OBJECTIVETo analyze the electrical activity property changes in nucleus accumbens (NAc) of heroin-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) rats during different stages of heroin dependence and to explore NAc's roles in the formation of drug dependence.

METHODSRecording electrodes were bilaterally embedded into the NAcs of rats with the aid of stereotaxic apparatus, followed by establishment of heroin-dependent rat model. The NAc electrical activity during 3 different stages of heroin dependence, including heroin pre-exposure, immediate post-exposure and heroin withdrawal, were respectively recorded using EEG wireless telemetry techniques. The frequency distribution (ranging from 0.5 to 30 Hz) and the amplitude of NAc electrical activity were analyzed and measured.

RESULTSHeroin-dependent rat models were successfully established and their withdrawal symptoms were evident. All rats showed a conditioned place preference (CPP) for the white box after 5-10 days of heroin-exposure, and displayed a maximum withdrawal symptoms on 2d after heroin- withdrawal. During all statges of heroin-dependence, the NAc electrical activity contained the highest proportion of delta rhythm and the lowest proportion of alpha2 rhythm. The discharge frequence band was similar across different stages. There was a significantly increased ratio of low-frequency discharges (delta rhythm) and decreased ratio of high-frequency discharges (beta rhythm) in NAc of rats during the immediate post- heroin exposure stage when compared with that during pre-exposure and heroin withdrawal stages. During the withdrawal stage, the ratio of at rhythm was significantly lower than during pre- and post-heroin exposure stages (P < 0.01). Further, the mean discharge amplitude in NAcs during immediate post-exposure and withdrawal stages was significantly increased relative to pre-exposure stage. However, the mean discharge amplitude during heroin withdrawal stage was significantly lower than during immediate post-exposure stage.

CONCLUSIONThe electrical activity properties in rat NAcs showed a significant change during different stages of heroin-dependence, which suggested that neuronal activities in NAcs might contribute to the modulation of drug-dependence.

Animals ; Conditioning, Operant ; Heroin ; pharmacology ; Heroin Dependence ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nucleus Accumbens ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Telemetry

Objective To evaluate the MUC1 promoter's role in driving gene expression in pancreatic cancer and its therapeutic significance.Methods Two plasmids were made.The plasmid pEGFP-MUC1N1 contained MUC1 promoter fragment connected to the pEGFP-N1 vector with the EGFG reporter gene.The pShuttle-MUC1-EGFP plasmid contained MUC1 promoter fragment and EGFP reporter gene connected to pShuttle plasmid.Lipofectamine 2000 was used to transfect the two plasmids into cells of MUC1-positive human pancreatic cell line Panc-1 and MUC1-negative human cervical carcinoma Hela.Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry compared the specificity and activity of the MUC1 promoter and CMV promoter.Results Reporter gene EGFP-positive cells 48 hours after transfection with pEGFP-MUC1-N1 and pShuttleMUC1-EGFP plasmid were 69.6％ and 63.6％ respectively,in Panc-1 cells,and 4.2％ and 3.7％ respectively,in Hela cells.Conclusions MUC1 promoter can drive reporter gene activity in MUC1-positive tumor cells targeting functional expression.There is potentially a use of targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer at the genetic level.

ObjectiveTo explore the methods of low temperature preservation for alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules.MethodsAPA microcapsules were prepared with static electricity, and underwent hypothermal treatment respectively through methods of program control, gradient by icebox and put in liquid nitrogen directly, finally preserved in liquid nitrogen. The form and permeability of APA microcapsules were checked after rewarming.ResultsThe rates of integrity, crenation and damage were (91.2±1.57)%, (3.1±0.81)% and (5.7± 2.62 )% in the program control group; (85.3±1.42)%, (5.2±0.74)% and (9.5± 3.81 )% in the gradient by icebox group; (14.5±1.57)%, (84.1±3.47)% and (1.4±2.62)% in the directly put in liquid nitrogen group. The membrane permeability of full APA microcapsules after frozen and reworming was not changed obviously.ConclusionThe program control method can preferably preserve APA microcapsules at low temperature and keep them having normal form and permeability.

