Education Quality Improvement by E-learning Technology

The purpose of this article is to describe the current state and current needs, as well as efforts put in implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) into Croatian higher education practice. In order to do so, the article will cover following topics: ICT in education - e-learning, What is e-learning, Features, avantages, disadvantages of e-learning, E-learning delivery, Implementatio strategic planning, n of e-learning: "Lone Ranger" model or insitutional strategical planning, EQIBELT project - how to institutinally support e-learning implementation into Croatian higher education practice

Education Quality Improvement by E-learning Technology

The purpose of this article is to describe the current state and current needs, as well as efforts put in implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) into Croatian higher education practice. In order to do so, the article will cover following topics: ICT in education - e-learning, What is e-learning, Features, avantages, disadvantages of e-learning, E-learning delivery, Implementatio strategic planning, n of e-learning: "Lone Ranger" model or insitutional strategical planning, EQIBELT project - how to institutinally support e-learning implementation into Croatian higher education practice

Institutional Support for E-learning Implementation in Higher Education Practice: a Case Report of University of Rijeka, Croatia

E-learning implementation in the teaching and learning process has been presented as an institutional, strategically planned operation at University of Rijeka, Croatia. Motivated by poor use of ICT in teaching and learning process, together with the Bologna process changes needed in transformation of curricula, as well as by participation in one Tempus project on e-learning implementation in higher education, the University management decided to facilitate the activities for e-learning implementation with supporting policy documents as well as through allocating budget. The implementation started practically from ground zero, with the aim of building capacities - setting up the infrastructure and environment ready for the implementation, as well as building a community of practitioners. The three-year long process has resulted with achievements that exceeded the expectations

Oxidation-induced Spin Probes in Low-density Lipoproteins

PBN trapping indicated the presence of at least two types of radicals induced in LDL upon slow oxidation, as observed with EPR spectroscopy. The EPR spectra are very similar to those of the spin probes or spin labels, which are routinely used in the studies of macromolecular systems and supramolecular assemblies. The parameters of the spectral line shapes, treated in two different theoretical models, did not provide conclusive evidence for the phase transition in the LDL particles, known to be present at about 25 °C. It is concluded that both types of trapped radicals, or at least one of them, are associated with the apolipoproteins, with the spin probe sticking into the lipid domain of phospholipids

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of Major Polyphenols from Olive Leaves (Olea europaea L.) Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

The ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of oleuropein (OLE), verbascoside (VER),and luteolin-4′-O-glucoside (L4OG), as the major phenolics from olive leaves, was optimized usingresponse surface methodology (RSM). A Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to monitor theeffect of different modes of ultrasound operation (pulsed and continuous), liquid–solid (L–S) ratio,and sonication time on each phenolic yield. The yield of UAE and conventional solid extraction (CSE)was determined after performing ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-arraydetector (UHPLC-DAD) analysis on the extracts. The results suggested that, under optimal conditions,the concentrations of OLE, VER, and L4OG were 13.386, 0.363, and 0.527 mg/g of dry powdered oliveleaves (DPOL), respectively. Verification of experiments was carried out under the modified optimalconditions and the relative errors between the predicted and experimental values were dependenton the examined phenolic compound (OLE 8.63%, VER 11.3%, and L4OG 22.48%). In comparisonwith CSE, UAE improved the yields of OLE, VER, and L4OG (32.6%, 41.8%, and 47.5%, respectively,after 1 min) at a temperature of 60◦C, an L–S ratio of 15 (v/w), and in the continuous mode of UAE.We demonstrated that the UAE technique is an efficient method for enhancing yields of OLE, VER,and L4OG in olive-leaf extracts, while the chosen model was adequate to optimize the extraction ofmajor phenolic compounds from olive leaves

Recent results from computer simulations of membrane channels and pumps

The present review reports on recent progress in modeling and simulation of biological ion channels and proton pumps. In particular, we describe the current approaches and results concerning permeation and selectivity of ion channels. This is demonstrated mainly at the example of a potassium ion channel. In the case of proton pumping across lipid membranes we report on recent results from computer simulation of bacteriorhodopsin. The distribution of internal water and the structure and dynamics of hydrogen-bonded networks inside bacteriorhodopsin are discussed

Strong nuclear EGFR expression in colorectal carcinomas is associated with cyclin-D1 but not with gene EGFR amplification

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prognostic and predictive significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to explore and correlate membrane and nuclear EGFR and cyclin-D1 protein expression with EGFR gene status of tumor cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Immunohistochemical and FISH analysis was performed on 135 archival formalin fixed and paraffin embedded CRCs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Strong membrane and strong nuclear EGFR staining was detected in 16% and 57% of cases, respectively, and strong cyclin-D1 expression in 57% samples. Gene EGFR amplification was identified in 5.9% and polysomy in 7.4% of cases, while 87% showed no EGFR gene changes. A statistically significant difference was only found between tumor grade and expression of membrane EGFR, while nuclear EGFR and cyclin-D1 expression was not associated with the clinicopathologic characteristics analyzed. Tumor cells displaying gene amplification and strong protein membrane EGFR expression overlapped, while EGFR gene status showed no correlation with nuclear EGFR and cyclin-D1. There was no association between membrane EGFR and cyclin-D1, whereas nuclear EGFR expression was strongly related to cyclin-D1 expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Study results revealed heterogeneity among CRCs, which could have a predictive value by identifying biologically and probably clinically different subsets of tumors with the possibly diverse response to anti-EGFR therapies.</p

The Effect of 5α-reductase Inhibition with Finasteride and Dutasteride on Bone Mineral Density in Older Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Testosterone is converted to dihyrotestosterone by two isoenzymes of 5α-reductase. Finasteride and dutasteride are 5α-reductase inhibitors commonly used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We compared indices of bone mineral density in 50 men treated with finasteride, 50 men treated with dutasteride and 50 men as control. Bone mineral density of spine and hip were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone formation was assessed by measuring serum osteocalcin and bone resorption by measuring serum C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 1. In addition serum total testosteron and estradiol were determined. The dutasteride group had significantly higher mean bone mineral density, mean bone mineral content, mean T score, mean Z score at femoral neck and mean total hip Z score than control. Mean total testosterone and estradiol levels were higher in the dutasteride group. There were no significant differences between the groups in lumbar spine bone density parameters or bone turnover markers. Our results provide evidence that long-term 5α-reductase suppression does not adversely affect bone mineral density. Dutasteride therapy could have beneficial effect on bone density