A protein-truncating R179X variant in RNF186 confers protection against ulcerative colitis

Protein-truncating variants protective against human disease provide in vivo validation of therapeutic targets. Here we used targeted sequencing to conduct a search for protein-truncating variants conferring protection against inflammatory bowel disease exploiting knowledge of common variants associated with the same disease. Through replication genotyping and imputation we found that a predicted protein-truncating variant (rs36095412, p.R179X, genotyped in 11,148 ulcerative colitis patients and 295,446 controls, MAF=up to 0.78%) in RNF186, a single-exon ring finger E3 ligase with strong colonic expression, protects against ulcerative colitis (overall P=6.89 × 10(-7), odds ratio=0.30). We further demonstrate that the truncated protein exhibits reduced expression and altered subcellular localization, suggesting the protective mechanism may reside in the loss of an interaction or function via mislocalization and/or loss of an essential transmembrane domain.

Flexibility in higher education hybrid libraries

Reports on a literature review of the issues surrounding the call for librarians to have greater flexibility in the skills they acquire and in the services they offer. Illustrates these issues with particular reference to the UK Electronic Libraries Programme (eLib) Phase 3 (specifically the HyLiFe project (HYbrid LIbrary of the FuturE)) where flexibility was found to be central. Includes an analysis of the data on flexibility generated by practitioners who attended HyLiFe regional dissemination workshops in 2000 and the application of this data to produce a model which provides insight into the implications of flexibility for higher education libraries. The model is based on two axes, one (vertical) indicating speed of change from low to high and one (horizontal) indicating the level of flexibility in library and information services (LIS) from low to high. The model also identifies four core areas of learning for hybrid LIS providers, and there is a correlation between the speed of change and the demonstrable level of flexibility needed. Concludes that, as the pace and intensity of change accelerates, LIS structures and staff will have to show greater flexibility to serve a user population demanding flexibility.

Effectiveness of Disposable (Single-use) Tips for Dental Air-water Syringes

BACKGROUND

Single-use dental syringe (SUS) tips eliminate cross-infection risks. Many dental materials are moisture sensitive; therefore bonding could be affected by remaining moisture from SUS tips.

METHODS

An air-water syringe was calibrated to 50 PSI and the air pressure measured. SUS tips were then attached and pressure re-measured. Seven tips were tested; moisture content and spray pattern were investigated. Ethical approval was granted. Twenty third molar teeth were sectioned, stored in phosphate buffered saline and randomly allocated into groups with a SUS tip. They were mounted in acrylic and polished. Specimens were dried with a tip under standardised conditions, treated using a 3-step etch-prime-bond technique, then had a post bonded perpendicular to the dentine surface. The force to detach them was measured. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-squared tests.

RESULTS

The difference in output pressure between groups proved significant (p < 0.001). Tensile force at failure was significantly different between groups (p = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

The pressure output of the syringe and bond strength are influenced by the SUS tip.

The advantages of creating a positive radiation safety culture in the higher education and research sectors

The safety culture of any organisation plays a critical role in setting the tone for both effective delivery of service and high standards of performance. By embedding safety at a cultural level, organisations are able to influence the attitudes and behaviours of stakeholders. To achieve this requires the ongoing commitment of heads of organisations and also individuals to prioritise safety no less than other competing goals (e.g. in universities, recruitment and retention are key) to ensure the protection of both people and the environment. The concept of culture is the same whatever the sector, e.g. medical, nuclear, industry, education, and research, but the higher education and research sectors within the UK are a unique challenge in developing a strong safety culture. This report provides an overview of the challenges presented by the sector, the current status of radiation protection culture, case studies to demonstrate good and bad practice in the sector and the practical methods to influence change.

Erythema action spectrum of topical 8-methoxypsoralen-sensitized skin re-evaluated: implications for routine clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Published methodology used to determine psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) erythemal action spectrum does not reflect current clinical practice for psoralen sensitization. We re-evaluated the PUVA action spectrum using aqueous 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) 2·6 mg L(-1) as used routinely in current clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the UVA erythema action spectrum of topical 8-MOP-sensitized normal skin.

METHODS

Twenty healthy volunteers with skin phototypes I-V were recruited. Forearms were psoralen-sensitized at 37 °C for 10 min. Six UVA irradiations at 10-nm intervals between 325 and 375 nm were randomly allocated to forearm sites and were applied using a 10-nm bandwidth irradiation monochromator. The visual minimal phototoxic dose (MPD) was recorded on each site at 96 h.

RESULTS

Volunteer Boston phototypes were: I, n = 2; II, n = 6; III, n = 6; IV, n = 5 and V, n = 1. The mean MPD (J cm(-2) ) for all subjects at each wavelength was as follows: 325 nm, 0·64 (SD 0·37); 335 nm, 0·80 (SD 0·58); 345 nm, 0·96 (SD 0·55); 355 nm, 1·50 (SD 0·85); 365 nm, 2·19 (SD 0·90); and 375 nm, 2·89 (SD 1·06). Therefore, the relative sensitization at each wavelength (erythemal action spectrum) was: 1, 0·83, 0·67, 0·43, 0·29 and 0·22. There were significant differences between the PUVA erythemal effectiveness at different wavelengths but none between skin types.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has established the erythemal action spectrum for bath/soak PUVA therapy as is currently performed. In all volunteers, the peak sensitivity was at 325 nm. All volunteers showed a similar trend across the wavelengths studied irrespective of skin type. The determination of the action spectrum for PUVA-induced erythema is important as it permits reliable estimates of erythemal efficacy of any UVA source where the emission spectrum of the lamp is known or can be measured.

The impact of e-lib: the emerging paradoxes

An earlier edition of LIRN outlined the aims and progress to date of the IMPEL Project (IMPEL1) based at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (UNN). The study which ran from 1993 to 1995 focused on the impact of the electronic environment on qualified Library and Information Services (LIS) staff in the Higher Education (HE) sector. Successful completion of case studies in six UK university LIS for the IMPEL Project was followed by an expanded study funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) as a Supporting Study under the e-lib programme. This project, IMPEL2 : Monitoring Organisational and Cultural Change, adopts a similar qualitative case study approach, retaining at its core the human aspects of electronic library development in a rapidly changing educational and technological environment.