Publications by authors named "Roper A"

Article Synopsis
  • This study examined inflammation and immune cell changes in the mammary glands of Holstein dairy cows transitioning between late lactation and the dry period, and from the dry period to early lactation.
  • Healthy cows showed increased systemic inflammatory markers like TNF-α and haptoglobin after dry-off, along with changes in milk composition.
  • Cell proliferation rates in mammary tissue were higher after dry-off, with specific immune cell populations varying between the late dry and early lactation stages.
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Background: Gesture and speech collaborate in conveying meaning, and gesture is often leveraged by people with neurogenic communication disorders, such as aphasia, cognitive-communicative impairments and primary progressive aphasia, when words fail them. Because gesture is imagistic, transitory and holistic, there are inherent challenges when assessing and treating it.

Aims: The survey had three primary research questions: (1) what gesture assessment practices, and (2) what gesture treatment practices, are employed by speech and language therapists (SLTs) internationally; and (3) what are the factors that influence these practices?

Methods And Procedures: An online survey of practice using Qualtrics was piloted and then disseminated to practising SLTs working with people with neurogenic communication disorders.

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The assessment of animal behavior serves as a valuable approach to identify illness and animal responses to environmental stimuli. Both heat stress and mastitis are reported to affect the behavioral responses of dairy cattle. However, little is known about the effects of heat stress on the lactating cow's behavioral responses to mastitis.

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Background: Accessibility of data visualization has been explored for users with visual disabilities but the needs of users with language disabilities have seldom been considered.

Aim: This scoping review synthesised what is known about data visualization for adults with language disabilities, specifically the acquired language disability, aphasia and Developmental Language Disorder. It sought to extract key findings and identify what practices support effective visualization for decision making for people with language disabilities.

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By exploiting the electronic capabilities of the N-heterocyclic boryloxy (NHBO) ligand, we have synthesized "naked" acyclic gallyl [Ga{OB(NDippCH)}] and indyl [In{OB(NDippCH)}] anions (as their [K(2.2.2-crypt)] salts) through K abstraction from [KGa{OB(NDippCH)}] and [KIn{OB(NDippCH)}] using 2.

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Owing to its high toxicity, the chemistry of element number four, beryllium, is poorly understood. However, as the lightest elements provide the basis for fundamental models of chemical bonding, there is a need for greater insight into the properties of beryllium. In this context, the chemistry of the homo-elemental Be-Be bond is of fundamental interest.

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The large steric profile of the N-heterocyclic boryloxy ligand, -OB(NDippCH), and its ability to stabilize the metal-centered HOMO, are exploited in the synthesis of the first example of a "naked" acyclic aluminyl complex, [K(2.2.2-crypt)][Al{OB(NDippCH)}].

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The homoleptic magnesium bis(aluminyl) compound Mg[Al(NON)] (NON=4,5-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilido)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) can be accessed from K[Al(NON)] and MgI and shown to possess a non-linear geometry (∠Al-Mg-Al=164.8(1)°) primarily due to the influence of dispersion interactions. This compound acts a four-electron reservoir in the reductive de-fluorination of SF, and reacts thermally with polar substrates such as MeI via nucleophilic attack through aluminium, consistent with the QT-AIM charges calculated for the metal centres, and a formal description as a Al(I)-Mg(II)-Al(I) trimetallic.

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Neurosteroids have been implicated in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Allopregnanolone is reduced in subsets of individuals with PTSD and has been explored as a novel treatment strategy. Both direct trauma exposure and witnessed trauma are risk factors for PTSD; however, the role of neurosteroids in the behavioral outcomes of these unique experiences has not been explored.

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Objectives: In people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), non-motor symptoms such as anxiety are common and have negative impacts on their quality of life. There are currently few interventions that address anxiety in PwPD, and access to diagnosis and treatment is often limited for those living in rural areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in PwPD.

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(PA), a Gram-negative pathogen, is a common cause of nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients. PA is intrinsically resistant to many currently prescribed antibiotics due to its tightly packed, anionic lipopolysaccharide outer membrane, efflux pumps, and ability to form biofilms. PA can acquire additional resistance through mutation and horizontal gene transfer.

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Background And Objectives: Evidence suggests telehealth in speech and language therapy can enhance access to care, cost-effectiveness and satisfaction. However, little is known about use of telehealth in the United Kingdom. Moreover, many assessments/outcome measures for aphasia have been tested for face-to-face administration only, posing challenges to reliable use within the telehealth context.

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Several studies reported post-SARS-CoV-2-vaccination (PV) symptoms. Even people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have concerns about disease activity following the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We aimed to determine the proportion of PwMS with PV relapses, the PV annualized relapse rate (ARR), the time from vaccination to subsequent relapses, and identify sociodemographic/clinical risk factors for PV relapses.

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Background: The presence of permanent pacemakers (PPM) is common among the elderly population. Trauma literature has shown that the inability to augment cardiac output by at least 30% after injury portends a higher mortality. The presence of a PPM may be a surrogate marker to identify patients who are unable to increase cardiac output.

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Despite protection from severe COVID-19 courses through vaccinations, some people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are vaccination-hesitant due to fear of post-vaccination side effects/increased disease activity. The aim was to reveal the frequency and predictors of post-SARS-CoV-2-vaccination relapses in PwMS. This prospective, observational study was conducted as a longitudinal Germany-wide online survey (baseline survey and two follow-ups).

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Background: Intrathecal drug therapy treats medically refractory spasticity and pain. cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak or infection can limit efficacy and increase morbidity. We aim to evaluate risk factors and outcomes after CSF leaks and infections requiring reoperation.

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Riluzole, approved to manage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is mechanistically unique among glutamate-based therapeutics because it reduces glutamate transmission through a dual mechanism (i.e., reduces glutamate release and enhances glutamate reuptake).

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A systematic study to access stable stannaimines is reported, by combining different heteroleptic stannylenes with a range of organic azides. The reactions of terphenyl-/hypersilyl-substituted stannylenes yield the putative tin nitrogen double bond, but is directly followed by 1,2-silyl migration to give Sn systems featuring bulky silylamido ligands. By contrast, the transition from a two σ donor ligand set to a mixed σ-donor/π-donor scaffold allows access to three new stannaimines which can be handled at room temperature.

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Background: Vaccines offer people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) an effective protection against severe COVID-19 disease courses. However, representative real-world data on the tolerability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in PwMS are limited. We aimed at analysing vaccination reactions (VRs) and MS deterioration following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in German and United Kingdom (UK) PwMS, especially regarding gender-specific differences.

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Objectives: Anxiety is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), negatively impacting daily functioning and quality of life in PD patients and their families. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic approaches for reducing anxiety in PD and provides recommendations for clinical practise.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, 36 studies were included and risk of bias was evaluated.

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Speech-language pathologists have embraced many aspects of technology in their practice, from telehealth to tablet device applications (apps) that support intervention practice. In this article, we consider the design, development, and implementation of technology. We discuss how some processes of technology development in Speech-language pathology (SLP) tend to follow research pathways which centre clinicians and researchers as designers of the intervention.

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Purpose: This study explored the acceptability to service providers of delivering a novel group support intervention for people with aphasia (PWA) in a virtual world.

Materials And Methods: The service providers were six group coordinators and 10 volunteers. Fourteen of the service providers participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview and 15 took part in a consensus group discussion.

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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in Europe, often causing severe physical, cognitive and emotional impairments. Currently, it is unclear whether the healthcare provisions of people with MS (PwMS) are in line with the recommendations for treatment based on guidelines or patients' needs. The main objectives of the study are as follows: (a) to investigate how well PwMS are treated; and (b) to develop a needs-oriented, patient-centred care model.

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Objective: To evaluate systematically the fidelity of a peer-befriending intervention for people with aphasia.

Design: SUpporting wellbeing through Peer-befriending (SUPERB) was a feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing usual care to usual care +peer-befriending. This paper reports on the fidelity of all intervention aspects (training and supervision of providers/befrienders; intervention visits) which was evaluated across all areas of the Behaviour Change Consortium framework.

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