Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and PRES: a case-based review of literature in ANCA-associated vasculitides

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a small-sized vessel systemic necrotizing vasculitis and belongs to the family of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. The involvement of central nervous system in this condition is pretty rare. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical and radiological entity described for the first time by Hinchey et al. (N Engl J Med 334(8):494-500, 1996) and characterized by MRI findings of reversible subcortical vasogenic edema predominantly in the white matter of posterior cerebral lobes. There are few case reports describing the concurrence of PRES with ANCA-associated vasculitides. We describe a case of PRES in a patient with a diagnosis of EGPA with a concise review of the literature. The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown. It has been related to eclampsia, drug-induced hypertension, renal insufficiency and also to rheumatologic diseases. Endothelial injury, hypertension and immunosuppressive medications can compromise the regulation of cerebral blood flow. In ANCA-associated vasculitides, patients presenting with symptoms of PRES represent a challenge to treatment with immunosuppressive medications. However, since an inflammatory process might be implicated, judicious use of these agents along with tight control of blood pressure and a supportive therapy may contribute to the resolution of the encephalopathic syndrome treating at the same time other manifestation related to the rheumatologic disease. Larger clinical studies are warranted to optimize the management of vasculitis-associated PRES

Self- Monitoring

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108432/1/nvillell_1367016051.pd

Broken Up but Not Broken: Satisfaction, Adjustment, and Communication in Post-Dissolutional Relationships

The aim of this study was to examine adjustment, satisfaction, and the frequency of communication that occurs between ex-partners in post-dissolutional relationships. Participants (N = 239) were surveyed on their levels of satisfaction, adjustment to the break-up and communication with their most recent ex-romantic partner as a means to explore the process of redefining romantic relationships into platonic friendships. Results demonstrated that who initiated the break-up influenced levels of satisfaction and adjustment. Adjustment and frequency of communication were affected by whether ex-partners had moved on to a new romantic relationship. Differences were also observed between how males and females adjusted to breakups. Though not predicted, additional results also showed that whether ex-partners remained friends with one another had an impact on post-dissolutional satisfaction and the frequency of communication

Measurement of the tt¯ cross section in the lepton-plus-jets channel in CMS

The Large Hadron Collider will produce top quark pairs copiously, which will permit to perform a rich top quark physics program. We describe plans for the measurement of the top quark pair cross section in the lepton-plus-jets channel at a center-of-mass energy of 10TeV using an integrated luminosity of about 20 inverse picobarn. The selected events contain one muon or one electron and at least four jets in the final state. We present methods to select the top quark pair events, to measure the t¯t cross section and to estimate the W/Z production and QCD multijet background in a data-driven way. The statistical and the main systematical uncertainties are also estimated

The Fables of Superintendent Don Paolo: Object Lessons on Community Upheaval, Community Efficacy, Heritage Knowledge, and Education

In order to understand the economically, and academically distressed community, we must understand it on its own terms. This study used the narrative form as the source of inquiry using the fabulistic form as methodology. The novelist Calvino has served as a guide to this narrative method. Narrative is employed to gain knowledge of the community and this study examines how the community expresses shared values through fabulistic narratives. The problem examined in this study is discovery of narratives and fables of past and present successes. The research examines how the community views itself, its role in the educational process, the way education and knowledge are used, and how education is viewed within the community and in the family unit in an economically distressed community. The data was gathered by conducting interviews with a former superintendent of a distressed district. These 10 fables provide us with insight into finding wisdom in place and how it is used in the world. Findings indicate that the values of the community have changed. Educational reforms should recognize those changes. The fables clearly indicate the importance of the work ethic, discipline and commitment, and respect for authority within the community. Implications for educational reforms and suggestions for future research topics are identified

Bilingualism: Bringing World Language to the Youth

This research thesis focuses on world language education in the United States, more specifically, in the state of Rhode Island. In a changing world, learning a second language is key to creating more culturally competent citizens of the world. This thesis pushes for world language education in elementary schools, particularly in first grade. The first section of the thesis focuses on the reasoning behind beginning this education and how a child’s brain is more capable of second language learning This thesis then looks into how this style of education can be successful and the best pedagogical approaches. It analyzes how two countries, Spain and Argentina have been able to implement this type of education in the respective countries. To end the thesis, a syllabus with specific lesson examples is provided to prove how world language classes can and should be implemented in the classroom beginning in first grade