Publications by authors named "Marlow L"

Anxiety is one of the most common and debilitating mental health disorders, and is related to changes in interoception (perception of bodily states). While anxiety is more prevalent in women than men, gender differences in interoception-anxiety associations are often overlooked. Here, we examined gender-specific relationships between anxiety and interoception in the breathing domain, utilising multicentre data pooled from four study sites (N = 175; 51% women).

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  • The study explored women's attitudes towards having a choice between HPV self-sampling and traditional clinician cervical screening after they participated in both methods.
  • Most women (85%) expressed a desire for this choice and believed it would enhance their screening experience (72%).
  • However, some concerns were noted as 23% felt choosing would be challenging, 15% worried about making a decision, and nearly half preferred medical recommendations rather than making a choice themselves, especially among those with lower education levels.
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Background: Trials assessing the clinical utility of blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are underway. Understanding public attitudes towards MCED screening is essential if these tests are to be used. We aimed to quantify MCED screening intention and potential barriers and facilitators to uptake.

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Background: We assessed experiences of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaginal self-sampling and future screening preferences in an ethnically and socio-economically diverse group of women overdue for cervical screening.

Setting And Participants: A postal questionnaire was embedded in the YouScreen self-sampling trial in England: 32.5% (2712/8338) of kit completers returned the survey.

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Background: Trials are underway to test the clinical utility of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests for screening asymptomatic individuals. We sought to understand the acceptability of MCED blood test screening and potential barriers and facilitators to participation among the general public.

Methods: We conducted eleven semi-structured online focus groups with 50-77-year-olds (n = 53) in April-November 2022.

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  • Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a severe form of cancer that often leads to poor patient outcomes, prompting the need for better treatment options.
  • Researchers developed and characterized three new patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) models to explore the effectiveness of combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with AKT inhibitors, using 3D spheroids to study drug resistance patterns.
  • Findings indicated that the combination therapy showed promising results in overcoming resistance to single-agent treatments, which supports future clinical trials for mCRPC patients with specific genetic profiles.
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  • Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers and frequently occurs alongside differentiated thyroid cancers, but its aggressive nature is not well understood.
  • Researchers analyzed tumor DNA from 329 regions of thyroid cancer, revealing that anaplastic thyroid carcinomas have more mutations and unique mutational patterns compared to other thyroid cancers.
  • The study shows that although anaplastic and differentiated thyroid carcinomas can occur in the same patient, they have different mutated genes and share a common genetic origin that allows them to develop from a similar malignant environment.
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Background: CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have been established as standard treatment against advanced Estrogen Receptor-positive breast cancers. These drugs are being tested against several cancers, including in combinations with other therapies. We identified the T172-phosphorylation of CDK4 as the step determining its activity, retinoblastoma protein (RB) inactivation, cell cycle commitment and sensitivity to CDK4/6i.

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Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) primary testing for cervical screening is being implemented around the world. We explored HPV awareness, and knowledge about primary screening in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), where it has been in place for several years, ahead of extended screening intervals being implemented in England.

Setting/methods: Women aged 18-70 ( = 1995) were recruited by YouGov from their online panel in August 2022.

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Objectives: Cervical screening uptake in England is falling. Infographics could strengthen intention to attend, increase positive attitudes and improve knowledge. Age targeting could improve these outcomes further.

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Objective: Psychological distress after testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) at cervical cancer screening is well documented in the general population. However, little is known about the impact of an HPV-positive result on those with pre-existing mental health conditions, who may be at higher risk of experiencing clinically significant distress. This study explored the psychosocial impact of HPV in women with co-morbid mental health conditions, as well as their experience of cervical screening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Introduction: Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests look for cancer signals in cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid. These tests have the potential to detect cancers at an earlier (asymptomatic) stage, improving cancer outcomes. Any screening method needs careful consideration of the psychological harms prior to implementation.

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Background: Beyond systematic reviews and meta-analyses, there have been no direct studies of serological response to COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) across continents. In particular, there has been limited data from Asia, with no data reported from India. The ICARUS-IBD (International study of COVID-19 Antibody Response Under Sustained immunosuppression in IBD) consortium assessed serological response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with IBD in North America, Europe, and Asia.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of diabetes in pregnancy care and general maternity care. This study aimed to explore the experiences and acceptability of telehealth use in diabetes in pregnancy care during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspectives of pregnant women and their clinicians. The secondary aim was to explore the experiences of pregnant women receiving general maternity care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Over 20% of women aged 50-64 in Britain have not attended cervical screening within the recommended 5-year interval. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of five messages, informed using strategies from the Behaviour Change Wheel, on strength of intention to attend cervical screening in women aged 50-64 with weak positive intentions to be screened when next invited. Women were randomised (2:2:1), into one of two intervention groups or a control group.

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Synthetic biology has captivated scientists' imagination. It promises answers to some of the grand challenges society is facing: worsening climate crisis, insufficient food supplies for ever growing populations, and many persisting infectious and genetic diseases. While many challenges remain unaddressed, after almost two decades since its inception a number of products created by engineered biology are starting to reach the public.

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Objectives: To examine the psychosexual impact and disclosure experiences of women testing HPV-positive following cervical screening.

Design: In-depth semi-structured interviews.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 21 women of screening age (i.

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Background: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality are high in women aged ≥65 years, despite the disease being preventable by screening. Speculum-based screening can become more uncomfortable after the menopause.

Aim: To examine test performance and acceptability of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on clinician-collected vaginal samples without a speculum (non-speculum).

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Objectives: The introduction of primary Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing in the National Health Service (NHS) Cervical Screening Programme in England means the screening interval for 25-49 years can be extended from 3 to 5 years. We explored women's responses to the proposed interval extension.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured phone/video interviews with 22 women aged 25-49 years.

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Objectives: This study assessed preferences for human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling if offered as an alternative to clinician-based screening at the point of invitation for cervical screening.

Setting And Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by screening-eligible women living in England (n = 3672). Logistic regressions explored associations between demographic characteristics and screening preferences, stratified by previous screening attendance.

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Background: Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women ≥65 years, especially those not screened regularly. Speculum use is a key barrier.

Aim: To assess if offering non-speculum clinician-taken sampling and self-sampling increases uptake for lapsed attenders aged 50-64 years.

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