Considering a variety of theories such like Dunkin's, Centra's and Kolitch's, a set of 13 indicators are designed to evaluate effect of courses taken in high education of China currently, compro-mised by chief aspects of course designing, practicing, and effect. Three courses including medical nursing, humanistic cultivation and communication skills in nursing and fundamentals of nursing in a nursing de-partment are chosen to be objects of questionnaire survey about the above indicators. The results show that there are significant differences in curriculum effectiveness between different courses. The scores are 2.81, 2.80 and 2.60 respectively, and teachers and students have different evaluation on the same indicators of the same curriculum,which provides a reference for teachers, colleges and universities and teaching management departments to promote the improvement of teaching quality.

Functional constipation(FC) in childhood is characterized by a low defecation frequency in combination with either involuntary loss of stools(encopresis),passage of large amounts of stool,retentive posturing,or hard and often painful defecation.It represents 3%-5% of general pediatric outpatient visits and up to 25% of pediatric gastroenterology consultations.FC is a diagnosis made by history and physical examination.No testing is necessary or desirable.The decision to seek medical care for symptoms arises from a parent′s or caretaker′s concern for children.The caretaker′s threshold for concern varies with his or her experiences and expectations,coping style,and perception of illness,till now there is not an universal native criteria established in spite of much has been done in it.The criteria used are still to draw assistance from the foreign standard,among which the classic criteria,the Rome Ⅱ and Rome Ⅲ criteria are considered commonly used.The purpose of this paper is to descript the several foreign criteria,and to make comparison among them,and to explore their applicability and effectiveness in childhood FC

