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Active participation in project-based learning (PBL) could develop students` knowledge and crucial learning skills across various disciplines. However, the implementation of PBL in the K-12 classroom is usually impeded by the stepby-step PBL cycle. Micro project-based learning (MPBL), which advocates and adheres to the learning principles and mechanisms of PBL with constraining the learning cycle in shorter periods, has been considered as a lightweight alternative to PBL process. As an exploration, this study explored the impact of MPBL on the conceptual understanding of sodium bicarbonate and the crucial learning skills in chemistry class at upper-secondary schools. The quasi-experimental research was implemented for 125 students, with an experimental group receiving MPBL teaching and a control group receiving conventional teaching. In the study, data including knowledge tests, crucial learning skills survey, and student interview were collected and analysed. The results indicated that MPBL was effective in the development of students' conceptual understanding and crucial learning skills (i.e., communication and collaboration, information integration, independent learning, and problem-solving). The study will inform the pedagogical innovation in chemistry education and teaching practices in chemistry class.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer subtype. Although chemotherapy and targeted therapy are used for the treatment of patients with NSCLC, the survival rate remains very low. Recent findings suggested that aurora kinase A (AKA), a cell cycle regulator, is a potential target for NSCLC therapy. Previously, we reported that a chemical entity of quinazolin-4(3H)-one represents a new template for AKA inhibitors, with antiproliferative activity against cancer cells. A quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivative was further designed and synthesized in order to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and antiproliferation activity against NSCLC cell lines. The derivative, BIQO-19 (Ethyl 6-(4-oxo-3-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl)-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-6-yl)imidazo [1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxylate), exhibited improved solubility and antiproliferative activity in NSCLC cells, including epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant NSCLC cells. BIQO-19 effectively inhibited the growth of the EGFR-TKI-resistant H1975 NSCLC cells, with the suppression of activated AKA (p-AKA) expression in these cells. The inhibition of AKA by BIQO-19 significantly induced G2/M phase arrest and subsequently evoked apoptosis in H1975 cells. In addition, the combination of gefitinib and BIQO-19 exhibited synergistic antiproliferative activity in NSCLC cells. These findings suggest the potential of BIQO-19 as a novel therapeutic agent for restoring the sensitivity of gefitinib in EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells.

In upper-secondary chemistry education, the concept of 'Amount of Substance' occupies a central position within the computation framework. However, comprehending this concept often poses a challenge for students. To address this issue, our study aimed to design and implement a computation skills test to assess the varying levels of students' computation skills in understanding Amount of Substance. The test was administered to a total of 214 first-year students at the secondary schools. To analyse the test scores and unveil students' comprehensive and mastery levels of computation skills, the SOLO Taxonomy was employed for scoring the levels. Additionally, interviews were conducted to identify the underlying reasons for their learning difficulties. Findings revealed that the majority of students demonstrated proficiency in solving relatively straightforward problems and applying basic formulas. Only a small fraction of students reached the advanced relational level, showcasing their ability to apply chemical concepts and methodologies to solve complex problems. Moreover, students exhibited varying degrees of proficiency when dealing with different types of knowledge and problems associated with computations involving solutions and the quantification of microscopic particles. Interviews uncovered students' major learning difficulties. These findings inform the teachers' teaching of Amount of Substance in chemistry education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathognic fungus, which is widely employed in the biological control of pests. Gene disruption is a common method for studying the functions of genes involved in fungal development or its interactions with hosts. However, generating gene deletion mutants was a time‐consuming work. The transcriptional factor OpS3 has been identified as a positive regulator of a red secondary metabolite oosporein in B. bassiana. In this study, we have designed a new screening system by integrating a constitutive OpS3 expression cassette outside one of the homologous arms of target gene. Ectopic transformants predominantly exhibit a red colour with oosporein production, while knockout mutants appear as white colonies due to the loss of the OpS3 expression cassette caused by recombinant events. This screening strategy was used to obtain the deletion mutants of both tenS and NRPS genes. Correct mutants were obtained by screening fewer than 10 mutants with a positive efficiency ranging from 50% to 75%. This system significantly reduces the workload associated with DNA extraction and PCR amplification, thereby enhancing the efficiency of obtaining correct transformants in B. bassiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the effect of individualized treatment strategy based on imaging evaluation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Eighty patients with RA of the wrist treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China from January 2018 to December 2022 were assigned to control and study groups. Conventional methods were used for treating control subjects, based on RA laboratory index results, while the study group received individualized treatment based on RA laboratory index results and results of imaging evaluation. Before and after treatment, serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed using immunoturbidimetry. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined by Wei method. Imaging examination - ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - was carried out in study group before and after treatment. Disease activity score 28 (DAS28) and score on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were evaluated before and after treatment, and the curative effect in the two groups was compared based on curative effect evaluation. Results: In both groups, post-treatment values of RF, CRP and ESR were lower than the corresponding pre-treatment levels, but were significantly smaller in study group (p < 0.05). The DAS28 and VAS scores of the two groups after treatment were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the pret-reatment levels, but the DAS28 and VAS scores were significantly lower in study group (p < 0.05). Treatment efficacy in study group (95.0 %) was significantly higher than in control patients (77.5 %, p = 0.0476). The results of imaging indicators showed significantly reduced post-treatment synovial thickness and joint effusion in study group patients when compared with control patients (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Individualized treatment strategy for RA patients based on imaging results enhances curative effectiveness, reduces disease activity, relieves pain, and improves the quality of life of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]