Bystander Apathy –An Enquiry Into The Expression Of Humanity And Empathy In China (2013-2014)

Aim To explore the apparent lack of personal concern for the welfare of others in China? To develop concepts to understand this  social phenomena in natural  settings using ethnographic and participatory research. Research Question How can the knowledge derived from qualitative research be used to improve the welfare of the poor in Shanghai? Ethics The study was carried out within the guidelines of the declaration of Helsinki. The study was characterised by anonymity, beneficence, non maleficence, and the  maintainence of  the dignity of participants Method Collection of data. The principle data source was “observation” spot observation”(Baksh 1990)”, participant observation”(Hammersley and Atkinson 1983)vignettes(Finch 1987, Sani Bin Gabi 1990), oral history(narrative) Conclusion The study was conducted ethically. It was a worthwhile study attempted to deal with current problems. The publication of this paper can be used to stimulate further enquiry into the problem of those in need of social welfare in Shanghai and China, in the hope it will improve services where they are needed. Suggested solutions In a country where intergenerational family ties are so strong and “guanxi” exists it is paradoxical there is  little empathy for others. Confuscian values, changed family beliefs, and education at school and  university may assist in increasing empathy. Learnt conditioning, to ignore or dissociate, from another human being in   need of help, can be slowly overcome by implementing universal and improved changes in societal living conditions. This can be achieved  by improving social welfare programs, spearheaded by a compassionate government. There is a view that it is an egregious and transparent fiction, to promulgate and publically promote, the philosophies and policies of communism, yet allow these curable social ills to remain. ”Rex ipsa Loquiter”. The healthy should help the sick, the rich should help the poor and the employed should help the unemployed, Proportionately, in accordance with what they have they should give. The promotion of a “ forward thinking, humane, listening and open society, rather than a closed, narrow, opaque, inward looking “weltanschaung” would assist societal reform. We “bystanders”, we must all try to imagine we are in the  place  of those in need, and  feel aas they do, in their situation. We must follow the advice of Mencius (372-289BC) and develop and use “empathy” As Mencius  said, ”a  developed  human heart is the basis  of a moral life”

Thyroid and Lipoprotein Profile of Adult Residents of District Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

In Pakistan, thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disorders which may lead to abnormal lipid profile. This study is an attempt to establish a more realistic reference range for thyroid related hormones (TSH, T4 & T3) and lipid profile of normal and diseased Rahim Yar Khan residents. This study has further explored correlation if any, among studied parameters of different experimental groups like metabolic syndrome patients (diabetic, hypertensive and hypotensive individuals), symptomatic thyroid patients and post-menopausal females. A total of 164 subjects were selected, comprising of experimental group (n = 106) and control group (n = 58) on the basis of questionnaire information. The control group included males (n = 34) and females (n = 24). The experimental group consisted of diabetic male (n = 11), diabetic female (n = 11), hypertensive individuals (Male = 10, Female = 10), hypotensive subjects (Male = 10, Female = 10), symptomatic thyroid patients (Male = 10, Female = 10) and post-menopausal women (n = 24). All serum samples were analyzed for thyroid hormones levels (TSH, T4, T3), total protein and lipid profile. For TSH estimation, solid phase ELISA was used while T3 and T4 were estimated using competitive ELISA technique. Total protein was assessed by biuret method. Lipid profile parameters were quantified by CHOD-PAP method. The statistical tools, SPSS 23 and Minitab, were used to assess precision of measurements (standard deviation), and to calculate, mean, range, Pearson bivariate correlation and level of significance. The TSH level of diabetic, hypertensive and symptomatic thyroiditis patients exhibited significant up-regulation in comparison to normal controls. However, T4 of diabetic and symptomatic thyroiditis patients was down-regulated. While the members of hypotensive group demonstrated T4 up-regulation. The T3 level was down-regulated in all groups of both genders except hypotensive individuals which were found to have T3 level similar to normal controls. Total cholesterol and LDL was up-regulated excluding hypotensive group but LDL level depicted down-regulation in hypotensive males only. The HDL parameter exhibited up-regulation in diabetic, hypertensive and symptomatic thyroiditis males but observed to be down-regulated in hypotensive group. However, HDL level did not varied in any category of female subjects. Total protein level was down-regulated in all study individuals except members of diabetic group and symptomatic thyroiditis males. Analysis of diabetics has revealed an association of T3 with non- HDL parameters. While the symptomatic thyroiditis patients displayed strong positive correlation of TSH and non-HDL parameters. Hypertensive males and hypotensive females had strong positive correlation of total protein with non-HDL parameters. However, post-menopausal women have medium positive correlation of TSH with HDL and strong positive correlation of T3 with HDL. The profile of normal individuals correlated well with the international standards. However, most of the diseased subjects (diabetic, hypertensive, hypotensive and symptomatic thyroiditis Patients) exhibited hypothyroidism and post-menopausal females satisfied criteria of hyperthyroidism. There is need to further extend study on large scale to establish reliable association of studied metabolic syndromes, thyroid disorders and post-menopausal status with abnormal lipid and thyroid hormones profile.