Stress response of extensively reared young bulls being transported to growing-finishing farms under Spanish summer commercial conditions

To evaluate the effect of Spanish summer commercial journeys on the stress response of young bulls born and reared under extensive conditions, 2 replicates of a transport from an assembly centre to a growing-finishing farm were studied. Journeys lasted 27 h, involving a total of 62 young bulls. Variables under study included haematocrit, red blood cell count (RBC), total white blood cell count (WBC), differential WBC counts, serum haptoglobin (Hp), cortisol, glucose, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, and albumin at loading, at the end of an intermediate market stop, and at the unloading. Before the beginning of the journey elevated WBC and neutrophil counts, and high Hp values were detected, reflecting high stress levels probably as a consequence of previous procedures associated with the grouping at the assembly centre. Some stress was also detected at the end of the market stop, with cortisol increasing from 6.5 to 12.6 ± 2.0 ng/mL (P < 0.001), although a change in Hp concentration was not observed. Neither CPK and LDH activities, related to muscular tissue damage, nor haematocrit and RBC count, related to dehydration revealed a significant effect of this first stage of the journey on the physical stress of the young bulls. Subsequent 13 h transport to the growing-finishing farm induced an increase in Hp levels from 0.48 to 0.78 ± 0.16 mg/mL (P < 0.001), reflecting an onset of the acute stress response, although cortisol levels immediately after the unloading were similar to those found before loading at the market, suggesting that calves got accustomed to transport. At the end of the journey some dehydration and physical stress were also detected. Overall, our study provides new information to the discussion of the effect of temperatures during cattle transport. Although an improvement in pre-transport conditions is essential if the welfare of assembled and transported cattle is to be improved, the stress-related alteration of cattle physiology under Spanish summer commercial transport conditions is similar to that observed under colder conditions.     

High expression level of TAL1 gene in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

AIM: To investigate the characteristic of T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1) gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and in primary AML cells from de novo AML patients with different subtypes. METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of TAL1 mRNA in acute leukemia cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM, HL-60 and NB4 cell lines) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 47 newly diagnosed AML patients. Twelve healthy individuals were served as healthy control group. RESULTS: A significantly increased level in TAL1 mRNA was found in AML cell lines (HL-60 and NB4), T-cell acute lymphacytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM) and primary AML cells compared with the healthy controls. Over-expression of TAL1 was found in all detected AML subtypes, the highest level of TAL-1 mRNA was found in AML-M1 and AML-M5 subtype (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High expression of TAL1 in AML might influence the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid cells, further investigation needs to confirm whether it would be as a biomarker for pathogenesis of AML.     

Progress on role of CCN1 in pulmonary diseases

Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61/CCN1) is an extracellular matrix-associated signaling protein consisting of 381 amino-acid residues, which has the regulatory function for a multitude of cellular responses. The pleiotropic effects of CCN1 on the initiation and resolution of inflammation as well as oncogenesis and development of tumor were reported. According to the numerous data from experimental and clinical studies, this article provides an overview on CCN1 and summarizes the latest understanding of the role of CCN1 in pulmonary diseases.     

Over-expression of P21 attenuates cisplatin-induced HK-2 cells injury

AIM:To investigate the effect of P21 on cisplatin-induced renal tubular epithelial cells injury.METHODS:The expression of P21 at mRNA and protein levels in cisplatin treated human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) cells was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Over-expression of P21in the HK-2 cells was induced by the transfection of pcDNA3-P21. The cell viability and cell apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, the protein expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), caspase-3, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and phosphorylation level of eucaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Cisplatin increased the mRNA and protein levels of P21 in a time-and concentration-dependent manner in the HK-2 cells. Over-expression of P21 inhibited cisplatin-induced cell apoptosis, and down-regulated the expression of KIM-1 and NGAL. Furthermore, Over-expression of P21 decreased the protein levels of GRP78, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, CHOP and cleaved caspase-3.CONCLUSION:Over-expression of P21 attenuates cisplatin-induced HK-2 cells injury, and the mechanism may be related to the modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.     

