A SUGGESTION ON HOW EDMODO CAN ENCOURAGE A LIFELONG LEARNING

Edmodo is basically a web application that is similar to Facebook but provides educational tools instead of a social media platform. Edmodo also reinforces classroom activities. Another benefit of Edmodo is that it allows teachers to create online classes. Teachers post assignments, lecture notes, exams, competitions, and also evaluate students and communicate with them via Edmodo. E-Learning makes it possible to learn about information and communication technologies. Applications such as Edmodo Classroom 2.0 makes it possible to learn even outside the classroom. These applications are viewed as solutions to insufficient class hours and issues that are experienced within the class. In the digital age, new generations tend to maintain different opinions and also different learning capabilities. It’s important that we care about how this generation can learn and respond to diverse teaching methods for the sake of their future. Online activities that support learning outside classroom is similar to other learning practices. Life-long learning is important for building the future of our education. A process is alternative to formal education. It has no place and no time. Life-long learning aims to ensure the community are aware of all learning opportunities, it establishes a culture of learning so that people are excited by learning and they can enhance independent learning through technology. Students who use technology as a part of their life makes life-long learning necessary. E-learning environments and mass media are needed in lifelong learning activities to provide learning outside the school. In this study, a course work is explained with using Edmodo for life-long learning. It also explains how the learning continues in online environments and the benefits of life-long learning of Edmodo. In this way, it is thought that the researchers who study same subjects can benefit in an effective way.  Article visualizations

PPAR-alpha L162V polymorphism in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/aims: Several lines of evidence suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. L162V polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene enhances the transactivation activity of this transcription factor. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical correlates of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism in hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: 90 hepatocellular carcinoma patients diagnosed at Ankara University Gastroenterology Clinic between January 2002 and July 2003 and 80 healthy controls with normal body mass index, blood chemistry and with negative viral serology were included. peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP. Results: hepatocellular carcinoma etiologies were as follows: 56 HBV, 12 HBV+HDV, 22 HCV. Eighty-seven patients (97%) were cirrhotic, and 60 patients (67.5%) had advanced tumors. In 83 (92%) of 90 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, gene segment including polymorphic region could be amplified by PCR (50 HBV, 12 HBV+HDV, 21 HCV) and 6 of them (7.2%, all infected with HBV) had L162V polymorphism, while 2 (2.5%) of 80 controls had this polymorphism (p=0.162). This trend became more remarkable when only HBV (HBV+HDV)-infected patients were compared with controls (6/62, 9.7% vs. 2/80, 2.5%, respectively, p=0.071). Five of 6 patients with L162V had advanced disease. Conclusions: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha L162V polymorphism tends to occur in HBV-induced epatocellular carcinoma and is absent in HCV-related epatocellular carcinoma. These findings may show clues for the existence of different carcinogenesis mechanisms in these two common etiologies. Frequent occurrence of advanced disease in patients with L162V polymorphism suggests a role for this polymorphism in tumor progression

Neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: Treatment and follow-up

Study design:Multi-center, cross-sectional study.Objectives:Our aim was to evaluate the treatment methods and follow-up of neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury retrospectively using a questionnaire.Setting: Turkey.Methods:Three hundred and thirty-seven patients who had spinal cord injury for at least 2 years were enrolled from six centers in the neurogenic bladder study group. They were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about treatments they received and techniques they used for bladder management.Results:The study included 246 male and 91 female patients with a mean age of 42±14 years. Intermittent catheterization ( IC) was performed in 77.9% of the patients, 3.8% had indwelling catheters, 13.8% had normal spontaneous micturition, 2.6% performed voiding maneuvers, 1.3% used diapers and 0.6% used condom catheters. No gender difference was found regarding the techniques used in bladder rehabilitation ( P>0.05). Overall, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs; anticholinergic drug use was similar between genders ( P>0.05). The most common anticholinergic drug used was oxybutynin ( 40.3%), followed by trospium ( 32.6%), tolterodine ( 19.3%) darifenacin ( 3.3%), propiverine ( 3.3%) and solifenacin ( 1.1%). The specialties of the physicians who first prescribed the anticholinergic drug were physiatrists ( 76.2%), urologists ( 22.1%) and neurologists ( 1.7%). Only four patients had previously received injections of botulinum-toxin-A into the detrusor muscle and three of them stated that their symptoms showed improvement. Most of the patients ( 77%) had regular follow-up examinations, including urine cultures, urinary system ultrasound and urodynamic tests, when necessary; the reasons for not having regular control visits were living distant from hospital ( 15.3%) and monetary problems ( 7.7%). Of the patients, 42.7% did not experience urinary tract infections ( UTI), 36.4% had bacteriuria but no UTI episodes with fever, 15.9% had 1-2 clinical UTI episodes per year and 5% had ≥3 clinical UTIs. The clinical characteristics of patients with and without UTI ( at least one symptomatic UTI during 1 year) were similar ( P>0.05). The frequency of symptomatic UTI was similar in patients using different bladder management techniques ( P>0.05).Conclusion:The most frequently used technique for bladder rehabilitation in patients with SCI was IC ( 77.9%). In all, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs, oxybutynin being the most commonly used drug. Also, 77% of patients had regular control visits for neurogenic bladder; 42.7% did not experience any UTIs. © 2014 International Spinal Cord Society

Intermittent catheterization in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: Obstacles, worries, level of satisfaction

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the obstacles in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face performing intermittent catheterization (IC), also their worries and level of satisfaction. Methods: Two hundred sixty-nine patients performing IC for at least 3 months were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about their opinions on IC. Results: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves, 10.4% had performed by their mothers, 7.8% by another caregiver and 7.4% by their spouse. For the 72 (26%) patients unable to apply IC, reasons were insufficient hand function (56.1%), being unable to sit appropriately (35.4%) and spasticity (8.5%). In all, 70% of male patients had insufficient hand function, 20% could not sit and 10% had spasticity while 56.3% of female patients could not sit, 37.5% had insufficient hand function and 63% had spasticity. Difference between sexes was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Worries patients had when starting IC were fear of being dependent on IC (50.2%), accidentally injuring self (43.8%), embarrassment (43.2%), causing an infection (40.2%), bleeding (32.7%), fear of feeling pain (30.2%) and hygiene (24.7%). More women felt embarrassment; other items were similar in both sexes. In all, 46.9% of patients had urinary incontinence in intervals. Conclusion: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves. Men's most common obstacle was insufficient hand function while women's was being unable to sit appropriately. Patients' most common worries were being dependent on IC for life. In all, 46.9% had incontinence in intervals; 47.9% said IC improved their life quality; and 97.4% preferred IC over continuous catheterization. © 2014 International Spinal Cord Society All rights reserved

Protein carbonyl levels in the aqueous humour and serum of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Purpose: Protein oxidation is an oxidative stress marker and the oxidation of proteins is analysed by measuring the carbonyl groups. Protein oxidation can have a role in the physiopathology of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the protein oxidation in the aqueous humour and serum of cataract patients with and without PEX. Methods: A multicenter study was carried out. Aqueous humour and serum samples were collected from patients who underwent routine cataract surgery. Patients were divided into PEX (n = 29) and control (n = 27) groups. Patients had no elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma. Spectrophotometer was used to measure protein carbonyl (PC) levels in the samples. Results: Mean PC concentration in the PEX aqueous (2.18 ± 1.51 nmol/l) and serum (119.62 ± 13.2 nmol/l) samples was significantly higher than that measured in the control aqueous (1.31 ± 0.47 nmol/l) and serum (105.85 ± 11.76 nmol/l) samples, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The increased PC levels in the aqueous humour and serum of PEX patients suggest that protein oxidation may play a role in the physiopathology of PEX

A severe aspect of pediatric ocular allergy to recognize: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis [Çocukluk çagı göz allerjilerinin tanınması gereken ciddi bir yönü: Vernal keratokonjonktivit]

Aim: To determine the clinical features of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of the medical treatment on clinical grades. Material and Method: All patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis who had been treated with mast-cell stabilizers, antihistamines and artificial tear drops previously were enrolled in the study. Topical steroids were added during recurrences, were tapered and discontinued according to the clinical improvement. Topical cyclosporin 0.05% four times daily was used additionally in cases of inadequate response to treatment or evident steroid dependance. Main outcome measures were the clinical features, change of clinical grades, response to treatment, rate of recurrences and side effects of the eyedrops. Results: Twenty patients (13 males, 7 females) with vernal keratoconjunctivitis in different severity scales were included. The median age of the patients was 10 (9-11) years. The median follow-up time was 35 (15-56) months. Ten patients received topical cyclosporine. The rate of recurrences was similar in patients who received topical cyclosporine compared to those who were followed with topical steroids. (p=0.17) No severe adverse reaction to any of the formulations was seen. Discussion: Topical 0.05% cyclosporin is safe and effective for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis as a steroid sparing agent. It helps to obtain good clinical response without serious adverse effects and provides improvement on the clinical grades

The activities of paraoxonase, xanthine oxidase, adenosine deaminase and the level of nitrite in pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Aim: Our purpose was to investigate the possible roles of nitrite levels and the activity of paraoxonase (PON), xanthine oxidase (XO) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome. Methods: Serum samples were taken from 43 patients with PEX and 41 control subjects. The serum PON, XO and ADA activities and nitrite levels were assayed by spectrophotometric methods. Results: The PON, ADA and XO activities and nitrite levels (means ± standard deviation) were 81.72 ± 42.56 U/ml, 19.75 ± 5.72 U/l, 0.16 ± 0.09 U/l and 94.23 ± 27.72 µmol/l in the PEX group, respectively. In the control group, the PON, ADA and XO activities and the nitrite levels were 111.02 ± 43.51 U/ml, 15.21 ± 3.93 U/l, 0.13 ± 0.06 U/l and 61.96 ± 19.05 µmol/l, respectively. The serum PON activity was significantly lower in the PEX group when compared with the control group. The serum XO and ADA activities and nitrite levels were significantly higher in the patients with PEX when compared with the control subjects. Conclusion: Decreased PON (an antioxidant enzyme) activity as well as increased ADA and XO activities and nitrite levels indicate that oxidative stress is increased and purine metabolism is altered in PEX syndrome. © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel