To investigate the effects of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on the proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) from neonatal rats induced by angiotensin II, and to explore the mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in improving myocardial fibrosis.

Objective To establish the method of the SYBR Green Ⅰ real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR for detecting the se‐rum miR‐203 expression level ,and to detect the serum miR‐203 expression levels in the patients with cervical cancer ,cervical benign diseases and healthy controls .Methods The miR‐203 ,U6 stem loop RT primers and the PCR amplification primers were designed for conducting fluorescence quantitative PCR ,with U6 as the internal relative quantification ,the serum miR‐203 levels were com‐pared among different cervical diseases .Results The established method could specifically detect the amplification signal of serum miR‐203 ,the melting curve was single and PCR products were specific .The serum miR‐203 level in the patients with cervical cancer was significantly higher than that in the patients with benign cervical diseases such as hysteromyoma and cervicitis ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The SYBR Green Ⅰ real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR is a quick ,simple detection method with high sensitivity and good specificity ,which may have a better application prospect in cervical cancer auxiliary diagnosis .

AIM:To investigate the expression level of transcriptional factor Elf-1 in mononuclear cells,CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB). METHODS: Real-time PCR with SYBR green I technique was used for detecting the Elf-1 expression in mononuclear cells,sorted CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 12 cases of umbilical cord blood. The relative mRNA expression level of Elf-1 was analyzed by a formula of 2-△Ct?100%. The expression level of ?2-microglobulin gene (?2M) was used as an endogenous reference. The peripheral blood from 10 cases of healthy adults was served as control. RESULTS: Elf-1 mRNA expressed in all blood samples collected from both UCB and healthy adults. The expression level showed apparent diversity in different individuals. The relative mRNA expression of Elf-1 in both mononuclear cells (18.55%?2.48%) and CD8+T cells (3.52%?0.45%) from UCB were significantly higher than those from healthy adults (9.16%?1.92%,2.02%?0.27%,respectively,P

AIM: To investigate the expression level of transcriptional factor Elf-1 in mononuclear cells, CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB). METHODS: Real-time PCR with SYBR green I technique was used for detecting the Elf-1 expression in mononuclear cells, sorted CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells from 12 cases of umbilical cord blood. The relative mRNA expression level of Elf-1 was analyzed by a formula of 2~(-△Ct)×100%. The expression level of β_2-microglobulin gene (β_2M) was used as an endogenous reference. The peripheral blood from 10 cases of healthy adults was served as control. RESULTS: Elf-1 mRNA expressed in all blood samples collected from both UCB and healthy adults. The expression level showed apparent diversity in different individuals. The relative mRNA expression of Elf-1 in both mononuclear cells (18.55%±2.48%) and CD8~+ T cells (3.52%±0.45%) from UCB were significantly higher than those from healthy adults (9.16%±1.92%, 2.02%±0.27%, respectively, P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of Elf-1 expression level from umbilical cord blood indicate that the over-expression of Elf-1 gene in mononuclear cells and CD8~+ T cells might be one of the features of T cell immune state in umbilical cord blood.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution.

METHODSEighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min.

RESULTS(1)Before treatment, (1)MBPU values at Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were lower than those in the mild constitution group,but there was no statistical significance (both P>0. 05) except Danzhong(CV 17) (P<0. 01). (Z)As for the three acupoints in the mild constitution group, MBPU level of Danzhong(CV 17) was higher than that of Xiawan(CV 10) without statistical significance(P->0. 05),and MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17) and Xiawan(CV 10) were higher than that of Qihai(CV 6) (both P<0. 01). (3About the three acupoints in the yang-deficiency constitution group, MBPU result of Danzhong(CV 17) was lower than the value of Xiawan(CV 10), but higher compared with Qihai(CV 6)(P<0. 05, P<0. 01). MBPU of Xiawan(CV 10) was higher than Qihai (CV 6) as well(P<0. 01). (2) MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) were increased apparently compared with those before treatment after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min in the two groups(all P<0. 01). (3) The rise rates of MBPU level about Danzhong(CV 17) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were higher than those in the mild constitution group without statistical significance after EA at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min(both P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe energy metabolism in CV of volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution is declined, especially Danzhong(CV 17). EA can rise energy metabolism in CV of mild or yang-deficiency constitution volunteers through regulating MBPU along meridian.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Microcirculation ; Skin ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Volunteers ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

Post competency-based medical education complies to the development and philosophy of modern medicine. This paper completely illustrates how to construct a scientific and diversified assessment evaluation system guided by post competency for medical students which combines formative assessment and summative assessment. Through the objective measurement and timely feedback of various abilities of medical students, the closed-loop feedback system of assessment and evaluation can be constructed to guide the exploration and practice of teaching process in reverse.

Objective This study was to explore deaf people's needs for a smooth communication with doctors and/or nurses during health consultation in the outpatient department or when being hospitalized and supply reference for compilation of sign language textbooks.Methods Purposive sampling was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted.Six deaf participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed.It lased for 20 to 40 minutes for each interview.Interviews were recorded digitally and then transcribed and validated.Transcripts were analyzed using a method of thematic analysis.Results Three themes were identified,i.e.needs for sign language interpreters,needs for information and knowledge.and needs for psychosocial and emotional support.Needs for sign language interpreters meant that doctors and nurses were able to communicate with them using simple sign language instead of terminology.The required information and knowledge covered three aspects,i.e.health condition,pharmaceutical therapy,and self-care activity.Conclusions There may exist serious communicative barriers for deaf people during their health consultation in the outpatient department or when being hospitalized.There is a need for healthcare professionals who are competent in sign language to establish the health delivery environment with minimal barriers.

Objective This study aimed to explore issues about dysandia female during pregnancy,peripartum and contraception and to supply reference for their reproductive health improvement. Methods Purposive sampling strategy was used. With the aid of an interview guide, 12 dysaudia women who met inclu-sion and exclusion criteria were invited to be interviewed. Interviews were recorded, validated and then ana-lyzed. Results Four themes were generated, limited knowledge, passive information acquisition, total depen-dence on family and reluctant to talk about contraception. Total dependence on family was noticeable during pregnancy and peripartum. Though little was known about health protection related to pregnancy, peripartum and contraception, participants were passive at seeking for relevant information. Conclusions Deaf women may experience more threats to reproductive health in relation to pregnancy, peripartum and contraception that they require more guidance and assistance.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the usage of Mayo staging system in Chinese patients with primary light chain (LC) amyloidosis.

METHODClinical data, treatment and outcome of 162 primary LC amyloidosis patients with Mayo Clinic staging in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe median age of 162 patients with Mayo Clinic 2004 stage was 57 (20-81) y, of them 62.3% were male. The number of patients with stage I to III were 44 (27.2%), 69 (42.6%), and 49 (30.2%), respectively. The median overall survival was not reached, 23 months and 12 months in patients with Mayo Clinic 2004 stage I, II, and III, respectively (P<0.001). Among 128 patients with Mayo Clinic 2012 stage, 48 patients (37.5%), 32 patients (25.0%), 32 patients (25.0%) and 16 patients (12.5%) were staged as Mayo Clinic 2012 stage 1 to 4, and the median OS was not reached, not reached, 13 months and 3 months, respectively (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONMayo Clinic staging systems had important prognostic value in patients with primary LC amyloidosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amyloidosis ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of very high risk patients with primary immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (pAL) at a single center in China. Method: Clinical data, treatment and outcome of 205 pAL patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to February 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. A 'very high risk’ group includes patients with Mayo 2004 stage Ⅲb and Mayo 2012 stage 4. Results: Of 205 patients, 34 (16.6%) were defined as very high risk pAL patients. The median age at diagnosis was 57 (20-84) years, and 22 patients (64.7%) were male. All 34 patients were diagnosed with cardiac involvement, multi-organ involvement was observed in 15 patients (44.1%) , and 27 (81.8%) had New York Heart Association Class Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Median values of serum cTnI, NT-proBNP, and free light chains difference were 0.25 μg/L, 11 733 ng/L, and 403 mg/L, respectively. Eight (24.2%) had more than 10% plasma cell on the bone marrow aspirate. Sixteen (47.1%) patients received bortezomib based chemotherapy and overall hematologic response rate was 58.3%. Median overall survival (OS) was 4 months. The estimated OS at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 51.3%, 44.0%, 35.2%, and 29.6%, respectively. Fourteen (41.2%) patients died within 3 months after the diagnosis. The estimated 1-year survival rate for the patients who got hematologic response, without hematologic response, and palliative treatment was 90.9%, 11.1%, and 0, respectively (P<0.001) . Conclusion Patients with very high risk pAL had very poor prognosis and the early death rate remained high. Those patients who obtained hematologic remission would have significantly better outcomes.