38 research outputs found

    Patient reported frequency of lupus flare: associations with foundation makeup and sunscreen use

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    Objective: To test the hypothesis that usage of foundation makeup (FM) and sunscreen lotion (SS), used individually or in combination, is associated with significant changes in the likelihood of lupus symptom exacerbation. Methods: Self-reported flare days (SRF) and use of FM and SS products, were retrospectively examined in 80 Caucasian Australian women with ACR classified SLE for a year. Negative binomial regression modelled SRF days (outcome) against independent FMSS variable and covariates: age; diagnosis years; outdoor hours; BMI; stress; immune therapy medication (ITM) use. Results: Statistically significant inverse associations between SRF days and FMSS use were found. Protective effects were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for combined FMSS exposure days (OR 0.998, CI 0.997 - 1.0) and FM alone (OR 0.603, CI 0.363 - 1.0). Significant associations consistent with increased SRF risk were seen in sub-analysis models for participants taking ITM: univariate model (OR 1.968, p = 0.03); multivariate model for FMSS (OR 2.11, CI 1.161 - 3.835); FM days (OR 1.855, CI 1.023 - 3.364). Results show SRF day reduction of 0.15% for each day of product exposure. Conclusion: Study results highlight protective effects of wearing FM with or without SS. This reduction in flare days ultimately has potential to improve quality of life in SLE patients

    Enhancing multiagency collaboration in animal welfare emergency management : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Emergency Management at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

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    Multiagency collaboration is fundamental to effective emergency management, yet little is known about what impacts collaboration between stakeholders in the human-animal interface in emergencies. This doctoral research sought to address this gap by investigating the issues impacting multiagency collaboration in animal welfare emergency management (AWEM) and by considering if New Zealandā€™s AWEM framework is fit-for-purpose. An action research and qualitative methods approach was used, incorporating focus groups, semi-structured interviews and document reviews related to three events (2017 Port Hills fire, 2017 Eastern Bay of Plenty floods and 2019 Pigeon Valley fire). Participants included 73 responders from 19 organisations. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The data analysis has led to identifying four interrelated themes describing key factors influencing interagency collaboration during emergency response: 1) emergency management context, 2) behaviour in emergencies, 3) the knowledge base of responders and 4) connection, the latter being critical to improving collaboration in AWEM. The findings highlight how professional silos and a failure to understand the importance of human-animal-environment (h-a-e) interdependencies has resulted in AWEM being largely disconnected from emergency management overall. This thesis proposes the adoption of a One Welfare (OW) framework to develop a transdisciplinary approach to emergency management in which all stakeholders acknowledge the importance of h-a-e interdependencies and work to implement a framework to support this. This thesis offers five strategies, tested and refined in the local context, to address One Welfare implementation challenges and to ensure that animals are truly integrated into emergency management: legislation and policy changes, including human-animal-environment interface interactions as business as usual, improving knowledge through interprofessional education and training, incorporating OW champions, and recognising the role of animals as vital conduits into communities. This is the first known examination of the effectiveness of multiagency collaboration within the New Zealand AWEM framework and the first proposal for OW as a mechanism to integrate animals in all components of the emergency management framework. An ā€˜Aotearoa One Welfareā€™ approach will support a shift from a focus on individual emergency management domains towards a transdisciplinary approach that acknowledges the interdependencies of the h-a-e interface, a range of knowledge systems (including indigenous knowledge) and, ultimately, optimises outcomes for AWEM in New Zealand

    Radiation capture and conversion efficiencies of Miscanthus sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and their naturally occurring hybrid M. Ɨ giganteus

