Fluorine labelling of therapeutic human tolerogenic dendritic cells for F-magnetic resonance imaging.

Tolerogenic dendritic cell (tolDC) therapies aim to restore self-tolerance in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Phase 1 clinical trials with tolDC have shown the feasibility and safety of this approach, but have also highlighted a lack of understanding of their distribution . Fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (F-MRI) promises an attractive cell tracking method because it allows for detection of F-labelled cells in a non-invasive and longitudinal manner.

From Mixing methods to the logic(s) of inquiry: taking a fresh look at developing mixed design studies.

This invited paper offers an innovative framework for mixed methods research design. We propose the adoption of the Model of Disciplined Inquiry, a five-component model that focuses on the research question(s) rather than the type(s) of data collected. This pluralist model firmly anchors the research design and paradigm assumptions in the research question(s).

Continuing discrepancy between patient perception of asthma control and real-world symptoms: a quantitative online survey of 1,083 adults with asthma from the UK.

Background: Previous studies have identified a discrepancy between patient perception of asthma control and real-world symptoms; despite several hypotheses, the reasons remain unclear.

Aims: To explore patients' experiences of asthma symptoms and disease management and their educational needs in the UK; to assess recent progress in asthma control and management.

Methods: A quantitative questionnaire-based online survey of UK patients aged >18 years with self-reported asthma.

'I can die today, I can die tomorrow': lay perceptions of sickle cell disease in Kumasi, Ghana at a point of transition.

Objective: To describe the lay meanings of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Design: Depth interviews with 31 fathers of people with SCD; a focus group with health professionals associated with the newborn sickle cell screening programme, and a focus group with mothers of children with SCD.

Results: Whilst there are discourses that associate sickle cell with early or recurrent death, with supernatural undermining of family well-being, and with economic challenges in purchasing medical care, other discourses that value children and other family practices that resist stigma are also in evidence.

Glaucoma after cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in children.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative glaucoma in children who have cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Setting: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Methods: The incidence of glaucoma of all etiologies was evaluated in 45 eyes of 37 selected consecutive patients aged 1 to 18 years who had cataract extraction and posterior chamber IOL implantation from 1991 to 1994.