Objective:To compare the models of guinea pig allergic rhinitis induced by different allergens. Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA), 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) and alternariaalternata was respectively used as the allergens to establish the model of guinea pigs allergic rhinitis. The conformity of the models and human allergic rhinitis was studied through the behavioral indices, such as the times of nose itches, nasal discharge flow, histological properties and serum HA and IgE indices. Results:The times of sneezing and scratching nose, serum HA and IgE in OVA group was significantly different from those in the control group (P<0. 001 or P<0. 01). Conclusion:The models of allergic rhinitis induced by OVA are the same as allergic rhinitis in typical symptoms and pathological changes.

BACKGROUND:Endothelial progenitor cel s have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of traumatic diseases in recent years. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of magnetic labeled endothelial progenitor cel transplantation on renal function of diabetic rats through a MRI imaging study.METHODS:Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal (no treatment), control and experimental groups. Intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg streptozotocin was performed to make a rat model of type 1 diabetes in the control and experimental groups. Four weeks after modeling, rats in the experimental group were given intravenous injection of magnetic labeled endothelial progenitor cel s (0.15 mL, 1×109/L). Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and 24-hour urinary protein levels in rats were measured at 8 weeks after cel transplantation. MRI was used to trace transplanted cel s in vivo in comparison with renal biopsy findings, and rat body mass and kidney weight were measured to calculate kidney weight index. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After modeling, fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and 24-hour urinary protein levels as wel as kidney weight index were increased significantly (P<0.05), while the insulin level decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the endothelial progenitor cel transplantation reversed these indices (P<0.05). Additional y, in the experimental group, there was slightly longer T1 and shorter T2 signals as wel as marked lesion edge, and the FLASH sequence became more remarkable compared with the T2-weighted RARE sequence. The other groups showed no significant low signal changes. Magnetic-labeled positive cel s in the experimental group showed by the MRI were consistent with the tissue biopsy results, while no positive cel s were found in the model and normal groups. To conclude, the magnetic labeled endothelial progenitor cel transplantation can improve renal dysfunction in diabetic rats to a certain extent.

Objective To observe temporal expression of matrix metalloproteinases(MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteina-ses-1 (TIMP-1) in lung of newborn rats with hyperoxia induced chronic lung disease (CLD),and to explore the relationship of CLD with MMPs.Methods The neonatal rats within 24 hours after birth were randomly divided into hyperoxia-exposed group(n=40) and control group(n=40).On postnatal 1,3,7,14 and 21 days,lung tissue of rats in 2 groups were collected.Lung histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson stain;Collagen Ⅰ was detected by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay;MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were identifide by immunohistochemistry.Results Exposured to hyperoxia enviroment for 21 days,the number of alveolar decreased,terminal air space enlarged,inter-alveolar septa thickened,and deposition of interstitial collagen fibers.On 14 and 21 days,collagen Ⅰ in the lung of hyperoxia-exposed group increased significantly compared with that of control group(P0.05),obviously decreased on 21 day(P

Objective To study the feasibility of rat models of renal edema based on disease combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency types .Methods Gastric gavage of thyroxine and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were performed to induce a rat model of kidney Yin deficiency edema , and intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were used to establish a rat model of kidney Yang deficiency edema .The 24 h urine protein content , triiodothyronine ( T3 ) , thyroxine ( T4 ) , cyclic adenosine monophosphate ( cAMP ) , cyclic guanosine monophosphate ( cGMP ) , estradiol ( E2 ) and testosterone ( T ) and other indicators were assayed to determine whether the rat models were successfully established .Result The rats of Yin deficiency edema group had clinical presentation such as hyperactivity , hair loss, dry stool, weight loss and temperature rise.Compared with the blank group , T3, T4, cAMP, E2, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased , cGMP and T content decreased , and cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly increased , showing significant differences ( P<0.05 for all).The Yang deficiency edema animals displayed reduced activity , diarrhea, decreased body weight and body temperature, and other signs of disease.Compared with the blank group, T3, T4, cAMP, and E2 contents were significantly decreased , cGMP, T, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased , and cAMP/cGMP ratio decreased , showing significant differences ( P <0.05 for all ) .Conclusions The rat model of renal edema disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency was successfully induced by thyroxine in combination with Adriamycin , and the rat model of renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yang-deficiency is successfully established by administration of hydrocortisone plus Adriamycin .These two rat models demonstrate similar clinical manifestations of human renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency, respectively, therefore, may serve as useful tools for further research on this disease .

Objective:To clone and express the Staphylococcus aureus Efb(extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein) protein in Escherichia coli, to purify the expression product and prepare its functional antibody and to detect the functions of Efb protein for further studies on S.aureus infection.Methods: Efb gene was amplified by PCR using S.aureus NCTC-8325 genome DNA as template and cloned into the recombinant expression vectors pET28a. E.coli BL21(DE3) with the plasmid was induced with IPTG for protein production. The protein was purified by Ni~(2+) affinity chromatography. The function of Efb protein was determined by complement activity assay and inhibition ELISA.The polyclonal antibodies were prepared by immunizing the animals. Results: The purified recombinant Efb was obtained, which could inhibit the CH50 and AH50 effectively. The functional poly-antibodies of Efb were prepared.Conclusion:Efb could inhibit the classical pathway and alternative pathway of complement activation, and the antibodies against to Efb could block the inhibition of the classical pathway of complement activation induced by Efb.

