ABSTRACT
We have used an Ig transgene (VH3H9) that increases the frequency of anti-DNA autoantibodies to address whether the production of antinuclear Abs in systemic lupus erythematosus is the consequence of a breakdown of B cell tolerance. We have shown that nonautoimmune mice regulate anti-DNA B cells, and that lupus-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice are defective in this regulation. Here we show that a subset of anti-DNA B cells, namely those that stain nuclei in a homogeneous fashion, not only fail to be deleted in MRL-lpr/lpr mice, but undergo preferential clonal expansion. In addition, we describe a surprising finding: the VH3H9 transgene is less efficient at inhibiting endogenous heavy chain gene rearrangement on the autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr genetic background than on the nonautoimmune BALB/c background.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Antinuclear/genetics , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Immunoglobulin Allotypes/genetics , Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics , Immunoglobulin Light Chains/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibodies, Antinuclear/biosynthesis , Base Sequence , Gene Expression Regulation/immunology , Hybridomas/immunology , Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/biosynthesis , Immunoglobulin Isotypes/biosynthesis , Immunoglobulin Isotypes/genetics , Immunoglobulin Light Chains/biosynthesis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Mutant Strains , Mice, Transgenic , Molecular Sequence DataABSTRACT
This study compared interactions between the staff and residents living in hospital wards and in community-based hostels. Twenty-four people with moderate to severe learning difficulties participated in this study. Interactions were categorized according to who was the initiator and recipient, their purpose, attitude of the recipient, duration, and place. It was found that the hospital and hotel residents had virtually no interactions with people outwith the establishment in which they lived. The hostel appeared to offer the residents a sociable environment with more interpersonal interactions and more positive attitudes towards the interactants than the hospital. Interactions in both kinds of setting were very short, thus giving residents little chance to develop communicative skills. It is suggested that a more personal approach, such as joint activities between residents and staff, and living in small groups in ordinary housing, should be the first priorities in the effort to improve the pattern of social interactions of people with moderate to severe learning difficulties.
Subject(s)
Hospitalization , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Social Environment , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Adult , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Male , Middle Aged , Professional-Patient Relations , ScotlandABSTRACT
The study investigated the changes in social activities and social networks of people with mild learning difficulties who moved from family home and from a long-stay hospital to live more independently in the community. Twenty-five people with a learning difficulty, 12 mothers and 33 members of staff participated in this study based on interviews before and after the move to the community. It was found that people with a learning difficulty participated in more community-based activities after the move but they had very few opportunities to meet non-handicapped people. Their segregation remained a main source of dissatisfaction with their social life.
Subject(s)
Deinstitutionalization , Halfway Houses , Learning Disabilities/rehabilitation , Social Adjustment , Social Environment , Adult , Female , Home Nursing/psychology , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Learning Disabilities/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Social SupportSubject(s)
Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Adult , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Long-Term Care , Residential FacilitiesABSTRACT
Twelve people with a mild mental handicap, their mothers and members of staff of Adult Training Centres were interviewed to explore their views on the subjects of stigma and handicap, and to establish the facts about the social life and autonomy of people with a mental handicap. It was found that all participants with a mental handicap were aware of the stigma attached to them. A minority of three conceived of themselves as 'essentially different' from non-handicapped people, while the majority of nine conceived of themselves as 'essentially the same'. In contrast, the majority of mothers viewed their sons and daughters as 'essentially different' from non-handicapped people. These findings do not support the claim of the social constructionist theory of the self that people's self-concepts are primarily determined by the ways in which they are treated by the significant others. Rather, people with a mental handicap are aware of their own agency and clearly express their socio-emotional needs.
Subject(s)
Intellectual Disability/psychology , Prejudice , Self Concept , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Mother-Child Relations , Professional-Patient Relations , Social AdjustmentABSTRACT
Open-ended interviews were conducted with 12 people with a mental handicap who had left parental homes in order to live as tenants in community residential hostels. Parents and hostel staff were also interviewed. The nature of life in the family home, and the tenant's role in the move, reasons for leaving home and expectations for the future were explored. It was found that social life, autonomy and opportunities to develop self-help skills had been limited at home. The tenants who had the widest social experience and the greatest use of self-help skills at home were the most active in changing their situation. Tenants hoped to gain more freedom by leaving home, although they were also in agreement with parents and staff about the value of learning new skills.