Role of PI3K/Nrf2 signaling pathway in endotoxin-induced acute kidney injury in rabbits

AIM: To evaluate the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (PI3K/Nrf2) signaling pathway in endotoxin-induced acute kidney injury in rabbits. METHODS: Healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group (group C), LPS group (group L), wortmannin+LPS group (group WL), wortmannin group (group W) and dimthyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (group D). Wortmannin at dose of 0.6 mg/kg was injected via the auricular vein in groups W and WL, DMSO at concentration of 0.08 mL/kg was injected in group D, while normal saline (0.08 mL/kg) was injected in groups C and L. LPS at dose of 5 mg/kg was injected via the auricular vein in groups L and WL 30 min later, and equal volume of normal saline was injected in group C, D and W for control. The rabbits were sacrificed 6 h after LPS or normal saline administration. The kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and the determination of histological scores of kidney (HSK). The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), urinary α1-microglobulin (α1-MG), MDA content, SOD activity, the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, and the protein levels of total Akt, p-Akt, total Nrf2, p-Nrf2, nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1 in the renal tissues were also detected. RESULTS: Compared with groups C, D and W, the concentrations of BUN and Cr, urinary α1-MG concentration, MDA content and HSK were significantly increased, while SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, and the protein levels of p-Akt, total Nrf2, p-Nrf2, nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1 in the renal tissues were significantly increased in groups L and WL. No significant change among groups C, D and W was observed. Compared with group L, the concentrations of BUN and Cr, urinary α1-MG concentration, MDA content and HSK were significantly increased, while SOD activity, the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, and the protein levels of p-Akt, total Nrf2, p-Nrf2, nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1 in the renal tissues were significantly decreased in group WL. CONCLUSION: Activation of PI3K/Nrf2 signaling pathway may be one of the regulatory mechanisms of the body adapting to the endotoxin-induced acute kidney injury in rabbits.     

粒系集落刺激因子对急性髓系白血病细胞的诱导分化作用

观察粒系集落刺激因子对急性髓系白血病细胞诱导分化作用。方法：常规分离３１例急性髓系白血病细胞体外培养７ｄ,然后通过瑞氏染色,非特异性酯酶及氯醋酸萘酚酯酶染色及ＮＢＴ还原试验分别观察了细胞形态学,细胞内酶化学和细胞功能变化,同时采用细胞免疫方染观察细胞膜分化抗原反应。     

甲胺磷、90-消毒剂对欧洲鳗仔鳗的急性毒性作用

采用静水实验法进行甲胺磷乳剂,９０－消毒剂对欧洲鳗仔鳗急性毒性试验研究。结果表明：在试验浓度３２－５６ｍｇ／Ｌ范围内,欧洲鳗仔鳗中毒死亡发生在３０－４４ｈ,对甲胺磷乳剂急性中毒死亡的时间集中且持续短促;甲胺磷乳剂对欧洲鳗仔鳗的半致死浓度为３５．９ｍｇ／Ｌ,安全浓度为３．６ｍｇ／Ｌ。     

TRAIL与5-FU联合诱导白血病细胞凋亡的分子机理研究

用凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）及5-氟尿嘧啶（5-FU）联合刺激Jurkat细胞36h,以诱导细胞凋亡;用流式细胞术和MTS比色法检测细胞存活率,计算细胞凋亡率;用免疫印迹（western b-lotting）检测p53的表达和胱天肽酶-3、胱天肽酶-8的变化。结果表明：5-FU能有效增加TRAIL诱导的Jurkat细胞凋亡,并伴随p53表达增加及胱天肽酶-3和胱天肽酶-8的活性增加,提示TRAIL和5-FU联合诱导的T淋巴白血病细胞凋亡的分子机制与p53及胱天肽酶-3、胱天肽酶-8有关,为TRAIL和5-FU联合用于治疗白血病提供理论依据。     

对苯二胺对泥鳅的急性毒性及安全评价

研究对苯二胺对泥鳅的急性毒性并进行安全性评价。在实验室条件下,以染发剂的主要成分对苯二胺为诱变剂,采用半静水试验法,研究了对苯二胺在不同浓度(0、15、17.85、21.24、25.27和30mg/L)和不同染毒时间(24、48、72和96h)条件下,对泥鳅(Misgurnus angullicaudatus)的急性毒性作用。结果表明:对苯二胺24、48、72和96h的LC50分别是39.40、27.93、23.69和18.78mg/L,安全浓度为4.21mg/L。根据有毒物质对鱼类的急性毒性标准,对苯二胺属于高毒性污染物(LC50在1～100mg/L),建议染发时谨慎使用,并关注染发污水排放对环境的影响。