ObjectiveBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, a discipline that elucidates life phenomena at the molecular level, serves as a core foundational course in medical education. It provides the theoretical basis for studying other basic and clinical medical subjects, as well as for understanding pathogenesis, disease diagnosis, and treatment. However, its complex content and highly abstract concepts have posed a dual challenge to traditional teaching models: “inefficient instruction” and “inadequate learning outcomes”. Within limited classroom hours, how to engage students and stimulate their intrinsic motivation, and how to help them recognize, understand, and develop a passion for biochemistry from the perspective of the discipline’s essence, have long been key focuses of curriculum research. MethodsUsing the lipid metabolism chapter as an example, this study employs “Rain Classroom”, a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted platform, to support education in four dimensions: teaching, learning, evaluation, and research. In teaching, it assists instructors through virtual experiments, lesson preparation support, knowledge mapping, and assignment design. For learning, it serves as an intelligent study assistant for students, providing automated assignment review, enabling educational resource sharing, and facilitating personalized learning pathways. In evaluation, the platform automates assignment grading, analyzes student performance data, and offers diagnostic feedback and teaching recommendations. In research, it aids educators in collecting and analyzing teaching data, as well as searching for and summarizing relevant literature. ResultsThe results indicate that an educational model integrating teacher-led instruction, student-centered learning, and generative AI assistance significantly enhances teaching quality, students’ self-directed learning abilities, and knowledge mastery. Furthermore, with the support of generative AI, curriculum-based ideological education—focusing on cutting-edge disciplinary advances and topical medical issues—helps cultivate students’ medical spirit of “honoring life and healing the wounded”, thereby fostering the establishment of appropriate professional values. Finally, while generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education, this study also analyzes potential risks in its teaching applications, emphasizing the need for both instructors and students to avoid over-reliance and to ensure that technological tools consistently serve the fundamental goals of education. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that integrating generative AI, specifically via the “Rain Classroom” platform, can effectively enhance biochemistry education. By supporting teaching, learning, evaluation, and research, this approach improves both educational effectiveness and student outcomes. It also facilitates the incorporation of cutting-edge knowledge and professional ethics, nurturing a patient-centered mindset. Additionally, the study addresses potential implementation risks to ensure that such technological tools remain aligned with the core purpose of education.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between serum chloride levels and prognosis in patients with hepatic coma in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We analyzed 545 patients with hepatic coma in the ICU from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Associations between serum chloride levels and 28-day and 1-year mortality rates were assessed using restricted cubic splines (RCSs), Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves, and Cox regression. Subgroup analyses, external validation, and mechanistic studies were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 545 patients were included in the study. RCS analysis revealed a U-shaped association between serum chloride levels and mortality in patients with hepatic coma. The KM curves indicated lower survival rates among patients with low chloride levels (< 103 mmol/L). Low chloride levels were independently linked to increased 28-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates. In the multivariate models, the hazard ratio ( HR) for 28-day mortality in the low-chloride group was 1.424 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.041-1.949), while the adjusted hazard ratio for 1-year mortality was 1.313 (95% CI: 1.026-1.679). Subgroup analyses and external validation supported these findings. Cytological experiments suggested that low chloride levels may activate the phosphorylation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, promote the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and reduce neuronal cell viability. CONCLUSION Low serum chloride levels are independently associated with increased mortality in patients with hepatic coma.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Intensive Care Units ; Prognosis ; Chlorides/blood* ; Aged ; Coma/blood* ; Adult

