Livin is a novel member of IAPs (inhibitors of apoptosis protein) family, which is expressed highly in a variety of tumors but not in majority of normal tissues. This protein contains a BIR domain and a RING finger domain just like other members of IAPs. It will be of great sigificance to investigate the relationship between Livin and tumors, and it might be a potential target for anti-cancer drugs.

AIM: Antisense oligonucleotides against livin were designed with computer software. METHODS: Antisense oligonucleotides were designed according to the secondary structure of livin mRNA which was simulated with RNAdraw and Sfold. And then these oligonucleotides were transfected into Hela cells for inducing apoptosis. RESULTS: Five antisense oligonucleotides were designed using RNAdraw and Sfold, and effectively induced Hela cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The approach is effective and feasible to design antisense oligonucleotides by means of calculation with two kinds of software.

Apoptosis is involved in a variety of diseases. Cysteine aspartate specific protease (caspase), a protease family which executes apoptosis, plays a crucial role in course of apoptosis. It can be activated through various pathways. Some natural and synthetic caspase inhibitors will strengthen anti apoptotic action through inhibiting one or several caspase activity, and will become effective means in treating diseases caused by overapoptosis.

Objective: To analyze the 10-year experience for placement of permanent epicardial-pacemaker (PM) during peri-operative period in a single center of patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD).
Methods: A total of 33 CHD patients who received the placement of epicardial-PM during peri-operative period in our hospital from 2002 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 patients with congenital atrio-ventricular block (AVB) 27 with iatrogenic AVB. All patients were younger than 8 years and the mean age was (23.2 ± 26.9) months, with the body weight at (9.7 ± 5.6) Kg. 6 patients with congenital AVB received surgical PM placement combined with CHD repair, and the other 27 patients received PM placement at (26 ± 13.1) days after the surgery. Steroid-eluting bipolar epicardial pacing leads were inserted through median sternotomy and connected to various pulse generators within the subrectus pocket. The time, type, acute ventricular stimulation sensing, impedance and electrophysiological information of PM were collected during the operation. The patients were followed-up for (46.8 ± 33.9) months for echocardiography, ECG, programming information of PM, and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded.
Results: There were 2 congenital AVB patients received dual chamber PM and the rest patients received single chamber PM. Acute ventricular stimulation sensing was (1.34 ± 0.72) V, no signiifcant increase was identiifed in the last follow-up examination as (1.37 ± 0.81) V,P=0.93. Compared with immediate PM implantation, no signiifcant increases were observed for impedance and R wave in the last follow-up examination as (366.7 ± 88) Ω vs (331.9 ± 95.9) Ω,P=0.32 and (12.3 ± 3.5) mV vs (11.4 ± 4.9) mV,P=0.635 respectively. There were 4 patients received PM replacement because of generator dysfunction, 7/33 (21.2%) of patients had MACE as heart failure or sudden death. The age and body weight in MACE patients were similar with the patients with good prognosis,P>0.05. No pocket infection or lead fracture occurred.
Conclusion: Iatrogenic high level of AVB has been the primary reason for surgical placement of epicardial PM in CHD patients during peri-operative period. It has better long term outcome, while the type of PM should be optimized.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation combined with hormone suppression therapy for solitary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.Methods A total of 25 patients with 25 nodules pathologically proven solitary papillary carcinoma 3.7 to 10.0 mm in diameter without clinically apparent lymph node,or distant metastasis were treated with microwave ablation equipement.Microwaves were emitted at 40 W for 200 -400 seconds and prolonged as necessary to attain confluent ablation zones.All patients were treated with both extended ablation therapy and levothyroxine that maintain TSH levels below 0.1 mU/L.Thyroid function test,nodule volume and clinical symptom were evaluated before ablation and during 1 ,3,6,9 and 12 months after treatment according to changes in tumor size,adverse reactions,complications and metastatic tumors.Three out of 25 patients received surgical treatment and the other 22 patients were followed up with routine ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound.Results All 25 tumors were completely ablated by using mutiple plane fixed melting method and no serious or permanent complications occurred.No recurrence at the treatment site or distant metastase were detected,with a mean follow-up of 1 8 months.Histological examination showed no evidence of a tumor in the treated lesions in the 3 surgery patients.Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation appears to be a safe and effective technique for the therapy of solitary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

AIM: To establish a method for determing camphor and eucalyptol in Shidi Water(Camphor,Rhizoma Zingiberis,Fructus Foeniculi,Cortex). METHODS: The chromatographic condition,DB-WAX capillary column(30 m?0.53 mm,1 ?m).The column temperature programming was from 65 ?C to 155 ?C(at rate of 6 ?C/min).FID Detection.The temperatrue was at 230 ?C. RESULTS: The linear range of camphor was within 0.18 mg/mL-5.78 mg/mL(r=1.000 0,n=6).The average recovery was 98.05%,RSD=0.94%.The linear range of eucalyptol was within 0.06 mg/mL-1.92 mg/ml(r=(0.999 7),n=6).The average recovery was 98.99%,RSD=1.31%. CONCLUSION: This method can be used for quality control of Shidi Water

Objective To investigate the feasibility and effects of modified Stoppa approach in treatment of anterior pelvic ring fractures.Methods The therapeutic effects of 21 patients with anterior pelvic ring fractures treated through the modified Stoppa approach from June 2008 to August 2011 were summarized and analyzed.According to Tile classification,there were seven patients with type A2 fractures,six with type B2 fractures,five type B3 fractures and three type C2 fractures.Surgical treatment through the modified Stoppa approach included anterior pelvic ring plates for 14 patients,anterior pelvic ring plates and external fixators for four and anterior pelvic ring plates and sacroiliac joint compressed cannulated screws for three.The fracture reduction and post-operative function were assessed by Matta criteria and Majeed system respectively.Results The incision length of the modified Stoppa approach ranged from 10 to 12 cm ( average,11 cm).The operation time ranged from 70 to 120 minutes ( average,95 minutes).The intra-operative blood loss ranged from 400 to 1 000 ml (average,700 ml ).According to the Matta criteria,all 21 patients obtained sound reduction,of whom 15 patients had bony union after 8-20 months follow-up post-operatively.The Majeed score in all patients showed a gradual increase postoperatively.Conclusions The modified Stoppa approach is characterized by convenience and directness in making incisions,clear operation field,easy reduction,few complications and fast recovery and hence is an ideal choice in surgical treatment of anterior pelvic ring fractures.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.Methods A total 456 patients (912 nodules) underwent microwave ablation in our department.Microwave ablation was carried out using microwave antenna under local anesthesia.Nodule volume,thyroid function and clinical symptoms were evaluated before treatment and at 1 ,3,6 and 12 months after the treatment to monitor changes in the volume,adverse effect and complications.Results 912 nodules were all studied with contrast-enhanced ultrasound immediately after the ablation,and all results showed “black hole”sign.The mean follow-up period after microwave ablation was (9±6)months (range,3-24 months).At 6-month follow-up,the mean volume reduction ratio of the solid nodules,mixed nodules and the cystic nodules was (61 ± 50 )%,(81 ± 33 )%,(89 ± 46 )%, respectively.The treatment was well tolerated and no major complications were observed except pain and transient voice changes (2.4%).Conclusions Microwave ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Objective Through comparing ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) with surgical resection for the treatment of nodular goiter to evaluate the effect of RFA on the thyroid function.Methods A total of 50 patients with nodular goiter,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from January 2010 to January 2013 to receive ultrasound-guided MWA,were selected and used as the study group;and other 96 patients with nodular goiter,who were encountered at authors' hospital during the same period to receive partial thyroidectomy,were collected and used as the control group.Of the 50 patients in the study group,RFA of unilateral lobe nodules was performed in 8 and RFA of bilateral lobe nodules in 42.Among the 96 patients in the control group,unilateral lobe nodules were seen in 52 and bilateral lobe nodules in 44.Postoperative complications were recorded,the serum FT3,FT4,TSH levels were determined at one week,as well as one,3,6 and 12 months after the treatment.The results were statistically analyzed.Results All patients were followed up for 12 months.In the study group,no complications occurred;one week after RFA the serum FT3 and FT4 levels increased while the serum TSH level decreased when compared with preoperative ones,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).In the control group,bleeding asphyxia occurred in one patient,hoarseness in 5 patients and hypocalcemia convulsion in 3 patients.One week after partial thyroidectomy,the serum FT3 and FT4 levels increased while the serum TSH level decreased when compared with preoperative data,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).One week after surgery thyroxine replacement therapy was routinely given to 44 patients who had received bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy.Three patients who had received unilateral subtotal thyroidectomy developed hypothyroidism at 3,6 and 8 months after the surgery respectively.In other 49 patients receiving unilateral subtotal thyroidectomy the serum FT3,FT4,TSH levels determined at one,3,6 and 12 months after surgery were significantly different from those in the patients of the study group (P＜0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of nodular goiter,ultrasound-guided MWA is quite safe.MWA has very slight effect on thyroid function and is definitely superior to subtotal thyroidectomy.Therefore,MWA is a minimally invasive technique which is worthy of clinical promotion.