E-book-based learning activity during COVID-19: engagement behaviors and perceptions of Japanese junior-high school students

Recent spread of the COVID-19 forces governments around the world to temporarily close educational institutions. In this paper, we evaluated learning engagement, level of satisfaction and anxiety of e-book based remote teaching strategy on an online learning platform. The research involves 358 students at an urban junior-high school in Japan. Learning logs were analyzed to measure student engagement, whereas survey responses indicated their perception regarding the remote learning experience. Log analysis revealed that the average completion rate over 267 learning materials was 67%. We also observed a significant decrease in engagement 3 weeks after remote learning and different subjects and grades. Survey analysis showed students felt both satisfaction and anxiety about remote learning. However, there were significant differences in the level of satisfaction between different grades. The results indicated that (1) maintaining students' motivation is a challenge to remote learning in secondary schools, and (2) we need to relieve students' anxiety about their own progress in the class and their classes after the break. This study is the first to report trends in actual teaching-learning engagement, which were recorded during sessions of emergency remote teaching in Japanese schools. The results can inform the future implementation of remote learning in junior-high schools

Ultrastructural Analysis of an Enterolith Composed of Deoxycholic Acid

A 67-year-old Japanese man underwent enterotomy because of enterolith ileus. Component analysis by infrared spectroscopy revealed that the enterolith was composed of a high concentration of deoxycholic acid. We further analyzed and compared the ultrastructure of the enterolith and a commercially available powdered form of deoxycholic acid by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the ratios of carbon and oxygen in the enterolith were equal to those in the deoxycholic acid powder. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed rectangular prism-shaped particles on the surface of the enterolith. This structure was similar to that of the deoxycholic acid powder. The surgically removed enterolith had a twisted and coiled appearance. Possible mechanisms underlying the formation of this unique form are discussed

Macrophage numbers in the marginal area of sarcomas predict clinical prognosis

Even when treated comprehensively by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, soft-tissue sarcoma has an unfavorable outcome. Because soft-tissue sarcoma is rare, it is the subject of fewer clinicopathological studies, which are important for clarifying pathophysiology. Here, we examined tumor-associated macrophages in the intratumoral and marginal areas of sarcomas to increase our knowledge about the pathophysiology. Seventy-five sarcoma specimens (not limited to a single histological type), resected at our institution, were collected, and the number of CD68-, CD163-, and CD204-positive macrophages in the intratumoral and marginal areas was counted. We then performed statistical analysis to examine links between macrophage numbers, clinical factors, and outcomes. A high number of macrophages positive for all markers in both areas was associated with worse disease-free survival (DFS). Next, we divided cases according to the FNCLCC classification (Grade 1 and Grades 2/3). In the Grade 1 group, there was no significant association between macrophage number and DFS. However, in the Grade 2/3 group, high numbers of CD163- and CD204-positive macrophages in the marginal area were associated with poor DFS. By contrast, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to high or low numbers of CD68-, CD163-, or CD204-positive macrophages in the intratumoral area. Multivariate analysis identified the number of CD163- and CD204-positive macrophages in the marginal area as an independent prognostic factor. Macrophage numbers in the marginal area of soft-tissue sarcoma may better reflect clinical behavior

Accuracy of preoperative templates in primary knee arthroplasty

Introdução: A literatura sobre o planejamento pré-operatório da Artroplastia Total do Joelho (ATJ) com o uso de gabaritos é controversa. Alguns estudos afirmam que há grande precisão e acurácia em predizer os tamanhos dos componentes femoral e tibial; e boa concordância interobservador; mas outros relatam baixa capacidade em predizer os tamanhos dos componentes, bem como pouca concordância interobservador. Entretanto só um estudo tenta entender a causa da imprecisão. Objetivos: Avaliar a acurácia e precisão do planejamento pré-operatório da ATJ com templates de acetato, em predizer o tamanho dos componentes Femoral e Tibial; e o efeito do grau de deformidade articular na acurácia da medida. Metodologia: Estudo retrospectivo em 39 joelhos onde foi realizado por 3 observadores com nível de treinamento diferentes o planejamento pré-operatório com templates em acetato. Foi realizada a análise de concordância interobservador para a avaliação da precisão; e análise de concordância do tamanho planejado com o implantado para a análise de acurácia; estas medidas de concordância interobservador e com o tamanho implantado pelos índices Kappa e Alfa. A relação da acurácia com a deformidade foi avaliada por teste de Spearman. Resultados: Concordância bruta do componente femoral no AP: 28,21% e no Perfil: 35,04%, índice Kappa do componente femoral no AP: 0,111 (IC: -0,100; 0,112) e no Perfil: 0,200 (IC: -0,010; 0,401) com a Classificação de Concordância: Pobre. Concordância bruta do componente tibial no AP: 37,61% e no Perfil: 47,01%, índice Kappa do componente tibial no AP: 0,186 (IC: -0,070; 0,379) e no Perfil: 0,315 (IC: -0,199; 0,431) com a Classificação de Concordância respectivamente: Pobre e Superficial. Considerando uma margem de ±1 tamanho, as concordâncias aumentam para todos os componentes sendo que as classificações do fêmur se tornam “Razoável” no AP e “Boa” no Perfil, e na Tíbia no AP e Perfil se tornam “Muito Boa”. A concordância interobservador é “Razoável” para todos os componentes, exceto no Fêmur em Perfil onde ela é “Boa”. A análise de covariância de Spearman demonstrou que a maior ou menor precisão do template não varia com o grau de deformidade em varo ou valgo. Conclusão: A acurácia da medida do planejamento pré-operatório de ATJ com os templates é baixa, embora seja boa para o componente Tibial. A concordância interobservador é “Razoável”. Não há relação entre a deformidade coronal do joelho e a acurácia da medidaIntroduction: There is controversy in the literature about the accuracy of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) preoperative templating. Numerous studies show that it is accurate and reliable, thus it is useful for TKA preoperative planning. In contrast, there is also a considerable number of studies where TKA templating has been proven inaccurate and with low reliability. Only one author studies the effect of the deformity in the accuracy. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of preoperative templating in predict the size of Femoral and Tibial components of the TKA, and evaluate the effect of coronal deformity on the measure. Methods: A retrospective study of 39 selected Total Knee Replacements with templating of preoperative radiographs by three different surgeons with distinct levels of training was performed. The accuracy and reliability measures were evaluated by Alpha and Kappa coefficients of agreement. The analysis of the effect of coronal deformity and the accuracy of the template was measured by the covariance test of Spearman Results: The templating was accurate for the femoral component in 28,21% for the anteroposterior (AP) view and 35,04% for the lateral view, the Kappa coefficient was respectively 0,111 (IC: -0,100; 0,112) and 0,200 (IC: -0,010; 0,401). The agreement level was poor for both views of the femur. The accuracy for the tibia was respectively 37,61% and 47,01% for AP and lateral views. The Kappa coefficient was 0,186 (IC: -0,070; 0,379) for the AP view and 0,315 (IC: -0,199; 0,431) for the lateral view, and the agreement level were respectively Poor and Slight. When ±1 size is considered, the agreement level improves for all components, while for the femur it becomes Slight in AP view, Fair in Lateral view; whereas for the Tibia both agreement levels turn to Very Good. The inter-observer agreement is Fair for all components, except for the Femur in Lateral view which agreement is Good. The Spearman covariance test showed no relation between accuracy of templating and coronal deformity. Conclusion: The accuracy of TKA preoperative templating is low, although it‟s good enough for Tibial component. The inter-observer agreement is Fair. Thus, this study concludes that there is no relation between Varus-Valgus deformity and accuracy of templatin

MALT lymphoma of the sublingual gland: A case report with current overview of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

Abstract Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is a low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma. MALT lymphomas involving the sublingual gland are extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of MALT lymphoma of the sublingual gland. Additionally, we discuss challenging diagnostic aspects as well as current treatment strategies

Epidemiological Surveillance of Lymphocryptovirus Infection in Wild Bonobos

Lymphocryptovirus (LCV) is one of the major gena in the herpesvirus family and is widely disseminated among primates. LCVs of human and rhesus macaques are shown to be causative agents of a number of malignant diseases including lymphoma and carcinoma. Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are highly endangered and the least studied species of the great apes. Considering the potential pathogenicity of the LCV that might threaten the fate of wild bonobos, population-based epidemiological information in terms of LCV prevalence in different location of Bonobo’s habitats will help propose improved conservation strategies for the bonobos. However, such data are not available yet because it is very difficult to collect blood samples in the wild and thus virtually impossible to conduct sero-epidemiological study on the wild ape. In order to overcome this issue, we focused on evaluating anti-LCV IgA in the feces of bonobos, which are available in a non-invasive manner. Preliminary study showed that anti-LCV IgA but not IgG was efficiently and reproducibly detected in the feces of captive chimpanzees. It is noteworthy that the fecal IgA-positive individuals were seropositive for both anti-LCV IgG and IgA and that the IgA antibodies in both sera and feces were also detectable by Western blotting assay. These results indicate that the detection of fecal anti-LCV IgA is likely a reliable and feasible for epidemiological surveillance of LCV prevalence in the great apes. We then applied this method and found that 31% of wild bonobos tested were positive for anti-LCV IgA antibody in the feces. Notably, the positivity rates varied extensively among their sampled populations. In conclusion, our results in this study demonstrate that LCV is highly disseminated among wild bonobos while the prevalence is remarkably diverse in their population-dependent manner