Objective To explore the practice effect of problem-based learning(PBL) in teaching of pathogen biology and immunology at college level.Methods Three-year clinical majors of class 1 and 2 in Luohe Medical College were chose,class 1 as PBL experimental group(n=100) and class 2 as control group(n=100).Chapter of hepatitis virus was taught respectively using PBL and LBL teaching method.Teaching effect was evaluated by test and questionnaire.Teaching effects between PBL and LBL were compared.SPSS 13.0 was used to do statistical analysis and data were expressed as percentage.Chi-square test was performed and P＜0.05 shows statistically significant differences.Results Results of test showed that excellent and passing rates were higher in PBL group than in LBL group(P=0.000) ; flunked rate was lower in PBL group than in LBL group(P=0.000).Results of questionnaire showed that more than 80％ students thought that PBL can mobilize students' initiatives of learning,train cooperation consciousness and enhance language skills,etc.Conclusions PBL can be used in pathogen biology and immunology for 3-year clinical majors and deserves further application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of serum endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ESM-1) in gastric cancer and to evaluate the effect of serum ESM-1 as a potential serum biomarker.

METHODSSerum ESM-1 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and CEA, CA19.9, CA72.4 were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) in 102 patients with gastric cancer preoperatively. At the same time, serum ESM-1, CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 in 41 healthy adults volunteers were detected with the same method. In addition, the follow-up data of all the patients were collected.

RESULTSCompared to healthy volunteers, the serum ESM-1 level in gastric cancer patients increased (P<0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of serum ESM-1 were 73.9% and 51.2% respectively. In contrast, the sensitivities of CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 were only 16.1%, 18.3% and 23.2% respectively. High level of serum ESM-1 indicated poor outcomes (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSerum ESM-1 increases in the peripheral blood of the gastric cancer patients. It may be a potential serum marker to help diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; blood ; Proteoglycans ; blood ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis