bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychoeducational Strategies in School Context to Support Students With Specific Learning Disorders in a Sample of Children Aged 6 to 16
Authors: Binaghi Giulia , Guida Marco
Published: November 2021

This chapter provides a literature review on the evidence-based practices for students with learning disabilities (LD). Selective studies include different effective teaching instructions, either for improving vocabulary knowledge or reading comprehension, and developing math problem-solving skills. Research-based practices could fill the gap between research and practice in special education within school context and could help LD students to achieve the same results as their peers. Reviewed studies were grouped in three main categories, namely (1) hetero-regulated language and reading instructions, (2) hetero-regulated math instructions, and (3) auto-regulated instructions/metacognitive strategies, about both language both reading skills. Twenty-six empirical contributions along the last two decades have been entered. With regard to reading, positive results were found on fluency vocabulary-based activities, explicit reading instruction, and contextual learning. With regard to math problems, cognitive and manual instructions were useful. Finally, the development of metacognitive strategies was found effective for any kind of LD. Limitations and psychoeducational implications of the findings will be illustrated, as well as some considerations for future research.
Design and Development of a Mobile Writing Application for Students With Dysgraphia
Authors: Hopcan Sinan , Tokel Saniye Tugba , Karasu Necdet , Aykut Çığıl
Published: November 2021

Writing plays a vital role in both daily life and academic life. Students begin learning to write in the first years in school and then they use writing skills their whole life. However, some students, such as students with dysgraphia, experience difficulties in writing. The purpose of the chapter is to develop a mobile writing application for students with dysgraphia and to reveal ideas of special education experts, educational technology experts, and classroom education experts, and a teacher about application. A pilot study was conducted with three students with dysgraphia firstly, and necessary revisions were made. After revisions, experts' views were taken. The results indicated that experts reflected positive ideas about mobile writing application for students with dysgraphia. However, the experts suggested some minor revisions for improving the mobile writing application. To sum up, final improvements were made, and a mobile writing application was developed.
Social Robots for Pedagogical Rehabilitation
Authors: Kaburlasos Vassilis G. , Vrochidou Eleni
Published: November 2021

The use of robots as educational learning tools is quite extensive worldwide, yet it is rather limited in special education. In particular, the use of robots in the field of special education is under skepticism since robots are frequently believed to be expensive with limited capacity. The latter may change with the advent of social robots, which can be used in special education as affordable tools for delivering sophisticated stimuli to children with learning difficulties also due to preexisting conditions. Pilot studies occasionally demonstrate the effectiveness of social robots in specific domains. This chapter overviews the engagement of social robots in special education including the authors' preliminary work in this field; moreover, it discusses their proposal for potential future extensions involving more autonomous (i.e., intelligent) social robots as well as feedback from human brain signals.
Disability Awareness in Teacher Education in Singapore
Authors: Lim Levan , Thaver Thana
Published: November 2021

As the sole teacher education body in Singapore, the National Institute of Education (NIE), plays a pivotal role in equipping Singaporean teachers with the knowledge and skills to work with and support students with disabilities for both mainstream and special schools through its teacher education programs. In addition to the learning of strategies and skills to work with students with disabilities, it is also imperative for teacher education to promote positive attitudinal change among teachers towards persons with disabilities. This chapter describes the disability-awareness approach adopted by the NIE for its preservice teachers and the rationale behind adopting such an approach to foster inclusive attitudes that is grounded within relevant literature and situates disability within Singapore's socio-historical context.
Orthographic Learning
Authors: Espinas Daniel R. , Wang Min , Li Yixun
Published: November 2021

This chapter discusses orthographic learning, i.e., how children learn the relation between their spoken language and writing system. The process is discussed for children learning to read and write in one language, as well as for multilingual children acquiring literacy in more than one language. In both cases, the developmental course is mapped from children's first insights into the form and function of their writing systems to the development of word-specific mental representations that code for multiple linguistic forms (i.e., sound, spelling, and meaning). The chapter concludes with instructional recommendations for supporting children's orthographic learning throughout development.
Understanding Diverse Bilingual Learners
Authors: Weimer Amy A. , Gil Mario , Esquierdo J. Joy
Published: November 2021

The chapter synthesizes findings from diverse disciplinary perspectives to make the case that we need a new lens to better serve the diversity of bilingual learners. Drawing upon theories and findings from studies by educators, child developmentalists, and neuroscientists, but moving beyond any one disciplinary perspective, the authors aim to create a unity of new knowledge developed of theories from across disciplines. This approach is exactly what is needed to address the complexity of factors surrounding bilingual learners. Taking a transdisciplinary approach will allow us to move closer toward an understanding of the many factors affecting bilingual children and families, and this new knowledge can be applied to promote their educational and lifelong success.
Emergent Bilinguals in Rural Schools
Authors: Hughes Karnes Elizabeth , Hansen-Thomas Holly
Published: November 2021

