Toward a Reconceptualization of Stem Cells from Cellular Plasticity

The slow progress in clinical applications of stem cells and the bewildering mechanisms involved have puzzled many researchers. Recently, the increasing evidences have indicated that cells have superior plasticity in vivo or in vitro, spontaneously or under extrinsic specific inducers. The concept of stem cells may be challenged, or even replaced by the concept of cell plasticity when cell reprogramming technology is progressing rapidly. The characteristics of stem cells are manifestations of cellular plasticity. Incorrect understanding of the concept of stem cells hinders the clinical application of so-called stem cells. Understanding cellular plasticity is important for understanding and treating disease. The above issues will be discussed in detail to prove the reconceptualization of stem cells from cellular plasticity.

Correlation between Urine HCMV Virus Load and Liver Function Indications among HCMV-Infected Infants / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To quantifying the urine human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)DNA from the HCMV infection infants and its corresponding liver function indications,and investigate the relationship between their concentrations.Methods The u-rine samples were collected from HCMV infection infants.HCMV DNA was measured by fluorescence quantitative polymer-ase chain reaction (FQ-PCR).Serum ALT,AST,ALP,GGT,T-Bil and D-Bil liver function indications were detected and the positive rate was analyzed,simultaneously.The correlation between the logarithm urine HCMV DNA (log HCMV DNA) concentration and ALT,AST,ALP,GGT,T-Bil and D-Bil were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results The dis-tribution range ofurine log HCMV DNA in 444 HCMV infection infants was <2.70~7.90;the positive rate of serum ALT, AST,ALP,GGT,T-Bil and D-Bil were 24.8%,59.0%,95.7%,31.1%,16.7% and 16.3%,respectively.The urine log HC-MV DNA was associated with GGT and the correlation coefficient was 0.099 (P < 0.05),but no associated with ALT, AST,ALP,T-Bil and D-Bil.Conclusion The positive rate of liver function indications will rise in HCMV infection infants, the urine log HCMV DNA was associated with GGT,but not associated with other liver function indications.

Difference of serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D concentration level in common autoimmune diseases / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D in the common autoimmune diseases and whether the differences of the 25-hydroxyl vitamin D level exist in different autoimmune diseases.Methods 137 cases of autoim-mune diseases,including 71 cases of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),36 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),16 cases of Sjogren syndrome(SS)and 14 cases of ankylosing spondylitis(AS),in our hospital from January 2012 to April 2013 were selected as the re-spondents.The serum samples were collected for detecting the 25-hydroxyl vitamin D level by the electrochemiluminescence method and comparing the differences of the 25-hydroxyl vitamin D level among different autoimmune diseases.At the same time whether the differences in the proportion of the normal level,insufficiency and lack of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D exist among different kinds of disease.Results The serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D concentration had statistically significant difference among the patients with dif-ferent autoimmune diseases(P =0.006),which in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the other groups;the propor-tion of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D insufficiency in RA,SLE,SS and AS were 29.6%,52.8%,62.5% and 57.1% respectively,which in the SLE,SS and AS groups was significantly higher than that in the RA group(P <0.05).Conclusion The 25-hydroxyl vitamin)D insufficiency is general in common autoimmune diseases,the vitamin D supplements needs to be strengthened.