Musashi is a family of RNA binding proteins with a conservative evolution. This protein family is selectively ex-pressed in the nervous system and comprises two members, namely, Musashi-1 and Musashi-2. Musashi-1 and Musashi-2 are transla-tional suppressors of Numb mRNA and can synergistically regulate the Notch signaling pathway;as a result, an asymmetric division of stem cells occurs. Musashi-1 is the first member of the family and was originally isolated from Drosophila. As a candidate stem gene, Musashi-1 participates in disease progression in stem cells. Musashi-1 is also an important protein that maintains the functions of stem cells, participates in tumor-related signaling pathways, and participates in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Furthermore, Musashi-1 is overexpressed in many solid tumors, such as neuroglioma, esophagus, gastric, colorectal, and breast cancers. Studies on Musashi-1 can provide new insights into genetic diagnosis and cancer treatments. In this study, the structure and function of Musashi-1 and the re-search progress of tumor mechanisms were summarized and reviewed.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of vaginal hysterectomy. Methods Clinical data of 118 patients with benign uterine diseases treated by vaginal hysterectomy (Vaginal Group) were retrospectively reviewed and were compared with those of 124 patients who underwent open hysterectomy (Open Group). Results The operative time (50 1 min?15 3 min), the intraoperative blood loss (150 4 ml?56 ml), the number of patients with a need for postoperative analgesics (26 cases), the postoperative pyrexia (42 cases), the time to first getting out of bed (26 4 h?6 3 h) and the length of hospitalization (5 2 d?1 2 d) in the Vaginal Group were significantly less than those in the Open Group (70 3 min?12 4 min, 212 2 ml?70 3 ml, 124 cases, 94 cases, 48 5 h?12 1 h, 8 2 d?2 2 d, respectively; P =0 000). There were no statistical significances between the two groups in occurrence of intra- or post- operative complications (Vaginal Group: 0 8%, 1/118, Open Group: 5 6%, 7/124; ? 2=2 982, P =0 084). Conclusions Vaginal hysterectomy has the advantages over open hysterectomy in minimal invasion and rapid recovery.

Objective To explore the changes of urinary Trypsinogen Activation Peptide (TAP) levels in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods We observed the association between urinary TAP concentration and severity of acute pancreatitis with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Urine samples were collected for TAP concentration at admission,24,48,and 72 h from 57 patients with AP who presented within 48 h of the onset of symptoms and from 11 control patients. Results The median urinary TAP at admission for severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) (98 nmol/L) was signficantly higher than the median for both mild pancreatitis (22 nmol/L,P0.05).The peak median urinary TAP in severe eroup was seen at admission.In the following days,TAP concentrations decreased graduallg.Conclusion Breakthrough activation of trypsinogen in pancreatic interstitial and blood may be the key event in the development of SAP.

Objective: To explore the association between stress, coping style, social support and subjective well-being (SWB) of college Students. Methods: 1773 college students from 8 colleges in Guangzhou were tested with Index of Well-being Questionnaire, College Students’ Stress Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire(SCSQ) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). And structural equation model (SEM) was built based on the data. Results: SEM revealed ?2/df=2.837, RMSEA=0.032, and indexes of GFI、AGFI、NFI、NNFI、CFI were all above 0.9. Stress and passive coping style had passive effect on SWB (the overall regression weights were -0.377 and -0.130 respectively). Social support and positive coping style had positive effect on SWB (the overall regression weights were 0.286 and 0.277 respectively). Conclusion: Stress, coping style and social support are important forecast variables of SWB.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection with BCG-polysaccharide nucleic acid (BCG-PSN) in treating bronchial asthma. Method Seventy-two patients with bronchial asthma were randomized into an acupoint injection group and a muscular injection group, 36 cases in each group. The acupoint injection group was intervened by acupoint injection with BCG-PSN to Zusanli (ST36) and Dingchuan (EX-B1) alternately, 1 mL for two points in total each time; the muscular injection group was intervened by muscular injection at the same dose and frequency, twice a week, for successive 3 months. The pulmonary function and asthma control test (ACT) were estimated before and after intervention and during March of the next year. Result After intervention, the FEV1 values were (80.97±2.31)% and (80.78±2.56)% respectively in the acupoint injection group and muscular injection group, and PEF values were (6.50±0.21)L/s and (6.48±0.25)L/s, and the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The ACT score was (23.02±1.03) in the acupoint injection group, significantly better than (22.40±2.04) in the muscular injection group (P<0.05). The follow-up study showed that the ACT score in the acupoint injection group was superior to that in the muscular injection group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupoint injection and muscular injection with BCG-PSN can equally improve the pulmonary function in bronchial asthma, while the acupoint injection can produce a more significant effect than muscular injection in improving ACT.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of low-dose ketamine for prevention of shivering during cesarean section under subarachnoid space and epidural anesthesia.Methods Ninety pregnant women who scheduled cesarean delivery under subarachnoid space and epidural anesthesia were randomized divided into three groups:control group (30 patients) low-dose ketamine group (30 patients) and high-dose ketamine group (30 patients).0.9％ sodium chloride,0.25 mg/kg(3 ml),and 0.50 mg/kg (3 ml) ketamine were given in three groups before operation.The incidence of shivering and adverse effect were recorded respectively before anesthesia,after anesthesia 15 min and 30 min and after operation 1 h.Results The level of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in control group after anesthesia 15 main and 30 min and after operation 1 h[(62 ± 10),(58 ± 8),(61 ± 11) mm Hg(1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa)] were significantly lower than those in high-dose ketamine group [(78 ± 12),(82 ± 8),(76 ± 11)mm Hg] and low-dose ketamine group [(72 ± 10),(76 ± 6),(80 ± 7) mm Hg],there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).There was no shivering need treat in low-dose ketamine group and high-dose ketamine group.The rate of hallucinations and nystagmus in low-dose ketamine group [0,6.7％ (2/30)] was significantly lower than that in high-dose ketamine group [20.0％ (6/30),50.0％ (15/30)],there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The pretreatment with low-dose ketamine on shivering during cesarean section under subarachnoid space and epidural anesthesia has better preventive effectiveness,0.25 mg/kg of ketamine is more effective than 0.50mg/kg.

AIM: To observe the expression of HIF-1? mRNA, HIF-1?, VEGF and iNOS proteins and to investigate their relationship in h ypoxia-treated SW480 cells. METHODS: HIF-1?, VEGF and iNOS proteins were measured by immuno cytochemistry. Western-blot was used to detect HIF-1? protein. HIF-1? mRNA wa s measured by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Under hypoxic condition, SW480 cells expressed proteins of HIF-1?, VEGF and iNOS more strongly than that under normoxia condition. How e ver, under hypoxia condition, these three proteins expressed weakly or negativel y when the cells treated with genistein, the inhibitor of HIF-1?. Expressions o f HIF-1? and VEGF proteins in cultured SW480 cells under hypoxic condition were completely or partially inhibited by the addition of SNP but the expression of iNOS was unaffected. Another NO donor NOC5, however, induced the expression of t hese three proteins. L-NAME, a non-specific inhibitor of NOS, inhibited the expr ession of HIF-1?, VEGF and iNOS. The levels of HIF-1? mRNA changed slightly i n different oxygen condition or addition of genistein, NO donor or iNOS inhibitor . CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia induces the expression of HIF-1?, therefor e upregulates the production of VEGF and iNOS. During hypoxia, SNP inhibits but N OC5 promotes HIF-1? expression, indicating that different NO donor acts on the cells through different mechanisms.

Objective With the isocentric C-arm (Iso-C) three-dimensional computerized navigation system,cadaveric pelvic specimens were used to imitate double screw fixation of the symphysis pubic.Practicability and safety of the screw trajectory were examined postoperatively by local cadaveric dissections and imaging tests.Methods Pelvic specimens were harvested from 8 male and 7 female adult cadavers.Double screw placement in symphysis pubic was performed using the Iso-C three-dimensional navigation and entry point and safety trajectory was achieved.With the detailed local dissection postoperatively,distances from screw entry and exit points to unilateral structures (spermatic cord,femoral artery and vein,femoral nerve,obturator artery and vein,obtrurator nerve,and so on) were measured respectively.After complete removal of surrounding soft tissues of the specimen with only bony structure kept,the entry angle and length were calculated.Accuracy of double screw fixation of symphysis pubic was further checked using X-ray and CT.Results Entry point of the first screw was at the junction of unilateral pubic tubercle and transitional site of superior pubic ramus.Mean angle of the first screw with the horizontal plane was (7.7 ± 1.9) ° in men and (8.1 ± 1.7) ° in women.Mean angle between the first screw and coronal plane was (7.8 ± 1.8)° in men and (7.7 ±2.0)° in women.Entry point of the second screw was in the same place in the contralateral pubic tubercle.Mean angle between the second screw and horizontal plane was (30.6 ± 4.0) ° in men and (30.8 ± 3.4) ° in women.Mean angle between the second screw and coronal plane was (9.1 ± 3.0)°in men and (9.2 ± 3.3)°in women.Conclusions With the three-dimensional computerized navigation system,the bony channels of double screws implanted in the symphysis pubic are achieved and reliable.Percutaneous double screw fixation is feasible to treat the pubic symphysis diastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the antitumor activities of kushen (Sophora flavescens) flavonoids (KS-Fs) in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Cell proliferation was assayed by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. H22 hepatocellular carcinoma and S180 sarcoma were induced in ICR mice. Lewis lung carcinoma was induced in C57BL/6 mice. H460 and Eca-109 tumor were induced in Balb/c nude mice by injecting 5x10(5) or 5x10(6) tumor cells in the right flank, respectively. RESULTS: KS-Fs could inhibit the growth of a variety of human tumor cell lines (A549, SPC-A-1, NCI-H460, etc.) in vitro. The antitumor efficacies were confirmed in the mice models of H22, S180 and Lewis lung tumors and the nude mice models of human H460 and Eca-109 xenografted tumors. The oral or intravenous maximum tolerated dose of KS-Fs was more than 2.8 g/kg or 750 mg/kg respectively, far more than the oral medial lethal dose of kushen alkaloids (< or = 1.18 g/kg). No adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that KS-Fs or kurarinone may be developed as a novel antitumor agent.

Objective To screen genes differentially expressed between dermal papilla cells from occipital and vertex scalp of patients with androgenic alopecia (AGA) through a 3D culture system.Methods Dermal papilla cells isolated from the occipital scalp tissue of patients with AGA were cultured in a 2D system for several days.Then,the third-passage dermal papilla cells were subjected to a 3D culture with the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for 72 hours (experimental group).The dermal papilla cells isolated from the vertex scalp tissue of patients with AGA,which were cultured in a 3D system with dimethyl sulfoxide,but not DHT,served as the control group.Subsequently,total RNA was extracted from the cells and reversely transcribed into cDNA followed by labeling with Cy3 and hybridization to a NimbleGen microarray.Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis was carried out to screen differentially expressed genes between the experimental and control group.Real time PCR was conducted to validate the results of microarray analysis.Results As the genome-wide expression profile analysis showed,there were 622 genes differentially expressed between the experimental group and control group,of which,359 were up-regulated and 263 were down-regulated in the experimental group compared with the control group.The above results were corffirmed by real time PCR.GO analysis revealed that the up-regulated genes,such as the CHEK1 and Tobl genes,were mainly involved in the inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cell apoptosis,while the down-regulated genes,such as the BAMBI,EFNA3,Dlx3 and UCGC genes,were associated with the acceleration of cell proliferation as well as the growth and development of epidermis.Pathway analysis showed that cell circle-controlling molecules were the most abundant molecules.Conclusions Numerous signalling molecules and pathways are involved in the development of AGA,which are mainly responsible for the modulation of cell circle,proliferation and apoptosis.