The breast cancer stem cell theory provides a theoretical basis for explaining phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of breast cancer. These breast cancer stem cells(CSCs)promote tumor growth and are closely related to breast cancer intrinsic drug resistance. Therefore,targeted therapy of breast CSCs has become a hot area in basic and clinical research. There is growing evidence that nanoparticles can kill cancer by targeting breast CSCs ,such as targeted tumor stem cell-specific expressed surface markers(AL-DH1,CD44,and CD90),tumor stem cell stemness-related NOTCH,Hedgehog and TGF-βsignaling pathways. In this review,we summarized the characteristics and research status of breast CSCs ,and the application of nanotechnology in the treatment of breast cancer.In addition,we also summarized the research status of epigenetic drugs aimed to restrain the reprogramming of breast cancer cells.

The best characterized methotrexate (MTX) transporter is the reduced folate carrier (RFC),whose gene polymorphism is one of the reasons causing MTX resistance. Based on the studies in rencent years,we have known that synthesis of mutant RFC or loss of RFC transcripts and proteins results in antifolate resistance due to incomplete inhibition of cellular enzyme targets and insufficient substrate for polyglutamate synthesis. So additional human RFC structural and mechanistic studies are absolutely essential. This paper summarizes an association between the polymorphisms of RFC and MTX resistance, which can provide a basis for clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of controlled intensive blood pressure reduction on acute cerebral hemorrhage.Methods Eighty-eight patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage were divided into controlled blood pressure reduction group (controlled group,48 cases) and general blood pressure reduction group(general group,40 cases) by random number table method.Respectively given positive blood pressure reduction and according to the guidelines for treatment.The intracranial hematoma volume after admission,Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score,the United States national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score,surgery rate within 24 h after admission and fatality rate within 30 d after admission in two groups were compared.Results The initial blood loss between two groups had no significant difference(P ＞0.05).The intracranial hematoma volume,growth rate of intracranial hematoma,intracranial hematoma enlargement ratio in controlled group on 24 h after admission were lower than those in general group,there were significant differences [(19.3 ± 11.6) ml vs.(30.5 ± 10.9) ml,(17.8 ± 12.7)％ vs.(37.1 ±25.7)％,16.7％ (8/48) vs.47.5％ (19/40)] (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).The GCS and NIHSS score between two groups on admission and 1,7,14 d after admission had no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05).The surgery rate within 24 h after admission in controlled group was lower than that in general group [8.3％ (4/48) vs.25.0％ (10/40)],there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).The fatality rate within 30 d after admission between two groups had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Cerebral hemorrhage early control of blood pressure can not change its recent neural functional recovery and reduce the fatality rate,but may be significantly delayed hematoma enlargement and reduce the rate of surgery.

Objective To investigate a sonic wave device including micro-oscillator and microphone for real-time monitoring the situation of the esophageal motility of lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Methods A micro-oscillator that can actively send sound waves was located at one side of LES, and a microphone located at the other side can be to capture the sound generated from the oscillator. This device was tested in vitro by utilizing a LES simulator in quiet and noisy environment, as well as in vivo in a pilot model corresponding to moments A-D. Results In the in vitro test, the sound can be captured by the microphone, and its power strength was correlated with closing and opening of LES. The measurements showed statistically significant Pearson correlation coefficients. In the in vivo test, the LES was open and closed by an endoscope, which was monitored in real-time by another endoscope inserted into the distal stomach from the duodenum. The sound power strength corresponding to moments A-D were (-89.63 ± 0.79) dB, (-84.74 ± 0.97) dB, (-82.37 ± 1.93) dB and (-89.86 ± 0.75) dB. Conclusion The LES dynamics can be monitored by the acoustic interrogation device, which has the potential to become an effective minimally-invasive technique for studying LES dysfunction.

Objective To perform the research on the domestic hospital marketing. Methods Through deep discussion,data analysis and marketing survey,we conducted a research on the market positioning and marketing strategies for Shanghai Ruijin-Harvard Heart Center which is a Sino-foreign joint venture. Results The demand is much bigger than the current supply in the market for cardiovascular diseases.The establishment of the center meets the demands of the market. Conclusion The center will focus on the adult patients in Shanghai and Yangtze Delta,and combine the external,internal and interactive marketing strategies.It may provide some useful experience for the Chinese hospital management,especially for hospital marketing.

Signaling pathways such as MAPK and P13K have been confirmed to be important in the mechanism of tumor genesis, development, prevention and treatment. Thyroid hormone (TH) and its receptor (TR) can affect the pathways resulting in inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis, thus they have gradually become the focus of recent research. However, numerous studies showed that TR gene mutation was often observed in a variety of cancers and resulted in the deregulation of TH/TR mediated downstream pathways, and TR gene mutation became an causative agent to activate downstream proto-oncogene. Recent studies showed that TH/TR might play a role in the regulation of β-catenin degradation, the knowledge of which allows us not only to further understand the function of TR gene in the inhibition of tumor development, but also provide a theoretical basis for the continuous activation of downstream proto-oncogene by TR mutation. To study the downstream pathway of TR gene could eventually guide the clinician and provide a new theoretical basis for cancer prevention and molecular target gene therapy.

Objective To investigated the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and carotid atherosclerosis(AS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 93 patients with T2DM were recruited to our study.The intima-media thickness(IMT) and plaques of carotid artery were measured.These patients were divided into 3 groups according to their IMT values: diabetes mellitus(DM) group(n=32),carotid artery intima thicken group(n=31) and carotid artery intima plaque group(n=30).At the same time,30 healthy individuals were selected as control.Serum level of MMP-9 were determined and analyzed.Results The serum MMP-9 in DM group was significantly higher than that in healthy controls([550.26±269.28]μg/L vs.[359.70±215.62]μg/L,t=2.23,P＜0.05).The serum MMP-9 level of intima thicken group(712.15±340.47)μg/L was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(t=4.53,P＜0.01) and DM group(t=2.40,P＜0.05).The serum MMP-9 level of plaque group([889.08±247.80]μg/L) was even more significantly higher than DM group(t=4.89,P＜0.01),IMT group(t=2.53,P＜0.05) and healthy controls(t=7.01,P＜0.01).Conclusion The severity of carotid atherosclerosis in T2DM is closely associated with the serum MMP-9 level.

Objective To investigate the value of transvaginal ultrasound in the diagnosis of endometrial polyps. Methods One hundred and ten patients diagnosed as endometrial polyps by transvaginal ultrasound and undergone operative hysteroscopy and histologic examination, were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among 110 cases 75 cases (68.2%) were accurately diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound,while 35 cases (31.8%) were misdiagnosed.The diseases misdiagnosed included endometrium hyperplasia,intrauterine adhesions and submucousmyoma.Conclusions Combining clinical symptoms with ultrasonogram characters and optimal time of detection can reduce the misdiagnostic rate of endometrial polyps.

Objective To compare expression and distribution of CD68 protein and TRAP positive protein in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and normal synovial tissues to study the differentiation of osteoclast in synovial tissues obtained from AS patients and its role in the pathogenesis of bone destruction in AS. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using CD68 monoclonal antibody to detect CD68 expression, and the distribution of TRAP positive cells in the synovial tissues was examined by enzyme histochemistry in 13 AS, 16 RA, 17 OA patients and 6 healthy controls. The above two variables were quantified in the labeled sections by digital image analysis and semiquantitative analysis to compare the expression of CD68 positive cells in different patient groups and normal subjects. Results Positive CD68 staining was seen in synovial cells from all the patients with AS, RA, OA and normal subjects, and the expression levels of CD68 from patients with AS and RA were higher than those from OA patients and healthy subjects. The CD68 positive cells were abundant mainly in lining layer. In areas where elevated RANKL expression levels were present, the number of TRAP positive cells was found significantly increased in AS and RA synovium. TRAP positive cells were rarely observed in synovium from OA patients and normal controls. There was positive correlation between the number of TRAP positive cells and the RANKL expression (r=0.442, P=0.043) in RA patients. Conclusions An obvious increase in the number of CD68 positive cells and TRAP positive cells in synovium may provide a main source of osteoclastogenesis in AS patients. The up-regulation of activity and quantity of osteoclast may have an important role in peripheral articular destruction in patients with AS.

Notch signaling pathway plays a vital role in cell fate decisions. Notch signals are transferred among adjacent cells through Notch receptors and their ligands, which can regulate differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis of many cell types including stem cells. They can also influence organ formation and morphopoiesis. Genetic mutations in the Notch signaling pathway are related to the emergence and development of many diseases. Notch signaling pathway is increasingly becoming important drug targets for cancer, hereditary disease such as CADASIL and other related diseases. It is also used to develop stem cell therapeutics to treat age or trauma related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease and diabetes.