Potential stem cell marker CD44 is constitutively expressed in permanent cell lines of head and neck cancer.

Background: Despite significant advances in the use of diagnosis and therapy to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the prognosis has improved only marginally in the last decades. Thus, there is an enormous need for better understanding of tumor biology and reversely novel immunotherapeutic approaches. It is becoming increasingly obvious that stem cells play an important role in tumor development and progression.

Head and neck cancer triggers increased IL-6 production of CD34+ stem cells from human cord blood.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are infiltrated by various kinds of immune cells, which show massively impaired immune functions. The influence of HNSCC on CD34 + progenitor cells from human cord blood was analyzed.

Materials And Methods: CD34+ cells were isolated from human cord blood by 'magnetic bead separation' using magnetically labelled antibodies.

The role of L-arginine following trauma and blood loss.

Purpose Of Review: Vascular endothelial cells control vascular smooth muscle tone via the release of nitric oxide. Following adverse circulatory conditions, namely trauma and hemorrhage, endothelial cell dysfunction occurs, leading to a decrease in the release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, which contributes to further alterations in tissue perfusion and organ function.

Recent Findings: Early administration of L-arginine (the precursor of nitric oxide) and the substrate for nitric oxide synthase in vascular endothelial cells has been found to restore the depressed organ blood flow and to reduce tissue injury following shock.

Physiological levels of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone depress wound immune function and impair wound healing following trauma-hemorrhage.

Hypothesis: Studies indicate that a depressed wound immune function contributes to an increased rate of wound complications and impaired wound healing following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H). Androgen, ie, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, is responsible for producing the depressed systemic cell-mediated immune responses following T-H in males. The aim of the present study was to determine whether depletion of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in males before T-H has any salutary effects on wound immune cell function and wound healing in male mice following T-H.

L-arginine: a unique amino acid for improving depressed wound immune function following hemorrhage.

Objective: To determine whether L-arginine has any salutary effects on wound immune cell function following trauma-hemorrhage.

Background: Depressed wound immune function contributes to an increased incidence of wound infections following hemorrhage. Although administration of L-arginine has been shown to restore depressed cell-mediated immune responses following hemorrhage potentially by maintaining organ blood flow, it remains unknown whether L-arginine has any salutary effects on the depressed local immune response at the wound site.