Construction and self-activation detection of yeast two-hybrid bait plasmid of human programmed cell death ligand 1 immunoglobulin variable region domain gene / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To construct a yeast two-hybrid recombinant bait plasmid of human programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)immunoglobulin variable region(IgV)domain gene,detect its expression in yeast and detect the cytotoxicity and self-activation of PD-L1 IgV protein as well as the interaction between PD-L1 IgV and human thioredoxin(hTrx).Methods Human PD-L1 was analyzed by bioinformatics method,and primers were designed to amplify PD-L1 IgV domain based on the coding region of PD-L1 gene registered in NCBI GenBank database. PCR amplification was carried out with pENTERPD-L1 plasmid as template,and then cloned into yeast two-hybrid bait vector pGBKT7. The recombinant bait plasmid and pGBKT7 empty vector were transformed into Y2HGold yeast cells respectively,and the PD-L1 IgV gene and its expression were detected by PCR and Western blot;Meanwhile,the protein toxicity and self-activation of PD-L1 IgV were detected,and the interaction between PD-L1 IgV and hTrx was detected by drip plate method.Results The bioinformatics analysis results of PD-L1 were consistent with related reports. The recombinant bait plasmid pGBKT7-PD-L1 IgV was correctly constructed,and Y2HGold positive clone was obtained,in which PD-L1 IgV was stably expressed. The empty vector pGBKT7 and recombinant bait plasmid pGBKT7-PD-L1 IgV grew well on SD/-Trp and SD/-Trp/X-α-Gal plates with the same colony size and number and white colony,but they did not grow on SD/-Trp/X-α-Gal/AbA plates,which indicated that PD-L1 IgV protein had no toxicity and no self-activation effect on yeast. The results of drip plates test showed that all experimental groups grew well on SD/-Trp/-Leu plate,while only positive control group grew on SD/-Trp/-Leu/X-α-Gal/AbA plate and showed blue color,which indicated that bait protein PD-L1 IgV and hTrx did not self-activate,and there was no interaction between them.Conclusion Recombinant human PD-L1 IgV bait plasmid was successfully constructed. PD-L1 IgV protein showed no toxicity and self-activation effect on yeast cells,and there was no interaction between PD-L1 IgV and hTrx. Subsequently,hTrx can be used to construct a peptide aptamer library,from which peptide aptamers that specifically bind to PD-L1 IgV can be screened.

Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Followed by Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Promising Concept in High?risk Octogenarians

Objectives: In this article, we present our initial clinical experience with staged minimally invasive direct coronary bypass (MIDCAB), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in high?risk octogenarians (Hybrid). Background: The use of percutaneous techniques for managing structural heart diseases, especially in elderly high?risk patients, has revolutionized the treatment of structural heart diseases. These procedures are present predominantly being offered as isolated interventions. The feasibility, clinical benefit, and outcomes of combining these techniques with MIDCAB have not been sufficiently explored and have subsequently been underreported in the contemporary literature. Methods: Four consecutive octogenarians with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and complex coronary artery disease (CAD) that were at high risk for conventional surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) were discussed in our Multidisciplinary Heart Team(MDH). Our MDH consisted of an interventional cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, and cardiac anesthesiologist. A hybrid approach with the alternative strategy comprising of MIDCAB, PCI, and TAVI in a staged fashion was agreed on. All 4 patients had both PCI/stenting and MIDCAB prior to deployment of the TAVI?prosthesis. Results: From January 2019 to December 2020, 4 consecutive patients aged between 83 and 85 (3male/1 female) years were scheduled for MIDCAB/ PCI followed by percutaneous treatment of severe symptomatic AS. Intraoperatively, one patient was converted to full sternotomy, and surgery was performed by off?pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The overall procedural success rate was 100% in all 4 patients with resolution of their initial presenting cardiopulmonary symptoms. There were no severe complications associated with all hybrid procedures. There was no 30?day mortality in all patients. All patients were discharged home with a median hospital stay ranging between 9 and 25days. All patients have since then been followed?up regularly. There was one noncardiac?related mortality at 6?months postsurgery. All other patients were well at 1?year follow?up with improved NewYork Heart Association Class II. Conclusions: In a selected group of elderly, high prohibitive risk patients with CAD and severe symptomatic AS, a staged approach with MIDCAB and PCI followed by TAVI can be safely performed with excellent outcomes. We advocate a MDH?based preliminary evaluation of this patient cohort in selecting suitable patients and appropriate timing of each stage of the hybrid procedure.

Potential larvicidal bioefficacy of copper sulfide-based hybrid nanoemulsions of eucalyptus oil against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus)

Background & objectives: Nanotechnology, an emerging field, has acquired considerable attention for the control of vectors. The present study aimed to synthesize, characterize copper sulfide- and eucalyptus oil-based hybrid nanoemulsions and investigate their larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti by studying larvicidal bioassay, morphological aberrations, histopathological alterations, biochemical analysis and evaluation of risk assessment in non-target organisms. Methods: Hybrid nanoemulsions were prepared by mixing aqueous copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuSNPs) with non-polar eucalyptus oil in five ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5) by sonication, screened and characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Larvicidal activity was recorded and toxicity values were calculated by log-probit method. Morphological, histological and biochemical changes were examined in Aedes aegypti larvae after treatment. Nanohybrids were also tested under simulated conditions and against non-target organism. Results: The nanohybrid ratio of 1:5 was found to be stable after thermodynamic stability tests. TEM studies revealed average size of 90±7.90 nm with globular shape. LC50 and LC90 toxicity values of prepared CuSNPs were calculated out to be 5.00 and 5.81ppm after 24 hours treatment. Effective concentration of prepared nanohybrid (6.5ppm) tested under simulated conditions showed maximum larvicidal mortality after 48 hours of exposure. No toxicity towards the Mesocyclops spp. was observed after treatment of these nanohybrids even up to 21 days. Interpretation & conclusion: Copper sulfide based hybrid nanoemulsions were found to show efficient larvicidal property which can be used for the formulation of ecofriendly bio-larvicide against Aedes aegypti.

Application of continuous nursing based on hybrid electronic platform and fragmented time concept in out-of-hospital rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the application effect of continuous nursing based on hybrid electronic platform and fragmentation time in the out-of-hospital rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Methods:This was a randomized controlled study. From April 2020 to October 2021, a total of 90 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in Weifang People′s Hospital were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling. Forty patients from April to December 2020 were selected as control group, and 45 patients from January to October 2021 were selected as intervention group. The control group implemented routine discharge guidance and follow-up, while the intervention group was given continuous nursing plan based on the concept of hybrid electronic platform and fragmented time. Before operation and 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, the knee range of motion and Lysholm score of patients in the two groups were analyzed. At 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, the rehabilitation exercise compliance score, self-efficacy score and knee stability examination of the two groups were analyzed.Results:A total of 41 patients in each group completed the study. At 1 month after operation, the knee range of motion, Lysholm score, rehabilitation exercise compliance score and self-efficacy score of intervention group were (96.46 ±3.58) ° and (53.54 ± 6.57), (69.17 ± 6.27), (4.01 ± 0.38) points, respectively. In the control group, they were (89.02 ± 4.22)° and (45.02 ± 7.61), (56.78 ± 8.45), (3.61 ± 0.42) points. At 3 months after operation, they were (136.83 ± 4.30)° and (72.76 ± 4.96), (60.71 ± 5.87), (4.97 ± 0.32) points in the intervention group, (133.54 ± 3.58)° and (69.83 ± 6.65), (56.73 ± 8.57), (4.83 ± 0.45) points in the control group, respectively. At 6 months after operation, they were (139.39 ± 1.99)° and (85.61 ± 6.11), (57.71 ± 7.41), (6.58 ± 0.96) points in the intervention group, (138.29 ± 2.65)° and (81.80 ± 6.38), (47.90 ± 6.02), (6.35 ± 1.23) points in the control group, respectively. The knee range of motion, Lysholm score and rehabilitation exercise compliance score of the intervention group were better than those of the control group at 1, 3 and 6 months after operation, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.12-8.61, all P<0.05). The self-efficacy score of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group at 1 month after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=4.57, P<0.05). Conclusions:The continuous nursing program based on hybrid electronic platform and fragmented time can improve the knee function of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the early postoperative period, improve the compliance of rehabilitation exercise and the level of early self-efficacy.

Research progress in the application of hybrid cell membrane biomimetic nano-drug delivery system in cancer treatment / 国际生物医学工程杂志

The biomimetic strategy of using the cell membrane-coated nanoparticles can retain the physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles and show the biological characteristics of the source cell membrane, which can further enhance the role of the nanodrug in tumor treatment. A hybrid cell membrane is the fusion of two or more different types of cell membranes. A hybrid cell membrane can endow nanoparticles with multiple biofunctions derived from the source cells compared with a single cell membrane. Hybrid cell membranes provide a foundation to stimulate extensive research into multifunctional biomimetic nano-drug delivery system (NDDS), which is expected to broaden the application of biomimetic nanotechnology in drug delivery systems. In this review paper, the types of hybrid cell membrane used to construct nano-drug delivery systems, the preparation and characterization methods, and cancer treatment research progress in recent years were reviewed.

