Publications by authors named "Katie Morris"

PSD95 is an abundant scaffolding protein that assembles multiprotein complexes controlling synaptic physiology and behavior. Confocal microscopy has previously shown that PSD95 is enriched in the postsynaptic terminals of excitatory synapses and two-dimensional (2D) super-resolution microscopy further revealed that it forms nanoclusters. In this study, we utilized three-dimensional (3D) super-resolution microscopy to examine the nanoarchitecture of PSD95 in the mouse brain, characterizing the spatial arrangement of over 8 million molecules.

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The concept that dimeric protein complexes in synapses can sequentially replace their subunits has been a cornerstone of Francis Crick's 1984 hypothesis, explaining how long-term memories could be maintained in the face of short protein lifetimes. However, it is unknown whether the subunits of protein complexes that mediate memory are sequentially replaced in the brain and if this process is linked to protein lifetime. We address these issues by focusing on supercomplexes assembled by the abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD95, which plays a crucial role in memory.

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Introduction: The Fontan circulation palliates single-ventricle congenital heart disease by separating the systemic and pulmonary circulations. An increasing number of women with a Fontan circulation are wishing to become pregnant, however the ability to increase cardiac output during pregnancy is limited in many due to the chronic low output state. We describe pregnancy outcomes in these women at a large tertiary centre, including functional and imaging outcomes.

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  • Second trimester miscarriage and preterm birth are significant issues globally, leading to the use of surgical cervical cerclage to help prevent these outcomes, with a focus on comparing the effectiveness of monofilament versus braided sutures.
  • The study aims to determine if monofilament sutures reduce pregnancy loss better than braided ones in women needing cervical cerclage, as bacteria colonization on braided sutures may contribute to complications.
  • Conducted across 75 UK maternity sites, this open randomized controlled trial includes women with specific risk factors for preterm birth and evaluates outcomes like miscarriage rates and perinatal mortality through a 1:1 randomization process.
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The aim of this document is to provide guidance for the management of women and birthing people with a permanent pacemaker (PPM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Cardiac devices are becoming more common in obstetric practice and a reference document for contemporary evidence-based practice is required. Where evidence is limited, expert consensus has established recommendations.

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Introduction: The management of women with premature cervical dilatation and exposed unruptured fetal membranes remains uncertain and controversial. Treatment options may include expectant management or emergency cervical cerclage (ECC). Little is known regarding the effectiveness of individual interventions, or additional therapies.

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  • Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) affects 10%-15% of monochorionic twin pregnancies and this review analyzes the placental characteristics of these twins after laser treatment, focusing on their impact on fetal outcomes.
  • A systematic review of 26 studies involving 4013 twins found that 24% of placentas had residual connections (anastomoses) after laser treatment, which were linked to higher risks of fetal and neonatal death, recurrent TTTS, and twin anemia polycythemia sequence.
  • The study emphasizes the significance of analyzing placental features post-laser as they can influence the health outcomes of TTTS twins, with detailed methodologies employed to assess study bias and analyze data effectively.
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Introduction: Childbirth-related perineal trauma (CRPT) is the most common complication of childbirth affecting 80% of women overall after vaginal birth. There remains a lack of comprehensive evidence relating to the prevalence of subsequent health problems. Current evidence is related to short-term outcomes, for example, pain, but there is less known about longer-term outcomes such as infection, wound dehiscence, pelvic floor function and psychological outcomes.

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  • Protein misfolding and aggregation into complex structures are common in neurodegenerative diseases, affecting conditions like Parkinson's.
  • Single-molecule techniques have improved the study of these rare protein aggregates, but they often require tagged proteins or non-specific dyes.
  • The researchers developed a method using high-affinity antibodies and advanced microscopy to specifically detect α-synuclein aggregates in low concentrations within biological samples.
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Objectives: The embedded Qualitative Process Evaluation (QPE) within the CSTICH- Pilot RCT explored facilitators and barriers to recruitment within the Pilot. This study reports a secondary analysis of the overarching theme of Fluidity of Equipoise and the influences on individual and community clinical equipoise around the use of Emergency Cervical Cerclage (ECC).

Study Design: RCT recruitment assumes clinical equipoise and is defined as genuine uncertainty about an intervention.

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Objectives: To explore local induction of labour pathways in the UK National Health Service to provide insight into current practice.

Design: National survey.

Setting: Hospital maternity services in all four nations of the UK.

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Introduction: In the UK, 1600 babies die every year before, during or immediately after birth at 20-28 weeks' gestation. This bereavement has a similar impact on parental physical and psychological well-being to late stillbirth (>28 weeks' gestation). Improved understanding of potentially modifiable risk factors for late stillbirth (including supine going-to-sleep position) has influenced international clinical practice.

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Background: Approximately one in ten women have high blood pressure during pregnancy. Hypertension is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, and as treatment improves maternal outcomes, antihypertensive treatment is recommended. Previous trials have been unable to provide a definitive answer on which antihypertensive treatment is associated with optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes and the need for robust evidence evaluating maternal and infant benefits and risks remains an important, unanswered question for research and clinical communities.

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  • Protein misfolding and aggregation into structures like oligomers and fibrils are linked to various neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Traditional methods for studying these aggregates often lack specificity and rely on labeled proteins or non-specific stains.
  • The researchers developed a new technique using a high-affinity antibody with unique fluorophores and advanced microscopy to specifically identify and analyze α-synuclein aggregates in low concentrations, relevant to biological samples.
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The multiple applications of super-resolution microscopy have prompted the need for minimally invasive labeling strategies for peptide-guided fluorescence imaging. Many fluorescent reporters display limitations (e.g.

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  • The study investigates the link between pre-eclampsia and pre-existing cardiac dysfunction in pregnant women, finding no significant increase in overall pre-eclampsia rates.
  • A modest rise in cases of preterm pre-eclampsia and a significant increase in fetal growth restriction (FGR) were observed among women with cardiac issues.
  • The findings suggest that while there are concerns regarding pregnancy outcomes in this group, the relationship between cardiac dysfunction and pre-eclampsia is not clearly causal, and the use of β-blockers may have an impact on birthweight.
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The multiple applications of super-resolution microscopy have prompted the need for minimally invasive labeling strategies for peptide-guided fluorescence imaging. Many fluorescent reporters display limitations (e.g.

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Background: Miscarriage in the second trimester and preterm birth are significant global problems. Vaginal cervical cerclage is performed to prevent pregnancy loss and preterm birth. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a monofilament suture thread compared with braided suture thread on pregnancy loss rates in women undergoing a cervical cerclage.

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Objective: C-STICH2 is a randomised controlled trial of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) vs routine care in women who present in pregnancy with premature cervical dilatation and exposed unruptured fetal membranes. Within the proposed trial an internal pilot was performed with an embedded qualitative process evaluation (QPE) to explore the feasibility of recruitment. The QPE aimed to collect and analyse data exploring the experiences of health care professionals (HCPs) involved in recruitment, and women approached about the trial.

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Introduction: The Ross procedure, where a pulmonary autograft (neoaorta) replaces the aortic valve, has excellent long-term outcomes in patients with congenital aortic valve disease. However, there are reports of neoaortic dilatation and dissection. An increasing number of women are wishing to become pregnant following the Ross procedure, but little is known about the occurrence and risks of neoaortic dilatation and complications in pregnancy.

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  • The study investigates the early stages of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation in neurons as it relates to Parkinson's disease (PD).
  • Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers found that α-Syn transitions from a single molecule to various clustered forms, influenced by concentration and specific sequences.
  • Mitochondrial membranes play a crucial role in this process, where lipid cardiolipin promotes harmful oligomerization that disrupts mitochondrial function and leads to cell death, mirroring effects seen in human-derived neurons with genetic mutations associated with PD.
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Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in newborns and children. Tocolytic drugs aim to delay preterm birth by suppressing uterine contractions to allow time for administration of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation, magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and transport to a facility with appropriate neonatal care facilities. However, there is still uncertainty about their effectiveness and safety.

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