Hepatic stem cells transplantation might be an important treatment strategy for patients with end stage liver diseases and related research has become a focus of recent studies.Hepatic stem cells of different sources have great therapeutic potential in clinical practice,but much research still need to be done before it can be used as a routine method in clinical practice. This review discusses the characteristics of hepatic stem cells and its role in liver regeneration after liver damage.

Abstract?AIM: To determine the relation between each of the optical coherence tomography ( OCT) patterns, etiologies and visual acuity in patients with cystoid macular edema ( CME) .?METHODS:Fifty-seven eyes with CME from 52 patients were included in our study. The data of this cross sectional study was collected rfom p atient s wtih CME assessed by OCT, who also underwent fun dus photography and visual acuity test the same day. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) was assessed by using E chart a nd converted in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution( logMAR ) . Thevisual acuity varied from 2.3 logMAR to 0 logMAR w ith a mean of 1.11±0.57. The etiology was determined from medical history and the fundus ph otograph of the patient. Four O CT grades established according to ratio between the vertical size of largest cyst and the maximum macular thickness (<30 %,≥30% <60%,≥60% <90%and≥90%) were considered. The correlation was established by calculating the Pearson's correlatio n coefficient “r” and the statistical significance was considered when P value was inferior to 0.05.?RESULTS: OCT grade I V was the most associated with very severe visual loss with the greatest mean VA of 1.96± 0.23 logMAR and the correlation between OCT grades and visual acuity was strongly statistically significant ( r =0.729, P <0.001 ). The central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) was the most underlying disease associated with worsev ision, with the gre atest mean VA of 2 logMAR and the correlation was statistically significant ( r=0.375, P=0.004).Another associated OCT pattern, the disruption of bot h inner segment/outer segment ( IS/OS) and external limiting membrane ( ELM) , was inversely associated with severe visual loss ( high mean VA=1.11 ±0.57 logMAR, with statistically significant correlation, r=-0.346, P=0.008 ) . The presence of both vitreoretinal traction components and outer retinal layers disruption were significantly associated with OCT grade IV ( r=0.390, P=0.003) and CRVO (r=0.362, P=0.006).?CONCLUSION:In this study, the OCT fourth grade and CRVO seem to be more significantly associated with the worse vision in patients with CME.

Aim To explore the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ( NADPH ) oxidase in high glucose-induced injury in H9c2 cardiac cells. Methods H9 c2 cardiac cells were exposed to differ-ent concentrations of high glucose(5. 5 mmol·L-1 ,11 mmol · L-1 ,22 mmol · L-1 ,33 mmol · L-1 ,44 mmol ·L-1 , 55 mmol · L-1 ) for 24 h and different time pints of high glucose(0 h,12 h,24 h,36 h,48 h,72 h) . Cell viability was measured by MTT colorimetry, the protein expression of Bcl-2 , Bax and NADPH oxi-dase submits such as p22 phox , p47 phox and p67 phox were determined by western blotting. Results H9c2 cardi-ac cells exposure to high glucose for 24 h showed on decrease in cell survival and the Bcl-2 expression while an increase in the Bax expression ( P<0. 05 ) . Moreo-ver, high glucose could markedly up-regulate the activ-ity of NADPH oxidase characterized by the enhanced expression of p22 phox , p47 phox and p67 phox ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion Activating NADPH oxidase may play an important role in high glucose-induced injury in H9 c2 cells.

In the article we described a case of 61-year-old male with pharyngeal paraesthesia for 3 months. Physical examination: lean physique; vast uneven white membrane above hard palate, soft palate and pharynx mucous membrane, not easy to wipe and extend to the throat. The neck without cervical lymph node enlargement. Blood routine test: WBC 4.92 x 10(9)/L, N 64.3%, L 18.7%, EO 7.1%. RBC 4.08 x 10(12)/L, PLT 181 x 10(9)/L. No significant abnormal in the other blood biochemical indexes, tumor marker and immune indexes; blood bacteria culture: negative; blood culture: negative; sputum culture (3 times): all negative; anti-HIV screening test: positive, serum HIV testing: positive(the test done by Shanghai Pudong new area's centers for disease control and detection). The incidence of HIV/AIDS is still low at present, so the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS can be ignored easily by the otolaryngology doctor. If the patient with oral cavity and pharyngeal ulcer delayed healing, the doctor should be alert to,HIV/AIDS infection. We should check serum HIV antibody to eliminate or confirm HIV/AIDS earlier.
HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otolaryngology ; methods

Apoptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Adult ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; physiopathology ; virology ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; drug therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the protective effect of sevoflurane on the brain against focal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury and its mechanism.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly allocated into 3 groups(n=8 each):group Ⅰ sham operation;grouop Ⅱ I/R and group Ⅲ I/R + sevoflurane.The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg?kg~(-1).Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was produced by insertion of a 4-0 mono-filament nylon thread with rounded tip at bifurcation of right common carotid artery into internal carotid artery.The nylon thread was advanced cranially until resistance was felt.The depth of insertion was 18-20 mm.After 3 h MCAO the thread was withdrawn to allow reperfusion.In group Ⅲ the animals inhaled 1.0 MAC sevoflurane for 30 min at 30 min before reperfusion.The rectal temperature of the animals was kept at 36.5-37.5℃.At the end of 24 h reperfusion the animals were weighed again.The animals'neurological deficit was evaluated using Zea Longa score(0=no defcit,4=unable to walk and unconscious).The animals were then killed.The neuronal apoptosis in striatum was assessed(TUNEL)and the PKC protein expression in striatum was determined by immunocyto-chemistry.Results The body weight of the animals in I/R group was significantly reduced after 24h reperfusion as compared to the body weight before ischemia (P＜0.01),while in control group and sevoflurane group there was no significant difference in the body weight before and after sham operation or I/R.The neurological deficit scores were significantly higher in I/R group than in sevoflurane group.The number of apoptotic neurons in striatum was significantly higher in I/R group than in sevoflurane group.The PKC expression in striatum was significantly higher in sevoflurane group than in I/R group (P＜0.01).Conclusion 1.0 MAC sevoflurane inhalation has protective effect on the brain against I/R injury. Upregulation of PKC expression in striatum decreased by I/R is involved in the mechanism.

Objective To study the methods and skill of vena cava filter placement via the antecubital access. Methods Six patients with DVT (4 males and 2 females, mean age of 62) underwent vena cava filter placement via the antecubital access in Huashan Hospital from Oct. 2004 to May. 2006. The right basilic vein was punctured with the use of micropuncture technique. SNF (Simon nitinol filter, Bard)was inserted through its carrier into the 90-cm-long sheath. The filter was then deployed with a standard fashion in the IVC, 5 cm inferior to the renal vein. Results The filter was once placed successfully in all six patients within average time of 25 min without complications, but with good healing, exclusion of bleeding and no phlebitis. The position of filter was accurate without deviation and no occurrence of pulmonary embolism. Conclusions vena cava filter placement via antecubital access is easy, minimal invasive, no need of lying in bed postoperatively. It is beneficial for DVT patients as an alternative for the contra-indication to femoral venous access.