Understanding altered intrinsic heart rate in type 2 diabetes

Heart rate (HR) is generated by sinoatrial node (SAN) intrinsic pacemaking and modulated by autonomic innervation. Within the SAN, intrinsic (ex vivo) HR is determined by the mutual entrainment of the sarcolemmal voltage membrane (Vm) and intracellular Ca2+ clocks. The Vm clock involves membrane ion channels, such as the hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4 (HCN4), transient type (T-type) and long-lasting type (L-type) Ca2+ channels and the ion transporter Na+-Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1). The Ca2+ clock primarily involves the intracellular Ca2+ store, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and the Ca2+ release protein the ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), the Ca2+ uptake protein the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) and its regulator phospholamban. Conduction of the AP within the SAN occurs via the coupling protein connexin 45 (cx45). Additionally, the presence of the non-neuronal cardiac intrinsic cholinergic system within cardiomyocytes suggests it might also be present in the SAN cardiomyocytes and have the capacity to modulate intrinsic HR. Disruption of HR control occurs in patients and animal models with type 2 diabetes (DM). Interestingly, in the DM Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats, intrinsic HR was significantly decreased compared to non-diabetic (nDM) controls. This suggests DM impairs the intrinsic ability of the SAN to generate a normal HR. Therefore, the overall aim of this research was to investigate whether the decreased intrinsic HR in DM was due to changes in the Vm and / or Ca2+ clocks, cx45 and / or increased non-neuronal intrinsic cholinergic system activity. The SAN / hearts of 19 – 22 week-old nDM and DM ZDF rats were used to investigate protein expression of the key SAN clock, cx45 and cholinergic proteins via western blotting, intrinsic HR contributions from HCN4, SERCA2a and muscarinic type 2 (M2) receptor via Langendorff, and SAN cellular / tissue morphology via immunohistochemistry. For the Vm clock, a significant increase in HCN4 (nDM 0.83 ± 0.07 versus DM 1.67 ± 0.19, p0.05) or SERCA2a to phospholamban ratio (nDM 2.97 ± 0.68 versus DM 2.37 ± 0.34, p>0.05) was found in DM. A significant increase in the M2 receptor expression (nDM 1.14 ± 0.18 versus DM 3.14 ± 0.80, p0.05). For immunohistochemistry, no difference in cellular / tissue distribution of key SAN clock, cx45 or cholinergic proteins was observed, or in the levels of fibrosis (p>0.05) and fat (p>0.05) within the DM SAN. Collectively, this study presents novel mechanisms that are altered in pacemaking in the type 2 DM SAN. From this research, I conclude, the lower intrinsic HR in DM is, in part, a result of changes to both the Vm and Ca2+ clock due to non-functional HCN4 channels and compromised SERCA2a activity that would prolong diastolic depolarisation and repolarisation respectively

A Focus Group Discussion on Creation of Knowledge Economy in Punjab, Pakistan

World is moving from traditional economy to modern economy with more focus on knowledge. The creation of new knowledge is mandatory for developing any country economically. Institutions play important role in this transition. Especially educational institutions are momentous to bring change in existing system and are a major source to create new knowledge. Inductive method is used to understand the state of knowledge creation through educational institutions in Pakistan. Focus group discussions were arranged to collect the data. It is found that the educational institutions of Pakistan are slowly moving towards creations of knowledge economy. Improvements are needed to reform the educational system to create knowledge economy

A Focus Group Discussion on Creation of Knowledge Economy in Punjab, Pakistan

World is moving from traditional economy to modern economy with more focus on knowledge. The creation of new knowledge is mandatory for developing any country economically. Institutions play important role in this transition. Especially educational institutions are momentous to bring change in existing system and are a major source to create new knowledge. Inductive method is used to understand the state of knowledge creation through educational institutions in Pakistan. Focus group discussions were arranged to collect the data. It is found that the educational institutions of Pakistan are slowly moving towards creations of knowledge economy. Improvements are needed to reform the educational system to create knowledge economy

Empoderando a las mujeres fugitivas: una lucha contra la violencia

This paper investigates the factors behind the runaway women and the untapped phenomenon of family structures where such incidents are reported. We used broader concept of women empowerment to explore the runaway causes through the provision of living, wage jobs, education, medical and health facilities in targeted population. The respondents are selected from the shelter homes of Punjab province in Pakistan where data are collected through in-depth interviews from the Runaway women and the management of different shelter homes. The transformation of data is conducted through thematic analysis. Our result indicates that domestic violence, physical & sexual abuses, life threats, and forced marriages are the reasons behind women’s runaway. The shelter homes’ management added that illiteracy and perceived destructive role of media are the additional causes in runaway incidents. Our results provide important insights on backdrop of women runaways in developing societies. Accordingly, there is an immediate need for the government and social policy agencies to take cohesive measures to support socially affected women at their door step in order to minimize such social violence.Este artículo investiga los factores detrás de las mujeres fugitivas y el fenómeno sin explotar de las estructuras familiares donde se informan tales incidentes. Utilizamos un concepto más amplio de empoderamiento de las mujeres para explorar las causas fugitivas a través de la provisión de vida, empleos asalariados, educación, servicios médicos y de salud en la población destinataria. Los encuestados son seleccionados de los hogares de acogida de la provincia de Punjab en Pakistán, donde se recopilan datos a través de entrevistas en profundidad de las mujeres fugitivas y la gestión de diferentes hogares de refugio. La transformación de los datos se realiza mediante análisis temático. Nuestro resultado indica que la violencia doméstica, los abusos físicos y sexuales, las amenazas a la vida y los matrimonios forzados son las razones del fugitivo de las mujeres. La administración de las casas de acogida agregó que el analfabetismo y el papel destructivo percibido de los medios son las causas adicionales de los incidentes fugitivos. Nuestros resultados proporcionan información importante sobre el contexto de las mujeres fugitivas en las sociedades en desarrollo. En consecuencia, existe una necesidad inmediata de que el gobierno y las agencias de política social tomen medidas cohesivas para apoyar a las mujeres socialmente afectadas en su puerta para minimizar dicha violencia social

Explotación económica de las empleadas domésticas: víctimas de la violencia de pareja

This study has two-fold purposes; first is to explore the partner violence on housemaids and second is their economic exploitation by their partner and at the workplace. Through analysis of interviews of the housemaid, it is explored that unemployment, drug addiction, ignorance of basic rights, poverty, illiteracy, financial crises are the main reasons of physical, psychological and sexual violence by the partner on housemaids. The economic exploitation of housemaids is due to the male-dominated society, gender discrimination and not predefined policy and rules about the wage rate in Pakistan. There is a need to per hour wage rate, proper reporting system against violence and empowerment of women in the society for the protection of their rights.Este estudio tiene dos propósitos; primero es explorar la violencia de la pareja en las empleadas domésticas y segundo es su explotación económica por parte de su pareja y en el lugar de trabajo. A través del análisis de entrevistas a la criada, se explora que el desempleo, la drogadicción, la ignorancia de los derechos básicos, la pobreza, el analfabetismo, las crisis financieras son las principales razones de violencia física, psicológica y sexual por parte de la pareja en las criadas. La explotación económica de las empleadas domésticas se debe a la sociedad dominada por los hombres, la discriminación de género y las políticas y normas no predefinidas sobre la tasa salarial en Pakistán. Existe la necesidad de una tasa salarial por hora, un sistema de denuncia adecuado contra la violencia y el empoderamiento de las mujeres en la sociedad para la protección de sus derechos

Urban-Rural Differentials of Health and Educational Inequality in District of Faisalabad: A Social Analysis

This study aims to find out the relationship between socioeconomic determinants of rural-urban social inequity specifically with regard to health and educational facilities and the public perception of this inequality in Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan. The data were collected through a survey by using interviewing schedules. The multistage sampling technique was used to collect data. At the first stage two Tehsils of district Faisalabad were selected randomly, while at the second stage four union councils, two from each Tehsil (one urban and one rural) were randomly selected. A specimen of 240 respondents, 120 from each Tehsil (60 from urban and 60 from country regions) were chosen arbitrarily from the selected regions. Data were analyzed by statistical analysis using SPSS software. Results of study revealed that peoples living in urban areas had better literacy level than rural peoples. T-statistics also revealed sharp contrast between urban and rural population regarding availability of basic education and health facilities. The study also revealed that urban people were more satisfied about available health and educational infrastructure. The study concludes that rural peoples are badly facing the impacts of social disparity due to lack of health and educational facilities as compared to urban peoples

Impedimentos enfrentados por instituições educacionais na criação de economia do conhecimento: um estudo de caso de Punjab Paquistão

Knowledge has become a powerful tool for the development of economy. The important role played by educational institutions in the production of knowledge economy cannot be denied. Pakistan is a developing country and has limited resources to deal with the new challenges of economy, so the research was designed to find out the problem faced by educational institutions in the process of creation of knowledge economy. The research was conducted into two parts. In the first part, qualitative approach is used to develop variables. These variables are further analyzed by using quantitative inquiry. Collected data is analyzed by using the SPSS. Descriptive statistics are applied to data to get the results. Results guide us that educational institutions are facing problems in providing access to knowledge, rich infrastructure, funds, incentives, research and development, developed human capital, and developing link between industry and universities. These problems are impeding the process of knowledge creation. Knowledge creation can only be enhanced by dealing the above mentioned problem.El conocimiento se ha convertido en una herramienta eficaz para el desarrollo de la economía. El rol desempeñado por las instituciones educativas en la producción de conocimiento de la economía no puede ser denied. El Pakistán es un país de transición y tiene recursos limitados para satisfacer los nuevos desafíos de la economía, ya que la investigación está diseñada para resolver el problema de las instituciones educativas en el proceso de creación de conocimiento de la economía. La investigación se llevó en dos partes. En el primer paso, se utilizó un método de aproximación para desarrollar variables. Estas variables se analizan mediante la utilización de cuantitativos cuantitativos. Se ha recopilado la fecha con el SPSS. La descripción estática se aplica a la fecha para obtener los resultados. En el caso de que se produzca un cambio en la calidad de la información, se debe tener en cuenta que, Estos problemas impiden el proceso de creación de conocimiento. La concepción de Knowledge Base sólo se puede mejorar al tratar el problema anteriormente mencionado.O conhecimento tornou-se uma ferramenta poderosa para o desenvolvimento da economia. O importante papel desempenhado pelas instituições educacionais na produção da economia do conhecimento não pode ser negado. O Paquistão é um país em desenvolvimento e tem recursos limitados para lidar com os novos desafios da economia, então a pesquisa foi projetada para encontrar o problema enfrentado pelas instituições educacionais no processo de criação da economia do conhecimento. A pesquisa foi realizada em duas partes. Na primeira parte, abordagem qualitativa é usada para desenvolver variáveis. Essas variáveis são analisadas posteriormente usando a pesquisa quantitativa. Os dados coletados são analisados usando o SPSS. Estatísticas descritivas são aplicadas para obter os resultados. Os resultados nos orientam que as instituições de ensino estão enfrentando problemas para fornecer acesso ao conhecimento, rica infraestrutura, fundos, incentivos, pesquisa e desenvolvimento, desenvolvimento de capital humano e desenvolvimento do vínculo entre a indústria e as universidades. Esses problemas estão impedindo o processo de criação do conhecimento. A criação de conhecimento pode ser melhorada ao lidar com o problema mencionado acima

Leadership Characteristics and Quality Prevalence in Higher Education

The QUAL PRVLANC of advanced learning grounded on the policies made by the organization and leadership is considered significant for implementing these policies. The investigation was led to understand the association among governance features as well as QUAL PRVLANC in advanced learning. The characteristics includes the adoption of innovation, continuous observing of the surrounding, honesty to new thoughts, communiqué of the significance of applying new thoughts, the endowment of monetary capitals, and teaching and suitably satisfying the execution of new plans. The assessment technique was utilizing toward gather the information and questionnaire was the tool of research. Further, together descriptive plus inferential statistic techniques were utilized aimed at examining the information collected by the business schools. Moreover, study described that there is an optimistic association among the features of the governance of the professional colleges and receptiveness to QUAL PRVLANC

Reformas educacionais necessárias para a criação da economia do conhecimento: um estudo de caso de Punjab Paquistão

In current era the economic growth depends on the creation of knowledge economy and production and distribution of knowledge has become the critical element of economic development. Educational institution play key role in creation and distribution of knowledge. So, the prime objective of the research was to find out the reforms which can help educational institutions to create knowledge economy. Both the qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect the data. Teachers, students, and administrators were selected from the both private and public educational institutions of the Punjab, Pakistan. FGDs were arranged to collect the qualitative data and the quantitative data was gathered by survey method. The collected information was analyzed by using descriptive statistics techniques. Access to knowledge, rich infrastructure, funds, incentives, research and development, human capital development and collaboration with the industry are the suggested ways by the respondents to increase the creation of knowledge economy through the educational institutions of Pakistan.En la era actual, el crecimiento económico depende de la creación de la economía del conocimiento y la producción y distribución del conocimiento se ha convertido en el elemento crítico del desarrollo económico. Las instituciones educativas desempeñan un papel clave en la creación y distribución del conocimiento. Entonces, el objetivo principal de la investigación fue descubrir las reformas que pueden ayudar a las instituciones educativas a crear una economía del conocimiento. Se utilizaron los enfoques tanto cualitativos como cuantitativos para recopilar los datos. Los maestros, estudiantes y administradores fueron seleccionados de las instituciones educativas privadas y públicas del Punjab, Pakistán. Se dispusieron FGD para recopilar los datos cualitativos y los datos cuantitativos se recopilaron por el método de encuesta. La información recolectada fue analizada utilizando técnicas de estadística descriptiva. El acceso a los conocimientos, una infraestructura rica, fondos, incentivos, investigación y desarrollo, desarrollo de capital humano y colaboración con la industria son las formas sugeridas por los encuestados para aumentar la creación de la economía del conocimiento a través de las instituciones educativas de Pakistán.Na era atual, o crescimento econômico depende da criação da economia do conhecimento e a produção e distribuição do conhecimento tornou-se o elemento crítico do desenvolvimento econômico. A instituição educacional desempenha papel fundamental na criação e distribuição de conhecimento. Assim, o objetivo principal da pesquisa foi descobrir as reformas que podem ajudar as instituições educacionais a criar economia do conhecimento. Ambas as abordagens, qualitativa e quantitativa, foram usadas para coletar os dados. Professores, estudantes e administradores foram selecionados entre instituições educacionais privadas e públicas do Punjab, no Paquistão. FGDs foram organizados para coletar os dados qualitativos e os dados quantitativos foram coletados pelo método de pesquisa. As informações coletadas foram analisadas por meio de técnicas de estatística descritiva. O acesso ao conhecimento, rica infra-estrutura, fundos, incentivos, pesquisa e desenvolvimento, desenvolvimento do capital humano e colaboração com a indústria são as formas sugeridas pelos entrevistados para aumentar a criação da economia do conhecimento através das instituições educacionais do Paquistão

Role of Higher Education in Creation of Knowledge Economy in Punjab, Pakistan

Knowledge is working as an engine in achieving sustainable economic development goals for societies who are shifting from labor intensive economy to knowledge based economy like Pakistan. Education works like a backbone in knowledge based economies. Hence, the current research is planned to find out that is the educational institutions of Pakistan are contribution in production of new knowledge or not. Survey was the technique used by researcher for collection of information. Tool for gathering data was questionnaire and sample was selected from six public and private universities of Punjab Pakistan by applying simple random technique while the sample size was comprised of 606 respondents. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were considered to analyze the data. Association found between the efforts made by higher educational institutions by providing access to knowledge, rich infrastructure, funds, incentives, research and development, human capital development, collaboration with industry and creation of knowledge economy