified through thematic analysis of transcripts. Results: While family history was considered a key risk factor, there was a clearly articulated view of the interaction between “bad genes” and unfavourable dietary and physical activity (PA) habits. Rich descriptions of food habits and food related negotiations among family and friends included cost and low availability as barriers to maintaining traditional foodways, and high intake of convenience foods. The perception that diabetes risk was greater in the UK than in home countries was widely held, and it was felt that this was due to the lack of PA, cold weather and stress due to racism experienced in the UK. The Caribbean was deemed a suitable setting for consuming traditional foods and high sugar intake as this was mitigated by active living, organic vegetable consumption, and the hot climate. Trust in health professionals’ diabetes advice was evident, however behaviour change was preferred to medication, and the need for choice regarding healthcare decisions was emphasised. Faith beliefs coincided with acceptability of health-related advice and underpinned views on personal responsibility for health. Conclusions: Complex explanatory models of risk, encompassing lifestyle, economic, cultural, religious and psychosocial contexts, have implications for developing interventions to address type 2 diabetes among UK Black Caribbeans