RESUMO Porcos tibetanos são caracterizados por diferenças fenotípicas significativas em relação aos porcos de planície. Nosso estudo anterior demonstrou que os genes CRYAB e CTGF eram expressos diferentemente nos tecidos do coração entre os porcos tibetanos (raça das terras altas) e Yorkshire (raça das terras baixas), indicando que eles poderiam participar da adaptação à hipoxia. CRYAB (ɑB-crystallin) e CTGF (fator de crescimento do tecido conjuntivo) também foram relatados como estando associados ao desenvolvimento pulmonar. Entretanto, os padrões de expressão do CRYAB e CTGF nos tecidos pulmonares em diferentes altitudes e sua caracterização genética não são bem compreendidos. Neste estudo, o qRT-PCR e a mancha ocidental de tecido pulmonar revelou níveis de expressão de CRYAB mais elevados em porcos tibetanos e Yorkshire de altitude e média altitude do que em seus pares de planície. Com um aumento na altitude, o nível de expressão do CTGF aumentou nos porcos tibetanos, enquanto diminuiu nos porcos Yorkshire. Além disso, foram identificados dois novos polimorfismos de um único nucleotídeo na região flanqueadora de CRYAB (g.39644482C>T e g.39644132T>C) e CTGF (g.31671748A>G e g.31671773T>G). O polimorfismo pode contribuir parcialmente com as diferenças nos níveis de expressão entre grupos a uma mesma altitude. Estas descobertas proporcionam novos conhecimentos sobre as adaptações de hipoxia a alta altitude dos porcos tibetanos.

ABSTRACT Tibetan pigs are characterized by significant phenotypic differences relative to lowland pigs. Our previous study demonstrated that the genes CRYAB and CTGF were differentially expressed in heart tissues between Tibetan (highland breed) and Yorkshire (lowland breed) pigs, indicating that they might participate in hypoxia adaptation. CRYAB (ɑB-crystallin) and CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) have also been reported to be associated with lung development. However, the expression patterns of CRYAB and CTGF in lung tissues at different altitudes and their genetic characterization are not well understood. In this study, qRT-PCR and western blot of lung tissue revealed higher CRYAB expression levels in highland and middle-highland Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs than in their lowland counterparts. With an increase in altitude, the expression level of CTGF increased in Tibetan pigs, whereas it decreased in Yorkshire pigs. Furthermore, two novel single-nucleotide polymorphism were identified in the 5′ flanking region of CRYAB (g.39644482C>T and g.39644132T>C) and CTGF (g.31671748A>G and g.31671773T>G). The polymorphism may partially contribute to the differences in expression levels between groups at the same altitude. These findings provide novel insights into the high-altitude hypoxia adaptations of Tibetan pigs.

Resumo Este estudo foi realizado no laboratório do Instituto de Tecnologia de Shangqiu, Henan, para investigar o efeito de diferentes combinações de sal inorgânico na qualidade e características fisiológicas de flores cortadas do Cravo Perpétuo. Além disso, para descobrir a melhor solução de preservação de sal inorgânico que pode aumentar o valor ornamental das flores cortadas de Cravo e prolongar a vida do vaso. Sucrose, 8-hidroxiquinolina, paclobutrazol, ácido salicílico e diferentes tipos de sais inorgânicos foram adicionados como uma solução de preservação. E a mesma quantidade de água destilada foi usada como controle. Os efeitos destes vários sais inorgânicos sobre as características morfológicas incluindo a vida dos vasos, alterações nos caules, peso fresco e balanço hídrico e as características fisiológicas incluindo conteúdo de malondialdeído (MDA), permeabilidade da membrana celular e conteúdo de prolina de cravo foram investigados. As flores de corte colocadas em solução de vaso com sais inorgânicos apresentaram mudanças significativas em sua morfologia e características fisiológicas em relação ao controle. As alterações no diâmetro das flores, no peso fresco, no malondialdeído e na permeabilidade da membrana celular mostraram uma tendência crescente primeiro e depois decrescendo. O valor do balanço hídrico foi observado com tendência de queda. No entanto, a vida útil do vaso, o diâmetro da flor, o conteúdo de malondialdeído, o conteúdo de prolina e o peso fresco de flores cortadas mantidos na solução preservativa contendo sais inorgânicos foram aumentados em relação ao controle. A solução conservante fresca continha sacarose 3% + 8-hidroxiquinolina (8-HQ) (200 mg·L‾1) + paclobutrazol (100 mg·L‾1) + ácido salicílico (SA) (25 mg·L‾1) + CaCl2 (100 mg·L‾1) tem o melhor efeito na longevidade (34 dias), peso fresco e diâmetro de flor de flores cortadas de cravo. Esta solução melhorou as características ornamentais e fisiológicas das flores frescas de cravo.

Abstract This study was carried out in the laboratory of Shangqiu Institute of Technology, Henan to investigate the effect of a different combination of inorganic salt on the quality and physiological characteristics of cut flowers (CFs) of Perpetual Carnation. Furthermore, to find out the best preservation solution of inorganic salt that can enhance the ornamental value of CFs of Carnation and prolong its vase life. Sucrose, 8-hydroxyquinoline, paclobutrazol, salicylic acid and different kinds of inorganic salts were added as a preservation solution. And the same amount of distilled water was used as control. The effects of these various inorganic salts on the morphological characteristics including vase life, changes in flower stems, fresh weight (FW) and water balance and the physiological characteristics including contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), cell membrane permeability and the contents of proline of carnation were investigated. The CFs placed in vase solution with inorganic salts showed significant changes in its morphology and physiological characteristics as compared to control. The changes in flower diameter (FD), FW, malondialdehyde and cell membrane permeability showed an increasing trend first and then decreasing. The value of water balance was observed with a downward trend. However, the vase life, FD, the contents of malondialdehyde, contents of proline and FW of CFs held in the preservative solution containing inorganic salts were increased than that of control. The fresh preservative solution contained sucrose 3% + 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) (200 mg·L‾1) + paclobutrazol (100 mg·L‾1) + salicylic acid (SA) (25 mg·L‾1) + CaCl2 (100 mg·L‾1) has the best effect on longevity (34 days), FW and FD of carnation CFs. This solution has improved the ornamental and physiological characteristics of fresh carnation CFs.

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and virus prevalence of the H9 subtype of avian influenza virus in non-vaccinated broiler farms of dense poultry-populated districts, Lahore and Sheikhupura of Punjab-Pakistan. A convenient sampling method was adopted for collection of blood (n=500) and oropharyngeal swab (n=500) samples from 25 broiler farms of each district for hemagglutination inhibition assay and RT-PCR test, respectively. Proportional estimates were calculated using R software and overall seroprevalence of H9 was estimated at 36.3% (95% CI 33.3-39), with no significant difference (p>0.05) between Lahore (37.2 %, 95% CI=31.2-39.59) and Sheikhupura (35.4%, 95% CI= 29.64-39.76). RT-PCR identified 2% (4/200) pool level viral prevalence. None of the farms from Lahore districts were RT-PCR positive for H9. Simple logistic regression followed by multivariable analysis, identified the presence of foot bath/dipping area at the entrance (OR=0.7, 95% CI=0.52-0.93) and availability of rubber shoes for visitors (OR=0.36, 95% CI 0.26-0.48) as protective factors. History of respiratory signs (OR=1.51, 95%=CI 1.12-2.04), history of sudden death in past flocks (OR=3.26, 95% CI=2.41-4.41), and birds previously infected with avian influenza virus (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1-1.76) were significant risk factors. Negligence in preventive measures at farms level was associated with the spread of H9 infection between the farms. To control future outbreaks, biosecurity and continuous monitoring of non-vaccinated flocks are suggested.

Resumo Ginkgo biloba é um fitoterápico tradicional da medicina chinesa que contém vários componentes que contribuem para suas notáveis bioatividades. Variações sazonais, meteorológicos e de plantio do solo sobre os teores fitoquímicos em folhas de G. biloba, devido aos efeitos do crescimento meteorológico e parâmetros do solo, foram investigadas neste estudo. As folhas de G. biloba foram coletadas em diferentes meses e na província de Zhejiang, os teores de flavonas (quercetina, kaempferol e isorhamnetina) e lactonas terpênicas (bilobalida, ginkgolídeos A, B e C) foram quantificados por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE) e pelo método do detector de dispersão da luz por evaporação. Os métodos estabelecidos foram validados com boa linearidade, precisão, repetibilidade, estabilidade e recuperação. Uma análise abrangente sugeriu que o tempo de colheita adequado para G. biloba foi em outubro na província de Zhejiang. O resultado da análise de correlação com fatores meteorológicos mostra que a temperatura e a precipitação não têm efeito significativo sobre os principais componentes de G. biloba. Além disso, o tipo e composição (Mn e Zn) do solo apresentaram efeito significativo sobre o teor de flavonoides e lactonas terpênicas. Este estudo enriqueceu o conhecimento sobre o valor de desenvolvimento e utilização das folhas de G. biloba e foi útil para determinar o melhor tempo de colheita e condição de crescimento.

Abstract Ginkgo biloba is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing multiple components that contribute to its notable bioactivities. Variations of seasonal, meteorological and planting soil on the phytochemicals contents in G. biloba leaves due to the effects of growth meteorological and soil parameters were investigated in this study. The leaves of G. biloba were collected from different months and place in Zhejiang province, the contents of flavones (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) and terpene lactones (bilobalide, ginkgolides A, B and C) were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) method. The established methods were validated with good linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery. Comprehensive analysis suggested the proper harvest time for G. biloba was in October of Zhejiang province. The result of correlation analysis with meteorological factors shows that the temperature and precipitation have non-significant effect on the main components of G. biloba. In addition, the type and content (Mn and Zn) of the soil showed significantly effect on the content of flavonoids and terpene lactones. This study enriched the knowledge on the development and utilization value of the G. biloba leaves and was useful for determining the optimal harvest time and growing condition.

ABSTRACT Ovoinhibitor (OIH) is the main proteinase inhibitor in the egg white. In the present study, real-time quantitative PCR and Western-Blot were used to analyze different expression pattern of OIH in ovaries as a candidate gene of reproductive traits in Jingjiang ducks (JJ ducks) and Shaoxing ducks (SX ducks) during three laying stages. To study the polymorphism of the OIH gene in those two duck populations, we designed five pairs of primers to detect SNPs of exon 3-5, 5-6, 14-16 and intron 7, 9 of the OIH gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA pool sequencing methods. The results showed that OIH expression increased during the laying stage in the ovaries of both duck breeds. The relative expression levels of OIH in the egg at hatch and 180days of age were lower in JJ ducks than in SX ducks, but higher in JJ ducks than SX ducks at 500 days of age. Only exon 5-6 locus had a novel SNP. One variation (389G>A) was detected in the two tested duck populations and it was associated with some laying traits, such as body weight of hatch, age at first egg, weight at first egg, egg number at 72weeks of age. The AG genotype was associated with inferior body weight of hatch and superior weight at first egg, age at first egg and egg number at 72weeks of age. Therefore, these results suggest that OIH may be a strong candidate gene related to some laying traits in ducks.

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease responsible for major outbreaks and considerable economic losses in the poultry industry in China. There is still little information available regarding gene characterization of the NDV, especially in ducks and pigeons. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate NDV isolated from ducks and pigeons in Hubei, China. In this study, three NDVs from ducks and pigeons were isolated between 2013 and 2015.The fusion protein (F) gene of the NDV isolates was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. The clinical signs and gross histopathological lesions were examined. Phylogenetic analysis of these strains indicated that all the sequences are classified as genotype II. The isolates shared a 112 G-R-Q-G-R-L 117motif at the F protein cleavage site, indicating that these three isolates strains are lentogenic. Necropsy and histopathology showed the typical pathological changes. It was concluded that commercial ducks and pigeons in Hubei province carry lentogenic NDV strains with regular genetic divergence, indicating that these species may act as the main reservoirs of NDV in poultry. Therefore, strategies and surveillance should be undertaken to reduce the risk of ND outbreaks.

ABSTRACT Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) is a small protein located in the collecting tubules of kidneys; it plays an important role in the concentration and production of urine. The aim of this study was to determine the expression level of the AQP2 gene in the kidney of broiler chickens after the administration of renaldose dopamine. Broiler chickens (25 days-old) were randomly divided into two groups (n=20 per group): intravenous administration of saline solution (control group) or renal-dose dopamine (dopamine group). The expression and localization of the AQP2 gene were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. The protein level of AQP2 was analyzed by western blot analysis. The dopamine group presented no significant difference (p>0.05) in the biochemical criterion or mRNA expression of AQP2 compared with the control group. However, AQP2 protein level was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the membrane of renal tubular epithelial cells. In contrast, protein level was significantly increased (p<0.05) in the cytoplasm of the dopamine group compared with the control group. Moreover, AQP2 protein was apparently more distributed and localized in the cytoplasmic vacuoles than in the membranes of the kidney in the renaldose dopamine administered chickens group. In conclusion, present findings suggest that renaldose dopamine mediates the level of AQP2 protein via shuttle from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm rather than changing the expression of AQP2 gene to adjust the secretion and absorption of water in kidney.

Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for all living plants and plant production. Simultaneously, atmospheric nitrogen deposition also affects plant productivity at a global scale. However, few studies have investigated how plants respond to P addition while simultaneously considering N deposition. We investigated plant biomass, nutrient status and stoichiometric ratios on Potentilla tanacetifolia in response to P fertilization under contrasting N addition rates in a typical meadow steppe in Inner Mongol ia, China. Aboveground biomass of P. tanacetifolia increased under increasing levels of P fertilization under conditions of N addition. However, there was no significant change in biomass when only phosphorus was added. Plant leaf and stem P concentrations increased linearly with P addition when there was no N addition. Our results suggest that increased plant P nutrition under P addition will not turn into plant growth enhancement unless N demands are also satisfied. Nitrogen addition significantly increased leaf N concentrations, and leaf and seed N:P ratios, when there was no P fertilization. Nevertheless, the effects of N addition were weakened, and eventually disappeared when P fertilization rates increased. This indicates that N-induced alterations of the plant nutrition status and stoichiometric ratios were P availability-dependent. Overall, our results suggest that multiple-nutrient constraints and their interactions must be considered when assessing plant nutrient and growth responses to nutrient enrichment.

El fósforo es un macronutriente esencial para todas las plantas vivas y la producción vegetal. Simultáneamente, la deposición atmosférica de nitrógeno también afecta la productividad de las plantas a una escala global. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han investigado como responden las plantas a la adición de P mientras se considera la deposición atmosférica de N al mismo tiempo. Se investigaron la biomasa vegetal, el nivel de nutrientes y relaciones estequiométricas en Potentilla tanacetifolia en respuesta a la fertilización fosforada bajo varias tasas de adición de N en una estepa de pradera típica en el interior de Mongolia, China. La biomasa aérea de P. tanacetifolia se incrementó con mayores niveles de fertilización fosforada bajo condiciones de adición de N. Sin embargo, no hubo un cambio significativo en la biomasa cuando solo se agregó P. Las concentraciones de P en hoja y tallo se incrementaron linealmente con el agregado de P cuando no hubo adición de N. Nuestros resultados sugieren que una mayor nutrición fosforada a la planta bajo agregado de P no determinará un mejor crecimiento vegetal a menos que también sean satisfechas las demandas de N. El agregado de N incrementó significativamente las concentraciones de N foliares, y las relaciones N:P de la semilla y de las hojas, cuando no hubo fertilización fosforada. De todas maneras, los efectos de la adición de N fueron debilitados, y eventualmente desaparecieron, cuando se incrementaron las tasas de fertilización con P. Esto indica que las alteraciones inducidas por el N en el nivel de nutrición vegetal y las relaciones estequiométricas fueron dependientes de la disponibilidad de P. Nuestros resultados sugieren que limitaciones de varios nutrientes al mismo tiempo y sus interacciones deben ser consideradas cuando se estudian las respuestas de los nutrientes y del crecimiento de las plantas a un aumento en el nivel de nutrientes.

