Current patterns of plant diversity and phylogenetic structure on the Kunlun Mountains.

Large-scale patterns of biodiversity and the underlying mechanisms that regulate these patterns are central topics in biogeography and macroecology. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau serves as a natural laboratory for studying these issues. However, most previous studies have focused on the entire Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, leaving independent physical geographic subunits in the region less well understood.

Efficient generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from mouse liver progenitor cells via indirect co-culture with immortalized human hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Differentiation of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) to functional hepatocytes holds great potential to develop new strategies for hepatocyte transplantation and the screening of drug-induced cytotoxicity. However, reports on the efficient and convenient hepatic differentiation of LPCs to hepatocytes are few. The present study aims to investigate the possibility of generating functional hepatocytes from LPCs in an indirect co-culture system.

Establishment and characterization of an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line for applications in co-culturing with immortalized human hepatocytes.

Background And Objective: The liver-specific functions of hepatocytes are improved by co-culturing hepatocytes with primary hepatic stellate cells (HSC). However, primary HSC have a short lifespan in vitro, which is considered a major limitation for their use in various applications. This study aimed to establish immortalized human HSC using the simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40LT) for applications in co-culturing with hepatocytes and HSC in vitro.

Evaluation of a novel choanoid fluidized bed bioreactor for future bioartificial livers.

Aim: To construct and evaluate the functionality of a choanoid-fluidized bed bioreactor (CFBB) based on microencapsulated immortalized human hepatocytes.

Methods: Encapsulated hepatocytes were placed in the constructed CFBB and circulated through Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) for 12 h, and then through exchanged plasma for 6 h, and compared with encapsulated cells cultivated under static conditions in a spinner flask. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and albumin were used to evaluate the CFBB during media circulation, whereas levels of ALT, total bilirubin (TBil), and albumin were used to evaluate it during plasma circulation.

Effects of plasma exchange combined with continuous renal replacement therapy on acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Background: Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) in the third trimester or early postpartum period can lead to fatal liver damage. Its traditional therapy is not very effective in facilitating hepatic recovery. The safety and effect of plasma exchange (PE) in combination with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (PE+CRRT) for AFLP still needs evaluation.

Establishment and characterization of immortalized human hepatocyte cell line for applications in bioartificial livers.

An immortalized human hepatocyte cell line, HepLi5, was established via transfection of Simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40 LT) into primary human hepatocytes. The morphologic and functional characteristics of HepLi5 cells were evaluated. The expression of SV40 LT in HepLi5 cells was detected by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting.

Antiviral therapy and outcomes of patients with pneumonia caused by influenza A pandemic (H1N1) virus.

Background: There is limited data on the clinical outcome of patients with pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) pneumonia who received oseltamivir treatment, especially when the treatment was administered more than 48 hours after symptom onset.

Methods: During the pandemic in 2009, a cohort of pH1N1 influenza pneumonia was built in China, and their clinical information was collected systematically, and analyzed with Cox models.

Results: 920 adults and 541 children with pneumonia who didn't receive corticosteroids were analyzed.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in HIV-infected patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) share similar routes of transmission by sexual intercourse or drug use by parenteral injection, so coinfection is common. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of coinfection with either HCV or HBV in patients infected with HIV.

Data Sources: A meta-analysis was performed to quantify HBV coinfection with HCV in HIV patients.

Effects of plasma from patients with acute on chronic liver failure on function of cytochrome P450 in immortalized human hepatocytes.

Background: The bioartificial liver is anticipated to be a promising alternative choice for patients with liver failure. Toxic substances which accumulate in the patients' plasma exert deleterious effects on hepatocytes in the bioreactor, and potentially reduce the efficacy of bioartificial liver devices. This study was designed to investigate the effects of plasma from patients with acute on chronic liver failure (AoCLF) on immortalized human hepatocytes in terms of cytochrome P450 gene expression, drug metabolism activity and detoxification capability.

Prognostic models for acute liver failure.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) remains a dramatic and unpredictable disease with high morbidity and mortality. Early and accurate prognostic assessment of patients with ALF is critically important for optimum clinical pathway.

Data Sources: Five English-language medical databases, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, OVID, Springer Link and Wiley Interscience were searched for articles on "acute liver failure", "prognosis", and related topics.

[Effects of Gardenia-aweto compound by different extraction method on antagonizing acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To study the effect of Gardenia-Aweto compound (GAC) and two component on preventing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by the rabbit model of ARDS induced by intravenous injection of oleic acid. To detect the efficiency component of GAC in preventing ARDS.

Method: GAC was divided into two compounts, ethanol-soluble components (ESC) and ethanol-deposition components (EDC), based on polarity.