The activation of microglia by the complement system in neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are a group of neurological disorders characterized by the progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, leading to cognitive and behavioral impairments. Despite significant research advancements, there is currently no definitive cure for NDDs. With global aging on the rise, the burden of these diseases is becoming increasingly severe, highlighting the urgency of understanding their pathogenesis and developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Isolation of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells with High Yields and Low Damage.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a population of multipotent cells with remarkable regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Wharton's jelly (WJ) from the umbilical cord (UC) has gained increasing interest in the biomedical field as an outstanding source of MSCs. However, challenges such as limited supply and lack of standardization in existing methods have arisen.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition-Like Circulating Tumor Cell-Associated White Blood Cell Clusters as a Prognostic Biomarker in HR-Positive/HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: Although positive Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) status has been validated as a prognostic marker in breast cancer, the interaction between immune cells and CTCs during the progress of Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), and the clinical implications of CTC-associated white blood cell clusters (CTC-WBC clusters) for metastatic breast cancer are largely uncharacterized.

Methods: We optimized a filter-based method combined with an RNA hybridization technique according to the epithelial- and mesenchymal-markers to analyze EMT in CTC-WBC clusters. Serial peripheral blood samples from 135 patients with Hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy with docetaxel plus capecitabine were prospectively collected until disease progression from Nov 2013 to March 2019.

Metabolic classification of circulating tumor cells as a biomarker for metastasis and prognosis in breast cancer.

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been demonstrated as a promising liquid biopsy marker for breast cancer (BC). However, the intra-patient heterogeneity of CTCs remains a challenge to clinical application. We aim at profiling aggressive CTCs subpopulation in BC utilizing the distinctive metabolic reprogramming which is a hallmark of metastatic tumor cells.

Metabolic reprogramming-based characterization of circulating tumor cells in prostate cancer.

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), an advantageous target of liquid biopsy, is an important biomarker for the prognosis and monitoring of cancer. Currently, detection techniques for CTCs are mainly based on the physical and/or epithelial characteristics of tumor cells. However, biofunctional activity markers that can indicate the high metastatic capacity of CTCs are lacking.

Classification of circulating tumor cells by epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers.

In cancer, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with metastasis. Characterizing EMT phenotypes in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been challenging because epithelial marker-based methods have typically been used for the isolation and detection of CTCs from blood samples. The aim of this study was to use the optimized CanPatrol CTC enrichment technique to classify CTCs using EMT markers in different types of cancers.

Associations between ADRB1 and CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms and the response to β-blocker therapy in hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the associations between β1-adrenergic receptor (ADRB1) and cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene polymorphisms and β-blocker treatment outcomes in patients with hypertension.

Methods: Chinese patients with essential hypertension were treated with the β-blocker metoprolol and followed up for 12 weeks. xTAG® liquid-chip technology was used for CYP2D6 100 C > T and ADRB1 1165G > C genotyping.

Enrichment and enumeration of circulating tumor cells by efficient depletion of leukocyte fractions.

Background: Enumeration and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can provide information on patient prognosis and treatment efficacy. However, CTCs are rare, making their isolation a major technological challenge. We developed a technique for enrichment, and subsequent characterization of CTCs based on efficient depletion of human leukocytes.

Comparison of different methods for detecting epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in peripheral blood and tumor tissue of non-small cell lung cancer as a predictor of response to gefitinib.

Background: Previous studies have reported that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in tumor tissue and peripheral blood can predict the response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the heterogeneity of the sample sources makes it difficult to evaluate the detecting methodologies. The goal of this study is to compare different methods for analyzing EGFR mutation in blood and tumor tissue.

Detection of EGFR somatic mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a novel mutant-enriched liquidchip (MEL) technology.

We have developed and standardized a novel technology, mutant-enriched liquidchip (MEL), for clinical detection of EGFR mutations. The MEL integrates a mutant-enriched PCR procedure with liquidchip technology for detections of EGFR exon 19 deletions and L858R mutation on both formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) slides and plasma samples from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The detection sensitivity was 0.

Gene expression significance in personalized medicine of non-small-cell lung cancer and gene expression analyzing platforms.

The association between gene expression and clinical characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are uncovered. These genes are critical elements in carcinoma physiological processes, including DNA synthesis, DNA repair and mitosis. Genes such as ERCC1, RRM1, TYMS, TUBB3 and STMN1 are predictive biomarker candidates for chemotherapy sensitivity in patients with NSCLC.

Tumor gene mutations and messenger RNA expression: correlation with clinical response to icotinib hydrochloride in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Molecular targeted drugs is now widely used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) clinical treatment. Icotinib hydrochloride is a new type of oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). In this study, we examined the role of EGFR, K-RAS, B-RAF somatic mutations and EGFR mRNA expression in tumor specimens from advanced NSCLC patients as predicators of the efficacy of icotinib hydrochloride.

Somatic mutation analysis of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA in 861 patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The prevalence of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA somatic mutations in 861 randomly selected Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was assayed by the SurPlex®-xTAG70plex platform and analyzed. The results showed that the occurrence rates were 41.0, 8.

[Clinical efficacy of immediate implants restoration in anterior zone].

Purpose: To elevate the clinical efficacy of immediate loading in anterior implants.

Methods: Forty eight implants were placed in 33 patients and the implants were immediately loaded to provide support for fixed provisional prosthesis within 3-6 months. Then, metal-ceramic crowns were restored.

A novel liquidchip platform for simultaneous detection of 70 alleles of DNA somatic mutations on EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded slides containing tumor tissue.

Background: DNA somatic mutations of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway play critical roles in the response or resistance of tumors to targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). To provide a high-throughput (HTP) clinical testing service for detecting these mutations, we developed a novel platform, SurPlex®-xTAG70plex-EGFR liquidchip.

Methods: This platform was developed based on a universal 100-tag system.

A novel mutant-enriched liquidchip technology for the qualitative detection of somatic mutations in KRAS gene from both serum and tissue samples.

Background: Somatic mutations in the KRAS gene have been reported to confer drug resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and some monoclonal antibodies. However, current DNA mutation detection technologies are primarily DNA sequencing-based and not high throughput, nor sensitive enough to meet clinical needs.

Methods: A mutant-enriched PCR method was designed by introducing a unique restriction enzyme site to the PCR product.

Oocyte numbers in the mouse increase after treatment with 5-aminoisoquinolinone: a potent inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a posttranslational protein modification carried out by a family of enzymes referred to as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). It has been proposed that the broad nuclear distribution of PARPs may allow them to modulate gene expression in addition to their more accepted role as DNA repair mediators. The role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation during oogenesis and folliculogenesis is unknown.

The expression and distribution of deoxyribonucleic acid repair and apoptosis markers in testicular germ cells of infertile varicocele patients resembles that of old fertile men.

Objective: To explore the expression and distribution of DNA damage repair and apoptosis marker proteins in human testicular germ cells of infertile varicocele patients; and to compare the expression and distribution with that of young and old fertile men.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Academic institutions.

Deoxyribonucleic acid repair and apoptosis in testicular germ cells of aging fertile men: the role of the poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribosyl)ation pathway.

Objective: To explore the relationship between men's age and DNA damage repair proteins related to apoptosis in human testicular germ cells.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Academic institutions.

[Clinical study of maxillary sinus floor elevation with simultaneous placement of implants from the top of alveoli].

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results of maxillary sinus floor elevation technique with bone condensers on implantation.

Methods: 104 patients underwent maxillary sinus floor elevation and 126 implants were inserted and restored. Clinical examination and radiographs were conducted.

Demilune cell and parotid protein from murine oviductal epithelium stimulates preimplantation embryo development.

In mammals, fertilization and early preimplantation embryo development occur in the oviduct. We hypothesized that interaction exists between the developing embryos and the maternal genital tract, such that the embryos modulate the physiology and gene expression of the oviduct so that it is conducive to their development. By comparing the gene expression patterns in mouse oviducts containing transferred preimplantation embryos with those of oviducts containing oocytes, we report here the characterization of demilune cell and parotid protein (Dcpp), which was up-regulated in the embryo-containing oviduct.

Differential growth, cell proliferation, and apoptosis of mouse embryo in various culture media and in coculture.

Sequential culture and coculture are two methods of improving the development of preimplantation embryos in vitro. Direct comparison of the efficiency of these methods is limited. Proliferation and apoptosis determine the total number of blastomere in preimplantation embryo, which is a sensitive parameter for evaluation of the development of embryo in vitro.