Cancer stem cells (CSC) are capable of self-renewal and can proliferate into a heterogeneous bulk with cancer progeny population, which is the main reason for recurrence and metastasis of cancer. Metastatic cancer stem cells (MCSC) have the properties of CSC and the ability of metastasis. Metastasis happens at both the late and early stages of tumorigenesis. MCSC are different from CSC in origin, epithelial-mesenehyrnal transition (EMT), mesenehymal-epithelial transition (MET), and microenvironment of target organs (niche), etc. Therefore, MCSC is the foundation of cancer metastasis. Anti-metastasis strategies include killing CSC, blocking EMT and MET of CSC, inhibiting MCSC adhesion to microvessels, and destroying MCSC dependent-niche. This review introduces the possible sources, biological features of MCSC, the possible breakthrough in MCSC research, and MCSC-targeted anti-metastasis strategy, hoping to provide reference for researches about tumor metastasis mechanisms and anti-metastasis strategies.

Objective:To illustrate the role of miRNA-143 on the invasiveness of cervical cancer cells. Methods:MiRNA-143 mimics or inhibitor sequences were transiently expressed in the cervical cancer cells by liposome transfection. Transwell assay was ap-plied to test the invasive ability of cervical cancer cells after miRNA-143 over-expression or inhibition. Bioinformatics assay was used to predict the targets of miRNA-143. RT-qPCR and luciferase reporter assay were performed to detect the expression of MACC1 mRNA in the cancer cells. RT-qPCR was conducted to test the expression of miRNA-143 and MACC1 mRNA in 20 fresh primary cervi-cal cancer and their matched para-neoplastic tissues. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the expres-sion of miRNA-143 and MACC1 mRNA in the 20 cases of cervical cancer. Results:Transwell assays revealed that the miRNA-143 over-expression inhibited the cell invasiveness, while miRNA-143 inhibition promoted the invasive ability of the cervical cancer cells. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that miRNA-143 could target the 3'-UTR of MACC1. Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miRNA-143 can affect 3'-UTR sequence in MACC1 genes. RT-qPCR analyses indicated that the expression of MACC1 mRNA was ob-viously down-regulated after miRNA-143 over-expression, while significantly increased after the miRNA-143 inhibition. The migration in Caski/miRNA-143 inhibitor cells was obviously elevated after being transfected with MACC1 shRNAs. RT-qPCR analyses showed that the expression of miRNA-143 was obviously decreased in the cancer tissues compared with the normal tissues, while MACC1 mRNA was apparently decreased in cancer tissues compared with the normal ones. Statistical analyses revealed that miRNA-143 was negatively correlated with MACC1 mRNA in the 20 cases of cervical cancer. Conclusion:This study reveals that miRNA-143 is down-regulated in the cervical cancer tissues. MiRNA-143 may play an important role in the regulation of cell invasiveness by targeting MACC1 in the cervical cancer cells.

BACKGROUND:Morphological characteristics of the rabbit lumbar vertebrae are of great significance for animal experiments about lumbar spine, but there is a lack of study on the lumbar morphology in rabbits. OBJECTIVE:To establish a three-dimensional model of rabbit lumbar vertebrae, and to observe its morphological characteristics, thereby providing anatomical basis for the animal experiments about lumbar spine.METHODS:Twenty New Zealand rabbits were subjected to 64-row multi-detector CT (Siemens) scan, and the three-dimensional models were constructed based on the CT data from 140 lumbar vertebrae. The morphological parameters of L1-7 were measured, and the internal and external structures of lumbar vertebrae and changes of different segments were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Changes of the morphological parameters of each lumbar vertebra:the L1-7 height first increased and then decreased, and the shortest height was in the L7, which was (1.12±0.18) cm. L1 vertebral body exhibited the shortest transverse diameter, (1.03±0.15) cm, and the longitudinal diameter did not differ significantly among vertebrae. The transverse and longitudinal diameters of L1-6 spinal canals were on a rise, but decreased abruptly at L7. The pedicle width of L1-7 increased gradually;the pedicle height of L1-5 increased gradually, and then began to decrease markedly, and the shortest at L7, (0.58±0.11) cm. The width and length of L1-6 spinous process increased steadily, but decreased at L7. The length of L1-3 transverse process increased gradually, tended to be steady at L3-6, and increased notably at L6-7;there were significant differences in the transverse process angle at L1-6, but the angle increased markedly to (58±2)° at L7, (2) These results indicate that the internal and external structures of lumbar vertebrae and changes of different segments are obtained through morphological measurement of lumbar vertebrae in New Zealand white rabbit, which provides a detailed anatomical data for relative animal experiments.

BACKGROUND:How to improve effective connection strength between fiber post and resin, to reduce the failure rate of repairing, has become the focus of current researches. Without surface treatment, the fiber post surface bonding strength is relatively low, is prone to appear adhesive failure, so the surface treatment of fiber post to increase the fiber post-resin bonding strength is the key to achieve a successful repair. OBJECTIVE:To review the progress of fiber post surface treatment technology in the crown restoration. METHODS: A computer-based retrieval was performed among CNKI and PubMed databases between 2003 and 2013, by using the key words of fiber-reinforced post, surface treatment, bond strength in English and Chinese. The recent literatures concerned with the fiber post surface treatment were extensively reviewed, 32 ones were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The failure of bonding between fiber post and resin is a major problem in fiber posts restoration techniques. In recent years, scholars try to use a variety of methods for processing fiber post surface, the fiber post-resin bonding strength is significantly improved. Mechanical or (and) chemical treatment on the surface of fiber post can significantly improve fiber post-resin bonding strength, which could increase the success rate of the crown restoration. Among them, H2O2+silicane coupling agent achieved the best effects. However, long-term clinical observations are needed to verify these methods.

Objective To study the functional connectivity (FC) pattern of anterior cingulated cortex in patients with vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia (VCIND) after subcortical ischemic vascular disease,and to analyze the relationship between FC and cognitive function.Methods Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were acquired from 14 patients with VCIND and 16 healthy volunteers with normal cognition.The altered functional connectivity pattern in VCIND was valuated by comparing to normal control.Then a correlation analysis was performed between the strength of FC and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores in patients with VCICD.Results (1) The visual space or executive function (3.14 ± 0.29),attention or computing power (3.79 ± 0.37),language (1.14 ± 0.21),directional power (4.14 ± 0.53) items,and the total points of MoCA (17.29 ± 1.53) in VCIND were significantly lower than that in the normal control group (4.93 ± 0.07,5.93 ± 0.07,2.93 ± 0.26,5.93 ± 0.07,27.57 ± 0.33 ; t =31.62,32.50,28.51,12.00,39.71,all P ＜ 0.05).While the abstract ability or memory (4.36 ± 0.74),the naming (2.79 ± 0.11) items in VCIND were not significantly different with that in the control group (4.79 ± 0.80,2.93 ± 0.07 ; t =1.76,1.00,both P ＞ 0.05).(2) Compared with the control group,the patients showed FC decrease between the anterior cingulated cortex and several brain regions,including the left middle temporal gyrus/left superior temporal gyrus,the left superior frontal gyrus/left middle frontal gyrus/left inferior frontal gyrus,the left posterior cingulated cortex/left precuneus,the left inferior parietal lobule/left angular gyrus,the right middle temporal gyrus/right superior temporal gyrus,the right orbit frontal cortex/right inferior frontal gyrus,the right inferior parietal lobule/right angular gyrums,and the right superior frontal gyrus/right middle frontal gyrus.There were also some regions that showed increased FC,which included the right posterior lobe of the cerebellum,the calcarine fissure,the left middle frontal gyrus,and the left precentral gyrus.(3) In the VCIND patients,the brain regions which positively correlated with the MoCA scores were the left inferior parietal lobule,the right middle temporal gyrus,the right superior frontal gyrus,and the left superior temporal gyrus.The negativerelated brain regions were the right posterior limb of internal capsule,the left middle temporal gyrus,the left precuneus,and the right anterior limb of internal capsule.Conclusions VCIND patients show abnormal FC pattern of anterior cingulated cortex,which could be the pathological basis of VCIND,and have certain predictive value for VCIND.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of self-management to improve the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and life quality in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-two men were recruited to take αblockers for at least 3 months from March 2008 to September 2009. Participants were randomized to either attend a self-management program in addition to standard care or to standard care alone. Difference of scores of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and BPH-specific quality of life scale between the two groups was analyzed during enrollment period, the 1st week, the 3rd month and 6th month of therapy.ResultsAll participants were followed up for 6 months.The IPSS scores of the SMI group were 20.5 and 20.5 and the QOL were 50.9 and 50.8 at the 1st week.While the numbers were 19.6 and 19.3 for IPSS and 51.1 and 51.1 for QOL in the control group. There was no statistic difference in the control group.Whereas during the 3rd and 6th month assessment, the scores of IPSS and quality of life of self-management interventional group were statistically significantly lower than those of the control group.ConclusionsSelf-management intervention could reduce the LUTS symptoms and improve quality of life in BPH patients who were taking medicines.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of visual analog scale international prostate symptom score (VAS-IPSS) in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).Methods Three hundred and ninety patients with BPH were recruited to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to one of two groups:the standard IPSS group and the VAS-IPSS group.In each group,sub-groups were further divided to non-interpretation arm (A) and interpretation arm ( B),based on the availability of medical professionals to interpret patientsˊ VAS-IPSS score.In the same way,the similar sub-groups were established in VAS-IPSS group with non-interpretation arm (C) and interpretation arm (D).All the patients were required to fill out the same questionnaires at first consultation and second consultation with an interval of two weeks.Eventually,all the data were collected and analyzed.Results The ICC index was as follows for arms A through D:0.87 (95％CI0.72-0.94); 0.88 (95％CI0.74-0.95); 0.82 (95％CI0.59-0.92); 0.97(95％ CI 0.93-0.99).The optimal prediction factor for arm A was frequency (F =14.70,P =0.010)and the sub-optimal was nocturia ( F =12.10,P =0.000) and urgency ( F =11.80,P =0.000).The optimal prediction factor for arm B was nocturia ( F =6.02,P =0.000 ) and the sub-optimal was urinary incontinence ( F =5.79,P =0.008 ).The optimal prediction factor for arm C was nocturia ( F =30.98,P =0.000) and the sub-optimal was urinary incontinence ( F =22.42,P =0.000).The optimal prediction factor for arm D was nocturia ( F =20.20,P =0.000) and the sub-optimal was urinary incontinence ( F =18.00,P =0.000) and weak urine steam (F =15.30,P =0.000).Conclusions VAS-IPSS is more stable than the standard IPSS.The questionnaire explanation to patients is helpful for improving the VASIPSS stability.

Objective To investigate the expression of SOX2 in gastric carcinoma and to analyze its relationship with clinicopathological features.Methods Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the level of SOX2 in 67 cases of gastric carcinoma group and 30 cases of normal gastric mucosa group.Results The positive expression rate of SOX2 in gastric carcinoma group (52.24 ％) was obviously lower than that in normal gastric mucosa group (93.33 ％) (x2 =16.326,P ＜ 0.01).The SOX2 expression was significantly correlated with differentiation,the depth of invasion,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of the tumor (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The low expression of SOX2 may contribute to the early carcinogenesis of gastric carcinoma,and the expression level of SOX2 is closely related with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage.The expression level of SOX2 is a useful marker for predicting the prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

Aim To investigate the mechanism of demethylation on adenosine (ADO )and homocysteine (HCY)-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells .Methods HepG 2 cells were treated with differ-ent concentrations of ADO (1.0、2.0、4.0 mol · L-1 ) alone or in combination with HCY for 6h,12h and 24h,5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR)as a positive control.Cell viabilities were assessed by CCK8 assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining.The mitochondrial membrane potentials(ΔΨ) were measured by flow cytometry.The mRNA and pro-tein expressions of caspase-3,caspase-8,caspase-9, MDM-2,p53,Cytochrome C,DNMT1,DNMT3a,DN-MT3 b were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot re-spectively.Results ADO alone or in combination with HCY significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.The apoptotic rates of HepG2 cells after combination treatment with ADO and HCY at 1 .0,2.0,4.0 mol · L-1 for 24 h were (1 8.63 ± 1.25 )%,(29.42 ±2.37 )% and (42.47 ±3.09 )%,compared with the control group (1.30 ±0.82 )%,P <0.01;and the mitochondrial membrane potentials were decreased from 674.15 ± 82.8%(black control group)to (428.38 ±54.5)%, (297.78 ±30.5)%,(74.45 ±5.73)%,P<0.01, respectively.The expressions of caspase-3,caspase-8, caspase-9,MDM-2,p53,Cytochrome C were up-regula-ted and MDM-2 were down-regulated after combination treatment of ADO and HCY.The mRNA expressions of DNMT1 ,DNMT3 a and DNMT3 b were down-regulated after combination treatment with ADO and HCY or 5-Aza-CdR alone.Conclusion Combination treatment of ADO and HCY can cause cellular methylation chan-ges.The effects of demethylation of ADO and HCY may activate p53 gene and mitochondrial pathway, which at last leads to HepG2 cell apoptosis.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury caused by various etiologies and a complex pathological change with the activation of hepatic stellate cells as the central link, and various signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of such complex lesions. It has the dual nature of repair and damage and may eventually progress to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer. In recent years, rapid progress has been made in the basic research on the cell signal transduction pathways associated with liver fibrosis, and some achievements have been made in the research on the treatment strategy of liver fibrosis. This article briefly reviews the cell signaling pathways associated with the development of liver fibrosis, including the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, the NF-κB signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, the TGF-signaling 1/Smad signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, the Hedgehog signaling pathway, and the Notch signaling pathway, and also introduces the potential therapeutic strategies for liver fibrosis at present.