Biomechanical Study on Contiguous Three-Level Cervical Hybrid Surgery and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the biomechanical effects of contiguous three-level cervical Hybrid surgery[anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) + cervical disc arthroplasty ( CDA)] and three-level ACDF. Methods The finite element model of C1-T1 cervical-thoracic spine was developed based on CT data. Three models were simulated by the implantation of Prestige LP and Zero-P prostheses, including two Hybrid models (AFA, Prestige LP implanted at C3-4 and C5-6 segments and Zero-P implanted at C4-5 segment; FAF, Zero-P implanted at C3-4 and C5-6 segments and Prestige LP implanted at C4-5 segment) and three-level ACDF model(FFF). The changes in range of motion (ROM) of adjacent levels during flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, the overall ROM, as well as the intradiscal pressure ( IDP) and facet contact force ( FCF) of adjacent levels were compared. Results The ROM in adjacent levels and the overall ROM of the AFA modelwere closer to the intact model, and the maximum increases in the ROM of the adjacent levels for the FAF and FFF models were 15. 0% and 23. 4% , respectively. For AFA, FAF and FFF models, the maximum increases in the maximum IDP of adjacent levels were 19. 0% , 66. 7% , 147. 6% , and the maximum increases in FCF were 17. 4% , 55. 7% , 80. 1% , respectively. Conclusions This study provides biomechanical basis for three-level cervical Hybrid surgery in treating patients with the contiguous three-level cervical degenerative disc disease.

Advance on small molecule self-assembled nano-drug delivery system / 药学学报

Since the application of biomedical nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery breathes new life into the research and development of high-end innovative agents, a substantial number of novel nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDSs) have been successively developed and applied in the clinical practice. Among them, small molecule pure drug and prodrug-based nanoassemblies have grasped great attention, owing to the facile fabrication, ultrahigh drug loading and feasible industrial production. Herein, we provide an overview on the latest updates of small-molecule nanoassemblies. Firstly, the self-assembled prodrug-based nano-DDSs are introduced, including nanoassemblies formed by amphiphilic monomeric prodrugs, hydrophobic monomeric prodrugs and dimer monomeric prodrugs. Then, the recent advances on nanoassemblies of small molecule pure chemical drugs and biological drugs are presented. Furthermore, carrier-free small-molecule hybrid nanoassemblies of pure drugs and/or prodrugs are summarized and analyzed. Finally, the rational design, application prospects and clinical challenges of small-molecule self-assembled nano-DDSs are discussed and highlighted. This review aims to provide scientific reference for constructing the next generation of nanomedicines.

Light-driven CO2 conversion system: construction, optimization and application / 生物工程学报

The use of light energy to drive carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction for production of chemicals is of great significance for relieving environmental pressure and solving energy crisis. Photocapture, photoelectricity conversion and CO2 fixation are the key factors affecting the efficiency of photosynthesis, and thus also affect the efficiency of CO2 utilization. To solve the above problems, this review systematically summarizes the construction, optimization and application of light-driven hybrid system from the perspective of combining biochemistry and metabolic engineering. We introduce the latest research progress of light-driven CO2 reduction for biosynthesis of chemicals from three aspects: enzyme hybrid system, biological hybrid system and application of these hybrid system. In the aspect of enzyme hybrid system, many strategies were adopted such as improving enzyme catalytic activity and enhancing enzyme stability. In the aspect of biological hybrid system, many methods were used including enhancing biological light harvesting capacity, optimizing reducing power supply and improving energy regeneration. In terms of the applications, hybrid systems have been used in the production of one-carbon compounds, biofuels and biofoods. Finally, the future development direction of artificial photosynthetic system is prospected from the aspects of nanomaterials (including organic and inorganic materials) and biocatalysts (including enzymes and microorganisms).

Identification of anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis agents targeting the interaction of bacterial division proteins FtsZ and SepFe

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadly diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which presents a significant public health challenge. Treatment of TB relies on the combination of several anti-TB drugs to create shorter and safer regimens. Therefore, new anti-TB agents working by different mechanisms are urgently needed. FtsZ, a tubulin-like protein with GTPase activity, forms a dynamic Z-ring in cell division. Most of FtsZ inhibitors are designed to inhibit GTPase activity. In Mtb, the function of Z-ring is modulated by SepF, a FtsZ binding protein. The FtsZ/SepF interaction is essential for FtsZ bundling and localization at the site of division. Here, we established a yeast two-hybrid based screening system to identify inhibitors of FtsZ/SepF interaction in M. tuberculosis. Using this system, we found compound T0349 showing strong anti-Mtb activity but with low toxicity to other bacteria strains and mice. Moreover, we have demonstrated that T0349 binds specifically to SepF to block FtsZ/SepF interaction by GST pull-down, fluorescence polarization (FP), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and CRISPRi knockdown assays. Furthermore, T0349 can inhibit bacterial cell division by inducing filamentation and abnormal septum. Our data demonstrated that FtsZ/SepF interaction is a promising anti-TB drug target for identifying agents with novel mechanisms.

mRNA delivery in cancer immunotherapy

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has drawn much attention in the medical field. Through various treatment approaches including protein replacement therapies, gene editing, and cell engineering, mRNA is becoming a potential therapeutic strategy for cancers. However, delivery of mRNA into targeted organs and cells can be challenging due to the unstable nature of its naked form and the low cellular uptake. Therefore, in addition to mRNA modification, efforts have been devoted to developing nanoparticles for mRNA delivery. In this review, we introduce four categories of nanoparticle platform systems: lipid, polymer, lipid-polymer hybrid, and protein/peptide-mediated nanoparticles, together with their roles in facilitating mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies. We also highlight promising treatment regimens and their clinical translation.

Self-assembled multifunctional nanotheranostics against circulating tumor clusters in metastatic breast cancer

Circulating tumor clusters (CTC) disseminating from the primary tumor are responsible for secondary tumor formation where the conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy does not prevent the metastasis at locally advanced stage of breast cancer. In this study, a smart nanotheranostic system has been developed to track and eliminate the CTCs before it can colonize at a new site, which would reduce metastatic progression and increase the five-year survival rate of the breast cancer patients. Targeted multiresponsive (magnetic hyperthermia and pH) nanomicelles incorporated with NIR fluorescent superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were developed based on self-assembly for dual modal imaging and dual toxicity for spontaneous killing of CTCs in blood stream. A heterogenous tumor clusters model was developed to mimic the CTCs isolated from breast cancer patients. The nanotheranostic system was further evaluated for the targeting property, drug release kinetics, hyperthermia and cytotoxicity against developed CTC model in vitro. In vivo model in BALB/c mice equivalent to stage III and IV human metastatic breast cancer was developed to evaluate the biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy of micellar nanotheranostic system. Reduced CTCs in blood stream and low distant organ metastasis after treatment with the nanotheranostic system demonstrates its potential to capture and kill the CTCs that minimize the secondary tumor formation at distant sites.

Effectiveness of arthroscopic "hybrid" suture for delaminated rotator cuff tear: A prospective randomized controlled study / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effectiveness of "hybrid" suture with en masse combined with double-layer repair under arthroscopy in repair of delaminated rotator cuff tear by comparison with en masse suture.@*METHODS@#Fifty-six patients with delaminated rotator cuff tears met selection criteria between June 2020 and January 2022 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups ( n=28) using a random number method. The patients in trial group underwent arthroscopic "hybrid" suture with the combination en masse and double-layer suture. The patients in control group underwent en masse suture under arthroscopy. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in terms of gender, age, rotator cuff tear side, tear size, cause of injury, disease duration, and preoperative American Association of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scoring, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and shoulder range of motion (forward flexion and lateral external rotation). The operation time, the difference of ASES score, UCLA score, VAS score, and shoulder range of motion (forward flexion and lateral external rotation) between pre- and post-operation were recorded and compared between the two groups ( P>0.05). The rotator cuff healing was examined by MRI and evaluated based on the classification criteria of rotator cuff healing proposed by Sugaya et al.@*RESULTS@#Three cases (1 case in the trial group and 2 cases in the control group) were excluded from the study due to loss of follow-up. Twenty-seven cases in the trial group and 26 cases in the control group were included in the final study analysis. All operations of the two groups were completed successfully. There was no significant difference in the operation time between groups ( P>0.05). The follow-up time was 10-12 months (mean, 10.9 months) in the trial group and 10-13 months (mean, 11.4 months) in the control group. All incisions healed by first intention. No surgery-related complications occurred. The UCLA score, ASES score, VAS score, and shoulder range of motion (forward flexion and lateral external rotation) of both groups at 9 months after operation were significantly superior to those before operation ( P<0.05). The difference of UCLA score, ASES score, and VAS score between before and after operation in the trial group were significantly better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). There was no significant differences between the two groups in the difference of shoulder range of motion (forward flexion and lateral lateral rotation) ( P>0.05). At 9 months after operation, according to the classification criteria of rotator cuff healing proposed by Sugaya et al, MRI showed that the rotator cuff healing of the trial group was significantly better than that of the control group ( P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with en masse suture, arthroscopic "hybrid" suture for the repair of delaminated rotator cuff tear has advantages in relieving pain and improving shoulder joint function, and the rotator cuff healing is better.

