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R Weston

Publications and source records attributed to R Weston.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of reproductive trait evolution in the soft coral genus Alcyonium.

The soft coral genus Alcyonium is among the most reproductively diverse invertebrate taxa known: The genus includes species that vary both in mode of reproduction (including broadcast spawners, internal brooders, and external brooders) and sexual expression (gonochores, hermaphrodites, and a unisexual parthenogen). Such diversity offers a unique opportunity to examine associations between reproductive and morphological traits in a phylogenetic context. We used an approximately 900-bp sequence of the nuclear ribosomal gene complex spanning the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions to construct a molecular phylogeny for 14 European and North American species of Alcyonium onto which we mapped the known distribution of reproductive and morphological traits. The phylogeny suggests that hermaphroditism or parthenogenesis has evolved independently at least twice in this genus, and always in internally brooding species. Broadcast spawning and external brooding only occur in species with large colony size, whereas all species with small colony size brood their larvae internally. Internal brooding and small size appear to be ancestral in this genus; if this is the case, an association between broadcast spawning and large colony size has evolved independently in at least two clades. This tendency of small adults to brood their larvae while large adults broadcast spawn them into the plankton has been observed in a variety of solitary invertebrate taxa, but to date has not been documented in any other colonial invertebrates. Moreoever, it has been suggested that organisms with a colonial growth form should not experience the allometric constraints on brood space that have been proposed to explain the association between adult size and mode of reproduction in solitary organisms. Unlike many other colonial groups, however, module (polyp) size is strongly correlated with colony size in Alcyonium, and constraints on brooding may be imposed by module, rather than colony, allometry. The very close genetic relationship (< 1% sequence divergence) and shared polymorphisms among A. digitatum (a large, gonochoric broadcast spawner), A. siderium, and A. sp. A (intermediate-sized and small hermaphroditic, internal brooders) suggest that evolutionary transitions between broadcast spawning and brooding and between gonochorism and hermaphroditism can occur easily and rapidly in this group.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Interventions for encouraging sexual lifestyles and behaviours intended to prevent cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women world-wide. Prevention falls into two main categories - primary and secondary. Primary prevention is characterised by health promotion to promote lifestyles and behaviours minimising risk of cervical cancer. Interventions to promote the use of condoms for sexual intercourse (especially early intercourse amongst young women), sexual partner reduction, and negotiated safer sex strategies has been recommended as one approach to limit the spread of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), one of the major risk factors for cervical cancer. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of health education interventions to promote sexual risk reduction behaviours amongst women in order to reduce transmission of HPV. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic searching of EMBASE, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycLIT, Social Science Citation Index and the CCTR were undertaken using a highly sensitive search strategy. Hand-searching took place of selected journals and reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were included if they evaluated educational interventions targeting women only, and measured the impact on : either a behavioural outcome such as condom use for sexual intercourse, partner reduction, or abstinence; or a clinical outcome such as incidence of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted and methodological quality was assessed independently by two reviewers and any discrepancies were resolved between them. Ten per cent of the total number of studies were reviewed additionally by a third reviewer as a quality check and differences in judgement were resolved accordingly. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty trials met the inclusion criteria for the review. All of them had the primary aim of preventing HIV and other STDs rather than cervical cancer. Four core methodological qualities were present in 10 of the 30 studies and constitute the subset from which potentially reliable conclusions may be drawn. Each of the 10 studies showed a statistically significant positive effect on sexual risk reduction, typically with increased use of condoms for vaginal intercourse. This positive effect was generally sustained up to three months after intervention. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions targeting socially and economically disadvantaged women in which information provision is complemented by sexual negotiation skill development can encourage at least short-term sexual risk reduction behaviour. This has the potential to reduce the transmission of HPV, thus possibly reduce the incidence of cervical carcinoma.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Cervical cancer and sexual lifestyle: a systematic review of health education interventions targeted at women.

A systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of health education interventions to promote sexual risk reduction behaviours amongst women in order to reduce transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading agent in the development of cervical cancer. A comprehensive search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Studies were included in the review if they evaluated educational interventions targeting women only and measured the impact on either a behavioural outcome such as condom use for sexual intercourse, partner reduction or abstinence, or a clinical outcome such as incidence of a STD. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria for the review; all had the primary aim of preventing HIV and other STDs rather than cervical cancer. Ten of the 30 studies were considered to provide the strongest evidence for a causal relationship between the intervention and the change in outcomes measured. Each of these 10 most rigorous studies showed a statistically significant positive effect on sexual risk reduction, typically with increased use of condoms for vaginal intercourse. This positive effect was generally sustained up to 3 months after intervention. It was concluded that educational interventions targeting socially and economically disadvantaged women in which information provision is complemented by sexual negotiation skill development can encourage at least short-term sexual risk reduction behaviour. This effect has the potential to reduce the transmission of HPV and thus possibly reduce the incidence of cervical carcinoma.

Female↗
PubMed1999

Health economics. Perfect combination.

The assumption by some HAs that a shift from mono to combination drug therapies for HIV results in a proportional increase in drug expenditure, regardless of health gains, is misguided. Methods of calculating anti-HIV drug expenditure have failed to keep up with changing treatment regimes. There is an urgent need to change the way data on antiretroviral use is collected and presented to establish the true cost-effectiveness of new drug regimes.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed1995

What is health promotion? How does it relate to the workplace? A background paper to support the Conference in Berlin on 29-30 September, 1994.

Can workplaces be successful health promotion settings? Undoubtedly they can, in both direct and indirect ways. Directly, in being cost effective for companies, and indirectly, in improving the health and well being of all who work in a company. Under European directives the workplace has a responsibility to promote health promotion: this goes beyond health and safety, and protection of the workforce. Using WHO healthy policy principles, workplaces can be seen as a microcosm of society and therefore the principles of health promoting policies can be used to encourage healthy companies.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1994

Cancer prevention in the UK.

There has been concerted action in the UK to reduce mortality and morbidity from cancer, especially lung cancer. With the evolution and development of positive health promotion through life-style programmes, many aspects of the Europe Against Cancer programme's 10-point code for living are integrated into existing programmes. Whilst health promotion programmes in the UK have, for many years, concentrated on the promotion of positive health, the priority for action to reduce deaths from cancer has been focused on lung cancer. The UK government's report on the health of the nation has provided a further endorsement of education programmes aimed to reduce deaths from cancer.

Health Promotion↗
PubMed1994

Europe Against Cancer: Cancer Week UK.

Since the beginning of the Europe Against Cancer (EAC) programme in 1989, much support and emphasis has been given to informing both health professionals and the public about cancer. This has come from the government and the many cancer-related charities and organizations. A week focused on cancer throughout the European Union (EU) has been encouraged each October. This paper describes the gradual development of these weeks to provide a more planned, co-ordinated and evaluated strategy. Collaboration with European partners is also addressed, emphasizing the positive benefits of such activities. Finally, the issue of monitoring and evaluation is addressed in some detail.

Europe↗
PubMed1994

Cancer communication: the health promotion challenge.

The way of communicating messages about cancer is the essence of this paper. There is a challenge to promote health, and demystify misconceptions about cancer and its treatment. But how do you reach those who seldom read or who are illiterate? How do you convince people that early presentation of symptoms that may be caused by cancer can positively influence outcome? How can you present a practical and realistic message about life-style factors and cancer? This paper explains initiatives in the UK to address some of these issues. The role of research and evaluation is important, but so are the ethical issues when you may be trying to persuade and convince the public of the benefits of life-style change. Finally, the issue of training of health professionals is addressed.

Communication↗