RSS 1.0Welcome to ChesterRep - the University of Chester's Online Research Repository
ChesterRep is the University of Chester's institutional repository and an online platform designed to collate, store, and aid discoverability of the University’s research.
All University of Chester staff are expected to use the Current Research Information System, Symplectic Elements, to submit material to ChesterRep. Guidance on how to deposit and manage publications using Elements can be found here. You can also discover more about our editorial and open access policies here. Please note that you must be a member of the University to view these pages.
If you are a student at the University of Chester and want to submit work to ChesterRep, please contact researchsupport.lis@chester.ac.uk.
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Circulating angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) and steatotic liver disease related to metabolic dysfunction: an updated systematic review and meta-analysisBackground: Steatotic liver disease related to metabolic dysfunction is the most common cause of chronic liver disease globally. The spectrum of this condition includes steatosis and steatohepatitis and was previously referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but has been renamed as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and more recently as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8), also known as betatrophin or lipasin, regulates triglycerides and has emerged as a potential novel biomarker for steatosis/steatohepatitis. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize the evidence on the possible association of circulating ANGPTL8 concentrations with NAFLD, MAFLD or MASLD. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for studies published in English reporting circulating ANGPTL8 concentrations in adults with NAFLD or MAFLD or MASLD and controls. A meta-analysis was performed, reporting the standardized mean difference (SMD) of circulating ANGPTL8 concentrations between these two groups. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the NIH quality assessment tool and RoBANS 2, respectively. Results: Of the 104 identified publications, eight studies were eligible for this systematic review, whilst seven were also eligible for meta-analysis (543 NAFLD or MAFLD cases vs. 352 controls). Circulating ANGPTL8 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD or MAFLD compared with controls (SMD: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.28-0.97; p<0.001). Considerable heterogeneity was noted among these studies, with six studies having high risk of bias in at least one RoBANS 2 domain. Conclusion: These findings present up-to-date comprehensive evidence indicating that adults with steatotic liver disease related to metabolic dysfunction exhibit higher circulating ANGPTL8 concentrations compared with controls. Given the need for novel screening/diagnostic biomarkers for steatosis/steatohepatitis, as well for additional drug targets, large and prospective studies are required to confirm this association and explore its temporal direction, particularly under the new MASLD diagnosis/term.
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A systematic environmental intervention, nidotherapy, given to whole communities: protocol for a randomised stepped-wedge trialEnvironmental changes can be positive in mental illness. Systematic, planned and guided environmental change in all its aspects is called nidotherapy. It has shown some benefit but has not been extended to whole communities. A cluster-randomised step-wedge trial is planned in six village communities in Nottinghamshire, England, covering an adult population of 400. Adults in six villages will be offered a full personal environmental assessment followed by agreed change in different 3-month periods over the course of 1 year. All six villages have populations between 51 and 100 residents and are similar demographically. Assessments of mental health, personality status, social function, quality of life and environment satisfaction will be made. After the initial baseline period of 3 months, two villages will be randomised to nidotherapy for 3 months, a further two at 6 months and the last two at 9 months. The primary outcome will be change in social function; secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms, personality status, costs of nidotherapy and life satisfaction. Adverse events will also be recorded. The analysis will be carried out using a multimodal statistical approach examining (a) the change in scores of the primary outcome (social function); (b) change in scores of all secondary outcomes, including costs; and (c) changes in environmental satisfaction. The findings of this study should help to determine whether nidotherapy has a place in the early detection and treatment of mental pathology.
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Machiavelli, marketing and management: RevisitedThis second fascinating and cutting-edge text provides insight into the meaning and interpretation of Machiavelli and his works for management, marketing and political thought and highlights their particular relevance to the manager and policymaker today. By bringing together contributions from authors, both academic and practitioner, this book addresses a number of common themes relating to the influences and arguments of perhaps the first political scientist and advocate of sound management and marketing principles. The volume covers a wide range of topics including modern management and leadership, public affairs, technology, marketing, populist and fascist governments, and strategic corporate philanthropy. Machiavelli, Marketing and Management: Revisited will be of great interest to all practitioners, students and scholars of management, marketing, political science and public affairs.
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CrowdfundingCrowdfunding is the approach fundraisers take to raise funding for a project, venture, or personal needs, from a crowd of people, or known as investors, backers, or supporters based on characteristics of different crowdfunding models, essentially through the Internet. Crowdfunding is considered as an alternative finance option for different purposes of businesses (e.g., new venture creation, business growth, and exit), individuals (e.g., life events and challenging circumstances), local communities (e.g., saving a local pub), and public sector. This entry will have a brief look at the history and trend of the different crowdfunding models, as well as their relationship with entrepreneurs and the public sector.
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The Palgrave encyclopedia of interest groups, lobbying and public affairsThe growing need for a concise and comprehensive overview of the world of interest groups, lobbying, and public affairs called for a compendium of existing research, key theories, concepts, and case studies. This project is the first transnational encyclopedia to offer such an interdisciplinary and wide overview of these topics, including perspectives on public relations, crisis management, communication studies, as well as political science, political marketing, and policy studies. It is an interdisciplinary work, which involved an extraordinary pool of contributors made up of leading scholars and practitioners from all around the globe; it is a live and evolving project focused on drawing together grounded international knowledge for our diverse and developing world. The 200+ entries of the Palgrave Encyclopedia of Interest Groups, Lobbying and Public Affairs (to be found as a live reference work online here, and in two print volumes in 2022) address these research avenues, tackling a growing demand for a comprehensive international reference work regarding key global sectors and policymaking structures, looking beyond the traditional markets of Europe and North America to incorporate practice and research from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America. This encyclopedia acts as a synthesis of existing research, and aims to aid academics, students, and practitioners navigate their relevant fields around the globe.
