Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a blended problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model and corresponding teaching materials for a university-level bioinformatics course. The effects of this teaching model on student performance in terms of problem solving and learning attitudes were investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Students in both groups completed assessments of problem-solving attitudes and learning attitudes both one week both before and after experimental instruction. Collected data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA. Group discussions and student interviews were recorded and treated as part of the data analysis.
Findings
The study produced the following findings: the experimental group was found to perform better than the control group in terms of learning attitudes, but the results were not statistically significant; the experimental group was found to outperform the control group in terms of problem-solving attitudes, and the difference was statistically significant; lesson plan contents need to be designed based on problem-based learning theory, and reflect real-world conditions; participants in the experimental group approved of the blended PBL and group discussion approach.
Originality/value
Results are expected to provide a useful reference for educators and researchers. These findings can be applied to relevant instructional fields to enhance learner motivation and engagement, thus improving learning outcomes.
Growing evidence suggests that patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have an increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential risk factors for MetS and hepatic steatosis in patients with different stages of DMD. A total of 48 patients with DMD were enrolled and classified into three stages according to ambulatory status. Body mass index (BMI), serum fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles including triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein were measured, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was evaluated. Ultrasound examinations of the liver were performed to assess hepatic steatosis using the Nakagami parameter index (NPI). The results showed that BMI, TG, HOMA-IR, and ultrasound NPI differed significantly among DMD stages (p < 0.05). In contrast to the low rates of conventional MetS indices, including disturbed glucose metabolism (0%), dyslipidemia (14.28%), and insulin resistance (4.76%), a high proportion (40.48%) of the patients had significant hepatic steatosis. The ultrasound NPI increased with DMD progression, and two thirds of the non-ambulatory patients had moderate to severe hepatic steatosis. Steroid treatment was a risk factor for hepatic steatosis in ambulatory patients (p < 0.05). We recommend that DMD patients should undergo ultrasound evaluations for hepatic steatosis for better metabolic and nutritional management.
Contrast-enhanced mammography-guided biopsy (CEM-Bx), a novel technique for diagnosing suspicious enhanced lesions, was commercialized for clinical application in 2021; however, there are only a few publications documenting this technique in the existing literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedural performance and preliminary outcomes of CEM-Bx performed in our hospital between from September 2021 to June 2022. We reviewed data of 12 women who underwent CEM-Bx during the study period, including their demographic and procedural characteristics, biopsy success rate, histopathological diagnosis, and average glandular dose (AGD). All women (mean age ± standard deviation: 54±6 years) showed enhanced breast lesions on CEM and underwent CEM-Bx within one week. The success rate of CEM-Bx was 100%. The vertical needle approach was used in a decubitus position (N=7, 58%), while the horizontal needle approach was used in an upright sitting position (N=5, 42%). The mean procedure time for the CEM-Bx was 17±6.3 min. The mean AGD was 14.3±12.3 mGy. Histopathologic examination revealed a malignancy rate of 66.7%. In summary, CEM-Bx is a feasible technique, with a high success rate of diagnosing contract-enhanced lesions.
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