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This study compares teaching and learning in German and Chinese vocational education and training (VET) schools. The adoption of teaching methods and instructional media are used as two descriptive dimensions. Relevant data on these factors were collected through systematic classroom observation. Generally, both similarities and differences can be noted between German and Chinese VET schools. The results concerning adoption of teaching methods and instructional media are discussed in the context of two factors: teacher education; and curriculum.

[Background] Bacillus LFB112 is a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens screened in our laboratory. Previous studies found that it has a strong ability for fatty acid metabolism and can improve the lipid metabolism of broilers when used as feed additives. [Methods] This study aimed to confirm the fatty acid metabolism of Bacillus LFB112. Sterilized soybean oil (SSO) was added to the Beef Peptone Yeast (BPY) medium, and its effect on fatty acid content in the supernatant and bacteria, as well as expression levels of genes related to fatty acid metabolism, were studied. The control group was the original culture medium without oil. [Results] Acetic acid produced by the SSO group of Bacillus LFB112 decreased, but the content of unsaturated fatty acids increased. The 1.6% SSO group significantly increased the contents of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA in the pellets. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in the type II fatty acid synthesis pathway of FabD, FabH, FabG, FabZ, FabI, and FabF were up-regulated. [Conclusions] Soybean oil increased the content of acetyl-CoA in Bacillus LFB112, activated its type II fatty acid synthesis pathway, and improved the fatty acid metabolism level of Bacillus LFB112. These intriguing results pave the way for further investigations into the intricate interplay between Bacillus LFB112 and fatty acid metabolism, with potential applications in animal nutrition and feed additive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis., Methods: Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin (PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumor-adjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ , as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo., Results: After peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend ( P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age ( P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues ( P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Development and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes (accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: We have no financial relationships to disclose.

Objective: To compare the effect of different solvents such as water, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether on extraction of 10 effective components from Ligusticum chuanxiong and component characteristics of corresponding extracts., Method: Ultrasonic assisted solvent extraction and high performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis were adopted to determine effective components. CAPCELL PAK C18 column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) was adopted. The mobile phase was methanol-0. 5% HAc for gradient elute. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. The column temperature was 30 degrees C. The flow rate was 0. 7 mL x min(-1). The sample size was 10 microL., Result: Methanol or ethanol showed no significant difference in extraction of ferulic acid, hydroxyphthalide, alkylphthalide and diligustilide. Ethyl acetate displayed relatively low extraction ratios in hydroxyphthalide and ferulic acid. Water and petroleum ether showed relatively low extraction ratios in all four effective components, and water extracts showed different component characteristics., Conclusion: Ethanol and methanol are the most suitable solvents to extract four effective components from L. chuanxiong.

Flavonoid reference standards were targeted-prepared from Scutellariae Radix under the guidance of high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. With HPLC-MS analysis of Scutellariae Radix, 19 flavonoid components were identified by analyzing and comparing their retention times, ultraviolet spectra, and mass spectrometry data with literature. The separation and purification protocols of all targeted flavonoid reference standards were optimally designed according to the results of HPLC-MS analysis and related literature. The ethanol extract of Scutellariae Radix was suspended in water and extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol successively. The ethyl acetate extract and n-butanol extract were separately subjected to primary separation by low pressure reverse phase preparative chromatography. Then the fractions containing targeted compounds were further purified by low pressure reverse and normal phases preparative chromatography. Finally, baicalin and wogonoside reference standards were obtained from n-butanol extract; baicaelin, wogonin, and oroxylin A reference standards were obtained from ethyl acetate extract. The structures of the 5 reference standards were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. The HPLC analytical results showed that the purities of the 5 reference standards were all above 98%. It is demonstrated that the rapid targeted-preparation method under the guidance of the HPLC-MS analysis is applicable for the isolation and preparation of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicines.