Search

Describing the historical development of the mask (Laarve) 2 within the carnival tradition of the Basel Fasnacht (Faasnacht, Switzerland) during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, this article offers a case study of the so-called reflexive turn in late modern ('post-traditional') societies. Drawing on the concept of ritual reflexivity, we argue that the gradual development of the Fasnacht masks into oversized constructions covering the ritualist's whole head (Laarve) went hand in hand with the development of various other ritual mechanisms aimed at facilitating within the ritual framework a meditative, inward-oriented stance (enstasis). 3 This is especially interesting as carnivals tend to be associated with precisely the opposite dynamics: transcending social norms through the celebration of excess and inebriation which, in its extreme forms, may lead to ekstasis (or at least a headache). The described ritual elements are interpreted as a series of mirroring mechanisms nested within one another. The ritual handling of the Laarve by the ritualists (its donning and taking off at regular intervals) is then understood simultaneously as a facilitator and a marker fuelling and isolating individual phases of an otherwise non-discrete reflexive process. Based on first-hand accounts of ritualists' experiences of mask-wearing, we will show how Basel Fasnacht walks a tightrope between 'modelling' and 'mirroring' societal, communal and idiosyncratic levels of meaning-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Nocturnal hypoglycemia frequently occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). It can be fatal and is believed to promote the development of the hypoglycemia-unawareness syndrome. Whether [...]

Background A global cross-sectional survey (CRASH) was designed to provide information about the experiences of people with diabetes (PWD) and their caregivers in relation to severe hypoglycaemic events. Methods Adults with type 1 diabetes or insulin-treated type 2 diabetes who had experienced one or more severe hypoglycaemic events within the past 3 years, and adult caregivers for such people, were recruited from medical research panels using purposive sampling. We present here results from Germany. Results Approximately 100 individuals in each of the four participant groups completed a 30-minute online survey. Survey results indicated that the most recent severe hypoglycaemic event made many participants feel scared (80.4%), unprepared (70.4%), and/or helpless (66.5%). Severe hypoglycaemia was discussed by healthcare professionals at every visit with only 20.2% of participants who had ever had this conversation, and 53.5% of participants indicated that their insulin regimen had not changed following their most recent event. 37.1% of PWD/people with diabetes cared for by caregivers owned a glucagon kit at the time of survey completion. Conclusions The survey identified areas for improvement in the prevention and management of severe hypoglycaemic events. For healthcare professionals, these include enquiring more frequently about severe hypoglycaemia and adjusting blood glucose-lowering medication after a severe hypoglycaemic event. For individuals with diabetes and their caregivers, potential improvements include ensuring availability of glucagon at all times. Changes in these areas could lead not only to improved patient wellbeing but also to reduced use of emergency services/hospitalisation and, consequently, lower healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. One current hypothesis of biological aging proposes that aging results from the deterioration of neuroendocrine functions. Sleep dependent growth hormone (GH) secretion is diminished in elderly people. However, the time course of this decrease from puberty to senescence is still unknown. Cortisol secretion is also related to sleep processes with the 24 hr nadir occurring, like the sleep dependent GH secretory surge, during the first half of nocturnal sleep. Whether age also affects the sleep-associated nadir of cortisol secretion has yet to be clarified. This study investigated changes in GH and cortisol secretion during sleep in 30 male volunteers age 20 to 92 yr. Methods. After an adaptation night, each subject spent another night in the sleep laboratory for polygraphic sleep recording and determination of GH and cortisol levels every 15 min. Results. GH peak values exponentially decreased with age (r = -.80, p < .001), while the cortisol nadir increased linearly as a function of age (r = .79, p < .001). Age-related changes in sleep)-dependent secretion of GH and cortisol correlated significantly (r = .47, r = -.55, respectively; p < .05) with an age-dependent decrease in slow wave sleep. Conclusion. Alterations of GH peak amplitude and basal cortisol secretion are not restricted to senescence. These changes develop gradually during adult life with different time courses. Both changes in GH and cortisol secretion may act together to reduce anabolic functions of sleep in the aged.