The Usability of C++ Interactive Self-Assessment Quiz (i-SAQ)

The rising of technologies these days affected most of the sectors in the country including education.  Traditional assessment method gives difficulty to both students and lecturers in term of learning and teaching process. Therefore, this study proposed an online quizzes application called i-SAQ (C++ Interactive Self-Assessment Quiz) which adopt formative assessment method to help students and lecturers in their learning and teaching process. The feature of i-SAQ which offers immediate feedback while answering the quiz attracts students in having a hassle-free way of discovering knowledge. This feature also helps lecturers in handling large number of students in term of giving the feedback from formative assessment. The usability test was conducted to a group of 64 students to test the functionality of i-SAQ by using questionnaire approach. From the analysis, most of the students gave highest points for every questionnaire usability factors which shows that i-SAQ is one useful and interesting learning support tool

Histologycally Confirmed Synchronous Pancreatic and Duodenal Double Cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most pervasive form of cancer with high mortality rates. Being obscure at the early stages, non-specific symptoms and their onset only in the late stages of the disease lead to detection of the III–IV stages cancer on initial diagnistics. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is an intramucosal tumor of gastrointestinal tract, which is a derivate of interstitial cells of Cajal. The unicity of the presented clinical case is the rareness of GIST, which was an incidental finding during diagnostics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Diagnosed by intravenous contrast computed tomography, synchronous pancreatic and duodenal double cancer was confirmed histologically after Whipple surgery. The opportunities of intravenous contrast computed tomography in diagnostics of synchronous cancer were demonstrated

Functional Copy-Number Alterations in Cancer

Understanding the molecular basis of cancer requires characterization of its genetic defects. DNA microarray technologies can provide detailed raw data about chromosomal aberrations in tumor samples. Computational analysis is needed (1) to deduce from raw array data actual amplification or deletion events for chromosomal fragments and (2) to distinguish causal chromosomal alterations from functionally neutral ones. We present a comprehensive computational approach, RAE, designed to robustly map chromosomal alterations in tumor samples and assess their functional importance in cancer. To demonstrate the methodology, we experimentally profile copy number changes in a clinically aggressive subtype of soft-tissue sarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, and computationally derive a portrait of candidate oncogenic alterations and their target genes. Many affected genes are known to be involved in sarcomagenesis; others are novel, including mediators of adipocyte differentiation, and may include valuable therapeutic targets. Taken together, we present a statistically robust methodology applicable to high-resolution genomic data to assess the extent and function of copy-number alterations in cancer

Social determinants of self-reported emotional and behavioral problems in Greek adolescents

Objective: This study aimed to assess the social factors associated with self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among Greek adolescents. Methods: At age 18, a population-based sample of 3373 Greek adolescentscompleted the Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire. Results: The results from the multivariate analysis indicated that both lack of intimate friendships and not having parental monitoring were independently associated with problem behavior among both male and female adolescents. Engagement in sexual activities was significantly associated with higher YSR scores among both genders. Absence of academic motivation was associated with higher YSR scores in girls only. Conclusions: Our results confirm that social factors, including negative family functions, lack of academic motivation and not having close friends, were associated with emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents and imply the need to develop a supportive social network for adolescents. © Springer-Verlag 2007

Scedosporium apiospermum complex in cystic fibrosis; should we treat?

Species of the Scedosporium apiospermum complex are the second most frequent filamentous fungi after Aspergillus fumigatus that can be found in cystic fibrosis (CF). Mixed colonisation by S. apiospermum complex and A. fumigatus is also quite common. In this study we summarise all CF patients who were colonised by S. apiospermum complex during their childhood and we present two CF patients who were treated as fungal bronchitis due to S. apiospermum complex. The medical records of 400 CF patients were reviewed in order to identify those with positive respiratory cultures for S. apiospermum complex. Scedosporium apiospermum complex was isolated in 10 CF patients and six of them had more than two positive sputum cultures during the study period. By the time of first isolation, the median age was 14.5 years, the median BMI was 19.41 kg/m2, the median predicted FEV1% was 78.65% and six patients had a history of A. fumigatus isolation. Two patients presented symptoms of infection while they were colonised by S. apiospermum complex. A rapid remission of their symptoms was observed only when antifungal therapy was administered. Antifungal treatment should be considered in CF patients who present symptoms of infection not responding to antibacterial therapy and S. apiospermum complex is persistently growing in sputum cultures. © 2017 Blackwell Verlag Gmb