The Empathy Tank as a revised model for fostering empathy in medical education

Empathy has been difficult to sustain and foster in medical training. Based on empirical evidence and intuitive human experience, this paper proposes that empathy can be re-conceptualized as a dynamic reservoir, referred to as an “empathy tank.” Physicians and learners who have personally experienced or received much empathy will naturally have a stronger tendency and greater capacity for empathy than others who have experienced little. These instances of empathy that fill the “empathy tank” can take the form of personal experiences, re-experiencing memories, and vicarious experiences. As this reservoir is filled, the empathy therein can more readily be poured out to others. Thus, all trainees should be educated to recognize first and foremost their personal need for empathy that they share with patients and subsequently seek encounters that highlight these empathic experiences. Three practical implications for educational interventions are discussed: (1) Learners and preceptors should recognize instances in training of perceived inadequacy as opportunities to provide empathy, (2) Interventions should target foundational rather than secondary issues in empathy, and (3) Interventions should enable empathy in learners to be self-sustaining.     

Facial intramuscular lipoma occurrence following topical cosmetic injection with a mixture of basic fibroblast growth factor: A report of two cases

Growth factors and cytokines control cell growth, proliferation and differentiation via a network of inter- and intracellular signalling pathways, and are involved in skin self-renewing and wound healing. In recent years, topical and injectable growth factors and cytokines have emerged as an intriguing therapeutic modality that can be harnessed for aesthetic purposes. However, very little data are available on their long-term safety and tolerability. In this report, we describe two cases of patients, who developed intramuscular lipoma of the chin following topical injection with a mixture of basic fibroblast growth factor as the main ingredients for chin augmentation. Biopsies in the two cases were performed at our department, and revealed intramuscular lipoma. Our report indicates that the topical injection of growth factors can lead to tumorigenesis, so health care providers need to be aware of its potential consequences.     

新型hGLP-1基因对β-TC-6胰岛瘤细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨新型人胰高血糖素样肽-1(hGLP-1)类似物基因(2×Val2-hGLP-1)对四氧嘧啶(AXN)诱导凋亡的β-TC-6胰岛瘤细胞株的影响。方法脂质体介导重组质粒pIRES2-EGFP/2×Val2-hGLP-1转染β-TC-6胰岛瘤细胞,荧光显微镜观察绿色荧光蛋白(GFP),酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测目的蛋白表达;以AXN诱导细胞凋亡后观察细胞形态,Hoechst染色及四甲基偶氮唑盐光吸收法(WST-1)检测目的基因表达对细胞凋亡的影响。结果荧光显微镜观察到GFP表达;ELISA显示重组质粒转染组细胞培养液吸光度值为(2.53±0.05),高于其他研究组(P<0.05);细胞形态观察及Hoechst染色显示,AXN可诱导β-TC-6细胞凋亡;WST-1显示转染重组质粒的细胞组存活率为66.23%,高于其他研究组(P<0.05);Hoechst染色显示,经重组质粒转染的细胞凋亡减少。结论 2×Val2-hGLP-1的表达对胰岛β细胞凋亡具有一定抑制作用,为糖尿病基因治疗提供了相关试验研究基础。     

免疫磁珠分选骨髓衍生肝干细胞亚群c-Kit+lin-

目的:利用免疫磁性细胞分选系统分离纯化骨髓衍生肝干细胞亚群c-Kit lin-。方法:实验于2006-07/08在南方医科大学实验动物中心完成。6～8周龄的SPF级纯系BALB/C雄性小鼠10只,体质量18～20g。收集小鼠股骨骨髓细胞,利用免疫磁性细胞分选系统,通过两步法分选纯化c-Kit lin-:将获取的lin-细胞悬液8℃条件下1500r/min离心10min,弃上清,按80μL/107加入Buffer重悬细胞。按20μL/107加生物素抗体磁珠,混匀,4℃冰箱孵育15min,按1mL/107加入Buffer洗细胞1次,8℃条件下1500r/min离心10min,弃上清,按500μL/108加入Buffer重悬细胞。Buffer500μL润MS柱,悬液过柱后,Buffer500μL/次洗柱3次,柱子脱离磁场,加1mLBuffer,用配套柱塞推出柱中的c-Kit lin-细胞,收集到c-kit lin-细胞,细胞计数。取2.0×106个细胞分成10等份,流式细胞仪分析c-Kit lin-细胞纯度,计算回收率,评估纯化效率,苔盼兰染色检测纯化前后的细胞活力。计算活细胞的百分率。细胞纯度和细胞回收率的计算:细胞纯度=分离产物中的阳性细胞数/分离细胞的总细胞数×100%,细胞回收率=分离产物中的阳性细胞数/起始标本阳性细胞总数×100%。结果:10只小鼠均进入结果分析。利用免疫磁性细胞分选系统分选出的骨髓衍生肝干细胞亚群c-Kit lin-细胞纯度和回收率分别为(77.98±2.34)%,75.40%,纯化前后细胞活力不受影响。结论:免疫磁性细胞分选系统能有效分选骨髓衍生肝干细胞亚群c-Kit lin-,纯度和回收率高,且不影响细胞活力。     

