Investigating the role of the clathrin light chain in vivo

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is the process by which proteins are transported into cells from their surfaces. This process is fundamental for organism development and adult tissue homeostasis, and occurs via the invagination of the plasma membrane which pinches off to form cargo-containing vesicles. The clathrin light chain (CLC) is a component of the molecular lattice that facilitates membrane bending on the inner surface of the cell. Based on the evidence from in vitro and cellular work, we hypothesise that CLCs are required when membrane properties are refractory to bending i.e. high tension, and/or for the uptake of specific cargos such as large receptors. This project investigates the role of CLCs in the developing tissues of Drosophila melanogaster – in an environment containing native biomechanical cues. Together, the data from this project suggests that there is a differential requirement for CLC at the tissue, cellular and protein level in Drosophila melanogaster. Knockdown of CLC in the developing retina interfered with the morphogenesis of some tissues but not others, and perturbed the morphology of some cell types within the retina, while other cell types remained unaffected. Additionally, an enhancer suppressor screen has identified candidates that genetically interact with CLC and has potentially highlighted signalling pathways/proteins that are dependent on CLC during development. This context-dependent requirement for CLC aligns with the current literature and demonstrates that investigating endocytic dynamics in a living organism is key to building a holistic understanding of this process

Use of ‘Elf Bar’ among youth and young adults who currently vape in England:cross-sectional associations with demographics, dependence indicators and reasons for use

Background and aims: Elf Bar is currently the leading e-cigarette (vape) brand in Great Britain. This study examined youth and young adults’ use of Elf Bar, socio-demographic characteristics and dependence indicators and reasons for use over other brands. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting and participants: Online 2022 International Tobacco Control Project Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey (N = 1355 16-29-year-olds in England who had vaped in the past 30 days). Measurements: Currently using Elf Bar most often (versus other brands) and associations with: socio-demographics, owning a vaping device, dependence indicators and reasons for brand choice. Logistic regressions were used. Findings: Among 16–29-year-olds who vaped in the past 30 days, 48.4% (n = 732) reported Elf Bar as the brand they used most often. Among 16–17-year-olds, 40.7% used Elf Bar over other brands; this was lower than among 18–19-year-olds (60.1%) and 20–29-year-olds (47.4%) (P ≤ 0.002). Using Elf Bar over other brands was higher among those who were female (55.2 versus 41.5% male), identified as White (53.1 versus 30.9% other/mixed), a student (54.5 versus 44.3% not), did not own a vape (66.7 versus 44.4% who did) and typically vaped 5–8 hours after waking (62.7 versus 36.8% within 5 min) (P ≤ 0.044). Most who vaped but had never smoked used Elf Bar (64.3%), although use did not significantly differ from those who currently (45.4%), formerly (42.3%) or experimentally (48.7%) smoked (all P ≥ 0.060). Popular reasons for choosing Elf Bar over other brands were better flavour/taste (47.5%), less expensive (28.7%), easier to get (26.1%), smoother to inhale (24.0%) and popularity (23.1%). ‘Better for quitting smoking’ (10.1%) was least frequently selected reason for choosing Elf Bar over other brands. Conclusions: Elf Bar brand e-cigarettes were used by approximately half of 16–29-year-olds who vaped in England in 2022 and was mainly chosen over other brands for subjective responses (e.g. flavour/taste), rather than for quitting smoking.</p

Exploration of Latina/Hispanic Women\u27s Experiences Living With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: a Qualitative Study With Patients in Houston

OBJECTIVES: A deeper understanding of the lived experiences of Hispanic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can help guide the development of behavioral programs that facilitate NAFLD management. This paper explores Hispanic women\u27s experiences living with NAFLD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: We collected brief sociodemographic questionnaires and conducted in-depth interviews with 12 low-income (all had household income ≤USD$55 000 per year) Hispanic women with NAFLD from the Houston area. Transcripts were audio-recorded and transcribed. We developed a coding scheme and used thematic analysis to identify emergent themes, supported by Atlas.ti. RESULTS: Participants identified physicians as their main information source on NAFLD but also consulted the internet, family, friends and peers. Many were still left wanting more information. Participants identified family history, sedentary lifestyles, poor diet and comorbid conditions as causes for their NAFLD. Participants also reported emotional distress after diagnosis. Participants experienced both successes and challenges in making lifestyle changes in nutrition and physical activity. Some participants received desired social support in managing NAFLD, although there were conflicting feelings about spousal support. CONCLUSION: Multifaceted programming that improves patient-provider communication, conveys accurate information and enhances social support is needed to support Hispanic women in managing NAFLD

Understanding Primary Care Physician Perspectives On the Diagnosis and Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: a Qualitative Study

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are well suited to manage patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the limited, existing research suggests inadequate knowledge about the natural history, diagnostic methods, and management of NAFLD. The purpose of this qualitative study is to further understand the knowledge and practices for the diagnosis and management of NAFLD among PCPs. We conducted in-depth interviews with PCPs in the Greater Houston area, addressing current clinical practices used for diagnosing and managing NAFLD, as well as the perceptions of the PCPs regarding the burden of NAFLD on patients. We recorded interviews, transcribed them, coded transcripts, and identified patterns and themes. The interviewed PCPs (n = 16) were from internal or family medicine, with a range of experience (1.5-30 years). We found variations in NAFLD diagnosis and management across practices and by insurance status. Patients with abnormal liver imaging who had insurance or were within a safety-net healthcare system were referred by PCPs to specialists. Uninsured patients with persistently elevated liver enzymes received lifestyle recommendations from PCPs without confirmatory imaging or specialist referral. The role of PCPs in NAFLD management varied, with some helping patients set dietary and physical activity goals while others provided only general recommendations and/or referred patients to a dietitian. The diagnosis and management of NAFLD vary widely among PCPs and may be impacted by patients\u27 insurance status and clinic-specific practices. The increasing burden of NAFLD in the U.S. medical system highlights the need for more PCPs involvement in managing NAFLD

Effectiveness of Switching Smoking-Cessation Medications Following Relapse

Introduction—Nicotine dependence is a chronic disorder often characterized by multiple failed quit attempts (QAs). Yet, little is known about the sequence of methods used across multiple QAs or how this may impact future ability to abstain from smoking. This prospective cohort study examines the effectiveness of switching smoking-cessation medications (SCMs) across multiple QAs. Methods—Adult smokers (aged ≥ 18 years) participating in International Tobacco Control surveys in the United Kingdom, U.S., Canada, and Australia (N=795) who: (1) completed two consecutive surveys between 2006 and 2011; (2) initiated a QA at least 1 month before each survey; and (3) provided data for the primary predictor (SCM use during most recent QA), outcome (1-month point prevalence abstinence), and relevant covariates. Analyses were conducted in 2016. Results—Five SCM user classifications were identified: (1) non-users (43.5%); (2) early users (SCM used for initial, but not subsequent QA; 11.4%); (3) later users (SCM used for subsequent, but not initial QA; 18.4%); (4) repeaters (same SCM used for both QAs; 10.7%); and (5) switchers (different SCM used for each QA; 14.2%). Abstinence rates were lower for non-users (15.9%, OR=0.48, p=0.002), early users (16.6%, OR=0.27, p=0.03), and repeaters (12.4%, OR=0.36, p=0.004) relative to switchers (28.5%). Conclusions—Findings suggest smokers will be more successful if they use a SCM in QAs and vary the SCM they use across time. That smokers can increase their odds of quitting by switching SCMs is an important message that could be communicated to smokers

ENHANCING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN BURKE COUNTY

Substance abuse in Burke County, NC has been a significant concern with rising overdose death rates despite targeted efforts. The proposal addresses substance abuse in Burke County with an emphasis on social and peer support in fostering community resilience and positive health outcomes. Social networks will be leveraged to provide resilience, coping mechanisms, and access to treatment and prevention resources. An analysis of substance abuse trends, demographics, and current support services was completed leading to recommendations for enhanced social and peer support systems. The proposed initiative aims for equity, accessibility, and sustainability, while recognizing the challenges of substance abuse, geographics, and privacy concerns. Evidence-based strategies along with stakeholder collaboration aim to achieve the goal of reducing substance abuse rates and improving overall community well-being in Burke County.Master of Public Healt

ENHANCING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN BURKE COUNTY

Substance abuse in Burke County, NC has been a significant concern with rising overdose death rates despite targeted efforts. The proposal addresses substance abuse in Burke County with an emphasis on social and peer support in fostering community resilience and positive health outcomes. Social networks will be leveraged to provide resilience, coping mechanisms, and access to treatment and prevention resources. An analysis of substance abuse trends, demographics, and current support services was completed leading to recommendations for enhanced social and peer support systems. The proposed initiative aims for equity, accessibility, and sustainability, while recognizing the challenges of substance abuse, geographics, and privacy concerns. Evidence-based strategies along with stakeholder collaboration aim to achieve the goal of reducing substance abuse rates and improving overall community well-being in Burke County.Master of Public Healt

ENHANCING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN BURKE COUNTY

Substance abuse in Burke County, NC has been a significant concern with rising overdose death rates despite targeted efforts. The proposal addresses substance abuse in Burke County with an emphasis on social and peer support in fostering community resilience and positive health outcomes. Social networks will be leveraged to provide resilience, coping mechanisms, and access to treatment and prevention resources. An analysis of substance abuse trends, demographics, and current support services was completed leading to recommendations for enhanced social and peer support systems. The proposed initiative aims for equity, accessibility, and sustainability, while recognizing the challenges of substance abuse, geographics, and privacy concerns. Evidence-based strategies along with stakeholder collaboration aim to achieve the goal of reducing substance abuse rates and improving overall community well-being in Burke County.Master of Public Healt

Noticing education campaigns or public health messages about vaping among youth in the US, Canada, and England from 2018 to 2022

Purpose: Public health campaigns have the potential to correct vaping misperceptions. However, campaigns highlighting vaping harms to youth may increase misperceptions that vaping is equally/more harmful than smoking. Vaping campaigns have been implemented in the US and Canada since 2018, and in England since 2017, but with differing focus: youth vaping prevention (US/Canada) and smoking cessation (England). We therefore examined country differences and trends in noticing vaping campaigns among youth and, using 2022 data only, perceived valence of campaigns and associations with harm perceptions. Methods: Seven repeated cross-sectional surveys of 16–19-year-olds in US, Canada, England (2018-2022, N=92,339). Results: Over half of youth reported noticing vaping campaigns, and noticing increased from Aug’18-Feb’20 (US:55.2-74.6%,AOR=1.21,95%CI=1.18-1.24; Canada:52.6-64.5%,AOR=1.13,1.11-1.16; England:48.0-53.0%,AOR=1.05,1.02-1.08) before decreasing (Canada) or plateauing (England/US) to Aug’22. Increases were most pronounced in the US, then Canada. Noticing was most common on websites/social media, school, and television/radio. In 2022 only, most campaigns were perceived to negatively portray vaping and this was associated with accurately perceiving vaping as less harmful than smoking among youth who exclusively vaped (AOR=1.46,1.09-1.97). Conclusion: Consistent with implementation of youth vaping prevention campaigns in the US and Canada, most youth reported noticing vaping campaigns/messages, and most were perceived to negatively portray vaping