1,720,967 research outputs found
Using science songs for engaging Generation Y students
No full textSongs have demonstrated to be effective teaching and learning tools in young children. However, their efficacy remains to be investigated upon its usage for Generation Y students. Research on the use of science songs in middle school classes suggests that revisiting lecture content in an alternative form such as using lyrics, tests students' understanding in a way that cannot be achieved by a lecture. In this research, songs based on the more difficult subtopics in Medical Biotechnology and Chemistry was composed, encompassing many formulas, equations and facts to be remembered. This technique of song composition can be used in any subject and any tune can be used. Songs can be utilized for any class size, from tutorials to lecture halls. Students found it very enjoyable and stress-reducing when learning complex scientific facts. It added variety to their learning experiences and engaged Generation Y students more effectively through a variety of modalities and modes simultaneously
Using songs for teaching 21st century learners
No full textRecent studies have shown that songs may enhance learning as they function as mnemonic devices to
increase memorability. Songs based on the more difficult subtopics in Chemistry were composed,
encompassing many equations and facts to be remembered. This technique of song composition can be
used in any subject and any tune can be used. This technique can be utilized for any class size, from
tutorials to lecture halls. It was found in this study that students understood and retained key information
better. In addition, songs added variety to classroom learning experiences, lowered students’ stress levels,
increased enjoyment and engaged students more effectively by catering for students with different learning
styles
A review of developments and issues in PBL
No full textProblem Based Learning (PBL) is a student centred educational method characterized by the use of ‘real-world’ problems as a context for students to acquire knowledge. The problems in PBL are designed to challenge students to develop effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This approach produces independent students who can continue to learn on their own & in their chosen careers. In PBL, teachers act as facilitators to guide the students in their problem solving efforts. The teacher poses a problem and students are encouraged to work together to define the problem and determine the best fit solution. Students are assessed on their findings by a presentation or submission of a portfolio assessment. PBL enhances learning by providing a highly motivational environment for acquisition of knowledge; students are given more responsibility for their education, it adds variety to classroom learning experience and caters for students with differing learning styles. There is considerable interest in the advantages of problem-based learning over traditional approaches. In this review, an examination of the developments and issues pertaining to problem-based learning and its educational objectives are discussed
Rational design of live attenuated vaccine by site-directed mutagenesis and deletion in the 5’- non coding region of the enterovirus 71(EV-A71) genome
No full textThe Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is caused by a group of Enteroviruses such as Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackievirus CV-A6, CV-A10, and CV-A16. Mild symptoms of EV-A71 infection in children range from high fever, vomiting, rashes and ulcers in mouth, commonly affecting children and infants. EV-A71 can produce more severe symptoms such as brainstem and cerebellar encephalitis, leading up to cardiopulmonary failure and death. The lack of vaccines and antiviral drugs against EV A71 highlights the urgency of developing preventive and treatment agents against EV A71 to prevent further fatalities. The molecular basis of virulence in EV-A71 is still uncertain. It remains to be investigated if there is a universal molecular determinant present in every EV-A71 fatal strain or whether every fatal strain differs in virulence determinant depending on their sub-genotype. In this study, genetically modified EV A71 virus was constructed by substituting nucleotides at positions 158, 475, 486, and 487 based on the neurovirulence of poliovirus Sabin strains 1, 2 and 3. The single nucleotide difference between the fatal strain 41 (5865/Sin/000009) and the non-fatal strain (strain 10) was investigated to see if it is responsible for neurovirulence by introducing a nucleotide substitution (Guanine) at position 5262 in the EV-A71 strain 41
genome. Another mutant strain was also constructed through partial deletion of the 5’ NTR region in the EV-A71 genome. The virulence of the mutated EV-A71 strains were
evaluated in Rhabdomyosarcoma cell culture by plaque assays, tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) determinations, real time Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and production of VP1. It was observed that mutants 475 and the partial deletant (deletion from nt. 475-485 in the 5’NTR) had minimal cytopathic effects as compared to mutants 158, 486, and 5262 when transfected with RD cells. This was 4
consistent with the RT-PCR results that showed the viral RNA copy number for mutants 475, 487 and partial deletant (5’NTR) to be of lowest amount when RNA was extracted
from transfected RD cells. The partial deletant (PD) may be the most stable mutant genetically as it demonstrated high immunogenicity (neutralizing titre of 1:32) and low
pathogenicity and hence, could be a good potential LAV candidate for further studies. In addition, intraperitoneal administration of the heat-inactivated EV-A71 mutants 158,
475, 486, 487, 5262 and PD and the homologous EV-A71 whole virion in the murine model triggered both cellular and humoral immune response. The data collectively indicated that every fatal EV-A71 strain differs in virulence
determinant depending on their sub-genotype. Differences in nucleotide substitutions in the various mutants were reflected in the differences observed in immunogenicity based on the neutralizing titres of mice antisera. Hence, vaccines can be rationally designed to treat different EV-A71 genotypes and sub-genotypes
Development of novel miRNA-based vaccines and antivirals against Enterovirus 71
No full textThe Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackie viruses. Common HFMD symptoms are high fever (≥ 39oC), rashes, and ulcers but complications due to virulent EV-A71 may arise leading to cardiopulmonary failure and death. The lack of vaccines and antiviral drugs against EV-A71 highlights the urgency of developing preventive and treatment agents. Recent studies have reported the emergence of novel antiviral agents and vaccines that utilize microRNAs (miRNAs). They belong to a class of small (19-24 nt) non coding RNA molecules. As miRNAs play a major role in the host regulatory system, there is a huge opportunity for interplay between host miRNAs and EV-A71 expressions. A total of 42 out of 64 miRNAs were up-regulated in EV-A71-infected cells. There was consistent up-regulation of miR-1246 gene expression that targeted the DLG3 gene which contributes to neurological pathogenesis. In contrast, miR-30a that targets calcium channels for membrane transportation was down-regulated. This leads to repression of EV-A71 replication. The impact of host miRNAs on immune activation, shutdown of host protein synthesis, apoptosis, signal transduction and viral replication are discussed. miRNAs have been used in the construction of live attenuated vaccines (LAV) such as the poliovirus LAV that has miRNA binding sites for let-7a or miR-124a. The miRNA-bearing vaccine will not replicate in neuronal cells carrying the corresponding miRNA but could still replicate in the gastrointestinal tract and hence remains to act as immunogens. As such, miRNAs are attractive candidates to be developed as vaccines and antivirals
The final stage of developing genetically modified inactivated Sabin vaccine for the eradication of poliovirus
No full text
T Cell immunity to enterovirus 71 infection in humans and implications for vaccine development
Get PDFEnterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is one of the major pathogens causing hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Some strains can lead to neurological disease and fatality in children. Up to date, there is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent severe HFMD and mortality. Although the inactivated vaccine has advanced to production in China, lack of long-term protection and the requirement of multiple boosters
have necessitated the development of other types of vaccines. Recent studies indicate that cellular and
not humoral immunity determines the clinical outcome of EV-A71 infections. High levels of cytokines
such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ tend to correlate with clinical severity in patients with pulmonary
edema and encephalitis. The live attenuated vaccine may serve as the preferred choice as it can induce
excellent humoral and cellular immunity as well as live-long immunity. Expression of certain HLA alleles
such as TNF-α promoter type II (-308 allele), HLA-A33 and HLA-DR17 responses have been linked to
severe HFMD. However, the high variability of MHC genes could restrict T cell recognition and be a
major obstacle in the design of peptide vaccines. Hence, the development of a T cell universal vaccine
(incorporating both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes) that induces broad, multifunctional and cross-reactive CD8+ T cell responses maybe desirable
Crystal structure of the co-crystal O-isopropyl phenylcarbamothioate – 4,4′-bipyridine (2/1), C15H17N2OS
Get PDFC15H17N2OS, triclinic, P¯1 (no. 2), a=5.8595(3) Å,
b=9.2967(4) Å, c=14.0545(8) Å, α=83.320(4), β=
89.240(4), γ=74.524(4), V =732.71(7) Å3, Z =2,
Rgt(F)=0.0458, wRref(F2)=0.1231, T =100 K
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