Great Britain Research Articles

The Impact of Carrageenan on Pharmascience

Abstract: Carrageenan (CG) a sulfated polysaccharide (SP) is produced using a variety of seaweeds from the Rhodophyceae family. This type of seaweed is available in areas, like the Atlantic Ocean close to Great Britain, Europe, and North America. Carrageenan has been permitted for the use as food items with the European additive E-number E407. Carrageenan is a widely used polysaccharide derived from red seaweed and is known for its various applications in the chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical fields. It delves into its versatile applications across various sub areas, spanning from the food to the pharmaceutical industry. A significant emphasis is placed on the intricate roles of carrageenan in pharmaceutical science, where it serves as both a drug carrier agent and an active ingredient, owing to its noteworthy biological activity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of carrageenan's versatile applications, with a focus on its chemical properties, biological activities, and pharmaceutical uses. The pharmaceutical applications of carrageenan are further categorized into various subparts, including its role in treating diseases and its use in drug delivery systems, such as topical, oral, nasal, and unconventional routes. The review also incorporates the most recent developments in clinical trials involving carrageenan and its updated applications, drawing from authoritative sources. This comprehensive analysis aims to offer readers a clear understanding of carrageenan's multifaceted nature and its evolving significance in diverse industries.

The transportation of embedded inversion in world Englishes

AbstractThe present study uses private correspondence to investigate the use of embedded inversion on both sides of the Atlantic as an illustration of the spread of spoken/conversational features through writing. The paper discusses the use of embedded inversion in Irish English (IrE) and briefly compares its occurrence in other varieties of English during the 19th century. The data come from CORIECOR, the Corpus of Irish English Correspondence, which contains emigrant letters written to and by Irish emigrants from 1760 to 1940. The letters were sent mainly between Ireland and other countries such as the United States, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, and therefore provide an empirical base for studies of historical change. By using corpus linguistics techniques, we analyze possible connections between American English and IrE. The occurrence of embedded inversion in CORIECOR is compared with other historical corpora such as the Corpus of Historical American English, which provides data from one of the main destinations of Irish emigrants.

Foreign Experience in Ensuring the Security of the Penitentiary System and the Possibility of its Use in Future Practice

The article discusses the foreign experience of penitentiary systems in countries such as Norway, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Belarus, Great Britain, Canada, Germany and the possibility of its application in the modern penitentiary system of Georgia. Taking into account the analysis of international legal documents, the author of the article positively evaluates the penal practice of foreign countries and formulates a recommendation about its perception in Georgia. The material of the scientific article can later be used in the practical activities of the penitentiary institutions of the penitentiary system, as well as in the educational organizations of the Penitentiary Service of Georgia. Keywords: penitentiary security, penitentiary system, public safety, convicts, differentiation of convicts, correctional institutions.

The Past, Present and Future of Voter ID in Great Britain—Voter Turnout, Rejection and Confidence

AbstractThis article examines the implementation of voter identification at polling stations for elections in Great Britain, in particular following the passage of the Elections Act 2022. For this purpose it groups the affected and most significant elections into four chronological studies. These are, first, the initial pilot schemes conducted in 2018 and 2019, second, the May 2023 local elections in England, third, the 10 parliamentary by-elections held in Great Britain between July 2023 and May 2024, and fourth, the July 2024 UK General Election which marked by far the biggest test of the new requirements. The article examines the historical context and key statutory provisions which introduced voter ID, before analysing the respective studies relying on official Electoral Commission and UK Parliament data, as well as data gathered by volunteer organisations and the author’s own observations at polling stations. For this purpose, the case studies focus on the issues of voter turnout, rejection and confidence, as these are easily quantifiable measures which can assist with the legal analysis. As such, the article assesses the legality of voter identification laws in the UK, in particular from a human rights perspective, arguing that the implementation of voter ID has been problematic from the outset. Data produced after the elections raises further questions over the necessity and proportionality of the measures, suggesting that further reforms are needed if the policy is to remain in place.

The risk of inbreeding versus outbreeding depression in managing an endangered and locally adapted population of a sedentary bird

AbstractA debate in conservation genomics centers on whether to conserve small, fragmented populations independently or blend them through translocations from larger populations. Translocations of red grouse (Lagopus scotica) from Great Britain to supplement the Irish population have been suggested. We incorporate a variety of genetic datasets to address this. We used genome wide data from 23 contemporary and historic red grouse from Great Britain and Ireland. We also investigate microsatellite data, sequence candidate pigmentation genes, and assess phenotypic color variation. Genomic data indicate higher inbreeding in Irish grouse relative to an English population and significant divergence for genomic (FST = 0.095) and microsatellite (FST = 0.03) markers. Contemporary Ne was seven times smaller in the Irish population compared to the English. We identified divergent regions linked to pigmentation, immune response, and food intake. We show phenotypic differences in plumage color and sequence divergence among coding regions in the melanin pathway including MC1R (FST from genomic data of 0.3). The two populations thus appear locally adapted and this divergence between the source and target population when used for conservation translocations can swamp locally adapted alleles and/or introduce maladapted genotypes, leading to outbreeding depression. While it is important to avoid inbreeding by sustaining larger populations, our research emphasizes the need for practitioners to consider population divergence and local adaptation. We advocate against translocations between Ireland and Britain as a conservation strategy in this particular case and underscore the importance of prioritizing local populations where possible.

Prevalence and characteristics of smokers interested in using virtual reality for encouraging smoking cessation: a representative population survey in Great Britain

Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of morbidity in the world. Virtual reality (VR) has been used to encourage and support quit attempts. However, interest in VR may differ according to sociodemographic characteristics. This study aimed to estimate the proportion and associated characteristics of smokers in Great Britain who were interested in using VR for smoking cessation. Methods Data were collected from 6,858 adults between February to April 2023, from the Smoking Toolkit Study—a monthly, nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of adults in Great Britain. Of these, 873 were smokers (unweighted). Prevalence of interest was assessed descriptively and associations between interest and sociodemographic and smoking characteristics were analysed with weighted logistic regression models. Results Of 905 (weighted) smokers, 34.6% (95% Confidence Interval (CI):31.0%-38.5%) were interested in using VR for smoking cessation. Smokers had greater odds of reporting interest in VR for smoking cessation who were: highly motivated to quit (Odds Ratio (OR):2.41, 95% CI:1.59–3.65), had made a quit attempt in the past year (OR:1.95, 95% CI:1.37–2.77), currently trying to cut down (OR:1.90, 95% CI:1.34–2.67) and interested in VR generally (OR:10.42, 95% CI:6.97–15.57). Those ≥ 65 years old (OR:0.29, 95% CI:0.15–0.57) and women (OR:0.69, 95% CI:0.49–0.97) were less likely to report interest. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that up to a third of adult smokers may be interested in using VR to support a quit attempt. However, the potential reach of a VR smoking cessation intervention may be lower in certain subgroups such as women, adults 65 years or older, and adults less motivated to quit. From a health equity perspective, it is recommended that non-digital but effective interventions should be made readily available for adults at risk of digital exclusion due to lack of interest. However, as VR grows in popularity and its technological potential becomes fully realised, future research could also focus on strategies to reduce digital exclusion and increase interest. For example, by involving these subgroups in co-design activities and using novel dissemination strategies.

The impact of research and development on the economies of countries of the world: A statistical analysis

Effective management of national science and research is on the constant rise, so the task of revealing how economic “return” from the research and development sector can be maximized is becoming more and more relevant. The article examines the mutual influence of the development of science and the funding of research and development in 97 countries around the world, on the one hand, and their national per capita incomes, on the other hand. A wide range of indicators is used, including patent activity, research and development expenditures, the number of researchers and the number of Scopus-indexed publications by subject area (relative to the population of countries). Among all the subject areas studied, the number of publications in economics is most closely related to the level of GDP per capita (PPP). We then use linear multiple regression to study the relation between the number of Scopus-indexed publications in economics and expenditures on research and development. A comparison of simulated data with real data shows that oil and gas producing countries (including Russia) demonstrate an economic level higher than expected. The leading world economies (USA, China, Japan, Germany, France, Great Britain) are well described by our resulting model. Ensuring high expenditure on research and development is of paramount importance for modern economic growth. In addition, an overall high level of publication activity is important, with particular attention to the development of research in economics.

Uncovering Displacement between Nuclear and Renewable Electricity Generation for G7 Countries by Novel Wavelet-Based Methods

ABSTRACT Under the pressure of climate-related issues, importance of clean electricity generation (EG) has been developing in ensuring sustainable environment. Accordingly, countries have been trying to increase clean EG. Although increasing clean EG is important, it is also critical that clean EG alternatives should not cause displacement. Otherwise, there may not be certain progress in stimulating clean EG. So, this study aims to investigate displacement between nuclear and renewable EG types. In this context, the study considers four clean EG sources (i.e. nuclear, hydro, solar, and wind), analyzes G7 countries, uses high-frequency daily data between 1 January 2019 to 30 December 2023, applies novel Wavelet Local Multiple Correlation (WLMC) method as the main model, and performs Wavelet Transform Coherence (WTC) for the robustness check. The study defines that (i) hydro and wind EG have a displacement (supporting) effect on nuclear EG at short (long) term; (ii) solar EG has a supporting (displacement) effect on nuclear EG at short (long) term; (iii) the most critical EG source is nuclear for France and United States and hydro for Great Britain and Japan; (iv) the WTC method reveals the robustness. The study determines that renewable EG has a displacement (supporting) effect on nuclear EG in short (long) term. Therefore, there are certain conflict between nuclear and renewable EG in the short term, whereas they support each other in the long term. Thus, there is a need for comprehensive and balanced energy transition policy so that choices should not cause a displacement among alternatives.

AMIGO2 characterizes cancer-associated fibroblasts in metastatic colon cancer and induces the release of paracrine active tumorigenic secretomes.

Secretomes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) contribute to malignancy. Detailed knowledge is available on the components and functions of CAF secretomes. Little is known about the regulation of CAF secretomes. Here, we searched for receptor-like membrane-bound molecules in CAFs, which may regulate the production and release of tumor-activating secretomes. The adhesion molecule with Ig-like domain 2 (AMIGO2) was significantly upregulated in cultivated CAFs compared to normal tissue-associated fibroblasts (NAFs), and this was confirmed in patient-derived tissues. AMIGO2 expression was low or absent in healthy colon, significantly increased in fibroblasts of primary CRC, and highest in the stromal tissues of CRC-derived liver metastases. AMIGO2 expression in CAFs correlated with a higher T-category, increased lymph node metastasis, progressed tumor stages and was associated with reduced survival in different cohorts of CRC patients. Interestingly, AMIGO2 expression was induced by transforming growth factor-β and higher in female patients, who exhibit a more aggressive disease course. In functional studies, conditioned media of NAFs with experimentally induced AMIGO2 overexpression enhanced proliferation and migration of different CRC tumor cells, while siRNA-mediated inhibition of AMIGO2 in CAFs attenuated these effects. Accordingly, therapeutic inhibition of the receptor-like AMIGO2 protein in CRC CAFs could prevent tumorigenic secretomes in CRC. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

PROVISION OF BANKING SERVICES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM: CURRENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS

The article examines banking services in the context of the stability of the banking system: current trends and directions of development. The current stage of development of the global banking system operates under conditions of intensified competition and crisis phenomena in financial markets. One of the main factors in the successful development of the domestic banking system is the policy of constant innovations.Currently, innovation is a key factor in the stability, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth of domestic banks. The sustainable development of the national economy is accompanied by an increase in the volume of financial transactions and an increase in the importance of the domestic banking sector. The banking system, being one of the most important links of the market economy, affects the life of society in many ways. It not only provides a mechanism for interregional redistribution of monetary capital, but is also a key element of the settlement and payment mechanisms of the country's economic system. This fact determines the importance of the banking sector in the socio-economic development of the state.The current realities of the banking business contribute to the identification of the main catalysts of domestic banking innovation activity: globalization of world financial markets and markets of banking services; growing competition from the banking and non-banking sectors; the world financial crisis. The above-mentioned factors significantly affect the qualitative and quantitative composition of banking institutions and their services and lead to key changes in consumer behavior, thus leaving banks with the only opportunity to preserve and increase their competitive advantages through the introduction of innovations, the direction of which determines the strategy for the development of the banking sector on medium-term perspective. Based on the results of the research, it was established that the problems accumulated in the national banking system can be solved by applying the experience of Great Britain, and the main postulates should be adapted to the national banking system, which will contribute to the development of the domestic market of banking services and increase the stability of the national banking system.

Comparing the roles of secondary schools and universities in the formation of British cabinet ministers, 1922–2022

AbstractThe role played by the education system in the creation and reproduction of governing elites, and its countervailing potential to create a more meritocratic and egalitarian society, has been a topic of enduring concern. However, these debates have been rendered opaque by an inability to directly compare elite formation systems both within and between countries. To resolve this problem, we employ elite formation quantitative indices to compare the roles of the secondary school and higher education systems, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the formation of its political elite—cabinet ministers—between 1922 and 2022. Our findings show that the universities educating cabinet ministers have been more elite and influential than the secondary schools, but not more exclusive. Additionally, while only a small number of universities and schools supplied more than one cabinet minister over the century, a very small number of universities and schools supplied a great many.

Macrophages producing chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 induce neuro-cardiac junction impairment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of the full form of the dystrophin protein, which is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of muscle cells, including those in the heart and respiratory system. Despite progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with DMD, myocardial insufficiency persists as the primary cause of mortality, and existing therapeutic strategies remain limited. This study investigates the hypothesis that a dysregulation of the biological communication between infiltrating macrophages (MPs) and neurocardiac junctions exists in dystrophic cardiac tissue. In a mouse model of DMD (mdx), this phenomenon is influenced by the over-release of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4), a key inhibitor of nerve sprouting and a modulator of the neural function, by MPs infiltrating the cardiac tissue and associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, a hallmark of DMD. Givinostat, the histone deacetylase inhibitor under current development as a clinical treatment for DMD, is effective at both restoring a physiological microenvironment at the neuro-cardiac junction and cardiac function in mdx mice in addition to a reduction in cardiac fibrosis, MP-mediated inflammation, and tissue CSPG4 content. This study provides novel insight into the pathophysiology of DMD in the heart, identifying potential new biological targets. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Визнання Голодомору геноцидом українського народу парламентом Великої Британії: дебати 2013–2023 рр

The international recognition of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 is evidence of the establishment of historical justice in assessing the crime against humanity committed against the Ukrainian people. For the first time, the famine in Ukraine was discussed in the British Parliament in 1934: a report based on information received from Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna Theodor Innitzer and journalists William Henry Chamberlin and Malcolm Muggeridge was delivered in the House of Lords by the liberal politician Lord Charnwood. However, a number of MPs opposed the discussion of the famine in the USSR, stressing that it was an internal affair of another state, and the debate was closed. In the early 2000s, after the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2006) and the intensification of the Ukrainian authorities’ efforts to raise awareness of the crimes of the Soviet regime among the world community, this issue was discussed three times (2013, 2017, 2023) in the House of Commons. P. Latham, a representative of the ruling Conservative Party, was the initiator of the debate. She presented indisputable historical facts and oral memories in her speeches, that allowed to assess the Holodomor as a deliberate act of genocide by the Soviet government, which became a deep trauma for Ukraine and had a catastrophic impact on the Ukrainian national identity. The politician also argued her thesis with the statement of the author of the concept of “genocide” R. Lemkin, who called the destruction of the Ukrainian nation a classic example of genocide, stressing that the purpose of the Holodomor was to overcome Ukrainian national resistance to the Soviet regime. In general, all the speakers emphasised the artificiality of the famine, the scale of the tragedy (from 2 to 12 million deaths), which was planned by the Stalinist totalitarian regime to achieve its main goal – the destruction of the Ukrainian nation. The MPs recognised the need to honour the memory of the millions people who were brutally murdered; condemned the Soviet regime’s confiscation of food, restrictions on the movement of the population, refusal of foreign aid, brutal suppression of protests, and Russification policy; called on the UK government to further raise awareness of the Holodomor and condemned any attempts to deny or distort this historical truth, considering it nothing less than genocide.They noted the heroism of the contemporaries of the events, in particular the British journalists Gareth Jones and M. Muggeridge, and ordinary citizens who were not afraid to speak out about the real state of affairs. In this context, the parliamentarians drew historical parallels with the present: reporters from many countries, including Ukraine itself, are endangering themselves to expose the true extent of Russian barbarism and war crimes during Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, in which Putin aims to destroy the Ukrainian nation and the concept of Ukrainian identity. The MPs argued that the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide is not a formal definition: it is a recognition of the truth of historical events and has implications for the current war, as it sends a clear signal that the international community will not turn a blind eye to acts of cruelty and injustice. In early 2023, President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk addressed the UK Parliament, focusing on the current situation in Ukraine. However, the head of the Ukrainian parliament stressed the importance of restoring historical justice in the issue of recognising the Holodomor of 1932–1933 in Ukraine as a crime of genocide against the Ukrainian people, especially because of the unchanging policy of Russia, which commits mass war crimes and crimes against humanity. The House of Commons unanimously passed a resolution recognising the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people on 25 May 2023. The position of official London has remained unchanged: Holodomor was a horrific, man-made disaster of unimaginable scale and the government recognise the human tragedy that occurred and its importance in the history of Ukraine and Europe. Government policy is that recognition of genocides should be a matter for judicial decision and so it should be for judges, rather than Governments or non- judicial bodies, to make a designation of genocide. Such decisions should be based on a credible judicial process, and the courts are best placed to judge what are essentially criminal matters. At the same time, the government emphasises that this position in no way diminishes the gravity of the crime and the responsibility of the Soviet leadership for the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. It also assures that it will continue to support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and international efforts to bring Russia to justice for its aggression against Ukraine. Key words: Holodomor, genocide, Great Britain, P. Latham, Ukraine.

DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATION ABROAD IN THE STUDIES OF UKRAINIAN COMPARATIVISTS

The article presents a synthesized historiographical analysis of Ukrainian pedagogical comparativistsʼ works on the development of higher medical education in foreign countries, identifying trends, achievements, bottlenecks, and prospects for studying this problem. The presented sample of dissertations, monographs, and textbooks demonstrated their narrow country-specific vector and similarity in formulating the subject of research. Historiographical and comparative analysis revealed similar approaches of scientists to determining trends in the development and functioning of national systems of professional training for doctors. These concern the preservation and expansion of decentralization in higher medical education management; strengthening the interaction of its various links; shifting emphasis in determining the prerequisites for the development of national higher medical education systems from “traditional” factors (political, socio-economic, cultural situation of the country, etc.) to clarifying the influences of international medical organizations and documents in the field of healthcare that substantiate general strategies for training doctors in higher medical education institutions, etc. Scientists also propose original approaches to studying the functioning of national systems of higher medical education. These are manifested in the development of authors periodizations and classifications of the specified process; thorough characteristics of university environments for training future doctors in different countries; comprehensive understanding of the determinants of their formation and development, which, in addition to social, economic, and cultural factors of the country's development, relate to the level of education of the population, its multiculturalism, the specifics of educational systems, etc. In these perspectives, the analyzed studies mark two main country-specific vectors of research in higher medical education: “overseas” (USA and Canada) and “European” (mainly Great Britain, Poland, and German-speaking countries).

Longevity

The value of a person’s life is not reducible to the satisfaction of one’s desires or interests, including the interest in living longer.  A person who takes pleasure in beach vacations each summer may look forward to another stay at the shore next year, but this is not the kind of interest that gives her a reason to continue living.  Assuming she has lived a normal life, one beach vacation more or less will not affect the value of her life, even in the slightest degree. Similarly, we wouldn’t say of a person who has lived a full life that his life would have been more valuable if he hadn’t suffered that wretched toothache several decades ago. The value of a person’s life is not simply a function of the good and bad experiences it contains. More controversially, neither is it simply an aggregate of a person’s accomplishments. Discovering another great self-portrait by Rembrandt (who created nearly 100 of them, so far as we know) would not affect to any degree our assessment of his greatness as an artist.  Rather, the value of a human life is determined by what adds meaning to life, what – and not simply how much – she achieves, or how well she lived up to her ideals.  If this is right, then for most people who live to a reasonable age, living longer will not add value to their lives. The social value of longevity is a question of whether a society in which the median age is higher or human life over time is packaged in fewer individuals is better than a society in which the median age is lower and the same amount of life is packaged in more individuals living shorter lives.  I see no reason for thinking the former society is better and hence no justification for nations like the United States or Great Britain to spend health care resources on promoting longevity of its citizens by adding to the normal lifespan.

THE CONCEPT OF SPLENDID ISOLATION: A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH

The article deals with the concept of «splendid isolation», traditionally associated with British foreign policy in the late 19th century, refers to the period when Britain distanced itself from European alliances. This article examines the rationale and consequences of this policy through a contemporary lens, drawing on contemporary scholarship to reassess the motivations and outcomes of Britain's diplomatic posture in that era. Analyzing the concept of «splendid isolation», the study focuses on the political, economic and military factors that determined British strategy. The focus of the study is also the analysis of criticism of this strategy and its consequences for Great Britain in the context of changes in the international balance of power at the beginning of the 20th century. The question arises as to whether «splendid isolation» was really an effective strategy for protecting national interests and maintaining the status of a world power. The traditional view of British foreign policy in the late Victorian era emphasizes independence and avoidance of binding alliances. The article examines the changes in the international environment, especially the growing competition from France, Russia, Germany and the United States, and how they influenced the decisions of British politicians. The article also examines the transition from isolationist policies to strategic alliances at the beginning of the 20th century.

Agency in Removal: How the Iowa Tribe Navigated War and Colonization Between 1812 and 1824

This thesis examines how the Iowa Tribe preservedits survival from 1812 to 1824. Rather than being victims of tribal warfare, asearly histories portrayed, it argues that Ioway leaders actively negotiatedwith rival tribes and colonial powers in the decade leading up to their firstremoval. Prior to the nineteenth century, the Iowa Tribe lived in most of themodern-day State of Iowa and Northern Missouri. The War of 1812 divided theIoway between allegiances to the United States and Great Britain but emergedunited under the leadership of Chief Hard Heart. The following decade sawincreased pressure from American settlement, and relations between the Iowayand Sauk and Meskwaki tribes deteriorated to the point where the Iowa Tribeleft behind their old villages on the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers toreside with the Otoe in Northern Missouri. In 1824, in wake of Missouriachieving statehood, Ioway chiefs White Cloud and Great Walker signed awaytheir lands in Northern Missouri, beginning a long period of removal andattempts by the United States to assimilate the Iowa Tribe. Although they losttheir lands as a result of this agreement, the Iowa leaders’ pragmatismultimately preserved the tribe.

CattleReview

This Cattle Review examines two recent Open Access papers in preventive veterinary medicine, which assess the current status of Johne's disease control in Great Britain's dairy herds.

Transcriptomic profiles of myxofibrosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma correlate with clinical and genomic features.

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) are two common and aggressive subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma. The aim of this study was to assess potential transcriptomic differences between MFS and UPS tumours and to evaluate the extent to which differences in gene expression profiles were associated with genomic and clinical features. The study included 162 patients with tumours diagnosed as MFS (N = 62) or UPS (N = 100). The patients had been diagnosed and treated at two Swedish sarcoma centres during a 30-year period. For gene expression profiling and gene fusion detection all tumours were analysed using RNA-sequencing and could be compared with data on clinical outcome (N = 155), global copy number profiles (N = 145), and gene mutations (N = 128). Gene expression profiling revealed three transcriptomic clusters (TCs) without any clear separation of MFS and UPS. One TC was associated with longer metastasis-free survival. These tumours had lower tumour mutation burden (TMB), were enriched for a copy number signature representative of focal LOH and chromosomal instability on a diploid background, and were relatively immune-depleted. MFS and UPS showed extensive genomic overlap, with whole genome doubling occurring more frequently among the latter. The results support the idea that MFS and UPS tumours have largely overlapping genomic and transcriptomic features, with UPS tumours showing more aggressive behaviour and more complex genomes. Independently of the tumour type, clinically relevant subgroups were revealed by gene expression analysis, and the finding of multiple genomic subgroups strongly suggest the existence of subgroups of relevance to treatment stratification. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

‘[A] very improbable and imaginative fiction’: Fictionalising the French invasion of Fishguard

In the years leading up to the centenary of the last invasion of the British mainland, several historical novels in Welsh and English chronicled the events of the French landing near Fishguard in 1797. These fictional explorations throw Welsh national identity into relief at a time when Britain consolidated its domestic and overseas territories against its main rival, France. While ostensibly set in the historical past, the novels under observation share significant traits with the popular genre of the invasion novel that came to the fore in the second half of the nineteenth century as the British Empire neared its largest extent. Published during a time of cultural and political revivals in late-Victorian Wales, these historical invasion novels offer a different, literary way to examine past discourses around Welsh nationhood and national territory as well as coloniality and sovereignty.