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Update from 2010 (standard operating procedure): protocol for the 2024 British Society of Gastroenterology Guidelines on colorectal surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease
Get PDFIntroduction The evolving landscape of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) necessitates refining colonoscopic surveillance guidelines. This study outlines methodology adopted by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Guideline Development Group (GDG) for updating IBD colorectal surveillance guidelines.
Methods and analysis The ‘Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation’ (GRADE) approach, as outlined in the GRADE handbook, was employed. Thematic questions were formulated using either the ‘patient, intervention, comparison and outcome’ format or the ‘current state of knowledge, area of interest, potential impact and suggestions from experts in the field’ format. The evidence review process included systematic reviews assessed using appropriate appraisal tools. An extensive list of potential outcomes was compiled from literature and expert consultations and then ranked by GDG members. The top outcomes were identified for evidence synthesis in three key areas: utility of surveillance in IBD, quality of bowel preparation and use of advanced imaging techniques in colonoscopy for IBD. Risk thresholding exercises determined specific risk levels for different surveillance strategies and intervals. This approach enabled the GDG to establish precise thresholds for interventions based on relative and absolute risk assessments, directly informing the stratification of surveillance recommendations. Significance of effect sizes (small, moderate, large) will guide the final GRADE assessment of the evidence.
Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not applicable. By integrating clinical expertise, patient experiences and innovative methodologies like risk thresholding, we aim to deliver actionable recommendations for IBD colorectal surveillance. This protocol, complementing the main guidelines, offers GDGs, clinical trialists and practitioners a framework to inform future research and enhance patient care and outcomes
Abstract A019: Identification and Genomic Analysis of miRNA-mRNA Binding Site SNPs in Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
No full textHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in gene regulation, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNA binding sites can disrupt this regulation, potentially influencing HCC pathogenesis. The present study aims to identify and characterize SNPs within miRNA binding sites of genes associated with HCV- induced HCC (HCV-HCC). A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis workflow was devised. HCV-specific differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and mRNAs were extracted from literature and databases. SNPs in the 3' UTRs of HCV-HCC genes were identified, and their impact on miRNA binding was predicted using PoymiRTS and TargetScan. RNAhybrid was used to estimate minimum folding energy (MFE) differences (ΔMFE) between mutant and wild types. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted to elucidate the biological processes affected by these SNPs. Our analysis revealed several significant alterations in miRNA-mRNA binding pairs due to SNPs within genes associated with HCV-HCC. For instance, among the downregulated genes in HCV-HCC, the SNP in CTSB (rs3088245; 193T>C) predicted to increase the stability of the miR-27b - CTSB duplex (ΔMFE: 1.4), suggesting enhanced binding and potentially improved repression of CTSB. Conversely, the SNP in EGR2 (rs61865883; 287 T>A) decreased the stability of the miR-140-5p - EGR2 mRNA interaction (ΔMFE: -1.9), suggesting a weaker binding affinity and potentially reduced repression of EGR2 expression. Considering the tumor suppressor role of EGR2, presence of this SNP is likely to reflect good prognosis. For the upregulated gene oncogene, XIAP, the SNP (rs6648556; 5892 T>C) is predicted to enhance the binding of miR- 200c (ΔMFE: 1.5), likely resulting in increased suppression of XIAP expression in patients carrying this SNP and improved prognosis. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering genetic variations in miRNA binding sites in the context of HCV-HCC. These SNPs may serve as genetic modifiers influencing disease susceptibility and progression. Further experimental studies are warranted to explore their potential as therapeutic agents and predictors of prognosis in HCV-HCC patients
Deepening collaborative research with children and young people: A co-edited and co-written special issue
Get PDFExploring sustainable development perceptions among higher education students: An empirical study on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours
Get PDFHigher education institutions have a role to play in developing sustainability skills and changing students' attitudes and behaviour towards sustainability issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of higher education students towards sustainability and understand how these vary in line with gender, age, level of education, the field of study and familiarity with the SDGs. A questionnaire survey was carried out among higher education students. A sample of 716 students from different European countries and Türkiye was obtained. The results show that the relationship between students' knowledge of sustainability and their behaviour towards sustainability issues is partly mediated by their attitudes towards sustainability. The practical implications of this study are that it highlights the need to strengthen education on sustainable development and the SDGs in all areas and at all levels of higher education and to provide sound training in this field from the moment students enter higher education. Although knowledge and attitudes towards sustainability are well developed, higher education institutions must train students to change their behaviour
The Effect of Eccentricity on the Accretion Rate onto Newly Formed Planets in Protoplanetary Discs
No full textWhen planets form and evolve in protoplanetary discs, they accrete material from the disc. This material first flows onto a circumplanetary disc, before falling onto the planet. We investigate the significance of the protoplanet’s orbital eccentricity on the variability of the accretion rates, and how this affects the planet’s evolution.
