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A physiology laboratory course plays an important role in improving the scientific abilities of medical students. This study involved a teaching reform based on problem-based self-designed experiments in a physiology laboratory course. The study subjects were divided into two groups, i.e., students enrolled in 2019 were assigned to the traditional course control group (n = 146) and students enrolled in 2021 were assigned to the improved course test group (n = 128). Students in the test group were required to conduct self-designed experiments based on the questions for each experimental theme, in addition to completing the specified experimental items. At the end of the course, the differences in academic achievements between the two groups were compared. The results showed that compared to the control group, the students in the test group spent less time finishing the specified experimental items (P < 0.05). More students in the test group obtained good results in the operation assessment for the specified experiments (P < 0.05), and a significant increase in the number of winners in discipline-wise competitions, participants in scientific research projects, and academic publications was observed in the test group. Most of the students in the test group agreed that the self-designed experiment promoted their scientific thinking, helped them better understand theoretical knowledge, and improved their hands-on operation and team cooperation abilities. Our research showed that our teaching reform promoted students' self-directed learning and problem-solving abilities, stimulated their enthusiasm for scientific research, and was conducive to the cultivation of innovative medical talents.

Objective To analyse the neuropsychological characteristics, sleep structure and HLA ⁃ DQB1 gene distribution of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients. Methods A total of 35 patients with NT1 admitted to Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from August 2018 to November 2022 were included, all of whom underwent neuropsychological tests, noctural polysomnography (nPSG) monitoring, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), narcolepsy evaluation and HLA ⁃ DQB1 gene detection. Results Neuropsychological tests showed the scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; t = 3.159, P = 0.004) and the correct number of immediate recall of the first (t = 3.028, P = 0.004) and the second (t = 2.054, P = 0.044) of Hopkins Verbal Learning Test⁃Revised (HVLT⁃R) were lower of the NT1 group than those of the control group. Trail Making Test (TMT) ⁃B completion time (t = ⁃ 2.126, P = 0.019), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score (Z = ⁃ 5.109, P = 0.000), Hamilton Depression Scale⁃17 (HAMD⁃17) score (Z = ⁃ 3.204, P = 0.001), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) socre (t = ⁃ 13.609, P = 0.000) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score (Z = ⁃ 3.004, P = 0.003) were higher of the NT1 group than those of the control group. nPSG showed the total recording time (Z = ⁃ 4.491, P = 0.000), the proportion of non⁃rapid eye movement (NREM) 3 (Z = ⁃ 2.647, P = 0.008), the proportion of rapid eye movement (REM; t = 2.908, P = 0.005) and periodic limb movements of sleep index (PLMSI; Z = ⁃ 3.501, P = 0.000) were higher of the NT1 group than those of the control group. Sleep efficiency (t = ⁃ 2.489, P = 0.016), sleep latency (Z = ⁃ 4.112, P = 0.000), REM sleep latency (Z = ⁃ 4.318, P = 0.000) and the proportion of NREM2 (t = ⁃ 5.224, P = 0.000) were lower of the NT1 group than those of the control group. The clinical features of NT1 patients were excessive daytime sleepiness (97.14%, 34/35), cataplexy (97.14%, 34/35), other sleep disturbances (88.57%, 31/35), sleep hallucination (82.86%, 29/35), and sleep paralysis (68.57%, 24/35). And 34 cases (97.14%) carried the allele HLA ⁃ DQB1*0602. Conclusions Patients with NT1 have cognitive decline, mood change and sleep structure disorder, and the carrying rate of HLA⁃DQB1*0602 is high.

A novel educational tool helps teach intestinal absorption in physiology--We have designed an interesting educational tool to help sophomores learn intestinal absorption in physiology course. In the study group (2019), 51 sophomores from biomedical engineering were encouraged to learn the intestinal absorption knowledge through reading materials and group discussion. Then, using the form of flipped class, they stepped on the podium and simulated and explained the absorption processes with designed paper props as educational tool. In contrast, the control group (2018), 52 sophomores from the same specialty had taken the same professional courses before. The result of theoretical test showed the average score in the study group was higher than that in the control group. The questionnaire analysis showed the positive role of the education tool in their learning efficacy. To sum up, using our tool has achieved better teaching effects than the traditional lecture.

ObjectiveThe metabolomics technique of LC-MS/MS combined with data analysis was used to detect changes and differences in metabolic profiles in the vitreous humor of early rat carcasses found in water, and to explore the feasibility of its use for early postmortem submersion interval （PMSI） estimation and the cause of death determination.MethodsThe experimental model was established in natural lake water with 100 SD rats were randomly divided into a drowning group （n=50） and a postmortem （CO2 suffocation） immediately submersion group （n=50）. Vitreous humor was extracted from 10 rats in each group at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h postmortem for metabolomics analyses, of which 8 were used as the training set to build the model, and 2 were used as test set. PCA and PLS multivariate statistical analysis were performed to explore the differences in metabolic profiles among PMSI and causes of death in the training set samples. Then random forest （RF） algorithm was used to screen several biomarkers to establish a model.ResultsPCA and PLS analysis showed that the metabolic profiles had time regularity, but no differences were found among different causes of death. Thirteen small molecule biomarkers with good temporal correlation were selected by RF algorithm. A simple PMSI estimation model was constructed based on this indicator set, and the data of the test samples showed the mean absolute error （MAE） of the model was 0.847 h.ConclusionThe 13 metabolic markers screened in the vitreous humor of rat corpses in water had good correlations with the early PMSI. The simplified PMSI estimation model constructed by RF can be used to estimate the PMSI. Additionally, the metabolic profiles of vitreous humor cannot be used for early identification of cause of death in water carcasses.

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Wound age estimation is one of the major tasks in forensic practice. However, relatively accurate estimation of the wound age is still a conundrum and research spotlight world-widely. Studies show that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the whole process of the skin wound repair, and miRNAs, as biomarkers, might be used to estimate the time of skin injury owing to their characteristic advantage. This paper summarizes the miRNA fundamental function, properties, current research progress in the estimation of wound age, and its limitations, and put forward prospect of potential application and research based on miRNAs in estimation of wound age.

Daurisoline (DS) is an isoquinoline alkaloid that exerts anticancer activities in various cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms through which DS affects the survival of breast cancer cells remain poorly understood. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the potential anticancer effect of DS on breast cancer cells and reveal the mechanism underlying the enhanced tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL)‐mediated apoptosis by DS. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and 5‐ethynyl‐2‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assay were used to evaluate the ability of cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was selected to examine the cell cycle distribution. TUNEL assay was used to detect the cell apoptosis. The protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis. DS was found to reduce the cell viability and suppress the proliferation of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells by causing G1 phase cell cycle arrest. DS could trigger apoptosis by promoting the cleavage of caspase‐8 and PARP. The phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK was upregulated clearly following DS treatment. Notably, SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) pretreatment significantly abrogated DS‐induced PARP cleavage. DS inactivated Akt/mTOR and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway and upregulated the expression of ER stress‐related proteins. Additionally, DS amplified TRAIL‐caused viability reduction and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Mechanismly, DS upregulated the protein level of DR4 and DR5, and knockdown of DR5 attenuated the cotreatment‐induced cleavage of PARP. Inhibition of JNK could block DS‐induced upregulation of DR5. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of DS inhibiting cell proliferation, triggering apoptosis, and enhancing TRAIL sensitivity of breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following semi-linear elliptic equations involving Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents − Δ u − μ u x 2 = u 2 * s − 2 x s u + g (x , u) , x ∈ Ω ∖ 0 , u = 0 , x ∈ ∂ Ω have been investigated, where Ω is an open-bounded domain in R N N ≥ 3 , with a smooth boundary ∂ Ω , 0 ∈ Ω , 0 ≤ μ < μ ¯ : = N − 2 2 2 , 0 ≤ s < 2 , and 2 * s = 2 N − s / N − 2 is the Hardy–Sobolev critical exponent. This problem comes from the study of standing waves in the anisotropic Schrödinger equation; it is very important in the fields of hydrodynamics, glaciology, quantum field theory, and statistical mechanics. Under some deterministic conditions on g , by a detailed estimation of the extremum function and using mountain pass lemma with P S c conditions, we obtained that: (a) If μ ≤ μ ¯ − 1 , and λ < λ 1 μ , then the above problem has at least a positive solution in H 0 1 Ω ; (b) If μ ¯ − 1 < μ < μ ¯ , then when λ * μ < λ < λ 1 μ , the above problem has at least a positive solution in H 0 1 Ω ; (c) if μ ¯ − 1 < μ < μ ¯ and Ω = B (0 , R) , then the above problem has no positive solution for λ ≤ λ * μ. These results are extensions of E. Jannelli's research ( g (x , u) = λ u ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we compared the growth, development, and fecundity of Arma chinensis (Fallou) reared on pupae of the geometrid Ectropis grisescens Warren fed on tea shoots during different seasons of the year. The raw data on life history were analyzed using the age–stage, 2-sex life table. When reared on spring or winter geometrid pupae, the duration of the immature stage of A. chinensis was significantly longer than in those produced during the summer or autumn. The survival rate of immature A. chinensis reared on autumn geometrid pupae was significantly lower compared to other treatments. Reproductive diapause was observed in adult A. chinensis reared on winter geometrid pupae. The adult preoviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and total longevity were significantly longer in A. chinensis reared on winter pupae than in the other treatments. The fecundity of A. chinensis reared on spring geometrid pupae was significantly lower than in the other treatments. The higher intrinsic rate of increase of the A. chinensis reared on summer pupae (r  = 0.0966 day-1) and autumn pupae (r  = 0.0983 day-1) resulted in higher fecundity, shorter immature duration, and shorter TPOP compared to the winter and spring populations. These findings can be utilized to enhance and sustain biological control of E. grisescens in tea plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that nucleophagy can mitigate DNA damage by selectively degrading nuclear components protruding from the nucleus. However, little is known about the role of nucleophagy in neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI). Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence were performed to evaluate the nucleophagy after nuclear DNA damage and leakage in SCI neurons in vivo and NSC34 expression in primary neurons cultured with oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro, as well as the interaction and colocalization of autophagy protein LC3 with nuclear lamina protein Lamin B1. The effect of UBC9, a Small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO) E2 ligase, on Lamin B1 SUMOylation and nucleophagy was examined by siRNA transfection or 2‐D08 (a small‐molecule inhibitor of UBC9), immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. In SCI and OGD injured NSC34 or primary cultured neurons, neuronal nuclear DNA damage induced the SUMOylation of Lamin B1, which was required by the nuclear Lamina accumulation of UBC9. Furthermore, LC3/Atg8, an autophagy‐related protein, directly bound to SUMOylated Lamin B1, and delivered Lamin B1 to the lysosome. Knockdown or suppression of UBC9 with siRNA or 2‐D08 inhibited SUMOylation of Lamin B1 and subsequent nucleophagy and protected against neuronal death. Upon neuronal DNA damage and leakage after SCI, SUMOylation of Lamin B1 is induced by nuclear Lamina accumulation of UBC9. Furthermore, it promotes LC3‐Lamin B1 interaction to trigger nucleophagy that protects against neuronal DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]