Research Progress in the Regulation of Tumor Cells and Tumor Stem Cells at Multiple Targets by Antrodia camphorata

Extensive in vitro and in vivo research reveals multiple intracellular molecular targets of Antrodia camphorata,and these targets affect growth,apoptosis,angiogenesis,invasion and metastasis of cells.These targets include tumor suppressor,cell cycle regulator,transcription factor,angiogenesis and metastasis factor,apoptosis and survival regulator,etc.Additionally,more and more attention has been paid to the molecular mechanism of A.camphorata on the regulation of tumor stem cells.Meanwhile,there is evidence that the immunoregulation of A.camphorata is enhanced,which may lead cell cycle arrest or apoptosis.In this paper,molecular mechanism of tumor cells and tumor stem cells regulated at multiple targets by A.camphorata in vitro and in vivo in the past decade is summarized.

Automatic extraction method of force chain information and its application in the flow photoelastic experiment of granular matter

The force chain is the core of the multi-scale analysis of granular matter.Accurately extracting the force chain information among particles is of great significance to the study of particle mechanics and geological hazards caused by particle flow.However,in the photoelastic experiment,the precise identification of the branching points of force chains has not been effectively realized.Therefore,this study proposes an automatic extraction method of force chain key information.First,based on the Hough transform and the Euclidean distance,a particle geometric information identification model is established and geometric information such as particle circle center coordinates,radius,contact point location,and contact angle is extracted.Then,a particle contact force information identification model is established following the color gradient mean square method.The model realizes the rapid calibration and extraction of a large number of particle media contact force information.Next,combined with the force chain composition criterion and its quasilinear feature,an automatic extraction method of force chain information is established,which solves the problem of the accurate identification of the force chain branch points.Finally,in the photoelastic experiment of ore drawing from a single drawpoint,the automatic extraction method of force chain information is verified.The results show that the macroscopic distribution of force chains during ore drawing from a single drawpoint is left–right symmetrical.Strong force chains are mostly located on the two sides of the model but in small numbers and they mainly develop vertically.Additionally,the ends are mostly in a combination of Y and inverted Y shapes,while the middle is mostly quasilinear.Weak force chains are abundant and mostly distributed in the middle of the model,and develop in different directions.The proposed extraction method accurately extracts the force chain network from the photoelastic experiment images and dynamically characterizes the force chains of granular matter,which has significant advantages in particle geometry information extraction,force chain branch point discrimination,force chain retrieval,and force chain distribution and its azimuthal characterization.The results provide a scientific basis for studying the macroscopic and microscopic mechanical parameters of granular matter.

Development of stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease(PD)is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders of aging,characterized by the degeneration of dopamine neurons(DA neurons)in the substantial nigra,leading to the advent of both motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.Current treatments include electrical stimulation of the affected brain areas and dopamine replacement therapy.Even though both categories are effective in treating PD patients,the disease progression cannot be stopped.The research advance into cell therapies provides exciting potential for the treatment of PD.Current cell sources include neural stem cells(NSCs)from fetal brain tissues,human embryonic stem cells(hESCs),induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)and directly induced dopamine neurons(iDA neurons).Here,we evaluate the research progress in different cell sources with a focus on using iPSCs as a valuable source and propose key challenges for developing cells suitable for large-scale clinical applications in the treatment of PD.