Effect of JNK expression in dorsal root ganglia on histological change of foot skin in diabetic rats

AIM: To observe the change of skin histology in diabetic rats and to investigate the possible me-chanism of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) protein in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) during the process. METHODS: Diabetic animal model was established in the male SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Plantar skin specimens of the rats were collected from control group, DM 2-week group (DM2), DM 4-week group (DM4), and DM 8-week group (DM8). Immunohistochemical staining and HE staining were used to observe the change of PGP 9.5 immunoreactive nerve terminals and the structures of the skin tissues. The protein expression of PGP 9.5 in the plantar skin tissues, and JNK and p-JNK protein in the DRG within lumbar 5, 6 (L5, 6), and sacral 1 (S1) spinal cord segments were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: PGP 9.5 immunoreactive nerve terminals of the plantar skin of the rats mainly distributed in the basal layer of the epidermis and papillary dermis. Compared with control group, PGP 9.5 positive nerve terminals in DM4 group showed reduced density and sparse distribution. PGP 9.5 positive nerve terminals in DM8 group showed significantly reduced distribution, thinner nerve diameter, shorter length and distorted shape. Histological changes of the thinner epidermal tissue, reduced epidermal cell layers, uneven cell distribution and arrangement in DM4 group, and significantly reduced epidermal cell layers, swollen and blurred cells, increasing cell gap, lack of stratified epidermis arrangement for part of epidermis, atropal and degenerated dermal collagen fiber, significantly decreased subcutaneous fat in DM8 group were observed. The results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression of PGP 9.5 in the plantar skin tissue of DM rats was progressively decreased along with the disease, while the protein level of p-JNK in L5, 6-DRG or S1-DRG showed a gradual increasing trend. PGP 9.5 immunoreactive positive nerve terminal density of plantar skin in DM rats had a negative correlation with the protein level of p-JNK in L5, 6-DRG and S1-DRG (P<0.01), but showed a significant positive correlation with the plantar skin thickness (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The protein level of p-JNK within L5, 6-DRG or S1-DRG in DM rats shows a progressive enhancement. At the same time, there is a significant change in the skin tissue density and structure. The changes of skin tissue and nerve morphology in DM rat may be related to the activation of JNK/SAPK pathway in L5, 6-DRG or S1-DRG cells. Blocking or inhibiting JNK/SAPK pathway may delay the diabetic peripheral neuropathy and reduce the risk of skin lesions.     

Neurological causes of diaphragmatic paralysis in 11 alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Background: Diaphragmatic paralysis is a relatively uncommon medical condition in animals not reported in alpacas. Objectives: Describe the signalment, physical examination, diagnostic testing, clinical, and histopathologic findings related to diaphragmatic paralysis in alpacas. Animals: Eleven alpacas with spontaneous diaphragmatic paralysis. Methods: A retrospective study examined medical records from a 10‐year period and identified 11 alpacas with confirmed diaphragmatic paralysis admitted to Washington State University and Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals between September 2003 and October 2009. Results: The 11 alpacas ranged in age from 2 to 12 months. Fluoroscopic imaging confirmed the presence of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in the 7 alpacas that were imaged. Arterial blood gas analyses showed hypercapnea, hypoxemia, and low oxygen saturation. Seven alpacas died or were euthanized between 2 and 60 days after onset of respiratory signs. Histopathologic examination of tissues found phrenic nerve degeneration in the 6 alpacas that were necropsied and additional long nerves examined demonstrated degeneration in 2 of these animals. Two animals had spinal cord lesions and 2 had diaphragm muscle abnormalities. No etiologic agent was identified in the alpacas. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The etiology for diaphragmatic paralysis in these alpacas is unknown. A variety of medical treatments did not appear to alter the outcome.     

Microinjection of AT1 and AT2 receptor antagonists into PVN affects renal sympathetic nerve activity in chronic heart failure rats

AIM: To examine the renal sympathoexcitation affected by microinjection of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 (AT₁) receptor antagonist L-158809 and angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 (AT₂) receptor antagonist PD123319 into paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in heart failure rats.METHODS: Left anterior descending coronary artery ligation was used to induce rat heart failure (HF) . Four weeks after operation, the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), the ratios of heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight, and the ratio of infarct area of the left ventricle were observed. Under anesthesia, SD rats were fixed into the brain stereo controller to locate PVN for microinjection and the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) was used for control. The left kidney was exposed by retroperitoneal approach and the renal sympathetic nerve was separated under surgical microscope. The heart rate, blood pressure and the activity of renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSNA) were recorded by POWERLAB 8/30 system. RESULTS: Microinjection of AT₁ receptor antagonist into PVN induced a decrease in RSNA in both HF rats and sham rats. The RSNA responses to L-158809 in the HF rats were significantly greater (P<0.05) than those in the sham rats. However, microinjection of AT₂ receptor antagonist and ACSF into PVN induced no change of RSNA in both HF and sham rats. CONCLUSION: There are some differences of sympathetic nerve outputs between using AT₁ receptor antagonist and AT₂ receptor antagonist on PVN, indicating the up-regulation of AT₁ receptors in PVN during HF. The central renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS) may be affected by AT₁ receptor, not by AT₂ receptor.     

牛胃植物性神经的分布研究（Ⅰ）──付交感神经的分布

本文以黄牛为实验对象,采用大体解剖学方法对成年健康黄牛雌雄各一头进行了其胃脏上神经分布的追踪研究,描述记录付交感神经－－迷走神经食管背腹二干的详细分支情况。其结果为：（１）腹干分支干要有：网胃丛支、网－－瓣丛支、瓣胃丛支及皱胃丛支四支,且都进一步分布数小支进入胃壁内。（２）背干分支主要有左、右二大支,其中左支较大,右支较小。左支又分成前庭背囊丛支、腹腔丛支和瘤胃右支三支;右支分成腹腔丛支和网、瓣胃支二支。（３）分布特点是腹干多分布于网、瓣、皱胃;其中以网瓣皱胃壁面及其三个胃室交界处的分大数量大,密集,并多以“袢”状和一侧性“梳”状结构分出。     

禽脑脊髓炎病毒引起SPF雏鸡淋巴细胞和神经细胞凋亡的研究

本实验主要采用病理组织学方法，流式细胞仪检测技术、末端标记技术等手段进行检测，探讨禽脑脊髓炎病毒引起SPE雏鸡淋巴细胞和神经细胞凋亡变化。结果表明，禽脑脊髓炎病毒能够引起感染鸡淋巴细胞和神经细胞发生凋亡变化。     

Mandibular nerve block in juvenile Nile crocodile: a cadaveric study

ObjectiveTo develop a technique for performing the mandibular nerve block in Nile crocodiles.Study designExperimental cadaveric study.AnimalsA total of 16 juvenile Nile crocodile heads.MethodsTo study the course of the mandibular nerve, one head was dissected. Computed tomography (CT) examination was performed in two heads to identify useful landmarks. Thereafter, a hypodermic needle was inserted through the external mandibular fenestra of 17 hemimandibles (13 heads), and a mixture of methylene blue and iohexol was injected. Injection volumes were 0.5 (n = 7) and 1.0 mL (n = 10) for hemimandibles < 15 and ≥ 15 cm long, respectively. Iohexol spread and nerve staining with methylene blue were assessed with CT and anatomical dissection, respectively. Data were analysed with one-sample t test or Mann–Whitney U test. Significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsBoth anatomical dissection and imaging confirmed the external mandibular fenestra as a useful anatomical landmark for needle insertion. The CT images acquired after needle positioning confirmed that its tip was located on the medial bony mandibular surface formed by the fusion of the angular and coronoid bones in 100% cases. In all the hemimandibles, the rostrocaudal spread of contrast was > 23 mm. The length of the stained mandibular nerve in the temporal region and of the stained medial branch of the mandibular nerve, as well as the dorsoventral and mediolateral spread of iohexol, was greater in group 1.0 than in group 0.5 (p < 0.001). The caudal spread of iohexol was greater in group 1.0 than in group 0.5 (p = 0.01).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe technique developed in this study is feasible. Both injection volumes resulted in staining of the mandibular nerve. The spread of contrast in the anatomical region of interest may result in successful sensory block.     

Dysphagia caused by focal guttural pouch mycosis: mononeuropathy of the pharyngeal ramus of the vagal nerve in a 20-year-old pony mare

A 20-year-old pony mare was presented to the equine hospital with a ten-day history of dysphagia, regurgitation and coughing. An obstruction of the oesophagus was excluded via endoscopy, but the proximal oesophagus appeared to be distended and circular contractions were missing. A guttural pouch endoscopy revealed a single, black-mottled plaque on the pharyngeal ramus of the vagus nerve in the left guttural pouch, causing a local swelling of this nerve. The pharyngeal ramus seemed to be atrophic distal to the lesion. A biopsy was taken from the lesion and histopathological findings proved the reasonable suspicion of a guttural pouch mycosis with a high degree of purulent-necrotic inflammation and invasion of fungal hyphae. There were no signs of neoplasia, such as melanoma. Daily guttural pouch irrigations with a clotrimazole emulsion (20 g Canesten^® Gyn⁴ solved in 500 ml water), led to a good recovery of the mucosa above the nerve. Periodic endoscopic examination of the left guttural pouch showed that local thickening and distal atrophy of this pharyngeal ramus did not improve, neither did the clinical symptoms. Due to progressive weight loss, acute respiratory distress and aspiration pneumonia, the 20-year-old pony mare unfortunately had to be euthanized three weeks after discharge. This case report emphasizes the enormous importance of a single nerve for the realization of the swallowing process. The one-sided loss of function of the pharyngeal branch of the vagal nerve cannot be compensated neither by the remaining ipsilateral nerves nor by the contralateral normal functioning glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves and thus inevitably leads to severe dysphagia.     

FSH对性成熟后公鸡睾丸中NGF及其受体TrkA表达的影响

本试验通过对性成熟公鸡睾丸组织中神经生长因子(nerve growth factor, NGF)及其受体酪氨酸激酶(tyrosine kinase, TrkA)的表达定位,研究促卵泡素(FSH)对睾丸中NGF及TrkA mRNA表达的影响。选用28只20周龄的庄河大骨鸡公鸡,随机分为4组,分别是对照组和3个FSH处理组。处理组连续静脉注射FSH5天,第6天采集睾丸组织。结果显示:公鸡睾丸组织中存在NGF和TrkA的mRNA及蛋白,且二者主要表达于精原细胞、精母细胞和精子细胞;FSH处理组的TrkA mRNA水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且TrkA mRNA的表达水平随着FSH浓度的增加而增加,但NGF mRNA的表达水平无显著性差异(P>0.05)。总之,以上研究结果表明公鸡睾丸组织中存在NGF和TrkA,且FSH可能通过调节TrkA的表达影响NGF在精子生成过程中的作用。