Containment and denial: Raising awareness of unconscious processes present when teachers are working with children and families where there is domestic abuse

This paper reports a small-scale, mixed methods research project exploring the perceptions and experiences of primary school teachers regarding domestic abuse. The paper focuses on the psychoanalytic concepts of containment and denial present in such situations. Questionnaire findings suggested that there was a significant difference between teachers who had attended relevant training and those who had not in their confidence levels in 1) responding to disclosures, and 2) recognising whether a child was exposed to domestic abuse (n = 165). Semi-structured interviews, analysed using thematic analysis, were carried out with experienced teachers (n = 8). Four overarching themes were identified: emotional factors of the teacher’s role; working within the school system; the relationship with the child and family; and uncertainty about what teachers need to know. Findings are discussed in relation to the psychoanalytic concepts of containment and denial. Implications for practice, identifying the roles of unconscious processes and holistic containment, are discussed

Adipocytokines and their relationship to endometrial cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective:- To investigate the association between circulating levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL-6)) and growth factors (insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and II (IGF-II)), and the risk of endometrial cancer. Methods:- Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, Medline and Web of Science were searched for English-language manuscripts published between January 2000 and August 2018 using the following string of words: cancer and endometrial and (obesity or BMI) and (adiponectin or TNF* or IGF-I or IGF-II or IL-6 or leptin). Results:- Twenty articles were included in this meta-analysis, which corresponded to 18 studies involving 2921 endometrial carcinoma cases and 5302 controls. Fourteen articles reported circulating levels for adiponectin, seven for leptin, three for TNFα, three for IL-6 and one for IGF- I. No article reported values for IGF- II. Patients with circulating adiponectin levels in the highest tertile had decreased endometrial cancer risk compared to women with levels in the lowest tertile, (summary of odds ratio (SOR) 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38-0.69, p[less than]0.00001). Women with circulating leptin concentrations in the highest tertile had increased endometrial cancer risk compared to women with concentrations in the lowest tertile (SOR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.45-3.30, p=0.0002). There was no difference in cancer risk between participants with the highest TNFα and IL-6 levels compared to the lowest levels (SOR 1.27, 95% CI: 0.88-1.83, p=0.20 and SOR 1.20, 95% CI: 0.89-1.63, p=0.23, respectively). Conclusions:- Endometrial cancer risk is inversely affected by adiponectin and leptin levels. There appears to be no relationship between TNF-α and IL- 6 and the overall risk of endometrial cancer

Identification and characterisation of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli subtypes associated with human disease

Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) are a major cause of diarrhoea worldwide. Due to their heterogeneity and carriage in healthy individuals, identification of diagnostic virulence markers for pathogenic strains has been difficult. In this study, we have determined phenotypic and genotypic differences between EAEC strains of sequence types (STs) epidemiologically associated with asymptomatic carriage (ST31) and diarrhoeal disease (ST40). ST40 strains demonstrated significantly enhanced intestinal adherence, biofilm formation, and pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 secretion compared with ST31 isolates. This was independent of whether strains were derived from diarrhoea patients or healthy controls. Whole genome sequencing revealed differences in putative virulence genes encoding aggregative adherence fimbriae, E. coli common pilus, flagellin and EAEC heat-stable enterotoxin 1. Our results indicate that ST40 strains have a higher intrinsic potential of human pathogenesis due to a specific combination of virulence-related factors which promote host cell colonization and inflammation. These findings may contribute to the development of genotypic and/or phenotypic markers for EAEC strains of high virulence

Ethnic diversification and neighbourhood mixing : a rapid response analysis of the 2021 Census of England and Wales

Funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is acknowledged gratefully, for the project ‘Geographies of Ethnic Diversity and Inequalities (GEDI)’ (award ES/W012499/1).This paper provides a rapid response analysis of the changing geographies of ethnic diversity and segregation in England and Wales using Census data covering the last 30 years (1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021), a period of significant social, economic and political change. Presenting the first detailed analysis of 2021 Census small area ethnic group data, we find that the growth of ethnic diversity at the national level is mirrored across residential neighbourhoods. Increasing numbers of neighbourhoods are home to a substantial mix of people from different ethnic groups, and this growing neighbourhood ethnic diversity has been spatially diffusing across all regions of England and Wales. We argue that to understand the ethnic mosaic across England and Wales, it is more illuminating to consider mix than majority: places labelled as 'minority-majority' are, in fact, ethnically diverse spaces, home to sizable proportions of people from many ethnic groups. Increasing ethnic diversity is matched by decreasing residential segregation, for all ethnic groups-majority and minority.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

An ethnic group specific deprivation index for measuring neighbourhood inequalities in England and Wales

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is thanked for funding for the project Geographies of Ethnic Diversity and Inequalities (GEDI) (award ES/W012499/1).The measurement of deprivation for small areas in the UK has provided the basis for the development of policies and targeting of resources aimed at reducing spatial inequalities. Most measures summarise the aggregate level of deprivation across all people in a given area, and no account is taken of differences between people with differing characteristics, such as age, sex or ethnic group. In recognition of the marked inequalities between ethnic groups in the UK, and the distinctive geographies of these inequalities, this paper presents a new ethnic group-specific neighbourhood deprivation measure—the Ethnic Group Deprivation Index (EGDI). This index, using a custom cross-tabulated 2021 Census dataset on employment, housing tenure, education and health by ethnic group, reveals the small area geographies of ethnic inequalities that have to date received scant attention, and yet have profound impacts on life chances and well-being. Drawing on the methodological framework of the widely used English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and for the same geographies (Lower Layer Super Output Areas), the EGDI measures deprivation for each ethnic group using data from the 2021 Census of England and Wales. The EGDI reveals the complex geographies of ethnic inequality and demonstrates that while one ethnic group in a neighbourhood may have high relative levels of deprivation, another ethnic group in that same neighbourhood may experience very low relative levels. The EGDI explores ethnic inequalities within and between neighbourhoods, complementing and augmenting existing measures by offering an important means of better understanding ethnic inequalities. The EGDI can be used to help shape locally and culturally sensitive policy development and resource allocation.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

The relationship between surrounding greenness, stress and memory

Evidence suggests that surrounding greenness is associated with multiple health-related benefits, including better cognitive functioning. Underlying mechanisms of the relationship between exposure to natural environments and cognitive functioning have not been widely researched. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between surrounding greenness and memory performance, and to explore the potential mediating role of stress. A sample of 185 adults was recruited in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme (UK). Data were collected on exposure to and use of natural environments, stress, three measures of memory performance (short-term memory, working memory, overall memory), and participant socio-demographics. Linear univariate regression was conducted to investigate the relationship between surrounding greenness, memory performance and stress. Mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the role of stress as mediator of the relationship between surrounding greenness and memory performance. Surrounding greenness was significantly associated with better memory performance and lower levels of stress, and lower levels of stress were significantly associated with better memory performance. Stress was a significant partial mediator of the relationship between surrounding greenness and short-term memory, and between surrounding greenness and working memory. One explanation for these findings is that stress is a multifaceted reaction to a demand which involves cognitive functioning, so that less stress might lead to improved cognition. These results suggest that cognitive benefits of exposure to surrounding greenness are partially mediated by lower levels of stress. Future research should consider other potential mediators of the relationships between surrounding greenness and cognitive functioning, such as mood, well-being and social relationships

The relationship between natural outdoor environments and cognitive functioning and its mediators

Background Urban residents may experience cognitive fatigue and little opportunity for mental restoration due to a lack of access to nature. Natural outdoor environments (NOE) are thought to be beneficial for cognitive functioning, but underlying mechanisms are not clear. Objectives To investigate the long-term association between NOE and cognitive function, and its potential mediators. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on adult participants of the Positive Health Effects of the Natural Outdoor Environment in Typical Populations in Different Regions in Europe (PHENOTYPE) project. Data were collected in Barcelona, Spain; Doetinchem, the Netherlands; and Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom. We assessed residential distance to NOE, residential surrounding greenness, perceived amount of neighborhood NOE, and engagement with NOE. Cognitive function was assessed with the Color Trails Test (CTT). Mediation analysis was undertaken following Baron and Kenny. Results Each 100 m increase in residential distance to NOE was associated with a longer CTT completion time of 1.50% (95% CI 0.13, 2.89). No associations were found for other NOE indicators and cognitive function. Neighborhood social cohesion was (marginally) significantly associated with both residential distance to NOE and CTT completion time, but no evidence for mediation was found. Nor were there indications for mediation by physical activity, social interaction with neighbors, loneliness, mental health, air pollution worries, or noise annoyance. Conclusions Our findings provide some indication that proximity to nature may benefit cognitive function. We could not establish which mechanisms may explain this relationship

Expression of CDK7, cyclin H and MAT1 is elevated in breast cancer and is prognostic in estrogen receptor- positive breast cancer

Purpose: CDK-activation kinase (CAK) is required for the regulation of the cell-cycle and is a trimeric complex consisting of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 7 (CDK7), Cyclin H and the accessory protein, MAT1. CDK7 also plays a critical role in regulating transcription, primarily by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II, as well as transcription factors such as estrogen receptor-α (ER). Deregulation of cell cycle and transcriptional control are general features of tumor cells, highlighting the potential for the use of CDK7 inhibitors as novel cancer therapeutics. Experimental Design: mRNA and protein expression of CDK7 and its essential co-factors cyclinH and MAT1, were evaluated in breast cancer samples to determine if their levels are altered in cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of >900 breast cancers was used to determine the association with clinicopathological features and patient outcome. Results: We show that expression of CDK7, cyclinH and MAT1 are all closely linked at the mRNA and protein level and their expression is elevated in breast cancer compared with the normal breast tissue. Intriguingly, CDK7 expression was inversely proportional to tumour grade and size and outcome analysis showed an association between CAK levels and better outcome. Moreover, CDK7 expression was positively associated with ER expression and in particular with phosphorylation of ER at serine 118, a site important for ER transcriptional activity. Conclusions: Expression of components of the CAK complex, CDK7, MAT1 and Cyclin H are elevated in breast cancer and correlates with ER. Like ERα , CDK7 expression is inversely proportional to poor prognostic factors and survival