Effect of national curriculum reform on medical students' preparedness for practice: a prospective cohort study from undergraduate to postgraduate periods.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, a national curriculum reform was implemented in undergraduate medical education in Taiwan to reduce clinical rotation training from 3 years to 2 years. The last generation of the old curriculum and the first generation of the new curriculum both graduated in 2019. This study aimed to compare the learning outcomes of the medical students in these two curriculum groups in terms of preparedness for practice during the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study. METHODS: This was a 3-year prospective, longitudinal, comparative cohort study between 2017 and 2020. Medical students from both the 7-year and 6-year curriculum groups received biannual questionnaire surveys starting 18 months before graduation and running until 11 months after graduation. The measurement tools were the Preparedness for Hospital Practice Questionnaire (PHPQ) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Personal demographic information was also collected. Linear mixed models were used to determine the effect of curriculum change on learners' preparedness and burnout levels. RESULTS: A total of 130 medical students from the two cohorts provided 563 measurements during the study period. Compared to their counterparts following the old curriculum, the participants following the new curriculum showed a lower level of preparedness when first entering clinical rotation (p = 0.027) and just after graduating (p = 0.049), especially in the domains of clinical confidence (p = 0.021) and patient management p = 0.015). The multivariate linear mixed model revealed gradual increases in preparedness and burnout in serial measurements in both curriculum groups. Students following the new curriculum, which involved a shortened clinical rotation, showed a slightly lower overall preparedness (p = 0.035) and the same level of burnout (p = 0.692) after adjustment. The factor of year of change did not show a significant effect on either preparedness (p = 0.258) or burnout (p = 0.457). CONCLUSION: Shortened clinical rotation training for medical undergraduates is associated with a decrease in preparedness for practice during the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study. Clinical confidence and patient management are the main domains affected.

The evolution of medical students' preparedness for clinical practice during the transition of graduation: a longitudinal study from the undergraduate to postgraduate periods.

BACKGROUND: Graduating from medical school and beginning independent practice appears to be a major transition for medical students across the world. It is often reported that medical graduates are underprepared for independent practice. Most previous studies on undergraduates' preparedness are cross-sectional. This study aimed to characterize the development and trend of medical students' preparedness and its association with other objective and subjective indicators from the undergraduate to postgraduate periods. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. The participants were recruited and followed from two years before graduation to the postgraduate period. The preparedness for independent practice, professional identity, and teamwork experience were biannually measured using previously validated questionnaires. The participants' basic demographic information, clinical learning marks from the last two years, and national board exam scores were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 85 participants completed 403 measurements in the 5 sequential surveys. The mean age at recruitment was 23.6, and 58 % of participants were male. The overall total preparedness score gradually increased from 157.3 (SD=21.2) at the first measurement to 175.5 (SD=25.6) at the fifth measurement. The serial individual preparedness scores revealed both temporal differences within the same learner and individual differences across learners. Despite the variations, a clear, steady increase in the overall average score was observed. Participants were least prepared in the domain of patient management at first, but the score increased in the subsequent measurements. The participants with better final preparedness had better professional identity (p<0.01), better teamwork experience (p < 0.01), and higher average clinical rotation marks (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The preparedness for practice of medical students from the undergraduate to postgraduate periods is associated with their professional identity, teamwork experience, and objective clinical rotation endpoint. Although preparedness generally increases over time, educators must understand that there are temporal fluctuations and individual differences in learners' preparedness.

Dynamics in soil organic carbon of wheat-maize dominant cropping system in the North China Plain under tillage and residue management.

A site experiment was conducted to assess temporal dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and the drivers under no-tillage (NT) and residue retention (RR) in the North China Plain (NCP). The results indicated that NT and RR can significantly increase SOC up to a depth of 30 cm. On average, NT increased SOC by 8.1-34.5% compared with PT, and RR increased SOC by 3.5-14.4% compared with R0 at 0-10 cm. Increases in SOC under NT or RR could be increased by 4-10 percentage points through the significantly positive interactions of NT and RR. Among the sources of SOC variations, tillage-induced variations accounted for 74.4 and 44.3% of the total variations in SOC at 0-5 cm for wheat and maize season, respectively. Experimental duration was also a significant source of variation. Stepwise regression indicated dynamics in SOC at 0-5 cm mainly due to the positive effects of precipitation, the negative effects of soil bulk density for the wheat season, the negative effects of radiation for the maize season, and antagonistic effects of temperature between wheat and maize season. Generally, positive effects of NT and RR on SOC were both confirmed, but fluctuations and variations induced by interactions of practices and seasonal climatic conditions were also significant in the NCP.

The T Allele of rs8075977 in the 5'-Flanking Region of the PEDF Gene Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Elderly Chinese Men.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease with a genetic component. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, and anti-angiogenic effects and thus has received increasing attention as a sensitive biomarker of atherosclerosis and CAD. To explore the potential association between PEDF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CAD, we performed this case-control study of consecutive elderly Chinese Han male patients (n = 416) and age-matched male controls (n = 528) without a history of CAD or electrocardiographic signs of CAD. The enrolled CAD patients (age ≥ 60 years) are not biologically related. A tag approach was used to examine 100% of common variations in the PEDF gene (r2 ≥ 0.8, minor allele frequency > 0.1). PEDF tag SNPs (tSNPs) were selected using the HapMap Data-CHB which describes the common patterns of human DNA sequence variation and Tagger program. SNPs were genotyped using ligase detection reaction (LDR). Seven tSNPs (rs8075977, rs11658342, rs1136287, rs12603825, rs12453107, rs6828 and rs11078634) were selected. Among them, only one SNP, rs8075977 (C/T) located in the 5'-flanking region, showed the significant effect on the susceptibility to CAD. The frequency of its T allele was significantly higher in the controls (52.7%) than that in the CAD group (46.2%) (adjusted OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.96; P = 0.005). In conclusion, the T allele of rs8075977 in the 5'-flanking region of the PEDF gene may be protective for CAD. Conversely, the C allele at this variation site is associated with CAD in elderly Chinese Han men.

Discovery of tripeptide-derived multifunctional ligands possessing delta/mu opioid receptor agonist and neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist activities.

Several bifunctional peptides were synthesized and characterized based on the pentapeptide-derived ligand NP30 (1: Tyr-DAla-Gly-Phe-Gly-Trp-O-[3',5'-Bzl(CF3)2]). Modification and truncation of amino acid residues were performed, and the tripeptide-derived ligand NP66 (11: Dmt-DAla-Trp-NH-[3',5'-(CF3)2-Bzl]) was obtained based on the overlapping pharmacophore concept. The Trp(3) residue of ligand 11 works as a message residue for both opioid and NK1 activities. The significance lies in the observation that the approach of appropriate truncation of peptide sequence could lead to a tripeptide-derived chimeric ligand with effective binding and functional activities for both mu and delta opioid and NK1 receptors with agonist activities at mu and delta opioid and antagonist activity at NK1 receptors, respectively.

Effects of mine wastewater irrigation on activities of soil enzymes and physiological properties, heavy metal uptake and grain yield in winter wheat.

In China, coal-mining industries are mainly located in the water shortage areas including arid or semiarid areas. Mine wastewater is used for irrigation of agricultural land in these areas. However, few studies have been conducted to address ecological and food safety risks caused by mine wastewater irrigation. In this research, a pot experiment was performed to examine the effects of mine wastewater irrigation on soil enzymes, physiological properties of wheat and potential risks of heavy metal contamination to wheat crop. Plants were subjected to three mine wastewater irrigation treatments: leacheate of coal gangue (T1), coal-washing wastewater (T2) and precipitated coal-washing wastewater (T3). Plants irrigated with well water were taken as the control (CK). The results showed that mine wastewater irrigation caused adverse effects on soil enzymes, physiological properties and grain yield of winter wheat. At anthesis, T1, T2 and T3 treatments significantly reduced the activities of soil enzymes (urease, sucrase and catalase), root activity and net photosynthetic rate of wheat compared to CK. At maturity, grain yield was decreased by 17.8%, 15.4% and 9.8% by T1, T2 and T3, respectively, as compared to that of CK. Importantly, mine wastewater irrigation resulted in accumulation of heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn) in wheat grain. Contents of these heavy metals in grains of winter wheat subjected to mine wastewater irrigation were significantly higher than those in CK. The comprehensive contamination indexes of wheat grain in T1, T2 and T3 all reached high pollution level. Our results showed that mine wastewater irrigation significantly increased the pollution risk of heavy metals, thus unsuitable for crop irrigation.

Observation of clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with bloodletting therapy and Qingwen Xiere decoction in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. / é’ˆåˆºè”åˆåˆºè¡€åŠæ¸ ç˜Ÿæ³„çƒ­æ±¤å¯¹æ–°åž‹å† çŠ¶ç— æ¯’æ„ŸæŸ“è½»ä¸­åž‹æ‚£è€ ä¸´åºŠç–—æ•ˆè§‚å¯Ÿ.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with bloodletting therapy and Qingwen Xiere decoction in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A total of 100 mild to moderate COVID-19 patients collected from December 2022 to February 2023 were randomly divided into control and observation groups, with 50 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received oral Qingwen Xiere decoction for 6 days. The observation group received acupuncture combined with bloodletting therapy in addition to oral Qingwen Xiere decoction, with the acupuncture (at Kongzui ï¼»LU6ï¼½, Hegu ï¼»LI4ï¼½, Quchi ï¼»LI11ï¼½, Feishu ï¼»BL13ï¼½, Zhongwan ï¼»CV12ï¼½, Qihai ï¼»CV6ï¼½, Yinlingquan ï¼»SP9ï¼½) administered 30 min each day for 6 days, and bloodletting (at Shaoshang ï¼»LU11ï¼½, Shangyang ï¼»LI1ï¼½, Dazhui ï¼»GV14ï¼½) administered every other day for 3 times. Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores and pulmonary CT scores were recorded before and after treatment. Serum contents of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA. Anxiety and depression degree were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Safety of the treatments was evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, after treatment, the control group showed improvement in fever, dry cough, sore throat, and total traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores (P<0.01), but no significant improvement in muscle pain or fatigue；the observation group showed significant improvement in total traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and individual symptoms scores (P<0.01)；both groups demonstrated reductions in pulmonary CT scores, HAMA score, HAMD score and serum contents of CRP and IL-6 (P<0.01)；serum TNF-α content significantly decreased in the observation group (P<0.01). All outcome measures were superior in the observation group to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). No adverse reactions were reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture combined with bloodletting therapy and oral Qingwen Xiere decoction effectively improves clinical symptoms, alleviates pulmonary inflammatory injury, reduces inflammatory cytokine contents, and mitigates anxiety and depression in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients, and without adverse effects.

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy with anti-NMDAR and sulfatide-IgG-positive encephalitis overlap syndrome: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a rare autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects the meninges, brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. GFAP astrocytopathy can coexist with a variety of antibodies, which is known as overlap syndrome. Anti-NMDAR-positive encephalitis overlap syndrome has been reported; however, encephalitis overlap syndrome with both anti-NMDAR and sulfatide-IgG positivity has not been reported. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was a 50-year-old male who was drowsy and had chills and weak limbs for 6 months. His symptoms worsened after admission to our hospital with persistent high fever, dysphoria, gibberish, and disturbance of consciousness. Positive cerebrospinal fluid NMDA, GFAP antibodies, and serum sulfatide antibody IgG were positive. DIAGNOSES: Autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy with anti-NMDAR and sulfatide-IgG-positive encephalitis overlap syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: In addition to ventilator support and symptomatic supportive treatment, step-down therapy with methylprednisolone (1000 mg/d, halved every 3 days) and pulse therapy with human immunoglobulin (0.4 g/(kg d) for 5 days) were used. OUTCOMES: After 6 days of treatment, the patient condition did not improve, and the family signed up to give up the treatment and left the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy may be positive for anti-NMDAR and sulfatide-IgG, and immunotherapy may be effective in patients with severe conditions. LESSONS: Autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy with nonspecific symptoms is rarely reported and is easy to be missed and misdiagnosed. GFAP astrocytopathy should be considered in patients with fever, headache, disturbance of consciousness, convulsions, and central infections that do not respond to antibacterial and viral agents. Autoimmune encephalopathy-related antibody testing should be performed as soon as possible, early diagnosis should be confirmed, and immunomodulatory therapy should be administered promptly.

Truncation of the peptide sequence in bifunctional ligands with mu and delta opioid receptor agonist and neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist activities.

The optimization and truncation of our lead peptide-derived ligand TY005 possessing eight amino-acid residues was performed. Among the synthesized derivatives, NP30 (Tyr(1)-DAla(2)-Gly(3)-Phe(4)-Gly(5)-Trp(6)-O-[3',5'-Bzl(CF3)2]) showed balanced and potent opioid agonist as well as substance P antagonist activities in isolated tissue-based assays, together with significant antinociceptive and antiallodynic activities in vivo.

Effect of anchoring 4-anilidopiperidines to opioid peptides.

We report here the design, synthesis, and in vitro characterization of new opioid peptides featuring a 4-anilidopiperidine moiety. Despite the fact that the chemical structures of fentanyl surrogates have been found suboptimal per se for the opioid activity, the corresponding conjugates with opioid peptides displayed potent opioid activity. These studies shed an instructive light on the strategies and potential therapeutic values of anchoring the 4-anilidopiperidine scaffold to different classes of opioid peptides.

Investigation of Fracturing Fluid Flowback in Hydraulically Fractured Formations Based on Microscopic Visualization Experiments.

Fracturing fluids are widely applied in the hydraulic fracturing of shale gas reservoirs, but the fracturing fluid flowback efficiency is typically less than 50%, severely limiting the shale gas recovery. Additionally, the mechanism and main influencing factors of fracturing fluid flowback are unclear. In this study, microscopic experiments are conducted to simulate the fracturing fluid flowback progress in shale gas reservoirs. The mechanism and factors affecting fracturing fluid flowback/retention in the fracture zone were analyzed and clarified. Results show that the ultimate flowback efficiency of fracturing fluid is positively correlated with the fracturing fluid concentration and the gas driving pressure difference. There are four kinds of mechanisms responsible for fracturing fluid retention in the pore network: viscous resistance, the Jamin effect, the gas blockage effect and the dead end of the pore. Additionally, the ultimate flowback efficiency of the fracturing fluid increases linearly with increasing capillary number. These insights will advance the fundamental understanding of fracturing fluid flowback in shale gas reservoirs and provide useful guidance for shale gas reservoirs development.

Effect of icariin on the H2O2-induced proliferation of mouse airway smooth muscle cells through miR-138-5p regulating SIRT1/AMPK/PGC-1α axis.

Icariin exerts antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and is used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. However, the specific modes of action are uncertain. In this study, we investigated whether icariin could modulate the silencing information regulator 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1)/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) axis by regulating miR-138-5p during H2O2-induced proliferation of mouse airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Primary BALB/c mouse ASMCs were cultured using the tissue block adherence method and were induced with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 200 µmol/L) to establish a bronchial asthma ASMC proliferation model. With the aid of Western Blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in H2O2-induced ASMCs, the expression of miR-138-5p, SIRT1, AMPK, PGC-1α, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), collagen I, and collagen III protein and mRNA were investigated. The proliferation rate and activities of superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1), reduced glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ASMCs were determined. The results suggest Compared with the H2O2-induced group, icariin inhibited the miR-138-5p expression; enhanced SIRT1, p-AMPK, and PGC-1α expression; attenuated MDA activity and ROS level; lowered TGF-ß1, collagen I, and collagen III expression levels; and decreased the proliferation of ASMCs induced by H2O2. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that SIRT1 is a regulatory target of miR-138-5p.The results suggest that Icariin could improve the H2O2-induced proliferation of ASMCs. The mechanism may be related to the increase of activation of SIRT1/AMPK/PGC-1α axis by suppressing the expression of miR-138-5p. Thus, SIRT1 is the regulatory target of miR-138-5p.

New potent biphalin analogues containing p-fluoro-L-phenylalanine at the 4,4' positions and non-hydrazine linkers.

We report the synthesis and the biological evaluation of two new analogues of the potent dimeric opioid peptide biphalin. The performed modification is based on the replacement of two key structural elements of the native biphalin, namely: the hydrazine bridge which joins the two palindromic moieties and the phenylalanine residues at the 4,4' positions of the backbone. The new analogues 9 and 10 contain 1,2-phenylenediamine and piperazine, respectively, in place of the hydrazidic linker and p-fluoro-L-phenylalanine residues at 4 and 4' positions. Binding values are: Kµ(i)=0.51 nM and Kδ(i)=12.8 nM for compound 9, Kµ(i)=0.09 nM and Kδ(i)=0.11 nM for analogue 10.

Undergraduates' preparedness for practice is associated with professional identity and perception of educational environment: A validation study.

BACKGROUND: Medical schools prepare undergraduates for clinical practice. Clinical competencies build up gradually and continuously. Existing literature suggests that new graduates are often unprepared for independent practice. This study aims to validate a Chinese version of a Preparedness for Hospital Practice Questionnaire (PHPQ) in a Taiwanese undergraduate cohort. METHODS: The original eight-domain English version PHPQ was translated into Chinese and back-translated for expert panel discussion. The eight domains encompass interpersonal skills, confidence, collaboration, management, science, prevention, holistic care, and self-directed learning. Reliability and validity were checked by Cronbach's alpha and by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively. Participants were divided into higher and lower preparedness groups according to PHPQ results, and compared by age, sex, professional identity, and perception of educational environment. RESULTS: A total of 129 undergraduate medical students (55% males) participated in the study. The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.94. Participants were found to be best prepared in the domain of disease prevention (M = 4.37, SD = 0.68) and least prepared in interpersonal skills (M = 2.68, SD = 0.77). A satisfactory goodness of fit data was yield from CFA with a CMIN/DF of 2.02. Higher levels of preparedness are associated with stronger professional identity (p < 0.001) and better perceived learning environment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of PHPQ showed good reliability and validity. Preparedness for practice was associated with how learners feel about themselves as doctors and how well they had integrated into medical teamwork.

Kininogen-Nitric Oxide Signaling at Nearby Nonexcited Acupoints after Long-Term Stimulation.

Acupuncture treatment is based on acupoint stimulation; however, the biological basis is not understood. We stimulated one acupoint with catgut embedding for 8 weeks and then used isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation to screen proteins with altered expression in adjacent acupoints of Sprague Dawley rats. We found that kininogen expression was significantly upregulated in the stimulated and the nonstimulated adjacent acupoints along the same meridian. The enhanced kininogen expression was meridian dependent and was most apparent among small vessels in the subcutaneous layer. Enhanced signals of nitric oxide synthases, cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and myosin light chain were also observed at the nonstimulated adjacent acupoints along the same meridian. These findings uncover biological changes at acupoints and suggest the critical role of the kininogen-nitric oxide signaling pathway in acupoint activation.

Design and synthesis of trivalent ligands targeting opioid, cholecystokinin, and melanocortin receptors for the treatment of pain.

It has been known that co-administration of morphine with either cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor or melanocortin (MC) receptor antagonists enhance morphine's analgesic efficacy by reducing serious side effects such as tolerance and addiction. Considering these synergistic effects, we have designed trivalent ligands in which all three different pharmacophores for opioid, CCK, and MC receptors are combined in such a way as to conserve their own topographical pharmacophore structures. These ligands, excluding the cyclic compound, were synthesized by solid phase synthesis using Rink-amide resin under microwave assistance in very high yields. These trivalent ligands bind to their respective receptors well demonstrating that the topographical pharmacophore structures for the three receptors were retained for receptor binding. Ligand 10 was a lead compound to show the best biological activities at all three receptors.

Deficit Subsurface Drip Irrigation Improves Water Use Efficiency and Stabilizes Yield by Enhancing Subsoil Water Extraction in Winter Wheat.

Understanding the temporal and spatial patterns of soil water extraction and their impacts on growth response of winter wheat to deficit subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) conditions is critical for managing water scarcity and stabilizing yield. A field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2018 involving five SDI amounts: 0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 ETc, representing 25, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), respectively. The results showed that the 0.6 ETc treatment significantly increased soil water extraction from 40-80 and 80-140-cm from jointing to maturity as compared to the 1.0 ETc treatment. Whereas the 0.8 ETc treatment significantly increased soil water extraction from 80-140-cm deep soil from flowering to maturity in the first growing season. The crop was most water-stressed under the 0.25 and 0.4 ETc treatments, thus extracted more soil water from 0-140-cm soil profile. However, both treatments exhibited minimum plant tillers, lowest leaf water content, leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetic rate (P n ), and transpiration rate (T r ) as well as grain yield. All these parameters, except for leaf water content, P n after the flowering stage, and grain productivity, were also reduced in the 0.6 ETc treatment than the 1.0 ETc treatment. The differences between the 0.8 and 1.0 ETc treatments were minor in terms of plant height, LAI, spike number, P n and T r , but infertile tillers were fewer in the 0.8 ETc treatment. We obtained high yield from the 0.8 ETc treatment, and the 0.6ETc treatment resulted in the highest harvest index with improved WUE than other treatments. Integrating deficit irrigation into SDI can save water in winter wheat production in water-limited regions, which can not only enhance soil water extraction from deep soil layers, but also sustained yield by stimulating crop growth. Therefore, a deficit SDI system would be used to conserve water in water-limited regions.

Synthesis and evaluation of new endomorphin analogues modified at the Pro(2) residue.

Six new endomorphin analogues, incorporating constrained amino acids in place of native proline have been synthesized. Residues of (S)-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze), 3,4-dehydro-(S)-proline (Delta(3)Pro), azetidine-3-carboxylic acid (3Aze) and dehydro-alanine (DeltaAla) have been used to prepare [Delta(3)Pro(2)]EM-2 (1), [Aze(2)]EM-1 (2), [Aze(2)]EM-2 (3), [3Aze(2)]EM-1 (4), [3Aze(2)]EM-2 (5) and [DeltaAla(2)]EM-2 (6). Binding assays and functional bioactivities for mu- and delta-receptors are reported. The highest affinity, bioactivity and selectivity are shown by peptides 2 and 3 containing the Aze residue.

The biological activity and metabolic stability of peptidic bifunctional compounds that are opioid receptor agonists and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists with a cystine moiety.

In order to improve metabolic stability, a ring structure with a cystine moiety was introduced into TY027 (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-[3',5'-(CF(3))(2)Bzl]), which is a lead compound of our developing bifunctional peptide possessing opioid agonist and NK1 antagonist activities. TY038 (Tyr-cyclo[D-Cys-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-D-Cys]-Trp-NH-[3',5'-(CF(3))(2)Bzl]) was found as a highly selective delta opioid agonist over mu receptor in conventional tissue-based assays, together with an effective NK1 antagonist activity and good metabolic stability with more than 24h half life in rat plasma.

Management-induced greenhouse gases emission mitigation in global rice production.

Mitigating greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions from rice paddy (Oryza sativa L.) and balancing the trade-offs between reducing emission and sustaining food security have raised global concerns. A global meta-analysis of rice experimental data was conducted to assess changes in emissions of GHGs (CH4 and N2O) and global warming potential (GWP) in response to improvements through 12 field management practices. The results indicated that changes in GWP were mainly attributed to CH4 emission even though N2O emission was significantly affected by conversion of field management practices. Specifically, GWP per unit rice plant area (area-scaled) was significantly increased by 20.1%, 66.2%, and 84.5% with nitrogen (N) fertilizer input, manuring, and residue retention (P < 0.05), along with significant increments in area-scaled CH4 emission under the above management practices by 8.9%, 60.4%, and 91.8%, respectively (P < 0.05). Due to the significant increase in rice yield, a decreasing trend for GWP per unit rice yield (yield-scaled) was observed with N fertilizer input. In addition, CH4 and GWP decreased significantly at both area- and yield-scale under non-flooding irrigation but with a reduction in rice yield by 3.3% (P < 0.05). Improvement in rice variety significantly enhanced crop yield by 15.3% while reducing area-scaled GWP by 27.7% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, other management practices, such as application of herbicides, biochar, and amendments (non-fertilizer materials) reduced yield-scaled GWP while increasing rice yield. Thus, changes in field management practices have the potential to balance the trade-offs between high yield and low emission of GHGs. However, in-depth studies are needed to determine the interactions between field management practices and site-specific soil/climate conditions.