体外血脑屏障模型的构建及致脑膜炎粪肠球菌对其的影响

试验旨在探索致脑膜炎粪肠球菌对体外血脑屏障功能的影响，寻求稳定的构建体外血脑屏障损伤模型的方法。选用1周龄ICR小鼠进行原代脑微血管内皮细胞（BMEC）分离并通过BMEC特有的凝血因子Ⅷ（coagulation factor Ⅷ，Factor Ⅷ）进行荧光标记，鉴定分离的细胞并判定分离率。选用1~3日龄ICR小鼠分离星形胶质细胞并通过其特有的胶质纤维酸性蛋白（glial fibrillary acidic protein，GFAP）对进行荧光标记，鉴定分离的细胞并判定分离率。将原代细胞传至3代，用Transwell二维小孔分别构建单层BMEC和BMEC与星形胶质细胞共培养的血脑屏障模型。选用致脑膜炎粪肠球菌、非致脑膜炎粪肠球菌和大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞分别与构建的体外血脑屏障模型共培养，评估致脑膜炎粪肠球菌对体外血脑屏障模型的穿透性。通过4 h渗透试验、荧光素钠通透性试验和血脑屏障损伤相关标志基因基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）表达量的检测，评估致脑膜炎粪肠球菌对体外血脑屏障模型的影响。结果显示，试验成功分离到BMEC和星形胶质细胞，纯度分别达90%和95%以上。细菌穿透试验结果显示，所选的3株细菌只有致脑膜炎粪肠球菌可穿越体外血脑屏障模型。4 h渗透试验和荧光素钠通透性试验结果显示，共培养模型优于单层BMEC模型。与其他组相比，构建的体外血脑屏障与致脑膜炎粪肠球菌共培养组荧光素钠的穿透力更高，MMP-2基因的表达量明显上升。综上，BMEC与星形胶质细胞共培养的模型优于单层BMEC模型，致脑膜炎粪肠球菌可穿越体外血脑屏障模型，并介导体外血脑屏障损伤，本试验结果为揭示致脑膜炎粪肠球菌对体外血脑屏障损伤机制提供了理论依据。     

猪脑微血管内细胞的原代分离培养与鉴定

探讨获取纯度较高的原代猪脑微血管内皮细胞的分离和培养方法。采用1月龄的三元杂交猪,通过两次酶消化、BSA和Percoll非连续梯度离心获得较纯的脑微血管段后,接种于涂布有鼠尾胶的培养瓶进行原代培养;相差显微镜观察细胞并进行纯化和传代,采用Ⅷ因子相关抗原免疫荧光检测法对培养的细胞进行鉴定。结果表明,培养24 h即可见细胞从贴壁的脑微血管段周围爬出,细胞呈短梭形,集落呈典型的"鹅卵石样",区域性单层生长,6~7 d内皮细胞开始融合,血管内皮细胞特异性标志物Ⅷ因子相关抗原表达阳性。说明本试验成功的培养出了纯度较高的脑微血管内皮细胞,为后续的体外血脑屏障模型的建立奠定了基础。     

兔脑炎原虫引起脑细胞凋亡与血脑屏障破坏的关系

为了研究兔脑炎原虫如何破坏血脑屏障,侵入脑组织并引起脑肉芽肿形成,本试验采用IG染色、MGP染色,TUNEL染色和anti-GFAP染色等方法对26只有典型脑炎原虫病神经症状的病兔和10只健康兔的脑组织进行了详细研究。结果显示:病兔大脑皮质有少部分锥体细胞、血管内皮细胞及星形胶质细胞发生不同程度的凋亡。病损的血管旁有时检出兔脑炎原虫集落,附近的脑组织有巨噬细胞和小胶质细胞聚集形成的细胞性肉芽肿。用特殊染色可在血管内皮细胞、单核细胞和巨噬细胞中检出大量脑炎原虫和集虫泡。大量星形胶质细胞在病损的脑组织部位增生,包绕在聚集的巨噬细胞和小胶质细胞周围形成了肉芽肿。其粗大的足突在血管周围形成了厚层血脑屏障。总之,兔脑炎原虫通过导致血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞凋亡的方式而破坏了血脑屏障;通过侵入血管内皮细胞和单核细胞的方式进入脑组织,引起脑损伤。     

动物血脑屏障结构及其应用研究的进展

血脑屏障（Blood brain barrier，BBB）是指脑壁与神经胶质细胞形成的阻止血液中的物质进入大脑的一道屏障，是维持脑内环境稳定所必须的膜性结构。因其位置的特殊性具备内皮细胞之间覆盖重叠，紧密连接，有效地阻止大分子物质通过连接处；连续不断的一层基底膜紧紧包围着内皮细胞；神经胶质细胞的终足包围住脑毛细血管壁的外表面的结构特征。从而形成了BBB的多层膜性结构，构成了脑组织的防护性屏障[1]。现对动物血脑屏障的紧密连接结构和细胞结构及其在神经性疾病中的应用，进行综述。     

大鼠脑皮质微血管内皮细胞的分离培养及鉴定

本研究目的在于建立一种简易可行、获得细胞纯度较高的体外分离、培养大鼠脑皮质微血管内皮细胞的方法,为进一步研究其功能打好基础。新生SD大鼠,分离大脑皮质,经匀浆、两步过滤法获得大鼠脑微血管段,用胶原酶消化后,在37℃、5%CO2培养箱中进行原代细胞培养。通过差速消化和差速贴壁方法并结合倒置显微镜下形态学的观察进行传代和纯化,利用第Ⅷ因子相关抗原免疫荧光检测法对培养的细胞进行鉴定。结果显示:成功分离培养了大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞,倒置显微镜下单个细胞呈多角形,互相融合后呈"铺路石"样,单层贴壁生长;免疫荧光检测第Ⅷ因子相关抗原呈阳性。说明本研究建立的大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞的体外培养方法,程序简单,获得的细胞纯度较高。     

猪延髓中微血管及静脉注射呕吐毒素后阳性细胞的分布

应用组织学方法对猪延髓微血管及静脉注射呕吐毒素(DON)后在猪延髓的分布进行了初步观察.结果显示,进入延髓的动脉有较厚的弹性纤维膜,平滑肌层厚度为弹性膜的一半,向背侧延伸的分支,管壁薄,仅见内皮细胞和周细胞.在网状结构与纤维束间见有微血管,管壁未见弹性纤维.电镜免疫组化染色结果显示,延髓最后区毛细血管内皮细胞间有的部位有紧密连接,而有些部位缺失,内皮细胞与胶质细胞之间有较宽的空隙,有些部位缺少周细胞.D()N免疫阳性反应为棕褐色或棕黄色颗粒,主要分布于延髓微动脉管壁及最后区毛细血管周边神经元细胞质中,细胞核内量少或无反应.结果表明,猪延髓内不同部位的微血管的分布及结构均有差异,为猪的中枢神经系统脑血管的组织学增加了内容.     

兔脑炎原虫性脑肉芽肿的病理学发生及形态特点

为了研究兔脑炎原虫(EC)性脑肉芽肿的病理学发生及形态特点,通过特殊染色、TUNEL染色、anti-GFAP染色和anti-NGF染色对26只病兔和10只健康对照兔的脑组织进行了详细地观察与分析。结果显示,EC能侵入血管内皮细胞引起血管损伤,可被单核细胞吞噬但不被消灭,并随之进入脑组织,导致大量星状胶质细胞增生,包围脑炎原虫集落或带虫的巨噬细胞,从而形成肉芽肿。EC性肉芽肿主要有3种形态,即细胞性肉芽肿、增生性肉芽肿和坏死性肉芽肿。构成脑肉芽肿的主要细胞为上皮样细胞、小胶质细胞、星状胶质细胞及内皮细胞,而淋巴细胞较少。结论,EC可侵入血管内皮破坏血脑屏障或随单核细胞的浸润而进入脑组织;脑肉芽肿的形成限制了EC的扩散;3种形态的脑肉芽肿实际上是一个病理过程的不同发展阶段。     

内肽酶O对马链球菌兽疫亚种突破血脑屏障的影响

运用同源重组法构建马链球菌兽疫亚种(SEZ) ATCC35246株(SEZ WT)pepO基因缺失株(SEZ△pepO)及互补株(SEZ C△pepO),比较分析pepO基因对SEZ形态特征、生长性能、感染小鼠的能力、小鼠全血存活率及小鼠脑组织定殖能力的影响;观察感染后小鼠脑组织的病理变化;选取人脑微血管内皮细胞(hBMEC)为体外血脑屏障模型细胞,测定pepO基因对hBMEC细胞的黏附侵袭能力以及对体外血脑屏障模型的穿透能力的影响。结果显示,pepO基因缺失后不影响SEZ在培养基中的生长速率,也不影响SEZ在小鼠全血中的存活率,但缺失株感染小鼠的能力显著降低(P<0.05),在小鼠脑组织细菌载量显著降低(P<0.05);SEZ WT株和SEZ C△pepO株感染组小鼠脑组织出现明显充血、出血、水肿的脑膜炎症状,组织切片可见大量出血及炎性细胞浸润,SEZ△pepO株感染组小鼠脑组织未见明显病变;SEZ△pepO对hBMEC细胞的黏附侵袭率以及对体外血脑屏障模型的穿透率较SEZ WT和SEZ C△pepO均显著降低(P<0.001)。本研究初步证明内肽酶O与SEZ毒力密...     

鸡脑神经干细胞体外诱导分化研究

为了研究鸡脑神经干细胞(neural stem cells,NSCs)体外的分离、培养及诱导分化等生物学特性,试验采用机械吹打法分离鸡脑神经干细胞,通过免疫荧光对体外培养鸡脑神经干细胞进行表面标记检测,并在适宜的诱导条件下向神经元细胞、星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞三个方向进行诱导,检测其多向分化潜能。结果表明:体外分离培养的鸡NSCs为目的细胞,并可向神经元细胞、星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞诱导分化。说明鸡脑NSCs具有良好的体外增殖能力和多向分化潜能。     

PPARγ对猪血管内皮细胞增殖、迁移及小管形成的影响

试验旨在研究过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ,PPARγ）对猪血管内皮细胞增殖、迁移及小管形成的影响,并探讨PPARγ在猪体外血管生成中的作用。设置PPARγ激动剂组（5、10、15、20 μmol/L罗格列酮）、抑制剂组（5、10、15、20 μmol/L T0070907）及对照组,通过iCelligence细胞功能分析、划痕试验和Matrigel基质胶三维培养,构建猪体外血管生成的模型,模拟猪体内血管生成的环境,分别对猪血管内皮细胞的增殖、迁移、小管形成能力进行测定,同时根据NCBI已有的相关序列,应用Primer Premier 5.0软件设计PPARγ基因特异性引物,利用SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量PCR检测PPARγ基因mRNA相对表达量,对PPARγ的体外作用效果进行验证。结果显示,5、10 μmol/L罗格列酮能促进猪血管内皮细胞增殖、迁移及小管形成,T0070907的抑制效果在试验浓度区间内（5~15 μmol/L）随浓度升高而加强,较高浓度（20 μmol/L）的两种药物均由于药物毒性的影响对细胞活动产生干扰。此外,5~20 μmol/L罗格列酮和5~20 μmol/L T0070907能分别提高和降低PPARγ基因mRNA相对表达量,且浓度趋势与增殖、迁移、小管形成的试验结果一致。综上所述,通过激活PPARγ可以对猪血管内皮细胞的增殖、迁移及小管形成产生促进效果,提示其在猪体外血管生成中具有积极作用,可为研究PPARγ对猪胎盘血管发生的影响提供参考依据。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein