In vitro neuronal and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord blood

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capabilities for self-renewal and differentiation into cells with the phenotypes of bone, cartilage, neurons and fat cells. These features of MSCs have attracted the attention of investigators for using MSCs for cell-based therapies to treat several human diseases. Because bone marrow-derived cells, which are a main source of MSCs, are not always acceptable due to a significant drop in their cell number and proliferative/differentiation capacity with age, human umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells are good substitutes for BMCs due to the immaturity of newborn cells. Although the isolation of hematopoietic stem cells from UCB has been well established, the isolation and characterization of MSCs from UCB still need to be established and evaluated. In this study, we isolated and characterized MSCs. UCB-derived mononuclear cells, which gave rise to adherent cells, exhibited either an osteoclast or a mesenchymal-like phenotype. The attached cells with mesenchymal phenotypes displayed fibroblast-like morphologies, and they expressed mesenchym-related antigens (SH2 and vimentin) and periodic acid Schiff activity. Also, UCB-derived MSCs were able to transdifferentiate into bone and 2 types of neuronal cells, in vitro. Therefore, it is suggested that the MSCs from UCB might be a good alternative to bone marrow cells for transplantation or cell therapy.     

Photoreceptor cell dysplasia in two Tippler pigeons

Two 12-week-old Tippler pigeons were evaluated for ocular abnormalities associated with congenital blindness. The pigeons were emaciated and blind. Biomicroscopy and direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy findings of the Tippler pigeons were normal with the exception of partially dilated pupils at rest. Scotopic (blue stimuli) and photopic monocular electroretinograms were extinguished in the blind Tippler pigeons. Histological and electron microscopy studies revealed reduced numbers of rods and cones, and an absence of the double cone complex. The photoreceptor cells' outer segments were absent, and the inner segments were short and broad. The number of cell nuclei in the outer and inner nuclear layers was decreased, and the internal and external plexiform layers were reduced in width. Photoreceptor cell endfeet with developing synaptic ribbons were present in the external plexiform layer. Inflammatory cell and subretinal debris was not seen. The electroretinographic, histopathological, and ultrastructural findings of the blind Tippler pigeons support the diagnosis of a photoreceptor cell dysplasia.     

乙酸钠对油酸诱导的BRL-3A细胞脂肪变性的影响及机制分析

通过向油酸诱导的大鼠肝成纤维细胞(BRL-3A)脂肪变性模型中添加不同浓度(2、4、8 mmol·L^-1)的乙酸钠,探讨其对脂肪变性细胞模型脂代谢的调控机理及细胞损伤的修复作用。试验方法：1)用不同浓度的油酸(0、0.03、0.06、0.12、0.24、0.48) mmol·L^-1刺激BRL-3A细胞24 h后,分别检测细胞相对活力、总脂滴面积、三酰甘油(TG)含量、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)及丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)活性,建立脂肪变性细胞模型;2)向BRL-3A细胞中添加不同浓度的乙酸钠,通过流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;3)用不同浓度的乙酸钠和0.12 mmol·L^-1油酸共同孵育BRL-3A细胞,试验分为4组,分别为油酸处理组、2 mmol·L^-1乙酸钠+油酸处理组、4 mmol·L^-1乙酸钠+油酸处理组和8 mmol·L^-1乙酸钠+油酸处理组,分别对细胞脂滴、TG含量、AST、ALT活性、AMPK信号通路蛋白以及脂代谢关键基因进行检测。结果显示:1)用0.12 mmol·L^-1油酸处理BRL-3A细胞24 h,成功建立BRL-3A细胞脂肪变性模型。2)不同浓度的乙酸钠对BRL-3A细胞凋亡率没有影响;3)4、8 mmol·L^-1乙酸钠处理脂肪变性细胞模型后,与油酸处理组相比,细胞总脂滴面积、每平方毫米脂滴数、TG含量、AST和ALT活性均显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)下降,P-AMPK表达水平显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)上升;脂合成代谢相关基因ACC、FAS以及SCD-1 mRNA表达水平均有一定程度下降;脂分解代谢相关基因CPT-1、CPT-2以及ACO mRNA表达水平均有一定程度上升。本研究表明,乙酸钠会通过AMPK通路激活脂分解代谢,减轻肝细胞脂质蓄积,并且对油酸诱导的BRL-3A细胞脂肪变性模型的损伤具有一定缓解作用。     

Multifocal cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma in a young dog and review of histiocytic cell immunophenotyping

A 9‐month‐old male Great Dane had progressive generalized nodular dermatopathy for several months. There were > 100 raised, alopecic, firm, painful nodules throughout the skin. Aspirates from several lesions yielded moderate numbers of irregularly round or polygonal to spindle‐shaped cells with mild to moderate anisocytosis and few inflammatory cells, and the cytologic interpretation was proliferation of mesenchymal or histiocytic cells. On histopathologic examination, nodules were composed of densely packed sheets of round to spindle‐shaped cells with mild anisokaryosis and low mitotic activity. Multifocal histiocytic sarcoma with a spindle‐cell pattern was diagnosed based on morphologic features and intense expression of CD18. Additional immunophenotypic analysis on frozen sections of tissue confirmed the diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma; expression of CD18, CD45, CD1a, CD11b, and CD11c, limited expression of Thy‐1 (CD90) and CD80, and lack of expression of CD4, CD11d, and CD86 indicated that the cells were likely interstitial dendritic cells; a review of reactive and neoplastic dendritic cells is provided. Based on staging, internal organs were not affected. Sequential treatment with lomustine and doxorubicin failed to prevent progression of the cutaneous lesions, and the dog died 3 months after initial diagnosis. At necropsy, a focus of neoplastic cells was present in one lymph node, but except for skin other organs were not involved. The clinical presentation of histiocytic sarcoma may be unusual, and neoplastic cells may lack overt features of malignancy on cytologic and histopathologic examination. In some instances, immunophenotyping is required to differentiate histiocytic sarcoma from other histiocytic disorders.     

Sertoli cell tumors associated with feminizing syndrome and spermatic cord torsion in two cryptorchid dogs

The association of cryptorchidism, functional Sertoli cell tumors, and spermatic cord torsion has been rarely reported in the literature. Two dogs were admitted for bilateral skin alopecia and weight loss. Both animals were cryptorchid and displayed a pendulous preputial sheath, prostate hypertrophy, and increased levels of circulating oestrogen. Transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography revealed the presence of neoplastic retained gonads. During surgery, spermatic cord torsion was also detected in the enlarged neoplastic testes of both dogs. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of Sertoli cell tumors that were primarily responsible for the feminizing syndrome. Complete remission of all symptoms occurred within 3 months after orchiectomy.     

Isolation and Identification of Orf Virus from Jiangsu Province and Phylogenetic Analysis of Their B2L Gene

The study was aimed to investigate prevalence of Orf virus (ORFV) in Jiangsu province in recent years and control Orf better. A total of 121 tissue samples were collected in some farms from 2013 to 2015 and subjected to PCR detection, viral isolation and phylogenetic analysis of B2L gene. Four samples were ORFV positive by PCR. The viruses were isolated by passaging in ovine fetal turbinate (OFTu) cells and MDBK cells, and were named as ORFV/Ovis/XZ/Jiangsu/2015/China, ORFV1/Ovis/DT/Jiangsu/2015/China, ORFV2/Ovis/DT/Jiangsu/2015/China and ORFV/Ovis/SL/Jiangsu/2015/China,respectively. The B2L gene was amplified and sequenced for the phylogenetic study. The nucleotide homology of these 4 strains was 98.5% to 100.0%. ORFV/Ovis/XZ/Jiangsu/2015/China, ORFV1/Ovis/DT/Jiangsu/2015/China and ORFV2/Ovis/DT/Jiangsu/2015/China, gathered into a cluster with SC-JY, GX-YB, JS-FX isolates and the nucleic acid homology of these strains was 97.8% to 100%. ORFV/Ovis/SL/Jiangsu/2015/China gathered into a cluster with LiaoNing, HuB and Gansu isolates, the nucleic acid homology was 98.8% to 98.9%. The nucleic acid homologies of 4 strains and ORFV strain China vaccine was 96.8% to 98.1%. The result showed that the ORFVs in Jiangsu province might be from different source. For controlling the spreading of this virus, it was necessary to carry out deep epidemiological survey in Jiangsu province.     

