Cats, comics and Knausgård : promoting student reading at a UK academic library with a leisure reading collection

This case study describes the creation of a leisure reading collection in the Clifford Whitworth library at the University of Salford. It briefly surveys existing literature on leisure reading collections and looks at the growing interest among UK academic libraries in recreational reading. It considers the reasons for promoting reading as a leisure activity to students and describes the processes of selecting, purchasing and marketing the collection at Salford. It also considers possible future developments for the collection and the evaluation of the library’s attempts to encourage a culture of reading amongst Salford students. The positive response to the collection suggests the development of leisure reading is a worthwhile activity for academic libraries to focus on and the study contains useful information for others who are interested in creating a similar collection

Intranasal insulin administration decreases cerebral blood flow in cortico‐limbic regions: A neuropharmacological imaging study in normal and overweight males

Aim: To assess and compare the effects of 160 IU intranasal insulin (IN‐INS) administration on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in healthy male individuals with normal weight and overweight phenotypes. / Methods: Thirty young male participants (mean age 25.9 years) were recruited and stratified into two cohorts based on body mass index: normal weight (18.5‐24.9 kg/m2) and overweight (25.0‐29.9 kg/m2). On separate mornings participants received 160 IU of IN‐INS using an intranasal protocol and intranasal placebo as part of a double‐blind crossover design. Thirty minutes following administration rCBF data were collected using a magnetic resonance imaging method called pseudocontinuous arterial spin labelling. Blood samples were collected to assess insulin sensitivity and changes over time in peripheral glucose, insulin and C‐peptide. / Results: Insulin sensitivity did not significantly differ between groups. Compared with placebo, IN‐INS administration reduced rCBF in parts of the hippocampus, insula, putamen, parahippocampal gyrus and fusiform gyrus in the overweight group. No effect was seen in the normal weight group. Insula rCBF was greater in the overweight group versus normal weight only under placebo conditions. Peripheral glucose and insulin levels were not affected by IN‐INS. C‐peptide levels in the normal weight group decreased significantly over time following IN‐INS administration but not placebo. / Conclusion: Insulin‐induced changes within key regions of the brain involved in gustation, memory and reward were observed in overweight healthy male individuals. Following placebo administration, differences in gustatory rCBF were observed between overweight and normal weight healthy individuals

Recognition of cancer warning signs and anticipated time to help-seeking in a population sample of adults in the UK

Background: Not recognising a symptom as suspicious is a common reason given by cancer patients for delayed help-seeking; but inevitably this is retrospective. We therefore investigated associations between recognition of warning signs for breast, colorectal and lung cancer and anticipated time to help-seeking for symptoms of each cancer. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted with a population-representative sample (N=6965) of UK adults age greater than or equal to50 years, using the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer scale. Anticipated time to help-seeking for persistent cough, rectal bleeding and breast changes was categorised as >2 vs less than or equal to2 weeks. Recognition of persistent cough, unexplained bleeding and unexplained lump as cancer warning signs was assessed (yes/no). Associations between recognition and help-seeking were examined for each symptom controlling for demographics and perceived ease of health-care access. Results: For each symptom, the odds of waiting for >2 weeks were significantly increased in those who did not recognise the related warning sign: breast changes: OR=2.45, 95% CI 1.47–4.08; rectal bleeding: OR=1.77, 1.36–2.30; persistent cough: OR=1.30, 1.17–1.46, independent of demographics and health-care access. Conclusion: Recognition of warning signs was associated with anticipating faster help-seeking for potential symptoms of cancer. Strategies to improve recognition are likely to facilitate earlier diagnosis

Tracking the genomic evolution of breast cancer metastasis

Therapeutic choices for metastatic tumors are, in most cases, based upon the histological and molecular analysis of the corresponding primary tumor. Understanding whether and to what extent the genomic landscape of metastasis differs from the tumors from which they originated is critical yet largely unknown. A recent report tackled this key issue by comparing the genomic and transcriptional profile of a metastatic lobular breast tumor with that of the primary tumor surgically removed 9 years earlier. The extent of the differences suggests a high degree of mutational heterogeneity between primary and metastatic lesions and indicates that significant evolution occurs during breast cancer progression

Reading behaviour project report 2016 : ‘Digital Magpies’ - the academic reading habits of undergraduate students

Engagement with the Library is essential in delivering a successful student experience. A previous Library Impact Project found that students who use the Library more tend to achieve better academic results. However, analytics from library systems indicate declining book borrowing and electronic resource usage. Are students really reading less? Student academic reading patterns have adapted to the increase in digital resources. As a result they may be “reading smarter’’. Feedback indicates they expect to find and use information quickly, synthesising information from a variety of sources. As part of a commitment to improve retention and completion figures, the Library has initiated a Reading Behaviours project at the University of Salford, focused on the reading habits of undergraduate students. It explores what motivates their academic reading; whether reading patterns vary according to purpose or source, academic discipline, status, or age and what this means for our role in helping students to find resources. In light of findings, how should we tailor classroom training, e-learning and collaboration with academics to support the student journey? Several key issues have emerged during this project:1. Synthesizing information for an academic purpose2. Embedding information literacy as a flexible learning habit3. Supporting students as they adapt to new learning context

Relationships between CYP2D6 phenotype, breast cancer and hot flushes in women at high risk of breast cancer receiving prophylactic tamoxifen: results from the IBIS-I trial

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Differences in genotype and virulence among four multidrug-resistant <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> isolates belonging to the PMEN1 clone

We report on the comparative genomics and characterization of the virulence phenotypes of four &lt;i&gt;S. pneumoniae&lt;/i&gt; strains that belong to the multidrug resistant clone PMEN1 (Spain&lt;sup&gt;23F&lt;/sup&gt; ST81). Strains SV35-T23 and SV36-T3 were recovered in 1996 from the nasopharynx of patients at an AIDS hospice in New York. Strain SV36-T3 expressed capsule type 3 which is unusual for this clone and represents the product of an in vivo capsular switch event. A third PMEN1 isolate - PN4595-T23 - was recovered in 1996 from the nasopharynx of a child attending day care in Portugal, and a fourth strain - ATCC700669 - was originally isolated from a patient with pneumococcal disease in Spain in 1984. We compared the genomes among four PMEN1 strains and 47 previously sequenced pneumococcal isolates for gene possession differences and allelic variations within core genes. In contrast to the 47 strains - representing a variety of clonal types - the four PMEN1 strains grouped closely together, demonstrating high genomic conservation within this lineage relative to the rest of the species. In the four PMEN1 strains allelic and gene possession differences were clustered into 18 genomic regions including the capsule, the blp bacteriocins, erythromycin resistance, the MM1-2008 prophage and multiple cell wall anchored proteins. In spite of their genomic similarity, the high resolution chinchilla model was able to detect variations in virulence properties of the PMEN1 strains highlighting how small genic or allelic variation can lead to significant changes in pathogenicity and making this set of strains ideal for the identification of novel virulence determinant

Idelalisib sensitivity and mechanisms of disease progression in relapsed TCF3-PBX1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Peer reviewe