The modified Clavien classification system: a standardized platform for reporting complications in transurethral resection of the prostate

The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of the modified Clavien classification system (CCS) in grading perioperative complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). All patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia submitted to monopolar TURP from January 2006 to February 2008 at a non-academic center were evaluated for complications occurring up to the end of the first postoperative month. All complications were classified according to the modified CCS independently by two urologists, and the final decision was based on consensus. If multiple complications per patient occurred, categorization was done in more than one grade. Results were presented as complication rates per grade. Forty-four complications were recorded in 31 out of 198 patients (overall perioperative morbidity rate: 15.7%), and their grading was generally easy, non-time-consuming and straightforward. Most of them were classified as grade I (59.1%) and II (29.5%). Higher grade complications were scarce (grade III: 2.3% and grade IV: 6.8%, respectively) There was one death (grade V: 2.3%) due to acute myocardial infarction (overall mortality rate: 0.5%). Negative outcomes such as mild dysuria during this early postoperative period or retrograde ejaculation were considered sequelae and were not recorded. Nobody was complicated with severe dysuria. There was one re-operation due to residual adenoma (0.5%). The modified CCS represents a straightforward and easily applicable tool that may help urologists to classify the complications of TURP in a more objective and detailed way. It may serve as a standardized platform of communication among clinicians allowing for sound comparison

Penile and scrotal strangulation caused by a steel ring: a case report

Application of constricting devices on the external male genitalia for increasing sexual performance is an unusual practice that can potentially lead to penile strangulation with severe consequences. In this case report we describe a case of a 48 year old male who presented in our hospital with a steel ring on his external genitalia which led to penile strangulation and a short review of the literature. The foreign body was successfully removed by an angle grinder which was not immediately available in the operating theatre. The patient had an uneventful recovery

Urachal carcinoma presenting with chronic mucusuria: a case report

Urachal adenocarcinoma is a rare tumor and represents 0.17–0.34% of all bladder tumors. It has an insidious course and variable clinical presentation. We present a case report of a 58 year old white male with an urachal cyst who suffered irritative voiding symptoms and long term mucusuria, since childhood. After surgical removal of the cyst with a partial cystectomy a mucus adenocarcinoma was diagnosed histologically

Cross-curricular approaches for digital storytelling with eShadow

Summarization: Digital storytelling is a powerful educational tool offering to children the possibility to design, create and present their own stories and develop many skills including literacy, presentation and communication skills as well as inquiry-based learning and digital skills. In this paper we present a new way of digital storytelling, a form of dramatized storytelling inspired by the rich tradition of shadow theater. This form of storytelling combines a number of FOSS tools for the production of the digital stories covering all five phases of film making: scenario development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. In each phase, FOSS tools are used to enable word processing, image processing, audio processing and video processing. These tools are complemented by special software for (a) the creation of digital shadow figures, and (b) the organization and recording of the scenes of the digital story.Περίληψη: Η ψηφιακή αφήγηση είναι ένα ισχυρό εκπαιδευτικό εργαλείο καθώς προσφέρει τη δυνατότητα στους μαθητές να σχεδιάζουν, να δημιουργούν και να παρουσιάζουν ιστορίες αναπτύσσοντας μια σειρά από δεξιότητες, συμπεριλαμβανομένων του γραπτού και προφορικού λόγου, της παρουσίασης, της οργάνωσης, της έρευνας, καθώς και διαπροσωπικές και τεχνολογικές δεξιότητες. Στην εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζουμε μια νέα μορφή ψηφιακής αφήγησης και ειδικότερα μια μορφή δραματοποιημένης ψηφιακής αφήγησης η οποία εμπνέεται από την πλούσια παράδοση του θεάτρου σκιών. Συνδυάζει μια σειρά εργαλείων ανοικτού λογισμικού για την παραγωγή ψηφιακών παραστάσεων και καλύπτει πέντε διακριτά στάδια: Σενάριο, προ-παραγωγή, γυρίσματα, μετά-παραγωγή και διανομή. Σε κάθε στάδιο περιλαμβάνονται εργασίες που αξιοποιούν τα ανάλογα εργαλεία (επεξεργασίας κειμένου, επεξεργασίας εικόνας, επεξεργασίας ήχου, επεξεργασίας video) τα οποία μπορούν να επιλεγούν από ένα ευρύ φάσμα εργαλείων ΕΛΛΑΚ. Τα εργαλεία αυτά συνδυάζονται με ένα εξειδικευμένο λογισμικό δημιουργίας φιγουρών του ψηφιακού θεάτρου σκιών καθώς και λογισμικό για την οργάνωση και καταγραφή των σκηνών της ψηφιακής παράστασης.Presented on

PerFECt: a performative framework to establish and sustain onlife communities and its use to design a mobile app to extend a digital storytelling platform with new capabilities

Summarization: This paper presents how the concept of virtual community can be further elaborated to account for the use of modern digital technologies in a way that promotes the establishment of rich social contexts within which human creativity is exercised and learning happens. The new reality brought about by digital technologies is characterized by new qualities, new opportunities for action, new community affordances, that are captures by the term onlife. This term was initially proposed in the Onlife Manifesto and used in this paper to signify certain qualities that are important in understanding modern digital platforms and applications as well as guide the efforts for effectively extending to provide new capabilities to their users. Specific design principles are presented exemplified by the presentation of the design of a mobile app addressing creativity and learning in the field of cultural heritage to showcase how these principles are put in action. This mobile app enables the users of an existing digital storytelling platform inspired by traditional Shadow Theatre, develop their own digital puppets in a way that incorporates the creative process of developing traditional shadow theatre puppets. The use of the mobile app is compared to the need to use external image processing tools and the pros and cons of each approach are presented and linked to the design principles initially presented.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: 13th International Conference on Interactive Mobile Communication Technologies and Learnin

Playful creation of digital stories with eShadow

Summarization: eShadow promotes a new way of dramatized and personalized digital storytelling inspired by the rich tradition of shadow theatre. It enables game-like interventions combining several digital tools for the production of digital stories covering all five phases of filmmaking: scenario development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. eShadow can be used (a) to create digital shadow puppets, and (b) to set up, perform and record the scenes of the digital story (production phase). This way, digital story creation is wrapped around interesting game-like decisions, playful improvisations and creative learning. eShadow has been extensively used to support cross-curricular learning mainly in Greek schools. It is currently extended to support marionette-like interactions to promote its use in countries with relevant storytelling cultures.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: 11th International Workshop on Semantic and Social Media Adaptation and Personalizatio