This study was analyzed the spatial-temporal distribution and aggregation characteristics of Yersinia pestispositive host animals and vector pathogens in marmot natural foci in the Qilian-Altun mountains,Gansu Province,to provide a scientific basis for precise plague prevention and control.Y.pestissurveillance data for marmot natural foci in Qilian-Altun Mountains of Gansu Province from 2014 to 2023 were obtained from the Disease Control and Prevention Center of Gansu Province.Origin 2024 software was used for data visualization and presentation.Global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses and trend analyses were conducted in ArcGIS 10.8 software,with townships as the spatial scale.Cumulatively,440 strains of Y.pestis were isolated from the natural marmot foci in the Qilian-Altun mountainsof Gansu Province from 2014 to 2023.Most strains was isolated from marmots(345 strains,78.41%),and the remainder were isolated from vectors.Temporal distribution analysis indicated that the highest number of detected bacteria was reported in July and August(both 121 strains,27.50%).Regional distribution analysis revealed that Aksai County reported the highest number of detected bacteria(255 strains,57.95%).Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a spatially clustered distribution of the number of bacteria detected annually in the townships containing natural foci,except in2014,2016,and 2021-2023.The strongest spatial clustering was observed in 2020(Moran's I=0.521 2,Z=14.397 0,P<0.001).Local spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated a"high-high"aggregation area in the natural foci every year from 2014 to 2023,primarily in Hongliuwan Town of Aksai County and Dangchengwan Town of Subei County.The distribution of the"low-low"aggregation area was essentially consistent with the low activity area of the Yersinia pestisepidemic.The trend in annual total bacterial count gradually increased from east to west,and peaked in the western part of the epidemic focus.Clear spatial aggregation characteristics of the number of Y.pestis were detected in the marmot natural foci in the Qilian-Altun mountains at the townshiplevel as a whole in Gansu Province from 2014 to 2023.The aggregation area was mainly in the western section of Qilian Mountain to the Altun mountain section of the epidemic source area.Monitoring and prevention and control efforts should be focused in this key area,with prevention and control measures tailored to the local conditions,and classified guidance to decrease the risk of plague occurrence and spread.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Objective To investigate the status of hearing impaired children's hearing device independence skills,and to explore the ways to improve their self-use of hearing equipment.Methods This study surveyed 64 re-habilitation teachers and 411 parents of children with hearing impairment aged 0-12 years.Through face-to-face or remote telephone interview,3 good habits(A asking parents for advice before removing the HA,B putting the de-vice into a moisture-proof box after removing it,C bringing batteries to school and knowing where are them)and 3 key abilities[D wearing the device independently,E replacing the battery independently,and F independently handle foreign bodies in the ear mold(Fa)and water vapor(Fb)]was investigated.The age when mastering skills or de-veloping habits difference of hearing impaired children in different groups were compared.Results ① The ratio of ability D in the bilateral CI group and the bilateral HA group of preschool children was 30.97％and 18.57％respec-tively.Among elementary school children,85.29％and 90.70％had this ability respectively.② The ratio of ability E in the bilateral CI group,the bilateral HA group and the bimodel group were 11.50％,15.71％and 16.49％,re-spectively.Among elementary school children,64.71％,53.49％and 68.52％had this ability,respectively.③Among preschool children,there was no statistical difference in age when different equipment groups developed the three good habits and acquired ability D and E(P＞0.05).④ Among primary school children,there was a statisti-cal difference in the age when different equipment groups formed habit A(P＜0.05),and the age when double CI group had this ability was slightly earlier than the double HA group.There was no significant difference in other abilities among age groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The age at which hearing impaired children develop the three good habits precedes the age at which they master the key skills,which accords with the law of skill acquisition and development of ordinary children.Corresponding teaching process should be based on the age and ability of hearing-impaired children without considering the type of equipment.

Objective To explore the correlation between gait disorders and alterations in diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)parameters in different regions of interest(ROI)and associated white matter tracts in older patients with leukoaraiosis(LA).Methods A total of 108 elderly LA patients admitted in our department from July 2023 to May 2024 were enrolled,and based on the Fazekas scale,they were divided into normal(n=28),moderate(n=48),and severe groups(n=32).Tinetti Gait Scale(TGS)was used to evaluate the morbility and balance function,and Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB)was employed to assess motor function.All participants underwent brain MRI and DTI scanning.Fractional anisotropy(FA)values were quantitatively measured in predefined ROIs and specific white matter tracts.Results The moderate and severe groups had significantly advanced age and higher homocysteine level,and lower total TGS score,Tinetti gait score,total SPPB score,and walking speed score than the normal group(P＜0.05).The severe group exhibited obviously lower education level,and decreased Tinetti balance score and standing score than the normal and moderate groups(P＜0.05).The FA values at the left pa-rietal lobe,the anterior horn of bilateral lateral ventricles,and the splenium of the left corpus cal-losum were notably lower,so were the FA values at the corpus callosum(left-right),left cortico-spinal tract(inferior segment),left anterior thalamic radiation(inferior segment),left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus(inferior segment),and left superior longitudinal fasciculus(inferior segment)in the moderate group and the severe group than the normal group(P＜0.05).The se-vere group demonstrated lower FA values at the left and right parietal lobes than the other two groups(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle(β=-0.683,P=0.001)and the left inferior corticospinal tract(β=-0.742,P=0.001)were influencing factors for gait disorder in elderly LA patients.Conclusion In elderly LA patients,gait disorders are correlated with decreased FA values in specific ROI and white mat-ter tracts,with the decreased FA values in the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle and the left inferior corticospinal tract demonstrating the most significant impact.

Objective To analyze the spatial distribution pattern of potential suitable habitats and the influencing factors of habitat spatial differentiation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma under current climate conditions.Methods Based on 137 distribution records of Gastrodiae Rhizoma sourced from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and 104 environmental variables acquired from the WorldClim dataset,a predictive model for the potential suitable habitat of Gastrodiae Rhizoma was developed using the MaxEnt model.The geodetector was applied to quantitatively analyze the environmental factors influencing the spatial heterogeneity of the suitable habitats.Subsequently,an overlay analysis with land cover types was conducted to obtain the distribution characteristics of forest land and cultivated land in the potential suitable habitats.Results Under current climate conditions,key environmental factors affecting the distribution of Gastrodiae Rhizoma included precipitation in July,average temperature in the coldest quarter,precipitation in the warmest quarter,water vapor pressure in September,altitude,and solar radiation in December.The potential geographical distribution range of Gastrodiae Rhizoma was 1.64×106 km2.Considering land cover types,the actual potential suitable area for Gastrodiae Rhizoma was 1.33×106 km2,of which the forest land area was 8.56×105 km2 and the cultivated land area was 4.74×105 km2.The highly suitable forest areas were mainly located within the provinces of Guizhou,Sichuan,Shaanxi,Hubei,Hunan and Gansu.The cultivated land suitable areas are mainly located within the provinces of Guizhou,Sichuan,Yunnan,Shaanxi and Hubei.Conclusion The highly suitable habitats of Gastrodiae Rhizoma are mainly located in provinces such as Guizhou,Sichuan,Shaanxi and Hubei,and are affected by factors such as solar radiation,water vapor pressure,temperature and precipitation.The research results can provide reference for the protection of wild Gastrodiae Rhizoma resources,artificial nurturing and optimal selection of ecological planting areas.

Objective To investigate the articulation acoustic characteristics of children with spastic cerebral palsy and their correlation with articulation intelligibility.Methods A total of 17 children with cerebral palsy and 17 ordinary children aged 6-12 years were included in the study,and the articulation acoustics and articulation intelligi-bility performance of the two types of children were compared by using three kinds of corpus:monophthong,single word and sentence,and the correlation between them was studied.Results The articulation intelligibility of the monophthong,single word and sentence corpus of children with spastic cerebral palsy was lower than that of ordina-ry children(P＜0.01),as follows:monophthong＞single word＞sentence.In the monophthong corpus,only mandibular distance and tongue distance were significantly lower than that of ordinary children(P＜0.05),and only mandibular distance and vowel space area(VSA)were significantly correlated with articulation intelligibility(P＜0.05).In the single word corpus,mandibular distance,tongue distance and VSA were significantly lower than that of ordinary children,while vowel ellipse area(VEA)was significantly higher than that of ordinary children(P＜0.05).All other indexes except VSA and formant centralization ratio(FCR)were significantly correlated with artic-ulation intelligibility(P＜0.05).In the sentence corpus,all the other indexes except mandibular distance were sig-nificantly worse than those of ordinary children(P＜0.05),and all the acoustic indexes were significantly correlated with articulation intelligibility(P＜0.05).Conclusion Children with cerebral palsy have poor articulation acoustic cha-racteristics and articulation intelligibility,and the corpus complexity will affect the degree of correlation between the two.

Objective To analyze the spatial distribution pattern of the potential suitable habitats for Cordyceps under current climatic conditions in China based on space characteristics and biological traits;To explore the key environmental factors affecting the spatial differentiation of its habitats.Methods The Maximum Entropy model was utilized as a predictive tool to synthesize the distribution data of Cordyceps and its associated species Polygonum viviparum and Polygonum macrophyllum,along with environmental variable data.Factor detectors and interaction detectors of geographic detectors were used to conduct geographic exploration of spatial differentiation factors in the suitable habitats of Cordyceps.Furthermore,by overlaying the potential suitable habitats of Cordyceps with surface cover types and the suitable areas of Polygonum viviparum and Polygonum macrophyllum,the specific distribution range of the potential suitable habitats for Cordyceps was refined.Results Under the current climatic conditions,altitude,the precipitation amount of the warmest season,the highest temperature in February,and the precipitation in July are the key environmental factors influencing the distribution of Cordyceps.The potential suitable habitats for Cordyceps reaches 1.18×106 km2,and considering surface cover types,the actual potential suitable habitats for Cordyceps is 7.33×105 km2.Taking into account the associated relationships between species,the actual potential suitable habitats for Cordyceps is 7.27×105 km2.Conclusion The results of this study can reflect the ecological needs of Cordyceps,promote its sustainable utilization of resources,and provide reference for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.