bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased Expression of SLAM Receptors SLAMF3 and SLAMF6 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus T Lymphocytes Promotes Th17 Differentiation
Authors: Chatterjee Madhumouli , Rauen Thomas , Kis-Toth Katalin , Kyttaris Vasileios C. , Hedrich Christian M. , Terhorst Cox , Tsokos George C. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Altered T cell function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is determined by various molecular and cellular abnormalities, including increased IL-17 production. Recent evidence suggests a crucial role for signaling lymphocyte activation molecules (SLAMs) in the expression of autoimmunity. In this study, we demonstrate that SLAMF3 and SLAMF6 expression is increased on the surface of SLE T cells compared with normal cells. SLAM coengagement with CD3 under Th17 polarizing conditions results in increased IL-17 production. SLAMF3 and SLAMF6 T cell surface expression and IL-17 levels significantly correlate with disease activity in SLE patients. Both naive and memory CD4+ T cells produce more IL-17 in response to SLAM costimulation as compared with CD28 costimulation. In naive CD4+ cells, IL-17 production after CD28 costimulation peaks on day 3, whereas costimulation with anti-SLAMF3 and anti-SLAMF6 Abs results in a prolonged and yet increasing production during 6 d. Unlike costimulation with anti-CD28, SLAM costimulation requires the presence of the adaptor molecule SLAM-associated protein. Thus, engagement of SLAMF3 and SLAMF6 along with Ag-mediated CD3/TCR stimulation represents an important source of IL-17 production, and disruption of this interaction with decoy receptors or blocking Abs should mitigate disease expression in SLE and other autoimmune conditions.
‘First we go to the small doctor’
Authors: Gautham Meenakshi , Binnendijk Erika , Koren Ruth , Dror David M. 
Published: December 2011

Background & objectives:
Against the backdrop of insufficient public supply of primary care and reports of informal providers, the present study sought to collect descriptive evidence on 1st contact curative health care seeking choices among rural communities in two States of India - Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Orissa.

Methods:
The cross-sectional study design combined a Household Survey (1,810 households in AP; 5,342 in Orissa), 48 Focus Group Discussions (19 in AP; 29 in Orissa), and 61 Key Informant Interviews with healthcare providers (22 in AP; 39 in Orissa).

Results:
In AP, 69.5 per cent of respondents accessed non-degree allopathic practitioners (NDAPs) practicing in or near their village; in Orissa, 40.2 per cent chose first curative contact with NDAPs and 36.2 per cent with traditional healers. In AP, all NDAPs were private practitioners, in Orissa some pharmacists and nurses employed in health facilities, also practiced privately. Respondents explained their choice by proximity and providers’ readiness to make house-calls when needed. Less than a quarter of respondents chose qualified doctors as their first point of call: mostly private practitioners in AP, and public practitioners in Orissa. Amongst those who chose a qualified practitioner, the most frequent reason was doctors’ quality rather than proximity.

Interpretation & conclusions:
The results of this study show that most rural persons seek first level of curative healthcare close to home, and pay for a composite convenient service of consulting-cum-dispensing of medicines. NDAPs fill a huge demand for primary curative care which the public system does not satisfy, and are the de facto first level access in most cases.
Pulmonary function studies in young healthy Malaysians of Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Amit 
Published: December 2011

Background & objectives:
Pulmonary function tests have been evolved as clinical tools in diagnosis, management and follow up of respiratory diseases as it provides objective information about the status of an individual's respiratory system. The present study was aimed to evaluate pulmonary function among the male and female young Kelantanese Malaysians of Kota Bharu, Malaysia, and to compare the data with other populations.

Methods:
A total of 128 (64 males, 64 females) non-smoking healthy young subjects were randomly sampled for the study from the Kelantanese students’ population of the University Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia. The study population (20-25 yr age group) had similar socio-economic background. Each subject filled up the ATS (1978) questionnaire to record their personal demographic data, health status and consent to participate in the study. Subjects with any history of pulmonary diseases were excluded from the study.

Results:
The pulmonary function measurements exhibited significantly higher values among males than the females. FEV1% did not show any significant inter-group variation probably because the parameter expresses FEV1 as a percentage of FVC. FVC and FEV1 exhibited significant correlations with body height and body mass among males whereas in the females exhibited significant correlation with body mass, body weight and also with age. FEV1% exhibited significant correlation with body height and body mass among males and with body height in females. FEF25-75% did not show any significant correlation except with body height among females. However, PEFR exhibited significant positive correlation with all the physical parameters except with age among the females. On the basis of the existence of significant correlation between different physical parameters and pulmonary function variables, simple and multiple regression norms have been computed.

Interpretation & conclusions:
From the present investigation it can be concluded that Kelantanese Malaysian youths have normal range of pulmonary function in both the sexes and the computed regression norms may be used to predict the pulmonary function values in the studied population.
A pilot study on the effect of telmisartan & ramipril on 24 h blood pressure profile & dipping pattern in type 1 diabetes patients with nephropathy
Authors: Anantharaman R. , Bhansali Anil , Bhadada Sanjay K. , Kohli Harbir S. , Walia Rama , Shanmugasundar G. , Jayaprakash P. 
Published: December 2011

Background & objectives:
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been used to normalize the blood pressure and the dipping pattern in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and nephropathy. However, there are no data on the effect of the dual blockade on the dipping pattern in these subjects. We therefore, carried out this study to evaluate the effect of administrating an ACEI followed by ARB in the optimum doses in T1DM patients with nephropathy on 24 h blood pressure (BP) profile and nocturnal dipping pattern.

Methods:
An open label interventional pilot study was done during a one year period involving 30 consecutive patients who were treated with telmisartan 80 mg (0800-1000 h) for eight weeks followed by addition of ramipril 10 mg (1200-1400 h) for the next eight weeks. Ambulatory BP, dipping pattern and albumin excretion rate were studied after each phase. Twenty patients were hypertensive and 10 patients had macro- and 20 patients had microalbuminuria.

Results:
Telmisartan produced a fall in the clinic BP by 4/1.3 mm Hg (P<0.05 and P<0.362, respectively), 2/1.9 mm Hg in the mean 24 h BP, 1.4/1.1 mm Hg in the day BP and 3.7/3 mm Hg in the trough BP. Addition of ramipril to telmisartan produced a further reduction of 6.3/5.9 mm Hg in the clinic BP (P<0.001 for both), 4.3/4.2 mm Hg in the mean 24 h BP (P<0.01 and P<0.0001, respectively), 5.8/3.9 mm Hg in the day BP (P<0.01 for both), 4.2/2.5 mm Hg in the trough BP, with a reduction of clinic SBP and DBP of 10.3/7.2 mm Hg from the baseline. Telmisartan restored normal systolic dipping pattern in 33.3 per cent of the nondippers (P<0.01) but addition of ramipril was not complimentary. Hyperkalamia (>5.5 mmol/l) was observed only in 2 patients towards the end of the study.

Interpretation & conclusions:
The dual blockade with telmisartan and ramipril had complimentary effect on lowering of the BP, however, similar beneficial effect on the nocturnal dipping was not observed. Further studies with large number of subjects with longer duration of follow-up are required to validate these observations.
Characteristic Findings of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis on Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography: Which is the Most Common Finding?
Authors: Alizadeh Amir Houshang Mohammad , Shahnazi Anahita , Rasoulzadeh Aida , Shams Esmaeel , Mohammadi Manijeh , Darabi Farideh , Behdad Mahnaz 
Published: December 2011

Background Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease and one of the most common indications for liver transplantation in adults. There are conflicting data regarding characteristic findings of PSC disease on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP). We undertook this study to clarify whether there is a specific pattern of involvement of the biliary tract in patients with PSC and to evaluate features of PSC disease on ERCP in order to be able to manage this disease better. Methods This retrospective study included 45 patients admitted to Taleghani Hospital in 2004-2010 and diagnosed to have PSC on the basis of typical cholangiographic findings in combination with clinical and laboratory data. Patients suspected to have secondary sclerosing cholangitis were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, along with cholangiographic findings and the frequency of large duct and small duct PSC. Results Forty-five patients of mean age 34.8 (range 15-66) years were included. Twenty-nine patients (64.4%) had inflammatory bowel disease, and the frequency of large duct PSC and small duct PSC was 93.4% and 6.6%, respectively. The intrahepatic ducts alone were involved in 11 (24.4%) patients and the extrahepatic ducts were involved in 14 (31.1%), with 17 (37.7%) patients having both intrahepatic and extrahepatic PSC. Three (6.6%) patients did not have bile duct involvement on ERCP, and their disease was diagnosed by liver biopsy as small duct PSC. The most common type of cholangiographic feature of intrahepatic duct involvement was type 2, found in 15 (33.3%) patients, with type 3 being the most common type of extrahepatic duct involvement and detected in 16 (35.5%) patients. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that the most common PSC finding on ERCP is involvement of both the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts, with small duct PSC being less common than large duct PSC.
The multi-dimensional nature of resistance to change
Authors: Smollan Roy K 
Published: December 2011

