Wiki-based Collaborative Learning Experience in a Foreign Language Blended Course

The article emphasizes the educational potential of wikis for learning foreign languages. It focuses on students’ collaboration based on integration of different types of activities within a highly motivating blended learning environment where learners can interact and share their ideas. The study aims to understand if wikis could enhance online collaboration and positively affect students’ attitudes to group work. It tries to explore the level of participation and contribution of students in wiki-based activities, as well as their attitude to this type of online collaboration

Influence of nanosecond microwave pulses on the level of cortycosterone

This article describes experimental data on 30 nonlinear rats exposed to microwave radiation at frequencies 8, 13, 16 and 22 pulse per second (pps) in order to record corticosteron changes as an indicator of stress in rodent blood. During the experiment, it was found that the most significant increase is observed at frequencies 13, 16 pps and at 22, 8 pps a decrease and a slight increase in corticosteron were recorded respectively

Ensuring metrological control of the means of thermal control

В настоящее время все большее применение набирают приборы бесконтактного и быстродейственного контроля температуры приборами, регистрирующими излучения в световом и инфракрасном диапазонах.At present, more and more devices are being used to collect non-contact and high-speed temperature control instruments that register radiation in the light and infrared ranges

Математическое моделирование режимов работы двухфазного термосифона в условиях извлечения геотермальной энергии

Percutaneous treatment of thrombosed primary arteriovenous hemodialysis access fistulae.BackgroundWe reviewed the efficacy of percutaneous intervention in acute thrombotic occlusion of native arteriovenous (AV) fistulae for hemodialysis.MethodsEight-one percutaneous procedures were performed in 54 patients presenting with a clotted native dialysis fistula. There were 60 cases of a long-segment thrombosis of the fistula. In 20 cases, a small thrombus usually caused by an underlying severe stenosis was observed. A proximal arterial occlusion was seen in one case. Treatment depended on clot size and included balloon dilation (N = 20), mechanical thrombectomy with various devices (N = 58), as well as pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (N = 3).ResultsFull restoration of flow was established in 72 cases (88.9%). Early reobstruction within 14 days occurred in eight cases (11.1%). Primary patency rates after a 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month period were 74, 63, 52, and 27%, respectively. Overall fistula patency was 75% after 3 months, 65% after 6 months, 51% after 12 months, and 22% after 24 months.ConclusionsAcute thrombotic occlusion of native AV fistulae is a major complication of hemodialysis. The results of treatment are believed to be less successful than thrombosis treatment in synthetic grafts. Our results, however, indicate the efficacy of percutaneous treatment in native fistulae, and demonstrate comparable technical results and patency rates

Use of Surrogate end points in HTA

The different actors involved in health system decision-making and regulation have to deal with the question which are valid parameters to assess the health value of health technologies

DEGRO practical guideline for partial-breast irradiation

Abstract Purpose This consensus statement from the Breast Cancer Working Group of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) aims to define practical guidelines for accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI). Methods Recent recommendations for relevant aspects of APBI were summarized and a panel of experts reviewed all the relevant literature. Panel members of the DEGRO experts participated in a series of conferences, supplemented their clinical experience, performed a literature review, and formulated recommendations for implementing APBI in clinical routine, focusing on patient selection, target definition, and treatment technique. Results Appropriate patient selection, target definition for different APBI techniques, and basic rules for appropriate APBI techniques for clinical routine outside of clinical trials are described. Detailed recommendations for APBI in daily practice, including dose constraints, are given. Conclusion Guidelines are mandatory to assure optimal results of APBI using different techniques

BCNU for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: efficacy, toxicity and prognostic factors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prognosis for patients with recurrent glioblastoma is still poor with a median survival between 3 and 6 months. Reports about the application of carmustine (BCNU), one of the standard chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma, in the recurrent situation are rare.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a retrospective analysis of 35 patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma treated with 80 mg/m²BCNU on days 1 on 3 intravenously at our department for efficacy, toxicity and prognostic factors. Progression free survival and overall survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The influence of age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), tumor burden, pretreatment with temozolomide (TMZ), type of surgery for initial diagnosis and number of previous relapses on outcome was analyzed in a proportional hazards regression model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median age of the group was 53 years, median KPS was 70. Median progression free survival was 11 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-15), median overall survival 22 weeks (95% CI: 18-27). The rate of adverse events, especially hematological toxicity, is relatively high, and in 3 patients treatment had to be terminated due to adverse events (one pulmonary embolism, one pulmonary fibrosis, and one severe bone marrow suppression). No influence of age, KPS, tumor burden, pre-treatment with TMZ and number of previous relapses on outcome could be demonstrated, while gross total resection prior to recurrence showed a borderline statistically significant negative impact on PFS and OS. These data compare well with historical survival figures. However prospective randomized studies are needed to evaluate BCNU efficacy against newer drugs like bevacizumab or the intensified temozolomide regime (one week on/one week off).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In summary, BCNU treatment appears to be a valuable therapeutic option for recurrent glioblastomas, where no other validated radio- and/or chemotherapy are available.</p

Serum after Autologous Transplantation Stimulates Proliferation and Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells

Regeneration after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) depends on enormous activation of the stem cell pool. So far, it is hardly understood how these cells are recruited into proliferation and self-renewal. In this study, we have addressed the question if systemically released factors are involved in activation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPC) after autologous HSCT. Serum was taken from patients before chemotherapy, during neutropenia and after hematopoietic recovery. Subsequently, it was used as supplement for in vitro culture of CD34+ cord blood HPC. Serum taken under hematopoietic stress (4 to 11 days after HSCT) significantly enhanced proliferation, maintained primitive immunophenotype (CD34+, CD133+, CD45−) for more cell divisions and increased colony forming units (CFU) as well as the number of cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC). The stimulatory effect decays to normal levels after hematopoietic recovery (more than 2 weeks after HSCT). Chemokine profiling revealed a decline of several growth-factors during neutropenia, including platelet-derived growth factors PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB, whereas expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) increased. These results demonstrate that systemically released factors play an important role for stimulation of hematopoietic regeneration after autologous HSCT. This feedback mechanism opens new perspectives for in vivo stimulation of the stem cell pool