Review of speech and language therapy, phsyiotherapy and occupational therapy for children, and speech and language therapy for adults with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder.

This report outlines the work of the Review of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy for children and Speech and Language Therapy for adults with learning disabilities in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Executive in 2002. The review was carried out by researchers from Queen Margaret University College, guided by a steering group made up of representatives from the Scottish Executive Education Department and the Scottish Executive Health Department as well as advisors from a number of stakeholder groups.caslpub2215pu

Molecular characterization of adipose tissue in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Adipose tissue (AT) is a dynamic and flexible organ with regulatory roles in physiological functions including metabolism, reproduction and inflammation; secreted adipokines, including leptin, and fatty acids facilitate many of these roles. The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is experiencing serious challenges to optimal reproduction in captivity. The physiological and molecular basis of this impaired fertility remains unknown. AT production of leptin is a crucial molecular link between nutritional status, adiposity and fertility in many species. We propose that leptin has a similar function in the African elephant. African elephant visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) was obtained from both sexes and a range of ages including females with known pregnancy status. RNA was extracted and histological sections created and analyzed by microarray, PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. Gas-chromatography was used to determine the fatty acid composition of AT. Microarray expression profiling was used to compare gene expression profiles of AT from pre-pubertal versus reproductively competent adult African elephants. This study demonstrates, for the first time, leptin mRNA and protein expression in African elephant AT. The derived protein sequence of the elephant leptin protein was exploited to determine its relationship within the class I helical cytokine superfamily, which indicates that elephant leptin is most closely related to the leptin orthologs of Oryctolagus cuniculus (European rabbit), Lepus oiostolus (woolly hare), and members of the Ochotonidae (Pika). Immunohistological analysis identified considerable leptin staining within the cytoplasm of adipocytes. Significant differences in fatty acid profiles between pregnant and non-pregnant animals were revealed, most notably a reduction in both linoleic and α linoleic acid in pregnant animals. This report forms the basis for future studies to address the effect of nutrient composition and body condition on reproduction in captive and wild elephants

Identifying the science and technology dimensions of emerging public policy issues through horizon scanning

Public policy requires public support, which in turn implies a need to enable the public not just to understand policy but also to be engaged in its development. Where complex science and technology issues are involved in policy making, this takes time, so it is important to identify emerging issues of this type and prepare engagement plans. In our horizon scanning exercise, we used a modified Delphi technique [1]. A wide group of people with interests in the science and policy interface (drawn from policy makers, policy adviser, practitioners, the private sector and academics) elicited a long list of emergent policy issues in which science and technology would feature strongly and which would also necessitate public engagement as policies are developed. This was then refined to a short list of top priorities for policy makers. Thirty issues were identified within broad areas of business and technology; energy and environment; government, politics and education; health, healthcare, population and aging; information, communication, infrastructure and transport; and public safety and national security.Public policy requires public support, which in turn implies a need to enable the public not just to understand policy but also to be engaged in its development. Where complex science and technology issues are involved in policy making, this takes time, so it is important to identify emerging issues of this type and prepare engagement plans. In our horizon scanning exercise, we used a modified Delphi technique [1]. A wide group of people with interests in the science and policy interface (drawn from policy makers, policy adviser, practitioners, the private sector and academics) elicited a long list of emergent policy issues in which science and technology would feature strongly and which would also necessitate public engagement as policies are developed. This was then refined to a short list of top priorities for policy makers. Thirty issues were identified within broad areas of business and technology; energy and environment; government, politics and education; health, healthcare, population and aging; information, communication, infrastructure and transport; and public safety and national security

International genome-wide meta-analysis identifies new primary biliary cirrhosis risk loci and targetable pathogenic pathways.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a classical autoimmune liver disease for which effective immunomodulatory therapy is lacking. Here we perform meta-analyses of discovery data sets from genome-wide association studies of European subjects (n=2,764 cases and 10,475 controls) followed by validation genotyping in an independent cohort (n=3,716 cases and 4,261 controls). We discover and validate six previously unknown risk loci for PBC (Pcombined<5 × 10(-8)) and used pathway analysis to identify JAK-STAT/IL12/IL27 signalling and cytokine-cytokine pathways, for which relevant therapies exist

A comparison of the typical development (not necessarily occlusal wear) of molar teeth of African elephants at different lamellae numbers according to the position of the Age Reference Line.

<p>Molars are aligned with mesial end to the left with the smaller molar at the top, progressively getting larger downward. Red dots indicate the lamellae number (L), which is 10 cm mesial from the Age Reference Point (See <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0124980#pone.0124980.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2</a>). A) M5 (top) and M6 (bottom) at L2. M5 tends to come into wear first on L1. Due to space restrictions, M6 tends to emerge into wear from underneath the final lamellae of M5, it therefore most commonly wears first on either L2 or L3. B) M4, M5 and M6 at L3. The root base is much longer in M5 than M4, M5 is also longer and deeper. When comparing M5 and M6, M6 is typically showing first wear on L2 or L3. In M6 the lamellae also tend to taper to a smaller size whereas M5 tends to have a convex distal end. C) M5 and M6 at L4 (no M4 available). Note the convex distal end of M5 compared with the tapered end of M6. D) M4, M5 and M6 at L5.</p

Demonstrates age estimation in the African elephant using the Age Reference Line.

<p>A straight line is drawn from Point A at the base of the mandibular foramen to Point B at the most distal point of molar occlusal wear. A line is drawn or vizualised along the ridge of the medial mandible (Line C). The two lines intersect at the red dot, Point D, which has been termed the Age Reference Point (ARP). A measurement of 10 cm is made from this point passing centrally through the distal molar. In this example 10 cm is marked as the distance from ARP (Point D) to the yellow line at E. This yellow line at E is termed the Age Reference Line (ARL). In this example the ARL falls on the 7^th lamella (L) of the 4^th molar. By reference to this ARL in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0124980#pone.0124980.t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a> the elephant’s age can be estimated as 11.5 years. The green arrow at the mesial end of the mandible marks the mesial end of the dental alveolus, named the ‘crest’.</p

A mandible of an aged female African elephant.

<p>The white arrow/red dot marks the Age Reference Point (ARP) and the yellow line marks the Age Reference Line (ARL). The remnant of the tooth in the right mandible had rotated as shown. Grid = 1cm².</p

Examples of molars of African elephants at different Age Reference Line stages.

<p>Green squares indicate the seventh lamellae (L7). <b>A</b>) three molars at stage M4L7 (molar 4 lamella 7), <b>B</b>) three molars at M5L7, and <b>C</b>) three molars at M6L7. All show similar development, but not necessarily wear, in each tooth at each stage.</p

Placement of foramena mentale.

<p>(A) Placement of foramena mentale (FM) in the mandibles of two African elephants. Pictures of the left mandible are flipped horizontally to enable a comparative view of both sides of the mandible. i) Note the very small posterior FM on the right mandible compared to the left. ii) Note the variation in placement of the FM. (B) Variation in foramen mentale placement and ageing in African elephants using the FM technique. Both right mandibles of the two elephants (i and ii) have a similar Laws age but they show an age difference of 5 years when using the FM technique.</p