Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education: A mapping study of the prevalent models of delivery and their effectiveness

In October 2008, then Schools Minister Ji, Knight announced that Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education would become compulsory (for Key Stages 1-4). Following this, In November 2009, Sheffield Hallam University was contracted by DCSF (now DfE) to conduct a mapping exercise of PSHE education in primary and secondary schools in England. This resulted from a recommendation in the Macdonald Review, whcih identified the need for research to establish and report on the prevalent models of delivery for PSHE education and their effectiveness in improving outcomes for children and young people (Macdonald, 2009:8)

An investigation into the impact of nine catchment characteristics on the accuracy of two phosphorus load apportionment models

Funding: No funding was provided for this study aside from supervisory support through Harper Adams University.Peer reviewedPostprin

Hemangiomas - current therapeutic strategies

Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of the vasculature frequently encountered in children. Several studies have shown that these tumors are characterized by excessive angiogenesis. Although benign, the lesions can present with complications, and may thus require treatment. There are multiple therapeutic options available for patients with problematic or life threatening hemangiomas, some of which have serious side effects. Randomized clinical trials and evidence-based studies on the efficacy of these treatments is still lacking. The recognition that excessive angiogenesis underlies hemangiogenesis offers an opportunity for the development of safer therapeutic strategies that are based on the inhibition of angiogenesis. We review medical therapies currently employed in the management of hemangiomas and the role of angiogenesis inhibition in hemangioma therapy.http://www.intjdevbiol.co

Altered expression of platelet factor 4 and basic fibroblast growth factor correlates with the inhibition of tumor growth in mice

Herein, we describe the effects of Taxol on endothelioma cell growth and migration in vitro and on vascular tumor growth in vivo. The effects of Taxol on endothelioma cell growth were determined using the crystal violet assay, while cell migration was measured using the xCELLIgence Real-Time Cell Analysis system. To study the effects of Taxol on tumor growth, mice were inoculated with endothelioma cells to induce vascular tumor development and were treated with the drug. At termination, tissue samples from Taxol-treated and control mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination, while blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, as well as for the analysis of the expression of angiogenic markers. In vitro, Taxol inhibited cell growth and migration. The drug also inhibited vascular tumor growth in mice, and this correlated with a recovery of mice from thrombocytopenia. Array analysis of blood samples from mice revealed that there was an increase in the expression of platelet factor 4 and a suppression of the proangiogenic molecule basic fibroblast growth factor in Taxol-treated animals. Our findings suggest that Taxol may have potential in the treatment of vascular tumors.University of Pretoria and the National Research Foundation (NRF), grant 84430.http://www.journals.elsevier.com/biomedicine-and-pharmacotherapy/hb201

Inhibition of hemangioma development in a syngeneic mouse model correlates with bcl-2 suppression and the inhibition of Akt kinase activity

BACKGROUND: Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that are characterised by excessive angiogenesis. While there is no definitive treatment for these tumors, several angiogenesis inhibitors, including bleomycin, have been employed. To better understand the mechanism of bleomycin in accelerating haemangioma regression, we investigated the effects of the drug on hemangiomagenesis using a previously described mouse hemangioma model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of bleomycin were tested in mice injected with endothelioma cells to induce hemangioma development. At termination, tissue samples from bleomycin-treated and control mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. Bcl-2, flk-1 and vWF expression were studied by immunofluorescence microscopy. Hematological analysis was undertaken using a hemocounter. Akt activity was analyzed in tissue homogenates and endothelioma cells using ELISA. Also, caspase activity was analysed in endothelioma cells by ELISA. RESULTS: Bleomycin inhibited tumor growth in vivo in a dose-dependant manner. Our findings also revealed that bleomycin inhibited Akt activation and suppressed bcl-2. In vitro bleomycin increased caspase activation. CONCLUSION: Our observations reveal possible mechanisms for the inhibitory effects of bleomycin on hemangiomagenesis, and raise the possibility that bcl-2 might be an important therapeutic target in the treatment of hemangiomas.The National Research Foundation, the Medical Research Council and the University of Pretoria.http://www.springerlink.com/content/101769

Summer Active Reading Programme : evaluation report and executive summary

This reports an efficacy trial of a reading for pleasure book-gifting and summer events programme at the transition from primary to secondary school. The trial involved 205 pupils transitioning from 48 primary schools to 10 secondary schools. A process evaluation comprising observations, questionnaires and focus groups examined engagement, stakeholders perspectives and fidelity of implementation