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Abstract Objective To explore the differences in the effectiveness of various teaching methods combining online and offline modes in paediatric medical education. Methods Fourth-year medical paediatric students at our university in 2020 were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2, with 30 students in each group. The control group received traditional teaching, experimental group 1 received a combination of online and offline teaching using two methods simultaneously, and experimental group 2, in addition to the methods used in experimental group 1, engaged in real-case teaching in the ward. The teaching outcomes were evaluated through theoretical exams, clinical skills assessments, and questionnaires. Results Experimental groups 1 and 2 were superior to the control group concerning theoretical examination and overall scores (P

With the rapid advancement of technology, integration of computer-mediated communication (CMC) has been widely used in recent English as a foreign language teaching and learning. Despite the prevalence of online CMC discussions, previous studies have not drawn conclusive results, and empirical evidence on how online discussions affect student reading comprehension is limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct a quasi-experimental research to investigate how asynchronous and synchronous discussions influenced the reading comprehension of 50 university students in a Taiwanese collaborative learning context. A quasi-experimental design was conducted with multiple observations before and after the intervention. Research instruments included reading comprehension tests, a questionnaire survey, and a semi-structured interview. Major findings suggested that most of the participants used the synchronous discussion mode more frequently than the asynchronous mode when performing online reading tasks. Nevertheless, with increased asynchronous discussions, students' reading comprehension scores and satisfaction increased as well. Although the learners generally accepted both online discussion modes, the interview results revealed several drawbacks as well as advantages of the online discussion environments. Limitations of the study and implications for instructional pedagogy and future research were presented and discussed.

Abstract Background Recently, attention has focused on the impact of global climate change on infectious diseases. Storm flooding is an extreme weather phenomenon that not only impacts the health of the environment but also worsens the spread of pathogens. This poses a significant challenge to public health security. However, there is still a lack of research on how different levels of storm flooding affect susceptible enteric infectious diseases over time. Methods Data on enteric infectious diseases, storm flooding events, and meteorology were collected for Changsha, Hunan Province, between 2016 and 2020. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test was used to identify the enteric infectious diseases that are susceptible to storm flooding. Then, the lagged effects of different levels of storm flooding on susceptible enteric infectious diseases were analyzed using a distributed lag nonlinear model. Results There were eleven storm flooding events in Changsha from 2016 to 2020, concentrated in June and July. 37,882 cases of enteric infectious diseases were reported. During non-flooding days, the daily incidence rates of typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery were 0.3/100,000 and 0.1/100,000, respectively. During flooding days, the corresponding rates increased to 2.0/100,000 and 0.8/100,000, respectively. The incidence rates of both diseases showed statistically significant differences between non-flooding and flooding days. Correlation analysis shows that the best lags for typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery relative to storm flooding events may be 1 and 3 days. The results of the distributed lag nonlinear model showed that typhoid/paratyphoid had the highest cumulative RR values of 2.86 (95% CI: 1.71–4.76) and 8.16 (95% CI: 2.93–22.67) after 4 days of general flooding and heavy flooding, respectively; and bacillary dysentery had the highest cumulative RR values of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.40–2.35) and 3.31 (95% CI: 1.97–5.55) after 5 days of general flooding and heavy flooding, respectively. Conclusions Typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery are sensitive enteric infectious diseases related to storm flooding in Changsha. There is a lagging effect of storm flooding on the onset of typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery, with the best lagging periods being days 1 and 3, respectively. The cumulative risk of typhoid/paratyphoid and bacillary dysentery was highest at 4/5 days lag, respectively. The higher of storm flooding, the higher the risk of disease, which suggests that the authorities should take appropriate preventive and control measures before and after storm flooding.

Objective: To explore the differences in the effectiveness of various teaching methods combining online and offline modes in paediatric medical education. Methods: Fourth-year medical paediatric students at our university in 2020 were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2, with 30 students in each group. The control group received traditional teaching, experimental group 1 received a combination of online and offline teaching using two methods simultaneously, and experimental group 2, in addition to the methods used in experimental group 1, engaged in real-case teaching in the ward. The teaching outcomes were evaluated through theoretical exams, clinical skills assessments, and questionnaires. Results: Experimental groups 1 and 2 were superior to the control group concerning theoretical examination and overall scores (P < 0.05). Experimental group 2 was superior to experimental group 1 and the control group in clinical skills examination scores (P < 0.05). The satisfaction rate for the questionnaire was highest in experimental group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combined use of various teaching methods with online and offline modes is more effective than using traditional teaching methods only in paediatric education. It enhances the overall competence of paediatric students, especially in terms of improving clinical skills, and is well-received by both students and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmembrane member 16A (TMEM16A) exhibits a negative correlation with autophagy, though the underlying mechanism remains elusive. This study investigates the mechanism between TMEM16A and autophagy by inducing autophagy in DRG neuronal cells using Rapamycin. Results indicated that TMEM16A interference augmented cell viability and reduced Rapamycin-induced apoptosis. Autophagosome formation increased with TMEM16A interference but decreased upon overexpression. A similar increase in autophagosomes was observed with SB203580 treatment. Furthermore, TMEM16A interference suppressed Rapamycin-induced gene and protein expression of p38 MAPK and mTOR, whereas overexpression had the opposite effect. These findings suggest that TMEM16A activation inhibits autophagy in DRG cells, which is associated with the p38 MAPK/mTOR pathway, offering a potential target for mitigating neuropathic pain (NP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapy to halt or slow down the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) is urgently demand. Disease modification therapy can modify the natural history of the disease and show neuroprotective effect in PD. Currently, many potential neuroprotective therapies are emerging. The review aims to summarize the new advances for disease modification therapies in PD including targeting drugs α-synuclein, LRRK2 gene, GBA gene, mitochondrial function, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), neuroinflammation, calcium antagonist and iron chelating agent.

Objective To explore the associated factors for quality of life in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Methods A total of 218 PSP patients were included from January 2012 to December 2019. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The quality of life was evaluated by the 39⁃Item Parkinson's disease Questionnaire (PDQ⁃39). The Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Rating Scale (PSPRS) was used to assess the severity of PSP related motor and non⁃motor symptoms, while the Non⁃Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) was used to elevate the non⁃motor symptoms, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale⁃24 (HAMD⁃24), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used. The Pearson and partial correlation followed by the multiple linear regression were used to explore the correlates of the PDQ⁃39 score. Results Correlation analysis indicated that the PDQ⁃39 score was positively correlated with disease duration (r=0.301, P=0.000), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; r=0.147, P=0.031), levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD; r=0.225, P=0.001), and scores for the PSPRS (r=0.551, P=0.000), NMSS (r=0.484, P=0.000), HAMD⁃24 (r=0.515, P=0.000), HAMA (r=0.439, P=0.000) and LARS (r=0.476, P=0.000), but was negatively correlated with scores of FAB (r=⁃0.325, P=0.000) and MoCA (r=⁃0.355, P=0.000). Multiple linear stepwise regression model indicated that the PDQ⁃39 score was significantly associated with female (P=0.021), longer disease duration (P=0.026), higher LEDD (P=0.008), higher PSPRS score (P=0.000), higher NMSS score (P=0.002), higher HAMD⁃24 score (P=0.004), and higher LARS score (P=0.000). Conclusions Female, longer disease duration, higher LEDD, and more severe motor and non⁃motor symptoms contribute to the reduced quality of life in patients with PSP. Our study is beneficial to the clinical management of patients with PSP.

γ-Alumina is often used as a support for hydrodesulfurization catalysts due to its excellent performance. During the catalytic reaction, the strong surface acidity of γ-alumina can induce a strong interaction between the active phase and the support. The reaction activity of the catalyst can be affected by changing the present mode of the active phase on the surface of the support. The (110) crystal plane, acting as the strongest acidity plane of γ-alumina, was selected for modification. The supports modified with boron and phosphorus were successfully constructed, and the acid strengths were quantified by simulating the adsorption of the relevant probe molecules: pyridine in correlation with surface electronic properties via density functional theory. The surface adsorption energy calculation shows that the boron-modified surface is able to moderately reduce the adsorption capacity of alumina, while that of the surface modified by phosphorus is found to be enhanced over the sites of a tetrahedral coordination structure; however, at the other unsaturated Al sites, this is obviously reduced. The results of introducing electric fields imply that applying horizontal electric fields changes the surface acidity of alumina under the premise of a stable structure. With the enhancement of the horizontal electric fields, the adsorption capacity of tetra-coordination sites on the original surface gradually decreases, while those of the others gradually increases. However, for the boron-modified surface, introducing horizontal electric fields can reduce the adsorption capacity of all sites. Hence, microwave-electric-field-assisted modification of B further reduces the surface acidity of alumina, making it beneficial for deep hydrodesulfurization reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Background】 Tidal flat is a natural ecological system with multiple functions for regulating coastal environments. Soil in most tidal flats in China is rich in sodium chloride but is poorly structured, short of organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which undermine the ecological services the flats are expected to provide. Remediating tidal flats is therefore imperative to improve their functions, a key in which is to improve soil permeability and aggregation so as to facilitate salt leaching and plant growth. 【Objective】 The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the feasibility of using fungi hyphae as a soil conditioner to improve soil quality and reduce water evaporation. 【Method】 We compared four remediating treatments: reclaiming the coastal soil only (RCS), conventional remediation coupled with freshwater washing and cattle manure application (CVT), CVT plus planting Sesbania cannabina (SES), amending the soil with fungi hyphae (MCMs), MCMs plus planting Sesbania cannabina (MCT). The efficacy of MCMs at improving physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as salt leaching and growth of the S. cannabina was measured and compared with other treatments. 【Result】 Compared to SES, MCMs significantly increased the biomass of S. cannabina (P

