Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first identified in leukemia in 1994, they have been considered promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. These cells have self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential and contribute to multiple tumor malignancies, such as recurrence, metastasis, heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and radiation resistance. The biological activities of CSCs are regulated by several pluripotent transcription factors, such as OCT4, Sox2, Nanog, KLF4, and MYC. In addition, many intracellular signaling pathways, such as Wnt, NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), Notch, Hedgehog, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription), PI3K/AKT/mTOR (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin), TGF (transforming growth factor)/SMAD, and PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor), as well as extracellular factors, such as vascular niches, hypoxia, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular matrix, and exosomes, have been shown to be very important regulators of CSCs. Molecules, vaccines, antibodies, and CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) cells have been developed to specifically target CSCs, and some of these factors are already undergoing clinical trials. This review summarizes the characterization and identification of CSCs, depicts major factors and pathways that regulate CSC development, and discusses potential targeted therapy for CSCs.Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (2020) 5:8; https://doi.

Recent analysis by manufacturers and network operators has shown that current wireless networks are not very energy efficient, particularly the base stations by which terminals access services from the network. In response to this observation the Mobile Virtual Centre of Excellence (VCE) Green Radio project was established in 2009 to establish how significant energy savings may be obtained in future wireless systems. This article discusses the technical background to the project and discusses models of current energy consumption in base station devices. It also describes some of the most promising research directions in reducing the energy consumption of future base stations.

Objective To provide a comprehensive and systematic analysis of demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and imaging features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in pediatric patients. Methods A meta‐analysis was carried out to identify studies on COVID‐19 from December 25, 2019 to April 30, 2020. Results A total of 48 studies with 5829 pediatric patients were included. Children at all ages were at risk for COVID‐19. The main illness classification ranged as: 20% (95% CI: 14 to 26%, I 2 =91.4%) asymptomatic, 33% (95% CI: 23 to 43%, I 2 =95.6%) mild and 51% (95% CI: 42 to 61%, I 2 =93.4%) moderate. The typical clinical manifestations were fever 51% (95% CI: 45 to 57%, I 2 =78.9%) and cough 41% (95% CI: 35 to 47%, I 2 =81.0%). The common laboratory findings were normal white blood cell 69% (95% CI: 64 to 75%, I 2 =58.5%), lymphopenia 16% (95% CI: 11 to 21%, I 2 =76.9%) and elevated creatine‐kinase MB (CK‐MB) 37% (95% CI: 25 to 48%, I 2 =59.0%). The frequent imaging features were normal images 41% (95% CI: 30 to 52%, I 2 =93.4%) and ground‐glass opacity 36% (95% CI: 25 to 47%, I 2 =92.9%). Among children under 1‐year old, critical cases account for 14% (95% CI: 13 to 34%, I 2 =37.3%) that should be of concern. In addition, vomiting occurred in 33% (95% CI: 18 to 67%, I 2 =0.0%) cases that may also need attention. Conclusions Pediatric patients with COVID‐19 may experience milder illness with atypical clinical manifestations and rare lymphopenia. High incidence of critical illness and vomiting symptoms reward attention in children under 1‐year old. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

BackgroundAlthough accumulating data have suggested the development of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, these results remain inconsistent. To examine such a putative association, this analysis reports the association between SLE and the risks of 24 cancer types.MethodsOnline databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched comprehensively for eligible studies, published up to 15 May 2018. Pooled standardized incidence rates (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to reveal their associations.ResultsA total of 24 eligible studies were ultimately enrolled. Our results indicated that SLE was associated with increased risk of overall cancers, cancer risk in both genders, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, cervix, vagina/vulva, renal, bladder, esophagus, gastric, hepatobiliary, lung, oropharynx, larynx, non-melanoma skin, and thyroid cancers. Additionally, SLE could reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma; however, it was not significantly associated with breast, uterus, ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, or brain cancers.ConclusionsOur results shed light SLE being correlated with increased risk for 16 involved cancers and decreased risk for prostate cancer and cutaneous melanoma. This comprehensive meta-analysis provides epidemiological evidence supporting the associations between SLE and cancer risk. This evidence could be utilized to drive public policies and to help guide personalized medicine to better manage SLE and reduce associated cancer morbidity and mortality.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1760-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.