Hepatic stem cells transplantation might be an important treatment strategy for patients with end stage liver diseases and related research has become a focus of recent studies.Hepatic stem cells of different sources have great therapeutic potential in clinical practice,but much research still need to be done before it can be used as a routine method in clinical practice. This review discusses the characteristics of hepatic stem cells and its role in liver regeneration after liver damage.

Aim To explore the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ( NADPH ) oxidase in high glucose-induced injury in H9c2 cardiac cells. Methods H9 c2 cardiac cells were exposed to differ-ent concentrations of high glucose(5. 5 mmol·L-1 ,11 mmol · L-1 ,22 mmol · L-1 ,33 mmol · L-1 ,44 mmol ·L-1 , 55 mmol · L-1 ) for 24 h and different time pints of high glucose(0 h,12 h,24 h,36 h,48 h,72 h) . Cell viability was measured by MTT colorimetry, the protein expression of Bcl-2 , Bax and NADPH oxi-dase submits such as p22 phox , p47 phox and p67 phox were determined by western blotting. Results H9c2 cardi-ac cells exposure to high glucose for 24 h showed on decrease in cell survival and the Bcl-2 expression while an increase in the Bax expression ( P<0. 05 ) . Moreo-ver, high glucose could markedly up-regulate the activ-ity of NADPH oxidase characterized by the enhanced expression of p22 phox , p47 phox and p67 phox ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion Activating NADPH oxidase may play an important role in high glucose-induced injury in H9 c2 cells.

Abstract?AIM: To determine the relation between each of the optical coherence tomography ( OCT) patterns, etiologies and visual acuity in patients with cystoid macular edema ( CME) .?METHODS:Fifty-seven eyes with CME from 52 patients were included in our study. The data of this cross sectional study was collected rfom p atient s wtih CME assessed by OCT, who also underwent fun dus photography and visual acuity test the same day. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) was assessed by using E chart a nd converted in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution( logMAR ) . Thevisual acuity varied from 2.3 logMAR to 0 logMAR w ith a mean of 1.11±0.57. The etiology was determined from medical history and the fundus ph otograph of the patient. Four O CT grades established according to ratio between the vertical size of largest cyst and the maximum macular thickness (<30 %,≥30% <60%,≥60% <90%and≥90%) were considered. The correlation was established by calculating the Pearson's correlatio n coefficient “r” and the statistical significance was considered when P value was inferior to 0.05.?RESULTS: OCT grade I V was the most associated with very severe visual loss with the greatest mean VA of 1.96± 0.23 logMAR and the correlation between OCT grades and visual acuity was strongly statistically significant ( r =0.729, P <0.001 ). The central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) was the most underlying disease associated with worsev ision, with the gre atest mean VA of 2 logMAR and the correlation was statistically significant ( r=0.375, P=0.004).Another associated OCT pattern, the disruption of bot h inner segment/outer segment ( IS/OS) and external limiting membrane ( ELM) , was inversely associated with severe visual loss ( high mean VA=1.11 ±0.57 logMAR, with statistically significant correlation, r=-0.346, P=0.008 ) . The presence of both vitreoretinal traction components and outer retinal layers disruption were significantly associated with OCT grade IV ( r=0.390, P=0.003) and CRVO (r=0.362, P=0.006).?CONCLUSION:In this study, the OCT fourth grade and CRVO seem to be more significantly associated with the worse vision in patients with CME.

In the article we described a case of 61-year-old male with pharyngeal paraesthesia for 3 months. Physical examination: lean physique; vast uneven white membrane above hard palate, soft palate and pharynx mucous membrane, not easy to wipe and extend to the throat. The neck without cervical lymph node enlargement. Blood routine test: WBC 4.92 x 10(9)/L, N 64.3%, L 18.7%, EO 7.1%. RBC 4.08 x 10(12)/L, PLT 181 x 10(9)/L. No significant abnormal in the other blood biochemical indexes, tumor marker and immune indexes; blood bacteria culture: negative; blood culture: negative; sputum culture (3 times): all negative; anti-HIV screening test: positive, serum HIV testing: positive(the test done by Shanghai Pudong new area's centers for disease control and detection). The incidence of HIV/AIDS is still low at present, so the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS can be ignored easily by the otolaryngology doctor. If the patient with oral cavity and pharyngeal ulcer delayed healing, the doctor should be alert to,HIV/AIDS infection. We should check serum HIV antibody to eliminate or confirm HIV/AIDS earlier.
HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otolaryngology ; methods

Apoptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; drug therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; metabolism

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; physiopathology ; virology ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin-17 (IL-17) and vitiligo.Methods Totally,32 vitiligo patients and 30 healthy human controls were enrolled in this study.Blood samples were collected from all the subjects,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the plasma levels of IL-17.The relationship of plasma IL-17 levels with disease stage,clinical course and lesion area was assessed.Results The plasma levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in the patients with progressive and stable vitiligo than in the healthy controls (both P ＜ 0.05),and higher in the patients with progressive vitiligo than in those with stable vitiligo (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the plasma levels of IL-17 were positively correlated with the area of vitiligo lesions (r =0.456,P ＜ 0.05),but unrelated to the clinical course of vitiligo (r =0.239,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion IL-17 may play a certain role in the occurrence and development of vitiligo.

Objective To evaluate the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal transduction pathway in diazoxide cardioplegic solution-induced reduction of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in isolated rat hearts.Methods Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2-3 months,weighing 240-260 g,were used in this study.Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus and then randomly divided into 5 groups (n=12 each):control group (group C),group I/R,cardioplegic solution group (group P),diazoxide cardioplegic solution group (group DZX),and STAT3 signal transduction pathway blocker Stattic group (group Stattic).The hearts were continuously perfused for 90 min after 15 min of equilibration in group C.Perfusion was stopped after 15 min of equilibration and restored 30 min later in I/R,P,DZX and Stattic groups.In P and DZX groups,the hearts were perfused with the cardioplegic solution containing 0.4％ dimethyl sulfoxide and 50μmol/L diazoxide,respectively,before perfusion was stopped.In group Stattic,the hearts were perfused with 10μmol/L Stattic for 5 min before perfusion with diazoxide.At 60 min of reperfusion,the hearts were sliced and stained for determination of myocardial infarct size (IS) as a percentage of area at risk (AAR) (IS/AAR),cell apoptosis and expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) protein (by Western blot) and STAT3 mRNA (using RT-PCR).Apoptotic index (AI) was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the IS/AAR and AI were significantly increased in the other four groups,the expression of p-STAT3 and STAT3 mRNA was down-regulated in I/R and Stattic groups,and the expression of p-STAT3 was down-regulated and STAT3 mRNA was up-regulated in P and DZX groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the IS/AAR and AI were significantly decreased,and the expression of p-STAT3 and STAT3 mRNA was up-regulated in P and DZX groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in Stattic group (P ＞ 0.05).The IS/AAR and AI were significantly lower,and the expression of p-STAT3 and STAT3 mRNA was higher in DZX group than in P group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion STAT3 signal transduction pathway is involved in diazoxide cardioplegic solution-induced reduction of I/R injury in isolated rat hearts.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between extracelluar signal?regulated protein kinase 1∕2 (ERK1∕2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways involving in cardioprotection induced by diazoxide postconditioning in rats. Methods Sixty adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 3 months, weighing 240-260 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table: sham operation group ( SH group ) , ischemia?reperfusion ( I∕R ) group, diazoxide postconditioning group ( D group ) , ERK1∕2 inhibitor U0126 group ( U group ) , and STAT3 inhibitor Stattic group ( St group) . Myocardial I∕R was produced by occlusion of anterior descending branch of the coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusionIn I∕R and D groups, 0?4% dimethyl sulfoxide 1 ml and 7 mg∕kg diazoxide ( in 1 ml of 0?4% dimethyl sulfoxide) was injected through the femoral vein at the onset of reperfusionIn U and St groups, U0126 100 μg∕kg and Stattic 500 μg∕kg were injected through the femoral vein at 10 min before reperfusion, and the other procedures were similar to those previously described in group DAt 120 min of reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed, and myocardial specimens were obtained from the left ventricle for determination of myocardial infarct size, cell apoptosis, and ERK1, ERK2 and STAT3 mRNA expression ( real?time PCR), and phosphorylated ERK1∕2 ( p?ERK1∕2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p?STAT3) (using Western blot). Apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. Results Compared with group S, the myocardial infarct size and AI were significantly increased, and the expression of ERK1, ERK2 and STAT3 mRNA, p?ERK1∕2 and p?STAT3 was down?regulated in group I∕R. Compared with group I∕R, the myocardial infarct size and AI were significantly decreased, and the expression of ERK1, ERK2 and STAT3 mRNA, p?ERK1∕2 and p?STAT3 was up?regulated in group D. Compared with group D, the myocardial infarct size and AI were significantly increased in U and S groups, the expression of ERK1, ERK2 and STAT3 mRNA, p?ERK1∕2 and p?STAT3 was down?regulated in group U, and the expression of STAT3 mRNA and p?STAT3 was down?regulated, and no significant change was found in ERK1 and ERK2 mRNA and p?ERK1∕2 expression in group S. Conclusion STAT3 signaling pathway is located downstream of ERK1∕2 signaling pathway in the mechanism by which diazoxide postconditioning reduces myocardial I∕R injury in rats.