Cyclic Generative Attention-Adversarial Network for Low-Light Image Enhancement.

Images captured under complex conditions frequently have low quality, and image performance obtained under low-light conditions is poor and does not satisfy subsequent engineering processing. The goal of low-light image enhancement is to restore low-light images to normal illumination levels. Although many methods have emerged in this field, they are inadequate for dealing with noise, color deviation, and exposure issues. To address these issues, we present CGAAN, a new unsupervised generative adversarial network that combines a new attention module and a new normalization function based on cycle generative adversarial networks and employs a global-local discriminator trained with unpaired low-light and normal-light images and stylized region loss. Our attention generates feature maps via global and average pooling, and the weights of different feature maps are calculated by multiplying learnable parameters and feature maps in the appropriate order. These weights indicate the significance of corresponding features. Specifically, our attention is a feature map attention mechanism that improves the network's feature-extraction ability by distinguishing the normal light domain from the low-light domain to obtain an attention map to solve the color bias and exposure problems. The style region loss guides the network to more effectively eliminate the effects of noise. The new normalization function we present preserves more semantic information while normalizing the image, which can guide the model to recover more details and improve image quality even further. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can produce good results that are useful for practical applications.

Segmentation of Unsound Wheat Kernels Based on Improved Mask RCNN.

The grade of wheat quality depends on the proportion of unsound kernels. Therefore, the rapid detection of unsound wheat kernels is important for wheat rating and evaluation. However, in practice, unsound kernels are hand-picked, which makes the process time-consuming and inefficient. Meanwhile, methods based on traditional image processing cannot divide adherent particles well. To solve the above problems, this paper proposed an unsound wheat kernel recognition algorithm based on an improved mask RCNN. First, we changed the feature pyramid network (FPN) to a bottom-up pyramid network to strengthen the low-level information. Then, an attention mechanism (AM) module was added between the feature extraction network and the pyramid network to improve the detection accuracy for small targets. Finally, the regional proposal network (RPN) was optimized to improve the prediction performance. Experiments showed that the improved mask RCNN algorithm could identify the unsound kernels more quickly and accurately while handling adhesion problems well. The precision and recall were 86% and 91%, respectively, and the inference time on the test set with about 200 targets for each image was 7.83 s. Additionally, we compared the improved model with other existing segmentation models, and experiments showed that our model achieved higher accuracy and performance than the other models, laying the foundation for wheat grading.

Fusarium oxysporum KB-3 from Bletilla striata: an orchid mycorrhizal fungus.

Orchid mycorrhizal fungi are essential for the seed germination and vegetative growth of orchids. The orchid Bletilla striata has great medical value in China because its tuber is rich in mannan. Some endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of B. striata. The isolate KB-3 was selected for experiments because it could promote the germination of B. striata seeds. Based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis, the isolate KB-3 was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Co-cultivation experiments of KB-3 with B. striata and Dendrobium candidum were performed to demonstrate orchid mycorrhizal structures. Microscopic examination showed that KB-3 established colonization and produced coiled hyphal structures known as pelotons within the cortical cells of both orchid roots. The results confirm that F. oxysporum KB-3 can behave as an orchid mycorrhizal fungus.

Roles of Mitogen-Activating Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase-3 (MAP4K3) in Preterm Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Myogenesis and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) Activation Regulation.

BACKGROUND Preterm skeletal muscle genesis is a paradigm for myogenesis. The role of mitogen-activating protein kinase kinase kinase kinase-3 (MAP4K3) in preterm skeletal muscle satellite cells myogenesis or its relationship to mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity have not been previously elaborated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference technology was used to inhibit MAP4K3 expression. Leucine stimulation experiments were performed following MAP4K3-siRNA interference. The differentiation of primary preterm skeletal muscle satellite cells was observed after siRNA-MAP4K3 interference. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of MAP4K3, MyHC, MyoD, myogenin, p-mTOR, and p-S6K1. The immunofluorescence fusion index of MyHC and myogenin were detected. MAP4K3 effects on preterm rat satellite cells differentiation and its relationship to mTORC1 activity are reported. RESULTS MAP4K3 siRNA knockdown inhibited myotube formation and both MyoD and myogenin expression in primary preterm rat skeletal muscle satellite cells, but MAP4K3 siRNA had no effect on the activity of mTORC1. In primary preterm rat skeletal muscle satellite cells, MAP4K3 knockdown resulted in significantly weaker, but not entirely blunted, leucine-induced mTORC1 signaling. CONCLUSIONS MAP4K3 positively regulates preterm skeletal muscle satellite cell myogenesis, but may not regulate mTORC1 activity. MAP4K3 may play a role in mTORC1 full activation in response to leucine.

