To promote convergence education among national and international students, Nanjing Medical University designed an optional curriculum Two Sides of the Same Coin in Parasitic Diseases among international students for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, and a research-based teaching method was employed to teach 31 international students. This curriculum contained three parts, including parasitology-related knowledge, basic knowledge and skills of scientific research, and frontier topics in scientific research advances, and the assessment contents included course sign-in, classroom activity participation and scientific research presentation. Curriculum evaluation showed 100.0% (8/8) of students in batch 2018—2021, 81.8% (9/11) in batch 2022, and 83.3% (10/12) in batch 2023 with a total score of 80 points and higher, with median scores (interquartile range) of 91.1 (7.0), 90.8 (5.7) points and 90.8 (5.7) points, respectively (H = 0.04, P > 0.05). In addition, a questionnaire survey was performed with a Likert scale to assess the interests in curriculum learning, and the curriculum practicality and importance among 31 international students, and a total of 27 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a recovery rate of 87.1%. Questionnaire survey showed that the median total scores (interquartile range) were 7.0 (0.8) points among batch 2018—2021 students, 6.4 (1.4) points among batch 2022 students and 6.0 (1.1) points among batch 2023 students (H = 2.64, P > 0.05). Collectively, these data demonstrate that this optional curriculum improves the interests in parasitology learning of the international students for MBBS program, as well as their capability of self-directed learning, teamwork and innovative.

Objective:To observe the characteristics of multi-muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) network indices during static standing among hemiplegic stroke survivors, and to evaluate the value of the indices in assessing neuromuscular dysfunction.Methods:Ten male stroke survivors with hemiplegia were recruited into the hemiplegia group, and 10 age-matched healthy males were chosen as the control group. Both groups were required to perform 30s static standing tasks with their eyes open and closed. The sEMG signals from the bilateral gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were synchronously collected. Linear time-frequency domain indices were then calculated from the sEMG signals, including the root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF). Network indices were extracted from the multiplex recurrence network and weighted networks were constructed from the sEMG signals, including the average interlayer mutual information (I), average edge overlap (ω), clustering coefficient (C), average shortest path length (L) and degree of centrality (DC).Results:With the eyes closed, the RMS values of the bilateral GMs of the hemiplegia group, as well as the values for the RF and BF on the unaffected side were significantly higher than the control group′s values. In the hemiplegia group, the RMS values of the RF and BF muscles on the unaffected side were significantly higher than on the affected side during standing with the eyes closed. For the RF muscles the RMS values on the unaffected side were, on average, significantly higher than with the eyes open. The MF of the GM muscles on the unaffected side in the hemiplegia group was significantly lower than the average MF values of the bilateral GM muscles in the control group with the eyes open or closed. With the eyes closed, the MF of the unaffected-side GM was significantly lower than that of the affected-side GM in the hemiplegia group. Compared with the control group, the hemiplegia group showed a significant increase in I and ω values, but a significant decrease in L values with the eyes open or closed. The DC values of the bilateral GM, RF and BF muscles in the hemiplegia group were significantly higher than among the control group with the eyes open, which was also true of the bilateral GM and RF muscles with the eyes closed. With the BF muscles it was true only of the unaffected side. In the hemiplegia group, the DC values of the unaffected-side GM with the eyes open or closed, and of the unaffected-side BF with the eyes closed.Conclusions:When standing still, hemiplegic stroke survivors exhibit increased overall synchronous muscle adjustment with involvement of unaffected-side muscles, especially the GM. sEMG network indices such as I, ω, L and DC can assess multi-muscle synchronous adaptability and the involvement of single muscles. sEMG network algorithms thus have potential as a new method for localizing and quantitatively assessing neuromuscular dysfunction among such patients.

Objective:To observe the characteristics of multi-muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) network indices during static standing among hemiplegic stroke survivors, and to evaluate the value of the indices in assessing neuromuscular dysfunction.Methods:Ten male stroke survivors with hemiplegia were recruited into the hemiplegia group, and 10 age-matched healthy males were chosen as the control group. Both groups were required to perform 30s static standing tasks with their eyes open and closed. The sEMG signals from the bilateral gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were synchronously collected. Linear time-frequency domain indices were then calculated from the sEMG signals, including the root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF). Network indices were extracted from the multiplex recurrence network and weighted networks were constructed from the sEMG signals, including the average interlayer mutual information (I), average edge overlap (ω), clustering coefficient (C), average shortest path length (L) and degree of centrality (DC).Results:With the eyes closed, the RMS values of the bilateral GMs of the hemiplegia group, as well as the values for the RF and BF on the unaffected side were significantly higher than the control group′s values. In the hemiplegia group, the RMS values of the RF and BF muscles on the unaffected side were significantly higher than on the affected side during standing with the eyes closed. For the RF muscles the RMS values on the unaffected side were, on average, significantly higher than with the eyes open. The MF of the GM muscles on the unaffected side in the hemiplegia group was significantly lower than the average MF values of the bilateral GM muscles in the control group with the eyes open or closed. With the eyes closed, the MF of the unaffected-side GM was significantly lower than that of the affected-side GM in the hemiplegia group. Compared with the control group, the hemiplegia group showed a significant increase in I and ω values, but a significant decrease in L values with the eyes open or closed. The DC values of the bilateral GM, RF and BF muscles in the hemiplegia group were significantly higher than among the control group with the eyes open, which was also true of the bilateral GM and RF muscles with the eyes closed. With the BF muscles it was true only of the unaffected side. In the hemiplegia group, the DC values of the unaffected-side GM with the eyes open or closed, and of the unaffected-side BF with the eyes closed.Conclusions:When standing still, hemiplegic stroke survivors exhibit increased overall synchronous muscle adjustment with involvement of unaffected-side muscles, especially the GM. sEMG network indices such as I, ω, L and DC can assess multi-muscle synchronous adaptability and the involvement of single muscles. sEMG network algorithms thus have potential as a new method for localizing and quantitatively assessing neuromuscular dysfunction among such patients.

Objective:To explore and analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of language development in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:A case-control study was used, from May 2021 to August 2023, patients diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were enrolled in the mental health clinic of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics. The language ability of 272 children with ADHD and 117 healthy children who underwent physical examination in children′s health center during the same period were tested by Diagnostic Receptive and Expressive Assessment of Mandarin-Comprehensive (DREAM-C), and the development levels of total language, receptive, expressive, semantics and syntax of the two groups were compared by independent sample t-test. The influential factors of language lag in children with ADHD were analyzed by univariate χ2 analysis and multiple logistic regression. Results:There were 272 children with ADHD, including 206 males and 66 females, with an age range of 6-8 (7.29±1.17) years. While in the control group, there were 117 healthy children, including 91 males and 26 females, with an age range of 6-8 (7.02±0.82) years. The average scores of total language, expressive and syntax of ADHD children were lower than those of healthy children [(92.73±12.47/96.36±11.04), t=-2.857, P<0.05; (84.49±13.24/87.78±15.25), t=-2.029, P<0.05; (87.93±10.26/90.27±11.05), t=2.022, P<0.05]. Univariate χ2 analysis showed that disharmonious family relationship ( χ2=4.183, P<0.05), the main caregivers were non-parents ( χ2=9.121, P<0.05), early screen exposure ( χ2=3.889, P<0.05), ADHD family history ( χ2=5.423, P<0.05) were influential factors of language development lag in ADHD children. The results of multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that cesarean section ( OR=2.137, 95% CI: 1.078-4.379, P=0.030), disharmonious family relationship ( OR=2.659, 95% CI: 1.178-5.999, P=0.019), early screen exposure ( OR=3.556, 95% CI: 1.127-11.213, P=0.030), ADHD family history ( OR=1.959, 95% CI: 1.058-3.630, P=0.033) were risk factors for comorbidities of language development in children with ADHD. Conclusion:The total language ability, expressive and syntax scores of ADHD children lag behind those of healthy children. The delayed language development of ADHD children is related to delivery mode, family relationship, the main caregivers, early screen exposure, family history of ADHD.

Objective:To explore the application effect of the forgetting curve combined with blended learning in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) nursing training for ICU nurses.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to November 2022. Sixty-three ICU nurses from the First Hospital of Quanzhou City were selected using cluster sampling and divided into an observation group ( n=30) and a control group ( n=33). The control group received traditional teaching methods for training, while the observation group received training using the forgetting curve combined with blended learning. Compared the ECMO theoretical scores and skill operation scores of two groups of nurses after 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months of training; observed the core competencies and training satisfaction of ECMO nurses before and after training in two groups of nurses. Results:In the control group, there were 7 males and 26 females with an average age of (27.88 ± 4.36) years old; in the observation group, there were 6 males and 24 females with an average age of (28.67 ± 4.24) years old.Prior to training, there were no statistically significant differences in theoretical scores, skill operation scores, and core competencies between the two groups (all P>0.05). After 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months of training, the observation group′s ECMO theoretical scores were (80.33 ± 3.11), (78.13 ± 3.70), (76.73 ± 3.30) points respectively, higher than those of the control group which were (75.18 ± 3.30), (73.88 ± 2.75), (70.48 ± 2.96) points, with statistically significant differences ( t=6.36, 5.21, 7.92, all P<0.01); the observation group′s ECMO skill operation scores were (84.10 ± 4.16), (82.73 ± 3.71), (81.50 ± 3.40) points respectively, higher than the control group′s (78.09 ± 4.30), (74.97 ± 4.17), (71.85 ± 4.03) points, with statistically significant differences ( t=5.63, 7.77, 10.22, all P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between two groups of nurses in terms of ECMO theory score and skill operation score, as well as time and interactive effect after training ( Finteraction=11.16, 84.76, both P<0.05). After training, the observation group′s total score for ECMO nurse core competency was (280.23 ± 9.23) points, superior to the control group′s (245.39 ± 14.90) points, with a statistically significant difference ( t=11.26, P<0.01). The observation group′s satisfaction total score and the scores in various dimensions were (99.17 ± 10.79), (4.43 ± 0.50), (4.30 ± 0.53), (4.57 ± 0.68), (4.37 ± 0.67), (4.23 ± 0.57) points, all higher than those of the control group which were (84.30 ± 12.61), (3.67 ± 0.96), (3.48 ± 0.71), (3.67 ± 0.74), (3.73 ± 0.72), (3.82 ± 0.77) points, with statistically significant differences ( t values were 2.42 to 5.09, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of the forgetting curve combined with blended learning in ECMO nursing training for ICU nurses is scientifically feasible. It helps nurses master ECMO theory and skill operations, improve ECMO nurse core competencies, enhance training satisfaction, and provides a new method for ECMO nursing training.

Objective:To explore and analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of language development in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:A case-control study was used, from May 2021 to August 2023, patients diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were enrolled in the mental health clinic of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics. The language ability of 272 children with ADHD and 117 healthy children who underwent physical examination in children′s health center during the same period were tested by Diagnostic Receptive and Expressive Assessment of Mandarin-Comprehensive (DREAM-C), and the development levels of total language, receptive, expressive, semantics and syntax of the two groups were compared by independent sample t-test. The influential factors of language lag in children with ADHD were analyzed by univariate χ2 analysis and multiple logistic regression. Results:There were 272 children with ADHD, including 206 males and 66 females, with an age range of 6-8 (7.29±1.17) years. While in the control group, there were 117 healthy children, including 91 males and 26 females, with an age range of 6-8 (7.02±0.82) years. The average scores of total language, expressive and syntax of ADHD children were lower than those of healthy children [(92.73±12.47/96.36±11.04), t=-2.857, P<0.05; (84.49±13.24/87.78±15.25), t=-2.029, P<0.05; (87.93±10.26/90.27±11.05), t=2.022, P<0.05]. Univariate χ2 analysis showed that disharmonious family relationship ( χ2=4.183, P<0.05), the main caregivers were non-parents ( χ2=9.121, P<0.05), early screen exposure ( χ2=3.889, P<0.05), ADHD family history ( χ2=5.423, P<0.05) were influential factors of language development lag in ADHD children. The results of multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that cesarean section ( OR=2.137, 95% CI: 1.078-4.379, P=0.030), disharmonious family relationship ( OR=2.659, 95% CI: 1.178-5.999, P=0.019), early screen exposure ( OR=3.556, 95% CI: 1.127-11.213, P=0.030), ADHD family history ( OR=1.959, 95% CI: 1.058-3.630, P=0.033) were risk factors for comorbidities of language development in children with ADHD. Conclusion:The total language ability, expressive and syntax scores of ADHD children lag behind those of healthy children. The delayed language development of ADHD children is related to delivery mode, family relationship, the main caregivers, early screen exposure, family history of ADHD.

Microglial surveillance plays an essential role in clearing misfolded proteins such as amyloid-beta, tau, and α-synuclein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. However, due to the complex structure and ambiguous pathogenic species of the misfolded proteins, a universal approach to remove the misfolded proteins remains unavailable. Here, we found that a polyphenol, α-mangostin, reprogrammed metabolism in the disease-associated microglia through shifting glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, which holistically rejuvenated microglial surveillance capacity to enhance microglial phagocytosis and autophagy-mediated degradation of multiple misfolded proteins. Nanoformulation of α-mangostin efficiently delivered α-mangostin to microglia, relieved the reactive status and rejuvenated the misfolded-proteins clearance capacity of microglia, which thus impressively relieved the neuropathological changes in both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease model mice. These findings provide direct evidences for the concept of rejuvenating microglial surveillance of multiple misfolded proteins through metabolic reprogramming, and demonstrate nanoformulated α-mangostin as a potential and universal therapy against neurodegenerative diseases.

Information technology has become an important driver to facilitate higher education developments in the context of new medical sciences. A new “virtual-real combination” experimental teaching model was designed and created through integrating information technology with experimental teaching by Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Sciences and Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University and was applied in Human Parasitology teaching, which achieved satisfactory teaching effectiveness. This new model showed effective to deepen the understanding of the basic human parasitology knowledge, improve the operative skills, and cultivate the moral literacy and comprehensive capability among medical students. This report presents the teaching protocols and implementation, teaching effectiveness and evaluation, and experiences of comprehensive schistosome experiments.

Background: Cross-talk between mitogen-activated protein kinase and estrogen has been reported; however, the role of BRAFV600E in the estrogen responsiveness of thyroid cancer is unknown. We elucidated the effect of BRAFV600E on the estrogen-induced increase in metastatic potential in thyroid cancer. Methods: Using a pair of cell lines, human thyroid cell lines which harbor wild type BRAF gene (Nthy/WT) and Nthy/BRAFV600E (Nthy/V600E), the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and estrogen-induced metastatic phenotypes were evaluated. Susceptibility to ERα- and ERβ-selective agents was evaluated to confirm differential ER expression. ESR expression was analyzed according to BRAFV600E status and age (≤50 years vs. >50 years) using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. Results: Estradiol increased the ERα/ERβ expression ratio in Nthy/V600E, whereas the decreased ERα/ERβ expression ratio was found in Nthy/WT. BRAFV600E-mutated cell lines showed a higher E2-induced increase in metastatic potential, including migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth compared with Nthy/WT. An ERα antagonist significantly inhibited migration in Nthy/V600E cells, whereas an ERβ agonist was more effective in Nthy/WT. In the BRAFV600E group, ESR1/ESR2 ratio was significantly higher in younger age group (≤50 years) compared with older age group (>50 years) by TCGA data analysis. Conclusion Our data show that BRAFV600E mutation plays a crucial role in the estrogen responsiveness of thyroid cancer by regulating ER expression. Therefore, BRAFV600E might be used as a biomarker when deciding future hormone therapies based on estrogen signaling in thyroid cancer patients.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the injury characteristics of victims and treatment strategies in the explosion accident on the 17th May 2018 in Xixia county (Xixia "May 17th" explosion accident). Methods Based on the practice featured in pre-hospital emergency of Henan province and Nanyang city Emergency Center in the explosion accident, a retrospective analysis for the Level Three medical rescue was conducted, where a total of thirteen survived victims in Xixia "May 17" explosion accident were studied retrospectively. The data included the gender, age, burned extent and depth of the patients, burns complicated by trauma, complication of burn, respiratory function maintenance, resuscitation during shock stage, skin grafting with excision and scab. Furthermore, the data of organ function and the effect of the 90-day comprehensive treatment for the burned victims wereanalyzed. Results completion the Level Three treatment on time, which was depended on the leading role played by the regional trauma centers was the main rescuing mode of the work in Xixia county, where the primary and secondary treatments were the key parts. The three-level treatment model includes: the local hospital acts as a level-one emergency medical institution, county hospitals function as secondary emergency medical institutions, and other higher medical institutions are the tertiary first aid medical institutions. The pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency procedures were initiated immediately after the large-scale explosive burn being identified, the key to the successfully rescue was to set up a comprehensive treatment team for burns and trauma. Rescue team should involve burn department and other related departments, including the departments of emergency, general surgery, orthopedic, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, intensive care unit, blood transfusion unit, anesthesiology, and interventional radiology, etc. All the thirteen burned patients were male, with inhalation injury, blast injury, hemopneumothorax, brain injury, bone fractures, and etc. Eight of them (61.54%) had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). MODS mainly involved respiratory, circulatory, liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidney and coagulation function. With the multi-discipline treatment, the wound of 6 severely-burned patients started healing and can be discharged after keeping the patency of airway, applying resuscitation fluid and comprehensive treatments such as debridement and dressing change. Among 7 patients with extensive deep burns, one case with skull-based fracture, open craniocerebral, extensive intracranial hemorrhage and hemopneumothorax, died 9 hours later. Another case died within 24 hours after injury due to obvious exudation on the site of early incision and relaxation of wound. The escharotomy, micro-dermis and allograft skin transplantation were carried out for five cases with extensive deep burns from the 4th day after the recovery of shock. One week later, the second stage of microsphere skin transplantation was performed. But all died of sepsis or fungal infection. Conclusions MODS and infection often occur during the course especially for patients with extensive and deep burns due to the great explosion in Xixia county, most of whom were accompanied with MODS and infection. Therefore, assembling multi-discipline team for treating the group of explosively-burned patients can increase the survival rate and reduce the possibility of disability.