鸡胚发育后期心电图的无损测定及心率变化

目的：测量鸣胚发育后期心电图,测定鸡胚发育后期心率及其变化.方法：利用壳膜外电极测量鸡胚心电图,根据RR间期计算鸡胚心率。结果：引出了具有较为清晰Q波、R波（振幅在8—20μV波动）、S波的鸡胚心电图。鸡胚的QRs间期在发育后期无明显变化,心率在D14～D20早期的心率变化较小,在D20后期和D21显著增加（P〈0．01）。结论：建立了壳膜外记录鸡胚心电图的方法,鸡胚在啄壳期心率显著增加.     

鸡胚发育第四天时,蛋壳膜的超显微结构

蛋壳膜在鸡胚发育中具有保护胚胎,维持鸡内渗透压和呼吸功能。它是一种纤维性质的结构。如图,鸡胚发育第四天时,蛋壳膜的超显微结构。     

哺乳类早期胚胎发育阻滞的形成与突破

本文对有关哺乳类(包括人)着床前早期胚胎发育阻滞的形成与突破的研究近况作了概述。早期胚胎发育阻滞一般都发生在最初四个细胞周期中的某个长G_2相阶段,该时期恰好是贮存在胚胎细胞中源自母系的mRNA失活或降解、胚胎细胞自身基因组应该被激活的临界期,胚胎在这时对环境压力非常敏感。过氧化氢类物质在胚胎细胞内高含量累积也是导致发育阻滞的因素之一。早期胚胎的正常发育必须依赖于源自生殖道上皮细胞的信号,这类外源信号被初步认为蛋白质性质。提供某些生长因子,或清除微环境中有害物质等都将有助于 胚胎的正常发育。早期胚胎间的协同作用在体外胚胎正常发育中的正效应已引起人们的重视。     

胚胎植入研究的进展与展望

胚胎与母体子宫第一次亲密接触并相互对话,进而建立起直接生理联系的过程被称为胚胎植入。这一过程的正常发生与否决定着胚胎能否继续发育和最终的妊娠结局。正常育龄妇女每个月经周期妊娠成功率只有30%左右,其中近70%的妊娠失败被认为是发生在胚胎植入环节。胚胎植入的成功发生需要具有植入能力的囊胚和处于接受态的子宫之间同步互作并建立起直接的生理联系。在临床的辅助生殖诊疗中,尽管形态正常的胚胎移植到子宫中,妊娠的成功率也只有50%左右,这其中子宫接受态的异常被认为是一个很关键的、急需克服的限制因素。反之,更为可靠的胚胎质量判断标准是辅助生殖治疗研究中的另一个关键问题。针对子宫接受态建立和囊胚激活这两个决定胚胎植入成败的关键事件,阐述了胚胎植入领域近年来的研究进展,介绍了国内科学家在该领域所做的贡献,同时简要探讨了本领域发展面临的问题以及出路,以使读者能明晰胚胎植入这一重要生理过程发生的分子基础以及该领域面临的挑战和未来发展方向。     

供体细胞在鸡—麻鸭嵌合体胚胎中的发育

用微注射法将鸡的PGCs注入到麻鸭的胚盘下腔中,用鸡W染色体DNA探针通过原位杂交对供体细胞在嵌合体胚胎中的发育作了研究,54个胚胎各器官都有不同程度的嵌合,其中肝脏的嵌合率最高,性腺最低,胚盘细胞移植可制备鸡－麻鸭的体细胞和种系嵌合体。     

鸡胚胎在生命科学研究中的应用

鸡作为优秀的模式动物在生命科学研究中的作用日益受到人们重视,其中以鸡胚胎的贡献尤为突出。本文简要综述了鸡胚胎在发育生物学、肿瘤、再生、神经生物学和胚胎干细胞等研究领域中的应用,同时对鸡基因组和鸡胚胎的研究方法也进行了简单探讨。     