毒害艾美耳球虫初次感染雏鸡免疫器官IL-2和淋巴细胞增殖功能变化

应用组织匀浆涂片和酸性α-醋酸萘酯酶（ANAE）染色及细胞培养技术和四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）测定法对毒害艾美耳球虫（eimeria necatrix，E．necatrix）初次感染雏鸡免疫器官的T细胞比例、白细胞介素-2（interleukin-2，IL-2）诱生活性、T细胞和B细胞对ConA或PMA的增殖功能的动态变化进行了较全面系统的研究。结果发现，E．necatrix初次感染雏鸡，其胸腺和脾脏T细胞比例分别于感染后7～21d和7～24d明显高于对照雏鸡；IL-2诱生活性分别于感染后16～18d和18～21d较对照雏鸡显著升高；T细胞对ConA的增殖反应分别在感染后14～16d和10～18d明显增加。法氏囊和脾脏B细胞对PMA的增殖反应分别于感染后14～24d和14～21d显著高于对照雏鸡。表明E．necatrix初次感染雏鸡免疫器官的IL-2调节及细胞免疫和体液免疫功能均明显提高。     

In vitro effect of levamisole on the cell viability,phagocytosis and respiratory burst of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) macrophages

The present study was to determine in vitro effect of levamisole on the immune functions of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus), head–kidney‐derived (HKM), spleen‐derived (SM) and peripheral blood monocyte‐derived macrophage (PBM). Macrophages were incubated with levamisole 10³, 10¹, 10⁻¹ and 10⁻³ ng mL⁻¹ to assay the cell viability, respiratory burst and phagocytosis. The results showed that macrophages treated with levamisole 10⁻³ ng mL⁻¹ gave a maximum respiratory burst response, whereas levamisole 10³ ng mL⁻¹ had no effect. Phagocytosis activity of the macrophages treated with levamisole enhanced significantly when compared to control, maximum response being at 10⁻³ ng mL⁻¹. While using the methylthiazoletetrazolium method to measure the cell activity for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 h, there was no significant role on proliferation and the cell viability began to decline after 24 h. In conclusion, levamisole is a potent enhancer of Barbel chub macrophage activity with low concentration.     

Bacillus subtilis and yeast cell wall improve the intestinal health of broilers challenged by Clostridium perfringens

1. The objective was to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis, yeast cell wall (YCW) and their combination on intestinal health of broilers challenged by Clostridium perfringens over a 21-d period.

2. Using a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, 800 1-d-old male Cobb 500 broilers were used to study the effects of feed additives (without additive or with zinc bacitracin, B. subtilis, YCW, and the combination of B. subtilis and YCW), pathogen challenge (without or with Clostridium perfringens challenge), and their interactive effects.

3. C. perfringens infection increased intestinal lesions scores, damaged intestinal histomorphology, increased serum endotoxin concentration, cytokine mRNA expression and intestinal population of C. perfringens and Escherichia coli and decreased ileal bifidobacteria numbers. The 4 additives decreased serum endotoxin. Zinc bacitracin tended to decrease cytokine mRNA expression and the intestinal number of C. perfringens and E. coli. B. subtilis, YCW and their combination increased cytokine mRNA expression. B. subtilis and YCW decreased the number of C. perfringens and E. coli in the ileum, and their combination decreased pathogens numbers in the ileum and caecum.

4. In conclusion, B. subtilis, YCW and their combination improved the intestinal health of NE-infected broilers, and could be potential alternatives to antibiotics.     

Radiosensitivity and capacity for radiation-induced sublethal damage repair of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines

Understanding the inherent radiosensitivity and repair capacity of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) can aid in optimizing radiation protocols to treat this disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the parameters surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF(2) ), α/β ratio and capacity for sublethal damage repair (SLDR) in response to radiation. Dose-response and split-dose studies were performed using the clonogenic assay. The mean SF(2) for three established TCC cell lines was high at 0.61. All the three cell lines exhibited a low to moderate α/β ratio, with the mean being 3.27. Two cell lines exhibited statistically increased survival at 4 and 24 h in the dose-response assay. Overall, our results indicate that the cell lines are moderately radioresistant, have a high repair capacity and behave similarly to a late-responding normal tissue. These findings indicate that the radiation protocols utilizing higher doses with less fractionation may be more effective for treating TCC.