Language awareness in primary education in Serbia.

Le plurilinguisme et l’apprentissage précoce de langues étrangères ne sont plus mis en doute en Serbie, au contraire, ils sont en général appréciés par le grand public. Bien que tout le monde en discute, il reste encore de nombreuses questions. Acceptant les approches de l’éveil aux langues et de l’enseignement des langues étrangères intégré à l’enseignement d’autres disciplines scolaires, on propose quelques activités qu’on pourrait utiliser dans le travail avec les groupes de jeunes enfants. Le succès de cet apprentissage tient en grande partie aux structures scolaires et à la formation des enseignants qui demeure un aspect primordial de l’initiation aux langues.Plurilinguism and early learning of foreign languages are not the subjects of the debates in Serbia any more; they have become acceptable by everyone. Although everyone is discussing them, there are still many questions remaining unanswered. Accepting the principles of the language awareness and CLIL, we are suggesting some activities which can be used in work with groups of young learners. Success of this learning depends in a great extent on the structure of educational institutions and education of teachers is still the main aspect of introducing languages

Evaluation of different formulas for LDL-C calculation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Friedewald's formula for the estimation of LDL-C concentration is the most often used formula in clinical practice. A recent formula by Anandaraja and colleagues for LDL-C estimation still needs to be evaluated before it is extensively applied in diagnosis. In the present study we validated existing formulas and derived a more accurate formula to determine LDL-C in a Serbian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Our study included 2053 patients with TG ≤ 4.52 mmol/L. In an initial group of 1010 patients, Friedewald's and Anandaraja's formulas were compared to a direct homogenous method for LDL-C determination. The obtained results allowed us to modify Friedewald's formula and apply it in a second group of patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean LDL-C concentrations were 3.9 ± 1.09 mmol/L, 3.63 ± 1.06 mmol/L and 3.72 ± 1.04 mmol/L measured by a direct homogenous assay (D-LDL-C), calculated by Friedewald's formula (F-LDL-C) and calculated by Anandaraja's formula (A-LDL-C), respectively in the 1010 patients. The Student's paired t-test showed that D-LDL-C values were significantly higher than F-LDL-C and A-LDL-C values (p < 0.001). The Passing-Bablok regression analysis indicated good correlation between calculated and measured LDL-Cs (r > 0.89). Using lipoprotein values from the initial group we modified Friedewald's formula by replacing the term 2.2 with 3. The new modified formula for LDL-C estimation (S-LDL-C) showed no statistically significant difference compared to D-LDL-C. The absolute bias between these two methods was -0.06 ± 0.37 mmol/L with a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.96).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our modified formula for LDL-C estimation appears to be more accurate than both Friedewald's and Anandaraja's formulas when applied to a Serbian population.</p

Neurophysiologic markers of primary motor cortex for laryngeal muscles and premotor cortex in caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus investigated in motor speech disorder : a navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation studies have so far reported the results of mapping the primary motor cortex (M1) for hand and tongue muscles in stuttering disorder. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for locating the M1 for laryngeal muscle and premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, corresponding to Broca's area in stuttering subjects by applying new methodology for mapping these motor speech areas. Sixteen stuttering and eleven control subjects underwent rTMS motor speech mapping using modified patterned rTMS. The subjects performed visual object naming task during rTMS applied to the (a) left M1 for laryngeal muscles for recording corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials (CoMEP) from cricothyroid muscle and (b) left premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus while recording long latency responses (LLR) from cricothyroid muscle. The latency of CoMEP in control subjects was 11.75 +/- A 2.07 ms and CoMEP amplitude was 294.47 +/- A 208.87 A mu V, and in stuttering subjects CoMEP latency was 12.13 +/- A 0.75 ms and 504.64 +/- A 487.93 A mu V CoMEP amplitude. The latency of LLR in control subjects was 52.8 +/- A 8.6 ms and 54.95 +/- A 4.86 in stuttering subjects. No significant differences were found in CoMEP latency, CoMEP amplitude, and LLR latency between stuttering and control-fluent speakers. These results indicate there are probably no differences in stuttering compared to controls in functional anatomy of the pathway used for transmission of information from premotor cortex to the M1 cortices for laryngeal muscle representation and from there via corticobulbar tract to laryngeal muscles.Peer reviewe

Neurophysiologic markers of primary motor cortex for laryngeal muscles and premotor cortex in caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus investigated in motor speech disorder : a navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation studies have so far reported the results of mapping the primary motor cortex (M1) for hand and tongue muscles in stuttering disorder. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for locating the M1 for laryngeal muscle and premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, corresponding to Broca's area in stuttering subjects by applying new methodology for mapping these motor speech areas. Sixteen stuttering and eleven control subjects underwent rTMS motor speech mapping using modified patterned rTMS. The subjects performed visual object naming task during rTMS applied to the (a) left M1 for laryngeal muscles for recording corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials (CoMEP) from cricothyroid muscle and (b) left premotor cortical area in the caudal opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus while recording long latency responses (LLR) from cricothyroid muscle. The latency of CoMEP in control subjects was 11.75 +/- A 2.07 ms and CoMEP amplitude was 294.47 +/- A 208.87 A mu V, and in stuttering subjects CoMEP latency was 12.13 +/- A 0.75 ms and 504.64 +/- A 487.93 A mu V CoMEP amplitude. The latency of LLR in control subjects was 52.8 +/- A 8.6 ms and 54.95 +/- A 4.86 in stuttering subjects. No significant differences were found in CoMEP latency, CoMEP amplitude, and LLR latency between stuttering and control-fluent speakers. These results indicate there are probably no differences in stuttering compared to controls in functional anatomy of the pathway used for transmission of information from premotor cortex to the M1 cortices for laryngeal muscle representation and from there via corticobulbar tract to laryngeal muscles.Peer reviewe

Supporting Pharmacovigilance Signal Validation and Prioritization with Analyses of Routinely Collected Health Data: Lessons Learned from an EHDEN Network Study

Introduction: Individual case reports are the main asset in pharmacovigilance signal management. Signal validation is the first stage after signal detection and aims to determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify further assessment. Throughout signal management, a prioritization of signals is continually made. Routinely collected health data can provide relevant contextual information but are primarily used at a later stage in pharmacoepidemiological studies to assess communicated signals. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and utility of analysing routine health data from a multinational distributed network to support signal validation and prioritization and to reflect on key user requirements for these analyses to become an integral part of this process. Methods: Statistical signal detection was performed in VigiBase, the WHO global database of individual case safety reports, targeting generic manufacturer drugs and 16 prespecified adverse events. During a 5-day study-a-thon, signal validation and prioritization were performed using information from VigiBase, regulatory documents and the scientific literature alongside descriptive analyses of routine health data from 10 partners of the European Health Data and Evidence Network (EHDEN). Databases included in the study were from the UK, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands and Serbia, capturing records from primary care and/or hospitals. Results: Ninety-five statistical signals were subjected to signal validation, of which eight were considered for descriptive analyses in the routine health data. Design, execution and interpretation of results from these analyses took up to a few hours for each signal (of which 15–60 minutes were for execution) and informed decisions for five out of eight signals. The impact of insights from the routine health data varied and included possible alternative explanations, potential public health and clinical impact and feasibility of follow-up pharmacoepidemiological studies. Three signals were selected for signal assessment, two of these decisions were supported by insights from the routine health data. Standardization of analytical code, availability of adverse event phenotypes including bridges between different source vocabularies, and governance around the access and use of routine health data were identified as important aspects for future development. Conclusions: Analyses of routine health data from a distributed network to support signal validation and prioritization are feasible in the given time limits and can inform decision making. The cost–benefit of integrating these analyses at this stage of signal management requires further research

A new class of glycomimetic drugs to prevent free fatty acid-induced endothelial dysfunction

