In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on use of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) for cartilage tissue engineering owing to their ability to differentiate into chondrocytes, which is mainly induced by growth factors (GFs). In general, GFs for chondrogenic induction come from the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. To date, the most commonly used GFs for chondrogenes is TGF-beta1/3. However, the response of hADSCs to GFs may differ significantly from that of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs). It has been reported that bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) treatment induced TGF-beta receptor-I expression of hADSCs. It seems that these two cell populations varied strongly in their potency to undergo chondrogenesis in the same medium conditions. Here, we provide a concise review on various GFs used in chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs in vitro.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; Cartilage ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Chondrogenesis ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; TGF-beta Superfamily Proteins ; Tissue Engineering

The change of myocatdial protein kinase C (PKC) activity during ische-mia and reperfusion was studied in isolated Langendorff perfused rat hearts. The enzymeactivity was determined by measuring the incorporation of ~(32)P from (r-~(32)P) ATP intohistone. The cytosolic PKC activity was similar in control, ischemic and reperfused hearts;however, there were significant increases in the membrane PKC activity during ischemia and reperfusion There were 1.68, 1.88, 2.18 and 1.34 fold increases of the membrane PKC activity at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after ischemia respetively Following15 minutes of ischemia, repetfusion of heart only caused 1.37 fold increase in the mem-brane PKC activity, compared with that at 15 minutes after ischemta no siginificant differ-ence was found. These results suggested, that the signal transduction mediated by PKC wasimpaired during the development of ischemic and post-ischemic reperfusion injuty of theheart. Panaxadiol saponin decreased the enhanced membrane PKC avtivity induced by is-chemia by 62.5%.

Objective To investigate the effect of Astragalus and chemotherapy on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), microvessel density(MVD)and immune function.Methods 92 patients with NSCLC were divided into the study group and the control group, 46 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and operation, and the study group was treated with astragalus polysaccharide.The expression of VEGF in cancer tissues, MVD and immune function were compared between the two groups.The short-term and long-term curative effect and the incidence of adverse reactions were recorded.Results After treatment, positive rates of VEGF, MVD and blood CD8+ were significantly decreased in two groups (P<0.05), showing study groupcontrol group (P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in short-term curative effect and 5 year survival rates.The incidence rates of side effects in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Adjuvant chemotherapy combined with intravenous infusion of Astragalus Polysaccharide can improve MVD, the expression of VEGF and immune function in patients with NSCLC.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is one of the important variables to evaluate the outcomes of patients with leukemia, which is related to the relapse and survival of patients after treatment. This article summarizes the new progress on diagnosis and treatment of leukemia from the perspective of MRD in combination with some representative studies on MRD-based prognostic assessment and guidance on treatment options that were reported at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.

Objective: To study the effect of different dissolution media on the dissolution curve of risperidone oral soluble films to provide reference for the quality evaluation of the preparation.

Animals ; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Chickens ; Drosophila ; Enzyme Activation ; Humans ; Mice ; Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Phosphorylation

Diet Therapy ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Metabolic Diseases ; diet therapy

Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Humans ; Proteomics ; methods ; Urinalysis ; methods

BACKGROUND: Fetal liver cells can have stronger abilities to proliferation and differentiation and lower immunogenicity compared to bone marrow stem cells. However, there are few studies on direct isolation and culture of embryonic hepatic stem cells (EHSCs). OBJECTIVE: To isolate and cultivate EHSCs in vitro and to identify their biological features. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cytology in vitro controlled study was performed at the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology from March to June 2008. MATERIALS: A total of 9 SPF Kunming fetal mice aged 13.5 days were obtained from Animal Experimental Center of Chongqing Medical University. METHODS: Collagenase + EDTA digestion and differential adherence method were used to isolate EHSCs, which were then incubated at 2?108 /L. Cells were digested and passaged when 80%-90% cells were confluent. Using streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique, adhered cells following 5 days of incubation were labeled with various EHSC surface marker. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphology, passage, amplification and surface marker surface of EHSCs were measured. RESULTS: The isolated EHSCs adhered to the culture plastic and presented pykno-round cells and distinct borderline 24 hours after cultivation in vitro. Cells grew spindle-shaped 3 days. After 7 days they grew like epithelium. Cell amplified speed following passage did not have significant changes. Cells still presented epithelium-like shape at the passage 5. The adhered cells at day 5 following primary incubation were positively for human stem cell factor receptor and alpha fetoprotein, and negatively for albumin and cytokeratin 19. CONCLUSION: EHSCs were positively for human stem cell factor receptor and alpha fetoprotein, and negatively for albumin and cytokeratin 19 in early primary culture. This indicated that the cultivated cells are proved to be primordial progenitor cells and still in undifferentiated early phase.

Objective To investigate the value of DWI imaging combined with T2WI imaging and CT image fusion technology and explore the role of DWI imaging in the determination of target areas in radiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer.Methods Twenty-three patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer were included in this study.All the patients were fixed by a heat plastic device.Each patient was examined by CT,T2WI and DWI scan in the same position as the radiotherapy treatment.Images obtained from the three sequences were transmitted to the Eclipse 11.0 treatment planning system.All images were registered at Eclipse workstation as to normalized mutual information registration.The target areas were delineated by the clinical radiation physicians in the CT imaging,and CT and DWI fusion images.The target areas of the two kinds of image were evaluated using fusion function and statistical function of the treatment planning system.Results Target parameters differed significantly between CT base and CT/MRI fusion base.The results of the target volume outline closer by CT and MRI fusion image base in the three groups of clinicians.Conclusion The target volume between the groups is closer by using CT and DWI fusion image.DWI image has a good assisting effect in determining the target area of locally advanced esophageal cancer.