The relationship between ethnic school composition, school diversity climate and students’ competences in dealing with differences

In societies that are characterised by diversity, citizens are required to have the competences to handle differences. Schools differ in their degree of ethnic diversity which means that they provide different contexts for learning to deal with differences (DD). This study investigated the association between ethnic school composition, the diversity climate (the importance that teachers collectively attach to diversity and the attention they pay to teaching diversity) and students’ competences in DD. Multilevel analyses were performed on data from 4,402 students and 535 teachers across 62 secondary education schools in The Netherlands. The results showed a positive relationship between ethnic school diversity and DD-reflection and DD-attitudes. In addition, the degree of ethnic school diversity was associated with more diversity-related practices. However, no relationship was found between ethnic school diversity and teachers’ diversity-related educational goals. Moreover, diversity climate was not related to students’ DD competences. Lastly, the diversity climate did not mediate nor moderate the relationship between school composition and DD. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed

Teaching diversity in citizenship education: Context-related teacher understandings and practices

Many secondary schools address diversity as an aspect of citizenship education. This paper examines how secondary teachers' understandings and practices concerning teaching about diversity are related to school contextual factors, such as student composition and educational track. Semi-structured interviews with 17 teachers at three schools revealed that teachers’ understandings and practices regarding diversity are related to their perceptions of the needs and capabilities of their student population. However, teachers rarely addressed diversity in terms of deep-rooted issues, such as inequality and power relations. The paper concludes with implications for teachers and schools and provides suggestions for future research

Association between Hemogram Parameters and Coronary Collateral Development in Subjects with Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Coronary collateral development (CCD) predicts the severity of coronary heart disease. Hemogram parameters, such as mean platelet volume (MPV), eosinophil, red cell distribution width, and platelet distribution width (PDW), are supposed novel inflammatory markers. We aimed to compare hemogram parameter values in patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with adequate or inadequate CCD. METHODS A total of 177 patients with NSTEMI undergoing coronary arteriography were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the development of CCD: one group with adequate CCD (n=88) and the other with impaired CCD (n=89). RESULTS Baseline demographics and clinical risk factors were similar between the groups. Hemogram parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. However, compared to the inadequate CCD group, the median PDW was significantly higher in the adequate CCD group, 17.6 (1.4) vs. 17.8 (1.6) p=0.004. In a multivariate analysis, PDW (p=0.001, 95% CI for OR: 0.489(0,319-0,750) was found to be significantly different in the adequate CCD group compared to the inadequate CCD group. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that PDW was significantly correlated with the Rentrop score (r=0.26, p&lt;0.001). CONCLUSIONS We suggest that since PDW is an index that is inexpensive and easy to assess, it could serve as a marker of CCD in patients with NSTEMI.</jats:p

Significant correlation between uric acid levels and flow-mediated dilatation in patients with masked hypertension

Background: Serum uric acid (UA) level is associated with prognosis in cardiovascular disorders such as sustained hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney diseases. Increased UA levels in sustained hypertension may reflect early renal vascular alterations. However, it remains unclear if serum UA is associated with endothelial dysfunction in masked hypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 100 individuals (57% men and 43% women; mean 45 +/- 8 years) with masked hypertension were included in the present study. The clinical and laboratory data were collected. Endothelial function was estimated by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and expressed as percentage change relative to baseline diameter. Results: Univariate regression analysis showed that the FMD was significantly negative correlated with uric acid (r = -0.300, p = 0.002), ambulatory 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = -0.275, p = 0.008), hs-CRP (r = -0.222, p = 0.033) and diastolic aortic diameter (r = -0.243, p = 0.019). In multivariate linear regression analysis, only uric acid levels and ambulatory 24-h SBP were significantly associated with FMD. Conclusion: There was an independent correlation between UA and FMD, and a higher UA level was related to worse endothelial function which may contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity