Search

Abstract Background Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) is increasingly adopted in medical education across various specialties, employing realistic simulations to significantly enhance learning experiences. However, a comprehensive evaluation of its effectiveness specifically in endocrinology has not yet been conducted. The study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze the impact of SBL versus Non-Simulation-Based Learning (NSBL) on knowledge acquisition, skills, satisfaction, and interest in learning among endocrinology trainees. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Weipu, and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) until March 2024. We included randomized controlled trials comparing SBL to NSBL in endocrinology education. The quality evaluation relied on the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. The main results included evaluations from both theoretical and practical assessments. Additional measures consisted of assessing satisfaction and interest in learning. Results We identified 22 studies suitable for systematic review and 21 for meta-analysis, involving a total of 2517 participants. SBL greatly enhanced theoretical knowledge [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68–1.32, P

Abstract Background To systematically analyze differences in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) burden between young and older adults. Methods We estimated the prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ASCVD, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), ischemic stroke (IS), and peripheral artery disease (PAD), in individuals aged 20–54 and > 55 years from 1990–2019, utilizing data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. The annual percentage changes (EAPCs) for age-specific prevalence, mortality, or DALY rates were calculated to quantify the temporal trends of ASCVD burden. We also analyzed population attribution fractions (PAF) of premature ASCVD mortality and DALYs for different risk factors and compared the burden of extremely premature, premature, and non-premature ASCVD cases based on clinical classifications. Results From 1990–2019, the global prevalence rates of IHD, IS, and PAD in the 20–54 years age group increased by 20.55% (from 694.74 to 837.49 per 100,000 population), 11.50% (from 439.48 to 490.03 per 100,000 population), and 7.38% (from 384.24 to 412.59 per 100,000 population), respectively. Conversely, the ASCVD prevalence in > 55years age group decreased. Adverse outcome burdens, including mortality and DALYs, varied among ASCVD subtypes. The decrease in the mortality/DALY burden of IHD and IS was lower in the 20–54 years group than in the > 55 years group. For PAD, DALYs among those aged 20–54 increased but decreased among those aged > 55 years. When grouped according to socio-demographic index (SDI) values, lower SDI regions exhibited a higher proportion of young ASCVD burden. The prevalence of young IHD, IS, and PAD in low SDI regions reached 20.70%, 40.05%, and 19.31% in 2019, respectively, compared with 12.14%, 16.32%, and 9.54%, respectively, in high SDI regions. Metabolic risks were the primary contributors to the ASCVD burden in both age groups. Increased susceptibility to ambient particulate matter pollution and inadequate control of high body-mass index and high fasting plasma glucose in young individuals may partially explain the differing temporal trends between young and older individuals. Conclusions The ASCVD burden in young individuals may become a growing global health concern, especially in areas with lower socioeconomic development levels that require more effective primary prevention strategies.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by impaired endothelial function in both microvessels and macrovessels, closely linked to atherosclerosis (AS). Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by impaired endothelial cell (EC) function, is a pivotal factor in AS and DM. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that can act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and regulate gene expression. However, the role of circRNAs in ECs dysfunction and AS under high glucose (HG) condition remains elusive. Methods: We performed high-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to HG, one risk factors of endothelial dysfunction and AS. We then validated eight candidate circRNAs by qRT-PCR and functional analysis, directing our attention to hsa_circ_0122319. Moreover, microarray analysis identified the differential expression profiles of miRNAs and mRNAs regulated by hsa_circ_0122319. Subsequently, the construction of the ceRNAs network employed bioinformatic analysis and Cytoscape software. Furthermore, the role of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in regulating ceRNAs was evaluated. Results: We detected 917 DE circRNAs in HG treated HUVEC. The parental genes of these circRNAs were enriched in cell cycle, cellular senescence and endocytosis related pathways. The differential expression of hsa_circ_0122319 was confirmed to be most obvious at the cellular level and in clinical samples by qPCR experiments. After overexpression of hsa_circ_0122319, 49 DE miRNAs and 459 DE mRNAs were identified using microarray analysis. Subsequently, a ceRNAs network was constructed, comprising hsa_circ_0122319, 8 miRNAs, and 41 mRNAs. Conclusion: In summary, our study delves into the role of circRNAs in endothelial dysfunction associated with DM and AS. Through high-throughput sequencing and validation, we identified hsa_circ_0122319 as a pivotal regulator of ECs function under HG conditions. It also showed that hsa_circ_0123319 has the potential to serve as a biomarker for DM and its vascular complications, and provides new evidence for future exploration of the intricate molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in the progression of DM and AS.

Summary: Background: Dementia among younger people is rapidly emerging as a global health concern; however, comprehensive research on its shifting burden trends remains insufficient. Methods: Data on the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with dementia occurring in individuals

When the surface strain field of concrete structure is measured by digital image correlation(DIC)technology under complex light conditions, the decorrelation effect of the pattern will be caused by the variation in light intensity. For this problem, the optimal light intensity suitable for DIC calculating and analyzing is studied, and the influence of light intensity variation on the measurement accuracy and calculation efficiency of DIC is explored by the traditional 2D-DIC measurement system. The experimental result shows that the average gray level of 190 is the optimal light intensity. The picture is used as the reference image at the optimal light intensity. The strain error increases exponentially when the light intensity increases, and the strain error increases linearly when the light intensity decreases. The computation time and the matching rate of calculation points are insensitive to the slight range fluctuation of light intensity, while the computation time of DIC will increase 1 to 3 times, and about 25 % of calculation points will match failed because of the extreme variation of light intensity. The accuracy of experimental results is verified by Combining them with the image quality assessment index. In order to get high-quality images, the green band-pass filter imaging system is established in this paper. It can stabilize the image's brightness and contrast when the external light varies seriously. The strain error and calculation efficiency are all close to the optimal light intensity when external ambient light changes seriously. Compared with the traditional 2D-DIC measurement system, The green band-pass filter imaging system can be better applied to measure in the outdoor environment.

Background: T-cell responses can be protective or detrimental during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Methods: In this study, we screened 144 15-mer peptides spanning the SARS-CoV-2 spike, nucleocapsid (NP), M, ORF8, ORF10, and ORF3a proteins and 39 reported SARS-CoV-1 peptides in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from nine laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients (five moderate and four severe cases) and nine healthy donors (HDs) collected before the COVID-19 pandemic. T-cell responses were monitored by IFN-γ and IL-17A production using ELISA, and the positive samples were sequenced for the T cell receptor (TCR) β chain. The positive T-cell responses to individual SARS-CoV-2 peptides were validated by flow cytometry. Results: COVID-19 patients with moderate disease produced more IFN-γ than HDs and patients with severe disease (moderate vs. HDs, p < 0.0001; moderate vs. severe, p < 0.0001) but less IL-17A than those with severe disease (p < 0.0001). A positive correlation was observed between IFN-γ production and T-cell clonal expansion in patients with moderate COVID-19 (r = 0.3370, p = 0.0214) but not in those with severe COVID-19 (r = −0.1700, p = 0.2480). Using flow cytometry, we identified that a conserved peptide of the M protein (Peptide-120, P120) was a dominant epitope recognized by CD8+ T cells in patients with moderate disease. Conclusion: Coordinated IFN-γ production and clonal expansion of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are associated with disease resolution in COVID-19. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of T-cell-mediated immunity in COVID-19 and may inform future strategies for managing and preventing severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

This study on the warm-sector heavy rainfall event in Guangzhou on 7 May 2017, examined the effects and mechanisms of incorporating 30 m high-resolution land surface data into its numerical simulation. The updated 1km numerical model, integrating 30 m high-resolution land surface data, successfully captured the initiation, back-building, and organized development of warm-sector convections in Huadu and Zengcheng District. The analysis revealed that the high spatial resolution of the surface data led to a reduced urban area footprint (urban −6.31%), increased vegetation cover (forest 11.63%, croplands 1%), and enhanced surface runoff (water 2.77%) compared with a model’s default land cover (900 m). These changes mitigated the urban heat island (UHI) effect within the metropolitan area and decreased the surface sensible heat flux. This reduction contributed to a pronounced temperature gradient between Huadu Mountain and the urban area. Additionally, a stronger high-pressure recirculation and sea–land breezes facilitated the transport of warm and moist air from the sea inland, creating a humid corridor along the sea–land interface. The consistent influx of warm and moist air near the mountain front, where strong temperature gradients were present, forcibly triggered warm-sector convection, intensifying its organization. This study highlighted the critical role of high-resolution land surface data in the accurate numerical simulation of warm-sector heavy rainfall.

The relationship between cardiac and renal function is complicated. The impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on renal function in patients with coronary artery disease is still unclear. The current study sought to assess renal function change, including the time course of renal function, after elective PCI in patients with improved renal function and to identify renal function predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events. We examined data from 1572 CHD patients who had coronary angiography (CAG) or PCI in this retrospective cohort study. Patients receiving elective PCI (n=1240) and CAG (n=332) between January 2013 and December 2018 were included. Pre-PCI and procedural variables associated with post-PCI eGFR, change in renal function after post-PCI follow-up, and post-PCI eGFR association with major adverse cardiovascular events were investigated. Following the procedure, 88.7 percent of PCI group patients had unchanged or improved renal function. The treatment of PCI was found to independently correlate with IRF following coronary angiography in an analysis of patients undergoing PCI [OR 4.561 (95% CI:2 .556-8.139); p

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-144-3p on the proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and ROS levels of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ). Methods The cells were divided into control group, model group (Ang Ⅱ), negative control group (Ang Ⅱ+ transfection miR-144-3p NC) and experimental group (Ang Ⅱ + transfection miR-144-3p mimic). RT-qPCR was used to detect the transfection efficiency. MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation. Cell invasion was examined by Transwell chamber. Apoptosis kit and flow cytometry were applied to detect apoptosis, and the flow cytometry was applied to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) level. Results Compared with control group, the proliferation and invasion of the cells in the model group decreased significantly, but the apoptotic rate and intracellular ROS level increased significantly(P＜0.05). The above indicators found in the experimental group were all alleviated to a certain extent (P＜0.05). Conclusions Over-expression of miR-144-3p can effectively reduce the proliferation and invasion of HUVEC induced by Ang Ⅱ and reduce the apoptosis rate as well as ROS level.