An analytical model of college students' self-assessed satisfaction with the effectiveness of online learning: a structural equation model integrating LICE and S-O-R models.

Background: Nowadays, e-learning significantly affects college students' academic life. This study aims to examine the factors that influence college students' satisfaction with online learning outcomes.

Method: The study population consisted of undergraduate students from Dalian Medical University, with a total of 715 college students participating in the study.

Design method for eliminating spectral line tilt in a multiple sub-pupil ultra-spectral imager (MSPUI).

A multiple sub-pupil ultra-spectral imaging system designed with a single spectrometer and detector can simultaneously detect multiple-channel spectra with ultra-high spectral resolution. However, due to using a prism in the system's front end, the nonlinear dispersion introduces spectral line tilt in the imaging spectra. This phenomenon can lead to bias in the final spectral data.

[Factors influencing the chronic post-surgical pain after laparoscopic surgery for elderly patients with urinary tract tumors].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and potential influence factors that contribute to chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) in elderly patients with urinary tract tumors who underwent laparoscopic procedures.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 182 elderly patients with urinary tract tumors who were ≥65 years and underwent laparoscopic surgery from October 2021 to March 2022 in Peking University Third Hospital. The patients'demographic information, medical history and the severity of postoperative pain were collected.

Temporal Dynamics of Subclinical Malaria in Different Transmission Zones of Myanmar.

Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion have committed to eliminate Plasmodium falciparum malaria by 2025. Subclinical malaria infections that can be detected by highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in asymptomatic individuals represent a potential impediment to this goal, although the extent to which these low-density infections contribute to transmission is unclear. To understand the temporal dynamics of subclinical malaria in this setting, a cohort of 2,705 participants from three epidemiologically distinct regions of Myanmar was screened for subclinical P.

Association of liver enzymes levels with fasting plasma glucose levels in Southern China: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: According to several studies, liver enzymes levels are associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. However, the association stratified by body mass index (BMI) remains to be elucidated, especially in Southern China. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between liver enzymes levels and FPG levels stratified by BMI in Southern China.

Iron-Free Cathode Catalysts for Proton-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cells: Cobalt Catalysts and the Peroxide Mitigation Approach.

High-performance and inexpensive platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in challenging acidic media are crucial for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Catalysts based on Fe and N codoped carbon (Fe-N-C) have demonstrated promising activity and stability. However, a serious concern is the Fenton reactions between Fe and H O generating active free radicals, which likely cause degradation of the catalysts, organic ionomers within electrodes, and polymer membranes used in PEMFCs.

Effects of hydrotalcite on rigid polyurethane foam composites containing a fire retarding agent: compressive stress, combustion resistance, sound absorption, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness.

Polyether polyol, isocyanate, and a flame retardant (10 wt%), hydrotalcite (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 wt%) are used to form a rigid PU foam, while a nylon nonwoven fabric (400 g m) and a polyester aluminum foil are combined to serve as the panel. The rigid PU foam and the panel are then combined to form the rigid foam composites. The cell structure, compressive stress, combustion resistance, thermal stability, sound absorption, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the rigid foam composites are evaluated, examining the effects of using hydrotalcite.

Ordered PtCo Intermetallic Nanoparticles Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for Oxygen Reduction.

Highly ordered Pt alloy structures are proven effective to improve their catalytic activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Here, we report a new approach to preparing ordered PtCo intermetallic nanoparticles through a facile thermal treatment of Pt nanoparticles supported on Co-doped metal-organic-framework (MOF)-derived carbon. In particular, the atomically dispersed Co sites, which are originally embedded into MOF-derived carbon, diffuse into Pt nanocrystals and form ordered PtCo structures.

Association of mitochondrial displacement loop polymorphisms with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A preliminary study.

Objectives: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) were associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: Altogether 40 participants were recruited and classified into three groups, including 20 that fulfilled the Rome III criteria for diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), 10 with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), and 10 healthy volunteers (controls). DNA was extracted from biopsy specimens of the colon obtained during routine colonoscopies.

Nitrogen-Coordinated Single Cobalt Atom Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

Due to the Fenton reaction, the presence of Fe and peroxide in electrodes generates free radicals causing serious degradation of the organic ionomer and the membrane. Pt-free and Fe-free cathode catalysts therefore are urgently needed for durable and inexpensive proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, a high-performance nitrogen-coordinated single Co atom catalyst is derived from Co-doped metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through a one-step thermal activation.

Association of erythrocyte parameters with metabolic syndrome in the Pearl River Delta region of China: a cross sectional study.

Objective: Increasing studies have reported that erythrocyte parameters, including red blood cells (RBCs), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults worldwide. However, the association, stratified by sex, remains to be elucidated, particularly in the Pearl River Delta region of China. Therefore, our aim was to explore the association of erythrocyte parameters with MetS, stratified by sex, in the Pearl River Delta region of China.

Glutamate Impairs Mitochondria Aerobic Respiration Capacity and Enhances Glycolysis in Cultured Rat Astrocytes.

Objective: To study the effect of glutamate on metabolism, shifts in glycolysis and lactate release in rat astrocytes.

Methods: After 10 days, secondary cultured astrocytes were treated with 1 mmol/L glutamate for 1 h, and the oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and extra cellular acidification rate (ECAR) was analyzed using a Seahorse XF 24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Cell viability was then evaluated by MTT assay.

Radiofrequency ablation with or without ethanol injection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: To compare radiofrequency ablation (RFA) plus ethanol injection (EI) with RFA alone for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive search of studies among PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM) was conducted with published date from the earliest to May 1st, 2016. No language restrictions were applied, but only prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) were eligible for a full-text review.

Continuous Preparation of Carbon Nanotube Film and Its Applications in Fuel and Solar Cells.

So far, simultaneously realizing the continuous, controllable, and scalable preparation of carbon nanotube (CNT) film has remained a big challenge. Here, we report a scalable approach to continuously prepare CNT film with good control of film size and thickness. This is achieved through the layer-by-layer condensation and deposition of a cylindrical CNT assembly that is continuously produced from a floating catalyst CVD reactor on a paper strip.

Continuous Preparation of Copper/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films and Application in Solar Cells.

Realizing the continuous and large scale preparation of particle/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites with enhanced functionalities, and broad applications in energy conversion, harvesting, and storage systems, remains as a big challenge. Here, we report a scalable strategy to continuously prepare particle/CNT composite films in which particles are confined by CNT films. This is achieved by the continuous condensation and deposition of a cylindrical assembly of CNTs on a paper strip and the in situ incorporation of particles during the layer-by-layer deposition process.

MLL-ELL fusion gene in an acute myelomonocytic leukemia patient transformed from acute promyelocytic leukemia.

We report an extremely rare case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) with an MLL-ELL fusion gene lacking the PML-RARα rearrangement that transformed from hypergranular acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) without showing any karyotypic evolution. The treatment was effective with chemotherapy for M4 and idarubicin plus a cytarabine-based chemotherapy protocol without ATRA.

Continuous synthesis of graphene sheets by spray pyrolysis and their use as catalysts for fuel cells.

Graphene sheets (GNS) were synthesized continuously by spray pyrolysis of iron carbonyl and pyridine. The Pt catalyst supported on GNS exhibited excellent durability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The GNS, when used as a metal-free catalyst for ORR, showed performance even better than the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

Carbon nanocages: a new support material for Pt catalyst with remarkably high durability.

Low durability is the major challenge hindering the large-scale implementation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology, and corrosion of carbon support materials of current catalysts is the main cause. Here, we describe the finding of remarkably high durability with the use of a novel support material. This material is based on hollow carbon nanocages developed with a high degree of graphitization and concurrent nitrogen doping for oxidation resistance enhancement, uniform deposition of fine Pt particles, and strong Pt-support interaction.

Pdx1 protein induces human embryonic stem cells into the pancreatic endocrine lineage.

Success in generating insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from human embryonic stem (hES) cells by genetic manipulation has recently revealed a new therapeutic potential for diabetes. However, clinical application has been hampered by the viral genome integration and the risk of insertion mutagenesis that are entailed. Herein, we report the induction of hEC into IPCs by direct delivery of human Pdx1 proteins per se.

Oligomeric Aβ-induced microglial activation is possibly mediated by NADPH oxidase.

Recent studies have shown that oligomeric amyloid-β (oAβ) peptide can potentially activate microglia in addition to inducing more potent neurotoxicity compared with fibrillar Aβ (fAβ); however, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate the possible mechanisms involved in the microglial activation induced by oAβ in BV-2 microglial cells. The results showed that oAβ induced activated properties of microglia, including higher proliferative capacity as well as increased production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β).

Characteristics of achalasia subtypes in untreated Chinese patients: a high-resolution manometry study.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the clinical characteristics, manometric results and treatment outcomes of different subtypes of achalasia in untreated Chinese patients using high-resolution esophageal manometry.

Methods: A total of 75 achalasia patients and 34 healthy controls were enrolled in the study, and three achalasia subtypes were determined based on the Chicago classification. Clinical characteristics, manometric and treatment outcomes were compared.

Charging of unfunctionalized graphene in organic solvents.

Unfunctionalized graphene is positively or negatively charged when it is dispersed in organic solvents. The charging is negative in solvents with high electron donor numbers and positive in those with low donor numbers. We suggest that the charging originates from electron transfer between graphene surfaces and solvent molecules, and the stable dispersion of unfunctionalized graphene in organic solvents is mainly controlled by electrostatic repulsion between the charged graphene surfaces.

Abated microRNA-195 expression protected mesangial cells from apoptosis in early diabetic renal injury in mice.

Background: MicroRNAs are a class of highly conserved, small, noncoding RNAs that tailor gene expression mainly at the posttranscriptional level. The aim of the present study was to investigate the renal expression profiles of microRNAs and their potential involvement in early diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: Diabetic models were induced with streptozotocin in DBA/2 mice.

Progenitor cell mobilization enhances bone healing by means of improved neovascularization and osteogenesis.

Background: Although bone repair is a relatively efficient process, a significant portion of patients fail to heal their fractures. Because adequate blood supply is essential to osteogenesis, the authors hypothesize that augmenting neovascularization by increasing the number of circulating progenitor cells will improve bony healing.

Methods: Bilateral full-thickness defects were created in the parietal bones of C57 wild-type mice.