Tetra­kis(μ2-phenyl­acetato-κ2 O:O′)bis­[(isoquinoline-κN)copper(II)]

In the title centrosymmetric binuclear CuII complex, [Cu2(C8H7O2)4(C9H7N)2], the two Cu cations are bridged by four carboxyl­ate groups of the phenyl­acetate anions; each Cu cation is further coordinated by an isoquinoline ligand to complete the distorted CuO4N square-pyramidal geometry. The Cu cation is displaced by 0.2092 (8) Å from the basal plane formed by the four O atoms. Within the dinuclear mol­ecule, the Cu⋯Cu separation is 2.6453 (6) Å. Although a parallel, overlapped arrangement of isoquinoline ligands exists in the crystal structure; the longer face-to-face distance of 3.667 (5) Å suggests there is no π–π stacking between isoquinoline ring systems

Challenges of fully online learning for dermatology education: a retrospective study

BackgroundBlended learning has proven to be an effective teaching strategy. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, educational institutions worldwide switched to online learning. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of blended learning and fully online learning. This study aims to evaluate and compare whether pure online learning is as effective as traditional blended learning by taking the example of dermatology education.MethodsThe researchers compared traditional blended learning and fully online learning by evaluating the achievement scores of undergraduate students in a dermatology course in the academic years 2019 and 2020, respectively, at the Shandong First Medical University, China. In 2019, students undertook small private online courses (SPOCs) combined with face-to-face teacher-led learning. In 2020, live teacher-led learning replaced face-to-face teacher-led learning. The researchers also conducted a questionnaire survey in 2020.ResultsThe scores of students in 2019 were significantly higher than in 2020 (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the distribution of achievement variance in the scores between the two academic years. In the questionnaire survey, the majority of the students rated highly the fully online education mode and responded that pure online learning enhanced their self-study ability.ConclusionThe present study shows that fully online learning currently does not perform as well as traditional blended learning in terms of examination scores due to some limitations. However, pure online education has several advantages over traditional blended education. Online courses should be improved to ignite students’ interest and increase their learning efficiency

Dichloridobis(isoquinoline-κN)zinc(II)

In the title compound, [ZnCl2(C9H7N)2], the ZnII cation is coordinated by two Cl− anions and two isoquinoline ligands in a distorted ZnCl2N2 tetra­hedral geometry; the two isoquinoline ring systems are twisted with respect to each other at a dihedral angle of 45.72 (8)°. The parallel isoqiunoline ring systems of adjacent mol­ecules are partially overlapped, with the shorter face-to-face distance of 3.438 (19) Å indicating the existence of weak π–π stacking in the crystal structure

Tetra-μ2-acetato-κ8 O:O′-bis­[(isoquinoline-κN)copper(II)]

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Cu2(CH3COO)4(C9H7N)2], the CuII cation is coordinated by four acetate anions and one isoquinoline mol­ecule in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry; the CuII cation is 0.1681 (6) Å from the basal coordination plane formed by the four O atoms. Each acetate anion bridges two CuII cations to form the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex. Within the dinuclear mol­ecule, the Cu⋯Cu separation is 2.6459 (4) Å. A parallel arrangement of isoquinoline ligands of adjacent complexes is observed in the crystal structure; the face-to-face distance of 3.610 (10) Å suggests there is no π–π stacking between isoquinoline ring systems

catena-Poly[[diaqua­bis­(isoquinoline-κN)cobalt(II)]-μ-succinato-κ2 O 1:O 4]

In the title compound, [Co(C4H4O4)(C9H7N)2(H2O)2]n, the CoII cation, located on an inversion center, is coordinated by two succinate anions, two isoquinoline ligands and two water mol­ecules in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The succinate anion, located across another inversion center, bridges the Co cations, forming polymeric chains running along the b axis. The partially overlapped arrangement of parallel isoquinoline ring systems of adjacent polymeric chains and the shorter face-to-face distance of 3.402 (6) Å indicates the existence of weak π–π stacking in the crystal structure. Classical intra- and inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding and weak non-classical inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding help to stabilize the crystal structure

An investigation for the efficacy of teaching model of combining virtual simulation and real experiment for clinical microbiology examination

BackgroundAs a convenient teaching tool, virtual simulation experiment technology had been widely utilized in the field of medical education. However, virtual learning could not fully replace the benefits of in-person instruction. Therefore, finding ways to integrate both methods was crucial for achieving optimal educational outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the self-built virtual simulation and design experiment combining teaching mode and the traditional experimental teaching mode in the clinical microbiology examination experiment teaching.MethodsThis study was conducted at Shandong First Medical University in China. The experimental group consisted of 100 third-year students from the grade 2020 majoring in medical examination technology, who underwent an innovative teaching model combining virtual and real experiments. The control group comprised of 100 third-year students from the grade 2019 in the same major, who received traditional experimental teaching model. In this study, we referred to grade 2020 as cohort 2020 and grade 2019 cohort 2019. The performance of both groups was assessed via experimental and theoretical testing. Meanwhile, survey questionnaires were administered to evaluate the efficacy of the innovative experimental teaching model and students’ level of satisfaction with it. Cohort 2020 conducted a survey for modules 1 to 4, while cohort 2019 only conducted a survey for module 4, as detailed in the Appendix.ResultsThe majority of students in the experimental group expressed satisfaction with the teaching model that combined virtual and real experiments, as evidenced by their superior performance on both experimental operational skills (87.54 ± 8.93 vs. 82.39 ± 10.55) and theoretical knowledge tests (83.65 ± 9.02 vs. 80.18 ± 8.24) compared to those in the control group.ConclusionThe combination of virtual simulation experiment and design experiment in the microbiological examination of clinical specimens represented an effective pedagogical approach. The instructional approach had the potential to incite a passion for learning, enhance proficiency in standardized experimental techniques, foster the ability to integrate theory with practice, and cultivate clinical reasoning skills

iMyoblasts for ex vivo and in vivo investigations of human myogenesis and disease modeling

Skeletal muscle myoblasts (iMyoblasts) were generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using an efficient and reliable transgene-free induction and stem cell selection protocol. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, qPCR, digital RNA expression profiling, and scRNA-Seq studies identify iMyoblasts as a PAX3+/MYOD1+ skeletal myogenic lineage with a fetal-like transcriptome signature, distinct from adult muscle biopsy myoblasts (bMyoblasts) and iPSC-induced muscle progenitors. iMyoblasts can be stably propagated for \u3e 12 passages or 30 population doublings while retaining their dual commitment for myotube differentiation and regeneration of reserve cells. iMyoblasts also efficiently xenoengrafted into irradiated and injured mouse muscle where they undergo differentiation and fetal-adult MYH isoform switching, demonstrating their regulatory plasticity for adult muscle maturation in response to signals in the host muscle. Xenograft muscle retains PAX3+ muscle progenitors and can regenerate human muscle in response to secondary injury. As models of disease, iMyoblasts from individuals with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy revealed a previously unknown epigenetic regulatory mechanism controlling developmental expression of the pathological DUX4 gene. iMyoblasts from Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy R7 and R9 and Walker Warburg Syndrome patients modeled their molecular disease pathologies and were responsive to small molecule and gene editing therapeutics. These findings establish the utility of iMyoblasts for ex vivo and in vivo investigations of human myogenesis and disease pathogenesis and for the development of muscle stem cell therapeutics

Safety and effects of a home-based Tai Chi exercise rehabilitation program in patients with chronic heart failure: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionChronic heart failure (CHF), as the final stage of the progression of many cardiovascular disorders, is one of the main causes of hospitalization and death in the elderly and has a substantial impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to considerably enhance QOL and prognosis. Given the barriers to center-based CR faced by most developing countries in the form of expensive instruments, the development of home-based CR is necessary. Tai Chi, as an instrument-free exercise, has been shown to be successful in treating elderly CHF individuals. Fu Yang, as one of the academic concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), believes that the fundamental pathogenesis of CHF is the gradual decline of Yang, and emphasizes the restoration of Yang physiological function in the treatment process. Therefore, we develope a home-based Tai Chi exercise rehabilitation program called Fu Yang Tai Chi (FYTC) for elderly CHF patients by combining the Fu Yang Theory of TCM with the CR theory. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability, and safety of the program.Methods and analysisWe suggest conducting a parallel randomized controlled clinical trial with open label. Eighty CHF elderly participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the FYTC rehabilitation program group or the moderate-intensity aerobic walking control group. Eligible participants will engage in either three sessions weekly of FYTC or walking exercise for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the relative change in 6 min walk distance (6MWD). The secondary outcomes are the plasma levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), QOL, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and depression scale (SDS), exercise skills, and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring. Throughout the trial, adverse events will be recorded for safety evaluation. Researchers who are blinded to the treatment allocation will analyze the data.Ethics and disseminationThis research was authorized by the Guang'anmen Hospital Ethics Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2022-141-KY). Our findings will be shared online and in academic conferences as well as in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration numberChiCTR2200063511

Nicotine aggravates vascular adiponectin resistance via ubiquitin-mediated adiponectin receptor degradation in diabetic Apolipoprotein E knockout mouse

There is limited and discordant evidence on the role of nicotine in diabetic vascular disease. Exacerbated endothelial cell dysregulation in smokers with diabetes is associated with the disrupted adipose function. Adipokines possess vascular protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. However, whether and how nicotine primes and aggravates diabetic vascular disorders remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the alteration of adiponectin (APN) level in high-fat diet (HFD) mice with nicotine (NIC) administration. The vascular pathophysiological response was evaluated with vascular ring assay. Confocal and co-immunoprecipitation analysis were applied to identify the signal interaction and transduction. These results indicated that the circulating APN level in nicotine-administrated diabetic Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice was elevated in advance of 2 weeks of diabetic ApoE−/− mice. NIC and NIC addition in HFD groups (NIC + HFD) reduced the vascular relaxation and signaling response to APN at 6 weeks. Mechanistically, APN receptor 1 (AdipoR1) level was decreased in NIC and further significantly reduced in NIC + HFD group at 6 weeks, while elevated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression was induced by NIC and further augmented in NIC + HFD group. Additionally, nicotine provoked SOCS3, degraded AdipoR1, and attenuated APN-activated ERK1/2 in the presence of high glucose and high lipid (HG/HL) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MG132 (proteasome inhibitor) administration manifested that AdipoR1 was ubiquitinated, while inhibited SOCS3 rescued the reduced AdipoR1. In summary, this study demonstrated for the first time that nicotine primed vascular APN resistance via SOCS3-mediated degradation of ubiquitinated AdipoR1, accelerating diabetic endothelial dysfunction. This discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for preventing nicotine-accelerated diabetic vascular dysfunction