ABSTRACT The effects of the Kluyveromyces marxianus M3 strain, isolated from Tibetan mushrooms, on plasma lipids, egg cholesterol level, egg quality, and intestinal health of laying hens were evaluated. In total, 160 Beijing fatty laying hens (43 weeks old) were divided into four groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, or 0.5% freeze-dried K. marxianus M3 powder for four weeks. The results showed that yeast supplementation reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels (p<0.01), and increased serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level (p<0.05). Moreover, regardless of K. marxianus M3 dietary addition level, the cholesterol content of the eggs decreased by more than 26%. When0.3% yeast was supplemented, significant differences were found in the egg weights, shell strength, albumen height, Haugh unit and nutrient content of the eggs (p<0.01). Finally, 0.3% yeast supplementation improved the intestinal flora conditions of the hens by decreasing the Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus counts (p<0.01) and increasing the Bifidobacterium count (p<0.01). The results in this work demonstrated that yeast culture supplementation to the diets deceased the serum and egg yolk cholesterol, and increased egg quality.

Quercetin shows protective effects against hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), as demonstrated in a rat model. However, whether these effects involve pulmonary vascular angiogenesis in HPS remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of quercetin on pulmonary vascular angiogenesis and explore the underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g underwent sham operation or common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Two weeks after surgery, HIF-1α and NFκB levels were assessed in rat lung tissue by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Then, CBDL and sham-operated rats were further divided into 2 subgroups each to receive intraperitoneal administration of quercetin (50 mg/kg daily) or 0.2% Tween for two weeks: Sham (Sham+Tween; n=8), CBDL (CBDL+Tween; n=8), Q (Sham+quercetin; n=8), and CBDL+Q (CBDL+quercetin; n=8). After treatment, lung tissue specimens were assessed for protein (immunohistochemistry and western blot) and/or gene expression (quantitative real-time PCR) levels of relevant disease markers, including VEGFA, VEGFR2, Akt/p-Akt, HIF-1α, vWf, and IκB/p-IκB. Finally, arterial blood was analyzed for alveolar arterial oxygen pressure gradient (AaPO2). Two weeks after CBDL, HIF-1α expression in the lung decreased, but was gradually restored at four weeks. Treatment with quercetin did not significantly alter HIF-1α levels, but did reduce AaPO2 as well as lung tissue NF-κB activity, VEGFA gene and protein levels, Akt activity, and angiogenesis. Although hypoxia is an important feature in HPS, our findings suggest that HIF-1α was not the main cause for the VEGFA increase. Interestingly, quercetin inhibited pulmonary vascular angiogenesis in rats with HPS, with involvement of Akt/NF-κB and VEGFA/VEGFR-2 pathways.

We report the case of a father and son diagnosed with atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML). Both patients harbored SETBP1 mutations, which are present in 24.3% of aCML patients. Moreover, both shared the variant encoding p.Pro737His, but the aCML severity was greater in the son because of the presence of two other missense mutations causing p.Asp868Asn and p.Ser885Arg alterations. SETBP1 mutations may be associated with an adverse prognosis, so their detection would help in the diagnosis of aCML and the determination of a patient's prognosis.

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function and the left ventricular geometry in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) by echocardiography. Methods: The 181 patients diagnosed with OSAS were divided into the normal geometry group (NG), the concentric remodelling group (CR), the eccentric hypertrophy group (EH) and the concentric hypertrophy group (CH). Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed toward the correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function and the left ventricular geometry. Results: The E peak in the EH and CH group was significantly reduced, with significant difference; the E/A, Em, Am and Em/Am was reduced in the order of the CR, EH and CH groups, while E/Em was increased, and the difference was significant. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the Em/Am showed significant negative correlations with the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) [r = -0.419] and relative wall thickness (RWT) [r = -0.289], while the E/Em was significantly positively correlated with the LVMI (r = 0.638) and RWT [r = 0.328] (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that LVMI and RWT had influence on the Em/Am and E/Em (r2 = 0.402, r2 = 0.107, p < 0.001). The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was the worst in the CH group. Conclusions: There was correlation between the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the changes in cardiac geometry.

RESUMEN: Antecedentes: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la correlación de la función diastólica ventricular izquierda y de la geometría ventricular izquierda en pacientes con síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS) mediante ecocardiografía. Métodos: Los 181 pacientes diagnosticados con SAOS fueron divididos en los grupos siguientes: grupo de geometría normal (GN), grupo de remodelación concéntrica (RC), grupo de hipertrofia excéntrica (HE), y grupo de hipertrofia concéntrica (HC). Se realizaron análisis de correlación de Pearson y análisis de regresión lineal múltiple con respecto a la correlación de la función diastólica ventricular izquierda y de la geometría ventricular izquierda. Resultados: El pico E en el grupo HE y HC se redujo significativamente, con diferencias significativas; el E/A, Em, Am y Em/Am se redujo en el orden de los grupos RC, HE y HC, mientras que E/Em fue aumentado, y la diferencia fue significativa. EL análisis de correlación de Pearson reveló que el Em/Am mostró correlaciones negativas significativas con el índice de masa ventricular izquierda (IMVI) [r = -0.419] y el grosor relativo de la pared (GRP) [r = -0.289], mientras que el E/Em se correlacionó significativamente de forma positiva con el IMVI (r = 0.638) y el GRP [r = 0.328] (p < 0.001). El análisis de regresión lineal múltiple reveló que IMVI y GRP tenían influencia sobre Em/Am y E/Em (r2 = 0.402, r2 = 0.107, p < 0.001). La disfunción diastólica ventricular izquierda en el grupo HC fue la peor. Conclusiones: Hubo una correlación entre la disfunción diastólica ventricular izquierda y los cambios en la geometría cardíaca.

Protein phosphatase magnesium/manganese-dependent 1D (PPM1D) is a p53-induced phosphatase that functions as a negative regulator of stress response pathways and has oncogenic properties. However, the functional role ofPPM1D in bladder cancer (BC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, lentivirus vectors carrying small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting PPM1D were used to explore the effects ofPPM1D knockdown on BC cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. shRNA-mediated knockdown of PPM1D significantly inhibited cell growth and colony forming ability in the BC cell lines 5637 and T24. Flow cytometric analysis showed that PPM1D silencing increased the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Downregulation of PPM1Dalso inhibited 5637 cell tumorigenicity in nude mice. The results of the present study suggest that PPM1D plays a potentially important role in BC tumorigenicity, and lentivirus-mediated delivery of shRNA againstPPM1D might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of BC.

Accumulating evidence has indicated the importance of cancer stem cells in carcinogenesis. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of low-dose cisplatin on enriched liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs). Human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells were treated with concentrations of cisplatin ranging from 1 to 5 μg/mL. Cell survival and proliferation were evaluated using a tetrazolium dye (MTT) assay. LCSCs were identified using specific markers, namely aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1) and CD133. The percentage of ALDH1+ or CD133+ cells was examined by flow cytometric analysis. The expression of ALDH1 and/or CD133 in HepG2 cells was determined by immunocytochemical analysis. Low-dose cisplatin treatment significantly decreased cell survival in HepG2 cells after 24 or 72 h. However, the percentage of LCSCs in the surviving cells was greatly increased. The percentage of ALDH1+ or CD133+ cells was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner after treatment with 1-4 μg/mL cisplatin, whereas 5 μg/mL cisplatin exposure slightly reduced the number of positive cells. These findings indicate that low-dose cisplatin treatment may efficiently enrich the LCSC population in HepG2 cells.

The relationship between the aspect ratio and physical fields in aluminium reduction cells wase studied numerically. The aspect ratio was firstly defined and 7 kinds of 320 kA cells with different aspect ratios were put forward. By using numerical simulation, the relationship between the aspect ratio and the electric-magnetic flow fields, magnetohydrodynamic stabilities, and thermal stability was discussed. It is concluded that the electric-magnetic flow field distributions are greatly affected by the aspect ratio. From the perspective of magnetohydrodynamics stability, the larger the aspect ratio is, the more stable the cell will be. A larger aspect ratio is more beneficial for the thermal stability under the same current density.