Cancer Stem Cells and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 in Liver Cancers

The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory posits that a small population of cells with stem cell-like features is responsible for tumor growth, resistance, and recurrence in many malignancies. This theory could be a useful paradigm for designing innovative targeted drug therapies. Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) as the predominant forms. Hepatic stem/progenitor cells are believed to be the origin of HCCs and CCAs; however, this remains a controversial topic. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is the main enzymatic system responsible for the clearance of acetaldehyde from the hepatocytes in the liver tissue. Therefore, ALDH1 has been suggested to be a potential, biological and CSC marker in liver cancers. We here provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of CSCs in liver and the role of ALDH1 in the development and progression of liver cancers and discuss its potential value as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker

BabyTigers 2001: Osaka Legged Robot Team

We have developed all kinds of motions such as walking, standing-up, and kicking towards Seattle. From a human designer’s point of view, it is easier to write strategies based on the geometric, global position data but seems less attractive. Then, we are attacking learning issues such as action selection [1] [2], observatio

Formation and Cycloreversion of 2-Silacyclobuta[2.3]cyclophanes via Photoinduced Electron Transfer

Irradiation of an acetonitrile solution containing dimethylbis(4-vinylphenylmethyl)silane 1a in the presence of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene leads to formation of the intramolecular photocycloadduct, 2-sila-cyclobuta[2.3]cyclophane (2a). In contrast, prolonged irradiation gave insoluble polymeric material. The photocycloreversion of 2a occurs efficiently (quantum yields exceeds unity) by use of redox-type photosensitization in the presence of magnesium perchlorate. The transient absorption spectra generated by pulse radiolysis and gamma-radiolysis show that the radical cation species generated from 1a is different from that arising from 2a