Eosinophil cationic protein--current concepts and controversies

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a heterogeneous molecule originating from activated eosinophil granulocytes. Biological activity and the cellular content of ECP are determined by genetic and posttranslational factors. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human ECP gene (RNASE3) have been described so far. ECP is a mediator in host immune response to parasites, bacteria and viruses. By its cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic activity, ECP may also cause side-effects in the host's own tissues. The largest number of clinical studies is focused on the role of ECP in eosinophil-related disorders, particularly in asthma. Although present in numerous body fluids, difficult bioavailability of biological material, invasive sampling methods and complex sample management prior to ECP level determination are the reasons that serum is most commonly used in routine laboratory practice. As numerous biological and methodological preanalytical factors (the type of collection test-tube, temperature and duration of blood clotting, centrifugation, hemolysis) may affect test result, the sample for serum ECP determination should be collected under standardized conditions. Regarding interpretation of results, it is necessary, along with absolute ECP concentration values, to monitor changes in ECP concentration during the duration of disease or after implemented therapy, and interpret ECP test result in combination with other laboratory and clinical findings. Rational approach to selection of new tests is indeed one of important requirements that medical workers meet today. To enable them to determine the clinical significance of ECP with better certainty, further studies on a large number of specific patient groups are needed.     

Continuing professional development crediting system for specialists in laboratory medicine within 28 EFLM national societies

Introduction:

Continuing professional development (CPD) with corresponding crediting system is recognized as essential for the laboratory medicine specialists to provide optimal service for the patients. Article presents results of the survey evaluating current CPD crediting practice among members of European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM).

Materials and methods:

A questionnaire had been forwarded to presidents/national representatives of all EFLM members, with invitation to provide information about CPD programmes and crediting policies, as well as feedback on individual CPD categories, through scoring their relevance.

Results:

Complete or partial answers were received from 28 of 38 members. In 23 countries, CPD programmes exist and earn credits, with 19 of them offering access to non-medical scientists. CPD activities are evaluated in all participating countries, regardless to the existence of an official CPD programme. Among participating members with mandatory specialists’ licensing (22/28), CPD is a prerequisite for relicensing in 13 countries. Main categories recognized as CPD are: continuing education (24 countries), article/book (17/14 countries) authorship and distance learning (14 countries). The highest median score of relevance (20) is allocated to professional training, editor/authorship and official activities in professional organizations, with the first category showing the least variation among scores.

Conclusions:

Majority of EFLM members have developed CPD programmes, regularly evaluated and accompanied by crediting systems. Programmes differ in accessibility for non-medical scientists and impact on relicensing eligibility. Continuing education, authorship and e-learning are mainly recognized as CPD activities, although the professional training is appreciated as the most important individual CPD category.     

Women in Academe in Poland: Winners Among Losers

Women are clearly underrepresented in institutions of science and higher education. This article focuses on an analysis of the social, economic, and political determinants of the presence of women in academe and their scientific careers, in Poland, in the 1990s portrayed in an historical perspective.     

石家庄高职教育发展战略研究

石家庄高职教育发展取得了很大成绩，但也存在一些亟待解决的问题。加强政府宏观调控职能，紧密结合当地经济社会发展，强强联合，组建高职教育集团是今后一个时期石家庄高职教育发展的战略举措。     

追求融合走向发展

悠悠千古,川西民间文化博大精深,闪烁着世世代代川西人的智慧光彩。将川西民间艺术、民俗资源与幼儿园课程相整合,推动幼儿教育课程改革,是成都市成华区幼教区域性课题。两年多来,为实现这一目标追求,成华区幼教工作者凭着对幼教工作的满腔热忱和科学态度,书写着充满时代气息的教育华章。古老的川西民间艺术、民俗资源在成华区的幼儿园绽放新花,幼儿教师引领着天真烂漫的孩子,打捞出先人的智慧彩贝,收获到充满童趣的无尽欢乐……——编者     

Quality early childhood education in Costa Rica? Policy,practice, outcomes and challenges

High‐quality early childhood education has been shown to improve school outcomes in several developing and developed nations. The history of policy around pre‐school education in Costa Rica is described as background to presenting cross‐sectional data on the emergent literacy skills of low‐income Costa Rican children in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade from six schools (n?=?335). These data suggest that Costa Rican children show rather limited emergent literacy knowledge at the end of kindergarten. In addition, instruction in nine kindergarten classrooms is described and evaluated in order to provide vignettes of educational practice. The need for developmentally appropriate practice around emergent literacy skills and articulation with 1st grade is discussed and appropriate professional development is called for.     

教育如何为新农村建设服务

建设社会主义新农村是党中央审时度势、从全面建设小康社会的全局出发做出的重大战略决策.是落实科学发展观的重大历史任务,是我国农村继家庭联产承包责任制后又一伟大创举,也是一项惠及中国九亿农民的伟大工程.这给教育部门提出了一个崭新的课题:教育应如何为新农村建设服务.我们充分发挥中学基础教育的作用,紧紧围绕这一重大课题,做了大量细致的工作,摸索出一条服务新农村建设的新路子,坚持三个面向:面向本校农村学生、面向广大农村、面向广大农民.     

农村社区图书馆(室)建设发展问题初探

农村社区图书馆(室)在农村文化建设中占有重要的位置,它是农民终身学习的学校,对提高农民素质,发展农村经济起着至关重要的作用。我国农村社区图书馆(室)的建设处于起步阶段,科学分析农村社区图书馆(室)的发展状况,探讨适合本地实际的农村图书馆(室)的发展方向、构建模式、馆藏建设、服务内容和服务方式等是非常必要的。     

Children’s Protagonism in a Science Exhibition: an Exploratory Study of an Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Research in Science Education - Despite the fact that the majority of museum visitors are often very young children, much research in museums focuses on pre-teen learners (ages 8–12). Our...     

Using the first principles of instruction and multimedia learning principles to design and develop in-game learning support videos

Educational technology research and development - Over three years, our research team has designed various learning supports for promoting content knowledge and solving game levels. In this case...