Digital Pedagogy, New Media Literacies and Open Educational Resources. Exploring the Impact of Digital Resources in Higher Education.

Mastergradsoppgave i digital kulturMAHF-DIKULDIKULT35

Meigs syndrome presenting with axillary vein thrombosis and lymphadenopathy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Meigs syndrome is a rare condition, occurring in less than 1% of ovarian tumors and has the characteristic features of a benign ovarian tumor, ascites and a pleural effusion. We present a case of Meigs syndrome in a young patient presenting initially with an axillary vein thrombosis and local lymphadenopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a short history of right arm swelling and shortness of breath as a result of an axillary vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus.The initial assessment also demonstrated right axillary and subclavian lymphadenopathy, a pleural effusion, ascites and a large ovarian mass. Serum levels of the tumor markers human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein were normal and the CA-125 level was only moderately elevated.The combination of thrombosis, lymphadenopathy and an ovarian mass raised the possibility of a disseminated malignancy potentially an epithelial ovarian cancer, a germ cell tumor or an ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor.Surgery, performed after a short period of anticoagulation, demonstrated a 13.5cm ovarian cellular fibroma of low malignant potential. Postoperatively the patient made an excellent recovery and the ascites, pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy all resolved promptly. CONCLUSIONS: In Meigs syndrome the classical findings of ascites, pleural effusion in combination with an ovarian mass can mimic disseminated malignancy but resolve spontaneously after surgery. In this current case, the patient also had lymphadenopathy and venous thrombosis, two other findings that are frequently associated with malignancy and was acutely unwell at presentation.It is unclear if the thrombosis and lymphadenopathy were simply coincidental or shared the same etiology as the ascites and pleural effusion. This case indicates that Meigs syndrome may on occasion present with additional findings that can further mimic disseminated malignancy and may lead to diagnostic uncertainty

DNA methylation profiling to assess pathogenicity of BRCA1 unclassified variants in breast cancer

Germline pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 increase risk of developing breast cancer. Screening for mutations in BRCA1 frequently identifies sequence variants of unknown pathogenicity and recent work has aimed to develop methods for determining pathogenicity. We previously observed that tumor DNA methylation can differentiate BRCA1-mutated from BRCA1-wild type tumors. We hypothesized that we could predict pathogenicity of variants based on DNA methylation profiles of tumors that had arisen in carriers of unclassified variants. We selected 150 FFPE breast tumor DNA samples [47 BRCA1 pathogenic mutation carriers, 65 BRCAx (BRCA1-wild type), 38 BRCA1 test variants] and analyzed a subset (n=54) using the Illumina 450K methylation platform, using the remaining samples for bisulphite pyrosequencing validation. Three validated markers (BACH2, C8orf31, and LOC654342) were combined with sequence bioinformatics in a model to predict pathogenicity of 27 variants (independent test set). Predictions were compared with standard multifactorial likelihood analysis. Prediction was consistent for c.5194-12G>A (IVS 19-12 G>A) (P>0.99); 13 variants were considered not pathogenic or likely not pathogenic using both approaches. We conclude that tumor DNA methylation data alone has potential to be used in prediction of BRCA1 variant pathogenicity but is not independent of estrogen receptor status and grade, which are used in current multifactorial models to predict pathogenicity

Managing New Groundwater Irrigated Lands in Egypt Using GIS

Geographic information technology is very important in the worldwide organizations due to its efficiency. Developments in different information systems and computer especially water resources data management systems, directly affect GIS. This technology can be used in Egypt which is an arid country to manage the water resources especially groundwater from both renewable and nonrenewable aquifers. The sustainable water management is one of the most important issues Egypt faces in reclamation lands, Water savings in agriculture in these new lands are an important objective of Egypt’s water strategy. Based on that the magnitude of potential water savings in agriculture and best achieve such savings and management is very important issue. In this study, the scope of the problem is how to manage the available groundwater resources in reclamation lands especially the most of reclamation land is far from the center of decision makers so there is a need to a remote management system. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an appropriate Spatial Decision Support System which quickly enables the decision makers to decide upon different planning and management issues and determine the optimal use of these resources without depletion. This research aims at building new water resources management tool to manage and control the groundwater resources by using a Web GIS in order to explore means of increasing water resources using efficiency in reclamation lands management based on dynamic maps and current data

Use Of Spreadsheets For Rainfall-Runoff Calculations

The nature of rainfall-runoff calculations necessitates the use of different equations for calculating losses and several response functions to route the effective rainfall hyetograph through the catchment. The efficient calculation facilities of spreadsheets are used to develop several models for calculating effective rainfall and outflow hydrograph. The models use recently developed theories in rainfall runoff modelling. Several options are made available for the user to choose from, e.g. several ~filtration equations and several response functions. The spreadsheet models are used to plot the rainfall hyetograph and the outflow hydrograph, and perform the iterative calculations encountered in some equations. The models are also suitable for conducting sensitivity analysis, calibration and verification. The spreadsheet model is used also to derive the unit hydrograph from measured data using different methods. Simple examples are used to demonstrate the application of the developed models

An Algorithm To Minimize Unused Lengths Of Steel Bars And Sections

The reinforcement steel bars and other metal or wooden sections used in the construction industry are usually available in standard lengths and are cut in large numbers of specified lengths (pieces) according to the needs of the structures. The choice of how to cut these lengths is important to minimize the unused part of the standard length. If the size of the project is big, the losses may be large causing an increase in the total cost of the project. The engineers responsible for cutting the sections may use trial and error procedure to minimize the losses. The present paper demonstrates a simple algorithm for selecting the optimal cutting method to minimize the unused lengths. The solution of the problem is obtained through a two step procedure, where the first step generates possible feasible combinations made of several pieces, while the second uses a linear programming model to minimize the unused lengths, while satisfying the amounts requested from each piece. The paper demonstrates the developed algorithm through a series of examples ranging from simple to real life examples showing its ability to find an optimal solution to the problem. The concept has many applications and can produce significant savings in construction material

Single-step treatment of gall bladder and bile duct stones: A combined endoscopic–laparoscopic technique

AbstractIntroductionThe advent of endoscopic techniques changed surgery in many regards. In the management of cholelithiasis; laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is today the treatment of choice. This has created a dilemma in the management of choledocholithiasis. Today a number of options exist, including endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) before LC in patients with suspected common bile duct (CBD) stones, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) by the transcystic approach or laparoscopic choledocotomy, open CBD exploration and postoperative ERCP. A major concern regarding both pre- and postoperative extraction of CBD stones (CBDS) by the ERCP is the risk of development of pancreatitis, also more than 10% of the preoperative ERCP is normal. More recently the alternative technique of combined LC with intraoperative ERCP and ES is emerging in an attempt to manage cholecysto-choledocholithiasis in a single-step procedure.ObjectivesThe aim of this work was to assess the treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in a one-stage operation by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (LC+IO-ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES).Patients and methodsThis study was carried out on 45 patients with gall bladder stones and with suspected or confirmed CBDS at the Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit in the Main Alexandria University Hospital. They were treated by a single-step procedure combining LC and IO-ERCP. Laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was carried out to confirm the presence of CBDS. A soft-tipped guide-wire was passed through the cystic duct and papilla into the duodenum. A papillotome was inserted endoscopically over the guide-wire. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed and the stones were extracted with a retrieval balloon or with a Dormia basket. The surgical operating time, surgical success rate, postoperative complications, retained CBDS, and postoperative length of hospital stay were assessed.ResultsThere were 30 females and 15 males. Their mean age was 45.07+11.3 years (ranging from 27 to 65years). Twenty-seven patients had confirmed CBDS by preoperative ultrasound (US) and/or MRCP. Eighteen patients were suspected for CBDS on clinical, laboratory and/or US basis. Conversion to open cholecystectomy occurred in one case due to severe adhesions at the Calot's triangle. IOC revealed the presence of CBDS in 36 patients. IO-ERCP with ES was performed successfully in 33 patients and stones were extracted endoscopically. Passage of the guide-wire through the papilla failed in three patients. Cholecystectomy was completed laparoscopically in 44 patients. The mean operative time was 119+14.4min (ranging from 100 to 150min). Minor postoperative complications occurred in 15 patients. No postoperative complications related to the procedure, i.e., pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, were encountered. Patients regained their bowel motion on the next day and were discharged after a mean hospital stay of 2.55+0.89 days. None of the patients presented on the postoperative follow-up with symptoms, signs, laboratory or radiological evidence of retained CBDS. The mean duration of the postoperative follow-up was 9+4.07 months (ranging from 3 to14 months).ConclusionThe current study suggests that LC+IO-ERCP for the management of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis is a safe and aneffective technique with a low rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis. It offers another alternative for surgeons especially those who do not practice LCBDE to treat patients in a single setting. However, additional studies with larger patient populations are needed keeping in mind that the limiting characteristic is the proximity and availability of the endoscopic settings

