ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the effectiveness of online-offline teaching combined with SimMan 3G simulation teaching in improving theoretical knowledge and practical skills for critical illnesses in cardiology among undergraduate students. Methods: This randomized controlled trial compared traditional bedside teaching (control group, n=120) with an innovative approach combining online education and SimMan 3G simulation teaching (experimental group, n=120) among 240 undergraduate clinical medicine students. The control group received traditional bedside teaching, while the experimental Group received a combination of online teaching plus a SimMan 3G simulation teaching. Subsequently, the theoretical and clinical practice scores and the students' satisfaction scores about the teaching methods and teaching effects were collected and analyzed. Results: The experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in both theoretical (89.42±11.28 vs. 76.49±17.42) and clinical practice scores (18.04±4.32 vs. 15.33±3.94) compared to the control group, alongside a higher satisfaction score. Conclusions: The integration of online-offline teaching with SimMan 3G simulation teaching offers a promising model for enhancing cardiology education, suggesting a valuable direction for curriculum development in medical training programs.
ABSTRACT
Atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, due to relatively low sensitivities and poor resolution, the results of surgical resection are often largely unsatisfactory. Moreover, many chemotherapeutic agents, such as curcumin (Cur), are restricted by the low blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Recently, nanotechnology proposes new opportunities to overcome these treatment barriers. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) was prepared by the high-temperature solid-state method, and then loaded into amphiphilic polymer DSPE-PEG to form SDP nanoparticles by hydrogen bonding in oil phase. The curcumin was encapsulated in SDP nanoparticles by self-assembly. Finally, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Cy5.5 were conjugated on into SDP/Cur nanoparticles by amidation reaction. The average particle size of the prepared multifunctional SDP-VCAM-1/Cur/Cy5.5 nanoparticles is 124.4 nm, which can provide the sustained release of Cur. Moreover, the nanoparticles are proved to have superparamagnetic properties and fluorescence properties. In vitro cell experiments show that nanoparticles have excellent biocompatibility, blood compatibility and macrophage targeting. These results show that SDP-VCAM-1/Cur/Cy5.5 nanoparticles can be used not only as dual imaging probe for magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence imaging, but also as carriers to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to inflammatory tissue, thus providing a promising opportunity for the treatment, molecular imaging and targeted therapy in atherosclerosis due to their established specificity and safety.
