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Background Study: As flipped learning is a flexible pedagogical methodology to tailor students' needs and maximize the learning effects, this study integrated peer learning with MosoTeach‐supported flipped mode in an undergraduate blended EFL course. MosoTeach is a popular online learning platform in China with a variety of learning resources. Objectives: The study aimed to test the impact of MosoTeach flipped learning (MTFL) mode on undergraduate EFL students' perceived motivation, participation, feedback, and test performance. Methods: A quasi‐experimental design was carried out in Z university during the spring semester of 2020, with the experimental group (n = 34) adopting the MTFL model and a control group (n = 33) the non‐flipped mode. Results and Conclusions: The independent t‐test results showed that the experimental MTFL group outperformed the control group in post‐test scores, and a positive correlation was found in the relationship between the experimental MTFL group's post‐test scores and MosoTeach learning experience points (LEPs). Moreover, the course perception questionnaire survey indicated a higher level of students' perceived motivation, participation, and feedback in the experimental MTFL group, which corresponded to the results of the content analysis of students' responses to open‐ended questions and reflective reports. But students in both groups experienced challenges such as isolation, procrastination and technological anxiety. Lay Description: What is currently known about this topicFlipped language learning is mostly reported to be effective in improving EFL learning.Peer learning is mostly reported to be effective in improving EFL learning.MosoTeach was investigated in English learning contexts before, but without experimental design. What this paper addsMosoTeach proved as a valid online learning platform in flipped language learning, and the learning experience points (LEPs) on MosoTeach could predict students' exam performance.Students in the experimental group (MosoTeach‐supported flipped) had better exam performance and a higher level of motivation, participation and feedback.Students in both groups experienced isolation, procrastination and technological anxiety. Implications for practice:Peer discussion boards in MosoTeach provide learning support effectively for students in pre‐class learning.Group projects and peer assessment in MosoTeach integrate pre‐class peer discussion into in‐class interaction successfully.MosoTeach provides equal opportunity for every student in the large‐size Chinese English classes, thus contributing to the equity of in‐class peer interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of mobile technologies, well‐designed fraction apps can be used to help children gain fraction knowledge, a challenging topic for both teachers and students. The present pilot study adopted a quasi‐experimental design to investigate whether children can learn fraction concepts equally well if half of the lesson time (20 min) is replaced with game‐based learning. Keeping the total lesson time (40 min) identical, the control group (N = 33) received traditional instruction, and the experimental group (N = 32) was presented with a blended learning approach spending half of the class time (20 min) playing tablet‐based fraction games, where each of the learners had their own tablet. The results suggested that in the posttest, the experimental group achieved similar learning gains to the control group and appear to have achieved better performance in the transfer test than the control group. This paper also discusses the efficiency of game‐based learning, the mechanism of how fraction games might enhance learning, and the potential of integrating game‐based learning in educational settings. Lay Description: What is already known about this topicAs a significant mathematical concept in daily life, fractions are crucial for later success in math learning.As a promising new technology, educational games show a great potential for improving learning.Well‐designed fraction apps can be used to help children gain fraction knowledge.What this paper addsGame‐based fraction learning can be combined with formal learning in school education.Game‐based fraction learning might provide a more efficient approach to increasing students' conceptual knowledge of fractions.The result showed that the experimental group achieved a similar cognitive level as the control group although they spent half of the time playing a game, suggesting that children can gain knowledge from the experiences of playing games.What are the implications for practice and/or policyThe result suggests that the proper use of educational games in teaching fractions can make learning more efficient.Further research needs to be done to determine whether the fraction understanding gained through playing these games will have an impact on students' future learning of more complicated fraction concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socially shared regulation is a vital factor that affects students' collaborative programming performance. However, students' weak group metacognitive skills or inability to adopt shared regulation mechanisms lead to unsatisfactory collaborative programming learning. Objectives: This study proposes an approach to support socially shared regulation in collaborative programming learning in order to enhance students' programming achievements and group metacognition. Methods: A quasi‐experimental study was conducted in a junior high school over a 10‐week period to investigate the impact of the proposed approach on programming achievements, group metacognition, and cognitive load. Forty eighth‐grade students participated in the study, with the experimental group learning via the proposed approach, while the control group used the conventional collaborative programming learning approach. Results and Conclusions: The analysis included data from 38 participants. The experimental results showed that the programming achievements and group metacognition of the experimental group were significantly better than those of the control group. Additionally, the proposed approach did not increase the cognitive load of the students. Implications: This study has important implications for teachers, learners, and researchers in collaborative programming and social regulation. Our proposed collaborative programming learning approach enhances learners' social regulation and performance, providing teachers with an effective tool for improving collaborative programming learning. This study also extends the field of socially shared regulation of learning (SSRL), demonstrating its potential to improve the effectiveness of collaborative programming learning and highlighting the need for future research to explore the mechanisms of SSRL in this context. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Programming learning is difficult for most learners.Collaborative programming is an effective method of programming learning.Students' weak group metacognitive skills or inability to adopt shared regulation mechanisms lead to unsatisfactory collaborative programming learning. What this paper adds?: This study proposes a method to enhance collaborative programming learning by supporting socially shared regulation among students.The study utilized a quasi‐experimental to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach in improving students' programming learning performance.The shared regulation approach was found to significantly improve students' programming achievements and group metacognition when compared to conventional collaborative programming approaches.Importantly, the shared regulation approach did not increase the cognitive load of the students, indicating its potential for practical implementation in programming education. The implications of study findings for practitioners: This study has shown that an approach that supports social shared regulation can improve student performance in collaborative programming learning, and that teachers can use this approach to help students learn programming better collaboratively.This study also contributes to the field of social shared regulated learning by demonstrating how it can support collaborative programming and improve its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the use of experiments is important for developing students' scientific knowledge and skills, challenges may arise when teachers and students are conducting experiments in class, such as non‐reusable experimental resources, safety issues and difficulties simulating some specific effects. Augmented reality (AR) technology affords an alternative approach to conducting experiments by bringing students a virtual–real mixed learning environment. In this study, taking junior high school physics knowledge on the magnetic field as an example, we designed and developed an AR‐based mobile simulated experiment tool. This study investigates the effect of the AR‐based experiment on students' knowledge improvement and cognitive load compared with 3D and traditional experiments. A sample of 122 ninth‐grade students was randomly chosen and assigned to three groups (AR, 3D and Traditional). The results demonstrate that students in the AR group performed better than those in the 3D and Traditional groups in terms of their knowledge improvement. The AR group students also experienced the lowest cognitive load among the three groups. Moreover, students had positive perceptions about AR and 3D tools. The implications of this study are discussed. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Experiment is an important method for students' magnetic field learning.Traditional magnetic experiment consists of various procedures that may cause some inconvenience during learning.Augmented reality (AR) provides a virtual–real fusion environment to assist teaching and learning.While some studies indicate positive impact of AR on learner's cognitive load, some do not. What this paper adds: An AR‐based mobile simulated experiment tool was proposed based on the junior high school physics knowledge, the magnetic field.A Comparison was made among AR, 3D and traditional experiment for magnetic field learning.Higher knowledge improvement and lower cognitive load were observed in the AR group.3D and Traditional groups showed similar knowledge improvement and cognitive load. Implications for practice and/or policy: The AR design with hand‐held devices has unlimited scalability of educational applications.Serving the real object as marker and using the professional algorithm to simulate some specific phenomenon were recommended in future AR studies.The findings indicated that AR experimental tool had a statistically significant effect on students' knowledge improvement and cognitive load.The similar result between 3D and Traditional groups implies that not everything virtualized is good; we must consider the actual teaching and learning situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An instructor's gestures have an effect not only on students' learning but also on teaching itself. In two experiments, this study tested whether instructors' use of gestures while recording video lectures affected their teaching performance, stress, and cognitive load. In Experiment 1, participants recorded video lectures with gestures or without gestures. As hypothesized, t tests showed that participants in the gestures condition had better teaching performance and lower cognitive load than participants in the no‐gestures condition, whereas there was no effect on stress level. In Experiment 2, participants recorded video lectures with either pointing gestures or representational gestures. The t tests indicated that participants in the pointing gestures condition showed better teaching performance and experienced lower stress than those in the representational gestures condition, but there was no difference in cognitive load. Overall, our findings suggest that in the new educational environment of video lectures, instructors should consider using gestures, especially pointing gestures, to improve their teaching and their experience of teaching. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic Instructors' gestures have benefits on learners' learning.Different types of gestures have different effect.Gestures can affect speaker's cognition. What this paper adds This study explored the effect of whether instructors' gestures and different types of gestures (pointing gestures and representational gestures) during recording instructional videos on their teaching.Instructors' gestures improved their teaching performance, induced cognitive load, and enhanced teaching efficacy.Instructors' pointing gestures were outperformed than representational gestures in teaching performance and stress level. Implications for practice and/or policy Instructors should consider using gestures when recording instructional videos, especially pointing gestures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study examines the preliminary outcomes of an intervention targeting service providers in methadone maintenance therapy ( MMT) clinics in China. The intervention effects on both service providers and clients are reported. Design The MMT CARE intervention pilot was developed and implemented collaboratively with local health educators. After three group intervention sessions, trained providers in intervention clinics delivered two individual motivational interviewing sessions with their clients. Settings Six clinics in Sichuan, China, were randomized to either the MMT CARE intervention condition or a standard care condition. Participants A total of 41 providers and 179 clients were sampled from the six clinics. Measurements At baseline and three-, six-, and nine-month assessments, providers completed self-administrated paper/pencil questionnaires regarding provider-client interaction, MMT knowledge, perceived job-related stigma and clinic support. Clients completed a face-to-face survey about their concurrent drug use and drug avoidance self-efficacy. Mixed-effects regression models with clinic-level random effect were used to assess the intervention effects. Findings Significant intervention effects for providers were found in improved MMT knowledge, provider-client interaction and perceived clinic support. For clients, better improvements in drug avoidance self-efficacy and reduced concurrent drug use were observed for the intervention compared with the standard care group. Conclusions The MMT CARE intervention targeting providers in methadone maintenance clinics can improve providers' treatment knowledge and their interaction with clients. The intervention can also reduce clients' drug-using behavior through motivational interviewing sessions conducted by trained providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a 10‐min self‐compassion writing in alleviating body dissatisfaction, self‐objectification, and emotional eating in young adult women engaged in emotional eating in the context of appearance‐related cyberbullying. Method: A total of 175 Chinese young adult women (Mage = 20.90, SD = 1.65) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: self‐compassion, distraction, or control group. At baseline, participants completed assessments of trait and state body dissatisfaction, trait self‐objectification, trait self‐compassion, emotional eating, and positive and negative affect. Then they needed to recall an appearance‐related cyberbullying victimization experience, after which state body dissatisfaction, state self‐objectification, and positive and negative affect were measured. After the intervention, participants completed measures of state body dissatisfaction, state self‐objectification, positive and negative affect, state self‐compassion, and a food‐choosing task. At 1‐month follow‐up, participants completed measures of trait body dissatisfaction, trait self‐objectification, trait self‐compassion, and emotional eating. Results: At post‐intervention, state body dissatisfaction and negative affect were significantly lower, and positive affect was significantly higher in both the self‐compassion and distraction groups compared to control. State self‐objectification was significantly lower in the self‐compassion group than in the other two groups. At 1‐month follow‐up, the self‐compassion group showed significantly lower levels of body dissatisfaction than the control group. Discussion: The findings provide initial evidence for the potential of self‐compassion writing in reducing state self‐objectification and state body dissatisfaction in the context of appearance‐related cyberbullying. Public Significance: Appearance‐related cyberbullying, a common phenomenon in social networking sites, has been documented to associate with appearance‐related concerns and disordered eating in young adult women. However, effective interventions that can reduce these negative associations are scarce. This study preliminarily found that a brief self‐compassion writing could be a potential intervention for reducing state self‐objectification and state body dissatisfaction in young adult women who had suffered appearance‐related cyberbullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients' treatment decisions may be influenced by the ways in which treatment options are presented. There is little evidence on how patients with advanced cancer choose preferences for advance directives (ADs) in China. Informed by behavioural economics, we assess whether end‐of‐life (EOL) cancer patients held deep‐seated preferences for their health care and whether default options and order effects influenced their decision‐making. Methods: We collected data on 179 advanced cancer patients who were randomly assigned to complete one of the four types of ADs: comfort‐oriented care (CC) AD (comfort default AD); a life extension (LE)‐oriented care option (LE default AD); CC (standard CC AD) and LE‐oriented (standard LE AD). Analysis of variance test was used. Results: In terms of the general goal of care, 32.6% of patients in the comfort default AD group retained the comfort‐oriented choice, twice as many as in the standard CC group without default options. Order effect was significant in only two individual‐specific palliative care choices. Most patients (65.9%) appointed their children to make EOL care decisions, but patients choosing the CC goal were twice as likely to ask their family members to adhere to their choices than patients who chose the LE goal. Conclusion: Patients with advanced cancer did not hold deep‐seated preferences for EOL care. Default options shaped decisions between CC and LE‐oriented care. Order effect only shaped decisions in some specific treatment targets. The structure of ADs matters and influence different treatment outcomes, including the role of palliative care. Patient or Public Contribution: Between August and November 2018, from 640 cancer hospital medical records fitting the selection criteria at a 3A level hospital in Shandong Province, we randomly selected 188 terminal EOL advanced cancer patients using a random generator programme to ensure all eligible patients had an equal chance of selection. Each respondent completes one of the four AD surveys. While respondents might require support in making their healthcare choices, they were informed about the purpose of our research study, and that their survey choices would not affect their actual treatment plan. Patients who did not agree to participate were not surveyed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a professional identity promotion strategy (PIPS) on nursing students' professional identity and resilience. Methods: This study was a quasi‐experimental study with a random cluster sample of 103 sophomore undergraduate nursing students. One hundred students answered the questionnaires at both baseline and follow‐up (51 of 53 in the intervention group and 49 of 50 in the control group). Intervention and control groups underwent 5 months PIPS and standard professional education from May 2 to September 27, respectively. Participants completed the professional identity questionnaire for nursing students (PIQNS) and Connor–Davidson resilience scale (CD‐RISC). Data were collected at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2), and analyzed using the Chi‐squared test, Fisher's exact test, and repeated‐measures analysis of variance. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups (p >.05) regarding demographic questions, professional identity, or resilience at baseline (p >.05). Significant differences were found in professional identity between groups (p <.001), measurement times (p =.026), and in the interaction between groups and measurement times (p =.018) from T0 to T2. Significant differences were found in resilience between groups (p <.001), measurement times (p =.007), and in the interaction between groups and measurement times (p =.035) from T0 to T2. Conclusions: The PIPS program improved nursing students' professional identity and resilience. Further long‐term effectiveness of the program needs to be tested with implementation through various forms of mobile technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with diabetes frequently have elevated diabetes distress. Although mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy has been shown effective in reducing diabetes distress, it has only been delivered by psychologists or a multidisciplinary team with an attrition rate of up to 39%, which limits its dissemination to a broader audience. This study was aimed to pilot evaluate the feasibility of a nurse‐led MBSR therapy and explore its potential efficacy amongst people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 100 participants were randomly allocated either to the intervention group (nurse‐led MBSR therapy + regular diabetes education) or the control group (regular diabetes education). Data on diabetes distress, diabetes self‐efficacy, and diabetes self‐management were collected at baseline, 8 and 12 weeks. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was collected at baseline and 12 weeks. A generalized estimating equation analysis for repeated measures was used to determine intervention and time effects. As predicted, the nurse‐led MBSR therapy had a significant time‐by‐group interaction effect on diabetes distress total score (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–0.77, p < 0.001), diabetes self‐efficacy (95% CI: −0.93 to −0.74, p < 0.001), diabetes self‐management (95% CI: −10.80 to −7.83, p < 0.001), and HbA1c levels (95% CI: 0.04–1.14, p = 0.03) in the intervention group compared with the control group over 12 weeks. This is the first nurse‐led MBSR therapy in a hospital setting that is feasible and has the potential to improve health outcomes. This approach may offer an innovative model to deliver MBSR therapy. A randomized controlled trial comparing the nurse‐led MBSR plus usual diabetes education with usual diabetes education along with a mechanism to equalize intervention attention between the groups is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether a practical intervention based upon a smartphone application (app) would improve self-management and seizure control in adults with epilepsy.Design, Setting: Randomised, controlled trial in western China, December 2017 to August 2018.Participants: 380 eligible people with epilepsy were recruited; 327 completed the 6-month follow-up (176 in the app group, 151 in the control group).Main Outcome Measures: Self-management of epilepsy (measured with the validated Chinese Epilepsy Self-Management Scale, C-ESMS) and self-reported seizure frequency.Results: In the intention-to-treat analysis, the mean C-ESMS score increased significantly in the app group between baseline and the 6-month evaluation (from 121.7 [SD, 12.1] to 144.4 [SD, 10.0]; P < 0.001); improvements on the information management, medication management, and safety management subscales were also statistically significant. At 6 months, the mean overall C-ESMS score for the app group was significantly higher than that for the control group (125.4 [SD, 1.5];  P < 0.001). The proportion of patients who were seizure-free at the 6-month follow-up was larger for the app than the control group (54 of 190, 28% v 22 of 190, 12%), as was the proportion with reductions in frequency of between 75 and 100% (22 of 190, 12% v 8 of 190, 4%). Changes in C-ESMS score were not statistically associated with seizure frequency.Conclusions: Using a smartphone app improved epilepsy self-management scores in people in western China. It should be further tested in larger populations in other areas. Our preliminary investigation of building digital communities for people with epilepsy should encourage similar approaches to managing other chronic diseases.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900026864, 24 October 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a nurse‐led telephone‐based peer support program on health outcomes in patients after cardiac pacemaker implantation. Seventy six patients who received cardiac pacemaker implantation were recruited as participants and randomly assigned to either the peer support group or the usual care group. The usual care group received routine care and health education measures provided by nurses; the peer support group received telephone‐based peer support. Health‐related quality of life, self‐care knowledge–attitudes–practice, postoperative anxiety and depression, compliance with attending scheduled follow‐up visits, and the incidence of postoperative complications were evaluated at baseline and 6 months' postintervention for the two groups. The result showed that the interventions had a better effect on self‐care knowledge–attitudes–practice, postoperative anxiety and depression, and compliance with attending scheduled follow‐up visits in the peer support group than in the usual care group. This study confirms that telephone‐based peer support improves self‐care ability, compliance with attending scheduled follow‐up visits, and reduces postoperative anxiety and depression more effectively than conventional nurse care among patients with cardiac pacemaker implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To investigate whether the implementation of the Observational Pain Management Protocol (Protocol) can improve pain management for nursing home residents with dementia. Design A two-group, single-blinded, cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting Seventeen nursing homes. Participants Hundred and twenty eight recruited residents with advanced dementia and pain-related diagnoses were allocated to either the control or the experimental conditions based on the randomized group allocated to their home. Interventions The Protocol, which includes assessing, interpreting, and verifying the participants' observed pain scores, initiating pain-relieving interventions according to the observed pain scores, and reassessment, was implemented in the experimental homes for 12 weeks to guide the pain management of the participants. Meanwhile, the control homes continued to employ their usual pain management strategies. Measurements These included the use of pain medications (measured by the Medication Quantification Scale) and non-pharmacological pain treatments in terms of types and frequency, as well as the participants' observational pain scores (assessed by Chinese-Pain Assessment IN Advanced Dementia). Results A significant increase in the frequency (95% CI: −0.13 to −0.09, P < .01) and type (95% CI: −0.05 to −0.02, P < .01) of non-pharmacological interventions used was seen in the experimental homes in comparison with the control homes. However, no statistically significant difference in the use of pain medications was observed. A significant reduction in the observational pain score (95% CI: −0.26 to −0.17, P < .001) was obtained only in the experimental home. Conclusion This study supports the view that the Protocol is of clinical utility in enhancing the use of non-pharmacological pain-relieving interventions among residents with advanced dementia, leading to a reduction in their observational pain-related behaviors. However, the Protocol did not have any effect on the use of pain medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the effects of acupressure training on older adults’ sleep quality and cognitive function. Ninety older adults with impaired sleep quality were selected from screened volunteers and randomly divided into equal control and experimental groups; 82 completed the 1‐year follow‐up. Participants in the control group were given instructions on sleep health, while those in the experimental group received sleep health instructions plus individual and small group acupressure training sessions and support to practice the intervention on their own each day. All participants were assessed by trained assistants blind to study group allocation using Chinese versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Mini‐Mental State Examination, and four subscales from the revised Chinese version of the Wechsler Memory Scale, at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that acupressure training improved older adults’ sleep quality and cognitive function, but the mediating effect of sleep on the relationship between acupressure training and cognitive function was not supported. Given the ease, simplicity, and safety of acupressure training observed with community‐dwelling older adults in China, attempts should be made to replicate these preliminary positive findings with larger samples. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV prevalence among Chinese men who have sex with men has rapidly increased in recent years. In this randomized, controlled study, we tested the feasibility and efficacy of motivational interviewing to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors among this population in Changsha, China. Eighty men who have sex with men were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, in which participants received a three-session motivational interviewing intervention over 4 weeks, or the control group, in which participants received usual counseling from peer educators. High-risk behavior indicators and HIV knowledge level were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Motivational interviewing significantly improved consistent anal condom use. However, there was no significant change in consistent condom use for oral sex or in the number of sexual partners over time. HIV knowledge scores improved equally in both groups. This study demonstrated that an intervention using motivational interviewing is feasible and results in increased condom use during anal sex for Chinese men who have sex with men. However, further work must be done to increase the use of condoms during oral sexual encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to examine the safety and effectiveness of topical autologous platelet-rich gel (APG) application on facilitating the healing of diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous ulcers. The study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. Eligible inpatients at the Diabetic Foot Care Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University (China) were randomly prescribed with a 12-week standard treatment of ulcers (the control group) or standard treatment plus topical application APG (the APG group). The wound healing grades (primary endpoint), time to complete healing, and healing velocity within 12 weeks were monitored as short-term effectiveness measurements, while side effects were documented safety endpoints. The rates of survival and recurrence within the follow up were recorded as long-term effectiveness endpoints. Analysis on total diabetic ulcers (DUs) ( n = 117) and subgroup analysis on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) ( n = 103) were both conducted. Standard treatment plus APG treatment was statistically more effective than standard treatment ( p < 0.05 in both total DUs and subgroup of DFUs). The subjects defined as healing grade 1 were 50/59 (84.8%) in total DUs and 41/48 (85.4%) in DFUs in the APG group compared with 40/58 (69.0%) and 37/55 (67.3%) in the control group from intent to treat population. The Kaplan-Meier time-to-healing were significantly different between the two groups ( p < 0.05 in both total DUs and subgroup of DFUs). No side effects were identified after topical APG application. The long-term survival and recurrence rates were comparative between groups ( p > 0.05). This study shows that topical APG application plus standard treatment is safe and quite effective on diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous ulcers, compared with standard treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, multiple dose-escalation study was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a newly developed polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, PEX168 once weekly in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Fifty patients aged 20-65 years, either treatment-naive or having been treated with single oral antidiabetic agents were eligible. Antidiabetic agents were stopped for 14 days before the study was initiated. Patients were allocated randomly into groups with subcutaneous PEX168 or placebo once-weekly for 8 weeks followed by 6 weeks observation. From baseline to 8 weeks, HbA1c were decreased by up to 0.0, 0.2, 0.6, 0.9, and −0.4% in the 50, 100, 200, 300 μg PEX168 groups, and placebo group respectively. The mean elimination half-life of PEX168 was 131.8-139.8 hours. The mean tmax was 67.3 hours. Steady-state plasma PEX168 concentrations were attained after 4 weeks. PEX168 once-weekly were tolerable by the patients: adverse effects reported ranged from 'mild' to 'moderate'. The most frequent drug-related adverse effects were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea of mild to moderate severity. Administration of the PEG-conjugated GLP-1 receptor agonist PEX168 resulted in dose-proportional pharmacokinetic and antidiabetic pharmacodynamic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective Systemic macrolide antibiotic administration has been shown to result in the elimination or reduction cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth. Roxithromycin ( ROX) is known to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and tissue reparative effects. This study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive ROX therapy on cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth and interleukin ( IL)-1β, transforming growth factor ( TGF)-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) levels in gingival crevicular fluid of renal transplant patients. Material and Methods Thirty-one patients with clinically significant overgrowth and 16 periodontally healthy subjects were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study. Patients received scaling and root planing ( SRP) at baseline and randomized to take either ROX or placebo for 5 d. The clinical parameters, including plaque index, papillary bleeding index, probing depth and gingival overgrowth scores, were recorded. The amounts of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and VEGF in gingival crevicular fluid were detected by ELISA. Periodontal parameters as well as gingival crevicular fluid biomarker levels were evaluated at baseline and at 1 and 4 wk post-therapy. Results Following SRP plus ROX and SRP plus placebo therapy, significant improvements in clinical periodontal parameters of both study groups were observed ( p < 0.025). In the ROX group, adjunctive ROX therapy resulted in a greater gingival overgrowth scores reduction compared with those in the placebo group at 4 wk ( p < 0.017). Initial amounts of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and VEGF for both the ROX and placebo groups were significantly higher than those for healthy subjects ( p < 0.017), with no statistical difference between the two study groups. At 1 and 4 wk post-therapy, significant decreases in the amounts of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and VEGF were observed in both study groups when compared with baseline ( p < 0.025), but there was no difference in the levels of IL-1β and VEGF between the two study groups. The amount of decrease in TGF-β1 levels for the ROX group was statistically significant compared to that for the placebo group at 4 wk after treatment ( p < 0.017). Conclusion Our study indicated that combination of ROX with non-surgical therapy improves gingival overgrowth status and decreases gingival crevicular fluid TGF-β1 levels in patients with severe gingival overgrowth. The reduction of gingival crevicular fluid TGF-β1 following ROX therapy suggests an anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effect of ROX on the treatment of cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of placental α-microglobulin-1 ( PAMG-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 ( IGFBP-1) and nitrazine test to diagnose premature rupture of membranes. Material and Methods A total of 120 pregnant women between 11 and 42 weeks with signs/symptoms of membrane rupture were eligible for our study. These women were evaluated with the PAMG-1, IGFBP-1, and nitrazine tests. Results In the 120 women, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PAMG-1, IGFBP-1 