Role of environmental factors in autoantibody production-importance of a detailed analysis in a small cohort

In the previous issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy, Muro and colleagues reported a detailed epidemiologic analysis in central Japan on one of the new myositis-specific autoantibodies to MDA-5 (melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5), which is associated with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis accompanying interstitial lung disease. The increasing prevalence of anti-MDA-5, higher prevalence in small rural towns, and geographical clustering in two areas along the Kiso River suggest a role of environmental factors associated with rural communities or the river/water system or both. A detailed analysis of a small cohort may offer clues, which is ignored in multi-center studies, to the pathogenesis of systemic rheumatic diseases and autoantibody production. \ua9 2012 BioMed Central Ltd

MicroRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and severe autoimmune disease that affects joint tissues, bone, and cartilage. However, the pathogenesis of RA is still unclear. Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide are useful tools for early diagnosis, monitoring disease activity, and predicting prognosis. Recently, many groups have focused their attention on the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of RA, as well as a potential biomarker to monitor RA. In fact, the expression of some microRNAs, such as miR-146a, is upregulated in different cell types and tissues in RA patients. MicroRNAs in RA could also be considered as possible future targets for new therapeutic approaches. \ua9 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

UV-activated surface modification of photo-cleavage polymer for contact printing applications

Polymer electronics is an emerging technology for the last decade. For cost-efficient mass production and for thin, flexible polymer electronic systems, large area patterning processes may be an interesting option as an economic production method and will potentially play an important role in polymer electronics manufacturing. High resolution patterning methods for defining the separation between electrodes in electronic devices are important in manufacturing. The control of surface wettability during contact printing is an interesting approach because of its wide variety of applications. Stimuli-responsive surfaces make it possible to control the wettability of the surface and have been demonstrated by various methods, including UV light-irradiation. Herein, a new strategy was demonstrated using free radical initiator to induce mold release between PDMS mold and the resins under UV irradiation. For example, by applying a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) on PDMS surface, an increase of contact angle is achieved after UV irradiation. This method can be used as a transfer mechanism from mold to substrate. It was noticed that sufficient time of BPO deposition for the PDMS mold surface treatment is required for this strategy. Optimum concentration of BPO and suitable solvent system are concerns in the effectiveness of surface treatment. From this study, some preliminary insight in studying the controlling factors for the UV activation of free radicals on PDMS surface was shown. It can be shown that the molecular structure, polarity of materials, UV sensitivity of the free radical initiators, and solvent used, have direct effect on the efficiency of the wettability change under the UV irradiation. By knowing the controlling factors of UV assisted stimuli responses, printing can be improved and be applied in many other cases. © 2008 IEEE

The Pedagogical Integration of Digital Technologies in Initial Teacher Training

The use of Digital Technologies in teaching and learning processes is currently a reality, namely in initial teacher training. This study aims at knowing the digital reality of students in initial teacher training in order to improve training in the educational use of ICT and to promote digital technology integration strategies in an educational context. It is part of the IFITIC Project "Innovate with ICT in Initial Teacher Training to Promote Methodological Renewal in Pre-school Education and in the 1st and 2nd Basic Education Cycle" which involves the School of Education, Polytechnic of Porto and Institute of Education, University of Minho. The Project aims at rethinking educational practice with ICT in the initial training of future teachers in order to promote methodological innovation in Preschool Education and in the 1st and 2nd Cycles of Basic Education. A qualitative methodology was used, in which a questionnaire survey was applied to teachers in initial training. For data analysis, the techniques of content analysis with the support of NVivo software were used. The results point to the following aspects: a) future teachers recognize that they have more technical knowledge about ICT than pedagogical knowledge. This result makes sense if we consider the objective of Basic Education, so that the gaps can be filled in the Master's Course by students who wish to follow the teaching; b) the respondents are aware that the integration of digital resources contributes positively to students' learning and to the life of children and young people, which also promotes preparation in life; c) to be a teacher in the digital age there is a need for the development of digital literacy, lifelong learning and the adoption of new ways of teaching how to learn. Thus, this study aims to contribute to a reflection on the teaching profession in the digital age.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio