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We investigated the academic performance of distance-taught student Paramedics and the effect of workplace support measures offered by their employers. Using a combination of quantitative, qualitative and open text data, we identified... more
We investigated the academic performance of distance-taught student Paramedics and the effect of workplace support measures offered by their employers. Using a combination of quantitative, qualitative and open text data, we identified factors important for student success and well-being. Dedicated study time was not a significant predictor of student success, but was related to the quality of achievement as measured by pass grade. More important for success were less tangible factors such as relationship with a mentor, and being part of a supportive peer group. It is important to accord prominence to these features, and to build them into new course design. Care must also be taken that placements elsewhere be well organised, and students proactively supported while undertaking them.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of workplace support measures offered by employers on the academic performance and satisfaction of distance-taught paramedic students. Design/methodology/approach – Using a... more
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of workplace support measures offered by employers on the academic performance and satisfaction of distance-taught paramedic students. Design/methodology/approach – Using a combination of quantitative, qualitative and open text data, the authors identified factors important for student success. Findings – Dedicated study time was not a significant predictor of student pass rate, but was related to the quality of achievement as measured by pass grade. More important for success were less tangible factors such as relationship with a mentor and being part of a supportive peer group. Research limitations/implications – The number of respondents to the survey of graduates in the second part of the investigation was small (n1⁄4 30; 8.9 per cent) and limited to one profession (Emergency care). Practical implications – The support measures the authors have identified should be overtly built into new course design. Placements u...
The heart is surrounded by a layer of fat known as epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). The adipocytes within EAT are critical to the function of the heart; they are an essential source of free fatty acids, which cardiomyocytes utilise for... more
The heart is surrounded by a layer of fat known as epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). The adipocytes within EAT are critical to the function of the heart; they are an essential source of free fatty acids, which cardiomyocytes utilise for energy. EAT also provides thermal insulation and physical protection for the heart. However, the beneficial functions of EAT can be negated by the release of signals that evoke pathological changes in cardiomyocytes. EAT releases molecules, such as adipokines and cytokines, and due to the close proximity of EAT to cardiomyocytes these adipose-derived factors can affect the heart in a paracrine manner. The thickness of EAT as a predictor for several types of cardiac diseases. It is not possible to co-culture adipocytes and cardiomyocytes in a 2 dimensional co-culture, because mature adipocytes do not attach to cell culture surfaces. As a result, most studies on the effects of adipocyte released factors on cardiomyocytes use the addition of adipocyte-co...
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Adipocytes play many important roles within the body, though until recently their importance has frequently gone unrecognised. They are well known for their activities in fat metabolism and storage, but they are also significant secretory... more
Adipocytes play many important roles within the body, though until recently their importance has frequently gone unrecognised. They are well known for their activities in fat metabolism and storage, but they are also significant secretory cells, and play roles in modulating immune function and provisioning stem cell development. Different adipose depots are specialised to interact in different ways with neighbouring cells, tissues and organs, and there is now an emerging body of evidence demonstrating their roles in areas as diverse as gut function, immune function and cardiac function. Adipocytes are difficult to study in conventional culture: their buoyant density is such that they float, so are easily lost during medium changes, and their large size makes them too fragile to withstand many routine manipulations. When they lyse they release quantities of triacylglycerols which interfere with many biochemical analyses. Thus much of the work on adipocytes has had to be carried out i...
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White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukins-4,6,8... more
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukins-4,6,8 and10. These cytokines direct neighbouring adipocytes to respond by releasing fatty acids from their triacylglycerol stores. This mechanism is believed to be of great importance as it provides energy and metabolic precursors to lymphoid cells during the immune response. The aim of the study is to investigate the activity exhibited by lymph node cells and adipocytes in a long term in vitro 3-dimensional co-culture system. A number of experimental approaches are being applied to successfully deliver lymph node cells and to increase their viability within the system.
It has been shown (Devoret and George, 1967; Monk, 1969) that introduction of an ultraviolet-irradiated plasmid into a host bacterium can result in induction of prophage A in a A lysogen, or suppression of cell division in a non-lysogen.... more
It has been shown (Devoret and George, 1967; Monk, 1969) that introduction of an ultraviolet-irradiated plasmid into a host bacterium can result in induction of prophage A in a A lysogen, or suppression of cell division in a non-lysogen. In this thesis, the effect on cell division has been further studied. Irradiated P1 bacteriophages were used to infect cells of Eacherichia coli 1(12 carrying the uvrA mutation. Such cells are unable to excise pyrimidine dimers from DNA. The dimera induced in the phage genome by ultraviolet irradiation (Setlow, 1964) were measured by paper chromatography (G(nther and Prusoff, 1967). Inhibition of cell division was studied with respect to the effects of nutrients and host cell cycle on expression. Attempts were made to demonstrate replication of the damaged phage particle by differential radioactive labelling and density shift experiments. Autoradiography was used to determine the position of the damaged plasmid in the filament which it induced, and ...
