The quality of group interactions in medical problem-based learning in China: the roles of intercultural sensitivity and group ethnic composition.

Background: Chinese universities are increasingly recruiting foreign students, and problem-based learning (PBL) is an effective approach to integrating those students. This study focuses on the role of intercultural sensitivity and group ethnic composition on the quality of group interaction in medical problem-based learning in China.

Methods: This paper reports an investigation of the differences in three types of group interaction (exploratory questions, cumulative reasoning, and handling conflict) among 139 s-year medical undergraduates from two backgrounds (Chinese and foreign) in a PBL setting.

Efficient dehydrogenation of a formic acid-ammonium formate mixture over AuPd catalyst.

A series of AuPd/C catalysts were prepared and tested for the first time for active and stable dehydrogenation of a formic acid-ammonium formate (FA-AF) mixture. The catalysts with different Au-to-Pd molar ratios were prepared using a facile simultaneous reduction method and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the catalytic activity and stability of the AuPd/C catalyst was the best.

Electrochemical preparation of surface molecularly imprinted poly(3-aminophenylboronic acid)/MWCNTs nanocomposite for sensitive sensing of epinephrine.

A nanocomposite with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with surface molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) poly(3-aminophenylboronic acid) (PAPBA) was successfully prepared via potentiodynamic electropolymerization and tested as an effective electrochemical material for epinephrine (EP) detection. The morphology and properties of the sensing material were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Compared with MWCNTs or non-imprinted polymers PAPBA modified MWCNTs electrodes, the PAPBA(MIPs)/MWCNTs modified electrode showed a lower charge transfer resistance and enhanced electrochemical performance for EP detection.

Clinical and bacteriological features and prognosis of ascitic fluid infection in Chinese patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and bacterascites (BA) represent frequent and serious complications in cirrhosis patients with ascites. However, few detailed data are available regarding the clinical and bacteriological feature of SBP or BA patients in China.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed bacteriological and clinical characteristics of patients with SBP and BA at Beijing 302 Hospital in China from January 2012 to December 2015.

Electrochemical preparation of two nanostructured poly(sulfosalicylic acid) films with different morphologies and properties for selective sensing of dopamine: Comparative study.

Two nanostructured poly(sulfosalicylic acid) (PSA) films were synthesized from room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) or aqueous solution on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via potentiodynamic electropolymerization. The morphology and properties of the PSA films were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning probe microscopy (SPM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). It was found that solvent had a major influence on the morphology and electrochemical properties of the resultant PSA films.

[Influence of Chaetomium globosmn ND35 fungus fertilizer on physiological characteristics of poplar in replanted soil.].

In the Forestry Experimental Station of Shandong Agricultural University, we determined the photosynthetic physiological and biochemical indexes including photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content of one-year-old poplar seedlings under different doses (0.17, 0.33, 0.

Highly lipophilic 3-epi-betulinic acid derivatives as potent and selective TGR5 agonists with improved cellular efficacy.

Aim: TGR5 is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed in intestinal L-cells and stimulates glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion. TGR5 may represent a novel target for the treatment of metabolic disorder. Here, we sought to design and synthesize a series of TGR5 agonists derived from the natural product betulinic acid.

Discovery and characterization of novel small molecule agonists of G protein-coupled receptor 119.

Aim: GPR119 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is highly expressed in pancreatic β-cells and intestinal L-cells and facilitates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). GPR119 may represent a novel target for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Here, we sought to identify novel small-molecule GPR119 agonists.

[Response processes of Aralia elata photosynthesis and transpiration to light and soil moisture].

By using CIRAS-2 portable photosynthesis system, the light response processes of Aralia elata photosynthesis and transpiration under different soil moisture conditions were studied, aimed to understand the adaptability of A. elata to different light and soil moisture conditions. The results showed that the response processes of A.

[Growth process and diameter structure of Pinus tabulaeformis forest for soil and water conservation in Loess Plateau Hilly regions].

Through stem analysis of sample trees, the biomass, growth process, and diameter structure of two 21 years old Pinus tabulaeformis forests growing on the shady and sunny slopes in Loess Plateau hilly and gully regions were investigated. The results showed that there were distinct differences between these two forests in their tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and timber volume. The forest biomass, growth status, and diameter structure on shady slope were superior to those on sunny slope.

Scanning electron microscopic observation: three-dimensional architecture of the collagen in hepatic fibrosis rats.

Background: In the process of hepatic fibrosis, the accumulation of collagen fibers is strongly related to the hepatic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional architecture of the collagen network in the liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis.

Methods: Healthy adult male Wistar rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into a control group (n = 16) and a hepatic fibrosis group (n = 16).