Codes de réponse rapide pour prendre les présences aux cours en ligne et pour faire évaluer l’enseignement virtuel par les étudiants

Monitoring attendance and obtaining timely learner evaluations for virtual teaching sessions can be challenging. At our Obstetrics and Gynecology webinar programme, we have utilised Quick Response (QR) codes this purpose. Following each session, attendees scan an on-screen QR code which links to an online evaluation form and registers their attendance. Feedback can therefore be obtained quickly, is scalable to large participant numbers and is securely stored in digital format. QR reader applications are widely available and cost-free, which makes this technique accessible for learners. Using QR codes for teaching evaluation is simple and could be adopted across many educational applications.Contrôler la présence des étudiants aux cours en ligne et obtenir en temps utile leur évaluation des séances d'enseignement virtuelles peut constituer un défi. Dans notre programme de webinaires en obstétrique et gynécologie, nous le faisons à l’aide de codes de réponse rapide (codes QR). Après chaque séance, les participants scannent un code QR qui apparaît sur leur écran; la lecture du code permet de confirmer leur présence et renvoie à un formulaire d’évaluation en ligne. Ce mécanisme rend possible la rétroaction rapide, la participation d’un grand nombre de personnes et la conservation sécuritaire de l’information en format numérique. Les applications de lecture de codes QR sont largement disponibles et gratuites, et donc accessibles aux étudiants. L’utilisation des codes QR pour évaluer les cours est simple et elle peut être intégrée dans de nombreuses applications éducatives

Effect of Standard Tuberculosis Treatment on Plasma Cytokine Levels in Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

CITATION: Riou, C. et al. 2012. Effect of standard tuberculosis treatment on plasma cytokine levels in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. PLoS ONE, 7(5): e36886, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036886.The original publication is available at http://journals.plos.org/plosoneBackground: Sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) culture is commonly used to assess response to antibiotic treatment in individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Such techniques are constrained by the slow growth rate of Mtb, and more sensitive methods to monitor Mtb clearance are needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in plasma cytokines in patients undergoing treatment for TB as a means of identifying candidate host markers associated with microbiologic response to therapy. Methods: Twenty-four plasma cytokines/chemokines were measured in 42 individuals diagnosed with active pulmonary TB, 52% were HIV co-infected. Individuals, undergoing a 26-week standard TB treatment, were followed longitudinally over 18 months and measurements were associated with HIV status and rates of sputum culture conversion. Results: Plasma concentrations of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly reduced upon TB treatment, regardless of HIV status. By the end of treatment, IP-10 concentrations were significantly lower in HIV negative individuals when compared to HIV-positive individuals (p = 0.02). Moreover, in HIV negative patients, plasma VEGF concentrations, measured as early as 2-weeks post TB treatment initiation, positively correlated with the time of sputum conversion (p = 0.0017). No significant changes were observed in other studied immune mediators. Conclusions: These data suggest that VEGF plasma concentration, measured during early TB treatment, could represent a surrogate marker to monitor sputum culture conversion in HIV uninfected individuals.http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0036886Publisher's versio

Quick Response codes for virtual learner evaluation of teaching and attendance monitoring

Implication Statement: Monitoring attendance and obtaining timely learner evaluations for virtual teaching sessions can be challenging. At our Obstetrics and Gynecology webinar programme, we have utilised Quick Response (QR) codes this purpose. Following each session, attendees scan an on-screen QR code which links to an online evaluation form and registers their attendance. Feedback can therefore be obtained quickly, is scalable to large participant numbers and is securely stored in digital format. QR reader applications are widely available and cost-free, which makes this technique accessible for learners. Using QR codes for teaching evaluation is simple and could be adopted across many educational applications.Énoncé des implications de la recherche : Contrôler la présence des étudiants aux cours en ligne et obtenir en temps utile leur évaluation des séances d'enseignement virtuelles peut constituer un défi. Dans notre programme de webinaires en obstétrique et gynécologie, nous le faisons à l’aide de codes de réponse rapide (codes QR). Après chaque séance, les participants scannent un code QR qui apparaît sur leur écran; la lecture du code permet de confirmer leur présence et renvoie à un formulaire d’évaluation en ligne. Ce mécanisme rend possible la rétroaction rapide, la participation d’un grand nombre de personnes et la conservation sécuritaire de l’information en format numérique. Les applications de lecture de codes QR sont largement disponibles et gratuites, et donc accessibles aux étudiants. L’utilisation des codes QR pour évaluer les cours est simple et elle peut être intégrée dans de nombreuses applications éducatives

TUBE Project: Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects

The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease. However, the exact air pollutant compositions and exposure scenarios leading to these adverse health effects are not known. Although several components of air pollution may be at play, recent experimental studies point to a key role of ultrafine particles (UFPs). While the importance of UFPs has been recognized, almost nothing is known about the smallest fraction of UFPs, and only >23 nm emissions are regulated in the EU. Moreover, the role of the semivolatile fraction of the emissions has been neglected. The Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects (TUBE) project will increase knowledge on harmful ultrafine air pollutants, as well as semivolatile compounds related to adverse health effects. By including all the major current combustion and emission control technologies, the TUBE project aims to provide new information on the adverse health effects of current traffic, as well as information for decision makers to develop more effective emission legislation. Most importantly, the TUBE project will include adverse health effects beyond the respiratory system; TUBE will assess how air pollution affects the brain and how air pollution particles might be removed from the brain. The purpose of this report is to describe the TUBE project, its background, and its goals

TUBE Project: Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects

The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease. However, the exact air pollutant compositions and exposure scenarios leading to these adverse health effects are not known. Although several components of air pollution may be at play, recent experimental studies point to a key role of ultrafine particles (UFPs). While the importance of UFPs has been recognized, almost nothing is known about the smallest fraction of UFPs, and only >23 nm emissions are regulated in the EU. Moreover, the role of the semivolatile fraction of the emissions has been neglected. The Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects (TUBE) project will increase knowledge on harmful ultrafine air pollutants, as well as semivolatile compounds related to adverse health effects. By including all the major current combustion and emission control technologies, the TUBE project aims to provide new information on the adverse health effects of current traffic, as well as information for decision makers to develop more effective emission legislation. Most importantly, the TUBE project will include adverse health effects beyond the respiratory system; TUBE will assess how air pollution affects the brain and how air pollution particles might be removed from the brain. The purpose of this report is to describe the TUBE project, its background, and its goals

TUBE project : Transport-derived ultrafines and the brain effects

The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the exact air pollutant compositions and exposure scenarios leading to these adverse health effects are not known. Although several components of air pollution may be at play, recent experimental studies point to a key role of ultrafine particles (UFPs). While the importance of UFPs has been recognized, almost nothing is known about the smallest fraction of UFPs, and only >23 nm emissions are regulated in the EU. Moreover, the role of the semivolatile fraction of the emissions has been neglected. The Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects (TUBE) project will increase knowledge on harmful ultrafine air pollutants, as well as semivolatile compounds related to adverse health effects. By including all the major current combustion and emission control technologies, the TUBE project aims to provide new information on the adverse health effects of current traffic, as well as information for decision makers to develop more effective emission legislation. Most importantly, the TUBE project will include adverse health effects beyond the respiratory system; TUBE will assess how air pollution affects the brain and how air pollution particles might be removed from the brain. The purpose of this report is to describe the TUBE project, its background, and its goals.publishedVersionPeer reviewe