Facing the inadequate status quo of postgraduate courses teaching methods,evaluation system,the author tries to reform the teaching methods in the required course introduction to research methods of pharmacology.Based on the application of the virtual lab in drug discovery,the author adopted the ways of explaining and publicizing the subject beforhand to let the students retrieve and organize materials,and make presentations in class about the literature they have retrieved within the limited time so that the teacher could give comprehensive evaluation according to their content and performances.Through this reform I realized that the organizating the teaching materials from multi-angles can raise the information quantity,which will help students take initiatives to gain as much information as possible so as to improve their thinking ability,lengthen their attention span,arouse their interest and enhance their study efficiency.So with network technology proping up,it is advisable to adopt such study style of individuation and autonomy.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia (FD) due to Yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach.Methods: A total of 90 patients meeting the inclusion criteria of FD due to Yang deficiency of the spleen and stomach were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group, and a mosapride group by the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The mosapride group was treated with mosapride citrate dispersible tablets. The EA group was treated with EA treatment. The acupuncture-moxibustion group was treated with additional moxibustion therapy based on the treatment in the EA group. All three groups took 10 d as one treatment course and 2 courses in total, with a 2-day interval between two courses. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms score, functional digestive disorder quality of life questionnaire (FDDQL) score, oral-colon transit time (OCTT), and serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level was compared before and after treatment among the three groups. And the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results: The total effective rate in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was 96.7％, which was higher than 86.7％ in the EA group and 73.3％ in the mosapride group, and the total effective rate in the EA group was higher than that in the mosapride group; the inter-group differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom score in the three groups was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05), and the FDDQL score was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05). The change after treatment in the TCM symptom score in the acupuncture- moxibustion group and the EA group was more significant than that in the mosapride group, and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was more significant than that in the EA group; the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The change after treatment in the FDDQL score in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was greater than that in the mosapride group, and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was larger than that in the EA group; the inter-group differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the OCTT in all three groups was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05), and the serum GLP-1 level was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05); the change after treatment in the OCTT in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was more significant than that in the mosapride group, and the change in the acupuncture- moxibustion group was more significant than that in the EA group; the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The change after treatment in the serum GLP-1 level in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the EA group was greater than that in the mosapride group, and the change in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was larger than that in the EA group; the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the clinical symptoms in patients with FD and enhance their quality of life, producing better effects than EA or mosapride alone. Shortening gastrointestinal movement time and increasing gastrointestinal hormone levels may be its mechanism.

Copolyesters consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) (PHBHHx), a new type of biodegradable material, are receiving considerable attentions recently. The material properties are strongly related to the 3HHx fraction of PHBHHx. As the 3HHx fraction increase, crystallinity and melting point of PHBHHx decrease, flexibility and tractility increase. PHBHHx of different 3HHx fraction can meet different demands of commercial application and research. Aeromonas are the best studied PHBHHx-producing strains. Recent studies have been focused on optimizations of fermentative culture media and culture conditions for low-cost and efficient fermentative production. Aliphatic substrates such as long-chain fatty acid and soybean oil were used in the PHBHHx fermentation as the sole carbon source and energy source. Two-stage fermentation method was also developed for more efficient PHBHHx production. While studies on Aeromonas hydrophila revealed that the monomer composition of PHBHHx could not easily be regulated by fermentative process engineering methods such as changing substrates and fermentative conditions because precursors involved in the PHBHHx synthesis were all from the beta-oxidation pathway. In this study, phbA gene encoding beta-ketothiolase and phbB gene encoding acetoacetyl-CoA reductase were introduced into a PHBHHx-producing strain Aeromonas hydrophila 4AK4 so as to provide a new 3HB precursors synthesis way. phbA gene encodes beta-ketothiolase which can catalyze two acetyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA; phbB gene encodes acetoacetyl-CoA reductase catalyzing acetoacetly-CoA into 3HB-CoA which is the precursor of 3HB. The introduced novel 3-hydroxybutyrate precursor synthesis pathway allowed the recombinant strain to use unrelated carbon source such as gluconate to provide 3HB precursors for PHBHHx synthesis. Shake-flask experiments were carried out to produce PHBHHx of controllable monomer composition and fermentations in 5 L fermentor were also proceeded for confirmation of these result in large-scale culture. In flask culture, it was possible to reduce the 3HHx mol fraction in PHBHHx from 15 % in the wild type to 3% - 12% in the recombinant by simply changing the ratio of gluconate to lauric acid in the culture media. When lauric acid was used as the sole carbon source, 51.5 g/L Cell Dry Weight (CDW) containing 62 % PHBHHx with 9.7 % 3HHx mol fraction was obtained in 56 hours of fermentation in a 5 liter fermentor. When co-substrates of sodium gluconate and lauric acid (1:1) were used as carbon sources, 32.8 g/L CDW containing 52 % PHBHHx with 6.7% 3HHx mol fraction was obtained in 48 hours of fermentation. These results showed the possibility for fermentative production of PHBHHx with controllable monomer composition.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; metabolism ; Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Aeromonas hydrophila ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biotechnology ; methods ; Caproates ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; genetics ; physiology ; Lauric Acids ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-fatigue mechanism of salidroside from Rhodiola SachalinensisA.Bor (SRS)in anti-oxidation and energy metabolic systems in mice , some related indexes of free radical and energy metabolism after exercise were measured.

METHODSForty male mice were divided into four groups (n = 10): SRS sport group(SS), SRS quiet group(SQ),sport control group(SC), quiet control group (QC). The mice of SS and SQ groups received SRS solution of 150 ml/kg body weight per day for two weeks, while the mice of SC and QC groups received the same volume of distilled water. 30 min after the last treatment, the mice of SS and SC groups were forced to swim for 120 min without loads. then the biochemical parameters related to fatigue were determined.

RESULTSRS could increase liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) , glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, which might increase the body activity of antioxidant enzymes to play the role of anti-oxidation; SRS had some effect of stabilizing blood sugar, increasing liver glycogen and muscle glycogen reserves, preventing blood sugar, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen levels from reducing in long time exercise on mice; SRS could increase plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) levels in exercise mice, and it had some effect on metabolism of fat under different conditions, and promoted the use of the role of fat.

CONCLUSIONInfluence of SRS on some related indexes of free radical and energy metabolism is one of the mechanisms of anti-exercise-induced fatigue of SRS.

Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rhodiola

Objective To investigate the expression of macrophages in the bone marrow of chronic lympho-cytic leukemia (CLL) patients and its clinical significance in the pathogenesis of CLL .Methods Fifty-eight patients with newly diagnosed CLL were selected ,including 24 cases of Binet A ,19 cases of Binet B ,15 cases of Binet C ,and 20 patients with iron deficiency anemia were selected as control group .Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of CD68+ (M1+M2 type) and CD163 (M2 type) in CLL patients . The expression differences in bone marrow tissues of CLL patients at different stages were compared . Results The numbers of CD68+ and CD163+ cells in CLL group were significantly higher than those in con-trol group (P<0 .05) ,while those in Binet C stage patients were higher than in Binet B stage patients (P<0 .05) and those in Binet B stage patients were higher than in Binet A stage patients (P<0 .05) .The progres-sion of CLL was positively correlated with the infiltration density of CD 163+ cells (P<0 .05) .Conclusion Macrophages have a high density of infiltration in the bone marrow of CLL patients ,and the infiltration densi-ty varies in different periods of CLL .With the progresses of the disease ,macrophages infiltrated into bone marrow gradually polarize to M 2 type ,w hich is relevant with the course of CLL progress .

OBJECTIVETo study the characters of concentration of 42 elements in Radix Astragali and make an attempt at looking for relationship between the element concentration and regions where samplers are obtained.

METHODDetermining the content of elements in 40 Radix Astragali samples from 7 different provinces by ICP-MS, AFS and ASS. Analyzing the correlation of elements in Radix Astragali using statistic software (Spss).

RESULTFirstly, similar lines of element concentration have been acquired in our research. Secondly, it is observed that the content of elements in the samples shows regional diversity. Thirdly, there are 346 correlative element pairs in correlate analysis. And some of them indicate remarkable correlativity.

CONCLUSIONWith the aid of obtained results, it is concluded that element content in Radix Astragali display special distributing line. Remarkable correlation is presented in some element pairs. The quality of Radix Astragali gained from Neimeng, Shanxi and Gansu are better than those from other regions.

Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Elements ; Geography

PURPOSE: This study aimed to use a web-based survey to investigate the correlation between job satisfaction and marital quality and to identify the association of demographics with job satisfaction and marital quality. METHODS: Married nurses (N = 2,296) completed the questionnaires. Correlations and linear regression analyses were carried out. RESULTS: Both marital quality and job satisfaction were relatively low. Additionally, marital quality was positively correlated with job satisfaction. Age, marital status (in years) and average daily hours spent with spouse had positive impact on job satisfaction. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that age, monthly income, average daily hours spent with spouse and marital quality were positively associated with job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Because of the shifts nurses working, there is little time for nurses to spend with their spouses and family. It is recommended that hospital leaders could provide more flexibility with nurses' shift choices so nurses can arrange their work-life balance better. Other considerations like reducing workload and reducing working hours should be promoted as options. Nurse managers could offer counseling services including strategies to cope with the balance between work and life. This effort could improve job satisfaction and reduce the rate of turnover of nurses.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Counseling ; Demography ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Linear Models ; Marital Status ; Nurse Administrators ; Pliability ; Spouses

OBJECTIVETo make an attempt at the multi-element speciation in the Chinese medicinal herbs by determining the concentrations of 25 elements in different extraction solutions.

METHODFirstly, five Chinese medicinal herbs (Buddleja officinalis, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Myristica fragrans, Albizia judibrissin and Inula japonica) from the same region of China were treated to obtain water-soluble phase, lipid-soluble phase and non-soluble phase by water extraction, organic solvent extraction and acid digestion, respectively. Secondly, Phytolacca acinosa, a Chinese medicinal herb collected from 9 regions of China, was extracted by 0% EtOH, 50% EtOH, 75% EtOH, 95% EtOH, respectively, referring the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Finally, the concentrations of 25 elements, such as Be, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Tl, Pb and REEs, in the above three phases were determined by ICP-MS.

RESULTUnder the optimal conditions, all the 25 elements could be determined with detection limits ranged from 0.003 to 0.71 ng x g(-1). The average recoveries of the elements in P. acinosa were 88% approximately 119%, with the relative standard deviations 1.7% approximately 13.3%. It was observed that the determined 25 elements distributed in all the water-soluble, lipid-soluble and non-soluble phases, indicating that the inorganic species, organicspecies, as well as the protein bound species were coexisted in the herbs. Big differences of the element extraction rates could be found by using different ethanol solutions.

CONCLUSIONWith the aid of the obtained results, we may increase the extraction of necessary elements while decrease that of the toxic elements from the herbs by choosing a suitable solvent during the drug production.

Buddleja ; chemistry ; Cadmium ; analysis ; Copper ; analysis ; Dictamnus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; Lead ; analysis ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Molybdenum ; analysis ; Myristica fragrans ; chemistry ; Phytolacca ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solvents ; chemistry ; Trace Elements ; analysis ; Zinc ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo detect structural changes in the brain in fetuses with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) and holoprosencephaly (HPE) in the first trimester.

METHODSThe ultrasound data were analyzed retrospectively in 620 normal singleton fetuses between 11 and 13(+6) gestational weeks, 5 fetuses diagnosed to have ACC, and 13 fetuses with HPE. The midbrain diameter (MD) and falx diameter (FD) were measured and their ratio (MD/FD) was calculated for comparative analysis.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the MD, FD, and MD/FD ratio between fetuses with ACC and HPE (P>0.05). Compared to the normal fetuses, all the fetuses with ACC and HPE showed significantly increased mean MD and MD/FD ratio (P<0.05); 4 (80%) fetuses with ACC and 11 (84.6%) with HPE had a reduced FD. All the fetuses with ACC and HPE had MD/FD ratios greater than 1, which were below 1 in all the normal fetuses.

CONCLUSIONIn the first trimester, fetuses with ACC and HPE have measurable abnormalities in the midbrain and falx area of the brain, and these changes, represented by abnormal midsagittal MD, FD and their ratio, can be of value in detecting ACC or HPE in fetuses in the first trimester.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; diagnosis ; Corpus Callosum ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

OBJECTIVETo establish the normal reference ranges of transabdominal ultrasound measurements of the posterior fossa structure in fetuses at 11 to 13⁺⁶ gestational weeks and explore their clinical value in screening open spina bifida (OSB).

METHODSBetween January, 2013 and September, 541 randomly selected normal fetuses underwent nuchal translucency at the gestational age 11 to 13⁺⁶ weeks. The parameters of the posterior fossa were measured in mid-sagittal view of the fetal face and the axial view of the transverse cerebellum insonated through the anterior fontanel by transabdominal ultrasound to establish the normal reference ranges. The measurements were obtained from 3 fetuses with OSB for comparison with the reference ranges.

RESULTSIn normal fetuses, the parameters of the posterior fossa measured in the two views showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Two high echogenic lines were observed in normal fetuses, as compared with one in fetuses with OSB representing the posterior border of the brain stem and the anterior border of the fourth ventricle. The line between the posterior border of the fourth ventricle and the anterior border of the cisterna magna was not displayed in fetuses with OSB. The anteroposterior diameters of the brain stem, the fourth ventricle, and cisterna magna all increased in positive correlation with the crown-lump length in normal fetuses. In the 3 OSB fetuses, the anteroposterior diameter of the brain stem exceeded the 95th percentile and the anteroposterior diameter of fourth ventrical-cisterner magena was below the 5th percentile of the reference range for CRL; the brain stem to fourth ventrical-cisterner magena anteroposterior diameter ratio was increased to above 1.

CONCLUSIONThe established normal reference ranges of the parameters of fetal posterior fossa may provide assistance in early OSB detection. The absence of the posterior border of the fourth ventricle and the anterior border of the cisterna magna and a brainstem to fourth ventrical-cisterner magena anteroposterior diameter ratio greater than 1 can be indicative of OSB at 11 to 13⁺⁶ gestational weeks.

Brain Stem ; Cerebellum ; Cisterna Magna ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Reference Values ; Spina Bifida Cystica ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal