Using library impact data to inform student marketing campaigns

This article uses an evidenced based approach using the finding of the Library Impact Data Project to help market library resources to students at the University of Huddersfield. Initiatives discussed include the roving librarian, desk-top visits and Lemontree (library game). Reading list software is also used to drive usage and the marketing of these services is also discussed. Finally, the paper looks at the use of a marketing placement student in the library

The treatment of a severe ataxic dysarthria, using electropalatography. Single case study

Electropalatography has been used successfully with several client groups (Hardcastle et al 1991). Intelligibility has been improved in children with articulation difficulties as a result of cleft palate, or with dyspraxia, or long standing phonological difficulties. There has been less work with adults and a very limited amount with acquired dysarthrics (Gibbon 1997). In the majority of cases reported, there has been a degree of improvement in intelligibility (eg Goldstein et al 1994). This is not a miraculous return to "normal speech", but an improvement, often where conventional speech therapy has failed. The Canterbury and Thanet Speech and Language Therapy Department, together with the local Community Dental Department and the University of Kent Medical Electronics Research Team, have undertaken a clinical trial. The intention was to have a subject group of at least 24 adult, acquired dysarthrics, and to compare the effects of electropalatography with conventional speech and language therapy in each case. Dr Rosemarie MorganBarry acted as a Speech and Language Therapy adviser and the research was funded by SE Thames Regional Health Authority. The results of this clinical trial will be fully reported in a separate paper. This paper reports on a single case history from within the trial

The systemic response to topical Aldara treatment is mediated through direct TLR7 stimulation as Imiquimod enters the circulation

Topical application of Aldara cream, containing the Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist Imiquimod, is a widely used mouse model for investigating the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We have previously used this model to study the effects of peripheral inflammation on the brain, and reported a brain-specific response characterised by increased transcription, infiltration of immune cells and anhedonic-like behavior. Here, we perform a more robust characterisation of the systemic response to Aldara application and find a potent but transient response in the periphery, followed by a prolonged response in the brain. Mass spectrometry analysis of plasma and brain samples identified significant levels of Imiquimod in both compartments at molar concentrations likely to evoke a biological response. Indeed, the association of Imiquimod with the brain correlated with increased Iba1 and GFAP staining, indicative of microglia and astrocyte reactivity. These results highlight the potency of this model and raise the question of how useful it is for interpreting the systemic response in psoriasis-like skin inflammation. In addition, the potential impact on the brain should be considered with regards to human use and may explain why fatigue, headaches and nervousness have been reported as side effects following prolonged Aldara use

AN EXAMINATION OF SOME ASPECTS OF GROWTH AND NUTRITION OF JUVENILE GREY MULLET (MUGILIDAE) IN RELATION TO POTENTIAL MULLET FARMING IN BRITAIN

The growth of juvenile (0 - III group) C. labrosus, L. aurata and L. ramada was examined in the Tamar, Lynher and Yealm estuaries in south-west England. Two growth models were used to facilitate comparisons among species, age groups and sites of capture. The growth of C. labrosus and L. ramada was similar and faster than that of L. aurata. The growth and relative condition of 0 group fish tended to be greater in St. John's Lake than at other sites, but amongst older fish the reverse appeared to be true. Annual and daily cycles in feeding intensity were examined. A high daily food intake and fast passage of food through the gut appeared to be characteristic of both C. labrosus and L. aurata. In the spring 100% of fish examined were infected w1th cysts of Myxbolus exiguus but this did not appear to have any significant effect on growth or condition. Three 12-15 week feeding experiments were undertaken to examine aspects of the nutrition of I group C. labrosus using experimental diets of semi-purified rations. In the first and second experiments the effect of dietary protein level and ration size on growth was investigated. There was a significant interaction between these factors with optimum dietary protein level decreasing with increase in ration size, and optimum ration decreasing with increase in dietary protein level. In the third experiment the ability of juvenile mullet to utilise dietary energy supplied as either lipid + carbohydrate or mainly carbohydrate in diets containing 20% and 40% protein was examined. Increase in dietary energy resulted in improved growth, but lipid energy had a greater protein sparing effect than carbohydrate energy. The effects of dietary protein and energy level, energy source and ration size on conversion efficiency, assimilation of the diet, histology and size of certain organs, and body composition were also investigated

