It is extremely necessary and important for colleges or universities to transform the education concepts that barricade students' initiative and creativity, especially the one that takes fi-nal examinations as sole standard to evaluate teaching and learning effects. In order to display and cultivate students' study ability more comprehensively, we manage to establish a set of formative eval-uation system for regional anatomy course , which involves tests and examinations and evaluations throughout the whole teaching and learning process. It solves the long-lasting problem that examina-tions are final purposes of teaching and learning, and thus, teaching values not only results but also learning process, which directs students' attention to conventional studies and helps develop good study habits, greatly reducing the randomness of final academic performances. The diverse assessment methods, along with accumulated assessment results, can improve students' learning effects through-out the whole semester. The fundamental purpose of this system is to inspire students' passion for study and creativity and monitor the teaching process.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanism of scar hypertrophy in adenosine receptor A(2A) (A(2A) R) knockout mice.

METHODSAnimal models of hypertrophic scar were established in 12 A(2A) R knockout mice and 12 wild-type mice as control. The thickness and the size of transverse section of the hypertrophic scar were observed by H-E staining. The hydroxyproline (HYP) in the scar was measured colorimetrically. The TGF-beta expression was tested by Western blotting method.

RESULTSThe hypertrophic scar in wild-type mice was more severe than that in knockout mice. Compared with self-control, the increase of the thickness and the size of transverse section of hypertrophic scar was markedly higher in wild-type group than in the knockout group (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in HYP content between the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with self-control, the increase of TGF-beta expression in wild-type group was much more than that in knockout group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe TGF-beta expression decreases in the A(2A) R knockout mice. The scar hypertrophy is also much less in the A(2A) R knockout mice.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-tumor effect of silencing the expression of HIF-1alpha on cervical cancer in nude mice and to explore its mechanism of action.

METHODSHuman cervical cancer cell line Siha cells were divided into 3 groups: mock control group, control group transfected with scrambled sequence plasmid, and experimental group transfected with pU-HIF-1alpha-shRNA eukaryotic expression plasmid. Cultured cells of the three groups were inoculated in nude mice to establish cervical cancer-bearing nude mice. HIF-1alpha RNAi assay was performed to evaluate the tumor-suppressive effect of HIF-1alpha silencing on cervical cancer-bearing nude mice. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to observe the distribution and protein expression of HIF-1alpha and GLUT1, while RT-PCR was adopted to detect the gene expression of HIF-1alpha, GLUT1 and HKII. The product of glycolysis (lactic acid) and apoptosis in tumor cells were detected by colorimetry and semi-quantitative TUNEL staining, respectively.

RESULTSThe tumor growth in experimental group was significantly slower than that in the two control groups (P < 0.05). On the 50th day after transplantation, the tumor weight in the experimental group was (1.90 +/- 0.28) g, significantly lower than (2.95 +/- 0.77) g in the control group and (2.54 +/- 0.56) g in the mock group (P < 0.01). In the experimental group, the gene and protein levels of HIF-1alpha were 0.45 +/- 0.04 and 1.25 +/- 0.92, and the levels of GLUT1 were 0.32 +/- 0.02 and 1.25 +/- 0.48, respectively. Both indicators in HIF-1alpha and GLUT1 were lower than that in the two control groups (P < 0.05). The expression levels of HKII gene and lactic acid in the experimental group were lower than that in the two control groups (P < 0.05), but the apoptotic cells were much more numerous in the experimental group than that in matched control groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe gene therapy by siRNA targeted silencing of HIF-1alpha may down-regulate its downstream genes GLUT1 and HKII expression, therefore, to reduce the tumor glycolysis activity and promote tumor cell apoptosis, and exert a tumor-suppressing effect in vivo.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Therapy ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hexokinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

The neuroimaging results of drug-resistant epilepsy patients play an important role in the surgery decision and prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these results on the efficacy of epilepay surgery, and then to explore surgical benefit for epilepsy patients with negative magnetic resonance (MR) images. Twenty-four subgroups describing the outcomes of 1475 epilepsy patients with positive-neuroimaging results and 696 patients with negative-neuroimaging results were involved in the meta-analysis. Overall, the odds of postoperational seizure-free rate were 2.03 times higher in magnetic resonance imaging-positive (MRI-positive) patients than in MRI-negative patients [odds ratio (OR)=2.03, 95% CI (1.67, 2.47), P<0.00001]. For patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the odds were 1.76 times higher in those with MRI-positive results than in those with MRI-negative results [OR=1.76, 95% CI (1.34, 2.32), P<0.0001]. For patients with extra-temporal lobe epilepsy (extra-TLE), the odds were 2.88 times higher in MRI-positive patients than in MRI-negative patients [OR=2.88, 95% CI (1.53, 5.43), P=0.001]. It was concluded that the seizure-free rate of MRI-positive patients after surgery was higher than that of MRI-negative patients. For patients with negative results, an appropriate surgery should be concerned for TLE.
China ; epidemiology ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; statistics & numerical data ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo detect the expressions of miR-122 and miR-224 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and investigate the significance of miRNAs in early diagnosis of HCC.

METHOD2(-Delta Delta CT) method was used for quantitative analysis of the expression pattern of miR-122 and miR-224 in 35 HCC and adjacent normal tissues. All the quantitative results were confirmed by Northern blotting.

RESULTSCompared with adjacent normal tissues, the HCC tissues showed significant miR-122 down-regulation (P<0.01) and miR-224 over-expression (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSHCC has obvious alteration in the expression patterns of miR-122 and miR-224, and real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR provide a new means for early, efficient, and accurate diagnosis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Time Factors

Objective To explore the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor ( HIF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 ( VEGFR 2), and microvessel density ( MVD) in adrenocortical adenoma ( ACA) and adrenocortical carcinoma ( ACC), in order to discuss their potential role in the development of adrenal tumours. Methods Fifty-five adrenal tumour specimens resected in the hospital with complete clinical data (including 30 ACA cases and 25 ACC cases) were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expressions of HIF-2α, HIF-1α, VEGFR 2, and MVD. Results VEGFR 2 and MVD up-regulated were found in the ACC group (P＜0.05). The expression of HIF-2α and HIF-1α correlated with VEGFR 2 (P＜0.05). The expressions of VEGFR 2 and MVD were related to some clinicopathological features ( P＜0. 05 ). Additionally, tumour size, expression of VEGFR 2 and MVD were independently associated with ACC (P＜0.05). Conclusions The high expression of HIF-2α, VEGFR 2, and MVD in adrenal tumours suggested their roles in tumour angiogenesis, which indicated that anti-angiogenesis therapies deserve intensive studies for malignant adrenocortical tumours.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT)and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) plus sequential boost conformal radiation therapy (SBCRT) in the treatment of multiple metastasis tumor of brain.Methods A total of 98 patients with multiple metastasis tumor of brain in the Radiation Oncology Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from August 2014 to July 2015 were divided into observation group (n =60) and control group (n =38) according to the treatment plan.The patients in the observation group were treated with SIB-IMRT,the whole brain planned target dose was 2 Gy every time,and the target dose of the metastatic target volume was 3 Gy every time for 20 times (5 times weekly).The patients in the control group received WBRT plus SBCRT,the WBRT dose was 3 Gy every time for 10 times(5 times weekly),then the metastatic tumor target area was treated with SBCRT,the prescribed dose was 3 Gy every time for 10 times.All patients were followed up from the end of treatment to December 2016.The effective rate,disease control rate and one-year survival rate were compared between the two groups.Results The patients in the two groups were successfully treated with radiotherapy.Ninety patients were followed up,eight patients were lost to follow-up,the follow-up rate was 91.8％ (90/98).The effective rate,disease control rate and oneyear survival rate in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (x2 =5.371,4.352,6.002;P ＜ 0.05).The median progression free survival time in the observation group was significantly longer than that in the control group (x2 =6.537,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of bone marrow suppression,digestive system reaction and nervous system damage between the two groups (x2 =1.821,2.032,3.782;P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion SIB-IMRT can improve the effective rate,disease control rate and one-year survival rate of patients with multiple metastasis tumor of brain.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new transmission tracking analysis technique during incubation period of respiratory infectious diseases, and to discuss its practical value in the field survey of infectious diseases.

METHODSThe classical epidemiological theory was integrated with geographic information system. The transmission tracking analysis technique was established based on the modeling platform ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit 9.3, using the techniques of address matching, shortest path analysis and buffer analysis, and programming by Visual C++. Eight serious sever acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases in Shanghai in year 2003 were then chose as prototype to set up the test cases A-H. The electronic map and population density data were separately collected from Institute of Surveying and Mapping in Shanghai and Shanghai statistical yearbook 2003, to calculate and explore the parameters as length of transmission path, area of buffer zone and key departments by single and multi case analysis module.

RESULTSThe single case transmission tracking analysis showed that the length of transmission track of case A was 129.89 km during April 25th to 29th in 2003, including 12 tracing point and 108 intimate contacts, and the total area of buffer zone was 7.11 km(2) including 81 important institutes, naming 72 schools, 6 kindergartens and 3 gerocomiums. The multi-case transmission tracking analysis showed that the 8 cases shared 5 tracks without any temporal communication. However, there was a spatial communication whose length was 1.42 km and area was 0.60 km(2). There were no important institutes found in this communication area.

CONCLUSIONTransmission tracking technique is practicable and efficient to trace the source of infection, analyze the transmission tracks, establish the isolation buffer area and explore the important geographic positions in epidemiological investigation.

Contact Tracing ; methods ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; statistics & numerical data ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Incubation Period ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; transmission ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; transmission ; Software

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of pituitary growth hormone adenoma cell proliferation.Methods Functional growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma(fGH-PA)tissue samples were collected from 12 patients with acromegaly.The exchange protein 1 directly activated by cAMP(Epac1)mRNA expression levels in fGH-PA tissues and rat RGC-5,MMQ and GH3 cells were determined by qPCR.The expression levels of Epac1 in fGH-PA tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry.Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of Epac1 in MMQ and GH3 cells.Overexpression or knockdown of Epac1,or knockdown of cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB)in GH3 cells,cell cycle changes were determined by flow cytometry,cell proliferation ability was determined by CCK-8 assay,and the expression levels of p-CREB,CREB,Cyclin D1,CDK2 and p21 in cells were determined by Western blot.Results qPCR and immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression levels of Epac1 mRNA and protein in fGH-PA tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent normal tissues(P<0.05).qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with RGC-5 cells,the expression levels of Epac1 mRNA and protein in MMQ and GH3 cells were significantly increased(P<0.05).After overexpres-sion of Epac1 in GH3 cells,compared with the Control group,the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase and S phase in the Epac1-OE group were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the proportion of cells in G2/M phase were significantly increased(P<0.05);the cell prolifera-tion ability were significantly enhanced(P<0.05);the expression levels of p-CREB and Cyclin D1 in cells were significantly increased(P<0.05),the expression levels of CDK2 and p21 were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while there was no significant change in the expression level of CREB between the two groups(P>0.05).After knockdown of Epac1 or knockdown of CREB in GH3 cells,all of the above results were reversed(P<0.05).Conclusion The overexpression of Epac1 in pituitary growth hormone adenoma cells can up-regulate the levels of p-CREB in cells,and promote adenoma cells to pass through G1/S phase checkpoint,resulting in cell cycle checkpoint disorder and massive proliferation,but it does not affect the expression levels of CREB.

Background It has been reported that orthokeratology has the effects of slowing down myopia progression and axial elongation.However,the affecting mechanism of orthokeratology wearing on ocular peripheral refraction is still not elucidated.Objective This study was to observe and compare the changes of ocular peripheral refraction and relative peripheral refraction (RPR) in low to moderate myopic eyes of children after wearing orthokeratology lens and spectacles for 6 months.Methods A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out after approval of Ethic Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital and informed consent of guardians of the children.One hundred myopic children aged (ll.0±1.9) years were recruited in Beijing Tongren Hospital from June 2014 to January 2015,with the diopter of-0.50 to-6.00 D.The subjects were randomized into orthokeratology group and spectacles group by the process PLAN PROC of software SAS 9.1.3,50 for each group.The subjects in the orthokeratology group wore orthokeratology lens for 6 months and those in the spectacles group wore spectacles for the same period.An infrared open-field autorefractor was employed to measure the refraction at central 0°,temporal 15°,temporal 30°,nasal 15°and nasal 30° radial lines before and after wearing lens for the assessment and comparison of the changes of peripheral refraction and RPR.Results There was no significant difference in spherical equivalent between the orthokeratology group and the spectacles group before wearing lens ([-3.35±1.31] D versus [-3.01± 1.15] D,P =0.20).The peripheral refraction values in the orthokeratology group were (-2.28 ± 1.60),(-3.28±1.41),(-3.40±1.23),(-3.38±1.12) and (-2.09±1.29)D at nasal 15°and nasal30°,central,temporal 15° and temporal 30°radial lines before wearing lens,and reduced by (0.29±1.67),(0.85±1.66),(0.92±1.76) and (0.66±1.66) D at nasal 30°,nasal 15°,central and temporal 15° after wearing lens,respectively,with significant differences at nasal 15°,central and temporal 15°(all at P＜0.05).The peripheral refraction values in the spectacles group were (-1.88±1.30),(-2.66±1.18),(-2.89±1.27) and (-1.94±1.31)D at nasal 15°,nasal 30°,temporal 15 ° and temporal 30°,radial lines before wearing lens and increased by (-0.25±0.80),(-0.43 ±0.67),(-0.32±0.64) and (-0.22±0.75)D after wearing lens,respectively,with significant differences between before and after wearing lens (all at P＜0.05).The RPR shifted from hyperopia defocus to myopia defocus before and after wearing lens in temporal 15° and 30° radial lines in the orthokeratology group,and at various radial lines in the spectacles group,the RPR showed gradually worsening of hyperopia defocus.Conclusions Long-term wearing of orthokeratology results in a hyperopia shifting in myopic children by exposing the peripheral retina towards relative myopia defocus,whereas wearing spectacles leads to a relative hyperopia defocus on retina.Thus,orthokeratology may slow down the myopia progression.