Defining hereditary alpha-tryptasemia as a risk/modifying factor for anaphylaxis: are we there yet?

Hereditary a-tryptasemia (HaT) is a common autosomal dominant genet-ic trait with variable penetrance associated with increased serum baseline tryptase (SBT) levels. Clinical manifestations may range from an absence of symptoms to overtly severe and recurrent anaphylaxis. Symptoms have been claimed to result from excessive activation of EGF-like module -con-taining mucin-like hormone receptor-like 2 (EMR2) and protease activat-ed receptor 2 (PAR-2) receptors by a/13-tryptase heterotetramers. Herein, we aimed to review the evidence on whether HaT can be considered a hereditary risk factor or a modifying factor for anaphylaxis. Increased SBT levels have been linked to an increased risk of anaphylaxis. Likewise, recent studies have shown that HaT might be associated with a higher risk of developing anaphylaxis and more severe anaphylaxis. The same has also been shown for patients with clonal mast cell disorders, in whom the co-existence of HaT might lead to a greater propensity for se-vere, potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. However, studies leading to such conclusions are generally limited in sample size, while other studies have shown opposing results. As such, further studies investigating the po-tential association of HaT with anaphylaxis caused by different triggers, and different severity grades, in both patients with clonal mast cell activa-tion syndromes and the general population are still needed

The view on teachers and students using virtual classrooms methodology b-learming

El presente estudio se engloba dentro de un proyecto de innovación llevado a cabo en el curso 2010-2011 en la Universidad de La Laguna. Se desarrolló en las distintas asignaturas del campo o ámbito de la "Tecnología Educativa" y que se imparten actualmente en distintas titulaciones de la Facultad de Educación. El objetivo que se pretende es indagar sobre la opinión y valoración que hace el alumnado y el profesorado sobre el uso de las aulas virtuales como herramienta de apoyo en la modalidad semipresencial o “blended-learning”. Así como explorar si el diseño del aula virtual y el uso de determinadas herramientas y actividades de aprendizaje en el entorno de las aulas virtuales está moldeada por el perfil de la titulación, de la asignatura o de la práctica docente de cada profesor La metodología se estructuró en dos líneas atendiendo a la naturaleza de los sujetos participantes: profesorado y alumnado. En el caso del alumnado se elaboraron dos cuestionarios de opinión on line. Y con respecto al profesorado se elaboró una matriz en la que el docente tenía que describir tanto la metodología utilizada como las herramientas y actividades desarrolladas. De los resultados se desprende que en el diseño del aula virtual interviene fundamentalmente la propia estructuración de las asignaturas en créditos teóricos y prácticos. Y en cuanto a la selección de las herramientas digitales y actividades de aprendizaje parece que de alguna manera está influyendo las teorías y prácticas docentes sobre cómo debe desarrollar y adquirir el alumnado determinadas habilidades y conocimientos.This study is part of an innovation project conducted in 2010-2011 at the University of La Laguna. It was developed in the different subjects of the field or area of "Educational Technology" and currently taught in different degrees of the Faculty of Education. The objective sought is to inquire into the opinion and judgment that makes the students and teachers on the use of virtual classrooms as a support tool in a blended- learning or blen. And explore whether the design of the virtual classroom and the use of certain tools and learning activities in the virtual classroom environment is shaped by the degree profile of the subject or of the teaching practice of each teacher. The methodology is structured in two lines based on the nature of the subjects involved: teachers and students. In the case of students prepared two opinion questionnaires online. And with respect to teachers is developed a matrix in which the teacher had to describe both the methodology and the tools and activities. The results show that in the virtual classroom design itself primarily involved structuring of credit courses in theory and practice. And as for the selection of digital tools and learning activities seems that somehow is influencing educational theories and practices on how to develop and acquire certain skills and knowledge students

Neuropathic pain after breast cancer treatment: characterization and risk factors

