Towards a strategic and operational framework for digital technology deployment in Libyan universities

The increasing impact of digital technologies on educational institutions is widely acknowledged, and this now encompasses Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in developing countries as they follow the developed countries in their new technology adoption for their education activities and systems. In Libyan universities, the use of digital technology is still in the early stages of development. This initial report from this study focuses on the deployment of digital technology and related applications, in particular Cloud computing, in higher education in Libya. The paper highlights the difficulties faced in the planning and implementation of digital technology strategy, and subsequent analysis will put forward a checklist of activities to support strategy development and implementation within Libyan universities. A case study approach entails interviews and questionnaires conducted in three Libyan universities as a pilot for data collection. The provisional findings highlight the areas that need be considered and addressed for digital technology deployment in the learning and teaching processes, including technology infrastructure, curriculum development, human activities, cultural and language aspects, and management support. The study will also develop a plan for the integration of digital technologies into Libyan higher education

Prognostic value of monitoring tumour markers CA 15-3 and CEA during fulvestrant treatment

BACKGROUND: At many centres tumour markers are used to detect disease recurrence and to monitor response to therapy in patients with advanced disease, although the real value of serial observation of marker levels remains disputed. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of tumour markers for predicting response (partial response [PR], stable disease [SD] ≥ 6 months), de novo disease progression (PD) and secondary PD in patients receiving fulvestrant ('Faslodex') 250 mg/month for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). METHODS: Changes in cancer antigen 15–3 (CA 15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were prospectively monitored (monthly) and were also evaluated for the 3 months preceding secondary PD. Data from 67 patients with previously treated MBC participating in a Compassionate Use Programme were analysed. RESULTS: In patients with a PR (n = 7 [10.4%]), a non-significant increase in CA 15-3 occurred during the first 6 months of treatment; CEA was significantly reduced (P = 0.0165). In patients with SD ≥ 6 months (n = 28 [41.8%]), both CA 15-3 (P < 0.0001) and CEA (P = 0.0399) levels increased significantly after 6 months treatment. In those experiencing de novo PD (n = 32 [47.8%]), CA 15-3 increased significantly (P < 0.0001) after 4 months; CEA also increased significantly (P = 0.0002) during the same time period. Both CA 15-3 (P < 0.0001) and CEA (P < 0.0001) increased significantly in the 3 months preceding secondary PD. CONCLUSION: CA 15-3 increases in patients progressing on fulvestrant but may also increase in those experiencing clinical benefit; this should not be taken as a sign of PD without verification. Overall, both CA 15-3 and CEA appear to be poor prognostic markers for determining progression in patients receiving fulvestrant

Analysis of trastuzumab and chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer after the failure of at least one earlier combination: An observational study

BACKGROUND: Combining trastuzumab and chemotherapy is standard in her2/neu overexpressing advanced breast cancer. It is not established however, whether trastuzumab treatment should continue after the failure of one earlier combination. In this trial, we report our experience with continued treatment beyond disease progression. METHODS: Fifty-four patients, median age 46 years, range 25–73 years, were included. We analysed for time to tumour progression (TTP) for first, second and beyond second line treatment, response rates and overall survival. RESULTS: Median time of observation was 24 months, range 7–51. Response rates for first line treatment were 7.4% complete remission (CR), 35.2% partial remissions (PR), 42.6% stable disease > 6 months (SD) and 14.8% of patients experienced disease progression despite treatment (PD). Corresponding numbers for second line were 3.7% CR, 22.2% PR, 42.6% SD and 31.5% PD; numbers for treatment beyond second line (60 therapies, 33 pts 3(rd )line, 18 pts 4(th )line, 6 pts 5(th )line, 2 pts 6(th )line and 1 patient 7(th )line) were 1.7% CR, 28.3% PR, 28.3% SD and 41.6% PD respectively. Median TTP was 6 months (m) in the first line setting, and also 6 m for second line and beyond second line. An asymptomatic drop of left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% was observed in one patient. No case of symptomatic congestive heart failure was observed. CONCLUSION: The data presented clearly strengthen evidence that patients do profit from continued trastuzumab treatment. The fact that TTP did not decrease significantly from first line to beyond second line treatment is especially noteworthy. Still, randomized trials are warranted

RESEARCH AND REVIEWS: JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Dynamical Analysis of Chemotherapy Optimal Control using Mathematical Model Presented by Fractional Differential Equations, Describing Effector Immune and Cancer Cells Interactions

ABSTRACT Evaluation of chemotherapy treatment in cancer cells is important because of its damaging side effects. For controlling chemotherapy treatment in cancer cells an accurate and comprehensive mathematical model could be useful. Many mathematical models have been used to show the benefits of immune system on controlling the growth of a tumor and the detrimental effects of chemotherapy on both the tumor cell and the immune cell populations. In this article, we offer a novel mathematical model presented by fractional differential equations. This model will then be used to analyze the bifurcation and stability of the complex dynamics which occur in the local interaction of effector-immune cell and tumor cells in a solid tumor. We will also investigate the optimal control of combined chemo-immunotherapy. We argue that our fractional differential equations model will be superior to its ordinary differential equations counterpart in facilitating understanding of the natural immune interactions to tumor and of the detrimental side-effects which chemotherapy may have on a patient&apos;s immune system

Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Eugenia jambolana Seeds Extract Mediated Silver Nanoparticles

The present study uses silver nanoparticles that are biosynthesized from Eugenia jambolana aqueous silver nitrate solution jambolana fresh seed extracts were combined with silver nitrate (AgNO3) to form the silver nanoparticle. UV-Vis Spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, and FTIR were used to characterise the synthesised silver nanoparticles. It was established that nanoparticles had formed in the sample by SEM examination, which revealed that they had a spherical shape. Nanoparticles from seed extracts showed more antibacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus aureus. This study makes evidence that seed extracts of Eugenia jambolana act as an excellent capping agent for the formation of silver nanoparticles and show immense Pharmacological activities. Hence, these AgNPs can be used as an antimicrobial agent in treating many medical complications. In this present study, the antibacterial activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles from Eugenia jambolana seeds shows the zone of inhibition against all four pathogens