Creating a blended learning module in an online master study programme in oncology.

BACKGROUND: The medical faculty of Ulm University has launched the postgraduate master online study programme Advanced Oncology (AO) in 2010. We describe the challenges in developing an e-learning module using the example of a medical biometry course, focusing the implementation of the course material and our single-loop learning experience after the first students have finished and evaluated the lecture. METHODS: Programme participants are qualified medical doctors and researchers in biomedical areas related to the field of oncology. The study programme provides the majority of lectures online via didactic videos accompanied by one-week attendance seminars. Supplementary learning materials include review articles, supportive reading material, multiple choice questions, and exercises for each unit. Lecture evaluations based on specific questions concerning learning environment and information learned, each measured on a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Lecture videos were implemented following the classical triad of the didactic process, using oncological examples from practice to teach. The online tutorial support offered to students was hardly used, thus we enhanced faculty presence during the face-to-face seminars. Lecture evaluations improved after revising the learning material on the basis of the first AO student cohort's comments. DISCUSSION: Developing and implementing an online study programme is challenging with respect of maximizing the information students learn due to limited opportunities for personal contact between lecturers and students. A more direct interaction of lecturers and students in a blended learning setting outperforms a mere web-based contact in terms of learning advantage and students' satisfaction, especially for complex methodological content.

Expression of constitutively active FoxO3 in murine forebrain leads to a loss of neural progenitors.

Inactivation of FoxO proteins by phosphorylation is the result of a number of stimuli, including the insulin/IGF pathway. We were interested in the consequence of blunting this pathway by employing transgenic mice with tetracycline-controllable conditional expression of a constitutively active allele of FOXO3 under the control of the forebrain-specific CaMKIIα promoter. Although transgene-expressing mice were viable, brain weight was reduced by 30% in adult animals. Brains showed an isocortex compression with normal cortical layering, and a size reduction in regions known to depend on adult neurogenesis, i.e., the olfactory bulbs and the dentate gyrus. On postnatal activation of the transgene, adult neurogenesis was also severely affected. Investigating the molecular basis of this phenotype, we observed enhanced apoptosis starting from embryonic day E10.5 and a subsequent loss of progenitors in the ventricular/subventricular zones, but not in the isocortex or the striatum of adult mice. The enhanced apoptosis was accompanied by increased expression of PIK3IP1, which we identified as a direct transcriptional target of FOXO3. Transfection of Pik3ip1 into differentiating neural progenitors resulted in a significant reduction of viable cells. We therefore conclude that neural progenitors are particularly vulnerable to FOXO3-induced apoptosis, which is mediated by PIK3IP1, a negative PI3 kinase regulator.

Mobile Applications Available in Germany Supporting Breast Cancer Patients During Treatment and Aftercare: a Systematic Review.

Purpose Systematic evaluation of health apps designed to support and aid remote monitoring of patients during breast cancer treatment and aftercare. Method A systematic search and assessment of apps was conducted using search terms: breast cancer; breast cancer therapy; and breast cancer aftercare. Evaluation criteria were user assessments, scientifically published benefits, user-friendliness, data protection, app individualization, motivation, and financial aspects. Up to two points (P) could be awarded per criterion. The lowest possible score was 0P and the maximum was 28P. Three examiners from different institutions independently assessed the apps according to the specified criteria. Reference value was defined as the average value given by the examiners. Apps with > 18P were classified as "recommended"; ≥ 11-≤ 18P as "partially recommended" and ≤ 10P as "not recommended". Results A total of 776 apps (n = 24 from the Apple App Store, n = 752 from the Google Play Store) were identified via search query. After applying exclusion criteria, 36 apps (n = 1 from the Apple App Store; n = 35 from the Google Play Store) were evaluated. Using the mean point values of the examiners, 20 apps were classified as not recommended and 12 as partially recommended (≥ 11-≤ 18P). Four apps were rated partially recommended by two examiners and recommended by one examiner. Three apps were rated as recommended by all examiners. Conclusion Only a small minority of available apps meet recommendation criteria. Use of these apps may benefit breast cancer patients.

NF-kappaB promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion of pancreatic carcinoma cells.

The transcription factor NF-kappaB is constitutively active in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Here we explore the contribution of NF-kappaB to the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells in addition to its anti-apoptotic role. Block of NF-kappaB signalling by non-destructible IkappaBalpha rendered cells resistant to TGF-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In contrast, NF-kappaB activation by TNF-alpha or expression of constitutively active IKK2 induced an EMT-phenotype with up-regulation of vimentin and ZEB1, and down-regulation of E-cadherin. EMT could also be induced in cells with defective TGF-beta signalling. Functional assays demonstrated reduced or strongly enhanced migration and invasion upon NF-kappaB inhibition or activation, respectively.