Based upon Ju and Swanson's studies on the eytoarchitecture of the bed nuclei of stria terminalis (BST) of the rat, the present work studies in detail the distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive fibers and terminals (5-HT-ir fibers) in the BST of the rat with ABC or PAP technique visualized with glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel method. The results are as followsithree types of 5-HT-ir fibers were identified in the BST, viz. thick fibers, thin fibers and varicose fibers. Only varicose fibers were found in the stria extension of the BST, whereas the rest of the BST contained other types as well. In the oval nucleus, juxitacapsular nucleus, fusiform nucleus, posterior dorsal nucleus and principle nucleus,all three types of 5-HT-ir fibers were observed, while the remaining parts of the BST were occupied with thin and varicose fibers. These fibers were distributed unevenly in the BST, with highest density in the ventromedial part of the anterior ventral area and the ventrolateral part of the posterior division; moderate density in the anterior dorsal area, the ventrolateral part of the anterior ventral area and the dorsolateral part of the posterior division; and were scattered in the anterior lateral area and the medial part of the posterior division. The difference in density of 5-HT-ir fibers among various areas of the BST corresponds generally with the sequence of ontogenesis of the BST. Mismatch of the distribution of 5-HT-ir fibers and 5-HT receptors in the BST of the rat is also discussed.

The present work studies the origin of serotonin-immunoreactive fibers and terminals (5-HT-ir fibers) in the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) of the rat, with combined retrograde tracing and 5-HT immunoperoxidase methods. The results are as follows: 5-HT-ir fibers in the main part of the BST originate mainly from the dorsal and median raphe nuclei in addition to the region adjacent to the medial lemniscus and the caudal linear nucleus raphe. About one third of HRP-labelled neurons in every above-mentioned raphe nucleus are also 5-HT immunoreactive and innervate mainly the ipsilateral BST, and they are constituted by part of every type of 5-HT-ir cells in most regions of these nuclei.

Based upon Ju and Swanson's recent studies on the cytoarchitecture of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) in the rat, the present work studied in detail the distribution of GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-ir) neurons and fibers in the BST of the rat with ABC immunohistochemical method. A large number of GABA-ir neurons were distributed in the dorsal regions of the anterolateral (AL) and anterodorsal (AD) areas as well as the ventral regions of the anteroventral (AV) area and posterior part of the BST, whereas the other regions contained relatively less numbers of GABA-ir cells. GABA-ir neurons which were displayed moderate to high densities in the oval and juxitacapsular nuclei of the AL, the parastrial and fusiform nuclei of the AV, and the principal nucleus of the posterior part were limited within the extent of these nuclei, while the remained regions of the BST were scattered by GABA-ir cells; GABA-ir fibers were concentrated mainly in the dorsal regions of the AL and AD, the parastrial and fusiform nuclei of the AV, and the dorsal regions of the posterior part. In the strial terminalis, numerous GABA-ir fibers were located chiefly in the ventrolateral and ventromedial angles of it. Combined with the results of availlable studies, the above mentioned results indicate that all the fibers which project, by way of the stria terminalis, from the oval nucleus of the BST to the ipsilateral amygdaloid central nucleus (Ce), or from the Ce and amygdaloid medial nucleus to the ipisilateral oval and principal nuclei of the BST may be GABAergic, and among them, the GABAergic projections from the oval nucleus of the BST to the Ce may play an important role in the generation and propagation of epilepsy.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating biliary stent stenosis. Methods A total of 43 cases with biliary obstruction caused by biliary stent stenosis were enrolled in this study. Through percutaneous transhepatic pucturing of biliary duct, an EndoHPB catheter was placed in the stenotic site of the biliary stent, which was followed by RFA treatment. After RFA, biliary drainage catheter was reserved. The drainage catheter was removed when angiography confirmed that the stent was patent. Results Cholangiography showed that the biliary stent became patency after RFA in all patients. No procedure-related complications occurred. After RFA, the median patency time of the stenotic biliary stent in survival patients was 107 days (12-180 days). Conclusion The results of this preliminary clinical study indicate that percutaneous intraductal radiofrequency ablation has excellent effect and safety for the treatment of biliary stent stenosis, although more reliable and randomized controlled trials are needed before its effect and safety can be further proved.

A sensitive ABC or PAP immunohistochemical technique visualized with glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel method was used to examine the distribution and characteristics of the supraependymal serotoninergic nerve fibers (5-HT-SEP) in the adult rat forebrain. Three types of fibers could be distinguished: a few thick fibers (about 0.9?m in diameter), large amount of intermediate fibers (about 0.4?m in diameter), and numerous thin fibers (about 0.1?m in diameter). Although the 5-HT-SEP were found in all areas of the forebrain ependyma, the density and distribution patterns of different fiber types varied. In addition, the correspondence between the densities of ependymal cilia and 5-HT-SEP indicates the modulation of the cilia activity by 5-HT-SEP.

Cho and So studied, with horseradish peroxidase retrograde tracing technique, the initial delay time and the rate of regrowth of damaged retinal ganglion cell axons regenerating into the autologous sciatic nerve implanted into the retinae in adult hamsters. This is the only report, to our knowledge, on the rate of regeneration of damaged central neuron axons. The present experiment tackles this issue using autologous sciatic nerve transplantation into the dorsal horn of the damaged spinal cord in adult rats, a model introduced by David and Aguayo, and visualized the regenerating axons with anti-neurofilament monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical method. Our results are as follows: the minimum initial delay time of the regenerating spinal axons in peripheral nerve grafts is 4 days. After which axons continue to regrow into the grafts within a definite period, suggesting different initial delay time for different regenerating axons. The regenerating spinal axons differ in their rate of regrowth, the fastest rate being 2.14 mm/d.

To investigate the possibility of constructing composite skin, keratinocytes were cultivated in vitro on the epidermal surface of cell free dermis prepared from pig skin.Keratinocytes grown on the dermal matrix were released at selected time points, followed by determining the proliferative capacity with cell number quantity and cell proliferation test. Cells attaching to the dermal matrix after it were seeded for 1 and 2 weeks were observed with histological section HE staining and electron microscopy scanning. Results showed that the number of keratinocytes was markedly increased with culture time. They maintained their proliferative potential after they were seeded on acellular xeno dermal matrix and reached a confluent monolayer or 3 to 6 layers at the 1st and 2nd week after seeding. The data showed that a living composite skin combined with keratinocytes and acellular dermal matrix could be successfully prepared in vitro.

2 0), and also by RT PCR. The gene expression in metastasis group was 6 86?1 84, and it was higher than that in non metastasis group. The results suggested that the high expressions of neural cell adhesion molecule gene might be correlated with the pathogenesis of NHL.

To investigate the fate of composite skin comprising mixed keratinocytes seeded on acellular dermal matrix (ADM) after its transplantation to the wound. Newborn BALB/c and human keratinocytes were mixed in various ratios, seeded on the surface of ADM, and cocultured. The composite skin substitute were then grafted onto the full thickness skin wounds in BALB/c mice. The fate of human keratinocytes was observed. The results showed that the composite skin substitutes could close the full thickness wounds in BALB/c mice. Human keratinocytes were mainly located in the upper layer of the epidermis, and were gradually replaced by BALB/c keratinocytes. This indicated that the mixed culture of keratinocytes of two different species on ADM could close full thickness wounds, having the advantages such as saving the donor skin and shortening the culture time in vitro .

To investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) of EGF gene transfected keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro after grafting. EGF levels in the supernatant of the culture media of EGF gene transfected keratinocytes cultured for different lengths of time and different passages were determined with ELISA method. Then, the gene transfected keratinocytes were seeded on the surface of acellular dermal matrix, After culture, the composite skin substitutes were grafted onto the full thickness wounds in nude mice. Specimens were harvested at intervals after grafting and stained for EGF with immunohistochemistry. The results showed that keratinocytes transfected with EGF gene secreted EGF, which was detected in the supernatant of the culture, for 5 passages. Immunohistochemical staining method showed that EGF was expressed in the newly generated epidermis 1～3 weeks after grafting of the composite skin substitute. The data showed that gene transfected keratinocytes could express EGF stably in vivo and in vitro , which would be of benefit to the construction of the tissue engineering skin.