ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, traditional teaching methods were disrupted and online teaching became a new topic in education reform and informatization. In this context, it is important to investigate the necessity and effectiveness of online teaching methods for medical students. This study explored stomatology education in China to evaluate the development and challenges facing the field using massive open online courses (MOOCs) for oral medicine education during the pandemic. AIM: To investigate the current situation and challenges facing stomatology education in China, and to assess the necessity and effectiveness of online teaching methods among medical students. METHODS: Online courses were developed and offered on personal computers and mobile terminals. Behavioral analysis and formative assessments were conducted to evaluate the learning status of students. RESULTS: The results showed that most learners had already completed MOOCs and achieved better results. Course behavior analysis and student surveys indicated that students enjoyed the learning experience. However, the development of oral MOOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic faced significant challenges. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into the potential of using MOOCs to support online professional learning and future teaching innovation, but emphasizes the need for careful design and positive feedback to ensure their success.
ABSTRACT
p75NTR, a neural crest stem cell marker, is continuously expressed in mesenchymal cells during tooth development. Importantly, high expression of p75NTR in the late bell stage implicates its involvement in odontogenesis and mineralization. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying p75NTR involvement in odonto/osteogenic differentiation remain unclear. Here, we investigate the effect and potential mechanisms underlying p75NTR involvement in odonto/osteogenic differentiation. We dissected EMSCs from the first branchial arches of mice embryo and compared the proliferation and migration of p75NTR+/+ and p75NTR-/-EMSCs by transwell, scratch and cell counting kit 8(CCK8)assays. The differentiation ability and the involvement of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway were investigated through alkaline phosphatase and immunofluorescence assay, real-time PCR, and western blot. During induction of dental epithelium conditioned medium, p75NTR+/+ EMSCs exhibited deeper Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and higher expression of odonto/osteogenic genes/proteins (e.g., dentin sialoprotein (DSPP) than p75NTR+/+ EMSCs. Moreover, p75NTR+/+ EMSCs exhibited higher nuclear P65 expression than p75NTR-/-EMSCs. Inhibition of NF-κB pathway with Bay11-7082 in p75NTR+/+EMSCs substantially decreased DSPP expression level. However, activation of NF-κB pathway with Bay11-7082 in p75NTR-/-EMSCs enhanced DSPP expression level. Thus, p75NTR possibly plays a paramount role in the proliferation and differentiation of EMSCs via NF-κB pathway.