Faces of the Teouma Lapita People: Art, Accuracy and Facial Approximation

In 2008 we completed facial approximations of four individuals from the early Lapita Culture, a seafaring people who were the first to settle the islands of the Western Pacific circa 3000 years ago. Typically an approximation is performed as a 3D sculpture or using computer graphics. We chose to sketch what we have been able to determine from the remains because the artistic conventions of drawing work with visual perception in ways that are more complementary to the knowledge, theories and methods that make up the facial approximation of human remains

The application of microwave heating methods in pharmaceutical formulations

This study investigated the potential application of formulating pharmaceutical products using microwave heating methods alongside associated analytical investigations. Firstly, the interaction between three functionally related drugs, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and flurbiprofen, with two distinct forms of cyclodextrin at three temperatures, 298, 303 and 310K was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). In all cases, the associated changes in Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy are presented along with the stoichiometry and binding constant. It was found that binding always occurred at a 1:1 ratio with an associated negative enthalpy and Gibbs free energy with the formation of the complex enthalpically, rather than entropically driven. The data further demonstrated a clear relationship between the thermodynamic behaviour and logP of the drug molecules and provides an insight into the chemistry of drug-excipient binding for the compounds under investigation in this work. Secondly, four drugs, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen and paracetamol were formulated using microwave and conventional heating, with and without the presence of water, with four excipients, namely, stearic acid (SA), β-cyclodextrin (BCD), 2-(hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2HPBCD) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Three different analytical techniques were employed to determine whether the formulation method made a significant difference to the appearance and behaviour of the product. For example, the thermal behaviour of the drug and excipient, was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Scanning electron microscopy was utilised to determine if the formulation method illustrated any physical differences between the formulations and lastly, a thermal activity monitor was used to investigate the stability of the different formulations. Overall, it was found that the formulation method can make a significant difference to the character of the resultant formulations with a change in thermal behaviour or physical appearance observed in certain formulations but with a consistent stability seen across all products. Lastly, each of the resultant formulations were subjected to dissolution analysis to determine if the presence of water or choice of heating method, i.e. conventional heating vs. microwave heating affected the dissolution profile obtained. It was found that in the majority of cases water increased drug dissolution, which may have occurred because of a reduction in particle size. In summary, the application of microwave heating for pharmaceutical formulations has been thoroughly investigated and found to be a potential alternative to conventional heating with several distinct benefits for industry and the patient.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Detection of chromosomal inversions using non-repetitive nucleic acid probes

A method for the identification of chromosomal inversions is described. Single-stranded sister chromatids are generated, for example by CO-FISH. A plurality of non-repetitive, labeled probes of relatively small size are hybridized to portions of only one of a pair of single-stranded sister chromatids. If no inversion exists, all of the probes will hybridize to a first chromatid. If an inversion has occurred, these marker probes will be detected on the sister chromatid at the same location as the inversion on the first chromatid

Detection of Chromosomal Inversions Using Non-Repetitive Nucleic Acid Probes

A method and a kit for the identification of chromosomal inversions are described. Single-stranded sister chromatids are generated, for example by CO-FISH. A plurality of non-repetitive, labeled probes of relatively small size are hybridized to portions of only one of a pair of single-stranded sister chromatids. If no inversion exists, all of the probes will hybridize to a first chromatid. If an inversion has occurred, these marker probes will be detected on the sister chromatid at the same location as the inversion on the first chromatid

Engaging Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities in research: Maximizing opportunities and overcoming challenges

Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people are marginalized worldwide and experience severe health inequalities, even in comparison to other ethnic minority groups. While diverse and hard to categorize, these communities are highly cohesive and members have a strong sense of identity as a group apart from the majority population. Researchers commonly experience challenges in accessing, recruiting, and retaining research participants from these communities, linked to their outsider status, insular nature, and history of discrimination. In this article, the challenges and the opportunities of engaging Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers in a multicenter qualitative research project are discussed. The management of public involvement and community engagement in this U.K.-based project provides insights into conducting research effectively with ethnically and linguistically diverse communities, often considered to be “hard to reach.”

UK healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards the introduction of varicella vaccine into the routine childhood vaccination schedule and their preferences for delivery

Background Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Although typically a mild disease, varicella can cause complications leading to severe illness and even death. Safe and effective varicella vaccines are available. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is planning to review the evidence regarding the introduction of varicella vaccine into the UK’s routine childhood immunisation schedule.Objectives To explore UK healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge and attitudes towards varicella vaccination, its introduction to the UK routine childhood immunisation schedule, and their preferences for how it should be delivered.Design We conducted an online cross-sectional survey exploring HCPs’ attitudes towards varicella, varicella vaccine, and their preferences for delivery of the vaccine between August and September 2022.Participants 91 HCPs working in the UK (96.7% female, 3.3% male, mean age 48.7 years).Results General vaccine attitudes in this group were very positive. Gaps in knowledge about varicella were revealed: 21.0% of respondents disagreed or were unsure that chickenpox can cause serious complications, while 41.8% were unsure or did not believe chickenpox was serious enough to vaccinate against. After receiving some basic information about chickenpox and the vaccine, almost half of the HCPs (47.3%) in our survey would prefer to administer the varicella vaccine combined with MMR.Conclusions Given the positive influence of HCPs on parents’ decisions to vaccinate their children, it is important to understand HCPs’ views regarding the introduction of varicella vaccine into the routine schedule. Our findings highlighted areas for training and HCPs’ preferences which will have implications for policy and practice should the vaccine be introduced

Linking consented cohort and routinely collected health data to enhance investigations into childhood obesity, asthma, infections, immunisations, and injuries

Background In longitudinal health research, combining the richness of cohort data to the extensiveness of routine data opens up new possibilities, providing information not available from one data source alone. In this study, we set out to extend information from a longitudinal birth cohort study by linking to the cohort child’s routine primary and secondary health care data. The resulting linked datasets will be used to examine health outcomes and patterns of health service utilisation for a set of common childhood health problems. We describe the experiences and challenges of acquiring and linking electronic health records for participants in a national longitudinal study, the UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). Method Written parental consent to link routine health data to survey responses of the MCS cohort member, mother and her partner was obtained for 90.7% of respondents when interviews took place at age seven years in the MCS. Probabilistic and deterministic linkage was used to link MCS cohort members to multiple routinely-collected health data sources in Wales and Scotland. Results Overall linkage rates for the consented population using country-specific health service data sources were 97.6% for Scotland and 99.9% for Wales. Linkage rates between different health data sources ranged from 65.3% to 99.6%. Issues relating to acquisition and linkage of data sources are discussed. Conclusions Linking longitudinal cohort participants with routine data sources is becoming increasingly popular in population data research. Our results suggest that this is a valid method to enhance information held in both sources of data

The Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire:Mokken Scaling Analysis

BACKGROUND:Hierarchical scales are useful in understanding the structure of underlying latent traits in many questionnaires. The Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) explored the attitudes to ageing of older people themselves, and originally described three distinct subscales: (1) Psychosocial Loss (2) Physical Change and (3) Psychological Growth. This study aimed to use Mokken analysis, a method of Item Response Theory, to test for hierarchies within the AAQ and to explore how these relate to underlying latent traits. METHODS:Participants in a longitudinal cohort study, the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, completed a cross-sectional postal survey. Data from 802 participants were analysed using Mokken Scaling analysis. These results were compared with factor analysis using exploratory structural equation modelling. RESULTS:Participants were 51.6% male, mean age 74.0 years (SD 0.28). Three scales were identified from 18 of the 24 items: two weak Mokken scales and one moderate Mokken scale. (1) 'Vitality' contained a combination of items from all three previously determined factors of the AAQ, with a hierarchy from physical to psychosocial; (2) 'Legacy' contained items exclusively from the Psychological Growth scale, with a hierarchy from individual contributions to passing things on; (3) 'Exclusion' contained items from the Psychosocial Loss scale, with a hierarchy from general to specific instances. All of the scales were reliable and statistically significant with 'Legacy' showing invariant item ordering. The scales correlate as expected with personality, anxiety and depression. Exploratory SEM mostly confirmed the original factor structure. CONCLUSIONS:The concurrent use of factor analysis and Mokken scaling provides additional information about the AAQ. The previously-described factor structure is mostly confirmed. Mokken scaling identifies a new factor relating to vitality, and a hierarchy of responses within three separate scales, referring to vitality, legacy and exclusion. This shows what older people themselves consider important regarding their own ageing

Cooperation of p300 and PCAF in the Control of MicroRNA 200c/141 Transcription and Epithelial Characteristics

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) not only occurs during embryonic development and in response to injury, but is an important element in cancer progression. EMT and its reverse process, mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) is controlled by a network of transcriptional regulators and can be influenced by posttranscriptional and posttranslational modifications. EMT/MET involves many effectors that can activate and repress these transitions, often yielding a spectrum of cell phenotypes. Recent studies have shown that the miR-200 family and the transcriptional suppressor ZEB1 are important contributors to EMT. Our previous data showed that forced expression of SPRR2a was a powerful inducer of EMT and supports the findings by others that SPRR gene members are highly upregulated during epithelial remodeling in a variety of organs. Here, using SPRR2a cells, we characterize the role of acetyltransferases on the microRNA-200c/141 promoter and their effect on the epithelial/mesenchymal status of the cells. We show that the deacetylase inhibitor TSA as well as P300 and PCAF can cause a shift towards epithelial characteristics in HUCCT-1-SPRR2a cells. We demonstrate that both P300 and PCAF act as cofactors for ZEB1, forming a P300/PCAF/ZEB1 complex on the miR200c/141 promoter. This binding results in lysine acetylation of ZEB1 and a release of ZEB1 suppression on miR-200c/141 transcription. Furthermore, disruption of P300 and PCAF interactions dramatically down regulates miR-200c/141 promoter activity, indicating a PCAF/P300 cooperative function in regulating the transcriptional suppressor/activator role of ZEB1. These data demonstrate a novel mechanism of miRNA regulation in mediating cell phenotype