Using the SPH code Phantom (Price et al., 2018), we simulate the evolution of a young planet in a protoplanetary disc. We vary the initial eccentricity of the planet and the initial disc mass. We then measure the accretion rate onto the circumplanetary disc and the planet itself.
We find that these accretion rates can vary by an order of magnitude throughout a single orbit of the planet. The average accretion rate for different initial conditions also show an order of magnitude difference.
Accretion rates which vary to this extent could influence the formation of satellites around the planet
Environmental Management of Offshore Petroleum Activities in China: Developments and Prospects
No full textWith the rapid economic growth, China is eager to get sufficient energy supply including oil and gas to support its dynamic national development. However, offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation inevitably bring environmental risks and potential damages to the ocean. Even without any significant environmental impact during the whole process of petroleum operations, the restoration of the marine environment to the status quo ante after such activities poses a serious challenge to the Chinese government and oil companies operating in China seas. This chapter attempts to assess and analyze China’s relevant laws and regulations governing marine environmental protection against pollution from offshore petroleum activities and their actual effectiveness of implementation. In particular, the paper will deal with in detail how China adopts and implements the relevant regulations and measures on decommissioning of no longer used oil rigs, removal of abandoned offshore oil platforms, and post-abandonment surveys and monitoring to restore and maintain the surrounding marine environment at a healthy level. By examining these laws and regulations, it can be seen whether China’s offshore activities are in line with the requirement of sustainability as well as international standards and under the sound environmental management
FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY COMPETENCIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A MULTIMODAL APPROACH THROUGH TIME2ACT@SD MOOC
Get PDFContent:
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global plan for a sustainable future. It is important to give teachers and students in higher education the knowledge and skills they need to address these goals. This paper looks at the "Time2Act@SDG" Erasmus+ project, which is developing online courses to help people in higher education institutions (HEI) understand the SDGs.
Objectives:
The project addresses the need for a comprehensive approach to sustainability education, aligning with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) that covers cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioural aspects. Time2Act@SDG offers three MOOCs on key SDG areas: environment, economy, and social issues. This approach lets us look closely at specific sustainability problems.
Methodology:
The project also uses different pedagogical and innovative approaches. Interactive content, digital tools and new teaching methods help students achieving the 4Cs, by helping them think critically, solve problems, communicate and work together. Workshops and bootcamps help people learn by doing and change their behavior. This paper analyzes the MOOCs' design and pedagogy to understand how they contribute to essential SDG competencies among HEI.
Expected results:
The analysis will show how the MOOCs help teachers and students meet the SDG goals and develop their skills concerning the 4Cs (Critical Thinking; Creativity; Collaboration; Communication). This includes developing critical thinking, problem-solving and collaborative skills. Additionally, the project's open-access resources could have a big impact globally.
Limitations:
This paper looks at how MOOCs are designed and delivered. Further research could look at what participants learned and how it changed their behavior.
Originality: The Time2Act@SDG project uses MOOCs and a variety of learning methods to enhance HE students and teachers skills about the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper offers new insights into how this design can help HEI around the world learn about the SDGs
Antibacterial activity on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antioxidant properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum.) seeds
Get PDFSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention over the years due to their unique physicochemical properties and diverse applications in various areas including medicine, electronics, and so on. Hunteria umbellata (HU), is a glabrous tree native to West Africa that belongs to the Apocynaceae family with various medicinal properties. The medicinal applications; anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties of synthesized and characterized silver nanoparticles by using HU seeds, were studied. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of HU were obtained for the synthesis process. UV-Vis spectra analysis was used to reveal the distinct absorption patterns for AgNPs synthesized by ethanol and aqueous extracts. FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic transmittance peaks, indicating the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl groups. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of AgNPs with identifiable peaks at specific planes while SEM/EDX was used to provide insights into the size distribution and morphology of AgNPs, reinforcing the data from other characterization methods. Medicinal properties were assessed through antibacterial assays using Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and DPPH radical scavenging activity, showcasing the potential biomedical applications of AgNPs-HU complex. Comparative studies with standard compounds like ascorbic acid validated their efficacy as antioxidants. The findings of this study suggest promising antibacterial and antioxidant properties of AgNPs-HU complex synthesized by HU seeds extracts and also contribute to the understanding of nanomedicine and underscore the potential of green synthesis for biomedical applications