Objectives To optimize the curriculum for better education quality. Methods By literature review, the curriculum of the bio-medical English program of Peking University was summa-rized. Interviews were conducted on 8 sophomores of the program based on convenience sampling for their concerns over the curriculum and a questionnalre was designed based on such concerns. Ques-tionnalre survey was used for the remarks and suggestions of the 129 graduates of year 2002, 2003 and 2004 on the curriculum, with 79 valid questionnalres collected and the data analyzed by Microsoft Excel. Results Respectively 64 (81.02%), 52 (65.82%), 53 (67.09%) respondents believe the se-quence, duration and connection of the English courses are appropriate and 65 (82.27%), 46 (58.22%), 50 (63.29%) respondents believe the sequence, duration and connection of the medical courses are appropriate. 63 (81.77%) respondents hoped that they could do experiments in the medical courses, but 18 of them (23.08%) worried that the experiments would make the curriculum more tense. 71 (89.97%) respondents thought that the internship at hospital in the curriculum was conducive to better understanding of medical course contents . Suggestions on the improvement of the curriculum were also made by respondents. Conclusions The curriculum could be further optimized, especially on the connection between different courses, although most of the respondents by and large believe that the curriculum of the program is rational and hold positive attitude towards the internship in hospital and experiments in the curriculum.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) in the diagnosis and clinical follow-up of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).Methods From March 2008 to February 2009,98 eyes of 49 premature infants(gestational age≤37 weeks,or birth weight≤2 000 g) underwent ROP screening by RetCam digital retinal camera and indirect ophthalmoscopy in the fourth to sixth postnatal week.At the same time,they were also examined by 8-14 MHz CDFI.Results Determined by RetCam digital retinal camera and indirect ophthalmoscopy,ROP was found in 41 eyes,including 8 eyes at stage Ⅰ,19 eyes at stage Ⅱ,6 eyes at stage Ⅲ,8 eyes at scarring stage and no eye at stage Ⅳ andⅤ.Compared with ophthalmologic examination,the specificity of CDFI for ROP diagnosis was 85.5%,and the sensitivity was 76.7%.Detected by CDFI,typical changes were not found in the infants with ROP at stage Ⅰ.In the infants with ROP at stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ,abundant blood flow signals were found in the central retinal artery(CRA).Increased amounts of the small vessels and irregular circuitousness were also observed.There was no obvious change in the systolic velocity(VS) of CRA.The diastolic velocity(Vd) was decreased and the resistance index(RI) was increased.A strong zonal echo protruded into the vitreum.Small blood flow signals which came from CRA by tracing toward their distal end were found in the same position using CDFI.Conclusions Detected by CDFI,the sonographic features of infants with ROP at stage Ⅰ are not typical,but those of infants with ROP at stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ are specific.CDFI is valuable in clinical ROP screening of high risk group.

Objective To investigate the distribution status of coal-burning fluorosis (endemic fluorosis) areas in Luoyang and to provide scientifc evidence for making strategies in prevention and control. Methods In 2006, a household per village was chosen to carry the general survey so as of disease condition, living habits and housing structure among 941 coal-burning pollution fluorine sickness natural villages in Yanshi, Mengjin, Xin'an, Luanchuan counties and Geely area which were under the jurisdiction of Luoyang. In the general survey, the sampled village having a population of more than 500 person was considered as a major survey village, and water fluoride, 8 - 12 year-old child fluorine spot on tooth and the urinary fluoride were surveyed. Water fluoride and the child urinary fluoride determination used the fluoride ion selective electrode method, and the children's dental fluorosis used Dean method. Results The endemic fluorosis of Luoyang existed 742 in endemic fluomsis villages, compared with history, a decrease of 199 in number. Ninety-six point seven per cent( 142 543/147 419) of the households were consuming smoke-free coal. Households using intact kitchens accounted for 93.6%( 137 919/147 419). Of which 63.0%(86 889/137 919) of kitchens were mixed up with bedrooms. Total 125 060 people were using coal- fired furnace for heating, of which 87.8%(109 802/125 060) had smoke-free facilities, 12.2%(15 258/125 060) had none. Among 52 endemic villages with population of more than 500 people surveyed, a total of 183 water samples were collected, 2 had water fluoride exceeding 1.0 rag/L, the highest water fluoride being 1.04 rag/L, averaging 0.39 mg/L Sixteen villages had a prevalence rate of dental fluorosis for children less than 30.00%, accounting for 30.8% (16/52), 36 endemic villages the prevalence of dental fluorosis detection rate of more than 30.00%, accounting for 69.2%(36/52). Twenty-thrce villages had a dental fluorosis index greater than 0.6, severe dental fluorosis was not found. Real-time measurement of 1408 urine samples of children aged 8 - 12 showed that urine fluoride highest value 6.88 nag/L, the minimum value of 0.10 mg/L, geometric mean 1.10 mg/L. The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis for children was 36.06%. Conclusions In Luoyang city, numbers of coal-burning endemic fluorosis villages are less than before, children's dental fluorosis has significantly declined, however some people still use kitchens connecting with bedrooms and lack smoke-free facilities, they need to be educated to change lifestyle and improve furnace to reduce soot fluoride pollution.

