Edinburgh Napier University

About: Edinburgh Napier University is a education organization based out in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2665 authors who have published 6859 publications receiving 175272 citations.

Ultrafine Particle-Mediated Activation of Macrophages: Intracellular Calcium Signaling and Oxidative Stress

Abstract: Various intracellular pathways are known to activate gene expression of proinflammatory mediators such as cytokines; one such pathway involves calcium. Recently we presented data that show that ultrafine (uf) carbon black (CB)(14 nm diameter), but not fine CB (260 nm diameter) is able to induce a 2.6-fold increase in the calcium response to stimulation by thapsigargin in a human macrophage cell line (Mono Mac 6). The present study aimed to investigate whether other uf particles could invoke similar alterations in calcium influx in both macrophage cell lines and primary macrophages. Treatment of MM6 cells with uf latex beads (64 nm diameter) for 1500 s induced a 2.3-fold (p 80% macrophages), ufCB (33 μg/ml, 1500 s) induced a 2.6-fold (p < .001) increase in the response to thapsigargin, whereas fine CB had no significant effect. The effects of ufCB on the enhanced response to thapsigargin in the MM6 cells were significantly attenuated by the antioxidants mannitol (p < .05) and nacystelin, indicating that the effect of ultrafine particles on calcium influx was in part mediated by reactive oxygen species. Support for a role for reactive oxygen species was obtained in MM6 cells using the dye dichlorofluorescin diacetate. Ultrafine latex induced a significant increase in fluorescence of 133.0 ± 6.5 fluorescence units (p < .001), whereas fine latex did not have any significant effect. In conclusion, effects on calcium fluxes induced by thapsigargin were seen with two very different ultrafine particles - ultrafine latex beads and ultrafine CB-and were seen in both the human MM6 cell line and rat BAL cells. Finally, the induction of an oxidative stress by the ultrafine particles was supported by the ability of ultrafine latex beads to induce ROS production. In addition, ultrafine carbon black was found to induce enhanced calcium influx, partly through oxidative stress.

Insights into Experiences: Reflections of an Expert and Novice Coach:

Abstract: Coaches in sport are given many opportunities to embrace new practice with the ultimate aim of developing team or individual performance. Problems arise as the coach attempts to make sense of all the available information. Two coaches, one expert and one novice, were interviewed and provide a strong contrast on the ways in which coaches construct their knowledge. Our study evidences that the expert coach adapts her practice to the emerging situation by synchronising a number of pertinent variables, while the novice coach mimics perceived good practice during her sessions. The developmental process from novice to expert status within coaching adheres to certain principles formulated within other domains, but is perceived in this case to be due to the interest and application of the coach rather than the formal coach education input.

Socioeconomic differences in second-hand smoke exposure among children in Scotland after introduction of the smoke-free legislation

Abstract: Background To examine the impact of the Scottish smoke-free legislation on social inequalities in secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among primary school children. Methods Comparison of nationally representative, cross-sectional, class-based surveys carried out in the same schools before and after legislation. Participants were 2532 primary school children (primary 7; aged around 11 y) surveyed in January 2006 (before legislation) and 2389 in January 2007 (after legislation). Outcome measures were salivary cotinine concentrations, self-reported family socioeconomic classification (family SEC) and family affluence scale (FAS). Results After adjusting for number of smoking parents, mean cotinine concentration varied significantly across both family SEC and FAS groups, and increased significantly stepwise from high to low family SEC/FAS. Mean cotinine fell in all family SEC/FAS groups after legislation. The relative drop in mean cotinine was equal across all family SEC/FAS groups. Adding an interaction term between survey-year and family SEC/FAS to the model showed an increase in inequalities over time, but was only significant at the 93% level using FAS and 73% using family SEC. Conclusion Inequalities in SHS exposure exist among 11-year-old children in Scotland. Smoke-free legislation has reduced exposure to SHS among all children. Although the greatest absolute reduction in cotinine is observed in the lowest SEC/FAS group, cotinine levels remain highest for this group and there is a suggestion of possible increases in inequalities, which may warrant longer-term monitoring.

Expression of C-reactive protein in human lung epithelial cells and upregulation by cytokines and carbon particles.

Abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP) is the prototypic human acute-phase protein and is found at increased levels in the blood during episodes of inflammation. CRP was generally thought to be produced only by hepatocytes; however, several studies have shown extrahepatic synthesis of CRP. A previous study showed that PM10 and ultrafine carbon black (ufCB) were able to induce CRP expression in A549 cells. This study aims to examine the factors that lead to the production of CRP in A549 cells. A549 human lung epithelial cells were treated with cytokines (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, or interleukin 1beta) or carbon particles (CB and ufCB) for 18 h. It was found that CRP could be expressed within the cells and that CRP was secreted from the cells particularly with tumor necrosis factor alpha, CB and ufCB treatments. It was also found that this expression of CRP with CB and ufCB treatments was dependent on nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB). The expression of CRP in A549 cells may indicate an important role for CRP expression and secretion from lung epithelial cells in response to inflammatory stimuli.

Marketing effectiveness and business performance in the financial services industry

Abstract: The purpose of this exploratory empirical study was to examine the link between effective marketing practices and business performance in the financial services industry. Based on a multi‐item construct of marketing effectiveness, data were generated from 52 banks and building societies. The effects of different marketing effectiveness dimensions upon profitability and growth as well as customer‐based performance indicators were investigated. Our results suggest that organisational variables such as customer philosophy, operational efficiency, marketing information and integrated marketing organisation are generally, significantly and positively associated with business performance. To conclude, managerial implications of the findings, study limitations and future research directions are discussed.