Dependence of brain intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion parameters on the cardiac cycle.

Measurement of microvascular perfusion with Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) MRI is gaining interest. Yet, the physiological influences on the IVIM perfusion parameters ("pseudo-diffusion" coefficient D*, perfusion fraction f, and flow related parameter fD*) remain insufficiently characterized. In this article, we hypothesize that D* and fD*, which depend on blood speed, should vary during the cardiac cycle. We extended the IVIM model to include time dependence of D* = D*(t), and demonstrate in the healthy human brain that both parameters D* and fD* are significantly larger during systole than diastole, while the diffusion coefficient D and f do not vary significantly. The results non-invasively demonstrate the pulsatility of the brain's microvasculature.

Analysis of stop-gain and frameshift variants in human innate immunity genes.

Loss-of-function variants in innate immunity genes are associated with Mendelian disorders in the form of primary immunodeficiencies. Recent resequencing projects report that stop-gains and frameshifts are collectively prevalent in humans and could be responsible for some of the inter-individual variability in innate immune response. Current computational approaches evaluating loss-of-function in genes carrying these variants rely on gene-level characteristics such as evolutionary conservation and functional redundancy across the genome. However, innate immunity genes represent a particular case because they are more likely to be under positive selection and duplicated. To create a ranking of severity that would be applicable to innate immunity genes we evaluated 17,764 stop-gain and 13,915 frameshift variants from the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project and 1,000 Genomes Project. Sequence-based features such as loss of functional domains, isoform-specific truncation and nonsense-mediated decay were found to correlate with variant allele frequency and validated with gene expression data. We integrated these features in a Bayesian classification scheme and benchmarked its use in predicting pathogenic variants against Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) disease stop-gains and frameshifts. The classification scheme was applied in the assessment of 335 stop-gains and 236 frameshifts affecting 227 interferon-stimulated genes. The sequence-based score ranks variants in innate immunity genes according to their potential to cause disease, and complements existing gene-based pathogenicity scores. Specifically, the sequence-based score improves measurement of functional gene impairment, discriminates across different variants in a given gene and appears particularly useful for analysis of less conserved genes.

Analysis of need in relation to 'one stop shop' services for young people in Northern Ireland

An analysis of need for 'one stop shop'; drop-in support services in relation to alcohol and drug misuse, undertaken by the PHA for the Health Development Policy Branch of the DHSSPS.

For your heart's sake stop smoking

On World Heart Day, 29 September 2011, the Public Health Agency is urging all smokers to stop smoking and reduce their risk of developing heart disease (cardiovascular disease - CVD) or suffering a stroke or a heart attack.Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and illness in the UK. Research shows that smoking is one of the main contributors of the disease, causing around 25,000 deaths a year in the UK. Cigarette smokers are two times more likely than non-smokers to suffer a heart attack.The majority of people who suffer a heart attack before the age of 50 are smokers. Cigarette smoke causes heart disease by:· reducing oxygen to the heart;· increasing blood pressure and heart rate;· increasing blood clotting;· damaging cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels, causing narrowing of the arteries.From the moment smoke reaches your lungs, your heart is forced to work harder. Your pulse quickens, forcing your heart to beat an extra 10 to 25 times per minute, as many as 36,000 additional times per day. Because of the irritating effect of nicotine and other components of tobacco smoke, your heartbeat is more likely to be irregular. This can contribute to cardiac arrhythmia and many other serious coronary conditions, such as heart attack.For smokers who already suffer from heart problems, quitting will dramatically help. Many heart patients notice an almost immediate improvement when they stop smoking. Often, they need less medication and can cope better with physical exertion.Gerry Bleakney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement, PHA, said: "Smoking is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease and smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attackas someone who has never smoked. One in every two long-term smokers will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases, many suffer very poor health before they die. However one year after successfully quitting smoking, an individual will have reduced their risk of having a heart attack to half that of a person continuing to smoke."Across Northern Ireland, there are over 600 support services for people who wish to stop smoking, based in GP surgeries, community pharmacies, hospitals, community centres and workplaces. I would encourage everyone who is thinking about quitting to log on to our Want 2 Stop website: www.want2stop.info and order a 'Quit Kit' free of charge alternatively contact the Smokers' Helpline on 0808 812 8008."

Evaluation of Pilot One Stop Shop Programme

In November 2010, the Public Health Agencycommissioned Social Market Research (www.socialmarketresearch.co.uk) to undertake a formative evaluation of the pilot 'One Stop Shop' (OSS) Programme. This report presents the outcomes from this evaluation as well as recommendations to support the further development of the programme beyond the pilot period.

Respiratory motion artifact suppression in diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spine.

Diffusion-weighted spin-echo imaging of the spine has been successfully implemented for differentiation of benign fracture edema and tumor infiltration of the vertebral body. Nevertheless, this technique still suffers from insufficient image quality in numerous patients due to motion artifacts. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of variable respiratory motion artifact suppression techniques on image quality in diffusion-weighted spin-echo imaging of the spine. In addition to phase-encoding reordering, a newly implemented right hemi-diaphragmaitc navigator for respiratory gating was used. Subjective and objective image quality parameters were compared. Respiratory motion artifact suppression has a major impact on image quality in diffusion-weighted imaging of the spine. Phase-encoding reordering does not enhance image quality while right hemi-diaphragmatic respiratory navigator gating significantly improves image quality at the cost of data acquisition time. Navigator gating should be used if standard spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrates insufficient image quality.

Commissioning for equity. Stop gaps: equity of access to London's stop smoking services

This briefing looks at who is making use of NHS stop smoking services in the London area.

Want to stop smoking

This poster was published as part of the 'Want to stop!' smoking cessation campaign that centred on the PHA's public information website www.want2stop.info The website also allows the user to create a personalised quit plan to suit their needs.

Want to stop smoking

This card was published as part of the 'Want to stop!' smoking cessation campaign that centred on the PHA's public information website www.want2stop.info The website also allows the user to create a personalised quit plan to suit their needs.

Quality Standards for the Delivery of Specialist Stop Smoking Services in Northern Ireland September 2011

Cigarette smoking is the major cause of preventable ill health in Northern Ireland. It accounts for 2400 premature deaths every year. Fifty percent or one in every two smokers will die prematurely due to their addiction; many will suffer chronic ill health and poor quality of life before their death (DHSSPS, 2007; ASH, 2008). Approximately 340,000 people smoke in Northern Ireland or 24% of the population over 16yrs. The Public Health Agency (PHA) commissions specialist stop smoking services across Northern Ireland. It has enabled the establishment of specialist stop smoking services in a range of settings including GP practices, pharmacies, hospitals and community settings. Tobacco control activities are overseen locally by the PHA's Tobacco Control Groups. The multi-agency groups oversee and advise on tobacco control initiatives.All stop smoking services are required to comply with the requirements of 18 standards. This report highlights the standards.

Stop, Look and Cook: recipe book for schools in Northern Ireland

Nutrition is central to health and children's diets can be an important influence now and in the future. Stop, Look and Cook is a new recipe book for use by catering staff in all grant-aided nursery, primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland.�Recipes have been collected from school caterers across the region. These recipes have been checked to ensure that they are compliant with nutritional standards for school lunches and have been tested in schools for taste and suitability. In addition all the recipes have been analysed by the PHA using a nutritional software package, with a particular focus on fat, salt and sugar.�This recipe book provides approximately 280 recipes, giving schools more choice for menus. It also contains useful advice for dealing with food allergies and supplying alternative meals for pupils from other cultures.For more information on Stop, Look and Cook please contact the school meals catering manager at your local Education and Library Board.�

Analysis of need in relation to 'one stop shop' services for young people in Northern Ireland

An analysis of need for 'one stop shop' drop-in support services in relation to alcohol and drug misuse, undertaken by the PHA for the Health Development Policy Branch of the DHSSPS Additional information: