Porcine surfactant in treatment of LPS-induced early-stage acute lung injury in rats

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intratracheal instillation of porcine pulmonary surfactant (PPS) in rats with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced early-stage ALI in this study.METHODS: SD rats weighing 200 g-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: LPS (1.5 mg·kg-1)+saline,LPS+PPS 100 mg·kg^-1,LPS+PPS 150 mg·kg^-1,LPS+PPS 200 mg·kg^-1.The PaO₂ and PaCO₂,as well as survival rate of rats were examined for 6 h after the start of PPS-instillation.Then,rats were killed and lungs were immediately removed for lung index (LI) and histological analysis.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for measurement of total protein (TP) contents,TNF-α level and white blood cell(WBC) numbers.RESULTS: Significantly increased PaO₂,reduced mortality rate,decreased total protein and TNF-α contents in BAL,as well as lung index and meliorated histological appearance were observed in three PPS-treated groups compared with group given saline after LPS (P<0.05).The therapeutic effect in PPS150 and PPS200 groups was better than that in PPS100 group.CONCLUSION: Intratracheal PPS instillation provides protective effect on acute lung injury in rats induced by LPS.     

Relationship between sensory and NIR spectroscopy in consumer preference of table grape (cv Italia)

A combination of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) instrumental measurements and sensory analysis was investigated to predict solids soluble content (SSC, assessed as Brix) and to classify preference in table grape cv Italia. SSC was monitored in each berry of whole bunches in order to evaluate intra-bunch distribution and variability. NIR spectra were recorded in the spectral region 12,000–4000 cm⁻¹ (833–2500 nm) using a set of 682 berries. The Partial Least Square (PLS) model based on cross-validation provided acceptable value for the main statistical parameters (coefficient of determination of cross-validation, r²: 0.85; standard error of cross-validation, SECV: 1.08; residual predictive deviation, RPD: 2.6) and was confirmed by external validation performed with 115 independent berries (coefficient of determination of prediction, r_p²: 0.82; standard error of prediction, SEP: 0.83). For consumer testing, the selected PLS model was used to predict the Brix value in 400 berries and Discriminant Analysis (DA) was then carried out to classify berries in terms of preference by relating NIR data to consumer judgment. The three defined preference clusters of berries were fully classified obtaining 100% membership. In cross-validation the value decreased especially for class 1 (78.5%) and 3 (75%) whereas class 2 obtained comparable values (98.7%). According to our results, NIR technology appears to be a promising technique for predicting SSC and obtaining information with regard to consumer preference in ‘Italia’ table grape for application of efficient and low cost on-line instruments in the fruit industry.     

团头鲂幼鱼饲料中α-亚麻酸、亚油酸的适宜含量

在半纯化饲料配方的基础上,分别设计6个α-亚麻酸含量(0.02%、0.55%、1.08%、1.60%、2.13%、2.65%)、6个亚油酸含量(0.86%、1.29%、1.73%、2.16%、2.59%、3.03%),以亚麻籽油、玉米油、棕榈油调节饲料中α-亚麻酸、亚油酸的含量,配制等氮等能(粗蛋白质含量为30.09%,粗脂肪含量为6.87%)的12种半纯化试验饲料,探讨团头鲂幼鱼[初始均重为(59.5±0.5)g]饲料中α-亚麻酸、亚油酸的适宜含量。养殖试验分为α-亚麻酸和亚油酸试验2部分,均设6组,每组4个重复,每个重复20尾,养殖周期为85 d。结果表明:在α-亚麻酸试验中,依据回归方程计算得到,在饲料α-亚麻酸含量分别为1.32%、1.33%时,团头鲂幼鱼具有最大的特定生长率和最小的饲料系数;0.02%组的脏体指数显著低于除1.08%组外的其他各组(P0.05),肥满度、肝体指数各组间无显著差异(P0.05);0.02%组血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯含量显著高于0.55%、1.08%组(P0.05),1.60%组血清高密度脂蛋白含量显著高于0.55%、2.13%组(P0.05),0.02%组血清低密度脂蛋白含量显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。在亚油酸试验中,依据回归方程计算得到,在饲料亚油酸含量分别为2.02%、2.03%时,团头鲂幼鱼具有最大的特定生长率和最小的饲料系数;3.03%组的肝体指数显著低于其他各组(P0.05),肥满度、脏体指数各组间无显著差异(P0.05);1.29%组血清总胆固醇含量显著高于1.73%组(P0.05),0.86%组血清甘油三酯含量显著高于1.73%组(P0.05),1.29%组血清高密度脂蛋白含量显著高于0.86%、3.03%组(P0.05),各组血清低密度脂蛋白含量无显著差异(P0.05)。以特定生长率、饲料系数作为主要评价指标,结合部分血清生化指标和形体指标,得到适合团头鲂幼鱼快速生长、维持鱼体正常健康的饲料中适宜的亚麻酸、亚油酸含量分别为1.32%~1.33%、2.02%~2.03%。     

内质网应激和氧化应激在纳米氧化铈所致肺损伤中的作用

观察不同剂量纳米氧化铈颗粒染毒后对大鼠血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响及大鼠肺组织GRP78蛋白表达情况,探讨其导致肺损伤的作用机制。将粒径为35nm±3nm的纳米氧化铈颗粒悬液以不同剂量(100mg/kg、400mg/kg)给大鼠气管滴注,染毒28d后,测定大鼠血清中SOD活力、MDA含量及肺组织GRP78蛋白表达情况。与对照组相比,高低剂量纳米氧化铈染毒组大鼠血清中SOD活力及MDA含量均无明显改变(P0.05),GRP78蛋白表达均显著增高(P0.05)。纳米氧化铈染毒大鼠所致肺损伤与内质网应激有关,与氧化应激的关系有待进一步研究。     

公路对天山马鹿（Cervus elaphus songaricus）种内遗传分化的影响

为研究公路对大型哺乳动物造成的影响,分别采集新疆省道110、203、303公路两侧的天山马鹿粪便样本,采用5个微卫星位点进行个体识别后利用Arlequin3．11进行遗传距离、基因多样性、杂合度等测定分析。结果表明：5个微卫星均具有很好的多态性,5地区中松树塘与寒气沟、白石头马鹿的遗传距离最远,松树塘马鹿的基因杂合度、基因型数量均最低;小西沟与白杨沟马鹿之间遗传距离为负值,其基因杂合度、基因型无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。说明公路对栖息地的分割状态不同,会导致种群的遗传情况改变。当公路仅深入栖息地没有将栖息地割裂时,公路两旁种群无差异;当栖息地被公路完全隔绝,则该栖息地内动物的基因杂合度、基因型数量降低;使用中的公路对临近种群的隔绝效果强于废弃旧公路。     

Attenuated Salmonella carrying pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid inhibits growth of prostate cancer subcutaneous xenografts in vivo

AIM：To explore the effects of pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid carried by human attenuated Salmonella on prostate cancer subcutaneous xenograft growth in nude mice. METHODS：Prostate cancer xenograft model was established in nude mice. Co-expression plasmids carried by attenuated Salmonella were introduced by intraperitoneal injection. The xenograft volumes were monitored timely. Immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR and TUNEL assay were applied to investigate the related mechanisms that pGRIM-19-si-survivin inhibited tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS：Compared with psi-survivin and pGRIM-19 carried by attenuated Salmonella (control groups), the tumor volumes were reduced markedly in pGRIM-19-si-survivin plasmid group. The mean shrinkage rates were 2.36 and 3.02 times. pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid carried by attenuated Salmonella inhibited survivin expression but strengthened GRIM-19 expression obviously (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-xL, Stat3, cyclin D1 and c-Myc was inhibited, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and Ki67 protein were also inhibited, but the caspase-3 mRNA expression was up-regulated (P<0.05) with significant cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION： pGRIM-19-si-survivin co-expression plasmid carried by human attenuated Salmonella inhibits the growth of prostate cancer subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice by promoting cell apoptosis and inhibiting prostatic cancer proliferation.     

Influence of high-mobility group box 1 on proliferation of neural stem cell in pre-infarction cortex of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model rats

AIM：To investigate the influence of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) on the proliferation of neural stem cells in peri-infarction cortex of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model rats. METHODS：Male SD rats (n=48) were randomly divided into sham group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, RNA interference group and negative interference group. The rat middle cerebral artery was blocked to establish focal cerebral I/R model (ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion for 7 d). Lentivirus vector of HMGB1 shRNA was used to suppress the HMGB1 protein expression in the rat brain. The effect of RNA interference was evaluated by the methods of double-immunofluorescence labeling of HMGB1/GFAP and Western blotting. The proliferation of neural stem cells in the peri-infarction cortex was assessed by double labeling of BrdU/nestin. RESULTS：The protein expression of HMGB1 in I/R group was much higher than those in sham group (P<0.05). RNA interference effectively inhibited the HMGB1 expression (P<0.05). Double labeled BrdU/nestin positive cells in I/R group were more than that in sham group (P<0.05). The double labeled BrdU/nestin positive cells were significantly decreased in RNA interference group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION：Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury promotes the proliferation of neural stem cells in peri-infarction cortex by increasing HMGB1 protein level.     

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to subgroup A avian leukosis virus

Avian leukosis virus subgroup A (ALV‐A) is a retrovirus which infects egg‐type chickens and is the main pathogen of lymphoid leukosis (LL) and myeloid leukosis (ML). In order to greatly enhance the diagnosis and treatment of clinical avian leukemia, two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to ALV‐A were developed by fusion between SP2/0 and spleen cells from mice immunized with expressed ALV‐A env‐gp85 protein. Using immunofluorescence assay (IFA), two MAbs reacted with ALV‐A, but not with subgroups B and J of ALV. Western blot tests showed that molecular weight of ALV‐A envelope glycoprotein recognized by MAbs was about 53 kD. Isotyping test revealed that two MAbs (A5C1 and A4C8) were IgG1 isotypes. These MAbs can be used for diagnosis and epidemiology of ALV‐A.     

The effects of vitamin E on non-specific immune response of the juvenile soft-shelled turtle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelodiscus sinensis</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E supplements on non-specific immune responses in juvenile soft-shelled turtles. Turtles were fed diets supplemented with vitamin E at 0 (control), 50, 250, 500, 1000 and 5000 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Results showed that blood cell phagocytosis and serum bactericidal activity were significantly improved in turtles from two diets (250 and 500 mg/kg vitamin E supplementation), while had no significant improvement in turtles from the three remaining diets (50, 1000 and 5000 mg/kg vitamin E supplementation) when compared to turtles from the control group. Serum bacteriolytic activity in turtles from diets with 50, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg vitamin E supplementation were higher than activity levels quantified for the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the 5000 mg/kg vitamin E supplementation diet and the control diet. The results suggest that vitamin E has an upper and lower threshold for improving non-specific immune function in soft-shelled turtles, and the optimal supplementation may be between 250 and 500 mg/kg.     

Quantifying the dietary biotin requirement of the catfish,Clarias batrachus

Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus, were fed semi-purified basaldiets containing 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mg biotin kg^–1diet for 60 days. Fish fed the control diet (no biotin) showed(P < 0.05) higher mortality, lower weight gain, specificgrowth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiencyratio (PER) than in fish fed diets supplemented with biotin. The highestweight gain, SGR, FER and PER were noticed in fish fed 1 mg biotinkg^–1, followed by 0.5, 5, 3 and 0.1 mg biotinkg^–1, except for PER (followed by 0.5, 5, 0.1 and 3 mgbiotin kg^–1). Quadratic analysis showed that the optimumdietary biotin requirements for maximal weight gain, PER and PER were2.49, 2.54 and 2.52 mg kg^–1, respectively. Liver biotinconcentrations were influenced by levels of biotin in the diet.Concentration of liver biotin increased as level of dietarysupplementation increased and no biotin was detected in the liver of thecontrol fish. Liver pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoA carboxylaseactivities were higher in fish fed biotin-supplemented diets than incontrols. Biotin concentrations, pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl CoAcarboxylase activities in liver associated with normal growth rangedfrom 10.59 to 10.66 g g^–1, 147.97 to 148.18 units mgprotein^–1 and 12.76 to 12.78 units mg protein^–1, respectively. Biotin deficiency symptoms such as anorexia, darkskin colour and convulsions were observed in fish fed the control diet.The optimum dietary biotin requirement for maximal growth of C.batrachus is about 2.49 mg kg^–1 diet.