12508 research outputs found
Sort by
Wasted Pumpkins: A Real Halloween Horror Story
No full textYesPurpose
This study aims to understand pumpkin waste awareness among people by converting unstructured quantitative data into insightful information to understand the public's awareness of pumpkin waste during Halloween.
Design/methodology/approach
To fulfil the study's purpose, we extracted Halloween-related tweets by employing #halloween and #pumpkin hashtags and then investigated Halloween-related tweets via a topic modelling approach, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation. The tweets were collected from the UK between October 25th and November 7th, 2020. The analysis was completed with 11,744 tweets.
Findings
The topic modelling results revealed that people are aware of the pumpkin waste during Halloween. Furthermore, people tweet to reduce pumpkin waste by sharing recipes for using leftover pumpkins.
Originality/value
The study offers a novel approach to convert social media data into meaningful knowledge about public perception of food waste. This paper contributes to food waste literature by revealing people's awareness of pumpkin waste during Halloween using social media analytics. Norm activation model and communicative ecology theory are used for the theoretical underpinning of topic modelling
The therapeutic/anti-carcinogenic effect of cord blood stem cells-derived exosomes in malignant melanoma
Get PDFMalignant melanoma is an invasive type of skin cancer with high mortality rates, if not detected promptly. The mortality trends are generally linked to multiple dysplastic nevi, positive family history, genetic susceptibility and phenotypic features including fair skin, freckles, numerous atypical nevi, light coloured hair and eyes, inability to tan and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation B (UVB). To date, the major anti-cancer therapeutics for melanoma include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Recently, extracellular vesicles, especially exosomes, have been highlighted for their therapeutic benefits in numerous chronic diseases such as cancer. Exosomes display multifunctional properties, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and initiation of apoptosis. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of cord blood stem cell-derived (CBSC) exosomes on 6 samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes taken from healthy individuals and melanoma patients and on 3 samples of melanoma (CHL-1) cells. The limited number of samples was due to the time limitations and restrictions that were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this in vitro study, the optimal concentration of CBSC-derived exosomes (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 μg/ml protein at 24, 48 and 72h treatments) was confirmed by the CCK-8 assay.
CBSC exosomes (300 μg/ml) were used to treat lymphocytes and CHL-1 cells in the Comet assay and evaluated using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB). The data of the CCK-8 and Comet assays illustrated that exosomes exerted genotoxic effects on CHL-1 cells (CCK-8 assay, ****p < 0.0001), (Comet assay, *p <0.05, **p < 0.01). However, the data portraying a reduction in the viability of lymphocytes needs further investigation as the number of samples was limited, therefore, further clarification is required. Importantly, no significant adverse effect was observed in healthy lymphocytes when treated with the same exosomes (p = ns). When further challenged with UVA+B radiation, the exosomes did not induce any genoprotective effect on ROS-induced CHL-1 cells, compared to the positive control (p = ns). Our data insinuates that the damage might be caused by inducing apoptosis. The anti-tumourigenic potential of exosomes was observed by activating the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway in CHL-1 cells, up-regulating p53, p21 and caspase 3 and down-regulating BCL-2 at mRNA (**p < 0.01, ***p <0.001, ****p <0.0001) and protein levels (*p < 0.05, **p <0.01). The potency of CBSC exosomes in inhibiting cancer progression in CHL-1 cells whilst causing no harm to the healthy lymphocytes makes it an ideal potential candidate for anti-cancer therapy. More samples are required to evaluate the therapeutic effect of exosomes on lymphocytes from cancer patients to fully understand their mechanism of action
3D simulation of the Hierarchical Multi-Mode Molecular Stress Function constitutive model in an abrupt contraction flow
Get PDFYesA recent development of the Molecular Stress Function constitutive model, the Hierarchical Multi-Mode Molecular Stress Function (HMMSF) model has been shown to fit a large range of rheometrical data with accuracy, for a large range of polymer melts. We develop a 3D simulation of the HMMSF model and compare it to experimental data for the flow of Lupolen 1840H LDPE through an abrupt 3D contraction flow. We believe this to be the first finite element implementation of the HMMSF model. It is shown that the model gives a striking agreement with experimental vortex opening angles, with very good agreement to full-field birefringence measurements, over a wide range of flow rates.
A method to give fully-developed inlet boundary conditions is implemented (in place of using parabolic inlet boundary conditions), which gives a significantly improved match to birefringence measurements in the inlet area, and in low stress areas downstream from the inlet.
Alternative constitutive model parameters are assessed following the principle that extensional rheometer data actually provides a ‘lower bound’ for peak extensional viscosity. It is shown that the model robustly maintains an accurate fit to vortex opening angle and full-field birefringence data, provided that both adjustable parameters are kept such that both shear and extensional data are well fitted
Synthesis of orthogonal push-pull chromophores via click reaction of arylynamines
Get PDFYesHerein, we report a catalyst-free ‘click’ reaction: metal-free [2 + 2]
cycloaddition–retro-electrocyclisation (CA–RE) of arylynamines
with the sluggish acceptor tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) to
provide orthogonal electron-push–pull light-harvesting small
molecules: N-heterocyclic dicyanoquinodimethane-substituted
methylene malononitriles. Ynamines are reactive alkynes and tend
to induce over-reactions with the CA–RE adducts. The reactivity of
arylynamines was balanced properly by ensuring the electrondensity of the nitrogen atom was delocalised more over the aromatic rings than the triple bond.This work was supported by Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2020JJA120032).Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, April 2022
Identifying and targeting the molecular signature of smooth muscle cells undergoing early vascular ageing
Get PDFYesEarly vascular ageing (EVA) is a pathological phenomenon whereby the vascular system ages more quickly than chronological age. This underpins many cardiovascular diseases including the complications of type 2 diabetes, aneurysm formation and hypertension. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are the principal cell type in the vascular wall and maintain vascular tone. EVA-related phenotypic switching of these cells contributes towards disease progression. EVA is distinct from chronological ageing, and research is ongoing to identify a definitive molecular signature of EVA. This will facilitate the discovery of new clinical tests for early detection of EVA and identify therapeutic targets to halt (or prevent) EVA in SMC, thus reducing macrovascular morbidity and mortality
Proteomic features of skeletal muscle adaptation to resistance exercise training as a function of age
Get PDFYesResistance exercise training (RET) can counteract negative features of muscle ageing but older age associates with reduced adaptive capacity to RET. Altered muscle protein networks likely contribute to ageing RET adaptation; therefore, associated proteome-wide responses warrant exploration. We employed quantitative sarcoplasmic proteomics to compare age-related proteome and phosphoproteome responses to RET. Thigh muscle biopsies were collected from eight young (25 ± 1.1 years) and eight older (67.5 ± 2.6 years) adults before and after 20 weeks supervised RET. Muscle sarcoplasmic fractions were pooled for each condition and analysed using Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantification (iTRAQ) labelling, tandem mass spectrometry and network-based hub protein identification. Older adults displayed impaired RET-induced adaptations in whole-body lean mass, body fat percentage and thigh lean mass (P > 0.05). iTRAQ identified 73 differentially expressed proteins with age and/or RET. Despite possible proteomic stochasticity, RET improved ageing profiles for mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism (top hub; PYK (pyruvate kinase)) but failed to correct altered ageing expression of cytoskeletal proteins (top hub; YWHAZ (14-3-3 protein zeta/delta)). These ageing RET proteomic profiles were generally unchanged or oppositely regulated post-RET in younger muscle. Similarly, RET corrected expression of 10 phosphoproteins altered in ageing, but these responses were again different vs. younger adults. Older muscle is characterised by RET-induced metabolic protein profiles that, whilst not present in younger muscle, improve untrained age-related proteomic deficits. Combined with impaired cytoskeletal adhesion responses, these results provide a proteomic framework for understanding and optimising ageing muscle RET adaptation.TE was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Royal Society (JSPS/FF1/435). This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council (MR/T026014/1 and G0801271) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/X510697/1 and BB/C516779/1)
Implementing subtype-specific pre-clinical models of breast cancer to study pre-treatment aspirin effects
Get PDFYesBackgorund
Prior data suggest pre-diagnostic aspirin use impacts breast tumour biology and patient outcome. Here, we employed faithful surgical resection models of HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), to study outcome and response mechanisms across breast cancer subtypes.
Method
NOD/SCID mice were implanted with HER2+ MDA-MB-231/LN/2-4/H2N, trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ HCC1954 or a TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX). A daily low-dose aspirin regimen commenced until primary tumours reached ~250 mm3 and subsequently resected. MDA-MB-231/LN/2-4/H2N mice were monitored for metastasis utilising imaging. To interrogate the survival benefit of pre-treatment aspirin, 3 weeks post-resection, HCC1954/TNBC animals received standard-of-care (SOC) chemotherapy for 6 weeks. Primary tumour response to aspirin was interrogated using immunohistochemistry.
Results
Aspirin delayed time to metastasis in MDA-MB-231/LN/2-4/H2N xenografts and decreased growth of HER2+/TNBC primary tumours. Lymphangiogenic factors and lymph vessels number were decreased in HER2+ tumours. However, no survival benefit was seen in aspirin pre-treated animals (HCC1954/TNBC) that further received adjuvant SOC, compared with animals treated with SOC alone. In an effort to study mechanisms responsible for the observed reduction in lymphangiogenesis in HER2+ BC we utilised an in vitro co-culture system of HCC1954 tumour cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Aspirin abrogated the secretion of VEGF-C in MSCs and also decreased the lymph/angiogenic potential of the MSCs and HCC1954 by tubule formation assay. Furthermore, aspirin decreased the secretion of uPA in HCC1954 cells potentially diminishing its metastatic capability.
Conclusion
Our data employing clinically relevant models demonstrate that aspirin alters breast tumour biology. However, aspirin may not represent a robust chemo-preventative agent in the HER2+ or TNBC setting.Funding is acknowledged from the Irish Cancer Society Collaborative Cancer Research Centre under BREAST- PREDICT grant CCRC13GAL (www.breas tpred ict.com). I.S.M, E.M and A.T.B, are members of the EurOPDX Consortium, and receive funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant agreement no. #731105 (EurOPDX Research Infrastructure, www.europ dx.eu)
Competence and Professional Advancement in Computed Tomography (ComPACT)
Get PDFBackground:
Evolving technology, practice boundaries, and models of service provision have changed what the diagnostic radiography workforce in Computed Tomography (CT) need to know and be able to do at different career stages. It is unknown whether existing UK educational and practice frameworks support CT roles, or how organisational role descriptors constitute CT competence.
Aims:
The study explores multiple stakeholder perspectives of competent practice in diagnostic radiography and CT using this information to generate and gain consensus on novel modality-specific skills for the four-tier radiography structure.
Methods:
Study 1: Document analysis of published UK educational and practice frameworks using content and framework analysis.
Study 2: Document analysis of UK CT role descriptors using a context analytical approach.
Study 3: Modified e-Delphi study to gain consensus on novel technical and clinical CT practice competencies.
Results:
Existing radiography competencies were classified into 3 themes: delivering person-centred care; applying technical principles, quality and efficiency; and ensuring best practice. Generic competencies endorsed by professional and regulatory bodies were not consistently replicated within organisational role descriptors. CT practice expectations are ambiguous and modified from radiographic competencies. Modified e-Delphi panellists provided judgement on 215 practice competencies and advanced capabilities which have been refined and organised into a coherent framework.
Conclusions:
The ComPACT framework formalises the tacit technical knowledge, clinical competencies and professional capabilities that specifically address the practice area of CT. Further work is required to validate the framework and define educational standards, but there is potential to influence future graduates, workforce development and national standards
Prescribing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) following a venous thromboembolism: a retrospective audit study
Get PDFYesHealth Services Research and Pharmacy Practice Conference Abstracts: Partnerships in Healthcare: Advancing Sustainable Medicines Optimisation 17–18 April 2023 University of Bradford
Implementing Total Quality Management Philosophy through Human Capital Development: An Exploratory Study of Selected Ready-Made Garment Establishments in Bangladesh
Get PDFThe significance of human capital development (HCD) from an organizational perspective is
adequately reflected in the extant literature; however, its inherent connection with total quality
management (TQM) philosophy is yet to be investigated. Hence, this study intends to explore
the role of HCD in implementing TQM philosophy and to develop a comprehensive HCD
framework in this respect. The labor-intensive Bangladesh ready-made garment sector is used
as the research site since the phenomenon under inquiry is not readily evident in the chosen
setting. The interpretivist worldview is espoused in this exploratory research to accomplish the
research aim. Correspondingly, an inductive approach followed by a qualitative multiple case
study methodology is adopted. Five (5) RMG establishments are purposively selected as case
organizations. Thirty (30) in-depth interviews (6 from each case organization) are conducted,
using the semi-structured interview technique to generate rich and thick primary data.
Reflexive thematic analysis is manually performed to analyze the interview transcripts.
Findings imply that HCD engenders three major effects: reduced costs of operations, improved
product quality, and on-time shipment. Thereby HCD ensures greater customer satisfaction and
loyalty, which is the essence of TQM philosophy. Empirical evidence specifically suggests that
HCD can contribute to TQM implementation by empowering employees to reliably participate in problem solving and decision-making, innovatively perform tasks, and effectively
accomplish appropriate changes in work processes and procedures. This study contributes to
the knowledge by evidencing the fact that an HCD framework integrating both learning and
healthcare interventions has an explicitly positive nexus with TQM philosophy.Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the U