Kémiai és mikrobiológiai vizsgálati adatok az egyiptomi Asszuán-i tóból származó halak tárolása alkalmával

Die Verfasser lagerten Gefrierfische bei -5 , -10, —15 und - 20 °C 3 Monate lang. Die gelagerten Proben wurden allmonatlich untersucht. Es wurde der Gehalt an den Aminosäuren Alanin, Valin und Leucin, sowie die Gesamtkeimzahl bestimmt. Aufgrund der Untersuchungen wurde festgestellt, dass in den bei -1 5 °C und — 20 °C gelagerten Proben eine quantitative Zunahme der geprüften freien Aminosäuren nicht beobachtet werden konnte, die Gesamtkeimzahl sich aber in bedeutendem Masse verringerte. Aus den Versuchsangaben ging demnach hervor, dass die Lagerung bei — 15 °C und —20 °C vorteilhafter ist, als diejenige bei — 5 °C und — 10 °C. Fish from the Aswan Lake was stored in frozen state in the experiments at -5, —10, —15 and —20 °C for 3 months. The condition of the stored samples was examined in monthly periods. Contents of alanine, valine and leucine, and total germ counts were determined in the samples. The experimental data proved that in the samples stored at — 15 and -2 0 °C the examined free aminoacids did not show any increases in their amount whereas total germ counts apprecially decreased in the samples kept at the mentioned temperatures. The experimental results indicated that storage at —15 and — 20 °C is more advantageous than that at —5 and —10 °C. Les auteurs ont effectué des expériences d’entreposage avec des poissons d’Assouan congelés. L’entreposage durait 3 mois ä des températures de —5, —10, —15 et -20°C. On a étudié la teneur en alanine, valine et leucine des prélévements, ainsi que le nombre total des germes. A partir des expériences on a établi que dans les échantillons entreposés ä -15 et —20'C les teneurs en acides aminés libres n’a pás augmenté, tandis que le nombre total des germes a diminué notablement. Des résultats des analyses il ressort done que l’entreposage ä — 15°C et ä —20°C est plus avantageux que célúi effectué ä —5 ou á — 10°C

A kereskedelemből származó fagyasztott és felengedett húsminták mikrobiológiai vizsgálata Egyiptomban

Aus dem kommerziellen Verkehr stammenden Rindfleisch-, Schaffleisch-, Geflügelfleisch- und Fischfleischmuster wurden mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen unterworfen. Bei der überwiegenden Mehrheit der Muster war die Gesamtzahl der Keime unter 105/g. Einige Muster wiesen zwar höhere Werte auf, erreichten jedoch nie den Wert von 3 x l0 5/g- Staphylococci und Enterococci waren in der Grössenordnung von 101- 103/g nachweisbar. Aus den untersuchten Mustern wurden keine Salmonellen gezüchtet. Samples of beef, mutton, poultry and fish withdrawn from the commercial shops were subjected to microbiological investigations. The majority of the examined samples exhibited total germ counts below 10r’/g. Though some samples showed higher values than that, the total germ counts never attained the level of 3 x l0 5/g- Staphylococci and Enterococci were detected in the order of magnitude of 101— 103/g. No Salmonella could be cultured from the examined samples. Les auteurs ont entrepris l ’examen microbiologique des viandes de boeuf, de mouton, de volaille et des poissons congelés et dégelés, obtenus du réseau de commerce. Dans la plupart des échantillons le nombre total des germes était au-dessous de 105/g, dans quelques uns il dépassait ce chiffre, mais n ’atteignait pas la valeur de 3.107g- Le nombre des Staphylococcus et Enterococcus était de l ’ordre de 105 — 103/g- Dans les échantillons soumis ä l ’examen, des Salmonelles ne se firent pás détecter

Retroperitoneal myolipoma

BACKGROUND: Myolipoma is a benign tumour in which smooth muscle cells are mixed with adipocytes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year old lady presented with a mass in the right iliac fossa detected on computerised tomographic (CT) scan. Wide excision of the retroperitoneal mass was done. Histopathology showed features of myolipoma. There was no recurrence or metastasis at three years. CONCLUSION: Myolipoma is a rare benign entity; hence a benign course and good prognosis are expected