Background: Carbohydrates play a major role in cell signaling in many biological processes. We have developed a set of glycomimetic drugs that mimic the structure of carbohydrates and represent a novel source of therapeutics for endothelial dysfunction, a key initiating factor in cardiovascular complications. Purpose: Our objective was to determine the protective effects of small molecule glycomimetics against free fatty acid­induced endothelial dysfunction, focusing on nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress pathways. Methods: Four glycomimetics were synthesized by the stepwise transformation of 2,5­dihydroxybenzoic acid to a range of 2,5­substituted benzoic acid derivatives, incorporating the key sulfate groups to mimic the interactions of heparan sulfate. Endothelial function was assessed using acetylcholine­induced, endotheliumdependent relaxation in mouse thoracic aortic rings using wire myography. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior was evaluated in the presence or absence of the free fatty acid, palmitate, with or without glycomimetics (1µM). DAF­2 and H2DCF­DA assays were used to determine nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, respectively. Lipid peroxidation colorimetric and antioxidant enzyme activity assays were also carried out. RT­PCR and western blotting were utilized to measure Akt, eNOS, Nrf­2, NQO­1 and HO­1 expression. Results: Ex vivo endothelium­dependent relaxation was significantly improved by the glycomimetics under palmitate­induced oxidative stress. In vitro studies showed that the glycomimetics protected HUVECs against the palmitate­induced oxidative stress and enhanced NO production. We demonstrate that the protective effects of pre­incubation with glycomimetics occurred via upregulation of Akt/eNOS signaling, activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and suppression of ROS­induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: We have developed a novel set of small molecule glycomimetics that protect against free fatty acidinduced endothelial dysfunction and thus, represent a new category of therapeutic drugs to target endothelial damage, the first line of defense against cardiovascular disease

Eveil aux langues dans l'enseignement primaire en Serbie

Plurilinguism and early learning of foreign languages are not the subjects of the debates in Serbia any more; they have become acceptable by everyone. Although everyone is discussing them, there are still many questions remaining unanswered. Accepting the principles of the language awareness and CLIL, we are suggesting some activities which can be used in work with groups of young learners. Success of this learning depends in a great extent on the structure of educational institutions and education of teachers is still the main aspect of introducing languages.Le plurilinguisme et l�apprentissage précoce de langues étrangères ne sont plus mis en doute en Serbie, au contraire, ils sont en général appréciés par le grand public. Bien que tout le monde en discute, il reste encore de nombreuses questions. Acceptant les approches de l�éveil aux langues et de l�enseignement des langues étrangères intégré à l�enseignement d�autres disciplines scolaires, on propose quelques activités qu�on pourrait utiliser dans le travail avec les groupes de jeunes enfants. Le succès de cet apprentissage tient en grande partie aux structures scolaires et à la formation des enseignants qui demeure un aspect primordial de l�initiation aux langues

Transspråkande i SFI : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om lärares uppfattningar om transspråkande i SFI

Syftet med denna uppsats är att genom en intervjustudie undersöka tre andraspråktalande SFI-lärares uppfattningar om bemötandet och tillvaratagandet av deras flerspråkighet i undervisningen och i skolan. Resultatet visar att lärarna uppfattar att deras flerspråkighet tas tillvara till viss del. Lärarna uppfattar att eleverna och personalen med svenska som andraspråk ställer sig mest positiva till lärarnas arbete med flerspråkighet i undervisningen medan personalen med svenska som förstaspråk är mindre positiv till lärarnas flerspråkighet i undervisningen. Utifrån resultatet kan slutsatsen dras att lärarna uppfattar att deras språk tas tillvara i undervisningen så länge både lärare och elever talar samma språk.

Power play in The Bell Jar and "The Yellow Wallpaper" : How power play is manifested towards the protagonists in The Bell Jar and "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Abstract This paper will attempt to analyze how similar forms of power play are manifested towards the protagonists in both The Bell Jar and “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The aim of the essay is to investigate how power play affects the protagonists’ relations with their caregivers and how it affects their treatments. Thus, the hypothesis is that it is the power play that prevents the protagonists in “The Yellow Wallpaper” and The Bell Jar from recovering from their mental illness, which is confirmed by my analysis. Therefore, the concept of power play will be used in the essay as an instrument of analysis. The hypothesis will be discussed from five main points: obstacles to recovery, caregivers’ role in recovery, patients’ response to treatment, the role of power play, and the negative impact which power play has on recovery. Keywords: Power play, mental illness, treatment, recovery, patient-caregiver relationship, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Sylvia Plath, Reet Sjögren.