Objective To investigate the value of case-based learning(CBL) combined with lecture-based learning (LBL) in medical immunology teaching.Methods Totally 85 clinical medicine students of 2010 grade in medical school of Yangtze university were divided into two groups:control group(n=43) and experimental group(n=42).The students in control group were received LBL while those in experimental group were received CBL combined with LBL.Teaching effectiveness was evaluated by questionnaire survey and theoretical test.Results The questionnaire showed that the abilities of comprehension,expression,analysis,practice and cooperation were significantly better in experimental group than in the control group(P＜0.05),the results of test showed that the total scores and the scores of choice and clinical case analysis were markedly higher in experimental group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions The teaching model of CBL combined with LBL is helpful to develop students' comprehensive quality and creative ability and it is worth further promoting in medical immunology teaching.But there are some problems need further improvement.

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of electroacupuncture on hemodynamics at peri-intratracheal intubation period under general anesthesia.

METHODSSixty cases at peri-intratracheal intubation period under general anesthesia were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group [Before anesthesia induction, electroacupuncture stimulation was given at Neiguan (PC 6), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Shenmen (HT 7)], and control group, 30 cases in each group. All the patients in the two groups received intratracheal intubation with light-guide laryngoscopy under general anesthesia with midazolam, fentanyl, isopropyl, succinylcholine, etc.; changes of various indexes of hemodynamics were detected at anesthesia induction and different time points of the intubation.

RESULTSAt the anesthesia induction, various indexes of hemodynamics in the electroacupuncture group were relatively stable, and decreased significantly in the control group (P < 0.01); during intratracheal intubation, the various indexes in the electroacupuncture group (P < 0.05) and in the control group (P < 0.01) increased significantly as compared with those before anesthesia induction; 5 min after intubation, the various indexes in both the two groups restored normal.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and other points can stabilize changes of hemodynamics at the intratracheal intubation and increase safety of operation under anesthesia.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Electroacupuncture ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal

This study was purposed to establish new method for detecting CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to evaluate its value in clinical use. All fusion types of reported CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene were defined by search of references and databank, then the primers and probes were designed on this basis, and 3 positive plasmids and negative cell line as control were established. GUSB gene was also amplified as an internal reference. The primer/probe sets were tested with 3 positive plasmids and HL-60 cDNA using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays, which were then combined as a multiplex qPCR for simultaneous detection of CBFB-MYH11 and GUSB. After optimization, the multiplex qPCR assay demonstrated both high sensitivity (10 copies for all the 3 plasmids) and high specificity. Finally, the multiplex qPCR assay was clinically evaluated with 58 AML patients, and 4 CBFB-MYH11-positive cases (6.9%) were detected, involving A type (3 cases) and J type (1 case). By comparison, the multiplex qPCR assay showed results concordant with sequencing results, and detected one case that was missed by cytogenetic analysis. It is concluded that a novel qPCR method for screening of CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene in AML is established. This method is fast, comprehensive, sensitive, specific, reliable, and should consider to be a robust tool for identification and management of AML patients with CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene.
Case-Control Studies ; Core Binding Factor beta Subunit ; analysis ; genetics ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; analysis ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; analysis ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Glucose ; Humans ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; Lycium ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; Resistance Training

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODSThis study involved 121 patients with T2DM and 94 with diabetic macroangiopathy. The polymorphisms of G8790A in ACE2 gene was analyzed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in these patients, and the clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic data were also analyzed.

RESULTSNo obvious difference was found in the genotyping data between the two groups. Among the male patients with diabetic macroangiopathy, the interventricular septal end-diastolic thickness (IVSTd) were significantly greater in patients of GG genotypes of ACE2 gene G8790A than in those of AA genotypes (P<0.01), and the left ventricular mass (LVMI) and urine protein were also significantly higher in GG genotypes (P<0.05). No similar results were found the uncomplicated diabetic group or the female diabetic patients with CAD.

CONCLUSIONThe ACE2 gene G8790A polymorphism plays a role in the pathogenesis of CAD in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that ACE2 genotyping is helpful to screen the susceptible patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Disease ; complications ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and possible mechanism of complete Freund's adjuvant induced chronic pain on later function of learning and memory in neonatal rats.

METHODSSixty Sprague-Dewley rat pups (10 litters of 6 pups) were randomly divided into control group and chronic pain group (n = 30 in each group). In the chronic pain group, left hind paws of the rats were treated with subcutaneous injection of 20 microl of CFA on postnatal day-2. The control rat pups received normal saline. The hippocampus of rats were separated on postnatal days 10 and 21 (one rat in each group from every litter, n = 10). The expression of Bcl-2 and BDNF mRNA were investigated by RT-PCR. Morris water maze tests were performed on day 21 (one rat in each group from every litter, n = 10).

RESULTSIn hidden-platform training of Morris water maze, the mean escape latency of rats in the chronic pain group were longer than that of the control rats. In spatial probe tests, the average percentages of the swimming time and distances in the platform quadrant in the pain group rats were less than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in visible-platform training between the two groups. The Bcl-2 and BDNF mRNA expressions in hippocampus of the pain group rats were lower than those in the control at day 10, but no significant difference at day 21.

CONCLUSIONChronic pain stress induced by CFA impairs the spatial learning and memory function in neonatal rats. These effects might exert through down-regulating Bcl-2 and BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Down-Regulation ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Genes, bcl-2 ; genetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Pain ; chemically induced ; genetics ; physiopathology ; psychology ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spatial Behavior ; Stress, Physiological ; genetics

Objective To investigate the correlation between the CT perfusion and microvessel density (MVD),expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in neoplasm of head and neck.Methods Eighty-eight lesions of head and neck were scanned by spiral CT.The largest axial surface of the mass was searched on unenhanced imaging,and at this level the dynamic contrast enhanced scan series was acquired.Time-density curves (TDC)were created from circular or oval regions of the interest drawn over the mass,target artery by Toshiba Xpress/SX spiral CT with perfusion functional software.The parameters were measured including:peak height (PH ),peak time (PT ),mean transit time (MTT), contrast enhancement ratio(RPH),and perfusion flow (PF).Histopathological slides of 35 masses were carefully prepared for the anti-CD34 and VEGF immunohistochemical staining and tumor microvessel density and calculation of VEGF expression scores.The parameters of CT perfusion were correlatively study with MVD and VEGF.Results(1)The TDC of CT perfusion imaging could be classified into 3 types.The TDC of 53/77 (68.9% )malignant tumors presented the type with rapid ascending and rapid descending after injecting contrast.The TDC of 6/9 malignant lymphomas showed low platform curve。(2)The PF median of thyroid carcinoma was 82.2(41.0,183.4)ml?min~(-1)?100 g~(-1).There was significantly difference in the parameters of CT perfusion among thyroid carcinoma and squamaous cell cancer (Median 23.8 (7.0, 108.4)ml?min~(-1)?100 g~(-1))and lymphomas (Median 24.5(13.2,78.6)ml?min~(-1)?100 g~(-1)).(3) MVD in benign tumors was (44.7?3.4),and in malignant tumors,it is (49.6?14.8 ).There was no significantly difference in MVD between benign and malignant tumors.High VEGF expression was found in 15 malignant tumors and 1 benign tumors,low VEGF expression was found in 9 malignant tumors and 10 benign tumors.(4)There were no significantly difference in VEGF expression and MVD.There was good correlation between MVD (M 40.0 )and PH (M 26.9 ),RPH (M 14.5 ),PF (M 46.8 )(r = 0.35,45.49, 0.41 ).There was correlation between VEGF(M 4.0)and MTT(M 16.7 )(r = -0.41 ).Conclusion The TDC and CT perfusion could be helpful to differentiate benign from malignant tumors. CT peffusion in neoplasm of head and neck is correlated with MVD and VEGF,and may reflect MVD and expression of VEGF.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of glans-preserving surgery in the treatment of superficial penile cancer (SPCa).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 21 cases of SPCa treated by glans-preserving surgery in our hospital from January of 2003 to March of 2010.

RESULTSThe study included 21 SPCa patients aged 36 to 57 (mean 46) years, with superficial lesions involving the glans penis, coronary sulcus or shaft skin. The tumors were staged and graded TaG1 in 6 cases, TaG2 in 5, TisG1 in 2, TisG2 in 4, T1G1 in 3, and T1G2 in 1. All the patients underwent glans-preserving surgery to preserve the normal appearance and functional integrity of the glans penis, and all returned to normal sexual activity 1 month after operation, with good sexual function and sexual satisfaction. Postoperative follow-up lasted 2 to 7 (mean 5) years, and 2 cases of recurrence in situ found at 6 and 9 months, respectively, which were successfully managed by a second glans-preserving surgery.

CONCLUSIONGlans-preserving surgery is an effective method for superficial penile cancer. With proper selection of the patients, this procedure is technically safe, maximally preserves the penile appearance, and least affects the patients' sexual satisfaction.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Neoplasms ; surgery ; Penis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of two different therapies on patients whose cervical function were restricted due to cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

METHODSForm April 2008 to October 2009, 71 cases with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were divided into group A (36 cases) and group B (35 cases). Among them, 22 cases were male and 49 cases were female, ranging in age form 45 to 65 years with an average of 52.27 years, course of disease was from 3 days to 5 years. The patients in group A were treated with rotation-traction manipulation, neck pain particles and cervical rehabilitation exercises; and the patients in group B were treated with cervical traction, Diclofenac sodium sustained release tablets and wearing neck collar. Theapeutic time was two weeks. The cervical anteflexion, extension, left and right lateral bending, left and right rotative activity were measured by helmet-style activities instrument before and after treatment (at the 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 days and 1 month after treatment respectively).

RESULTSThere were no difference between two groups in cervical activity in all directions before treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with the beginning, cervical anteflexion and extension showed significant difference at the 5th day after treatment in group A (P < 0.01). In group B, cervical anteflexion showed significant difference at the 13th day after treatment (P < 0.05), but at the 1 month after treatment, the significant difference disappeared (P > 0.05); cervical extension showed significant difference at the 7th day after treatment compared with the beginning (P < 0.05). Compared with the beginning,left lateral bending showed significant difference at the 1st day after treatment in group A (P < 0.05) and at the 5th day after treatment in group B (P < 0.01). Both in group A or B, right lateral bending, left and right rotative activity showed significant difference at the same time after treatment, either the 3rd day (P < 0.05) or the 5th day (P < 0.05). Compared between groups, cervical anteflexion, left and right lateral bending, left and right rotative activity showed significant difference at the 1 month after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe rotation-traction manipulation and neck pain particles and cervical rehabilitation exercises in treating cervicalspondylotic radiculopathy have quick effect to improve the activities of cervical anteflexion, extension, left lateral bending, and have durable effect to improve the activities of cervical spine in all directions.

Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Motion ; Neck ; pathology ; Neck Pain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Posture ; Radiculopathy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rotation ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Traction ; methods

BACKGROUNDHemodynamic evaluation is crucial for the management of patients with pulmonary hypertention. Clinicians often prefer a rapid and non-invasive method. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography for the measurements of hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

METHODSA prospective single-center study was conducted among 42 patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by different diseases. Transthoracic echocardiography and right-heart catheterization were performed within 24 hours. Pulmonary artery systolic, diastolic and mean pressure (PASP, PADP and PAMP), cardiac output (CO), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were measured by both methods. A linear correlation and a Bland-Altman analysis were performed to compare the two groups of hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTSA good correlation was found between invasive and non-invasive measurements for PASP (r = 0.96), PADP (r = 0.85), PAMP (r = 0.88), CO (r = 0.82), and PCWP (r = 0.81). Further agreement analysis done by the Bland-Altman method showed that bias and a 95% confidence interval for PASP, PADP, and CO were clinically acceptable while great discrepancies existed for PAMP and PCWP.

CONCLUSIONSThe non-invasive measurements by PASP, PADP, and CO in patients with pulmonary hypertension correlate well with the invasive determinations. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was inappropriate for estimating PCWP and PAMP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Output ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure