Christine Goodall

The Acoustic Response Threshold of the Norway Lobster, Nephrops Norvegicus (L.) in a Free Sound Field

The behavioural responses of Nephrops noruegicus (L.) to acoustic stimuli have been investigated under laboratory and free field conditions. In the laboratory a distinct set of postural motor responses elicited, by sound frequencies of 20–180Hz, was identified. This set of responses was then exploited during free field experiments conducted in a Scottish sea loch to determine the acoustic response threshold. Nephrops were found to be displacement rather than pressure sensitive with a response threshold of 0.888μm which was independent of frequency within the range 20–200Hz.

Modulation of adhesion of lymphocytes to murine brain endothelial cells in vitro: relation to class II major histocompatibility complex expression

Adhesion of lymphocytes to mouse brain endothelial cells was studied after treatment of the endothelium with 1000 U/ml gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) for 1 h to 2 days. Adhesion was not significantly different from controls after 1 h but at 4 h and thereafter, adhesion increased in a time-related manner. IFN-gamma also increased the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and murine intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) molecules on the endothelial cells. The level of expression of class II MHC molecules was related to the length of exposure to IFN-gamma. MAb blocking studies suggested that class II molecules were responsible for the IFN-gamma-induced increase in lymphocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Transfection of a murine lung endothelial cell line with cDNA for the class II MHC molecule also produced a significant increase in lymphocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, suggesting that the class II MHC molecule may have a role in adhesion which is distinct from antigen presentation.

An Experimental Trial Exploring the Impact of Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring upon Alcohol Consumption in a Cohort of Male Students

Objective To examine the impact of continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring upon alcohol consumption in male students at a Scottish university. Method Using a within-subject mixed-methods design, 60 male university students were randomly allocated into three experimental conditions using AUDIT score stratified sampling. Participants in Conditions A and B were asked not to consume alcohol for a 14-day period, with those in Condition A additionally being required to wear a continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring anklet. Condition C participants wore an anklet and were asked to continue consuming alcohol as normal. Alcohol consumption was measured through alcohol timeline follow-back, and using data collected from the anklets where available. Diaries and focus groups explored participants’ experiences of the trial. Results Alcohol consumption during the 14-day trial decreased significantly for participants in Conditions A and B, but not in C. There was no significant relative difference in units of alcohol consumed between Conditions A and B, but significantly fewer participants in Condition A drank alcohol than in Condition B. Possible reasons for this difference identified from the focus groups and diaries included the anklet acting as a reminder of commitment to the study (and the agreement to sobriety), participants feeling under surveillance, and the use of the anklet as a tool to resist social pressure to consume alcohol. Conclusions The study provided experience in using continuous transdermal alcohol monitors in an experimental context, and demonstrated ways in which the technology may be supportive in facilitating sobriety. Results from the study have been used to design a research project using continuous transdermal alcohol monitors with ex-offenders who recognise a link between their alcohol consumption and offending behaviour.

Facial injuries in Scotland 2001-2009: Epidemiological and sociodemographic determinants

To our knowledge, sociodemographic determinants of facial injuries in children have not previously been reported in Scotland. We analysed the pattern, time trends, and key sociodemographic determinants of facial injuries in children and adolescents using Scottish morbidity records for inpatient care (2001-2009) which were retrieved from the Information Services Division of National Health Services (NHS) Scotland. We calculated annual incidences by age, sex, health board, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), and mechanism of injury. A Poisson regression analysis model was used to incorporate the variables. A total of 45388 patients aged from birth to 17 years sustained a facial injury (4.7/1000 population over nine years); 60% (27101) of injuries were unintentional, 15% (6726) resulted from motor vehicle accidents, and 9% (4149) resulted from alleged assaults; 5% (2058) were alcohol related. The incidence decreased over time from 5.5/1000 in 2001 to 4.0/1000 in 2009. The rate ratio for boys was 1.94 times greater than for girls (p<0.001), and it varied significantly between health board areas (0.68 in Dumfries and Galloway and 1.76 in Grampian) (p<0.001). There was a significant association between facial injury and increasing deprivation (p<0.001). The incidence of facial injury is highest among boys living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation so education and resources should be directed towards prevention in these areas.

Coronectomy for infraoccluded lower first permanent molars: a report of two cases

Two cases of infraoccluded lower first permanent molars were treated at Glasgow Dental Hospital and School with a joint orthodontic and surgical approach. Coronectomy, a technique usually reserved for deeply impacted lower third molars, was carried out in both cases; these are discussed.

Acute cervico-facial infection in Scotland 2010: patterns of presentation, patient demographics and recording of systemic involvement.

Acute bacterial cervicofacial infection is a common problem that is most often secondary to dental infection. Most cases present as localised abscesses but some may be associated with serious morbidity including scarring, embarrassment of the airway, SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome), and sepsis syndrome. Fourteen oral surgery or maxillofacial surgery units in Scotland took part in a clinical audit of acute infection during two four-week cycles (August and November) in 2010. Information regarding the patients, signs and symptoms, and management was recorded. Training material was distributed between cycles with information on SIRS, sepsis, and the prescription of antibiotics. Overall, 140 patients presented with acute infection. There was an equal sex distribution and ages ranged from 5 to 87 years. There was an association with deprivation and 36% of patients were from the lowest socioeconomic quintile. Most infections were dental (n=120, 86%), and patients presented with pain and swelling (n=120, 86% and n=134, 96%, respectively) Twenty-three patients (16%) met the criteria for SIRS. A further 23 (16%) had at least one positive SIRS marker with incomplete recording of the remaining markers. Twenty-six patients (19%) had no recorded SIRS markers. Cervicofacial infection can be associated with serious morbidity and mortality, which may be better managed if the systemic signs and symptoms of sepsis are recognised and recorded at presentation. This study showed that the recording of signs of sepsis was variable even with training. Further training of junior staff to recognise severe acute bacterial infection may improve management.

Reducing the harmful effects of alcohol misuse: the ethics of sobriety testing in criminal justice

Alcohol use and abuse play a major role in both crime and negative health outcomes in Scotland. This paper provides a description and ethical and legal analyses of a novel remote alcohol monitoring scheme for offenders which seeks to reduce alcohol-related harm to both the criminal and the public. It emerges that the prospective benefits of this scheme to health and public order vastly outweigh any potential harms.

A randomized trial of brief intervention strategies in patients with alcohol-related facial trauma as a result of interpersonal violence

Facial trauma is associated with male gender, low socioeconomic status, alcohol misuse, and violence. Brief intervention (BI) for alcohol is effective at reducing consumption in patients presenting with facial trauma. Single-session control of violence for angry impulsive drinkers (SS-COVAID) is a new intervention that attempts to address alcohol-related violence. This study assessed the effect of SS-COVAID and BI on drinking and aggression in facial trauma patients. Male facial trauma patients who sustained their injuries as a result of interpersonal violence while drinking and who had Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of ≥8 were randomized to either BI or SS-COVAID. Patients were followed up at six and 12 months, and drinking and aggression outcomes were analyzed. One hundred ninety-nine patients entered the trial, and 187 were included in the analysis. Of these, 165 (89%) considered themselves to be victims, 92 (51%) had sustained a previous alcohol-related injury, and 28 (15%) had previous convictions for violence. Both interventions resulted in a significant decrease in negative drinking outcomes over 12 months of follow-up (p < 0.001). Neither intervention had a significant effect on aggression scores, nor was there a significant difference between interventions in terms of either outcome. Both SS-COVAID and BI had a significant effect on drinking variables in this patient cohort. No effect on aggression was seen despite the fact that SS-COVAID specifically addresses the relationship between alcohol and violence. One reason for this may be that the facial trauma patients in this study considered themselves to be victims rather than aggressors. Another possibility is that, while BI may successfully address lifestyle factors such as hazardous or harmful drinking, it may not be effective in modifying personality traits such as aggression.

Preliminary research informing policy on remote alcohol monitoring in criminal justice: the Scottish experience

ObjectivesTo explore the views of Scottish offenders on the impact of alcohol on their experience of offending and their lives in general. Furthermore, to explore their views on the concept of remote alcohol monitoring (RAM) as a way to address alcohol misuse upon liberation from prison.MethodsA convenience sample of 12 serving offenders participated in one of three focus groups. Data were analysed using the principles of thematic analysis.ResultsAnalysis of the data revealed the significant impact of alcohol on the lives of the participants. Key themes included the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption; the association of alcohol with harm; the association of alcohol with offending; the previous attempts to reduce alcohol consumption and possible reasons for failure; and the views of participants on the utility of RAM in relation to crime prevention.ConclusionsParticipants had significant issues with alcohol misuse prior to incarceration that had impacted on their offending and resulted in both health and social harms. Participants were generally positive but pragmatic about RAM, recognising that technology alone may not be enough to change deeply ingrained and addictive behaviours.

Dentofacial injuries and domestic abuse

Data sourcesOvid, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS, CENTRAL, bibliographies of identified RCTs, Current Controlled Trials, domestic violence organisations, handsearching of a number of articles.Study selectionThis is an update of a review reported in 2004. Randomised controlled trials in any language that included adults (persons >16 years of age) presenting with facial or dental injuries to dental or healthcare settings. Eligible interventions were: referral to support services or screening for domestic violence. Eligible outcomes were: frequency of physical assault by self-report, severity of injury by self-report and proportion of victims of domestic violence detected by self-report.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers screened potential reports and would have data extracted had suitable RCTs been included.ResultsNo RCTs met the inclusion criteria.ConclusionsThere is also no evidence from RCTs to suggest that screening for domestic violence in adults with dental or facial injury in any health setting is beneficial or harmful.