Context: Neuropathic pain (NP) may be an important contributor to the morbidity burden of breast cancer. Objectives: We aimed to quantify the incidence of NP in the first year after diagnosis of breast cancer and to identify its main determinants. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study including 506 patients with incident breast cancer, recruited at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, and followed for one year; patients with incident NP were additionally evaluated when this condition was diagnosed and after six months, to identify chronic NP. Results: During the first year, 156 patients were diagnosed with NP (30.8%, 95% CI 27.0–35.0). Anxiety (relative risk [RR] 1.50; 95% CI 1.06–2.13), arm symptoms (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.02–2.05), cancer Stage III/IV (RR 2.47; 95% CI 1.66–3.66), breast-conserving surgery with axillary lymph node dissection (RR 3.13; 95% CI 1.51–6.48), mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection (RR 2.52; 95% CI 1.25–5.11), and damaging of the intercostobrachial nerve (RR 2.05; 95% CI 1.25–3.37) were predictors of a higher risk of NP. A total of 97 patients (62.2%, 95% CI 54.4–69.4) diagnosed with NP remained symptomatic after six months. Conclusion: NP and chronic NP were frequent in this population, being associated with anxiety and arm symptoms before breast cancer treatments and type of surgical management. These results highlight the need for monitoring the occurrence of this neurologic side effect of treatments and to develop strategies for reducing the morbidity burden of breast cancer.The work of F. F. was co-funded by “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” (grant number SFRH/BD/92630/2013) and by the “Programa Operacional Capital Humano” (POCH/FSE). Data management activities were supported by the Chair on Pain Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and by the Grünenthal Foundation—Portugal. The authors declare no conflicts of interests

The impact of financial restatements on financial markets: A systematic review of the literature

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the most relevant issues related to the impact of financial restatements in the dynamics of financial markets and identify several research gaps to be investigated in future research. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology is based on a systematic review of the literature described by Tranfield et al. (2003). The final sample includes 47 academic papers published from 1996 to 2019. Findings: Papers in this domain discuss three main topics: how the market prices the announcement of a financial restatement; how financial restatements affect the announcing firm’s cost of capital and how financial restatements affect firms’ reputation. There are several issues to explore in future research, including whether financial restatements affect the dynamics of financial markets in Europe, whether the market fully and promptly assimilates the information content of a restatement, the role of financial analysts’ information disclosures in this process or how regulators may improve the way they provide investors with timely information about firms’ restating problems. Research limitations/implications: There is always some degree of subjectivity in the definition of the keywords, search strings and selection criteria in a systematic review. These are all important aspects, as they delimitate the scope of the study and define the sample of papers to be reviewed. Practical implications: The answers to the research questions identified in this paper may provide regulators with information to improve financial accounting and reporting standards and strengthen investors’ confidence in accounting information and the dynamics of financial markets. Originality/value: This paper systematically reviews the relevant literature exploring the connection between financial restatements and the dynamics of financial markets. It contributes to the academic community by identifying several research questions that may impact the theory and practice related to accounting quality and capital markets.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Resistência a inseticidas piretróides em populações de Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: curculionidae) coletadas em unidades armazenadoras de arroz no Estado do Tocantins.

O Estado do Tocantins tem um grande potencial agrícola, com extensas áreas propícias à prática da agricultura e, vem se destacando no cenário nacional como grande produtor de grãos, principalmente arroz, segunda cultura em área plantada, encontrando-se já instalados grandes complexos de armazenagem e beneficiamento. Nas unidades armazenadoras tocantinenses o uso de inseticidas para o controle preventivo ou curativo de insetos-praga é uma prática comum, o que levanta a suspeita das populações já terem desenvolvido resistência aos inseticidas usados em seu controle. Nesse contexto, informações sobre resistência a inseticidas para esta espécie são necessárias e úteis para implementação de programas de manejo de resistência a inseticidas

Danos causados por percevejos da panícula em grãos de arroz no Estado do Tocantins.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar materiais (linhagens/cultivares) de arroz quanto à resistência ao ataque de percevejos do gênero Oebalus sugadores das espiguetas e efeitos da alimentação destes insetos sobre o rendimento e grãos inteiros

Brazil certificate - rice export value added.

The rice produced in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) has quantity (productivity + technologie) that contributes to food security, quality (organoleptide + food safety + varietal identification) that contributes to value addition and positive image and meets safety, requirements environmental (environmental licensing + rural land register) that contribute to the preservation of the Pampa Biome. All these positive aspects are the basis for an official certification of the Brazilian government whose identification label is Brazil Certificate: Quality Agriculture. The rice industry in RS also has technology to focus the concept of quality with consumers and associate positive image, enabling innovation for a market that requires traceability and certification. The challenges faced by Brazilian rice exporters include overcoming phytosanitary and environmental barriers, consolidating sales to newly conquered markets and ensuring customer loyalty. In this context, an internationally recognized certification, such as the Brazil Certified: Quality Agriculture, which has National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology as the certifying agency provides confidence to the markets and, consequently, transparency for consumers