University of Westminster

About: University of Westminster is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2944 authors who have published 8426 publications receiving 200236 citations. The organization is also known as: Westminster University & Royal Polytechnic Institution.

Metabolite profiles of interacting mycelial fronts differ for pairings of the wood decay basidiomycete fungus, Stereum hirsutum with its competitors Coprinus micaceus and Coprinus disseminatus

Abstract: The paper presents the first proof-of principle study of metabolite profiles of the interacting mycelial fronts of a wood decomposer basidiomycete, Stereum hirsutum, paired with two competitor basidiomycetes, Coprinus disseminatus and C. micaceus, using TLC and GC-TOF-MS profiling. GC-TOF-MS profiles were information rich, with a total of 190 metabolite peaks detected and more than 120 metabolite peaks detected per sample. The metabolite profiles were able to discriminate between the interactions of S. hirsutum with the two species of Coprinus. In confrontation with C. micaceus, where S. hirsutum mycelial fronts always overgrew those of C. micaceus, there were down-regulations of metabolites in the interaction zone, compared to monocultures of both S. hirsutum and C. micaceus. In contrast, in pairings with C. disseminatus, whose mycelia overgrew those of S. hirsutum, there were some up-regulations compared with monoculture controls, the majority of the metabolites being characteristic of the S. hirsutum monoculture profile. These differences indicate that up-regulation of metabolites in the mycelia of S. hirsutum may be connected to a defensive role or to stress. The results also show proof of principle for the employment of metabolic profiling for biological discovery studies of metabolites produced by fungi that could be applied to natural product screening programmes.

Antiviral therapies against Ebola and other emerging viral diseases using existing medicines that block virus entry

Abstract: Emerging viral diseases pose a threat to the global population as intervention strategies are mainly limited to basic containment due to the lack of efficacious and approved vaccines and antiviral drugs. The former was the only available intervention when the current unprecedented Ebolavirus (EBOV) outbreak in West Africa began. Prior to this, the development of EBOV vaccines and anti-viral therapies required time and resources that were not available. Therefore, focus has turned to re-purposing of existing, licenced medicines that may limit the morbidity and mortality rates of EBOV and could be used immediately. Here we test three such medicines and measure their ability to inhibit pseudotype viruses (PVs) of two EBOV species, Marburg virus (MARV) and avian influenza H5 (FLU-H5). We confirm the ability of chloroquine (CQ) to inhibit viral entry in a pH specific manner. The commonly used proton pump inhibitors, Omeprazole and Esomeprazole were also able to inhibit entry of all PVs tested but at higher drug concentrations than may be achieved in vivo. We propose CQ as a priority candidate to consider for treatment of EBOV.

Picturing Power in the People's Republic of China: Posters of the Cultural Revolution

Abstract: This illustrated book provides an innovative reinterpretation of the Cultural Revolution through the medium of the poster - a major component of popular print culture in China. Using 30 full colour and as many black-and-white reproductions of posters from the University of Westminster collection, an eminent group of scholars explores the discursive power of visual artforms in Chinese public life. The contributors provide an interdisciplinary analysis of political art produced for a Chinese audience. At the same time, they acknowledge the importance of subjectivity in elucidating important cultural facets of a significant revolutionary period. The book was one of the first to explore the historical and aesthetic significance of the posters of that period, and is now a staple text of the sub-field.

Microfinance and Household Poverty Reduction: Empirical Evidence from Rural Pakistan

Abstract: This study examines whether household access to microfinance reduces poverty in Pakistan and, if so, how and to what extent. It draws on primary empirical data gathered by interviewing 1132 households, including both borrower and non-borrower households, in 2008–2009. Sample selection biases have been partially controlled for by using propensity score matching. The study reveals that microfinance programmes had a positive impact on the participating households. Poverty-reducing effects were observed on a number of indicators, including expenditure on healthcare, clothing and household income, and on certain dwelling characteristics, such as water supply and the quality of roofing and walls.