For Whom We Must Speak: Devising Actos for Undocumented Farmworkers

In Spring 2015, Ithaca College’s IC Teatro (advised by Annette Levine), Cornell University’s Teatrotaller (Debra Castillo), the Teatro Travieso theatre company (Jimmy Noriega at College of Wooster), and Dartmouth College’s Analola Santana decided to collaborate on a homage to Teatro Campesino by working with our students to study the history of this important group and the current issues facing immigrant youth in our area and to devise new actos for presentation to our various communities. In this article, we explore what it means for our students to create devised work in this particular social justice context, where the central organizing problematic of the project requires them to speak, and moreover to speak for those who often are in no political or social position to speak for themselves, in full cognizance of the implications of speaking out in this artificial and ventriloquized manner. We offer our commentary on this project in a spirit of humility, knowing that many of our colleagues (perhaps most of us) have dealt with qualified success more often than not, and that there are important discussions that need to take place, and crucial pedagogical lessons to learn, from risking—and perhaps even courting—failure

Development and implementation of a novel immune thrombocytopenia bleeding score for dogs

Background A method of quantifying clinical bleeding in dogs with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is needed because ITP patients have variable bleeding tendencies that inconsistently correlate with platelet count. A scoring system will facilitate patient comparisons and allow stratification based on bleeding severity in clinical trials. Hypothesis/Objectives To develop and evaluate a bleeding assessment tool for dogs, and a training course for improving its consistent implementation. Animals Client‐owned dogs (n = 61) with platelet counts \u3c50,000/μL; 34 classified as primary ITP, 17 as secondary ITP, and 10 as non‐ITP. Methods A novel bleeding assessment tool, DOGiBAT, comprising bleeding grades from 0 (none) to 2 (severe) at 9 anatomic sites, was developed. Clinicians and technicians completed a training course and quiz before scoring thrombocytopenic patients. The training course was assessed by randomizing student volunteers to take the quiz with or without prior training. A logistic regression model assessed the association between training and quiz performance. The correlation of DOGiBAT score with platelet count and outcome measures was assessed in the thrombocytopenic dogs. Results Clinicians and technicians consistently applied the DOGiBAT, correctly scoring all quiz cases. The odds of trained students answering correctly were higher than those of untrained students (P \u3c .0001). In clinical cases, DOGiBAT score and platelet count were inversely correlated (rs = −0.527, P \u3c .0001), and DOGiBAT directly correlated with transfusion requirements (rs = 0.512, P \u3c .0001) and hospitalization duration (rs = 0.35, P = .006). Conclusions and Clinical Importance The DOGiBAT and assessment quiz are simple tools to standardize evaluation of bleeding severity. With further validation, the DOGiBAT may provide a clinically relevant metric to characterize ITP severity and monitor response in treatment trials

Algebraic K-theory and Motivic Cohomology

Algebraic K-theory and motivic cohomology have developed together over the last thirty years. Both of these theories rely on a mix of algebraic geometry and homotopy theory for their construction and development, and both have had particularly fruitful applications to problems of algebraic geometry, number theory and quadratic forms. The homotopy-theory aspect has been expanded significantly in recent years with the development of motivic homotopy theory and triangulated categories of motives, and K-theory has provided a guiding light for the development of non-homotopy invariant theories. 19 one-hour talks presented a wide range of latest results on many aspects of the theory and its applications

Enabling meta-analysis in systematic reviews on carpal tunnel syndrome

Possible solutions to the problems of clinical heterogeneity of outcome measures and inadequate reporting of results for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are presented. Meta-analysis was impeded by these problems in 2 systematic reviews concerning conservative and surgical treatment options for CTS. A solution to the problem of inadequate data presentation is to add explicit information on minimal requirements with regard to data presentation to guidelines for the reporting of studies. To resolve the problem of clinical heterogeneity of the outcomes there should be consensus on the (validated) outcomes that should be used in RCTs. For CTS there is little evidence available on the reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change of the commonly used outcomes in RCTs. Resolving both problems will increase the comparability of RCTs, enabling the calculation of a pooled estimate of effect in a meta-analysi

An external quality assessment feasibility study; cross laboratory comparison of haemagglutination inhibition assay and microneutralization assay performance for seasonal influenza serology testing: A FLUCOP study

Introduction: External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes are designed to provide a snapshot of laboratory proficiency, identifying issues and providing feedback to improve laboratory performance and inter-laboratory agreement in testing. Currently there are no international EQA schemes for seasonal influenza serology testing. Here we present a feasibility study for conducting an EQA scheme for influenza serology methods. Methods: We invited participant laboratories from industry, contract research organizations (CROs), academia and public health institutions who regularly conduct hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization (MN) assays and have an interest in serology standardization. In total 16 laboratories returned data including 19 data sets for HAI assays and 9 data sets for MN assays. Results: Within run analysis demonstrated good laboratory performance for HAI, with intrinsically higher levels of intra-assay variation for MN assays. Between run analysis showed laboratory and strain specific issues, particularly with B strains for HAI, whilst MN testing was consistently good across labs and strains. Inter-laboratory variability was higher for MN assays than HAI, however both assays showed a significant reduction in inter-laboratory variation when a human sera pool is used as a standard for normalization. Discussion: This study has received positive feedback from participants, highlighting the benefit such an EQA scheme would have on improving laboratory performance, reducing inter laboratory variation and raising awareness of both harmonized protocol use and the benefit of biological standards for seasonal influenza serology testing.publishedVersio

Sensitization in Transplantation: Assessment of Risk (STAR) 2017 Working Group Meeting Report

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144684/1/ajt14752_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144684/2/ajt14752.pd

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin-I Is Elevated in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Independent of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Inflammation

We examined the hypothesis that cardiac-specific troponin-I (cTn-I), a biomarker of myocardial injury, is elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).RA patients have an increased incidence of heart failure (HF). Chronic myocardial injury in RA may be a mechanism for the development of HF.We compared cTn-I concentrations measured by high-sensitivity immunoassay in 164 patients with RA and 90 controls, excluding prior or active heart failure. We examined the relationship between cTn-I concentrations and cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation, and coronary artery calcium score (CACS), a measure of coronary atherosclerosis.cTn-I concentrations were 49% higher in patients with RA (median 1.15 pg/mL [IQR 0.73–1.92] than controls (0.77 pg/mL [0.49–1.28](P<0.001). The difference remained statistically significant after adjustment for demographic characteristics (P = 0.002), further adjustment for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (P = 0.004), inflammatory markers (P = 0.008), and in a comprehensive model of CV risk factors and inflammatory markers (P = 0.03). In patients with RA, cTn-I concentrations were positively correlated with age (rho = 0.359), Framingham risk score (FRS) (rho = 0.366), and systolic blood pressure (rho = 0.248 (all P values ≤0.001)), but not with measures of inflammation or RA drug therapies. cTn-I was significantly correlated with CACS in RA in univariate analysis, but not after adjustment for age, race, sex and FRS (P = 0.79). Further model adjustments for renal function and coronary artery disease confirmed the significance of the findings.High-sensitivity cTn-I concentrations are elevated in patients with RA without heart failure, independent of cardiovascular risk profile and inflammatory markers. Elevated troponin concentrations in RA may indicate subclinical, indolent myocardial injury

Lifetime history of indoor tanning in young people: a retrospective assessment of initiation, persistence, and correlates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite educational and public health campaigns to convey the risks of indoor tanning, many individuals around the world continue to engage in this behavior. Few descriptive studies of indoor tanning have collected information pertaining to the lifetime history of indoor tanning, thereby limiting our ability to understand indoor tanning patterns and potentially target interventions for individuals who not only initiate, but continue to persistently engage in indoor tanning.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In-person interviews elicited detailed retrospective information on lifetime history of indoor tanning among white individuals (n = 401) under age 40 seen by a dermatologist for a minor benign skin condition. These individuals were controls in a case-control study of early-onset basal cell carcinoma. Outcomes of interest included ever indoor tanning in both males and females, as well as persistent indoor tanning in females - defined as females over age 31 who tanned indoors at least once in the last three or all four of four specified age periods (ages 11-15, 16-20, 21-30 and 31 or older). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of ever and persistent indoor tanning in females.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Approximately three-quarters (73.3%) of females and 38.3% of males ever tanned indoors, with a median age of initiation of 17.0 and 21.5, respectively. Among indoor tanners, 39.3% of females and 21.7% of males reported being burned while indoor tanning. Female ever indoor tanners were younger, had darker color eyes, and sunbathed more frequently than females who never tanned indoors. Using unique lifetime exposure data, 24.7% of female indoor tanners 31 and older persistently tanned indoors starting as teenagers. Female persistent indoor tanners drank significantly more alcohol, were less educated, had skin that tanned with prolonged sun exposure, and sunbathed outdoors more frequently than non-persistent tanners.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Indoor tanning was strikingly common in this population, especially among females. Persistent indoor tanners had other high-risk behaviors (alcohol, sunbathing), suggesting that multi-faceted behavioral interventions aimed at health promotion/disease prevention may be needed in this population.</p

Splinting or surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome? Design of a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN18853827]

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder, which can be treated with surgery or conservative options. However, there is insufficient evidence and no consensus among physicians with regard to the preferred treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial is conducted to compare the short- and long-term efficacy of surgery and splinting in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. An attempt is also made to avoid the (methodological) limitations encountered in earlier trials on the efficacy of various treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Patients of 18 years and older, with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, are recruited by neurologists in 13 hospitals. Patients included in the study are randomly allocated to either open carpal tunnel release or wrist splinting during the night for at least 6 weeks. The primary outcomes are general improvement, waking up at night and severity of symptoms (main complaint, night and daytime pain, paraesthesia and hypoesthesia). Outcomes are assessed up to 18 months after randomization