Aim To observe the neuron nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) expression in the distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons(CSF-CNs) of rat brain parenchyma, and investigate the role of CSF-CNs in the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal.Methods Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats, weighed 260?20 g,were experimented with A 3 ?l volume of 30% cholera toxin subunit B with horseradish peroxidase(CB-HRP) was injected into one of the rats′lateral ventricles to trace and locate the distal CSF-CNs of rat brain parenchyma 48 hours before the animals were killed. All animals were perfused and the relative tissue of rats′brain was removed.Frozen serial coronal sections (40 ?m) were cut. Then TMB-ST reaction procedure was used to stain the CB-HRP positive neurons,followed by immunohistochemistry double-labeling of the nNOS with CB-HRP positive neurons. The withdrawal symptoms were observed and scored. The numbers of the CB-HRP, and CB-HRP/nNOS positive neurons on the same segmental brain sections were counted.Results The withdrawal symptoms of the withdrawal group were significant, scores of all signs were significantly higher than those of the dependence groups and control group(P

Objective The ultrastructure of the distal CSF-contacting neurons in the dorsal raphe and the relationships with their surrounding tissues were observed and a new morphological evidence for their functional significance was offered. Methods We combined CB-HRP tracing with electron microscopic techniques and observed the ultrastructure of the distal CSF-contacting neurons in the dorsal raphe and the relationships with their surrounding tissues. Results 1.The CSF-contacting neurons have the general cytological structure of neurons; 2.CB-HRP mainly is localized in the trans face of the Golgi apparatus and lysosomes;3.There are two kinds of contrary direction synaptic relationships between the distal CSF-contacting neurons and the non-CSF-contacting neurons.Conclusions 1.There are no obvious differences between the CSF-contacting neurons and other neurons in ultrastructure;2.The Golgi apparatus and the lysosomes may exist the special function in take and transport the material from CSF;3.The CSF-contacting neurons can not only transport the material or deliver the information from the dorsal raphe to CSF,but also from CSF to the dorsal raphe.

Background and purpose:Pterostilbene is a natural antioxidant, whose role in retinoblastoma remains unclear. The aim of this study is to probe the effects of pterostilbene on the proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy in retinoblastoma WERI-Rb-1 cell lines.Methods:Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used to analyze the effects of pterostilbene on the proliferation of WERI-Rb-1 cells. Apoptosis rate was determined by Annexin V/PI. Autophagic vacuoles were observed by acridine orange staining. LC3 and P62 protein expressions were determined using Western blot.Results:Pterostilbene significantly inhibited the proliferation of WERI-Rb-1 cells (P<0.01). The cell viability were (93.02±0.47)%, (55.10±2.04)% and (30.33±1.45)% after WERI-Rb-1 cells were treated with 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L pterostilbene for 24 h, and the cell viability were (88.38±3.70)%, (53.37±1.17)%, (29.60±1.05)% after WERI-Rb-1 cells were treated with 50 μmol/L pterostilbene for 12, 24 and 48 h. Pterostilbene induced cell apoptosis (P<0.01), the apoptosis rates of control group, 24 h treated group and 48 h treated group were (4.08±0.79)%, (13.44±2.12)% and (23.49±2.01)%. Pterostilbene induced autophagy of WERI-Rb-1 cells, increased LC3 expression, downregulated P62 expression and increased the number of autophagic vacuoles in WERI-Rb-1 cells (P<0.01). 3-MA and Beclin1 were able to rescue pterostilbene-induced cell death (P<0.01). After 3-MA was used to blunt autophagosome formation, the apoptosis rate markedly decreased in 3-MA+pterostilbene-treated cells compared with cells treated with pterostilbene alone [(12.97±2.09)%vs (8.35±1.11)%], and after siRNA was used to knockdown Beclin1, the apoptosis rate had the same change [(13.80±2.19)%vs (9.62±0.52)%].Conclusion:Pterostilbene can inhibit the proliferation of WERI-Rb-1 cells and induce cell apoptosis via autophagy activation.

Objective:To explore the protective effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on the prognosis of rats suffering from cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) under different treatment timings.Methods:The method of percutaneous epicardial electrical stimulation was used to establish CA model of rat. Fifty-three male SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into the sham group ( n=5), CPR group ( n=12), PRE group ( n=12), POST5 group ( n=12) and POST30 group ( n=12). The sham group did not experience CA/CPR. VNS treatment was started at 30 min before CA (PRE group, n=12), 5 min after recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (POST5 group, n=12), and 30 min after ROSC (POST30 group, n=12) in different VNS-treated group, respectively. The electrical stimulation was applied to the vagus nerve for 30 min with a unified parameter. The neurological deficit scores at 24, 48, and 72 h after ROSC were recorded, and the survival rate in each group was observed. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of cortical area and the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in brain tissue was measured by immunofluorescence at 72 h after ROSC. Variables were compared with one-way analysis of variance, and survival for Kaplan-Meier curves were tested with the log-rank test. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Compared with the CPR group (survival rate 33.33%), both pre-treatment (survival rate 75%) and post-treatment of VNS (POST5 group survival rate 75% and POST30 group survival rate 83.33%) significantly improved the 72 h survival rate after CPR ( P<0.05), mitigated neurological deficits after ROSC, reduced the positive rate of apoptosis neurons, and up-regulated the expression of α7nAChR in cerebral cortex. There was no significant difference among the VNS-treated groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Both pre-treatment and post-treatment of VNS can play a protective role in rats after CA/CPR, which may be related to the activation of α7nAChR-mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects.

Objective To explore the growth and developmental parameters and behavioral characteristics of rhesus monkeys during the first year of birth and to establish the background data.Methods A total of 18 (♂=11,♀=7 ) infant rhesus monkeys born from individually caged mothers and with known genetic background and postnatal days were monitored monthly for body weight, body height, head circumference, chest circumference, forelimb length, hind limb length, crown-rump length, tail length and anal-genital distance from postnatal day ( PND) 1 to 360, while hematology, blood chemistry and lymphocyte subsets were examined on PND 28, 175 and 360, and finger maze test was carried out on PND 208.Results The body weight showed linear growth with no significant difference between genders (P>0.05). Except for the anal-genital distance of male infants was significantly greater than that of female infants ( P<0.01 ) , no significant differences were observed between sexes in other morphological parameters.No significant differences of hematology were seen between genders (P >0.05).Compared with that at PND28, TP and BUN were significantly increased (P<0.01) while ALP decreased with no significant difference (P>0.05) at PND 175 and 360.Compared with that at PND28, CD4 +and CD4 +/CD8 +were significantly decreased ( P<0.01) while CD8+significantly increased ( P<0.01) at PND175 and 360.The number of sessions to solve task 2 in learning test was significantly greater than other tasks with females significantly less than males ( P<0.05) .The females had higher correct rate than males in the 2-day random memory test (P<0.05).Conclusions Body weight and morphological parameters show a linear growth.The PND.The RBC, HGB, LYMPH, TP, BUN, ALP, CD4 +, CD8 +and CD4 +/CD8+in hematology, blood chemistry and lymphocyte subsets show relevant changes to the growth and development of organs and systems in infants, which should be highly concerned in drug evaluation.The finger maze test indicates that female infants have better reversal learning and long-term memory than male infants.Background data and behavioral characteristics of infant rhesus monkeys during the first 12 months of birth are established in this study, which provide useful reference and support the evaluation of developmental and reproductive toxicity of drugs in rhesus monkeys.

Objective To establish the cardiac arrest (CA) model in rats by modified transcutaneous electrical stimulation on epicardium. Methods This study was performed in the Emergency Medicine laboratory in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. After 10 Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 330-380 g were anesthetized, two acupuncture needles connected to the anode and cathode of a stimulator were transcutaneously inserted into the epicardium as electrodes. The puncture points were located quantitatively according to the anatomical structure of the rat chest. The electrical stimulation was maintained for 3 minutes to induce ventricular fibrillation(VF). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) included chest compressions, intravenous adrenaline and defi brillation operated at 6 min after a period of nonintervention. Results CA was induced after the implement of the effective electrical stimulation in all ten rats in this experiment. The average current intensity to induce VF was (1.80 ± 0.59) mA, the average time to induce CA was (5.07 ± 2.37)s,the average time of the total electrical stimulation was(187.50 ± 12.75)s and the total time of CA was 6 min. At the end of the electrical stimulation, 9 rats presented VF and 1 rat showed pulseless electrical activity. The restoration of spontaneous circulation was achieved in all 10 rats. The average time of CPR was(190.90±68.60) s, the mean numbers of defi brillation were(1.20 ± 0.63) , and he average number of adrenaline application were (1.20 ± 0.42) times. Neither visible hemorrhage on epicardium nor gross pulmonary congestion was observed. Conclusions The modified transcutaneous electrical stimulation on epicardium to produce CA model in rats is an easily applicable and effective technique. This model may provide an alternative for experimental research of CPR.

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of ultrasound therapy in the rat model of sepsis.Methods:Seventy-eight male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into Sham group ( n = 12), septic model group ( n = 22), ultrasound treatment group ( n = 22), methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA) combined with ultrasound treatment group ( n = 22). In the Sham group, only the abdomen was opened, the cecum was found to be free, without cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In the septic model group, CLP was used to replicate the septic rat model. After operation, each group of rats were subcutaneously injected with preheated 37 ℃ normal saline. The rats in the ultrasound treatment group were treated with ultrasound [Philips IU22 L9-3 ultrasound instrument and 9 MHz probe were used to break the sequence in the spleen area once every 6 seconds, with 1 second for each time, the mechanical index (MI) was 0.72, and the treatment time was 10 minutes]. In the MLA combined with ultrasound treatment group, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) specific blocker MLA 4 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before operation, and ultrasound treatment was performed 2 hours after operation. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-1β, IL-6) in serum of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 24 hours after operation. The 10-day survival rate of each group was recorded, and the symptoms of each group were evaluated by clinical disease score (CDS). The histopathological changes of lung and colon were observed under light microscope. Results:Compared with the Sham group, the 10-day survival rate of rats in the septic model group was decreased significantly [40% (4/10) vs. 100% (6/6)], the CDS was (10.73±2.19 vs. 6.17±0.58) and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were increased significantly at 24 hours after operation [TNF-α (ng/L): 42.00±8.92 vs. 13.16±3.19, IL-6 (ng/L): 129.37±25.04 vs. 63.99±12.92, IL-1β(ng/L): 254.98±67.27 vs. 76.83±25.39, all P < 0.01]. Compared with the septic model group, the survival rate in the ultrasound treatment group was improved [70% (7/10) vs. 40% (4/10)], but there was no significant difference ( P > 0.05). The CDS (7.64±2.68 vs. 10.73±2.19) and the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly reduced at 24 hours after operation [TNF-α(ng/L): 16.93±6.02 vs. 42.00±8.92, IL-6 (ng/L): 73.65±24.38 vs. 129.37±25.04, IL-1β(ng/L): 111.86±14.08 vs. 254.98±67.27, all P < 0.01]. Compared with the ultrasound treatment group, the survival rate in the MLA combined with ultrasound treatment group was reduced [60% (6/10) vs. 70% (7/10)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). CDS was significantly increased (9.55±2.72 vs. 7.64±2.68), and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly increased at 24 hours after operation [TNF-α(ng/L): 34.61±7.89 vs. 16.93±6.02, IL-6 (ng/L): 112.92±10.42 vs. 73.65±24.38, IL-1β(ng/L): 212.57±32.16 vs. 111.86±14.08, all P < 0.01]. Microscopically, in the septic model group, the alveolar septum was thickened, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated, normal pulmonary reticular structure disappeared, and pulmonary interstitium showed obvious hemorrhage and edema, meanwhile, the structure of colonic villi was obviously abnormal, with cells were edema and inflammatory cell infiltration, and the arrangement was disordered, so that the subepithelial space and the top of it fell off. After ultrasound treatment, the thickness of the alveolar interval in rats was similar to that in Sham group, without obvious inflammatory cell infiltration, and the pulmonary reticular structure was relatively intact. At the same time, the morphology of colonic villi was basically normal and orderly, the edema of cell was not obvious, and subcutaneous space and tip fall off were not obvious. After being antagonized by MLA, the rat lung tissue showed thickened alveolar septum, inflammatory cell infiltration, incomplete pulmonary network structure, hemorrhage and edema in the interstitium. The villi structure of the colon was faintly visible, with obvious cell edema and inflammatory cell infiltration, and the arrangement was abnormal. Conclusion:Ultrasound treatment improves the prognosis of septic rats, MLA can reverse the anti-inflammatory effect of ultrasound therapy by antagonizing α7nAChR, suggesting that the protective mechanism of ultrasound in sepsis may be related to activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway mediated by α7nAChR.