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    Miscanthus is a rhizomatous C4 grass of great interest as a biofuel crop because it has the potential to produce high yields over a wide geographical area with low agricultural inputs on marginal land less suitable for food production. At the moment, a clonal interspecific hybrid Miscanthusxgiganteus is the most widely cultivated and studied in Europe and the United States, but breeding programmes are developing newer more productive varieties. Here, we quantified the physiological processes relating to whole season yield in a replicated plot trial in Wales, UK. Light capture and conversion efficiency were parameterized for four carefully selected genotypes (M.sinensis, M.sacchariflorus and Miscanthusxgiganteus). Differences in the canopy architecture in mature stands as measured by the extinction coefficient (k) were small (0.55-0.65). Sensitivity analysis on a mathematical model of Miscanthus was performed to quantify the accumulative intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (iPAR) in the growing season using (i) k, (ii) variation in the thermal responses of leaf expansion rate, (iii) base temperature for degree days and (iv) date start of canopy expansion. A 10% increase in k or leaf area per degree day both had a minimal effect on iPAR (3%). Decreasing base temperature from 10 to 9 degrees C gave an 8% increase in iPAR. If the starting date for canopy expansion was the same as shoot emergence date, then the iPAR increases by 12.5%. In M.xgiganteus, the whole season above ground and total (including below ground) radiation-use efficiency (RUE) ranged from 45% to 37% higher than the noninterspecific hybrid genotypes. The greater yields in the interspecific hybrid M.xgiganteus are explained by the higher RUE and not by differences in iPAR or partitioning effects. Studying the mechanisms underlying this complex trait could have wide benefits for both fuel and food production

    The anti-fecundity effect of 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) on Schistosoma mansoni is linked to dis-regulated transcription, translation and stem cell activities

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    Uncontrolled host immunological reactions directed against tissue-trapped eggs precipitate a potentially lethal, pathological cascade responsible for schistosomiasis. Blocking schistosome egg production, therefore, presents a strategy for simultaneously reducing immunopathology as well as limiting disease transmission in endemic or emerging areas. We recently demonstrated that the ribonucleoside analogue 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) inhibited Schistosoma mansoni oviposition, egg maturation and ovarian development. While these anti-fecundity effects were associated with a loss of DNA methylation, other molecular processes affected by 5-AzaC were not examined at the time. By comparing the transcriptomes of 5-AzaC-treated females to controls, we provide evidence that this ribonucleoside analogue also modulates other crucial aspects of schistosome egg-laying biology. For example, S. mansoni gene products associated with amino acid-, carbohydrate-, fatty acid-, nucleotide- and tricarboxylic acid (TCA)- homeostasis are all dysregulated in 5-AzaC treated females. To validate the metabolic pathway most significantly affected by 5-AzaC, amino acid metabolism, nascent protein synthesis was subsequently quantified in adult schistosomes. Here, 5-AzaC inhibited this process by 68% ?16.7% (SEM) in male- and 81% ?4.8% (SEM) in female-schistosomes. Furthermore, the transcriptome data indicated that adult female stem cells were also affected by 5-AzaC. For instance, 40% of transcripts associated with proliferating schistosome cells were significantly down-regulated by 5-AzaC. This finding correlated with a considerable reduction (95%) in the number of 5-ethynyl-2?-deoxyuridine (EdU) positive cells found in 5-AzaC-treated females. In addition to protein coding genes, the effect that 5-AzaC had on repetitive element expression was also assessed. Here, 46 repeats were found differentially transcribed between 5-AzaC-treated and control females with long terminal repeat (LTR) and DNA transposon classes being amongst the most significant. This study demonstrates that the anti-fecundity activity of 5-AzaC affects more than just DNA methylation in schistosome parasites. Further characterisation of these processes may reveal novel targets for schistosomiasis controlauthorsversionPeer reviewe

    Collecting wild Miscanthus germplasm in Asia for crop improvement and conservation in Europe whilst adhering to the guidelines of the United Nationsā€™ Convention on Biological Diversity

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    We would like to thank Dr Helen Ougham and Professor Howard Thomas for their valuable comments on this manuscript; Sarah Hawkins at IBERS for the leading of harvesting and phenotyping works; and Paul Barber at Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Wales & West Midlands, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for advice on germplasm collection practice and quarantine management. This research was supported by the UKā€™s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under a project entitled ā€˜Accession of CBD compliant Miscanthus and Triarrhena germplasm from China, Japan and Taiwan for incorporation in the UK Miscanthus breeding programmeā€™ [grant no. NF0436]. The breeding and evaluation were conducted under ā€˜Genetic improvement of Miscanthus as a sustainable feedstock for bioenergy in the UK (GIANT)ā€™ [supported by Defra and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000690, ā€˜Research Councils UKā€™), UK, grant no. LK0863]. LH, ID and JCB were supported by BBSRC grant nos BBS/E/G/00003134 and BBS/E/W/0012843A.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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