Objective To investigate whether nestin-positive cells can be isolated from human fetal pancreases and cultured in vitro for passages. Methods The islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were isolated from pancreases of induced human fetuses at 16, 18, 20 gestational weeks and cultured subsequently. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of the nestin, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene-1 (PDX-1/IPF-1), islet endocrine hormone insulin and glucagon. Results Nestin-positive cells, which may further transform into sphere cell clusters that include PDX-1, insulin and glucagon expressing cells, as well as nestin-positive cells, were isolated from the ICCs in vitro and cultured with several passages. Conclusions The nestin-positive cells can be isolated from fetal pancreases, and may have the capability to proliferate and differentiate into islet endocrine cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate effect of conducting training of autism spectrum disorder （ASD） early screening skill on improving the ability to early identify ASD of medical staffs in primary care hospitals. MethodsIn September 2021， the training of ASD early screening skills was carried out for medical staffs from 20 primary care hospitals in Chengdu. After training， the training effect was evaluated. The numbers of referrals from primary care hospitals to superior hospitals， confirmed ASD as well as their average diagnostic age of children with ASD before and after training were used as evaluation indicators. ResultsAfter training， the number of children with suspected ASD referred by primary care hospitals was more than that before training ［（16.65±11.60） vs. （3.40±2.23）， t=5.431， P<0.01］， the number of children diagnosed with ASD was more than that before training［（6.85±4.93） vs. （2.45±1.67）， t=4.171， P<0.01］， and the differences were statistically significant. As for the diagnosed age of ASD children， after training， the average age was lower than that before training ［（34.95±11.67） vs. （42.2±14.64）， t=-2.553， P=0.019］. ConclusionTraining of ASD early screening skills for medical staffs in primary care hospitals may help to improve their ability to early screening ASD children.