Understanding student evaluations : a black faculty perspective.

Student evaluations of faculty teaching are critical components to the evaluation of faculty performance. These evaluations are used to determine teaching effectiveness and they influence tenure and promotion decisions. Although they are designed as objective assessments of teaching performance, extraneous factors, including the instructors’ race, can affect the composition and educational atmosphere at colleges and universities. In this reflection, we briefly review some literature on the use and utility of student evaluations and present narratives from social work faculty in which students’ evaluation contained perceived racial bias

Prevalence and burden of chronic bronchitis symptoms: results from the BOLD study

We studied the prevalence, burden and potential risk factors for chronic bronchitis symptoms in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Representative population-based samples of adults aged ≥40 years were selected in participating sites. Participants completed questionnaires and spirometry. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were defined as chronic cough and phlegm on most days for ≥3 months each year for ≥2 years. Data from 24 855 subjects from 33 sites in 29 countries were analysed. There were significant differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms meeting our definition of chronic bronchitis across sites, from 10.8% in Lexington (KY, USA), to 0% in Ile-Ife (Nigeria) and Blantyre (Malawi). Older age, less education, current smoking, occupational exposure to fumes, self-reported diagnosis of asthma or lung cancer and family history of chronic lung disease were all associated with increased risk of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were associated with worse lung function, more dyspnoea, increased risk of respiratory exacerbations and reduced quality of life, independent of the presence of other lung diseases. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis symptoms varied widely across the studied sites. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were associated with significant burden both in individuals with chronic airflow obstruction and those with normal lung function

Restricted spirometry and cardiometabolic comorbidities: Results from the international population based BOLD study

Background: Whether restricted spirometry, i.e. low Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), predicts chronic cardiometabolic disease is not definitely known. In this international population-based study, we assessed the relationship between restricted spirometry and cardiometabolic comorbidities. Methods: A total of 23,623 subjects (47.5% males, 19.0% current smokers, age: 55.1 ± 10.8 years) from five continents (33 sites in 29 countries) participating in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study were included. Restricted spirometry was defined as post-bronchodilator FVC < 5th percentile of reference values. Self-reports of physician-diagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD; heart disease or stroke), hypertension, and diabetes were obtained through questionnaires. Results: Overall 31.7% of participants had restricted spirometry. However, prevalence of restricted spirometry varied approximately ten-fold, and was lowest (8.5%) in Vancouver (Canada) and highest in Sri Lanka (81.3%). Crude odds ratios for the association with restricted spirometry were 1.60 (95% CI 1.37–1.86) for CVD, 1.53 (95% CI 1.40–1.66) for hypertension, and 1.98 (95% CI 1.71–2.29) for diabetes. After adjustment for age, sex, education, Body Mass Index (BMI) and smoking, the odds ratios were 1.54 (95% CI 1.33–1.79) for CVD, 1.50 (95% CI 1.39–1.63) for hypertension, and 1.86 (95% CI 1.59–2.17) for diabetes. Conclusion: In this population-based, international, multi-site study, restricted spirometry associates with cardiometabolic diseases. The magnitude of these associations appears unattenuated when cardiometabolic risk factors are taken into account

Nosocomial Outbreak of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Sudan

To confirm the presence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Sudan, we tested serum of 8 patients with hemorrhagic fever in a rural hospital in 2008. Reverse transcription–PCR identified Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Its identification as group III lineage indicated links to virus strains from South Africa, Mauritania, and Nigeria

The incidence of bilateral well-differentiated thyroid cancer found at completion thyroidectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of completion thyroidectomy in patients with presumed unilateral well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). The medical records of all patients having had unilateral thyroid lobectomy for WDTC, who subsequently underwent completion thyroidectomy, were reviewed. From 1980 to 1991, 60 patients with WDTC underwent completion thyroidectomy. Forty-seven patients had presumed unilateral WDTC, with no evidence of residual disease prior to their completion thyroidectomy. Twenty-five (53%) of these patients were found to have residual neoplastic disease in the neck. In 20 (43%) of 47 patients, a focus of cancer was found in the remaining thyroid lobe and in 5 additional patients no cancer was found in the contralateral lobe, however, unsuspected nodal disease was found. The remaining 13 of the 60 patients presented with either regional recurrence (n=12) or distant metastases (n=1) at the time of their completion thyroidectomy. All (92%) but 1 of these 13 patients had cancer in the remaining thyroid lobe. Multifocal disease in the primary lobe was associated with bilateral thyroid cancer ( p <0.01). Complications were infrequent; transient hypocalcemia occurred in 5 (8%) patients, permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 1 (1.7%) patient, and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 3 (5%) patients. Residual WDTC was found in 37 (62%) of 60 patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy. Multifocal disease in the primary resected lobe was associated with a high incidence of contralateral thyroid cancer. Completion thyroidectomy is a safe procedure and may prevent the development of regional recurrence by eliminating an unsuspected focus of cancer. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer l'évolution chirurgicale après thyroïdectomie totale des patients ayant un cancer thyroïdien présumé bien différencié et unilatéral (CTBD). Les données médicales de tous les patients ayant eu une lobectomie unilatérale de la thyroïde pour CTBD et qui ont eu secondairement une totalisation de la thyroïdectomie ont été revues. Entre 1980 et 1991, 60 patients ayant un CTBD ont eu une totalisation de la thyroïdectomie, quarante sept avaient un CTBD présumé unilatéral, sans argument pour une pathologie résiduelle avant la totalisation de la thyroïdectomie (groupe 1). Vingt cinq d'entre eux (53%) se sont avérés avoir un reliquat néoplasique persistant au niveau de la région cervicale. Chez 20/47 (43%) patients, on a retrouvé un foyer de cancer dans le lobe restant de la thyroïde. Chez 5 patients supplémentaires il n'a pas été retrouvé de cancer dans le lobe controlatéral mais une dystrophie nodulaire non suspecte. Les 13/60 patients restants présentaient soit une récidive régionale (12) soit des métastases à distance (1) au moment de la totalisation de la thyroïdectomie (groupe 2). Tous les patients du groupe 2 sauf un (92%) avaient un cancer dans le lobe restant. Une atteinte plurifocale dans le premier lobe était associée avec l'existence d'un cancer bilatéral ( p <0.01). Les complications ont été rares: une hypocalcémie transitoire est survenue chez 5 (8%) patients, une hypoparathyroïdie définitive est apparue chez 1 (1.7%) patient. Une paralysie récurentielle transitoire a été retrouvée chez 3 (5%) patients. Conclusions: Un reliquat de TCBD a été retrouvé chez 37/60 (62%) patients opérés d'une totalisation de thyroïdectomie. L'atteinte multifocale dans le premier lobe réséqué était associée avec une incidence élevée de cancer thyroïdien controlatéral. La totalisation de la thyroïdectomie est une procédure sans risque qui peut prévenir le développement d'une récidive régionale en éliminant un foyer de cancer non suspecté. El propósito del presente estudio fue valorar el resultado quirúrgico de completar a una tiroidectomía total la resección tiroidea realizada en pacientes con cáncer presumiblemente unilateral y bien diferenciado de la glándula tiroides (CTBD). Se revisaron las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes sometidos a lobectomía tiroidea unilateral por CTBD, en quienes subsiguientemente se completó la tiroidectomía, procedimiento que fue realizado en 60 pacientes con CTBD en el período 1980–1991. Cuarenta y siete pacientes tenían CTBD presumiblemente unilateral, sin evidencia de enfermedad residual antes de completarse la tiroidectomía (grupo 1); en veinticinco (53%) de estos pacientes se halló neoplasia residual en el cuello. En 20/47 (43%) pacientes se encontró un foco de cáncer en el lóbulo tiroideo remanente y en 5 casos adicionales aunque no se encontró cáncer en el lóbulo contralateral, se halló extensión ganglionar no sospechada. Los 13/60 pacientes restantes presentaron recurrencia (12) o metástasis distantes (1) en el momento de completarse la tiroidectomía (grupo 2). Todos los pacientes del grupo 2, excepto 1 (92%), presentaban cáncer en el lóbulo remanente. La presencia de enfermedad multifocal en el lóbulo primario apareció asociada con cáncer tiroideo bilateral ( p <0.01). Las complicaciones fueron raras; se presentó hipocalcemia transitoria en 5 (8%) pacientes, hipotiroidismo permanente en 1 (1.7%) y parálisis parcial y transitoria del nervio laríngeo recurrente en 3 (5%). Conclusiones: Se encontró CTBD en 37/60 (62%) pacientes en quienes se completó la tiroidectomía. La presencia de enfermedad multifocal en el lóbulo primario resecado apareció asociada con una alta incidencia de cáncer contralateral. El procedimiento de completar la tiroidectomía aparece como una operación segura que puede prevenir el desarrollo recurrencia regional al eliminar focos insospechados de cáncer.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41292/1/268_2005_Article_BF02067365.pd

Identification and Management of Intravagal Parathyroid Adenoma

Intravagal parathyroid adenomas are rare, with only three cases reported in the English literature. The objective of this report is to describe two additional patients with hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands found within the vagus nerve and to define the anatomy of this finding. Both patients presented with a history of persistent hyperparathyroidism despite multiple therapeutic interventions. A high cervical localization was established in both cases by selective venous sampling. In each patient successful removal of the intravagal parathyroid gland was achieved with subsequent resolution of calcium and parathyroid levels. Each adenoma was located within the vagus nerve below the level of the carotid bifurcation and was enucleated without sacrificing the vagus nerve. In our cases and those reported previously, the parathyroid glands were supernumerary, representing parathyroid tissue embryologically derived from the third branchial pouch. Exploration for hyperparathyroidism requires a complete, meticulous surgical dissection to identify all parathyroid glands and to search for possible accessory tissue in selected cases. Our experience and a review of the literature serve to emphasize that, although rare, intravagal parathyroid adenomas do occur. Examination of the vagus nerve should therefore be strongly considered when four normal glands are found, as intravagal adenomas appear to represent accessory ectopically located parathyroid tissue.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42413/1/268-25-4-419_10250419.pd

Temporal clustering of Kawasaki disease cases around the world

In a single-site study (San Diego, CA, USA), we previously showed that Kawasaki Disease (KD) cases cluster temporally in bursts of approximately 7&nbsp;days. These clusters occurred more often than would be expected at random even after accounting for long-term trends and seasonality. This finding raised the question of whether other locations around the world experience similar temporal clusters of KD that might offer clues to disease etiology. Here we combine data from San Diego and nine additional sites around the world with hospitals that care for large numbers of KD patients, as well as two multi-hospital catchment regions. We found that across these sites, KD cases clustered at short time scales and there were anomalously long quiet periods with no cases. Both of these phenomena occurred more often than would be expected given local trends and seasonality. Additionally, we found unusually frequent temporal overlaps of KD clusters and quiet periods between pairs of sites. These findings suggest that regional and planetary range environmental influences create periods of higher or lower exposure to KD triggers that may offer clues to the etiology of KD

Study on Occupational Allergy Risks (SOLAR II) in Germany: Design and methods

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SOLAR II is the 2^ndfollow-up of a population-based cohort study that follows the participants of ISAAC Phase Two recruited in Munich and Dresden in 1995/6. A first follow-up study was conducted 2002 and 2003 (SOLAR I). The aims of SOLAR II were to investigate the course of atopic diseases over puberty taking environmental and occupational risk factors into account. This paper describes the methods of the 2^ndfollow-up carried out from 2007 to 2009 and the challenges we faced while studying a population-based cohort of young adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Wherever possible, the same questionnaire instruments were used throughout the studies. They included questions on respiratory and allergic diseases, domestic and occupational exposure and work related stress. Furthermore, clinical examinations including skin prick tests, spirometry and bronchial challenge with methacholine, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood samples were employed at baseline and 2^ndfollow-up. As information from three studies was available, multiple imputation could be used to handle missing data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 3053 SOLAR I study participants who had agreed to be contacted again, about 50% had moved in the meantime and had to be traced using phone directories and the German population registries. Overall, 2904 of these participants could be contacted on average five years after the first follow-up. From this group, 2051 subjects (71%) completed the questionnaire they received via mail. Of these, 57% participated at least in some parts of the clinical examinations. Challenges faced included the high mobility of this age group. Time constraints and limited interest in the study were substantial. Analysing the results, selection bias had to be considered as questionnaire responders (54%) and those participating in the clinical part of the study (63%) were more likely to have a high parental level of education compared to non-participants (42%). Similarly, a higher prevalence of parental atopy (e.g. allergic rhinitis) at baseline was found for participants in the questionnaire part (22%) and those participating in the clinical part of the study (27%) compared to non-participants (11%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, a 12-year follow-up from childhood to adulthood is feasible resulting in a response of 32% of the baseline population. However, our experience shows that researchers need to allocate more time to the field work when studying young adults compared to other populations.</p

Towards a Criminology of the Domestic

Criminology has paid insufficient attention to the ‘domestic’ arena, as a locale that is being reconfigured through technological and social developments in ways that require us to reconsider offending and victimisation. This article addresses this lacuna. We take up Campbell's (2016) challenge that criminology needs to develop more sophisticated models of place and space, particularly in relation to changing patterns of consumption and leisure activity and the opportunities to offend in relation to these from within the domestic arena