Caught in the Middle: Understanding the Experiences of Men Elementary School Teachers

“How do men express and make meaning of their experiences in an elementary school setting?” Gender, sex role theory, and tokenism provided the foundation for understanding how male elementary teachers express and make meaning of their work experience. Male elementary school teachers from two Eastern Minnesota school districts, and one Western Wisconsin school district, participated in phenomenological research that included personal interviews, and focus group interviews. Participants described their lived experiences through these interviews, guided by a loose framework of open-ended interview questions. Demographics included fourteen licensed elementary teachers, grades kindergarten through sixth, with a wide range of ages (27-61) and experiences (4 years to 38 years), and racial diversity representative of the geographic location. Participants emphasized their entrance into the elementary teaching profession, advantages they realized due to their gender, how they experienced working with children, experiences related to role modeling, companionship with male colleagues, their desire to have more male teachers, and their struggles fitting into a feminized elementary school setting. Men also reported several challenges attributed to their gender and connected to their work as male elementary school teachers. Although male teachers appreciate, and sometimes long for male companionship on the job, they are generally comfortable as members of the underrepresented gender, and enjoy their work. However comfortable they are, male teachers do struggle to fit into the elementary school setting, and adjust their behaviors in order to minimize these struggles. This study unveiled the contradictory experiences male elementary teachers realize, as evidenced in the dichotomy between gender challenges and benefits, in their relationships with students and colleagues, and in their ability to be themselves

Informal Workers and Collective Action: A Global Perspective

[Excerpt] Around the world, in countries as far flung as Cambodia and Brazil and in industries as diverse as transportation and hospitality, workers in informal employment, who labor every day with no legal or social protection, are organizing and negotiating for better conditions. Some of them are self-employed; others work for wages in either formal or informal enterprises. Some used to have jobs in the formal sector with a union contract; others have always worked informally. To achieve their goals they are mounting collective action campaigns that draw on the repertoire of past generations of workers, but they often recombine them or innovate to fit their unique contexts. Informal workers, their organizations and their campaigns, represent the leading edge of the most significant change in the global labor movement in more than a century. This book tells the story of nine such campaigns

Chemical characteristics of brown carbon in atmospheric particles at a suburban site near Guangzhou, China

Light-absorbing organic carbon (or brown carbon, BrC) in atmospheric particles has received much attention for its potential role in global radiative forcing. While a number of field measurement campaigns have differentiated light absorption by black carbon (BC) and BrC, the chemical characteristics of BrC are not well understood. In this study, we present co-located real-time light absorption and chemical composition measurements of atmospheric particles to explore the relationship between the chemical and optical characteristics of BrC at a suburban site downwind of Guangzhou, China, from November to December 2014. BrC and BC contributions to light absorption were estimated using measurements from a seven-wavelength aethalometer, while the chemical composition of non-refractory PM1 was measured with a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). Using the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) method, we estimated that BrC contributed 23.6&thinsp;% to the total aerosol absorption at 370&thinsp;nm, 18.1&thinsp;% at 470&thinsp;nm, 10.7&thinsp;% at 520&thinsp;nm, 10.7&thinsp;% at 590&thinsp;nm, and 10.5&thinsp;% at 660&thinsp;nm. Biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) has the highest mass absorption coefficient among sources of organic aerosols. Its contribution to total brown carbon absorption coefficient decreased but that of low-volatility oxygenated organic aerosol (LVOOA) increased with increasing wavelength, suggesting the need for wavelength-dependent light absorption analysis for BrC in association with its chemical makeup. Clear correlations of N-containing ion fragments with absorption coefficient were observed. These correlations also depended on their degrees of unsaturation/cyclization and oxygenation. While the current study relates light absorption by BrC to ion fragments, more detailed chemical characterization is warranted to constrain this relationship.</p

La diabetes altera el potencial osteogénico de células progenitoras de médula ósea: efectos del tratamiento con metformina

