BACKGROUND:Previous research has demonstrated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(HMSCs)differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells;however,biological characteristics and differentiation mechanism remain unclear,and differentiation system remains immature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the feasibility of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)and epidermal growth factor(EGF)to induce the differentiation of HMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells.METHODS:HMSC5 were obtained from patients with esophageal cancer and were separated by density gradient centrifugation combined with attachment method.The phenotypes of MSCs were identified by flow cytometry.The third-passage HMSCs were divided into four groups:HGF(adding 20 μg/L HGF),EGF(adding 20 μg/L EGF),HGF+EGF,and blank control groups.Morphology was observed using inverted microscope.At days 7 and 14 after induction,α-fetoprotein and albumin mRNA expressions were detected using RT-PCR assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The HMSCs did not express hematopoietic cell CD34 and CD35,but strongly expressed β1-integrin CD29 and matrix receptor CD44.HMSCs changed from long fusiform shape to polygon or similar round shape in the HGF,EGF,and HGF+EGF groups.At days 7 and 14 after induction,α-fetoprotein and albumin mRNA expressions were positive.However,polygon cells were not observed in the blank control group,and α-fetoprotein and albumin mRNA expressions were negative.This suggested that HGF,EGF,and HGF+EGF could induce the differentiation of HMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells;however,their differentiation ability still needs to be further semi-quantitatively analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.

Objective To detect the neurofibromin expression and observe the biological features of the osteoblasts of patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis and scoliosis. Methods 10 cases of congenital scoliosis and 8 cases of NF1 scoliosis were chosen. The two groups were with the similar age(with the average of 11.7 years and 12.5 years) and Cobb angle(with the average of 85? and 94?). Cancellous bone was harvested from the ilia and the bone explants culture system was used. Proliferation of the osteoblasts, and also the specific differentiation index including alkaline phosphatase, type Ⅰ collagen and osteocalcin was assayed in sewnd generation osteoblasts. Neurofibromin expression in the two kinds of osteoblasts was detected with immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot. Results Compared to the osteoblasts of patients with congenital scoliosis, lower level of neurofibromin was expressed in osteoblasts of patients with NF1 scoliosis, (the OD value was 1.05?0.06 and 2.59?1.40 respectively, P=0.002). The level of alkaline phosphatase, type Ⅰ collagen and osteocalcin were significant lower in osteoblasts of patients with NF1 scoliosis than those of CS patients (44.69 IU/mg vs 51.38 IU/mg, P=0.019; 226.34 ng/mg vs 249.93 ng/mg, P=0.014; 7.41 ng/mg vs 8.87 ng/mg, P=0.049). But the proliferation rate of the NF1 osteoblasts was significant higher than that of the CS osteoblasts (3.34 and 2.70 respectively, P=0.049). Conclusion With the decrease of neurofibromin expression, the NF1 osteoblasts show some defects in their function, these function defects may contribute to varieties of skeletal abnormalities as dystrophic change and decreased bone density.

Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Preoperative Care ; Safety

Adolescent ; Cyanosis ; complications ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Cysts ; complications ; Exophthalmos ; complications ; Frontal Sinus ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinus Diseases ; complications

Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Semicircular Canals ; surgery

BACKGROUND: Recently emerged immunosuppressive scheme combined with basiliximab following liver transplantation, such as the early steroid withdrawal or half amount of steroid. Many studies demonstrated that it would not increase the rejection rate in reducing the use of steroid. However, there were rare reports addressing whether it was safe and effective to replace the steroid by basiliximab. OBJECTIVE: Through the application of non-steroid and early steroid withdrawal immunosuppressive scheme in patients of hepatocellular carcinoma following liver transplantation, to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of two treatments. METHODS: A total of 80 patients of hepatocellular carcinoma receiving liver transplantation were divided into the experimental and control group. In the experimental group, 33 patients were applied with non-steroid treatment (Tacrolimus+mycophenolate mofetil+basiliximab); additionally 47 patients were applied with early steroid withdrawal treatment (Tacrolimus+mycophenolate mofetil+ steroid). Steroid was reduced gradually from the first day after transplantation to discontinuation after 1 month. The rates of rejection, infection, cancer recurrence and 1 -year survival were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared to the control group, the rates of infection and cancer recurrence were significantly smaller in the experimental group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significantly difference between 2 groups in the rates of rejection and 1 -year survival (P > 0.05). It revealed that the non-steroid treatment can be safely and effectively applied in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following liver transplantation. The non-steroid treatment can significantly cut down the infection rate and cancer recurrence rate, which has no effect on the rejection and 1 -year survival rate.

The medium of photo-synthetic bacteria synthesizing carotenoid was optimized with response surface methodology. The regression equation expressing the relationship between carotenoid yield and main components of culture medium was established by stepwise analysis. The R-squared in the model of regression equation was 0. 958, which meant the established equation could predict the carotenoid yield well at the range of factors in this design. It was indicated that the optimum medium components were: 0. 81% citric acid, 0. 35% NH4Cl and 0. 18% corn syrup. On those conditions, it was predicted that the highest production of carotenoid was 13. 34 mg/L, which was 2. 04 times higher than initial carotenoid yield before optimization.

Objective To compare the immediate effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy with that of joint mobilization plus short wave therapy in treating scapulohumeral periarthritis, and to elucidate the mechanism of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and how it should be used. Methods Forty-seven patients diagnosed with scapulohumeral periarthritis were selected and randomized into two groups, a treatment group (n = 26) treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and a control group ( n = 21 ) treated with joint mobilization plus short wave therapy. The short form of the McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and range of motion (ROM) measurements were used to evaluate shoulder function. Results Compared with baseline, both groups improved significantly af-ter treatment, but the immediate effect in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group. Concln-sions As a safe, time-saving and effective therapy, extracorpnreal shock waves could be used to treat scapulo-humeral periarthritis.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic implantation of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMs) for malignant colorectal obstruction. Methods A total of 108 patients who had undergone endoscopic SEMs implantation for malignant colonic obstruction from January 2011 to May 2014 were enrolled. The clinical suc-cess rates and the complications were reviewed. Results The clinical success rates were 92.59%(100/108). Abdomi-nal pain, perforation and bleeding were the most common post-procedure complications, the rates of which were 16.67% (18/108), 7.41% (8/108), 6.48% (7/108), respectively. The abdominal pain in most patients was self-reliev-ing except for 6 patients with perforation of colon. Patients with perforation were cured by emergency surgery. The 7 patients developing bleeding recovered themselves. Conclusion The success rate of endoscopic SEMs implantation is satisfactory in the study. As a bridge to surgery or a palliative care method, endoscopic SEMs implantation is effec-tive and safe for malignant colorectal obstruction.