The medical curriculum which is designed reasonable, plays a decisive role in the training specifications and quality of medical talents. The medical education in England is always in the world first column, and its medical curriculum is distinctive. The courses are mostly offered by the form of integration. They pay more attention to the setup of selective courses, humanities and social sciences courses, and they also put emphasis on the early clinical contact and early scientific research training. In addition, they are also outstanding in practice and internship. There is much beneficial enlightenment for our country's course reform from the British medical curriculum design, namely to establish integration courses which is interdisciplinary, to strengthen the humanistic quality's cultiva-tion, to advocate early clinical contact and early scientific research, and to strengthen cooperation and coordination between medical colleges and social organizations in all aspects.

Quality variation and ecotype classification of Chinese herbal medicine are important scientific problems in Daodi herbal medicine research. The diversity of natural environmental conditions has led to form unique multi-Daodi, multi-product areas that produce particular Chinese herbal medicine. China is one of three big American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) producing areas worldwide, with over 300 years of application and 40 years of cultivation history. Long-term production practice has led to the formation of three big advocate produce areas in China: Northeast province, Beijing and Shandong. P. quinquefolium L. grown under certain environmental conditions will develop long-term adaptations that will lead to more stable strains (different ecotypes). P. quinquefolium L., can vary greatly in quality; however, the ecological mechanisms causing this variation are still unclear. Root samples were collected from four-year-old cultivated P. quinquefolium L. plants in the three major genuine (Daodi) American ginseng-producing areas of Northeast province, Beijing and Shandong province, China. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the contents of eight ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rg2). Data for nine ecological factors, including temperature, moisture and sunlight, were obtained from the ecological database of Geographic Information System for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Soil samples from the sampling sites were collected. Effective boron and iron, available nitrogen and potassium, as well as other trace elements and soil nutrients, were determined by conventional soil physicochemical property assay methods. Analytical methods of biostatistics and numerical taxonomy were used to divide ecotypes of the three main Panax quinquefolium L. producing areas in China based on ginsenoside content, climate, soil and other ecological factors. To our knowledge, this is the first time that ecological division of P. quinquefolium L. producing areas in China has ever been conducted. The results show that there are two chemoecotypes of P. quinquefolium L. in China: ginsenoside Rb1-Re from outside Shanhaiguan, and ginsenoside Rg2-Rd from inside Shanhaiguan. Similarly, there are two types of climatic characteristics: inside Shanhaiguan (Beijing, Shandong) and outside Shanhaiguan (Northeast). This suggests that the formation and differentiation of chemoecotypes of P. quinquefolium L. is closely related to variability of the climatic and geographical environment. Additionally, ecological variation of the three main producing areas, characteristics of two climatic ecotypes, and soil characteristics are also discussed and summarized. These results provide experimental scientific evidence of the quality variation and ecological adaptation of P. quinquefolium L. from different producing areas. They also deepen our understanding of the biological nature of Daodi P. quinquefolium L. formation, and offer novel research models for other multi-origin, multi-Daodi Chinese herbal medicines ecotypes. In addition, the results demonstrate the critical need for improving quality, appropriate ecological regionalization and promoting industrialized development of P. quinquefolium L.

Objective To compare the efficacy of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis (HD) on polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods Retrospective analysis was made on 29 patients with PKD who carded out dialysis therapy for over 3 months in our department from January 2001 to December 2007. They were divided into the CAPD group (10 cases, 34.5%) and HD group (19 cases, 65.5%). Ten cases of non-PKD CAPD patients were randomly selected as the control, who matched the CAPD group in terms of age and gender. The patient information was recorded, such as general data, initial dialysis data, comphcations, survival time, quit of dialysis or death, etc. Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were adopted to analyze the survival rate. Results The survival rates of 1-, 3- and 5-year for the CAPD group were 90%, 75% and 25% respectively, while for the HD group were 94.4%, 67.6%, and 48.3%, and for the control were 83.3%, 44.4% and 22.2% respectively, with no significant differences among 3 groups (P>0.05). group and the control were quite similar. The incidence of peritonitis for the CAPD group (0.62 times/patient year) was similar to that for the control (0.30 times/patient year)(P>0.05). The duration of the lust peritonitis[(23.5±4.0) months vs (20.0±15.8) months] and the catheter exit-site infection (0 time vs 1 time) for two groups were similar as well (P>0.05). One patient had hernia in CAPD group and no patient in control group had hernia. The incidence of peritoneal dialysate leakage was similar between these two groups. In the HD group, two patients (10.5%) had cerebral hemorrhage resulting in death, and 10 patients (52.6%) had cystic hemorrhage, 5 out of whom underwent operation due to repeated cystic hemorrhage and 2 cases received unilateral nephrectomy because of severe hemorrhage. No patient in CAPD group had cerebral hemorrhage but 1 patient (10%) had cystic hemorrhage and recovered after conservative treatment. The hemorrhage complication incidence of CAPD group was significantly lower than that of HD group (P<0.05). Conclusions The prognosis and complication incidence in PKD and non-PKD patients treated with CAPD are similar. The prognosis of PKD patients treated with CAPD or HD is also similar, and the risk of hemorrhage complications of PKD patients treated with CAPD may be decreased compared with those treated with HD. PKD patients can choose HD or PD as the initial therapy of ESRD unless existence of hernia or intolerance. PKD is not the contraindication of PD.

