Investigation of clinical medicine undergraduates’ recognition of narrative medicine

Abstract Background Narrative Medicine (NM), a contemporary medical concept proposed in the 21st century, emphasizes the use of narrative as a literary form in medicine. This study aims to explore the understanding about NM and willingness to learn NM among medical students in our hospital. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 130 students at Xiangya Medical College of Central South University. Results The findings revealed that a small percentage of students (3.1%) were familiar with narrative medicine and its training methods. Knowledge about the treatment skills (77.7%) and core content (55.4%) of narrative medicine was limited among the students. Despite this, a majority (63.1%) expressed a lack of interest in further understanding and learning about narrative medicine. Surprisingly, the survey indicated that students possessed a high level of narrative literacy, even without formal training in narrative medicine. Additionally, over half of the surveyed students (61.5%) believed that narrative medicine could benefit their clinical practice. Conclusions This study serves as a preliminary basis for the future development of narrative medicine education in China. It highlights the need to prioritize medical humanities education and provide medical students with more opportunities to access information on narrative medicine. By doing so, we can strive to enhance the visibility and promote the integration of narrative medicine into medical humanities education in China

Association between IgG4 Autoantibody and Complement Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

In order to investigate the association between IgG4 autoantibody and complement abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 72 newly diagnosed SLE patients, 67 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 41 healthy normals were employed. Serum levels of antinuclear IgG4 and IgG4-specific IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured, and the correlations between serum levels of antinuclear IgG4 and several clinical parameters were analyzed. Also, the levels of IgG subclasses, C1q, and C3 deposition in lupus nephritis (LN) were detected. The results showed that serum levels of antinuclear IgG4 were higher in SLE patients relative to healthy normals (P<0.01). Serum levels of antinuclear IgG4 in SLE patients were positively correlated with serum levels of total IgG4, albumin, and C3 (r=0.61, P<0.05; r=0.40, P<0.05; and r=0.54, P<0.05, resp.) and negatively correlated with 24-hour urinary protein (r=0.49, P<0.05). Serum levels of IgG4-specific IgM-RF were higher in RA patients than in SLE patients (P<0.001). Also, the ratio of the deposition score for IgG4/(IgG1 + IgG2 + IgG3 + IgG4) was negatively correlated with the score for C1q and C3 deposition in LN (r=0.34, P<0.05; r=0.51, P<0.01, resp.). In summary, the IgG4 autoantibody may dampen the inflammatory response in SLE, thus maybe providing a novel therapeutic target for SLE

Protective Effect of an Antibody against Specific Extracellular Domain of TLR2 on Agonists-Driven Inflammatory and Allergic Response

Specific blocking strategies of TLR2-mediated inflammatory signaling and hypersensitivity reactions may offer novel therapeutic strategies to prevent a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigated the blocking effects of a new anti-TLR2 antibody anti-T20 against a 20 mer peptide T20 located in the extracellular specific domain of mouse TLR2. In addition, the effects of the anti-T20 in vitro, measuring the inhibition of the IL-6 and TNF-α production in response to PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, were determined. In vivo, the effects of anti-T20 on a lethal anaphylaxis model using PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice, including the rectal temperature and mortality, and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and LTC4 were assayed. The results showed that anti-T20 specifically bound to TLR2 and significantly inhibited PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-driven TNF-α and IL-6 production by RAW264.7 cells. Also, anti-T20 protected OVA allergic mice from PGN-induced lethal anaphylaxis, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and LTC4 of anti-T20 treated PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice were decreased as compared to isotype control of anti-T20 treated mice. In summary, this study produced a new antibody against the specific extracellular domain of TLR2 which has protective effect on TLR2 agonists-driven inflammatory and allergic response

Protective Effect of an Antibody against Specific Extracellular Domain of TLR2 on Agonists-Driven Inflammatory and Allergic Response

Specific blocking strategies of TLR2-mediated inflammatory signaling and hypersensitivity reactions may offer novel therapeutic strategies to prevent a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigated the blocking effects of a new anti-TLR2 antibody anti-T20 against a 20 mer peptide T20 located in the extracellular specific domain of mouse TLR2. In addition, the effects of the anti-T20 in vitro, measuring the inhibition of the IL-6 and TNF-production in response to PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, were determined. In vivo, the effects of anti-T20 on a lethal anaphylaxis model using PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice, including the rectal temperature and mortality, and serum levels of TNF-, IL-6, and LTC4 were assayed. The results showed that anti-T20 specifically bound to TLR2 and significantly inhibited PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-driven TNF-and IL-6 production by RAW264.7 cells. Also, anti-T20 protected OVA allergic mice from PGN-induced lethal anaphylaxis, and the serum levels of TNF-, IL-6, and LTC4 of anti-T20 treated PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice were decreased as compared to isotype control of anti-T20 treated mice. In summary, this study produced a new antibody against the specific extracellular domain of TLR2 which has protective effect on TLR2 agonists-driven inflammatory and allergic response

Factors That Influence a Mother’s Willingness to Preserve Umbilical Cord Blood: A Survey of 5120 Chinese Mothers

<div><p>Background</p><p>Umbilical Cord blood (UCB), which contains a substantive number of stem cells, could be widely used in transplants to treat a variety of oncologic, genetic, hematologic, and immunodeficiency disorders. However, only a small portion of mothers preserve or donate their UCB in China. The limited availability of UCB has hampered stem cell research and therapy nowadays. To date, no systemic investigations regarding factors that influence a mother’s willingness to preserve UCB have been performed in China. In the current study, we are trying to determine those factors which will provide useful information for national health policy development and will raise awareness of the importance of UCB preservation.</p><p>Methods</p><p>During 2011 to 2013, 5120 mothers with the average age of 26.1±8.4 years were included in this study. Those mothers participated in a standardized survey. The information gathered consisted of delivery time, occupation, level of education, knowledge of preservation of UCB, willingness to store UCB, and related concerns. The results have been analyzed with SPSS 16.0.</p><p>Results</p><p>The results showed that first-time mothers showed a greater willingness to preserve their UCB (73.3%) compared to those having their second (48.9%) or third child (40.3%). Mothers who were employed at Government Agencies and Organizations were more willing to preserve their UCB (87.3%) than those employed at factories (62.0%), and those who were unemployed (27.3%). Mothers holding master’s or college degrees were more willing to preserve their UCB (72.5% and 71.1%, respectively) than mothers with high school diplomas (48.7%) or those who only went to preliminary school or middle school (40.7%). The two strongest factors that influenced an unwillingness to preserve UCB were the high cost and concerns regarding the safety of the preservation.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The results showed that mothers with higher education or those having better occupations are more likely to preserve their UCB in China. These mothers have related knowledge and understand the importance of the preservation and they could more readily afford the relatively high cost. The government, clinicians and UCB banks should combine efforts to take measures, such as increasing public knowledge of the importance of UCB preservation and decreasing the high cost for its storage will most likely increase the frequency of UCB preservation which will further benefit stem cell research and therapy.</p></div

Effect of education level on willingness to preserve UCB.

<p>Effect of education level on willingness to preserve UCB.</p

Effect of occupations on willingness to preserve UCB.

<p>Effect of occupations on willingness to preserve UCB.</p

The primary factors influencing willingness to preserve UCB.

<p>The primary factors influencing willingness to preserve UCB.</p

Effect of number of children on willingness to preserve UCB.

<p>Effect of number of children on willingness to preserve UCB.</p