The expression and function of microRNA-203 in lung cancer.

We aimed to determine the expression of microRNA-203 (miR-203) in human lung cancer cell lines and to evaluate the effects of miR-203 by targeting survivin, on the lung cancer cell line 95-D to provide potential new strategies for treating lung cancer. The expression of miR-203 was detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the in vitro cultured lung cancer cells A549, HCC827, NCI-H1299, and 95-D as well as in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Following a 72-h transfection with the miR-203 precursor in 95-D lung cancer cells, the change in miR-203 expression was detected using qRT-PCR and the resulting effect on survivin protein expression was ascertained by Western blot analysis. The influence of miR-203 on the viability of 95-D lung cancer cells was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The effect of miR-203 on 95-D cell proliferation was analyzed using flow cytometry. The consequences of miR-203 expression on 95-D cell apoptosis were analyzed by Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining coupled with flow cytometry. The role of miR-203 in the invasive potential of 95-D cells was studied using a transwell chamber assay. A luciferase reporter gene system was used to verify that survivin is a target gene for miR-203. By qRT-PCR, the expression of miR-203 was lower in lung cancer cells than in normal bronchial epithelial cells (p < 0.01), and the expression of miR-203 in 95-D lung cancer cells was significantly higher after a 72-h transfection with the miR-203 precursor (p < 0.01). After a 72-h transfection with the miR-203 precursor, survivin protein levels in 95-D cells were significantly decreased (p < 0.01). Cell viability, as assessed with an MTT assay, decreased following an increase in miR-203 expression (p < 0.05). The flow cytometry results indicated that after miR-203 expression increased, the cell proliferation index decreased (p < 0.05) and the number of apoptotic cells increased (p < 0.01). Increased miR-203 expression led to a significant decrease in the number of cells that migrated through a transwell chamber membrane (p < 0.01). The luciferase reporter gene system demonstrated that the relative luciferase activity significantly decreased after transfection with the miR-203 precursor (p < 0.05). The expression of miR-203 is downregulated in lung cancer cells. miR-203 negatively regulates survivin protein expression and inhibits the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies that enhance miR-203 expression or silence survivin could potentially benefit lung cancer patients.

[Characteristics of the confined space accident and its medical rescue strategy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of the confined space accident and its medical rescue strategy. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with emergency rescue in the five confined space accident during June 2009 to July 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine people were caught in four confined space accidents caused by building collapse and 7 people were caught in one confined space accident caused by a tower of babel blast furnace damage which caused severe gas and hydrogen sulfide poisoning. For the 36 wounded, the shortest rescue time was 1.5 hours and the longest was 10.5 hours. Fourteen people were killed (mortality rate 38.89%). Characteristics of the confined space accident: the wounded activity environment was very harsh, the wounded were restricted particularly, the wounded injuries were diverse, the psychological depression was very common. The confined space environment and the complexity of wounded disease determined its medical rescue specificity and were very different from the usual trauma emergency. CONCLUSIONS: Confined space accident caused very painful casualties. The key reason is that the relevant personnel failed to clearly recognize the potential risks in the confined space or nearby, making the confined space into another "quiet killer". This problem needs to be paid highly attention.

[Enoxaparin for the prevention of post surgical pulmonary embolism].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the administration of enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), in the prevention of post surgical deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: 1928 patients hospitalized for general surgery were randomly divided into: (1) test group (n = 960) to receive enoxaparin (40 mg, s.c., 12 hours before and after surgery, then once daily for 7 consecutive days); (2) control group (n = 968) without intervention. The incidence of DVT,PE and bleeding were recorded for statistical analysis during hospitalization and a 2 months follow-up after discharge. RESULTS: (1) No significant difference was found between the two groups in age, sex, average body mass index, type of surgery, and DVT / PE risk factors (obesity, varicose veins, and history of: venous thrombosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, and hormone therapy). The percentage of non-malignant / malignant tumor surgery were 36.5% / 63.5% (average operation time 2.3 hours) in control group and 35.6% / 64.4% (2.2 hours) in test group (both P > 0.05). (2) During the hospitalization period, 59 cases (incidence=6.1%) of DVT and 14 cases (incidence=1.4%) of PE (among them 6 were fetal, 42.8% of all PE cases) were found in the control group, while 28 cases of DVT (2.9%) and 3 cases (0.3%) of PE (1 fetal, 33.3% of all PE cases) were found in test group. The incidence of DVT, PE (total), and PE (fetal) were significant lower in test group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). During the follow up, 14 more cases of DVT (1.4%) and 1 more case (0.1%) of PE (a fetal) were found in the control group, and 2 more DVT cases (0.2%) in test group, with the DVT incidence in test group significantly lower (P < 0.01). (3) During the enoxaparin administration, 30 cases (3.1%) minor bleeding and 8 cases (0.8%) major bleeding were found in the control group, while 33 cases (3.4%) minor bleeding events and 9 cases (0.9%) major bleeding events were found in the test group. THE RESULTS: in the two groups were not significantly different in either type of bleeding events (both P > 0.05). Also no significant difference was found in the bleeding events after the ending of enoxaparin administration and during the follow up. CONCLUSION: Enoxaparin may reduce the incidence of DVT and PE in patients undergoing general surgery without increased risk of bleeding.

[The design and use of a mobile intensive care unit ambulance].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the range of use and efficiency of first-aid in a disaster, a mobile intensive care unit (ICU) ambulance was designed and evaluated. METHODS: The data of disasters, accidental injury in astronauts, injuries occurred in conflicts in foreign nations were reviewed and analyzed, together with our clinical experience of first-aid, a mobile ICU in an ambulance was designed. RESULTS: Provided with automatic cardiopulmonary resuscitation apparatus and instruments for surgical life-saving operation, the mobile ICU ambulance could allow the occupants to perform effective rescue means during rush hour of urban traffic. The new model of ambulance was proved to be able to afford an increased rescue rate in disaster scenario. CONCLUSION: The disability rate and fatality of accidental injuries and local conflicts could be reduced significantly by the use of our mobile ICU ambulance.