BackgroundSevere traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients usually need decompressive craniectomy (DC) to decrease intracranial pressure. Duraplasty is an important step in DC with various dura substitute choices. This study aims to compare absorbable dura with nonabsorbable dura in duraplasty for severe TBI patients.MethodsOne hundred and three severe TBI patients who underwent DC and dura repair were included in this study. Thirty-nine cases used absorbable artificial dura (DuraMax) and 64 cases used nonabsorbable artificial dura (NormalGEN). Postoperative complications, mortality and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score in one year were compared in both groups.ResultsAbsorbable dura group had higher complication rates in transcalvarial cerebral herniation (TCH) (43.59% in absorbable dura group vs. 17.19% in nonabsorbable dura group, P = 0.003) and CSF leakage (15.38% in absorbable dura group vs. 1.56% in nonabsorbable dura group, P = 0.021). But severity of TCH described with hernial distance and herniation volume demonstrated no difference in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in rates of postoperative intracranial infection, hematoma progression, secondary operation, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma and seizure in both groups. KPS score in absorbable dura group (37.95 ± 28.58) was statistically higher than nonabsorbable dura group (49.05 ± 24.85) in one year after operation (P = 0.040), while no difference was found in the rate of functional independence (KPS ≥ 70). Besides, among all patients in this study, TCH patients had a higher mortality rate (P = 0.008), lower KPS scores (P

In order to provide a high-quality, low-price paste filling material ratio for filling and mining in Shagoucha Coal Mine in northern Shaanxi Province. In this paper, aeolian sand is used as the filling aggregate, and four factors of different (fly ash, cement, aeolian sand) and slurry mass concentration are used as the objects, three levels were taken from each object, and the effect of these levels on the slump, bleeding rate, and compressive strength of the filling material at 7 days and 28 days was studied by means of a repetitive orthogonal experiment. The results showed that: the slurry concentration had the most significant influence on the slump and the bleeding rate, and the other factors had less influence; when the slurry mass concentration of 74% and 76% was selected, the requirements of slump and bleeding rate were met. Through the analysis of range and variance, it is found that the most obvious and most important factor for the compressive strength of the filling body at 7 days and 28 days is the cement content, followed by the amount of fly ash, and then the amount of aeolian sand, but, when the amount of aeolian sand is more than 45%, the compressive strength at different ages is gradually reduced. Finally, the slurry mass concentration has the least influence on the compressive strength. Through comprehensive analysis, the optimal ratio was obtained: the fly ash was 440 kg/m3, the cement was 220 kg/m3, the eoluvial sand was 45%, and the mass concentration was 76%.

There is a controversial relationship between the negative lymph nodes (NLNs) and survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study investigates the implications of total number of NLNs on thoracic ESCC patient prognosis.

With the rapid growth of technology, many language acquisition approaches have been added to computer-assisted language learning applications. Thus, this study investigated the impact of online autonomous learning on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' reading ability. Sixty-five students from two reading classes at One University in Southern Taiwan were divided into an experimental group (integration of online reading and teacher-guided intervention) and a control group (teacher-guided intervention). The results demonstrated that there was a significant difference in the reading scores between the experimental and control groups. A significant difference was also found between the pre- and post-test scores in the experimental group; however, this pre- and post-test difference was not observed in the control group. Students in the experimental group also noted an obvious enhancement to their reading due to the requisite planning, monitoring, and evaluating activities practiced during online learning. Based on the research results, suggestions for future study are discussed.

Abstract PCV3 capsid protein (Cap) is an important antigen for diagnosis and vaccine development. To achieve high-level expression of recombinant PCV3 Cap in Escherichia coli (E. coli), the gene of wild-type entire Cap (wt-eCap) was amplified from clinical samples, and three optimized entire Cap (opti-eCap) and one optimized Cap deleted nuclear location signal (NLS) (opti-dCap) gene fragments encoding the same amino acid sequence with wt-eCap were synthesized based on the codon bias of E. coli. Those gene fragments were inserted into the pET30a expression vector. One recombinant strain with the highest expressed soluble eCap from four entire Cap (one wt-eCap and three opti-eCap) and one recombinant strain expressed opti-dCap were selected for further purification. The purified eCap and dCap were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a large number of round hollow particles with a diameter of 10 nm virus-like particles (VLPs) were observed in eCap, whereas irregular aggregation of proteins observed in dCap. After formation the VLPs were applied as a coating antigen to establish an indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) for detection of PCV3-specific antibody in swine serum. 373 clinical swine serum samples from China collected in 2019 were tested utilizing the VLP-based I-ELISA method under optimized conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of self-assembly into VLPs of PCV3 recombinant Cap. Our results demonstrated that the VLP-based I-ELISA will be a valuable tool for detecting the presence of PCV3 antibodies in serum samples and will facilitate screening of large numbers of swine serum for clinical purposes.