CENGO: a web-based serious game to increase the programming knowledge levels of computer engineering students

In recent years, games are used to increase the level of knowledge and experience of individuals working in different domains. Especially in the education field, there are several different serious games to teach the subjects of the lectures or other educational materials to students in an enjoyable way. Hence, this study proposes a quantitative research approach to increase the programming knowledge levels of the first-year undergraduate students at computer engineering departments. For this aim, a responsive web platform was developed to teach the syntax and logic of C programming language by using some game elements. Therefore, the students have a chance to repeat the topics related to C programming language continuously since the platform is always accessible. To figure out the efficiency of the designed environment, 10 first-year computer engineering students were selected. According to the results obtained from the user tests, this game can be used as an educational tool, which supports the traditional training methods, to increase the knowledge levels of students about the syntax and logic of C programming language

Vertebral fracture associated with shockwave lithotripsy in a patient with granulomatous spondylitis.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is an accepted treatment modality in the treatment of urinary stone disease. Many complications have been reported secondary to high-energy shockwaves, but the effects of SWL on the skeletal system have rarely been investigated. We represent the first case of a burst-type vertebral fracture after SWL in an elderly osteoporotic patient with granulomatous spondylitis

Concealed penis: Rare complication of circumcision

A man presented with a concealed penis which developed after circumcision. In addition to anatomic variations in penile skin attachment and obesity, circumcision is an iatrogenic cause in the etiology of a concealed penis, Although it is a frequent and simple operation, it may lead to uncommon complications due to a lack of experience and poor technique. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria

In this study, we determined the prevalence of idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) in patients with renal lithiasis, and measured the bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in patients with IH. Among 85 consecutive patients with urolithiasis (40 men, 30 postmenopausal and 15 premenopausal women), hypercalciuria (urinary calcium excretion >4 mg/kg per day) was observed in 22 (11 men, 8 postmenopausal and 3 premenopausal women). These 22 patients were then classified as having absorptive or fasting hypercalciuria. In 19 of the 22 hypercalciuric patients (I I men and 8 postmenopausal women), BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and serum levels of calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin (OC), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were determined. When compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects (volunteers from hospital personnel), OC and urinary DPD levels were significantly higher in the renal lithiasis patients when compared with control subjects. Ward's triangle BMD in women and lumbar BMD in men were significantly lower when compared with sex- and age-matched control subjects. Lumbar, Ward's triangle, and femoral neck BMD measurements were inversely correlated with the duration of renal lithiasis in male patients. Males also had a significant negative correlation between lumbar BMD and the urinary DPD. BMD decreases significantly in male and postmenopausal female patients with IH. Patients with renal lithiasis should be evaluated for IH, and those with IH should be screened for osteoporosis. Studies determining the clinical and lifestyle consequences of IH and its related osteoporosis should be performed

Prognostic significance of angiogenesis and immunoreactivity of cathepsin D and type IV collagen in high-grade stage T1 primary bladder cancer.

Objectives, To assess the prognostic significance of biologic parameters such as angiogenesis, expression of cathepsin D (a lysosomal protease), and degradation of type IV collagen (a basement membrane protein), we studied 20 patients with primary grade III Stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Proliferative activity, angiogenesis and nuclear morphometry in renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Prognostic parameters other than tumor stage and grade are essential for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. This study was undertaken to determine the usefulness of cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and nuclear morphometry in predicting the biological aggressiveness of RCC

A novel biodegradable PCL film for tendon reconstruction: Achilles tendon defect model in rats

This study aims to investigate applicability of poly(E-caprolactone) (PCL) biodegradable films for repair of gaps in Achilles tendons in a rat model, also comparing surgical repair versus no repair approaches. PCL was synthesized with tailor-made properties, then, PCL films were prepared by solvent casting. Seventy-five outbred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: (i) sham operated (skin incision only); (ii) no repair (complete division of the Achilles tendon and plantaris tendon without repair); (iii) Achilles repair (with a modified Kessler type suture); and (iv) plasty of Achilles tendon defects with the biodegradable PCL films, and (v) animals subjected to 1cm, mid-substance defect with no repair. Functional performance was determined from the measurements of hindpaw prints utilizing the Achilles functional index. The animals were killed 8 weeks after surgery and histological and biomechanical evaluations were made. All groups subjected to Achilles tendon division had a significant functional impairment that gradually improved so that by day 28 there were no functional impairments in any group whereas animals with a defect remained impaired. The magnitude of the biomechanical and morphological changes at postoperative 8 weeks were similar for no repair group (conservative), Achilles repair group and tendonplasty group (biodegradable PCL film group). The initial rate of functional recovery was significantly different for primary suture, Achilles repair group and PCL film group (p>0.01). But, at the 28th day, functional recovery was quite similar to the other groups. In summary, our results suggest that the PCl film can be an alternative biomaterial for tendon replacement