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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.

AimTo investigate the survival of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and the therapeutic effect for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after co-transplantation with the functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber RAD/PRG or RAD/KLT.MethodsAMI of balb/c mice was induced. Mice were randomly divided into four groups, and received treatment of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (Group A), GFP/Fluc-BMSCs (Group B), GFP/Fluc-BMSCs + RAD/PRG (Group C), and GFP/Fluc-BMSCs + RAD/KLT (Group D), respectively. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was performed on day 1 (d-1), d-4, d-7, d-10, and d-13 after transplantation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline (d-4 before transplantation) and d-29 after treatment. Mice were euthanized on d-29 following treatment. Paraffin sections were obtained from the top, mid and bottom part of the infarcted region along the long-axis of the heart. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed. The infarct ratio micro-vascular density (MVD) was quantified.ResultsThere was a significant higher of BLI signal intensity of BMSCs in Group C than that in Group B (d-4, 9713±320 vs. 8164±378, P=0.0008; d-7, 6489±241 vs. 5417±361, P=0.0026; d-10, 3768±255 vs. 0, P < 0.0001). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) via MRI examination was significantly improved in both Group C and Group D. Infarct ratio and MVD were significantly improved in both Group C and Group D.ConclusionOur data highlights BMSCs combining functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofibers RAD/PRG or RAD/KLT as promising therapy for AMI.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes a variety of clinical manifestations, many of which originate from altered immune responses, either locally or systemically. Immune cell cross-talk occurs mainly in lymphoid organs. However, systemic cell interaction specific to coronavirus disease 2019 has not been well characterized. Here, by employing single-cell RNA sequencing and imaging flow cytometry analysis, we unraveled, in peripheral blood, a heterogeneous group of cell complexes formed by the adherence of CD14+ monocytes to different cytotoxic lymphocytes, including SARS-CoV-2–specific CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, and natural killer T cells. These lymphocytes attached to CD14+ monocytes that showed enhanced inflammasome activation and pyroptosis-induced cell death in progression stage; in contrast, in the convalescent phase, CD14+ monocytes with elevated antigen presentation potential were targeted by cytotoxic lymphocytes, thereby restricting the excessive immune activation. Collectively, our study reports previously unrecognized cell–cell interplay in the SARS-CoV-2–specific immune response, providing new insight into the intricacy of dynamic immune cell interaction representing antiviral defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aimed to evaluate the acute performance and short‐ and long‐term outcomes of optical coherence tomography (OCT)‐guided Magmaris deployment. Methods. This was a retrospective study of 28 consecutive patients (23 men, mean age: 59.8 years) with 28 Magmaris implantations in de novo coronary lesions. OCT was performed at the baseline and after the final postdilatation. The choice of stent and postdilatation balloon size was based on OCT measurements. The following indices were determined using OCT: prestenting minimum lumen diameter and area, poststenting minimum lumen diameter and area, acute lumen area gain, residual area stenosis, eccentricity and symmetry indices, incomplete strut apposition, strut fracture, tissue prolapse, and edge dissection. Results. Before the stenting, OCT analysis revealed a minimal lumen area of 1.55 ± 0.59 mm2, a minimal lumen diameter of 1.19 ± 0.38 mm, a minimal scaffold area of 6.78 ± 1.58 mm2, and a minimal scaffold diameter of 2.88 ± 0.50 mm2. The prolapse area was 1.2 ± 1.5 mm2. The mean percentage of RAS was 13.3 ± 7.1% and 6 (21.4%) patients had scaffold RAS more than 20%. Only one proximal edge intimal dissection was noted. The mean eccentricity index was 0.86 ± 0.04 and symmetry index 0.33 ± 0.08. ISA analysis showed that the percentage of malapposed struts was 1.5%. There were no short‐term cardiovascular events, and only 2 incidents of target lesion failure (TLF) occurred 13 months later. Conclusion. The Magmaris has excellent acute mechanical performance and no short‐term cardiovascular events occurred. There were only 2 TLFs that occurred 13 months later. It is suitable and feasible to treat vessels using the Magmaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid essential for synthesizing tetrapyrrole compounds, including heme, chlorophyll, cytochrome, and vitamin B12. As a plant growth regulator, 5-ALA is extensively used in agriculture to enhance crop yield and quality. The complexity and low yield of chemical synthesis methods have led to significant interest in the microbial synthesis of 5-ALA. Advanced strategies, including the: enhancement of precursor and cofactor supply, compartmentalization of key enzymes, product transporters engineering, by-product formation reduction, and biosensor-based dynamic regulation, have been implemented in bacteria for 5-ALA production, significantly advancing its industrialization. This article offers a comprehensive review of recent developments in 5-ALA production using engineered bacteria and presents new insights to propel the field forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]