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node lymphoid cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines (1,2). These... more
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node lymphoid cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines (1,2). These cytokines direct neighbouring adipocytes to respond by releasing fatty acids from their triacylglycerol stores (2,3). This mechanism is believed to be of great importance as it provides precursors for eicosanoid and plasma membrane synthesis, as well as a fuel source to lymph node lymphoid cells (4). The mechanism of transport of fatty acids from adipocytes across the lymph node capsule and into lymphoid cells remains to be elucidated. Here we present evidence that a population of small adipocytes is found deep within the lymph node. We suggest that these small adipocytes are loaded with triacylglycerol fatty acids which are released during an immune response.
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We report a study of the interactions between epicardial adipose tissue, which is tightly apposed to the heart in vivo, and cardiomyocytes, using rat cells in a novel 3D co-culture system. Our findings are that in addition to being a... more
We report a study of the interactions between epicardial adipose tissue, which is tightly apposed to the heart in vivo, and cardiomyocytes, using rat cells in a novel 3D co-culture system. Our findings are that in addition to being a local source of energy-rich fatty acids which support cardiac function, adipocytes are a source of paracrine factors that modulate the amplitude and rate of contraction. This is achieved by changes in a number of cardiomyocyte signalling pathways.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
We have developed a long term 3-dimensional coculture system with adipocytes and lymph node cells for the purpose of investigating interactions between these cells in vitro. Present experimental work with the culture system is aimed at... more
We have developed a long term 3-dimensional coculture system with adipocytes and lymph node cells for the purpose of investigating interactions between these cells in vitro. Present experimental work with the culture system is aimed at introducing lymph node cells, in proportions similar to those found in intact lymph nodes, among differentiated adipocytes and observing interactions and the establishment of a spatial relationship between them. Co-cultures will be used to investigate the lymph node adipocyte interactions following immune stimulation (lipopolysaccharide treatment) measuring production of inflammatory mediators (cytokines) and lipolytic activity.
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Enteric fever infections remain a significant public health issue, with up to 20 million infections per year. Increasing rates of antibiotic resistant strains have rendered many first-line antibiotics potentially ineffective. Genotype... more
Enteric fever infections remain a significant public health issue, with up to 20 million infections per year. Increasing rates of antibiotic resistant strains have rendered many first-line antibiotics potentially ineffective. Genotype 4.3.1 (H58) is the main circulating lineage of S. Typhi in many South Asian countries and is associated with high levels of antibiotic resistance. The emergence and spread of extensively drug resistant (XDR) typhoid strains has increased the need for a rapid molecular test to identify and track these high-risk lineages for surveillance and vaccine prioritisation. Current methods require samples to be cultured for several days, followed by DNA extraction and sequencing to determine the specific lineage. We designed and evaluated the performance of a new multiplex PCR assay, targeting S. Paratyphi A as well as the H58 and XDR lineages of S. Typhi on a collection of bacterial strains. Our assay was 100% specific for the identification of lineage specific ...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of workplace support measures offered by employers on the academic performance and satisfaction of distance-taught paramedic students. Design/methodology/approach Using a... more
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of workplace support measures offered by employers on the academic performance and satisfaction of distance-taught paramedic students. Design/methodology/approach Using a combination of quantitative, qualitative and open text data, the authors identified factors important for student success. Findings Dedicated study time was not a significant predictor of student pass rate, but was related to the quality of achievement as measured by pass grade. More important for success were less tangible factors such as relationship with a mentor and being part of a supportive peer group. Research limitations/implications The number of respondents to the survey of graduates in the second part of the investigation was small (n=30; 8.9 per cent) and limited to one profession (Emergency care). Practical implications The support measures the authors have identified should be overtly built into new course design. Placements undertaken awa...
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Research Interests:
Research Interests: Pathology, Radiation, Embryology, Cell line, Mice, and 8 moreAnimals, Blastocyst, Methionine, Tritium, Teratoma, Chromosomes, Cell Survival, and Strains
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Research Interests:
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system for culturing adipocytes. The invention also relates to methods for culturing adipocytes and for obtaining adipocytes from preadipocytes in cell culture. Aspects of... more
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system for culturing adipocytes. The invention also relates to methods for culturing adipocytes and for obtaining adipocytes from preadipocytes in cell culture. Aspects of the invention further relate to methods for evaluating interactions between adipocytes and other cell types, and for evaluating responses of adipocytes to environmental stimuli. This enables a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in cell and tissue interactions and has implications in the fields of obesity, diabetes, inflammation and related diseases.
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node lymphoid cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines (1,2). These... more
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node lymphoid cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines (1,2). These cytokines direct neighbouring adipocytes to respond by releasing fatty acids from their triacylglycerol stores (2,3). This mechanism is believed to be of great importance as it provides precursors for eicosanoid and plasma membrane synthesis, as well as a fuel source to lymph node lymphoid cells (4). The mechanism of transport of fatty acids from adipocytes across the lymph node capsule and into lymphoid cells remains to be elucidated. Here we present evidence that a population of small adipocytes is found deep within the lymph node. We suggest that these small adipocytes are loaded with triacylglycerol fatty acids which are released during an immune response.
Research Interests:
We have developed a long term 3-dimensional coculture system with adipocytes and lymph node cells for the purpose of investigating interactions between these cells in vitro. Present experimental work with the culture system is aimed at... more
We have developed a long term 3-dimensional coculture system with adipocytes and lymph node cells for the purpose of investigating interactions between these cells in vitro. Present experimental work with the culture system is aimed at introducing lymph node cells, in proportions similar to those found in intact lymph nodes, among differentiated adipocytes and observing interactions and the establishment of a spatial relationship between them. Co-cultures will be used to investigate the lymph node adipocyte interactions following immune stimulation (lipopolysaccharide treatment) measuring production of inflammatory mediators (cytokines) and lipolytic activity.
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukins-4,6,8... more
White adipose tissue is involved in localised paracrine interactions with lymph node cells. In this adipocyte-lymph node relationship, localised immune challenges stimulate the release of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukins-4,6,8 and10. These cytokines direct neighbouring adipocytes to respond by releasing fatty acids from their triacylglycerol stores. This mechanism is believed to be of great importance as it provides energy and metabolic precursors to lymphoid cells during the immune response. The aim of the study is to investigate the activity exhibited by lymph node cells and adipocytes in a long term in vitro 3-dimensional co-culture system. A number of experimental approaches are being applied to successfully deliver lymph node cells and to increase their viability within the system.
Adipocytes play many important roles within the body, though until recently their importance has frequently gone unrecognised. They are well known for their activities in fat metabolism and storage, but they are also significant secretory... more
Adipocytes play many important roles within the body, though until recently their importance has frequently gone unrecognised. They are well known for their activities in fat metabolism and storage, but they are also significant secretory cells, and play roles in modulating immune function and provisioning stem cell development. Different adipose depots are specialised to interact in different ways with neighbouring cells, tissues and organs, and there is now an emerging body of evidence demonstrating their roles in areas as diverse as gut function, immune function and cardiac function. Adipocytes are difficult to study in conventional culture: their buoyant density is such that they float, so are easily lost during medium changes, and their large size makes them too fragile to withstand many routine manipulations. When they lyse they release quantities of triacylglycerols which interfere with many biochemical analyses. Thus much of the work on adipocytes has had to be carried out i...
Newly-formed pairs of 16-cell blastomeres were collected by periodic observation of isolated 8-cell blastomeres. Any pairs formed by division were recovered and classified as being composed of 1/16 blastomeres that differed in size or... more
Newly-formed pairs of 16-cell blastomeres were collected by periodic observation of isolated 8-cell blastomeres. Any pairs formed by division were recovered and classified as being composed of 1/16 blastomeres that differed in size or were of similar size. All of the latter and some of the former were then cultured for periods of up to 20h. The remaining pairs of different-sized blastomeres were disaggregated to larger or smaller cells. Some of these were reaggregated as smaller: smaller or larger: larger pairs, and these, together with the remaining isolated smaller and larger blastomeres were also cultured for up to 20h. At hourly intervals, cultured cells were sampled and analysed for incidence of division. It was found that larger cells divided on average after 12h whereas smaller cells divided on average after 14h.
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Experiments into the relationship between diet and health have been an area of high interest for a long time. In this study, we investigate the application of multivariate data analysis to differentiate between rat populations fed on two... more
Experiments into the relationship between diet and health have been an area of high interest for a long time. In this study, we investigate the application of multivariate data analysis to differentiate between rat populations fed on two different diets: normal rat diet (control) and Western affluent diet (WAD). Two sets of data were acquired and analysed: one from a biochemical clinical analyser, taking measurements of blood-based biochemical markers; the other from the analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from faecal samples from the same animals using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). Five classes were considered: weanlings, 12 month controls, 12 month WADs, 18 month controls, and 18 month WADs. Data from the biochemical analyser, weanlings and 18 month WAD fed rats showed significant differences from the other measurement classes. This was shown in both the exploratory analysis and through multivariate classification. Classification of cont...
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Rats were fed from weaning on chow supplemented with suet or sunflower oil (10 % (w/w) each). The appearance of receptors for tumour necrosis factor-alpha on perinodal adipocytes from the popliteal depot following a subcutaneous injection... more
Rats were fed from weaning on chow supplemented with suet or sunflower oil (10 % (w/w) each). The appearance of receptors for tumour necrosis factor-alpha on perinodal adipocytes from the popliteal depot following a subcutaneous injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide was examined. In rats fed on sunflower oil-supplemented chow receptors appeared at a time similar to that described in rats fed unsupplemented chow, but in rats fed on chow supplemented with suet receptor appearance was significantly delayed. The popliteal adipocytes were found to contain different proportions of fatty acids as assessed by GLC. These preliminary results suggest that the fatty acid component of the diet can, by influencing the triacylglycerol-fatty acids within adipocytes, directly alter the time course of an early inflammatory immune response.
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Preimplantation mouse embryos were metabolically labelled with 3H or 14C-fucose to investigate the synthesis of fucosylated macromolecules. Scintillation counting revealed that there was a progressive increase in both total fucose taken... more
Preimplantation mouse embryos were metabolically labelled with 3H or 14C-fucose to investigate the synthesis of fucosylated macromolecules. Scintillation counting revealed that there was a progressive increase in both total fucose taken up by the embryo and incorporation of fucose into TCA-precipitable material as embryos developed from the 4-cell to the blastocyst stage. This was reflected in the increasing intensity of bands on autoradiographs of radioactive fucose labelled proteins separated on 10% SDS-PAGs between the 4-cell embryo (at which stage bands were first detectable) and the blastocyst. Minor qualitative changes in fucoproteins were detected at the time of compaction and additional bands appeared at the blastocyst stage. Preliminary analysis of fucolipids in 6- to 8-cell embryos indicated that an approximately equal amount of fucose was incorporated into lipid and protein. Autoradiographs of semi-thin sections of 3H-fucose-labelled embryos showed substantial amounts of ...
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Correspondence to Dr. Richard Holliman, Centre for Science Education, Faculty of Science, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. Email: RMHolliman@open.ac.uk ... Media coverage of the Human Genome Project ... Richard... more
Correspondence to Dr. Richard Holliman, Centre for Science Education, Faculty of Science, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. Email: RMHolliman@open.ac.uk ... Media coverage of the Human Genome Project ... Richard Holliman, Claire Donovan, ...
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Research Interests:
Adipogenesis is a complex process that involves the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. We have developed two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems for the purpose of culturing and... more
Adipogenesis is a complex process that involves the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. We have developed two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems for the purpose of culturing and differentiating primary preadipocytes in vitro. Differentiating preadipocytes show multiple lipid droplet accumulation and comparable protein expression patterns to mature adipocytes in vivo. We report that in both in vitro systems terminally differentiated adipocytes show characteristics similar to those of mature adipocytes in vivo, assessed by the expression of the S100alpha/beta protein, insulin receptor and caveolin-1, and receptors for inflammatory mediators, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptors I and II (TNFRI and TNFRII) and chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). Our results demonstrate that the S100 protein, caveolin-1, and insulin receptor are expressed and up-regulated in differentiating and terminally differentiated cells. In addition, the receptors for TNFalpha are not present in preadipocytes but are expressed in differentiating preadipocytes and in differentiated adipocytes. Similarly, CCR5 was exclusively expressed in differentiating preadipocytes and terminally differentiated adipocytes, but not in preadipocytes. Both 2D and 3D culture models are highly robust and reproducible and offer the potential to study adipogenesis and cellular interactions closely resembling and comparable to those in vivo. Our 3D collagen system offers a distinct advantage over the 2D system in that the adipocytes remain confined within the matrix and remain intact during biochemical analysis. Moreover, the collagen matrix allows adipocytes to closely simulate morphological characteristics and behavior as in vivo whilst permitting manipulation of the microenvironment in vitro to study adipogenesis.
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... TM and Kirkley, JR 235249. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. 2. Ashby, A. 2004. Monitoring student retention in the Open University: Definition, measurement, interpretation and action. Open Learning, 19(1): 6577. [Taylor & Francis Online];... more
... TM and Kirkley, JR 235249. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. 2. Ashby, A. 2004. Monitoring student retention in the Open University: Definition, measurement, interpretation and action. Open Learning, 19(1): 6577. [Taylor & Francis Online]; 3. Bennett, S., Metcalfe, J., Ross, S., Scanlon, ...