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"Saunders, Peter"
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Historical dictionary of South Africa
\"This third edition of Historical Dictionary of South Africa contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 600 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country's politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture\"-- Provided by publisher.
Using a budget standards approach to assess the adequacy of newstart allowance
2018
A budget standard indicates how much a particular family living in a particular place at a particular time needs to achieve a particular standard of living. The budget includes every item that is needed to satisfy the family's individual and collective needs, priced in current retail outlets. The approach has strong intuitive appeal because it reflects how actual families do their budgeting and has been used to assess the adequacy of a wide variety of incomes and costs. This article presents new budget standards for a range of unemployed families derived from the estimates produced in the 1990s, revised to reflect new data, improved research methods and changed circumstances. The new estimates are deliberately conservative and indicate how much is needed to achieve the Minimum Income for Healthy Living standard developed by UK public health researchers. They indicate that the current level of Newstart Allowance - the main form of income support for the unemployed - is woefully inadequate. The methods used to derive the budgets have been chosen so that others can vary some of the key assumptions (e.g., about housing costs) to tailor the budgets to fit specific applications.
Journal Article
Applications of paleoenvironmental techniques in estuarine studies
The aim of this edited volume is to introduce the scientific community to palaeoenvironmental studies of estuaries, to highlight the types of information that can be obtained from such studies, and to promote the use of palaeoenvironmental studies in estuarine management. Readers will learn about the the application of different palaeoecological approaches used in estuaries that develop our understanding of their response to natural and human influences. Particular attention is given to the essential steps required for undertaking a palaeoecological study, in particular with regard to site selection, core extraction and chronological techniques, followed by the range of indicators that can be used. A series of case studies are discussed in the book to demonstrate how palaeoecological studies can be used to address key questions, and to sustainably manage these important coastal environments in the future. This book will appeal to professional scientists interested in estuarine studies and/or palaeoenvironmental research, as well as estuarine managers who are interested in the incorporation of palaeoenvironmental research into their management programs.
The Transferrin Receptor CD71 Delineates Functionally Distinct Airway Macrophage Subsets during Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
2019
Abstract
Rationale
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating progressive disease with limited therapeutic options. Airway macrophages (AMs) are key components of the defense of the airways and are implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF. Alterations in iron metabolism have been described during fibrotic lung disease and in murine models of lung fibrosis. However, the role of transferrin receptor 1 (CD71)-expressing AMs in IPF is not known.
Objectives
To assess the role of CD71-expressing AMs in the IPF lung.
Methods
We used multiparametric flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, and phagocytosis/transferrin uptake assays to delineate the role of AMs expressing or lacking CD71 in the BAL of patients with IPF and of healthy control subjects.
Measurements and Main Results
There was a distinct increase in proportions of AMs lacking CD71 in patients with IPF compared with healthy control subjects. Concentrations of BAL transferrin were enhanced in IPF-BAL, and furthermore, CD71− AMs had an impaired ability to sequester transferrin. CD71+ and CD71− AMs were phenotypically, functionally, and transcriptionally distinct, with CD71− AMs characterized by reduced expression of markers of macrophage maturity, impaired phagocytosis, and enhanced expression of profibrotic genes. Importantly, proportions of AMs lacking CD71 were independently associated with worse survival, underlining the importance of this population in IPF and as a potential therapeutic target.
Conclusions
Taken together, these data highlight how CD71 delineates AM subsets that play distinct roles in IPF and furthermore show that CD71− AMs may be an important pathogenic component of fibrotic lung disease.
Journal Article
Kostas Murkudis
The son of Greek parents, Kostas Murkudis grew up in Dresden and studied fashion design in Berlin. His early career was marked by an intensive collaboration with Helmut Lang. After winning the Phillip Morris Design award, Murkudis struck out on his own. This book shows 30 years of his creativity, inviting the reader for the first time to get as close as possible to his artistic approach.
Social inclusion, exclusion, and well‐being in Australia: meaning and measurement
2015
This paper begins by examining the social inclusion agenda that formed the centrepiece of the social policy agenda of the Australian Government between 2007 and 2013. It discusses several features of the agenda, including its objectives (as articulated by the government) and some of the administrative and bureaucratic mechanisms that were put in place to assist with its development and implementation. Although no formal assessment of the impact of the agenda is attempted, some of the ways in which such an agenda could make a difference are identified. The paper then summarises the social inclusion indicator framework developed by the Australian Social Inclusion Unit with assistance and advice from the Australian Social Inclusion Board, and compares its structure and content with the frameworks developed by two of Australia's leading social research institutes. Finally, data from two national surveys of poverty and social exclusion are used to examine recent changes in social exclusion and the association between the severity of exclusion and levels of subjective well‐being. These latter results show clearly that subjective well‐being is consistently lower among those who experience the greatest degree of social exclusion, suggesting that exclusion as identified and measured reflects external constraints rather than internal preferences.
Journal Article
Closing the gap: the growing divide between poverty research and policy in Australia
2015
This paper reviews major developments in Australian poverty research in the 50 years since the Melbourne poverty study established the Henderson measurement framework. It focuses on the limitations of the dominant, but narrow income (poverty line) approach used in Australia, contrasts it with the deprivation approach pioneered and refined in the United Kingdom, and shows how this provides more compelling evidence that poverty exists. Against the background of recent developments in international poverty research, the paper identifies existing gaps in Australia, and explores what needs to be done to address this situation. It then draws on international experience to examine how anti‐poverty policy has evolved, focusing on the role of poverty targets in producing better data and promoting debate between policy makers, researchers and community sector practitioners about developing better measures. Australia lags behind these developments: a new approach is needed that engages researchers, policy makers, and other key stakeholders in positive dialogue aimed at setting a new framework for poverty measurement and an achievable anti‐poverty policy agenda.
Journal Article
Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for the treatment of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (RECITAL): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
by
Flather, Marcus D.
,
Renzoni, Elisabetta A.
,
Babalis, Daphne
in
Administration, Intravenous
,
Adrenal Cortex Hormones - administration & dosage
,
Analysis
2017
Background
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) frequently complicates systemic autoimmune disorders resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. The connective tissue diseases (CTDs) most frequently resulting in ILD include: systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myositis (including dermatomyositis, polymyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome) and mixed connective tissue disease. Despite the development, over the last two decades, of a range of biological therapies which have resulted in significant improvements in the treatment of the systemic manifestations of CTD, the management of CTD-associated ILD has changed little. At present there are no approved therapies for CTD-ILD. Following trials in scleroderma-ILD, cyclophosphamide is the accepted standard of care for individuals with severe or progressive CTD-related ILD. Observational studies have suggested that the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, is an effective rescue therapy in the treatment of refractory CTD-ILD. However, before now, there have been no randomised controlled trials assessing the efficacy of rituximab in this treatment population.
Methods/design
RECITAL is a UK, multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled trial funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme of the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research. The trial will compare rituximab 1 g given intravenously, twice at an interval of 2 weeks, with intravenously administered cyclophosphamide given monthly at a dose of 600 mg/m
2
body surface area in individuals with ILD due to systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myositis (including anti-synthetase syndrome) or mixed connective tissue disease. A total of 116 individuals will be randomised 1:1 to each of the two treatment arms, with stratification based on underlying CTD, and will be followed for a total of 48 weeks from first dose. The primary endpoint for the study will be change in forced vital capacity (FVC) at 24 weeks. Key secondary endpoints include: safety, change in FVC at 48 weeks as well as survival, change in oxygen requirements, total 48-week corticosteroid exposure and utilisation of health care resources.
Discussion
This is the first randomised control trial to study the efficacy of rituximab as first-line treatment in CTD-associated ILD. The results generated should provide important information on the treatment of a life-threatening complication affecting a rare group of CTDs.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01862926. Registered on 22 May 2013.
Journal Article
The efficacy of psychological interventions for infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis
by
Mizzi, Simone
,
Hallam, Karen Tracey
,
Jackson, Patricia L.
in
Adult
,
Anxiety - psychology
,
Anxiety - therapy
2025
Objective
Infertility is a globally prevalent condition often accompanied by substantial psychological distress. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing infertility-related distress and improving well-being in women and examined psychological and methodological moderators of treatment outcomes.
Method
Sixty-nine studies involving 5,935 women were included in the systematic review, with 60 contributing data to a three-level random-effects meta-analysis. Eligible studies used randomized or controlled trial designs to evaluate psychological interventions. Primary outcomes included anxiety, depression, general distress, infertility-specific distress, and well-being. Moderator analyses examined differences by intervention type, delivery mode, dosage, format, region, and Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) treatment stage.
Results
The overall pooled effect across outcomes was not statistically significant. However, domain-specific analyses indicated significant effects for anxiety (g = -0.83,
p
< .001), depression (g = -0.88,
p
< .001), and well-being (g = 1.39,
p
= .004). Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)and counselling were among the most effective approaches. In dosage x domain analyses, well-being improved with a greater number of sessions, while longer interventions and longer session duration were associated with smaller improvements. Online delivery and regional differences also moderated treatment effects.
Conclusions
Psychological interventions can significantly improve specific domains of mental health among women experiencing infertility. These findings support the integration of targeted psychological care into fertility treatment and highlight the importance of selecting theory-driven approaches matched to the distinct emotional and contextual challenges of infertility. Delivery format, cultural context, and long-term follow-up should also be considered to enhance intervention impact.
Journal Article
A positron emission tomography imaging study to confirm target engagement in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis following a single dose of a novel inhaled αvβ6 integrin inhibitor
by
Fahy, William A.
,
Rizzo, Gaia
,
Searle, Graham E.
in
Abnormalities
,
Administration, Inhalation
,
Aged
2020
Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease with poor prognosis and a significant unmet medical need. This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and target engagement in the lungs, of GSK3008348, a novel inhaled alpha-v beta-6 (αvβ6) integrin inhibitor, in participants with IPF.
Methods
This was a phase 1b, randomised, double-blind (sponsor unblind) study, conducted in the UK (two clinical sites, one imaging unit) between June 2017 and July 2018 (NCT03069989). Participants with a definite or probable diagnosis of IPF received a single nebulised dose of 1000 mcg GSK3008348 or placebo (ratio 5:2) in two dosing periods. In period 1, safety and PK assessments were performed up to 24 h post-dose; in period 2, after a 7-day to 28-day washout, participants underwent a total of three positron emission tomography (PET) scans: baseline, Day 1 (~ 30 min post-dosing) and Day 2 (~ 24 h post-dosing), using a radiolabelled αvβ6-specific ligand, [
18
F]FB-A20FMDV2. The primary endpoint was whole lung volume of distribution (V
T
), not corrected for air volume, at ~ 30 min post-dose compared with pre-dose. The study success criterion, determined using Bayesian analysis, was a posterior probability (true % reduction in V
T
> 0%) of ≥80%.
Results
Eight participants with IPF were enrolled and seven completed the study. Adjusted posterior median reduction in uncorrected V
T
at ~ 30 min after GSK3008348 inhalation was 20% (95% CrI: − 9 to 42%). The posterior probability that the true % reduction in V
T
> 0% was 93%. GSK3008348 was well tolerated with no reports of serious adverse events or clinically significant abnormalities that were attributable to study treatment. PK was successfully characterised showing rapid absorption followed by a multiphasic elimination.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated engagement of the αvβ6 integrin target in the lung following nebulised dosing with GSK3008348 to participants with IPF. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time a target-specific PET radioligand has been used to assess target engagement in the lung, not least for an inhaled drug.
Trial registration
clinicaltrials.gov:
NCT03069989
; date of registration: 3 March 2017.
Journal Article