As two main research methods, qualitative study and quantitative study are different in theoretical basis, research methods, research goal, the relation between researchers and those who are studied as well as applied fields. They should be combined in education research, however, for education is a complicated humanism phenomenon.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have beneficial effects on the treatment of various diseases. Mitochondria transfer is newly proposed and its specific mechanisms of action and control factors remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To review the studies about stem cells and mitochondrial transfer, then to discuss its value on clinical.
METHODS:The PubMed, VIP and Wanfang databases were searched for related articles concerning stem cells and mitochondrial transfer. Key words were“stem cell, embryonic stem cell, progenitor cell, mitochondria”in Chinese and“Stem cell[s], Mother cell[s], Progenitor cell[s], Colony-Forming Unit[s], Colony Forming Unit[s], Mitochondria[l] transfer”in English. Thirteen articles were found initial y, and using the citation tracking method, final y 42 articles were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Studies have shown that mitochondrial transfer from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is associated with rescue of aerobic respiration and restoration of mitochondrial function in the injured somatic cells. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and recipient cells form tunneling nanotubes for mitochondrial transfer. Movement of mitochondria between cells is regulated and directed by Miro1. The successful transfer of mitochondria may be accompanied with the clearance of damaged mitochondria. The rescue of mitochondrial function in early stages may provide a valuable therapeutic strategy for various diseases include acute lung injury.

AIM:To study the differences of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)gene expression in lens epithelial cells (LECs) between fetuses and cataract patients. METHODS: In situ hybridization was used to detect bFGF mRNA in the LECs that were cultured and in tissue sections from fetuses and in the LECs from the anterior capsule of cataract patients. Image analysis was used for the relative quantitative analysis of bFGF mRNA. RESULTS: bFGF gene existed in the LECs that were cultured and in tissue sections from fetuses and in the LECs from the anterior capsule of cataract patients. The integral absorbance for the fetal cultured cells, the fetal tissue sections and the capsule membrane cells of cataract patients were 627.1±268.7, 131.5±42.8 and 79.2±26.3 respectively. The integral absorbance of fetal cultured LECs was significantly higher than that of fetal section LECs (P<0.01). The integral absorbance of cataract LECs was significantly lower than that of fetal LECs (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The in vitro culture of LECs can improve bFGF gene expression. The bFGF gene expression in fetal LECs is significantly higher than that in cataract LECs.

This study developed a novel approach of targeting malignant glioma with pMAGE-A1(278-286)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors by multiple stimulations with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted pMAGE-A1(278-286) peptide-pulsed dentritic cells. Cytotoxic assays were performed by the colorimetric CytoTox 96 assay to analyze cytotoxic activity of the induced CTLs against various target cells. The induced CTLs showed approximately 45% specific lysis against T2pMAGE-A1(278-286) (pMAGE-A1(278-286) peptide pulsed T2 cells) and U251 (HLA-A2(+), MAGE-A1(+)) at an effector:target ratio of 40:1, and approximately 5% cytolysis against T2pHIV, A172 (HLA-A2(-), MAGE-A1(+)), K562 and T2 cells without being pulsed with peptide at any effector:target ratio. The specific killing activity of the induced CTLs against T2pMAGE-A1(278-286) and U251 was much more obvious than in any other control group (P<0.05). The cytotoxic activity against the T2pMAGE-A1(278-286) and U251 was significantly eliminated by anti-HLA class I mAb W6/32. These results suggest that pMAGE-A1(278-286) epitope may serve as a surrogate tumor antigen target of specific immunotherapy for treating HLA-A2 patients with malignant glioma.

Objective:To evaluate the vomer development of cleft palate patients.Methods:38 patients over 1 4 years(averaged 23.4 years)of age with cleft palate and 76 controls of normal people(aged 22.8 year on average)were included.The 3D computed tomo-graphy reconstruction images of the bony nasal septum were measured.The development of the vomer was evaluated by comparing the L1 (the length of the lower edge of the vomer),L2 (the length from nasal spine to the point of the sella)and S (the approximate area of vomer)among deferent groups.Results:The L1 ,L2,and S of cleft palate patients were smaller than those of the controls(P <0. 05).Compared with the postoperative cleft cases,the S and L2 of preoperative cases were bigger(P <0.05).Conclusion:The vomer development is adversely affected by cleft palate.Not only the vomer-palate fusion is lower,but also the sutura between vomer and na-sal septum cartilage and ethmoid bone are short.And the latter is greatly influenced by surgical trauma.

