Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 regulates estrogen receptor 1 function in breast cancer.

Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 (MSI2) has important roles in human cancer. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which MSI2 alters breast cancer pathophysiology have not been clearly identified. Here we demonstrate that MSI2 directly regulates estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), which is a well-known therapeutic target and has been shown to reflect clinical outcomes in breast cancer. Based on gene expression data analysis, we found that MSI2 expression was highly enriched in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer and that MSI2 expression was significantly correlated with ESR1 expression, including expression of ESR1 downstream target genes. In addition, MSI2 levels were associated with clinical outcomes. MSI2 influenced breast cancer cell growth by altering ESR1 function. MSI2 alters ESR1 by binding specific sites in ESR1 RNA and by increasing ESR1 protein stability. Taken together, our findings identified a novel regulatory mechanism of MSI2 as an upstream regulator of ESR1 and revealed the clinical relevance of the RNA-binding protein MSI2 in breast cancer.

Common stress and serum cortisol and IL-12 levels in missed abortion.

To investigate stress levels, serum cortisol levels, and changes in IL-12 concentration in patients with missed abortion. Patients with missed abortion (n = 48) were age and gestational age-matched with normal early pregnancy cases (n = 48). All subjects completed a stress evaluation survey questionnaire about common stressors. Venous blood samples were collected at 07.00 hours, and serum cortisol and IL-12 concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and ELISA methods, respectively. Missed abortion patients demonstrated a significantly higher number of common stressors and higher serum cortisol levels compared to controls (both p < 0.05). Dilation and curettage did not lead to significant differences in serum cortisol and IL-12 levels (p > 0.05). Stress and immunity alterations of the immune system may contribute to the aetiology of missed abortion.

Effects of magnesium sulphate on intraoperative anaesthetic requirements and postoperative analgesia in gynaecology patients receiving total intravenous anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: This randomized, double-blind, prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of magnesium sulphate on anaesthetic requirements and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA). METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent gynaecological surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Before induction of anaesthesia, the magnesium group (Group M) received magnesium sulphate 50 mg kg(-1) i.v. as a bolus and then 15 mg kg(-1) h(-1) i.v. by continuous infusion. The control group (Group S) received the same amount of isotonic saline. TIVA (propofol+remifentanil) was administered under bispectral index monitoring during anaesthesia induction and maintenance. Rocuronium was administered before orotracheal intubation and during surgery when the train-of-four count was 2 or more. After operation, patient-controlled analgesia with a solution of ketorolac and morphine was used and the consumption of this solution was recorded. Pain scores at rest and upon movement were evaluated 30 min, 4, 24, and 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Patients in Group M required less rocuronium than those in Group S [mean (SD) 0.44 (0.09) vs 0.35 (0.07) microg kg(-1) min(-1), P<0.05]. The total amounts of propofol and remifentanil administered were similar in the two groups. Postoperative pain scores, cumulative analgesic consumption, and shivering incidents were significantly lower in Group M (P<0.05). Mean arterial pressure just after intubation and during the immediate postoperative period was also significantly lower in Group M (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: I.v. magnesium sulphate during TIVA reduced rocuronium requirement and improved the quality of postoperative analgesia.

Origin of O 1s core-level shifts on oxygen adsorbed Si(111)-(7x7)

Density functional calculations are used to examine the chemical and structural origin of O 1s core-level shifts measured on the initial oxidation stage of Si(111)-(7x7). Our analysis of metastable core-level peaks leads to a conclusive identification of the long-sought metastable oxidation species as a tetrahedral SiO4 unit, formed by two successive O2 adsorptions on a Si adatom. The origin of a higher-binding core-level shoulder is clarified by the presence of a threefold-coordinated subsurface O atom, introduced as a decay product of the metastable SiO4 unit. The present study provides a detailed atomic-scale picture of the initial oxidation process of Si(111)-(7x7).