Influence of the first wave of COVID-19 on Chinese students' psychology and behavior: a case study approach.

During the first wave of COVID-19, China demonstrated a strong commitment to epidemic prevention and control. This case study focuses on Z University, which adopted closed management when the epidemic was serious, and examines the influence of COVID-19 on students' psychology and behavior through interviews with 10 students. The research reveals that while students perceive closed management during the epidemic as enhancing safety and promoting learning engagement to some extent, the epidemic also has adverse effects on their physical health, psychology, and social life. These impacts included deteriorating physical health, feelings of rebellion and depression regarding college life, alongside concerns and aspirations regarding future job stability. In the discussion, we suggest that higher education institutions can utilize this information to shape policies and procedures, particularly concerning mental health and risk communication, not only during the current pandemic but also in future emergency or disaster scenarios.

Inhibitory role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosome in non-small-cell lung cancer: microRNA-30b-5p, EZH2 and PI3K/AKT pathway.

Exosomal microRNA (miRNA) exerts potential roles in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current study elucidated the role of miR-30b-5p shuttled by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived exosomes in treating NSCLC. Bioinformatics analysis was performed with NSCLC-related miRNA microarray GSE169587 and mRNA data GSE74706 obtained for collection of the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs. The relationship between miR-30b-5p and EZH2 was predicted and confirmed. Exosomes were isolated from BMSCs and identified. BMSCs-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-30b-5p were used to establish subcutaneous tumorigenesis models to study the effects of miR-30b-5p, EZH2 and PI3K/AKT signalling pathway on tumour growth. A total of 86 BMSC-exo-miRNAs were differentially expressed in NSCLC. Bioinfomatics analysis found that BMSC-exo-miR-30b-5p could regulate NSCLC progression by targeting EZH2, which was verified by in vitro cell experiments. Besides, the target genes of miR-30b-5p were enriched in PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. Animal experiments validated that BMSC-exo-miR-30b-5p promoted NSCLC cell apoptosis and prevented tumorigenesis in nude mice via EZH2/PI3K/AKT axis. Collectively, the inhibitory role of BMSC-derived exosomes-loaded miR-30b-5p in NSCLC was achieved through blocking the EZH2/PI3K/AKT axis.

Serum-derived extracellular vesicles promote the growth and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by delivering the m6A methylation regulator HNRNPC through the regulation of DLGAP5.

PURPOSE: Serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been reported to play an important role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current study sought to explore the effect of serum-EVs delivering m6A methylation regulator heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (HNRNPC) on the development of NSCLC through the regulation of discs large-associated protein 5 (DLGAP5). METHODS: NSCLC-related RNA-Seq and clinical data were first obtained from the TCGA database to screen differentially expressed m6A-related regulators, which were intersected with the differential genes in NSCLC-related microarray GSE43458 obtained from the GEO database for survival analysis and clinical correlation analysis. Correlation between HNRNPC and DLGAP5 expression was evaluated. Serum-EVs were isolated and identified, and the uptake of EVs by A549 cells was visualized using fluorescence microscopy. In vivo xenograft tumor models and tumor metastasis models were constructed in nude mice to observe growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells. RESULTS: HNRNPC was associated with poor prognosis and metastasis of NSCLC, and further implicated in the regulation of DNA replication and cell cycle-related pathways. HNRNPC might promote the growth and metastasis of NSCLC by identifying m6A modification of DLGAP5 mRNA. Serum-EVs delivered HNRNPC to NSCLC cells in vitro. In vivo experimentation further confirmed that serum-EVs could deliver HNRNPC to promote the growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that serum-EVs can deliver HNRNPC to NSCLC cells, wherein HNRNPC recognizes the m6A modification of DLGAP5 mRNA, thus ultimately promoting NSCLC growth and metastasis.

The sustainable development of Asian students' project-based learning: Implementing a holistic and indigenous Whare Tapa Rima Model.

This study employs a holistic and indigenous theoretical model called Whare Tapa Rima to examine the project-based learning (PBL) experiences of Asian students in a private training establishment, the W institution, at the tertiary level in New Zealand. The analysis shows that Asian students face challenges in their PBL journey in physical, cultural, interconnected emotional and intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions. Implications from the research analysis may be considered about how to provide better support and international services to Asian students involved in PBL programs worldwide by adopting the responsive, theory-informed framework of the Whare Tapa Rima Model.

Immunomodulatory functions of the circ_001678/miRNA-326/ZEB1 axis in non-small cell lung cancer via the regulation of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

High-throughput circular RNA (circRNA) sequencing identified circRNA_001678 (circ_001678) as an upregulated circRNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues. Hence, the current study sought to investigate the function and the underlying mechanism of circRNA_001678 in immune escape of NSCLC. Briefly, commercially purchased NSCLC cell lines were adopted for in vitro experiment to evaluate the effects of circ_001678 over-expression or knockdown on cell biological functions, including proliferation, migration and invasive abilities. In addition, the effects of circ_001678 on the in vivo tumorigenicity ability were evaluated for verification. Accordingly, we uncovered that circ_001678 over-expression augmented NSCLC progression in vitro and enhanced tumorigenicity ability in vivo. The interaction between circ_001678 and miR-326 predicted online was verified by means of luciferase and RNA pull-down assays. Furthermore, circ_001678 could sponge miR-326 to up-regulate ZEB1. On the other hand, the tumor-promoting effects of circ_001678 could be inhibited by anti-PD-L1/PD-1 treatment. Mechanistically, circ_001678 led to the activation of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway to promote CD8+ T cell apoptosis, thereby inducing NSCLC cell immune escape via regulation of the miR-326/ZEB1 axis. To conclude, our findings revealed that circ_001678 sponges miR-326 to up-regulate ZEB1 expression and induce the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway-dependent immune escape, thereby promoting the malignant progression of NSCLC.

The Challenges of Chinese University Leaders During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Case Study Approach.

The outbreak of COVID-19 had a profound impact on the practice of university leadership in China. This study employs a case study as the research method, interviewing five Heads of the Departments from the Z University in China to examine the challenges to leadership in Chinese universities during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores effective countermeasures. Research findings reveal that the challenges they faced manifested in the government's closed management requirements and the students' demands for freedom of entry and exit, the dynamic and flexible disciplinary development and the rigid teaching evaluation, and big data-enabled governance and the habit of human experience-oriented management. In response to these challenges, this study proposes suggestions for the Z University leaders in the post-pandemic era: establishing rules and regulations with a relaxed degree, tolerating ambiguity in online teaching, improving the ability of intelligent technology, and taking opportunities to learn.