OBJECTIVEWe studied the function of dendritic cells subsets and the cytokines levels in plasma in patients with different periods of returning (immune tolerance, hepatitis active and non-replicating period) and aimed to explore the possible reasons for HBV chronic infection.

METHODSThirty HBV infected patients in different stages of infection were enrolled and divided into three groups: the immune tolerance group (10 cases), the hepatitis active group (10 cases), and the non-replicating group (10 cases). Ten healthy people were enrolled and served as controls. Blood from the patients and controls were collected and the dendritic cells subsets function (The cytokine levels in different groups) were analyzed using statistical method.

RESULTSThe total IL-12 output and single nucleus IL-12 output of the total HBV infected patients were lower than that of the healthy control group (P value less than 0.01). The total IFNa output and single nucleus IFNa output of the total HBV infected patients had no significant difference between the total HBV infected patients and the healthy controls (P value more than 0.05). The total IL-12 output of the healthy control group was higher than that in others 3 groups of the HBV infected patients. (Z = -3.039, -2.967 ,-2.949, P value less than 0.01) and the single nucleus IL-12 output of the healthy control group was also higher than that in others 3 groups of the HBV infected patients. (Z =-3.027, -2.671 , -2.863, P value less than 0.01) . The total IFNa output and the single nucleus IFNa output of the healthy control group was higher than that in the hepatitis active group of HBV infected patients (Z = -3.016, -3.176, P value less than 0.01). While the plasma IFNa cytokine levels in the 3 HBV infection groups were higher than in the healthy control group (Z = -2.967, -2.896, -3.054, P value less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDifference existed between the function of dendritic cells subsets and the IFNa levels in different returning periods of HBV infected patients. The function of dendritic cells subsets has no significant difference in HBV patients with different periods of returning. The flawed function of dendritic cells subsets and the abnormal IFNa level may be one of the reasons for chronic HBV infection.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Interferon-alpha ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Male ; Young Adult

Objective To establish high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD) method for the determination for metanephrine and normetanephrine in 24 h urine, and provide a superior test for the diagnostic of pheochromocytomas over plasma/urine catecholamine.Methods MCX solid-phase cartridge was used for extraction of metanephrine and normetanephrine,HPLC-ECD was used for their measurements.The intra-assay CVs,interassay CVs and recoveries of metanephrine and normetanephrine were also calculated.104 hypertensive patients without pheochromocytomas and 5 pheochromocytomas patients were selected in this study.The concentrations of metanephrine and normetanephrine were compared with the plasma and 24h urinary catecholamines concentrations.Results The intra-assay CV,inter-assay CV and recovery of metanephrine were 5.9%, 7.5%,91.1% respectively;the intra-assay CV,inter-assay CV and recovery of normetanephrine were 6.3%,6.6%,88.5%,respectively.The MN,NMN,plasma CA and urine CA of all pheochromocytomas patients were positive.MN and NMN were negative in controls,while plasma CA and urine CA are false positive in 15 patients and 14 patients in controls,respectively.Conclusions The study establish a fast and accurate method for quantification of metanephrine and normetanephrine in 24 h urine by HPLC-ECD.These findings also prove that it is the best biochemical assays for pheochromocytomas at present.

Objective To investigate the correlation between chronic insomniacs' sleep quality and age,gender,education level,anxiety,depression and sympathetic skin response (SSR) in chronic insomniacs.Methods General information of 197 outpatients with chronic insomnia was recorded,including age,gender and education,etc.They were tested by Pittsburgh's Sleep Quality Index (PSQI),Hamilton's Anxiety Scale (14 item version) (HAMA14),Hamilton's Depression Scale (24 item version)(HAMD24) and Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR).Distribution properties of different age,gender and education groups were studied.Chronic insomniacs were divided into mild insomnia group (7 ≤ PSQI ＜ 14)and moderate-severe insomnia group (PSQI ≥ 14).Dependency relation analysis and stepwise linear regression analysis were conducted among indices of PSQI scores,HAMA14 scores and total score,HAMD24 scores and total score,SSR positive incidence.Results Among 197 chronic insomniacs (male,50 cases,25.4％;female,147 cases,74.6％),insomniacs aged over 40 accounted for 77.2％.Female patients were older than male patients with statistical significance,of whom those aged 40-60 years accounted for the highest proportion of 37.1％.Female patients with less education (junior high school and below)accounted for the highest proportion of 50.3％ (73/197),whose education level was generally lower than male patients.Among 197 chronic insomniacs,104 cases (52.8％,99/197) had mild insomnia and 93cases (47.2％) had moderate-severe insomnia.Total score of HAMA14 of patients with moderate-severe insomnia was significantly higher than that of patients with mild insomnia (16.47 ± 5.40 vs 12.51 ± 4.53;t =5.552,P＜0.01).There was statistically significanct difference in subitem HAMA14 scores of anxiety somatization factor (4.31 ± 2.26 vs 5.90-3.10,t =5.600,P ＜ 0.01) and spiritualized anxiety factor (10.5 ± 72.97 vs 8.20 ± 3.00,t =4.157,P ＜ 0.01) between mild and moderate-severe groups with insomnia.Total score of HAMD24 of patients with moderate-severe insomnia was significantly higher than that of patients with mild insomnia (18.04 ± 5.91 vs 13.41 ± 5.05;t=3.931,P＜ 0.01).There was statistically significanct difference in scores of most HAMD24 subitems including anxiety/somatization (3.56 ± 1.51 vs 2.94 ± 1.28;t =3.110,P =0.002),cognitive dysfunction (2.91 ± 1.68 vs 2.17 ± 1.57;t=3.191,P=0.002),retardation (2.331 ±1.31 vs 1.72 ±1.22;t=3.939,P=0.01),dyssomnia (4.51 ± 1.54 vs 3.01 ± 1.80;t =6.228,P ＜0.01) and hopelessness factor (2.29 ± 1.46 vs 1.66 ± 1.07,t =3.459,P =0.001;except body weight and diurnal variation factor) between groups with different degrees of insomnia.SSR abnormal incidences of moderate-severe insomniacs were significantly higher than that of mild insomniacs.The proportion of poorly differentiated waveform and not elicited waveform in SSR abnormal groups had statistically significant difference.The Pearson correlation analysis showed that PSQI scores in chronic insomnia patients and HAMA14,HAMD24 score as well as abnormal rate of SSR were positively correlated (r =0.439,0.465,0.249,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Chronic insomnia was commonly seen in middle-aged women with education level of junor high school and below.The degree of sleep quality and anxiety,depression as well as the abnormal rate of SSR was positively correlated in patients with chronic insomnia.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the mouse model.

METHODSWe simulated clinical ICSI technology and comprehensively evaluated it by parthenogenetic activation, immunofluorescence, embryo transplantation, examination of early implantation, and measurement of the crown-rump length (CRL).

RESULTSICSI significantly reduced the ability of preimplantation embryo development of the mouse, especially after the 8-cell stage (P < 0.01). The fluorescence of H3K9 dimethylation was abnormal at the male pronuclei of the embryos derived from ICSI. Further examination of the development of the transferred ICSI embryos indicated no significant difference in the rate of early implantation at E5. 5 days as compared with normal fertilization (P = 0.6), but the percentage of "normal embryos" was decreased significantly at E9.5 days (P < 0.01). Obvious growth retardation phenotype was observed even in the normal ICSI embryos at E9.5 days.

CONCLUSIONICSI might result in growth retardation of embryos by affecting H3K9 dimethylation in the male pronuclei.

Animals ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Histones ; metabolism ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases ; metabolism ; Male ; Methylation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo establish the animal model of traumatic optic neuropathy similar to clinical feature by injuring the optic nerve of the pipeline through the ethmoid and sphenoid sinus. The electrophysiology and morphology were observed.

METHODSThe optic nerve in 2 cats was anatomically observed. Thirty healthy adult cats were divided into 1 h, 1 d, 3 d, 1 w, 2 w, 4 w injury groups. The right eye was selected as the experiment eye, and the left as the control. The optic canals were damaged by the injury instrument. The changes of optic nerve were observed using light and electron microscope. The pattern reversal visual evoked potential (PR-VEP) was used to determine the succeed model and pupil was monitored. PR-VEP and neural tissue morphology were examined at intervals of 1 h, 1 d, 3 d, 1 w, 2 w, 4 w after trauma.

RESULTSEight cats had Marcus-Gunn's pupil, and 22 cats did not have after injury. Neural tissue was physaliphorous degeneration in light microscope. The neural fibers swelled gradually and fibers physaliphorous degeneration in the first day after damage. At the seventh day, the bubble enlarged to be a big flat. After two weeks, the big flat bubble came out to be a bigger bubble. Under the electronic microscope, axons were physaliphorous degeneration, crack emerged between axon membrane and myelin sheath and myelin sheath were loose in the first day. At the third day, axon swelled, physaliphorous degeneration rose and myelin sheath were loose obviously. At the seventh day, axon and myelin sheath appeared loop in half cycle and bubble-like broke up. A lot of pieces came out and axon became physaliphorous and uniform. Microtubule and microfilament disappeared. After two weeks, myelin sheath became onion-like. On fourth week, myelin sheaths enlarged and squeezed to center. Axoplasm disappeared and neural tissues collapsed.

CONCLUSIONSThis animal model was similar to clinical optic nerve decompression through ethmoid and sphenoid sinus. The change of PR-VEP and neuromorphology were distinct before and after trauma. The pathological changes of optic nerve catching vibrated injury are mainly degeneration, so earlier decompression of optic nerve may improve the visual function.

Animals ; Cats ; Disease Models, Animal ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Optic Nerve ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology