Astrocytes are the largest glial population in the mammalian brain. However, we have a minimal understanding of astrocyte development, especially fate specification in different regions of the brain. Through lineage tracing of the progenitors of the third ventricle (3V) wall via in-utero electroporation in the embryonic mouse brain, we show the fate specification and migration pattern of astrocytes derived from radial glia along the 3V wall. Unexpectedly, radial glia located in different regions along the 3V wall of the diencephalon produce distinct cell types: radial glia in the upper region produce astrocytes and those in the lower region produce neurons in the diencephalon. With genetic fate mapping analysis, we reveal that the first population of astrocytes appears along the zona incerta in the diencephalon. Astrogenesis occurs at an early time point in the dorsal region relative to that in the ventral region of the developing diencephalon. With transcriptomic analysis of the region-specific 3V wall and lateral ventricle (LV) wall, we identified cohorts of differentially-expressed genes in the dorsal 3V wall compared to the ventral 3V wall and LV wall that may regulate astrogenesis in the dorsal diencephalon. Together, these results demonstrate that the generation of astrocytes shows a spatiotemporal pattern in the developing mouse diencephalon.
Mice ; Animals ; Astrocytes ; Neuroglia/physiology* ; Diencephalon ; Brain ; Neurons ; Mammals

Objective Polymorphic microsatellite markers developed for Apodemus peninsulae can enrich its genetic data and lay a foundation for genetic quality control and gene mapping.Methods Microsatellite loci were screened based on the genome sequence of Apodemus peninsulae,and microsatellite primers were identified.The genetic diversity of the population was analyzed by multiplex PCR.Results Thirty microsatellite markers were successfully developed and evaluated using 60 samples of Apodemus peninsulae.A total of 152 alleles were detected,with an average of 5.067 alleles per locus.The average observed heterozygosity was 0.592.The average Shannon index was 1.265.The average polymorphism information content was 0.598.Conclusions Based on the microsatellite loci developed in this study,the genetic diversity of Apodemus peninsulae can be effectively analyzed,laying a foundation for establishing genetic quality standards and detection method.

Mink are small,fur-bearing mammals with significant economic value.They have also recently demonstrated immense potential as novel experimental animal models owing to their unique biological characteristics and similarities with humans in terms of their respiratory systems,immune responses,and other characteristics.This article comprehensively reviews applied research on the use of mink as an experimental animal model,encompassing their use as animal models for influenza virus infection,COVID-19,animal behavior,canine distemper,vomiting,enzyme digestion,testicular degeneration,and self-injurious behavior.The importance of animal welfare is also emphasized,and the broad prospects for the use of mink as an experimental animal model in scientific research are proposed,offering valuable insights and a reference for the extensive application of mink as a novel experimental animal model in the future.

Mink are small,fur-bearing mammals with significant economic value.They have also recently demonstrated immense potential as novel experimental animal models owing to their unique biological characteristics and similarities with humans in terms of their respiratory systems,immune responses,and other characteristics.This article comprehensively reviews applied research on the use of mink as an experimental animal model,encompassing their use as animal models for influenza virus infection,COVID-19,animal behavior,canine distemper,vomiting,enzyme digestion,testicular degeneration,and self-injurious behavior.The importance of animal welfare is also emphasized,and the broad prospects for the use of mink as an experimental animal model in scientific research are proposed,offering valuable insights and a reference for the extensive application of mink as a novel experimental animal model in the future.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are expressed in different species and different tissues, and perform different functions, but little is known about their involvement in the synthesis or secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In general, we have revealed lncRNA‍‒‍microRNA (miRNA)‍‒‍‍messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions that may play important roles in rat primary pituitary cells. In this study, a new lncRNA was identified for the first time. First, we analyzed the gene expression of lncRNA-m18as1 in different tissues and different stages by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and observed the localization of lncRNA-m18as1 with fluorescence in situ hybridization, which indicated that this lncRNA was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm. Next, we used RT-qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to analyze the regulation of FSH synthesis and secretion after overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA-m18as1 and found that lncRNA-m18as1 was positively correlated with FSH synthesis and secretion. In addition, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (Smad2) was highly expressed in our sequencing results. We also screened miR-18a-5p from our sequencing results as a miRNA that may bind to lncRNA-m18as1 and Smad2. We used RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR) and/or dual luciferase assays to confirm that lncRNA-m18as1 interacted with miR-18a-5p and miR-18a-5p interacted with Smad2. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that lncRNA-m18as1 and miR-18a-5p were localized mainly in the cytoplasm. Finally, we determined the relationship among lncRNA-m18as1, miR-18a-5p, and the Smad2/3 pathway. Overall, we found that lncRNA-m18as1 acts as a molecular sponge of miR-18a-5p to regulate the synthesis and secretion of FSH through the Smad2/3 pathway.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Rats

Eukaryota ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Permeability ; Protein Conformation ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Substrate Specificity ; Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels ; chemistry ; metabolism

The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors for Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats from Liaoning province, northeastern China. From October 2014 to September 2016, sera of 651 cats, including 364 domestic cats and 287 feral cats (332 females and 319 males) were assessed. They were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using SNAP Heartworm RT test kit. In this population, the average prevalence was 4.5%. Age and rearing conditions (feral or domestic) were found to be associated with the prevalence of D. immitis. The prevalence was significantly higher in feral cats compared with domestic cats (8.4% vs 1.4%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between males and females (4.7% vs 4.2%, P>0.05), but older cats (≥3 years old) showed a statistically higher prevalence compared with younger cats ( < 3 years old) in feral populations (16.8 vs 2.4%, P < 0.01), while the difference between the age groups was not statistically significant in domestic cats (2.4% vs 0.51%, P>0.05), all these results suggest that outdoor exposure time may be one of the most important factors for D. immitis prevalence in cats. Results reveal that D. immitis are prevalence in domestic and feral cats in northeastern China, which indicates that appropriate preventive measures should be taken to decrease the incidence of feline heartworm disease in Liaoning province, northeastern China.
Animals ; Cats* ; China* ; Dirofilaria immitis* ; Dirofilaria* ; Dirofilariasis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

Objective To investigate fatigue in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during chemotherapy,and influencing factors.Methods From Feburary 2014 to August 2016, 216 children with ALL,from 5 to 15 years old,treated in a Grade III,Level A children's hospital in Zhengzhou,were surveyed by Peds QLTM multidimensional fatigue scale (Chinese version) and Questionnaire on discomfort in ALL children during chemotherapy.Results During chemotherapy,total scores of fatigue in the ALL children were (31.71±16.66) ,with fatigue of the whole body (11.67±6.29),of sleeping (10.99±5.57),and of cognition (9.10±6.84);during chemotherapy,incidence of fatigue of the whole body was 90.74%,of sleeping 95.83%, and of cognition 81.94%. Main influencing factors of fatigue of the whole body were weight loss,appetite loss and lack of energy,accounting for 72.8% of fatigue variation;that of sleeping were weight loss and irritability, accounting for 51.2% of fatigue variation;and that of cognition were difficulty in concentration and oral ulcer, accounting for 44.2% of fatigue variation.Conclusions During chemotherapy,fatigue in ALL children is common and is below average level. When managing fatigue symptoms in ALL children,nurses should actively treat the symptoms,so as to reduce the level of fatigue.

Objective To know the demand situation of mentor training, appointment, quality evaluation, and incentive of clinical mentorship in the clinical nursing teaching mode of preceptorship, so as to provide references for the construction of preceptorship. Methods Convenience sampling method was employed to select 342 clinical tutors with more than five years′ teaching experience from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from May to September 2016 as the research object. Tutors were investigated by self-designed questionnaire about needs for clinical tutor in the clinical nursing teaching mode of preceptorship. Results About 98. 9% of clinical tutors thought that it is necessary to accept the knowledge training of clinical mentorship, 55.3% of clinical tutors thought that the training time should within 3-7 days, 50. 8% of clinical tutors thought that the contents of the training of clinical mentorship is the method of evaluating the students, 79. 4% of clinical tutors believed that it is necessary to carry out propaganda for the implementation of clinical tutor, 67.8% of clinical tutors said that the hospital did not organize the publicity of the clinical mentorship, and they hoped to participate in such activities, 63.7% of clinical tutors believed that the appointment of mentorship is voluntary enrollment, 62. 5% of clinical tutors thought that the best quality evaluation method of clinical mentorship system was evaluation of clinical practice ability, 79.8% of nurses believed that the incentive of the clinical mentorship is priority for the promotion of professional title. Conclusions In the construction and implementation of clinical mentorship, we should pay more attention to the needs of clinical tutors, in order to give full play to the role of tutor, and improve the quality of clinical practice ability of nursing undergraduates.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into osteoblasts under inducing condition that Zouguiwan and Youguiwan coordinate inducers, but the mechanism remains to be discussed. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of serum containing Zuoguiwan and Youguiwan on transforming growth factorβ1 and its signal transduction protein Smad2/3 message expression during the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:A whole bone marrow adherence method was adopted to isolate and cultivate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from rats. The cellcultivation was processed in five groups:bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were respectively cultured with blank serum, serum containing Zouguiwan, serum containing Youguiwan, positive serum containing progynova+inducer (dexamethasone, vitamin C, andβ-glycerophosphate), and inducer. Western blot was applied to detect the expression of type I col agen. The immunohistochemical assay was utilized to test transforming growth factorβ1 and Smad2/3 expression in the osteoblasts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:It was apparently more significant for serum containing Zuoguiwan and Youguiwan on type I col agen, transforming growth factorβ1 and Smad2/3 expression, compared with blank serum group and inducer group (P<0.05);moreover, serum containing Zuoguiwan was better than serum containing Youguiwan (P<0.05). Both of serum containing Zuoguiwan and Youguiwan are able to promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, Zuoguiwan is much more effective indicating that this method of traditional Chinese medicine about nourishing kidneys can be better to promote osteogenic induction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.