194 results match your criteria: "School of Health Sciences and Social Care[Affiliation]"

Epigenetics in Friedreich's Ataxia: Challenges and Opportunities for Therapy.

Genet Res Int

March 2013

Division of Biosciences, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by homozygous expansion of a GAA·TTC trinucleotide repeat within the first intron of the FXN gene, leading to reduced FXN transcription and decreased levels of frataxin protein. Recent advances in FRDA research have revealed the presence of several epigenetic modifications that are either directly or indirectly involved in this FXN gene silencing. Although epigenetic marks may be inherited from one generation to the next, modifications of DNA and histones can be reversed, indicating that they are suitable targets for epigenetic-based therapy.

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Purpose: Although it is recommended that the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) should be implemented to aid communication within multidisciplinary stroke services, there is no empirical evidence to demonstrate the outcomes of such implementation. Working with one stroke service, this project aimed to address this gap and sought to evaluate the outcomes of implementing an ICF-based clinical tool into practice.

Method: Using an action research framework with mixed methods, data were collected from individual interviews, a focus group, questionnaires, email communications, minutes from relevant meetings and field notes.

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Analysis of telomere length and function in radiosensitive mouse and human cells in response to DNA-PKcs inhibition.

Genome Integr

March 2013

Division of Biosciences, Brunel Institute of Cancer Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK.

Background: Telomeres, the physical ends of chromosomes, play an important role in preserving genomic integrity. This protection is supported by telomere binding proteins collectively known as the shelterin complex. The shelterin complex protects chromosome ends by suppressing DNA damage response and acting as a regulator of telomere length maintenance by telomerase, an enzyme that elongates telomeres.

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Background: There are well established national and local policies championing the need to provide dignity in care for older people. We have evidence as to what older people and their relatives understand by the term 'dignified care' but less insight into the perspectives of staff regarding their understanding of this key policy objective.

Methods: A survey of health and social care professionals across four NHS Trusts in England to investigate how dignified care for older people is understood and delivered.

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Peer support in adult mental health services: a metasynthesis of qualitative findings.

Psychiatr Rehabil J

March 2013

School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Centre for Citizen Participation, Brunel University.

Objectives: Peer support involves people in recovery from psychiatric disability offering support to others in the same situation. It is based on the belief that people who have endured and overcome a psychiatric disability can offer useful support, encouragement, and hope to their peers. Although several quantitative reviews on the effectiveness of peer support have been conducted, qualitative studies were excluded.

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Living with advanced breast cancer: perceptions of Pakistani women on life expectations and fears.

Cancer Nurs

April 2015

Author Affiliations: School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England (Dr Banning); and Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan (Mrs Tanzeen).

Background: Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia. Many women delay seeking heath advice and treatment for breast cancer, and between 50% and 70% of women will present when the disease in is in an advanced, aggressive form, particularly young women. The psychological impact of breast cancer is challenged by the negative public perception of cancer.

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In this study, we investigated the potential molecular and immunological differences of a recombinant fusion protein (Hybrid-1), comprising of the immunodominant antigens Ag85B and ESAT-6 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, derived from two different expression systems, namely Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli. The fusion protein was successfully expressed and purified from both bacterial hosts and analyzed for any host-dependent post-translational modifications that might affect the immunogenicity of the protein. We investigated the immunogenicity of Hybrid-1 expressed in the two host species in a murine vaccination model, together with a reference standard Hybrid-1 (expressed in E.

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The cultural significance of a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer is important in Pakistan particularly due to the high incidence in women, limited breast cancer screening, healthcare resources and cancer educational programmes in Pakistan. The psychological impact of breast cancer is therefore an important concern for women. This qualitative study explored the psychological impact of advanced breast cancer in Pakistani women.

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When 'strong' might be wrong: evaluating the evidence in CRPS management.

Eur J Pain

February 2013

Centre for Research in Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.

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Objective: This qualitative study explored self-reports of hazards and discomforts in the workplace and coping strategies among those choosing to work beyond the age of 65 years.

Participants: 30 people aged 66-91 years took part. Most worked part-time in professional or administrative roles.

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Research into mental health and employment has indicated that work holds multiple meanings for people with mental health problems. This paper reports findings from a phenomenological study which aimed to understand the complexity of these meanings by exploration of the perspectives of one individual who was considering returning to work. Data were gathered through a series of three interviews carried out over a period of 18 months.

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Objectives: To test the proof of principle that active anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the motor cortex reduces pain significantly more than sham stimulation in a group of participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Methods: The study utilized a within-participants sham-controlled, interrupted time series design. A sample of 8 participants was recruited.

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Linking surfactant protein SP-D and IL-13: implications in asthma and allergy.

Mol Immunol

May 2013

Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, London, UK.

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is an innate immune molecule that plays a protective role against lung infection, allergy, asthma and inflammation. In vivo experiments with murine models have shown that SP-D can protect against allergic challenge via a range of mechanisms including inhibition of allergen-IgE interaction, histamine release by sensitised mast cells, downregulation of specific IgE production, suppression of pulmonary and peripheral eosinophilia, inhibition of mechanisms that cause airway remodelling, and induction of apoptosis in sensitised eosinophils. SP-D can also shift helper T cell polarisation following in vivo allergenic challenge, from pathogenic Th2 to a protective Th1 cytokine response.

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Interphase chromosome positioning in in vitro porcine cells and ex vivo porcine tissues.

BMC Cell Biol

November 2012

Laboratory of Genomic and Nuclear Health, Centre for Cell and Chromosome Biology, Division of Biosciences, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, West London UB8 3PH.

Background: In interphase nuclei of a wide range of species chromosomes are organised into their own specific locations termed territories. These chromosome territories are non-randomly positioned in nuclei which is believed to be related to a spatial aspect of regulatory control over gene expression. In this study we have adopted the pig as a model in which to study interphase chromosome positioning and follows on from other studies from our group of using pig cells and tissues to study interphase genome re-positioning during differentiation.

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Background: Many double-blind clinical trials of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) use stimulus intensities of 2 mA despite the fact that blinding has not been formally validated under these conditions. The aim of this study was to test the assumption that sham 2 mA tDCS achieves effective blinding.

Methods: A randomised double blind crossover trial.

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Purpose: The 3D interior design software (3DIDS) is a technology, which primarily allows users to simulate their homes and visualize any changes prior to implementing them. This feasibility study aimed to examine occupational therapists' perceptions about the clinical utility of the 3DIDS. A secondary aim was to explore the attitudes of occupational therapists towards technology in general.

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Young women's accounts of intimate partner violence during adolescence and subsequent recovery processes: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Psychol Psychother

September 2011

Reader in Health Psychology, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.

Objective: Previous qualitative research into the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) has largely focused upon mature women's accounts. The objectives of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) were to explore three young women's understandings of why they had been vulnerable to IPV in mid-to-late adolescence, their experiences of IPV, and their recovery processes.

Design: This study followed guidelines for IPA, largely focusing upon shared aspects of the experience of IPV as narrated by three young women who considered that they had since recovered from the experience.

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The historical National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) in England was the most expensive (~$20billion) and ambitious politically-driven IT-based transformations of public services ever undertaken. Nation-wide implementation of integrated electronic health record (EHR) systems in hospitals was at the heart of the NPfIT (~$10billion). We conducted the first longitudinal, prospective, and sociotechnical case study implementation and adoption of national EHRs implementations in 12 'early adopter' hospitals across England.

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Background: No existing stand-alone measures of spiritual wellbeing have been developed in cross-cultural and multiple linguistic contexts.

Aim: Cross-cultural development of a stand-alone European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) measure of spiritual wellbeing for palliative care patients with cancer.

Design: Broadly following EORTC Quality of Life Group (QLG) guidelines for developing questionnaires, the study comprised three phases.

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An Insight into the Diverse Roles of Surfactant Proteins, SP-A and SP-D in Innate and Adaptive Immunity.

Front Immunol

August 2012

Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University London, UK.

Surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D are hydrophilic, collagen-containing calcium-dependent lectins, which appear to have a range of innate immune functions at pulmonary as well as extrapulmonary sites. These proteins bind to target ligands on pathogens, allergens, and apoptotic cells, via C-terminal homotrimeric carbohydrate recognition domains, while the collagen region brings about the effector functions via its interaction with cell surface receptors. SP-A and SP-D deal with various pathogens, using a range of innate immune mechanisms such as agglutination/aggregation, enhancement of phagocytosis, and killing mechanisms by phagocytic cells and direct growth inhibition.

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Objective: A web-based clinical decision aid was designed to improve novices' capacity to prioritize occupational therapy referrals in community mental health teams. The aim of this research was to test the effectiveness of the decision aid.

Design: A trial was conducted using a consensus expert policy as the educational intervention; a one-group pre-test, post-test design was chosen to measure any effect of training.

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Clinical nurses' expressions of the emotions related to caring and coping with cancer patients in Pakistan: a qualitative study.

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)

November 2012

School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.

Nursing in Pakistan is a developing profession. This was the first study to examine nurses' views and emotions related to nursing cancer patients in an oncology hospital in Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews explored the concept of emotions and their interpretation by nurses.

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A longitudinal analysis of loneliness among older people in Great Britain.

J Psychol

June 2012

School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.

Longitudinal studies of loneliness among older people are comparatively rare. At 8 years after the initial survey in 1999-2000, we followed up on the 999 people aged 65+ years who were living in the community in the United Kingdom. We found that 583 participants were still alive, and 287 (58%) participated in the follow-up survey.

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Carcinogen-specific mutational and epigenetic alterations in INK4A, INK4B and p53 tumour-suppressor genes drive induced senescence bypass in normal diploid mammalian cells.

Oncogene

January 2013

Institute of Cancer Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Division of Biosciences, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK.

Immortalization (senescence bypass) is a critical rate-limiting step in the malignant transformation of mammalian somatic cells. Human cells must breach at least two distinct senescence barriers to permit unfettered clonal evolution during cancer development: (1) stress- or oncogene-induced premature senescence (SIPS/OIS), mediated via the p16-Rb and/or ARF-p53-p21 tumour-suppressive pathways, and (2) replicative senescence triggered by telomere shortening. In contrast, because their telomerase is constitutively active, cells from small rodents possess only the SIPS/OIS barrier, and are therefore useful for studying SIPS/OIS bypass in isolation.

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To adopt is to adapt: the process of implementing the ICF with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team in England.

Disabil Rehabil

October 2012

The Centre for Research in Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.

Purpose: The success of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) depends on its uptake in clinical practice. This project aimed to explore ways the ICF could be used with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team and identify key learning from the implementation process.

Method: Using an action research approach, iterative cycles of observe, plan, act and evaluate were used within three phases: exploratory; innovatory and reflective.

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