Background The condition of the sclera is associated with many ocular diseases.The measurement of human scleral thickness in vivo is helpful for us to understand the features of the sclera and related diseases.Objective The present study was to measure the anterior sclera thickness(AST) in patients with senile cataract and to analyze the relationship among AST and other associated ocular parameters.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to examination.One hundred and five senile cataract patients were recruited in this study.Central corneal thickness (CCT),corneal curvature (CCV) and axial length were measured using ultrasonic pachymeter,keratometer,and A-scan unit,respectively.The AST was measured at 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur in the temporal meridian using ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM).The differences of CCT,CCV,ocular axial length and AST between bilateral eyes and the different sexes were compared by the Paired test and independent sample t test.The correlations among various parameters were assessed by the Pearson linear correlation analysis.The differences of CCT and AST among different axial length groups were evaluated by one-way ANOVA.Results No significant differences were found in the CCT,CCV,axial length and AST between bilateral eyes (t =0.584,P =0.561 ; t =1.161,P =0.248 ; t =0.140,P =0.889 ; t =0.342,P =0.773).Temporal AST at 2 mm posterior to the sclera spur was (0.589 ±0.051)mm in the right eyes.An insignificant decline in CCT was found in the male group compared with the female group (right eyes:t =0.469,P =0.641 ; left eyes:t =0.465,P =0.643).However,compared with the female group,the increase of axial length,reduction of the mean CCV value and enhancement of the mean AST were observed(right eyes:all P＜0.01 ;left eyes:all P＜0.01).CCV showed a negative correlation with ocular axial length (r =-0.50,P＜0.01),but no significant correlation was found among age,CCT,ocular axial length and AST(P＞0.05).No remarkable differences were found in CCT and AST among the various axial length groups (CCT:F =0.998,P=0.372;AST:F=1.919,P=0.383).Conclusions In senile cataract patients,correlation is not found between AST and CCT;the increase of axial length is not associated with the thinning of the eyeball wall to a certain extent.Differences exist in some ocular parameters between different sexes.

Background A close relation between sclera thickness and glaucoma has been determined.Clinical features vary in different types of glaucoma patients,which hints that the scleral thickness might be distinct among these patients.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of central corneal thickness(CCT),anterior scleral thickness(AST) and axial length in glaucomatous patients.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to the examination.A retrospective descriptive study was designed.One hundred and sixty consecutive patients were recruited from March,2009 to November,2010 in First Hospital of Peking University,including 35 eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma(PACG) (35 cases),34 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma POAG) (34 cases),37 eyes with normal tension glaucoma(NTG) (37 cases)and 17 eyes of ocular hypertension OHT) (17 cases).Thirty-seven eyes of 37 subjects with incipient cataract served as the control group.CCT and ocular axial length were measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and A-scan unit,respectively,and AST at the temporal quadrant 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur was measured by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM).The measuring parameters among different groups were compared by analysis of covariance,and the correlations of AST,CCT with ocular axial length were analyzed using Pearson linear correlation and linear regression.The differences and correlation of CCT,AST and AL among five groups were analyzed.Results The CCT values in PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were (535.54 ± 5.20),(550.47 ± 5.28),(521.61 ± 5.07),(575.75 ± 7.76) and (535.06± 5.06) μm,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F =9.560,P =0.000),and the CCT value of OHT group was increased in comparison with POAG group,PACG group,NTG group and control group(all P =0.000).The CCT of the POAG group was thicker than that in the PACG group,NTG group and control group(P=0.046,0.000,0.040).No significant difference was found in CCT among NTG group,PACG group and control group(P=0.950,0.060).The AST values of PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were(0.593±0.050),(0.600±0.050),(0.592-±0.060),(0.610-±0.060) and(0.604±0.060) mm,respectively,showing a insignificant difference among them (F =0.700,P =0.590).The axial length in the patients with PACG was shorter than that of the POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group (all P =0.000).The Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlation between CCT and AST in POAG group and NTG group(r=0.445,P=0.008;r=0.400,P=0.014).Conclusions This study confirms that there is dissimilarity in CCT but not in AST among different types of glaucomatous patients.The changes of CCT and AST are consistent in POAG and NTG patients.

