Authors and Reviewers
2013 Vol. 27 No. 2
2013, 27(2): 75-80.
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.27.20120107
Abstract：
Simulation is a modern educational tool that has recently gained in the field of medical education. The use of simulation continues to expand, and studies evaluating the effectiveness of simulation-based medical education are ongoing. The history of medical education and adult educational theory are reviewed, and the details of effective simulation techniques are described. Finally, outcomes of simulation-based medical education are summarized.
Simulation is a modern educational tool that has recently gained in the field of medical education. The use of simulation continues to expand, and studies evaluating the effectiveness of simulation-based medical education are ongoing. The history of medical education and adult educational theory are reviewed, and the details of effective simulation techniques are described. Finally, outcomes of simulation-based medical education are summarized.
2013, 27(2): 81-84.
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.27.20120131
Abstract：
Clinical skill is an essential part of clinical medicine and plays quite an important role in bridging medicos and physicians. Due to the realities in China, traditional medical education is facing many challenges. There are few op-portunities for students to practice their clinical skills and their dexterities are generally at a low level. Medical sim-ulation-based education is a new teaching modality and helps to improve medicos' clinical skills to a large degree. Medical simulation-based education has many significant advantages and will be further developed and applied.
Clinical skill is an essential part of clinical medicine and plays quite an important role in bridging medicos and physicians. Due to the realities in China, traditional medical education is facing many challenges. There are few op-portunities for students to practice their clinical skills and their dexterities are generally at a low level. Medical sim-ulation-based education is a new teaching modality and helps to improve medicos' clinical skills to a large degree. Medical simulation-based education has many significant advantages and will be further developed and applied.
Abstract：
Leishmaniasis is a disease that ranges in severity from skin lesions to serious disfigurement and fatal systemic infection. Resistance to infection is associated with a T-helper-1 immune response that activates macrophages to kill the intracellular parasite in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. Conversely, disease progression is generally associated with a T-helper-2 response that activates humoral immunity. Current control is based on chemothera-peutic treatments which are expensive, toxic and associated with high relapse and resistance rates. Vaccination remains the best hope for control of all forms of the disease, and the development of a safe, effective and afford-able antileishmanial vaccine is a critical global public-health priority. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunization with defined subunit vaccines or live-at-tenuated strains of Leishmania. However, to date, no vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many labo-ratories. Major impediments in Leishmania vaccine development include: lack of adequate funding from national and international agencies, problems related to the translation of data from animal models to human disease, and the transition from the laboratory to the field. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of protective immune re-sponses and generation and maintenance of the immunological memory, an important but least-studied aspect of antiparasitic vaccine development, during Leishmania infection is needed. This review focuses on the progress of the search for an effective vaccine against human and canine leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is a disease that ranges in severity from skin lesions to serious disfigurement and fatal systemic infection. Resistance to infection is associated with a T-helper-1 immune response that activates macrophages to kill the intracellular parasite in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. Conversely, disease progression is generally associated with a T-helper-2 response that activates humoral immunity. Current control is based on chemothera-peutic treatments which are expensive, toxic and associated with high relapse and resistance rates. Vaccination remains the best hope for control of all forms of the disease, and the development of a safe, effective and afford-able antileishmanial vaccine is a critical global public-health priority. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunization with defined subunit vaccines or live-at-tenuated strains of Leishmania. However, to date, no vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many labo-ratories. Major impediments in Leishmania vaccine development include: lack of adequate funding from national and international agencies, problems related to the translation of data from animal models to human disease, and the transition from the laboratory to the field. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of protective immune re-sponses and generation and maintenance of the immunological memory, an important but least-studied aspect of antiparasitic vaccine development, during Leishmania infection is needed. This review focuses on the progress of the search for an effective vaccine against human and canine leishmaniasis.
Abstract：
Shigellosis causes diarrheal disease in humans in both developed and developing countries, and multi-drug resistance in Shigella is an emerging problem. Understanding changing resistance patterns is important in de-termining appropriate antibiotic treatments. This meta-analysis systematically evaluated aminoglycoside resist-ance in Shigella. A systematic review was constructed based on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Random-effect models or fixed-effect models were used based on P value considering the possibility of heterogeneity between studies for meta-analysis. Data manipulation and statistical analyses were performed using software STATA 11.0. By means of meta-analysis, we found a lower resistance to three kinds of aminoglycosides in the Europe-America areas during the 12 year study period than that of the Asia-Africa areas. Kanamycin resist-ance was observed to be the most common drug resistance among Shigella isolates with a prevalence of 6.88% (95%CI: 6.36%-7.43%). Comparison of data from Europe-America and Asia-Africa areas revealed that Shigella flexneri resistance was greater than the resistance calculated for Shigella sonnei. Importantly, S higella sonnei has played a significant role in aminoglycoside-resistance in recent years. Similarly, data showed that resistance to these drugs in children was higher than the corresponding data of adults. In conclusion, aminoglycoside-resistant Shigella is not an unusual phenomenon worldwide. Distribution in Shigella resistance differs sharply based on geographic areas, periods of time and subtypes. The results from the present study highlight the need for con-tinuous surveillance of resistance and control of antibiotic usage.
Shigellosis causes diarrheal disease in humans in both developed and developing countries, and multi-drug resistance in Shigella is an emerging problem. Understanding changing resistance patterns is important in de-termining appropriate antibiotic treatments. This meta-analysis systematically evaluated aminoglycoside resist-ance in Shigella. A systematic review was constructed based on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Random-effect models or fixed-effect models were used based on P value considering the possibility of heterogeneity between studies for meta-analysis. Data manipulation and statistical analyses were performed using software STATA 11.0. By means of meta-analysis, we found a lower resistance to three kinds of aminoglycosides in the Europe-America areas during the 12 year study period than that of the Asia-Africa areas. Kanamycin resist-ance was observed to be the most common drug resistance among Shigella isolates with a prevalence of 6.88% (95%CI: 6.36%-7.43%). Comparison of data from Europe-America and Asia-Africa areas revealed that Shigella flexneri resistance was greater than the resistance calculated for Shigella sonnei. Importantly, S higella sonnei has played a significant role in aminoglycoside-resistance in recent years. Similarly, data showed that resistance to these drugs in children was higher than the corresponding data of adults. In conclusion, aminoglycoside-resistant Shigella is not an unusual phenomenon worldwide. Distribution in Shigella resistance differs sharply based on geographic areas, periods of time and subtypes. The results from the present study highlight the need for con-tinuous surveillance of resistance and control of antibiotic usage.
Abstract：
As probiotics in the gut, Lactobacilli are believed to play important roles in the development and maintenance of both the mucosal and systemic immune system of the host. This study was aimed to investigate the immuno-modulatory function of candiate lactobacilli on T cells. Lactobacilli were isolated from healthy human feces and the microbiological characteristics were identified by API 50 CHL and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays. Anti-CD3 antibody activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated by vi-able, heat-killed lactobacilli and genomic DNA of lactobacilli, and cytokine profiles were tested by ELISA. Iso-lated lactobacilli C44 and C48 were identified as L. acidophilus and L. paracacei, which have properties of acid and bile tolerance and inhibitor effects on pathogens. Viable and heat-killed C44 and C48 induced low levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) and high levels of IFN-γ and IL-12p70 in PBMCs. In anti- CD3 antibody activated PBMCs, viable and heat-killed C44 increased Th2 cytokine levels (IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10), and simultaneously enhanced Th1 responses by inducing IFN-γ and IL-12p70 production. Different from that of lactabacillus strains, their genomic DNA induced low levels of IL-12p70, IFN-γ and proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs with or without anti-CD3 antibody activation. These results provided in vitro evidence that the genomic DNA of strains of C44 and C48, especially C44, induced weaker inflammation, and may be potentially applied for treating allergic diseases.
As probiotics in the gut, Lactobacilli are believed to play important roles in the development and maintenance of both the mucosal and systemic immune system of the host. This study was aimed to investigate the immuno-modulatory function of candiate lactobacilli on T cells. Lactobacilli were isolated from healthy human feces and the microbiological characteristics were identified by API 50 CHL and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays. Anti-CD3 antibody activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated by vi-able, heat-killed lactobacilli and genomic DNA of lactobacilli, and cytokine profiles were tested by ELISA. Iso-lated lactobacilli C44 and C48 were identified as L. acidophilus and L. paracacei, which have properties of acid and bile tolerance and inhibitor effects on pathogens. Viable and heat-killed C44 and C48 induced low levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) and high levels of IFN-γ and IL-12p70 in PBMCs. In anti- CD3 antibody activated PBMCs, viable and heat-killed C44 increased Th2 cytokine levels (IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10), and simultaneously enhanced Th1 responses by inducing IFN-γ and IL-12p70 production. Different from that of lactabacillus strains, their genomic DNA induced low levels of IL-12p70, IFN-γ and proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs with or without anti-CD3 antibody activation. These results provided in vitro evidence that the genomic DNA of strains of C44 and C48, especially C44, induced weaker inflammation, and may be potentially applied for treating allergic diseases.
2013, 27(2): 127-134.
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.27.20120104
Abstract：
The inability to procreate is frequently considered a personal tragedy and a hardship for couples, impacting on the entire family and even the local community. In Gaza strip, Palestine, there has been no study on etiological risk factors for subfertility. The present study aimed to identify risk factors associated with subfertility among women in Gaza, Palestine. One hundred and sixty-nine women in the study group and 115 women in the control group were included. Cases were selected randomly from those referred to the Al Basma Fertility Center, Gaza, Palestine. Data were collected through close-ended questionnaire, sonography, hormonal analysis and thrombophilia profile that included the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677 C > T), factor V leiden (1691 G > A) and pro-thrombin (20210 G > A) genes. By using univariate analyses, the effects of different patient-related variables on the presence of subfertility were evaluated. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed, crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. The findings showed that 73.5 % (169/230) of the women referred to the Al Basma Center sought treatment for subfertility. Different etiological risk factors were associated with subfertility, the most frequent of which in descending order were: thrombophilic disorders, fallopian tube problems, sex hormone abnormalities and polycystic ovary syndrome with an adjusted OR of 21.42, 13.63, 11.69 and 10.29, respectively. In conclusion, several etiological risk factors are responsible for subfertility among women in Gaza. Comprehensive evaluation of infertile women should be considered in the course of treat-ment; otherwise, the duration of sterility may be extended.
The inability to procreate is frequently considered a personal tragedy and a hardship for couples, impacting on the entire family and even the local community. In Gaza strip, Palestine, there has been no study on etiological risk factors for subfertility. The present study aimed to identify risk factors associated with subfertility among women in Gaza, Palestine. One hundred and sixty-nine women in the study group and 115 women in the control group were included. Cases were selected randomly from those referred to the Al Basma Fertility Center, Gaza, Palestine. Data were collected through close-ended questionnaire, sonography, hormonal analysis and thrombophilia profile that included the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677 C > T), factor V leiden (1691 G > A) and pro-thrombin (20210 G > A) genes. By using univariate analyses, the effects of different patient-related variables on the presence of subfertility were evaluated. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed, crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. The findings showed that 73.5 % (169/230) of the women referred to the Al Basma Center sought treatment for subfertility. Different etiological risk factors were associated with subfertility, the most frequent of which in descending order were: thrombophilic disorders, fallopian tube problems, sex hormone abnormalities and polycystic ovary syndrome with an adjusted OR of 21.42, 13.63, 11.69 and 10.29, respectively. In conclusion, several etiological risk factors are responsible for subfertility among women in Gaza. Comprehensive evaluation of infertile women should be considered in the course of treat-ment; otherwise, the duration of sterility may be extended.
Abstract：
Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic chemical, has been shown to reduce sperm count; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, we show that oral administration of BPA (2 μg/kg) for consecutive 14 days in adult rats (BPA rats) significantly reduced the sperm count and the number of germ cells compared to controls. The serum levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as the level of GnRH mRNA in BPA rats were lower than those of control rats. Testosterone treatment could partially rescue the reduction of germ cells in BPA rats. Notably, the number of apoptotic germ cells was significantly increased in BPA rats, which was insensitive to testosterone. Furthermore, the levels of Fas, FasL and caspase-3 mRNA in the testicle of BPA rats were increased in comparison with controls. These results indicate that exposure to a low dose of BPA impairs spermatogenesis through decreasing reproductive hormones and activating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.
Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic chemical, has been shown to reduce sperm count; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, we show that oral administration of BPA (2 μg/kg) for consecutive 14 days in adult rats (BPA rats) significantly reduced the sperm count and the number of germ cells compared to controls. The serum levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as the level of GnRH mRNA in BPA rats were lower than those of control rats. Testosterone treatment could partially rescue the reduction of germ cells in BPA rats. Notably, the number of apoptotic germ cells was significantly increased in BPA rats, which was insensitive to testosterone. Furthermore, the levels of Fas, FasL and caspase-3 mRNA in the testicle of BPA rats were increased in comparison with controls. These results indicate that exposure to a low dose of BPA impairs spermatogenesis through decreasing reproductive hormones and activating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.
Abstract：
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), a subtype of MEN2, is characterized by medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism. A Han Chinese pedigree with MEN2A was inves-tigated following confirmation of the proband's diagnosis by pathological findings and DNA/biochemical screen-ing. DNA samples from 4 other family members were collected and exon 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 18 of the RET proto-oncogene were sequenced and then analyzed. A missense mutation of TGG (Trp) to TGC (Cys) at codon 634 (the classic MEN2A mutation) in exon 11 of the RET gene was detected in 3 family members, including the proband. Sequencing data were compared with the human gene mutation database. Elevated serum calcitonin level was detected initially; medullary thyroid carcinoma was revealed in the 3 cases and adrenal pheochromocy-toma was also found in the proband. Elective operations were successfully performed on the adrenal and thyroid glands because of pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Our case study confirms that integrated DNA-based/biochemical screening is crucial for early diagnosis of MEN2A and is helpful in the screening of their relatives. In addition, DNA-based screening may occasionally uncover a previously unknown RET sequence.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), a subtype of MEN2, is characterized by medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, and primary hyperparathyroidism. A Han Chinese pedigree with MEN2A was inves-tigated following confirmation of the proband's diagnosis by pathological findings and DNA/biochemical screen-ing. DNA samples from 4 other family members were collected and exon 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 18 of the RET proto-oncogene were sequenced and then analyzed. A missense mutation of TGG (Trp) to TGC (Cys) at codon 634 (the classic MEN2A mutation) in exon 11 of the RET gene was detected in 3 family members, including the proband. Sequencing data were compared with the human gene mutation database. Elevated serum calcitonin level was detected initially; medullary thyroid carcinoma was revealed in the 3 cases and adrenal pheochromocy-toma was also found in the proband. Elective operations were successfully performed on the adrenal and thyroid glands because of pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Our case study confirms that integrated DNA-based/biochemical screening is crucial for early diagnosis of MEN2A and is helpful in the screening of their relatives. In addition, DNA-based screening may occasionally uncover a previously unknown RET sequence.
