Important prognostic factors for the long-term survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study used a large-scale cancer database in determination of prognostic factors for the survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Total of 24,910 subjects diagnosed with lung cancer was analysed. Survival estimates by Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional-hazards model estimated the death risk (hazard ratio (HR)) for various prognostic factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prognostic indicators associated with a higher risk of lung cancer deaths are male gender (males versus females; HR = 1.07, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03–1.11), males diagnosed in later periods (shown in 1991–1994 versus 1987–1990; HR = 1.13), older age at diagnosis, large cell carcinoma (LCC)/small cell carcinoma (SCC), and supportive care therapy over chemotherapy. The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer death was significantly poorer for males (21.3%) than females (23.6%). Subjects with squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) and treatment by surgical resection alone had better prognosis. We find surgical resections to markedly increase 5-year survival rate from LCC, decreased risk of death from LCC, and no improved survival from SCC.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Gender and clinical characteristics (i.e. diagnostic period, diagnostic age, histological type and treatment modality) play important roles in determining lung cancer survival.</p

Transformative Learning Experiences through Short-term Study Abroad programs

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected in the 21st century, it is crucial to teach college students how to acquire cultural competence as global citizens. Learning through study abroad involves total immersion and active engagement in understanding other cultures and people. It challenges individuals’ ethnocentric beliefs and habitual frames of reference to foster inclusive and global perspectives as transformative learners (Mezirow, 1997). Furthermore, even in short-term study abroad programs, through intentional planning, faculty may embed multiple high impact educational learning experiences in their courses. Collaboration with a foreign university can further enhance students’ cultural knowledge by creating peer interactions in and outside of classes. We describe specifics of peer interactions later in this paper. This teaching note introduces a teaching pedagogy and strategies of mentoring undergraduate research through study abroad classes

Transformative Learning Experiences through Short-term Study Abroad programs

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected in the 21st century, it is crucial to teach college students how to acquire cultural competence as global citizens. Learning through study abroad involves total immersion and active engagement in understanding other cultures and people. It challenges individuals’ ethnocentric beliefs and habitual frames of reference to foster inclusive and global perspectives as transformative learners (Mezirow, 1997). Furthermore, even in short-term study abroad programs, through intentional planning, faculty may embed multiple high impact educational learning experiences in their courses. Collaboration with a foreign university can further enhance students’ cultural knowledge by creating peer interactions in and outside of classes. We describe specifics of peer interactions later in this paper. This teaching note introduces a teaching pedagogy and strategies of mentoring undergraduate research through study abroad classes

Preparing Preschoolers for School Readiness Through a Mindfulness Intervention Program

This research uses a new mindfulness intervention program for preschoolers of a state funded Pre-K program to investigate (a) whether a mindfulness meditation program is feasible in this age group and setting, and (b) if the mindfulness intervention program increases executive functioning in preschoolers

Parental Disciplinary Effects on At-Risk Preschoolers’ Social Competence: Implications for Parent Training Interventions

This study examines parental disciplinary strategies on preschoolers’ social competence. It specifically explores the influence of negative disciplinary strategies on children’s externalizing behaviors in boys versus girls. Teachers’ reports showed differences in how genders are affected by parental negative disciplinary strategies. Therefore, implications from this study may inform parenting training programs to consider a child’s gender in developing effective strategies

How the Number of Adults in Household Influences Children’s Social Competence: Implications for At-Risk Interventions

This study examined the impact of the number of adults in a child’s home on their classroom behaviors. Head Start teachers completed Social Competence and Behavior Evaluations (SCBE, LaFreniere & Dumas, 1995) to rate children’s behaviors in classrooms. Findings of this research have the potential to further inform professionals of at-risk children’s degree of need for critical intervention

Building with materials from demolition projects

Students of Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a sustainable and innovative hikers’ cabin, called "Trek-In" for SNK, a Dutch coordinating organization of natural campsites. By now, three Trek-Ins are in commercial use, while SNK intends to exploit over 100 Trek-Ins in the coming years. This case study shows current possibilities of recycling in an architectural context, because nearly all materials used are derived from demolition waste materials. The structure as well as inner and outer finishing, but also plumbing, wash hand basin, toilet bowl, light switches, wall sockets, kitchen, et cetera, are all reclaimed from demolitions. A Trek-In exists of two modules that are fully assembled in a factory. The two modules are brought together on-site, where a simple foundation will do. This foundation is also made out of demolition waste materials. Making the foundation and placing the two modules can be done in just one day. The paper describes this exciting students’ project from start until realization of a prototypes. Principles of the way demolition waste is applied are also described, as well as the way Trek-Ins are constructe

Impairment of Proteasome and Autophagy Underlying the Pathogenesis of Leukodystrophy

Impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome-system (UPS) and autophagy causing cytoplasmic aggregation of ubiquitin andp62 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of most neurodegenerative disorders, yet, they have not been fully elucidated in leukodystrophies. The relationship among impairment of UPS, autophagy, and globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD), one of the most common demyelinating leukodystrophies, is clarified in this study. We examined the ubiquitin and autophagy markers in the brains of twitcher mice, a murine model of infantile GLD, and in human oligodendrocytes incubated with psychosine. Immunohistochemical examinations showed spatiotemporal accumulation of ubiquitin- and p62-aggregates mainly in the white matter of brain and spinal cord at disease progression. Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant accumulation of ubiquitin, p62, and LC3-II in insoluble fraction in parallel with progressive demyelination and neuroinflammation in twitcher brains. In vitro study validated a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity of psychosine upon autophagy and UPS machinery. Inhibition of autophagy and UPS exacerbated the accumulation of insoluble ubiquitin, p62, and LC3-II proteins mediated by psychosine cytotoxicity as well as increased cytoplasmic deposition of ubiquitin- and p62-aggregates, and accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Further, the subsequent accumulation of reactive oxygen species and reduction of mitochondrial respiration led to cell death. Our studies validate the impairment of proteasome and autophagy underlying the pathogenesis of GLD. These findings provide a novel insight into pathogenesis of GLD and suggest a specific pathomechanism as an ideal target for therapeutic approaches