Reduced quality of life in coeliac disease is more strongly associated with depression than gastrointestinal symptoms

Objective: Despite evidence indicating a heightened incidence of psychological symptoms in coeliac disease (CD), the direct link between psychological factors and quality of life (QOL) has received little attention. The purpose of this paper was to compare the relative impacts of psychological symptoms and coping to the known negative impacts of gastrointestinal symptoms and adherence to the gluten free diet (GFD) on QOL.Methods: In study 1 (N = 390), participants completed measures of QOL, psychological symptoms, coping, several indices of symptom severity, and adherence. Correlations and regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between QOL and the measured variables. Study 2 (N = 189) replicated the findings using a validated measure of current gastrointestinal symptom severity and a more comprehensive measure of coping.Results: Across both studies, poorer QOL was correlated with a higher incidence of psychological and gastrointestinal symptoms, greater reliance on maladaptive coping strategies, and poorer GFD adherence. The relationship between psychological symptoms (particularly depression) and QOL persisted when controlling for past (study 1) and current (study 2) gastrointestinal symptom severity. Psychological symptoms and GFD adherence were more strongly related to reduced QOL than gastrointestinal symptoms.Conclusion: The negative impact of psychological symptoms on QOL and adherence suggests that management in CD should include the provision of psychological coping skills, as well as purely dietetic-based strategies to minimise gastrointestinal symptoms

Sex Offences Perpetrated Against Older Adults: A Multivariate Analysis of Crime Scene Behaviors

The aim of this study was to thematically explore the relationship between crime scene behaviors and background characteristics of offenders who commit sexual offences against female victims aged 60 years or more. Research and understanding of offence behaviours in this area is extremely limited, therefore, the study sought to provide a preliminary understanding and multivariate model of offence behaviours in cases where older female adults were sexually abused. Twenty-seven crime scene behaviours from 143 rape or attempted rape cases of an older adult victim were analysed, frequency data was computed to provide base rate information and Smallest Space Analysis provided a visual representation of the co-occurrence of crime scene behaviors. Three distinct dominant themes were identified in that 56% of offences displayed themes of Involvement (22%), Control (17%) and Hostility (16%). The relationship between each dominant theme and selected background characteristics was then analysed. For example, offenders displaying an Involvement theme were found to be significantly less likely to have prior convictions. Significance was also found in the relationship between dominant themes and a ‘theft and kindred offence other’ pre-conviction background characteristic. The findings demonstrate offending behavior can be separated into three distinct themes, providing an explanation of offender subtypes and supporting previous models found in other types of sexual offending. Applications for law enforcement agencies regarding identified themes and links with likely offender background characteristics are highlighted. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed

Explaining the intention-behaviour gap in gluten free diet adherence: The moderating roles of habit and perceived behavioural control

Adherence to a strict gluten free diet (GFD) is the only treatment for coeliac disease. Nonetheless, many individuals with the disease struggle to achieve and maintain strict adherence. While the theory of planned behaviour is useful for predicting GFD adherence, an intention-behaviour gap remains. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of habit and perceived behavioural control in moderating the intention-behaviour relationship in GFD adherence. A significant three-way interaction was found such that the association between intention and adherence was dependent on both perceived behavioural control and habit. Implications for both theory and intervention design are discussed

Protecting Free-Living Dormice: Molecular Identification of Cestode Parasites in Captive Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) Destined for Reintroduction

The success of any population translocation programme relies heavily on the measures implemented to control and monitor the spread of disease. Without these measures, programmes run the risk of releasing immunologically naïve species or, more dangerously, introducing novel infectious agents to native populations. As a precaution, a reintroduction programme for the common or hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, in England screens dormice before release following captive breeding. Using PCR sequencing of a range of genes, we tested whether the same species of tapeworm(s) were present in captive and free-living dormice. Whilst only Rodentolepis straminea were identified in free-living dormice, cestode ova found in a captive individual produced a molecular match closely related to Hymenolepis microstoma and a previously unrecorded Rodentolepis species. To prevent putting at risk the free-living population, we recommended the continued treatment of dormice showing tapeworm infection before release. Our work demonstrates how molecular techniques can be used to inform reintroduction programmes, reduce risk from disease and increase chances of reintroduction success

Active behaviour change safety interventions in the construction industry: A systematic review

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. The aims of this paper were to systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness of active behaviour change safety interventions in the construction industry; and to determine the intervention characteristics most commonly associated with effectiveness in reducing injury rates and improving safety behaviour - intensity/frequency/duration, behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and theory-base. An electronic literature search (June 2014) was conducted to identify eligible interventions: those involving active involvement from workers/management in the construction industry; targeted one/both of the primary outcomes. All intervention designs involving construction workers aged >18 years, published in English and in a peer-reviewed journal were included. Fifteen studies were included, half of which successfully improved injury rates. Longer interventions and those that included active/volitional BCTs (feedback/monitoring rather than instruction/information) were more effective. The methodological quality of the interventions was poor and use of theory was inconsistent and infrequent. Despite some positive results, very few interventions achieved all their aims. More rigorous, theory-driven research is needed to structure intervention efforts and determine the mechanism of action of effective interventions

Combining high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and mutagenesis to develop cowpea mosaic virus for bionanotechnology

Particles of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) have enjoyed considerable success as nanoparticles. The development of a system for producing empty virus-like particles (eVLPs) of the virus, which are non-infectious and have the potential to be loaded with heterologous material, has increased the number of possible applications for CPMV-based particles. However, for this potential to be realised, it was essential to demonstrate that eVLPs were accurate surrogates for natural virus particles, and this information was provided by high-resolution cryo-EM studies of eVLPs. This demonstration has enabled the approaches developed for the production of modified particles developed with natural CPMV particles to be applied to eVLPs. Furthermore, a combination of cryo-EM and mutagenic studies allowed the development of particles which are permeable but which could still assemble efficiently. These particles were shown to be loadable with cobalt, indicating that they can, indeed, be used as nano-containers