Classroom assistants in primary schools: Employment and deployment

The study investigates the ways in which classroom assistants in primary schools are deployed in classrooms, and the terms and conditions under which they are employed. The number of classroom assistants in primary schools has grown considerably in recent years, but very little is known about their work. Despite this, government policy is paying increasing attention to their potential to contribute to raising standards of achievement. The study aimed to understand the range of practices which govern the employment of classroom assistants, and the range of ways in which they are deployed in classrooms. The study sought to understand the factors that determine employment practices and patterns of deployment, and the way in which these are interrelated. The study contributes to the growing debate on professional and para-professional roles in primary schools. The study uses a combination of large sample survey and small scale case study methodology. In the first phase, policy and practice in three LEAs were explored through semi-structured interviews with key informants among LEA staff and representatives of trade unions and professional associations. In the second phase, questionnaires were sent to a large sample of schools in these three LEAs for completion by the head teacher, a classroom assistant and a teacher. The returns from LEA 3 were very low and therefore not included in this phase. Finally, three schools in LEA 1 and two schools in LEA 2 were chosen for in-depth case studies, drawing data from non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with school staff

LIBOR: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask

The goal of this article is to present the reader with a general overview of the LIBOR: its genesis and development, how and why London bankers manipulated the LIBOR, the liability of implicated parties, criminal penalties, the impact of criminal penalties on director and officer insurance carriers, and what the future holds for the LIBOR

Community Uprising: Counseling Interventions, Educational Strategies, and Advocacy Tools

Ferguson riots, Baltimore uprising, marches on the White House… how can counselor educators incorporate crisis intervention training into curriculums, implement measures to prevent public unrest, and increase community resilience to avoid the violent repercussions of racial tensions? This article explores common precursors to racially charged unrest and provides a model for innovative counseling interventions, curriculum development, and advocacy based on the American Counseling Association (ACA) Disaster Impact and Recovery Model (2009). In addition, the authors provide specific course-based discussion questions to use as tools to foster perspective taking and increased understanding among student and practitioners

Potential Impact of miR-137 and Its Targets in Schizophrenia

The significant impact of microRNAs (miRNAs) on disease pathology is becoming increas- ingly evident. These small non-coding RNAs have the ability to post-transcriptionally silence the expression of thousands of genes. Therefore, dysregulation of even a single miRNA could confer a large polygenic effect. Schizophrenia is a genetically complex illness thought to involve multiple genes each contributing a small risk. Large genome-wide association studies identified miR-137, a miRNA shown to be involved in neuronal maturation, as one of the top risk genes. To assess the potential mechanism of impact of miR-137 in this disorder and identify its targets, we used a combination of literature searches, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA), and freely accessible bioinformatics resources. Using TargetScan and the schizophrenia gene resource (SZGR) database, we found that in addition to CSMD1, C10orf26, CACNA1C, TCF4, and ZNF804A, five schizophrenia risk genes whose transcripts are also validated miR-137 targets, there are other schizophrenia-associated genes that may be targets of miR-137, including ERBB4, GABRA1, GRIN2A, GRM5, GSK3B, NRG2, and HTR2C. IPA analyses of all the potential targets identified several nervous system (NS) functions as the top canonical pathways including synaptic long-term potentiation, a process implicated in learning and memory mechanisms and recently shown to be altered in patients with schizophrenia. Among the subset of targets involved in NS development and function, the top scoring pathways were ephrin receptor signaling and axonal guidance, processes that are critical for proper circuitry formation and were shown to be disrupted in schizophrenia. These results suggest that miR-137 may indeed play a substantial role in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia by regulating networks involved in neural development and brain function

GroWNC: Together We Create Our Future

GroWNC was a three-year planning program to develop a framework of voluntary, locally-implemented, market-based solutions and strategies to ensure that as western North Carolina continues to grow, the effects of this growth have a positive impact on the region and its communities. The regional plan weaves together existing plans and strategies with extensive public input from a variety of backgrounds and interests to identify issues, goals and objectives across multiple topic areas. The plan and toolkit of products and resources will foster economic prosperity through a regional vision that identifies implementable projects and actions. GroWNC was funded by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Mutation in mitochondrial complex I ND6 subunit is associated with defective response to hypoxia in human glioma cells

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia-tolerant human glioma cells reduce oxygen consumption rate in response to oxygen deficit, a defense mechanism that contributes to survival under moderately hypoxic conditions. In contrast, hypoxia-sensitive cells lack this ability. As it has been previously shown that hypoxia-tolerant (M006x, M006xLo, M059K) and -sensitive (M010b) glioma cells express differences in mitochondrial function, we investigated whether mitochondrial DNA-encoded mutations are associated with differences in the initial response to oxygen deficit. RESULTS: The mitochondrial genome was sequenced and 23 mtDNA alterations were identified, one of which was an unreported mutation (T-C transition in base pair 14634) in the hypoxia-sensitive cell line, M010b, that resulted in a single amino acid change in the gene encoding the ND6 subunit of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I). The T14634C mutation did not abrogate ND6 protein expression, however, M010b cells were more resistant to rotenone, an agent used to screen for Complex I mutations, and adriamycin, an agent activated by redox cycling. The specific function of mtDNA-encoded, membrane-embedded Complex I ND subunits is not known at present. Current models suggest that the transmembrane arm of Complex I may serve as a conformationally driven proton channel. As cellular respiration is regulated, in part, by proton flux, we used homology-based modeling and computational molecular biology to predict the 3D structure of the wild type and mutated ND6 proteins. These models predict that the T14634C mutation alters the structure and orientation of the trans-membrane helices of the ND6 protein. CONCLUSION: Complex I ND subunits are mutational hot spots in tumor mtDNA. Genetic changes that alter Complex I structure and function may alter a cell's ability to respond to oxygen deficit and consolidate hypoxia rescue mechanisms, and may contribute to resistance to chemotherapeutic agents that require redox cycling for activation

Meta Gene Set Enrichment Analyses Link miR-137-regulated Pathways With Schizophrenia Risk

Background: A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within MIR137, the host gene for miR-137, has been identified repeatedly as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Previous genetic pathway analyses suggest that potential targets of this microRNA (miRNA) are also highly enriched in schizophrenia-relevant biological pathways, including those involved in nervous system development and function. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the schizophrenia risk of miR-137 target genes within these pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis of pathway-specific miR-137 targets was performed using the stage 1 (21,856 subjects) schizophrenia genome wide association study data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and a small independent replication cohort (244 subjects) from the Mind Clinical Imaging Consortium and Northwestern University. Results: Gene sets of potential miR-137 targets were enriched with variants associated with schizophrenia risk, including target sets involved in axonal guidance signaling, Ephrin receptor signaling, long-term potentiation, PKA signaling, and Sertoli cell junction signaling. The schizophrenia-risk association of SNPs in PKA signaling targets was replicated in the second independent cohort. Conclusions: These results suggest that these biological pathways may be involved in the mechanisms by which this MIR137 variant enhances schizophrenia risk. SNPs in targets and the miRNA host gene may collectively lead to dysregulation of target expression and aberrant functioning of such implicated pathways. Pathway-guided gene set enrichment analyses should be useful in evaluating the impact of other miRNAs and target genes in different diseases

Genetic Markers of White Matter Integrity in Schizophrenia Revealed by Parallel ICA

It is becoming a consensus that white matter integrity is compromised in schizophrenia (SZ), however the underlying genetics remains elusive. Evidence suggests a polygenic basis of the disorder, which involves various genetic variants with modest individual effect sizes. In this work, we used a multivariate approach, parallel independent component analysis (P-ICA), to explore the genetic underpinnings of white matter abnormalities in SZ. A pre-filtering step was first applied to locate 6527 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discriminating patients from controls with a nominal uncorrected p-value of 0.01. These potential susceptibility loci were then investigated for associations with fractional anisotropy (FA) images in a cohort consisting of 73 SZ patients and 87 healthy controls (HC). A significant correlation (r = −0.37, p = 1.25 × 10−6 ) was identified between one genetic factor and one FA component after controlling for scanning site, ethnicity, age, and sex. The identified FA-SNP association remained stable in a 10-fold validation. A 5000-run permutation test yielded a p-value of 2.00 × 10−4 . The FA component reflected decreased white matter integrity in the forceps major for SZ patients. The SNP component was overrepresented in genes whose products are involved in corpus callosum morphology (e.g., CNTNAP2, NPAS3, and NFIB) as well as canonical pathways of synaptic long term depression and protein kinase A signaling. Taken together, our finding delineates a part of genetic architecture underlying SZ-related FA reduction, emphasizing the important role of genetic variants involved in neural development

Mental Health Conditions in People Affected by Filarial Lymphoedema in Malawi: prevalence, associated risk factors and the impact of an enhanced self-care intervention

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the key mental health indicators affecting people affected by lymphatic filariasis (LF) lymphoedema by assessing the prevalence of depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL), identifying associated sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, and evaluating the impact of an enhanced self-care intervention for lymphoedema management.MethodsA prospective cohort study of adults with filarial lymphoedema from two regions of Malawi was conducted over six months in 2021. Depressive symptoms and QOL were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and LF Specific QOL Questionnaire, respectively, at baseline (pre-intervention), 3- and 6-months (postintervention). Beta regression analysis identified risk factors, and assessed the impact of the intervention.ResultsThree hundred eleven affected individuals were surveyed with 23% (95% CI 18%-29%) reporting mild/moderate depressive symptoms and 31% (95% CI 26%-37%) reporting moderately low/low QOL. Higher depressive symptom scores were associated with high frequency of acute filarial attack episodes. Individuals with higher depressive symptoms (Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.93-0.93) and lower QOL (AOR 0.98, 0.98-0.98) showed greatest improvement in mental health indicators over 3-months but was not sustained to the same level at 6-months.ConclusionsSustained morbidity management and psychological support is recommended for affected persons to ensure long-term positive mental health and clinical outcomes.ContexteCette étude vise à déterminer les principaux indicateurs de santé mentale affectant les personnes atteintes de lymphœdème dû à la filariose lymphatique (FL) en évaluant la prévalence des symptômes dépressifs et la qualité de vie (QV), en identifiant les facteurs de risque sociodémographiques et cliniques associés, et en évaluant l'impact d'une intervention améliorée d'autosoins pour la gestion du lymphœdème.MéthodesUne étude de cohorte prospective d'adultes atteints de lymphoedème filaire dans deux régions du Malawi a été menée pendant six mois en 2021. Les symptômes dépressifs et la qualité de vie ont été évalués à l'aide du questionnaire sur la santé des patients (PHQ-9) et du questionnaire sur la qualité de vie spécifique au lymphœdème, respectivement, au début de l'étude (avant l'intervention), et à 3 puis 6 mois après l'intervention. Une analyse de régression beta a permis d'identifier les facteurs de risque et d'évaluer l'impact de l'intervention.RésultatsTrois cent onze personnes affectées ont été interrogées, dont 23% (95% CI 18%-29%) ont déclaré des symptômes dépressifs légers/modérés et 31% (95% CI 26%-37%) ont déclaré une qualité de vie modérément faible/faible. Des scores élevés de symptômes dépressifs ont été associés à une fréquence élevée d'épisodes de crises filariennes aiguës. Les personnes présentant des symptômes dépressifs plus élevés (rapport de cotes ajusté (RCA) 0.93, IC à 95 % 0.93-0.93) et une qualité de vie plus faible (RCA 0.98, 0.98-0.98) ont montré la plus grande amélioration des indicateurs de santé mentale au cours des trois mois, mais cette amélioration ne s'est pas maintenue au même niveau au cours des six mois suivants.ConclusionGestion de la morbidité et soutien psychologique sont des éléments clés pour garantir une santé mentale et des résultats cliniques satisfaisants de personnes atteintes sur le long terme.AntecedentesEste estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar los indicadores clave de salud mental que afectan a las personas afectadas por linfedema por filariasis linfática (FL) mediante la evaluación de la prevalencia de síntomas depresivos y calidad de vida (CdV), la identificación de factores de riesgo sociodemográficos y clínicos asociados, y la evaluación del impacto de una intervención de autocuidado mejorada para el manejo del linfedema.MétodosSe realizó un estudio prospectivo de cohortes de adultos con linfedema filarial de dos regiones de Malawi durante seis meses en 2021. Los síntomas depresivos y la calidad de vida se evaluaron mediante el Cuestionario de Salud del Paciente (PHQ-9) y el Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida específico para el LF Cuestionario, respectivamente, al inicio (preintervención) y a los 3 y 6 meses (posintervención). El análisis de regresión beta identificó los factores de riesgo y evaluó el impacto de la intervención.ResultadosSe encuestó a 311 afectados, de los cuales el 23% (IC 95%, 18%-29%) presentaba síntomas depresivos leves/moderados y el 31% (IC 95%, 26%-37%) una CdV moderadamente baja/baja CdV. Las puntuaciones más altas de síntomas depresivos se asociaron con una alta frecuencia de episodios de ataques agudos de filarias. Los individuos con mayores síntomas depresivos (Odds Ratios Ajustados [ORA] 0.93; IC 95%: 0.93-0.93) y menor CdV (ORA 0.98; 0.98-0.98) mostraron la mayor mejoría en los indicadores de salud mental a los 3 meses, pero no se mantuvo al mismo nivel a los 6 meses.ConclusionesSe recomienda el manejo sostenido de la morbilidad y el apoyo psicológico a las personas afectadas para garantizar resultados clínicos y de salud mental positivos a largo plazo