Using modern teaching strategies to teach upper abdominal sonography to medical students

BackgroundUpper abdominal sonography can help physicians to confirm the diagnosis of various hepatobiliary diseases. Teaching sonography skills to medical students is important because it may enhance their level of knowledge and overall development during their gastroenterology section rotation. Sonographic imaging is abstract and students can be easily confused when scanning the abdominal structures from different sites and directions. We used several modern teaching strategies to facilitate the learning of sonography skills.MethodsThe year five medical students beginning a gastroenterology section rotation for their first-year clerkship were taught abdominal sonography skills. Abstract sonographic images were related to concrete objects and the surrounding structures were further indicated. Each of the images was given a specific name and was sorted according to the scanning site. A mnemonics system was designed to help students to memorize the names of these images. A badge was created to recognize the achievement of being able to complete a basic upper abdominal sonography. Students were free (i.e., not obligated) to request a demonstration opportunity to show their skills within 2 weeks after receiving tutelage. We recorded the number of students who received training and were able to successfully complete the task; these individuals then received a badge to be pinned onto their white coats.ResultsSixty-three of 68 students (92.6%) requested evaluation and all of them passed.ConclusionWe have greatly simplified the process of learning about upper abdominal sonography by using andragogy to enhance learning, mnemonics to help memory, and a pin-badge reward system to stimulate incentives.     

双台阶水平井钻井实时跟踪系统应用研究——以哈得油田HD10-HX井为例

哈得油田石炭系中泥岩段薄砂层油藏埋藏深、油层薄,且受岩性控制层状边水未饱和,采用以地质导向为基础的双台阶水平井钻井技术。 为了对双台阶水平井钻井质量进行有效评价,研制了一套完善的双台阶水平井钻井实时跟踪系统。该系统充分结合导眼井及邻井的地质、钻井、录井、测井及随钻测井等多种资料,实现双台阶水平井钻井的实时跟踪,对井眼轨迹位移及钻遇地层进行实时分析,计算钻遇率。利用该系统在哈得油田某井区双台阶水平注水井HD10-HX井现场进行了初步的钻井实时跟踪分析应用,获得了较好的应用效果。     

Multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains

Foodborne disease caused by pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus has become a serious public health problem in many countries. Rapid diagnosis and the identification of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus are very important in the context of public health. In this study, an EvaGreen-based multiplex real-time PCR assay was established for the detection of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. This assay targeted three genetic markers of V. parahaemolyticus (species-specific gene toxR and virulence genes tdh and trh). The assay could unambiguously identify pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus with a minimum detection limit of 1.4 pg genomic DNA per reaction (concentration giving a positive multiplex real-time PCR result in 95% of samples). The specificity of the assay was evaluated using 72 strains of V. parahaemolyticus and other bacteria. A validation of the assay with clinical samples confirmed its sensitivity and specificity. Our data suggest the newly established multiplex real-time PCR assay is practical, cost-effective, specific, sensitive and capable of high-throughput detection of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus.     

Handheld real-time volumetric imaging of the spine: technology development

Technical difficulties, poor image quality and reliance on pattern identifications represent some of the drawbacks of two-dimensional ultrasound imaging of spinal bone anatomy. To overcome these limitations, this study sought to develop real-time volumetric imaging of the spine using a portable handheld device. The device measured 19.2?cm?×?9.2?cm?×?9.0?cm and imaged at 5?MHz centre frequency. 2D imaging under conventional ultrasound and volumetric (3D) imaging in real time was achieved and verified by inspection using a custom spine phantom. Further device performance was assessed and revealed a 75-min battery life and an average frame rate of 17.7?Hz in volumetric imaging mode. The results suggest that real-time volumetric imaging of the spine is a feasible technique for more intuitive visualization of the spine. These results may have important ramifications for a large array of neuraxial procedures.