Optimizing short-term in-class process evaluation: analyzing the effectiveness of teaching interventions in pharmaceutical education using repeated measures analysis.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of the effectiveness of teaching interventions in enhancing students' understanding of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) Classification System is crucial in pharmaceutical education. This is especially true in regions like China, where the integration of the PCNE system into undergraduate teaching is limited, despite its recognized benefits in addressing drug-related problems in clinical pharmacy practice. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching interventions in improving students' understanding of the PCNE Classification System in pharmaceutical education. METHODS: Undergraduate pharmacy students participated in a series of sessions focused on the PCNE system, including lectures (t1), case analyses (t2), and practical implementation (t3). The levels of understanding were evaluated using time-course questionnaires. Initially, paired samples t-Tests were used to compare understanding levels between different time points. Subsequently, Repeated Measures Analysis (RMA) was employed. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between understanding levels and the usability and likelihood of using the PCNE system, as reported in the questionnaires. RESULTS: The paired samples t-Tests indicated insignificant differences between t2 and t3, suggesting limited improvement following the practical implementation of the PCNE system. However, RMA revealed significant time effects on understanding levels in effective respondents and the focused subgroup without prior experience (random intercept models: all p < 0.001; random slope models: all p < 0.001). These results confirmed the effectiveness of all three teaching interventions. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive correlations between understanding levels and the usability and likelihood of using the PCNE system at all examined time points. This finding highlighted the reliability of the understanding levels reported in the questionnaires. The homework scores were used as external calibration standards, providing robust external validation of the questionnaire's validity. CONCLUSION: The implementation of RMA provided robust evidence of the positive impact of time on understanding levels. This affirmed the effectiveness of all teaching interventions in enhancing students' comprehension of the PCNE Classification System. By utilizing RMA, potential errors inherent in common statistical methods, such as t-Tests, were mitigated. This ensured a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the effectiveness of the teaching interventions.

Boosted Electrocatalytic Degradation of Levofloxacin by Chloride Ions: Performances Evaluation and Mechanism Insight with Different Anodes.

As chloride (Cl-) is a commonly found anion in natural water, it has a significant impact on electrocatalytic oxidation processes; yet, the mechanism of radical transformation on different types of anodes remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of chlorine-containing environments on the electrocatalytic degradation performance of levofloxacin using BDD, Ti4O7, and Ru-Ti electrodes. The comparative analysis of the electrode performance demonstrated that the presence of Cl- improved the removal and mineralization efficiency of levofloxacin on all the electrodes. The enhancement was the most pronounced on the Ti4O7 electrode and the least significant on the Ru-Ti electrode. The evaluation experiments and EPR characterization revealed that the increased generation of hydroxyl radicals and active chlorine played a major role in the degradation process, particularly on the Ti4O7 anode. The electrochemical performance tests indicated that the concentration of Cl- affected the oxygen evolution potentials of the electrode and consequently influenced the formation of hydroxyl radicals. This study elucidates the mechanism of Cl- participation in the electrocatalytic degradation of chlorine-containing organic wastewater. Therefore, the highly chlorine-resistant electrocatalytic anode materials hold great potential for the promotion of the practical application of the electrocatalytic treatment of antibiotic wastewater.

Neuroprotective Effects of Sodium Butyrate and Monomethyl Fumarate Treatment through GPR109A Modulation and Intestinal Barrier Restoration on PD Mice.

Research has connected Parkinson's disease (PD) with impaired intestinal barrier. The activation of G-protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) protects the intestinal barrier by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Sodium butyrate (NaB), which is a GPR109A ligand, may have anti-PD effects. The current study's objective is to demonstrate that NaB or monomethyl fumarate (MMF, an agonist of the GPR109A) can treat PD mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) via repairing the intestinal barrier. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups randomly: control, MPTP + vehicle, MPTP + NaB, and MPTP + MMF. Modeling mice received MPTP (20 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for a week, while control mice received sterile PBS. Then, four groups each received two weeks of sterile PBS (10 mL/kg/day, i.g.), sterile PBS (10 mL/kg/day, i.g.), NaB (600 mg/kg/day, i.g.), or MMF (100 mg/kg/day, i.g.). We assessed the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (occludin and claudin-1), GPR109A, and p65 in the colon, performed microscopic examination via HE staining, quantified markers of intestinal permeability and proinflammatory cytokines in serum, and evaluated motor symptoms and pathological changes in the substantia nigra (SN) or striatum. According to our results, MPTP-induced defected motor function, decreased dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the striatum, decreased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons and increased activated microglia in the SN, and systemic inflammation were ameliorated by NaB or MMF treatment. Additionally, the ruined intestinal barrier was also rebuilt and NF-κB was suppressed after the treatment, with higher levels of TJ proteins, GPR109A, and decreased intestinal permeability. These results show that NaB or MMF can remedy motor symptoms and pathological alterations in PD mice by restoring the intestinal barrier with activated GPR109A. We demonstrate the potential for repairing the compromised intestinal barrier and activating GPR109A as promising treatments for PD.