Cancer stem cells are defined as the unique subpopulation in the tumors that possess the abili-ty to initiate tumor growth and sustain self-renewal as well as metastatic potential.Accumulating evidences in recent years strongly indicate the existence of cancer stem cells in solid tumors of a wide variety of organs.In recent years,many cancer stem cells have been found,including leukemia,breast cancer,brain ttunor,liv-er cancer,colon carcinoma,etc.In this review,we will discuss the conception and origin of the gastric cancer stem cells,and their role in the development of multi-drug resistance.

Objective To investigate a new method of pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy for the treatment of bladder calculi. Methods A ureteroscope or nephroscope was inserted into the bladder via outer sheath of resectoscope. Then pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy was performed under endoscope to fragment and remove bladder stones. Results Stones were thoroughly removed from the bladder on one session in all 20 patients. No major haemorrhage, perforation of the bladder, or water intoxication happened intraoperatively or postoperatively. Follow-up for 2~18 months (mean, 4 6 months) in the 20 patients showed no recurrence of calculi under B-ultrasonography or symptoms of urethral stricture like dribble urination. Conclusions Pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy via outer sheath of resectoscope is effective in the treatment of bladder calculi.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonic guidance for the treatment of renal calculi. Methods Percutaneous nephrolithotomy using pneumatic or holmium laser lithotripsy under ultrasonic guidance was performed in 26 patients from January 2005 to November 2006.Among them,46 patients had single stones and 27 had multiple renal calculi.Unilateral renal calculi were found in 67 patients and bilateral calculi in 6.Staghorn calculi were identified in 11 patients.Results Of the 73 patients,a successful stone removal on one session was achieved in 57 patients,a second-look stone removal was needed in 13 patients,and 3 patients underwent three times of operation.During the operation,a single tract was used in 53 patients,double tracts in 18 patients,and three tracts in 2.A mini-invasive tract(F14～F18) was used in 47 patients,and a standard tract(F24) was established in the remaining 26 patients.The operation time was 50～160 min(mean,86 min).The stone-free rate was 96.2%(68/73),and the residual stones in other 5 patients were all

Objective To obtain more detailed microsurgical anatomical data and multi-slice helical CT scanning of cochlear aqueduct for the translabyrithine approach. Methods Twenty cadaver heads(40 sides)fixed with formalin were dissected under a microscope ,and cochlear aqueducts were found and measured. Five cadaver heads(10 sides) were scanned by multi-slice helical CT. Results The width of external aperture of cochlear aqueduct was (2.64?0.82)mm. The length of cochlear aqueduct was (8.40?1.35)mm. The distance between cochlear aqueduct and cranial nerves Ⅸ, Ⅹ, Ⅺ, and that between the inferior petrosal sinus was(1.08?0.36 )mm,(2.71?0.63)mm,(4.52?1.25)mm, (1.14?0.46)mm, respectively. The distance between external aperture of cochlear aqueduct and the inferior margin of internal acoustic meatus aperture was (5.53?0.93)mm. The otic capsule segment of cochlear aqueduct could not be demonstrated on the coronal section. The petrosal portion could be demonstrated by both coronal and axial scannings. Conclusion The axial scanning was useful for detecting cochlear aqueduct. Cochlear aqueduct could be regarded as one of the landmarks in translabyrithine approach for cerebellopontile angle operation.

38.5 ℃) and urine leakage were similar between the two groups [8.7% (4/46) vs 3.7% (1/27),?2=0.112,P=0.737; and 0 (0/46) vs 3.7% (1/27),?2=0.074,P=0.786]. Conclusions Both MPCNL and RLUL are effective and safe for impacted upper ureteral calculi. RLUL,which results in less blood loss but longer operation time,is feasible in advanced hospitals.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephroscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of bilateral upper urinary calculi. Methods From July 2004 to December 2008,we performed percutaneous nephroscopic lithotripsy under X-ray or ultrasonic guidance for 35 patients with bilateral upper urinary calculi. Of the 35 patients,bilateral renal calculi were found in 18 patients,unilateral renal and unilateral ureteral calculus in 10,bilateral ureteral calculi in 7. Results In 35 patients (70 sides),the calculi was removed through a single tract in 49 sides,through double tracts in 18 sides,and through triple tracts in 3 sides. The mean operation time for unilateral PCNL was 66 min (ranged from 20 to 185 min). The stone-free rate was 80% (56/70) on one session. A second-look stone removal was needed in 8 laterals,and 3 laterals underwent three times of lithotomy. In three sides,a few residual renal stones were found after the first operation,but no second operation was performed. The final stone-free rate was 91.4% (64/70) in all of the cases,among which the stone-free rate was 100% (24/24) for ureteral stones and was 87% (40/46) for renal stones. In this series,no chest or abdominal injuries,intestinal perforation,or injuries to surrounding organs were detected. The patients were discharged from hospital in 5 to 30 days,and then were followed up for 3 to 6 months. During the follow-up,B-ultrasonography and KUB+IVP found no recurrence of calculi. Conclusions Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is effective and safe for bilateral upper urinary calculi. By skilled urologists in conditioned hospital,simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed on bilateral upper urinary calculi can shorten the cycle time of treatment and hospitalization.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric calculi.Methods From January 2003 to June 2007,221 patients with ureteric calculi underwent ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy in our hospital.Under continuous epidural anesthesia combined with spinal anesthesia,the surgery was performed in lateral lithotomy position.Double-J catheter was used for drainage after the operation.Results The mean operation time was 55 minutes(ranged from 15 to 118 minutes).Among the patients,the calculi were found in the upper ureter in 16 cases,middle segment in 52 cases,and lower ureter in 153 cases.A total of 228 stones in the 211 patients were all fragmented with a success rate of 100%.The discharging rate was 95.5%(211/221).ESWL was used in 7 cases with unsatisfied outcomes and 3 patients who had ipsilateral renal calculi.A 3-to 6-month follow-up was achieved in 189 of the patients,who had no recurrence during the period.Conclusions Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy is a minimal invasive and effective treatment for ureteric calculi.Postoperative ESWL is an alternative which can increase the rate of stone clearance.

Objective To report the clinical features a nd pathologic findings of 1 case of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the ki dney. Methods The patient who had a 20-year history of taking oral contraceptive was a 50-year-old woman with pain in left flank asso ciated with hematuria for half a year.CT and MRI revealed an 8 cm?6 cm cystic a nd solid mass located in the upper pole of the left kidney.A diagnosis of cystic renal carcinoma was made before operation.Radical left nephrectomy was performe d in July 2004. Results The upper pole of the left kidne y was found severely adhesive with peripheral tissues du- ring operation.Gro ssly,the tumor exhibited a 7.9 cm?8.9 cm?9.0 cm multilocular cyst full of coff ee- colored mucoid fluid with varying size ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 cm.Focall y thick-walled cysts with solid areas were seen.Microscopic findings showed the tumor was composed of a mixture of stromal elements formed by spindle cells and epithelial elements that were variable in cell types including cuboidal,columna r and hobnail cells.Differentiation of gastrointestinal tract was found in epith elial elements.Thick-walled blood vessels and distinctive bands of smooth muscl e cells were present in the stromal elements.Immunohistochemical staining reveal ed that the epithelial component was positive for AE1/AE3,and stromal component was positive for ER,PR,and SMA.No specific treatment was given and the patient w as free of signs of recurrence 8 months after operation. Conclusions Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney is recognized to b e a kind of benign neoplasm.Differentiation of gastrointestinal tract in epithel ial elements is rare.It should be distinguished from any other benign and malign ant tumors in the kidney.

Objective To investigat the changes of hemodynamics and arterial blood gas during the establishment of ECMO model and provide an ideal platform for the study of the mechanism of DCD protection using ECMO, a porcine model of controlled donors of cardiac death (CDCD) with extracorporeal support was established in the paper. Methods Eight domestic crossbred pigs were anes-thetized, atracurium (1mg/kg) and heparin (150~200 U/kg) was administered and the ventilator was discontinued while the animal was under deep anesthesia to kill the animal.Meanwhile, blood was drained from the left jugular vein catheter into the ECMO circuit and re-turned into the left femoral artery to establish the porcine model of CDCD with extracorporeal support . The average blood press and arterial blood gas were ministered at normal, cardiac arrest and ECMO supporting 1 h, 3 h and 5 h. Results The model of CDCD with extra-corporeal support was established successfully.Two animals restored the beating of the heart and the high doses of potassium chloride were given untill cardiac arrest during extracorporeal support.Blood gases throughout the apneic time showed a severe hypoxemia and acidosis, pH and PaO2 reduced to 7.09 ±0.24 and 5.3 ±0.93mmHg respective-ly, which can be improved during extracorporeal support.MAP and PaO2 were maintained over 300mmHg and 65mmHg respectively. Conclusion A new porcine model of controlled donors of cardiacdeath with extracorporeal support has been successfully established and showed to be feasible for related pathophysiological research work.

Objective To evaluate the effect of extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) on the small bowel preservation in a porcine model of controlled donors after cardiac death (CDCD).Method The domestic crossbred donor pigs were anesthetized and ventilated with 100％ oxyger.An intravenous cannula was placed through iliac arteries and jugular vein,and connected to ECMO system.The ECMO was performed to infuse abdominal organs when cardiac death was declared.Pathology,electron microscope,energy metabolism and cell apoptosis level of intestinal mucosa were evaluated before operation,in cardiac death and at the end of extracorporeal support,respectively.Result The normothermic extracorporeal support could quickly restore graft blood supply and oxygenation.One-h extracorporeal support could improve the energy status in intestine of donation after cardiac death (DCD).The histologic damage and apoptosis of 1-h extracorporeal support had no significant difference with those before operation and in cardiac death (P＞0.05).With the extension of extracorporeal support,the intestinal mucosa damage degree was gradually increased,and the content of adenosine triphosphate in intestinal mucosa reduced gradually.Conclusion The normothermic extracorporeal support for 1 h in DCD is beneficial for improving the viability of small bowel.However,the integrity of intestinal mucosa is destroyed gradually as extracorporeal supporting time over,which may be initiated by the activation of intestinal epithelial apoptosis.