This chapter explores rural teacher attitudes towards emergent bilinguals at the secondary level before, during, and after translanguaging professional development. Within the current political climate, accountability measures and assessment training affect teacher perceptions of second language acquisition and add to the deficit perspective. Juxtaposed with the accountability climate are the benefits of rurality and teachers who value the funds of knowledge these linguistically and culturally diverse students possess. Through a mixed methods study using qualitative and quantitative survey data, the authors examined the effects of translanguaging pedagogy on an English-only school district. The translanguaging strategies used in English language arts and reading classrooms showed potential to improve standardized English assessment scores by shifting the monolingual ideology of the teacher participants to a multilingual stance. The results of this study could revise current perceptions and pedagogy for emergent bilinguals.
Multilingual Writing in Digital World
Authors: Alawdat Maha
Published: November 2021

This chapter examines teachers' practices and strategies while using digital tools for writing. The chapter argues that when teachers use digital writing, they need to change their teaching strategies in order to ease their students' writing tasks. It also highlights the purposes of integrating digital tools for the writing classes and the challenges they face while adapting digital writing. The data are collected from teachers who work at schools, colleges, and universities, through a survey generated by Google forms. The findings show that integrating suitable digital tools requires mastering the use of technologies by supporting teachers' digital literacy skills before integrating them into classes to overcome any emerging challenges. This is to reinforce students to improve their writing levels. The chapter suggests more extended studies to examine students' attitudes and experiences with using digital tools and the impact of coronavirus pandemic on education.
Dealing With Language Gap in a Hungarian-English Early Childhood Classroom
Authors: Csillik Eva , Golubeva Irina
Published: November 2021

The term ‘translanguaging' has been widespread in the field of Applied Linguistics in a short period of time, and just as quickly, it infiltrated in the field of Multilingual Education. Translanguaging is mostly seen as an opportunity to build on multilingual speakers' full language repertoire in the classroom in order to make sense of the world around them. At the same time, translanguaging might be seen as a threat for heritage language survival because heritage languages are forced to immerse in the mainstream language(s). The authors observed pedagogical translanguaging practices in the AraNY János Hungarian Kindergarten and School (USA) to understand how English was used in teaching the heritage language and to discover how bridging existing language gaps between speakers worked in the practices of bilingual pedagogues. The overarching aim of this study was to reveal some of the pedagogical translanguaging strategies used to deal with occurring language gaps.
CLIL, Bilingual Education, and Pluriliteracies
Authors: Martínez Serrano Leonor María
Published: November 2021

The so-called language gap is not a modern invention, since language is power and a form of taking dominion over the world in humans' intellectual confrontation with reality. Historically, there has been inequality in language learning and mastery as a way to access knowledge and to achieve self-fulfillment in both the public and private spheres. This chapter explores the concept of language gap from a diachronic perspective and the way in which the Andalusian education system has taken actions emanating from European language policies, aimed at bridging the language gap among young people through initiatives of great impact on content and language education, such as the consolidation of bilingual education programmes through the CLIL approach and pedagogical tools like the Integrated Language Curriculum, the European Language Portfolio, and the School Language Project.
Smart Health From the Hospital to the City
Authors: Lauri Cristiana
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition of health systems from “hospital” to “city” thanks to smart devices aimed at health promotion through the deployment of ICT in urban contexts. Worldwide, the pandemic has triggered a rethinking of the healthcare system according to the prevention principle, characterized by the usage of advanced technology, which can widely re-orient markets and public action in the field of public and private health services. The chapter will consider the impacts of such innovations and the challenges for the regulatory framework, with a special focus on the Italian context. First, it outlines the main global and EU strategies for digital healthcare. Second, it focuses on the use of smart devices as tools of health prevention. Third, it highlights critical aspects regarding competition and privacy. Finally, the author reflects upon the centrality of the city as a crucial actor for urban health innovation and its upcoming regulatory challenges.
Impact of Statistical Intelligent Analysis on Corona Virus Disease
Authors: Saxena Kanak , Banodha Umesh
Published: November 2021

