ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the method and effect of applying just-in-time-teaching (JiTT) mode in the reform of the teaching method of biochemical comprehensive experiment (Isolation, Purification and Identification of γ-Globulin From serum). Methods A total of 100 undergraduate students in our 2016 clinical medicine were divided evenly into two groups: the control group and the experimental group. The control group used traditional teaching, and the experimental group used JiTT-based teaching. In the experimental group, an online environment for pre-classroom discussion and feedback was constructed by uploading learning resources such as short video and tutorials to the online teaching platform and the online learning exchange group 3-5 days before the class; the class session itself consisted of personal tests, face-to-face teaching by teachers, group discussion, finishing experimental report and answering questions etc., and was intended to evaluate the students' self-study. SPSS 22.0 was used to collect exam scores and questionnaire results, and the data between groups were compared using t test. Results The scores of individual test scores in the experimental group (9.44±0.59) were higher than those in the control group (8.77±0.41) (P=0.00), and the difference was statistically significant. In all the six questionnaire items pertaining to teaching effect , JiTT teaching method received higher scores than the traditional teaching method (P<0.05), and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion JiTT can improve the quality of biochemistry experiment teaching. It is worthwhile to try it in the teaching of other basic specialized courses.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>We previously demonstrated that the aqueous extract of the Schizandra chinensis fruit (AESC) ameliorated Cd-induced depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain through antioxidant activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of AESC on anxiety-like behavior and the levels of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (a metabolite of norepinephrine) in different brain regions during ethanol withdrawal in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 3 g/kg of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by daily intraperitoneal injection for 28 days followed by three days of withdrawal. During withdrawal, rats were given AESC (100 mg × kg(-1)× d(-1) or 300 mg × kg(-1)× d(-1), P.O.) once a day for three days. Thirty minutes after the final dose of AESC, the anxiogenic response was evaluated using an elevated plus maze, and the plasma corticosterone levels were examined by radioimmunoassay. Meanwhile, the concentrations of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and hippocampus were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal exhibited substantial anxiety-like behavior, which was characterized by both the decrease in time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the increased level of corticosterone secretion, which were greatly attenuated by doses of AESC in a dose-dependent manner. The high performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that ethanol withdrawal significantly increased norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, while not significantly altering them in the hippocampus. Similar to the results from the elevated plus maze test, the AESC significantly inhibited the elevation of norepinephrine and its metabolite in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results suggest that AESC attenuates anxiety-like behavior induced by ethanol withdrawal through modulation of the hypothalamic norepinephrine system in the brain.</p>