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Background BMS-470539, a recently introduced selective agonist of the melanocortin 1 receptor, is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of BMS-470539 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses and delayed apoptosis with its signaling pathways in human neutrophils. Methods Isolated human neutrophils were incubated with various concentrations of BMS-470539 (1, 10, and 100 µM) in the presence or absence of LPS (100 ng/ml), and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, were assessed. The effects of BMS-470539 on the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as p38, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in LPS-stimulated human neutrophils, were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutrophil apoptosis was also measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (annexin V/propidium iodide) in LPS-stimulated neutrophils under treatment with BMS-470539. Results BMS-470539 attenuated LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-κB. LPS stimulation reduced neutrophil apoptosis compared to the controls; however, BMS-470539 significantly inhibited the reduction of neutrophil apoptosis. Conclusions BMS-470539 can suppress the inflammatory responses of LPS-stimulated neutrophils by inhibition of MAPK pathways or NF-κB pathway, and it can also inhibit LPS-delayed neutrophil apoptosis.

Aim: Local anaesthetic cream (EMLA) is often used for paediatric procedural pain management. However, there are concerns about dependency on pain medication. A healthier alternative would be to use music listening intervention instead. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of music listening intervention in managing pain for infants undergoing venepuncture procedures in comparison to using EMLA. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted in two phases-in the first phase, surveys were conducted to determine the spectrum of popular Malaysian folk songs for children in nursery schools, and the selection of songs was then rearranged in an instrumental form to be played in the experimental phase. The experimental phase is the second part which involved the focus and control groups of infants that required venepuncture procedures. The focus group was given music listening intervention during the procedure while the control group was given EMLA. Results: The results revealed that there was no statistical difference between the two groups in pain management. Conclusion: This study shows that music listening intervention is comparable to EMLA cream in the management of venepuncture pain based on physiological response and pain behavioural score.

Background Flecainide acetate is a drug used primarily for cardiac arrhythmia. Some studies also imply that flecainide acetate has the potential to regulate inflammatory-immune responses; however, its mechanism of action is contended. We determined the effects of flecainide acetate on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human neutrophils in vitro and on mortality in a septic rat model. Methods Neutrophils from human blood were cultured with varying concentrations of flecainide acetate (1 μM, 10 μM, or 100 μM) with or without LPS (100 ng/ml). To assess neutrophil activation, the protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were measured after a 4-hour culture period. To assess the intracellular signaling pathways, the levels of phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were measured after a 30-minute culture period, and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was measured after a 1-hour culture period. Additionally, the survival rate was investigated in a rat sepsis model. Results Flecainide acetate down-regulated the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6 and IL-8, and intracellular signaling pathways including ERK 1/2 and NF-κB. Flecainide acetate also improved the survival rate in the rat sepsis model. Conclusions Collectively, these findings indicate that flecainide acetate can improve survival in a rat sepsis model by attenuating LPS-induced neutrophil responses. We therefore suggest that flecainide acetate plays an important role in modulating inflammatory-immune responses.

English speaking has been seen as a challenge for many English as a foreign language (EFL) learners, since they have limited chances to practice English-speaking skills. Therefore, it is essential to provide learners with adequate English-speaking contexts. To address this issue, this study integrated virtual reality (VR) into English speaking classes and aimed to explore the effects of VR on English oral proficiency, speaking anxiety, and emotions, as well as students' perceptions. Forty university students from two classes were assigned as an experimental group and a control group. The students in the experimental group practiced English speaking with the VR tools, while those in the control group used PowerPoint. Data analysis revealed conflicting results. While ANCOVAs disclosed no significant difference between the two groups regarding their post-intervention oral proficiency, speaking anxiety, and emotions, qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews indicated that the independent VR environment could reduce their speaking anxiety, and VR tools could act as effective tools to practice speaking before formal situations in real life. Furthermore, three themes characterized students' perceptions: "training simulation," "learning without time or space limitations," and "providing a safe learning environment." Finally, interpretations of such conflicting results are offered and implications are proposed.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of gesture instruction on the communication abilities of a student with autism. The multiple probe across settings of the single-case approach was conducted. The independent variable was gesture instruction, and the dependent variable was communication behaviour including the frequency of motoric gesture communication and deictic gesture communication. The participant accepted the experimental treatment of baseline, processing and maintenance phase one by one. Visual inspection was employed to assess the treatment effects of gesture instruction on this student. Results of this study showed that gesture instruction enhanced the frequency of the student’s deictic gesture communication behaviour. The treatment effects could be maintained for two weeks and be generalized to another situation. Additionally, gesture instruction decreased the frequency of the student’s motoric gesture communication behaviour and the treatment effects could be maintained for two weeks. After intervention, both teachers and parents interviewed indicated positive attitudes toward the gesture instruction, and confirmed the improvement on communication performance of this student.

Developing design concepts is crucial in architectural engineering education, yet helping students to develop these concepts is a challenging task. Despite previous research exploring design concepts, statistical analysis is scarce to evaluate their effectiveness. This study used the body movement methods from existing literature, combined with photography to transform the 3D body movements into 2D drawings, serving as the basis for developing designs (sources of design concept). A total of 51 students participated in the course. In the end, the hands-on process and learning outcomes were investigated objectively through statistical analysis. The operational model of the course can act as the reference for future hands-on education and design concept development. The specific results are: (1) body movements and material (board) limitation can bring about inspiration for the initial development of the design; (2) the images produced from the adopted photography technique can effectively assist students in developing design concepts; (3) the material chosen for model making should be similar to that used in the subsequent hands-on work as much as possible to better realize the concept; and (4) a variety of unexpected functional usability and esthetic shapes can be created through post-production reflection. Both body dimensions and photography techniques were extremely successful in this operation, thus providing a concrete way to learn how to manipulate a design concept.