Abstract：
We sought to evaluate immediate and delayed micro-tensile bond strength of Panavia F2.0 and Multilink Sprint resin cement to superficial, deep and cervical dentin. Thirty-six freshly extracted non-carious human molars were sectioned in the mesiodistal direction to expose three different dentin regions including superficial dentin (1 mm below the dentine-enamel junction), deep dentin (1 mm above the highest pulp horn) and cervical dentin (0.5 mm above the cemento-enamel junction and 0.5 mm below the dentine-enamel junction). Resin cements were applied on dentin surfaces and composite blocks were luted under constant seating pressure. Each group was divided into three subgroups according to time intervals. Specimens were sectioned to obtain sticks of 1 mm2 in diameter and subjected to microtensile bond strength testing at a cross head speed of 1 mm/min. Both resin cements showed higher micro-tensile bond strength to superficial dentin than that to deep or cervical dentin (P < 0.001). Micro-ten-sile bond strengths of Panavia F2.0 were higher than those of Multilink Sprint at different dentin regions (P < 0.001). Immediate micro-tensile bond strengths were higher than those of delayed micro-tensile bond strengths for both resin cements (P < 0.001). It was concluded that resin cements with different chemical formulations and applica-tions yield significantly different micro-tensile bond strengths to different dentin regions.
We sought to evaluate immediate and delayed micro-tensile bond strength of Panavia F2.0 and Multilink Sprint resin cement to superficial, deep and cervical dentin. Thirty-six freshly extracted non-carious human molars were sectioned in the mesiodistal direction to expose three different dentin regions including superficial dentin (1 mm below the dentine-enamel junction), deep dentin (1 mm above the highest pulp horn) and cervical dentin (0.5 mm above the cemento-enamel junction and 0.5 mm below the dentine-enamel junction). Resin cements were applied on dentin surfaces and composite blocks were luted under constant seating pressure. Each group was divided into three subgroups according to time intervals. Specimens were sectioned to obtain sticks of 1 mm2 in diameter and subjected to microtensile bond strength testing at a cross head speed of 1 mm/min. Both resin cements showed higher micro-tensile bond strength to superficial dentin than that to deep or cervical dentin (P < 0.001). Micro-ten-sile bond strengths of Panavia F2.0 were higher than those of Multilink Sprint at different dentin regions (P < 0.001). Immediate micro-tensile bond strengths were higher than those of delayed micro-tensile bond strengths for both resin cements (P < 0.001). It was concluded that resin cements with different chemical formulations and applica-tions yield significantly different micro-tensile bond strengths to different dentin regions.
Abstract：
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of neoplasms that are characterized by the secretion of a variety of hormones and diverse clinical syndromes. NETs are considered to be rare, but the incidence of NETs has in-creased rapidly in recent years. NETs provide a clinical challenge for physicians because they comprise a hetero-geneous group of malignancies with a wide range of morphological, functional, and behavioral characteristics. Subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth Ⅱ reconstruction is the mainstay of therapy in the management of gastric NETs complicated by perforated duodenal ulcer. Late perforation of anastomotic stoma as a long-term complica-tion has been rarely reported. Here, we report a case of anastomotic perforation 5 years after subtotal gastrectomy due to perforated duodenal ulcer and gastric NETs.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of neoplasms that are characterized by the secretion of a variety of hormones and diverse clinical syndromes. NETs are considered to be rare, but the incidence of NETs has in-creased rapidly in recent years. NETs provide a clinical challenge for physicians because they comprise a hetero-geneous group of malignancies with a wide range of morphological, functional, and behavioral characteristics. Subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth Ⅱ reconstruction is the mainstay of therapy in the management of gastric NETs complicated by perforated duodenal ulcer. Late perforation of anastomotic stoma as a long-term complica-tion has been rarely reported. Here, we report a case of anastomotic perforation 5 years after subtotal gastrectomy due to perforated duodenal ulcer and gastric NETs.
Authors and Reviewers
