TEM CELLS ARE UNDIFFERENTIated cells that through replication have the capability of both self-renewal and differentiation into mature specialized cells. In broad terms, there are 2 types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells are isolated from a 50-to 150-cell, 4-to 5-dayold postfertilization blastocyst. Embryonic stem cells generate every specialized cell in the human body and, while capable of indefinite ex vivo proliferation, exist only transiently in vivo (during embryogenesis). Adult stem cells are located in tissues throughout the body and function as a reservoir to replace damaged or aging cells. Under physiologic conditions, adult stem cells are traditionally thought to be restricted in their differentiation to cell lineages of the organ system in which they are located. Embryonic stem cells have great promise and versatility but, compared with adult stem cells, are currently difficult to control due to their tendency to form tumors containing all types of tissue, ie, teratomas. Embryonic stem cell biology has been associated with ethical controversy, and feeder cellfree and xenogeneic-free culture methods approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are still being per-Author Affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are chemically synthesized materials mimicking the recognition of antibodies towards antigens.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which are synthesized in the presence of a template, have been widely used as antibody mimics for important applications. Through the combination with a highly sensitive detection scheme such as chemiluminescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), MIP-based sandwich assays have emerged as promising analytical tools for the detection of disease biomarkers. However, so far, MIPs have been used only as target-capturing probes, whereas labeling by other means was needed, which limits the application range. Herein, we present a new approach, called a dual MIP-based plasmonic immunosandwich assay (duMIP-PISA), for the specific and sensitive detection of protein biomarkers in complex biological samples. A C-terminal epitope-imprinted self-assembled gold nanoparticle monolayer-coated glass slide was prepared as a plasmonic substrate for the specific extraction of target protein, while N-terminal epitope-imprinted Raman-responsive Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles were prepared as nanotags for the specific labeling of captured protein. The formed MIP–protein–MIP sandwich-like complexes could produce a significantly enhanced SERS signal. The dual MIP-based recognitions ensured high specificity of the assay, while SERS detection provided ultrahigh sensitivity. The duMIP-PISA of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in human serums was demonstrated, which permitted the differentiation of small cell lung cancer patients from healthy individuals. As compared to regular ELISA, the duMIP-PISA exhibited multiple merits including a simpler procedure, faster speed, lower sample volume requirement, and wider linear range. The approach well demonstrated the great potentials of MIPs and can be easily modified and extended to other protein biomarkers. Therefore, the duMIP-PISA approach holds great promise in many important applications such as disease diagnosis.

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Short telomere length is independently associated with worse survival in IPF. Future research should focus on the molecular mechanism underlying the shortening of telomere length in IPF.

Recognition of cancer cells is essential for many important areas such as targeted cancer therapy. Multimonosaccharide-based recognition could be a useful strategy to improve the recognition specificity, but such a possibility has not been explored yet. Herein we report pattern recognition of cells via multiplexed imaging with monosaccharide-imprinted quantum dots (QDs). Imprinted with sialic acid, fucose, and mannose as the template, respectively, the QDs exhibited good specificity toward the template monosaccharides. Multiplexed imaging of cells simultaneously stained with these monosaccharide-imprinted QDs revealed the relative expression levels of the monosaccharides on the cells. Pattern recognition constructed using the intensities of multiplexed imaging unveiled the similarities and differences of different cell lines, allowing for the recognition of not only cancer cells from normal cells but also cancer cells of different cell lines. Thus, this study paved a solid ground for the design and preparation of novel cancer-cell targeting reagents and nanoprobes.

Introduction The high incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetes highlights the need for good treatment strategies. Recent evidence indicates that blockade of the angiotensin type I receptor (AT1) may reverse ED from various diseases. Aim To explore the role of cavernous renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the pathogenesis of diabetic ED and the role of losartan in the treatment of diabetic ED. Methods The AT1 blocker (ARB) losartan (30 mg/kg/d) was administered to rats with streptozocin (65 mg/kg)-induced diabetes. Erectile function, cavernous structure, and tissue gene and protein expression of RAS in the corpora cavernosa were studied. Main Outcome Measure We sought to determine the changes of cavernous RAS in the condition of diabetes and after treatment with losartan. Results RAS components (angiotensinogen, [pro]renin receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE], and AT1) were expressed in cavernosal tissue. In diabetic rats, RAS components were upregulated, resulting in the increased concentration of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the corpora. A positive feedback loop for Ang II formation in cavernosum was also identified, which could contribute to overactivity of cavernous RAS in diabetic rats. Administration of losartan blocked the effect of Ang II, downregulated the expression of AT1 and Ang II generated locally, and partially restored erectile function (losartan-treated group revealed an improved intracavernous pressure/mean systemic arterial pressure ratio as compared with the diabetic group (0.480 ± 0.031 vs. 0.329 ± 0.020, P < 0.01). However, losartan could not elevate the reduced smooth muscle/collagen ratio in diabetic rats. Conclusions The cavernous RAS plays a role in modulating erectile function in corpora cavernosa and is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic ED. ARB can restore diabetic ED through downregulating cavernous RAS.

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