Cell therapy has a very promising potential for end-stage liver diseases (ESLD).Fetal liver stem/progenitor cells (FLSPCs) have advantages of safety,high survival and proliferation rates,and a small volume,all which make them ideal for liver disease stem cell therapy.During the early phase of our study,we applied a three-step separation method to enrich FLSPCs and obtained a separation efficiency similar to that of the flow-cell sorting method.Additionally,using a fulminant hepatic failure model in rats,we have demonstrated that FLSPCs can contribute to morphological and functional recovery of the liver.This manuscript will discuss how FLSPCs can be induced to accurately differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and how FLSPCs maintain self-renewal.The Notch signaling plays a critical role in regulating the differentiation and self-renewal of many types of stem cells.Our previous findings have shown that the Notch signaling plays an important role in FLSPCs differentiation into hepatocytes.Therefore,the Notch signaling might be involved in the differentiation and self-renewal of FLSPCs.We conducted a study on the regulatory effects and relative molecular mechanisms of the Notch signaling on FLSPCs and found the corresponding interfering target,which might become an index for the clinical application of FLSPCs.

Objective To investigate the effects of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) on the expression of keratin 17 (K17) in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods Cultured HaCaT cells were irradiated with different doses (0,50,100,200,400 mJ/cm2) of NB-UVB followed by additional culture for 6,12 and 24 hours respectively.To explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of NB-UVB on K17 expression,some HaCaT cells were pretreated with PD98059 (an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) followed by UVB radiation and additional culture as described above.Cell counting kit-8 (CCK 8) was used to evaluate the proliferation of,real time PCR to measure the mRNA expressions of K17 in,and Western blot to determine the protein expression of K17,Erk1/2 and phosphorylated Erk1/2 in,HaCaT ceils.Results Both the proliferation of and K17 expression in HaCaT cells were promoted by NB-UVB radiation at low doses (50,100 mJ/cm2),but inhibited by NB-UVB radiation at high doses (200,400 mJ/cm2).Significant differences were observed for the proliferative activity between HaCaT cells irradiated with NB-UVB at 100 or 400 mJ/cm2 and unirradiated HaCaT ceils at 12 and 24 hours (P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05).The phosphorylation of Erk1/2 was upregulated by NB-UVB radiation at 100 mJ/cm2,but downregulated by that at 400 mJ/cm2,and the upregulation induced by low dose NB-UVB could be suppressed by blocking the Erk 1/2 pathway.Conclusion The effects of NB-UVB radiation on K17 expression may be modulated by the Erk 1/2 pathway.

The growth characteristics of hydrogen-production photosynthetic bacterial biofilm in a plate-type biofilm bioreactor were studied experimentally.The effect of hydraulic and nutritional conditions on the surface coverage,thickness,dry weight,and density of Rhodoseudomonas palustris biofilm was observed,respectively.Glucose in the influent concentration range from 0.05 to 10 g/L was used as the sole carbon source.Liquid flow rate was varied from 37.8 to 1080ml/h in the experiments.Experimental results showed that the hydraulic and nutritional conditions had significant influences on the growth rate and structure of biofilm.In a lower flow rate range,high liquid flow rate was propitious to the diffusion of substrate from liquid phase to solid-liquid interface,which resulted in the fast development of biofilm on the solid-liquid interface.However,some parts of biofilm were scraped off when the flow rate exceeded a threshold.At a fixed liquid flow rate,the biofilm density increased with the increase in the substrate concentration.The biofilm having thick and loose structure was developed under low substrate concentration condition.The biofilm structure was convenient for the nutrient transfer in the biofilm,which is a survival strategy of microorganisms facing adverse circumstances.

Objective To investigate the value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 FDG)positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT)in the diagnosis and localization of ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS)induced by lung cancer,and to increase the accuracy rate of diagnosis of EAS.Methods 8 patients were histopathologically proven to be lung cancer.18 FDG PET/CT wholebody and brain scan were performed;magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),99m Tc-octreotide (OCT)imaging and inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS)were done in all patients.On 18 FDG PET/CT images,the SUVmax values of lesions and the SUVmax ratio of lesion tissue to normal lung tissue were calculated.Results ① 8 patients with EAS included 2 cases of carciniod,4 cases of atypical carciniod,and 2 cases of small cell lung cancer.The ACTH levels in inferior petrosal sinus and peripheral veins of 8 patients had no difference.②The chest CT showed there were pulmonary nodules in 6 cases (75%),among them 2 cases were atypical lesions.5 cases of pituitary adenomas were found by MRI (25%),and OCT imaging was positive in 2 cases (25%).③The 18 FDG PET/CT showed nodular,mass like or patch samples with high metabolic activity in 8 cases (100%)of pulmonary lesions.The SUVmax of tumor was 0.72 to 14.05 (3.67±4.68),and the ratio of SUVmax of lesion tissue to normal lung tissue was 1.69 to 27.54 (8.14 ± 9.63).18 FDG hypermetabolism was found in 8 cases of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia,while 4 cases showed pituitary tumor.Conclusion Lung cancer is a common source of EAS,especially carcinoid.18 FDG PET may show lower glucose metabolism.18 FDG PET/CT should be used as an assisted method to diagnose EAS.

Objective To investigate the hMOF protein expression in non?small cell lung cancer and explore the relationship between its expres?sion and radiotherapy prognosis. Methods Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the hMOF expression in 59 cases of non?small cell lung cancer after radiotherapy. The relationship between hMOF expression with clinicopathological and radiation prognosis was analyzed. Results Among the 59 cases of non?small cell lung cancer tissues,there were 30 cases found to be high expression with hMOF. The rate of positive expression of hMOF in non?small cell lung cancer were 50.85%. Clinical stage and hMOF expression were independent predictors for non?small cell lung can?cer. Conclusion The expression of hMOF had a positive correlation with the radiation prognosis in non?small cell lung cancer,which could be used as a prognostic indicator of radiotherapy.

Objective To analyze the factors affecting the cleanliness level and infection control in the clean area for pharmacy intravenous admixture service (PIVAS) based on continuous monitoring.Methods The cleanliness indexes such as suspended particle and settling bacteria,infection control indexes such as the hygiene of object surface and hand as well as the noise in the clean area for PIVAS from 2013 to 2016 were monitored continuously according to GB 50457-2008 Clean factory building design specifications of medical industry and Intravenous admixture quality control specification.Results All the indexes accorded with the requirements for cleanliness and infection control except some odd cases unqualified in hand hygiene.Suspended particles increased as the time went by,and decreased along with noise after replacing high-performance filter.Conclusion It's of great significance to qualify the clean area of PIVAS to maintain air conditioning purification system periodically,implement anti-infection measure strictly and standardize continuous monitoring and evaluation.

Objective: To observe the effects of functional training combined with self-made hand flexing training band in treatment of scar contracture after burn injury of dorsal hand. Methods: Forty-six patients with scar contracture after deep partial-thickness or full-thickness burn injury of dorsal hand hospitalized in our department from March 2013 to February 2015 were divided into routine training group (RT, n=18) and comprehensive training group (CT, n=28) according to their willingness. Two weeks after the wounds were healed, patients in group RT were treated with functional training of hands and self-made pressure gloves, while patients in group CT were treated with self-made hand flexing training band (consisting of nylon strap, flexing band, and velcro) on the basis of those in group RT. All patients were treated for 3 months. Before and after treatment, scar condition of affected hands was assessed with Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The range of motion of joints of affected hands was measured by Total Active Movement (TAM) Scale. The function of affected hands was evaluated by Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test. Data were processed with t test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: (1) The score of VSS in patients of group RT was (10.0±1.9) points before treatment and (4.4±1.4) points after treatment, with the improved score of (5.6±1.0) points. The score of VSS in patients of group CT was (10.5±1.8) points before treatment and (4.6±1.4) points after treatment, with the improved score of (5.9±1.2) points. There was no statistically significant difference in the improved score of patients between the two groups (t=0.834, P>0.05). The score of VSS in patients of groups RT and CT after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (with t values respectively 14.014 and 10.003, P values below 0.01). (2) Before treatment, the ratios of excellent and good results according to TAM were 2/9 in patients of group RT and 3/14 in group CT, with no statistical differences between them (χ²=2.140, P>0.05). After treatment, the ratio of excellent and good results according to TAM in patients of group CT (6/7) was higher than that in group RT (5/9, χ²=0.023, P=0.038). The ratios of excellent and good results according to TAM in patients of groups RT and CT after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values respectively -2.023 and -4.780, P values below 0.05). (3) The improved score of hand function in patients of group CT was (26±12) points, which was higher than (15±7) points in group RT (t=3.278, P=0.002). The score of hand function in patients of groups RT and CT after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (with t values respectively 2.628 and 6.125, P values below 0.05). There were no significant differences in grades of hand function of patients between the two groups before treatment (Z=-0.286, P>0.05). After treatment, the grade of hand function in patients of group CT was higher than that in group RT(Z=-1.993, P=0.046). The grades of hand function in patients of groups RT and CT after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values respectively -2.717 and -4.998, P values below 0.01). Conclusions For patients with scar contracture after burn injury of dorsal hand, early functional training combined with hand flexing training band can improve the range of motion of hand joints and functional recovery of hand, and the result was better than functional training alone.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits and toxicities of different corticosteroid regimes in preventing relapse in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). METHODS: MEDLINE (Jan. 1963-Mar. 2007), elsevier (Jan. 1997-Aug. 2006), OVID databank (Jan. 1993-Aug. 2006), Springer databank (Jan. 1994-March 2007), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library, Issue Feb. 2006), Cochrane Renal Group Specialised Register (Jul. 2006), EMBASE (Jan. 1980-Mar. 2007) and CNKI (Jan. 1994-Mar. 2007) etc, were searched by the terms primary nephrotic syndrome, glucocorticoid, corticosteroid, steroid, prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone and children etc for the human clinical trials about glucocorticoid (GC) administration in primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) (aged 3 months to 18 years), controlled or semi-controlled ones, including unpublished documents from scientific meetings and theses, and similar documents listed in the references of the above documents were also included. All the studies were evaluated strictly according to Jadad Standard, and the Meta-analysis were adopted. Review manager 4.2 software was used to analyze the data. The odds ratio was calculated for the relapse rate and side effect from the initial episode to the end of follow-up between the patients treated with corticosteroids and the controls. RESULTS: Totally 12 trials with 868 subjects meeting the criteria were included in this review. A Meta-analysis of 7 trials, which compared between 2 months of prednisone and 3 months or more in the first episode, showed that longer treatment duration significantly reduced the risk of relapse at 12-24 months (RR=0.70,95% CI:0.60-0.89),without an increase of side effect. There was a negative linear relationship between the duration of treatment and risk of relapse (r2 =0.66, P=0.05). CONCLUSION (1) Children in their first episode of SSNS should be treated for at least 3 months of GC. The therapeutic effect of patients in the primary nephrotic syndrome treated with GC for 12 weeks was prior to that for 8 weeks, compared with that in the controls. It could reduce the relapse rate of half year, the longer treatment duration in the NS patients at the first relapse was, the lower relapse risk was.(2) Compared with alternative GC administration, standard GC administration can reduce the side effects; Course more than 1 year of GC administration can reduce the 2-year relapse rate. Hence in children who relapse frequently, multicentre, well-designed experiments should be adopted.
Child ; Drug Resistance ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and adverse effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome in children. METHODS: The study population consisted of 37 children (24 simple nephrotic syndrome and 13 nephritis-type syndrome) suffering from frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Patients received 20-30 mg/(kg d) of MMF in conjunction with 1 mg/(kg d) prednisone for 3-6 months. RESULTS: Out of 24 patients suffered from simple nephrotic syndrome, 17 patients (70.8%) with complete relief, 4 patients (16.7%) with partial relief and 3 patients (12.5%) with non-relief, whereas out of 13 patients suffered from nephritis-type syndrome 6 patients (46.2%) with complete relief, 3 patients (23.1%) with partial relief and 4 patients (30.7%) with non-relief. Eight patients with Minimal Change Disease (MCD) achieved complete relief. Of 23 patients with Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) or Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN), complete relief was observed in 17 patients (73.9%), partial relief in 4 patients (17.4%) and non-relief in 2 patients. CONCLUSION These Results suggest that MMF has better efficacy against simple renal disease than against nephritis-type syndrome, and MMF may be more suitable for the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome characterized by proliferative lesions.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mycophenolic Acid ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of T2-weighted imaging combined with diffusion weighted imaging in differential diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer(PLC)and focal organizational pneumonia(FOP).Materials and Methods A total of 36 patients with FOP and PLC diagnosed pathologically in the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from November 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively included.Two experienced radiologists independently read MR Images,and measured T2 contrast ratio(T2CR)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)respectively.The T2CR and ADC values of the two groups were compared,and the diagnostic efficacy of MR-T2WI and diffusion weighted imaging was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results Two radiologists demonstrated good inter-observer agreement for T2CR and ADC values(ICC values of 0.951 and 0.955,respectively).The FOP group exhibited significantly higher T2CR and ADC values compared to the PLC group(t=3.920 and 5.819,both P<0.001),with threshold values of 2.29 for T2CR and 1 048×10-6 mm2/s for ADC being identified.ADC values accurately diagnosed FOP in 33 cases and PLC in 28 cases,while T2CR correctly diagnosed FOP in 20 cases and PLC in 33 cases.Combining both T2CR and ADC values resulted in accurate diagnoses of FOP in 29 cases and PLC in 33 cases.The diagnostic accuracy and area under the curve were improved by combining ADC and T2CR values compared with using them alone(accuracy:86.1%vs.84.7%,73.6%;AUC:0.924 vs.0.879,0.740;Z=2.208,P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of T2CR and ADC values aids in distinguishing FOP from PLC,exhibiting a higher diagnostic efficiency compared to their individual use.