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AbstractRecently, 360-degree video technology (360VT) received considerable attention in the field of computer-assisted language learning as it creates authentic and immersive virtual reality environments to assist the language learning process. However, not many studies focused on applications of 360VT to assist the evaluation of learner’ performance and providing them with relevant feedback. Therefore, the present study was set to shed light on this aspect. We carried out an experiment to explore the effects of evaluation and feedback in two different video learning environments, i.e. a traditional video technology-based (TVT) and 360VT-based, on learning outcomes. In the context of the present study, evaluation referred to evaluating the content of videos created by students, and feedback referred to providing students with relevant feedback for further improvement of their videos. English as a foreign language (EFL) course was administered for 52 university students. The participants were equally divided into TVT and 360VT groups. They attended EFL classes, and after classes, they created videos using either a traditional video camera (TVT group) or a 360-degree video camera (360VT group) on four learning topics. The evaluators watched videos, evaluated them, and then provided feedback to students. Students then revised their works based on received feedback. The results showed an insignificant difference between the two groups in their pre-test scores when measuring prior knowledge. However, when measuring knowledge after the study, 360VT group students outperformed their counterparts in the post-test. According to the results, students in the 360VT group received significantly more feedback, and it was more detailed compared to that of their counterparts. In addition, the evaluators scored affordances of 360VT higher than those of TVT. The results showed many advantages of 360VT such as it was useful and easy to use during the evaluation process, 360VT created immersive environments so that the evaluators had a realistic experience and a high level of vividness when watching and evaluating videos. The results suggest that evaluation and feedback in 360VT environments had better effects on learning outcomes, and the evaluators positively perceived their experiences in 360VT settings. Therefore, it is suggested that educators and researchers consider implementing 360VT in situations when language learners are tasked with creating their own content, which can subsequently be evaluated with relevant feedback provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To synthesize the current understanding of RNA-based regulatory mechanisms, focusing on how RNA splicing and non-coding RNAs shape immune responses and airway remodeling in asthma, with the aim of exploring their potential as therapeutic targets for asthma treatment., Datasource: Recent advances and emerging research in molecular biology and immunology related to RNA splicing, non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, circRNAs), and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in asthma pathogenesis., Study Selections: The review incorporates studies highlighting the roles of alternative RNA splicing, non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs and circRNAs), and RNA methylation (m6A) in regulating immune and inflammatory pathways involved in asthma., Results: RNA splicing events, non-coding RNAs, and m6A RNA methylation are critical in modulating immune dysregulation, airway remodeling, and inflammation in asthma. These mechanisms influence key inflammatory pathways, mRNA stability, and the overall immune landscape of the disease., Conclusion: RNA splicing and non-coding RNAs represent promising areas of research for understanding asthma's immune pathology and hold potential as novel therapeutic targets for more effective treatment strategies.

Despite the advanced technologies and global attention on cancer treatment strategies, cancer continues to claim lives and adversely affects socio-economic development. Although combination therapies were anticipated to eradicate this disease, the resilient and restorative nature of cancers allows them to proliferate at the expense of host immune cells energetically. This proliferation is driven by metabolic profiles specific to the cancer type and the patient. An emerging field is exploring the metabolic reprogramming (MR) of cancers to predict effective treatments. This mini-review discusses the recent advancements in cancer MR that have contributed to predictive, preventive, and precision medicine. Current perspectives on the mechanisms of various cancer types and prospects for MR and personalized cancer medicine are essential for optimizing metabolic outputs necessary for personalized treatments., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Gao, Yang, Zhang, Bajinka and Yuan.)

Background: YinChen WuLing Powder (YCWLP) has been recommended by consensus for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); nevertheless, its specific pharmacological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study aims to dissect the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of YCWLP on NASH using a hybrid approach that encompasses network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experimental validation., Methods: We compiled the chemical constituents of YCWLP from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), while potential targets were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction database. To identify NASH-related candidate targets, comprehensive retrieval was carried out using five authoritative databases. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks of direct targets of YCWLP in NASH treatment were then constructed using the String database, and functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, were conducted through the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database. Core targets were discerned using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) and cytoHubba algorithms. Subsequently, molecular docking of key compounds to core targets was conducted using AutoDock software. Moreover, we established a free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cell model to simulate NASH in vitro , with YCWLP medicated serum intervention employed to corroborate the network pharmacology-derived hypotheses. Furthermore, a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blotting analyses was employed to investigate the lipid, hepatic enzyme, SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 signaling pathway and associated cytokine levels., Results: The network pharmacology analysis furnished a list of 54 compounds from YCWLP and 167 intersecting targets associated with NASH. Through analytic integration with multiple algorithms, PTPN11 (also known as SHP2) emerged as a core target of YCWLP in mitigating NASH. The in vitro experiments validated that 10% YCWLP medicated serum could remarkably attenuate levels of total cholesterol (TC, 1.25 vs. 3.32) and triglyceride (TG, 0.23 vs. 0.57) while ameliorating alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 7.79 vs. 14.78) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 4.64 vs. 8.68) leakage in NASH-afflicted cells. In addition, YCWLP significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of SHP2 (0.55 vs. 0.20) and downregulated the expression of molecules within the SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 signaling axis, including p-PI3K (0.42 vs. 1.02), NLRP3 (0.47 vs. 0.93), along with downstream effectors-cleaved Caspase-1 (0.21 vs. 0.49), GSDMD-NT (0.24 vs. 0.71), mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β, 0.17 vs. 0.48), pro-IL-1β (0.49 vs. 0.89), mature interleukin-18 (IL-18, 0.15 vs. 0.36), and pro-IL-18 (0.48 vs. 0.95)., Conclusion: Our research reveals that YCWLP exerts therapeutic effects against NASH by inhibiting lipid accumulation and inflammation, which involves the attenuation of pyroptosis via the SHP2/PI3K/NLRP3 pathway., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Yuan, Yang, Gao, Gao, Wang, Liu and Yuan.)

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer worldwide. Cancer cells' local infiltration, proliferation, and spread are mainly influenced by the protein hydrolyzing function of different matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, no study has determined the relationship between MMPs and prognostic prediction in HCC., Methods: Expression profiles of mRNA and MMPs-related genes were obtained from publicly available databases. Cox regression and LASSO Cox regression analysis were used to identify and predict MMPs-related prognostic signature and construct predictive models for overall survival (OS). A nomogram was used to validate the accuracy of the prediction model. Drug prediction was performed using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) dataset, and single-cell clustering analysis was performed to further understand the significance of the MMPs-related signature., Results: A MMPs-related prognostic signature (including RNPEPL1, ADAM15, ADAM18, ADAMTS5, CAD, YME1L1, AMZ2, PSMD14, and COPS6) was identified. Using the median value, HCC patients in the high-risk group showed worse OS than those in the low-risk group. Immune microenvironment analysis showed that patients in the high-risk group had higher levels of M0 and M2 macrophages. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed that the IC 50 values of sorafenib, cisplatin, and cytarabine were higher in the high-risk group. Finally, the single-cell cluster analysis results showed that YME1L1 and COPS6 were the major genes expressed in the monocyte cluster., Conclusions: A novel MMPs-related signature can be used to predict the prognosis of HCC. The findings of this research could potentially impact the predictability of the prognosis and treatment of HCC.

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a green and sustainable strategy for artificial nitrogen fixation but remains a significant challenge because of the lack of high-performance electrocatalysts. In this study, flower-like hollow MoSe 2 nanospheres as efficient earth-abundant NRR electrocatalysts with a high faradaic efficiency of 14.2% and an ammonia yield of 11.2 μg h -1 mg cat. -1 at ambient conditions were prepared. Such excellent NRR activity can be attributed to the higher specific surface area, more active sites, and longer N 2 retention time within the shells because of the design of the hollow structure. Density functional theory calculations were performed to further understand the catalytic mechanism involved. This work demonstrates the feasibility of transition-metal selenides as NRR electrocatalysts and suggests an electrocatalyst materials structure design for efficient electrochemical nitrogen fixation.