Interviewing Online: Qualitative Research in the Network(ed) Society

This paper seeks to extend the conversation about the use of computer-mediated communication in qualitative research by focusing in particular on two issues of importance to qualitative researchers: building rapport and interpreting meaning. After giving an account of how the Internet was utilised in a research project with young adults, the qualities of the resulting qualitative data are discussed. Two computer-based communication media were used to conduct semi-structured interviews: e-mail and online chat. It was found that the e-mail medium was very successful in eliciting rich replies from participants, but it was sometimes difficult to read the emotional tone in which the e-mails were written. Chat room interviews were not successful in eliciting narrative responses due to the constraints of the medium, but the use of paralinguistic devices to approximate speech enhanced the reading of meaning. Computer-mediated communication can be a useful addition to the qualitative researcher's toolbox

Vaccina Virus Binding and Infection of Primary Human B Cells

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Vaccinia virus (VACV), the prototypical poxvirus, was used to eradicate smallpox worldwide and, in recent years, has received considerable attention as a vector for the development of vaccines against infectious diseases and oncolytic virus therapy. Studies have demonstrated that VACV exhibits an extremely strong bias for binding to and infection of primary human antigenpresenting cells (APCs) including monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. However, very few studies have evaluated VACV binding to and infection of primary human B cells, a main type of professional APC. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of primary human peripheral B cells at different developmental stages to VACV binding, infection, and replication. We found that VACV exhibited strong binding but little entry into ex vivo B cells. Phenotypic analysis of B cells revealed that plasmablasts were the only subset resistant to VACV binding. Infection studies showed that plasma and mature-naïve B cells were resistant to VACV infection, while memory B cells were preferentially infected. Additionally, VACV infection was increased in larger and proliferative B cells suggesting a bias of VACV infection towards specific stages of differentiation and proliferative ability. VACV infection in B cells was abortive, and cessation of VACV infection was determined to occur at the stage of late viral gene expression. Interestingly, B cell function, measured by cytokine production, was not affected within 24 hours post-infection. In contrast to ex vivo B cells, stimulated B cells were permissive to productive VACV infection. These results demonstrate the value of B cells as a tool to aid in deciphering the intricacies of poxvirus infection in humans. Understanding VACV infection in primary human B cells at various stages of differentiation and maturation is important for the development of a safer smallpox vaccine and better vectors for vaccines against cancers and other infectious diseases

Darfur: In Search of Peace Exploring Viable Solutions to the Darfur Crisis

The following is a report for the Consultation on Darfur carried out in Nairobi, Kenya by Africa Today Associates, Inc. The event took place June 9‐11, 2008 and was made possible with support from Ford Foundation, Kenya (in collaboration with the Institute of International Education). This report aims to build upon, not replace, the findings of our Consultation in Abuja, Nigeria. It is for this purpose that the findings and points addressed in this report are solely those discussed in Nairobi. Although it is inevitable that the two consultations reflected some overlap on the core issues and discussion points, especially in context of the presentations, this report attempts to synthesize and present the findings of the Consultation in Nairobi, Kenya. As part of ATA’s continued work and mandate to our four‐part consultations, the outcomes of our proceedings in Denver, Abuja, and Nairobi will be the foundation for our final consultation in Washington D.C. in fall 2008. © Africa Today Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. This paper may be freely circulated in electronic or hard copy provided it is not modified in any way, the rights of the author not infringed, and the paper is not quoted or cited without express permission of the author. The editors cannot guarantee a stable URL for any paper posted here, nor will they be responsible for notifying others if the URL is changed or the paper is taken off the site. Electronic copies of this paper may not be posted on any other website without express permission of the author

ANALYSIS OF CO-OCCURRING PHENOTYPES IN INFANTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME WITH CARDIAC DEFECTS

poster abstractDown syndrome (DS), caused by a trisomy 21, is the most common chromosomal aneuploidy occurring in approximately 1 of 750 live births. Individuals with DS exhibit craniofacial dysmorphology, cardiac defects, gastrointestinal problems, and cognitive impairment, although these phenotypes vary in incidence and severity. Common cardiac defects are usually recognized in young infants with DS and include atrial septal anomalies, ventricular septal abnormalities, atrioventricular canal defects, and patent ductus arteriosus. Additional abnormalities may also affect infants with DS, but not be identified until later in life. Since multiple phenotypes are found in these individuals, we hypothesize that children with a severe congenital heart defect may be at increased risk for additional medical issues. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a retrospective chart review of 170 infants with DS between birth and 6 months of age who were referred to the Down Syndrome Program at Riley Hospital for Children from August 2005 to July 2010. We analyzed comorbidity in infants with upper airway obstruction (UAO) or a feeding problem with and without a severe congenital heart defect. Our data show that 33% of infants without a cardiac defect have identified UAO while 44% with a severe cardiac defect have identified UAO. Additionally, 59% of infants without a cardiac defect compared to 49% with a severe cardiac defect have a feeding problem. With the knowledge of these comorbid clinical features in DS, healthcare providers may be able to identify potential complications affecting infants with DS earlier in life

Clinical identification of feeding and swallowing disorders in 0-6 month old infants with Down syndrome

Feeding and swallowing disorders have been described in children with a variety of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including Down syndrome (DS). Abnormal feeding and swallowing can be associated with serious sequelae such as failure to thrive and respiratory complications, including aspiration pneumonia. Incidence of dysphagia in young infants with DS has not previously been reported. To assess the identification and incidence of feeding and swallowing problems in young infants with DS, a retrospective chart review of 174 infants, ages 0-6 months was conducted at a single specialty clinic. Fifty-seven percent (100/174) of infants had clinical concerns for feeding and swallowing disorders that warranted referral for Videofluroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS); 96/174 (55%) had some degree of oral and/or pharyngeal phase dysphagia and 69/174 (39%) had dysphagia severe enough to warrant recommendation for alteration of breast milk/formula consistency or nonoral feeds. Infants with certain comorbidities had significant risk for significant dysphagia, including those with functional airway/respiratory abnormalities (OR = 7.2). Infants with desaturation with feeds were at dramatically increased risk (OR = 15.8). All young infants with DS should be screened clinically for feeding and swallowing concerns. If concerns are identified, consideration should be given to further evaluation with VFSS for identification of dysphagia and additional feeding modifications

Prospectus, August 29, 2007

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2007/1017/thumbnail.jp

IDENTIFICATION OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DOWN SYNDROME SKELETAL ABNORMALITIES

poster abstractIndividuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit a variety of phenotypes, including craniofacial and skeletal dysmorphologies. It is believed that trisomic genes initiate phenotypes associated with Down syndrome, though specific gene-phenotype relationships for DS are largely unknown. We hypothesize that the altered expression of genes in three copies will also affect the expression of downstream genes, including non-trisomic genes and play an important role in DS phenotypes. Transcription factors, which encode proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences controlling the flow of transcription, are among the genes that may be affected by trisomy. We have identified genetic and phenotypic alterations in craniofacial precursors as early as embryonic dayE9.5of the Ts65Dn mouse model of human DS. This mouse model is trisomic for orthologs of approximately half of the genes on human chromosome 21. Previous microarray data from the developing mandible have shown dysregulation of multiple non-trisomic genes. We will test the expression of the Six2, Gata3, Gata6, Pth, Hoxb4, Runx2, Ets2, and Osterix transcription factors at two developmental time points, E9.5 and E13.5, to determine which are dysregulated in the Ts65Dn DS mouse model. Understanding the effect of trisomy on non-trisomic transcription factors will help identify links between trisomy and specific DS phenotypes

Futile treatment in hospital: Doctors' intergroup language

Treatment that will not provide significant net benefit at the end of a person’s life (called futile treatment) is considered by many people to represent a major problem in the health sector, as it can waste resources and raise significant ethical issues. Medical treatment at the end of life involves a complex negotiation that implicates intergroup communication between health professionals, patients, and families, as well as between groups of health professionals. This study, framed by intergroup language theory, analyzed data from a larger project on futile treatment, in order to examine the intergroup language associated with futile treatment. Hospital doctors (N = 96) were interviewed about their understanding of treatment given to adult patients at the end of life that they considered futile. We conducted a discourse analysis on doctors’ descriptions of futile treatment provided by themselves and their in-group and out-group colleagues. Results pointed to an intergroup context, with patients, families, and colleagues as out-groups. In their descriptions, doctors justified their own decisions using the language of logic, ethics, and respect. Patients and families, however, were characterized in terms of wishing and wanting, as were outgroup colleagues. In addition, out-group doctors were described in strongly negative intergroup language

Primary Human Macrophages Serve as Vehicles for Vaccinia Virus Replication and Dissemination

Human monocytic and professional antigen-presenting cells have been reported only to exhibit abortive infections with vaccinia virus (VACV). We found that monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), including granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-polarized M1 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-polarized M2, but not human AB serum-derived cells, were permissive to VACV replication. The titers of infectious virions in both cell-free supernatants and cellular lysates of infected M1 and M2 markedly increased in a time-dependent manner. The majority of virions produced in permissive MDMs were extracellular enveloped virions (EEV), a secreted form of VACV associated with long-range virus dissemination, and were mainly found in the culture supernatant. Infected MDMs formed VACV factories, actin tails, virion-associated branching structures, and cell linkages, indicating that MDMs are able to initiate de novo synthesis of viral DNA and promote virus release. VACV replication was sensitive to inhibitors against the Akt and Erk1/2 pathways that can be activated by VACV infection and M-CSF stimulation. Classical activation of MDMs by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus gamma interferon (IFN-γ) stimulation caused no effect on VACV replication, while alternative activation of MDMs by interleukin-10 (IL-10) or LPS-plus-IL-1β treatment significantly decreased VACV production. The IL-10-mediated suppression of VACV replication was largely due to Stat3 activation, as a Stat3 inhibitor restored virus production to levels observed without IL-10 stimulation. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that primary human macrophages are permissive to VACV replication. After infection, these cells produce EEV for long-range dissemination and also form structures associated with virions which may contribute to cell-cell spread. IMPORTANCE Our results provide critical information to the burgeoning fields of cancer-killing (oncolytic) virus therapy with vaccinia virus (VACV). One type of macrophage (M2) is considered a common presence in tumors and is associated with poor prognosis. Our results demonstrate a preference for VACV replication in M2 macrophages and could assist in designing treatments and engineering poxviruses with special considerations for their effect on M2 macrophage-containing tumors. Additionally, this work highlights the importance of macrophages in the field of vaccine development using poxviruses as vectors. The understanding of the dynamics of poxvirus-infected foci is central in understanding the effectiveness of the immune response to poxvirus-mediated vaccine vectors. Monocytic cells have been found to be an important part of VACV skin lesions in mice in controlling the infection as well as mediating virus transport out of infected foci