http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/144 2013-05-19T10:05:32Z 2013-05-19T10:05:32Z Alshehri, Areej http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7433 2013-05-10T14:26:41Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of homeobox gene in leukaemia Authors: Alshehri, Areej Abstract: Homeobox genes are known to be active during development and they are turned off after the early stages of developmental life. The HLXB9/MNX1 gene is a homeobox gene localized on human chromosome 7 and is involved in the development of pancreas and the nervous system. However, some leukaemia research groups have reported an over-expression of HLXB9 in leukaemia patients who carry the t(7;12) and in the GDM-1 cell line that carries the t(6;7). The mechanisms of leukaemogenesis in t(7;12) patients are still unclear. The t(7;12) is one of the recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities that is associated with infant acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients and has been linked to poor prognosis. The aim of this study was (i) to determine the involvement of HLXB9 in cell lines known to express this gene at the transcript level and (ii) to investigate the position on HLXB9 in AML patients with abnormalities of chromosome 7. This aim was achieved through a series of experiments involving the use of both conventional and molecular cytogenetics. In the first place, the chromosomal abnormalities in leukaemia and lymphoma cell lines (GDM-1, K562 and Pfeiffer) have been analysed using G-banding and Multiplex FISH (M-FISH) techniques. Furthermore, FISH using whole chromosome painting technique was performed on 7 AML patients to investigate chromosome 7 rearrangements. Thirdly, the involvement of the homeobox gene HLXB9 has been investigated in the acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) derived cell line GDM-1 and in 4 AML patients. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was carried out using a specific probe for the HLXB9 gene on the AML patients in single and dual colour FISH in combination with an additional probe distal to HLXB9 on the GDM-1 cell line. FISH analysis showed no involvement of the HLXB9 gene in any rearrangement or breaks at chromosomal level on the AML cell line (GDM-1) and AML patients. Nevertheless, a breakpoint either proximal or distal to HLXB9 has been identified. In particular, the breakpoint in the GDM-1 cell line has been confirmed on between the two probes used. This thesis poses the basis for further studies to investigate the mechanisms of oncogenesis in leukaemias with over-expression of HLXB9 in relation to possible breakage of chromosome 7 in the vicinity of the gene Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Ashworth-Beaumont, Jim http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7376 2013-04-25T09:41:14Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on spatial motor skill learning in healthy and spinal cord injured humans Authors: Ashworth-Beaumont, Jim Abstract: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an intervention which is thought to enhance motor learning in healthy and stroke-injured states, when applied adjunctively during skill learning. We set out to investigate whether anodal tDCS might enhance functional rehabilitation from incomplete tetraplegic SCI. To address current limitations in the measurement of task-dependent skill, a novel integrated skill training and measurement task, the Motor Skill Rehabilitation Task (MSRT) was designed and developed. Measures of performance from this task delivered the functional measure of spatial motor skill learning, Task Productivity Rate (TPR). TPR was analysed and validated as a univariate dependent outcome, which is of potential importance to the future development of clinical measures measuring goal-directed motor skills. The MSRT was included alongside conventional behavioural measures in a repeated-measures RCT pilot study, the first to investigate the effect of anodal tDCS on rehabilitation of motor skill from chronic spinal cord injury. Adjunctive application of anodal tDCS had a statistically significant benefit upon retention of skill in the incomplete spinal cord injured population, but only when the independent factor of sensory acuity was included in the analysis. Differences between the development of task-dependent skill and generic dexterity over time suggested that spatial skill development was subject to an interaction of short-term and lasting effects. A larger study in healthy persons further investigated these phenomena, also applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)–evoked measurements to investigate intervention-dependent effects upon the excitability of projections between the primary motor cortex and muscles involved in the prehension task. The findings revealed that active tDCS did not enhance skill learning at 7 days beyond the training period, but did significantly alter the development of motor skill following a period of learning and subsequent skill consolidation which was associated with underlying perturbation of motor control strategy. Significant and divergent patterns of cortical plasticity were evoked in projections to muscles necessary for reaching and grasping. The main findings of this thesis do not support anodal tDCS as an effective adjunctive means of enhancing spatial motor skill in rehabilitation from incomplete tetraplegic SCI. If applied in patient populations, the clinical benefits of anodal tDCS may be contingent both on the nature of the sensorimotor deficit affecting upper limb function and the spatial demands of the behavioural task. The findings of this project serve to inform further research in relation to the effect of anodal tDCS on the brain and behavioural outcomes, the potential for efficacy in target patient groups and the sensitivity of outcome measures to spatial and temporal dimensions of practical motor skills. Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Wakhisi, Anthony Simiyu http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7355 2013-04-23T13:58:27Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A social marketing perspective of young people’s sexual health Authors: Wakhisi, Anthony Simiyu Abstract: BACGROUND:Unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among young people are priority public health issues in the UK. Social marketing is the preferred Government approach to intervention despite limited evidence on efficacy. There is need to understand its applicability and effectiveness in addressing the specified sexual health issues.METHODS:Three studies were carried out, of which the first was a systematic review of 12 studies assessing the effectiveness of social marketing in reducing unintended teenage pregnancies. The second and third were consumer research applications examining factors associated with Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) use and Chlamydia screening respectively. The second study involved analysing five ONS Contraception survey datasets while the third involved analysing Havering PCT Chlamydia screening records and qualitative data from 28 participants. Data were analysed using Stata.10 and Framework statistical packages and maps drawn using MapInfo.10.5. RESULTS:The systematic review showed that nine studies achieved significant effects on at least one of the specified outcomes (reduced pregnancy rates and related behaviour changes). The second study showed that the NICE guidelines published in 2005 successfully addressed the disparity in LARC uptake previously experienced by women aged below 20. The third study identified females and non-white participants as more likely to take Chlamydia tests. Motivating factors for testing included convenient access to kits and fear of infertility, while barriers included ignorance and fear of results. CONCLUSIONS:Social marketing appears to be effective in reducing unintended teenage pregnancies but evidence is limited to particular outcomes and context. Consumer research provides vital intelligence about target populations necessary for designing effective interventions and addressing inequalities. However to assess its influence on outcomes, studies that feature all social marketing components are required. Overall there is need for more studies that specifically utilize social marketing principles to enable more robust evaluations. Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Victora, Ceres http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7299 2013-03-11T10:52:46Z 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Images of the body: Lay and biomedical views of the reproductive system in Britain and Brazil Authors: Victora, Ceres Abstract: This thesis presents an anthropological study of ordinary people's views about the body in general and the reproductive system in particular, based on two case studies carried out in Britain and in Brazil. I discuss the meanings of lay and biomedical images of the body and identify the ways the researched groups reinterpret the biomedical view of the body anatomy and physiology. Through the analysis of ethnographic material on time, space and domestic organisation in four shantytown groups in Porto Alegre, Brazil and in three different groups in London, UK, I point out the dwelling peculiarities of the different groups and suggest there is a relationship between embodied experiences of time/space and knowledge of the reproductive system. These arguments lead to a more general phenomenologically theorised view of gendered and status-framed bodies, consequently situating this work in the interface of Medical Anthropology and a more general socio-cultural Anthropology. Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.

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