Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Though the development of multidisciplinary therapy has largely improved the therapy effects, many patients still died of local recurrence and metastases after surgery. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) originates from primary tumor tissues and has a close relationship with cancer metastases and prognosis. This review summarizes the CTC detection methods and relevant clinical research on CTC in recent years.

The concept of hemangioblast was proposed a century ago. The existence of hemangioblasts has been demonstrated recently in vitro by differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cell into em-bryoid bodies(EBs). In the developing embryo, a common progenitor, termed "hemangioblast", generates both hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. The in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells to hemangioblast is a powerful approach for studying the commitment of the hematopoietic and endothelial lineages. This review will summarize recent development in the studies on hemangioblast.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathological and biochemical featur es of paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The clinical data of 624 HCC patients (the ratio of male to female 5.3∶1) ident ified by pathology were retrospectively reviewed. Results Among the patients with HCC, 32.2% (201/624) had PNS, the ratio of male to femal e was 4.6∶1. PNS mainly manifested as six clinical abnormalities: hyperchol esterol emia (15.9%), hypoglycemia(8.2%), thrombocytosis(7.7%), leucocytosis(4.8%), eryt hrocytosis(3.4%), hypercalcemia (1.0%). The carcinoma of PNS originated in multi si tes, they mainly located at the right lobe of liver, whilst 47.5% of patients wi th PNS were involved in two lobes. The level of ?-glutamyltranspeptidase in PN S was statistically higher than that free of PNS controls (261.2?224.0 vs. 165 .8?152.2, P

Stem cells offer considerable promise in the repair or replacement of damaged tissue in the body.Mature and functional endothelial cells play a pivotal role in neovascularization and maintenance of blood vessel integrity.Although being the best choice for transplantation endothelial,cells isolated from autologous vessels have been heavily obstacled in medical application due to poor resources and limitted proliferation potential in culture.Thus,stem cells have been the focus of the studies soareh for suitable cell sources.Several types of stem cells have been reported to possess endothelial cell differentiation potential.This article summarized the recent study on the sources,distribution,features-differentiation,animal experiments and clinical use of stem cells.Advantages and disadvantages are compared to provide a reference for the choice of evdothelial celia source.

Since the first successful establishment of human embryonic stem cell line in 1998,embryonic stem cell research has attracted much attention in recent years.Theoretically,embryonic stem cells are pluripotent 0f in vitro proliferation and in vivo differentiation.which could serve as a promising seed cell source for cell thera PY or tissue engineering.Differentiation of the embryonic stem cells into a certain type of cell still remains a big challenge.Studies regarding chondrogenic ifferentiation have been reported.This article summarizes the chon drogenic process in developing embryo and the currently known factors involved in the in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cell.Foreground of the study in this field is discussed.

Stem cells research is the hotspot in the field of biological science and medicine.Stem cells can be classified into embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells.Embryonic stem cells derived from early preimplantation embryo have the pluripotent and unlimited self-renewal capacity.They are an attractive source for tissue engineering,gene therapy,basic study of developmental biology and so on.However,such therapies carry a risk of teratoma formation,and may contribute to the functional failure of the graft.Here,we discuss the reasons for the formation of teratoma and the solutions to this problem.

Pluripotent stem cells are type of cells that can differentiate into cells of ectoderm,mesoderm and endoderm layers.Cells isolated from developing embryos such as embryonic stem cells,embryonic germ cells,as well as cells derived from adult tissues and bone marrow and testis,have been proved to be pluripotent.Recent studies demonstrated that differentiated cells from adult could be reprogrammed to become pluripotent by genetic manipulation.The characteristics of pluripotent cells from different origins are summarized in this review,and the possible relationship between those populations is discussed.

Growing energy consumption has become a key consideration for hospital infrastructure,while densely-placed data centers in the hospital make things worse.In view of energy saving and environment protection,the authors briefed the inevitable trend and requirements for the hospitals to build environment-friendly data centers,with key details and outcomes covered.

BACKGROUND: The effective fraction of stem and leaf of Scutellaria baicalensis, total flavones from stem and leaf of Scutellaria baicalensis (SSTF) can improve blood flow of coronary artery and cerebral blood flow,prolong the time of cruor and prothrombin and decrease blood lipid.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of SSTF on blood pressure of normal rats and rat models of renal artery stenosis.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment.SETTING: Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengde Medical College (Key Laboratory of Research and Exploiture of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hebei Province) MATERIALS: Totally 70 Wistar rats, aged 2 months old , of clean degree, with body mass of (250±50) g, male and female in half, with permission number of 01-3003 , were provided by the Experimental Animal Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. SSTF was provided by the phytochemical laboratory of Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengde Medical College; Niuhuangjiangya pian was produced by Shiyitang Pharmaceutical Factory, Hayao Company (batch number:9802304).METHODS: The experiment was conducted in Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengde Medical College from January to October 1999. The rats were raised in the environment of (22±1) ℃, with relative humidity of 50%-55%, of daylight and darkness for 12 hours for each. ①In the experiment 1, we studied the effect of SSTF on the blood pressure of normal rats. Totally 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into SSTF group of 100 mg/kg (n=10, 100 mg/kg SSTF), SSTF group of 50 mg/kg (n=10, 50 mg/kg SSTF), and normal saline control group (n=10, 0.5 mL /100 g normal saline). Before being administrated, rats were anaesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium. Blood pressure was recorded by MecLab/4e four-channel physiologic instrument. Then intragastric administration of SSTF and normal saline were performed on the rats in SSTF groups and normal saline control group respectively. Thirty minutes later, the changes of blood pressure of rats in each group were observed successively. ②In the experiment 2, we studied the effect of SSTF on the blood pressure of model rats with hypertension induced by renal artery stenosis. The rest 40 Wistar rats were randomly divided into SSTF group of high dosage, SSTF group of low dosage, normal saline control group, Niuhuangjiangya pian group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in each group were created into rat models with hypertension induced by renal artery stenosis according to methods from the literatures. Two weeks after operation, intragastric administration of 100 mg/kg SSTF, 50 mg/kg SSTF, 0.5 mL/100 g normal saline and 1 200 mg/kg Niuhuangjiangya pian were daily performed on the rats in four groups respectively for one month successively. Carotid blood pressure of rats in all groups was measured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The effect of SSTF on the blood pressure of normal rats. ②The effect of SSTF on the blood pressure of model rats with hypertension induced by arteria renalis stenosis.RESULTS: ① Effect of SSTF on the blood pressure of normal rats: Blood pressure of SSTF group of 50 mg/kg and SSTF group of 100 mg/kg presented a little decrease compared with before administration. There was no significant difference when compared with normal saline control group (P ＞ 0.05). ②Effeet of SSTF on the blood pressure of model rats with hypertension induced by arteria renalis stenosis: Blood pressure of rats with hypertension in normal saline control group was significantly increased after modeling; Blood pressure of rats with hypertension in SSTF group of 50 mg/kg , SSTF group of 100 mg/kg and Niuhuangjiangya pian group was significantly lower than that in the normal saline control group, especially significantly in SSTF group of 100 mg/kg [(126.3±14.5),(120.2±15.9),(127.8 ±23.4 ) ,(139.6±15.8) mm Hg; P ＜ 0.05-0.01].CONCLUSION: SSTF has the significant hypotensive effect on model rats with hypertension; it does not have obvious effect on normal rats.

BACKGROUND: Recently, α-hydroxy-acid and aliphatic series polyester synthetized with its derivates such as polylactide and polyglycolide have been studied extensively for scaffold of peripheral nerve tissue engineering.These materials might improve the effect of nerve guidance through overcoming several shortcomings of autografts, including permanent denervation of donor site, tissue deficiency, and potential differences in tissue structure and size.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility of poly (DL-lactide-coglycolide) (PLGA). Copolymer ratio of lactide: glycolide was 85:15 or 50:50)and evaluate its effect on nerve guidance.DESIGN: A comparative study and observation.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao Hospital of Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: A total of 66 Wistar rats of either sex and clean grade,weighting 180-200 g, were involved; the 85:15 or 50:50 copolymer of poly (lactide-co-glycolde) (PLGA).METHODS: The experiment was carried out in Field Surgery Institute No. 6; State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Compound Injury, Daping Hospital of Third Military Medical University, from November 2001 to December 2002. ① Co-culture of Schwann cells with PLGA film: Growth of Schwann cells co-cultured with PLGA film was observed under scanning electron microscope. ② Histological observation of PLGA film: Fifteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (according to 1, 2, 4, 8and 12 weeks time point postoperatively) with 3 rats in each group. PLGA was trimmed to pieces of film with the size of 10.0 mm × 5.0 mm × 0.3 mmand implanted into the rat dorsal muscles under aseptic condition. Hematoxylin/eosin staining was used to evaluate inflammatory reaction. ③Bridging of sciatic nerve defect in rats with PLGA conduits: Fifty-one Wistar rats were divided into PLGA (85:15) conduit group, PLGA (50:50) conduit group and silicone conduit group, each of which was further divided into 5 subgroups according to different time points (2, 4, 6, 8, and 12weeks postoperatively) with 3 rats in each subgroup, except for 12-week time point subgroup which used 5 rats. Gross observation and electrophysiological studies (only 12 weeks time point postoperatively) were performed.The midconduit regenerated nerves were removed and then stained with toluidine blue. Histological observation of regenerated nerves was performed under the optical microscope.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: ① Histological observation of PLGA film implanted in rat muscles. ② Electrophysiological and morphological evaluation of nerve guidance effect of PLGA conduits.Secondary outcome: Growth behavior of Schwann cells when co-cultured with PLGA films.RESULTS: All the 66 rats entered the result analysis. ① Histological observation of PLGA film implanted in rat muscles: The PLGA implants caused only minimal non-specific inflammatory reaction at an early time,as characterized by a low concentration of lymphocytes and fibroblasts,which was not present 10-12 weeks postoperatively. ② Cell attachment and morphological observation by scanning election microscopy: Schwann cells grew and proliferated well when co-cultured with PLGA film. ③Bridging of sciatic nerve defect in rats with PLGA conduits: Gross observation: Silicone induced significant proliferation of fibre tissues, characterized by encapsulation, when bridging sciatic nerve defects in rats, but the similar response could not be seen in PLGA in the same situation. At week 12 after bridging sciatic nerve defects in rats, motor nerve conduction velocity in PLGA (85:15) group was 17.03±0.66 m/s; it was 17.15±0.76 m/sin silicone group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05). Quantitative evaluation of regenerated nerves in PLGA group showed that the thickness of myelin sheath was (0.45±0.16) μm, fiber width was (3.96±1.73) μm, axon/mm2 10 135±1 053, and area percentage of neural tissues (%) was 23.4±2.7; in silicone group the corresponding data were (0.45±0.19) μm, (4.07±1.86) μm, (9879±1491) mm2 and (23.6±3.1)%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05). Since PLGA (50:50) conduit collapsed at an early time in the same animal model, corresponding indexes couldnot be detected in PLGA (50:50) group.CONCLUSION: In contrast to PLGA (50:50) and silicone, PLGA (85:15)is a good material for peripheral nerve tissue engineering because of its good biocompatibility and proper biodegradation rate.