Partnering with older adults for digital research tool development: Demystifying an engaged research process

The inadequacy of traditional research methods, underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the urgent need for innovative approaches, particularly to research involving older adults. This article reflects on the complexities of establishing and sustaining research partnerships with older adults for digital research tool testing and development. The article offers an explicit report of the outreach process for holding researchers accountable and demystifying the research process

Culture clubs in Canadian Higher Education: Examining membership diversity

Culture clubs are student associations based around ethnic, cultural, or linguistic identities, such as the Persian club or Asian Union. At large postsecondary institutions in Canada, between 10-20% of student-run clubs, serving tens of thousands of ethnic minority students, are dedicated to some facet of culture. This paper describes this phenomenon and challenges the popular view of these organizations as self-segregated ethnic enclaves (Findley & Kohler, 2010) by investigating the diversity of identities within one particular club for Russian speakers. Drawing on poststructuralist theory (Block, 2007, 2010) which views individuals’ identities as multiple, dynamic and contingent, we discuss the lived experiences of three focal club members whose multiple positionings complicate notions about who joins such clubs and the role they play within institutions

New model of methodological support of processes modernization in the college

The article deals with the current problems of the development of STRs associated with the introduction of FSES (Federal state educational standard). A new model of methodological support of training is described. The article presents a view on the system of informal training in the vocational schoolВ статье рассматриваются актуальные проблемы развития СПО, связанные с введением ФГОС. Описывается новая модель методического обеспечения подготовки кадров. Изложен взгляд на систему неформального повышения квалификации в техникум

(Re)Introducing Vygotsky’s Thought: From Historical Overview to Contemporary Psychology

Theories formulated by Russian psychologist and educator Lev Vygotsky currently range from being applied and celebrated across multiple contexts to be considered outdated. In this paper, we maintain that such inconsistency in application stems from the overreliance on translated or reformulated Vygotskian theories, the attempts to understand these ideas in isolation from the scientific historical context of their development, and the impact of Vygotsky’s personal life circumstances on the development of his scholarship. It is known that Vygotsky’s untimely death prevented him from elaborating on his theoretical views and expanding his early empirical work. We suggest that Vygotsky’s scholarship could be better understood in light of the core principles that transcend all aspects of his work. In this paper, we elaborate on two such core principles: theories of language development and their relation to the integrated systemic approach to psychological development. We argue that although linguistic and historical boundaries have shaped the common perception of Vygotskian theories in anglophone research in a specific way, there is a potential for a renewed application of these theories to modern psychology that might be especially relevant in light of the increasingly interdisciplinary character of the modern science. To support our argument, we provide a brief overview and examples of potential connections between Vygotsky’s scholarship with contemporary landscape in psychological science. The paper presents a brief introduction to the topic of Vygotskian work and its application to modern psychology, rather than an addition to the field of Vygotskian scholarship. It is geared toward non-Vygotskian scholars and invites researchers working in interdisciplinary areas of psychology

Concise Review: Stem Cells As an Emerging Platform for Antibody Therapy of Cancer

Monoclonal antibodies are important tools for cancer therapy, however, three factors limit their effectiveness: toxicity, poor tumor penetration, and inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This review discusses the emerging field of stem cell-mediated antibody delivery and how this approach may improve antibody therapy of cancer by overcoming these obstacles. STEM CELLS 2010;28:2084–208

Assessment of a staging system for sigmoid colon cancer based on tumor deposits and extramural venous invasion on computed tomography

Importance: Pre-operative TNM stratification of colon cancer on computed tomography (CT) at present does not identify patients at high risk of recurrence that could be selected for pre-operative treatment. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic importance of CT imaging features of sigmoid colon cancer. Design: Retrospective database analysis performed April 2019. Setting Tertiary centre receiving international and national referrals for colorectal cancer. Participants: Patients undergoing bowel resection for sigmoid colon cancer between 2006 and 2015. Main Outcome and Measures: Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate CT risk factors associated with recurrence. Kaplan Meier survival plots were calculated for disease free survival (DFS) using CT staging systems. Results: Among the 414 patients included with sigmoid cancer with a median follow up of 61 months, 122 patients developed recurrence (29.5%). On multivariate analysis, nodal disease was not prognostic and only TDs (HR 1.90) and EMVI (HR 1.97) on CT were associated with recurrence. Significant differences in DFS were found by CT-T3 substage classification (HR 1.88, 95% CI(1.32-2.68)) but not CT-TNM (HR 1.55, 95% CI(0.94-255)). The presence of EMVI or TDs on CT (HR 2.45, 95% CI(1.68-3.56)) best identified poor outcome. Conclusions and Relevance: T3 substaging and detection of TDs or EMVI on CT were prognostic factors for DFS, whereas TNM and nodal staging on CT held no prognostic value. TDV staging of sigmoid colon cancer is superior to TNM on CT and could be used to pre-operatively identify patients at high risk of recurrence

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with a Single-Chain Antibody against EGFRvIII Successfully Inhibit the Growth of Human Xenograft Malignant Glioma

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most lethal brain tumor with limited therapeutic options. Antigens expressed on the surface of malignant cells are potential targets for antibody-mediated gene/drug delivery.In this study, we investigated the ability of genetically modified human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) expressing a single-chain antibody (scFv) on their surface against a tumor specific antigen, EGFRvIII, to enhance the therapy of EGFRvIII expressing glioma cells in vivo. The growth of U87-EGFRvIII was specifically delayed in co-culture with hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII. A significant down-regulation was observed in the expression of pAkt in EGFRvIII expressing glioma cells upon culture with hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII vs. controls as well as in EGFRvIII expressing glioma cells from brain tumors co-injected with hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII in vivo. hMSC expressing scFvEGFRvIII also demonstrated several fold enhanced retention in EGFRvIII expressing flank and intracranial glioma xenografts vs. control hMSCs. The growth of U87-EGFRvIII flank xenografts was inhibited by 50% in the presence of hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII (p<0.05). Moreover, animals co-injected with U87-EGFRvIII and hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII intracranially showed significantly improved survival compared to animals injected with U87-EGFRvIII glioma cells alone or with control hMSCs. This survival was further improved when the same animals received an additional dosage of hMSC-scFvEGFRvIII two weeks after initial tumor implantation. Of note, EGFRvIII expressing brain tumors co-injected with hMSCs had a lower density of CD31 expressing blood vessels in comparison with control tumors, suggesting a possible role in tumor angiogenesis.The results presented in this study illustrate that genetically modified MSCs may function as a novel therapeutic vehicle for malignant brain tumors

ЯЗЫКОВОЕ СОЗНАНИЕ: РЕГИОНАЛЬНЫЙ АСПЕКТ

The psycholinguistic study is aimed at investigating the impact of culture and language on the images of socially important concepts in linguistic consciousness. The study is based on the data obtained in the massive associative research implemented in Tatarstan and Sakha (Yakutia), which involved sample groups of Russians, bilingual Yakutians and bilingual Tatarians. It employs the conceptual framework of linguistic consciousness developed by Russian psycholinguists and associated with the notions of speech act, consciousness and culture. Linguistic consciousness reflects speech acts in relation to cognitive processes and the transformation of these acts into communication. The sample was obtained by a free associative experiment which registered the first reply. The study presents the obtained results as Karaulov's model of “associated gestalt“, modified to meet the requirements of the study. The model is divided into semantic zones and subzones which are further compared in different samples. The paper demonstrates that the associative meanings of lexemes-stimuli contain components clearly dependent on the differences between not only the ethnic language structures, but also between the Russian, Yakutian and Tatarian cultures and their mutual influences in the course of intercultural communication and interaction in vitally important areas.В статье представлены результаты психолингвистического исследования, целью которого было выявление влияния культуры и языка на содержание образов языкового сознания, связанных с социально значимыми понятиями. Материалом исследования послужили данные массового ассоциативного эксперимента, проведенного в Республиках Татарстан и Саха (Якутия) с группами респондентов: русских, якутов-билингвов и татар-билингвов. Общей теоретической основой исследования является концепция языкового сознания, разрабатываемая в отечественной психолингвистике и связанная с такими понятиями, как «речевая деятельность», «сознание» и «культура». Языковое сознание понимается как отражение деятельности в ее обусловленности психическими (когнитивными) процессами и актуализация этих отношений в коммуникации. Методом получения данных стал свободный ассоциативный эксперимент с регистрацией первого ответа. Полученный материал представлен в виде модели «ассоциативный гештальт» по Ю.Н. Караулову, модифицированной в соответствии с целью исследования. В данной модели были выделены семантические зоны и субзоны, которые сравнивались далее в разных выборках. Результаты исследования показали, что в ассоциативном значении лексем-стимулов выявляются компоненты, очевидно обусловленные не только различиями структур национальных языков, но и различиями русской, якутской и татарской культур и взамовлиянием языков/культур в процессе взаимодействия народов в жизненно важных сферах деятельности

Characterization and Functional Analysis of scFv-based Chimeric Antigen Receptors to Redirect T Cells to IL13Rα2-positive Glioma

Immunotherapy with T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is an attractive approach to improve outcomes for patients with glioblastoma (GBM). IL13Rα2 is expressed at a high frequency in GBM but not in normal brain, making it a promising CAR T-cell therapy target. IL13Rα2-specific CARs generated up to date contain mutated forms of IL13 as an antigen-binding domain. While these CARs target IL13Rα2, they also recognize IL13Rα1, which is broadly expressed. To overcome this limitation, we constructed a panel of IL13Rα2-specific CARs that contain the IL13Rα2-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) 47 as an antigen binding domain, short or long spacer regions, a transmembrane domain, and endodomains derived from costimulatory molecules and CD3.ζ (IL13Rα2-CARs). IL13Rα2-CAR T cells recognized IL13Rα2-positive target cells in coculture and cytotoxicity assays with no cross-reactivity to IL13Rα1. However, only IL13Rα2-CAR T cells with a short spacer region produced IL2 in an antigen-dependent fashion. In vivo, T cells expressing IL13Rα2-CARs with short spacer regions and CD28.ζ, 41BB.ζ, and CD28.OX40.ζ endodomains had potent anti-glioma activity conferring a significant survival advantage in comparison to mice that received control T cells. Thus, IL13Rα2-CAR T cells hold the promise to improve current IL13Rα2-targeted immunotherapy approaches for GBM and other IL13Rα2-positive malignancies

Assessing the use of magnetic resonance imaging virtopsy as an alternative to autopsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The post mortem examination or autopsy is a trusted method of identifying the cause of death. Patients and their families may oppose an autopsy for a variety of reasons, including fear of mutilation or owing to religious and personal beliefs. Imaging alternatives to autopsy have been explored, which may provide a viable alternative. Objective To explore the possibility of using MRI virtopsy to establish the cause of death as an alternative to the traditional post mortem examination or autopsy. Methods Systematic review was carried out of all studies, without language restriction, identified from Medline, Cochrane (1960-2016) and Embase (1991-2016) up to December 2016. Further searches were performed using the bibliographies of articles and abstracts. All studies reporting the diagnosis of the cause of death by both MRI virtopsy and traditional autopsy were included. Results Five studies with 107 patients, contributed to a summative quantitative outcome in adults. The combined sensitivity of MRI virtopsy was 0.82 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.94) with a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 11.1 (95% CI 2.2 to 57.0). There was no significant heterogeneity between studies (Q=1.96, df=4, p=0.75, I-2=0). Eight studies, with 953 patients contributed to a summative quantitative outcome in children. The combined sensitivity of MRI virtopsy was 0.73 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.84) with a DOR of 6.44 (95% CI 1.36 to 30.51). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (Q=34.95, df=7, p<0.01, I-2=80). Conclusion MRI virtopsy may offer a viable alternative to traditional autopsy. By using MRI virtopsy, a potential cost reduction of at least 33% is feasible, and therefore ought to be considered in eligible patients