OBJECTIVETo present that Nickel-Titanium (NT) memory alloy staples in fusionless controlling the growth of the vertebrates in the sagittal plane.

METHODSEighteen infant female goats were selected and equally divided into 3 random groups: long staple group, short staple group and blank control group. Five long staple (the legs' length = 7 mm) and five short staple (the legs' length = 4 mm) were implanted into each goat in long and short staple groups respectively by anterior approach, right on the front of the thoracic vertebrae from T(6) to T(11). The control group was not given any treatment. X-ray examination was performed pre-operatively and post-operatively. Cobb angle of lateral radiograph was measured and the data of Cobb angle were statistically analyzed. At the end of the experiment, whether the staples implanted spinal columns were fused or not were evaluated by gross observation.

RESULTSFinally, all of the goats were included in the final results. Before the operations, T(6-11) sagittal Cobb angle was 7.0° ± 2.3° in short staple group, and 6.2° ± 4.0° in long staple group. And after the operation, the T(6-11) Cobb angle was increased to 12.7° ± 4.7° in short staple group with the increased rate of 81.4%, and 14.0° ± 4.9° in long staple group with the increased rate of 125.8%, respectively. Before and after the surgery, there were no significant differences between long staple group and short staple group in terms of Cobb angle (pre-operation P = 0.655, post-operation P = 0.596). Before the surgery, there were no differences in terms of Cobb angle, between long staple groups and control group (P = 0.929), and short staple groups and control group (P = 0.720). At the end of the experiment, there were significant differences between long staple group and control group in terms of Cobb angle (P = 0.007), and between short staple group and control group (P = 0.021). The staples implanted spinal columns were not fused which was proved by gross observation.

CONCLUSIONSThe memory alloy staple implantation by anterior approach, right on the front of the thoracic vertebrae of goats, can control the growth of thoracic vertebrates leading to kyphosis.

Animals ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Goats ; Nickel ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; growth & development ; surgery ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects that shape memory alloy (SMA) staples implanted to the lateral aspect of the thoracic vertebrae on spinal growth in goats.

METHODSSixteen goats (age 2 - 3 months) were divided into 3 groups: six in single staple group; six in double staples group and four in control group. Single staples group underwent right-side thoracotomy for exposing the thoracic spine through the eighth rib. Five SMA staples were placed laterally into vertebral bodies of T(6 - 11) spanning discs. Double staples group underwent the same operation. Laterally directed 10 SMA staples were placed into vertebrae of T(6 - 11) spanning discs and two staple spanning each disc. The last four goats in control groups just only underwent right-side thoracotomy. In the next 4 months after operation, radiographs were taken to observe the spinal growth every month.

RESULTSThe radiographic analysis demonstrated scoliosis of 12.83 degrees +/- 12.17 degrees in single staple group and 12.00 degrees +/- 3.22 degrees in double staple group after 2 months of the operation. Cobb angle of 6.00 degrees +/- 4.94 degrees and 25.17 degrees +/- 3.71 degrees were observed in the two groups respectively after 4 months of operation, as compared with 0 degrees in the control groups. Only 2 goats developed kyphosis.

CONCLUSIONSCompression between vertebral bodies by SMA staples can depress spinal growth in the same side and greater compression result in larger curves.

Alloys ; Animals ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Goats ; Spine ; growth & development ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Thoracotomy ; instrumentation ; methods

Animal Feed ; Animals ; Cysteamine ; Female ; Goats ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; growth & development ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo develop an epiphyseal slide-traction plate in child, which can supply the fracture a sufficient internal fixation, and will not restrain the growth of epiphyses. Animal experiments were carried out with the plates to compare the slide-traction with traditional plate.

METHODSDevelop a slide-traction plate for the configuration of the femur condylus of children. Thirty adolescent goats in the experiment were divided into control group (12 goats) and plate group (18 goats). In plate group, right femurs of goats were fixed with common plates and the left femurs with slide-traction plates. All the goats were given X-ray examination at different time after surgery. And the goats were sacrificed at 3 and 6 month, histological method and electron microscopy were performed to evaluate the development of epiphyseal plate.

RESULTSThe both femurs of the goats in control group have no difference in evidence in length at all time we examined. And the both femurs of the goats fixed with plates have no difference in evidence in length at 1 day after surgery. However, the both femurs of the goats fixed with plates have difference in evidence in length at 1 month, 2 month, 3 month, 6 month after surgery. The increased length of the femurs at I month, 2 month, 3 month, 6 month after surgery was also compared with the length at 1 day after surgery, there was difference in evidence between the right femurs of the control group and the femurs were fixed with common plates, but no difference in evidence between the left femurs of the normal control group and the femurs were fixed with slide-traction plate (P > 0.05). More thicker epiphyseal plate were found in the left femurs than the right femurs of the group fixed with plates at 3 and 6 month after surgery (P < 0.01). In the plate group, safranine O staining showed epiphyseal plates at the left femurs had more fuscous staining than the right femurs at 3 and 6 month after surgery and electron microscopy also found that the cells of the epiphyseal plates of left femurs were more eugenic than the right femurs at 3 and 6 month after surgery.

CONCLUSIONThe epiphyseal slide-traction plate can slide with the growth of epiphyses, which is suitable for fixation of the fracture in this part.

Animals ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Femur ; cytology ; diagnostic imaging ; growth & development ; surgery ; Goats ; Growth Plate ; cytology ; diagnostic imaging ; growth & development ; surgery ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Radiography ; Traction

BACKGROUND: Renal microvascular injury characterizes thrombotic microangiopathy(TMA). In a rat TMA model characterized by progressive renal injury, we postulated that the incomplete resolution of renal injury might be due to inadequate recovery of microvascular endotherlium. We therefore examined the degree of recovery of microvasculature and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), which has trophic, pro-survival, and angiogenic properties for endeothelial cells. METHODS: TMA was induced in rats by selective right renal artery perfusion of anti-glomerular endothelial cell IgG(30mg/kg). The rats were studied at day 1 and day 17 and compared with control rats perfused with non-immunized goat IgG. RESULTS: Control rats had normal microvasculature and normal histology at day 1 and day 17. In contrast, rats perfused with anti-GEN(TMA rats) showed severe loss of microvasculature accomapnied by severe glomerular and tubulointerstitial(TI) injury at day 1. At day 17 of TMA rats, some spontaneous endothelial recovery was present, but the repair was incomplete and progressive glomerular and TI damage occurred. In control rats, VEGF expression was prominent in the outer medulla and medullary rays. In TMA rats, VEGF expresion was markedly decreased compared to control rats at day 1 and the remained decreased at day 17, especially at sites of intersitital fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Incomplete recovery of renal microvasuclature was associated with severe tissue damage and reduced VEGF expression in a rat model of TMA. These studies suggest that reduced VEGF expression may cause incomplete recovery of injured renal microvasulature and persistent tissue injury.
Animals ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Fibrosis ; Goats ; Immunoglobulin G ; Microvessels* ; Models, Animal ; Perfusion ; Rats ; Renal Artery ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

In this paper, the action of suet oil in the preparation of self-assembled micelles of the active flavonoids in Epimedium in the simulated human environment was researched. Twelve suet oil samples were collected from different growing areas and different positions of sheep or goat to simulate the formation of micelles. Then the effects of the fatty acids in suet oil on the preparation of self-assembled micelles were studied furthermore. The results showed that the micelles had a dispersed state and spherical smooth surface. To compare the diameter, potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of the 12 batches micelles, the micelles prepared by the suet oil from Qinghai were more stable and had a higher encapsulation efficiency. The fatty acids in suet oil could promote the formation of self-assembled micelles, but the whole suet oil had a better effect. Above all the study, we confirmed that the suet oil promoted the formation of self-assembled micelles of the flavonoids in Epimedium, it laid foundation for further research about increasing the efficacy of Epimedium and improved the absorption of the active flavonoids in Epimedium.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; China ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Electric Conductivity ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Fatty Acids ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Geography ; Goats ; Humans ; Micelles ; Oils ; chemistry ; Sheep

We have previously reported that expression of the somatostatin receptor subtypes, sst1-5, is differentially regulated by growth hormone (GH) -releasing hormone (GHRH) and forskolin (FSK), in vitro. GHRH binds to membrane receptors selectively located on pituitary somatotropes, activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) and increases sst1 and sst2 and decreases sst5 mRNA levels, without significantly altering the expression of sst3 and sst4. In contrast FSK directly activates AC in all pituitary cell types and increases sst1 and sst2 mRNA levels and decreases sst3, sst4 and sst5 expression. Two explanations could account for these differential effects: 1) GHRH inhibits sst3 and sst4 expression in somatotropes, but this inhibitory effect is masked by expression of these receptors in unresponsive pituitary cell types, and 2) FSK inhibits sst3 and sst4 expression levels in pituitary cell types other than somatotropes. To differentiate between these two possibilities, somatotropes were sequentially labeled with monkey anti-rat GH antiserum, biotinylated goat anti-human IgG, and streptavidin-PE and subsequently purified by fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS). The resultant cell population consisted of 95% somatotropes, as determined by GH immunohistochemistry using a primary GH antiserum different from that used for FACS sorting. Purified somatotropes were cultured for 3 days and treated for 4 h with vehicle, GHRH (10 nM) or FSK (10micrometer). Total RNA was isolated by column extraction and specific receptor mRNA levels were determined by semi-quantitative multiplex RT-PCR. Under basal conditions, the relative expression levels of the various somatostatin receptor subtypes were sst2> sst5> sst3=sst1> sst4. GHRH treatment increased sst1 and sst2 mRNA levels and decreased sst3, sst4 and sst5 mRNA levels in purified somatotropes, comparable to the effects of FSK on purified somatotropes and mixed pituitary cell cultures. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GHRH acutely modulates the expression of all somatostatin receptor subtypes within GH-producing cells and its actions are likely mediated by activation of AC.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Colforsin ; Goats ; Growth Hormone* ; Haplorhini ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunohistochemistry ; Masks ; Membranes ; Receptors, Somatostatin* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger* ; Somatostatin*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of human insulin-like growth factor I (hIGF-I) gene transferred into the cultured goat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with liposome, and find a new method of cell-mediated gene therapy.

METHODSBone marrow was extracted from adult goats and cultured in vitro by monolayer. Then the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-hIGF was transfected into cells by FuGene 6. After transfection, the marker gene coding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was observed at different time points. The hIGF concentration in the supernatant fluids was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry stain of hIGF was performed to detect the target protein. Besides, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were also adopted in order to find out the changes of cells after transfection.

RESULTSBone marrow stem cells were all in the long shuttle-like shape and adhered to the disk. The expression of EGFP was first found at 4 h after transfection. The amount and intensity of EGFP increased gradually during the period of detection and got to the peak degree at 72 h, after that decreased slowly. EGFP was also seen in the second generation cells, but the intensity was relatively faint. The IGF-I concentration secreted into the supernatant was in accordance with the EGFP observed with the peak concentration at 34.75 ng/ml. The outcome of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was positive. The morphology of many stem cells was changed into triangular or irregular forms under the circumstance of the secreted hIGF-I. Percentage of stem cells in the S stage increased after transfection.

CONCLUSIONThe hIGF-I gene can be transfected efficiently and safely into BMSCs by FuGene 6, and the hIGF-I protein can be secreted into the supernatant in a relatively high level during a long period, therefore accelerate the proliferation and differentiation of the transfected cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Genetic Vectors ; Goats ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Schwann cells on axon regeneration of the inferior alveolar nerve following mandibular lengthening with distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSUnilateral mandibular osteodistraction was performed in 9 healthy adult male goats with a distraction rate of 1 mm/d. Every 3 goats were killed on days 7, 14 and 28 after mandibular lengthening, respectively. The inferior alveolar nerves in the distraction callus were harvested and processed for ultrastructural and NGF immunohistochemical study. The inferior alveolar nerves from the contralateral side were used as controls.

RESULTSOn day 7 after distraction, axon degeneration and Schwann cell proliferation were observed, and very strong staining of NGF in the distracted nerve was detected. On day 14 after distraction, axon regeneration and remyelination were easily observed, and NGF expression started to decline. On day 28 after distraction, the gray scale of NGF immunoreactivity recovered to the normal value and the Schwann cells almost recovered to their normal state.

CONCLUSIONSGradual mandibular osteodistraction can result in mild or moderate axon degeneration of the inferior alveolar nerve. Nerve trauma may stimulate the proliferation of Schwann cells and promote the synthesis and secretion of NGF in the Schwann cells. Schwann cells and NGF might play important roles in axon regeneration of the injured inferior alveolar nerve following mandibular lengthening.

Animals ; Axons ; pathology ; physiology ; Goats ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Mandibular Nerve ; physiology ; Nerve Growth Factor ; physiology ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Schwann Cells ; physiology

PURPOSE: The enlargement of a prostate afflicted with benign prostatic hyperplsia(BPH) is known to be caused by the proliferation of prostatic cells under the influence of androgen, growth factors and interaction among cells. However, their roles are not yet to be clearly identified. Thus, we studied about the role of the growth factors in development of BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly selected 46 patients who received transurethral resection of prostate(TURP) due to prostatic enlargement and were confirmed as BPH pathologically. Their prostatic sizes were measured using transurethral ultrasonography. Paraffin embedded specimens from the TURP were stained with H&E (hematoxylin-eosin). Point count method was applied to obtain the ratio among the sizes of stroma, epithelium, and glandular lumen. Immunohistochemical stain was conducted on bFGF(basic fibroblast growth factor: goat polyclonal antibody), and TGF-beta 2(transforming growth factor-beta2: rabbit polyclonal antibody). The intensity of fluorescence (stroma; 0+1+,2, glandular epithelium 0,+1,+2,+3) of bFGF and TGF-beta2 was obseNed in 20 low power field under the light microscope, then measured to get an average. RESULTS: The mean sixte of prostate was 44.2(+/-21.0)ml and the ratio among the sizes of stroma, glandular epithelium, and gladular lumen was 5.6:4:2.1, meaning that stroma took up the largest part of a prostate. The degree of expression of bFGF and TGF-beta2 was significantly different between actively proliferating group and inactively proliferating group(when the proliferation rate was less than 3%, n=26). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that growth factors such as bFGF and TGF-beta2 affected the proliferation rate, with individual differences and differences in time. We think they play different roles in influencing the rate according to cellular components such as stromal and glandular epithelial cells.
Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Fluorescence ; Goats ; Humans ; Individuality ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins* ; Paraffin ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Ultrasonography