8383 research outputs found
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Three and twelve month body mass outcomes after attendance at a community-based weight management intervention in the North West of England
Get PDF© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Research suggests that commercial weight management services are efficacious in helping people manage their body mass, but they typically only include education and advice on physical activity. The objective of this analysis was to assess 3- and 12-month body mass after attendance at a community-based weight management programme delivered by a commercial slimming group, which included the provision of tailored physical activity sessions by a local leisure trust between January 2009 and November 2014. Methods: After institutional ethical approval and participants giving informed consent, a retrospective analysis of a 12-week multi-component intervention, tier 2 community weight management service for adults in Wigan, North West England, United Kingdom, was undertaken. Participants’ (n = 8514) mean ± SD age was 47.4 ± 14.3 years and starting body mass was 86.7 ± 14.3 kg. The main outcome measure was body mass (kg) at 0 months (baseline), 3 months (immediately post intervention) and 12 months. Significant differences in body mass were ascertained if p < 0.05 using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test, with effect sizes calculated using partial eta squared. To confirm and account for missing data, the Last Observation Carried Forward (LOCF) approach was used. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant effect of time (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.36). Post hoc tests revealed there was a significant reduction in body mass from baseline to 3 months (86.7 ± 14.3 kg vs. 81.2 ± 13.6 kg) and baseline to 12 months (79.7 ± 14.0 kg). The difference between 3 months and 12 months was also significant. LOCF confirmed a significant effect of time (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.42), with all previously highlighted significant differences remaining. Conclusions: Significant reductions in body mass were reported at 3 and 12 months, providing evidence for the efficacy of the community weight management programme that included tailored physical activity opportunities for participants. Whilst comparisons to a resting control group cannot be made, partnerships between commercial slimming groups and local leisure providers should be encouraged and explored nationally.Unfunde
A rapid review of the evidence for online interventions for bereavement support
Get PDF© The Author(s) 2024.Background: Grieving is a natural process, and many people adjust with support from family and friends. Around 40% of people would benefit from additional input. Online bereavement support interventions may increase access to support. Evidence regarding their acceptability and effectiveness is emerging but needs to be synthesised. Aim: To synthesise evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, impacts and implementation of online interventions to improve wellbeing, coping and quality of life after bereavement. Design: A rapid review of evidence regarding online bereavement support. We appraised study quality using AMSTAR 2 and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data sources: English language articles published 1 January 2010 to 4 January 2024, using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase and APA PsycINFO. Eligible articles examined formal and informal online interventions to improve bereavement outcomes. Results: We screened 2050 articles by title and abstract. Four systematic reviews and 35 individual studies were included. Online bereavement support was feasible, acceptable and effective in reducing grief intensity, stress-related outcomes and depression. Where reported, participant retention was typically >70%. Positive impacts included: access to a supportive community at any time, reduced isolation; opportunities to process feelings; normalisation of loss responses; access to coping advice and opportunities for meaning-making and remembrance. Negative impacts included upset due to insensitive comments from others via unmoderated online forums. Conclusion: Online interventions can widen access to acceptable, effective bereavement support and improve outcomes for bereaved people. National policies and clinical guidelines relating to bereavement support need to be updated to take account of online formats.Marie Curie [grant number MC-21-808]VoR added to record 28/10/204
The Role of Antibody Expression and Their Association With Bladder Cancer Recurrence: A Single-Centre Prospective Clinical-Pilot Study in 35 Patients
Get PDFBladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, with about 10,000 new cases annually. About 75–85% of BC are non-muscle invasive (NMIBC), which is associated with high recurrence and progression rates (50–60% within 7–10 years). There are no routine biomarkers currently available for identifying BC patients at increased risk of developing recurrence. The focus of this research study was to evaluate antibody expression in BC patients and their association with cancer recurrence.
Methods: 35 patients scheduled for TURBT were recruited after written informed consent. Ethical approval for the project was granted via IRAS (REC4: 14/WA/0033). Following surgical procedure, tissues were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and processed within 24 h in FFPE blocks. 7 sections (4 µm each) were cut from each block and stained for CD31, Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2), S100P, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), VEGFR-3 thrombomodulin and CEACAM-1 using immunohistochemistry. Clinical outcome measures (obtained via cystoscopy) were monitored for up to 6 months following surgical procedure.
Results: There was significantly increased expression of CD31 (p < 0.001), HER-2 (p = 0.032), S100P (p < 0.001), COX-2 (p < 0.001), VEGFR-3 (p < 0.001) and decreased expression of thrombomodulin (p = 0.010) and CEACAM-1 (p < 0.001) in bladder tumours compared to normal bladder tissues. HER-2 expression was also significantly associated with cancer grade (p = 0.003), especially between grade 1 and grade 2 (p = 0.002) and between grade 1 and grade 3 (p = 0.004). There was also a significant association between cancer stage and HER-2 expression (p < 0.001). Although recurrence was significantly associated with cancer grade, there was no association with antibody expression.
Conclusion: Findings from the present study may indicate an alternative approach in the monitoring and management of patients with BC. It is proposed that by allowing urological surgeons access to laboratory markers such as HER-2, Thrombomodulin and CD31 (biomarker profile), potentially, in the future, these biomarkers may be used in addition to, or in combination with, currently used scoring systems to predict cancer recurrence. However, verification and validation of these biomarkers are needed using larger cohorts.BCUHB Department of Research & Innovatio
Coproducing recovery with people affected by substance use and criminalization
No full textThis is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in The British Journal of Social Work following peer review. The version of record [Buck, G., Pratt, E., Yarwood, P., Arnold, V., & O’Mara, S. (2025). Coproducing recovery with people affected by substance use and criminalization. The British Journal of Social Work, 55(3), 1015-1040] is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcae167.This study details the coproduction approach taken by Red Rose Recovery (RRR), a non-profit organization that coproduces recovery systems with people affected by substance use and criminalization. RRR is ‘lived-experience-led’ in that those who manage and work for the organization use their own experiences of recovery or desistance from crime to provide inspiration and hope to others. We explored people’s experiences of working with RRR using a ‘photovoice’ research design, where people use cameras to document their realities. Data were analysed collaboratively, offering a depth of insight into the perspectives of people involved. The images and words produced by photographers illustrate this article and indicate that, in contexts of pain, shame, exclusion, and disconnection, coproduced services can offer valued relationships, community, and a sense of belonging within built and natural environments.Cheshire and Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership practitioner research fun
Studies on Entrepreneurship, Structural Change and Industrial Dynamics
Get PDF© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the growth and future of businesses globally and technological innovation, via digital means, has been identified as a key factor for brands to survive the pandemic. However, whilst the majority of decision-makers in sports clubs recognise the value of innovation, less than half have a clear strategy in this area generally let alone in digital innovation. This chapter examines the opportunities and barriers for sporting brands in adopting digital innovations to engage fans. Using a branded fitness smartphone app as an example of a digital innovation to stimulate discussion, we interviewed 13 decision-makers in sport primarily working in marketing, communications and managerial roles within professional sports clubs. Following thematic analysis, the themes from the interview data were, perceived benefits, barriers to adoption, and overcoming barriers. The study also presents potential solutions to enable sports clubs to overcome such adoption barriers in the future. It provides important managerial and tactical recommendations to sports clubs. The need for a clear strategy for digital innovation is identified and we conclude that digital innovation is missing from typologies of sport innovation, reflective of its overlooked importance within the sector and call for greater recognition.Unfunde
Tusitala: Pacific Perspectives on Robert Louis Stevenson
