Learning analytics for academic paths: student evaluations of two dashboards for study planning and monitoring

An in-depth understanding of student experiences and evaluations of learning analytics dashboards (LADs) is needed to develop supportive learning analytics tools. This study investigates how students (N = 140) evaluated two student-facing LADs as a support for academic path-level self-regulated learning (SRL) through the concrete processes of planning and monitoring studies. Aim of the study was to gain new understanding about student perspectives for LAD use on academic path-level context. The study specifically focused on the student evaluations of the dashboard support and challenges, and the differences of student evaluations based on their self-efficacy beliefs and resource management strategies. The findings revealed that students evaluated dashboard use helpful for their study planning and monitoring, while the challenge aspects mostly included further information needs and development ideas. Students with higher self-efficacy evaluated the dashboards as more helpful for study planning than those with lower self-efficacy, and students with lower help seeking skills evaluated the dashboards as more helpful for study monitoring than those with higher help seeking skills. The results indicate that the design of LAD can help students to focus on different aspects of study planning and monitoring and that students with different beliefs and capabilities might benefit from different LAD designs and use practices. The study provides theory-informed approach for investigating LAD use in academic path-level context and extends current understanding of students as users of LADs

Suunielun syövät ja niiden riskitekijät

Tutkimuksen tarkoitus: Tarkoituksena oli tehdä kirjallisuuskatsaus suunielun syövistä, jossa tauti kuvaillaan pääpiirteittäin. Lisäksi viime vuosina Helsingissä hoidetuista suunielun syöpäpotilaista tehtiin analyysi, jonka tavoitteena oli analyysin perusteella kuvata HPV-positiivisen ja toisaalta HPVnegatiivisen suunielun syöpää sairastavan potilaan taudinkuva, riskitekijät, sekä levinneisyyteen vaikuttavat seikat. Tässä tutkimuksessa HPV-infektion yhteyttä suunielun syöpään on arviotu p16ilmentymisen perusteella, sillä HPV-infektioon liittyy usein p16-yliekspressio. Materiaalit ja menetelmät: Kirjallisuuskatsausta varten etsittiin PubMedistä artikkeleita aiheeseen liittyen, käyttäen esimerkiksi hakusanoja "HPV" ja "Oropharyngeal cancer". Analyysia varten kerätty potilasaineisto koostuu HUS Korva-, nenä- ja kurkkutautien klinikan tuumorimeetingeissä 1.3.2012 – 28.2.2014 diagnostisoiduista uusista suunielusyöpäpotilaista. Potilastietoja kerätään sähköisistä hoitokertomustiedoista, sekä HUSLAB Patologian laitoksen rekistereistä. Aineiston perusteella tehtiin kolme taulukkoa: potilaan kliiniset piirteet (esimerkiksi tupakointi, oireet) tuumorin p16 ilmentymisen mukaan, tuumorin ominaisuudet (esimerkiksi TNMluokitus) p16 ilmentymisen mukaan ja potilaan ensimmäinen suunniteltu hoito tuumorin p16 ilmentymisen mukaan. Tulokset: Potilaista (N=126) suurin osa oli miehiä ja kaikkien potilaiden keski-ikä oli 62.4 vuotta. P16-värjäys tehtiin 110:lle ja niistä positiivisia oli 80. Tupakoimattomilla potilailla todettiin ilmentyvän enemmän p16-postiivisia tuumoreita. Niillä potilailla, joilla alkoholin suurkulutusrajat täyttyivät, todettiin olevan vähemmän p16-positiivisia tuumoreita. P16-positiivisen tuloksen omaavilla potilailla enemmistöllä oireiden laatu oli patti kaulalla ja p16-negatiivisilla potilailla enemmistöllä oireena oli kipu. P16-negatiivisen tuumorin omaavilla potilailla etäpesäkkeiden esiintymistä alueellisissa imusolmukkeissa (N-luokitus) vaikutti olevan vähemmän kuin p16-positiivisen tuumorin omaavilla potilailla. Sekä p16-positiivisilla, että p16-negatiivisilla potilailla yleisin syövän gradus oli 3. Tuumorin yleisin lokaatio oli nielurisa sekä p16-positiivisilla, että p16negatiivisilla. P16-negatiivisia tuumoreita esiintyi toiseksi eniten pehmeässä suulaessa ja kielen tyvessä, sekä jonkin verran nielun takaseinämässä, kun p16-positiivisia tuumoreita esiintyi vain vähän pehmeässä suulaessa ja jonkin verran kielen tyvessä. P16-positiivisen tuumorin omaavat potilaat saivat enemmän kemosädehoitoa ja vähemmän leikkaushoitoa p16-negatiivisen tuumorin omaaviin potilaisiin verrattuna. Palliatiivista hoitoa sai 14% kaikista potilaista, p16-ilmentyminen ei näyttänyt olevan sidoksissa edelliseen. Johtopäätökset: Tutkimuksen perusteella voidaan sanoa, että HPV-lähtöinen syöpä käyttäytyy eri tavalla, kuin HPV-negatiivinen syöpä, ja sitä olisi mahdollisesti hyvä käsitellä ja hoitaa eri sairautena

The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (hCGβ) in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: This study was carried out to observe the upregulation of the free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) and its prognostic significance in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients with OPSCC treated with curative intent at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, during 2012–2016 were included. Serum samples were collected prospectively, and their hCGβ concentrations (S-hCGβ) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. The expression of hCGβ in tumor tissues was defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV determination was performed by combining p16-INK4 IHC and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were used as survival endpoints. Results: S-hCGβ positivity correlated with poor OS in the whole patient cohort (p < 0.001) and in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was seen between S-hCGβ and poor DSS in the whole cohort (p < 0.001) and in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC (p = 0.007). In a multivariable analysis, S-hCGβ was associated with poor DSS. Of the clinical characteristics, higher cancer stage and grade were associated with S-hCGβ positivity. No statistically significant correlation with tissue positivity of hCGβ was seen in these analyses. Conclusion: S-hCGβ may be a potential independent factor indicating poor prognosis, notably in HPV-negative OPSCC

The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (hCGβ) in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: This study was carried out to observe the upregulation of the free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) and its prognostic significance in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients with OPSCC treated with curative intent at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, during 2012–2016 were included. Serum samples were collected prospectively, and their hCGβ concentrations (S-hCGβ) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. The expression of hCGβ in tumor tissues was defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV determination was performed by combining p16-INK4 IHC and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were used as survival endpoints. Results: S-hCGβ positivity correlated with poor OS in the whole patient cohort (p < 0.001) and in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was seen between S-hCGβ and poor DSS in the whole cohort (p < 0.001) and in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC (p = 0.007). In a multivariable analysis, S-hCGβ was associated with poor DSS. Of the clinical characteristics, higher cancer stage and grade were associated with S-hCGβ positivity. No statistically significant correlation with tissue positivity of hCGβ was seen in these analyses. Conclusion: S-hCGβ may be a potential independent factor indicating poor prognosis, notably in HPV-negative OPSCC

Tumor-Associated Trypsin Inhibitor (TATI) as a Biomarker of Poor Prognosis in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Irrespective of HPV Status

Background: We studied the role of tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in serum and in tumor tissues among human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC patients. Materials and methods: The study cohort included 90 OPSCC patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, in 2012–2016. TATI serum concentrations (S-TATIs) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. Immunostaining was used to assess tissue expression. HPV status was determined with a combination of p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. The survival endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results: A significant correlation was found between S-TATI positivity and poor OS (p < 0.001) and DSS (p = 0.04) in all patients. In HPV-negative cases, S-TATI positivity was linked to poor OS (p = 0.01) and DSS (p = 0.05). In HPV-positive disease, S-TATI positivity correlated with poor DSS (p = 0.01). S-TATI positivity was strongly associated with HPV negativity. TATI serum was negatively linked to a lower cancer stage. TATI expression in peritumoral lymphocytes was associated with favorable OS (p < 0.025) and HPV positivity. TATI expression in tumor and in peritumoral lymphocytes correlated with lower cancer stages. Conclusion: Our results suggest that S-TATI positivity may be a biomarker of poor prognosis in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC

Presenting symptoms and clinical findings in HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer patients

Objectives: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is divided in two different disease entities depending on HPV involvement. We investigated differences in presenting symptoms and clinical findings in patients with HPV-positive and -negative OPSCC tumors. Methods: Altogether 118 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary OPSCC between 2012 and 2014 at the Helsinki University Hospital were included. HPV-status of the tumors was assessed by PCR detection of HPV DNA and immunostaining with p16-INK4a antibody. Results: Fifty-one (47.7%) of the patients had HPV-positive and 56 (52.3%) HPV-negative tumors. Forty-nine (49/51, 96.1%) of the HPV+ tumors were also p16+ showing high concordance. The most common presenting symptom among HPV+/p16+ patients was a neck mass (53.1%), whereas any sort of pain in the head and neck area was more frequently related to the HPV-/p16- (60.0%) group. HPV+/p16+ tumors had a tendency to locate in the tonsillar complex and more likely had already spread into regional lymph nodes compared with HPV-/p16- tumors. Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly more common among HPV-/p16- patients but also rather common among HPV+/p16+ patients. Conclusions: This analysis of symptoms and signs confirm that OPSCC can be dichotomized in two distinct disease entities as defined by HPV status.Peer reviewe

Tumor-Associated Trypsin Inhibitor (TATI) as a Biomarker of Poor Prognosis in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Irrespective of HPV Status

Simple SummaryOropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a form of head and neck cancer in which human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been shown to play a major role in disease development. The survival rates of HPV-positive patients are favorable compared to HPV-negative patients, but the reason for this phenomenon remains unclear. The management of OPSCC is complex, and development of novel treatment options is urgently required. Various possible factors affecting survival have been explored, including the tumor environment and cancer-related proteases. Our aim was to study a protease inhibitor known as tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor and its correlation with survival and clinical data in OPSCC patients.Background: We studied the role of tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in serum and in tumor tissues among human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC patients. Materials and methods: The study cohort included 90 OPSCC patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, in 2012-2016. TATI serum concentrations (S-TATIs) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. Immunostaining was used to assess tissue expression. HPV status was determined with a combination of p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. The survival endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results: A significant correlation was found between S-TATI positivity and poor OS (p p = 0.04) in all patients. In HPV-negative cases, S-TATI positivity was linked to poor OS (p = 0.01) and DSS (p = 0.05). In HPV-positive disease, S-TATI positivity correlated with poor DSS (p = 0.01). S-TATI positivity was strongly associated with HPV negativity. TATI serum was negatively linked to a lower cancer stage. TATI expression in peritumoral lymphocytes was associated with favorable OS (p Conclusion: Our results suggest that S-TATI positivity may be a biomarker of poor prognosis in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC.</p

The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (hCGβ) in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: This study was carried out to observe the upregulation of the free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) and its prognostic significance in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients with OPSCC treated with curative intent at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, during 2012-2016 were included. Serum samples were collected prospectively, and their hCGβ concentrations (S-hCGβ) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. The expression of hCGβ in tumor tissues was defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV determination was performed by combining p16-INK4 IHC and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were used as survival endpoints.Results: S-hCGβ positivity correlated with poor OS in the whole patient cohort (p p p p = 0.007). In a multivariable analysis, S-hCGβ was associated with poor DSS. Of the clinical characteristics, higher cancer stage and grade were associated with S-hCGβ positivity. No statistically significant correlation with tissue positivity of hCGβ was seen in these analyses.Conclusion: S-hCGβ may be a potential independent factor indicating poor prognosis, notably in HPV-negative OPSCC.</p

Biomarkers in HPV-related and HPV-unrelated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma : Novel Tools to Enhance Survival Assessment and Treatment Solutions

Regarded as one of the ten most common cancer types in the world, Head and Neck cancers (HNCs) are usually complex, and disease management often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a subtype of HNCs, and two separate subtypes of OPSCC are further known today: human papillomavirus (HPV)-related OPSCC and HPV-unrelated OPSCC, the disease profiles and survival of which differ remarkably. The incidence of HPV-related OPSCC is rising rapidly in Western countries specifically. However, despite the favorable treatment outcomes among HPV-positive patients, unfortunately the prognosis for HPV-unrelated OPSCC remains poor. Novel diagnostic methods and treatment modalities are warranted, and utilizing cancer biomarkers with OPSCC patients could provide numerous benefits in disease management. Monitoring biomarkers has previously been proven valuable for other malignancies, of which the screening of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer serves as a valuable example. Other benefits of biomarkers include relatively low costs, accessibility, repeatability, and minimal invasiveness. To further facilitate the management of OPSCC, biomarker assays could assist in the development of individualized and targeted treatment modalities. However, introducing novel biomarkers into the clinic can be challenging, requiring careful research to achieve advancements. Our aim was to observe novel tissue and serum specific biomarkers in OPSCC among HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients, and to tentatively assess their potential benefits and prognostic value in clinical use. We selected biomarkers based on their previously identified associations with other malignancies, such as other cancers of the head and neck region. To obtain information about the biomarker functions in the OPSCC disease profile, we compared the biomarker assays to OPSCC patient data containing information on clinical characteristics and survival. The patient material consisted of 224 OPSCC patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS, Helsinki, Finland) during 2012 – 2016. An additional cohort (n = 192) was used in Study V, comprising OPSCC patients treated at the HUS during 2000 – 2009. Details on clinical characteristics and survival data were collected manually from the hospital electronic patient records at HUS. HPV status for these studies was determined by p16 immunohistochemistry, HPV DNA genotyping and HPV mRNA in situ hybridization.Immunofluorometric assays were performed to assess biomarker levels in serum and immunohistochemical analyses were utilized to observe biomarker immunopositivity in cancer tissues. Statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS software. The biomarkers observed in our study were tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), human chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit (hCGβ), liprin-α1, CD82, and immunoglobulin superfamily member 3 (IGSF3). Several differences in the clinicopathological profiles of HPV-related and HPV-unrelated OPSCC were found (Study I). TATI serum positivity correlated with poor prognosis in OPSCC irrespective of HPV status and TATI serum negativity was associated with HPV-positivity (Study II). Serum positivity of hCGβ additionally correlated with poor prognosis in OPSCC (Study III). In separate analyses, strong tissue immunopositivity of liprin-α1 and IGSF3 in tumor cells correlated with poor prognosis, whereas immunopositivity in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes correlated with favorable prognosis (Studies IV – V). Several biomarkers were found to have prognostic potential. Further biomarker studies concerning OPSCC are warranted and incorporating analyses within subgroups according to HPV status is highly recommended.Pään ja kaulan alueen syövät, joita pidetään yhtenä maailman 10 yleisimmästä syöpätyypistä, ovat yleensä haasteellisia hoitaa ja niiden käsittely edellyttää monialaista lähestymistapaa. Suunielusyövät, joista suurin osa on levyepiteelikarsinoomia, ovat pään ja kaulan alueen syöpien alatyyppi, ja suunielusyövästä tunnetaan nykyään edelleen kaksi erillistä tautimuotoa: ihmisen papilloomavirus (HPV)-riippuvainen suunielusyöpä ja HPV-riippumaton suunielusyöpä. Näiden tautimuotojen oirekuva ja ennuste eroavat huomattavasti toisistaan. Erityisesti HPV-riippuvaisen suunielusyövän esiintyvyys on viime vuosina kasvanut nopeasti länsimaissa, mutta sen hoitotulokset ovat suotuisia. HPV-riippumattoman suunielusyövän ennuste on sen sijaan edelleen valitettavan huono. Uusien diagnostisten menetelmien ja hoitomuotojen kehittäminen on tarpeellista, ja syövän biomerkkiaineiden käyttö suunielusyöpä potilailla voisi tarjota useita etuja sairauksien hallinnassa. Biomerkkiaineiden seuranta on aiemmin osoittautunut hyödylliseksi muissa pahanlaatuisissa kasvaimissa, joista eturauhassyövän eturauhasspesifisen antigeenin (PSA) tarkkailu toimii arvokkaana esimerkkinä. Muita biomerkkiaineiden etuja ovat suhteellisen alhaiset kustannukset, saavutettavuus, toistettavuus ja minimaalinen invasiivisuus. Suunielusyövän käsittelyn helpottamiseksi biomerkkiainemääritykset voisivat olla hyödyllisiä yksilöllisten ja kohdennettujen hoitomuotojen kehittämisessä. Uusien biomerkkiaineiden valjastaminen kliiniseen käyttöön on kuitenkin haastavaa, ja edellyttää huolellista translationaalista tutkimusta edistyksen saavuttamiseksi. Tavoitteenamme oli havainnoida uusia kudos- ja seerumispesifisiä biomerkkiaineita suunielusyövässä HPV-positiivisilla ja HPV-negatiivisilla potilailla ja arvioida niiden mahdollisia hyötyjä ja ennustearvoa kliinisessä käytössä. Valitsimme biomerkkiaineet niiden aiemmin tunnistettujen assosiaatioiden perusteella muissa syövissä (kuten pään ja kaulan alueen syövissä). Tutkiaksemme suunielusyövän tautiprofiilia biomerkkiaineiden toimintoja vertasimme merkkiainemäärityksiä suunielusyöpä potilaiden potilastietoihin, jotka sisälsivät tietoa taudin kliinisistä ominaisuuksista ja eloonjäämisestä. Potilasaineisto koostui 224 suunielusyöpä potilaasta, joita hoidettiin Helsingin yliopistollisessa sairaalassa (HUS) vuosina 2012–2016. Tutkimuksessa V käytettiin lisäkohorttia (n = 192), joka koostui HUS:ssa vuosina 2000–2009 hoidetuista suunielusyöpä potilaista. Tiedot kliinisistä ominaisuuksista ja seurantatiedoista kerättiin manuaalisesti HUS:n sähköisistä potilasasiakirjoista. Tässä tutkimuksessa HPV-statuksen määrityksessä käytettiin p16-immunohistokemiaa, HPV-DNA-genotyypitystä ja HPV-mRNA in situ - hybridisaatiota. Immunofluorometrisiä määrityksiä ja immunohistokemiallisia analyysejä tehtiin biomerkkiaineiden esiintymisen arvioimiseksi seerumista ja syöpäkudoksista. Tilastolliset analyysit tehtiin IBM SPSS -ohjelmistolla. Tutkimukseemme valitut biomerkkiaineet olivat tumorassociated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), human chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit (hCGβ), liprin-α1, CD82 ja immunoglobulin superfamily member 3 (IGSF3). HPV-riippuvaisen ja HPV-riippumattoman suunielusyövän kliinispatologisissa profiileissa havaittiin useita eroja (osatyö I).TATI-pitoisuus seerumissa korreloi huonoon ennusteeseen suunielusyövässä HPV-statuksesta riippumatta ja TATI-seerumin negatiivisuus liittyi HPV-positiivisuuteen (osatyö II). Myös hCGβ:n seerumipositiivisuus korreloi huonon ennusteen kanssa suunielusyövässä (tutkimus III). Erillisissä analyyseissä lipriiniα1:n ja IGSF3:n voimakas immunopositiivisuus kasvainsoluissa korreloi huonon ennusteen kanssa, kun taas kasvaimia infiltroivissa lymfosyyteissä immunopositiivisuus korreloi suotuisan ennusteen kanssa (osatyöt IV–V). Useilla biomerkkiaineilla havaittiin olevan ennusteellista potentiaalia. Suunielusyöpää koskevat biomerkkiainetutkimukset ovat perusteltuja, ja HPVstatuksen mukaisten alaryhmien sisällyttäminen analyyseihin on erittäin suositeltavaa

How deployment processes affect the adoption of learning analytics in higher education institutions:improving potential for impact with better deployment practices

Abstract As the development and implementation of new learning analytics and other digital tools in higher education appear to be on a continual rise, we examined the attitudes toward new tools, and particularly what affects the adoption and experienced usefulness of new tools. An increasing amount of knowledge has been accumulated on aspects of learning analytics solutions that affect impact and user experiences, but the effects of the processes surrounding the deployment of new solutions appear less clear. We aimed to discover what factors higher education staff find useful when required to take a new tool into use, and what factors can hinder the learning and use of new learning analytics tools. Results indicated that deployments often fail to account for user-characteristics, and that deployment processes should be more tailored, accounting for users’ skills, roles, and tasks. HE staff indicated that new LA tools often lack adequate support, communication, instructions, and considerations of user needs, and are not able to communicate clear use-cases and expected value. These identified shortcomings provide good lessons for future learning analytics deployment projects, urging developers of analytics tools to invest time and effort into smooth deployment and support, so that the tools can have an impact in higher education institutions. Improvement at a relatively easy-to-deliver -level, such as good tailoring of instructions and communication of practical value, could improve the acceptance and use of learning analytics, and thus also impact on the intended learning or teaching targets of the learning analytics solution