Presentation of a plasmablastic lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient after administration of an inferior alveolar dental block

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious worldwide healthcare problem with implications for all healthcare workers. The reported oral manifestations of the disease are numerous and have been categorised according to the strength of their association with HIV infection. Oral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is strongly associated with HIV infection, and an increased incidence of such neoplasms is widely reported. This case report details the presentation of a rare subcategory of plasmablastic lymphoma in an HIV-positive patient after administration of an inferior alveolar dental block to facilitate extraction of mandibular teeth. This highly aggressive neoplasm is a large B-cell lymphoma with a predilection for the oral cavity. Unfortunately, the prognosis for such a tumour is poor as detailed in this case.

A randomised controlled trial evaluation of the Lifestart parenting programme in Ireland

This randomised controlled trial evaluated the impact of the Lifestart parenting initiative, a five-year home visiting programme, on parent and child outcomes. 424 parents and children aged less than 12 months were recruited from across Ireland and randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group received the programme for five years; the control group did not, but continued as normal. Both groups were tested at three time points: pre-test, mid-point (child aged 3 years) and post-test (child aged 5 years). Post-test data collection is still on-going and will be completed by November 2014. Indicative findings (using available data) are presented here, however the analysis of the full dataset will be presented at the April 2015 meeting.

A cluster randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of the early years DELTA parenting programme

This paper reports the results from a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) and process evaluation of the Early Years DELTA Parenting Programme; a six-week, group based intervention. The evaluation was part funded by DELTA and involved 23 primary schools and 334 parents. Results showed that intervention parents reported increased parental self-efficacy in relation to: knowledge of their child’s development and needs; self-acceptance as a good parent, and; disciplining and setting boundaries. No change was observed in the remaining outcome areas. Parent interviews indicated a high level of programme satisfaction and the main benefits reflected the outcomes measured by the RCT. This small, robust evaluation is commensurate with other similar research demonstrating the effectiveness and reach of short-term, group-based parenting programmes.

Gender Equality under the Charter of Fundamental Rights - a new lease for positive action?

This paper, which was published as a chapter of a Festskrift for Professor Ruth Nielsen, analyses Article 23 CFREU, the new provision on gender equality. It argues that Article 23 adds to the notion of gender equality in EU law, and not only allows, but also demands positive action measures if necessary to ensure equality between women and men. The provision also demands that positive action measures are suitable to achieve their aim. This implies that the EU legislator has to adapt positive action measure to the specific needs of the sector. The paper offers a critique of the proposal to introduce women quotas in board rooms, as proposed by the EU Commission in late 2012. It argues that the Commission unimaginatively copied rules developed for the German public service into a different sector, although these rules have not proven particularly efficient even in the public service. Consequently, a proposal that is demanding, but adapted to the sector should be developed.