0.05).CONCLUSION:The excellent mechanical properties of composite ligament can meet the mechanical requirements of appropriate ligament tissue engineering scaffolds.

Objective To investigate the mutations ACTN4 and SYNPO genes promoter in sporadic primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and to analyze the role of mutations in FSGS. Methods The study consisted of 82 Chinese primary FSGS, including 39 females and 43 males, ranged from 12 to 76 years old. Seventy volunteers were selected as healthy control group. Genomie DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells of FSGS patients and hair of patients' parents by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing to analyze ACTN4 and SYNPO gene promoter mutations. Mutations were matched with GenBank and TRANSFAC software database (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; www.genometix.de; www.gene-regulation, corn). Dual luciferase assay system was used to analyze the promoter region mutations, based on PGL3-Basie vector, pRL-SV40 and PCI2 cell line. Hair DNA of novel mutation patients' parents was sequenced. Expression of alpha-actinin-4 and synaptopodin in patients' kidney tissue was examined by immunofluorescence. Results Three patients with 1-34C>T, 1-590delA and (1-1044delT)+ (I-797T >C) +(1-769A >G) heterozygous mutations were found in ACTN4 gene promoter respectively, and two patients with 1-24G>A and 1-851C>T heterozygous mutations in SYNPO gene promoter respectively. The same mutations were not found in the control group of 70 healthy people. Except one patient accepting her parents' 1-1044delT and 1-797T>C mutated chromosome respectively, no same mutations were found in patients' parents. Protein expression of alpha-actinin-4 and synaptopodin was reduced in mutated patients' kidneys. Except 1-1044delT group, luciferase activity in mutated groups decreased. (1-1044delT)+(1-797T>C)+(1-769A>G) mutation was associated with poor outcome and patient with these mutations progressed to end-stage renal failure. Conclusion Mutations of ACTN4 and SYNPO gene promoters affect gene transcription and protein translation, which may contribute to the onset of sporadic primary FSGS.

Objective To explore the molecular mechanisms involved in hypokalemic salt-losing tubulopathies ( SLTs) through genetic screening of WNK gene in patients with SLTs. Methods Forty-four kindreds of SLTs were diagnosed Batter's syndrome or Gitelman's syndrome after CLCNKB and SLC12A3 sequencing and analysis, 8 of whose phenotype can not be simply attributed to CLCNKB or SLC12A3 mutations. Primers for PCR-amplified exons of WNK4 and WNK1 gene in genomic DNA were designed, and direct sequencing was performed to analyse the PCR products. Results Two missense mutations of WNK1, Ile~(1172)→ Met (I1172M) and Ser~(2047) → Asn (S2047N), were identified. Both of these 2 mutations segregated with the disease in SLTs kindred. Conclusion Two heterozygote missense mutations of WNK1 gene (I1172 M and S2047N) were found in 8 SLTs kindreds, indicating that WNK1 might be another gene responsible for hypokalemic salt-losing tubulopathies.

Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially herbal medicine, has been widely used in China and now is also being increasingly used in other countries for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Although many studies have demonstrated that certain Chinese herbal products are effective and safe for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, most of these lack sufficient quality. Therefore, large randomized clinical trials and further scientific research to determine its safety, effectiveness are necessary.QiShen YiQi Dripping Pills (QSYQDP) is a herbal preparation clinically used in the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease. Preliminary observations have shown its safety and effectiveness. Methods/Design This randomized, controlled trial will recruit 3600 patients with a history of myocardial infarction. Patients will be randomized into two groups by a Centr-Randomized System. One group receives QSYQDP, the other group receive aspirin. This trial protocol will describe eligibility criteria, detailed information on the treatment definition, blinding, endpoints, statistical methods, sample size determination, data management, legal aspects, and the current status of the trial. Discussion This trial is one of the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. The results of this study should help to define the role of TCM in modern medical care, as well as to provide the management strategy for CAD patients in China and other countries.

Objective To establish a liquid chromatography-tandem mass chromatography ( LC-MS/MS) method for determination of vancomycin concentration in human serum and compare its methodological performance with chemiluminescence microparticle immuno-assay (CMIA). Methods The proteins in serum sample were precipitated by methanol and then vancomycin was eluted and separated on Agilent Poroshell 120EC C18 column (2.1 mm×50 mm, 2.7 μm) with mobile phase of methanol and water in a gradient percentage. Both phases of methanol and water contained 0.1% formic acid. The flow rate was 0.5 mL/min. Norvancomycin was applied as internal standard. Electrospray ionization source was applied and operated in positive ion mode of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). A total of 112 serum samples collected from the patients taking vancomycin in our hospital, and the results were compared with those of CMIA. Results The method exhibited good linearty within the concentration range of 1 to 100 μg/mL (r2＝ 0.9964).The intra-and inter-day accuracy and precision were all satisfactory for the requirements of quantitative drug testing. No matrix effect and carry-over effect were observed. The results of Wilcoxon symbol rank test showed a difference with statistical significance was found between the serum con-centrations of vancomycin determined by LC-MS/MS and CMIA (P＜0.05), but strong positive correlation and good linear regression were shown between the two methods (Y＝1.06X－0.37, r＝0.986). Conclusion LC-MS/MS should be a cost-saving method superior to CMIA. Its results highly correlated with those of CMIA method. The advantages of LC-MS/MS on accuracy and precision obviously outperformed those of CMIA. Since all the results of LC-MS/MS are comparable to CMIA, this method should be promising to use in determining concentration of vancomycin in serum samples with high clinical value.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal fenestration techniques in thoracic aortic endoluminal repair.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent endovenous repair of the thoracic aorta with the application of 3D printing technology-assisted extracorporeal windowing in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan University Hospital from January 2019 to May 2021, and analyzed the surgical results as well as the occurrence of perioperative complications.Results:A total of 10 patients with a mean age of(53.3±15.7) years were included, including 4 cases of complex B aortic coarctation, 5 cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm and 1 case of abdominal aortic aneurysm. All patients in this group underwent endoluminal repair of the thoracic aorta with 3D printing assisted extracorporeal fenestration, including 1 case of PCI performed at the same time. There were no postoperative complications and no perioperative deaths.Conclusion:3D printing technology assisted extracorporeal fenestration and endoluminal aortic repair can accurately position aortic stents for fenestration, optimise endoluminal treatment options and improve patient prognosis.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The medical literatures on LH and RFA for HCC were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, VIP, Wanfang, CNKI and other electronic databases. The retrieval date was from database construction to June 7, 2021. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, studies were extracted by two authors, and Revman 5.3 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis to compare differences in operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, total complications, overall survival and disease-free survival outcomes between the LH group and the RFA group.Results:Of 3 690 patients who were included in 32 studies, there were 1 708 patients in the LH group and 1982 patients in the RFA group. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the LH group, the RFA group had significantly shorter surgical duration ( MD=-86.41, 95% CI: -116.21--56.60), less blood loss ( MD=-213.22, 95% CI: -273.43--153.00), shorter hospital stay ( MD=-3.23, 95% CI: -4.13--2.32), and lower incidence of complications ( OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.26-0.43). However, local recurrence rate was significantly higher ( OR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.38-2.41). (All P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate of the LH group was significantly better than the RFA group ( OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.51-0.90, P=0.008). Conclusion:LH provided better overall survival outcomes and lower local recurrence rates than RFA in HCC patients.