34028 research outputs found
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Anti-doping measures in gyms and fitness centres: A mapping of practices in the state parties of the council of Europe’s anti-doping convention
No full text The use of image and performance enhancement drugs (doping) in recreational sport presents an emerging public health challenge, but there is scarce research on current preventive measures. The present research was concerned with mapping and analysing anti-doping measures in gyms and fitness centres in countries that are State Parties to the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe. Using the Anti-Doping Questionnaire of the Council of Europe, we found that only 17 (35 %) of the 49 countries that participated in the study implemented measures to tackle doping among gym and fitness centre customers and staff, and 19 countries (39 %) included measures addressing the health consequences of doping use. In the majority (83 %) of countries that took any preventive measures against doping in gyms and fitness centres, National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) were involved in their implementation. Further analysis indicated key areas where doping prevention measures have developed. The implications for policy and practice in doping prevention are discussed. </p
Co-Seg: Mutual Prompt-Guided Collaborative Learning for Tissue and Nuclei Segmentation
No full textHistopathology image analysis is critical yet challenged by the demand of segmenting tissue regions and nuclei instances for tumor microenvironment and cellular morphology analysis. Existing studies focused on tissue semantic segmentation or nuclei instance segmentation separately, but ignored the inherent relationship between these two tasks, resulting in insufficient histopathology understanding. To address this issue, we propose a Co-Seg framework for collaborative tissue and nuclei segmentation. Specifically, we introduce a novel co-segmentation paradigm, allowing tissue and nuclei segmentation tasks to mutually en- hance each other. To this end, we first devise a region-aware prompt encoder (RP-Encoder) to provide high-quality semantic and instance re- gion prompts as prior constraints. Moreover, we design a mutual prompt mask decoder (MP-Decoder) that leverages cross-guidance to strengthen the contextual consistency of both tasks, collaboratively computing se- mantic and instance segmentation masks. Extensive experiments on the PUMA dataset demonstrate that the proposed Co-Seg surpasses state- of-the-arts in the semantic, instance and panoptic segmentation of tu- mor tissues and nuclei instances. The source code is available at https://github.com/xq141839/Co-Seg.</p
Supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities in prison: Service evaluation and care pathway development
No full textHealth services play a vital role in supporting people in prison who may be autistic or have learning disabilities, and reviewing how these services have been delivered and received has been an area of focus for the National Health Service (NHS). The first part of this article summarises the findings from a service evaluation conducted by the University of Lincoln in prisons across the Midlands for NHS England. We provide an overview of the four main recommendations which came from this work, illustrated with quotes from some of the people we spoke to in this research. One of our recommendations was the development of a universal care pathway across the CJS which was commissioned by NHS England and conducted by REACH Out. The second part of this article explores the research undertaken to develop a set of universal pathways of care for autistic people and people with learning disabilities across the CJS. A summary of the findings is presented, and elements of the pathways are discussed. The article concludes with recommendations for practice and the implementation of the pathways in the future.</p
Disparities in uptake of Shingrix® vaccine in immunosuppressed individuals in England: a population-based cohort study
No full textBackground: Herpes zoster (shingles) impacts health and quality of life, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals. The UK Shingrix® zoster vaccination programme has been available for eligible immunosuppressed individuals since 2021. Understanding Shingrix® uptake in immunosuppressed adults is critical for equitable vaccine delivery.Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using primary care records from English practices contributing to Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum (1 September 2021-31 August 2023). We included immunosuppressed adults (70-79 years) with at least one year of prior registration. Our primary outcome was uptake of at least one dose of Shingrix®. Secondary outcomes were two-dose completion, inadvertent Zostavax® receipt (live attenuated vaccine contraindicated in immunosuppression), and co-administration of Shingrix® with seasonal influenza vaccine. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate associations between potential uptake-related factors and vaccine uptake.Results: We included 86,197 immunosuppressed adults, 17.3% received at least one Shingrix® dose. Of those, 41.5% received two doses. Uptake was lower in older individuals, people from minority ethnic groups (e.g. Black vs. White OR 0.53, 95%CI 0.43-0.66), and the most vs. least deprived quintile (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.56-0.67). While many factors showed strong relative differences, absolute differences were often modest. Absolute differences exceeded 5%, highlighting substantial disparity in vaccine coverage, for dementia (10.3% vs 17.5%), severe mental illness (10.8% vs 17.4%), Black ethnicity (10.0% vs 18.0%), care home residence (5.8% vs 17.5%), and deprivation (most 13.3% vs least 21.3%).Conclusions: Our study highlights suboptimal Shingrix® vaccine uptake during initial UK roll-out to immunosuppressed adults. Both relative and absolute differences reveal particularly low uptake among older people, those living with dementia or severe mental illness, and individuals from more deprived or minority ethnic backgrounds. Our results suggest a need for targeted strategies to improve access and reduce disparities in this vulnerable group.</p
Mithila arts education curriculum (Nepal)
No full textMithila art lesson plan, designed for Grades 1 to 5 as part of developing a local arts education curriculum in Nepal </p
Arsenic speciation and mobility in gold mining-impacted riverine sediments from the Loddon River catchment in Victoria, Australia
