Challenges and strategies in developing team-based learning in Chinese medical education.

INTRODUCTION: Team-based learning (TBL) is gradually being integrated into Chinese medical education. This study reports its current application status in Chinese medical schools, as well as the underlying challenges and strategies to improve TBL application. METHOD: We screened publication databases and surveys to investigate TBL usage and concerns regarding TBL application by Chinese medical educators. Articles published by 79 Chinese medical schools include 163 articles among 20 topic areas of basic medicine and 226 articles among 16 clerkship disciplines. The opinions of 123 Chinese medical teachers were solicited from 46 medical schools in 26 provinces/municipalities. RESULTS: Approximately less than half of Chinese medical schools used TBL in basic medicine or clerkship disciplines. Among these, only 10% of schools reported TBL usage in both clerkship disciplines and basic medicine. Both quantitative and qualitative results revealed that public awareness of TBL, executive support, professional training, sharing of resources and integration of multiple disciplines are critical factors in facilitating TBL application, and in recruiting and developing TBL teachers. CONCLUSION: TBL application in Chinese medical education is limited. Executive/financial support and establishment of a platform to provide technical support, share resources and regulate TBL practice quality will facilitate TBL application in Chinese medical education.

[Influence of peritoneal dialysate on nitric oxide production and viability of macrophage]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of commercial peritoneal dialysate (CDS) on function of macrophage. METHODS: Cultured peritoneal macrophages were divided into two experimental groups and their controls.(1) Macrophages were cultured in conditioned culture medium containing 50%CDS (0.139 mol/L glucose) for 24 h. (2)Macrophage were exposed to CDS containing 0.139mol/L glucose for 10, 30 and 60 min respectively, and then cultured in CDS-free medium for 24 h. The nitric oxide (NO) production and MTT in two groups were measured. In each control group, CDS was replaced by same amount of culture medium. RESULTS: NO production and MTT reduction ability (related to cell viability) of experimental groups were remarkably lower than those of controls and the NO production and MTT reduction in 60min CDS-exposed group were lower than that of 10 min and 30 min CDS-exposed group. CONCLUSION: Dialysate may have detrimental effects on viability and other function of macrophage and these effects may related to time length of CDS exposure.