A novel low light object detection method based on the YOLOv5 fusion feature enhancement.

Low-light object detection is an important research area in computer vision, but it is also a difficult issue. This research offers a low-light target detection network, NLE-YOLO, based on YOLOV5, to address the issues of insufficient illumination and noise interference experienced by target detection tasks in low-light environments. The network initially preprocesses the input image with an improvement technique before suppressing high-frequency noise and enhancing essential information with C2fLEFEM, a unique feature extraction module. We also created a multi-scale feature extraction module, AMC2fLEFEM, and an attention mechanism receptive field module, AMRFB, which are utilized to extract features of multiple scales and enhance the receptive field. The C2fLEFEM module, in particular, merges the LEF and FEM modules on top of the C2f module. The LEF module employs a low-frequency filter to remove high-frequency noise; the FEM module employs dual inputs to fuse low-frequency enhanced and original features; and the C2f module employs a gradient retention method to minimize information loss. The AMC2fLEFEM module combines the SimAM attention mechanism and uses the pixel relationship to obtain features of different receptive fields, adapt to brightness changes, capture the difference between the target and the background, improve the network's feature extraction capability, and effectively reduce the impact of noise. The AMRFB module employs atrous convolution to enlarge the receptive field, maintain global information, and adjust to targets of various scales. Finally, for low-light settings, we replaced the original YOLOv5 detection head with a decoupled head. The Exdark dataset experiments show that our method outperforms previous methods in terms of detection accuracy and performance.

Selenochemical modification of low molecular weight polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa and the mechanism of their inhibitory effects on gastric cancer cells.

An important micronutrient involved in immune response and antitumor is selenium. LMW-GFP, a polysaccharide extracted from Grifola frondosa seed bodies, has a relatively weak antitumor effect on BGC-823 and MFC cells in vitro, whereas selenium binding to LMW-GFP can significantly increase the in vitro antitumor activity of LMW-GFP. In this study, Se-LMW-GFP was prepared by the HNO3-Na2SeO3 method, and the structures of LMW-GFP and Se-LMW-GFP were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy of absorption, FTIR spectroscopy, and electron scanning microscopy, and these structural analyses showed that selenium was successfully complexed to LMW-GFP. The selenium content of Se-LMW-GFP was measured to be 2.08 % ± 0.08 % by ICP-MS. The anti-tumor activity of LMW-GFP before and after selenium modification was compared by cellular experiments, and the findings indicated that the anti-tumor activity of Se-LMW-GFP was considerably improved over that of LMW-GFP, and inhibited the proliferation of BGC-823 cells and MFC cells through a combination of the Fas/FasL-mediated exogenous death receptor pathway as well as the endogenous mitochondrial pathway. Our results suggest that Se-LMW-GFP not only has great potential for natural health food and anti-gastric cancer drug development but is also a good selenium supplement.

An inhibitor with GSK3ß and DYRK1A dual inhibitory properties reduces Tau hyperphosphorylation and ameliorates disease in models of Alzheimer's disease.

Since Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial neuropathology, the discovery of multi-targeted inhibitors has gradually demonstrated greater therapeutic potential. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), the main neuropathologic hallmarks of AD, are mainly associated with hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau. The overexpression of GSK3ß and DYRK1A has been recognized as an important contributor to hyperphosphorylation of Tau, leading to the strategy of using dual-targets inhibitors for the treatment of this disorder. ZDWX-12 and ZDWX-25, as harmine derivatives, were found good inhibition on dual targets in our previous study. Here, we firstly evaluated the inhibition effect of Tau hyperphosphorylation using two compounds by HEK293-Tau P301L cell-based model and okadaic acid (OKA)-induced mouse model. We found that ZDWX-25 was more effective than ZDWX-12. Then, based on comprehensively investigations on ZDWX-25 in vitro and in vivo, 1) the capability of ZDWX-25 to show a reduction in phosphorylation of multiple Tau epitopes in OKA-induced neurodegeneration cell models, and 2) the effect of reduction on NFTs by 3xTg-AD mouse model under administration of ZDWX-25, an orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant dual-targets inhibitor with low toxicity. Our data highlight that ZDWX-25 is a promising drug for treating AD.

The Activation of AMPK/NRF2 Pathway in Lung Epithelial Cells Is Involved in the Protective Effects of Kinsenoside on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury.

The disorder of mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium of lung epithelial cell is one of the critical causes of acute lung injury (ALI). Kinsenoside (Kin) serves as an active small-molecule component derived from traditional medicinal herb displaying multiple pharmacological actions in cancers, hyperglycemia, and liver disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Kin on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced ALI and further explore possible molecular mechanisms. Kin was administered orally (100 mg/kg/day) for 7 consecutive days before LPS instillation (5 mg/kg). After 12 hours, pathological injury, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress were detected. The results demonstrated that Kin significantly alleviated lung pathological injury and decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the release of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), apart from inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Meanwhile, Kin also promoted mitochondrial fusion and restrained mitochondrial fission in mice with ALI. In terms of mechanism, Kin pretreatment increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the protein level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). In Ampk-α knockout mice challenged with LPS, Kin lost its pulmonary protective effects, accompanied by lower NRF2 level. In vitro experiments further unveiled that either AMPK inhibition by Compound C or NRF2 knockdown by siRNA abolished the protective roles of Kin in LPS-treated A549 lung epithelial cells. And NRF2 activator TAT-14 could reverse the effects of Ampk-α deficiency. In conclusion, Kin possesses the ability to prevent LPS-induced ALI by modulating mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium in lung epithelial cell in an AMPK/NRF2-dependent manner.

Regional brain atrophy in patients with chronic ankle instability: A voxel-based morphometry study.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether brain volume changes occur in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) using voxel-based morphometry and assessing correlations with clinical tests. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were prospectively acquired in 24 patients with CAI and 34 healthy controls. CAI symptoms and pain intensity were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and visual analog scale (VAS). The gray matter volume (GMV) of each voxel was compared between the two groups while controlling for age, sex, weight, and education level. Correlation analysis was performed to identify associations between abnormal GMV regions and the FAAM score, AOFAS score, VAS score, disease duration, and body mass index. Patients with CAI exhibited reduced GMV in the right precentral and postcentral areas, right parahippocampal area, left thalamus, left parahippocampal area, and left postcentral area compared to that of healthy controls. Furthermore, the right parahippocampal (r = 0.642, p = 0.001), left parahippocampal (r = 0.486, p = 0.016), and left postcentral areas (r = 0.521, p = 0.009) were positively correlated with disease duration. The left thalamus was positively correlated with the CAIT score and FAAM activities of daily living score (r = 0.463, p = 0.023 and r = 0.561, p = 0.004, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between the local GMV of the right and left parahippocampal areas (r = 0.487, p = 0.016 and r = 0.763, p < 0.001, respectively) and the AOFAS score. Neural plasticity may occur in the precentral and postcentral areas, parahippocampal area, and thalamus in patients with CAI. The patterns of structural reorganization in patients with CAI may provide useful information on the neuropathological mechanisms of CAI.

[Research of the characterization of Bcrp1(+) HeLa cells].

OBJECTIVE: To make sure whether Bcrp1 is the marker of cervical cancer stem-like cells or not by studying the characterization of Bcrp1(+) HeLa cells. METHODS: Immunofluorescence stained flow cytometry and electron microscope were used to sort and observe ultrastructures of Bcrp1(+) and Bcrp1(-) HeLa cells. Flow cytometry was used to identify the cycle and the rate of apoptosis with annexin V in two group cells. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 were tested using western blot method. RESULTS: (1) There were 7.1% Bcrp1(+) cells and 92.9% Bcrp1(-)cells in HeLa cells. Bcrp1(+) HeLa cells were large in size of nuclear and nucleoli are clear, and there were rich of cytomicrosome and rough endoplasmic reticulum. After sorted and cultured for 24, 48, 72 hours, the adhesion in Bcrp1(+) cells were 72.8%, 81.1%, 80.4%, respectively. While, they were 3.3%, 18.7%, 12.6% at each time for Bcrp1(-) cells (all P < 0.05). (2) There are more S phase cells in Bcrp1(+) cells than that in Bcrp1(-) cells (54.1% vs 21.1%, P < 0.05), while the percentage of G(0)/G(1) and G(2)/M in Bcrp1(-) cells were higher than those in Bcrp1(+) cells (53.0% vs 44.4%, 25.9% vs 1.5%; all P < 0.05). The rate of apoptosis in Bcrp1(+) cells was lower than that in Bcrp1(-) cells (0.2% vs 5.3%, P < 0.05). (3) The expression of PCNA in Bcrp1(+) cells was higher than that in Bcrp1(-) cells (3140 vs 2255, P < 0.05), while the expression of caspase-3 of Bcrp1(+) cells was lower than that in Bcrp1(-) cells (1970 vs 3551, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There are more vigor and ability of proliferation and lower rate of apoptosis in Bcrp1(+) HeLa cells than those in Bcrp1(-) cells, which may be some characters of cervical cancer stem cells.

Lung adenocarcinoma harboring rare epidermal growth factor receptor L858R and V834L mutations treated with icotinib: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations. However, patients with rare, even compound EGFR mutations have different responses to EGFR-tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, which bring uncertainty to clinical treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old female patient presented with a 3-mo history of cough and white sputum without chest pain. Chest computed tomography revealed lung space-occupying lesions and multiple lymphadenectasis. Bronchoscopy and pathology suggested lung adenocarcinoma. Compound variation of EGFR gene (exon 21 L858R/V834L) was detected in both tissue and circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid samples. As a result of next-generation sequencing and her family's wishes, the patient was given oral treatment with icotinib hydrochloride (125 mg/d, tid) from March 21, 2019 and has achieved stable disease for the last 1 year. CONCLUSION: Non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR L858R/V834L was treated successfully with icotinib, and it may be a new medication treatment option.

Depiction of Vaginal Microbiota in Women With High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection.

Persistent infection with the carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prerequisite for the progression of cervical lesions and cancer. A growing body of research has focused on the functional role of the vaginal microbiota in the persistence of HPV infection. Understanding the microbial composition and structure in women with high-risk (hr)-HPV infection may help reveal associations between the vaginal microbiota and HPV infection, and identify potential biomarkers. Our study investigated the vaginal microbial community in women with and without hr-HPV infection, by using 16s rRNA gene sequencing. We found that microbial perturbations occurred in the early phase of hr-HPV infection. Lactobacillus and Sporolactobacillus were decreased, while bacteria related to bacterial vaginosis (BV), such as Gardnerella, Prevotella, Dialister, Slackia, Actinomyces, Porphyromonas, Peptoniphilus, Anaerococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus, Ureaplasma, Megasphaera, and Mycoplasma were increased. Our results could offer insights into the correlations between hr-HPV and the vaginal microbiota in the early infection period, and provide indications that the predominance of some BV-associated bacteria during hr-HPV infection may increase the risk for cervical neoplasia.

Characteristics of primary side population cervical cancer cells.

The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize side population (SP) cells in primary cervical cancer. A primary culture was successfully established, and the SP cells were isolated via fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Subsequently, in vitro analysis of clonogenic capacity by soft agar assay and in vivo analysis of tumorigenicity were performed. The isolated SP cells accounted for ~4.73% of the total primary culture cells. The SP cells had a decreased proliferation rate and an increased distribution in G0/G1 compared with non-SP (NSP) cells. Following isolation, SP cells exhibited increased proliferative and self-renewal potency compared with NSP cells. Furthermore, significant ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) expression was detected in SP cells but not in NSP cells. The tumor formation rate of SP cells was longer, and the tumor size and tumor formation rate of SP cells were increased in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that SP cells can be isolated from primary cervical cancer cell culture, and SP cells are enriched with stem cell-like cells that have a high capacity for colony formation and tumorigenesis.

Label-free immunosensor based on one-step electrodeposition of chitosan-gold nanoparticles biocompatible film on Au microelectrode for determination of aflatoxin B1 in maize.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded in chitosan (CHI) film, well-dispersed and smaller in size (about 10 nm), were fabricated by one-step electrodeposion on Au microelectrode in solution containing chitosan and chloride trihydrate. The nano-structure CHI-AuNPs composite film offers abundant amine groups, good conductivity, excellent biocompatibility and stability for antibody immobilization. The combination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) with immobilized antibody introduces a barrier to electron transfer, resulting in current decreasement. The morphologies and characterizations of modified microelectrodes were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The proposed non-enzyme and label-free immunosensor exhibited high sensitive amperometric response to AFB1 concentration in two linear ranges of 0.1 to 1 ng mL(-1) and 1 to 30 ng mL(-1), with the detection limit of 0.06 ng mL(-1) (S/N=3). The immunoassay was also applied for analysis of maize samples spiked with AFB1. Considering the sample extraction procedure, the linear range and limit of detection were assessed to be 1.6-16 ng mL(-1) and 0.19 ng mL(-1) respectively. The simple method showed good fabrication controllability and reproducibility for immunosensor design.

Y chromosome azoospermia factor region microdeletions and transmission characteristics in azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic patients.

Spermatogenesis is an essential reproductive process that is regulated by many Y chromosome specific genes. Most of these genes are located in a specific region known as the azoospermia factor region (AZF) in the long arm of the human Y chromosome. AZF microdeletions are recognized as the most frequent structural chromosomal abnormalities and are the major cause of male infertility. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) can overcome natural fertilization barriers and help a proportion of infertile couples produce children; however, these techniques increase the transmission risk of genetic defects. AZF microdeletions and their associated phenotypes in infertile males have been extensively studied, and different AZF microdeletion types have been identified by sequence-tagged site polymerase chain reaction (STS-PCR), suspension array technology (SAT) and array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH); however, each of these approaches has limitations that need to be overcome. Even though the transmission of AZF microdeletions has been reported worldwide, arguments correlating ART and the incidence of AZF microdeletions and explaining the occurrence of de novo deletions and expansion have not been resolved. Using the newest findings in the field, this review presents a systematic update concerning progress in understanding the functions of AZF regions and their associated genes, AZF microdeletions and their phenotypes and novel approaches for screening AZF microdeletions. Moreover, the transmission characteristics of AZF microdeletions and the future direction of research in the field will be specifically discussed.

Unexpected optical limiting properties from MoS2 nanosheets modified by a semiconductive polymer.

Direct solvent exfoliation of bulk MoS2 with the assistance of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) produces a novel two-dimensional organic/inorganic semiconductor hetero-junction. The obtained P3HT-MoS2 nanohybrid exhibits unexpected optical limiting properties in contrast to the saturated absorption behavior of both P3HT and MoS2, showing potential in future photoelectric applications.

A general solid-state synthesis of chemically-doped fluorescent graphene quantum dots for bioimaging and optoelectronic applications.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted increasing interest because of their excellent properties such as strong photoluminescence, excellent biocompatibility and low cost. Herein, we develop a general method for the synthesis of doped and undoped GQDs, which relies on direct carbonization of organic precursors in the solid state.

Cognitive impairment in mice over-expressing gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 (GAT1).

There is increasing evidence that GABAergic system plays an important role in the neural control of learning and memory processes. GAT1 over-expressing mice (NA) were generated, in which GAT1 is under the control of a neuron-specific enolase (NSE) promoter, to investigate effects of GABA transporter on cognitive function. Our results revealed that NA mice displayed cognitive deterioration in associative learning ability and new object recognition retention, compared with the wild-type littermates (WT2). However, the impaired cognitive function of transgenic mice could be rescued after chronic administration of GAT1 selective inhibitor for 6 days. In addition, there was no change of the expression of NMDA receptors in NA mice. Taken together, we show a potentially important role for GAT1 in the neural control of cognitive processes, and indicate great potential for GAT1 as a clinical target of cognitive disorders.

[Antioxidation activity and protective effection of ginger oil on DNA damage in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the antioxidation activity and protective effect of ginger oil on DNA damage. METHOD: Chemical light assay was used to detect the oxygen radicals scavenging capacity of ginger oil. The erythrocyte oxidation damage was induced by H2O2. The effect of ginger oil on oxidative erythrocyte was observed by the colorimetric analysis assay, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in rabit hepatocyte was measured. The anaylsis of DNA damage was made with single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE) technique. RESULT: Ginger oil might decrease light value compared with control group and inhibited erythrocyte oxidation damage. Compared with that in control group, the degress of DNA damage reduced significantly in the protected groups. Ginger oil might decrease the content of MDA remarkably and inhitibition rate was 48.16%. CONCLUSION: Ginger oil has dominantive protective effect on DNA damage induced by H2O2. Ginger oil might act as a scavenger of oxygen radical and might be used as an antioxidant.

Isolation and characterization of cancer stem cells from cervical cancer HeLa cells.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies and poses a serious health problem worldwide. Identification and characterization of cervical cancer stem cells may facilitate the development of novel strategies for the treatment of advanced and metastatic cervical cancer. Breast cancer-resistance protein (Bcrp1)-positive cells were selected from a population of parent HeLa cells using flow cytometry. The invasion capacity of Bcrp1-positive and -negative cells was analyzed with a Boyden chamber invasion test. The tumorigenicity of these cells was determined by in vivo transplantation in non-obesity diabetes/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice. The Bcrp1-positive subpopulation accounted for about 7% of the parent HeLa cell population. The proliferative capacity of the Bcrp1-positive cells was greater than that of the Bcrp1-negative cells (P < 0.05). In the invasion assay, the Bcrp1-positive cells demonstrated a greater invasive capacity through the artificial basement membrane than their Bcrp1-negative counterparts. Following transplantation of 10(4) cells, only the Bcrp1-positive cells formed tumors in NOD/SCID mice. When 10(5) or 10(6) cells were transplanted, the tumor incidence and the tumor mass were greater in the Bcrp1-positive groups than those in the Bcrp1-negative groups (P < 0.05). The Bcrp1-positive subpopulation cervical cancer stem cells.