Preparing for Life Northside Partnership

Outline of Presentation 1 What is Preparing for Life (PFL)? 2 Design and delivery of PFL 3 Researching PFL 4 Conducting an RCT in a community setting 5 Making research and implementation work together cohesively 6 Benefits of working together 7 What have we learned  

World Alzheimer Report 2011 - The benefits of early diagnosis and intervention

Alzheimer's Disease International released the World Alzheimer Report 2011 - The benefits of early diagnosis and intervention on the 13th September 2011. Key Findings:As many as three-quarters of the estimated 36 million people worldwide living with dementia have not been diagnosed and hence cannot benefit from treatment, information and care. In high-income countries, only 20-50% of dementia cases are recognized and documented in primary care. In low- and middle-income countries, this proportion could be as low as 10%.Failure to diagnose often results from the false belief that dementia is a normal part of aging, and that nothing can be done to help. On the contrary, the new report finds that interventions can make a difference, even in the early stages of the illness.Drugs and psychological interventions for people with early-stage dementia can improve cognition, independence, and quality of life. Support and counseling for caregivers can improve mood, reduce strain and delay institutionalization of people with dementia.Governments, concerned about the rising costs of long-term care linked to dementia, should “spend now to save later.” Based on a review of economic analyses, the report estimates that earlier diagnosis could yield net savings of up to US$10,000 per patient in high-income countries.��World Alzheimer Report 2011 - Executive Summary (PDF, 36 pages, 1128KB)World Alzheimer Report 2011 (PDF, 72 pages, 1710KB)����

Pronostic factors in solitary plasmacytoma of the bone: A Rare Cancer Network study

Contexte Le plasmocytome isolé osseux est une tumeur maligne rare des cellules plasmocytaires. Les données issues de la littérature ne permettent pas de se déterminer sur la dose radiothérapeutique optimale. Dans cette perspective nous avons conduit une vaste étude rétrospective dans le but d'évaluer l'évolution, les facteurs pronostiques aunsi que la dose radiothérapeutique optimale chez les patients présentant un plasmocytome isolé. Méthodes Nous avons réunis les données de 206 patients présentant un plasmocytome isolé osseux sans évidence de myélome multiple. Chaque cas a été documenté histopathologiquement. La majorité des patients (n=169) ont été traités par radiothérapie seule, 32 par une combinaison radiothérapie-chimiothérapie, et 5 par chirurgie. La durée de suivi médiane fut de 54 mois (7-245) Résultats A 5 ans, la survie globale est de 70%, la survie sans maladie de 46% et le contrôle local de 88%. La durée médiane de développement vers une myélome multiple est de 21 mois (2-135) avec une probabilité à 5 ans de 51 %. Les analyses multivariées indiquent l'âge (<60 ans) et la taille de la tumeur (<5cm) comme facteur favorables pour survie. L'âge (<60ans) se dégage comme facteur favorable pour la survie sans maladie. La localisation de la tumeur (vertébrale vs autre) indique la probabilité de contrôle local. L'âge plus avancé (>60 ans) est le seul prédicteur de myélome multiple. Aucune relation dose-réponse n'est mise en évidence pour les doses supérieures à 30 Gy, même pour lés tumeurs les plus étendues. Conclusions Les patients les plus jeunes, principalement ceux présentant une localisation vertébrale, présentent la meilleure évolution sous traitement radiothérapeutique modéré. La progression vers le myélome multiple reste le problème thérapeutique principal. Les futures investigations devraient se focaliser sur les chimiothérapies adjuvantes ainsi que sur les nouveaux agents thérapeutiques.

Smoking offsets the metabolic benefits of parental longevity in women: the CoLaus study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether subjects with long-lived parents show lower levels of cardiovascular risk factors, including the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We analyzed data from a Swiss population-based sample (1163 men and 1398 women) aged 55-75 years from Lausanne. Participants were stratified by number of parents (0, 1, 2) who survived to 85 years or more. The associations of parental longevity with cardiovascular risk factors and related metabolic variables were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Age-adjusted metabolic syndrome prevalence varied from 24.8%, 20.5% to 13.8% in women (P<0.05) and from 28.8%, 32.1% to 27.6% in men (not significant) with 0, 1 and 2 long-lived parents. The association between parental longevity and metabolic syndrome prevalence was particularly strong in women who had never smoked. In this group, women with 2 long-lived parents had lower Body Mass Index and smaller waist circumference. In never-smokers of both genders, mean (95% CI) adjusted High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were 1.64(1.61-1.67), 1.67(1.65-1.70) and 1.71(1.65-1.76) mmol/L for 0, 1 and 2 long-lived parents (P<0.01), respectively. The trend was not significant in former and current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: In women, not in men, parental longevity is associated with a better metabolic profile. The metabolic benefits of having long-lived parents are offset by smoking.

The Politics of Network Governance in Europe: The Case of Energy Regulation

Networks are considered increasingly important for policy-making. The literature on new modes of governance in Europe suggests that their horizontal coordination capacity and flexible and informal structures are particularly suitable for governing the multilevel architecture of the European polity. However, empirical evidence about the effects of networks on policy-making and public policies is still quite limited. This article uses the case of the European network of energy regulators to explore the determinants of the position of network members and, in turn, the domestic adoption of soft rules developed within this network. The empirical analysis, based on multivariate statistics and semi-directive interviews, supports the expectation that institutional complementarities increase actors' centrality in networks, while arguments based on organisational resources and age are disproved. Furthermore, results show that the overall level of adoption is considerable and that centrality might have a small positive effect on domestic adoption.

Neurological Conditions Network - Engagement exercise summary report

This is the summary report of the Speak out for Change engagement exercise carried out by the Neurological Conditions Network. This engagement undertook to ask people's experiences of living with a neurological condition and caring for someone with a neurological condition. Across the wide range of conditions represented,� the 142 patient experiences gathered to date, have consistently revealed issues around information, choice and control, independence and the emotional impact of neurological conditions.

Unraveling the complex network of cuticular structure and function.

A hydrophobic cuticle is deposited at the outermost extracellular matrix of the epidermis in primary tissues of terrestrial plants. Besides forming a protective shield against the environment, the cuticle is potentially involved in several developmental processes during plant growth. A high degree of variation in cuticle composition and structure exists between different plant species and tissues. Lots of progress has been made recently in understanding the different steps of biosynthesis, transport, and deposition of cuticular components. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie cuticular function remain largely elusive.

How can industry engage with the NICRN?

The Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) undertakes research in a range of medical fields. The NICRN is part of a UK-wide initiative to provide opportunities for patients and clinicians to participate in high-quality clinical research. This leaflet is targeted towards commercial partners who may wish to conduct clinical trials within Health and Social Care (HSC). The NICRN offers a range of supports for commercial partners, which allow clinical trials to get underway quickly and ensure they run smoothly.� Increasing opportunities for HSC service users to participate in clinical research and trials has the potential to bring benefits for the patients themselves and longer-term benefits to the HSC system in Northern Ireland as a whole.

Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services network in Northern Ireland - Update report 2008-2009

The third annual report from the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Healthy Promoting Hospitals (HPH) and Healthy Services network highlights a rich selection of the innovative developments and team-working achievements across services in Northern Ireland. The report provides a platform to showcase the five Health and Social Care Trusts and Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT)��'s commitment to health and wellbeing to the population and shows how hospitals can have an impact on the determinants of health as they are explained in the context of people��'s daily lives.

NetEye - Network Monitoring, Zabbix implementation

Trabajo de presentación en formato PowerPoint del TFC NetEye- Zabbix, network monitoring implementation.

Reducing alcohol-related harm by addressing alcohol availability - maximising benefits for North South cooperation

This report presents data on alcohol consumption and related harms in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The report sets out a framework for considering alcohol availability, under which the current policy landscape is presented as well as evidence from nation and international studies. The report concludes with policy implications and proposals to consolidate North South cooperation.

GLUT2 surface expression and intracellular transport via the constitutive pathway in pancreatic beta cells and insulinoma: evidence for a block in trans-Golgi network exit by brefeldin A.

The biosynthesis, intracellular transport, and surface expression of the beta cell glucose transporter GLUT2 was investigated in isolated islets and insulinoma cells. Using a trypsin sensitivity assay to measure cell surface expression, we determined that: (a) greater than 95% of GLUT2 was expressed on the plasma membrane; (b) GLUT2 did not recycle in intracellular vesicles; and (c) after trypsin treatment, reexpression of the intact transporter occurred with a t1/2 of approximately 7 h. Kinetics of intracellular transport of GLUT2 was investigated in pulse-labeling experiments combined with glycosidase treatment and the trypsin sensitivity assay. We determined that transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) occurred with a t1/2 of 15 min and that transport from the TGN to the plasma membrane required a similar half-time. When added at the start of a pulse-labeling experiment, brefeldin A prevented exit of GLUT2 from the endoplasmic reticulum. When the transporter was first accumulated in the TGN during a 15-min period of chase, but not following a low temperature (22 degrees C) incubation, addition of brefeldin A (BFA) prevented subsequent surface expression of the transporter. This indicated that brefeldin A prevented GLUT2 exit from the TGN by acting at a site proximal to the 22 degrees C block. Together, these data demonstrate that GLUT2 surface expression in beta cells is via the constitutive pathway, that transport can be blocked by BFA at two distinct steps and that once on the surface, GLUT2 does not recycle in intracellular vesicles.

Routine use of self-expanding venous cannulas for cardiopulmonary bypass: benefits and pitfalls in 100 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the performance of self-expanding venous cannulas for routine use in open-heart surgery. METHODS: Prospective study in 100 unselected consecutive patients undergoing open-heart surgery with either remote or central smart venous cannulation. RESULTS: The study focuses on the 76 consecutive adult patients (mean age 59.2+/-17.3 years; 60 males, 16 females) undergoing surgical procedures with total cardiopulmonary bypass for either valve procedures (42/76 patients=55.3%), ascending aorta and arch repair (20/76 patients=26.3%), coronary artery revascularization (13/76 patients=17.1%) or other procedures (11/76 patients=14.5%) with 14/76 patients (18.4%) undergoing redo surgery and 6/76 patients (7.9%) undergoing small access surgery. The mean pump flow achieved by gravity drainage alone accounted for 5.0+/-0.6l/min (=114% of target) in the entire study population (n=76) as compared to the calculated, theoretical pump flow of 4.4+/-0.5l/min (p<0.0001). For the femoral cannulation sub-group (n=35) pump flow achieved by gravity drainage alone accounted for 4.9+/-0.6l/min (=114% of target) as compared to the calculated theoretical pump flow of 4.3+/-0.4l/min (p<0.0001). The corresponding numbers for trans-subclavian cannulation (n=7) are 5.2+/-0.5l/min (111%) for the pump flow achieved by gravity drainage as compared to the theoretical target flow of 4.7+/-0.4l/min. For the central cannulation sub-group (n=34) mean flow achieved by gravity drainage with a self-expanding venous cannula accounted for 5.1+/-0.7l/min (=116% of target) as compared to the calculated theoretical flow of 4.4+/-0.6l/min (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Full or more than target flow was achieved in 97% of the patients studied undergoing CPB with self-expanding venous cannulas and gravity drainage. Remote venous cannulation with self-expanding cannulas provides similar flows as central cannulation. Augmentation of venous return is no longer necessary.