Research on eye movement data classification using support vector machine with improved whale optimization algorithm / 生物医学工程学杂志

When performing eye movement pattern classification for different tasks, support vector machines are greatly affected by parameters. To address this problem, we propose an algorithm based on the improved whale algorithm to optimize support vector machines to enhance the performance of eye movement data classification. According to the characteristics of eye movement data, this study first extracts 57 features related to fixation and saccade, then uses the ReliefF algorithm for feature selection. To address the problems of low convergence accuracy and easy falling into local minima of the whale algorithm, we introduce inertia weights to balance local search and global search to accelerate the convergence speed of the algorithm and also use the differential variation strategy to increase individual diversity to jump out of local optimum. In this paper, experiments are conducted on eight test functions, and the results show that the improved whale algorithm has the best convergence accuracy and convergence speed. Finally, this paper applies the optimized support vector machine model of the improved whale algorithm to the task of classifying eye movement data in autism, and the experimental results on the public dataset show that the accuracy of the eye movement data classification of this paper is greatly improved compared with that of the traditional support vector machine method. Compared with the standard whale algorithm and other optimization algorithms, the optimized model proposed in this paper has higher recognition accuracy and provides a new idea and method for eye movement pattern recognition. In the future, eye movement data can be obtained by combining it with eye trackers to assist in medical diagnosis.

Research on classification method of multimodal magnetic resonance images of Alzheimer's disease based on generalized convolutional neural networks / 生物医学工程学杂志

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease. Neuroimaging based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most intuitive and reliable methods to perform AD screening and diagnosis. Clinical head MRI detection generates multimodal image data, and to solve the problem of multimodal MRI processing and information fusion, this paper proposes a structural and functional MRI feature extraction and fusion method based on generalized convolutional neural networks (gCNN). The method includes a three-dimensional residual U-shaped network based on hybrid attention mechanism (3D HA-ResUNet) for feature representation and classification for structural MRI, and a U-shaped graph convolutional neural network (U-GCN) for node feature representation and classification of brain functional networks for functional MRI. Based on the fusion of the two types of image features, the optimal feature subset is selected based on discrete binary particle swarm optimization, and the prediction results are output by a machine learning classifier. The validation results of multimodal dataset from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) open-source database show that the proposed models have superior performance in their respective data domains. The gCNN framework combines the advantages of these two models and further improves the performance of the methods using single-modal MRI, improving the classification accuracy and sensitivity by 5.56% and 11.11%, respectively. In conclusion, the gCNN-based multimodal MRI classification method proposed in this paper can provide a technical basis for the auxiliary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Monitoria acadêmica no curso de medicina: o desenvolvimento de um ensino híbrido como estratégia para integrar o discente ingressante em tempos pós pandêmicos: um relato de experiência / Academic monitoring in the medical course: the development of a hybrid teaching as a strategy to integrate the entering student in post-pandemic times: an experience report / Seguimiento académico en la carrera de medicina: el desarrollo de una enseñanza híbrida como estrategia de integración del alumno de nuevo ingreso en tiempos post- pandémicos: relato de una experiencia

No período pós pandêmico o retorno às aulas se deu em modelos distintos, dentre eles, o híbrido, capaz de utilizar da melhor forma os recursos presentes, tanto na educação presencial, quanto na não-presencial. O presente trabalho é um relato de experiência com o objetivo de descrever a participação, como discente monitor, de três acadêmicos do curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino- Americana no projeto "Monitoria Acadêmica em Programa de Integração Ensino Serviço Comunidade I como estratégia para integrar o estudante ingressante", relatando o uso de ferramentas digitais no ensino híbrido como método de superação das barreiras temporais e espaciais e de engajamento discente. Nesse sentido, evidenciou-se maior flexibilidade de acesso dos discentes ingressantes à monitoria acadêmica pela introdução do ensino híbrido, contribuindo para o processo de adaptação à vida acadêmica. Ainda, o uso de ferramentas digitais se mostrou um facilitador do processo de sistematização e internalização das informações e vivências. Por fim, o fator de maior relevância na integração dos discentes foi a promoção de ambientes abertos a questionamentos com coordenação horizontal e rede de apoio, sejam eles presenciais ou não.

In the post-pandemic period, the return to classes took place in different models, among them the hybrid model, capable of making the best use of the resources present in both face-to-face and non-presential education. The present work is an experi- ence report with the objective of describing the participation, as a student monitor, of three students from the Medicine course of the Federal University of Latin American Integration in the project "Academic Monitoring in the Program for Integration Teaching- Community Service I as a strategy to integrate the entering student", reporting the use of digital tools in hybrid teaching as a method to overcome temporal and spatial barriers and to engage the students. In this sense, there was evidence of greater flexibility of access of the incoming students to academic monitoring through the introduction of hybrid tea- ching, contributing to the process of adaptation to academic life. Still, the use of digital tools proved to be a facilitator of the process of systematization and internalization of information and experiences. Finally, the most relevant factor in the integration of stu- dents was the promotion of open environments with horizontal coordination and support network, whether face-to-face or not.

En el período post-pandémico, el regreso a clases se dio en diferentes mo- delos, entre ellos el híbrido, capaz de aprovechar al máximo los recursos presentes en la enseñanza presencial y no presencial. El presente trabajo es un relato de experiencia con el objetivo de describir la participación, como alumno monitor, de tres estudiantes del curso de Medicina de la Universidad Federal de Integración Latinoamericana en el pro- yecto "Seguimiento Académico en Programa de Integración Docente Servicio Comuni- tario I como estrategia de integración del alumno ingresante", dando cuenta del uso de herramientas digitales en la educación híbrida como método de superación de las barreras temporales y espaciales y de compromiso del alumno. En este sentido, se evidenció una mayor flexibilidad de acceso de los estudiantes al seguimiento académico por la introdu- cción de la enseñanza híbrida, contribuyendo al proceso de adaptación a la vida acadé- mica. Aún así, el uso de herramientas digitales demostró ser un facilitador del proceso de sistematización e internalización de información y experiencias. Finalmente, el factor más relevante en la integración de los estudiantes fue la promoción de ambientes abiertos al cuestionamiento con coordinación horizontal y red de apoyo, presencial o no.

Mechanical behavior of different machinable ceramic crowns using vertical and horizontal preparations: an in-vitro study / Comportamento mecânico de diferentes coroas cerâmicas usináveis usando preparos verticais e horizontais: um estudo in vitro

Objective: the aim of this study was to compare the mechanical behavior of different ceramics when used in thin vertical preparations versus traditional horizontal preparation. Material and Methods: two stainless-steel dies were milled to simulate a minimally invasive vertical preparation (VP) and a traditional horizontal preparation (HP) for an all-ceramic crown of a maxillary first premolar. The stainless-steel dies were duplicated using epoxy resin. Eighty monolithic crowns were milled and divided into 2 groups according to preparation design. Each design group was subdivided into 4 sub-groups according to material (n=10): IPS e.max CAD (lithium disilicate), Bruxzir shaded zirconia (full contour zirconia), CeraSmart (resin nanoceramic) and CEREC Tessera (advanced lithium disilicate). The crowns were cemented on their relevant epoxy resin dies using self-adhesive resin cement. All specimens were subjected to 15,000 thermocycles and then loaded to fracture in a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey pair wise comparison test. Results: the fracture resistance mean values of the VP (1344 + 118 N) was significantly lower than the HP design (1646 + 191 N). Ceramic crowns made of full contour zirconia had higher fracture resistance mean values (2842 + 380 N) than advanced lithium disilicate (1272 + 125 N) followed by lithium disilicate crowns (983 + 52 N) and resin nanoceramic (882 + 61 N). Conclusion: both vertical and horizontal preparations, regardless the different ceramic materials, showed clinically acceptable fracture resistance values. (AU)

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o comportamento mecânico de diferentes cerâmicas quando utilizadas em preparos verticais finos ou preparos horizontais tradicionais. Material e Métodos: dois modelos de aço inoxidável foram fresados para simular um preparo vertical minimamente invasivo (PV) e um preparo horizontal tradicional (PH) para uma coroa totalmente em cerâmica de um primeiro pré-molar superior. As matrizes de aço inoxidável foram duplicadas usando resina epóxi. Oitenta coroas monolíticas foram fresadas e divididas em 2 grupos de acordo com o desenho do preparo. Cada grupo foi subdividido em 4 subgrupos de acordo com o material (n=10): IPS e.max CAD (dissilicato de lítio), zircônia Bruxzir (zircônia de contorno total), CeraSmart (resina nanocerâmica) e CEREC Tessera (dissilicato de lítio avançado). As coroas foram cimentadas em suas respectivas matrizes de resina epóxi usando cimento resinoso autoadesivo. Todos os espécimes foram submetidos a 15.000 ciclos térmicos e então carregados até a fratura em uma máquina de teste universal. Os dados foram analisados usando ANOVA com dois fatores e teste de comparação por pares de Tukey. Resultados: os valores médios de resistência à fratura do PV (1344 + 118 N) foram significativamente menores do que PH (1646 + 191 N). As coroas de cerâmica feitas de zircônia de contorno total apresentaram maiores valores médios de resistência à fratura (2842 + 380 N) do que dissilicato de lítio avançado (1272 + 125 N), seguido por coroas de dissilicato de lítio (983 + 52 N) e resina nanocerâmica (882 + 61 N). Conclusão: preparos verticais e horizontais, independentemente dos diferentes materiais cerâmicos, apresentaram valores de resistência à fratura clinicamente aceitáveis. (AU)

Comparison of faculty and student evaluations of the hybrid teaching of orthopedics during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background@#In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and a country-wide lockdown, the University of the Philippines College of Medicine halted face-to-face teaching in exchange for online learning for its students. For the Learning Unit VI students, clinical rotations shifted to hybrid activities to continue learning activities while minimizing exposure risk. The Philippine General Hospital Department of Orthopedics introduced the following hybrid activities in its curriculum for Learning Unit VI students: 1) Online Lectures, 2) Online Departmental Conference, 3) Online Division Rounds, 4) Online SGDs, 5) Written Case, 6) Online Exams, 7) Preceptorship, Demo, Return Demo, and 8) Online OSCE. The department used a variety of platforms including synchronous sessions, asynchronous pre-recorded lectures, and face-to-face teaching, as appropriate. @*Objectives@#The study compared the faculty and student course evaluations of activities in the hybrid ORTHO 251 course. @*Methodology@#Faculty and students were asked to evaluate each activity according to the Course Evaluation By Students (CEBS), the standard questionnaire used by the college, to determine the overall rating of each activity as well as any differences between the two groups. @*Results@#The hybrid activities conducted in the ORTHO 251 course were rated as good or excellent by the faculty and students, with differences in a few activities. Consultants rated online exams as being less effectively integrated and that there was inadequate time allotment for online SGDs, written cases, and online exams. Meanwhile, students rated all activities higher in terms of stimulating self-directed learning. @*Conclusion@#With good to excellent outcomes, this study found that it has at least satisfactorily matched the learning platform to the learning component. While knowledge may be taught via asynchronous recorded lectures or reading materials, attitude and thinking processes are better formed through synchronous discussion. Skills in medical education, including Orthopedics, are still best taught via face-to-face demoreturn demo. With this information, the department can investigate the causes of these differences and improve on the identified weaknesses.

The Performance of Graduation from Traditional Growing Rods with Apical Control Technique in Patients with Congenital Early-Onset Scoliosis / 罕见病研究

  Objective  Different from other etiologies of early-onset scoliosis (EOS), congenital early-onset scoliosis (CEOS) is mainly linked to vertebral anomalies, such as formation failures and segmentation failures at the apex segments. So far, there is little research on CEOS patients who have completed traditional growing rods (TGR) treatment, and the initial outcomes of TGR with or without apical control technique (ACT) are different. Therefore, we compared the "final" results of CEOS patients who completed TGR treatment with or without ACT.  Methods  We conducted a retrospective study of CEOS patients who completed TGR treatment from 2007—2020. They either had final fusion or were followed up after reaching skeletal maturity. We split the patients into two groups based on whether they had ACT with TGR or not. The ACT-TGR group had apical vertebrectomy/hemivertebrectomy with short fusion and TGR. The TGR-only group had only TGR. We looked at their demographic features, radiographic measurements, and complications.  Results  This study enrolled 46 CEOS patients, of which 13 patients were in the ACT-TGR group and 33 patients in the TGR group. The ACT-TGR group had a longer distraction interval (1.17 years vs. 0.75 years). The ACT-TGR group had a larger preoperative main curve [87.00(63.50, 98.00)], but the residual curve degrees were comparable between the two groups at the last follow-up (P=0.354). At the last follow-up, the T1-12 and T1-S1 heights were similar between the two groups. The ACT-TGR group had a lower number of implant-related complications per patient (0.77 vs. 1.48). Three patients in the ACT-TGR group underwent final fusion, while 17 patients in the TGR group underwent final fusion (P=0.060).  Conclusions  Both ACT-TGR and traditional TGR coud effectively correct deformity and preserve spinal growth in CEOS patients. ACT-TGR had a better corrective effect on patients with severe deformity and did not have a significant impact on spinal height. For patients with acceptable correction, spontaneous fusion and without implant failure, retaining the implant and continuing observation could be a strategy for graduating from growing rod treatment.

A hybrid home rehabilitation program for Moyamoya Disease to facilitate return to work and functional independence: A case report from a developing country during the COVID-19 pandemic

@#A 35-year-old female, right-handed, non-hypertensive, and non-diabetic Filipino presented with decreased verbal output and weakness of the right upper and lower extremities during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cerebral angiography showed bilateral steno-occlusive disease, which was consistent with Moyamoya disease. She underwent inpatient rehabilitation consisting of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Rehabilitation posthospital discharge was continued using a hybrid rehabilitation approach with a mixed in-person home rehabilitation and remote telerehabilitation. The hybrid approach helped ensure continuity of rehabilitation care, minimize travel and exposure to the hospital or community amid the COVID-19 risks, and reduce costs, without entirely losing the benefits that could only be obtained from hands-on therapeutic evaluation and treatment. After six months of hybrid rehabilitation, the patient was able to return to work and regain functional independence.

Peripheral brain access in small group discussion in anatomy

Background and Objective@#The pandemic has forced medical education to adopt online and hybrid set-ups, and this has greatly changed the way human anatomy is taught. Course-required knowledge can be accessed using raw references like original publications, collected reviews such as those found in books, as well as in shorter versions like summaries, and in online or electronic applications or software. With readily accessible online physical materials and human resources in anatomy, the value of learning by seeking out verifiable information to answer a real time query may change the current method of teaching and assessment of outcome-based learning in a heavy-recall subject such as human anatomy. For the student, sources of information or instruction are termed the “peripheral brain”. The objective of this study is to describe the medical students’ method in accessing medical information during a hybrid small group discussion.@*Methods@#In a modified hybrid laboratory set-up, a class of 200 students were divided into 18 groups, with two students in each group acting as laboratory dissector, who will broadcast their in-person classroom activities to the group members via zoom. The groups rotated in nine specimen stations consisting of soft-embalmed cadavers, plastinated specimen, models, bones, and VH dissector™ virtual dissector. Students were allowed to use any type of resources to accomplish the following tasks: 1) look for listed structures, 2) identify landmarks, and 3) describe functions. A Google sheet survey was administered a month after the activity on the following domains: search strategy, targeted references, and verifiability of information. @*Results@#There were 110 students with age range of 19-27 years old, who participated in the study. Their most accessed reference is still personally prepared notes, followed by electronic books. When using ebooks, the first thing students reported exploring is the table of contents, followed by the search button. If doing online search, the key word used is the structure or function of interest. In group dynamics, students prefer to divide the work and assign tasks to each member, instead of collectively and simultaneously discussing a topic. For them, the most important characteristic of a reliable peripheral brain is that it is the recommended reference, followed by how current the reference is, i.e., published in the last 3 to 5 years. Interestingly, for most students, the information must be acquired in 5 minutes, which is contrary to the preferred mode of reference. Artificial intelligence may enhance SGDs according to most of the students. In accessing peripheral brain, Google is perceived as the quickest, books are most reliable, and Pubmed is the most up-to-date. Most of the students preferred pre-assigned questions or tasks during SGDs, with equal distribution of work. Giving and receiving remote instructions is not a problem. Dealing with a difficult group member is important, but is not a problem in hybrid discussion. @*Conclusion@#The survey results provide valuable insight on learning strategies used by the current generation of medical students, who have started medical school during the pandemic and are used to online teachinglearning modes of instruction. These findings can be exploited in designing course activities. The concept of peripheral brain in small group discussions can be formally introduced to students learning anatomy to utilize modern technology in enhancing knowledge.