Indigenous rights in Chile: National identity and majority group support for multicultural policies

We examine support for policies affecting indigenous ethnic minorities in Chile. Specifically, we examine the role of national group definitions that include the largest indigenous group—the Mapuche—in different ways. Based on questionnaire data from nonindigenous Chilean students (N = 338), we empirically distinguish iconic inclusion, whereby the Mapuche are seen as an important part of Chile's history and identity on the one hand, from egalitarian inclusion, which represents the Mapuche as citizens of equal importance to the nonindigenous majority on the other. Both forms of inclusion positively predict support for indigenous rights, independent of participants' political affiliation, strength of national identification, and social distance. A second study (N = 277) replicates this finding whilst controlling for right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, blind patriotism, and constructive patriotism. It also finds iconic inclusion to be predictive of a pro-Mapuche position regarding the unrest over the issue of ancestral land in 2009. We conclude that understanding how national identity affects attitudes about minority rights necessitates appreciating the importance of particular meanings of nationality, and not only the strength of identification.

Concise Review: Stem Cell Effects in Radiation Risk

Stem cells of normal mammalian tissues are defined as nonspecialized cells that have two critical properties: (a) the ability to renew themselves through cell division and (b) the potency to differentiate into other cell types. Therefore, they play a crucial role in development and in tissue homeostasis during adult life. Being long-lived, they can be the targets of environmental carcinogens leading to the accumulation of consecutive genetic changes. Hence, the genome of stem cells must be exceptionally well protected, and several protective mechanisms have evolved to ensure the genetic integrity of the stem cell compartment in any given tissue. Ionizing radiation exposure can disrupt tissue homeostasis both through the induction of cell killing/depletion of radiosensitive stem cells, leading to loss of tissue functionality and by genotoxic damage, increasing overall risk of cancer. We will review the current knowledge about radiation effects in adult stem cells of specific normal tissues, including skin, breast, and brain, examine parallels, as well as differences with cancer stem cells, and discuss the relevance of stem cell effects to radiation risk and radiotherapy. STEM CELLS 2011;29:1315-1321

Apoptosis and chemotherapy in bladder cancer in bladder cancer

Purpose: To discuss the role of apoptosis, gene directed self-destruction of a cell, in the response of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder cells to chemotherapy. Methods: A directed MEDLINE literature search of apoptosis, bladder cancer and chemotherapy was performed to extract the relevant information, which was reviewed. The characteristics of apoptotic cells were defined and the methods in common use to detect these traits were described. The role of the key mediators of the apoptotic process in bladder cancer is discussed in the context of chemosensitivity and stage of disease. The importance of induction of apoptosis post chemotherapy is highlighted. Results: On stimulus by appropriate external or internal signals, a cell may alter the expression of genes coding for proteins associated with the apoptotic process. The development of apoptosis depends on the balance between pro- and anti- apoptotic proteins. Key alterations in genes and proteins related to apoptosis within bladder cancer result in a shift away from an ability to undergo apoptosis towards a cell with increased survival properties that is chemoresistant. Conclusions: Much current research in bladder cancer is aimed at restoring chemosensitivity by shifting the balance in a cell towards a pro-apoptotic phenotype. Successful translation of this work into clinical practice may improve survival in patients in whom prognosis is currently poor.

Comparison and evaluation of the specificity and binding capacity of commercial and in house affinity columns used in sample preparation for analysis of growth-promoting drugs

Immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) and affinity chromatography (AC:) are widely used for extraction of drugs from biological samples. Fifteen column types were purchased from five different manufacturers and;their ability to bind specific drugs including beta-agonists and anabolic steroids over a range of analyte concentrations in fortified bovine urine samples was assessed. The performance data obtained from these columns were compared with columns produced in this laboratory (in house columns). The in house columns gave the highest recoveries, ranging from 92 to 100% at the 1 ng spiking concentration, for five of the seven analytes assessed. Forty percent (11 of 27) of all the commercial column assessments recorded recoveries of less than 50% even when the lowest spiking concentration was applied (1 ng). For one manufacturer, only one of seven different columns purchased delivered extraction efficiencies greater than 50%. The extraction efficiencies of the clenbuterol columns were the highest with all commercially prepared columns showing at least 50% binding of radiolabelled tracer. Recoveries of alpha-nortestosterone were the lowest. The variability of these products with respect to quality control requires constant monitoring.

Observations on the mechanism of eggshell formation in the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

A mechanism for eggshell production in Schistosoma mansoni has been proposed (Wells & Cordingley, 1991), and suggests that the release of eggshell protein globules from the vitelline cells occurs under alkaline conditions within the ootype followed by their subsequent fusion to form the eggshell. Fusion and tanning of these components produces eggshell which autofluoresces. The present study was carried out to determine whether a similar process operates in Fasciola hepatica. A number of drug treatments were used to disrupt key steps in the maturation of vitelline cells. Treatment with the calcium ionophore lasalocid (1 x 10(-5) M) led to the premature release of eggshell globules from the vitelline cells but not their fusion. Incubation in monensin (1 x 10(-6) M), a sodium ionophore and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) (5 x 10(-2) M), a weak base, resulted in the premature fusion of eggshell protein globules within the vitelline cells and premature tanning of the eggshell protein material. The copper-containing enzyme, phenol oxidase, is thought to be involved in the tanning process during the production of eggs. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC, 1 x 10(-3) M) is a phenol oxidase inhibitor and treatment with this compound, in combination treatments with monensin and NH4Cl, prevented fusion of the vitelline cell globules and tanning of the shell protein material. The results of the study suggest that the mechanism for eggshell formation in F. hepatica is similar to that proposed for S. mansoni and may be common to other trematodes as well.

NEUROPEPTIDE F-IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE TETRATHYRIDIUM OF MESOCESTOIDES-CORTI (CESTODA, CYCLOPHYLLIDEA)

The distribution pattern and subcellular localisation of neuropeptide F (NPF) immunoreactivity (IR) in the tetrathyridium stage of Mesocestoides corti were investigated by whole-mount immunocytochemistry in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and by immunoelectron microscopy using immunogold labeling. Using an antiserum directed to the C-terminal decapeptide amide (residues 30-39) of synthetic NPF (Moniezia expansa), CSLM revealed NPF-IR throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems of parental and dividing tetrathyridia. Ultrastructurally, gold labeling of NPF-IR was confined to the contents of the smaller of the two sizes of electron-dense neuronal vesicle identified.

Association Analysis of Dyslipidemia-Related Genes in Diabetic Nephropathy

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) increases risk of the development of microvascular complications and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dyslipidemia is a common risk factor in the pathogenesis of both CVD and diabetic nephropathy (DN), with CVD identified as the primary cause of death in patients with DN. In light of this commonality, we assessed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in thirty-seven key genetic loci previously associated with dyslipidemia in a T1D cohort using a casecontrol design. SNPs (n = 53) were genotyped using Sequenom in 1467 individuals with T1D (718 cases with proteinuric nephropathy and 749 controls without nephropathy i.e. normal albumin excretion). Cases and controls were white and recruited from the UK and Ireland. Association analyses were performed using PLINK to compare allele frequencies in cases and controls. In a sensitivity analysis, samples from control individuals with reduced renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate,60 ml/min/1.73 m2) were excluded. Correction for multiple testing was performed by permutation testing. A total of 1394 samples passed quality control filters. Following regression analysis adjusted by collection center, gender, duration of diabetes, and average HbA1c, two SNPs were significantly associated with DN. rs4420638 in the APOC1 region (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51; confidence intervals [CI]: 1.19–1.91; P = 0.001) and rs1532624 in CETP (OR = 0.82; CI: 0.69–0.99; P = 0.034); rs4420638 was also significantly associated in a sensitivity analysis (P = 0.016) together with rs7679 (P = 0.027). However, no association was significant following correction for multiple testing. Subgroup analysis of end-stage renal disease status failed to reveal any association. Our results suggest common variants associated with dyslipidemia are not strongly associated with DN in T1D among white individuals. Our findings, cannot entirely exclude these key genes which are central to the process of dyslipidemia, from involvement in DN pathogenesis as our study had limited power to detect variants of small effect size. Analysis in larger independent cohorts is required.

Cold comfort at the Magh Mela: Social identity processes and physical hardship

Humans inhabit environments that are both social and physical, and in this article weinvestigate if and how social identity processes shape the experience and negotiation ofphysically demanding environmental conditions. Specifically, we consider how severe coldcan be interpreted and experienced in relation to group members’ social identity. Ourdata comprise ethnographic observation and semi-structured interviews with pilgrimsattending a month-long winter Hindu religious festival that is characterized bynear-freezing conditions. The analysis explores (1) how pilgrims appraised the cold andhow these appraisals were shaped by their identity as pilgrims; (2) how shared identitywith other pilgrims led to forms of mutual support that made it easier to cope with thecold. Our findings therefore extend theorizing on social identity processes to highlighttheir relevance to physical as well as social conditions.

Climate Change, national politics and grassroots action: an introduction

Climate change continues to dominate academic work within green/environmental politics. Indeed, there appears to be almost an inverse relationship between the lack of political leadership on tackling climate change and the growth in ever more sophisticated academic analyses of this complex and multifaceted problem. There is an increasing disjunction between the growth in our knowledge and understanding of the ethical, political, economic, sociological, cultural, and psychological aspects of climate change and the lack of political achievement in putting in place clear and binding targets, an agreed decarbonisation roadmap, and associated regulatory and policy instruments with enforcement. This gap might be taken as evidence that we do not need more reports on climate change. To quote that most unlikely of green politicians, Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California: ‘The debate is over. We know the science. We see the threat. And we know that the time for action is now’ (California Energy Commission 2007, p. 1). This special issue focuses on a variety of ways in which climate change is conceptualised in normative political and ethical theory, and addressed in policy and regulations.

The student experience in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs): phenomenological analysis

Background and purpose
The dominant psychometric discourse of OSCEs may lead to unexpected problems, such as a checklist-based student performance1 which under emphasises the clinical relationship with student and standardised patient (SP). Such encounters can be dehumanising for SPs2 and have implications for what students learn about relational skills through the assessment process. In this study we explore medical students’ experiences of undertaking OSCEs using a phenomenological frame.
Methodology
Interpretative phenomenological analysis is a form of qualitative methodology which has strong resonance with existentialism and focuses on the lived experience without significant reference to external political or discursive
forces.
Six 4th year undergraduate medical students from Queen’s University Belfast were recruited in December 2013. Maximum variation sampling was used. Students were interviewed by a researcher in the week prior to the
OSCE and then again in the week following the OSCE in Jan 2014. Interviews were minimally structured in order to be open to respondents, rather than adhering to a fixed topic guide, but focussed on participants’ experiences, thoughts and feelings about taking part in OSCEs. Interviews were audio-recorded and
transcribed. Students were also asked to complete a short diary entry in the days prior to the OSCEs and another immediately following. Diary entries were written, emailed or audio-recorded at student’s preference.
Results
Transcripts are currently being analysed by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Preliminary analysis has demonstrated the significance of students’ relationships within the OSCE triad (student, SP and examiner); the effect of the immediate examination environment; realism versus roleplay; students’ perceptions of the purpose of assessment; and coping mechanisms.
Full results will be available by the time of the conference.
Conclusion and Discussion
Understanding the student experience in OSCEs is a crucial step in understanding the complex construction of relationships within the OSCE triad. The focus in OSCEs is typically on standardisation and reliability, but in exploring social interactions we may refocus attention on their inherent potential for learning and effects on both students and patients.
References
1. Hodges B. Medical education and the maintenance of incompetence. Med Teach 2006;28(8):690-6
2. Johnston JL, Lundy G, McCullough M, Gormley GJ. The view from over there: reframing the OSCE through the experience of standardised patient
raters. Med Educ 2013;47(9):899-909

Survival for haematological malignancies in Europe between 1997 and 2008 by region and age: results of EUROCARE-5, a population-based study

Background: More effective treatments have become available for haematological malignancies from the early 2000s, but few large-scale population-based studies have investigated their effect on survival. Using EUROCARE data, and HAEMACARE morphological groupings, we aimed to estimate time trends in population-based survival for 11 lymphoid and myeloid malignancies in 20 European countries, by region and age. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we included patients (aged 15 years and older) diagnosed with haematological malignancies, diagnosed up to Dec 31, 2007, and followed up to Dec 31, 2008. We used data from the 30 cancer registries (across 20 countries) that provided continuous incidence and good quality data from 1992 to 2007. We used a hybrid approach to estimate age-standardised and age-specific 5-year relative survival, for each malignancy, overall and for five regions (UK, and northern, central, southern, and eastern Europe), and four 3-year periods (1997–99, 2000–02, 2003–05, 2006–08). For each malignancy, we also estimated the relative excess risk of death during the 5 years after diagnosis, by period, age, and region. Findings: We analysed 560 444 cases. From 1997–99 to 2006–08 survival increased for most malignancies: the largest increases were for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (42·0% [95% CI 40·7–43·4] to 55·4% [54·6–56·2], p<0·0001), follicular lymphoma (58·9% [57·3–60·6] to 74·3% [72·9–75·5], p<0·0001), chronic myeloid leukaemia (32·3% [30·6–33·9] to 54·4% [52·5–56·2], p<0·0001), and acute promyelocytic leukaemia (50·1% [43·7–56·2] to 61·9% [57·0–66·4], p=0·0038, estimate not age-standardised). Other survival increases were seen for Hodgkin's lymphoma (75·1% [74·1–76·0] to 79·3% [78·4–80·1], p<0·0001), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (66·1% [65·1–67·1] to 69·0% [68·1–69·8], p<0·0001), multiple myeloma/plasmacytoma (29·8% [29·0–30·6] to 39·6% [38·8–40·3], p<0·0001), precursor lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma (29·8% [27·7–32·0] to 41·1% [39·0–43·1], p<0·0001), acute myeloid leukaemia (excluding acute promyelocytic leukaemia, 12·6% [11·9–13·3] to 14·8% [14·2–15·4], p<0·0001), and other myeloproliferative neoplasms (excluding chronic myeloid leukaemia, 70·3% [68·7–71·8] to 74·9% [73·8–75·9], p<0·0001). Survival increased slightly in southern Europe, more in the UK, and conspicuously in northern, central, and eastern Europe. However, eastern European survival was lower than that for other regions. Survival decreased with advancing age, and increased with time only slightly in patients aged 75 years or older, although a 10% increase in survival occurred in elderly patients with follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and chronic myeloid leukaemia. Interpretation: These trends are encouraging. Widespread use of new and more effective treatment probably explains much of the increased survival. However, the persistent differences in survival across Europe suggest variations in the quality of care and availability of the new treatments. High-resolution studies that collect data about stage at diagnosis and treatments for representative samples of cases could provide further evidence of treatment effectiveness and explain geographic variations in survival.