En este trabajo, estudiamos el efecto de una Diabetes inducida por destrucción parcial de la masa de células beta pancreáticas, sobre el compromiso osteogénico de células progenitoras de médula ósea (CPMO), y su modulación por el tratamiento oral con Metformina. Para ello utilizamos ratas Sprague Dawley, divididas en cuatro grupos: controles [C], controles tratadas con Metformina [M], diabéticas [D], y diabéticas tratadas con Metformina [DM]. La inducción de Diabetes se realizó, por inyección intraperitoneal sucesiva de ácido nicotínico y estreptozotocina. Sobre los cultivos de CPMO se evaluó la actividad específica de Fosfatasa Alcalina (FAL) y la producción de Colágeno tipo 1 (Col-1) en estado basal y en medio de diferenciación osteogénico luego de 15 días. A los 21 días, se evaluaron los depósitos de mineral extracelular. La FAL y el Col-1 de CPMO basales, no mostraron diferencias significativas entre los cuatro grupos experimentales. Al cabo de 15 días, las CPMO de ratas M mostraron un incremento en el Col-1 de 122 % respecto de C; D 30 % respecto de C y DM 68 % respecto de C. La FAL expresó un 171 % para M, 34 % para D; y 125 % para DM todos respecto de C. Luego de 21 días, se observó una disminución en la mineralización de las CPMO de D (65 % respecto del grupo C). El tratamiento con metformina incrementó la mineralización de las CPMO en todos los casos. En conclusión, en nuestro modelo experimental de Diabetes, ésta disminuye el potencial osteogénico de las CPMO, un efecto que es parcialmente revertido por el tratamiento oral con Metformina. Estos hallazgos podrían explicar, al menos en parte, las alteraciones óseas descriptas en el hueso asociadas con la Diabetes.Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased incidence of skeletal abnormalities, resulting in lower bone formation and/or remodeling. Osteopenia, osteoporosis and an increased incidence of non-traumatic fractures has been particularly observed in patients with type 2 diabetes. Recently, we have demonstrated that metformin has in vitro and in vivo osteogenic effects: (a) it stimulates the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts in culture, and (b) in non-diabetic rats, it increases the repair of minimal bone lesions and improves femoral trabecular bone microarchitecture. In this study, we evaluated in rats the effect of diabetes induction by a partial destruction of pancreatic beta cells, on the osteogenic commitment of bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPC), and the modulation of this effect by orally administered metformin. We used young male Sprague Dawley rats (200 g), divided into four groups: untreated non-diabetic controls [C], non-diabetic rats treated for 2 weeks with metformin administered in drinking water (100 mg/kg/day) [M], untreated diabetic rats [D], and diabetic rats treated for 2 weeks with metformin (100 mg/kg/day) [DM]. Induction of Diabetes was performed one week prior to treatment with metformin, by successive intraperitoneal injections with 75 mg/kg body weight of nicotinic acid and 60 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin. At the end of all treatments, blood samples were obtained to confirm the development of Diabetes, after which the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under anesthesia. Femora and/or tibiae were dissected, and bone marrow cells were collected by flushing the bone diaphysal canal with Dulbecco’s modified essential medium (DMEM) under sterile conditions. Adherent cells were grown to confluence in DMEM-10 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), after which we assessed alkaline phosphatase specific activity (ALP) by an enzymatic kinetic method, and type 1 collagen production (Col-1) by a Sirius Red colorimetric method (basal osteoblastic differentiation of BMPC). Subsequently, BMPC were submitted to an osteogenic induction for 15 days with an osteogenic medium (DMEM-10 % FBS containing ascorbic acid and sodium beta-glycerophosphate), after which ALP and Col-1 were evaluated. Basal ALP activity and type 1 collagen production (BMPC without osteogenic differentiation) showed no significant differences between the four experimental groups. After 15 days of culture in osteogenic medium, BMPC from control rats increased their expression of ALP (5 times compared to baseline) and collagen production (11 times compared to baseline). BMPC from diabetic rats after 15 days culture in osteogenic medium, also showed a significant (although smaller) increase in ALP (2-3 fold over basal activity) and collagen production (4-fold compared to baseline). BMPC obtained from rats treated with metformin (groups M and DM) and submitted to osteogenic induction for 15 days, showed an approximately 2-4-fold increase in both ALP and Col-1 (when compared with groups C and D, respectively). After 21 days of osteogenic induction, a decrease was observed in the mineralization of BMPC obtained from group D (65 % of that for group C). Treatment with metformin increased the mineralizing capacity of BMPC in all cases, including a reversal of the inhibitory effect of Diabetes on this parameter. In conclusion, we have found that our model of Diabetes reduces the osteogenic potential of bone marrow progenitor cells, and that this effect is partially reverted by orally administered metformin. These findings could explain, at least in part, the bone alterations that have been associated with Diabetes mellitus

