Energy metabolism is the foundation of survival for all organisms, and mitochondria are the most important energy-supplying organelles in eukaryotic cells. However, the mitochondrial and energy/metabolism-related properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the stem cell-like subpopulation in tumor masses, remain unknown. In our study, we compared the masses of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the mitochondrial membrane potential (Dwm), oxygen/glucose consumption, and the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP between lung CSCs (LCSCs) and non-LCSCs. In addition, the change in features during differentiation was examined. Some mitochondrial and energy metabolism-related properties, such as perinuclear mitochondrial distribution, a lower quantity of mtDNA, higher Dwm, lower oxygen/glucose consumption, and lower intracellular concentrations of ROS and ATP, can be used as indicators of LCSCs.Increasing evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are initiators of the occurrence, development and recurrence of malignant tumors. 1 Thus, it is important to understand the biological characteristics of this subpopulation in the tumor mass. Due to the great efforts of many researchers, more and more specific features of CSCs have been revealed, such as cytotoxic resistance, invasiveness, proliferation/division, immunogenicity, hypoxic tolerance and the capacity of neovessels induction. 1,2 These findings aid in understanding the underlying mechanisms of growth, recurrence after therapy, immune escape and invasion/metastasis of malignant tumors.Energy metabolism is the foundation of survival for all organisms. As for mitochondria are the most important organelles that provide energy for sustaining the metabolic needs of eukaryotic cells. They are also known, vital components in many cell processes, including differentiation and apoptosis. 3 In recent years, mitochondrial and energy/metabolism-related features of normal adult/embryonic stem (ES) cells have been studied by an increasing number of researchers. 3,4 It has been suggested that the function and integrity of mitochondria may influence the viability, the proliferative and differentiation potential and the lifespan of normal stem cells. 3,5 Some features, including perinuclear mitochondrial arrangement, low ATP content, high rate of oxygen consumption, and low quantity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), have been thought to be indicators of ''stemness'' of these undifferentiated cells. A departure from this profile suggests that cells are differentiating or perhaps becoming senescent. [3][4][5][6] In addition, it has been observed that much lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are thought to be the by-products of mitochondrial biogenesis, are required for adult haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to remain quiescent and retain their stem features, such as self-renewal potential and multipotency. 7 At the same time, mitochondrialrelated abnormalities have also been considered to have an important role in the origin and development of ...

Xiyanping (XYP) is a Chinese herbal medicine used in the clinic to treat respiratory infection and pneumonia. Recent evidence identified XYP as a potential inhibitor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, implying XYP as a possible treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Here, we conducted a prospective, multicenter, open‐label and randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of XYP injection in patients with mild to moderate COVID‐19. We consecutively recruited 130 COVID‐19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms from five study sites, and randomized them in 1:1 ratio to receive XYP injection in combination with standard therapy or receive standard supportive therapy alone. We found that XYP injection significantly reduced the time to cough relief, fever resolution and virus clearance. Less patients receiving XYP injection experienced disease progression to the severe stage during the treatment process. No severe adverse events were reported during the study. Taken together, XYP injection is safe and effective in improving the recovery of patients with mild to moderate COVID‐19. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of XYP in an expanded cohort comprising COVID‐19 patients at different disease stages.

TEAS using a frequency of 2/100Hz could help to improve the IVF outcomes partly by increasing NPY levels in the follicular fluids.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important complication of pregnancy that poses significant threats to women and their offspring. Telomere length shortens as cellular damage increases and is associated with metabolic diseases. Telomere length in fetal leucocytes was determined in 82 infants of women with GDM (N = 82) and 65 normal pregnant women (N = 65). Women with preeclampsia (N = 45) and gestational hypertension (N = 23) were also studied. In the GDM group, telomere length was significantly shorter than normal pregnancy (P = 0.028), but there were no significant differences in fetal telomere length between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy (P = 0.841) and between gestational hypertension and normal pregnancy (P = 0.561). Regression analysis revealed that fetal telomere length was significantly associated with intrauterine exposure to GDM (P = 0.027 after adjustment for maternal age, gestational age at delivery, birth weight and fetal gender). Shortened telomere length may increase the risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood of GDM offspring.

SARS‐CoV‐2 is highly infectious, and infection by this virus results in COVID‐19, manifesting predominantly symptoms in the lower respiratory system. Detection of viral genomic materials by RT‐PCR is the gold standard for diagnosis. Suspected COVID‐19 patients who had a documented history of exposure and exhibited symptoms, but did not have positive PCR test results, were generally self‐quarantined with prescriptions aiming to help attenuate their symptoms. These prescriptions are however neither specific nor highly effective for COVID‐19 treatment. Given the rapidly growing pandemic and the overwhelmed medical system, the number of self‐quarantined patients is increasing. There is an urgent need of alternative medicine to help patients relieve symptoms during self‐quarantine, and to potentially help increase their chances of survival and recovery from the infection. We report here a case of severe COVID‐19 that never had a positive PCR test result during disease progression but was confirmed with antibody test post recovery. This patient was self‐quarantined and received diammonium glycyrrhizinate (DG), a steroid‐like molecule, in combination with vitamin C as alternative medicine. This patient went through severe COVID‐19 but eventually recovered upon the implementation of this treatment regimen, suggesting potential therapeutic effects of DG as alternative medicine to help relieve COVID‐19 symptoms.