Helping more parents move into work: an evaluation of the extension of New Deal Plus for Lone Parents and In Work Credit: final report (Research Report No 732)

This report presents findings from the second and final phase of a two part qualitative evaluation of a series of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) policy measures targeted on lone and couple parents, which aimed to increase parental employment as well as reduce child poverty. Interim findings from the first phase of the research are presented in a separate summary and report. The aim of the evaluation overall was to explore whether the measures offered an adequate package of support to parents, in London and non-London New Deal Plus for Lone Parents (ND+fLP) pilot areas, and if the measures, either collectively or singly, encouraged them to enter and sustain work. This final phase of the research examined the effects of In Work Credit (IWC) and other policy measures on parents’ work-related decision making and behaviours, looking in particular at whether the measures encouraged and supported work entry, work retention and work progression. A related area of investigation explored how parents were able to balance work and childcare

Helping more parents move into work: an evaluation of the extension of New Deal Plus for Lone Parents and In Work Credit: phase 1 report

The aim of the evaluation was to explore whether the measures offered an adequate package of support to parents in London and non-London pilot areas, and if the measures, either collectively or singly, encouraged them to enter and sustain work. Couple parents, in a DWP context, include both the parent claiming benefits on behalf of the family (referred to as the ‘main claimant’), and the non-claiming parent (referred to as the ‘partner’). Because of the different conditions on benefit claimants and their partners, each parent in the couple is treated individually within Jobcentre Plus. Given the existing body of research and evidence on lone parents, this research focused on the measures which had been newly expanded to couple parents across all London districts and in ND+fLP pilot areas. IWC of £60, and the UFCC pilot affecting eligible parents in London are addressed in the final report of the research. This report covers early implementation, delivery and operational issues, together with awareness and use of ND+fLP and IWC by Jobcentre Plus staff, main claimant parents and partner parents

Uncharted Territory: Universal Credit, Couples and Money

This report presents findings from the first phase of the ESRC-funded project, ‘Couples balancing work, money and care: exploring the shifting landscape under Universal Credit’ – a three-year longitudinal, qualitative research study which examines the ways in which couples with and without children make decisions about work, care and household finances in relation to changes under Universal Credit

Does metabolic reprogramming underpin age-associated changes in T cell phenotype and function?

T cells are required for an effective adaptive immune response. The principal function of T cells is to promote efficient removal of foreign material by identifying and mounting a specific response to nonself. A decline in T cell function in aging is thought to contribute to reduced response to infection and vaccination and an increase in autoimmunity. This may in part be due to the age-related decrease in naïve CD4+ T cells and increase in antigen-experienced CD4+ T cells, loss of redox homeostasis, and impaired metabolic switching. Switching between subsets is triggered by the integration of extracellular signals sensed through surface receptors and the activation of discrete intracellular metabolic pathways. This article explores how metabolic programming and loss of redox homeostasis during aging may contribute to age-associated changes in T cell phenotype and function. © 2014 Elsevier Inc

OPA1 mutations cause cytochrome c oxidase deficiency due to loss of wild-type mtDNA molecules.

Pathogenic OPA1 mutations cause autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA), a condition characterized by the preferential loss of retinal ganglion cells and progressive optic nerve degeneration. Approximately 20% of affected patients will also develop more severe neuromuscular complications, an important disease subgroup known as DOA(+). Cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-negative fibres and multiple mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions have been identified in skeletal muscle biopsies from patients manifesting both the pure and syndromal variants, raising the possibility that the accumulation of somatic mtDNA defects contribute to the disease process. In this study, we investigated the mtDNA changes induced by OPA1 mutations in skeletal muscle biopsies from 15 patients with both pure DOA and DOA(+) phenotypes. We observed a 2- to 4-fold increase in mtDNA copy number at the single-fibre level, and patients with DOA(+) features had significantly greater mtDNA proliferation in their COX-negative skeletal muscle fibres compared with patients with isolated optic neuropathy. Low levels of wild-type mtDNA molecules were present in COX-deficient muscle fibres from both pure DOA and DOA(+) patients, implicating haplo-insufficiency as the mechanism responsible for the biochemical defect. Our findings are consistent with the 'maintenance of wild-type' hypothesis, the secondary mtDNA deletions induced by OPA1 mutations triggering a compensatory mitochondrial proliferative response in order to maintain an optimal level of wild-type mtDNA genomes. However, when deletion levels reach a critical level, further mitochondrial proliferation leads to replication of the mutant species at the expense of wild-type mtDNA, resulting in the loss of respiratory chain COX activity

Feasibility and acceptability of web-based enhanced relapse prevention for bipolar disorder (ERPonline):trial protocol

BACKGROUND: Relapse prevention interventions for Bipolar Disorder are effective but implementation in routine clinical services is poor. Web-based approaches offer a way to offer easily accessible access to evidence based interventions at low cost, and have been shown to be effective for other mood disorders. METHODS/DESIGN: This protocol describes the development and feasibility testing of the ERPonline web-based intervention using a single blind randomised controlled trial. Data will include the extent to which the site was used, detailed feedback from users about their experiences of the site, reported benefits and costs to mental health and wellbeing of users, and costs and savings to health services. We will gain an estimate of the likely effect size of ERPonline on a range of important outcomes including mood, functioning, quality of life and recovery. We will explore potential mechanisms of change, giving us a greater understanding of the underlying processes of change, and consequently how the site could be made more effective. We will be able to determine rates of recruitment and retention, and identify what factors could improve these rates. DISCUSSION: The findings will be used to improve the site in accordance with user needs, and inform the design of a large scale evaluation of the clinical and cost effectiveness of ERPonline. They will further contribute to the growing evidence base for web-based interventions designed to support people with mental health problems