Monitoring student creative capacity: using network visualisation to evaluate pedagogical practice

This paper explores how research in the fields of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Business can be applied to monitoring the development of student creative capacity

Scientific Evidence and Rationale for the Development of Curcumin and Resveratrol as Nutraceutricals for Joint Health

Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) are key cytokines that drive the production of inflammatory mediators and matrix-degrading enzymes in osteoarthritis (OA). These proinflammatory cytokines bind to their respective cell surface receptors and activate inflammatory signaling pathways culminating with the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), a transcription factor that can be triggered by a host of stress-related stimuli including, excessive mechanical stress and ECM degradation products. Once activated, NF-κB regulates the expression of many cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, inflammatory mediators, and several matrix-degrading enzymes. Therefore, proinflammatory cytokines, their cell surface receptors, NF-κB and downstream signaling pathways are therapeutic targets in OA. This paper critically reviews the recent literature and outlines the potential prophylactic properties of plant-derived phytochemicals such as curcumin and resveratrol for targeting NF-κB signaling and inflammation in OA to determine whether these phytochemicals can be used as functional foods

Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Harnessing ICT potential: The adoption and analysis of ICT systems for enhancing the student learning experience

Purpose ÿ This paper aims to examine how effective higher education institutions have been in harnessing the data capture mechanisms from their student information systems, learning management systems and communication tools for improving the student learning experience and informing practitioners of the achievement of specific learning outcomes. The paper seeks to argue that the future of analytics in higher education lies in the development of more comprehensive and integrated systems to value add to the student learning experience.Design/methodology/approach ÿ Literature regarding the trend for greater accountability in higher education is reviewed in terms of its implications for greater ÿuser drivenÿ direction. In addition, IT usage within higher education and contemporary usage of data captured from various higher education systems is examined and compared to common commercial applications to suggest how higher education management and teachers can gain greater understanding of the student cohort and personalise and enhance the learning experience much as commercial entities have done for their client base. A way forward for higher education is proposed.Findings ÿ If the multiple means that students engage with university systems are considered, it is possible to track individual activity throughout the entire student life cycle ÿ from initial admission, through course progression and finally graduation and employment transitions. The combined data captured by various systems builds a detailed picture of the activities students, instructors, service areas and the institution as a whole undertake and can be used to improve relevance, efficiency and effectiveness in a higher education institution.Originality/value ÿ The paper outlines how academic analytics can be used to better inform institutions about their students learning support needs. The paper provides examples of IT automation that may allow for student user-information to be translated into a personalised and semi-automated support system for students

Clinical outcomes after use of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies in people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a novel class of agents approved for the treatment of several cancers and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). However, due to the risk of autoimmune side effects, their use in people with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) has been limited. OBJECTIVE: To characterize outcomes in a cohort of adults with MS who received ICIs. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of medical record data was performed for people with MS treated with ICIs. RESULTS: Seven people with MS were identified, with a mean (SD) age at ICI use of 55.4 (13.7) years and a mean MS duration of 18.2 (12.2) years. Six were treated for cancer; 1 was treated for PML. After mean (SD) follow-up of 1.76 (2.15) years after ICI, outcomes are: no evidence of disease (2), residual metastatic disease (1), death due to cancer (1), death due to PML (1), and lost to follow-up (2). Notably, 0 out of 7 patients experienced an MS relapse; two out of six had new asymptomatic demyelinating magnetic resonance imaging lesions. In the three patients with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores at baseline and follow-up, EDSS remained stable (mean delta 0.13). CONCLUSION: In this cohort, no people with MS experienced clinical relapses and one-third experienced asymptomatic radiological activity following ICI treatment

Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and patient experiences during breast cancer treatment.

BackgroundOver one-third of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are post-menopausal women, the primary demographic affected by breast cancer. After breast cancer diagnosis, there is little information about patients' clinical experiences with both diseases.ObjectiveUtilize a case series of MS patients diagnosed with breast cancer to characterize oncologic and MS trajectories, and generate novel insights about clinical considerations using qualitative analysis.MethodsA single-center retrospective review was performed on medical record data of patients with MS and breast cancer. Thematic analysis was used to characterize experiences with the concurrent diagnoses.ResultsFor the 43 patients identified, mean age was 56.7 years at cancer diagnosis and MS duration was 16.5 years. Approximately half were treated with MS disease modifying therapy at cancer diagnosis, and half of these subsequently discontinued or changed therapy. Altogether 14% experienced MS relapse(s) during follow-up (with 2 relapses in the first 2 years), with mean annualized relapse rate of 0.03. Cohort Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores remained stable during follow-up. Qualitative insights unique to this population were identified regarding immunosuppression use and neurologic symptoms.ConclusionsMS relapses were infrequent, and there was modest progression during breast cancer treatment. Oncologic outcomes were comparable to non-MS patients with similarly staged cancer

Self-care selfies: Patient-uploaded videos capture meaningful changes in dexterity over 6 months.

OBJECTIVE: Upper extremity function reflects disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated the feasibility, validity, and sensitivity to change of remote dexterity assessments applying human pose estimation to patient-uploaded videos. METHODS: A discovery cohort of 50 adults with MS recorded selfie videos of self-care tasks at home: buttoning, brushing teeth, and eating. Kinematic data were extracted using MediaPipe Hand pose estimation software. Clinical comparison tests were grip and pinch strength, 9 hole peg test (9HPT), and vibration, and patient-reported dexterity assessments (ABILHAND). Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated (Health-ITUES framework). A validation cohort (N = 35) completed 9HPT and videos. RESULTS: The modality was feasible: 88% of the 50 enrolled participants uploaded ≥3 videos, and 74% completed the study. It was also usable: assessments easy to access (95%), platform easy to use (97%), and tasks representative of daily activities (86%). The buttoning task revealed four metrics with strong correlations with 9HPT (nondominant: r = 0.60-0.69, dominant: r = 0.51-0.57, P < 0.05) and ABILHAND (r = -0.48, P = 0.05). Retest validity at 1 week was stable (r > 0.8). Cross-sectional correlations between video metrics and 9HPT were similar at 6 months, and in the validation cohort (nondominant: r = 0.46, dominant: r = 0.45, P < 0.05). Over 6 months, pinch strength (5.8-5.0 kg/cm2 , P = 0.05) and self-reported pinch (ABILHAND) decreased marginally. While only 15% of participants worsened by 20% on 9HPT, 70% worsened in key buttoning video metrics. INTERPRETATION: Patient-uploaded videos represent a novel, patient-centered modality for capturing dexterity that appears valid and sensitive to change, enhancing its potential to be disseminated for neurological disease monitoring and treatment

Re-evaluating the Significance of Estrone as an Environmental Estrogen

Studies worldwide have demonstrated the occurrence of feminized male fish at sites impacted by human and animal wastes. A variety of chemicals could contribute to this phenomenon, but those receiving the greatest attention in terms of research and monitoring have been 17β-estradiol (β-E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol, due both to their prevalence in the environment and strong estrogenic potency. A third steroid, estrone (E1), also can occur at high concentrations in surface waters but generally has been of lesser concern due to its relatively lower affinity for vertebrate estrogen receptors. In an initial experiment, male fathead minnow (<i>Pimephales promelas</i>) adults were exposed for 4-d to environmentally relevant levels of waterborne E1, which resulted in plasma β-E2 concentrations similar to those found in reproductively active females. In a second exposure we used ¹³C-labeled E1, together with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, to demonstrate that elevated β-E2 measured in the plasma of the male fish was indeed derived from the external environment, most likely via a conversion catalyzed by one or more 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The results of our studies suggest that the potential impact of E1 as an environmental estrogen currently is underestimated