The implementation of Public-Private Partnership in China: A sustainable pathway?

The organizational forms of infrastructure in China are divided into two categories, the traditional Public Procurement Model (PUB) model and Public-Private Partnership(PPP) model. The main difference is the separation or binding of the construction and operation phases. A systematic understanding is needed of how Chinese local governments choose between these two models.

Ag-MWCNT Composites for Improving the Electrical and Thermal Properties of Electronic Paste.

With the development of microelectronics products with high density and high power, it is urgent to improve the electrical and thermal conductivity of electronic paste to achieve the new requirements of packaging materials. In this work, a new synthesis method of Ag-MWCNTs was designed: Firstly, carboxylated MWCNTs and stannous chloride were used as raw materials to prepare high-loading-rate Sn-MWCNT composite material to ensure the high loading rate of metal on the MWCNT surface. Then, Ag-MWCNT composite material was prepared by the chemical displacement method to solve the problem of the low loading rate of silver nanoparticles on the MWCNT surface.

Experimental Investigation of Effect of Flake Silver Powder Content on Sintering Structure and Properties of Front Silver Paste of Silicon Solar Cell.

Optimizing the performance of front silver paste is of great significance in improving the efficiency of the photoelectric conversion of crystalline silicon solar cells. As a conductive functional phase of silver paste, the structure and performance of silver powder have an important influence on the sintering process of silver paste and the conductivity of silver electrodes. Because of their two-dimensional structure, flake silver powders can effectively increase the contact area with other silver powders and silicon cells before sintering.

The Effect of the Swimmer's Trunk Oscillation on Dolphin Kick Performance Using a Computational Method with Multi-Body Motion: A Case Study.

The effect of a specific Chinese swimmer’s trunk oscillation on dolphin kick was investigated in order to optimize competitive swimming movement. Using a numerical simulation method based on multi-body motion, different swimmer’s trunk oscillation during a dolphin kick was analyzed. The simulation was conducted using 3D incompressible Navier−Stokes equations and renormalization group k-ε turbulence model, combined with the Volume of Fluid method to capture the water surface.

Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Different Undulatory Underwater Swimming Positions Based on Multi-Body Motion Numerical Simulation Method.

The study of hydrodynamic characteristics of swimming is the main way to optimize the swimming movement. The relationship between position, water depth, and swimming performance of undulatory underwater swimming are one of the main concerns of scholars. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the swimming performance of three different undulatory underwater swimming positions under various swimming depths using a numerical simulation method based on multi-body motion.

Characterization of a novel glucocorticoid-resistant human B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, with AMPK, mTOR and fatty acid synthesis pathway inhibition.

Background: Acquired glucocorticoid (GC) resistance remains the main obstacle in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. The aim of the present study was to establish a novel GC-resistant B-ALL cell line and investigate its biological characteristics.

Methods: A cell culture technique was used to establish the GC-resistant cell line from the parental cell, NALM-6.

Metabolic profiling of dialysate at sensitized acupoints in knee osteoarthritis patients: A study protocol.

Background: Acupuncture therapy is frequently used to treat Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) in clinic, and usually used local acupoints near the diseased knees as therapeutic targets. Some local acupoints appeared sensitization phenomenon which was called sensitized acupoints, which were regarded as important therapeutic targets to get better therapeutic effect on clinic. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the biological basis of acupoint sensitization.

Atorvastatin attenuates experimental contrast-induced acute kidney injury: a role for TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway.

Objectives: To investigate the protective effect of different atorvastatin doses on contrast-induced acute kidney injury and the related mechanism.

Methods: Healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, experimental control group and different-dose atorvastatin groups. A rat model of contrast-induced acute kidney injury was established.

Applying team-based learning of diagnostics for undergraduate students: assessing teaching effectiveness by a randomized controlled trial study.

Background: We aimed to introduce team-based learning (TBL) as one of the teaching methods for diagnostics and to compare its teaching effectiveness with that of the traditional teaching methods.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on diagnostics teaching involving 111 third-year medical undergraduates, using TBL as the experimental intervention, compared with lecture-based learning as the control, for teaching the two topics of symptomatology. Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT)-baseline and Group Readiness Assurance Test (GRAT) were performed in members of each TBL subgroup.

Friend or Foe? Flipped Classroom for Undergraduate Electrocardiogram Learning: a Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) is not only one of the most important parts of clinical diagnostics but also one of the most difficult topics to teach and learn. In order to enable medical students to master ECG interpretation skills in a limited teaching period, the flipped teaching method has been recommended by previous research to improve teaching effect on undergraduate ECG learning.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial for ECG learning was conducted, involving 181 junior-year medical undergraduates using a flipped classroom as an experimental intervention, compared with Lecture-Based Learning (LBL) as a control group.

Targeting mTOR/p70S6K/glycolysis signaling pathway restores glucocorticoid sensitivity to 4E-BP1 null Burkitt Lymphoma.

Background: Increasing evidence indicates that rapamycin could be used as a potential glucocorticoid (GC) sensitizer in lymphoblastic malignancies via genetic prevention of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Interestingly, we found that combined rapamycin with dexamethasone can effectively reverse GC resistance in 4E-BP1 null lymphoma cells. In this study, we investigated the potential link between mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway, glycolysis, autophagy and GC resistance.

[Controlled clinical study on compound Decumbent Corydalis Rhizome and diclofenac in treatment of knee osteoarthritis].

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of compound Decumbent Corydalis Rhizome (DCR) in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Totally 79 patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected from out-patient and inpatient departments of West China Hospital and randomly divided into the test group and the control group. The test group (n = 41) was given Compound DCR with the dosage of 1.

Preliminary investigation into application of problem-based learning in the practical teaching of diagnostics.

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach based on problems. Specifically, it is a student-centered, problem-oriented teaching method that is conducted through group discussions. The aim of our study is to explore the effects of PBL in diagnostic teaching for Chinese medical students.

New ideas for teaching electrocardiogram interpretation and improving classroom teaching content.

Background: Interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) is not only one of the most important parts of diagnostics but also one of the most difficult areas to teach. Owing to the abstract nature of the basic theoretical knowledge of the ECG, its scattered characteristics, and tedious and difficult-to-remember subject matter, teaching how to interpret ECGs is as difficult for teachers to teach as it is for students to learn. In order to enable medical students to master basic knowledge of ECG interpretation skills in a limited teaching time, we modified the content used for traditional ECG teaching and now propose a new ECG teaching method called the "graphics-sequence memory method.

Double positive CD4+CD8+ T cells: key suppressive role in the production of autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background & Objectives: The presence of CD4+CD8+ (double positive) T cells (DPT) in the target organs of several autoimmune diseases has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenic role of DPT in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: A total of 175 SLE cases and 125 matched healthy controls were investigated for CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes and DPT by flow cytometry.

[Endogenous hydrogen sulfide and androgen deficiency-induced erectile dysfunction in rats].

Objective: To investigate the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by androgen deficiency.

Methods: We randomly divided 30 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into six groups: 2-week control (A), 4-week control (B), 2-week castration (C), 4-week castration (D), 2-week castration + androgen replacement (E), and 4-week castration + androgen replacement (F), those in groups E and F subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP) at the physiological dose of 3 mg/kg per day after castration, while those in the other groups with isodose oil instead. At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, we determined the level of serum testosterone (T) , intracavernous pressure (ICP) , mean carotid arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats, measured the concentration of H2S in the plasma and corpus cavernosum tissue, and detected the expressions of cystathionine-P3-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

A controlled trial to compare the teaching quality of clinical-skills training faculty: the clinician-educator career path in China.

Background: Full-time clinician educators are becoming more predominant in China, yet their effect is unknown.

Purposes: The purpose of this study was to compare the teaching quality of full-time (FT) faculty with that of part-time (PT) faculty in one Chinese medical school.

Methods: In 3 consecutive years, 881 3rd year medical students were enrolled and randomly distributed into two groups, being taught by either a FT faculty member or a PT faculty member.

[Expression of Gphaq in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of patients with polymyositis and its correlation with disease activity].

Objective: To analyze the expression of Gaq in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of the patients with polymyositis (PM) and its correlation with disease activity evaluated by the clinical markers [manual muscle test (MMT),myositis disease activity assessment (MDAA),creatine phosphokinase (CK), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)].

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 30 patients with first onset PM and 30 healthy volunteers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these patients were collected and CD3+ T cells from PBMCs were sorted out with magnetic beans.

[Survival analysis and risk factors for survival in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a retrospective cohort study].

Objective: To study predominant risk factors for survival in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIM).

Methods: The clinical data of 163 cases of IIM were reviewed, who received the diagnosis and treatments in West China Hospital from January 1997 to December 2010. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used for the survival analysis of these patients with IIM.

[Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies complicated with pneumonias: clinical characteristics and pathogen analysis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathogen constitution and their tolerance to antibiotics in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) patients complicated with pneumonia and the associated risk factors.

Methods: The clinical data and pathogen test results of 93 IIM patients with pneumonia and 52 IIM patients without pneumonia (control group) were retrieved and compared.

Results: Age of onset and interstitial lung disease were identified as risk factors associated with IIM complicated with pneumonia.

[Risk factors associated with cardiac involvement in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis].

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with cardiac involvement (CI) in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM).

Methods: Medical records of 129 DM/PM patients were reviewed retrospectively. The risk factors associated with CI in those patients were screened through Xt tests or independent tests before a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

[Comparison of four diagnostic criteria for idiopathic inflammatory myopathy].

Objective: To compare the clinical values of four different criteria for diagnosing idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).

Methods: The four different criteria published in 1975, 1995, 1997 and 2004 were applied to 94 IIM patients and 98 patients with other myopathies in West China Hospital.

Results: The sensitivity of the four criteria for diagnosing IIM was 56.

General acteoside of Rehmanniae leaves in the treatment of primary chronic glomerulonephritis: a randomized controlled trial.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness and efficacy of the randomized, parallel, and controlled trial of Traditional Chinese Medicine, general acteoside of Rehmanniae leaves, compared with piperazine ferulate in the treatment of primary chronic glomerulonephritis. Rehmanniae leaves and piperazine ferulate can reduce proteinuria and erythrocyturia effectively in the treatment of primary chronic glomerulonephritis. A total of 400 patients diagnosed with primary chronic glomerulonephritis were recruited from outpatient clinics and were randomly assigned to the treatment group (general acteoside of Rehmanniae leaves, two 200mg tablets, bid) or the control group (piperazine ferulate, four 50-mg tablets, bid ).

A clinical analysis of risk factors for interstitial lung disease in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common and severe complication of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). The aim of our study was to identify risk factors for ILD by evaluating both clinical and biochemical features in IIM patients with or without ILD. From January 2008 to December 2011, medical records of 134 IIM patients in our rheumatology unit were reviewed.