Statistical intelligence formulates the analysis model and reveals the system that can be easily visible and understandable to mankind. On one hand, it will benefit the society to predict the nature or man-created virus environment, and on the other hand, it will solve the problems of intelligent agents' formation with their functionality. It's a well-known fact that the agents are visible and noticeable, and they perform their own assigned task, but their recognition process is delayed. The chapter will focus on the statistical intelligence analysis that includes the properties of the error tolerance, forecasting, and high reliability. The information is always the part of the memory, but the processing methodology that may lead to knowledge is lacking. This may include the logical induction, Bayesian statistics, functional decision theory, value learning, forecasting, etc. Statistics will assist in path selection to formulate the highly adaptive intelligent system with the said functionalities with reduction in the overall cost factors.
What Drives Selective Exposure to Political Information in Spain?
Authors: Valera-Ordaz Lidia , Humanes María Luisa Humanes
Published: November 2021

Communication research underlines two types of selective exposure to the media: one guided by ideological-partisan affiliations and one guided by interest in politics. This work will compare both motivations in the consumption of political information through three media types (digital press, television, and radio) by Spanish citizens during the 2019 November General Election. Through multinomial logistic regressions applied to a representative post-electoral survey, results show that ideological-partisan orientations are the most important variables governing selective exposure, especially for the digital press and the radio. Besides confirming ideological selective exposure, the data highlight an important tendency towards selective avoidance of news media perceived as ideologically incongruent. For television, however, both socio-demographic trends and ideological orientations exhibit a similar explanatory weight, which suggests that political segmentation of the Spanish television market is still being deployed by communication groups, in comparison with the press and the radio.
Role of Technology on Religious Tourism in Turkey
Authors: Farooq Muhammad , Altintas Volkan
Published: November 2021

The religious tourism sector is a booming industry and attracts a sizable number of tourists around the world. While several factors play an important role in increasing the number of tourists for religious purposes, technology plays a vital role in managing and boasting religious tourism in a country. The authors aim to see this in the context of Turkey, a country that is a bridge between East and West, possessing a number of religious touristic sites and attracting a large number of tourists. The profile of the country and the role of technology in increasing tourism in Turkey also suggest improvements in the technological landscape of the country to increase and facilitate the religious tourists.
Virtual Tourism and Challenges in a Post-Pandemic Context
Authors: Martins Carla Sousa , Ferreira Ana Carvalho , Pereira Catarina Silva , Sousa Bruno Barbosa
Published: November 2021

The role played by technologies of information and communication, ICT, has become increasingly important in the way of life of societies. As well as technologies to revolutionize or everyone's way of life, it also brings a sense of alertness to match. This chapter aims to present a reflection on the importance of virtual tourism in the pandemic scenario (new coronavirus) and the main challenges in the post-pandemic period. The tourist sector must continue to communicate with clients in order to retain them. In this way, several companies choose to enter into a partnership with digital influencers, seeing that they are presented as a link between the company and the customers. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the chapter presents contributions to marketing, (virtual) tourism, and pandemic management.
Tourist Social Media Engagement
Authors: Ruas Rayane , Barbosa Belem
Published: November 2021

Social media are transforming relationships with customers for all sectors, including tourism. Since the search for information is a critical aspect of tourist purchase decision process, the importance of social media for tourism is evident. However, the presence of tourism brands in social media is not enough to have an impact on tourist purchase decisions: it is necessary to generate engagement. This chapter aims to conceptualize tourist engagement on social media and identify tourist engagement indicators. Tourist engagement was conceptualized through a literature review that identified four dimensions of engagement: popularity, commitment, virality, and post engagement. A set of indicators is proposed to measure tourist engagement in each of these dimensions. The proposed TSM engagement framework was validated through a mixed-method approach, using secondary data and interviews carried out with Brazilian tourist destinations.
Professional Education and Training in Indonesia
Authors: Komalasari Rita , Nurhayati Nurhayati , Mustafa Cecep
Published: November 2021

The professional training of the judges may influence their interpretation of justice. In terms of the training of judges, the influence of training may shape the judicial interpretation of justice. Despite the absence in the literature on the formation of the professional identity of the judiciary in Indonesia, Indonesian judges develop their professional identity through a training process which enables them to consider ‘justice' in their sentencing. The authors found that trainee judges learn the three most important forms of justice: legal justice, moral justice, and social justice. Concerning sentencing, the primary aim of training is to raise awareness of some of the tensions between those three forms of justice when sentencing. The judge will also learn from training that judges would be required to reconcile the often-competing forms of justice. In this chapter, the authors furtherconsider the way the judges reconcile the often-competing forms of justice.
Public Administration Education
Authors: Akbulaev Nurkhodzha , Akman Elvettin , Tuzcuoglu Ferruh
Published: November 2021

Kyrgyzstan is a relatively young state that was previously part of the USSR. As a legacy from this state, Kyrgyzstan received an outdated command-and-control system. Almost immediately, the question of changing the state system became acute. It was necessary to reform the education system for state cadres because earlier employees could be sent from other regions of the USSR. Still, now it became necessary to train qualified personnel for each region completely independently. The subject of the chapter is the training of government personnel in Kyrgyzstan. The work aims to identify all the specific features in the training of government personnel in Kyrgyzstan, compare training with other countries, and highlight the key problems in this area. As a result of the work, the main problems will be summarized, and recommendations for eliminating these difficulties will be proposed. The work will use the following methods: analysis, generalization, description, comparison, synthesis, deduction, induction, and abstraction.
Academic Work and Life of Public Administration Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Slovenia
Authors: Aristovnik Aleksander , Keržič Damijana , Murko Eva , Ravšelj Dejan , Tomaževič Nina , Umek Lan
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically transformed the lives of people, including higher education students. Thus, the main aim of the chapter is to present the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic work and life of public administration students in Slovenia compared with their counterparts from other fields of study. The analysis is based on 1,049 Slovenian respondents, covering 211 students from public administration and 838 students from other fields of study. The results show that at the time of the lockdown public administration students were the most satisfied with real-time online lectures, followed by asynchronous forms of lectures. Compared with the students from other fields of study, they were in general more satisfied with provided course assignments and feedback on performance but less satisfied with lecturers' response, openness, and information. They also found it more difficult to focus, adapt, and achieve better performance in the online environment and were in general less confident in computer skills compared to their counterparts from other fields of study.
Analysis of the Textbooks Utilized in Higher Education on Local Government in Terms of Their Physical Characteristics and Contents
Authors: Akman Elvettin , Akman Çiğdem , Babaoğlu Pelin
Published: November 2021

Education on local government taken into consideration within the scope of the study was from the higher education domain offering in programs/majors in associate, bachelor, and graduate degrees in Turkey. Today, there are a number of textbooks studied in local government program, which contained 43 associate, 3 bachelors, and uncounted non-thesis or thesis master studies and a doctorate program. Therefore, it is crucially important to analyze local governments textbooks taught across these departments. Especially when significance of visual design of textbooks in student success and learning process is considered, materiality of this study could clearly be recognized. In the study, the concerned resources were accessed through library and internet, and then document analysis was carried out on masthead of textbooks and their physical and content characteristics. Also, NVivo 12 Quantitative Data Analysis Software was utilized in analysis of content characteristics.
Framework to Navigate the Virtual Classroom Space
Authors: Joseph Salome Divya , S. Sasikala , Kumar Antony Vinoth
Published: November 2021

This chapter addresses the need to develop sustainable and contextual teaching-learning processes with the paradigm shift in pedagogy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive factors associated with preference for mode of learning was determined through a survey among 169 teachers and 388 students from engineering, humanities, and science backgrounds in South India. Thereafter, a qualitative study was carried out on selected survey respondents. The main research questions raised were: What are the expectations of teachers while teaching online? What are the expectations of students while learning online? What are the outcomes of online teaching-learning (teachers' and students' perspectives)? How can online teaching-learning be improved? Qualitative inquiry, through questionnaires and interview, was carried out among 15 teachers and 17 students. Thematic analysis was carried out. The findings gave rise to the formulation of a framework to navigate the virtual classroom space.
Experiencing the Story
Authors: Michopoulou Eleni , Siurnicka Aleksandra , Moisa Delia Gabriela
Published: November 2021

The importance of destination image in film tourism has been recognized by scholars and practitioners. However, despite a large number of research papers related to the destination image within the field of film tourism, several issues remain unclear. This chapter provides insights into how movies influence the featured destination's image by focusing on specific film tourists' perceptions, their motivations, and emotional relation to the movies. The chapter begins by offering a film tourism definition followed by film tourist typology with the context of film fans. Then, factors influencing film tourism destination image are examined, in particular destination marketing activities, film-specific factors, and destination attributes. Two case studies will also be provided to better showcase the findings from the literature review. Theoretical and practical implications are also presented.
Make Space, Take Space
Authors: Beasley Maisha , Tunstall Jonli , Blackmon Samarah , Smith Michelle
Published: November 2021

This chapter focuses on the impact of a culturally relevant course centering the experiences of Black women attending a Historically White Institution (HWI). This chapter will provide an overview of the course creation, implementation, and positive implications of a gender-specific course steeped in the African Diaspora. Using Black feminist thought, the authors examine how Black female students experience community, self-discovery, and academic success. The chapter highlights student voices and discusses the lasting impact of the case design on the students and collegiate community. In addition, the co-creators share the impact of the course on their own well-being and its larger impact on the collegiate campus.
Transforming Educator Practice Through a Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Pedagogies Rubric
Authors: Hsieh Betina , Achola Edwin Obilo , Reese Leslie , Keirn Tim , Davis Shametrice , Navarro Oscar , Moreno Jose F.
Published: November 2021

While the value of culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies in education is largely accepted, how to equip educators to integrate these pedagogies in their practice is far less understood. In this chapter, the authors discuss how teacher education faculty's understanding and implementation of culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies were strengthened through an iterative and co-constructed process of tenet and rubric development, scaffolded implementation, peer feedback, and collaborative reflection. Drawing from four years of faculty inquiry group work in ongoing professional learning settings, the authors discuss the importance of a localized, evolving central framework which both informed practice and was grounded in praxis. The authors argue for the importance of systematic approaches, including both self-work and engagement with structural inequities, using shared understandings to affect enduring, multi-layered transformation across a large and diverse set of teacher education programs.
Use of Traffic Simulation to Analyze the Changes in City Mobility During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Šinko Simona , Rupnik Bojan , Gumzej Roman
Published: November 2021

It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in December 2019, will have longer and more profound consequences on our lives than initially foreseen. Among the most obvious are everyday decisions about the mode of transport. From related research, it can be seen that the most affected transport mode is public transport, which had the greatest decline. The reason for lesser use of public transport is in complete closure of public transport in some parts of the world. However, where this measure has not been applied, the reason for the reduction is people's fear of infection when using public transport or any shared modes of transportation. The fear stems from the fact that the COVID-19 virus is spreading extremely fast in densely populated rooms. All these changes are affecting the changes in city mobility. Related research shows a decrease of mobility in general and an increase in the use of individual modes of transportation. Distinct changes can be observed in different environments as compared to previous travel behaviour.
Use of Information Technology in the Supply Chain Management of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Saha Saibal Kumar , Saha Sangita , Jha Ajeya
Published: November 2021

An efficient supply chain management helps to increase the productivity of a business. Use of information technology and concepts like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing have integrated the different aspects of supply chain with its stakeholders. Published literature in the field of SCM, IT, and the pharmaceutical industry has been reviewed, and different aspects of innovation, technique, risks, advancements, factors, and models have been taken into consideration to form a comprehensive chapter focusing on the role of information technology in the supply chain management of the pharmaceutical industry. The chapter finds that IT has made a significant impact in improving the efficiency of SCM. But its successful implementation and collaboration with other firms is the key to success for an efficient SCM. Within each category, gaps have been identified.
Combining Fix and Relax Heuristic and LP-Metric Method to Solve the Multi-Objective Integrated Production-Routing Problem
Authors: Zeddam Besma , Belkaid Fayçal , Bennekrouf Mohammed
Published: November 2021

Production routing problem is one of the problems of the integrated planning that interests in optimizing simultaneously production, inventory, and distribution planning. This chapter has the purpose of developing two mono-objective models for the production-routing problem: one of them minimizes the total costs which is the classical objective while the other one minimizes the energy consumed by the production system. A bi-objective model is then proposed to combine the two objectives mentioned previously using LP-metric method. To solve big instances of the problem in reasonable time, an approximate approach is proposed using the rolling horizon-based fix and relax heuristic. Finally, computational results are presented to compare the solutions obtained by both approaches.
The Simple Guide to Understanding Quantitative Methods of Inquiry
Authors: Bell Jeremy C.
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the researcher the ability to understand quantitative methodology in a concise and easy-to-understand way. The chapter will include the history of quantitative research along with use and purpose. The chapter will explore different components of quantitative inquiry and design including variables and descriptive and inferential statistics. Multiple statistical analyses will also be detailed including linear regression, multiple regression, chi-square, Pearson correlation, and t-test. The chapter will include additional information on different types of quantitative instruments.
Developing a Diagnostic Bundle for Bronchiectasis in South Korea: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study
Authors: Choi Hayoung , Lee Hyun , Ra Seung Won , Jang Jong Geol , Lee Ji-Ho , Jhun Byung Woo , Park Hye Yun , Jung Ji Ye , Lee Seung Jun , Jo Kyung-Wook , Rhee Chin Kook , Kim Changwhan , Lee Sei Won , Min Kyung Hoon , Kwon Yong-Soo , Kim Deog Kyeom , Lee Jin Hwa , Park Yong Bum , Chung Eun Hee , Kim Yae-Jean , Yoo Kwang Ha , Oh Yeon-Mok
Published: November 2021

