OBJECTIVES: Obtaining informed consent from research participants is an ethical and legal obligation for medical researchers in clinical studies. Electronic informed consent (eIC) is increasingly being adopted in clinical research worldwide. However, there is limited data on Chinese medical researchers' knowledge and attitudes toward eIC. This study aims to investigate their knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors regarding eIC use in clinical research. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified random sampling. From June to August 2022, medical researchers from 8 tertiary hospitals were surveyed via an online platform (Wenjuanxing). A self-developed eIC knowledge questionnaire and attitude scale were used to assess participants' understanding and perceptions of eIC. Univariate analysis was employed to explore factors influencing attitude scores and the correlation between knowledge and attitudes. A generalized linear model was used to analyze associations between demographic characteristics and attitude scores, including the frequency of difficulties in using smartphones or computers, preferred device for using eIC, and their interaction effects. Stratified analysis was further performed for significant interactions. RESULTS: A total of 399 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean accuracy rate on the eIC knowledge questionnaire was (94.88±15.50)%. Of the respondents, 74.9% had heard of eIC, and 84.5% preferred using mobile devices over computers to access eIC. The median attitude score was 3.41 (3.18, 3.76), indicating generally positive attitudes. Specifically, 81.7% found eIC more convenient than paper-based consent, 79.7% considered it more efficient, and 51.1% believed it could fully replace paper forms. However, 60.7% expressed concerns about data security and privacy, and 89.7% believed that relevant laws and regulations need improvement. Spearman correlation analysis showed a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.171, P=0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that the frequency of difficulty using devices and preferred device for eIC were significantly associated with attitude scores (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, the generalized linear model demonstrated that participants who occasionally experienced had difficulty using devices had significantly lower attitude scores compared to those who never had difficulty (β=-0.040, 95% CI -0.071 to -0.009, P=0.012). Those who preferred using PCs had significantly lower attitude scores than those who preferred mobile devices (β=-0.066, 95% CI -0.108 to -0.023, P=0.002). Interaction analysis showed a significant interaction analysis showed a significant interaction between age and preferred device (P=0.011), particularly among participants aged ≥45-year (P<0.001). No other interactions were found to be significant (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Medical researchers in China generally have a high level of knowledge and positive attitudes toward eIC, though concerns remain regarding data security and privacy. Future promotion of eIC in Chinese clinical research should be grounded in ethical considerations and address the specific needs of older users and mobile device users, while also enhancing researchers' competencies in using digital tools and eIC systems.
Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Informed Consent ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Male ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Adult ; Biomedical Research ; Research Personnel/psychology* ; Middle Aged ; China

Objective To investigate the effect-site concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC50 )of propofol required for loss of consciousness and onset of burst suppression and to assess the effect of target-control infusion(TCI)of remifentanil on these EC50 of propofol.Methods Sixty patients undergoning general anesthesia for scheduled surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30):group R received TCI of remifentanil with a target concentraton of 4 ng/ml 10 minutes before TCI of propofol,which started at a target plasma concentration of 1μg/ml and then increased by 1μg/ml step every 1 minute until the burst suppression ratio reach to 15%.Group N received a mock TCI of saline instead of remifentanil and the other procedures were as same as group R.During this,all patients were assessed by modified Observ-er’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S)scale,the loss of consciousness was definited by modified OAA/S values less than 2,the onset of burst suppression was definited by 15% of burst suppression ratio. Results The EC50 of effect-site concentration of propofol required for loss of consciousness and onset of burst suppression were 2.35 (95%CI 2.29-2.41)and 6.31 (95%CI 6.13-6.47)μg/ml respectively.The EC50 of propofol required for loss of consciousness was decreased to 1.73μg/ml by TCI of remifentanil,but the EC50 of propofol required for onset of burst suppression did not changed by TCI of remifentanil. Conclusion TCI of remifentanil could decrease the EC50 of propofol effect-site concentration required for loss of consciousness but has no effect on the EC50 of propofol required for onset of burst suppression.

In order to investigate the effects of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tyramine on the growth of Lycoris radiata suspension cells and the accumulation of alkaloids, the growth quantity of the cells as well as the content of alkaloids in cells were determined, which were treated with above three kinds of precursors alone and phenylalanine combined with tyrosine respectively. The results indicate that the addition of phenylalanine alone and addition of phenylalanine on the basis of tyrosine at high concentration (200 micromol/L) had no significant effect on the growth of Lycoris radiata suspension cells and the content of alkaloids in cells; whereas tyrosine and tyramine promoted the growth of the cells and alkaloids accumulation. Treated with tyrosine at high concentration (200 micromol/L), the content of alkaloids of the cells was 2.56-fold higher than that of the control group, the amounts of lycoramine (3.77 mg/g) and galanthamine (4.46 mg/g) were 6.61-fold and 6.97-fold higher than that of the control group, respectively. When treated with tyramine (200 micromol/L), the amount of alkaloids in Lycoris radiata suspension cells was 2.63-fold higher than that of the control group, and the amounts of lycoramine (4.45 mg/g) and galanthamine (5.14 mg/g) were 9.08-fold and 9.18-fold higher than that of the control group, respectively. The above results demonstrate that adding tyrosine and tyramine in the media significantly promoted the growth of the Lycoris radiata suspension cells and alkaloids accumulation in the cells.
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Galantamine ; chemistry ; Lycoris ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Phenylalanine ; chemistry ; Plant Cells ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts