Diagnostic value of combined serum biomarkers for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection: A multicenter, noninterventional, observational study

Background/Aims: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is important cause of chronic hepatitis. Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for assessment of fibrosis but this procedure is an invasive procedure. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of non-invasive serum biomarkers, separately and in combinations, on liver fibrosis in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and sixteen treatment-naive CHC patients were enrolled from 32 locations across Turkey in this open-labelled, non-interventional prospective observational study. FibroTest®, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI), aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR), fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4), Age-platelet(AP) index and Forns index were measured and compared with Metavir scores got from liver biopsies. Results: Data from 182 patients with baseline liver biopsy were suitable for analysis. One hundred and twenty patients (65.9%) had F0-F1 fibrosis and 62 patients (34.1%) had F2-F4 fibrosis. APRI 0.732 area under the curve(AUC) indicated advanced fibrosis with 69% sensitivity and 77% specificity. FIB-4 0.732 AUC and FibroTest 0.715 AUC indicated advanced fibrosis with 69% and 78.4% sensitivity, and 75% and 71.4% specificity, respectively. The combined use of tests also led to an increase in AUC and specificity. Combinations of FibroTest with APRI and/or FIB-4, and FIB-4 with APRI were optimal for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Fibrotest, FIB-4, APRI, AP index and Forns index exhibit good diagnostic performance for determining liver fibrosis in CHC patients, and the use of at least two tests together will increase their diagnostic value still further. © Copyright 2018 by The Turkish Society of Gastroenterology

Intelligent diagnostic feedback for online multiple-choice questions

When students attempt multiple-choice questions (MCQs) they generate invaluable information which can form the basis for understanding their learning behaviours. In this research, the information is collected and automatically analysed to provide customized, diagnostic feedback to support students’ learning. This is achieved within a web-based system, incorporating the snap-drift neural network based analysis of students’ responses to MCQs. This paper presents the results of a large trial of the method and the system which demonstrates the effectiveness of the feedback in guiding students towards a better understanding of particular concepts

The kids on the adults armchair, the ergonomy of the computers

Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society on Contemporary Ergonomics 2006 --4 April 2006 through 6 April 2006 -- Cambridge --The kids are using the school's or internet cafe's general computers in Turkey. The statistics that have published in the developed countries show that every year rather much kids see damages tied to accumulating injures on their head, neck and hand. Searching the computer stations that the kid's use at the internet cafes. At Turkey, in Adana, 5 internet cafe's computer stations that are used by the children aged 15, are searched. The computer environment working conditions lists of the Cornell University is carried out on this study. The computer users in our search are, 18 people. The age average is 12.5 year. This users have been using the computers since average 2.6 years. The time that is entered in front of the computer is average 1.8 hour/day. If the ergonomically findings are appraised; 16.6% of the kid's upper arms and elbows were near the body. 22.2% of the people's wrists, hands were flat; 38.8% of the chairs are supporting the waist and arm and these are adjustable. 44.4% of the mouses were near the keyboard and 33.3% were suitable to the users hands. 44.4% of the computers weren't shining and reflecting. There were no computers that had foot support. The Computer Work Stations at the internet cafes aren't suitable for kids

The effects of web based educational drills in competitive atmosphere on motivation and learning

AbstractThe aim of this study is to carry out a structure, in which the desire of having a high score and seeing the name in the top list is used, in web-based drills and help students to be more willing in test solving. At the end of the study, the effects of the application on students’ test solving motivation have been analysed. Furthermore, the effects of the application on students’ achievement in the course dealt with within the scope of the study have also been analysed. According to the findings of the research, the website that has the competitive atmosphere has a positive effect on students’ achievement in their lessons. The application led to a change in students’ aim to visit the website and the frequency of their visit

A comparison of computer-aided ELVES method and video-aided instruction in text teaching in terms of student success

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to determine the effect of computer-aided ELVES method on student success in text teaching. The study also analyzes the likelihood whether the video-aided instruction method can be used with different techniques. And the instructional methods discussed within the scope of the study have been compared in terms of student success. The study conducted based on post-test model was carried out on three different experimental groups. A study of post-test results of students has enabled us to determine that there is a considerable difference in favor of computer-aided ELVES method for performing the target behaviors