Inclusive education: An enigma of ‘wicked proportions’

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Brill via the DOI in this recor

Cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of dogs with mitral valve disease

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF). In humans with CHF, increased production and high plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, IL-8 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) have been associated with disease progression and a negative prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in cytokine blood mRNA expression exist between clinically healthy dogs and dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD); to determine if the expression was related to the severity of MMVD, and to detect any correlations with echocardiographic parameters of cardiac remodelling. Twenty-three dogs with MMVD of varying severity and six clinically healthy dogs were included in the study. Whole blood samples were obtained for measurement of mRNA expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1, TNF-α by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). There were statistically significant differences between clinically healthy dogs and dogs with MMVD for IL-8 and TGF-β1 gene expression. IL-8 expression increased with increasing MMVD severity and TGF-β1 expression was higher in asymptomatic dogs with echocardiographic signs of cardiac remodelling (American College Veterinary Internal Medicine class B2) than in all other groups. These results could suggest the involvement of these cytokines at different stages of the disease

Teacher perceptions of inclusive education in the Cook Islands

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis (Routledge) for Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA) via the DOI in this recordThe inclusion of all students with special educational needs in mainstream classes was formally enacted by the Cook Islands Ministry of Education in the Special Needs Education Policy of 2002 and updated in 2011 to reflect support for diversity among all learners. This paper investigates the current views about inclusive education (IE) by exploring the perceptions of 10 in-service teachers. Qualitative korero (conversations) were conducted, and transcripts were coded using a thematic analysis approach, which indicated teachers were concerned about a lack of formal diagnosis of children's disabilities. The results also highlighted the impact of individual teacher's attitudes on inclusion. Additionally, teachers perceived a need for regular and compulsory training and support in IE. The findings are discussed regarding developing strategies to further promote IE within Cook Islands' schools

Collaterali aortico-polmonari associati a cardiopatie congenite

La presenza di comunicazioni anomale a carico della circolazione sistemica-polmonare \ue8 stata riportata nel cane come diagnosi differenziale del dotto arterioso pervio (PDA), in quanto il reperto caratteristico in letteratura \ue8 un soffio continuo ascellare sinistro. La diagnosi definitiva \ue8 stata effettuata in sede intraoperatoria (angiografia o visualizzazione diretta). I report pubblicati hanno sempre presentato questi difetti congeniti come singoli, a differenza della cardiologia pediatrica, dove sono segnalati in associazione a Tetralogia di Fallot (TdF) e atresia della polmonare

Longitudinal analysis of echocardiographic and cardiac biomarker variables in dogs with atrial fibrillation: The optimal rate control in dogs with atrial fibrillation II study.

BackgroundRate control (RC; meanHRHolter ≤ 125 bpm) increases survival in dogs with atrial fibrillation (AF). The mechanisms remain unclear.Hypothesis/objectivesInvestigate echocardiographic and biomarker differences between RC and non-RC (NRC) dogs. Determine if changes post-anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) predict successful RC in subsequent Holter monitoring. Evaluate if early vs late RC affects survival.AnimalsFifty-two dogs with AF.MethodsHolter-derived mean heart rate, echocardiographic and biomarker variables from dogs receiving AAD were analyzed prospectively at each re-evaluation and grouped into RC or NRC. The primary endpoint was successful RC. Between group comparisons of absolute values, magnitude of change from admission to re-evaluations and end of study were performed using Mann-Whitney tests or unpaired t-tests. Logistic regression explored variables associated with inability to achieve RC at subsequent visits. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare survival time of early vs late RC.ResultsAt visit 2, 11/52 dogs were RC; at visit 3, 14/52 were RC; and at visit 4, 4/52 were RC. At the end of study, 25/52 remained NRC. At visit 2, both groups had increased cardiac dimensions, but NRC dogs had larger dimensions; biomarkers did not differ. At the end of study, RC showed decreased cardiac dimensions and end-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) compared with NRC. No variables were useful at predicting RC success in subsequent visits. Survival analysis found no differences between early vs late RC.Conclusions and clinical importanceThe RC dogs had decreased cardiac dimensions and NT-proBNP, suggesting HR-mediated reverse-remodeling might benefit survival, even with delayed RC achievement. Pursuit of RC is crucial despite initial failures

Comparative study of the biochemical changes and volatile compound formations during the production of novel whey-based kefir beverages and traditional milk kefir

Cheese whey (CW) and deproteinised cheese whey (DCW) were investigated for their suitability as novel substrates for the production of kefir-like beverages. Lactose consumption, ethanol production, as well as organic acids and volatile compounds formation, were determined during CW and DCW fermentation by kefir grains and compared with values obtained during the production of traditional milk kefir. The results showed that kefir grains were able to utilise lactose from CW and DCW and produce similar amounts of ethanol (7.8–8.3 g/l), lactic acid (5.0 g/l) and acetic acid (0.7 g/l) to those obtained during milk fermentation. In addition, the concentration of higher alcohols (2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and 1-propanol), ester (ethyl acetate) and aldehyde (acetaldehyde) in cheese whey-based kefir and milk kefir beverages were also produced in similar amounts. Cheese whey and deproteinised cheese whey may therefore serve as substrates for the production of kefir-like beverages similar to milk kefir.The authors acknowledge the financial support from Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES), CAPES-GRICES and Lactogal for supplying cheese whey powder

Becoming a mentor: The impact of training and the experience of mentoring university students on the autism spectrum

While it is widely recognised that the number of young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disoders (ASD) is increasing, there is currently limited understanding of effective support for the transition to adulthood. One approach gaining increasing attention in the university sector is specialised peer mentoring. The aim of this inductive study was to understand the impact of peer mentor training on seven student mentors working with university students with an ASD. Kirkpatrick’s model framed a mixed methods evaluation of the mentors’ training and description of their experience. Overall, the training was well received by the mentors, who reported on average a 29% increase in their ASD knowledge following the training. Results from the semi-structured interviews conducted three months after the training, found that mentors felt that the general ASD knowledge they gained as part of their training had been essential to their role. The mentors described how their overall experience had been positive and reported that the training and support provided to them was pivotal to their ability to succeed in as peer mentors to students with ASD. This study provides feedback in support of specialist peer-mentoring programs for university students and can inform recommendations for future programs and research

Disciplina Escolar e Gestão de Sala de Aula no Campo Educacional Brasileiro

Resumo: O texto tem por objetivo analisar as questões relativas à disciplina escolar e à gestão de sala de aula como campo de pesquisa e questão profissional. Inicia com uma breve retomada da tradição norte-americana nas pesquisas sobre o tema. Na segunda parte, analiso as condições, potenciais e limites associados a tomar a disciplina escolar e gestão de sala de aula como campo de pesquisa no Brasil usando como indicadores os trabalhos publicados nos encontros anuais da ANPEd entre 2007 e 2011 e no seminário Indisciplina na Escola Contemporânea. A terceira parte é dedicada à relação entre gestão de sala de aula, enquanto saber profissional, e a formação de professores no Brasil. A última parte é dedicada às considerações finais