BACKGROUND: Genetically engineered cells have been used in the replacement therapy and gene therapy. However, how to select proper donor cells, target cells, and corresponding viral vectors is the most difficult in the therapy.OBJECTIVE: To compare the transduction efficiency of recombinant adenovirus Ad5 and AdSF35, adeno-associated virus rAAV1/2 and rAAV2, and lentivirus LV in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and exogenous gene expression level so as to select the vectors, which can efficiently transduce BMSCs.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Gene engineering controlled observation, performed in the Central Laboratory, Shanghai First People's Hospital between October 2006 and March 2007.MATERIALS: Ten Sprague Dawley rats of clean grade were used to prepare BMSCs. All recombinant viral vectors carded enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) report gene. Ad5 was prepared by the Central Laboratory, Shanghai First People's Hospital. Ad5F35 was gifted by professor Qian Qi-jun from the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. rAAV2 and rAAVI/2 were the products of Benyuan Zhengyang Gene Technique Co.,Ltd. LV was gifted by professor Cuo Li-be from Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cytobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.METHODS: Rat BMSCs were in vitro isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation. BMSCs of passage 4 were inoculated into 24-well plate at lxlO5/well. One day later, ceils adhered to the wall and allocated to 5 groups. Ad5-EGFP [10, 100,1 000 multiplicity of infection (MOI)], Ad5F35-EGFP (10,10, 1 000 MOI), rAAVI/2-EGFP (1×104,1x10× vg), rAAV2-EGFP(1×104, 1x105vg), and LV-EGFP (30 TU) were respectively added into the 5 groups. BMSCs were transduced for 2 days with Ad virus and separately for 6 days with rAAV and LV virus.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: EGFP-positive expression and fluorescence intensity.RESULTS: After twenty-four hours of Ad5-EGFP transduction, EGFP-positive cells were visible under the microscope. With virus dose increasing, EGFP-positive cells increased and fluorescence intensity strengthened. Twelve days later, EGFP-positive cells gradually reduced and fluorescence intensity weakened. For Ad5F35-EGFP, its transduction was basically similar to Ad5-EGFP, but EGFP-positive cell number and fluorescence intensity were increased. After 6 days of rAAV1/2-EGFP or rAAV2-EGFP transduction, EGFP-posidve cell number and fluorescence intensity were decreased. For LV-EGFP transduction, a small amount of EGFP-positive cells could be visible on the second day, and then EGFP-positive ceils and fluorescence intensity were gradually increased until the sixth day.CONCLUSION: Ad5, Ad5F35 and LV could effectively transduce BMSCs cultured in vitro and express exogenous gene.Furthermore, transduction efficiency was correlated with virus dose in dose-dependent manner, rAAVI/2 and rAAV2 had poor/in vitro transduction efficiency.

Adult ; Biopsy ; Fatty Liver ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of the extensive resection of the tumor-loading segment and artificial humerus head replacement combined with perioperative rehabilitation for the treatment of stage II to III giant cell tumor of bone in the proximal humerus.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to March 2010, 7 patients with stage II to III giant cell tumor of bone in the proximal humerus were treated. Among the patients, 3 patients were male and 4 patients were female with a mean age of 34.6 years (ranged, 18 to 49 years). The mean course of disease was 19 months (ranged, 6 to 35 months). All the patients were confirmed to suffer stage II to III giant cell tumor of bone in the proximal humerus by pathology and X-ray examinations. Clinical manifestations of the patients included persistence aggravated pain of the shoulder, swelling in the proximate arm with obviously tenderness, activity limited of the joint. All the patients were treated with extensive resection of the tumor-loading segment and artificial humerus head replacement combined with perioperative rehabilitation. CMS and OSIS score system were used to evaluate shoulder function and shoulder stability.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 14 to 35 months, with an average of 17 months. There were no serious complications or recurrence in all cases. One year after the surgery CMS and OSIS score system were 70.7 scores (ranged,63 to 82 scores) and 25.1 scores (ranged, 18 to 29 scores) respectively. According to evaluation for shoulder function, 2 patients got an excellent result and 5 good. According to evaluation of shoulder stability, 1 patient got an excellent result and 6 good.

CONCLUSIONExtensive resection of the tumor-loading segment and artificial humerus head replacement combined with perioperative rehabilitation for the treatment of stage II to III giant cell tumor of bone in the proximal humerus would not only preserve the upper extremity but also preserve the function of upper extremity.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; pathology ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Humans ; Humerus ; surgery ; Limb Salvage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging

Twenty-four soil samples of eight ecosystem-types around the Yellow River source area were investigated for the number and specific composition of soil dematiaceous hyphomycetes by dilution plate technique. And then the co-relationship between genus species of soil dematiaceous hyphomycetes and ecosystem-types was analyzed. The results show that the amount and species distribution of soil dematiaceous hyphomycetes had an obvious variability in different ecosystem-types, and that the dominant genus species varied in the eight ecosystem-types studied, with Cladosporium being the dominant genus in seven of the eight ecosystem-types except wetland. The index of species diversity varied in different ecosystem-types. The niche breadth analysis showed that Cladosporium had the highest niche breadth and distributed in all ecosystem-types, while the genera with a narrow niche breadth distributed only in a few ecosystem-types. The results of niche overlap index analysis indicated that Stachybotrys and Torula, Doratomyces and Scolecobasidium, Cladosporium and Chrysosporium had a higher niche overlap, whereas Arthrinium and Gliomastix, Phialophora and Doratomyces, Oidiodendron and Ulocladium had no niche overlap.
China ; Ecosystem ; Fresh Water ; microbiology ; Mitosporic Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Soil Microbiology ; Species Specificity

We investigated the effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) on growth performance and humoral immune response of the large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.). One thousand and two hundred large yellow croakers [initial average weight: (162.75+/-23.85) g] were divided into four groups and reared in floating sea cages (3 m x 3 m x 3 m). The animals were fed with 4 diets: basal diet only (control) or diets supplemented with 5%, 10% and 15% (w/w) FPH. The results show that dietary FPH levels significantly influenced the growth and immunity of the large yellow croaker. Compared with the control group, total weight gain (TWG) in all treatment groups, relative weight gain (RWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH were significantly increased (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in immune parameters [lysozyme activity, serum complements, immunoglobulin M (IgM)]. Lysozyme activity, complement C4 and IgM were also significantly increased (P<0.05) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH, while complement C3 level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all treatment groups. In general, with the supplementation of FPH, particularly at dose of 10%, the growth performance and immunity of the large yellow croaker can be improved effectively.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; Fish Products ; Gadiformes ; metabolism ; Perciformes ; growth & development ; immunology ; Protein Hydrolysates ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the incidence of postoperative hemorrhage in children undergoing adenoidectomy, and to discuss its possible causes.

METHODSIncluded in this study were children who underwent adenoid and/or tonsil surgery at Shenzhen Children's Hospital between January 2004 and November 2009. The change of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) were retrospectively analysed. The blood loss was estimated by the change of Hct.

RESULTSThere were 2078 cases that accomplished the inclusion criteria in the period of study. Ten children bled 0.5 - 4.0 hours after surgery, without superfluous hemorrhage during the operation and post-tonsillectomy. This represented an incidence of 0.48%of immediate postoperative haemorrhage among the 2078 procedures analyzed. Statistical differences were found between boys (0.21%) and girls (1.10%, χ² = 5.597, P < 0.05). The change of Hb and Hct was positively correlated (r = 0.95, P < 0.01), the blood loss was positively correlated with the bleeding time (r = 0.66, P < 0.05). The causes of postoperative hemorrhage were coagulation system deficits, chronic nasopharyngitis, deficient hemostasis and immoderate ravage. To control the postoperative hemorrhage, 2 postnasal packing under topical anaesthesia and 8 electrocautery under general anaesthesia were applied.

CONCLUSIONSPoor operative technique and deficient hemostasis are the major causes of primary hemorrhage. Prompt operation to control the postoperative bleeding should be done 2 hours after bleeding under general anesthesia in order to avoid severe complications.

Adenoidectomy ; adverse effects ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tonsillectomy ; adverse effects