Get PDFIn collaboration with the University of Edinburgh's Remediating Stevenson project, the public exhibition 'Tusitala: Pacific Perspectives on Robert Louis Stevenson' reflects on his Pacific legacy then and now. The display features new creative works, inspired by Stevenson and his Pacific stories, produced by Sāmoan, Hawaiian and British artists, poets, and filmmakers. These appear alongside original items from the Library's archives, conveying new perspectives on Stevenson and his work.Remediating Stevenson: Decolonising Robert Louis Stevenson's Pacific Fiction through Graphic Adaptation, Arts Education and Community Engagement | Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council | Grant ID: AH/W007010/
Why did they leave? Exploring the reasons why former physics teachers left teaching
No full textTeacher retention is a major challenge, and in subjects, such as physics, where there is already a shortage of teachers, the problem is exacerbated by a high rate of attrition. This research examines the experiences of former physics teachers, asking why they left teaching for reasons other than retirement. Eleven former physics teachers from state-funded schools in England engaged with this study, providing quantitative data regarding their careers and reasons for leaving teaching. Of this group, nine participated in interviews to explore their personal experiences and motivations for leaving teaching. The findings revealed that the participants felt that issues originating in school senior leadership was the most significant factor in their decision to leave teaching, with accountability, autonomy, workload, well-being, and salary all being major contributors.Funder: The Ogden Trus
Processing optimisation, molecular characterisation, and anti-cancer activities of arabinoxylans extracted from corn bran in vitro
No full textBackground: Arabinoxylans (AXs) are the main non-starch polysaccharides that widely exist in by-products of cereal processing. The anti-cancer activities, such as inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis, of AXs which are extracted from various cereal materials have been reported recently. However, the possible relationship between the structures and anti-cancer activities of AXs have not yet been established and proposed. The anti-cancer mechanisms of AXs are unknown. The aims of this study were to develop and optimise the AXs combined extraction treatment from selected cereals, characterise the molecular structure and measure the anti-cancer activities of AXs extracts in vitro to explore the possible relationship between their structures and anti-cancer activity, and propose the potential mechanisms.
Methods: The alkaline (A) extraction method, hydrothermal (H) extraction method, and a low concentration alkaline-assisted hydrothermal (LAH) extraction method were used to extract AXs from cereal materials. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were used to characterise the molecular structure and monocular composi6on of extracted AXs. The anti-cancer effects of extracted AXs on the viability, proliferation cycle and apoptosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) cells were assessed in vitro using flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of selected genes related to cell growth and apoptosis control were measured by RT-qPCR analysis and the protein expressions were tested by Western blot assay.
Results: Under the optimum extraction condi6ons of LAH, the extraction rate of AXs reached 33.31%, which is about 7 6mes of H extraction (4.65%) and no significant difference when compared with that of A-AXs (32.34%) (p ≥ 0.05). Compared to molecular characteristics of AAXs., LAH-AXs extracts have a lower percentage (23.68%) of low molecular weight range (0.01KDa to 10.00KDa), which is 29.71%, and a higher ferulic acid (FA) content (0.64 mg/g), which is 7 6mes compared to A-AXs (0.09mg/g). In vitro studies showed that both LAH-AXs and A-AXs at optimised concentra6on of 50 μg /ml were able to significantly inhibit the proliferation of AGS and significantly promote apoptosis in AGS cells in 24 hrs treatment (p ≤0.05). Furthermore, in the examination of the mechanism of AXs anti-cancer activities, the cell cycle analysis results demonstrated that both LAH-AXs and A-AXs treatment significantly increased the accumula6on of AGS cells in the S phase, which is 1.4-fold compared with negative control (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, both LAH-AXs and A-AXs significantly up-regulated the mRNA expressions of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and pro-apoptosis genes Bad and Bid. Differently, LAH-AXs significantly up-regulated caspase-8 mRNA expression (2.33-fold) and pERK protein expression levels (1.4-fold) compared with negative control (p ≤ 0.05), whereas A-AXs did not show a significant impact in this regard.
Conclusions: At optimal conditions for LAH-AXs-C extraction, the extraction rate can reach levels comparable to those achieved with high alkaline concentrations (8%). Molecular characterisations indicate variations in molecular distribution, molecular composition and FA content between LAH-AXs-C and A-AXs-C. The distinct effects of LAH-AXs-C and A-AXs-C on the cell cycle arrest occurring at different stages. A decrease in cell viability and induction of apoptosis in AGS cells, may be attributed to the differences in their structures. The underlying mechanisms of their anti-cancer activities possibly involve regulation through the Bcl-2 family signalling pathway and the ERK signalling pathway, which are suggested by the up-regulation of mRNA expressions level of p21 and the pro-apoptosis genes Bad, Bid and protein pERK. Moreover, the upregulation in caspase-8 (2.33-fold) expression indicates the activation of extrinsic pathway. This study optimised the extraction method for AXs, which significantly increased the extraction rate (р≤0.05). It also characterised the structure of AXs and explored their potential anti-cancer effects, providing an initial understanding of the relationship between the structure and bioactivities of AXs at the molecular level
San Diego Topographics 1 1986-1987
No full textComposed of 17 black&white photographs taken in the 1980s and 1990s. It is included in a box set of 100 Café Royal Books photobooks titled Archive Five and is in the collection of major institutions. San Diego Topographics 1 1986 - 1987 was exhibited at the Martin Parr Foundation in the exhibition Café Royal Books: Documentary, Zines and Subversion (14 April-12 June 2022); and at Stills: Centre for Photography, Edinburgh as part of the exhibition titled Café Royal Books (10 November 2023 – 10 February 2024). Images from this book were included in the exhibition Alien Resident: San Diego Photographs 1986 – 1987 shown at the Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) Gallery, The Forum, Chester (6 November – 2 December, 2020).When Stephen Clarke arrived on America’s West Coast in the mid-1980s having just completed his art degree, he had expected to feel a familiarity with its landscape. Growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s he had absorbed a version of California by watching popular American detective shows. Onto this childhood picture he later mapped the work of the photo-artists based there who informed his art practice —Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, Lewis Baltz. For a year he took photographs of San Diego, struggling to navigate through an arid and sprawling landscape which he discovered was alien territory. [a version of this abstract was written by Julia Garcia Hernandez and first published in the RPS Contemporary Photography, No. 63, Spring 2016]
San Diego Topographics 1 1986 - 1987 was published by Café Royal Books in an edition of 250. It was edited by Craig Atkinson, founder of Café Royal Books. San Diego Topographics 1 1986 - 1987 is one of Clarke’s four CRB photobooks dedicated to the subject of San Diego, California, USA. The published photographs form part of a larger project—including books, articles, and exhibitions—titled Alien Resident based on Clarke’s legal status while in the USA as a resident alien
Spatial analysis of urban agriculture in the utilization of open spaces in Nigeria
Get PDFThis is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Local Environment on 28/02/2024, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2024.2320251Growing food in upper- and lower-income countries commands different connotations and dimensions. Urban agriculture (UA) is increasingly an essential urban fabric and a critical enabler of sustainable development goals (SDGs) 1 and 2. However, this study analyses the practice of UA in open spaces within the Ilorin metropolis. The study employed the use of primary and secondary data. Questionnaire administration, interview guide, digital cameras, UA survey form, and GPS all sufficed for the instrumentation of the study. The main findings showed that in Ilorin city, 14.34Ha (31.4 percent in the core) of land was dedicated to UA, which could at least help 1500 families escape poverty. Through Average Nearest Neighbour Analysis (ANNA), the spatial analysis revealed that UA sites were clustered and not randomly distributed. Secondly, this study affirmed through mean analysis that vegetables (3.09), maise (2.86), cassava (2.64), millet/sorghum (2.46), and yam (2.31) were the dominant food staples grown in Ilorin UA sites. Lastly, access to land, failed harvest due to pest/disease, price collapse, and adverse weather events were the leading challenges affecting the practice of UA in the Ilorin metropolis. The study then affirms the need for city-level integration of UA to recognise the rights of the urban poor and UA into the land-use plan within the Ilorin metropolis.AAM uploaded to CR 27/11/202
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