The Role of the Empathic Function of Literature in Dismantling Stereotypes and Eliminating Discrimination in the Classroom

The coexistence of students in the classroom from different cultural backgrounds is a challenge. Literature as a cultural product may contribute to the cultivation of intercultural empathy and acceptance of diversity in various ways. This study examines how literature may contribute to the treatment of issues related to stereotypes, gender discrimination, and how it may eliminate prejudices in the classroom. Initially, through the bibliographic review, the effect of literature on the psycho-emotional development of the individual, the strengthening of resilience and on the development of emotional intelligence is investigated as a key element for the development of healthy interpersonal relationships. Then, this study presents the results of an action research that utilized literature to break stereotypes in a pluralistic class. The action research took place at schools in Chania (Crete, Greece), and it highlights the empathic function of literature in removing stereotypes and discrimination in the classroom through various experiential activities and cooperative role play. Literature cultivates empathy and students may get into “others' shoes’’, accepting diversity. Through structured literature-based programs, a teacher may cultivate intercultural understanding and empathy, promoting human rights and enhancing the learners as future citizens with an inclusive and humanitarian attitude.

Rewriting fairy tales: new challenge in creativity in the classroom

¿Qué hace que un cuento de hadas sea tan duradero? ¿Por qué estos han sobrevivido durante cientos de años y seguirán haciéndolo por muchos más, cuando nuestros nietos lleguen a ser abuelos? ¿Por qué personas de todas las edades los disfrutan tanto? ¿Es porque los cuentos de hadas reflexionan y transmiten de una manera sencilla y concisa profundas verdades universales que grandes novelistas han luchado por expresar a lo largo de cientos de páginas? ¿O es porque nos retrotraen al reino mágico de la infancia y ofrecen la oportunidad de escapar de la dura realidad? ¿Es porque hablan de arquetipos con los que todos podemos identificarnos o porque cuentan que, al final, el bien siempre triunfa sobre el mal? La pasión por la narración está escrita en nuestro código genético. Los cuentos de hadas son tan queridos y populares que siempre serán una valiosa fuente de inspiración para los escritores. Su gran éxito radica en su capacidad para ser reescritos, transformados y ajustados a cada época y en cada sociedad. Esta reescritura de los cuentos populares ofrece muchas oportunidades. Al reescribirlos se pueden crear nuevas narraciones, nuevas formas que cultivan la lengua oral y escrita al mismo tiempo.

ENHANCING GREEK STUDENTS’ WRITING PROCESS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SELF-REGULATED PROGRAMS

Writing process is considered a demanding and complex process and one of the most important factors for children’s’ academic success. Cultivation of this skill must be systematic and methodical. The students' ability to produce meaningful and understandable texts both by themselves and by their classmates easily is considered to be of major pedagogical significance. In writing, students are encouraged to participate in activities, which involve exchanging and negotiating with peers and educators, which is related to Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory (1978). The teacher's contribution is significant as s/he is the one who mediates between students and text, selecting each time the appropriate technique / strategy to lead the students into self-regulation of the process. This paper presents a survey that was carried out in schools in the prefecture of Chania (Crete) in Greece and aimed at investigating the impact of Self-Regulated Strategy Development on students of mixed ability in written speech production. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of this strategy on the empowerment of students' written discourse. Intervention applied to the experimental group has highlighted significant pedagogical benefits on students’ ability to synthesize well-structured and cohesive narrative text.  Article visualizations

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in paediatric practice: an EFSUMB position statement

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in adults is well established in many different areas, with a number of current applications deemed off-label, but the use supported by clinical experience and evidence. Paediatric CEUS is also an off-label application until recently with approval specifically for assessment of focal liver lesions. Nevertheless there is mounting evidence of the usefulness of CEUS in children in many areas, primarily as an imaging technique that reduces exposure to radiation, iodinated contrast medium and the patient-friendly circumstances of ultrasonography. This position statement of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound and Medicine (EFSUMB) assesses the current status of CEUS applications in children and makes suggestions for further development of this technique

ESPR uroradiology task force imaging recommendations in paediatric uroradiology, part VII: standardised terminology, impact of existing recommendations, and update on contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the paediatric urogenital tract

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Gene expression profile of circulating tumor cells in breast cancer by RT-qPCR

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been associated with prognosis especially in breast cancer and have been proposed as a liquid biopsy for repeated follow up examinations. Molecular characterization of CTCs is difficult to address since they are very rare and the amount of available sample is very limited.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We quantified by RT-qPCR <it>CK-19, MAGE-A3, HER-2, TWIST1, hTERT α+β+</it>, and <it>mammaglobin </it>gene transcripts in immunomagnetically positively selected CTCs from 92 breast cancer patients, and 28 healthy individuals. We also compared our results with the CellSearch system in 33 of these patients with early breast cancer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RT-qPCR is highly sensitive and specific and can detect the expression of each individual gene at the one cell level. None of the genes tested was detected in the group of healthy donors. In 66 operable breast cancer patients, <it>CK-19 </it>was detected in 42.4%, <it>HER-2 </it>in 13.6%, <it>MAGE-A3 </it>in 21.2%, <it>hMAM </it>in 13.6%, <it>TWIST-1 </it>in 42.4%, and <it>hTERT α+β+ </it>in 10.2%. In 26 patients with verified metastasis, <it>CK-19 </it>was detected in 53.8%, <it>HER-2 </it>in 19.2%, <it>MAGE-A3 </it>in 15.4%, <it>hMAM </it>in 30.8%, <it>TWIST-1 </it>in 38.5% and <it>hTERT </it>α⁺β⁺in 19.2%. Our preliminary data on the comparison between RT-qPCR and CellSearch in 33 early breast cancer patients showed that RT-qPCR gives more positive results in respect to CellSearch.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Molecular characterization of CTCs has revealed a remarkable heterogeneity of gene expression between breast cancer patients. In a small percentage of patients, CTCs were positive for all six genes tested, while in some patients only one of these genes was expressed. The clinical significance of these findings in early breast cancer remains to be elucidated when the clinical outcome for these patients is known.</p

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and chromogenic in situ hybridization: precise methods to detect HER-2 status in breast carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>HER-2 </it>gene testing has become an integral part of breast cancer patient diagnosis. The most commonly used assay in the clinical setting for evaluating HER-2 status is immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence <it>in situ </it>hybridization (FISH). These procedures permit correlation between <it>HER-2 </it>expression and morphological features. However, FISH signals are labile and fade over time, making post-revision of the tumor difficult. CISH (chromogenic <it>in situ </it>hybridization) is an alternative procedure, with certain advantages, although still limited as a diagnostic tool in breast carcinomas.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To elucidate the molecular profile of HER-2 status, mRNA and protein expression in 75 invasive breast carcinomas were analyzed by real time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and IHC, respectively. Amplifications were evaluated in 43 of these cases by CISH and in 11 by FISH.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The concordance rate between IHC and qRT-PCR results was 78.9%, and 94.6% for qRT-PCR and CISH. Intratumoral heterogeneity of <it>HER-2 </it>status was identified in three cases by CISH. The results of the three procedures were compared and showed a concordance rate of 83.8%; higher discordances were observed in 0 or 1+ immunostaining cases, which showed high-level amplification (15.4%) and <it>HER-2 </it>transcript overexpression (20%). Moreover, 2+ immunostaining cases presented nonamplified status (50%) by CISH and <it>HER-2 </it>downexpression (38.5%) by qRT-PCR. In general, concordance occurred between qRT-PCR and CISH results. A high concordance was observed between CISH/qRT-PCR and FISH. Comparisons with clinicopathological data revealed a significant association between <it>HER-2 </it>downexpression and the involvement of less than four lymph nodes (<it>P </it>= 0.0350).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Based on these findings, qRT-PCR was more precise and reproducible than IHC. Furthermore, CISH was revealed as an alternative and useful procedure for investigating amplifications involving the <it>HER-2 </it>gene.</p