Exploring the curricular and pedagogical decision criteria for research-based learning design in undergraduate studies.

Learning design has a multifaceted nature requiring a range of course- and institutional considerations. Analyzing the decision criteria's influence on research-based learning design helps understand the causes of the success/failure of the approach in achieving the teaching goals to improve the study programs. This study explores the interrelationship between the curricular and pedagogical criteria for research-based learning design decisions at the undergraduate level. For this purpose, the DEcision-MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is used to systematically analyze the decisive criteria and their causal relationships. Feedback from education professionals and university professors from Scandinavian universities is used to validate the pedagogy decision framework and provides input into the DEMATEL method. The student's role in the course is identified as the central criterion, featuring the highest level of interactions in the network of curricular and pedagogical decision criteria. Results are supportive of the identified institutional and course-specific criteria as prerequisites for the study outcomes.

Digital necrobacillosis in Norwegian wild tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus).

Outbreaks of digital necrobacillosis in Norwegian wild tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are described. The outbreaks occurred in late summer and autumn 2007 and 2008, subsequent to periods with an unusually high number of days with precipitation and high air temperature. Lesions were generally restricted to one foot and the disease incidence was highest in calves. Single limbs from 20 animals and six whole carcasses were submitted for laboratory examination. Gross lesions were characterized by swelling of the fetlock to coronary band area and cutaneous sinus tracts with sparse discharge of pus. Subcutaneous tissue was inflamed and oedematous with focal necrosis. Tendons, tendon sheaths, joints and periosteum of the digital bones were often affected. Animals shot during winter showed severe chronic periostitis and osteomyelitis and necrotizing deforming arthritis. Microscopically, skin lesions were characterized by deep ulcers with centrally located necrotic tissue, bordered by a zone of oedema and intense inflammation with granulation tissue and fibrosis. Necrosis, suppurative inflammation and oedema were found in the synovial membranes, tendons and tendon sheaths. Digital bone lesions were characterized by necrosis, fibrosis and extensive bone proliferation. Vasculitis and thrombosis were common in all lesions. Elongate filamentous gram-negative bacteria in necrotic lesions from all animals were identified as Fusobacterium necrophorum by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. F. necrophorum was cultured from the foot lesions of six animals. Five of these isolates were examined by 16S rRNA sequencing. The sequences were identical and differed from all other strains listed in GenBank. These results are consistent with circulation of a reindeer-adapted pathogenic strain of F. necrophorum in the wild reindeer population, causing outbreaks of digital necrobacillosis following warm and humid summers.

Anti-CD20 treatment in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

We performed a search for publications on rituximab (Rtx) in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and assessed the reports for the efficacy of the drug on complaints like sicca symptoms, systemic manifestations and pSS associated lymphoma. We also reviewed the effects on laboratory parameters and potential adverse effects. From the published literature there is little evidence supporting Rtx to have an effect on sicca symptoms, and there is particularly lack of objective improvements in measures of oral and ocular dryness. Systemic manifestations such as fatigue, synovitis, arthralgia, cryoglobulinaemia-related vasculitis, neurological, renal and pulmonary involvement all seem to react favourably to Rtx treatment. The effect on pSS associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is also beneficial. Rheumatoid factor concentration is decreasing during Rtx treatment. The levels of anti-SSA and -SSB antibodies are, however, unaltered according to the majority of the studies. The most common complications to Rtx treatment are mild and transient infusion related reactions. Delayed moderate-to-severe reactions are less common, and occur mostly in patients who develop human anti-chimeric antibodies. In conclusion, Rtx is a promising treatment option for severe pSS with systemic complications, but more data from randomized controlled trials are warranted before conclusions on the drug's role can be made with more accuracy.