Community Engagement: A Critical Guide for Practitioners

Anne O’Donnell introduces Chapter 9 of 'Community Engagement: A Critical Guide for Practitioners

Sara Ahmed (2017), Living A Feminist Life,

Book Review - Sara Ahmed (2017), Living A Feminist Life

Waiting for child developmental and rehabilitation services: an overview of issues and needs

Concern about the length of time that children, young people, and families may have to wait to access assessment, diagnostic, interventional, therapeutic, and supportive child developmental and rehabilitation (CDR) services is widespread, but adequate data collection and research on this issue remain limited. We review key concepts and issues relevant to waiting for CDR services from the published literature, a national workshop devoted to this topic, and international experience. We conclude that gaps in data, evidence, and consensus challenge our ability to address the issue of waiting for CDR services in a systematic way. A program of research coupled with actions based on consensus-building is required. Research priorities include acquiring evidence of the appropriateness and effectiveness of different models of intervention and rehabilitation services, and documenting the experience and expectations of waiting families. Consensus-building processes are critical to identify, categorize, and prioritize \u27sentinel\u27 components of CDR service pathways: (1) to reduce the inherent complexity of the field; (2) to create benchmarks for waiting for these respective services; and (3) to develop definitions for wait-time subcomponents in CDR services. Collection of accurate and replicable data on wait times for CDR services can be used to document baseline realities, to monitor and improve system performance, and to conduct comparative and analytic research in the field of CDR services

Toward the development of the International Classification of Functioning Core Sets for children with cerebral palsy: a global expert survey

The goal of the International Classification of Functioning is to standardize the classification of health and function of children around the world. To facilitate the application of this classification, International Classification of Functioning-based tools like the Core Sets are being developed. We conducted an international survey of professional experts to identify the most relevant areas of functioning in children with cerebral palsy. The questionnaire covered each component of the classification. In total, 193 professionals completed the survey (response rate 78%). Overall, 9706 answers were linked to the classification (pediatric version) by 2 professionals. From the experts\u27 perspective, movement-related areas and social participation are the most relevant areas of functioning. Experts suggest a more comprehensive profile of functioning in particular in areas of personal capacity and social participation. The results of this survey will inform the development of the International Classification of Functioning Core Sets for children with cerebral palsy

Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) - A Potential Threat in Ireland

We describe a case of a 25 year old female from Lithuania who presented with a productive cough. Chest radiograph demonstrated an infiltrate in the left upper lobe and a cavitating lesion in the right middle lobe. Sensitivity testing of her sputum led to a diagnosis of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). This is the first case in Ireland and highlights the need for physicians to be aware of the possibility of XDR-TB. Moreover it underlines the need for improvement in service provision in terms of a TB reference laboratory and TB clinics

Mapping the human platelet lipidome reveals cytosolic phospholipase A2 as a regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics during activation

Human platelets acutely increase mitochondrial energy generation following stimulation. Herein, a lipidomic circuit was uncovered whereby the substrates for this are exclusively provided by cPLA2, including multiple fatty acids and oxidized species that support energy generation via β-oxidation. This indicates that acute lipid membrane remodeling is required to support energetic demands during platelet activation. Phospholipase activity is linked to energy metabolism, revealing cPLA2 as a central regulator of both lipidomics and energy flux. Using a lipidomic approach (LipidArrays), we also estimated the total number of lipids in resting, thrombin-activated, and aspirinized platelets. Significant diversity between genetically unrelated individuals and a wealth of species was revealed. Resting platelets demonstrated ∼5,600 unique species, with only ∼50% being putatively identified. Thrombin elevated ∼900 lipids >2-fold with 86% newly appearing and 45% inhibited by aspirin supplementation, indicating COX-1 is required for major activation-dependent lipidomic fluxes. Many lipids were structurally identified. With ∼50% of the lipids being absent from databases, a major opportunity for mining lipids relevant to human health and disease is presente

Expanding the role of young people in research: Towards a better understanding of their lives

The participation of young people in the research process can be empowering for the participants and valuable for the research outcomes. This paper presents the methods used and outcomes of involving youth in the development of priorities for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in Ireland.Two participative workshops were conducted with young people: the first focused on identifiying what is important for people to understand about young people’s lives; the second served to expand and prioritise the themes identified, for the purpose of developing questionnaire items. Following idea generation, discussion and voting four themes emerged as priorities. These were; ‘Diversity and Individuality’, ‘Independence’, ‘Mental Health’ and ‘Bullying’.The process enabled young people to prioritise dimensions of their lives that deserved further quantitative research attention. The findings of the study identify the potential of such a methodology to transform the path of any research project concerning young people

A Phase 2 randomised study to establish efficacy, safety and dosing of a novel oral cathepsin C inhibitor, BI 1291583, in adults with bronchiectasis:Airleaf

New therapies are needed to prevent exacerbations, improve quality of life and slow disease progression in bronchiectasis. Inhibition of cathepsin C (CatC) activity has the potential to decrease activation of neutrophil-derived serine proteases in patients with bronchiectasis, thereby reducing airway inflammation, improving symptoms, reducing exacerbations and preventing further airway damage. Here we present the design of a phase 2 trial (Airleaf™; NCT05238675) assessing the efficacy and safety of a novel CatC inhibitor, BI 1291583, in adult patients with bronchiectasis. This multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-finding study has a screening period of at least 6 weeks, a treatment period of 24–48 weeks and a follow-up period of 4 weeks. ∼240 adults with bronchiectasis of multiple aetiologies will be randomised to placebo once daily, or BI 1291583 1 mg once daily, 2.5 mg once daily or 5 mg once daily in a 2:1:1:2 ratio, stratified by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and maintenance use of macrolides. The primary efficacy objective is to evaluate the dose–response relationship for the three oral doses of BI 1291583 versus placebo on time to first pulmonary exacerbation up to Week 48 (the primary end-point). Efficacy will be assessed using exacerbations, patient-reported outcomes, measures of symptoms, sputum neutrophil elastase activity and pulmonary function testing. Safety assessment will include adverse event reporting, physical examination, monitoring of vital signs, safety laboratory parameters, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and periodontal and dermatological assessments. If efficacy and safety are demonstrated, results will support further investigation of BI 1291583 in phase 3 trials

Supporting Parents Living in Disadvantaged Areas of Edinburgh to Create a Smoke-Free Home Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): A Two-Phase Qualitative Study

Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in the home is largely associated with socio-economic disadvantage. Disadvantaged parents face specific challenges creating a smoke-free home, often caring for children in accommodation without access to outdoor garden space. Existing smoke-free home interventions largely fail to accommodate these constraints. Innovative approaches are required to address this inequality. In this two-phase study, we engaged with parents living in disadvantaged areas of Edinburgh, Scotland, to explore tailored approaches to creating a smoke-free home and develop and pilot-test an intervention based on their views and preferences. In Phase 1, qualitative interviews with 17 parents recruited from Early Years Centres explored alternative approaches to smoke-free home interventions. In Phase 2, an intervention based on parents’ views and preferences was pilot-tested with parents recruited through Early Years and Family Nurse Partnership centres. Seventeen parents took part in an interview to share their views/experiences of the intervention. Data from both study phases were thematically analysed. Phase 1 findings suggested that parents associated nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with quit attempts but supported the idea of NRT use for temporary abstinence to create a smoke-free home, viewing this as a safer option than using e-cigarettes indoors. In Phase 2, 54 parents expressed an interest in accessing NRT to create a smoke-free home, 32 discussed NRT product choice during a home visit from a smoking adviser, and 20 collected their free NRT prescription from the pharmacy. NRT was used for up to 12 weeks in the home, with ongoing advice available from pharmacy staff. During qualitative interviews (n = 17), parents self-reported successfully creating a smoke-free home, quitting smoking, and reduced cigarette consumption, often exceeding their expectations regarding changes made. The intervention was acceptable to parents, but the multi-step process used to access NRT was cumbersome. Some participants were lost to this process. Parents living in disadvantaged circumstances may benefit from access to NRT for temporary abstinence in the home to assist them to protect their children from SHS exposure. Further research using a more streamlined approach to NRT access is required to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this approach

Women in physics in the United States: Recruitment and retention

Initiatives to increase the number, persistence, and success of women in physics in the United States reach preteen girls through senior women. Programs exist at both the local and national levels. In addition, researchers have investigated issues related to gender equity in physics and physics education. Anecdotal evidence suggests increased media coverage of the underrepresentation of women in science. All of these efforts are motivated and made more effective by the continued collection and presentation of data on the presence, persistence, and promise of women in physics