The Relationship between Exposure to Risk-Related Content on Social Media and Adult Online and Offline Risk-Taking

Background: There have been recent governmental efforts to introduce regulation to ameliorate the harm caused by the influence of social media on risky behaviour. However, little empirical research exists supporting this association. Aims: This study first aimed to investigate if there was a relationship between exposure to social media content encouraging risk behaviours and participants’ own engagement in these behaviours in a sample of 18-24-year olds. Four offline and two online behaviours were investigated in a replication and extension of a previous study (Branley & Covey, 2017). The second aim was to investigate the relationship between exposure to risk-related social media content and participants’ behaviour in a sample of adults aged 18-84. Method: This study employed a cross-sectional quantitative design, with data collected at a single time point through an online questionnaire. A sample of 684 participants completed the measures on own risk behaviour, perceptions of the risk behaviour of peers, exposure to risk-promoting social media content, risk propensity, age and gender. A two-step binary logistic regression was conducted for each of the six behaviours across three research questions to test the associations between the variables of interest, and to examine the contributions of individual variables to each model. Results: A strong positive relationship was found between exposure to risk-related social media content and risk-taking behaviour across a diverse range of offline and online behaviours and for all age groups. The strength of the relationship varied across individual behaviours and according to gender and age groups. Conclusion: The relationship between risk-related social media content and risk-taking behaviour is complex, behaviour-specific, and dependent on a number of demographic factors. In order to be effective, policy and mental health interventions to reduce risk of harm will need to consider the many factors that influence the relationship between risk-promoting social media content and risk behaviour

Is fibromyalgia associated with a unique cytokine profile?

Objectives: The aetiology of primary chronic pain syndromes (CPS) is highly disputed. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to assess differences in circulating cytokines levels in patients with diffuse CPS (fibromyalgia) versus healthy controls (HC). Methods: Human studies published in English from the PubMed and MEDLINE/Scopus and Cochrane databases were systematically searched from inception up to January 2020. We included full text cross-sectional or longitudinal studies with baseline cytokine measurements, reporting differences in circulating cytokine levels between fibromyalgia patients and HC. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to report pooled effects and 95% CIs. This study is registered with PROSPERO(CRD42020193774). Results: Our initial search yielded 324 papers and identified 29 studies (2458 participants) eligible for systematic review and 22 studies (1772 participants) suitable for meta-analysis. The systematic analysis revealed reproducible findings supporting different trends of cytokine levels when fibromyalgia patients were compared to HC, while the chemokine eotaxin, was consistently raised in fibromyalgia . Meta-analysis showed significantly increased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (SMD=0.36, p = 0.0034, 95%CI=0.12-0.60; I2=71%, Q2 p = 0.0002), interleukin (IL)-6 (SMD=0.15, p = 0.045, %95CI=0.003-0.29; I2=39%, Q2 p = 0.059), IL- 8 (SMD=0.26, p = 0.01, 95%CI =0.05-0.47; I2=61%, Q2 p = 0.005) and IL-10 (SMD=0.61; %95 = 0.34-0.89, p < 0.001; I2 = 10%, Q2 p = 0.34) in fibromyalgia patients compared to HC. Conclusion: We found evidence of significant differences in the peripheral blood cytokine profiles of fibromyalgia patients compared to HC. However, the distinctive profile associated with fibromyalgia includes both pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in pooled analysis, as well as chemokine (eotaxin) signatures. Further research is required to elucidate the role of cytokines in fibromyalgia

Understanding how institutions may support the development of transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability research

This article analyses the approaches of academics seeking to engage with private, public and community-based stakeholders through transdisciplinary research about pressing sustainability challenges and, in particular, climate change; it outlines aspects of the institutional factors which influence transdisciplinary research. A qualitative approach was employed in conducting 10 semi-structured interviews to analyse the challenges and motivations of academic researchers when working with a range of other stakeholders through transdisciplinary practice. Two key contributions are made through this work. First, this article adds to the existing literature on motivations and challenges for undertaking research with private, public and community stakeholders in a cross-disciplinary manner. Second, the current institutional circumstances influencing such research practices are outlined, alongside potential ways forward. The research presented here has been undertaken in light of the experiences of the two lead co-authors as early career researchers coming from the disciplines of sociology and energy engineering, engaging in transdisciplinary research within a local community context in relation to a regional energy transition project

Outcomes following the surgical management of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction; A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) causes exertional symptoms in two thirds of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Consensus guidelines recommend surgical intervention in patients with drug refractory symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine morbidity and mortality after surgery. METHODS: Study Selection: Studies reporting outcomes following surgical intervention for symptomatic LVOTO in HCM. RESULTS: 85 studies were included in the systematic review and 35 studies in the meta-analysis. Contemporary early (30 days) mortality following septal myectomy were 1.4% (CI 0.8, 2.4) I^{2} 9.0%, p = 0.36 and 0.7% (CI 0.3, 1.2) I^{2} 70.7%, p < 0.05 respectively. Sixty-eight studies (80%) reported perioperative complications. The contemporary rate of a perioperative ventricular septal defect was 1.4% (0.8, 2.3) I^{2} 0%, p < 0.05. Late morbidities including atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure and transplant were reported in fewer than 22% of studies and few studies compared mortality and clinical outcomes using different surgical approaches to LVOTO. The incidence rate (IR) of reintervention with a further surgical procedure was 0.3% (CI 0.2, 0.4) I^{2} 52.5%, p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary surgical management of LVOTO is associated with low operative mortality rates but further studies are needed to investigate the impact of surgical therapy on non-fatal early and late complications

Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 protects against pathogen-induced NF-κB activation in vivo

BACKGROUND: Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are among the early and important colonizers of the gastrointestinal tract and are generally considered to be part of a normal, healthy microbiota. It is believed that specific strains within the microbiota can influence host immune-reactivity and may play a role in protection from infection and aberrant inflammatory activity. One such strain, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7, has been previously shown to protect against Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice and helps resolve acute idiopathic diarrhea in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning the Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 protective effect. RESULTS: Following 4 hours of infection with Salmonella typhimurium, NF-κB activation was significantly elevated in vivo in placebo and Enterococcus faecium-fed animals while Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 consumption significantly attenuated the NF-κB response. In vitro anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated Peyer's patch cells secreted significantly less TNF-α and IFN-γ following Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 consumption. Stimulated cells released more IL-12p70 but this difference did not reach statistical significance. No alteration in mucosal IL-6, IL-10 or MCP-1 levels were observed. No statistically significant change in the cytokine profile of mesenteric lymph node cells was noted. In vitro, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 was bound by dendritic cells and induced secretion of both IL-10 and IL-12p70. In addition, co-culture of CD4+ T cells with Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7-stimulated dendritic cells resulted in a significant increase in CD25+Foxp3+ T cell numbers. CONCLUSION: Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via the attenuation of pro-inflammatory transcription factor activation in response to an infectious insult associated with modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production within the mucosa. The cellular mechanism underpinning Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 mediated attenuation of NF-κB activation may include recognition of the bacterium by dendritic cells and induction of CD25+Foxp3+ T cells

Determination of parameters for successful spray coating of silicon microneedle arrays

Coated microneedle patches have demonstrated potential for effective, minimally invasive, drug and vaccine delivery. To facilitate cost-effective, industrial-scale production of coated microneedle patches, a continuous coating method which utilises conventional pharmaceutical processes is an attractive prospect. Here, the potential of spray-coating silicon microneedle patches using a conventional film-coating process was evaluated and the key process parameters which impact on coating coalescence and weight were identified by employing a fractional factorial design to coat flat silicon patches. Processing parameters analysed included concentration of coating material, liquid input rate, duration of spraying, atomisation air pressure, gun-to-surface distance and air cap setting. Two film-coating materials were investigated; hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). HPMC readily formed a film-coat on silicon when suitable spray coating parameter settings were determined. CMC films required the inclusion of a surfactant (1%, w/w Tween 80) to facilitate coalescence of the sprayed droplets on the silicon surface. Spray coating parameters identified by experimental design, successfully coated 280 μm silicon microneedle arrays, producing an intact film-coat, which follows the contours of the microneedle array without occlusion of the microneedle shape. This study demonstrates a novel method of coating microneedle arrays with biocompatible polymers using a conventional film-coating process. It is the first study to indicate the thickness and roughness of coatings applied to microneedle arrays. The study also highlights the importance of identifying suitable processing parameters when film coating substrates of micron dimensions. The ability of a fractional factorial design to identify these critical parameters is also demonstrated. The polymer coatings applied in this study can potentially be drug loaded for intradermal drug and vaccine delivery

Silver nanoparticles and their orthopaedic applications

Implant-associated infection is a major source of morbidity in orthopaedic surgery. There has been extensive research into the development of materials that prevent biofilm formation, and hence, reduce the risk of infection. Silver nanoparticle technology is receiving much interest in the field of orthopaedics for its antimicrobial properties, and the results of studies to date are encouraging. Antimicrobial effects have been seen when silver nanoparticles are used in trauma implants, tumour prostheses, bone cement, and also when combined with hydroxyapatite coatings. Although there are promising results with in vitro and in vivo studies, the number of clinical studies remains small. Future studies will be required to explore further the possible side effects associated with silver nanoparticles, to ensure their use in an effective and biocompatible manner. Here we present a review of the current literature relating to the production of nanosilver for medical use, and its orthopaedic applications

Examining solution and solid state composition for the solution mediated polymorphic transformation of carbamazepine and piracetam

peer-reviewedSolution mediated polymorphic transformations (SMPT) of the pharmaceutical compounds carbamazepine and piracetam have been investigated. Seeded transformation experiments were performed, and the solution concentration was monitored by in situ infra-red spectroscopy using a calibration free method. Solid samples were also taken over time, and the percentage of metastable and stable polymorphic phases were determined using off line quantitative powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Solution and solid state data were compared for each compound. In the case of carbamazepine, the SMPT from FI to FIII was identified as being controlled by the growth of the stable FIII polymorph. For piracetam, the SMPT was also identified as being controlled by growth of the stable polymorph, but with a more considerable induction time for nucleation of the stable phase. This paper demonstrates how the rate determining steps of the SMPT can be identified if both solution and solid phase data are recorded. The results are compared with other studies reported in the literature and rationalized into four principal scenarios