Aim ToinvestigatetheeffectsofmiRNA-181 a on breast cancer resistance protein ( BCRP ) . Methods Bioinformaticspredictedbindingsitesof BCRP mRNA-3ˊUTR region and miR-181 a;further lu-ciferase reporter gene analysis confirmed that miR-181 a could combine with BCRP mRNA-3ˊUTR; qRT-PCR and Western blot detected related mRNA and protein expressionlevels.Results Comparedwithnegative transfection group, after the miR-181a mimic and PGL3-BCRP 3ˊUTR were co-transfected, luciferase ac-tivity was significantly decreased ( P <0 . 05 ) . After miR-181a mimic transfected MCF7/MX cells for 48h, compared to the negative group, the expression of miR-181 a in MCF-7/MX cells was increased ( P<0. 05 ) , BCRP mRNA, BCRP protein expression were signifi-cantly decreased ( P<0 . 05 ) , while mRNA expression and protein levels of MRP, P-gp, LRP did not change significantly ( P >0. 05 ); after transfecting miR-181 a inhibitor for 48h, compared to the negative group, the expression of miR-181 a in MCF-7 cells was reduced (P<0. 05). Meanwhile,BCRP mRNA expression and BCRP protein expression were also significantly in-creased ( P<0. 05 ) . The mRNA expression and pro-tein levels of MRP, P-gp, LRP did not change signifi-cantly(P>0.05).Conclusion miR-181acanregu-late BCRP expression by targeting the BCRP mRNA-3ˊUTR region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; RNA ; administration & dosage ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Gingko biloba leaf extract (GbE) is effective in promoting the functions recovery of the brain that follows traumatic injury, in improving the dysfunctions of learning and memory of the elderly, and it is also effective in improving the plasticity in central nervous system (CNS). However, what is the effect on learning and memory functions of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus?OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of GbE on the learning and memory dysfunction and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in hippocampus of diabetic rats.DESIGN: Complete-random design, controlled experimental study.SETTING: Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University.MATERIALS: A total of 84 male Wistar rats (180-220 g), 8 weeks old,SPF, were used in this study. GbE (containing 24.8% flavone glycosides and 6.2% diterpene lactone) was purchased from Guilin Xintejia Natural plants Pharmaceutical Factory, Guangxi Province, Lot No. 200405.METHODS: The experiment was completed at the Pharmacology Lab (Provincial Lab) of the Experimental Center of Guangxi Medical University from June 2004 to March 2005. ① A total of 70 rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 55 rmg/kg dissolved in citrate buffer (pH4.4) after 24 hours fasting. Tail vein blood glucose concentration was determined 4 days later using ONE TOUCH glucose meter. A total of 56 streptozotocin-treated rats with a blood glucose concentration of ＞ 15 mmol/L were recognized as type 2 diabetic rats. ② These diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, insulin group, high-dose GbE group, and low-dose GbE group. There were 14 rats in each group. There was no difference in the blood glucose concentration among the groups. Another 14 male rats with an intraperitoneal injection of citrate buffer solution were served as control group. After division, drugs were given. Insulin 10 μ/kg was injected subcutaneously every day for 6 months. GbE 100 mg/kg and GbE 50 mg/kg were administered through intra-gastric method every day for 6 months.The diabetic group and control group were administered normal solution through intra-gastric method every day for 6 months. ③ Six months later,Morris water maze was operated on each group of rats. The Morris water maze consisted of a large circular pool [100 cmdimension, 60 cm height,filled to a depth of 42 cm with water at (25±1) ℃]. Within the pool a submerged platform (round, black, 8 cm diameter, 2 cm below the water surface) was hidden on a fixed location, 20 cm from the edge of the pool,in which milk powder was dissolved to obscure the platform. The rat could climb on the platform to escape from the necessity of swimming. The rats were trained to locate the hidden platform. The animals were received 4 trials (2 in the morning, and 2 in the afternoon) per day on 4 consecutive days. The rat was given a maximum of 90 s to find the hidden platform.On the 5th day, the rat's learning ability was examined by observing the time to find the hidden platform (escape latency) in 90 s and the platformfinding strategy (prompt and straight way, marked 4 scores; hesitating first and then straight way, marked 3 scores; random way, marked 2 scores;aimless way and around the pool border, marked 1 score). On the 8th day,the escape latency and the platform-finding strategy were observed to examine the rat's memory level. ④ After the Morris water maze test, 8 rats of each group were sacrificed by decapitation for RT-PCR of GFAP mRNA expression, and 6 rats of each group were sacrificed for immunohistochemistry of GFAP protein expression. GFAP mRNA expression level was analyzed by the expression ratio of the interest GFAP to the control β-actin according to the computer image analysis. The GFAP protein expression was analyzed by the volume density of GFAP in hippocampus. ⑤ Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and q-test.MAIN OUTCOME MESURES: The effects of GbE-on the performances of the water maze Morris of type 2 diabetic rats and both GFAP mRNA and protein expressions in hippocampus.RESULTS: A total of 14 streptozotocin-treated rats with a blood glucose concentration of ＜ 15 mmol/L were rejected from the study. ① The performance of diabetic rats in the Morris water maze was significantly impaired compared to control group, the results on the 5th day and the 8th day showed that both escape latency and platform-finding strategy scores were decreased (P ＜ 0.01). The escape latency of both insulin treatment and GbE treatments on the 5th day and the 8th day was shorter than that of diabetic group, the platform-finding strategy scores was higher than that of diabetic group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). There was no marked difference among the insulin treatment and GbE treatments groups in performance of the water maze Morris (P ＞ 0.05). ② The levels of both GFAP mRNA and protein expressions in hippocampus: Statistical analyses indicated that the level of GFAP mRNA expression of diabetic rats was significantly higher than that of the 3 other groups (P ＜ 0.01). Compared to control group, the diabetic rats showed a high immunoreactivity, the GFAP body was enlarged markedly, apophysis was obviously longer, the expressed numbers were increased, and the volume density of GFAP was also increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01). Compared to the diabetic group, the insulin treatment and GbE treatments groups showed a low immunoreactivity, the GFAP body was markedly smaller, apophysis was obviously shorter, the expressed numbers were decreased, and the volume density of GFAP was also decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.01). There were no marked differences in both GFAP mRNA and protein expressions among the insulin treatment and GbE treatments groups (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: There is cognition impairment in type 2 diabetic rats, the responsive GFAP may take a part in the progress of the learning and memory dysfunction. GbE can decrease markedly the reactive hypertrophy of astrocytes of diabetic hippocampus and improve the learning and memory dysfunction in diabetic rats.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; adverse effects ; Child ; Extremities ; Humans ; Male ; Paralysis ; chemically induced ; Terbutaline ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

To study the protective effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid (AA) from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the AA control group (8 mg · kg(-1) AA), the model group (5.0-9.0 g · kg(-1) alcohol) and high, medium and low-dose AA-treated groups (alcohol + 8, 4, 2 mg · kg(-1) AA). Each group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs once a day for 24 weeks. Approximately 1. 5 hours after the final administration, all rats were killed, and their blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected. The AST and ALT in rat serum and the contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MDA in hepatic tissues were detected. The expressions of NF-κB, TLR4, CD14, MyD88, TRIF and protein expression in hepatic tissues were measured by western blot. The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by histological examination. The results showed that compared with the model group, the AA-treated groups showed significant decreases in serum ALT, AST and MDA and increases in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MPO. Moreover, AA markedly inhibited the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, CD14, MyD88 and NF-κB. The histological examination showed alleviated hepatic issue ijury to varying degrees. In short, asiatic acid (AA) from P. chinensis could protect alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB inactivation and the reduction of inflammatory response.
Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; prevention & control ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Potentilla ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To explore the changes of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged female Long-Evans rat. Methods The hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of 5 young (6-month old), 5 middle-aged (18-month old) and 6 aged (28-month old) female Long-Evans rats were quantitatively investigated with the stereological techniques and transmission electronic microscope technique. Results There were no significant changes in the volume of hippocampal formation, the volume density, the total volume, the length density and the mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation among young, middle-aged and aged rats. When compared to that of young rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats was significantly increased by 63.6%. When compared to that of middle-aged rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged rats was significantly decreased by 47.5%. When compared to that of young rats, the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of aged rats was non-significantly decreased by 13.8%. Conclusion Although the reason why the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats was longer than that of young rats needs further investigations, the present results together with our previous findings in white matter and cortex further suggest that there are age-related changes of the myelinated nerve fibers in the normal aged brains.

Objective To investigate the role of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating and guiding radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its feeding vessels. Methods From January 2006 to June 2007, 71 patients with 75 hypervascular HCC in Peking University Cancer Hospital who underwent RFA were included in the study. The diagnosis was conifrmed by ultrasound guided biopsy for all patients. These patients were not suitable for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or had poor responds to TACE. They were divided into two groups, which included group percutaneous artery ablation (PAA) combining RFA and group RFA. There were 38 patients with 39 HCC in group PAA combining RFA and CEUS were used to identify the range of HCC inifltration. Firstly, PAA of the feeding vessels was conducted under the guidance of color doplor lfow imaging (CDFI). Then CEUS was performed to evaluate HCC perfusion after blocking the feeding vessels. Finally, the rest of the tumor was ablated by RFA. In group RFA, there were 33 patients with 36 HCC, who did not undertake PAA before RFA. Generally, the RFA was planned based on tumor size and location, and the ablation started with deep part of HCC or portion close to nearby organs. Contrast CT was used as a post-RFA imaging for follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months post-RFA. T test was used to compare the difference in focal lesions number between two groups, andχ2 tests were used to compare the difference in necrosis rate between two groups after treatment. Results In group PAA combining RFA, post-PAA CEUS showed intratumor perfusion decreased more than 70%in 31 HCC (79.5%, 31/39). Of them, 13 HCC (33.3%, 13/39) showed complete perfusion defect with clear margin, called“solar eclipse sign”. The rest 8 HCC (20.5%, 8/39) showed 40%-70%of perfusion defect. In group PAA combining RFA, CDFI showed 35 (83.3%, 35/42) feeding vessels were blocked, and 3 vessels (7.1%, 3/42) showed signiifcant decreased lfow signal after PAA. There were average 3.18±1.42 ablations per HCC in group PAA combining RFA, and 4.32±1.56 in group RFA. The number of ablations per HCC in group PAA combining RFA was signiifcantly less than group RFA (t=2.524, P=0.015). The tumor necrosis rate at 1 month post-RFA in group PAA (92.3%, 36/39) combining RFA was signiifcantly higher than that of group RFA (66.7%, 24/35) (χ2=8.264, P=0.001). Conclusions With CEUS, PAA can effectively block the feeding vessels of HCC, enhance ablated necrosis in the tumor and signiifcantly increase necrosis rate post-RFA for large hypervascular HCC. CEUS-assisted PAA can improve efifciency of RFA with less ablation number and better result.

AIM:To observe and analyze the change of visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of primary open-angle glaucoma ( POAG ) after the Ex-press glaucoma shunt implantation.
●METHODS:A total of 14 patients (24 eyes) with POAG were underwent Ex-press glaucoma shunt implantation. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure ( lOP ) , mean defect ( MD) , pattern standard deviation ( PSD ) , retinal nerve fiber layer thickness ( RNFLT ) , and corneal endothelial cell number were collected preoperatively. Visual acuity and lOP were collected in 1wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively respectively. Also, MD, PSD, RNFLT, and corneal endothelial cell number were collected preoperatively and 3mo postoperatively respectively. Complication, the additional treatment, success rate were analyzed.
●RESULTS:There was no significant difference (P>0. 05) in visual acuity preoperative and postoperative 1wk, 1, 3mo. Visual acuity did not significantly reduce after operation. Compared with preoperative, there was significant decreased (P<0. 05) in lOP after 1wk, 1, 3mo postoperative, respectively. lOP keep stead in postoperative 3mo. The reduction of RNFLT had significant difference (P<0. 05) between preoperative and postoperative 3mo. Compared with preoperation, MD and PSD had no significant difference ( P > 0. 05 ) after postoperative 3mo. Corneal endothelial cell number decrease had significant difference (Z=-2. 585, P=0. 01) between preoperative and postoperative 3mo. Success rate: complete success: 79. 2% ( 19 eyes ); partial success:8. 3% (2 eyes);failure:12. 5% (3 eyes).
●CONCLUSION: Ex-press glaucoma shunt implantation could efficiently decrease the lOP in POAG patients. Although it results in reduction of RNFLT in short time. The visual acuity and visual field keep stable after operation. lt is a safe and effective device for treating primary open-angle glaucoma.