Objective: To isolate and identify cancer stem cells from esophageal cancer cells (ECCs) using cell surface marker p75NTR. Methods: ECCs were cultured from surgically resected ECC specimens; ECC cell lines TE-1 and Ecal09 were also cultured. The expression of p75NTR in human ECCs was examined by flow cytometry. p75NTR positive cells were isolated from ECCs using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) method. The proliferation, differentiation, and the ability of colony-forming in soft agar of the p75 NTR positive cells were observed. The p75NTR positive cells were injected into BALB/c nude mice subcutaneously to observe their tumorigenesis ability. The survival rates of p75NTR positive and negative cells were assessed after treated with chemotherapy drugs to evaluate the resistance of p75NTR positive cells. Results: Six out of the eight cell lines, including SHEC-4, SHEC-6, SHEC-7, SHEC-8, EcalO9, and TE-1, were positive of p75NTR, with the positive rates being 2.71%, 0.32%, 3.35%, 1.13%, 2.15%, and 0.45%. respectively. It was showed that p75 NTR positive cells possessed higher proliferation ability compared with p75NTR negative cells (P<0.01). The p75NTR positive cells had higher colony-forming ability in soft agar compared with p75NTR negative cells (P<0.01). The p75NTR positive cells demonstrated stronger tumorigenesis ability in nude mice. As few as 2 000 SHEC-7 cells could give rise to new tumors in xenotransplantation, with a tumorigenesis ability 50 times as high as that of the p75NTR negative cells. When treated with chemotherapy drugs for 48 h, p75NTR positive cells had significantly higher survival rate than p75NTR negative cells (P<0.05). Conclusion: The p75NTR positive ECCs possess self-renewal, differentiation, and proliferation abilities; they are strongly resistant to chemotherapy drugs, which gives them strong tumorigenesis ability and the characters of tumor stem cells.

Recently, study on cencer stem cells has been a focus of study. Cancer stem cell is a small population of cencer cells possessing the properties of stem cells: self-renewal, differentiation and proliferation. To date, the existence of cancer stem cells has been proven in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, brain tumors, liver cancer and colon cancer, etc.. In this article we reviews the current progress on cancer stem cells, including the defination, existing evidence, research methods, and challenges in clinical application.

Objective To explore the anatomy and the adjacent of the medial malleolus,the operative approach of soluting the tibial nerve in endoscopy and the significance of making use of it in operation. Methods The five cadaver feet were dissected,the tibial nerve and the fiber diaphragm in the middle of me- dial and lateral plantar tunnels in the ten cadaver feet were soluted in endoscopic.Results The operative approach was designed on the basis of the anatomy data (the three-portal approach:The perpendicular bisetor which was the medial malleolus pointed to the medial margin of tendon calcaneus insertion was 4.5cm;The midpoint of the medial malleolus pointed to the calcaneus tubercle;The midpoint of the calcaneus tubercle to the medial margin of the first metatarsophalangeal joint).It was succeed that soluted the tibial nerve and the fiber diaphragm in the middle of medial and lateral plantar tunnels.Conclusion The operative approach on the basis of the anatomy data is design,and testfy the feasibility of exploring curved tunnel in endoscopic.

Recently,study on cencer stem cells has been a focus of study.Cancer stem cell is a small population of cencer cells possessing the properties of stem cells:self-renewal,differentiation and proliferation.To date,the existence of cancer stem cells has been proven in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia,breast cancer,brain tumors,liver cancer and colon cancer,etc..In this article we reviews the current progress on cancer stem cells,including the defination,existing evidence,research methods, and challenges in clinical application.

Congresses as Topic ; Head ; surgery ; Neck ; surgery ; Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of active ingredients between tissue cultured cells and cultivated saffron pistils.

METHODThe experiment was carried out by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTThe data indicated that the species and contents active ingredients in saffron pistils from different places were different. The species of active ingredients in tissue cultured cells are less than those in cultivated saffron pistils. However, the quantity of crocin A, which showed good anticancer effect, is 2-3 times more than that in cultivated saffron pistils.

CONCLUSIONThe active ingredients of the tissue cultured cells are similar to those of saffron pistils, but their contents are different. Therefore, the tissue cultured cells can only be the part-substitutes of cultivated saffron pistils.

Carotenoids ; analysis ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Crocus ; chemistry ; cytology ; Ecosystem ; Flowers ; chemistry ; cytology ; India ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; cytology ; Spain ; Species Specificity ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; genetics ; Pedigree

AIM :To investigate the association of primary open-glaucoma (POAG), intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic blood pressure in a rural population aged 50 years old or above in Shaanxi Province, China.METHODS: In the population-based, cross-sectional study, 1 775 (83.53%) residents, aged 50 years old or above, from 3 counties of Shaanxi Province, China, undertook an interview with a standard questionnaire and a detailed eye examination, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry and dilated fundus examination. Two blood pressure reading in the sitting position were taken. Gonioscopy was performed if a narrower peripheral anterior chamber (less than one fourth of the corneal thickness) was indicated. Automated visual field testing was performed by participants assessed to have suspicion of glaucomatous disc damage or if IOP was 22mmHg or higher.RESULTS: IOP significantly correlated with systemic blood pressure, and both IOP and systolic blood pressure increased significantly with increasing age. No association between POAG and hypertension was found. The frequency of POAG increased significantly with lower diastolic perfusion pressure.CONCLUSION: Data in our study are accordance with those reported in other population-based studies, and confirm that lower diastolic perfusion pressure is a significant risk factor for primary open angle glaucoma.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a rural population in Shaanxi Province of China.METHODS: A total of 2 835 (81.00%) people aged 40 years old or more, from Fuping county, Jingbian county and Yang county of Shaanxi Province, China, underwent a comprehensive interview and a relative eye examination. The present of AMD was classified into neovascular AMD (NV) and pure geographic atrophy (GA) by using direct ophthalmoscopy for fundus examination according to International Classification System.RESULTS: The prevalence (95% CI) of AMD was 3.00% (2.42, 3.71) in this population, of which NV accounted for 1.45% (1.05, 1.98) and 1.55% (1.14, 2.10)for GA. The prevalence of AMD increased significantly with increasing age (P ＜0.001). AMD was present in 0.47% of participants aged 40 to 49 years, rising to 11.90% of participants older than 80 years, of which the corresponding data increased from 0.28% to 4.76% for NV and from 0.19% to 7.14% for GA. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of NA and GA between genders in this population. With multiple logistic analyses, apart from advancing age, only smoking was found to have a strong association with any type of AMD.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AMD in the rural population of Shaanxi Province of China is lower than that reported from other population-based studies in different provinces of China, less than that reported in whites, more than that reported in blacks. Except increasing age, smoking is also a significant well-known risk factor for AMD.

· AIM: To assess the prevalence and related risk factors for primary angle-closure glaucoma in a rural population for 40 years of age or older in Shaanxi Province.· METHODS: By using a stratified, cluster-based, random sampling technique, 8 500 persons of all ages were selected randomly, including 3 500 those aged 40 years or more, from the North, the South and the Middle of Shaanxi Province in Western China from July to December in 2003. All participants had an interview with a standard questionnaire and those questions related to glaucoma of previous diagnosis and treatment, family history and outbreak history. Then a detailed and relative eye examination was performed, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, external eye examination with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination. The intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins applanation tonometry to those persons aged 50 years old or more and those with suspected increased IOP. A further examination was performed to those persons with suspicious glaucoma, including repeated tonometric examination, gonioscopy, dark room test, automated visual field testing, et al.·RESULTS: 6 815 of the eligible 8 500 persons of all ages were interviewed and examined from July to December in 2003, a response rate of 80.18%, including 2835 of the eligible 3 500 persons of 40 years old or more with a response rate of 81.00%. According to Van Herick method, the percentage of shallow peripheral anterior chamber was 13.6%, of which 10.4% was in grade 2, 3.0% in grade 1, and 0.2% in grade 0. In this rural population for 40 years of age or older 31 participants were found to have primary angle-closure glaucoma, with the prevalence of 1.09%. With multiple logistic analyses, the prevalence increased significantly with age (P=0.008), whereas no significant difference (Pgender=0.180, Peducation=0.199) was found in the rate with gender and education, although women and illiteracy seemed to be at increased risk of the disease (OR: 1.77, 95%CI,0.77-4.10; OR: 1.71, 95%CT, 0.76-3.87). Of 31 participants, 21 persons (67.74%) had not been previously diagnosed and treated. Of 10 participants previously diagnosed, 6 (60%) had been received peripheral iridectomy; nevertheless, no any other treatments were performed. 48.39% participants suffered from visual impairment in various degrees, of which the percentage of blindness in either eye accounted for 29.03%. Of those with primary angle-closure glaucoma, 22 persons (70.97%) were classified as having chronic from of the disease.· CONCLUSION: In this rural population in Shaanxi Province of China, the rate of occludable angles is 13.6%, more common than that reported previously in other Chinese populations. The prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma is close to that from other Asian populations, increasing with age. A majority of glaucoma was undiagnosed and untreated previously.