Conversion of extrinsic into intrinsic motivation and computer based testing (CBT).

BACKGROUND: Because computers are used in many aspects of today's life, it seems necessary to include them in teaching and assessment processes. METHOD: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to construct a multidimensional valid scale, to identify the factors that influenced the nature of student motivation on Computer Based Testing (CBT), to recognize how students self-regulated their activities around CBT, and to describe the efficiency of autonomous versus controlled situations on motivation. The study was carried out among 246 Iranian Paramedical Students of Tabriz Medical Sciences University, Tabriz, Iran; 2013-2014. The researchers prepared a questionnaire, based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), containing 26 items with a five-point Likert scale. It was prepared according to a previous valid questionnaire and by sharing opinions with some students and five professors. The factor analysis was done to perform instructional and exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin(KMO) measure was performed and variables were correlated highly enough to provide a reasonable basis for factor analysis. The selected 4 factors determined a 60.28% of the variance; autonomy 26.37%, stimulation 14.11%, relatedness10.71%, and competency 9.10%. CONCLUSION: A questionnaire was prepared and validated, based on SDT variables. The results indicated that autonomous extrinsic motivation correlated positively with intrinsic motivation and CBT. There was a general positive attitude towards computer-based testing among students. As students became intrinsically motivated through the promotion of autonomous regulation, CBT was recommended as a proper test mode.

Is There a Role for Genetic Information in Risk Assessment and Decision Making in Prostate Cancer?

OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer is a neoplasm with a variable natural history and clinical behavior. There is much debate on the use of inherited genetic information in clinical application including risk assessment and treatment decisions. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between clinical parameters of prostate cancer (PSA, Gleason score, and metastasis) and expression of NKX3.1, AMACR, TMPRSS2-ERG, ERG, and SPINK1 genes. METHODS: Newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer were selected for this study. Thirty four tissue samples were obtained via open radical prostatectomy and 9 samples were obtained via needle biopsy. Each tissue sample was sectioned into two parts, one used for detection of malignant changes and Gleason score determination, and the other immersed in RNA later solution (Qiagen). The expression of NKX3.1, AMACR, TMPRSS2-ERG, ERG, and SPINK1 genes were assessed by real-time PCR assay. Correlation between expression of each gene and PSA level, Gleason score, and presence of metastasis were examined. RESULTS: A total number of 43 specimens were studied, from which 9 were obtained from patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The expression of five examined genes had no correlation with PSA level and Gleason score. The expression of AMACR decreased in metastatic prostate cancer (P = 0.02). The expression of other genes showed no difference between metastatic and non-metastatic tumors (P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic information combined with clinical data can be useful in risk assessment and treatment planning. Based on the results of the current study, the decreased expression of AMACR was a sign of poor prognosis.

Expression profile of MAGI2 gene as a novel biomarker in combination with major deregulated genes in prostate cancer.

Complex molecular changes that occur during prostate cancer (PCa) progression have been described recently. Whole genome sequencing of primary PCa samples has identified recurrent gene deletions and rearrangements in PCa. Specifically, these molecular events disrupt the gene loci of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and membrane-associated guanylate kinase inverted-2 (MAGI2). In the present study, we analyzed the expression profile of MAGI2 gene in a cohort of clinical PCa (n = 45) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples (n = 36) as well as three PCa cell lines. We also studied the expression of PCa-related genes, including PTEN, NKX3.1, SPINK1, DD3, AMACR, ERG, and TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in the same samples. The expression of MAGI2 mRNA was significantly down-regulated in PC3, LNCaP and DU-145 PCa cell lines (p = 0.000), and also in clinical tumor samples (Relative expression = 0.307, p = 0.002, [95 % CI 0.002-12.08]). The expression of PTEN, NKX3.1, SPINK1, DD3, and AMACR genes was significantly deregulated in prostate tumor samples (p range 0.000-0.044). A significant correlation was observed between MAGI2 and NKX3.1 expression in tumor samples (p = 0.006). Furthermore, the inclusion of MAGI2 in the gene panel improved the accuracy for discrimination between PCa and BPH samples with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.88 [CI 0.76-0.95] and 0.83 [CI 0.68-0.92], respectively. The data presented here suggest that MAGI2 gene can be considered as a novel component of gene signatures for the detection of PCa.

Maxillary sinus osteoma: From incidental finding to surgical management.

Due to the frequent use and availability of the orthopantomogram (OPG), dental practitioners are more frequently confronted with incidental findings such as osteomas located in the maxillary/-mandibular bone or inside the maxillary sinuses. Osteomas are benign slow-growing osteogenic tumors, which frequently develop in the mandible. In the midface, osteomas appear frequently in the frontoethmoidal sinuses. Maxillary sinus osteoma is a rare entity. Also in asymptomatic patients, cranio-facial osteomas need to be further investigated for a precise diagnosis. The clinical importance of osteomas lies in their differentiation from a malignant lesion such as the osteosarcoma. In patients with multiple osteomas, Gardner's syndrome (GS) as an underlying disease needs to be excluded. In this report, we present the case of a solitary maxillary sinus osteoma, incidentally found on the OPG. The surgical technique for the removal of the osteoma is presented. In this case, the patient was free of the stigmas associated with GS.