A comparison of plant and animal stem cells can highlight core aspects of stem-cell biology. In both kingdoms, stem cells are defined by their clonogenic properties and are maintained by intercellular signals. The signaling molecules are different in plants and animals stem cell niches, but the roles of argonaute and polycomb group proteins suggest that there are some molecular similarities.
Animals ; Plant Cells ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism

AIM: To investigate the effect of rigid contact lens in the treatment after pterygium excision and limbal stem cell transplantation in senile patients.METHODS: Totally 90 elderly patients diagnosed as unilateral pterygium in our hospital from March 2015 to March 2016 were selected and divided into two groups, observation group and control group, 45 case with 45 eyes in each group.Observation group was treated with limbal stem cell transplantation and rigid contact lens.Control group was treated with limbal stem cell transplantation only.The following indicators were observed and compared: corneal healing time, visual analogue score(VAS) at 1, 3, 5 and 7d after surgery and the recurrence rate of pterygium.RESULTS: The score on corneal irritation of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05).Control group took more time on corneal healing than observation group (P<0.05).VAS of control group were higher than that of the observation group at 1 and 2d after treatment with significant difference (P<0.05).The recurrence rates of pterygium were not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Autologous corneal stem cell transplantation combined with rigid contact lens for pterygium in elderly patients is effective with shorter healing time and less pain, and it does not increase the recurrence rate.

OBJECTIVETo construct microRNA-223 overexpression and suppression lentivirus vectors and determine their effects after infecting oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line.

METHODSLentivirus vectors GV229 and GV232 were cut by the restriction sites of Age I and EcoR I and connected to the target gene, which contained mature microRNA-223 and microRNA-223 oligonucleotide. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect the microRNA-223 expression level after infecting the recombinant lentivirus vector into the OSCC cell line.

RESULTSThe successful construction of microRNA-223 recombinant lentivirus vectors was confirmed by the PCR method and DNA sequencing. HN-30 cell infected with microRNA-223 overexpression vector showed a significant increased in microRNA-223 expression, whereas HN-30 cell infected with microRNA-223 inhibitor vector suppressed microRNA-223 expression.

CONCLUSIONThe microRNA-223 overexpression and suppression lentivirus vectors are successfully constructed. These vectors could alter the expression level of microRNA-223 in OSCC cell line significantly, and provide a stable cell line for functional studies in the future.

Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; pathology ; Female ; Giant Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Osteoclasts ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology ; Urologic Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective:To observe the expression of Th1 versus Th2 type cytokines in primary hepatic cancer(PHC)and its adjacent liver tissues.Methods:The gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines was detected by RT-PCR using IFN-?and IL-2 as Th1 type cytokine genes,IL-4 and IL-10 as Th2 type cytokine genes.Results:Thl type cytokines were expressed in 7 and 9 cases,while Th0 type cytokines in 4 and 2 among 11 PHC and their adjacent liver tissues,respectively.Conclusion:Th1 type cytokines are expressed predominantly in primary hepatic cancer and its adjacent liver tissue.

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of the radiologic characteristics of osteoporotic Kummell's disease.

METHODSTotal 16 patients with pathologically confirmed osteoporotic Kummell's diseases were reviewed from May 2010 to May 2012, including 4 males and 12 females with the mean age of 73.4 years (ranged, 67 to 83 years old). Radiologic imagings of all patients, including X-ray, CT and MRI, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSIntravertebral linear clefts could be seen on the AP and lateral X-ray films of vertebrae. Sagittal and axial CT scans demonstrated the vacuum cleft phenomenon with liquid and air was identified within the vertebral body. Sagittal MRI showed the callapsed vertebral segment and the area of fluid signal with clear and intact border within the vertebral body. The fluid signal was low on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images and stir images, which was corresponding to an intravertebral vacuum cleft.

CONCLUSIONThe radiologic characteristics of Kurmmell's diseases can provide valuable evidences for the early diagnosis.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osteonecrosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused outbreaks of SARS-like disease with 35% case-fatality rate, mainly in the Middle East. A more severe outbreak of MERS occurred recently in the Republic of Korea, where 186 people contracted the infections, causing great concern worldwide. So far, there has been no clinically available drug for the treatment of MERS-CoV infection. The potential drugs against MERS-CoV mainly consist of monoclonal antibodies, peptides and small molecular agents. Small molecular agents have an advantage of easier synthesis, lower cost in production and relatively higher stability. There is better chance for those candidates to gain a quick development. This article reviews the progress of developing small molecular MERS-CoV agents.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Drug Design ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; drug effects

Objective To explore the effects of exercise on the levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the skeletal muscles of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods The rats were divided into an 8-week exercise group (A), a 4-week exercise group (B), a diabetes control group (C), an exercise group (D) in which no dia-betes was induced, and a control group (E). The rat model of diabetes was induced in the rats of groups A, B and C by intra-abdominal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 55 mg/kg. The exercising rats were forced to swim for 60 minutes once daily, 5 days a week. The levels of NT-3 in skeletal muscles were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cadual nerve conduction velocity (CNCV) in all of the rats was evaluated at the beginning, and after 4 and 8 weeks of swimming exercise. Results NT-3 levels in the skeletal muscles in group C were sig-nificantly lower than in groups A, D and E. There was no statistically significant difference in NT-3 levels between groups B and C. The NT-3 levels showed a significant positive correlation with CNCV at the 8th week. Conclu-sions The increase in NT-3 levels of skeletal muscles induced by exercise could contribute partially to the im-provement of diabetic neuropathy.

Objective To explore the effects of lifestyle intervention on index of early artery diseases in nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods Eighty-seven nondiabetic patients with MS were randomly assigned to the intervention group ( n =47) and the control group ( n =40).The patients in the intervention group received health education,diet control,regular physical exercises,and unhealthy habit correction; however,the control group did not receive any intervention.All the patients were followed up for 9 months.Body mass index (BMI),waist circumference (WC),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),triglyceride (TG),total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ),fasting blood glucose (FBG),HbAlc,fasting insulin (FINS),HOMA-IR,high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),carotid intima-media thickness (IMT),brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index(ABI) were measured at baseline and at 9 months.ResultsAfter 6 or 9 months' intervention,BMI,WC,SBP,TG,HDL-C,FPG,HbAlc,FINS,HOMA-IR and hs-CRP of the intervention group were improved (all P ＜ 0.05). HDL-C,FPG,HbAlc,FINS,HOMA-IR and hs-CRP of the intervention group were further improved at 9 months when compared to 6 months ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). In comparison with the control group,BMI,WC,HDL-C,FPG,HbA1 c,FINS,HOMA-IR and hs-CRP were significantly improved in the intervention group at 9 months ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).After 6 or 9 months' intervention,baPWV and ABI were significantly changed ( both P ＜ 0.05 ) in the intervention group although IMT of the carotid did not changed (P ＞0.05). BaPWV and ABI were significantly changed in the intervention group when compared with those in the control group at 9 months ( both P ＜ 0.05).The abnormal rate of baPWV in the intervention group at 9 months was 44.68％. BaPWV and ABI were associated with hs-CRP and HOMA-IR.ConclusionsIn nondiabetic MS patients, health management could significantly improve insulin resistance,modify metabolic disorders,and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.

Objective To establish the reference ranges of preductal oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) for healthy neonates in 10 minutes after birth. Methods SpO2 and HR recordings of 203 term neonates (vaginal group:n=97 and ce-sarean group:n=106) with regular respiratory pattern were evaluated. 10th-95th percentile charts of SpO2 and HR from 1 minute to 10 minutes after birth were drawn. Results The SpO2 of P10, P50 and P95 at 1 minute after birth was 62%, 71%and 85%respec-tively. The heart rate of P10, P50 and P95 at 1 minute after birth was 66 bpm, 98 bpm and 126 bpm respectively. The median time for SpO2 to reach 90%was 5 minutes. The rising trend of HR was evident during 1-5 minutes after birth, and then the HR leveled off. Conclusions The status of newborn can be assessed using the charts of SpO2 and HR combined with clinical manifestations. The oxygen intervention should be used with care to avoid damage caused by hyperoxemia and hypoxemia.