Taking the medical education of UCLA Medical School as an example, this paper com-pares the differences of medical education between Chinese and the United States medical schools . US medical education features students from undergraduate students, the organ system-oriented curriculum, diversified teaching methods with emphasis on the PBL one and diversified academic assessment, under-graduate-based teachers' allocation and training objectives for excellent clinical physicians. From the expe-rience of American medical education, our country should focus on optimizing the teaching system, updat-ing the teaching ideas, diversifying the teaching methods, promoting students' initiative, strengthening clinical probation, strengthening students' clinical skills, improving the construction of teaching facilities and network, and enhancing the humanistic quality education and the overall quality of teachers.

0.05).Expression of Stat3 mRNA in human gastric cancer was significantly higher than that in their adjacent noncancerous tissues(P

Objective To establish a Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) chromatographic method for Xiefei-Pingchuanling extract, and to analyze the main components of its water extract. Methods The UPLC-MS was adopted with acetonitrile -0.2% formic acid aqueous solution (gradient elution) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min, detection wave length at 254 nm, and column temperature was 30 ℃. Results Eighteen components were separated from Xiefei-Pingchuanling extract, and eight ingredients were identified, such as the ephedrine, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, salvianolic acidB, rhein, aloeemodin, chrysophanol, physcionwere. Conclusions The UPLC-MS chromatographic method has the specialty of stability and repeatability, and it is suitable for analysis of Xiefei-Pingchuanling extract.

Objective To investigate the incidence of and clinical factors influencing neonatal birth defects from different assisted reproductive technology. Methods Between October 1998 and December 2006,1271 newborns from mothers treated by in vitro fertilization techniques [ including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (1CSI) and thaw embryo transfer (Thaw-ET) ] matched with 269 newborns from mothers treated by artificial insemination were enrolled in Reproductive Medicine Center in First Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University. Their medical information was analyzed retrospectively to compared neonatal characteristics, the incidence of birth defect and anomalous organs involved between in vitro fertilization group and artificial insemination group. Results In group of in vitro fertilization, those newborns with low birth weight from IVF, ICSI and Thaw-ET were 20. 0% ( 134/671 ), 22. 4% (92/410), 18.9% (36/190)respectively, which were more than 11.5% (31/269) cases in group of artifical semination with statistical significance (P < 0. 05 ). The rates of multiple pregnancy of 23.8% ( 160/671 ), 25.4% (104/410) ,21.1% (40/190) in subgroup of 1VF, ICSI and Thaw-ET were significantly higher than 10. 0% ( 27/269 ) in group of artifical insemination( P < 0. 05 ). The rate of macrosomia in group of in vitro fertilization was significantly lower than that of artificial insemination group (3.9% vs 8. 2%, P <0.05). However, the incidence of birth defect involved in various organs did not show significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05 ). Conclusions The incidence of multiple pregnancy demonstrated obviously increasing trends born with various In Vitro Fertilization techniques, which pave the way to high risk pregnancy. However, the incidence of newborn birth defect was not increased significantly. Thus, to lower occurrence of multiple pregnancy was the key approach to obtain neonates health.

Objective To explore the association between serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and relation factors in the patients with manic episodes of bipolar Ⅰ disorder(BD).Methods The case-control study was used for this study.A total of 73 inpatients with manic episodes of BD(patient group) and 39 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled.Diagnosis was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ) criteria.Serum levels of Hcy was measured by enzymatic cycling assay.Young Mania Rating Scale(YMRS) were used to assess the severity of clinical symptoms of patients.Results There was a statistical difference in serum Hcy levels between patient group ((16.89± 14.67)μmol/L) and control group ((10.61±6.46) μmol/L) (P＜0.01),and serum Hcy levels was higher in men((20.42± 16.52) μmol/L) than that in women((10.87±8.02) μmol/L) in patients group(P＜0.05).The prevalence rate of high Hcy was 35.6％ in the patient group and 13.5％ in the control group(P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed body mass index(BMI) had positive correlation with serum levels of Hcy (r=0.317,P＜0.05).Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed male,BMI were associated with serum levels of Hcy among the patients (all P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Serum Hcy levels in the patients with manic episodes of bipolar Ⅰ disorder increase,and it is associated with gender and BMI.