Background: Because the etiologies of bronchiectasis and related diseases vary significantly among different regions and ethnicities, this study aimed to develop a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis in South Korea.Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to develop expert consensus statements on a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis in South Korea. Initial statements proposed by a core panel, based on international bronchiectasis guidelines, were discussed in an online meeting and two email surveys by a panel of experts (≥70% agreement).Results: The study involved 21 expert participants, and 30 statements regarding a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis were classified as recommended, conditional, or not recommended. The consensus statements of the expert panel were as follows: A standardized diagnostic bundle is useful in clinical practice; diagnostic tests for specific diseases, including immunodeficiency and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, are necessary when clinically suspected; initial diagnostic tests, including sputum microbiology and spirometry, are essential in all patients with bronchiectasis, and patients suspected with rare causes such as primary ciliary dyskinesia should be referred to specialized centers.Conclusion: Based on this Delphi survey, expert consensus statements were generated including specific diagnostic, laboratory, microbiological, and pulmonary function tests required to manage patients with bronchiectasis in South Korea.
CD29 Enriches for Cytotoxic Human CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Nicolet Benoît P , Guislain Aurelie , Wolkers Monika C
Published: November 2021

CD4+ T cells are key contributors in the induction of adaptive immune responses against pathogens. Even though CD4+ T cells are primarily classified as noncytotoxic helper T cells, it has become appreciated that a subset of CD4+ T cells is cytotoxic. However, tools to identify these cytotoxic CD4+ T cells are lacking. We recently showed that CD29 (integrin β1, ITGB1) expression on human CD8+ T cells enriches for the most potent cytotoxic T cells. In this study, we questioned whether CD29 expression also associates with cytotoxic CD4+ T cells. We show that human peripheral blood–derived CD29hiCD4+ T cells display a cytotoxic gene expression profile, which closely resembles that of CD29hi cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. This CD29hi cytotoxic phenotype was observed ex vivo and was maintained in in vitro cultures. CD29 expression enriched for CD4+ T cells, which effectively produced the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α, and cytotoxic molecules. Lastly, CD29-expressing CD4+ T cells transduced with a MART1-specific TCR showed target cell killing in vitro. In conclusion, we demonstrate in this study that CD29 can be employed to enrich for cytotoxic human CD4+ T cells.
The influence of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment on pulmonary function in individuals in an urban setting in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Van den Berg Oda E. , Shaddock Erica J. , Stacey Sarah L. , Feldman Charles , Barth Roos E. , Grobbee Diederick E. , Venter Willem D.F. , Klipstein-Grobusch Kerstin , Vos Alinda G.
Published: November 2021

Background: With the roll-out of antiretroviral treatment (ART), the life expectancy of people with HIV and, hence, morbidity from non-communicable diseases, including pulmonary diseases, have increased.Objectives: This research study aims to investigate whether HIV infection and ART use are associated with pulmonary function, given the high frequency of pulmonary infections, including tuberculosis (TB), associated with HIV.Method: Adults living with HIV (ART-naïve, on first- or second-line ART), and age and sex matched HIV-negative controls were included in a cross-sectional study in Johannesburg, South Africa. Spirometry was performed to determine lung function, measuring the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the FEV1/FVC ratio before (pre), and after (post), short-acting bronchodilator. The association of HIV infection and ART use with pulmonary function was analysed using linear regression models, adjusting for age, gender, body surface area (BSA), employment, education, smoking and TB.Results: Overall, 548 participants (62% women) were included with a mean age of 38 (standard deviation [s.d.] 9.5) years. No effect of HIV or ART on post-FEV1 was observed in adjusted analysis. Additional adjustment for TB resulted in a higher post-FEV1 in participants on ART compared with HIV-negative participants, whereas TB was associated with a lower FEV1. No effect of HIV and ART on post-FEV1/FVC was observed.Conclusion: HIV infection and ART use were not associated with reduced pulmonary function in this urban African population. Tuberculosis showed a mediating effect on the association between HIV, ART and pulmonary function.
Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction Consensus Guidelines on Preimplantation Genetic Testing in In vitro Fertilization Clinics
Authors: Malhotra Jaideep , Malhotra Keshav , Majumdar Gaurav , Hari Ritu , Chelur Vijayakumar , Kandari Sayali , Sharma Dayanidhi , Chimote Nishad , Mehta Manjeet S , Singh Sarabpreet , Sethi Feseena , Mangoli Vijay S , Gopinath Parasuram , Chaitanya Krishna , Selvaraj Priya
Published: November 2021

Study Question:

What are the good practice guidelines for Pre implantation genetic testing applicable in INDIA?

What is Already Known:

Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is not new in India. It is used to identify euploid embryos for transfer, thus enabling couples to achieve a healthy pregnancy. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding PGT in the international forums; most of these debates have failed to reach a consensus on whether PGT should be offered or its concerns be validated more.