Background Researches showed that microperimetry can exhibit more tiny visual function damage than conventional perimetry in glaucomatous eyes.However,the study on fixation stability of glaucoma is still rare until now.Objective This study was to compare the correlation between microperimetry Maia (Macular Integrity Assessment) and Humphrey perimetry,and to investigate the changes of the fixation stability in glaucoma patients with hemifield defect.Methods This study proposal was approved by Medical Ethic Committee of Peking University First Hospital.A cross-sectional study was performed under the informed consent of each subject.Thirtyfive eyes of 35 glaucoma patients with hemifield defect by 24-2 Humphrey perimetry were included in Peking University First Hospital from December 2013 to March 2014,and 30 eyes of 30 normal volunteers served as controls.Both Humphery (10-2) and Maia (expert 10-2) were performed on the subjects respectively and the correlation of the results between Humphery (10-2) and Maia (expert 10-2) were analyzed.Then the patients with normal hemifield on Humphrey were assigned to Maia normal group and Maia abnormal group.Fixation stability differences were compared between glaucoma group and normal control group,and between Maia normal group and Maia abnormal group.Results The moderately positive correlation was found in the mean sensitivity between Maia microperimetry and Humphrey perimetry (r=0.403,P =0.001),and the average threshold of Maia microperimetry was moderately positive correlated with the mean defect (MD) of Humphrey perimetry in glaucoma patients (r=0.438,P =0.008).The fixation stability parameter P1 was (67±17)％ and (87±10)％,and that of P2 was (70±16)％ and (88±9)％;the 63％ bicurve elipse area (BCEA) was (5.08±1.55) °2and (2.21±0.60) °2,and the 95％ BCEA was (14.74± 6.04) °2 and (2.86 ± 1.17)°2 in the glaucoma group and normal control group,respectively,showing significant decreases of P1 and P2 and increases of 63％ BCEA and 95％ BCEA in the glaucoma group compared with the normalcontrol group (t=-5.604,-4.831,9.885,11.086,all at P=0.000).In Maia normal group and Maia abnormal group,the P1 was (79±8)％ and (63±17)％,the P2 was (81±10)％ and (67±16)％,the 63％ BCEA was (3.19±0.65)°2 and (5.70±1.22)°2 and the 95％ BCEA was (9.10±2.60)°2 and (19.35±5.01)°2,respectively.Compared with the Maia normal group,the P1 and P2 were significantly lower,and 63％ BCEA and 95 ％ BCEA were higher in the Maia abnormal group (t=-2.468,P=0.019;t=-2.371,P=0.024;t =5.514,P=0.000;t=5.575,P=0.000).Conclusions Maia microperimetry and Humphrey perimetry yield a good correlation for glaucomatous macular function examination.In addition,Maia microperimetry showed that fixation stability decreased in glaucoma patients with hemifield defect.

Objective To study the mutations of outer-membrane porin gerte (oprD) in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods The PCR was applied to detect the oprD gene from the 34 clinical imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.DNA sequence was proceeded to analysis the nuclentide sequence of the oprD gene and the deduced amino acid sequence.To analysis the mutation and the function of the oprD domain,those mutations were compaired with the standard Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 and 2 clinical imipenem-susceptibility isolates.Results oprD gene mutation was wide and diverse.The rate of the mutation was 92.3% (12/13),mutations were concluded dot mutation,deletion mutation and insert mutation,those result in the amino sequence change and frame shift in L2 and L3 loops of outer membrane protein D,hampering the combine of oprD and imipenem.Some new mutations were found.They were 1 079,1 114,1 196,1 206,1 288,1 300,1 301 bases and 115,127,154,158,185,189 aminos.All above mutations were not deteced in ATCC 27853 and 2 clinical imipenem-susoeptibility isolates.Conclusions The wide and diverse mutations in oprD gene result in amino acid change and/or frame shift L2 and L3 loops,hampering the binding of IMP and oprD.Those may result in resistance to imipenem in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objective To investigate the influence of acupuncture therapy on neural stem cell (NCS) proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus of the senescence-accelerated prone-8 (SAP8) mouse. Methods Twenty-four SAP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into a model group and an acupuncture group. Twelve senescence-accelerated resistant ( SAR1 ) mice served as the control group. Acupuncture was administered at the Baihui (DU20) point to mice in the acupuncture group once daily for 21 consecutive days. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to detect the proliferation and differentiation of NCSs in the hippocampus through double-labeled immunofluoresSAR1 group, the positive cells in the SAP8 group were significantly fewer Compared to the SAP8 group, positive cells markers of neuron or glia cell positive cells appeared. Compared to the SAR1 group, the expression of BrdU/GFAP increased in the SAP8 group, and decreased after acupuncture but not significantly. BrdU/S-100 β cells decreased significantly in the SAP8 group, and increased after acupuncture, but again not significantly. Compared to the SAR1 group BrdU/GalC positive cells increased significantly in the SAP8 group and decreased significantly after acupuncture.Conclusions After acupuncture treatment for 21 days, the differentiation of hippocampal NSCs into oligodendrocytes was inhibited, but there was little effect on their differentiating into neurons and immature astrocytes.

In order to meet the requirements of medical teaching contents and curriculum system reform, we adopt the experience ofHarvard University School of Medicine to integrate Biochemistry and Cell Biology into a new one—— "Chemistry and Biology of theCell". We have carried out the integration of the two courses three times. In this new course, repeated contents have been reduced, thelinkage of the two courses has been increased, and the burden of students was lightened,which makes students contact the clinic earlierand enables to improve the students' ability to solve problems.

OBJECTIVETo observe pathohistological features of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries.

METHODSAutopsy coronary samples from 67 patients died of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 60 patients of non-cardiac death from 1992 to 2006 in Beijing Hospital were examined. Morphological features of vulnerable plaques of ACS cases were evaluated in terms of thrombus, ratio of lipid core, the minimal thickness of fibrous cap and the density of inflammatory infiltration.

RESULTS(1) There are 305 plaques in ACS group and the incidence of big lipid core is 153 (50.16%), thin fibrous cap is 187(61.31%), inflammatory infiltration is 263 (86.23%), neovasculature conformation is 217 (71.15%), severe stenosis is 26 (8.52%), calcification is 238 (78.03%), superficial calcified nodule is 26 (8.52%), fissured plaque is 12 (3.93%), endothelial denudation is 3 (0.98%) and intraplaque hemorrhage is 54 (17.70%), which are significantly higher than control samples except endothelial denudation (P < 0.01). (2) The incidence of vulnerable plaques in ACS group is significantly higher than in the control group (89.51% vs. 21.98%, P < 0.01). There are 4.07 sections of vulnerable plaques with high density of inflammatory infiltration out of 4.55 sections reviewed in ACS patients, while there are 0.85 sections of vulnerable plaques with mild inflammatory infiltration out of 3.87 sections reviewed in the control cases.

CONCLUSIONSFormation of vulnerable plaque was an important pathological factor for the development of ACS. The major morphological characteristics of vulnerable plaque are big lipid core, thin fibrous cap, inflammatory infiltration, neovascularization, severe stenosis, plaque rupture, and endothelial denudation suggesting inflammation performed an important role in the formation of vulnerable plaque.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; pathology ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology