Changes of K+ channels of outer hair cells in guinea pig cochlea with streptomycin ototoxicity

AIM:To study the changes of K⁺ channels of outer hair cells in guinea pig cochlea with streptomycin ototoxicity. METHODS:Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and whole-cell patch clamp techniques were used.RESULTS:(1) The body weight of guinea pigs with streptomycin ototoxicity decreased significantly; (2) The ABR threshold markedly increased in streptomycin group (Ⅱ,Ⅲ);(3)The number of dissociated outer hair cells of guinea pigs (Ⅱ,Ⅲ) was lower than that of control (Ⅰ); (4) Streptomycin decreased the Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ currents and delayed outward K⁺ currents distinctly; (5) There was no significant difference of K⁺ currents between Ⅰ and Ⅱ/Ⅲ. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that the inhibition of K⁺ channels is the basis of streptomycin ototoxicity, but not the direct reason for cell death.     

Role of calcineurin in airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma

AIM:To investigate the role of calcineurin (CaN) in airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma.METHODS:Male guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma group and CsA group. The following parameters were measured: 1. The protein content, cell count and differential count of BALF; 2. The amount of [³H]-TdR incorporation into central airway smooth muscle; 3. The mean thickness of airway wall and airway smooth muscle of small airwaysl; 4.CaN activity of trachea and lung tissue.RESULTS:1. The protein content, cell count and eosinophil of BALF in CsA group were 46%, 51% and 60% lower than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01); 2. [³H]-TdR incorporation in CsA group was 22% lower than that in asthma group (P＜0.05);3. The mean thickness of airway wall and airway smooth muscle were 34% and 37% less in CsA group than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01); 4. CaN activity of lung tissue and trachea were 52% and 44% lower in CsA group than those in asthma group, respectively (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:CsA reduced airway remodeling in guinea pig model of asthma, indicating the role of CaN in the airway remodeling.     

Preparation of gfp-bcl-XL-contained recombinant adenovirus vector by the homologous recombination in bacteria

AIM: To prepare gfp-bcl-X_L-contained recombinant adenovirus(rAd-gfp-bcl-X_L).METHODS: Bcl-X_L gene was amplified from pEGFP-C₃-bcl-X_L, subcloned into shuttle plasmid and formed transfer plasmid of pAdTrack-CMV-bcl-X_L. Then pAdTrack-CMV-bcl-X_L was linealinzed with PmeI and co-transformed into BJ5183 bacteria with adenovirus genomic plasmid of pAdEasy-1. The identified recombinant adenovirus plasmid was digested with PacI and transfected into 293 cells to package recombinant adenovirus particles. The target gene was detected by PCR.RESULTS: There were about 35% positive recombinant bacterial clones after the co-transformation of pAdTrack-CMV-bcl-X_L and pAdEasy-1 into BJ5183. Recombinant adenovirus particle were produced and further amplified after the transfection of pAdEasy-1-gfp-bcl-X_L into 293 cells. PCR test indicated that the recombinant Ad contained bcl-X_L gene. The titer of the purified rAd-gfp-bcl-X_L was 6.5×10¹² PFU/L. CONCLUSIONS: The homologous recombination in bacteria is a convenient and high efficient method to prepare rAd-gfp-bcl-X_L. This affords a good gene transfer vector for the gene therapy in human’s diseases.     

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts

AIM: To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts. METHODS: In the present experiment, the human vascular fibroblasts were cultured and effects of platelet-derived growth factor-BB on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts were observed by using [³H]-TdR incorporation and [³H]-proline incorporation in vitro. RESULTS: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB significantly promoted NDA synthesis and collagen protein synthesis of quiescent human vascular fibroblasts, with a maximal response at a concentration of 30μg·L^-1at 24 h and 36 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB promotes DNA and collagen protein synthesis in cultured human vascular fibroblasts.     

Effects of carvedilol,cilazapril and their combination on left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats

AIM:To compare the effects of carvedilol, cilazapril and their combination on left ventricular remodeling(LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four hours after AMI operation, 100 surviving rats were randomly assigned to: ①AMI control(n= 25), ②AMI+carvedilol(1 mg·kg^-1 ·d^-1, n= 25)(C1), ③AMI+cilazapril(1 mg·kg^-1 ·d^-1, n= 25)(Z1), and ④ AMI+combination(n= 25) groups. Sham-operated group(n= 17) were selected randomly. After 4 weeks of therapy with the drugs gastric gavage, hemodynamic and pathological studies were performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in MI size among the four AMI groups(all P> 0.05) Left ventricular(LV) end diastolic pressure(LVEDP), volume(LVV), weight(LVW) and septal thickness(STh) were all higher and left ventricular pressure maximal rate of rise and fall(±d p /d t) were lower(all P< 0.01) in AMI group than sham-operated group. The LVEDP, LVV, LVW and STh were all lower and ±dp /dt were higher in Z1, C1, and combination groups than those in AMI group(P< 0.05, P< 0.01), with LVEDP and STh were more lower in the combination group than in the two monotherapy group(P< 0.05, P< 0.01), but there were no significant differences in other variables among the three therapy groups. CONCLUSION: Carvedilol, cilazapril and their combination all can prevent from LVRM after AMI in rats, improve hemodynamics and LV function, with the combination superior.     

Protein expression of cyclin D2 and p16 in proliferation and differentiation of cultured cardiac myocytes

AIM:To investigate the protein expression of cyclin D₂ and p16 in proliferation and differentiation of cultured cardiac myocytes.METHODS:One-day-old Sparague-Dawley rats were used. Cardiac myocytes(CM) were collected by a trypsin-dispersal method and cultured. Cell growth line and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) were used to investigate the proliferation of CM. Ultra-thin sections were made to observe the ultrastructure of CM under transmission electron microscope. The expression of cyclin D₂ and p16 in CM were measured using immunocytochemistry and image analysis.RESULTS:①Results of cell growth line and FACS analysis showed that cultured CM could proliferate in the first 3 cultured days, but the ability decreased quickly, concomitant with differentiation. CM was obseved quiescent in cell cycle three days later. The ultrastructure of CM showed the large amount of myofilaments and mitochondrion. ②The protein expression of cyclin D₂ in 3,4,5 day CM group was 0.89 times(P＜0.05),0.80 times (P＜0.05) and 0.56 times (P＜0.01) of that in 1 day group, respectively. The expression of p16 in CM was increased during the culture process, 2,3,4,5 day group were 1.63 times, 1.72 times, 1.99 times and 2.84 times (P＜0.01) of that in 1 day group, respectively.CONCLUSION:Cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes could proliferate during the first 3 days after incubation, but the ability of proliferation decreased, from the fourth day, concomitant with differentiation. Cyclin D₂ and p16 play the key roles in CM postnatal development. Downregulation of cyclin D₂ and upregulation of p16 may induce CM differentiation.     

昆虫神经肽类激素的研究及应用前景

由昆虫脑神经内分泌细胞分泌的神经肽类激素 ,咽侧体活化激素 (allatotropin ,AT)和咽侧体抑制激素 (al latostatin ,AS) ,分别刺激或抑制咽侧体的保幼激素的生物合成 ,从而控制昆虫的生长、发育和变态。利用昆虫神经内分泌的失调 ,使其体内激素水平失调 ,来达到控制害虫的目的。     

黑杨萎蔫枝叶对棉铃虫生殖行为的影响

研究了黑杨(Populus nigra)萎蔫枝叶及其气味对棉铃虫成虫的隐藏部位、产卵部位、交配率及产卵量等的影响，并对黑杨萎蔫枝把在田间诱集到的棉铃虫雌蛾进行了解剖观察。结果表明，在田间，黑杨萎蔫枝把诱集到的棉铃虫93．3％已经交配。在气候箱中，放置黑杨萎蔫枝叶的环境中配对饲养的棉铃虫，经过1个暗期和2个暗期后，其交配率与对照环境中的均无显著差异。在光期开始时，有51．5％的成虫隐藏在饲养笼内所设置的黑杨叶子圆片下，对照纱布圆片下仅有16．7％。叶子圆片所在区域的日平均落卵量显著大于对照区。黑杨萎蔫枝叶及其气味对棉铃虫的产卵前期、产卵持续期、成虫寿命和产下50％的卵所用的时间无显著影响，但饲养笼内有黑杨枝把或黑杨叶片气味存在时，棉铃虫的产卵量比模拟枝把和对照显著提高。     

制约稻粒黑粉病菌冬孢子萌发的关键因素

在相同条件下，从稻田直接收集的病粒中的稻粒黑粉病菌厚垣孢子不能萌发，而取之于仓库中的孢子能萌发。为探明其制约因素，对该病菌进行了光照和浸水时间试验。研究结果表明：稻粒黑粉病菌冬孢子形成后，必须经光照射后，方可进入休眠期；度过5～6个月休眠期的冬孢子，必须浸水48h以上才开始复苏；复苏后的冬孢子必须在光照条件下才能萌发。未完成后熟作用的冬孢子和完成后熟但尚未复苏的冬孢子即使在光照条件下也不能萌发。即稻粒黑粉病菌冬孢子必须经历后熟、休眠、复苏三个阶段后，在适宜的光照与温湿条件下，方可萌发。光照对其冬孢子具有双重作用，促使后熟进入休眠和刺激萌发。     

粉红女士苹果品质特性分析评价

观察测定了粉红女士苹果成熟采收时和常温贮藏后果实的外观、抗性、果实硬度、总酸、可溶性固形物、维生素C、蒸腾失水率、出汁率、果汁密度以及果汁性状;全面分析评价了该品种的外在、内在、贮藏品质和果汁加工特性。结果表明,粉红女士苹果是一个综合性状优良、耐贮藏的鲜食、果汁加工兼用型苹果新品种。