Trainee Teachers’ Situational Motivation and Motivational Climate towards Physical Education Lessons during COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined the trainee teachers’ situational motivation and motivational climate towards Physical Education lessons in primary schools during COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 160 trainee teachers comprising of 115 males and 45 female aged 21 to 26 years old (1.10±0.30) from two Institute of Teacher Education Campuses in Sarawak, Malaysia. The participants were administrated the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS: Guay, Vallerand & Blanchard, 2000) and Teacher Initiated Motivational Climate in Physical Education Questionnaire (TIMCPEQ; Papaioannou, 1998). Descriptive analysis, independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and correlation were utilized. Independent-samples t-test indicated that there were no significant differences for all variables in SIMS and TIMCPEQ on gender and age groups. The one-way ANOVA was used to compare the effect on teaching methods in SIMS and TIMCPEQ. There was a significant difference in teacher-initiated mastery orientation for the three teaching methods, F(2,157)=3.31, p=0.04. Post-hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test revealed that the mean score for the online learning (3.87±0.78) was significantly different than the mixed methods (4.22±0.55). However, the face-to-face learning method (3.96±0.62) did not significantly differ from the online learning and mixed methods. Furthermore, two-way ANOVA was used to examine the effect of gender and age groups in SIMS and TIMCPEQ which revealed no significant main effect of gender and age groups. Additionally, there was no statistically significant interaction between gender × age groups for all variables in SIMS and TIMCPEQ. The findings revealed statistically significant positive relationship between the variables in SIMS and TIMCPEQ ranging from very weak (0.24) to very strong (0.90). The findings revealed the necessity for positive motivational climate through adaptive educational resources, alternative teaching approaches and methods that would support and motivate the trainee teachers, educators and students in the teaching and learning of PE during this challenging time

Retinal microvascular abnormalities and risk of renal failure in Asian populations

10.1371/journal.pone.0118076PLoS ONE102e011807

Leucocyte subset-specific type 1 interferon signatures in SLE and other immune-mediated diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Type 1 interferons (IFN-1) are implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but most studies have only reported the effect of IFN-1 on mixed cell populations. We aimed to define modules of IFN-1-associated genes in purified leucocyte populations and use these as a basis for a detailed comparative analysis. METHODS: CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, monocytes and neutrophils were purified from patients with SLE, other immune-mediated diseases and healthy volunteers and gene expression then determined by microarray. Modules of IFN-1-associated genes were defined using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. The composition and expression of these modules was analysed. RESULTS: 1150 of 1288 IFN-1-associated genes were specific to myeloid subsets, compared with 11 genes unique to T cells. IFN-1 genes were more highly expressed in myeloid subsets compared with T cells. A subset of neutrophil samples from healthy volunteers (HV) and conditions not classically associated with IFN-1 signatures displayed increased IFN-1 gene expression, whereas upregulation of IFN-1-associated genes in T cells was restricted to SLE. CONCLUSIONS: Given the broad upregulation of IFN-1 genes in neutrophils including in some HV, investigators reporting IFN-1 signatures on the basis of whole blood samples should be cautious about interpreting this as evidence of bona fide IFN-1-mediated pathology. Instead, specific upregulation of IFN-1-associated genes in T cells may be a useful biomarker and a further mechanism by which elevated IFN-1 contributes to autoimmunity in SLE.SMF holds a Translational Medicine and Therapeutics PhD studentship from the Wellcome Trust and GlaxoSmithKline and has also received funding for this work from the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. KGCS is the Khoo Oon Teik Professor of Nephrology, National University of Singapore. Singapore recruitment was supported by the Khoo Investigator Grant from the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, and by National Medical Research Council of Singapore grants (NMRC/1164/2008 and IRG07nov089). This work was also supported by UK National Institute of Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the Lupus Research Institute (Distinguished Innovator Award, KGCS), the Medical Research Council UK (programme grant MR/L019027/1) and the Wellcome Trust (programme grant 083650/Z/07/Z and project grant 094227/Z/10/Z). The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research is in receipt of Wellcome Trust Strategic Award 079895.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from BMJ Group via https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2015-00018

Ethnic differences in the association between blood pressure components and chronic kidney disease in middle aged and older Asian adults

10.1186/1471-2369-14-86BMC Nephrology141

Consensus Recommendations by the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology: Optimising Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology convened a consensus statement panel for optimising cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in type 2 diabetes, and reviewed the current literature. Relevant articles were appraised using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, and consensus statements were developed in two meetings and were confirmed through online voting. The consensus statements indicated that lifestyle interventions must be emphasised for patients with prediabetes, and optimal glucose control should be encouraged when possible. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are recommended for patients with chronic kidney disease with adequate renal function, and for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In addition to SGLT2i, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are recommended for patients at high risk of CV events. A blood pressure target below 140/90 mmHg is generally recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes. Antiplatelet therapy is recommended for secondary prevention in patients with atherosclerotic CV disease

Reliable quantification of the potential for equations based on spot urine samples to estimate population salt intake: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Methods based on spot urine samples (a single sample at one time-point) have been identified as a possiblealternative approach to 24-hour urine samples for determining mean population salt intake.Objective: The aim of this study is to identify a reliable method for estimating mean population salt intake from spot urinesamples. This will be done by comparing the performance of existing equations against one other and against estimates derivedfrom 24-hour urine samples. The effects of factors such as ethnicity, sex, age, body mass index, antihypertensive drug use, healthstatus, and timing of spot urine collection will be explored. The capacity of spot urine samples to measure change in salt intakeover time will also be determined. Finally, we aim to develop a novel equation (or equations) that performs better than existingequations to estimate mean population salt intake.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data will be conducted. A search has been conductedto identify human studies that report salt (or sodium) excretion based upon 24-hour urine samples and spot urine samples. Therewere no restrictions on language, study sample size, or characteristics of the study population. MEDLINE via OvidSP (1946-present),Premedline via OvidSP, EMBASE, Global Health via OvidSP (1910-present), and the Cochrane Library were searched, and tworeviewers identified eligible studies. The authors of these studies will be invited to contribute data according to a standard format.Individual participant records will be compiled and a series of analyses will be completed to: (1) compare existing equations forestimating 24-hour salt intake from spot urine samples with 24-hour urine samples, and assess the degree of bias according tokey demographic and clinical characteristics; (2) assess the reliability of using spot urine samples to measure population changesin salt intake overtime; and (3) develop a novel equation that performs better than existing equations to estimate mean populationsalt intake.Results: The search strategy identified 538 records; 100 records were obtained for review in full text and 73 have been confirmedas eligible. In addition, 68 abstracts were identified, some of which may contain data eligible for inclusion. Individual participantdata will be requested from the authors of eligible studies.Conclusions: Many equations for estimating salt intake from spot urine samples have been developed and validated, althoughmost have been studied in very specific settings. This meta-analysis of individual participant data will enable a much broaderunderstanding of the capacity for spot urine samples to estimate population salt intake

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Exploring the translator’s identity : a case study of Lu Xun’s translation of Xiandai Riben Xiaoshuoji

This case study aims to explore the translator’s identity by looking at the translator’s ideologies and translation methods during a period of time. Lu Xun (1881 – 1936), one of the greatest Chinese author of all times, has also translated as many words, if not more, in his literary career. However, analysis of his translations has not been as extensive as the studies on his self-penned works, but it is important to recognize that both his writings and translations are contributions to his literary works. Most of the analysis on his translation work emphasized on the method and accuracy of translation, neglecting his ideologies and thinking that he wanted to convey to the readers, which is the purpose of the present study, to find out more about the identity of a translator in his translated works, using the notion of the habitus. In addition, there is very little research about Lu Xun, written in the English language, so the present study hopes to extend the analysis of Lu Xun to a more international audience, in particular, the English readers. For this study, the chosen material is Xiandai Riben Xiaoshuoji, which is a collection of short stories by six prominent Japanese authors, published in 1923. It is significant to note that Lu Xun did not choose the author’s well-known classics to translate in this collection, and a purpose in this study is also to find out the reasons of his selection of the short stories in the collection. Finally, the study uses the theory of “in-betweenness” or “intermediate consciousness” to discuss about the relationship between translation and identity, which is not only limited to the present study, but also extends to a broader perspective of translation.Master of Arts (Translation and Interpretation

Singapore's foreign athlete dilemma.

In this project, we interviewed local sport officials from table tennis, badminton, athletics, rugby, hockey, netball and bowling, and also foreign sports associations.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Armed with only the prospectus, can a retail investor pick a good IPO?

This study investigates whether four financial ratios, namely ROE, ROA, NPM and P/E ratios, derived from information in the prospectus issued by IPO firms have any predictability on returns on the first day and returns for various holding periods