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The thesis aims were twofold (1) to understand how qualitative approaches can inform Core Outcome Set (COS) development and (2) to compare the utility of three qualitative data collection methods for understanding which outcomes are important to patients. Firstly, a review examining the participation of patients in COS development and the use of qualitative research was conducted. Secondly, evidence from studies comparing the use of face-to-face and online focus groups was reviewed. Finally, the outputs of qualitative data collected from adult burns patients using (1) face-to-face focus groups (2) online focus groups, and (3) interviews, was compared according to the outcomes elicited, sample characteristics, depth of data and resource use. The first review demonstrates that whilst patients and carers participated in outcome elicitation for COS development, professionals were overly represented in prioritisation exercises. Of 10 qualitative papers identified only 3 were a clearly pre-designed component of the COS. The second review suggests that both face-to-face and online focus groups have advantages dependent on the context for their use. A similar range of outcomes relevant to adult burns patients were identified regardless of the qualitative data collection method. Whilst interviews produced more in-depth data, online focus groups used the least resource.

The aim of the research was to explore the effect of teaching sociology through transformational pedagogical practices on the student learning experiences in an English FE College as well as the experience of teachers making use of transformation teaching practices. The research project was grounded in literature on the critical theory of teaching and learning (Freire 1996, hooks 1994, Allman 2010, Amsler 2014, Canaan, 2010, McLaren 2006, Neary 2012, Roggero 2011). A key feature of transformational teaching practice and the social theory that underpins it is the emphasis on the power of human agency and the ability of individuals to transform their own historical and material conditions. The qualitative research methods used reflect the power of human subjectivity and included narrative life stories and semi-structured interviews. Twenty seven participants took part in the research consisting of 15 current, and 5 former Sociology Undergraduates and 7 teachers on the programme, including myself. This work was done at the HE Institution where I work as a lecturer. The research was written in an innovative, humanised style in order to reflect the on-going and developmental praxis associated with critical and transformational teaching practices.

A defining feature of cancer is the ability of malignant cells to invade and metastasise. Orchestrated changes in cell adhesion molecules (CAM) and proteolytic enzymes are associated with the onset of cell invasion in both physiological and pathological situations. The hypothesis is that (i) co-ordinated changes in Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP) enzymes and E-Cadherin and integrin cell adhesion molecules (CAM) are important in the control of breast cancer invasion, (ii) a factor contributing to these changes is the tumour-fibroblast relationship, and (iii) re-establishing a more normal CAM profile or altering the tumour-fibroblast relationship would therefore inhibit tumour invasion. Breast carcinomas (114) were examined for expression of the MMP-2/TIMP-2/MT1-MMP and MMP-9/TIMP-1 systems using immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridisation and zymography. All components are expressed by fibroblasts, but the level of tumour cell membrane MMP-2 and MT1-MMP correlates both with MMP-2 activity and the presence of lymph node metastases. MMP-9 expression is associated with the infiltrating lobular phenotype and with reduced E-Cadherin. Reduced 2, 3 and 1 integrin is related to loss of tumour differentiation, and expression of 6 and 4 integrin is associated with high tumour grade. Evidence from in-vitro studies confirms a relationship between cell adhesion, MMP expression and invasion. Lack of E-Cadherin in MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 468 cells is associated with MMP-9 expression and disrupting E-Cadherin in MCF-7 and T47D cells induces MMP-9. The high invasive capacity of MDA-MB 231 is 64 dependent, however, the redistribution of 64 to hemidesmosome-like structures is associated with a significant reduction in invasion and increase in both MMPs and TIMPs. Tumour cell-fibroblast co-culture enhances tumour cell invasion and is associated with up-regulation of MMP expression in both cell populations with increased net proteolytic activity. Introducing normal myoepithelial cells into this culture system inhibits tumour cell invasion and MMP expression in tumour cells and fibroblasts. These results indicate the importance of co-ordinate changes in MMPs and CAM in the process of invasion in-vivo and in-vitro, and identify a potential invasion-suppressor role for the myoepithelial cell.

An investigation was carried out to determine the tissue of origin of serum alkaline phosphatase in normal dogs and in dogs treated with the insecticide dieldrin. The work involved comparisons between tissue and serum alkaline phosphatases on the basis of immunological and electrophoretic properties. Alkaline phosphatases from dog liver, kidney, intestine and bone were separable by electrophoretic pattern on polyacrylamide gel, except for some overlapping between bone and renal bands. By electrophoretic analysis, liver appeared to be the major source of serum alkaline phosphatase in both normal and hyperphosphatasemic sera from dieldrin treated dogs. Rabbit antiserum to dog intestinal alkaline phosphatase was used to demonstrate phosphatase of intestinal origin in some dog sera. The presence of this additional serum enzyme was not related to administration of dieldrin. The work was extended to an investigation of the origin of alkaline phosphatase in dog urine. Urinary phosphatase differed electrophoretically and immunologically from that of the kidney and showed some similarity to bladder alkaline phosphatase. Alkaline phosphatase from dog intestinal mucosa was shown to differ from phosphatases extractable from the predominant bacterial flora of dog duodenum and faeces. Immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate alkaline phosphatase on the outer surface of intestinal villi.