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Integrating research elements into undergraduate design education?
No full textThe study provides an explorative method to investigate the appropriateness of various research supports implemented for 4 design-related top-up degree programmes in Hong Kong. By utilizing the various conceptions of research from design students in the higher education context, we developed a quantitative instrument based on student approaches to learning (SAL) theory to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning research in the design context. Modified from the two-factor version Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ), the proposed instrument demonstrated good reliability and concurrent validity (ability to distinguish groups). The results provided insights for structuring student approaches to learning research in the design context
Neuroprotective effects of luteolin against apoptosis induced by 6-hydroxy dopamine on rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells
No full textContext: Apoptotic neuronal cell death plays an important role in Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Luteolin, a flavonoid, has been shown to possess various pharmacological properties including strong antioxidant capacity.
Objective: This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of luteolin against cytotoxicity induced by 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OHDA) (250 µM) in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line.
Materials and Methods: The neuroprotective effect of luteolin against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 was evaluated by using cell viability test, nuclear staining and flow cytometry. In addition, the apoptotic role of luteolin was unveiled by monitoring mRNA expression of proapoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes.
Results: Pretreatment with luteolin (3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 µM) could markedly attenuate 6-OHDA-induced PC12 cell viability loss in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell morphologic analysis and nuclear staining assays showed that luteolin (3.13, 12.5 or 50 µM) protected the cells from 6-OHDA-induced damage. As shown in the flow cytometry assay, the increased apoptotic rate induced by 6-OHDA could be significantly (p \u3c 0.001) suppressed by luteolin (12.5 or 50 µM) pretreatment. The protection of luteolin (50 µM) against 6-OHDA-induced cell damage was shown to be through suppressing the over-expression of Bax gene (p \u3c 0.01), inhibiting the reduction of Bcl-2 gene expression (p \u3c 0.05) and markedly depressing the enhanced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Luteolin also downregulated the gene expression level of p53.
Discussion and Conclusion: Luteolin has protective effects against 6-OHDA-induced cell apoptosis and might be a potential nutritional supplement which could be used to prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as PD
High photocatalytic activity of immobilized TiO2 nanorods on carbonized cotton fibers
No full textIn this study, TiO2 nanorods were successfully immobilized on carbon fibers by a facile pyrolysis of natural cotton in nitrogen atmosphere followed by a one-pot hydrothermal method. Carbonized cotton fibers (CCFs) and TiO2-CCFs composites were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Results implied that the band gap narrowing of TiO2 was achieved after integration of CCFs. Dye adsorption isotherm indicated that the maximum dye adsorption capacity (qm) of CCFs-1000 (13.4mg/g) was 2 times higher than that of cotton fibers and qm of TiO2-CCFs-1000 (9.0mg/g) was 6–7 times higher than that of TiO2 nanorods. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanorods prepared with 3mL Ti(OBu)4 showed the highest photocatalytic activity. TiO2-CCFs-1000 exhibited higher activity than TiO2 immobilized on CCFs-400, CCFs-600 and CCFs-800. Good photostability of TiO2-CCFs-1000 was found for dye degradation under visible light irradiation. The enhancement of photocatalytic dye degradation was due to the high adsorptivity of dye molecules, enhanced light adsorption and effective separation of electron–hole pairs. This work provides a low-cost and sustainable approach to immobilize nanostructured TiO2 on carbon fibers for environmental remediation
Novel asthma therapeutics: insights from whole-genome studies
No full textAsthma is characterized by recurrent and reversible airflow obstruction as well as bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Airway inflammation is central to asthma pathogenesis. Bronchodilators are advocated as rescue treatments for acute asthma symptoms, whereas anti-inflammatory drugs such as Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) are common controller therapies for chronic asthma. Leukotriene modifiers are widely prescribed alternatives to ICS. During the past several years, a number of pharmacogenomic studies adopting whole-genome arrays have identified novel gene targets that contribute to the heterogeneity in responses to these anti-asthma drugs. These gene chips contain dense probes that capture either genotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphisms or the expression of genes across the entire human genome. Through these approaches, CLCA1, periostin, serpinB2, FKBP51, NFKB, GLCCI1 and T gene were reported to modulate ICS response in asthma patients whereas ARG1, CRHR2, SPATS2L and COL22A1were novel genes for bronchodilator responses. Some of these therapeutic targets were replicated in independent populations and/or supported by downstream in vitro and in vivo experiments on their functionality. Adequate bioinformatics support was essential in pharmacogenomics research in view of the enormous amount of whole-genome data involved. These whole-genome findings will ultimately facilitate personalized asthma pharmacotherapy that allows us to choose among treatment options that will likely be effective to any particular patient. However, more resources and collaborative efforts are required to advance the pharmacogenomics research
Ginseng extracts restore high-glucose induced vascular dysfunctions by altering triglyceride metabolism and down-regulation of atherosclerosis-related genes
No full textThe king of herbs, Panax ginseng, has been used widely as a therapeutic agent vis-à-vis its active pharmacological and physiological effects. Based on Chinese pharmacopeia Ben Cao Gang Mu and various pieces of literature, Panax ginseng was believed to exert active vascular protective effects through its antiobesity and anti-inflammation properties. We investigated the vascular protective effects of ginseng by administrating ginseng extracts to rats after the induction of diabetes. We found that Panax ginseng can restore diabetes-induced impaired vasorelaxation and can reduce serum triglyceride but not cholesterol level in the diabetic rats. The ginseng extracts also suppressed the expression of atherosclerosis-related genes and altered the expression of lipid-related genes. The results provide evidence that Panax ginseng improves vascular dysfunction induced by diabetes and the protective effects may possibly be due to the downregulation of atherosclerosis-related genes and altered lipid metabolism, which help to restore normal endothelium functions
Validity and psychometric evaluation of the French version of RPE scale in young fit males when monitoring training loads
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to validate the French translation of the category-rating-10 used for assessing perceived exertion (RPE) when monitoring training loads.
Methods: Fifty athletes from individual (Taekwondo) and team sports (soccer) volunteered. Two forward translations, a reconciled version, and then a back-translation were completed to validate the final French version. French Session-RPE, heart rate, and duration were recorded for 622 training sessions.
Results: The comparability of language and similarity of interpretability using a Likert scale were 2 and 1, respectively. A high Cronbach\u27s α coefficient (α = 0.77) was found. The intraclass correlation coefficient of session-RPE was 0.77. High correlations were determined between the session-RPE and HR-based methods during training sessions. The effect size was 0.97.
Conclusions: When monitoring training load, the French version of category-rating-10 exhibits similar reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change as the English version
Factors affecting horticultural and cleaning workers\u27 preference on cooling vests
No full textOutdoor workers are at high risk of suffering from heat-related illness when they are exposed to a hot and humid environment under prolonged working time. Providing suitable cooling vests for these workers might help alleviate heat stress during summer time. However, whether workers are willing to wear cooling vests is still uncertain because of various personal preferences. To understand the determinants of worker preferences on two kinds of cooling vests, field studies were conducted in construction, horticulture and cleaning, and airport apron services industries, respectively. Workers were asked to rate 18 items of subjective attributes from a self-administrated questionnaire. Based on 17 items of subjective attributes, workers revealed four underlying factors; namely, thermal comfort, usability, tactile comfort, and fabric hand (feel), as the underlying factors affecting their preference. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted between the four underlying factors derived from factor analysis and one dependent variable ‘dislike–like’ to find out the reasons why horticultural and cleaning workers preferred one type of cooling vest over the others. Results indicated that while male and female workers were influenced differently by different underlying factors, usability was the common and determining factor having the strongest correlation with their preference regardless of gender difference. Thermal comfort, tactile comfort, and fabric hand (feel) were also important factors affecting their preferences. However, the choices of male workers were influenced more by thermal comfort, whereas female workers paid more attention to tactile comfort and fabric hand (feel). Therefore, gender differences should be considered in designing and constructing suitable cooling vests
Purpurin triggers caspase-independent apoptosis in Candida dubliniensis biofilms
No full textCandida dubliniensis is an important human fungal pathogen that causes oral infections in patients with AIDS and diabetes mellitus. However, C. Dubliniensis has been frequently reported in bloodstream infections in clinical settings. Like its phylogenetically related virulent species C. albicans, C. Dubliniensis is able to grow and switch between yeast form and filamentous form (hyphae) and develops biofilms on both abiotic and biotic surfaces. Biofilms are recalcitrant to antifungal therapies and C. Dubliniensis readily turns drug resistant upon repeated exposure. More than 80% of infections are associated with biofilms. Suppression of fungal biofilms may therefore represent a viable antifungal strategy with clinical relevance. Here, we report that C. dubliniensis biofilms were inhibited by purpurin, a natural anthraquinone pigment isolated from madder root. Purpurin inhibited C. dubliniensis biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner ; while mature biofilms were less susceptible to purpurin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed scanty structure consisting of yeast cells in purpurin-treated C. dubliniensis biofilms. We sought to delineate the mechanisms of the anti-biofilm activity of purpurin on C. Dubliniensis. Intracellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in fungal biofilms and depolarization of MMP was evident upon purpurin treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA degradation was evident. However, no activated metacaspase could be detected. Together, purpurin triggered metacaspase-independent apoptosis in C. dubliniensis biofilms