Risk factors for brain metastases after definitive chemoradiation for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background/Aim. As therapy for locally advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) improves, brain metastases (BM) still remain a great problem. The aim of the study was to analyze risk factors for BM in patients with locally advanced NSCLC after chemoradiation therapy. Methods. Records for 150 patients with non-resectable stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC treated with combined chemoradiation therapy were analyzed. All of them had negative brain metastases imaging result before the treatment. Incidence of BM was examined in relation to age, sex, histological type, stage, performance status scale of wellbeing of cancer patients, weight loss, chemotherapy regimen and chemotherapy timing. Results. One- and 2-year incidence rates of BM were 19 and 31%, respectively. Among pretreatment parameters, stage IIIB was associated with a higher risk of BM (p < 0.004) vs stage IIIA. Histologically, the patients with nonsquamous tumors had an exceptionally high 2-year BM risk rate of 32% (p < 0.02). Examining treatment-related parameters, 1-year and 2-year actuarial risk of BM were 27 and 39%, respectively, in the patients receiving chemotherapy before radiotherapy and 15 and 20%, respectively, when radiotherapy was not delayed (p < 0.03). On multivariate analysis, timing of chemotherapy (p < 0.05) and stage IIIA vs IIIB (p < 0.01) remained statistically significant. Conclusion. Patients with IIIB stage, nonsquamous NSCLC, particularly those receiving sequential chemotherapy, had significantly high BM rates

Elearning model for supporting ict competencies development of employees in education

Doktorska disertacija razvija nastavni model za elektronsko učenje preko Interneta namenjen razvoju informaciono-komunikacionih kompetencija nastavnika u osnovnim i srednjim školama i drugih zaposlenih u obrazovanju. Informaciono-komunikacione kompetencije nastavnika i drugih zaposlenih u obrazovanju su veoma važne za obrazovni i ekonomski sistem i potrebno je omogućiti njihovo sticanje, unapređivanje i upotrebu u obrazovanju zbog njihovog uticaja na promenu stavova prema obrazovnoj tehnologiji. Za potrebe doktorske disertacije urađeno je pedagoško istraživanje u novembru 2014. godine, sa dve grupe ispitanika, kontrolnom i eksperimentalnom grupom. Istraživanje je u potpunosti sprovedeno preko veb portala: www.azomjns.com/moodle. Uticaj predloženog nastavnog modela za e-učenje "5 koraka" na razvoj kompetencija kod zaposlenih u obrazovanju za kreiranje multimedijalnih prezentacija za nastavu, pokazao je bolje rezultate u odnosu na uticaj klasičnog modela za e-učenje "Isporuka sadržaja". Ponuđeni nastavni model "5 koraka" može se primeniti na različite uzrasne grupe i nastavne predmete što otvara mogućnosti za dalja istraživanja.The thesis develops a model of online e-Learning for improving information and communication competencies  of teachers and other employees in primary and secondary education. Information and communication competencies of employees in education are of great importance to the educational and economic system. We must enable their acquisition, improvement and use in education because they change attitudes towards educational technology. For this purpose, the main pedagogical research was carried out in November 2014, with two groups of respondents: a control and an experimental group. The research was conducted entirely online through the web portal: www.azomjns.com/moodle. The impact of the proposed '5-step' teaching e-learning model on the development of competencies of employees in education in creating teaching multimedia presentations showed better results than the classical model of e-learning, viz. 'learning by distributing'. The offered '5-step' teaching model can be adapted to different age groups and subjects, which opens up possibilities for further research

Elearning model for supporting ict competencies development of employees in education

Doktorska disertacija razvija nastavni model za elektronsko učenje preko Interneta namenjen razvoju informaciono-komunikacionih kompetencija nastavnika u osnovnim i srednjim školama i drugih zaposlenih u obrazovanju. Informaciono-komunikacione kompetencije nastavnika i drugih zaposlenih u obrazovanju su veoma važne za obrazovni i ekonomski sistem i potrebno je omogućiti njihovo sticanje, unapređivanje i upotrebu u obrazovanju zbog njihovog uticaja na promenu stavova prema obrazovnoj tehnologiji. Za potrebe doktorske disertacije urađeno je pedagoško istraživanje u novembru 2014. godine, sa dve grupe ispitanika, kontrolnom i eksperimentalnom grupom. Istraživanje je u potpunosti sprovedeno preko veb portala: www.azomjns.com/moodle. Uticaj predloženog nastavnog modela za e-učenje "5 koraka" na razvoj kompetencija kod zaposlenih u obrazovanju za kreiranje multimedijalnih prezentacija za nastavu, pokazao je bolje rezultate u odnosu na uticaj klasičnog modela za e-učenje "Isporuka sadržaja". Ponuđeni nastavni model "5 koraka" može se primeniti na različite uzrasne grupe i nastavne predmete što otvara mogućnosti za dalja istraživanja.The thesis develops a model of online e-Learning for improving information and communication competencies  of teachers and other employees in primary and secondary education. Information and communication competencies of employees in education are of great importance to the educational and economic system. We must enable their acquisition, improvement and use in education because they change attitudes towards educational technology. For this purpose, the main pedagogical research was carried out in November 2014, with two groups of respondents: a control and an experimental group. The research was conducted entirely online through the web portal: www.azomjns.com/moodle. The impact of the proposed '5-step' teaching e-learning model on the development of competencies of employees in education in creating teaching multimedia presentations showed better results than the classical model of e-learning, viz. 'learning by distributing'. The offered '5-step' teaching model can be adapted to different age groups and subjects, which opens up possibilities for further research

Analiza prikaza digitalnih modela terena primjenom različitih metoda interpolacije

In the paper is described the process of creating digital terrain models (DTM) using different interpolation methods. The analyses show the accuracy of the DTM obtained from topographic maps at different scales and using different interpolation methods. The quality and accuracy of DTM depends on the complexity of the terrain, data sources, and methods of height interpolation. The basic idea is the creation of the DTM for the selected area and the comparison of the results by applying appropriate interpolation methods. The aim of the research is to analyse the quality of the DTM model and to consider suitability of certain interpolation methods, based on the obtained results, i.e. their advantages and disadvantages. The experiment was done in the software environment ERDAS IMAGINE 2014.Rad opisuje postupak izrade digitalnih modela terena (DMT) primjenom različitih metoda interpolacije. Pritom se analiziraju prikaz i točnost DMT-a, dobiveni s topografskih karata različitih mjerila te primjenom različitih metoda interpolacije. Kvaliteta i točnost DMT-a ovise o složenosti reljefa, izvoru podataka, ali i o metodi interpolacije visina. Osnovna ideja u radu je kreiranje DMT-a za izabrano područje te primjenom odgovarajućih metoda interpolacije usporediti dobivene rezultate. Cilj istraživanja je analizirati kvalitetu DMT-a te na temelju dobivenih rezultata razmotriti pogodnost pojedinih metoda interpolacije, odnosno njihove prednosti i mane. Istraživanje je realizirano u softverskom okruženju ERDAS IMAGINE 2014

Plasma-Activated Medium Potentiates the Immunogenicity of Tumor Cell Lysates for Dendritic Cell-Based Cancer Vaccines

Autologous dendritic cells (DCs)-based vaccines are considered quite promising for cancer immunotherapy due to their exquisite potential to induce tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells. However, a lack of efficient protocols for inducing immunogenic tumor antigens limits the efficacy of DC-based cancer vaccines. Here, we found that a plasma-activated medium (PAM) induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells but not in an immortalized L929 cell line or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. PAM induced an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), autophagy, apoptosis, and necrosis in a concentration-dependent manner. The tumor lysates prepared after PAM treatment displayed increased immunogenicity in a model of human monocyte-derived DCs, compared to the lysates prepared by a standard freezing/thawing method. Mature DCs loaded with PAM lysates showed an increased maturation potential, as estimated by their increased expression of CD83, CD86, CD40, IL-12/IL-10 production, and attenuated PDL1 and ILT-4 expression, compared to the DCs treated with control tumor lysates. Moreover, in co-culture with allogeneic T cells, DCs loaded with PAM-lysates increased the proportion of cytotoxic IFN-γ+ granzyme A+ CD8+ T cells and IL-17A-producing T cells and preserved the Th1 response. In contrast, control tumor lysates-treated DCs increased the frequency of Th2 (CD4+IL-4+), CD4, and CD8 regulatory T cell subtypes, none of which was observed with DCs loaded with PAM-lysates. Cumulatively, these results suggest that the novel method for preparing immunogenic tumor lysates with PAM could be suitable for improved DC-based immunotherapy of cancer patients

STRENGTHENING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM ELEMENTS USING ROD-FORM COMPOSITE MATERIALS

The paper emphasizes the advantages of using FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) materials for strengthening reinforced concrete structures. The results of experimental research on the effects of strengthened reinforced concrete beam elements exposed mainly to bending using FRP rod-shaped elements are presented. The load disposition (experimental setup) was in accordance with the "four point load" scheme, and the measurements were made using modern measuring techniques. The results regarding the increase in the bearing capacity of strengthened beams using the NSM (near surface mounting) and EB (externally bounding) methods were compared. In particular, the load-deflection ratio until failure was analyzed, as well as the change in stiffness depending on the load level. It has been shown that the load capacity of beams strengthened with carbon fiber rods (NSM CFRP) increases by 89%, and the load capacity of beams strengthened with glass fiber rods (NSM GFRP) by 73%. The bearing capacity of beams strengthened with EB CFRP laminates increases by 51%. The ductility of strengthened beams was analyzed and it was shown that it is higher when using GFRP rod-shaped elements (DI=6.5) compared to CFRP rods (DI=5.3). The ductility of the beams strengthened by the EB CFRP method was not satisfactory (DI=2.6)

Didaktika književnosti u univerzitetskoj nastavi prikazana na istraživanju modela prenošenja novije književnosti nemačkog govornog područja

Ovaj rad se bavi istraživanjem kompleksnog procesa čitanja književnih tekstova na stranom, pre svega na nemačkom jeziku kod studenata/kinja germanistike u Srbiji. U njemu se istražuje sadašnje stanje u nastavi književnosti maternjeg i stranog jezika, te se na osnovu dobijenih podataka spravlja književno-didaktički model za promenu sadašnjeg stanja u nastavi, a nastava po tom modelu se isprobava u nastavnoj praksi. Isprobavanje je vršeno: - dva semestra školske 2007/2008. godine na izbornim jednosemestralnim predmetima Književnost u Austriji i Švajcarskoj posle Drugog svetskog rata i Književnost u NDR i SRN, - na projekt-nastavi Čitanje je ponovo u modi, čiji centralni deo predstavlja insceniranje romana Dok smo sanjali Klemensa Majera, prikazano u poglavlju broj tri. Da bi se došlo do kvalitativnih podataka, koji su bili potrebni za ispitivanje uspešnosti ili neuspešnosti primene književno-didaktičkog modela u nastavnoj praksi, spravljen je upitnik, sprovedeno je deset individualnih intervjua i jedna grupna diskusija. Pri tome se u istraživanju polazi od stvarnih recipijenata književnih tekstova u nastavnom procesu: učenika/ca, tj. studenata/kinja, od njihovih interesovanja, od njihovog (ne)uživanja u književnim tekstovima i njihove (ne)motivisanosti da čitaju književne tekstove na nemačkom jeziku u institucionalizovanim uslovima. Kako je posredi potpuno nov prilaz književno- didaktičkoj naučnoj diskusiji u Srbiji, ovo istraživanje ima eksplorativni karakter. Prilikom analize dokumenata i analize podataka, korišten je analitički aparat spravljen na osnovu teorijskih postavki radikalnog konstruktivizma i empirijske nauke o književnosti, a koji sačinjavaju kategorije: institucionalizovano ophođenje sa konvencijom polivalentnosti književnog sistema, funkcije književnog sistema, nastavne metode i institucionalizovano razumevanje pojma književnosti i pojma kulture.Rezultati koji su dobijeni u ovom istraživanju dotiču se mnogih aktuelnih oblasti iz didaktičkih proučavanja uloge nastavnika/ca u nastavnom procesu i čitanja književnih tekstova na stranom jeziku.Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung des komplexen Prozesses des Lesens literarischer Texte auf der fremden, hier konkret deutschen Sprache bei den Germanistiktudierenden in Serbien. Es wird der Ist-Zustand des muttersprachlichen und fremdsprachlichen Literaturunterrichts untersucht und auf der Grundlage von gewonnenen Daten ein literaturdidaktisches Modell zur Veränderung des Ist-Zustands erstellt. Dieses Modell wurde dann in der Unterichtspraxis auch erprobt. - Nach dem Modell wurde zwei Semester des akademischen Jahres 2007/2008 bei der Durchführung der Wahlfächer Literatur in Österreich und der Schweiz nach 1945 und Literatur der DDR und der BRD unterrichtet. - Es wurde das Projekt Lesen ist wieder in Mode durchgeführt, dessen zentralen Teil die Bühnenadaptation des Romans Als wir träumten von Clemens Meyer darstellt. Um zu qualitativen Daten zu gelangen, die (Miss)erfolg des durchgeführten Unterrichts belegen sollen, wurde ein Fragebogen erstellt und durchgefürt, es wurden weiter zehn individuelle Interwievs und eine Gruppendisskusion durchgeführt. Diese Untersuchung geht von den realen RezipientInnen literarischer Texte im Unterrichtsprozess aus: von SchülerInnen und Studierenden, von ihren Interessen, ihrem (Un)behagen beim Lesen literarischer Texte und ihrer (De)motivation, literarische Texte unter institutionellen Bedingungen zu lesen. Da es um eine ganz neue Annäherung an das Problem in der wissenschaftlichen Disskusion in Serbien geht, hat sie explorativen Charakter. Bei der Dokumentenanalyse und auch bei der Datenanalyse wurde ein analytischer Apparat benutzt, der auf teoretischen Grundprinzipien des radikalen Konstruktivismus und der Empirischen Literaturwissenschaft beruht und der aus folgenden Kategorien besteht: institutioneller Umgang mit der Polyvalenz-Konvention des Systems Literatur, Funktionen des Systems Literatur, Unterrichtsmethoden und institutioneller Umgang mit Begriffen Literatur und Kultur. Die Entwicklung der literarischen Kompetenzen wurde in der Gruppendisskusion untersucht. Ergebnisse, die in dieser Untersuchung gewonnen wurden, betreffen einige aktuelle didaktische Bereiche im Hinblick auf die Rolle der Lehrerinnen im Unterrichtsprozess und beim Lesen fremdsprachiger literarischer Texte in der Schule und Hochschule

Lobular panniculitis: A manifestation of pancreatic tumor with fatal outcome

Lobular panniculitis is a skin condition that may be the first sign of underlying pancreatic disease. Though rare, the condition has been sufficiently well defined and pathognomonic, thus making differentiation from idiopathic lobular panniculitis quite possible. A 77-year-old woman was in apparently good general health condition when developed skin lesions in a form of erythematous painful fluctuant nodules localized predominantly on the breast, but also present on the arms, thighs, and trunk. Her serum and urinary amylase levels were respectively 3 and 8 fold higher than normal. On histology, skin biopsy showed acute lobular panniculitis with large foci of adipocyte necrosis. Examination of the breast excluded any specific process other than nodular subcutaneous inflammation, but revealed a tumor of the pancreatic head. The nodules spontaneously ulcerated exuding an oily thick brownish material. Her condition deteriorated, and she became progressively debilitated. The patient died before operation, within the next 3 weeks. Subcutaneous fat necrosis was the first manifestation of an otherwise occult pancreatic disease with fatal outcome

Actual process parameter determination for micro-engraving of fullerene film

Mašinski inženjeri se redovno susreću sa zahtjevima za obradom savremenih materijala korišćenjem postojeće opreme. Određivanje parametara obrade, u tom slučaju, postaje aktuelan problem. Ovaj rad daje odgovor na jedan takav zahtjev. U pitanju je obrada tankog fulerenskog filma nanešenog na staklenu pločicu metodom hemijskog naparavanja. Na kompjuterski upravljanoj mašini za graviranje, primjenom alata sa dijamantskim vrhom sprovedena je eksperimentalna verifikacija mogućnosti obrađivanja fulerenskog filma. Različite vrijednosti parametara obrade su kombinovane u cilju utvrđivanja adekvatnog skupa parametara sa aspekta kvaliteta izrade ivice žlijeba. Prilikom obrade pločice primjećeno je intenzivno habanje i naše istraživanje se jednim dijelom usmjerilo i ka određivanju uzroka habanja. Savremena oprema je korišćena za kvalitativnu analizu i grubu selekciju optimalnih parametara i za analizu produkata habanja. Rezultati su osnova za dalju optimizaciju procesa mikroobrade tankog fulerenskog filma i uvođenja preporučenih vrijednosti parametara u već postojeću tabelu za dobro poznate materijale.Mechanical engineers are consistently challenged with the requirements posed by contemporary materials machining by using the existing equipment. In this case determining the cutting conditions becomes an actual problem. This paper offers a response to that request in the form of micro-machining of thin fullerene film deposited on a glass plate by using chemical vapor deposition method. Experimental verification of thin fullerene film machinability is conducted on computer numerical control engraving machine using a diamond scraper. Different values of process parameters are combined to determine adequate parameters set from groove edge quality aspect. During machining we noticed intensive wear, so one part of our research was directed towards determining the cause of tool wear. Modern equipment was used for qualitative analysis and near-optimal cutting condition selection and for analysis of wear debris. The results present a basis for further process optimization of thin fullerene film micro-engraving and for introduction of cutting conditions in the existing table for well-known materials