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This study presents the results of a mixed-methods approach in finding the effects of the WebQuest-based flipped classroom on the EFL learners' inferential reading comprehension skills. A group of EFL learners attending an IELTS course participated in the study. "T"-test and one-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the quantitative data. The results showed that the WebQuest-based flipped classroom effectively developed the learners' inferential reading comprehension skills, and its long-term effect was also confirmed through the delayed post-test scores. The participants' attitudes towards the WebQuest-based flipped classroom effects were also explored by conducting semi-structured interviews analyzed by utilizing thematic analysis through which the participants' perspectives were coded and categorized. The findings revealed the EFL learners' mainly positive attitudes towards the effectiveness of this innovative approach in developing their inferential reading comprehension skills. The pedagogical implications of using WebQuest-based flipped instruction as an efficient and effective alternative to traditional classroom practice are discussed.

One of the important issues in urban areas is air pollution which causes respiratory disorders. A signifi cant association between exposure to inhaled particulate matter (PM), mainly ultrafi ne particles, and increased neurological and pulmonary morbidity and mortality was observed in some research. This study aimed to demonstrate the relation between multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) inhalation and the carcinogenic effect of these materials in the brain and lungs. For this purpose, we investigated gene expression in rat brain and lung tissues induced by exposure to MWCNTs. Rats were exposed to MWCNTs in diameters of 10 and 100 nm (pure and impure) at a concentration of 5 mg/m3 . Exposure was done through a whole-body exposure chamber for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 14 days. After exposure, both brain and lung tissues were isolated to evaluate certain gene expressions including Bax, Bcl2, Rac1, Tp53, Mmp12, and Arc. The results showed that exposure to impure and pure MWCNTs (10 and 100 nm) at a concentration of 5 mg/m3 causes up-regulation or down-regulation of some of these genes. The results suggest that impure and pure MWCNTs (10 and 100 nm) can increase the risk of central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and increase the risk of carcinogenesis in the lung tissues of rats exposed to MWCNTs (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 64). Text in PDF www.elis.sk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are a typical group of secondary metabolites in asteraceae family and well-known for their biologically potential in treatment of various diseases such as cancer and inflammation. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a most common brain malignancy in adults with poor prognosis. Finding phytochemicals with potential targeting mitochondria has been suggested as an important approach for many malignancies. In this study, we purified three guaianolide-type SLs, including 8-deacyloxy-8α-(methylacryloxy)-subluteolide (A), subluteolide (B) and janerin (C) from Jurinea gabrieliae Bornm by chromatography methods. Then, mitochondrial toxicity parameters were evaluated. All three SLs selectively inhibited SDH activity in mitochondria from U87 cells but not mitochondria from normal rat brain. In addition these SLs increased ROS formation and cytochrome c release and MMP collapse only in mitochondria from U87 cells but not normal rat neurons. Our results suggest that all three SLs may act as potential agents for future development in anti-glioma therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Imaging, cytological examination of ascites (if present), laparoscopy, and peritoneal lavage are performed before surgery for gastric cancer staging. Peritoneal lavage aims to diagnose the microscopic presence of tumor cells on the peritoneal surface. Positive cytology may have a prognostic value that classifies the disorder as stage IV, in which the patient is no longer an elective surgical candidate. Thus, our study was designed to assess the ability of peritoneal lavage to stage gastric cancer in non-ascitic patients based on cytological evaluation and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level measurement. Methods: In our prospective study, we examined gastric cancer patients who were candidates for elective surgery. Upon entering the abdominal cavity and before tumor manipulation, normal saline (500 ml) was applied, and the abdominal cavity was thoroughly dispersed. After three minutes, the fluid was drained and addressed to cytological analysis and CEA measurement by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Study variables including age, sex, family history, tumor position, pathology, staging, grading, the original tumor size, regional lymph node involvement, and distant metastases were recorded during the pre- and postoperative staging. The association between positive peritoneal lavage cytology and various patients' characteristics was investigated. Results: In this study, 94 patients were screened. Due to lymphoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), two patients were excluded. We examined 92 patients, including 63 males (68.5 %) and 29 females (31.5 %). The mean age of patients was 58.52 ± 11.87 years. The most common tumor location was the esophagogastric junction. Moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was the most frequent microscopic diagnosis. T3 was the most prevalent primary tumor size in 51 patients. Seventy- two patients (78.26%) were operable, of whom 18 (19.6 %) were positive for peritoneal lavage cytology. Positive cytology of peritoneal lavage was significantly related to tumor size, tumor grade, serosa/adjacent organ invasion (T4), laparoscopic staging findings, locally advanced disease (R0), and stage of the disease (P < 0.05). In the peritoneal lavage fluid, elevated CEA titers were significantly related to the high-grade tumor (P = 0.012). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that positive cytology and high CEA titers in peritoneal lavage fluid of gastric cancer patients without ascites are significantly correlated to the advanced stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Hosein. Mozhdehipanah, Fatemeh. Samiei, Mohammad. Sayadnasiri Sir, A 58-year-old male, a known case of renal transplantation on immunosuppressive therapy since 4 years, presented with gait problem of one month [...]

Amiodarone is used in treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Therapeutic use of amiodarone is limited by its side effects, including pulmonary toxicity. Human Placenta Extract (HPE) contains a variety of bio-active substances. Thus, the present study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the protective effects of HPE on the structural lung changes induced by amiodarone using stereological methods. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four groups. The first, second, and third groups received no treatment, amiodarone (100 mg/kg, i.p.), and HPE (500 μL/kg, i.p.), respectively. The fourth group was treated with amiodarone + HPE. The animals› lungs were removed after 10 days. The lung volume was estimated using the Cavalieri principle on the embedded and cut tissue and corrected for shrinkage. The volume density of the parenchyma, alveolar space, and septa were estimated using point-counting method. The surface area of the alveoli, the volume-weighted means alveoli volume, and mean septum thickness were also estimated in all groups. The total volume and thickness of the alveolar septum were increased by 40 % and 28 %, respectively. However, the total volume of the alveolar space was decreased by 31 % in the amiodarone treated-rats. The mean alveolar volume was decreased by 64 % on the average in the amiodarone treated group. Yet, these changes were not detected in the amiodarone+HPE group. Moreover, RBC accumulation in the alveolar space and septa was ameliorated after HPE treatment. HPE can protect the lung tissue from the structural changes induced by amiodarone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]