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.

Until now, the exactly effect of Kupffer cells (KCs) on inducing immune tolerance or aggravating acute rejection is still unknown. Activated by various way after liver transplantation, have the ability of phagucytosis the apoptositic T cells, up-regulated expression of FasL and many Th2/Th3 cytokines, such as interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-lB. These up-regulated cytokines could induce the apoptosis of Th1 cells and enhance the proliferation and differentiation of the Th2 cells, finally induce the immune tolerance, However, the activated KCs also have the ability of expression many cytokine-dependent molecules,such as class Ⅱ major histocompatibility antigens, adhesion molecule and costimulatory molecules which could enhance the function of the antigen presentation, increase the expression of Thl cytokine and aggravate the acute rejection after liver transplantation. It maybe relate to the ratio of theTh1/Th2 cells determined by the complicated net of the cytokine produced by the activated Kupffer cells: the predominance of Th2 cells could induce the immune tolerance, on the contrary, the acute rejection proceed.

BACKGROUND:Tissue and cellimplantation entails high-quality seed cells. In order to satisfy this requirement, it is crucial to produce adequate wel-conditioned, high-purity and strong proliferation ability bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
OBJECTIVE:To establish a simple, rapid and effective in vitro isolation and culture method of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and to define the biological features of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
METHODS:Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the bilateral tibial and femoral bones by the method of whole bone marrow, then purified and passaged by attachment method. The morphology and features of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were observed, the growth curve was drawn and the cellsurface antigen was detected by flow cytometry. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were induced to differentiate along the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells isolated by the whole bone marrow adherence method grew vigorously and were highly purified. The cultured cells were spindle-shaped. The growth curve was S-shaped and the population doubling time was 29 hours. The cells stil maintained a strong proliferative capacity after they were passaged for 10 generations. The surface markers such as CD44, CD29, CD90 were positive, while CD45, CD34, CD11b were negative. At the third passage, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were induced to differentiate along the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages, respectively. Fol owing induction, Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, von-kossa mineralized nodules staining, toluidine blue staining, and oil red O staining were al positive. This shows that the whole bone marrow adherence method is a simple and reliable method for the in vitro isolation, culture and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, they have multi-lineage differentiation capacity under different inducers. The third passage bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have the highest biological activity and can act as the ideal seed cells for subsequent experiments.

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.

Acclimatization ; Dizziness ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve ; physiology

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of stent insertion combined with high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation for malignant obstructive jaundice caused by pancreatic carcinoma.Methods From January 2013 to February 2017,a total of 80 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice caused by pancreatic carcinoma underwent biliary stent insertion in our center,who were divided into combined treatment(stent insertion with HIFU ablation) group(n=38) and solitary stent insertion group(n=42).The stent patency time and survival time were compared between the two groups.Results Relief of jaundice were archived in all patients in both groups.Cholangitis was observed in 7 cases in both two groups.Reobstruction of stent was observed in 15 patients in both two groups.The median stent patency time was 179 days in combined treatment group and 119 days in solitary stent insertion group(P<0.01);the median survival time was 209 days in combined treatment group and 145 days in solitary stent insertion group,the differences were significant(P<0.01).Based on the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses,the predictors of prolonging survival included subsequent HIFU ablation after stent insertion and earlier tumor stage(P<0.05).Conclusion Combined biliary stent insertion and HIFU ablation is a safe and effective method for malignant obstructive jaundice caused by pancreatic carcinoma,and seems to extend stent patency time and survival when compared with biliary stent only.