Because of the aggressive threaten of heat stroke and a lack of understanding of the mechanism of action, mammal animal models for experimental heat stroke were well developed. During the past 5 decades, anesthetized mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, baboon and monkey were used as animal model for experimental heat stroke. However, anesthetized mammals models have some limitations, such as neuroprotective effect of anesthetic agents, possible disturbance on injury and recovery of stroke animals by anesthetic agents, difficulty of discussing animal behavior before and after heat stroke, it was also difficult for the models to evaluate cognitive function of animal under hot environment. Considering humanitarian, only awaked and unrestrained mouse heat stroke model was accepted so far. Therefore, we also developed an awaked and unrestrained rat heat stroke model, and found it was helpful to evaluate drug effectiveness for animal behavior and cognitive function under hot environment.
Animals ; Cognition ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heat Stroke ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Rats

Objective To study the influence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) gene polymorphism on infections in old kidney allograft recipients. Methods The TNF-? genotype in -308 promoter position was determined in 87 old kidney transplant recipients from January 1998 to January 2001 by PCR using sequence -specific primer(PCR-SSP), and then the effects of genotypes on the frequency of rejection and infection, and the survival rate of the patient and graft were observed. Results 58 recipients were low TNF-? production genotype and 29 were high TNF-? production genotype. There were no significant differences in the frequency of rejection, median day of first infection and kinds of infections between the two genotypes. The frequency and times of infections were higher in low TNF-? genotype recipients than those in high TNF-? genotype recipients(67 2% vs 41 4%, P=0 021; 1 68 vs 0 86, P=0 017). The survival rates of the patients and grafts were equal in both the two groups. Conclusion The old recipients with low TNF-? production genotype may be susceptible to infections under routine immunosuppression. It is helpful for old recipients to perform more individual immunosuppression regimens according to TNF-? genotype.

Objective To investigate the early diagnosis and treatment of pneumocystosis after renal transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 6 cases of renal transplant recipients from 2000-2001 who developed pneumocystosis were discussed. Results Six patients were diagnosed as having pneumocystosis and subjected to the treatment of SMZ_ CO (SMZ 60-70 mg/kg daily, TMP 12-14 mg/kg daily) for 3 weeks. Immunosuppressive regimene was regulated. Except one case died due to abandonment of treatment, the remaining 5 cases were cured and had normal renal function. Conclusion The diagnosis of pneumocystosis was established by visualization of pathogen in bronchialveolar lavage (BAL) samples. SMZ_ CO is still the most commonly used drug for pneumocystosis at present and administration for individual is important because of its renal toxicity. The dosage of immunosuppressive agent for each patient with pneumocystosis must be adjusted.

Objective To investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of ghrelin in a rat model of renal fibrosis. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups , including sham operation +saline or brain gut peptide treatment group , model + saline or brain gut peptide treatment group. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was established by left ureteral ligation. 7 days and 14 days after operation, the rats were sacrificed , while the kidney tissue of obstruction side was harvested for pathlogical changes through Masson coloration. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) in renal tissues were analyzed through immunohistochemistry. Expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by real-time-PCR. Apoptosis kidneys cells were marked with TUNEL. Results Ghrelin inhibited renal fibrosis by reducing the production of collagen , restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and decreasing the expression of α-SMA. Meanwhile, ghrelin inhibited the accumulation of myofibroblasts by blocking the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3 (TGF-β1/Smad3) signaling pathway. Moreover, ghrelin could attenuate renal tubular cell apoptosis induced by UUO injury. Conclusion Ghrelin can reduce renal fibrosis and renal cell apoptosis induced by UUO , demonstrating that ghrelin is a potent antifibrotic agent that may have therapeutic potential for patients with obstructive nephropathy.

Objective Motility is an important physiological characteristic of a mature sperm.Nerve growth factor(NGF) is a protein essential for the development,maintenance and survival of the peripheral and central nervous systems.NGF and its receptors TrkA and p75 are widely expressed in the testis,accessory reproductive organ,and the epididymal sperms.In the present study,we investigated the role of NGF on human sperm motility.Methods Use 0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L concentrations of NGF,on sperm motility study to investigate the optimal concentration.Use CASA to detect Sperm motility changes every 10 minutes in an hour after 10 μmol/L NGF was added to the semen.Results The parameters of sperm motility increased after NGF incubation had significant difference, in particular,VAP,VSL,VCL,BCF and LIN mean were significantly increased more than 32%.MAD,STR,ALH and WOB mean had no notable difference.Furthermore,NGF promotes the sperm motility in a time- and dose- dependent manner.In addition,the enhancement of NGF on sperm motility was more stronger than those of sperm culture medium.Conclusion Our findings suggest that NGF plays a promoted role in human sperm motility.

Objective To study the protective effects of total flavone C( TFC) on myocardial ischemia and to explore its mechanism.Methods Two kinds of models were established: mouse model of myocardial ischemia induced by means of clampi ng trachea and rat models of myocardial ischemia induced by pititrin.Results TFC at the concentrations of 80 and 40 mg/kg markedly prolonged the cardioelectric time after clamping the trachea.TFC at the concentrations of 60 and 30 mg/kg can ameliorate the changes of ST and T wave in rat models,reduce the MDA contents in the myocardium and the serum of rats and decrease the activity of LDH in the serum of rats.Conclusion TFC has protective effects on moyocardial ischemia and its mechanism may be related with the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

70 bpm during scan),the proportion of segments that could not be assessed because of motion artifact were 0.1%(1/759),1.1%(7/649),2.5% (10/407),42.6%(103/242),and 75.5%(108/143),respectively.With conventional selective coronary angiography as the golden standard,the sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative prediction values to detect≥50% stenotic lesions in the assessable segments were 79.2%,96.0%,83.8%,and 94.6%,respectively.There was a significant correlation between the number of segments per patient not assessable because of motion artifact and heart rate during the scan(r=0.655,P=0.000).Conclusion MSCT is capable of achieving high accuracy for detection of coronary artery stenosis,and is a reliable technique to diagnose coronary artery disease.

Objective To explore the clinical features and feasibility of renal transplantation for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Method A retrospective study was done in one case of renal transplantation for ERSD following HSCT.Clinical manifestations were summarized and prognosis was described.The 22-year-old male recipient had received HLA allele matched related bone marrow transplantation from his sister in 2001 and accepted renal transplantation 14 years after HSCT because of delayed renal dysfunction.Donor was a cardiac death patient,the preoperative Panel Reactive Antibody Testing was negative and there were 1.5 HLA antigen mismatches of 6 HLA-A,B,DR antigens of donor and recipient.The recipient received immunosuppressive therapy of tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil + steroid after renal transplantation.Result The patient's renal function remained stable and serum creatinine level was 65 μmol/L.The outcome of the patient was fairly good during the follow-up period of short-term.Conclusion Renal transplant is a feasible alternative for patients with ESRD following HSCT.If the transplanted kidney and abbr.hematopoietic stem cells are from different donors,irnmunosuppressive treatment is essential after renal transplantation.Long-term follow-up and adjustment of immunosuppression treatment are needed to prevent and treat postoperative complications.

AIM: To determine the effect of heat treatment on rat primary cultured neurons, and give fundamental research for candidate molecule to protect the neurons from heat injury. METHODS: Neurons from rat striatum were primary cultivated in D-MEM with 15% horse serum, and when got mature, cells were identified by immuno-cytochemical staining with neurofilament protein (NF), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) antibodies. Cells in heat treatment groups were put in an 43 ℃ CO 2 incubator for 1 h, and the control groups at 37 ℃ as normal. Striatum neurons were stained with trypan blue and dual fluorscence dye (PI/H33258) immediately followed heat treatment, and necrosis rate of neurons was estimated. At the same time, activated caspase-3 immuno-cytochemical and TdT TUNEL methods were applied to determine apoptosis rate, and cell volume was also identified with micro-photography. RESULTS: During day 7 to day 9, the cultured striatum neurons got mature, and many neuronal fibers starched out and formed neuron network, NF, TH, and NSE staining positive. Treatment at 43 ℃ for 1 h, cell number decreased greatly, while NF+ percentage kept unchanged, and the heat treatment survived neurons were processing cell necrosis and apoptosis, but necrosis percentage was much greater than that of apoptosis. While cell volume kept unchanged after heat treatment. CONCLUSION: Heat treatment greatly affects the growth and survival of the cultured striatum neurons, and the injury effect is most due to cell necrosis process.

Objective To establish the model of VX2 soft tissue xenograft in rabbit, and choose the best time for PET-CT imaging. To analyze the result of the imaging with semi-quantitative, and evaluate the feasibility of the study with VX2 soft-tissue tumor model in rabbit for PET-CT imaging. Methods 20 Japanese white rabbits were successfully implanted with VX2 tumors in thighs by the injection of tissue mass suspension.Then they were scanned with PET-CT after the diameter of the tumor is ＞2 cm. Results The diameter of the tumor＞2 cm at 14 d post implant. The average volume of tumor was (114.57±9.87) cm3.The average SUVmax of tumor's and normal tissue's in the other thigh was 5.85±0.92 and 0.22±0.09 (t=27.03, P＜0.01). SUVmax was not associated with tumor volume (r=0.02, P=0.93).Conclusion The imaging of VX2 soft tissue xenograft is clear by clinic PET-CT, and it is suitable for the study of PET-CT.PET-CT imaging performed at 14 d post implantation had the highest imaging quality.