123 research outputs found
Global Stratification: What It Is, Why Does It Happen, and What Does It Affect
What is global stratification? Global stratification ârefers to the unequal distribution of wealth, power, prestige, resources, and influence among the worldâs nations. Put more simply, there is an extreme difference between the richest and poorest nationsâ (University of Minnesota, 2010). According to the United Nations, 40% of the worldâs population -or about two billion people- live on less than 1,700; the richest fifth of the worldâs population would have three-fourths of the worldâs entire income while the poorest one fifth would only have about 1.5% of the total income. Based on this data and the following research that will be presented, the unequal distribution of wealth and resources around the globe becomes evident. In order to better understand global stratification and solutions to this unjustness, the bigger question must be addressed: why does this happen and what exactly does it affect
Gender Differences in Reward Allocation Among Boys and Girls who Receive Allowance
Gender differences emerge at a very young age in children. Through socialization boys and girls are encouraged to adopt gender stereotypes. Among adults, salary is an area where there are consistent gender differences, with females typically asking for and receiving less than males. The present study examined differences in reward allocation (i.e., pay) among 91 boys and girls who receive an allowance or âpocket moneyâ in grades one through four, to try to determine whether the differences noted among adults appear with first early pay experiences. Children were asked to complete a series of five tasks regarding gender stereotypes, occupations, chores and money and were tested using both a male and female experimenter. In addition childrenâs parents were asked to complete questiosn regarding the issue of allowance in their house. The results of this study were analyzed to investigate any gender differences and were compared to findings in both adult and preschool populations. Results indicated that while children may be becoming more progressive in their thinking and not holding as strict gener stereotypes as in the past, gender stereotypes were still found, as well as effects from the gender of the experimenter
Standardization and validation of an immunoperoxidase test for African horsesickness virus using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues
The aim of this study was to standardize and validate an immunohistochemical test for the routine diagnosis of African horsesickness in horses. Hamblin developed the primary anti- African horsesickness virus serum that I used and the avidin-biotin complex detection system was employed. During the standardization process I demonstrate that lung, heart and spleen samples are the most reliable. I also show that it is not necessary to take multiple samples per organ, because the AHSV-positive signal is generally widespread throughout the lung and heart, in particular. In order to validate the technique, samples from 118 negative and 128 positive horse cases, including all nine known serotypes, were immunostained. All of the positive cases were confirmed by means of virus isolation. Negative horse samples were obtained from countries where African horsesickness does not occur. None of the negative cases stained positive and all the positive cases were correctly identified. Therefore, there was 100 % concordance between immunohisto chemistry (when applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded heart and/or lung and/or spleen tissues from positive horse cases that had been archived for less than 10 years) and virus isolation results. Heart and lung had consistently more positive signal than spleen. The Hamblin antiserum did not cross-react with closely-related orbiviruses (specifically equine encephalosis virus and bluetongue virus) in selected horse and sheep tissues, respectively. Characteristic positive staining was observed in lung, heart and spleen samples from two dogs that died of African horsesickness. Positive signal was not affected by long-term storage in formaldehyde (up to 365 days). Also, specific positive staining could be detected in heart and/or lung and/or spleen samples in more than 95 % of positive horses where tissue blocks had been stored for between 10 and 83 years. The principal target cells in the horse and dog cases were microvascular endothelial cells, intravascular monocyte-macrophages and, to a lesser extent, interstitial macrophages in lung, spleen and liver, in particular. Positive staining is intracytoplasmic with a bead/dot and/or granular character. Beads, dots or granules may occur singly or in clusters. Occasionally, linear deposits of positive signal delineate segments of capillary vessels. The veterinary pathologist must look for characteristic positive signal in target cells, because, occasionally, certain bacteria (Rhodococcus equi and Helicobacter sp.) cross-react with the Hamblin antiserum. Clearly, the test is highly sensitive, specific and robust, sufficiently so for the routine diagnosis of African horsesickness virus.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Paraclinical Sciencesunrestricte
Idiopathic myelofibrosis accompanied by peritoneal extramedullary hematopoiesis presenting as refractory ascites in a dog
A 2.5-year-old spayed female American Pit Bull Terrier dog presented with a primary complaint of chronic refractory ascites. The dog's CBC displayed a moderate to severe macrocytic, hypochromic, nonregenerative anemia, and a moderate leukopenia as result of a moderate neutropenia and monocytopenia. Microscopic examination of the blood smear showed marked anisocytosis, mild polychromasia, mild acanthocytosis and ovalocytosis, moderate schistocytosis and poikilocytosis, and 4 metarubricytes/100 WBC. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a homogenous, mild to moderately hyperechoic appearing liver as well as marked amounts of speckled anechoic to slightly hypoechoic peritoneal fluid. Cytology of the ascitic fluid demonstrated a sterile transudate, with evidence of a chronic inflammatory reaction as well as erythroid and myeloid precursor cells, and a few megakaryocytes with occasional micromegakaryocytes. Histologic sections of bone marrow, spleen, and liver were examined, using routine H&E stains, as well as a variety of immunohistochemistry and other special stains. Histopathology of the bone marrow and spleen revealed varying degrees of fibrosis, erythroid, and myeloid hyperplasia, as well as multiple small hyperplastic clusters of megakaryocytes. The megakaryocytes displayed many features of atypia such as increased cytoplasmic basophilia and occasional abnormal chromatin clumping with mitoses. Histopathologic examination of the liver disclosed evidence of mild extramedullary hematopoiesis. This case represents the first report of canine idiopathic myelofibrosis associated with peritoneal extramedullary hematopoiesis, resulting in refractory ascites. Although idiopathic myelofibrosis is a relatively rare condition in dogs, this case demonstrates that ascites caused by peritoneal implants of hematopoietic tissue may be the initial manifestation of myelofibrosis.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1939-165X2018-03-30hj2017Companion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science
Patientsâ views on variants of uncertain significance across indications
As genomic sequencing expands into more areas of patient care, an increasing number of patients learn of the variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) that they carry. Understanding the potential psychosocial consequences of the disclosure of a VUS can help inform pre- and post-test counseling discussions. Medical uncertainty in general elicits a variety of responses from patients, particularly in the growing field of medical genetics and genomics. It is important to consider patientsâ responses to the ambiguous nature of VUSs across different indications and situational contexts. Genetic counselors and other providers ordering genetic testing should be prepared for the possibility of their patientsâ misinterpretation of such results. Pre-test counseling should include a discussion of the possibility of VUSs and what it would mean for the patientâs care and its potential psychosocial impacts. When a VUS is found, post-test counseling should include additional education and a discussion of the variantâs implications and medical management recommendations based on the results. These discussions may help temper subjective interpretations, unrealistic views, and decisional regret
The pathology of the spleen in lethal canine babesiosis caused by Babesia rossi
To provide useful information based on the macropathology, histopathology and immunohistochemical investigation in the spleens of dogs with Babesia rossi infection. Control spleens were collected from four healthy dogs euthanized for welfare reasons. Nine dogs that died naturally because of a monoâinfection with Babesia rossi were selected for the diseased group. One haematoxylinâandâeosinâstained section of splenic tissue from each of the infected and control dogs was examined under the light microscope. Immunohistochemical markers were applied to characterize different immunocyte populations. The application of analytic software enabled semiâquantitative comparison of leucocyte subpopulations. Routine splenic histopathology revealed diffuse intermingling of white and red pulp from infected dogs with a clear loss of distinction between these zones. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in the proportion of tissue resident and bone marrow origin macrophages in the infected spleens. Apart from a few remnant lymphocytes within the periâarteriolar lymphatic sheaths and follicles, the majority of the immunocytes redistributed to the red pulp, supporting the observation of white and red pulp intermingling. The majority of our findings are in agreement with histomorphological descriptions of the spleen in a variety of noncanid mammalian hosts with lethal malaria or babesiosis.The National Research Foundationhttp://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pim2021-03-02hj2021Companion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science
Incidental Mycobacterium-induced granulomatous inflammation of the follicular pharyngeal tonsils in a South African farmed ostrich (Struthio camelus)
Avian mycobacteriosis (AM) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex
(MAC), which can spread from avians to other farmed animals such as cattle and pigs as
well as to humans. This study is the first report of granulomatous inflammation, as a result of
avian mycobacteriosis, in the follicular pharyngeal tonsils of a farmed ostrich. The head of an
apparently healthy farmed adult ostrich was obtained after slaughter. Each pharyngeal fold
displayed a large tissue mass. This tissue was routinely prepared for light microscopy and
stained with haematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff, Grocott methenamine silver, Gram
and Ziehl-Neelsen. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were
performed to identify Mycobacterium spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, respectively.
Histologically, the tissue masses consisted of confluent mature micro-granulomata that
were characterised by central caseous necrosis surrounded by multinucleated giant cells,
macrophages and lymphoid cells and an outer mature fibrous connective tissue capsule.
Within some foci of caseous necrosis were variably sized colonies of small, Gram-negative,
acid-fast bacilli, which showed positive IHC labelling for Mycobacterium spp., leading to a
presumptive diagnosis of AM. PCR thus proved useful in excluding the presence of notifiable
Mycobacterium spp. The significance and role of the pharyngeal tonsils of ratites in diseases
such as AM warrant specific attention. Moreover, as ratites are known to present with AM
infections with apparently no visible loss in body condition, as presumably occurred in the
present case, it is imperative that unusual masses in apparently healthy ratites be thoroughly
investigated.The Faculty of Veterinary
Science, University of Pretoriahttp://www.jsava.co.zaam2014ab201
Translingual neurostimulation combined with physical therapy to improve walking and balance in multiple sclerosis (NeuroMSTraLS): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
INTRODUCTION: Physical rehabilitation restores lost function and promotes brain plasticity in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Research groups worldwide are testing the therapeutic effects of combining non-invasive neuromodulation with physical therapy (PT) to further improve functional outcomes in neurological disorders but with mixed results. Whether such devices enhance function is not clear. We present the rationale and study design for a randomized controlled trial evaluating if there is additional benefit to the synergistic pairing of translingual neurostimulation (TLNS) with PT to improve walking and balance in MS.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A parallel group [PT + TLNS or PT + Sham], quadruple-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Participants (N = 52) with gait and balance deficits due to relapsing-remitting or progressive MS, who are between 18 and 70 years of age, will be recruited through patient registries in Newfoundland & Labrador and Saskatchewan, Canada. All participants will receive 14 weeks of PT while wearing either a TLNS or sham device. Dynamic Gait Index is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include fast walking speed, subjective ratings of fatigue, MS impact, and quality of life. Outcomes are assessed at baseline (Pre), after 14 weeks of therapy (Post), and 26 weeks (Follow Up). We employ multiple methods to ensure treatment fidelity including activity and device use monitoring. Primary and secondary outcomes will be analyzed using linear mixed-effect models. We will control for baseline score and site to test the effects of Time (Post vs. Follow-Up), Group and the Group x Time interaction as fixed effects. A random intercept of participant will account for the repeated measures in the Time variable. Participants must complete the Post testing to be included in the analysis.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Human Research Ethics Boards in Newfoundland & Labrador (HREB#2021.085) & Saskatchewan (HREB Bio 2578) approved the protocol. Dissemination avenues include peer-reviewed journals, conferences and patient-oriented communications
Kasabach-Merritt-like syndrome in a dog secondary to isolated splenic haemangiomatosis
A 13-year-old intact male miniature schnauzer presented with lethargy, distended abdomen and pallor. Pancytopenia was identified on complete blood count with a severe thrombocytopenia. Cavitatory severe splenomegaly was identified on abdominal ultrasound. Two weeks of immunosuppressive therapy had no effect on the thrombocytopenia and a splenectomy was performed. The platelet count returned to normal within 24âhours of splenectomy. Isolated splenic haemangiomatosis was confirmed on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The anaemia and severe thrombocytopenia in conjunction with the ultrasound findings and histopathology are characteristic of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome in people. This is the first case of Kasabach-Merritt-like syndrome described in the dog.https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20526121hj2021Companion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science
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