3D chromatin architecture and epigenetic regulation in cancer stem cells

Dedifferentiation of cell identity to a progenitor-like or stem cell-like state with increased cellular plasticity is frequently observed in cancer formation. During this process, a subpopulation of cells in tumours acquires a stem cell-like state partially resembling to naturally occurring pluripotent stem cells that are temporarily present during early embryogenesis. Such characteristics allow these cancer stem cells (CSCs) to give rise to the whole tumour with its entire cellular heterogeneity and thereby support metastases formation while being resistant to current cancer therapeutics. Cancer development and progression are demarcated by transcriptional dysregulation. In this article, we explore the epigenetic mechanisms shaping gene expression during tumorigenesis and cancer stem cell formation, with an emphasis on 3D chromatin architecture. Comparing the pluripotent stem cell state and epigenetic reprogramming to dedifferentiation in cellular transformation provides intriguing insight to chromatin dynamics. We suggest that the 3D chromatin architecture could be used as a target for re-sensitizing cancer stem cells to therapeutics.

Resveratrol promotes the survival and neuronal differentiation of hypoxia-conditioned neuronal progenitor cells in rats with cerebral ischemia / 医学前沿

Hypoxia conditioning could increase the survival of transplanted neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) in rats with cerebral ischemia but could also hinder neuronal differentiation partly by suppressing mitochondrial metabolism. In this work, the mitochondrial metabolism of hypoxia-conditioned NPCs (hcNPCs) was upregulated via the additional administration of resveratrol, an herbal compound, to resolve the limitation of hypoxia conditioning on neuronal differentiation. Resveratrol was first applied during the in vitro neuronal differentiation of hcNPCs and concurrently promoted the differentiation, synaptogenesis, and functional development of neurons derived from hcNPCs and restored the mitochondrial metabolism. Furthermore, this herbal compound was used as an adjuvant during hcNPC transplantation in a photothrombotic stroke rat model. Resveratrol promoted neuronal differentiation and increased the long-term survival of transplanted hcNPCs. 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and rotarod test showed that resveratrol and hcNPC transplantation synergistically improved the neurological and metabolic recovery of stroke rats. In conclusion, resveratrol promoted the neuronal differentiation and therapeutic efficiency of hcNPCs in stroke rats via restoring mitochondrial metabolism. This work suggested a novel approach to promote the clinical translation of NPC transplantation therapy.

Comparison of uniaxial and polyaxial locking plate fixation for Sanders types Ⅳintra-articular calcaneal fractures / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of uniaxial and polyaxial locking plates used in the treatment of Sanders types Ⅳ intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Methods A retrospective comparative study was performed on the 72 patients with Sanders types Ⅳintra-articular calcaneal fractures who had been treated by uniaxial locking plates (A group, 38 cases) or polyaxial locking plates (B group, 34 cases) between January 2012 and December 2016. Operation time, intraoperative bleeding, union time, radiological and functional outcomes and functions by the Maryland foot score were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, or union time (P>0.05). The patients in A group were followed up for (23.2 ± 5.4) months, and those in B group were followed up for (22.5 ± 4.9) months. All the patients obtained bony union. B group displayed significantly better Bohler angles [(31.6 ± 4.5)° vs. (27.6 ± 6.1)°, (30.7 ± 4.2)° vs.(27.0 ± 5.4)°] and Gissane angles [(109.2 ± 10.8)° vs. (96.8 ± 9.5)°, (107.3 ± 10.1)° vs. (95.4 ± 10.2)°] at 3 and 12 months after operation , compared with A group (P<0.05). Evaluated by the Maryland foot score, the excellent and good rate for the B group was 91.2％(31/34) , which was insignificantly higher than that for the A group (84.2％, 32/38) (P > 0.05). Conclusions Both uniaxial locking and polyaxial locking plates can lead to satisfactory therapeutic outcomes for Sanders types Ⅳ intra-articular calcaneal fractures, but polyaxial locking plates may be superior in stability and functional recovery.

Some Suggestions on How to Construct the Counselor Group / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Based on the development of counselor system history and in comparison with the development of American student affairs,the article gives some suggestions on how to construct the counselor group.

CD14 receptor gene polymorphisms in patients with severe chronic periodontitis / 实用口腔医学杂志

0.05).However, the frequency of the allele of g(-1359)t polymorphisms was higher in patients than that in the controls(P

A clinical investigation on factors influencing the prognosis of primary liver cancer patients after hepatectomy / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To explore factors influencing the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after hepatectomy. Methods From May 1994 to January 1998, 189 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC were enrolled for reviewing their clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis. Twenty-two parameters contributing to long-term survival rate (SR) and disease-free SR were analysed. Results The 3,5-year cumulative SR of the whole group was 63%,45%, respectively. The 3,5-year SR and disease-free SR in the curative resection (CR) group ( n =162) were 67%,47% and 45%,26% respectively. Results showed that the way by which a tumor was found, tumor size, portal tumor thrombi, satellite nodule, TNM stage, cirrhosis type, recurrent and treatment, blood transfusion, differentiation grade,and CR were risk factors by individual variable analysis( P =0.0000～0.0034); A multivariable analysis showed that CR, tumor size, tumor finding mode and reoperation were significant factors associating with prognosis( P =0.0000～0.0024). Blood transfusion and type of cirrhosis were closely correlated with tumor-free survival ( P =0.0001). Conclusions Curative resection, tumor size, reoperation for recurrence were important factors for recurrence by multivariate analysis. The severity of concomittant liver cirrhosis and perioperative blood transfusion were closely correlated with postoperative tumor free survival.

Three photographic techniques in diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism in uremia patients / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To investigate the sensitivities and specificities of high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography, thin layer CT enhancing scan and 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy in diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT)in uremia patients.Methods: High-frequency color doppler ultrasonography, thin layer CT enhancing scan and 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy were performed in 35 uric patients to detect the hyperplastic parathyroid glands. Then biopsies with thin needles were conducted with B ultrasound instruction in hyperplastic glands to determine the sensitivities and specificities of the above techniques and free combination of each 2 of them in diagnosis of SHPT. Results: The sensitivities /specificities of high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography, thin layer CT enhancing scan and 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy were 73%/95%, 75%/93% and 89%/98%, respectively; the sensitivity/specificity of 4 combinations: high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography plus CT, high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography plus 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy, CT plus 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy,and high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography plus CT plus 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy were 84%/90%, 93%/93%, 95%/93%, and 100%/90%, respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity of 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy SHPT is higher than that of high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography and CT, but the specificity is not significantly different 3 photographic techniques. However, combination of high-frequency color doppler ultrasonography and 99m Tc-MIBI biphasic scintigraphy is simple and sensitive and can be regarded as the first choice for diagnosis of SHPT in uremia patients.