Clinical Lectures in Medicine

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Motor neurone disease twin study using death discordant twins

Using a novel methodology termed the death discordant twin method, it has been possible to carry out an epidemiological study into the possible causes of sporadic MND. The study population was the largest twin sample so far collected worldwide for this rare disease, and identified 75 twin pairs—24 monozygotic and 51 dizygotic. This involved a comprehensive and detailed search of the MND death certificate population for England and Wales between 1979–1989 inclusive. The twin sample was utilised for two different purposes: 1) The estimation of the genetic contribution to sporadic MND; and 2) the formation of matched pairs for a case-control study of environmental factors. An extensive review of germane hypotheses and research was made and is reported with reference to relevant papers. Following a critique of the methods and problems of many traditional twin studies, the advantages of this new method are discussed. The study results are analysed and detailed together with statistical evaluation, and the genetic contribution estimated. Four monozygotic probands from two concordant pairs were identified, producing a MZ proband concordance rate of 17.4%. This was reduced to 10% when two probands were determined to have had familial MND. No dizygotic concordant pairs were found, but a "coefficient of genetic determination" ('G') between 0.38–0.85 was derived, using the methods of Falconer 1965 and Smith 1974. This supports a multifactorial aetiology for MND, probably involving several genetic factors, i.e. a single gene defect is excluded. The environmental risk factors were assessed using Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (Cl). The statistically significant factors which held true during conditional logistic regression modelling were 'regular vehicle maintenance' [OR = 7.0 (CI 1.3–89.9)], and 'occupational paint usage' [OR = 3.75 (CI 1.1–17.1)]. Other factors were of clinical interest. Many of the environmental factors identified in previous studies to be associated with increased risk for MND were not verified

Peripheral inflammation is associated with remote global gene expression changes in the brain

Background: Although the central nervous system (CNS) was once considered an immunologically privileged site, in recent years it has become increasingly evident that cross talk between the immune system and the CNS does occur. As a result, patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or psoriasis, are often further burdened with neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and fatigue. Despite the recent advances in our understanding of neuroimmune communication pathways, the precise effect of peripheral immune activation on neural circuitry remains unclear. Utilizing transcriptomics in a well-characterized murine model of systemic inflammation, we have started to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which inflammation originating in the periphery can induce transcriptional modulation in the brain.<p></p> Methods: Several different systemic and tissue-specific models of peripheral toll-like-receptor-(TLR)-driven (lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid and Imiquimod) and sterile (tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)) inflammation were induced in C57BL/6 mice. Whole brain transcriptional profiles were assessed and compared 48 hours after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide or vehicle, using Affymetrix GeneChip microarrays. Target gene induction, identified by microarray analysis, was validated independently using qPCR. Expression of the same panel of target genes was then investigated in a number of sterile and other TLR-dependent models of peripheral inflammation.<p></p> Results: Microarray analysis of whole brains collected 48 hr after LPS challenge revealed increased transcription of a range of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the brain. In addition to acute LPS challenge, ISGs were induced in the brain following both chronic LPS-induced systemic inflammation and Imiquimod-induced skin inflammation. Unique to the brain, this transcriptional response is indicative of peripherally triggered, interferon-mediated CNS inflammation. Similar models of sterile inflammation and lipoteichoic-acid-induced systemic inflammation did not share the capacity to trigger ISG induction in the brain.<p></p> Conclusions: These data highlight ISG induction in the brain as being a consequence of a TLR-induced type I interferon response. As considerable evidence links type I interferons to psychiatric disorders, we hypothesize that interferon production in the brain could represent an important mechanism, linking peripheral TLR-induced inflammation with behavioural changes.<p></p&gt