Studies relating to Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histoscytosis (LCH) is an uncommon disease of unknown aetiology, where characteristic histiocyte cells, designated LCH cells, accumulate in various tissues. This thesis examines the clinical, diagnostic and immunological features of LCH. In a clinical study of 60 children with LCH, a new disease scoring system was compared with the existing Lahey system and found to be better at predicting outcome. The efficacy of the current treatment protocol used in the UK was compared with that of other International Centres where more aggressive therapeutic approaches are used. Diagnostically, two markers for LCH cells were compared in paraffin-embedded tissue. Peanut agglutinin was found to be more specific and as easy to use as the S100 stain. Mouse monoclonal antibodies were produced against LCH cells but none proved specific. Immunological studies defined the functional characteristics of normal Langerhans cells and compared these with the functional characteristics of LCH cells. Epidermal cells containing 1% Langerhans cells were shown to be as potent as enriched blood dendritic cells at presenting recall antigen to autologous T-cells, and 16 times more potent than monocytes in this system. LCH cells, however, failed to act as accessory cells in mitogen driven T cell stimulation. In order to provide a source of cells to examine LCH function an attempt was made to produce an LCH cell line. Fresh LCH cell from 10 patients with LCH were cultured under different conditions and with a variety of growth factors. Only one cell line was generated, which was shown by enzyme histochemistry to be histiocytic, but this was immature and attempts to induce maturation failed. The nature of LCH (malignant or reactive) is controversial. Flow cytometry of fresh and paraffin-embedded LCH cells demonstrated that LCH cells are diploid supporting a reactive nature of this disease

The Planktonic Copepods of Coastal Saline Ponds of the Cayman Islands with Special Reference to the Occurrence of Mesocyclops ogunnus Onabamiro, an Apparently Introduced Afro-Asian Cyclopoid

Taxonomic analysis of the copepod specimens collected from 29 Cayman Island ponds revealed the presence of ten species including the nearly ubiquitous cyclopoid Apocyclops panamensis. This species was widespread throughout the islands, being collected at 27 of the sampling sites. Another common calanoid, Mastigodiaptomus nesus, occurred at nine sites on Grand Cayman and one on Cayman Brac. A cyclopoid of Afro-Asian origin, Mesocyclops ogunnus, was collected at two nearly fresh water sites on Grand Cayman and was considered to be a recent introduction. Because of its known adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions, it is likely that M. ogunnus will successfully compete with and probably displace some of the native species and may become a dominant zooplankter on Grand Cayman

The Planktonic Copepods of Coastal Saline Ponds of the Cayman Islands with Special Reference to the Occurrence of Mesocyclops ogunnus Onabamiro, an Apparently Introduced Afro-Asian Cyclopoid

Taxonomic analysis of the copepod specimens collected from 29 Cayman Island ponds revealed the presence of ten species including the nearly ubiquitous cyclopoid Apocyclops panamensis. This species was widespread throughout the islands, being collected at 27 of the sampling sites. Another common calanoid, Mastigodiaptomus nesus, occurred at nine sites on Grand Cayman and one on Cayman Brac. A cyclopoid of Afro-Asian origin, Mesocyclops ogunnus, was collected at two nearly fresh water sites on Grand Cayman and was considered to be a recent introduction. Because of its known adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions, it is likely that M. ogunnus will successfully compete with and probably displace some of the native species and may become a dominant zooplankter on Grand Cayman

Collaboration in electronic resource provision in university libraries: SHEDL, a Scottish case study

This case study examines the growth of collaboration among Scottish higher education institutions. Following a summary of the work of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), more detailed information is provided on collaboration in the fields of acquisition, licensing, selection, and purchasing. Some of the UK background is outlined, relating to NESLi2 in particular, in order to illuminate the options within Scotland. The origins of negotiations on electronic resource provision within Scotland are described, drawing on developments in other countries including Ireland and Scandinavia. After initial setbacks, the implementation of the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) from 2007 to 2009 is detailed. Current benefits arising from SHEDL are explained, and some possible future developments are discussed

Undergraduate midwifery students\u27 sense of belongingness in clinical practice

BACKGROUND: Clinical placements form a large and integral part of midwifery education. While much has been written about nursing students\u27 clinical placements, less is known about clinical experiences of undergraduate midwifery students. In nursing, belongingness has been demonstrated to be a key factor in clinical learning but little is known about this in midwifery education. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine undergraduate midwifery students\u27 sense of belongingness in their clinical practice. DESIGN: A quantitative design using an online questionnaire was employed. A tool adapted by Levett-Jones (2009a), and previously used with nursing students, was utilised to examine sense of belonging in undergraduate midwifery students. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty undergraduate midwifery students from two campuses at one Australian university participated in the study. Students were drawn from a single Bachelor of Midwifery degree and a double Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery degree. METHODS: On completion of a scheduled lecture, students were invited by one of the researchers to participate in the study by completing the online questionnaire and the link provided. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Midwifery students generally reported similar perceptions of belongingness with previous studies on nursing students. However, a few differences were noted that require further exploration to fully understand. CONCLUSIONS: Midwifery students experienced a sense of belonging in their clinical placements. The findings contribute to understandings of the experiences for midwifery students and provide a foundation on which to develop future clinical placement experiences