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.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Tracheotomy ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of acupuncture on motor function and serum expressions of TNF-aand IL-6 contents in cerebral hemorrhage rats.MethodSeventy-two male Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation, model and acupuncture groups. A rat model of cerebral hemorrhage was made by intracerebral injection of autoblood. Baihui-to-Qubin acupuncture was performed after successful model making. The TNF-aand IL-6 contents of rat serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay at three time points: one, three and seven days.ResultBaihui-to-Qubin acupuncture markedly increased the neurological function score and reduced neurologic deficits in cerebral hemorrhage rats. At the same time point, serum TNF-aand IL-6 contents were significantly lower in the acupuncture group of rats thanin the model and acupuncture group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01).ConclusionBaihui-to-Qubin acupuncture can reduce neurologic deficits in cerebral hemorrhage rats. It may be related to decreases in serum TNF-aand IL-6 contents after acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the HIV infections states in tumor patients for clinical diagnosis,treatment and to prevent HIV infection in the tumor hospital.METHODS The result of HIV detection in tumor patients from Dec 2000 to Aug 2006 was analyzed by the review statistics analysis.RESULTS Totally 48 101 tumor paients were detected,and the number of tumor patients with positive HIV antibody result was 51(0.106%).Among the positive patients there were 21 cases with blood transfusion history,14 cases with blood donating experience,2 cases with both these two kinds of experiences and 14 cases without the two kinds of experiences.Their rate was separately 41.0%,27.5%,4.0% and 27.5%.Most of the HIV positive patients had no clinical synptoms.CONCLUSIONS The HIV positive rate of patients with blood transfusion or blood donating is significantly higher than the patients without these experiences.The routine detection for the HIV before the operation,blood transfusion or other traumatic detection is very necessary.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between glial growth factor (GGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and growth characteristics of prolactinoma (PRL) and to evaluate pre and postoperative growth of PRL. MethodsImmunohistochemistry was used to analyze expression of GGF and NGF in 86 cases of PRL and to analyze the relationship between expression of GGF, NGF and PRL level, invasion, stroke, microvessel density. Cells were cultured with GGF and NGF to observe cell growth, cell cycle and angiogenesis. The relationship between proliferation, growth rate and GGF, NGF was evaluated by rank correlation and Chi-square test. Results GGF expression was significantly higher in invasive, stroke and recurrent pituitary adenomas ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Microvessel density increased significantly ( P ＜ 0.01 ). NGF expression was significantly lower in invasive, apoplexy and recurrent adenomas ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Microvessel density decreased dramatically with NGF interruption ( P ＜ 0.05 ). GGF showed a positive correlation with growth rate of PRL. NGF showed a negative correlation with invasion and stroke. ConclusionsGGF is one of the factors facilitating growth and invasion of PRL while NGF can partly restrain proliferation of PRL cells. Expression of GGF and NGF indirectly reflects proliferation activity of PRL and can be used as markers to evaluate invasion, recurrence, treatment response and prognosis of PRL.

The cyanuric chloride linkers have been used for cyclizing polypeptide, but not used for α-conotoxin, the peptides with rich disulfide bonds and more amino acid residues. In this study, cyclic peptides c[A10L]PnIA-1-4 were synthesized efficiently by lysine assisted cyanuric chloride linkers with 28.92%-52.00% yields. The activity evaluation showed that the IC₅₀ values of c[A10L]PnIA-1 against α7 and α3β2 nAChR subtypes were 5 and 7 times higher than [A10L]PnIA respectively, and the subtype selectivity was maintained. The results of circular dichroism show that this cyclization method had no significant effect on its secondary structure. Compared with the commonly used head-to-tail cyclization in conotoxin cyclization, this method has the advantages of rapid reaction and high yield, which is expected to be further applied to the cyclization study of various α-conotoxins.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) in matrine (MAT) induced differentiation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells, and to explore its correlation to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signal pathway.

METHODSNB4 (an APL cell line sensitive to ATRA) and NB4-R1 (a resistant strain of ATRA) were observed as subjects in this study. Effects of combined treatment of 0.1 mmol/L MAT and 1 [mol/L ATRA on the differentiation of two cell lines were detected using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test and flow cytometry (CD11b). Expressions of PML/RARot and PLSCR1 protein/gene were detected using Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Meanwhile, H89, PKA antagonist, was used to observe cell differentiation antigen and changes of aforesaid proteins and genes.

RESULTSMAT combined ATRA could significantly elevate positive rates of NBT and CD11 b in NB4-R1 cells, and significantly down-regulate the expression of PML/RARapha-fusion protein/gene (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). ATRA used alone could obviously enhance the expression of PLSCRI in NB4 cells at protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.01). But the expression of PLSCR1 was up-regulated in NB4-R1 cells, but with statistical.difference only at the protein level (P <0. 01). In combination of MAT, PLSCR1 protein expression was further elevated in the two cell lines (P < 0.01). Besides, there was statistical difference in mRNA expressions in NB4-R1 cells (P < 0.05). All these actions could be reversed by treatment of 10 micromol/L H89 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMAT combined ATRA could significantly induce the differentiation of NB4-R1 cells, and inhibit the expression of PML/RARalpha fusion gene/protein, which might be associated with up-regulating PLSCR1 expression.

Alkaloids ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; Phospholipid Transfer Proteins ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Tretinoin ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Up-Regulation

ObjectiveTo explore the attentional biases in male alcohol dependent (AD) patients and the correlations between the attentional bias and alcohol-related factors.MethodsA total of 30 recently detoxified male individuals with alcoholism were compared with 37 healthy controls ( HC ) on the Chinese Emotional Stroop Task using negative,neutral,and alcohol-related words.ResultsThe comparison between AD group( ( 1382.13 ±323.38) ms,( 1365.76 ±313.03)ms,( 1433.20 ±342.23) ms,respectively) and HC group( (797.27 ±216.97)ms,( 794.11 ± 209.41 ) ms,(799.40 ± 215.82 ) ms respectively) on the reaction time of neutral,negative and alcohol-related words were significant ( t =8.822,P ＜ 0.001 ; t =8.922,P ＜ 0.001 ; t =9.234,P ＜ 0.001 ).The error number of of the neutral and negative- related words of the patients ( ( 3.70 ± 2.56) time,( 4.23 ± 2.53 ) time)was worse than that of HC group( ( 2.11 ± 1.87 ) time,( 1.92 ± 1.82 ) time) ( t =2.939,P =0.005 ; t =4.355,P ＜0.01 ).Error number of the alcohol- related words between two groups were not significant;Its alcohol-related words attentional bias negative correlation to the age of initial alcohol use(P＜ 0.05 ),and positive correlation to continue drinking and score of self-rating depression scale (P＜0.05).Age of addiction and the score of self-rating anxiety scale enter the regression equation of alcohol-related words.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that alcoholics have attentional bias in alcohol-related words and reward-related brain regions may be associated with craving among male patients with attentional bias.

Objective To demonstrate the morphology,distribution and ultrastructure of intersti- tial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the mouse gallbladder.Methods CD1 mice gallbladder tissue was stained with methylene blue for immunohistochemical examination by confocal microscopy and transmission elec- tron microscopy.Results The results revealed a dark blue network of ICC in the gallbladder.ICC were spindle-shaped,with thin and long processes in two poles.They were distributed in the all layers of the gall bladder wall.The ICC that had typical ultrastructure were adjacent to the smooth muscle and nerve cells. Conclusions Spindle-shaped ICC are present as a network structure in the gallbladder,which may act as slow wave pacemaker cells and have a major role in the transmission of signals from neurons to smooth muscle cells.

Objective To observe the therapeutic action of choline on As2O3 induced electrecardiogram (ECG)QT interval prolongation and to further explore molecular biological mechanisms.Methods 40 guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups randomly with 8 rats in each group:control group intravenously injected with saline, experimental group with 0.4,0.8,1.6 ms/kg of choline and As2O3 group with 8 mg/kg choline plus 1.6 mg/kg As2O3.After a series of concentration of As2O3 was intravenously given,ECG was monitored at different time(0,10, 30,60,90,120 min),and corrected QT interval(QTc)was studied.Total RNA Wa$abstracted from the guinea pigs hearts after 6 h,and the effects of choline on altered L-type calcium channel α1c and potassium channel GPERG mRNA expression caused by As2O3 in cardiomyocytes of guinea pig were studied by the method of reverse transcription polyme,chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results In 0.8 mg/kg As2O3 group,the value of QTc at 60, 90 and 120 min respectively being 354 ±22.366± 31 and 368 ±29 waa significantly higher than that of control groups[(325±26,336 ±26 and 324 ±20)at same time] with a significant difference(P<0.05 or<0.01);the value of QTc at 90 and 120 rain was significantly higher than that of O min group(334 ±12),the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).In 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group,the value of QTc at 10,30,60,90 and 120 min respectively being 362±33,380±21,382±35,388±39 and 388 ±31 was significantly higher than that of control groups[(328 ±20.324 ±25,325 ±26,336±26 and 324 ±20)at same time]with a significant difference (P<0.05 or<0.01);the value of QTc at 10,30,60,90 and 120 min Was significantly higher than that of O min group(329 ±31),the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).In choline+As2O3group,the value of qrc at 30,60,90 and 120 min was 337 ±17,341±15,344 ±22 and 343 ±19,significantly lower than that of 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05 or<0.01).The RT-PCR results indicated that the value of L-type calcium channel α1c mRNA expression at the concentration of 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 was 1.27±0.14 vs 1.02±0.12 of control group(P<0.01),and it was 1.10 ±0.13 in choline+As2O3 group(P<0.05 Vs 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group).The value of potassium channel GPERG mRNA expression were 1.29 ±0.11,1.22±0.12 and 1.27±0.16 at the dose of 0.4,0.8,1.6 mg/kg As2O3(P>0.05 VS 1.23±0.08 of control group).In choline+ As2O3 group,the value was 1.30±0.14(compared with 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group,P>0.05).Conclusions Choline normalizes QTc abnormality during As2O3 application,and modulating changed calcium channel mRNA expression induced by As2O3 may be one of the mechanisms.