Analysis of the Current Situation and Factors Influencing the Clinical Thinking Ability of Nursing Undergraduates.

Context: Clinical thinking encompasses the critical analysis, judgment, and decision-making pertaining to the existing or potential nursing problems of patients. It plays a pivotal role in effectively executing clinical nursing work in alignment with the prescribed nursing procedures. Proficient clinical thinking empowers nurses with the capability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems. Objective: The study intended to investigate the current situation of clinical thinking ability of nursing students and its influencing factors, so as to improve their clinical thinking ability. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and the research took place at Taizhou University in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, China in the Faculty of Nursing. 143 full-time undergraduate nursing students at the University were selected for the cross-sectional survey, including a general questionnaire and a clinical thinking ability questionnaire for undergraduate nursing students. The respondents included nursing students in their sophomore, junior and senior years. Results: The survey results obtained between the first and the third year of study were included. Age of the participants ranged from 18 to 24 years, with an average age of 21.58 ± 2.45 years. The professional knowledge score of undergraduate nursing students in this survey was found to be 52.59 ± 13.93; ​the score of professional emotion was 14.21 ± 2.40; ​the score of professional will was 19.51 ± 2.15; ​the score of professional values was 14.40 ± 2.31; ​the professional skill score was 18.52 ± 2.06; the professional expectation was found to be 12.73 ± 1.30; and ​the total score was (99.26 ± 7.96). All dimensions and total scores of clinical ability of thinking among undergraduate nursing students in this survey were found to be average. Conclusions: Clinical thinking of undergraduate nursing students is found to be of a medium level, and the main influencing factors are grade and the satisfaction of teachers. Nursing colleges and practice hospitals should unite to adopt various ways to help nursing undergraduates cultivate and improve their clinical thinking ability.

Trait creativity, personality, and physical activity: a structural equation model.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that personality affects creativity, and physical activity and is associated with cognitive function. However, the relationship among physical activity, creativity, and personality remains unclear. This study sought to examine the relationship among personality, physical activity, and creativity to identify relevant risk factors of trait creativity. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the effect of personality (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) on physical activity, the effect of physical activity on creativity traits. METHODS: A total of 296 university students were recruited for this study. The survey was administered by WeChat. The self-reported questionnaires included questions related to demographic information, creativity (from the Williams Creativity Assessment Packet), the Big Five personality traits, and physical activity. A correlation analysis was conducted and the structural equation models were constructed using SPSSAU. RESULTS: The SEM analysis showed that openness in personality was positively correlated with physical activity. Physical activity was negatively correlated with curiosity, challenging, risk-taking, and imagination. CONCLUSIONS: Among university students, openness may be a profound positive factor affecting physical activity. Moreover, physical activity was also associated with trait creativity. Consideration should be given to assessing personality traits and physical activity to ensure the selection of more creative students.

Current Situation and Factors Influencing the Disaster Response Capability of Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Context: China is a country in which frequent natural disasters occur, but there is a lack of disaster education in Chinese institutions of higher education. Nursing students should receive disaster and emergency training in addition to their professional medical training. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the current situation and disaster knowledge and training needs of nursing students and to increase the disaster first aid knowledge of college nursing students. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: The study took place at Taizhou University in Taizhou, Zhejiang, China. Participants: Participants were 443 full-time undergraduate nursing students at Taizhou University in China. Outcome Measures: This cross-sectional survey included a general questionnaire and an undergraduate nursing student disaster nursing ability questionnaire. Results: The survey results were from the first to the third year of study. Students were age 20 to 23 years, with an average age of 20.57±1.85 years. The largest group (35.44%) was made up of juniors. The scores of 3 dimensions of this survey were: dimension of physical and mental quality dimension (3.76 ± 0.71), theoretical system dimension (3.00 ± 0.57) and practical competencies dimension (2.89 ± 0.68). The ability to adapt to rescue needs at the disaster site and whether or not the student had heard of the term "disaster nursing" is the dominant factor affecting the disaster nursing skills of undergraduate nursing students. Conclusions: The disaster relief of male undergraduate nursing student seniors is more positive and their physical and mental quality is better than female nursing students, but knowledge of disaster prevention and practical capability in disaster relief remain weak and there is a lack of a corresponding theoretical system and competence in practical knowledge and skills. It is recommended that systematic disaster nursing education at universities be improved. Knowledge of disaster rescue should be taught systematically to improve awareness of disaster procedures and response and improve the level of practical skills in disaster rescue. We should learn from the educational approach and models of disaster nursing training in developed countries in order to establish a disaster nursing education model in China.

Colitis and colorectal tumors should be further explored and differentiated.

The original article by Yuichi et al explored whether the Japan Narrow-Band Imaging Expert Team classification and the pit pattern classification are suitable for diagnosing neoplastic lesions in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this letter, we offer some other perspectives. Risk factors for colorectal tumors include type 2 diabetes. Among genetic factors, the deletion or mutation of some genes, such as the p53 gene, can lead to colorectal tumors. There are significant gender differences in the occurrence and development of colorectal tumors. Some non-genetic factors, such as smoking, are also associated with the development of colorectal tumors. These all suggest that colorectal tumors are not only caused by ulcerative colitis, and we suggest further exploration and differentiation between colitis and colorectal tumors.

Fuzhuan brick tea affects obesity process by modulating gut microbiota.

The effect of Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT) on metabolism in obese mice is mediated by regulation of N-methyltransferase by aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The expression of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene is regulated by many transcription factors, and those specific to this effect need further investigation. Experimental animal studies have been designed to observe the effects of a single drug or the sequential effects of drugs. A washout period should be included if different drugs (e.g., antibiotics and FBT) are given to avoid or reduce additive effects or synergy. Currently, most experimental studies performed in mice used only male animals. However, experience has revealed that the results of using only male mice are very likely to have sex differences.

WISP-1 overexpression upregulates cell proliferation in human salivary gland carcinomas via regulating MMP-2 expression.

BACKGROUND: WISP-1 is a member of the CCN family of growth factors and has been reported to play an important role in tumorigenesis by triggering downstream events via integrin signaling. However, little is known about the role of WISP-1 in proliferation of salivary gland carcinoma (SGC) cells. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the WISP-1 expression in SGC tissues via immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting assay, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method, and then evaluated the regulatory role of WISP-1 in the growth of SGC A-253 cells. In addition, the role of MMP-2 in the WISP-1-mediated growth regulation was also investigated. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the WISP-1 expression was upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels in 15 of 21 SGC tumor tissues, compared to the non-tumor tissues (five of 21), associated with the lymph node dissection and bone invasion. The in vitro CCK-8 assay and colony-forming assay demonstrated that the exogenous WISP-1 treatment or the WISP-1 overexpression promoted the growth of A-253 cells. In addition, we confirmed that the WISP-1 overexpression upregulated the MMP-2 expression in A-253 cells with the gain-of-function and loss-of-function strategies, and that the MMP-2 knockdown attenuated the WISP-1-mediated growth promotion of A-253 cells. CONCLUSION: We found that WISP-1 was overexpressed in the human SGCs, and the WISP-1 overexpression promoted the salivary gland cell proliferation via upregulating MMP-2 expression. Our study recognized the oncogenic role of WISP-1 in human SGCs, which could serve as a potential target for anticancer therapy.

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Propofol-Induced Cognitive Impairment via an Opioid Receptor-Independent Mechanism.

While general anesthesia is known to induce cognitive deficits in elderly and pediatric patients, its influence on adults is less well-characterized. The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of propofol on the learning and memory of young adult rats, as well as the potential neuroprotective role of electroacupuncture (EA) in propofol-induced cognitive impairment. Intravenous anesthesia with propofol was administered to young adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for 6 h, and EA was administered three times before and after anesthesia. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was conducted to determine the rat's cognitive performance following the anesthesia treatment. Our results showed that propofol induced obvious cognitive impairment in young adult rats, which could be ameliorated by multiple EA treatments. Moreover, the decreased level of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 ß (pGSK-3ß) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus accompanying the cognitive impairment was also reversed by EA treatment. Further experiments demonstrated that neither 2 nor 10 mg/kg (I.P.) naloxone blocked the effect of EA, indicating that the neuroprotective effect of EA on propofol-induced cognitive impairment was not mediated via the opioid receptors. The present study suggests that EA could ameliorate the cognitive impairment induced by prolonged anesthesia with propofol in young adult rats, which is likely associated with pGSK-3ß levels in the CA1 independently of opioid receptors. These findings imply that EA may be used as a potential neuroprotective therapy for post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

Integrated microRNA-mRNA analysis revealing the potential roles of microRNAs in tongue squamous cell cancer.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a rare and aggressive type of cancer, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Identification of patients at high risk of TSCC tumorigenesis may provide information for the early detection of metastases, and for potential treatment strategies. MicroRNA (miRNA; miR) and mRNA expression profiling of TSCC tissue samples and normal control tissue samples were obtained from three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data series. Bioinformatics analyses, including the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were used to identify genes and pathways specifically associated with miRNA-associated TSCC oncology. A total of 25 miRNAs and 769 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the two groups assessed, and all the differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA target interactions were analyzed. The miRNA target genes were predominantly associated with 38 GO terms and 13 pathways. Of the genes differentially expressed between the two groups, and confirmed in another GEO series, miRNA-494, miRNA-96, miRNA-183, runt-related transcription factor 1, programmed cell death protein 4 and membrane-associated guanylate kinase were the most significantly altered, and may be central in the regulation of TSCC. Bioinformatics may be used to analyze large quantities of data in microarrays through rigorous experimental planning, statistical analysis and the collection of complete data on TSCC. In the present study, a novel differential miRNA-mRNA expression network was constructed, and further investigation may provide novel targets for the diagnosis of TSCC.

[Follow-up of tuberous sclerosis complex complicated by epilepsy in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment outcome and risk factors for intractable seizures in children with tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)complicated by epilepsy. METHODS: The medical data of 66 cases of TSC were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Of the 66 children with TSC, 47 cases were available for follow-up. The follow-up period ranged from 7 months to 9.3 years (average 4.5 + or - 2.6 years). The patients' present average age was (7.7 + or - 4.1) years (median 8 years). Among the 47 cases, 19 (40%) had infantile spasms, 24 (51%) had tonic seizures, 15 (32%) had partial seizures, and 3 (6%) had tonic-clonic seizures, and additionally, multifocal seizures, atonic seizures, atypical absence seizures and hypomotor seizures each appeared in 1 case (2%) respectively. The average number of antiepileptic drugs used was 1.9 + or - 0.86 (median 1). Among the 47 patients, 12 (26%) still had epileptic seizures and 33 (70%)were seizure-free, and 4% were dead. Three cases underwent surgery and continued to receive medication after surgery. The three patients were seizure-free in a 1.5 years follow-up. Among the 30 children over 7 years old, 17 cases (57%) were enrolled in ordinary schools, 3 cases (10%) in special schools and the other 10 cases were off-school for disabilities of intelligence and speech. The non-conditional logistic regression showed that the age of onset (RR=1.8, 95% CI 1.0- 3.2, P=0.050), administration of multiple antiepileptic drugs (RR=4.8, 95% CI 1.2-18.6, P=0.024), tonic seizures (RR=0.003, 95% CI 0.0- 0.2, P=0.04) and sex (RR=0.016, 95% CI 0.0-0.5, P=0.017) were risk factors for intractable seizures. CONCLUSIONS: The majority (70%) of children with TSC complicated by epilepsy can be seizure-free with suitable treatment. The risk factors of poor outcome in seizure control may involve in the early onset age, tonic seizures and the administration for multiple anti-epileptic drugs.

[Controlling methods of clinical research on acu-moxibustion commonly used of abroad].

With the application of scientific studying methods, the level of clinical study has been improved greatly, and people has been paid more attention to scientific evaluation of the clinical effect of Chinese medicine and acu-moxibustion. Formerly, because of lack in acceptance and application of modern scientific studying methods in Chinese clinical acu-moxibustion researchers, their achievements weren't approved by the international academy for the faulty model of study. Randomized Control Trial (RCT) is the golden standard method widely accepted at present, so it is of great importance for clinical acu-moxibustion researchers to exert control methods correctly and effectively. The commonly used controlling methods of overseas clinical acu-moxibustion studies were discussed in this article in order to give some suggestion and benifits to the internal acu-moxibustion clinical researchers.

Influence of expressed TRAIL on biophysical properties of the human leukemic cell line Jurkat.

The cDNA fragment of human TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) was cloned into RevTet-On, a Tet-regulated and high-level gene expression system. The gene expression system was constructed in a human leukemic cell line: Jurkat. By using RevTet-On TRAIL gene expression system in Jurkat as a cell model, we studied the influence of TRAIL gene on the changes of cellular apoptosis before and after the TRAIL gene expression, which was induced by adding tetracycline derivative doxycycline (Dox). The results indicated that the cellular apoptosis ratio was largely dependent on the trail gene expression level. Moreover, it was found that the apoptosis-inducing TRAIL could cause significant changes in the biophysical properties of Jurkat cells. The cell surface charge density decreased, the membrane fluidity declined, the elastic coefficients K1 increased, and the proportion of a-helix in membrane protein secondary structure decreased. Thus, the apoptosis-inducing TRAIL gene caused significant changes on the biomechanic properties of Jurkat cells.

[Mediator complexes in gene transcription].

Major progresses have been made in recent years in understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in gene transcriptional regulation; these include the cloning and identification as well as functional analysis of mediator complexes. Mediator complexes, which consist of more than 20 protein subunits, have been found in a variety of eukaryotes including yeast, mouse and human. Mediators are capable of interacting with both transcription factors and RNA polymerase II, and thus are believed to participate in the transcription process by bridging specific transcription factors and the basal transcriptional machinery. The functional consequences of mediator complexes in gene regulation could be either positive or negative. This review is focused on recent findings regarding the composition, the structure and the function of mediator complexes.