and nitrazine test were 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, 93.33%, 98.89%, 96.55% and 97.80%, and 93.33%, 94.44%, 84.85%, and 97.7%, respectively. In a comparison of the PAMG-1 test and the nitrazine test, positive coincidence rate was 84.85%, negative coincidence rate was 97.70%, total coincidence rate was 94.17%, and kappa value was 0.85. In a comparison of the PAMG-1 test and the IGFBP-1 test, the positive coincidence rate, negative coincidence rate and total coincidence rate were 96.55%, 97.80%, and 97.50%, and kappa value was 0.93. Conclusion PAMG-1 assay was the most accurate method to diagnose premature rupture of membranes with the highest sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the direct effects of periodontal therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD) patients with chronic periodontitis ( CP). Materials and Methods In a pilot randomized controlled trial, 60 COPD patients with CP were randomly assigned to receive scaling and root planing ( SRP) treatment, supragingival scaling treatment, or oral hygiene instructions only with no periodontal treatment. We evaluated their periodontal indexes, respiratory function, and COPD exacerbations at baseline, 6 months, 1, and 2 years. Results Compared with the control group, measurements of periodontal indexes were significantly improved in patients in two treatment groups at 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up (all p < 0.05). Overall, the means of forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity ( FEV1/ FVC) and FEV1 were significantly higher in the two therapy groups compared with the control group during the follow-up ( p < 0.05). In addition, the frequencies of COPD exacerbation were significantly lower in the two therapy groups than in the control group at 2-year follow-up ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Our preliminary results from this pilot trial suggest that periodontal therapy in COPD patients with CP may improve lung function and decrease the frequency of COPD exacerbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate the effects of two natural compounds-containing mouthrinses ( NCCMs) (a fructus mume ( FM) extract-containing mouthrinse and an essential oil ( EO)-containing mouthrinse) on gingival health and microbial profiles in young orthodontic patients. Design This 6-month randomized, single-blinded, parallel-controlled clinical trial consists of 90 patients with fixed appliance treatment. The subjects were allocated to (1) negative control group: oral hygiene instruction ( OHI) alone; (2) test group 1: OHI plus EO mouthrinse; and (3) test group 2: OHI plus FM mouthrinse. Clinical examinations included plaque index ( PI), bleeding index ( BI) and modified gingival index ( MGI). Salivary microbial quantifications included total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Streptococci and Lactobacilli counts. Clinical and microbiological examinations were conducted at baseline, 3rd and 6th months ( T1, T2, and T3). Results BI was significantly reduced in both the FM mouthrinse and EO mouthrinse groups compared with the negative control group at T3 ( P < 0.05). There were no significant intergroup differences in salivary bacteria counts in all groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Both NCCMs effectively reduced gingival bleeding without causing significant alterations of microbial profile in young orthodontic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inappropriate complementary feeding practices have led to, in part, significant disparities in growth and nutritional status between rural and urban children in China. A cluster-randomised, controlled trial was implemented in Laishui, China to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on caregivers' feeding practices and children's growth. Eight townships were randomly assigned to the intervention or control. Five hundred ninety-nine healthy infants were enrolled at 2-4 months old, and were followed up at ages 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months. The intervention group received information on enhanced home-prepared recipes and food preparation and hygiene through group training, counselling and home visit. Key outcomes were children's physical growth, caregivers' knowledge and behaviours on complementary feeding, and the infant and child feeding index ( ICFI). Analysis was by intention to treat. The intervention group achieved better knowledge and practices related to complementary feeding, and significantly higher ICFI scores at each follow-up point. Children in the intervention group achieved higher z-scores for weight-for-age ( WAZ) and weight-for-height ( WHZ) than the control (0.18 vs. 0.01 and 0.49 vs. 0.19, respectively) at 18 months old, and were less likely to have stunted growth (odds ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval: 0.53-0.94). Mixed model showed that the intervention group achieved significantly better linear growth over time, including WAZ ( P = 0.016), WHZ ( P = 0.030) and HAZ ( P = 0.078). These results indicated that an educational intervention delivered through local health services can enhance caregivers' knowledge and practices of complementary feeding and ultimately improve children's growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]