Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been defined as an unique subpopulation in tumors that possess the ability to initiate tumor growth and sustain tumor self-renewal. The tumor stem cell model proposes that tumor stem cells are the origin of most tumors. Accompanying with further extension in the investigation of cancer stem cells, the effects of niche that serves as'their microenvironment in tissue on the functions of cancer stem cells attract more and more attention, which plays important roles in maintaining the characteristics of cancer stem cells. It is essential to understand how cancer stem cells interact with their microenvironment. Although the evidence has been provided to support the existence of CSCs in various solid tumors, the identity of gastric CSCs has not been reported. In this review, we will examine gastric cancer stem cell niches and their impact on stem cell biology. The research on gastric cancer stem cell will provide new approaches for improved understanding of gastric cancer biology and gastric cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic efficacy of citalopram in the treatment of post-stroke depression. METHODS:126 post-stroke depression patient were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group with 63 cases in each group. Control group was given routine treatment of nervous system drugs;observation group was given citalopram,20 mg, qd,after breakfast,on the basis of control group.They were given relevant medicine for consecutive 2 months. The mental status, the levels of plasma substance P (SP),plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone releasing hormone (CRH) plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY),rehabilitation compliance were observed in 2 groups before and after treatment. RESULTS:After treatment,HAMD and NIHSS score of observation group were decreased obviously,and lower than control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05);MMSE score of observation group increased significantly,and higher than control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). After treatment,SP and CRH levels of observation group were decreased significantly,and lower than control group;NPY level increased significantly and higher than control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). After treatment,complete com-pliance of observation group (71.43%) was obviously higher than that of control group (49.21%),with statistical significance (P<0.05). The maximum effect of observation group was significantly better than that of control group,with statistical signifi-cance(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Citalopram in the treatment of post-stroke depression can significantly improve the patients' de-pression,nervous function and rehabilitation compliance of patient,showing significant therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the effects of acupuncture on morphology and apoptosis related gene expression of lacrimal gland in dry eye model rabbit,and explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture on dry eye.Methods Eighteen healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:blank group,model group,acupuncture group,6 rabbits in each group.Blank group did not accept any treatment.Model group and acupuncture group were treated with subcutaneous injections of scopolamine hydrobromide,4 times a day with the dose of 2.0 mg · kg-1,when the acupuncture group was also treated with acupuncture,once a day for fourteen days.Three groups were examined Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰt) at different stages,and morphological changes of lacrimal gland under light and electron microscope were observed.The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein levels of apoptosis related gene in lacrimal gland of all rabbits.Results Between the acupuncture group and model group,the S Ⅰt was significantly different on day 4,7,14 (all P ＜ 0.05).At the same time,compared with that before experiment,S Ⅰt had no significant difference on day 14 in acupuncture group (P ＞ 0.05).Optical and electron microscope showed the lacrimal gland epithelial cells of acupuncture group closely arranged with abundant cytoplasm,closed to that of the blank group.Meanwhile,the number of lacrimal epithelium cells with Bax,Fas and FasL positive expression was significantly less than that in the model group (all P ＜ 0.05).But when it compared with blank group,there was no significant difference of Bax/Bcl-2 and Fas/FasL positive expression in acupuncture group (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can restrain the apoptosis and gland atrophy of lacrimal gland tissue of dry eye rabbit,and promote metabolism,thereby increase the tear secretion.

0.1 mV. The rabbits were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of 12 animals in each group: Ⅰ control group in which normal saline 0.2-0.3 ml?kg-1 was injected through epidural catheter; Ⅱ epidural group in which 1% lidocaine 2-3 mg?kg-1 was injected epidurally; Ⅲ propofol group in which propofol was infused iv at 20 mg ? kg-1 ?h-1 for 30 min; Ⅳ combined epidural-propofol group in which epidural 1% lidocaine and propofol iv were both administered. Blood samples were taken before and 4 h, 8 h after ligation for determination of serum concentrations of myocardial troponin I (cTn I ) and MDA and serum SOD activity.The myocardial tissue was taken from the infarct area for determination of the apoptotic myocyte count (TUNEL) and p53 and Bcl-2 protein expressions (LSAB) . Results In control group serum cTn I and MDA increased and SOD decreased significantly after ligation of LAD. Thoracic epidural anesthesia, propofol iv infusion and especially the combination of them suppressed the increase in serum cTn I and MDA and decrease in serum SOD induced by ligation of LAD.In epidural-propofol group and propofol group the apoptotic myocytes count and p53 protein expression significantly decreased, the Bcl-2 protein expression increased as compared with those in control group. Conclusion Thoracic epidural anesthesia combined with propofol can significantly protect myocardium from injury induced by myocardial infarction. This action is mediated by the depression of myocyte apoptosis and the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals.

Objective To investigate the association between intima-media thickness (IMT) and free fatty acids (FFA) in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods IMT, FFA and body mass index (BMI) were measured in 69 hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MS group) ,57 hypertensive patients without metabolic syndrome ( Non-MS group) ,and 50 healthy controls ( NC group). Results In the MS group,The BMI, serum levels of triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose (FPG) and FFA were ( 26.0 ± 2.1 ) kg/m2, (24.0 ±0.81 ) mmol/L and (5.64 ± 0.82) mmol/L respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the Non-MS group ( (24.9 ± 2.3 ) kg/m2, ( 1.93 ± 0. 55 ) mmol/L and ( 5.10 ± 1.08 ) mmol/L respectively ) and the NC group ( (23.6 ± 1.6), ( 1.49 ± 0.36) mmol/L and (4.70 ± 0.90) mmol/L respectively) ( F = 20.06, 30.96 and 15.17,P ＜0.05 or 0.01 ). FFA in the MS group ((562.11 ± 55.12)μmol/L) were significantly higher than that in the Non-MS group (402.65 ± 49.53 ) μmol/L) and the NC group ( ( 356.23 ± 45.93 ) μmol/L) ( F = 277.28, P ＜0. 01 ). IMT in the MS group, Non-MS group and NC group were (1. 10 ± 0. 13 )mm, (0. 82 ± 0. 12 )mm and (0.70 ± 0.11 ) mm, respectively, with significantly difference ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). In addition, the incidence of thickening was 28.99% (20/69), 17.54% ( 10/57 ) and 2.00% ( 1/50 ), respectively, with significantly difference ( P ＜0.01 ). Conclusions Serum level of FFA is associated with IMT in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective To observe the effects of Er-YAG and surgical resection in the treatment of oral cav-ity mucous cyst. Methods A total of 63 patients with oral cavity mucous cyst ,selected in our hospital from March 2013 to May 2014,were divided into control group(n=31)and experimental group(n=32)based on dif-ferent therapies. The oral cavity mucous cysts in the experimental group and the control group were treated with Er-YAG and surgical resection ,respectively. The two groups were compared in terms of therapeutic effect. Results The cure rate in the two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05). The operation time in the experiment group was significantly shorter than the control group(P<0.05). In the experiment group,the incidence of intra-operative blood loss,postoperative edema and postoperative scarring were significantly lower than those of the con-trol group(P<0.05),but the two-year recurrence rate in the two groups had no significant difference(P>0.05). The SAS scores had no significant difference between the two groups at 1 week after operation (P > 0.05),but they were significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group before operation and 3 days after op-eration(P < 0.05). In HAD emotional determination,the numbers of patients who had the manifestation of anxi-ety and depression in the experiment group were smaller than control group before operation and 3 days after opera-tion(P<0.05),but there was no significantly difference between the two groups at 1 week after operation(P >0.05). Conclusions The curative effect of Er-YAG in the treatment of oral mucous cysts is close to that by the conventional surgery,but the former is advantageous for easier operation,less postoperative complications and alle-viation of patientspsychology pressure,worthy of clinical spreading.

Objective To evaluate the short-term clinical results of total hip arthroplasty(THA) through a direct anterior minimally invasive approach aided by lower extremity tractor for hip diseases.Methods Between August 2013 and August 2015,115 patients (138 hips) were admitted for hip diseases.They were 71 men and 44 women,aged from 28 to 77 years (average,59.4 years).Their body mass indexes ranged from 19.7 kg/m2 to 28.9 kg/m2,averaging 24.7 kg/m2.Their hip diseases included avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 56 cases (with an average disease course of 15.7 months),hip osteoarthritis in 35 cases (with an average disease course of 12.6 months),hip dysplasia in 14 cases (with an average disease course of 2.8 years) and inflammatory arthritis in 10 cases (with an average disease course of 6.8 years).All the patients were treated by primary THA through a direct anterior minimally invasive approach and assistance of lower extremity tractor.Results All the 115 patients (138 hips) were followed up for an average of 31.6 months (from 12 to 40 months).Their average length of incision was 9.4 cm,average operative time 115.9 min,average blood loss 210.2 mL,and average hospital stay 7.5 days.Their postoperative imaging results were as follows:the angles of acetabular abduction averaged 41.6° (from 37° to 56°) and the angles of acetabular anteversion 18.1° (from 11° to 23°).Their average Harris hip score one year postoperatively was 91.4 points (from 80 to 96 points).Split fracture of the proximal femur happened in one patient (one hip) (0.7％) intraoperatively;injury to lateral femoral cutaneous never was observed in 6 patients (7 hips) (5.1％).Complications like deep infection,hip dislocation,deep vein thrombosis or prosthetic loosening were not observed during follow-ups.Conclusions THA with assistance of lower extremity tractor through a direct anterior minimally invasive approach can lead to fine short-term clinical results,including quick recovery of hip function and decreased intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex polygenic inheritance disease, caused by the accumulative effect of multiple genes and some environmental factors. Insulin resistance is the pathophysiologic foundation of MS. From the viewpoint of TCM, phlegm is the basic pathological factor of MS. In different periods and different symptoms of the disease, phlegm can be found during the whole disease course. Genes as an important component of the innate factors, play an important role in the formation of phlegm syndrome. Researches on correlation between susceptibility genes and phlegm syndrome in MS are important to enrich the connotation of phlegm syndrome and improve the level of diagnosis and treatment for this disease.

Objective To establish the quality standard for Complex Prescription Kudouzi Capsules.Methods TLC was employed to identify Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.、Cassia obtusifolia L.and sophora alopecuroides L..The content of chrysophanol in Cassia obtusifolia L.was determined by HPLC.Results Spots obtained from the test solutions had the same color in reference solution and medical material in the same location,and the blank solution had no interference.The linear range of chrysophanol was 0.028 4 ～ 0.908 8 ?g,r =0.999 7(n =6),and the average recovery was 99.97%.Conclusion The characteristic of identification by TLC was highly specific,HPLC is accurate and reproducible,and they can be used effectively for the quality control of Complex Prescription Kudouzi Capsules.

Objective To study the change and clinical value of SP‐D ,CCL18 and CC16 in serum and in exhaled breath con‐densate in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .Methods Sixty two cases of COPD patients admitted in our hospital from 2010 January to 2013 December were selected as the research object .All the 62 patients were divided into group A(32 patients with COPD in acute exacerbation) and group B(30 patients with COPD in remission stage) in accordance with the severity of COPD .Thirty six cases of health people were selected as the control group .Statistical subjects SP‐D ,CCL18 ,CC16 content in se‐rum and in exhaled breath condensate ,and the relations between the various indexes and age ,smoking ,pulmonary function and BMI were analyzed .Results The exhaled breath condensate SP‐D ,CCL18 content in group A was significantly higher than that of B group and the control group (P<0 .05) ,and the SP‐D ,CCL18 in group B was higher than that in control group (P<0 .05) .The se‐rum SP‐D ,CCL18 ,CC16 content in group A was significantly higher than that of B group and the control group (P<0 .05) ,and the SP‐D ,CCL18 ,CC16 in group B was higher than that in control group (P< 0 .05) .Serum SP‐D ,CCL18 levels were significantly higher than those in the exhaled breath condensate (P< 0 .01) .Exhaled breath condensate SP‐D was positively associated with smoking age (r=0 .298 ,P<0 .05) ,and FEV1% pred ,FEV1/FVC (% ) showed a negative correlation (r= -0 .318 ,-0 .402 ,P<0 .05);the serum levels of SP‐D was positively associated with tobacco (r=0 .297 ,P<0 .05) ,and FEV1% pred ,FEV1/FVC (% ) were negative correlated (r= -0 .278 ,-0 .298 ,P<0 .05);serum CC16 and FEV1% pred ,FEV1/FVC (% ) were negatively corre‐lated (r= -0 .358 ,-0 .382 ,P<0 .05);Exhale breath condensate SP‐D ,condensate CCL18 ,SP‐D ,CCL18 serum ,serum CC16 were are positively correlated in each two (P<0 .05);and there was no significant correlation between other indexes and age ,smoking , pulmonary function and BMI etc .Conclusion Exhaled breath condensate ,serum SP‐D ,serum CCL18 ,exhaled breath condensate , exhaled breath condensate ,serum CC16 are closely related to acute exacerbation of COPD ,and monitoring the indicators can be judgment of the degree and prognosis of COPD .