Questionnaire-Based Polyexposure Assessment Outperforms Polygenic Scores for Classification of Type 2 Diabetes in a Multiancestry Cohort

OBJECTIVE Environmental exposures may have greater predictive power for type 2 diabetes than polygenic scores (PGS). Studies examining environmental risk factors, however, have included only individuals with European ancestry, limiting the applicability of results. We conducted an exposome-wide association study in the multiancestry Personalized Environment and Genes Study to assess the effects of environmental factors on type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using logistic regression for single-exposure analysis, we identified exposures associated with type 2 diabetes, adjusting for age, BMI, household income, and self-reported sex and race. To compare cumulative genetic and environmental effects, we computed an overall clinical score (OCS) as a weighted sum of BMI and prediabetes, hyperten-sion, and high cholesterol status and a polyexposure score (PXS) as a weighted sum of 13 environmental variables. Using UK Biobank data, we developed a multiancestry PGS and calculated it for participants. RESULTS We found 76 significant associations with type 2 diabetes, including novel associations of asbestos and coal dust exposure. OCS, PXS, and PGS were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. PXS had moderate power to determine associations, with larger effect size and greater power and reclassification improvement than PGS. For all scores, the results differed by race. CONCLUSIONS Our findings in a multiancestry cohort elucidate how type 2 diabetes odds can be at-tributed to clinical, genetic, and environmental factors and emphasize the need for exposome data in disease-risk association studies. Race-based differences in predictive scores highlight the need for genetic and exposome-wide studies in diverse populations. EmR2TaFJ

Effect of metformin on bone marrow progenitor cell differentiation: in vivo and in vitro studies

Diabetes mellitus is associated with bone loss. Patients with type 2 diabetes are frequently treated with oral antidiabetic drugs such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, and thiazolidinediones. Rosiglitazone treatment has been shown to increase adipogenesis in bone marrow and to induce bone loss. In this study we evaluated the effect of in vivo and in vitro treatment with metformin on bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs), as well as the involvement of AMPK pathway in its effects. The in vitro effect of coincubation with metformin and rosiglitazone on the adipogenic differentiation of BMPCs also was studied. In addition, we evaluated the effect of in vivo metformin treatment on bone regeneration in a model of parietal lesions in nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We found that metformin administration both in vivo and in vitro caused an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen synthesis, osteocalcin expression, and extracellular calcium deposition of BMPCs. Moreover, metformin significantly activated AMPK in undifferentiated BMPCs. In vivo, metformin administration enhanced the expression of osteoblast-specific transcription factor Runx2/Cbfa1 and activation of AMPK in a time-dependent manner. Metformin treatment also stimulated bone lesion regeneration in control and diabetic rats. In vitro, metformin partially inhibited the adipogenic actions of rosiglitazone on BMPCs. In conclusion, our results indicate that metformin causes an osteogenic effect both in vivo and in vitro, possibly mediated by Runx2/Cbfa1 and AMPK activation, suggesting a possible action of metformin in a shift toward the osteoblastic differentiation of BMPCs

Natural disturbance impacts on trade-offs and co-benefits of forest biodiversity and carbon

With accelerating environmental change, understanding forest disturbance impacts on trade-offs between biodiversity and carbon dynamics is of high socio-economic importance. Most studies, however, have assessed immediate or short-term effects of disturbance, while long-term impacts remain poorly understood. Using a tree-ring-based approach, we analysed the effect of 250 years of disturbances on present-day biodiversity indicators and carbon dynamics in primary forests. Disturbance legacies spanning centuries shaped contemporary forest co-benefits and trade-offs, with contrasting, local-scale effects. Disturbances enhanced carbon sequestration, reaching maximum rates within a comparatively narrow post-disturbance window (up to 50 years). Concurrently, disturbance diminished aboveground carbon storage, which gradually returned to peak levels over centuries. Temporal patterns in biodiversity potential were bimodal; the first maximum coincided with the short-term post-disturbance carbon sequestration peak, and the second occurred during periods of maximum carbon storage in complex old-growth forest. Despite fluctuating local-scale trade-offs, forest biodiversity and carbon storage remained stable across the broader study region, and our data support a positive relationship between carbon stocks and biodiversity potential. These findings underscore the interdependencies of forest processes, and highlight the necessity of large-scale conservation programmes to effectively promote both biodiversity and long-term carbon storage, particularly given the accelerating global biodiversity and climate crises

Development of a validated patient-reported symptom metric for pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis: qualitative methods

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous attempts to measure symptoms in pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) have not fully included patients and parents in the item development process. We sought to identify and validate key patient self-reported and parent proxy-reported outcomes (PROs) specific to EoE.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We developed methodology for focus and cognitive interviews based on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for PROs, the validated generic PedsQL™ guidelines, and the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). Both child (ages 8-12 and 13-18) and parent-proxy (ages 2-4, 5-7, 8-12, and 13-18) interviews were conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We conducted 75 interviews to construct the new instrument. Items were identified and developed from individual focus interviews, followed by cognitive interviews for face and content validation. Initial domains of symptom frequency and severity were developed, and open-ended questions were used to generate specific items during the focus interviews. Once developed, the instrument construct, instructions, timeframe, scoring, and specific items were systematically reviewed with a separate group of patients and their parents during the cognitive interviews.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To capture the full impact of pediatric EoE, both histologic findings and PROs need to be included as equally important outcome measures. We have developed the face and content validated Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score (PEESS™ v2.0). The PEESS™ v2.0 metric is now undergoing multisite national field testing as the next iterative instrument development phase.</p

Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Major Depression Inventory

BACKGROUND: The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. It is reported to be valid because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 depression. The aim of the current preliminary study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the MDI. METHODS: 30 depressed patients of mean age 23.41 (± 5.77) years, and 68 controls patients of mean age 25.08 (± 11.42) years, entered the study. In 18 of them, the instrument was re-applied 1–2 days later and the Translation and Back Translation made. Clinical diagnosis was reached with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE). The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS) were applied for cross-validation purposes. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, the Spearman Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's α. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.94, respectively, at 26/27. Cronbach's α for the total scale was equal to 0.89. The Spearman's rho between MDI and CES-D was 0.86 and between MDI and ZDRS was 0.76. The factor analysis revealed two factors but the first accounted for 54% of variance while the second only for 9%. The test-retest reliability was excellent (Spearman's rho between 0.53 and 0.96 for individual items and 0.89 for total score). CONCLUSION: The current study provided preliminary evidence concerning the reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the MDI. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, but further research is necessary

Management of toxic ingestions with the use of renal replacement therapy

Although rare, renal replacement therapy (RRT) for the treatment of the metabolic, respiratory and hemodynamic complications of intoxications may be required. Understanding the natural clearance of the medications along with their volume of distribution, protein binding and molecular weight will help in understanding the benefit of commencing RRT. This information will aid in choosing the optimal forms of RRT in an urgent setting. Overdose of common pediatric medications are discussed with suggestions on the type of RRT within this educational review