Clearing the confusion about self-directed learning and self-regulated learning

Abstract

Self-Directed Learning (SDL) and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) are often used without a clear distinction, leading to confusion in understanding and the use of inappropriate measurement tools. SDL is a general approach to learning and can be identified using ‘aptitude’ questionnaires but SRL is a dynamic and context specific learning process and requires ‘event’ measures, such as microanalysis. These differences have implications for research and remediation.     

Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance and Antioxidized LDL Antibody Level Values and Cardiac Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Objectives: We studied the association between the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), anti-malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (oxidized LDL, ox-LDL) IgG antibody and indices of cardiac function (systolic and diastolic function) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Fifty-five patients with established CAD were selected, and serum levels of anti-ox-LDL IgG and PAB values were measured and compared with 40 matched healthy controls. Systolic and diastolic functions were determined for all patients. Results: PAB values were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.001), whilst serum anti-ox-LDL concentrations were not statistically different between the 2 groups (p = 0.821). However, after adjustment for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the patients had higher anti-ox-LDL levels (p = 0.04). Total PAB values were inversely associated with ejection fraction (r = -0.326, p = 0.031), but this was not the case for anti-ox-LDL in either group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Serum concentrations of a marker of oxidative stress (PAB values) are inversely associated with cardiac function. PAB is a relatively simple index that could be incorporated into risk assessment in CAD patients. Anti-ox-LDL IgG antibody concentration does not appear to reflect total oxidative stress as assessed by PAB.     

Shortened Telomere Length in Sputum Cells of Bronchiectasis Patients is Associated with Dysfunctional Inflammatory Pathways

Telomere attrition is an established ageing biomarker and shorter peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length has been associated with increased risks of respiratory diseases. However, whether telomere length in disease-relevant sputum immune cells of chronic respiratory disease patients is shortened and which pathways are dysfunctional are not clear. Here we measured telomere length from sputum samples of bronchiectasis and asthmatic subjects and determined that telomere length in sputum of bronchiectasis subjects was significantly shorter (Beta?=????1.167, P_Adj?=?2.75?×?10^?4). We further performed global gene expression analysis and identified genes involved in processes such as NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation of adaptive immune cells when bronchiectasis sputum telomere length was shortened. Our study provides insights on dysfunctions related to shortened telomere length in sputum immune cells of bronchiectasis patients.

     

Administration of Selenium Nanoparticles Reverses Streptozotocin-Induced Neurotoxicity in the male rats

Metabolic Brain Disease - Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease associated with deposition of amyloid-beta and the increased oxidative stress. High free radical...     

A comparative investigation of flexion relaxation phenomenon in healthy and chronic neck pain subjects

Purpose

The cervical flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is a neck extensor myoelectric “silence” that occurs during complete cervical and lumbar flexion. In contrast to low back pain, the changes that occur during FRP in chronic neck pain (CNP) patients are still not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of this phenomenon in the cervical region in CNP patients and controls.

Methods

Twenty-two women (23 ± 2.62 years) with chronic non-specific neck pain and 21 healthy women (23.4 ± 1.68 years) participated in this study. They accomplished a cervical flexion and extension from neutral position. Neck angle and surface electromyographic activity of cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius muscles were recorded. Appearance, onset and offset angle of the FRP were analysed and compared between the two groups.

Results

There were significant differences in the appearance of FRP between the two groups (P ≤ 0.001). The FRP in the CES muscles was observed in 85.7 % of healthy subjects and in 36.3 % of CNP patients, and no FRP was observed in the upper trapezius. Results of this study show that the onset and offset of FRP parameters were significantly different between the two groups (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate that FRP in CNP patients was seen less than the healthy subjects, and moreover the FRP period was reduced in CNP patients. Our results also suggest that the changes in FRP of CNP patients may be due to the increased CES activity in these patients.     

Changes in pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance after bare metal and drug eluting stent implantation in patients with stable coronary disease

ObjectivesIn this study we aimed to assess the changes in pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) after the placement of either a drug-eluting-stent (DES) or bare-metal-stent (BMS) in patients with stable coronary artery disease.Design and methodsPercutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with either BMS or DES were undertaken for 152 patients (82 in the BMS and 70 in the DES groups respectively). PAB values were measured 24 h before and after PCI.ResultsBaseline PAB values were 80.68 (64.98–99.37) and 98.86 (64.70–140.62) for BMS and DES group, respectively, which were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Following PCI, median PAB values decreased to 72.10 (61.40–96.13) and 81.40 (54.15–121.90) in BMS and DES groups, respectively. The reduction was significant in both BMS and DES groups (P < 0.05). The changes in PAB values were ?2.81 (?12.76 to 2.31) for BMS and ?2.82 (?29.88 to 8.93) for DES group, which were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionWe found that the reported difference in clinical outcomes following DES or BMS implantation cannot be attributed to differences in early changes in oxidative stress induction as assessed by changes in PAB values.     

How Parents Cope with the Care of a Child with Epilepsy: Based upon Grounded Theory

BackgroundParents of children with seizure face the complicated health issues of their children. Adaptation strategies of parents as major care providers impact not only their handling of stresses on themselves but also children''s quality of life. This study investigated the adaptation processes of parents of children with seizure at two educational hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Iran.MethodsTwenty parents (15 mothers and 5 fathers), and three nurses were selected using purposive sampling method. Data was collected using qualitative semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the method suggested by Corbin and Strauss version 2008. The interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved.ResultsThe adaptation process had five phases: “Disbelief, Patience on what happened, change to preserve, acceptance of the current situation, and self- empowerment.” In summary, the parents of children with seizure had a 5-phase adaptation strategy. The core category achieved was “continued efforts of parents to restore calm.”ConclusionProperly assessing the stresses'' resources on parents of children with seizure is necessary. Informing their adaptation strategies may help medical staff and social services to provide more targeted support and promote the balance of the family function.