RNA fluorescence aptamers are RNA sequences that can specifically bind to non-toxic,cell permeable,and self-fluorescent target molecules and activate their luminescent properties.These aptamers provide powerful tools for biosensing and imaging researches due to their simple structure,easy synthesis,and easy transfection.This article summarized the characteristics and development history of various RNA fluorescent aptamers,including Malachite Green,Spinach,Broccoli,Mango,Corn,and Pepper family,as well as their corresponding fluorescent groups.The applications of RNA fluorescent aptamers were also reviewed from two aspects:extracellular detection and cell imaging.This review might provide guidance for labeling,detection and interactions of molecules from proof of concept and clinical assessment to practical clinical and biomedical applications.

There are increasing number of clinical studies on the use of stem cells in the treatment of liver diseases. Most studies have shown that stem cells can significantly improve liver function and prolong survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and liver failure. However, the current study has high heterogeneity and few mechanistic research data, which cannot answer many key questions about stem cell therapy for liver diseases. This paper reviews the research status of stem cells, in order to clarify the existing problems and challenges, and puts forward some reflections and countermeasures, with hope to promote the clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of liver diseases.
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/therapy* ; Liver Diseases/therapy*

Objective: Autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) derived from bone marrow can promote liver regeneration and improve the liver function of patients, but there are few studies on its effect on the long-term outcomes in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Based on previous work, this study observed the clinical outcomes of PBSC treatment in patients with decompensated cirrhosis for 10 years, in order to provide more data support for the safety and efficacy of stem cells in clinical applications. Methods: Data of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who completed PBSC treatment in the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from August 2005 to February 2012 were included. The follow-up endpoint was death or liver transplantation, and patients who did not reach the follow-up endpoint were followed-up for at least 10 years. The patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who met the conditions for PBSC treatment but did not receive PBSC treatment in our hospital during the same period were used as controls. Results: A total of 287 cases with decompensated liver cirrhosis had completed PBSC treatment, and 90 cases were lost to follow-up within 10 years after surgery. A total of 151 cases with complete survival follow-up data were included in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline information such as gender, age, etiological composition and liver function score between the two groups. The 10-year survival rate was higher in PBSC than control group (37.56% vs. 26.49%, P<0.05). Cholinesterase, albumin, international normalized ratio, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease score, and other indicators were gradually recovered within 3 months to 1 year after PBSC treatment, and stabilized at a more desirable level in the long-term after follow-up for up to 10 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of liver cancer between the two groups (25.22% vs.31.85%, P=0.267). The age of onset of hepatocellular carcinoma was later in PBSC than control group [(56.66±7.21) years vs. (52.69±8.42) years, P<0.05]. Conclusions: This long-term observational follow-up study of more than ten years confirms that PBSC treatment can bring long-term benefits to patients with decompensated cirrhosis, with good long-term safety, thus providing more data support on the safety and efficacy of stem cells for clinical applications.
End Stage Liver Disease ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the pathways and patterns which the CCAAT enhancer binding protein δ (CEBPδ) mRNA, miR-3553 and rno-Acad8_0002 regulate the hepatocytes in G

Objective To explore the pathways and patterns which CCAAT enhancer binding proteina (CEBPα) mRNA, miR-144-3p, rno-LOC100365958_0001, rno-Usp3_0010 and rno-AC241873_0010 regulate the hepatocytes in G

Objective To explore the pathways and patterns which the CCAAT enhancer binding protein ζ (CEBPO mRNA, miR-136-3p, rno-Crebrf_0009, rno-Slc38a9_0001, rno-LOCl00362999_0001 and rno- Got1_0001 regulate the hepatocytes in G

Objective This study aims to investigate the expression profile and regulatory effect on cell proliferation of circular RNA(circRNA) in rat liver regeneration (LR). Methods CircRNA expression profile during rat LR of 114 rats ' regenerating liver which induced by 2/3 partial hepatectomy was detected by high-throughput sequencing. MiRanda and TargetScan were performed to predict their target microRNA (miRNAs) and mRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and IP A were used to analyze the physiological activities and signaling pathways they involved. Cytoscape v3. 0. 2 was used to construct the interaction network. Finally, the candidate key circRNAs were selected by the expression pattern combining with the number and function of target miRNAs. Results 20 878 circRNAs were detected during rat LR, among which 560 of them were differentially expressed, and 126 of them could bind to 117 target miRNAs, which were in turn to regulate 6510 downstream target mRNAs. They were involved in cell proliferation, stress response, substance metabolism and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), protein kinase A (PKA), Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways. 6 differential expressed circRNAs, including circRNA_03651, circRNA_03653, circRNA_04500, circRNA_05865, circRNA_l 1274 and circRNA_ 13559 might play a pivotal role in cell proliferation involved in rat LR by regulating 12 miRNAs and 15 mRNAs. Resultsing they were regarded as the candidate key circRNAs of rat LR. Conclusion 560 circRNAs were differentially expressed in rat LR, among which circRNA_03651, circRNA_03653, circRNA_04500, circRNA_05865, circRNA_l 1274 and circRNA_13559 might play a crucial role on cell proliferation involved in rat LR via 12 miRNAs-15 mRNAs axis.

BACKGROUNDSinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac anomaly, and SVA with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis is even rarer. The aim of the study was to make sure the incidence of SVA with discrete membraneous subaortic stenosis in SVA and their surgical results. We retrospectively analyzed 234 patients receiving surgical repair of SVA and reported the incidence of ventricular septal defect, aortic regurgitation, and discrete membranous subaortic stenosis. We also reported seven cases of SVA combined with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis and their surgical results.

METHODSBetween January 1999 and December 2009, seven patients of SVA with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis underwent surgical repair of SVA and resection of subaortic discrete membrane. There were six male and one female patients. The mean age was (33.71 ± 13.25) years (range 16 - 52 years). Associated cardiovascular lesions were aortic regurgitation (n = 7), ventricular septal defect (n = 5), coarctation of aorta (n = 1), bicuspid aortic valve (n = 1), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 1), and aortic valve stenosis (n = 1). The aortic valve was replaced in four patients and valvuloplasty was done in three. The other co-existing anomalies were corrected at the same time. All the seven patients were followed up from 18 to 125 months (mean (63.14 ± 39.54) months). Among 234 SVA patients who underwent surgical repair, the number of cases with coexisting ventricular septal defect, aortic regurgitation, and discrete membranous subaortic stenosis was 129, 108, and 7, respectively.

RESULTSThere was neither early death after operation nor late death during the follow-up period. All the seven patients were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes I and II. There was no recurrence of discrete subaortic membrane during the follow-up period. The incidence of ventricular septal defect, aortic valve incompetence, and discrete membranous subaortic stenosis among 234 SVA patients was 55.13%, 46.15%, and 2.99%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSurgical repair of SVA with discrete membranous subaortic stenosis showed good mid-term results. Resection of discrete subaortic membrane should be done actively while repairing SVAs. Long-term results need to be followed up.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Discrete Subaortic Stenosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sinus of Valsalva ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDCancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction remains a virulent malignancy with poor prognosis. Rapid progresses were made in chemotherapeutic agents and the development of molecular markers allowed better identification of candidates for targeted therapy. This study aimed to identify the candidate peptides used for anti-angiogenic therapy of esophageal cancer by in vivo screening C7C peptide library for peptides binding specifically to blood vessels of human esophageal cancer.

METHODSThe phage displayed C7C peptide library was injected intravenously into mice bearing human esophageal tumor xenografts under renal capsule. After 5 rounds of screening, 13 clones were picked up individually and sequenced. During each round of screening, titers of phage recovery were calculated from tumor xenograft and control tissues. Homing of these 9 peptides to tumor vessel was detected by calculating phage titers in the tumor xenograft and control tissues (lung and spleen) after each phage was injected into mice model, and compared with the distribution of phage M13 and VIII-related antigen in tumor xenograft by immunohistochemical staining. Comparisons among groups of data were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni multiple comparisons test.

RESULTSThe number of phage recovered from tumor tissue of each round increased gradually in tumor group while decreased in control groups (P < 0.01 in tumor and spleen, P < 0.05 in lung). Immunohistochemical staining showed similar staining pattern with M13 antibody or VIII-related antigen antibody, suggesting that phages displaying the selected peptides could home to blood vessel of human esophageal cancer. According to their DNA, 9 corresponding peptide sequences were deduced. And the homing ability to blood vessel of phages displaying the selected peptides was confirmed by comparing with their recovery in tumor and control tissues. Two motifs, YSXNXW and PXNXXN, were also obtained by analyzing the homology of these peptide sequences. The staining distribution of phage with the sequence of PNPNNST was similar to that of the blood vessel marker factor VIII-related antigen staining. After sequencing, each phage with the selected peptide of PNPNNST with 1.0 × 10(11) pfu/ml was injected intravenously into mice. The homing ability to tumor vessel of these 9 kinds of peptides in the xenograft was higher than control tissues (lung and spleen).

CONCLUSIONNine peptides obtained from in vivo screening homed to the blood vessel of human esophageal cancer, and the two motifs of YSXNXW and PXNXXN are the possible biochemical recognition units binding to vascular endothelial cells of esophageal cancer.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVESTo summarize the experience of surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium and to compare the difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.

METHODSBetween January 2004 and December 2009, 53 patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium underwent surgical repair. There were 35 male and 18 female, aged from 15 to 63 with a mean of (33 ± 9) years. Repair through right atrium had undergone in 40 patients (group I), while transaortic combined with right atrium approach in 13 patients (group II). Surgical results between the two group and group were compared in cardiopulmonary bypass time, clamp aorta time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time and postoperative stay time.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between two groups in cardiopulmonary bypass time [(86 ± 29) min vs. (96 ± 30) min], clamp aorta time [(59 ± 29) min vs. (71 ± 25) min], mechanical ventilation time [(9 ± 4) h vs. (16 ± 23) h], ICU time [(35 ± 23) h vs. (35 ± 23) h], postoperative stay time [(7.1 ± 0.9) d vs. (7.7 ± 2.8) d] (P > 0.05). Follow-up was performed from 1 to 64 months, with a mean of (32 ± 21) months. There was no death during follow up. One needed operation due to severe aortic valve regurgitation. One combined with coronary artery disease used medication. Heart function (NYHF) of the other patients were I and II degree during follow up.

CONCLUSIONSSurgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium shows good result. There is no significant difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aorta ; surgery ; Aortic Rupture ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Atria ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinus of Valsalva ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult