IGF-1R Promotes Symmetric Self-Renewal and Migration of Alkaline Phosphatase Germ Stem Cells through HIF-2α-OCT4/CXCR4 Loop under Hypoxia.

Hypoxia cooperates with endocrine signaling to maintain the symmetric self-renewal proliferation and migration of embryonic germline stem cells (GSCs). However, the lack of an appropriate in vitro cell model has dramatically hindered the understanding of the mechanism underlying this cooperation. Here, using a serum-free system, we demonstrated that hypoxia significantly induced the GSC mesenchymal transition, increased the expression levels of the pluripotent transcription factor OCT4 and migration-associated proteins (SDF-1, CXCR4, IGF-1, and IGF-1R), and activated the cellular expression and translocalization of the CXCR4-downstream proteins ARP3/pFAK.

Comparison of collagen proportionate areas in liver fibrosis quantification between chronic hepatitis B and C.

Few studies have compared the distinct hepatic collagen morphometrics of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study compared the discrepancies between CHB and CHC in liver fibrosis (F) quantification by using the collagen proportionate area (CPA) and liver stiffness (LS) measured with shear wave velocity (SWV).This study enrolled 274 eligible consecutive patients diagnosed with CHB (n = 137) or CHC (n = 137).

Head-to-Head Comparison between Collagen Proportionate Area and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography in Liver Fibrosis Quantification in Chronic Hepatitis C.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performances of the collagen proportionate area (CPA) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) for liver fibrosis quantification in chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: A total of 137 eligible consecutive Taiwanese patients (74 women and 63 men; age 21-80 years; median age 54 years), with CHC underwent LSM by using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and an immediate percutaneous liver biopsy for METAVIR scoring. Liver tissue sections were stained using picrosirius red.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, human E-cadherin C-160A polymorphism, and childhood asthma.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a risk factor for asthma. Importantly, cigarette smoke can decrease the adherence of epithelial cells and increase detachment. The adhesion molecule E-cadherin (CDH1) has an essential role in the formation of epithelial junction.