AbstractResistance to organizational change has too often been portrayed in a limited way, usually as a negative behavioural response of first-level employees. While the academic literature has identified a number of dimensions of resistance, it has not assembled them in one study. Therefore, the aims of this article are firstly to explore resistance to change as a more complex multi-dimensional concept, secondly to examine how actors at various hierarchical levels react to organizational change and thirdly how they construct the meaning of the term resistance. The findings of a qualitative study shed considerable light on the range of ways in which change participants at different levels reacted to a change and how they interpreted their own responses and those of others.
Aftershock: Business relocation decisions in the wake of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake
Authors: Bowden Stephen 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper examines four businesses that were located in Christchurch's CBD prior to the earthquake on February 22, 2011. Immediately following the quake Christchurch's CBD was cordoned off and for many Christchurch businesses it was necessary to find new premises in an environment of extreme uncertainty and very limited information. The four businesses used in this study were all required to relocate, however the specifics of their situations differed. All four businesses examined were larger professional services firms (lawyers, accountants, architects or engineers) who had a national presence. Given the limited number of suitable and available properties speed was of the essence in relocating. Through the four cases we explore how rapidly each firm initiated and completed the relocation process and the factors influencing their speed. We examine the means by which new premises were secured and the plans in regard to immediate and longer term business location. Finally, we explore the impact of relocation and the earthquake more broadly for these firms. The results obtained highlight the differences between the firms based on both initial conditions and the way each firm managed the process.
Technology that Touches Lives: Teleconsultation to Benefit Persons with Upper Limb Loss
Authors: Whelan Lynsay R. , Wagner Nathan 
Published: December 2011

While over 1.5 million individuals are living with limb lossin the United States (Ziegler-Graham et al., 2008), only 10% of these individuals have a loss that affects an upper limb. Coincident with the relatively low incidence of upper limb loss, is a shortage of the community-based prosthetic rehabilitation experts that can help prosthetic users to more fully integrate their devices into their daily routines. This article describes how expert prosthetists and occupational therapists at Touch Bionics, a manufacturer of advanced upper limb prosthetic devices, employ Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) videoconferencing software telehealth technologies to engage in remote consultation with users of prosthetic devices and/or their local practitioners. The Touch Bionics staff provide follow-up expertise to local prosthetists, occupational therapists, and other health professionals. Contrasted with prior telephone-based consultations, the video-enabled approach provides enhanced capabilities to benefit persons with upper limb loss. Currently, the opportunities for Touch Bionics occupational therapists to fully engage in patient-based services delivered through telehealth technologies are significantly reduced by their need to obtain and maintain professional licenses in multiple states.
Telehealth Forging Ahead: Overcoming Barriers in Licensure to Improve Access to Care for Service Members
Authors: Stout Katie Ambrose , Martinez Kristina 
Published: December 2011

The telehealth initiatives of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA) continue to test the limits of technology to provide the best care to our service members, veterans and their families. The DoD and VHA have credentialing systems in place to allow clinical practice between facilities. New legislation in the form of the Servicemembers’ Telemedicine and E-Health Portability (STEP) Act will potentially expand telehealth clinical services across state lines into the homes of our service members and veterans.
An Analysis of University Teachers’ Understanding about their Profession and Expectations for Their Professional Development in Pakistan
Authors: Lone Abdul Hameed , Shakir Muhammad , Zafar Jam M. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract. The main purpose of the study was to critically analyze the relevancy and effectiveness of the training contents and process of the teaching profession; to assess training needs of university and college teachers in terms of conceptualizing new meanings of education and teaching profession. The population of the study consisted of thirty teachers from different departments of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur and ten teachers from different disciplines of graduate colleges of the province. Pre-Test and Post-Test were developed as a research instrument. The researcher participated in the workshop and observed its mechanism, content, lecturers, activities, and videoconferences and exchanged views with resource persons as well as participants of the workshop. A pre-test delivered to the participants for assessing their previous knowledge about concept and meaning of teaching profession, professional ethic, teachers’ personality, trends of education in 21st century, importance of change in teachers’ attitudes, different roles of a teacher, and application of new learning skills. At end of the workshop post-test was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of workshop. Researcher also observed the role of master trainer, trainee’s performance, instructional material, group activities, time management, venue and refreshment. The collected data through pre-test and post test was filtered and analyzed in qualitative way. The findings of the above analysis revealed that participants got an awareness of the impact of new approaches to teaching and learning in their institutions. However there is a considerable gap between awareness of the new trends, mastering and deeper understanding of these techniques. In the light of analysis of the research study it was found that trainees of the workshop gained enough knowledge about concept, roles, global trends in 21st century, principles and main factors of teaching profession. In the light of findings of the study it was concluded that workshop was effective and healthy practice for the participants in the perspectives of teaching profession. It was also concluded that teachers had developed a strong awareness about their roles and commitment to adopting a very positive teaching profession. In the light of findings of the study it was recommended that such types of training work shop should be compulsory for every faculty member.
Using Active Engagement Strategy to Promote Learning Awareness and Self-Monitoring
Authors: Kean Ang Chooi , Embi Mohamed Amin 
Published: December 2011

Abstract This paper reports an ongoing practice attempting to promote learning awareness and self-monitoring in a Japanese language oral communication classroom of a 12-Week Preparatory Course under the local in-service teachers’ Japanese language teacher training programme. It aims to share the experiences and challenges faced in planning and implementation of the practice. In providing a mid-term review on the effort taken, an online questionnaire was administered to the 15 course participants. The results of the questionnaire obtained from 14 respondents, together with reflection reports submitted by 3 selected participants were examined to find out the influence of the practice onto their learning and perceptions among the participants towards the practice within the first half of the course of 6 weeks. The initial findings showed positive results in the aspect of learning awareness in all participants. However, there were only a few cases with indication in the aspect of self-monitoring. Keywords: active engagement, learning awareness, self-monitoring, Japanese language, oral communication, teacher training
Investigating the Impact of Using Games in Teaching Children English
Authors: Wang Ying- Jian , Shang Hui-Fang , Briody Paul 
Published: December 2011

Abstract The ever increasing numbers of EFL learners adds greater urgency to the need to prioritize the most effective means by which language proficiency can be enhanced; developing language skills through games being one such method. This study examines the overall effects of using games on the improvement of young children’s English proficiency in relation to the following criteria: motivation; vocabulary acquisition; and anxiety due to peer pressure. The overarching aim of the research is to investigate the relationship between the usage of games and students’ English proficiency. In this study, the subjects numbered 50 grade-six EFL students from one elementary school. By applying quantitative and qualitative research methods, the major findings demonstrate that students evidenced significant improvements in their learning motivation and vocabulary acquisition, and that their anxiety levels due to peer pressure were reduced when learning included games. Other findings reveal that there is a significant relationship/difference in the utilization of games and students’ English performance, most notably with regards to proficiency levels. The various implications for pedagogical application of gaming components in regards to enhancing young learners’ English performance and attitudes are also presented. Keywords: Motivation; vocabulary acquisition; anxiety; games; English proficiency
Promoting Education for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Issues for Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan
Authors: Mughal Shahid Hussain , Qaisrani Nasim , Solangi Ghulam Mohuyuddin , Faiz Sumaira 
Published: December 2011

Abstract Education is critical agent of transformation in terms of changing life styles, attitude and behavior. The role of education in pursuit of Sustainable Development is indispensable. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1987) used the term Sustainable Development. According to UN Commission (known as Brundtland Commission) Sustainable Development is “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generation.” Sustainable Development talks about environmental problems and its solution in a broader perspective. It takes into account social, political, cultural and economic aspects. The United Nations has declared 2005-2014 as the decade for Education for Sustainable Development. Since the 1993 Kyoto Declaration on Sustainable Development, the role of higher education has become vital. The recent trend in the depletion of natural resources, energy, water and food crises, has increased and challenged the role of higher education institutions in Pakistan. The question arises “To what extent our higher education & research institutions are playing their role in order to ameliorate the situation? The other questions that come to mind are “how higher education institutions can respond to prevailing intricate situation? And what role can these institutions play for promoting education for sustainability? This research study intends to critically examine the role of higher education institutions for the promotion of education for sustainability and to explore the opportunities for the integration of education for sustainability considerations in the existing courses being offered in the universities of Pakistan. This study intends to analyze the National Conservation strategy (NCS) of Pakistan with reference to the promotion of education for sustainability. Key Words: Education for sustainability, Higher Education, National Conservation Strategy, Integration
Relationship between Professional Ethics and Organizational Commitment
Authors: Ahmadi Freyedon 
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationship between professional ethics and organizational commitment in food industry in Kurdistan province. In this study researchers have used the Allen and Meyer’s model for identification of organizational commitment. For accessing the objective sample of 210 people of 15 food industry in Kurdistan province was selected. The results of this study have shown that, there is a significant relationship between professional ethics and organizational commitment and its dimensions. Keywords: Organizational commitment, affective commitment, continuance commitment, normative commitment, Professional ethics