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Serum Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 concentration in drug-induced immediate hypersensitivity reactions
No full textIntroduction: Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) has emerged as a mediator of mast cell activation in acute and chronic conditions. Exogenous ligands, such as neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) and fluoroquinolones (FQs), can trigger MRGPRX2-dependent activation and may augment immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated pathways. Although investigators have measured serum MRGPRX2 level in asthma, mastocytosis, and chronic urticaria, its role in immediate hypersensitivity reactions (IHRs) to FQs or NMBAs remains unclear. Objectives: We conducted this study to determine whether increased serum MRGPRX2 concentration is a risk factor for IHRs to NMBAs or FQs, and whether its concentration is related to reaction severity, causative agent, or serum tryptase. Patients and methods: We studied 43 patients with a history of IHRs to NMBAs or FQs, and compared them with 50 patients with IHR to Hymenoptera venom and 40 control individuals. The participants underwent a diagnostic evaluation that included skin testing, specific IgE measurement, and a basophil activation test when indicated. We measured serum MRGPRX2 level with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Median serum MRGPRX2 concentrations with interquartile ranges for the drug-induced reactions group, the Hymenoptera venom-induced reactions group, and the control group were 7.5 (3.73-15.64), 7 (3.96-10.62), and 5.89 (2.43-9.98) ng/ml, respectively (P = 0.32). Serum MRGPRX2 concentration showed no relationship with reaction severity, specific causative agents, or serum tryptase level. Conclusions: In this cohort, serum MRGPRX2 concentration was not a risk factor for the investigated drug- and venom-induced IHRs. These findings do not support using serum MRGPRX2 level as a predictor of the reaction occurrence or severity in these settings
No full textThis chapter serves as an introduction to the volume, outlining its theoretical foundations. It discusses the key concepts of constitutional narratives, including intergovernmentalism, federal unions and the EU as a non-state regional government. These concepts provided analytical guidelines for the research presented in the subsequent chapters. Additionally, the introduction offers detailed information about the methodology used in the project that led to the creation of this collection. Finally, it provides an overview of all the chapters included in the book
Diversity, equity and democracy : developing an understanding of complex social phenomena with teachers and students in Poland
No full textThis chapter explores a collaborative professional learning initiative involving academics, teachers and high school students in Poland. The goal of the initiative, which formed part of the Erasmus+-funded ‘Big Ideas for Better Schools’ project, was to deepen school leaders’ and teachers’ understanding of complex societal constructs such as diversity, equity and democracy by exploring students’ and teachers’ existing knowledge and engaging them in collaborative discussions about these topics. Data collected as part of the collaborative action research indicate that students perceived diversity as a broad construct with a positive impact on their lives. Equity was related to its social function of creating a community and enhancing social well-being. Understanding democracy was most challenging for students whose commentaries reflected tensions between different interpretations. Through their engagement in the project, teachers recognised the importance and value of creating open and inclusive learning environments where students can discuss participate in meaning-making. In this chapter, we summarise project activities and findings from the collaborative action research. We also formulate recommendations regarding pedagogical approaches and school policies for fostering a deeper understanding of and engagement with issues related to diversity, equity and democracy
Performance of newly constructed plastic scintillator barrel in the WASA-FRS experiments and evaluation of radiation damage effects on multi-pixel photon counter
No full textNorth African Arabic literary expressions of LGBTQIA+ : identity in the digital space
No full textTematy dotyczące homoseksualizmu, związków jednopłciowych czy dylematów związanych z tożsamością płciową nie są niczym nowym w dziejach literatury arabskiej. Jednakże współcześnie, cenzura, autocenzura czy w końcu chęć unikania zagadnień postrzeganych społecznie jako tabu sprawiają, że tego typu problematyka stosunkowo rzadko pojawia się na kartach tomików poezji, w utworach dramatycznych, opowiadaniach czy powieściach ukazujących się w tradycyjnym druku. Swego rodzaju przełom zarówno w dynamice życia literackiego jak i poszerzeniu granic tego co dozwolone w społecznej debacie na temat płciowości w świecie arabskim przyniosło pojawienie się i popularyzacja Internetu. Z jednej strony fora internetowe, profile na mediach społecznościowych itp. stały się przestrzenią, gdzie amatorzy mogą debiutować jako autorzy tekstów literackich. Z drugiej strony Internet w szerokim tego słowa znaczeniu stał się miejscem, gdzie mogą się swobodnie wypowiadać ci, którzy z różnych powodów zostali wykluczeni z otwartej debaty społecznej. Internetowa aktywność arabskojęzycznej społeczności LGBTQIA+ w Północnej Afryce przynosi ciekawą mozaikę form ekspresji, spośród której twórczość literacka zwraca szczególną uwagę. Komiks, poezja, opowiadanie czy nawet powieść zarówno w arabskim języku literackim jak i dialektach stanowią świadectwo doświadczeń północnoafrykańskiej społeczności LGBTQIA+ oraz jej literackiej kreatywności.
Opierając się na metodologii badań literackich, w niniejszym rozdziale dokonano krytycznej analizy wybranych przykładów utworów literackich opublikowanych na różnych platformach cyfrowych przez arabskojęzycznych autorów należących do społeczności LGBTQIA+ w Afryce Północnej. Przedstawiono ogólny przegląd i charakterystykę wybranych tekstów, wskazano dominujące tendencji omawianej literatury oraz ukazano ich bogatą i złożoną różnorodność.The history of Arabic literature is replete with such issues as homosexuality, same-sex relationships and non-binary gender identities. Over time, however, censorship, self-censorship or the desire to avoid taboo issues significantly restricted such subject matters in modern Arabic literature. The advent of the internet in recent times has unlocked a breakthrough for limitless expressions, including social debates on gender and sexuality in the Arab world. Online forums and social media, etc. have become spaces where formerly excluded people freely express and discuss their gender and sexual identities. These online activities of the Arabic-speaking LGBTQIA+ community in North Africa illustrate interesting forms of creative/literary expression. Comedies, poetry, short stories or even novels in both Arabic literary language and local dialects bear witness to the experiences of the North African LGBTQIA+ community and their literary creativity. Drawing on literary research methodologies, this chapter critically analyses selected examples of the literary works published on different digital platforms by Arabic-speaking authors who belong to the North African LGBTQIA+ community. The chapter presents a general overview and characteristics of the selected texts, identifies their dominant gender trends and demonstrates their rich and complex diversity
