Comparison of flagellin and an oil-emulsion adjuvant in inactivated Newcastle disease vaccine in stimulation of immunogenic parameters

The present study was designed to investigate the potential application of native (N) and recombinant (truncated modified [tmFliC] and full-length [flFliC]) flagellin proteins along with inactivated Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Fifty six SPF chickens were immunized twice with PBS (control), inactivated NDV (Ag), inactivated NDV/flFliC (AgF), inactivated NDV/tmFliC (AgT), inactivated NDV/N (AgN), commercial vaccine containing Montanide (Vac) and Vac/N (VacN), with a two-week interval. Blood was collected weekly and spleens were harvested after chickens were sacrificed. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by Real-Time PCR. Antibody response was assessed by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Cellular activity was quantified by MTT assay. Results showed that the most IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression was observed in AgF group (P < 0.01). The lowest gene expression among vaccinated groups was observed in Ag group for IL-6 and Ag and Vac group for TNF-α. The highest HI titer was observed in Vac, VacN, AgF and AgT groups. The AgF group showed the highest cellular activity (P < 0.01). In conclusion, flagellin-adjuvanted groups showed a pro-inflammatory effect and acted similarly to or better than the Vac group. Hence, flagellin can be proposed as a potential adjuvant for ND vaccine.     

Effect of Jieyuwan on depression-like behaviors and expression of BDNF in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of WKY rats

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of depression and its development, and to study the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats treated with Jieyuwan. METHODS:Adult male WKY rats were used as an animal model of endogenous depression. Wistar rats of the same strain were selected as control group. WKY rats were randomly divided into model group, citalopram group and Jieyuwan group. After intragastric administration for 21 d, the changes of depression-like behaviors were observed by sucrose preference test and forced swimming test. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. RESULTS:WKY rats showed significant depression-like behaviors, and the expression of BDNF was significantly decreased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (P<0.01). The reduction of neuronal axons in hippocampus was also observed. After drug treatment, the depression-like behaviors of WKY rats were significantly attenuated, and the expression of BDNF and the number of axons were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Jieyuwan effectively attenuates the depression-like behaviors of WKY rats, and BDNF is a key factor in its antidepressant effect. Our findings further confirm the involvement of BDNF in the development of depression.     

Genetic profiling of bacterial communities from the rhizospheres of ozone damaged Malva sylvestris (Malvaceae)

The phytotoxicity of tropospheric ozone at elevated concentrations can cause severe effects on plant vegetation. This study analyzed whether ozone-damaged plants transmit signals into the soil and thereby affect the structural diversity of bacteria inhabiting the rhizosphere. To generate highly stressful conditions, Malva sylvestris was raised from seeds under ozone exposure. Additionally, the plant age at the onset of ozone-stress was varied. Rhizosphere bacterial communities were analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) of PCR amplified partial 16S ribosomal RNA genes. None of these vigorous stress conditions caused a change in the genetic profiles targeting Bacteria with primers hybridizing to highly conserved regions in the 16S rRNA genes, despite visibly ozone-triggered injuries of the leaves and a reduced root biomass. Differences in the SSCP profiles however were observed between plants of different ages. In a more realistic scenario, plants raised in the greenhouse under normal atmospheric conditions were exposed to ozone episodes as they can occur during summer in industrialized countries of the northern hemisphere. To increase the sensitivity of detection, genetic profiles representing Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Pseudomonas were analyzed separately in addition to those of Bacteria. None of the profiles showed any ozone-related alterations. In summary, the results of this study indicated that, even when the plants were visibly injured by ozone, the stress was not transmitted to the soil in a way that affected the structural diversity of the dominant rhizosphere bacterial community.     

Changes of myocardial glycogen content and right ventricular function in hypoxia swimming rats

AIM: To investigate the changes of myocardium glycogen content and the relation ship between changes of the myocardial glycogen content and the myocardial function. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were placed in (hypoxia rats) and made to swim in (hypoxia swimming rats) a hypobaxic chamber simulating an altitude of 5 000 m above sea level. The content of myocardium glycogens was determined by colorimetry. RESULTS: The myocardium
glycogen content of rats significantly reduced along with the prolongation of hypoxic exposure and approached to control level in hypoxia swimming rats. The myocardial function of right ventricule was improved significantly compared with control group.CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise (swimming) is beneficial to hypoxic adaptation of rats under the condition of chronic hypoxia.     

Effect of GYY4137 on cytosolic lipid decomposition in mouse primary hepatocytes

AIM: To evaluate the effect of GYY4137, a novel hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donor, on cytosolic lipid decomposition in mouse primary steatosis hepatocytes. METHODS: Oleic acid (OA) was used to induce hepatic steatosis model in vitro. The C57BL/6 mouse primary hepatocytes isolated and cultured by 2-step in situ perfusion were divided into 4 groups:the cells in control group were incubated with normal medium for 54 h; the cells in model group were incubated with OA at 1.2 mmol/L for 48 h followed by serum-free phenol red-free RPMI-1640 for 6 h; the cells in H₂S group or DL-propar-gylglycine (PAG; an inhibitor of cystathione γ-lysase, inhibiting H₂S synthesis) group were incubated with OA at 1.2 mmol/L for 48 h followed by serum-free phenol red-free RPMI-1640 which contained 1 mmol/L GYY4137 or 200 μmol/L PAG for 6 h. The glycerin release and the protein expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the cells were mea-sured. RESULTS: Compared with model group, the glycerin release and the protein expression of phosphorylated HSL (p-HSL) in H₂S group decreased significantly, while those increased significantly in PAG group. CONCLUSION: In steatosis hepatocytes, exogenous H₂S possibly decreases cytosolic lipid decomposition by decreasing the protein level of p-HSL.     

Thymol attenuates allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthma

Thymol, a naturally occurring monocyclic phenolic compound derived from Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae), has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory property in vivo and vitro. However, the mechanism of thymol is not clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of thymol on allergic inflammation in OVA-induced mice asthma and explore its mechanism. The model of mouse asthma was established by the induction of OVA. Thymol was orally administered at a dose of 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg body weight 1 h before OVA challenge. At 24 h after the last challenge, mice were sacrificed, and the data were collected by various experimental methods. The results revealed that pretreatment with thymol reduced the level of OVA-specific IgE, inhibited recruitment of inflammatory cells into airway, and decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF. Moreover, the pathologic changes of lung tissues were obviously ameliorated and goblet cell hyperplasia was effectively inhibited by the pretreatment of thymol. In addition, thymol reduced the development of airway hyperresponsiveness and blocked the activation of NF-κB pathway. All data suggested that thymol ameliorated airway inflammation in OVA-induced mouse asthma, possibly through inhibiting NF-κB activation. These findings indicated that thymol may be used as an alternative agent for treating allergic asthma.     

Abnormally modified tau and hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

Tau is the most abundant microtubule-associated protein in the brain. If tau protein lost the normal function, the toxic effect should be showed and plays an important role in various central nervous system lesions. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important cause of mortality in the neonatal period and it is mainly characterized by neurological deficits such as cognitive limitations. However, the mechanism still needs further study, and the underlying relationship between tau protein and HIE lacks direct evidence. Some recent clinical study reported that tau protein expression elevated in the serum of asphyxia children and had a high correlation with behavior deficient. In this review, we focus on 3 key points to provide new insights to understand the tau protein-related pathogenesis of HIE as followed: (1) tau protein and its phosphorylation change during central nervous system development; (2) comparison of tau protein expression in developing brain and adult brain under some neurological disorders; (3) potential pathological change of tau in HIE related pathological conditions, such as dysmyelination, inflammation response and glutamate metabolism.     

Cigarette dust particles induced lung function injury of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice

AIM: To investigate the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive disease (COPD) in mice by using nasal drip of cigarette dust particles (DSP) induced pulmonary function damage model.METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, LPS 100 mg/L group, DSP 0.75 mL/L group, DSP 1.5 mL/L group and DSP 3 mL/L group for 30 days. The method of nasal drip was used for 30 days to establish the COPD model. Rrs, Ers, Crs, Est, Cst, P-3/8Rn, P-3/8G and P-3/8H were measured for evaluating lung function of the mice in each group by the method of FlexiVent. The effect on the increase of airway resistance induced by methacholine (Mach) was determined using main bronchial rings by Myograph method. The HE, Masson and Resorcinol fuchsin staining of mouse tracheas and lung tissues were conducted. RESULTS: Continuous nasal drip with DSP for 30 days increased Rrs, Ers, Est, P-3/8Rn and decreased Crs, Cst, P-3/8G and P-3/8H in the mice. DSP significantly shifted the dose-effect curve of tracheal contraction induced by Mach to the left, increased the sensitivity of the airway to Mach, and significantly increased the maximal contractile airway effect of Mach. Exposure to DSP caused fibrosis of airway subepithelial, deposition of collagen in the airway basement membrane under the reticular plate, induced reticular plate thickening, pulmonary bronchial lumen serious deformation, and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung of mice. Significantly increased alveolar wall muscle fibers and collagen fibers were also observed. CONCLUSION: The lung function and pathomorphological changes of COPD mice induced by 30 days nasal drip of cigarette dust particles were similar to those of human COPD.     

Transplantation of human amnion epithelial cells improves learning and memory function in Alzheimer's disease-like pathology rat model

AIM: To observe the treatment effect and its immune regulation of human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) on Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like pathology rat model. METHODS: The hAECs were isolated from amnion with trypsin digestion, and the phenotype of hAECs was analyzed by flow cytometry. SD rats (n=48) were randomly divided into sham control group, model group, medium group and hAECs group. AD-like pathology rat model was induced by bilateral intraventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). hAECs (5×10⁵) were injected into the hippocampus of the AD-like pathology rats. At 2 weeks after transplantation, the animals were tested by Morris water maze to observe the function of learning and memory. The pathological change of the brain was observed by HE staining. The expression of amyloid β-protein 42(Aβ42) and Tau protein and the level of acetylcholine (ACh) in the injury brain were determined by immunohistochemistry. The survival and differentiation of hAECs in the hippocampus were measured by immunofluorescent technique. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The contents of serum cytokines were detected by cytometric bead array. RESULTS: Compared with model group and medium group, hAECs group showed shortened escape latency (P<0.01), increased frequency of going through the platform (P<0.05), reduced loss of hippocampal neurons, decreased expression of Tau protein and Aβ42 in the hippocampus (P<0.05), increased ACh level in the hippocampus (P<0.05), decreased percentages of Th1 and Th17 subsets, increased percentages of Th2 and Treg cells (P<0.05), decreased concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-2 in the serum, and increased concentration of IL-4(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: hAECs improve the cognitive learning and memory function and alleviate pathologic damage of hippocampus through immune regulation in AD-like pathology rats.     

肾上腺皮质肿瘤良恶性鉴别方法探究

肾上腺皮质肿瘤（Adrenocortical Tumor,ACT）是一种常见的肿瘤,存在于人体的内分泌系统中,并且是引发肾上腺皮质癌（Adrcnocortical Carcinoma,ACC）进而导致死亡的主要原因.经典的＂Weiss系统＂在诊断明确性上存在种种无法解决的问题,但随着科技水平的发展,人们开始探索新的途径来鉴别ACT的良恶性,于是开始有了影像学和分子生物学技术等特异性的检查方法,从而进一步增强了诊断的明确性.现通过对比的方式,探究肾上腺皮质肿瘤（Adrenocortical Tumor,ACT）影像学检查和分子生物学技术检查的结果,从而能更准确地鉴别其良恶性.