Study Design, Size, Duration:

This is the report of a 2-day consensus meeting where two moderators were assigned to a group of experts to collate information on Pre implantation genetic testing and embryo biopsy practices in INDIA. This meeting utilised surveys, available scientific evidence and personal laboratory experience into various presentations by experts on pre-decided specific topics.

Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods:

Expert professionals from ISAR representing clinical, embryological and genetic fields.

Main Results and the Role of Chance:

The report is divided into various components defining the terminologies, the various requirements, qualifications, recommendations on PGT -A,M,SR, and quality management: the report and recommendations of the expert panel reflect the discussion on each of the topics and try to lay down good practice points for labs to follow.

Limitations, Reasons for Caution:

The recommendations are solely based on expert opinion. Future availability of data may warrant an update of the same.

Wider Implications of the Findings:

These guidelines can help labs across the country to standardise their PGT services and improve clinical outcomes.

Study Funding/Competing Interest(S):

The consensus meeting and writing of the paper was supported by funds from CooperSurgical India.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells diminution in peripheral blood is prevalent in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and may precede human herpesvirus 6 reactivation
Authors: Hsu Shao-Hsuan , Yang Che-Wen , Hsieh Yi-Chun , Chen Kai-Lung , Cho Yung-Tsu , Liau Jau-Yu , Chu Chia-Yu
Published: November 2021

Background:

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are implicated in the reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Objectives:

We aimed at identifying the alterations of circulating pDCs, basophils, and myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) during the active stage of drug eruptions and the relationship between pDC alteration and HHV-6 reactivation in DRESS patients.

Methods:

Nine DRESS patients and twelve patients of other drug eruptions (ODE, including five cases of maculopapular eruptions (MPEs), five cases of Stevens–Johnson syndrome, and two cases of fixed drug eruption) were prospectively recruited. Blood samples were collected weekly for 2 consecutive weeks for flow cytometry of pDC, basophil, mDC, and detection of HHV-6 reactivation by serum anti-HHV-6 immunoglobulin G, or whole blood HHV-6 viral DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

The HHV-6 reactivation was exclusively seen in DRESS, and the pDC levels decreased in DRESS compared with ODE (P = 0.002) and (MPE, P = 0.021), with the timing of such decrease preceding HHV-6 reactivation.

Conclusion:

The decrease of pDC levels is significantly more common in DRESS patients and occurs before HHV-6 reactivation. The chronological sequence implies that the decrease of pDC may be crucial in the pathogenesis of viral reactivation.
Evaluation of bacteriophage cocktail on septicaemia caused by colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in immunocompromised mice model
Authors: Patel Shesh Raj , Pratap Chandra Bhan , Nath Gopal
Published: November 2021

Background & objectives:

Since the bacterium, Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) has acquired resistance to almost all commercially available antibiotics, the search for alternative treatment options continues to be need of the hour. Bacteriophage therapy seems to be the most promising amongst various proposed alternatives (e.g. antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocin, probiotics, etc.). The present study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effect of different dosages of specific phages in immunocompromised rodents in a septicaemia model caused by AB mimicking real clinical situations.

Methods:

The three most active and unique phages ([Latin Small Letter Turned phi]Ab4, [Latin Small Letter Turned phi]Ab7 and [Latin Small Letter Turned phi]Ab14) were selected for this study. A constant dose (100 µl of 108 pfu/ml) of AB was given in all the experiments. Five different sets of experiments were designed: prophylactic administration of phage cocktail in the volume of 100 µl (109 pfu/ml) before and simultaneous with the bacterial challenge; and therapeutic i.e. administration of phage cocktail six, 12 and 24 h after bacterial challenge. Since there were deaths in mice when phage was given 24 h after bacterial challenge, the reduced dosage i.e. 100 µl of 107, 106, 105 pfu/ml of phage cocktail was also evaluated.

Results:

The administration of 100 µl (109 pfu/ml) of phage cocktail after six, 12 and 24 h of the bacterial challenge resulted in the mortality ranging between 20 to 60 per cent. However, no mortality could be observed with simultaneous or prophylactic administration of phages with the bacterial challenge. No mortality was observed with reduced doses of the cocktail (106 and105 pfu/ml).

Interpretation & conclusions:

As per the results of this study, it may be concluded that even if patients with acute infections report late to the hospital, a relatively low dose of the phage cocktail may be therapeutically beneficial.
Cancer scenario in North-East India & need for an appropriate research agenda
Authors: Shanker Neha , Mathur Prashant , Das Priyanka , Sathishkumar K. , Shalini A.J. Martina , Chaturvedi Meesha
Published: November 2021

Background & objectives:

The North-Eastern (NE) region has the highest incidence of cancer in India, and is also burdened by higher prevalence of risk factors and inadequate cancer treatment facilities. The aim of this study was to describe the cancer profile of the NE region, focussing on the cancer sites that have high incidence and to identify research priorities.

Methods:

Incidence data from population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) in the North-East region (8 States) were utilized and relevant literature was reviewed to identify risk factors.

Results:

Aizawl district in Mizoram had the highest incidence of cancer in men [age-adjusted rate (AAR) of 269.4 per 100,000]. Among women, Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh had the highest incidence (AAR of 219.8) in India. East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya had the highest incidence of oesophageal cancer (AAR of 75.4 in men and 33.6 in women). Aizawl district in Mizoram had the highest incidence of stomach (AAR–44.2 in men) and Papumpare district had highest incidence of stomach (AAR 27.1 in women), liver (AAR– 35.2 in men and 14.4 in women) and cervical cancers (AAR– 27.7). Lung cancer (AAR– 38.8 in men and 37.9 in women) and gall bladder cancer incidence (AAR– 7.9 in men and 16.2 in women) were highest in Aizawl and Assam (Kamrup urban) PBCRs, respectively. Nagaland had the highest incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer (AAR of 14.4 in men and 6.5 in women), a relatively rare cancer in other regions of India. Four States (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim and Tripura) in NE had only one cancer treating facility.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Further research on specific aetiological factors in the region and multi-disciplinary research for development of tools, techniques and guidelines for cancer control are the need of the hour.
Global emergence of West Nile virus
Authors: Chowdhury Pritom , Khan Siraj Ahmed
Published: November 2021

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA neurotropic virus within the family Flaviviridae. The virus was first reported in the West Nile province of Uganda in 1937. Since then, sporadic cases have been reported until the last two decades when it has emerged as a threat to public health. The emergence of WNV with more severity in recent times is intriguing. Considering this phenomenon, the WNV-affected areas of the world were distinguished as old versus new in a depicted world map. The present review showcases the historical and epidemiological perspectives of the virus, genetic diversity of prevailing lineages and clinical spectrum associated with its infection. Emergence of the virus has been discussed in special context to India because of co-circulation of different WNV lineages/strains along with other flaviviruses. Recent laboratory diagnostics, vaccine development and clinical management associated with WNV infection have also been discussed. Further, the research gaps, especially in context to India have been highlighted that may have a pivotal role in combating the spread of WNV.
Multi-centric evaluation of a stage-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay as a xenomonitoring tool for the detection of infective (L3) stage Wuchereria bancrofti in vectors
Authors: Vasuki Venkatesan , Hoti Sugeerappa Laxmanappa , Subramanian Swaminathan , Khan Abdul Mabood , Thenmozhi Velayudham , Ananganallur Nagarajan Shriram , Mahapatra Namita , Balasubramaniyan Ramalingam
Published: November 2021

Background & objectives:

An infective stage specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay utilizing the abundant larval transcript-3 (Alt-3) gene of Wuchereria bancrofti was developed at ICMR-VCRC, Puducherry and found to be stage specific, and sensitive upon validation in the laboratory. This study was aimed at independently evaluating this assay for its utility as a monitoring/surveillance tool in the operational programme for elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) by four national research laboratories.

Methods:

Evaluation of the assay was carried out in a multi-centric mode in three phases. In phase I, a workshop was conducted to impart hands-on training to the scientists from the collaborating centres on the RT-PCR assay and in Phase II the assay was evaluated for specificity and sensitivity in detecting the infective (L3) stage larvae of W. bancrofti in its vector, Culex quinquefasciatus, using 50 coded pooled samples. Phase III evaluation was done on wild-caught mosquito vectors from selected endemic areas of Assam and Bhubaneswar States and Andaman Nicobar islands.

Results:

Phase I data indicated that the assay was able to detect all the pools of mosquito samples contaning L3 stage larvae of W. bancrofti as positive, even in the presence of other vector stages of the parasite indicating its stage specificity (100%). The assay was found highly sensitive (100%), detecting all the infected pools as positive and specific detecting all uninfected pools as negative. The results of phase II showed inter-laboratory variation. Phase III evaluation from all the centres suggested that the infectivity rate determined for pooled mosquitoes by the RT-PCR assay (0.5%) was comparable to that by dissection method (1.2%) (95% confidence interval overlaps).

Interpretation & conclusions:

Overall, the results from three of the four participating centres indicated that the assay is at least as sensitive and stage specific as the conventional mosquito dissection technique, and hence, may be useful as a xenomonitoring tool for Transmission Assessment Survey in Mass Drug Administration programmes for LF.