University of Massachusetts Boston

About: University of Massachusetts Boston is a education organization based out in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 6541 authors who have published 12918 publications receiving 411731 citations. The organization is also known as: UMass Boston.

E-learning in Hong Kong: comparing learning outcomes in online multimedia and lecture versions of an introductory computing course

Abstract: This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Web-based, highly interactive, and multimedia-rich e-learning materials by comparing students’ learning outcomes in the lecture and online versions of an introductory computing course The course versions differed only in that face-to-face lectures were replaced with e-learning modules in the online course; the other course elements (laboratory sessions, use of computer-mediated communications, examinations) were the same The e-learning trial took place at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where the first author taught the lecture course to 105 students, and the online course to 180 and 129 students in the following semesters The lecture and online students achieved comparable factual learning outcomes and the online students outperformed the lecture students in appliedconceptual learning Findings suggest that the use of carefully designed interactive e-learning modules fosters higher-order learning outcomes

PlGF/VEGFR-1 Signaling Promotes Macrophage Polarization and Accelerated Tumor Progression in Obesity.

Abstract: Purpose: Obesity promotes pancreatic and breast cancer progression via mechanisms that are poorly understood. Although obesity is associated with increased systemic levels of placental growth factor (PlGF), the role of PlGF in obesity-induced tumor progression is not known. PlGF and its receptor VEGFR-1 have been shown to modulate tumor angiogenesis and promote tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) recruitment and activity. Here, we hypothesized that increased activity of PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling mediates obesity-induced tumor progression by augmenting tumor angiogenesis and TAM recruitment/activity. Experimental Design: We established diet-induced obese mouse models of wild-type C57BL/6, VEGFR-1 tyrosine kinase (TK)-null, or PlGF-null mice, and evaluated the role of PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling in pancreatic and breast cancer mouse models and in human samples. Results: We found that obesity increased TAM infiltration, tumor growth, and metastasis in pancreatic cancers, without affecting vessel density. Ablation of VEGFR-1 signaling prevented obesity-induced tumor progression and shifted the tumor immune environment toward an antitumor phenotype. Similar findings were observed in a breast cancer model. Obesity was associated with increased systemic PlGF, but not VEGF-A or VEGF-B, in pancreatic and breast cancer patients and in various mouse models of these cancers. Ablation of PlGF phenocopied the effects of VEGFR-1-TK deletion on tumors in obese mice. PlGF/VEGFR-1-TK deletion prevented weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet, but exacerbated hyperinsulinemia. Addition of metformin not only normalized insulin levels but also enhanced antitumor immunity. Conclusions: Targeting PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment and inhibits obesity-induced acceleration of tumor progression. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 2993–3004. ©2016 AACR.

role adaptation: traditional curers under the impact of Western medicine1

Abstract: To examine effects on the curers role of the contest between indigenous and Western medical systems the concept of role adaptation is proposed and considered as a conceptual tool and as it may relate to such associated concepts as cultural broker role analogue and role ambiguity. Data were taken from a variety of studies by anthropologists and others in an effort to place the changing role of the curer into substantive and theoretical perspective and to contribute to a model for the study of role adaptation under conditions of culture change. The instance of the traditional curers role under potential stress from the demands and temptations of the compeing mdical system represents andextension of Goodes theory of role strain. The following assumptions are made: the curers place in his society originally was relatively secure until threatened by the pressure of culture change and his status was traditional and prescribed though not invariably ascribed regardless of whether his pesonality was in phase with the behavioral norms of his own sociocultural system; prior to contact in addition to ameliorating the effects of illness and disease the curers activities were oriented toward enhancing and/or reinforcing his social position; a measure of security was present in that role performance expectations were shared with other members of the society and competition originated primarily from within the group and presented a relatively known range of possibilities; and the curing role could be a full or part time one but prestige in 1 role tended to be linked to prestige in others so that status in any tended to reinforce the power of all. Analysis of role adaptation of curers in selected societies undergoing acculturation suggests a model of adaptation possibilities in which the data may be grouped into 3 categories--adaptive attenuated and emergent curing roles--and the data are examined in these terms. Primarily it is the local curere who borrows elements from Western medicine rather than vice versa although many "primitive" botanicals have been incorporated or synthesized. In his role adaptations to culture change the traditional healer not only incorporates but elaborates Western elements. Resysthesis flows in the other direction when customary ceremonies and fetishes become used for new functions especially to relieve some of the tensions and anxieties of acculturative pressures as in West Africa for example the Fanti Anang Ibibio and Ashanti. The curers status becomes attenuated when the expectations of his community are such tath the technology if not the values of scientific medicine is perceived by them as so clearly superior that they distinctly prefer to their own. As for the new emergent curing or quasi-medical roles it may be predicted that they are likely to be thrust into competitive stress and strain with their analogues within the Western medical system especially such paramedical roles as those of nurse attendant and medical technician.