微血管内皮细胞诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌样分化及其移植的可行性

背景:骨髓间充质干细胞通过再生心肌细胞在心肌损伤性疾病治疗方面突显较大潜力,但目前仍未找到一种理想的诱导方式.目的:探讨微血管内皮细胞诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞分化的潜能,并分析其移植的可行性.设计、时间及地点:细胞学体外观察及体内移植实验,于2008-07/2009-02在重庆市神经病学重点实验室完成.材料:清洁级二三月龄健康雄性SD大鼠16只,购自重庆医科大学实验动物中心方法:孔径0.4 μm的transwell小室,置入培养板孔构成双室培养体系.取SD大鼠1只,Ficoll密度梯度+贴壁筛选法分离培养骨髓间充质干细胞,组织块法分离培养微血管内皮细胞.培养瓶中融合至50%生长良好的微血管内皮细胞,每3 d更换培养液,收集更换液过滤即制成条件培养液.体外实验分为4组:直接接触组、双室培养组、条件培养液组、培养液对照组,观察各种培养条件对骨髓间充质干细胞的心肌诱导效应.取SD大鼠15只建立心肌梗死模型,冠状动脉结扎后第6天任取1只大鼠明确心肌梗死建模是否成功,其余大鼠随机分为细胞移植组8只、模型对照组6只.造模1周后,细胞移植组将在双室模型中与微血管内皮细胞共培养5 d的骨髓间充质干细胞调整浓度为109L-1通过鼠尾静脉缓慢注入1 mL,模型对照组予等量DMEM,观察4周.主要观察指标:体外实验通过免疫荧光染色检测心肌标志物Tnl、α-actin的表达;采用心电图、荧光镜检、苏木精-伊红染色等方式评价体内移植的安全性及可行性.结果:直接接触组、双室培养组、条件培养液组部分骨髓间充质干细胞心肌标志物Tnl、α-actin阳性表达,荧光镜下胞浆发绿光(或红光),前2组诱导率基本相似(P>0.05),且均明显高于条件培养液组(P<0.05);培养液对照组细胞未向心肌样细胞分化.细胞移植后两组大鼠均存活良好,未出现死亡及恶性心律失常,4周后细胞移植组心脏冰冻切片荧光镜检显示心肌内有少量胞核蓝染的细胞,提示干细胞成功归巢,结合苏木精-伊红染色,归巢细胞位于心肌梗死灶周边区域,呈单个或小团聚集;而模型对照组心肌切片未见胞核蓝染的细胞.结论:微血管内皮细胞能够通过旁分泌途径诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌样细胞分化,经微血管内皮细胞预处理过的骨髓间充质干细胞移植入大鼠体内是安全的,可成功归巢到大鼠心肌梗死灶及周边区.     

急性胰腺炎微创治疗进展

急性胰腺炎是一种起病急、病情危、进展快的临床危重症,其发病原因较为多样,易引发多种并发症,患者病死率较高,随着近些年医疗技术的不断进步,微创治疗已逐渐成为急性胰腺炎重要干预手段之一,使急性胰腺炎的综合治疗水平得以明显提升。本文作者拟结合临床经验,参考相关文献资料,就急性胰腺炎微创治疗的研究进展加以综述,以期为改善急性胰腺炎患者预后提供临床参考。     

环磷酰胺冲击疗法联合小剂量皮质类固醇治疗狼疮性肾炎

目的 探讨环磷酰胺冲击疗法联合小剂量皮质类固醇激素治疗狼疮性肾炎的疗效。方法 对３４例 狼疮性肾炎患者使用环磷酰胺冲击疗法联合小剂量皮质类固醇激素治疗,并与２５例单用皮质类固醇激素疗法进行对照观察。结果 环磷酰胺冲击疗法联合小剂量皮质类固醇激素疗法组的临床症状及免疫学指标的改善,肾功能的改善及肾衰率的降低均明显优于单用激素疗法组,且不良反应不大。结论 环磷酰胺冲击疗法联合小剂量皮质类固醇激素治疗狼