Objective As we know more about CVA and examination methods are becoming more popular,the number of patients diagnosed as CVA is increasing year after year.So it is necessary that we should find more clinical characteristic and therapy for CVA.Methods 155 CVA patients have been observed for 2 years and the results of bronchial methacholine chloride provocation test before and after the observation were analyzed.Results 30% of the patients werent analyzed because they did not take the drugs regularly.The result showed that the CVA male vs female was 1 ∶4,the average age was(40?7.2)years.20 patients developed typical asthma(12.94%).After 2 years,70% of the patients had positive results of the bronchial methacholine chloride provocation.Methacholine chloride concentration was negatively related to hyperresponsiveness of bronchus.FEV_1% was negatively related to the state of asthmatic degree.Conclusions The CVA was incident to the young and the middle-age females,often with an obvious inducement.The female prognosis was worse than that of the male.Generally speaking,the prognosis was good if patients took medicine regularly.Patientscompliance was the essence of the prevention and the cure.Young females who had chronic cough indicate CVA.The concentration of methacholine chloride and FEV_1% were effective indexes when we estimated the state and prognosis of CVA.In most CVA patients,the hyperresponsiveness stayed for a long time,which may be one of the most dangerous risks.We should keep on observing and treating those patients.

Confronted with similar problems and difficulties in mainland,Taiwan reformed its medical education. The reform included setting up flexible program,formulating objective and detailed rotary guide,making the best of the resources,implementing medical humanities education based on the reality and forming unique cultivation system and mode. These measures can be taken as references for medical education reform in mainland.

Objective To determine effect of endurance training on the expression of fatty acid translocase FAT/ CD36 in skeletal muscle of rats and the correlation between the expression and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups:training group(T,n=13) and control group (C, n=10). Rats in group T were trained on treadmill six days a week for 7 weeks. Fat pads around testes and kidneys were weighted for calculating the percentage of fat pads vs body weight. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG),nonesterified fatty acids(NEFA) and fasting insulin(FINS) were measured. Western blot was used to detect FAT/ CD36 protein expression in quadriceps homogenate. The relation of FAT/CD36 expression to the ISI was analyzed. Results Markedly lower body weight,percentage of fat pads, TC,NEFA, and FINS were seen in group T after 7-week endurance training comparing to that in group C(P<0.01 ,P<0.01 ,P<0.01 ,P<0.05,and P<0.05,respectively). The FAT/CD36 protein expression and ISI were significantly higher in group T than in group C(P<0.01and P<0.05). A significant correlation between FAT/CD36 and ISI were found in group T(r=0.823,P<0.01 ),nut not in group C. Conclusion Seven-week endurance training improved insulin sensitivity and up-regulated the expression of FAT/CD36 for adapting the requirement of fatty acid transportation in skeletal muscle induced by enhanced lipid catabolism after endurance exercise.

Objective To evaluate the serum prostate specific antigen(PSA)change after I-125 radioactive seed implantation without androgen ablation therapy for prostate cancer,Methods A total of 13 patients with prostate cancer were included.The clinical stage was T_(1c)N_0M_0 in 8 cases,and T_(2a)N_0M_0 in 5. The Gleason scores were 5 in 4 cases and 6 in 9.The mean serum PSA was 8.2 ng/ml(range,2.8-14.6 ng/ml).I-125 seed implantation(D90=140-155 Gy)was performed.Serum PSA was monitored every month for the first 3 months and every 3 months for the next 20 months.Results The range of follow-up time was 3-23 months.At 1,2,3,6,9,12,15,18 and 21 months after implantation,the median serum PSA values were 6.7,5.0,2.7,1.6,1.2,0.9,0.8,0.8 and 0.7 ng/ml;and the median percentage change in ser- um PSA were 72%,51%,29%,20%,13%,11%,9%,9% and 8%,respectively.One month after brachy- therapy,30% of the patients had fluctuation in PSA.Conclusions Compared with radical prostatectomy and androgen ablation therapy,the rate of PSA decline is slower with fluctuation at early phase.The most sig- nificant decline of PSA occurs in the first 12 months,especially in the first 3 months after I-125 seed implan- tation.

Objective To evaluate the tolerance and safety of sorafenib for elderly patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.Methods Forty cases with advanced renal cell carcinoma were enrolled,26 were males and 14 were females,the average age was 70 years.Recurrence or metastasis was found in 32 patients who had received nephrectomy,22 of the 32 cases had received cytokine therapy before recurrence or metastasis.Primary renal lesions of 8 cases could not be resected,so patients get renal tumor biopsy.Pathological type of all patients was clear cell carcinoma.KPS of all the patients were ≥70 points.Sorafenib was used as first-line treatment,with 400 mg twice per day,until intolerance or disease progression occurred.Results The average treatment time was 7.5 months (3-18 months),CR 0 case,PR 6 cases,SD 29 cases,PD 5 cases.The overall objective response rate and disease control rate were 15.0% (6/40)and 87.5%(35/40),respectively.The median follow-up period was 11 months.The adverse reaction included hand-foot skin reaction(70.0%),alopecia (62.5%),rash(52.5%),diarrhea(37.5%),loss of appetite(32.5%),fatigue(27.5%).Most adverse reactions occurred around the second week after drug therapy initiation,their duration did not equal.And most of these adverse reactions could be released by symptomatic treatment,they did not affect the treatment.Conclusions The types of adverse reactions of sorafenib for elderly patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma are similar to those reported in the literature.Generally the degree of adverse reactions is minor,with good tolerance and safety.