To further investigate the mechanisms of action of icariin (ICA), we assessed the effects of ICA on the in vitro formation of cGMP and cAMP in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum. Isolated segments of rabbit corpus cavernosum were exposed to increasing concentrations of ICA and the dose-dependent accumulation of cGMP and cAMP was determined in the tissues samples by means of 125I radioimmunoassay. Responses of the isolated tissues preparations to ICA were compared with those obtained with the reference compounds sildenafil (Sild). Furthermore, the effects of ICA on the mRNA expression of specific cGMP-binding phosphodiesterase type V (PDE5) in rat penis were also observed. After incubation with ICA for 6 h or 14 h respectively, the levels of PDE5 mRNA were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that ICA increased cGMP concentrations directly (P < 0.05), but there was no significant effect on cAMP concentrations (P > 0.05). In the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a stimulatory agent of cGMP, both ICA and Sild increased cGMP concentrations with increasing dose (P < 0.01). Their EC50 was 4.62 (ICA) and 0.42 (Sild) micromol/L respectively. Under the same condition, ICA and Sild unaltered cAMP level significantly (P > 0.05). There were PDE5A1 and PDE5A2 mRNA expressions in rat corpus cavernosum with PDE5A2 being the dominant isoform. ICA could obviously inhibit these two isoforms mRNA expression in rat penis, and decrease PDE5A1 more pronouncedly (P < 0.01). The present study indicated that the aphrodisiac mechanisms of icariin involved the NO-cGMP signal transduction pathway, with increasing cGMP levels in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The inhibitory effect of icariin on PDE5 mRNA expression, especially on PDE5A1, might account for its molecular mechanisms for its long-term activity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality and quantity changes of Flos Lonicerace during flowering stages in Hanzhong GAP base in order for properly harvesting and quality control.

METHODThe yield index of Flos lonicerace in four flowering stages was determined, and the contents of chlorogenic acid and the total flavonoid in the samples were determined by HPLC and the colorimetry, respectively. The volatile oils were extracted by the SFE-CO2 and the constituents were analyzed by GC-MS.

RESULTThe yield in the first two flowering times was attributed to about more than 80% of total yield, and the number of flower buds for each plant in the first time was almost the same as the sum of the other three times. The drying rate of the three-site green flowers kept the highest during the first flowering time, and the drying rate of the two-site white flowers kept the highest during the second flowering time. The contents of chlorogenic acid and the total flavonoid in the first flowering time were higher than those in the second, and among them, the two-site white flowers kept the highest, about 3.5% and 13.2%, respectively. For the sample flowers in in the second flowering time, the three-site green flowers kept the highest level of chlorogenic acid and the total flavonoid, about 2.7% and 11.6%, respectively. From the volatile oil samples in the five periods of Flos lonicerace in the first flowering time, 19 components were identified by GC-MS. They were composed by three types of compounds, n-diolefines, fatty acids and steroids. Nonacosane and hentriacontane had the relatively higher amount with more than 40% and 20%, respectively. The relative contents of vitamine E were higher too, about 8.15% - 10.43%. And, gamma-5-sitostene-3-ol, stigmasta-5,2-diene-3-ol and campesterol were also detected. Among these steroids, the relative contents of the first two were 4.90% - 6.9%, 1.06%- 4.10%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe flowering samples in the first two times were attributed to the most to the total yield. The samples of the two-site white flower and the whole-white flower had the higher comprehensive quality. The components of vitamine E and the steroids in the volatile oil need to be paid more attention.

Biomass ; Flowers ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Seasons

To further investigate the mechanisms of action of icariin (ICA), we assessed the effects of ICA on the in vitro formation of cGMP and cAMP in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum. Isolated segments of rabbit corpus cavernosum were exposed to increasing concentrations of ICA and the dose-dependent accumulation of cGMP and cAMP was determined in the tissues samples by means of 125I radioimmunoassay. Responses of the isolated tissues preparations to ICA were compared with those obtained with the reference compounds sildenafil (Sild). Furthermore, the effects of ICA on the mRNA expression of specific cGMP-binding phosphodiesterase type V (PDE5) in rat penis were also observed. After incubation with ICA for 6 h or 14 h respectively, the levels of PDE5 mRNA were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that ICA increased cGMP concentrations directly (P＜0.05), but there was no significant effect on cAMP concentrations (P＞0.05). In the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a stimulatory agent of cGMP,both ICA and Sild increased cGMP concentrations with increasing dose (P＜0.01). Their EC50 was 4.62 (ICA) and 0.42 (Sild) μmol/L respectively. Under the same condition, ICA and Sild unaltered cAMP level significantly (P＞0.05). There were PDE5A1 and PDE5A2 mRNA expressions in rat corpus cavernosum with PDE5A2 being the dominant isoform. ICA could obviously inhibit these two isoforms mRNA expression in rat penis, and decrease PDE5A1 more pronouncedly (P＜ 0.01). The present study indicated that the aphrodisiac mechanisms of icariin involved the NO-cGMP signal transduction pathway, with increasing cGMP levels in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The inhibitory effect of icariin on PDE5 mRNA expression, especially on PDE5A1, might account for its molecular mechanisms for its long-term activity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cystathione beta synthase (CBS) gene T833C, G919A, 844ins68 polymorphisms and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels in ethnic Uyghur and Han patients with essential hypertension (EH) in Xinjiang.

METHODSFour hundred twenty nine cases including 211 Uyghur and 218 Han EH patients were recruited, whilst 410 healthy individuals including 210 Uyghurs and 200 Hans were used as the controls. Amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) was adopted to analyze the CBS gene polymorphisms including T833C, G919A and 844ins68. Enzymoimmunoassay was applied to determine the plasma level of Hcy. Chemiluminescence was applied to determine the plasma folic acid and vitamin B12.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the plasma Hcy level was significantly higher in the EH group in both ethnic Uyghurs and Hans (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of Hcy in T833C, G919A genotypes (for both heterozygotes and homozygotes) were statistically higher than wild types (P < 0.05). A significant difference was detected in G919A polymorphism between the EH patients and controls in both Uyghur and [CM(144.5mm] Han ethnics (Uyghur: x² = 10.264, P < 0.01; Han: x² = 23.075, P < 0.01), and in T833C between the EH patients and controls in ethnic Uyghurs (x² = 40.254, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR=1.151, P=0.047, 95% CI = 1.002-1.323), T833C (CC) (OR = 1.078, P = 0.003, 95% CI = 1.043-1.114), obesity (OR = 1.284, P = 0.021, 95% CI = 1.038-1.590), hyperhomocysteine (OR = 3.296, P = 0.016, 95% CI = 1.244-8.733) were independent risk factors for EH among ethnic Uygurs, while age (OR = 1.162, P = 0.007, 95% CI = 1.042-1.297), obesity (OR = 3.501, P = 0.003, 95% CI = 1.521-8.060), hyperhomocysteine (OR = 1.046, P = 0.031, 95% CI = 1.011-1.459) were independent risk factors for EH in ethnic Hans after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONPlasma level of Hcy is associated with ethnic Uyghur and Han patients with EH in Xinjiang. CBS gene T833C CC genotype may be associated with the EH among Uyghur ethnics.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; ethnology ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; genetics ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level and 66A/G and 524C/T polymorphisms of methionine synthase reductase (MSR) gene with essential hypertension (EH) in ethnic Uygurs and Hans from Xinjiang.

METHODSFrom September 2011 to July 2014, 199 Uyghur and 216 Han patients were collected, while 195 healthy Uyghur ethnics and 217 healthy Han ethnics were recruited as the controls. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RELP) was adopted to detect the above polymorphisms. Enzyme immunological assay was applied to measure the levels of plasma Hcy.

RESULTSCompared with the control, plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in EH group in both Uyghur and Han ethnics (P<0.05). In both ethnic groups, there were also significant differences in MSR 524C/T polymorphism between the patients and controls (Uyghur: chi-square=6.559, P=0.038; Han: chi-square=12.684, P=0.002). No significant difference was found in MSR 66A/G polymorphism between the patients and controls in both ethnic groups (P>0.05). Plasma Hcy level in those with a 66G/524C genotype was statistically higher than that with 66A/524T (P<0.05). After adjusting confounding factors such as gender and age, Logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR=1.924, 95% CI:1.177- 3.164, P=0.009), obesity (OR=2.491, 95% CI: 1.584-3.920, P<0.01), hyperhomocysteine (OR=1.609, 95% CI: 1.016-2.548, P=0.043) were independent risk factors for EH in Uygurs, while age (OR=1.133, 95% CI: 1.010-81.272, P=0.033), hyperhomocysteine level (OR=3.894, 95% CI: 2.432-6.237, P<0.01), and obesity (OR=1.864, 95% CI: 1.141-3.046, P=0.013) were independent risk factors for EH in Han ethnics. No association was found between the polymorphisms and EH in Uygurs and Hans.

CONCLUSIONAge, hyperhomocysteine and obesity were common independent risk factors for EH in both Uygur and Han ethnics from Xinjiang. The MSR 66G genotype can increase the plasma concentration of Hcy, while MSR 524T genotype may reduce it. MSR 524C/T TT genotype may be a protective factor for EH. MSR polymorphisms 66A/G and 524C/T are not independent risk factors for EH in Uygur and Han ethnics from Xinjiang.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; enzymology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide