Evaluating students experiences using a virtual learning environment: satisfaction and preferences

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) are web-based software systems that enable students to interact with their teachers and classmates, access learning resources without restriction of time and place, and use cutting-edge Information and Communication Technologies. Nevertheless, VLEs are costly to develop and maintain. Clearly, many features of VLEs may not be as useful to learners as designers and stakeholders might think, resulting in waste of resources. With this possibility in mind, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the features of the VLE employed at Middlesex University. To that end, first, a scale with 11 items and 3 sub-dimensions was developed and tested through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to identify student perceptions of the (1) benefit, (2) satisfaction, and (3) guidance, aiming at identifying student views on how beneficial the system was, whether they were satisfied with it, and how they perceived the guidance provided through it, respectively. Next, the scale was administered to a sample of 278 students to determine whether the perceptions differed depending on campus location, and grade level. Finally, questions were also asked to pinpoint the features of the VLE that the students found most useful and beneficial. Data were analysed through ANOVA, correlation, and rank analyses. Results show that the students’ perception of the VLE did not significantly differ based on campus location or grade level. Two features of the VLE—lecture capture and key concept videos—were the most beneficial resources for the students, whereas “lecture capture with PowerPoint slides and audio only,” discussion forums, and chat rooms, were not preferred. The students were not much enthusiastic to have access to blogs, audio/video conferencing facilities, wikis, or chat either. © 2019, Association for Educational Communications and Technology

Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI, FokI, ApaI, TaqI polymorphisms and bone mineral density in a group of Turkish type 1 diabetic patients

PubMedID: 21538164Previous studies have suggested an influence of vitamin D receptor alleles on bone metabolism and on susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus in different ethnic populations. We aimed to investigate the distribution of vitamin D receptor (VDR) alleles in relation to biochemical bone turnover parameters and bone densitometry measurements in a group of Turkish type 1 diabetic patients. One hundred and seventeen patients (M/F 57/60, 27.6 ± 7.3 y duration of diabetes 8.1 ± 6.3 y) and 134 healthy controls (M/F 61/73, 26.2 ± 5.3 y) were included in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms FokI, Bsm1, Apa1, and Taq1 were examined using a PCR-based restriction analysis. Serum levels of calcium, phosphor osteocalcin, intact parathyroid hormone, and C telopeptide were measured. Vitamin D receptor Bsm1 Fok1, Apa1, and Taq1 genotype distributions were not different between patient with diabetes and control groups. BMD was 0.77 ± 0.2 g/cm 2 vs. 0.97 ± 0.2 g/cm 2 (P = 0.0001) for the femur, 1.0 ± 0.1 g/cm 2 vs. 1.13 ± 0.1 g/cm 2 (P = 0.001) for type 1 diabetic patients and controls. Bone turnover markers were significantly lower in type 1 diabetic group. BMD measurements and bone metabolic markers were not different between the genotypes in either the patient with diabetes or the controls. The VDR gene polymorphisms, Bsm1, Fok 1, Apa1, and Taq1 showed no influence on bone metabolism in our group of type 1 diabetic patients. © 2011 Springer-Verlag

AST/ALT ratio is not useful in predicting the degree of fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis patients

PMID = 2635213

EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND CAFFEIC ACID PHENETHYL ESTER AFTER CHRONIC EXERCISE RAT MODEL

In order to understand whether exercise and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has an effect on obesity and weight control, we investigated the effects of CAPE, and exercise on lipid parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C), and adipokine substances such as leptin and resistin in rats. 40 male rat were randomly assigned into 4 groups. It was determined that CAPE does not have any significant effect on these parameters but that lipid parameters and leptin values in exercise groups decreased considerably, while no significant change occurred in resistin levels. In order to understand whether diet has an effect on exercise, body weights of all animal groups in pre and post-exercise were compared. A significant weight gain was observed (p = 0.005) in all groups. This study concluded that exercise has a considerable effect on leptin and lipid parameters; however, exercise alone was not sufficient for weight control and could be effective in weight control only when accompanied by a restricted diet

Association Between Hepatitis B and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

PubMed ID: 18589140Background/Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrences affect both patient and graft survivals post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in HBV patients with HCC. We analyzed the relationship between HBV and HCC recurrence in a large cohort of HBV-OLT patients with versus without HCC. Methods: Two hundred eighty-seven HBV patients with OLT (72 also with HCC) were included in the study. Mean follow-up in the post-OLT period was 31.7 ± 24.7 (range, 3-119) months. Results: Post-OLT HBV recurrence observed in 10.1% of patients was more prevalent among the HCC group; 23.6% versus 5.5% in patients with and without HCC, respectively. The mean interval for the development of HBV recurrence was 39.5 ± 28.5 (range, 2-99) months. Among 72 HCC patients, 8 patients (11.1%) had recurrent HCC, and 7 of them also had HBV recurrence. The mean interval for the development of HCC recurrence was 11.2 ± 7.85 (range, 2-23) months after OLT. OLT patients with HCC with tumors exceeding the Milan criteria had worse 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates than patients with HCC meeting the Milan criteria. HBV and HCC recurrence-free survivals were significantly lower in patients with HCC and HBV recurrence, respectively. In the 7 patients with both HCC and HBV recurrence, mean HBV recurrence time was 9.42 ± 6.75 months and mean HCC recurrence time was 9.57 ± 6.75 months. There was a strong correlation between HBV and HCC recurrence times. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that only HCC recurrence was a significant independent predictor of HBV recurrence (P < .001; hazard ratio [HR] = 26.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.81-67.11). On the other hand, HBV recurrence (P = .013; HR = 5.80; 95% CI = 1.45-23.17) and nodule count (P = .014; HR = 13.08; 95% CI = 1.70-100.83) were significant predictors of HCC recurrence. Conclusions: HBV and HCC recurrences demonstrate a close relationship in patients with OLT. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The Role of ischemia modified albumin in acute pulmonary embolism

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening and a relatively common cardiovascular pathology. Although the pathogenesis of PE is well defined, there is no ideal diagnostic biochemical marker. Previous studies showed an increased ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in acute PE; however, the relationship between IMA and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has not been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of IMA and the relationship with RV dysfunction in acute PE. Materials and Methods : A total of 145 patients (70 females) with suspected acute PE was enrolled to the study. Eighty-nine patients were diagnosed with acute PE via computed tomographic pulmonary angiography. Sixty-five patients with similar demographic and clinical characteristics were assigned to the control group. All patients were evaluated for RV dysfunction using transthoracic echocardiography. Results: Serum IMA levels were significantly increased in acute PE compared with control group (0.41 ± 0.06 vs. 0.34 ± 0.11, P = 0.001). There was no relationship between serum IMA levels and RV dysfunction. IMA levels were positively correlated with shock index and heart rate. Receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated that serum IMA levels higher than 0.4 put the diagnosis at sensitivity of 53.85% and at specificity of 85.96%. Conclusions: Although IMA levels are increased in patients with acute PE, it failed to predict RV dysfunction