TeesRep Collection:

The assessment level of fluoride intake/exposure using “3-day dietary diary” & “2-day duplicate” methods

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The assessment level of fluoride intake/exposure using “3-day dietary diary” & “2-day duplicate” methods Authors: Omid, N. (Narges) Abstract: Background: Studies of assessing dietary fluoride intake in children have employed different dietary methods mainly “2-day duplicate” and “3-day food diary” methods. However, none of these methods have been validated or standardised. Main aims: The main aims of the current study were to develop a better understanding of strengths and weaknesses of dietary assessment methods “2-day duplicate plate” and “3-day food diary” by comparing dietary fluoride intake estimated by each method and evaluate the validity of the two methods for estimating dietary fluoride intake in young children. Methods: Sixty one healthy 4-6 year old children living in fluoridated area of the north-east of England since birth were recruited via 10 primary schools. Dietary information was collected using “2-day duplicate plate” and “3-day food diary” methods. Two 24-h urine samples and two samples of post brushing expectorate (a mixture of saliva, toothpaste and water used to rinse after brushing) from each child. Completeness of 24-h urine samples was checked using urinary excretion of creatinine and urinary flow rate. Validity of the two dietary assessment methods was checked by measuring urinary excretion of nitrogen and potassium as independent validity checks. Total daily fluoride intake from diet and toothpaste ingestion and urinary fluoride excretion was determined for each child. Results: All participated children completed all aspects of the study. According to the validity criteria, dietary data of 58 (95%) children, when collected by the 3-day food diary, were considered valid. However, when the dietary data were collected by the 2-day duplicate plate method, the data for 46 (75%) children were viewed as valid. Mean total dietary fluoride intake was 0.533 mg/d by the 3-day food diary method and 0.583 mg/d by the 2-day duplicate plate method. No statistically significant difference in total dietary fluoride intake was observed between the two methods. The mean difference in estimated dietary fluoride intake by the two dietary assessment methods was -0.050 mg/d with 95% limits of agreement of -0.501 to + 0.401 mg/d. Conclusion: Either the 3-day food diary or the 2-day duplicate plate method can be used when investigating mean total daily dietary fluoride intake of a population. However the methods cannot be used interchangeably at the individual level.

Expression of hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α as a prognostic indicator in oesophageal cancer

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Expression of hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α as a prognostic indicator in oesophageal cancer Authors: Munipalle, P. C. (Phanibhushana) Abstract: Introduction Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α (HIF 1α) plays a major role in the pleitropic response observed secondary to hypoxic conditions in tumours. Its expression in the tumour cells has been correlated to tumour aggressiveness but its prognostic value in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus remains unclear. To date, limited information is available on the prognostic role of HIF 1α in SCC of oesophagus in UK population. This information may help in choosing appropriate therapeutic strategies and possibly developing a monoclonal antibody with therapeutic potential targeting the HIF 1α. Methods Tumour samples from 36 patients diagnosed with SCC of oesophagus were collected in this prospective observational study. Prepared tissue sections were stained with validated specific monoclonal antibodies for HIF 1α in controlled experiment and the expression of HIF 1α was scored by blind assessment. This expression score was correlated with the disease pattern and survival over a period of 4 year 8 months. Results Out of 36 patients, 17 patients showed low and 19 high expression of HIF 1α. A trend of better median overall survival was observed in the group with low expression of HIF 1α compared to high expression (238 vs. 196 days) but this was not statistically significant (p>0.05, log rank test). Regression analysis showed that HIF 1α was not an independent prognostic factor for survival (p>0.05). Absence of metastases at diagnosis (p = 0.05) and treatment with curative intent (p = 0.001) were statistically significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis; on multivariate analysis, treatment with curative intent was the only independent statistically significant prognostic factor (p < 0.001). Conclusion HIF 1α expression did not show prognostic value in SCC of oesophagus in present study in spite of a trend in improved survival, in agreement with previous studies. Further study is required to support this observation. Similar knowledge on the role of HIF 1α expression in oeosphageal adenocarcinoma is scarce. As the incidence of adenocarcinoma is increasing, research in this field is recommended. Novel strategies on the therapeutic manipulation of HIF 1α in cancer are to be explored further and may have a role to play in improving treatment outcome in oesophageal cancer.

What Is The Meaning Of Segregation For Prisoners: Creating a space for survival by reframing contextual power

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: What Is The Meaning Of Segregation For Prisoners: Creating a space for survival by reframing contextual power Authors: Kirby, S. (Stephan) Abstract: Background: Segregation, within the context of this study, is the removal of a prisoner from the wider prison to an environment that is regimented and controlling, and functions through enforced solitude. There is very little research that explores this environment from the perspective of the prisoners who experience it. By using the voices of the prisoners this study provides rich description of the conceptual understanding of how they and resolved their segregation experiences. Research Aim: The aim of this research was to develop a grounded theory of how prisoners gave meaning to their segregated environment experience. Methodology: This study was guided by a constructivist epistemology and the principles and process of grounded theory (Constructivist Grounded Theory) as described by Glaser, Strauss, and Charmaz. Data was gathered from a participant group of prisoners who were experiencing, or had experienced within the previous two months, time in segregation, from one specific Category A prison, as well as comparable case studies. Data was collected through semi structured interviews, and case study documentary analysis, and analysed using the concurrent processes of constant comparative analysis, data collection, and theoretical sampling. Results: The participants expressed that the main concern of their time in segregation was a desire to survive this experience. They expressed this desire, and the actions and behaviours necessary to achieve it, through a process conceptualised as reframing contextual power. This has three 'subcategories‘ 'Power Posturing', 'Power Positioning', and 'Power Playing', each comprising of further subdivisions of the conceptualisation of the participants main concern. These consisted of 'Knowing Fixed Rules', 'Reading Emergent Rules', 'Relating', 'Resistance', 'Being Bad', 'Being Mad', and 'Being Cool'. Power was the major interlinking concept and this was fundamental to the strategies and actions necessary for the participants to achieve their main concern. While presented as three distinct 'subcategories‘ they are neither independent nor hierarchical, rather they are interconnected and interlinked. The participants were active in the utilisation and enactment of power actions and not passive recipients of power. A theoretical exploration of the power inherent in reframing contextual power demonstrated that no one theory or approach can sufficiently explain power within this context. It is proposed that, drawing from a number of theorists, an integrated approach to viewing and understanding such power is required to allow for a more sophisticated understanding of how the participants reframe contextual power. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide a method of understanding how the participants engaged with, and utilised complex strategies to survive the segregated environment experience. The findings also contribute to how we understand the processes of power within this current (and similar) context(s). I consider that the uniqueness of this thesis is important as it contributes to the extant body of knowledge in this field and thus offers a salient message relating to the (potential) future of segregation and the solitary confinement of prisoners.

The effect of textured surfaces on postural sway and lower limb muscle activity during quiet standing in healthy young and older adults

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The effect of textured surfaces on postural sway and lower limb muscle activity during quiet standing in healthy young and older adults Authors: Hatton, A. L. (Anna) Abstract: This thesis investigated whether different textured surfaces have a role to play in changing balance performance in healthy young and older adults. A review of the literature showed that balance may be improved by standing on surfaces, or wearing foot insoles, with texture compared to those that are smooth, possibly by providing enhanced plantar tactile stimulation. It also showed that textured footwear interventions can influence lower limb muscle activity during functional activities. However, some major gaps in current literature were identified. There was limited evidence relating to the effect of texture in older adults: a population known to show poor balance and at high risk of falling. The importance of the geometric textured pattern in changing balance had not been investigated. It was also unclear whether textured interventions altered lower limb muscle activity, as a component of sensorimotor function of balance control. The purpose of this thesis was to address these important areas of research and contribute novel evidence to the field. In two separate studies, 24 young and 50 older healthy adults conducted tests of bilateral quiet standing with eyes open and closed on two different textured surfaces and a smooth surface as control. Centre of pressure based sway variables were extracted from a force platform and lower limb muscle activity was collected using surface electromyography, over 30 seconds. Textured surfaces did not significantly alter sway variables or lower limb muscle activity in healthy young adults. Closer observation of the data tentatively suggested texture may have the capacity to alter anterior-posterior sway and centre of pressure velocity in young adults. These findings supported the aims of this thesis to explore the possibility of a textured effect in people with poor balance ability: older adults. Textured surfaces significantly changed mediolateral sway range and centre of pressure velocity in healthy older adults, in the absence of visual information. No significant changes were observed for lower limb muscle activity, between the textured conditions. Exploratory sub-group analysis for gender generated speculative data suggesting the effect of texture on balance and muscle activity may be more marked in older females. Evidence from both studies suggests that relative to control, the two textured conditions have opposite effects on postural sway. There may be an optimal textured pattern which could be therapeutically beneficial for enhancing balance performance in healthy and pathological groups. Further investigation is required.