Inculcating Values Through Entertainment: A Study Based on Sinhala Children’s Songs

Children’s songs have an impact, on the wellbeing, personality development, communication skills and cognitive growth of preschool and elementary school children. They teach values, character education and positive behavior through creativity. This study aims to explore how Sinhala children’s songs can be used as a medium to instill values. A purposive sampling method was used to select twelve songs for analysis. Each song underwent an examination to identify phrases and ideas related to ten fundamental values using discourse analysis. Through qualitative approach, the research focused on uncovering values embedded in the lyrics. The importance of these values was assessed based on their presence and influence on the theme and narrative. Application of Schwartz’s Theory of Basic Human Values revealed a range of values within the selected songs that reflect experiences and perspectives influenced by cultural norms, family dynamics and societal expectations. The songs highlight concepts such as thoughtfulness, empathy, respect, education, tradition, relationships, personal growth, ethical reflection and cultural values such as benevolence and harmony with nature. Among this identified values benevolence emerges as the main theme in the songs symbolizing nurturing love and support. Conversely, power appears to be the least emphasized value in these songs, suggesting that they place an importance on relationships, empathy, personal growth and kindness. In a nut- shell, it is crystal clear that children's songs have the ability to impart values in children, aiding the overall development of a child's character. DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v09i01.0

APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL (SPC) IN THE RUBBER INDUSTRY

Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a more powerful tool available toimprove the manufacturing processes, to reduce scrap and rework, andultimately make the production more competitive in terms of productivityand preventing pollution. In this study, variable and range charts are used toevaluate the process of controlling drying tower temperature in the process oflatex crepe rubber production. The charts have upper and lower control limitsand the process is in control if sample measurements are between the controllimits. R chart was used to evaluate the variation of temperature within thedrying tower. In the case of charts for individuals, moving range charts and Xcharts were used in monitoring the process of daily chemical applicationssuch as sodium bisulphate, bleaching agents, and acids. Lack of control isidentified by the points laying outside the control limits on either the X-bar, Xchart, R-bar chart or R charts. Pattern of the time series interprets thevariation of the process. Runs test was applied to check up whether the timeseries is in the expected random order or not. Then Process Capability indexand the Process Performance Indexes were calculated to evaluate thecapability and the precision of the process. Therefore in the competitiveenvironment, statistical process control is a 'must' for achieving sustainabledevelopment in the rubber industry with high efficiency and effectiveness

A hybrid case of eosinophilic folliculitis and eosinophilic cellulitis associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome

Eosinophilic cellulitis or Wells syndrome encompasses distinct histopathological features but can also be associated with eosinophilic related conditions like hyper eosinophilic syndrome (HES) or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (Churg–Strauss syndrome). We report a case of a Turkish 41-year-old female who presented in clinic with pruritus and tenderness on her chest and breasts, having received several courses of antibiotics for recurrent abscess formation. A year before she had been diagnosed with HES with multiorgan involvement that included biopsy proven eosinophilic folliculitis, and prompted further investigation including bone marrow aspiration that revealed T cell clonality. Biopsy of her rash revealed eosinophilic infiltration of the dermis with flame figures. Ongoing respiratory symptoms and a history of childhood asthma were suggestive of EGPA. This case highlights important associations that should be considered in the investigation of Wells syndrome

Testing the Feasibility and Dietary Impact of a “Produce Prescription” Program for Adults with Undermanaged Type 2 Diabetes and Food Insecurity in Australia

Background: There is growing interest in Food is Medicine programs that incorporate food-based interventions into health care for patients with diet-related conditions. Objectives: We aimed to test the feasibility of a “produce prescription” program and its impact on diet quality for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experiencing food insecurity in Australia. Methods: We conducted a pre–post intervention study in n = 50 adults experiencing food insecurity with T2D and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥8%. Once enrolled, participants received healthy food boxes weekly free of charge, with the contents sufficient to create 2 meals/d, 5 d/wk for the entire household, over 12 wk. Participants were also provided with tailored recipes and behavioral change support. The primary outcome was change in diet quality assessed by 24-h diet recalls. Secondary outcomes included differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors; blood micronutrients; and feasibility indicators. Differences in the baseline and 12-wk mean primary and secondary outcomes were assessed by paired t tests. Results: Participants were older adults with mean ± SD age 63 ± 9 y (range: 40–87 y), HbA1c 9.8% ± 1.5%, and 46% were female. Overall, 92% completed the final study follow-up for the primary outcome. Compared with baseline, diet quality improved at week 12, with an increase in the mean overall diet quality (Alternate Healthy Eating Index score) of 12.9 (95% CI: 8.7, 17.1; P < 0.001), driven by significant improvements in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, red/processed meat, trans fat, sodium, and alcohol consumption. Blood lipids also improved (total:HDL cholesterol: −0.48; 95% CI: −0.72, −0.24; P < 0.001), and there was significant weight loss (−1.74 kg; 95% CI: −2.80, −0.68 kg, P = 0.002), but no changes in other clinical outcomes. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Conclusions: These findings provide strong support for an adequately powered randomized trial to assess effects of produce prescription as an innovative approach to improve clinical management among individuals with T2D experiencing food insecurity. This trial was registered at https://anzctr.org.au/ as ACTRN12621000404820

Sorsby's fundus dystrophy in the British Isles: demonstration of a striking founder effect by microsatellite-generated haplotypes

Sorsby's fundus dystrophy (SFD) has been mapped to a genetic interval of 8 cM between loci D22S275 and D22S278. A total of 15 families, unrelated on the basis of genealogy and expressing the SFD phenotype were identified from a large data base of genetic eye disease families originating from diverse parts of the British Isles. The identification of the same Ser181Cys mutation cosegregating with disease in each family led us to consider the hypothesis of a founder effect being present. In all families studied, the same relatively infrequent allele (occurring in just 11% of the control group) was associated with disease at marker locus D22S280. A highly significant disease-associated haplotype, spanning across 3 cM of the SFD locus, was conserved in 11 of the 15 families (68% of all affected chromosomes); a further extended haplotype spanning up to 7 cM, was identified in 5 families (27% of SFD-associated chromosomes) and possibly represents the ancestral haplotype. This haplotype analysis has refined the TIMP3 gene localization to a 1- to 3-cM interval between marker loci D22S273 and D22S281 and provides strong evidence for a single mutational event being responsible for the majority of SFD identified in the British Isles

Structure-Based Analysis of Five Novel Disease-Causing Mutations in 21-Hydroxylase-Deficient Patients

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the most frequent inborn error of metabolism, and accounts for 90–95% of CAH cases. The affected enzyme, P450C21, is encoded by the CYP21A2 gene, located together with a 98% nucleotide sequence identity CYP21A1P pseudogene, on chromosome 6p21.3. Even though most patients carry CYP21A1P-derived mutations, an increasing number of novel and rare mutations in disease causing alleles were found in the last years. In the present work, we describe five CYP21A2 novel mutations, p.R132C, p.149C, p.M283V, p.E431K and a frameshift g.2511_2512delGG, in four non-classical and one salt wasting patients from Argentina. All novel point mutations are located in CYP21 protein residues that are conserved throughout mammalian species, and none of them were found in control individuals. The putative pathogenic mechanisms of the novel variants were analyzed in silico. A three-dimensional CYP21 structure was generated by homology modeling and the protein design algorithm FoldX was used to calculate changes in stability of CYP21A2 protein. Our analysis revealed changes in protein stability or in the surface charge of the mutant enzymes, which could be related to the clinical manifestation found in patients

Interactions between lymphocytes and myeloid cells regulate pro- versus anti-tumor immunity

Tumor-associated myeloid cells have been implicated in regulating many of the “hallmarks of cancer” and thus fostering solid tumor development and metastasis. However, the same innate leukocytes also participate in anti-tumor immunity and restraint of malignant disease. While many factors regulate the propensity of myeloid cells to promote or repress cancerous growths, polarized adaptive immune responses by B and T lymphocytes have been identified as regulators of many aspects of myeloid cell biology by specifically regulating their functional capabilities. Here, we detail the diversity of heterogeneous B and T lymphocyte populations and their impacts on solid tumor development through their abilities to regulate myeloid cell function in solid tumors

Molecular biology of the blood-brain and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers: similarities and differences

Efficient processing of information by the central nervous system (CNS) represents an important evolutionary advantage. Thus, homeostatic mechanisms have developed that provide appropriate circumstances for neuronal signaling, including a highly controlled and stable microenvironment. To provide such a milieu for neurons, extracellular fluids of the CNS are separated from the changeable environment of blood at three major interfaces: at the brain capillaries by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is localized at the level of the endothelial cells and separates brain interstitial fluid (ISF) from blood; at the epithelial layer of four choroid plexuses, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB), which separates CSF from the CP ISF, and at the arachnoid barrier. The two barriers that represent the largest interface between blood and brain extracellular fluids, the BBB and the BCSFB, prevent the free paracellular diffusion of polar molecules by complex morphological features, including tight junctions (TJs) that interconnect the endothelial and epithelial cells, respectively. The first part of this review focuses on the molecular biology of TJs and adherens junctions in the brain capillary endothelial cells and in the CP epithelial cells. However, normal function of the CNS depends on a constant supply of essential molecules, like glucose and amino acids from the blood, exchange of electrolytes between brain extracellular fluids and blood, as well as on efficient removal of metabolic waste products and excess neurotransmitters from the brain ISF. Therefore, a number of specific transport proteins are expressed in brain capillary endothelial cells and CP epithelial cells that provide transport of nutrients and ions into the CNS and removal of waste products and ions from the CSF. The second part of this review concentrates on the molecular biology of various solute carrier (SLC) transport proteins at those two barriers and underlines differences in their expression between the two barriers. Also, many blood-borne molecules and xenobiotics can diffuse into brain ISF and then into neuronal membranes due to their physicochemical properties. Entry of these compounds could be detrimental for neural transmission and signalling. Thus, BBB and BCSFB express transport proteins that actively restrict entry of lipophilic and amphipathic substances from blood and/or remove those molecules from the brain extracellular fluids. The third part of this review concentrates on the molecular biology of ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporters and those SLC transporters that are involved in efflux transport of xenobiotics, their expression at the BBB and BCSFB and differences in expression in the two major blood-brain interfaces. In addition, transport and diffusion of ions by the BBB and CP epithelium are involved in the formation of fluid, the ISF and CSF, respectively, so the last part of this review discusses molecular biology of ion transporters/exchangers and ion channels in the brain endothelial and CP epithelial cells