NK cell line modified to express a potent, DR5 specific variant of TRAIL, show enhanced cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer models.

Objective: Ovarian cancer is a lethal gynaecological malignancy with unsatisfactory 5 year survival rates of 30-50 %. Cell immunotherapy is a promising new cancer treatment where immune cells, such as Natural Killer (NK) cells, are administered to enable the patient to fight cancer through direct cytotoxicity. NK cells orchestrate an adaptive immune response by enabling the release of tumour antigens.

Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomised controlled trial.

Studies suggest that inducing gut microbiota changes may alter both muscle physiology and cognitive behaviour. Gut microbiota may play a role in both anabolic resistance of older muscle, and cognition. In this placebo controlled double blinded randomised controlled trial of 36 twin pairs (72 individuals), aged ≥60, each twin pair are block randomised to receive either placebo or prebiotic daily for 12 weeks.

Discontinuation of hormone therapy and bone mineral density: does physical activity modify that relationship?

Objective: Hormone therapy can positively impact bone mineral density after menopause. We explored bone mineral density change in postmenopausal women who discontinued hormone therapy after the Women's Health Initiative landmark 2002 trial results were published. We secondarily explored whether usual physical activity modified the results.

The PROMOTe study: targeting the gut microbiome with prebiotics to overcome age-related anabolic resistance: protocol for a double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength occurs with increasing age and is associated with loss of function, disability, and the development of sarcopenia and frailty. Dietary protein is essential for skeletal muscle function, but older adults do not anabolise muscle in response to protein supplementation as well as younger people, so called 'anabolic resistance'. The aetiology and molecular mechanisms for this are not understood, however the gut microbiome is known to play a key role in several of the proposed mechanisms.

Handwriting Readiness among Digital Native Kindergarten Students.

Handwriting is an essential life skill, impacted by proficiency in visual-motor integration and fine motor control. The increase in the use of digital technology has changed the way children interact with their environments, and potentially, the development of the important requisite skills for handwriting. This study examined the "handwriting readiness" skills of children born in the digital age.