To isolate and culture the pulp cells from human young permanent teeth (pDPC), and to observe their biological characteristics and the expression of some specific markers, and to induce these pulp cells to differentiate into osteoblast, adipocyte, neuron and chondrocyte lineages.

The tumor stem cells (TSC) existing in the tumor plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis though very few in number. It is a special kind of stem cells with highly proliferative and self-regenerative cap ability to maintain its number stable and generate tumor. Therefore, the radical treatment of tumor should focus on TSC. TSC are derived from adult stem cells. According to TCM theory, normal stem cells belong to the category of Shen essence and qi, and patients suffering from malignant tumor always manifest as the syndrome of essence and qi deficiency, so nourishing Shen essence and qi should be of great importance for treatment of tumor.

To search for an effective method for enriching spermatogonial stem cells in mice.

Previous studies suggest that chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 play important roles in embryonic development, stem cell trafficking, and inflammatory reactions. It is a central factor in directing cell movement of many physiologic and pathologic processes. The mechanisms of cancer cell metastasis and white blood cell trafficking are similar. CXCL12-CXCR4 axis exerts important effects in regulating growth, invasion, metastasis, and secretion of malignant cells. Data from animal experiments suggest that CXCR4 may be an important therapeutic target in inhibiting malignant growth and metastatic behavior of tumor cells. This review focused on the role of CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in regulating tumor metastasis and progression, and the molecular mechanisms that are essential to this process.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of glutamate receptors in the damage of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) induced by acute acoustic noise. This investigation included in vivo and in vitro studies. In vivo, kynurenic acid (KYNA), a broad-spectrum antagonist of glutamate receptors, was applied to the round window of guinea pigs, and its protective effect was observed. The animals were divided into three groups: control (saline, 0.9%, 10 microL), saline (0.9%, 10 microL) + noise and KYNA (5 mmol/L, 10 microL) + noise. Saline and KYNA were applied to the round window membrane with a microsyringe. The animals were exposed to 110 dB SPL of white noise for 1 h. Hearing thresholds for auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and compound action potentials (CAPs) in all animals were measured before and after treatment. The amplitudes of III waveform of ABR and N1 waveform of CAP and the latency of N1 waveform at different stimulation levels (intensity-amplitude and intensity-latency functions) were also measured. The cochleas were then dissected for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after final electrophysiological measurement. In vitro, the SGNs of the normal guinea pigs were isolated and glutamate (100 micromol/L or 1 000 micromol/L) was added into the medium. The morphology of the SGNs was examined by light microscopy. In vivo results showed that the hearing function and morphology of the inner ear including hair cells and SGNs in the control group were normal. Compared with that in the control group the thresholds for ABR and CAP (click and tone burst) in saline + noise group were elevated significantly. The input-output functions showed that the amplitudes of III waveform of ABR and N1 waveform of CAP decreased and the latency of N1 waveform increased obviously. There was significant difference in the amplitude and latency between saline + noise group and KYNA + noise group (P<0.05). TEM indicated obvious swelling and vacuoles at the terminate of dendrites of SGNs in NS + noise group. On the contrary, the afferent dendrites in KYNA + noise group showed normal appearance without swelling and vacuoles. In vitro experiment showed that the isolated SGNs of guinea pigs obviously swelled and even died after application of 100 micromol/L or 1 000 micromol/L glutamate. These results suggest that noise exposure causes hearing impairment, damage of hair cells and hair cell/afferent synapse and death of SGNs. The antagonist of glutamate receptors provides protective effects against hearing loss and SGN damage. It is inferred that excessive release of glutamate from the inner hair cells induced by noise may be responsible for these damages. Glutamate receptors are involved in the degeneration and death of SGNs.

To compare the regional specificity in proliferation capacity of neural stem cells derived from hippocampus and epithalamus: study with rats.

To analyze the polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-A, B, and DRB1 genes in Shaanxi province, China.

To investigate the effects of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) on granulocyte colony stimulation factor (G-CSF)-induced hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization in healthy donors of hematopoietic stem cells.

To investigate the role of Notch-1 signaling in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiating into neurons.

To investigate the effect of sirolimus on differentiation, proliferation, adhesion and migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in vitro.

To explore the feasibility of repairing alveolar cleft bone defects with bone marrow stromal cells.

An expression vector expected to induce RNA interference against Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), which expressed a composite hpRNA with the dsRNA stem homologous of BYDV GPV replicase gene and the antisense RNA loop homologous of coat protein gene, was designed without marker gene. The vector was transferred into callus cells from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) immature embryos by particle bombardment. To select the positive transformants as early as possible, a rapid PCR, which does not need extract wheat DNA instead of few leaves, was used at regeneration stage of plantlets. Totally 21 plants proved to contain alien sequence. Antivirus test with high dose infected virus revealed that, 9 plants showed low level of resistance to BVDV, 6 plants showed moderate resistance and 6 plants showed high level of resistance. Interestingly, both low and moderate levels of resistance plants were no symptoms when infected by viruses at low dose. It suggests the dose- dependent effect of the resistance mediated by hpRNA to BYDV-GPV.

To explore the endothelial progenitor cell markers and biological characteristics of human CD133 umbilical cord blood cells( EPC).

To study the cellular phenotype conversion of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cocultured with human sweat gland cells (SGCs) and the contribution of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the process.

Currently, thrombocytopenia is typically observed in patients undergoing hematopioetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), high-dose chemotherapy or irradiation. Severe thrombocytopenia can cause intestinal and intracranial hemorrhage. To transfuse ex vivo-expanded megakaryocytes (MK) into patients can reinforce the ability of platelet formation and shorten the time of platelet recovery. Therefore it is one of the effective approaches to reduce the danger. The purpose of the present study was to explore the differences in MK expansion between CD(34)(+) stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood (CB) and peripheral blood (PB) and to establish the most optimal culture system.

To investigate whether AcSDKP can inhibit proliferation and collagen synthesis in cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts mediated by PDGF.

To study the effect of superparamgnetic iron oxides (ferumoxides) on the survival and proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and determine the optimal ferumoxides concentration for labeling.

To test the effect of autologus marrow stromal cells (MSCs) transplantation combined with application of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the function of ischemic hearts in vivo.

To investigate the anatomical bases for electrical coupling of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived myocardial cells with host cardiac myocytes.