AIM To investigate the significance of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in predicting severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS We recruited 71 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and excluded 11 of them; finally,...AIM To investigate the significance of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in predicting severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS We recruited 71 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and excluded 11 of them; finally, cases of mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) (n = 30) and SAP (n = 30), and healthy volunteers (n = 20) were internalized to investigate levels of EPCs, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), fibrinogen (FIB) and white blood cells (WBC) in peripheral blood. RESULTS The levels of TNF-alpha, WBC, FIB and CRP were higher both in SAP and MAP cases than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.05, all). Interestingly, the level of EPCs was higher in SAP than MAP (1.63% +/- 1.47% vs 6.61% +/- 4.28%, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the MAP cases and healthy volunteers (1.63% +/- 1.47% vs 0.55% +/- 0.54%, P > 0.05). Receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) showed that EPCs, TNF-alpha, CRP and FIB were significantly associated with SAP, especially EPCs and CRP were optimal predictive markers of SAP. When the cut-off point for EPCs and CRP were 2.26% and 5.94 mg/dL, the sensitivities were 90.0% and 73.3%, and the specificities were 83.3% and 96.7%. Although, CRP had the highest specificity, and EPCs had the highest sensitivity and highest area under the curve value (0.93). CONCLUSION Data suggest that EPCs may be a new biological marker in predicting SAP.展开更多
To determine the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), HBx in regulating hepatic progenitor cell (HPC)-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODSWe used a retr...To determine the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), HBx in regulating hepatic progenitor cell (HPC)-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODSWe used a retrovirus vector to introduce wild type HBx or empty vector into HepG2 cells. We then used these cells to analyze cell proliferation, senescence, transformation, and stem-like features. Gene expression profiling was carried out on Affymetrix GeneChip Human U133A2.0 ver.2 arrays according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis and Class Comparison analysis were performed by BRB-Array Tools software Version 4.2.2. A total of 238 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC patients’ array data were used for analyzing clinical features.RESULTSThe histone demethylase KDM5B was significantly highly expressed in HBV-related HCC cases (P < 0.01). In HBV proteins, only HBx up-regulated KDM5B by activating c-myc. Hepatic stem cell (HpSC) markers (EpCAM, AFP, PROM1, and NANOG) were significantly highly expressed in KDM5B-high HCC cases (P < 0.01). KDM5B played an important role in maintaining HpSC-like features and was associated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, inhibition of KDM5B suppressed spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro.CONCLUSIONHBx activates the histone demethylase KDM5B and induces HPC-like features in HCC. Histone demethylases KDM5B may be an important therapeutic target against HBV-related HCC cases.展开更多
In anticipation of the massive burden of neurodegenerative disease within super-aged societies, great efforts have been made to utilize neural stem and progenitor cells for regenerative medicine. The capacity of intri...In anticipation of the massive burden of neurodegenerative disease within super-aged societies, great efforts have been made to utilize neural stem and progenitor cells for regenerative medicine. The capacity of intrinsic neural stem and progenitor cells to regenerate damaged brain tissue remains unclear, due in part to the lack of knowledge about how these newly born neurons integrate into functional circuitry. As sizable integration of adult-born neurons naturally occurs in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus, clarifying the mechanisms of this process could provide insights for applying neural stem and progenitor cells in clinical settings. There is convincing evidence of functional correlations between adult-born neurons and memory consolidation and sleep; therefore, we describe some new advances that were left untouched in our recent review.展开更多
Based on my teaching and working experience in Europe, I have made a comparison between the Chinese and European patients in acupuncture treatment, and hope it is of some significance in acupuncture clinical practice.
The custom of amusing the parents-in-law is one of the most important amusement contents of the civil marriage ceremony in the Chinese North Han, Hui, Dongxiang, Salar, Baoan and other several nationalities, and curre...The custom of amusing the parents-in-law is one of the most important amusement contents of the civil marriage ceremony in the Chinese North Han, Hui, Dongxiang, Salar, Baoan and other several nationalities, and currently it has fully been entertained in the minds of the people. Behind this ＂entertaining ceremony＂ of the festive colors hide the serious social expectations of our ancestors -- scrupulously abide by the filial piety and the sense of propriety, justice, honesty and honor. Through the dramatic performance methods in the wedding that ＂there is no degree of seniority for three days＂, ＂humiliate the parents-in-law＂ and ＂the father-in-law shoulders on back the danghter-in-law＂ and so on, they stress that these acts are the ＂sacrilege＂ that cannot be violated in the normal state of the society. The ways and means of ＂metaphor＂ in the ceremony of the ancestors are the means that many of the human groups adopt in the life etiquette and other ＂transition＂ etiquettes. In this regard, the anthropologist Victor Turner summarizes it as ＂liminality＂, and based on this theory, the author conducts an interpretive study of the metaphor behind the custom of amusing the parents-in-law.展开更多
： During Pre-Qin period, the pattern of low furniture is closely related to the narrow and low room and the living custom of sit on mat. As the component of ritual implement, according to aristocratic rank and differ...： During Pre-Qin period, the pattern of low furniture is closely related to the narrow and low room and the living custom of sit on mat. As the component of ritual implement, according to aristocratic rank and different ritual situation, the quantity and the standard etc. The early Chinese characters (oracle bones and inscriptions on bronze) and the designs of bronze have preserved a lot of the forms, the scenes and the progresses about the furniture furnishing.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30772577 and No.81060015the Gansu Province Science Foundation for Young Scholars,No.145RJYA320
文摘AIM To investigate the significance of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in predicting severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS We recruited 71 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and excluded 11 of them; finally, cases of mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) (n = 30) and SAP (n = 30), and healthy volunteers (n = 20) were internalized to investigate levels of EPCs, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), fibrinogen (FIB) and white blood cells (WBC) in peripheral blood. RESULTS The levels of TNF-alpha, WBC, FIB and CRP were higher both in SAP and MAP cases than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.05, all). Interestingly, the level of EPCs was higher in SAP than MAP (1.63% +/- 1.47% vs 6.61% +/- 4.28%, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the MAP cases and healthy volunteers (1.63% +/- 1.47% vs 0.55% +/- 0.54%, P > 0.05). Receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) showed that EPCs, TNF-alpha, CRP and FIB were significantly associated with SAP, especially EPCs and CRP were optimal predictive markers of SAP. When the cut-off point for EPCs and CRP were 2.26% and 5.94 mg/dL, the sensitivities were 90.0% and 73.3%, and the specificities were 83.3% and 96.7%. Although, CRP had the highest specificity, and EPCs had the highest sensitivity and highest area under the curve value (0.93). CONCLUSION Data suggest that EPCs may be a new biological marker in predicting SAP.
基金Supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(KAKENHI)(C),No.15K08992(to Oishi N)Core-to-Core Program,B.Asia-Africa Science Platforms,the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(to Kaneko S)
文摘To determine the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), HBx in regulating hepatic progenitor cell (HPC)-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODSWe used a retrovirus vector to introduce wild type HBx or empty vector into HepG2 cells. We then used these cells to analyze cell proliferation, senescence, transformation, and stem-like features. Gene expression profiling was carried out on Affymetrix GeneChip Human U133A2.0 ver.2 arrays according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis and Class Comparison analysis were performed by BRB-Array Tools software Version 4.2.2. A total of 238 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC patients’ array data were used for analyzing clinical features.RESULTSThe histone demethylase KDM5B was significantly highly expressed in HBV-related HCC cases (P < 0.01). In HBV proteins, only HBx up-regulated KDM5B by activating c-myc. Hepatic stem cell (HpSC) markers (EpCAM, AFP, PROM1, and NANOG) were significantly highly expressed in KDM5B-high HCC cases (P < 0.01). KDM5B played an important role in maintaining HpSC-like features and was associated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, inhibition of KDM5B suppressed spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro.CONCLUSIONHBx activates the histone demethylase KDM5B and induces HPC-like features in HCC. Histone demethylases KDM5B may be an important therapeutic target against HBV-related HCC cases.
基金partially supported by the MEXT World Premier International Research Center Initiative,CREST JST,MEXT KAKENHI for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas "Microendophenotype"(25116530)and "Memory Dynamism"(26115502)JSPS KAKENHI Grants(16K18359,15F15408)+12 种基金Research Foundation for Opto-Science and TechnologyKato Memorial Bioscience FoundationJapan Foundation for Applied EnzymologyUehara Memorial Foundation2016 Inamori Research Grants ProgramIchiro Kanehara Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Sciences and Medical CareLife Science Foundation of JapanKowa Life Science Foundation Research GrantGSK Japan Research GrantKANAE Foundation for the Promotion of Medical ScienceShimadzu Foundation for the Promotion of Science and TechnologyTakeda Science Foundation to MSThe Tokyo Biochemical Research Foundation to SS
文摘In anticipation of the massive burden of neurodegenerative disease within super-aged societies, great efforts have been made to utilize neural stem and progenitor cells for regenerative medicine. The capacity of intrinsic neural stem and progenitor cells to regenerate damaged brain tissue remains unclear, due in part to the lack of knowledge about how these newly born neurons integrate into functional circuitry. As sizable integration of adult-born neurons naturally occurs in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus, clarifying the mechanisms of this process could provide insights for applying neural stem and progenitor cells in clinical settings. There is convincing evidence of functional correlations between adult-born neurons and memory consolidation and sleep; therefore, we describe some new advances that were left untouched in our recent review.
文摘Based on my teaching and working experience in Europe, I have made a comparison between the Chinese and European patients in acupuncture treatment, and hope it is of some significance in acupuncture clinical practice.
文摘The custom of amusing the parents-in-law is one of the most important amusement contents of the civil marriage ceremony in the Chinese North Han, Hui, Dongxiang, Salar, Baoan and other several nationalities, and currently it has fully been entertained in the minds of the people. Behind this ＂entertaining ceremony＂ of the festive colors hide the serious social expectations of our ancestors -- scrupulously abide by the filial piety and the sense of propriety, justice, honesty and honor. Through the dramatic performance methods in the wedding that ＂there is no degree of seniority for three days＂, ＂humiliate the parents-in-law＂ and ＂the father-in-law shoulders on back the danghter-in-law＂ and so on, they stress that these acts are the ＂sacrilege＂ that cannot be violated in the normal state of the society. The ways and means of ＂metaphor＂ in the ceremony of the ancestors are the means that many of the human groups adopt in the life etiquette and other ＂transition＂ etiquettes. In this regard, the anthropologist Victor Turner summarizes it as ＂liminality＂, and based on this theory, the author conducts an interpretive study of the metaphor behind the custom of amusing the parents-in-law.
文摘： During Pre-Qin period, the pattern of low furniture is closely related to the narrow and low room and the living custom of sit on mat. As the component of ritual implement, according to aristocratic rank and different ritual situation, the quantity and the standard etc. The early Chinese characters (oracle bones and inscriptions on bronze) and the designs of bronze have preserved a lot of the forms, the scenes and the progresses about the furniture furnishing.
