Review of Measurements Used in Computing Education Research and Suggestions for Increasing Standardization

The variables that researchers measure and how they measure them are central in any area of research. Which research questions can be asked and how they are answered depends on measurement. This paper describes a systematic review of the literature in computing education research to summarize the commonly used variables and measurements in 197 papers and to compare them to best practices in measurement for human-subjects research. Characteristics of the literature that are examined in the review include variables measured (including learner characteristics), measurements used, and type of data analysis. The review illuminates common practices related to each of these characteristics and their interactions with other characteristics. The paper lists standardized measurements that were used in the literature and highlights commonly used variables for which no standardized measures exist. To conclude, this review compares common practice in computing education to best practices in human-subjects research to make recommendations for increasing rigor

A multi-center, double-blind, randomized parallel-group Phase IV study comparing the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside ointment versus placebo in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain and an acute muscle spasm

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside (TCC) ointment treatment compared to placebo in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (LBP) accompanied by acute muscle spasms. Patients and methods: A total of 292 adult patients (106 males, 186 females; mean age: 38.5 +/- 11.2 years; range, 18 to 64 years) were randomized to TCC group (n=147) and placebo group (n=145) in 12 centers between March 2020 and March 2021. Eight patients from each group were excluded from the analysis. The primary endpoint was pressure pain threshold (PPT) on Day 3, which was measured using a pressure algometer. Secondary endpoints were PPT on Day 7, patient, and physician Visual Analog Scales-pain (VAS-pain) on Days 3 and 7, and safety. Results: The PPT values on Day 3 was not significantly different between the treatment groups (p=0.701). Similarly, TCC and placebo group had similar VAS-pain scores over trial period (p=0.577 or higher for comparisons). Significantly higher PPT values and lower VAS-pain scores on Days 3 and 7 were observed in both groups (p= 3.87, TCC arm had higher PPT on Day 3 compared to placebo (p=0.029). Three patients (two in the TCC arm and one in the placebo arm) discontinued the trial due to an adverse event. Conclusion: Topical TCC can be an appropriate option in a subset of patients with mild chronic LBP accompanied by muscle spasms. In a subset of patients with milder pain intensity, topical TCC may improve pain earlier. The results of this trial are compatible with the treatment approaches used in daily practice

Unsuspected Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma after Laparoscopic Myomectomy in an Isolated Bag

Minimally invasive techniques are generally applied for patients suspected of having benign fibroids if medical treatment is insufficient. On the other hand, sometimes some occult carcinomas of uterus like leiomyosarcomas may be reported for the patients’ applied morcellation. This condition is rare but outcomes are clinically significant. Fragmentation of occult sarcoma in the abdominal cavity without isolation bag results in widespread and poor survival. In this article, we report a case of 37-year-old woman suffering from pain due to unexpected leiomyosarcoma. Laparoscopic myomectomy was performed with power morcellation in an isolated bag. Although isolation bag is generally reported to be preventive, recurrence of sarcoma was seen at 5th month of follow-up. Even though morcellation within a bag seems to block wide spreading, dispersion of tumor cannot be stopped and more investigations have to be done

A multi-center, double-blind, randomized parallel-group Phase IV study comparing the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside ointment versus placebo in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain and an acute muscle spasm

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside (TCC) ointment treatment compared to placebo in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (LBP) accompanied by acute muscle spasms. Patients and methods: A total of 292 adult patients (106 males, 186 females; mean age: 38.5 +/- 11.2 years; range, 18 to 64 years) were randomized to TCC group (n=147) and placebo group (n=145) in 12 centers between March 2020 and March 2021. Eight patients from each group were excluded from the analysis. The primary endpoint was pressure pain threshold (PPT) on Day 3, which was measured using a pressure algometer. Secondary endpoints were PPT on Day 7, patient, and physician Visual Analog Scales-pain (VAS-pain) on Days 3 and 7, and safety. Results: The PPT values on Day 3 was not significantly different between the treatment groups (p=0.701). Similarly, TCC and placebo group had similar VAS-pain scores over trial period (p=0.577 or higher for comparisons). Significantly higher PPT values and lower VAS-pain scores on Days 3 and 7 were observed in both groups (p= 3.87, TCC arm had higher PPT on Day 3 compared to placebo (p=0.029). Three patients (two in the TCC arm and one in the placebo arm) discontinued the trial due to an adverse event. Conclusion: Topical TCC can be an appropriate option in a subset of patients with mild chronic LBP accompanied by muscle spasms. In a subset of patients with milder pain intensity, topical TCC may improve pain earlier. The results of this trial are compatible with the treatment approaches used in daily practice