BACKGROUND: BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are two inbred strains, but after voluntary movement, there is no report on how to scientifical y reasonably select behavioral experiment methods and indicators and to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare the behavioral indicators between BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice fol owing voluntary wheel running, to explore the effect of exercise on learning and memory, and to provide a reference for selecting reasonable behavioral indicators.
METHODS: 2.5-month-old BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control and voluntary wheel running groups. Independent running wheel movement of mice was recorded with VitalView system. 4 weeks later, newborn neurons were labeled via DCX immunofluorescence. Spatial learning, memory and exploration abilities were compared through new arm test, new object recognition test and Morris water maze test.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The mean spontaneous activity of BALB/c mice daily was 2.56 fold of that of C57BL/6 mice during wheel running (P < 0.001). (2) Hippocampal DCX-positive cel s in exercised BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were more than those in control group. (3) Meantime, exhibited by higher frequencies to explore new arm or object, and longer time and distance of moving around them, the learning and exploring capability was improved after exercising (P < 0.001), especial y in BALB/c mice. (4) Wheel running C57BL/6 mice exhibited progressed spatial learning and memory abilities compared with control mice in Morris water maze test, characterized by decreased latency to target, elevated target crossings and longer time or distance in quadrant zone (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between wheel running and control BALB/c mice. Taken these data together, voluntary wheel running contributed to hippocampal neurogenesis of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, accompanied by the change of learning and memory capability, which could be detected properly via both new arm test and new object recognition test, but for Morris water maze test, C57BL/6 mice might be superior to BALB/c mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of heart-regulating and mind-calming acupuncture on the expression of gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) in myocardial cells in a rabbit model of ventricular arrhythmia.MethodA rabbit model of ventricular arrhythmia was made by injecting barium chloride into the marginal ear vein. Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomized into control, model, acupuncture and medication groups. The acupuncture group received heart-regulating and mind-calming acupuncture[at Lingtai(GV10), Shendao(GV11), bilateral Neiguan(PC6)and Baihui(GV20)]and the medication group, oral gavage of propafenone. Rabbit left ventricle was taken after the completion of the experiment. Cx43 expressions were compared and analyzed usingan immunohistochemical staining technique and a computer image processing system.ResultCx43 expression decreased significantly in the model group compared with the control group (P<0.01) and increased in the acupuncture and medication groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Cx43 expression between the acupuncture and medication groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Adjusting Cx43 expression in myocardial cells may be one of the target points for this acupuncture treatment of arrhythmia.

Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; genetics ; Genomics ; Humans

Objective To explore the association between acute ischemic stroke and albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).Methods A case-control study.During January to December in 2013, 127 acute ischemic stroke patients as case group and 150 controls who were similar with case group in age and gender were recruited in Tianjin Union Medicine Center . According to diabetes , hypertension , cardiovascular diseases and patients without these three diseases , case group was divided into A1, B1, C1 and D1 subgroups, control group was divided into A2, B2, C2 and D2 subgroups in the same way.The first morning urine from participants were collected .Urinary albumin concentration was tested by nephelometry , urinary creatinine was examined by using enzymic method , ACR were calculated(≥30 mg/g as the cutoff value). Then difference of ACR between case and control group was compared , the cutoff value of albuminuria for ischemic stroke patients was analyzed by ROC , and the risk factor of ischemic stroke were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.Results The prevalence of albuminuria in ischemic stroke patients was 38.58%(49).According to analysis of covariance, after adjustment for age, gender, cardiac-disease, diabetes, hypertension, lnACR in case group was significantly higher than control group (3.18 mg/g vs 2.78 mg/g, t=2.13 P=0.03), especially D1 was significantly higher than D2 subgroup (3.01 mg/g vs 2.51 mg/g,t=5.56,P=0.009) .If 19.82 mg/g from ROC analysis was used as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity are 68.5% and 61.7%.The odds ratio ( OR ) of ACR >19.82 mg/g was about 2-fold when compared with ACR<19.82 mg/g adjusted for stroke risk factors , and the OR value is 2.43 in comparison of patients without diabetes , hypertension and cardiovascular diseases .Conclusions Urinary albumin excretion is the independent risk factor of ischemic stroke .The increased urinary albumin has important clinical significance to predict the risk of ischemic stroke for the patients without diabetes , hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Arthralgia is a common syndrome of joint and rheumatoid disease.Inquiry has significant value in diagnosis of joint disease.By thoroughly elaborative inquiry,we can obtain main information and made the primary diagnosis for most patients with arthralgia.Nevertheless it is much more difficult for the beginners to do inquiry considering the complex display and the numerous arthrosis.Inquiry of the following five main points may help the beginners to acquire the techniques quickly:(1)Time,degree of urgency and remote cause;(2)The numbers and location of arthritis affected;(3)Region appearance and joint function;(4)Simultaneous phenomenon;(5)Informations of diagnose and treat before.

Objective To express the antigen gene Ts21 of Trichinella spiralis, purify the recombinant protein and test its antigenicity. Methods T. spiralis gene Ts21 was sub-cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-c2X and the recombinant pMAL-c2X-Ts21 was constructed. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli TB1 strain and induced by IPTG. The expression products were purified by MBP-binding affinity chromatography. The antigenicity of the recombinant protein was examined by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Mice were immunized with the recombinant protein, the titer of the immune sera was detected by ELISA. The distribution of Ts21 protein in muscle larvae was observed by IFA. Results The molecular weight of the expressed fusion protein was about Mr 63 500 and the expression level peaked at 4 h post-incubation. The portion of the fusion protein accounted for 18.2% of all the protein by thin-layer gel optical scanning. Western blotting demonstrated that the recombinant protein was recognized by sera from mice infected by T. spiralis (T1) and T. nelsoni (T7) as well as sera of patients with trichinellosis, but not by sera from mice in-fected with T. nativa (T2), T. britovi (T3) and T. pseudospiralis (T4). The recombinant protein did not react with sera from patients with ancylostomiasis, cysticercosis and schistosomiasis, but cross-reacted with sera from patients with parag-onimiasis, clonorchiasis and echinococcosis. High titers of antibodies were produced in mice immunized with the recom-binant protein. IFA showed that the Ts21 protein was mainly distributed in the cuticle of muscle larvae. Conclusion The Ts21 antigen gene of T. spiralis has been expressed and the recombinant protein shows antigenicity.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of rosiglitazone and metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes,and provide evidence-based reference for the clinical treatment. METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed,Medline, EMBase,Cochrane Library,CJFD,VIP and Wanfang database,randomized controlled trials (RCT) about rosiglitazone (test group)and metformin(control group)in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. After data extract and quality evaluation,Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.0 statistics software. RESULTS:A total of 5 RCT were included involving 636 patients. Re-sults of Meta-analysis showed the incidence of diarrhea [RR=0.23,95%CI(0.07,0.81),P=0.000] in test groupwere significantly lower than control group,the HbA1c level [MD=0.22,95%CI(0.07,0.38),P=0.004],the incidence of edema [RR=0.20,95%CI (0.05,0.57),P=0.011] in test group was significantly higher than control group,and there was no significant difference in the fast-ing blood glucose level[MD=0.27,95%CI(-0.26,0.79),P=0.32],the incidence of nausea/vomiting [RR=0.94,95%CI(0.06, 0.89),P=0.692]between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:Metformin is more effective than rosiglitazone in the treatment of type 2 dia-betes,however,the incidence of diarrhea should be noticed. Due to the limit of methodological quality and sample size,it remains to be further verified with more rigorously designed and long-term follow-up of large-scale RCT.

Objective To evaluate the features of the encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinoma (EPTC) by ultrasound and histopathology.Methods The EPTC were classified into the following two types based on the shape,characteristics of the border,size of the nodule,echogenicity,a hypoechoic halo and microcalcification by ultrasound features:papillary carcinoma (PC) type and follicular tumor (FT) type.Results Of all the 33 cases,21 cases were PC type and 12 cases were FT type.The histopathological result of PC type was papillary carcinoma.PC type had a jagged border,an irregular tumor shape with marked hypoechogenicity by ultrasound.PC type were composed of papillae by histopathology,completely surrounded by a fibrous capsule with tumor cells having the nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma,densely interstitial fibrosis and microcalcification;FT type had a smooth border,a regular shape (spherical to oval),isoechogenicity and a hypoechoic halo by ultrasound.FT type were completely or significantly composed of follicles by histopathology,completely surrounded by a fibrous capsule with tumor cells having the nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma.Hypoechoic halo were more frequently observed in FT type than in PC type.The nodule size of FT type(1.8-7.0 cm)was larger than that of PC type(0.8-5.2 cm).Fine and multiple strong echoes were characteristically present only in PC type.Conclusion The EPTC have characteristic features that are similar to those of the benign follicular thyroid tumor by ultrasound.

Objective To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expressions of sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (Ntcp) and bile salt export pump (Bsep),as well as the liver function markers in the serum including total bilirubin (TBIL),total bile acids (TBA),alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mice.Methods One hundred and twenty-eight C57BL/6 mice were intra-peritoneally injected with different doses of 5,10,20 or 40 mg/kg LPS (n =24),respectively.No treatment or treated with 0.9％ NaC1 in mice as controls.Serum TBIL,TBA,ALT and AST levels were measured at 24 h,48 h and 72 h after LPS injection in each group.The mRNA expressions of Ntcp and Bsep were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).The liver histological sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E).Results The Ntcp and Bsep mRNA expressions in mice liver were significantly lower in livers of LPS-treated mice within 24-72 h compared with control group,and the lowest level was reached at 24 h in a dose-dependent manner.And the relative expressions of Ntcp mRNA and Bsep mRNA were (0.64 ± 0.02),(0.53 ± 0.14),(0.25±0.09),(0.15±0.07)and (0.74±0.12),(0.58±0.11),(0.41±0.09),(0.27 ± ± 0.11) in livers of mice injected with LPS in the different doses of 5,10,20,40 mg/kg,respectively.In addition,serum levels of TBIL,TBA,ALT,and AST were significantly increased in mice of LPS-treated group compared with control group,particularly within 24 h after LPS treatment.Serum levels of TBIL,TBA,ALT,and AST were significantly decreased in mice of 40 mg/kg LPS-treated 72 h group compared with 24 h group presenting them with (1.29 ± 0.25) μ mol/L vs.(1.71 ± 0.22) μ moL/L,(6.97 ± 0.98) μmol/Lvs.(8.96±1.01) μmol/L,(120.17±21.08) U/L vs.(179.22±16.57) U/L,(360.34 ±35.31) U/L vs.(510.97 ± 34.70) U/L,respectively.Furthermore,histological changes in liver depend on dose and the course of LPS treatment.Cytoplasm rarefaction and inflammatory cells infiltration were detected at 24 h after treatment with 5 or 10 mg/kg LPS.Acidophilic and vacuolar degeneration,neutrophils infiltration in the hepatic sinusoid and portal area,the proliferation of bile ductulus were observed at 48 h,72 h after treatment with 5 or 10 mg/kg LPS.In the 20 or 40 mg/kg LPS treatment groups,focal necrosis,infiltration with inflammatory cells,proliferation of bile ductulus and expansion of duct were observed at 24 h,48 h and 72 h after LPS treatment.Conclusions LPS decreases the mRNA expressions of Ntcp and Bsep in a dose dependent manner in mice,contributing to mechanism of liver injury induced by endotoxin.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-155 (miR-155) inhibitor on JAK/STAT1 (Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator transcription 1) signaling pathways in the injured lung tissue induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods One hundred and twenty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group (n =40),LPS group (n =40),and inhibitor + LPS group (n =40).LPS group and inhibitor + LPS group were made by injection of LPS 20 mg/kg intra-peritonealy,whereas equivalent volume of normal saline was given instead in the control group.The 80 mg/kg of miR-155 inhibitor was injected into caudal vein 24 h before LPS injection in inhibitor + LPS group.Mice were sacrificed at 6 h,12 h,24 h,and 48h separately after LPS injection,and lung tissue were collected.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) of lung tissue were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Using histopathological examination,the injury of lung tissue was evaluated.The expressions of miR-155,STAT1 mRNA,SOCS1 mRNA in lung tissue were assayed by fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Results The miR-155 expression induced by LPS increased at 6 h,12 h,24 h and decreased at 48 h.The miR-155 expressions in LPS group were (8.52 ± 1.12) at 6 h,(11.04 ±0.99) at 12 h,(15.84 ±0.80) at 24 h and (4.03 ± 2.55) at 48 h.In the inhibitor + LPS group,the expressions of miR-155 were lower compared with LPS group,showing significant differences at 12 h (t =6.08,P ＜ 0.01),and at 24 h (t =23.64,P ＜ 0.01).STAT1 mRNA and SOCS1 mRNA both reached peak levels at 6 h after LPS injection.The levels of STAT1 mRNA in LPS group were higher than those in inhibitor + LPS group,showing significant differencesat6h (t=4.41,P＜0.01),12h(t=2.69,P＜0.05),and24h (t=3.62,P＜0.01).The levels of SOCS1 mRNA in inhibitor + LPS group were higher than those in LPS group,showing significant differences at 6 h (t =4.55,P ＜0.01),12 h (t =4.12,P ＜0.01),24 h (t =2.38,P ＜ 0.05).TNF-α reached its peak value at 6 hours and IL-10 reached its peak value at 48 hours.Both TNF-α and IL-10 were higher in LPS group than those in inhibitor + LPS group showing significant differences at 6 h,12 h,24 h (P ＜0.01).The pathologic examination indicated the lung injury in inhibitor + LPS group was milder than that in LPS group.Conclusion The miR-155 increased in lung tissue of endotoxemic mice.miR-155 inhibitor may suppress JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway and protect the lung tissue.