Normal features of superficial nondesquamating cells of the rabbit corneal epithelium assessed by scanning electron microscopy

Objective To quantitatively assess surface features of corneal epithelial cells with particular emphasis on regional differences in cell size or shape. Animals studied Female New Zealand White rabbits, aged 11–12 weeks. Procedures Animals were exposed to a light : dark cycle of 14 : 10 h for 2 weeks and then the corneas prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 1500 h. Images were taken at central location (C), mid‐periphery (MP), and periphery (P) of the cornea. On prints at 5000×, cell–cell borders were marked, and long (L) and short (S) dimensions measured, and the surface ring‐shaped features outlined and counted. Results Across the epithelial surface cells had from 3 to 11 bordering cells (sides), with 5‐sided cells being more common (mean 32.7 ± 11.3%, SD). L dimensions averaged 26.7, 30.9, and 33.9 µm at the C, MP, and P locations, while S dimensions were 18.5, 21.8, and 24.0 µm, respectively. The L : S ratio was1.523, with averages of 1.567, 1.501, and 1.487 at the three locations. Using an averaged cell dimension, cell density was estimated and found to be 7376, 4405, and 3071 cells/mm² at C, MP, and P locations. Almost all cells were decorated with ring‐shaped features (craters), with the number increasing in relation to cell size and were much higher on more peripheral cells. Conclusions The non‐exfoliating corneal epithelial surface is composed of flat polygonal cells often with 5‐sides cells, which are progressively larger towards the peripheral cornea and more decorated with ring‐shaped features.     

锌指蛋白A20介导锌缓解鸡肠上皮细胞炎症反应的机制

本研究通过对鸡肠上皮细胞感染锌指蛋白A20基因siRNA病毒和A20基因腺病毒,探究锌与A20基因对缓解脂多糖(LPS)诱导的鸡肠上皮细胞炎症反应的作用。结果表明:LPS可显著上调鸡肠上皮细胞促炎因子白细胞介素(IL)-1β和IL-8的基因表达水平(P<0.05),作用的最佳剂量和时间分别是10 ng/mL和6 h。体外添加25μmol/L锌可显著缓解LPS诱导的鸡肠上皮细胞IL-8、IL-1β和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)基因表达水平和蛋白产量的提高以及Toll样受体4(TLR4)的转录激活。肠上皮细胞感染A20基因siRNA病毒后,A20的蛋白产量显著下调(P<0.05),IL-1β、IL-8和TNF-α的基因表达水平和蛋白产量显著升高(P<0.05),同时加剧LPS诱导的IL-8、IL-1β基因表达水平和IL-1β、TNF-α蛋白产量的提高(P <0. 05)。相对于对照组,加锌可促进胞浆中A20和核因子-κB(NF-κB) p65的蛋白表达,并下调磷酸化NF-κB p65的蛋白表达;在进行A20基因沉默后,导致胞浆中A20、NF-κB p65蛋白表达下调和磷酸化NF-κB p65、磷酸化核因子κB抑制蛋白α(IκBα)蛋白表达上调以及胞核中磷酸化NF-κB p65的蛋白表达升高,而加锌并不能改善。与感染空白腺病毒组相比,肠上皮细胞感染A20腺病毒可极显著提高A20的基因表达水平(P<0.01),并极显著降低IL-1β、IL-8的基因表达水平(P<0.01),且可极显著降低添加LPS导致的IL-1β、IL-8和TLR4基因表达水平的上升(P <0. 01)。锌添加可显著降低IL-1β的基因表达水平,显著提高NF-κB p65的基因表达水平(P<0.05)。综上所述,锌可通过A20-NF-κB p65信号通路缓解LPS诱导的鸡肠上皮细胞炎症反应。     

Neuritin条件性基因打靶载体的构建和同源重组胚胎干细胞克隆鉴定

Neuritin(Nrn1)是神经营养因子家族的成员,能够维持神经元的存活和突起的生长,在神经系统发育和再生中起重要作用。为了解Neuritin基因在整体动物水平的系统生物学功能,通过PCR扩增Neuritin基因片段,将该片段用In-fusion无缝克隆技术连接至用限制性内切酶Asc1酶切后线性化的CTVIRES-EGFP质粒,转化至Stellar感受态细胞后,对酶切和测序鉴定正确的阳性克隆子进行大量提取质粒,酶切使之线性化后将其电转导入小鼠胚胎干细胞细胞,经G418筛选,挑取抗性克隆,用PCR方法鉴定出同源重组的ES细胞DNA。结果表明,成功构建了CTV-Nrn1-IRES-EGFP基因打靶载体载体并筛选出阳性同源重组胚胎干细胞,为制备Neuritin条件性基因打靶小鼠模型奠定了实验基础。     

二氢槲皮素与二氢杨梅素抗炎活性对比研究

构建巨噬细胞验证模型,比较研究二氢槲皮素(Dihydroquercetin,taxifolin,TF)和二氢杨梅素(Dihydromyricetin,DMY)体外抗炎活性。以1 mg/L的脂多糖(LPS)诱导RAW264.7巨噬细胞建立了体外炎症模型;通过细胞毒性试验(MTT)法检测细胞存活率;Griess试剂法测定细胞上清液中NO(一氧化氮)释放量;ELISA法检测上清液中细胞因子IL-1β(白细胞介素-1β)、IL-6(白细胞介素-6)、TNF-α(肿瘤坏死因子α)和PGE2(前列腺素E2)的含量变化;通过RT-PCR法检测IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α基因表达情况。MTT试验结果表明,二氢槲皮素和二氢杨梅素各剂量组没有表现出对巨噬细胞RAW264.7的细胞毒性。同时,二氢槲皮素高中低剂量组和二氢杨梅素高中低剂量组均能显著抑制脂多糖诱导细胞对NO、PGE2的释放(P0.01),且均表现出剂量依赖性;二氢槲皮素高中低剂量组和二氢杨梅素高中低剂量组均能有效降低IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α基因的表达,同时能够降低脂多糖诱导细胞产生细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的含量。二氢槲皮素和二氢杨梅素均具有良好的体外抗炎作用,且二氢槲皮素的抗炎作用较好。     

Effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,diarrhoea scores,blood profiles,faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 135 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace)  × Duroc] with an average BW of (7.96 ± 1.03 kg; 28 days of age) were used in a 42‐day study. Piglets were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with nine replicate pens and five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; FSE1, basal diet + 0.1% FSE; FSE2, basal diet + 0.2% FSE. Pigs were fed with phase 1 (0–14 days) and phase 2 (14–42 days) diets in the form of mash. Average daily gain (ADG) was linearly increased (p = 0.031) by FSE supplementation compared with CON diet during days 0–14. From days 14–42, FSE2 diet had increased ADG and growth efficiency (G/F) compared with the CON diet (p = 0.014 and 0.026 respectively). Moreover, ADG and G/F were increased by FSE supplementation during days 0–42 (linear, p = 0.037 and 0.014 respectively). Energy digestibility was higher (linear, p = 0.030) by FSE supplementation at 6 weeks. On day 42, dietary supplementation of FSE linearly increased red blood cells (RBC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (p = 0.042 and 0.038 respectively). Piglets fed FSE2 diet had higher (linear, p = 0.025) serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration compared with those fed CON diet. However, piglets fed FSE2 diet had linearly reduced faecal ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet (p = 0.018 and 0.010 respectively). In conclusion, FSE supplementation increased the performance and reduced faecal gas emission in weanling pigs.     

胚胎期大鼠性腺生长与分化的研究

本试验旨在研究胚胎期大鼠性腺生长与分化的情况。选取12.5~15.5 dpc SD大鼠胚胎为研究对象,运用PCR技术进行大鼠胚胎性别鉴定,采用H-E技术对大鼠性腺分化形态进行观察。结果表明:12.5 d的鼠胚肾管已经开始形成,生殖嵴已经建立,此时仍无明显的性别分化形态;13.5 d的鼠胚开始出现性别分化的迹象,雄性的原始性索开始形成,雌性性腺分化比雄性稍晚,此期仍不易辨别出典型的卵巢特征结构;14.5 d的鼠胚性腺形态初步成型,此期性别明显分化,雄性的原始性索开始分化为实心原始生精小管,雌性胚胎中性腺分为两层,初步形成卵巢特征;15.5 d的鼠胚,雄性胚胎性腺中已经具有明显的曲精小管的雏形,雌性胚胎卵巢特征也开始明显。大鼠胚胎性腺从13.5 d胚龄时开始分化,15.5 d胚龄性腺特征明显。     

Differential regulation of senescence and in vitro differentiation by 17β-estradiol between mesenchymal stem cells derived from male and female mini-pigs

The characterization and potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are gender dependent and estrogen influences these properties. This study demonstrated that supplementation with 17β-estradiol (E2) increases the proliferation of bone marrow-MSCs derived from male and female mini-pigs (Mp- and Fp-BMSCs) in a concentration-dependent manner, with 10^-12 M E2 suggested as the optimal dose of E2 that led to the greatest improvement in BMSCs proliferation. Supplementation of 10^-12 M E2 resulted in down-regulation of β-galactosidase activity and pro-apoptotic activity in both BMSCs, while anti-apoptotic activity was up-regulated in only Fp-BMSCs. Further, E2 increased the osteogenic ability of Fp-BMSCs. Based on these findings, optimal utilization of E2 can improve cellular senescence and apoptosis, as well as in vitro osteogenesis of BMSCs, and could therefore be useful in stem cell therapy, particularly in bone regeneration for adult females.     

Effect of short‐chain fatty acids on triacylglycerol accumulation,lipid droplet formation and lipogenic gene expression in goat mammary epithelial cells

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major energy sources for ruminants and are known to regulate various physiological functions in other species. However, their roles in ruminant milk fat metabolism are still unclear. In this study, goat mammary gland epithelial cells (GMECs) were treated with 3 mmol/L acetate, propionate or butyrate for 24 h to assess their effects on lipogenesis. Data revealed that the content of triacylglycerol (TAG) and lipid droplet formation were significantly stimulated by propionate and butyrate. The expression of FABP3, SCD1, PPARG, SREBP1, DGAT1, AGPAT6 and ADRP were upregulated by propionate and butyrate treatment. In contrast, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FASN and LXRα was not affected by propionate, but reduced by butyrate. Acetate had no obvious effect on the content of TAG and lipid droplets but increased the mRNA expression of SCD1 and FABP3 in GMECs. Additionally, it was observed that propionate significantly increased the relative content of mono‐unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1 and C16:1) at the expense of decreased saturated fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0). Butyrate and acetate had no significant effect on fatty acid composition. Overall, the results from this work help enhance our understanding of the regulatory role of SCFAs on goat mammary cell lipid metabolism.     

Predicting clinical outcome in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma: tumour initiating cells,telomeres and telomerase

Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has very poor prognosis. Here, a retrospective pilot study was conducted on 20 feline oral SCC patients who underwent stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), to evaluate: (1) the value of putative tumour initiating cell (TIC) markers of human head and neck SCC (CD44, Bmi‐1); (2) telomere length (TL) specifically in putative TICs; and (3) tumour relative telomerase activity (TA). Significant inverse correlations were found between treatment outcomes and Bmi‐1 expression, supporting the predictive value of Bmi‐1 as a negative prognostic indicator. While TL exhibited a wide range of variability, particularly in very short fractions, many tumours possessed high levels of TA, which correlated with high levels of Bmi‐1, Ki67 and EGFR. Taken together, our results imply that Bmi‐1 and telomerase may represent novel therapeutic targets in feline oral SCC, as their inhibition – in combination with SRT – would be expected to have beneficial treatment outcome.