No full textThe Loddon River floodplains, Victoria, southeast Australia, is contaminated with high levels of As (up to 300 mg kg−1) due to re-deposited mine tailings from historical gold mining (1851–1914). Arsenic concentrations often significantly exceed Australia's sediment guidelines (ISQG-high value of 70 ppm). To determine the potential risk associated with As, this study examined the speciation of As and its mineral phase association in sediments along a 60 km stretch of the river, and investigated how As is released under redox cycling conditions. Sequential extraction procedures (SEP) revealed that As is primarily associated with crystalline Feˡˡˡoxyhydroxides (up to 40 %) and residual phases (up to 70 %). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analyses showed that As was predominantly in its pentavalent state, existing mainly as Feˡˡˡoxyhydroxides-sorbed arsenate (Fe–AsO4), with a small amount (up to 18 %) of reduced arsenopyrite (FeAsS) present upstream reaches of the Loddon River. A column experiment simulating flooding-drying cycles was used to assess As mobility. Under reducing conditions, in the presence of a carbon source, As concentrations in the water increased dramatically, reaching up to 1300 μg L−1, far exceeding the WHO drinking water guideline of 10 μg L−1. Microbially-mediated reductive dissolution of Feˡˡˡoxyhydroxides and reduction of As from As(V) to As(III), which has lower affinity for Feˡˡˡoxyhydroxides, was likely responsible for this As release. These findings highlight the enduring presence of As contamination in floodplains impacted by historical gold mining. Furthermore, this study underlines the potential environmental and health risks posed by As in floodplain sediments, particularly as wetting and drying cycles can increase its mobility. Greater efforts are needed to assess the spatial extent of historical pollution in impacted river catchments and develop comprehensive mitigation strategies to address the widespread contamination of floodplain sediments in affected river systems globally.</p
Research and Innovation in Lincolnshire: A Benchmarking Rapid Review of the Integrated Care System (ICS) Landscape
No full textThis report presents the findings of an evaluation conducted to assess the current Research and innovation (R&I) landscape across the Lincolnshire Integrated Care System (ICS). Commissioned by the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), the evaluation was designed to identify existing strengths, sector-specific challenges, and opportunities to build sustainable and inclusive research capacity and infrastructure. It offers evidence-based recommendations to support system-wide planning, alignment, and investment in research activities that address population health needs and service priorities across the region.</p
Effective Personal Tutoring and Academic Advising in Higher Education
No full textThis is a comprehensive guide for higher education professionals engaged in student support, advising or personal tutoring roles. It covers a range of key topics relating to tutoring in the HE landscape including definitions, pedagogy, coaching, core values and skills, boundaries, monitoring students, undertaking group and individual tutorials and the need to measure impact.A scholarly and practical text, it brings together relevant academic literature to inform personal tutoring practice and contextualise the role within HE policy. This second edition has been thoroughly updated, and explores topical and timely content with new chapters that examine the pedagogy of personal tutoring, key concepts surrounding effective student interactions, and inclusive personal tutoring. Further emphasis is placed on student engagement and motivation as well as how to effectively share responsibility and manage expectations. Reflective exercises are provided throughout the text to encourage critical thinking about this key role and support tutors’ own professional development.Packed with actionable steps, this is a vital toolkit for higher education professionals at any stage of their career, and offers a wealth of expert guidance, resources and checklists to help develop meaningful and impactful connections with students throughout their learning journey.</p
Wild UK deer as carriers of livestock lameness associated pathogens
No full textLameness is one of the major diseases on UK farms and worldwide and can be caused by environmental damage and/or infection. The pathogens associated with infectious lameness, namely Fusobacterium necrophorum, Dichelobacter nodosus and pathogenic Treponema species are responsible for substantial economic losses. The lack of knowledge on reservoirs of these pathogens is concerning and wild deer may pose a potential risk for livestock infection. This study investigated the prevalence of lameness associated bacteria on the feet of culled wild deer using molecular methods and subsequent isolation to characterise bacteria and allow comparison to livestock pathogens. With the exception of Treponema medium, all the other pathogens were detected on deer feet with sika deer carrying the fewest pathogens and muntjac and roe carrying the most. Muntjac deer were significantly more likely than other deer species to carry F. necrophorum. Body condition score was a significant factor associated with pathogen carriage, with a higher body condition score leading to lower pathogen carriage. Identical treponemes based on 16S rRNA genes were isolated to those found in cattle and sheep. The assessment of the antimicrobials which the Treponema isolates were susceptible to, showed a high similarity to those previously reported in livestock, thus further suggesting carriage of similar bacteria. This study shows that wild deer within the UK are carriers for lameness bacteria but are asymptomatic. The infection risk which these wild ruminant ungulates pose to livestock species requires further research. This study begins to suggest a potential wildlife reservoir for lameness associated bacteria.</p
The Political Determinants of Oral Health Inequalities: Lessons in Policy Development and Implementation From Six Case Studies
No full textObjectivesOral diseases are the most prevalent diseases globally, affecting almost half of the world's population with a disproportionate burden on the most vulnerable groups. Despite growing attention on the social and commercial determinants of health, there is still a largely unexplored area in understanding the political determinants of health and oral health. The aim of this paper is to describe national policy development processes for policies impacting population oral health.MethodsA multiple case study approach was used to analyse six case studies focused on national policy development processes targeting oral health. Kingdon's Multiple Streams Model was used to examine how problems, policy solutions, and political factors aligned to influence policymaking.ResultsSome of the most common barriers to policy adoption and implementation were misinformation strategies, legal challenges, industry lobbying, ideological opposition to state intervention, and lack of transparency regarding conflicts of interest. Important common facilitators included robust scientific evidence presented in an accessible manner to the appropriate audiences, identification of key decision-makers, support from parties from across the political spectrum, intersectoral collaboration, and ongoing policy monitoring and evaluation.ConclusionsThis study provides novel insights into how political determinants influence social and commercial determinants of health, demonstrating how political contexts and power dynamics shape national public health policy development processes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for ensuring that evidence-based public health interventions are politically feasible and resilient to opposition from certain private industry and ideological interests. In a time of growing inequalities, neutrality in the face of structural injustice risks entrenching a status quo that favours those with the greatest influence. To address these problems sustainably, public health practitioners must recognise and engage with the political nature of policymaking.</p