异甘草素对斑马鱼胚胎发育、血管生成和心脏的影响

目的研究异甘草素对斑马鱼Danio rerio var.胚胎发育、血管生成以及心脏的影响。方法异甘草素处理受精后10 h、24 h的正常斑马鱼胚胎,显微镜下观察并记录药物作用12 h、24 h、36 h、48 h后斑马鱼胚胎发育、血管生成、心率以及心脏形态。结果异甘草素浓度为4μg·mL~(-1)时可轻度抑制斑马鱼胚胎尾部发育,浓度为12μg·mL~(-1)及以上时会严重抑制胚胎发育。异甘草素具有抑制斑马鱼胚胎血管生成作用,浓度为2μg·mL~(-1)时即可抑制血管的生成,8μg·mL~(-1)时甚至完全抑制尾部静脉血管的生成。异甘草素可显著降低斑马鱼胚胎心率,中低剂量下,心率随着作用时间增加呈先降后升的趋势,对心脏形态无影响;高剂量下,心率随作用时间增加而降低,异甘草素致斑马鱼胚胎心包与卵黄囊肿大。结论中低剂量异甘草素具有良好的抗血管生成和减慢心率的作用,高剂量时随着作用时间延长具有一定的抑制发育作用。     

小鼠胚胎发育过程中Brachyury对Wnt信号通路的作用研究

Brachyury对调控小鼠胚胎发育起着至关重要的作用,缺乏Brachyury蛋白的小鼠胚胎不能正常发育。Wnt信号通路在小鼠胚胎发育中可控制胚胎的轴向发育等重要的生理过程,Brachyury可能通过与Wnt信号通路的相互作用导致短尾表型的产生。为了揭示Brachyury与Wnt信号通路相互作用关系,本研究制作了Brachyury突变小鼠,通过提取不同时期的胚胎并提取总RNA,经反转录进行qPCR检测Brachyury与Wnt信号通路相关成分的表达关系。结果显示,Brachyury、Axin2、Dkk1及Wnt3a的表达在突变胚胎和野生胚胎中的表达有显著差异。因此,Brachyury作为转录因子对上述Wnt信号通路成分的表达有调节作用,它们形成一个调控网络调控小鼠胚胎的正常发育。本研究为小鼠胚胎发育期间Brachyury (T)的功能作用提供了理论基础。     

Wnt3a在小鼠孤雌胚胎及正常胚胎早期着床部位的表达变化

目的研究小鼠孤雌激活胚胎和体内正常发育胚胎在子宫中发生着床过程时,在早期着床部位上Wnt3a信号分子的表达变化。方法运用免疫组织化学染色法比较受体子宫中的孤雌胚胎着床位点和体内正常发育胚胎着床位点上Wnt3a的表达状况。结果免疫组织化学染色结果发现:(1)在着床期怀孕第5.5天和6.5天,受体子宫中孤雌胚胎的着床位点处和体内正常发育胚胎的着床位点处,Wnt3a在两种子宫上的表达情况相似,而在两种胚胎上的表达情况不同;(2)Wnt3a信号在空怀假孕母鼠子宫上表达情况与相同怀孕期有正常胚胎着床的子宫上的表达情况相似。结论胚胎着床与否及胚胎正常与否均不影响Wnt3a在小鼠早期着床期子宫上的表达,但在怀孕第5.5天和6.5天时孤雌激活胚胎和体内正常发育胚胎上Wnt3a的表达有差异。     

猪胚胎干细胞研究进展

胚胎干细胞是一类具有在体外无限自我复制和分化为体内任何种类细胞的多潜能细胞。目前,公认的胚胎干细胞全能性判断标准包括:体内及体外向三胚层细胞分化和二倍体嵌合后能形成生殖细胞。从1981年Kaufman等第一次分离小鼠胚胎干细胞至今,能满足这些标准的只有小鼠、大鼠和鸡的胚胎干细胞系。猪作为一种生理结构和器官的三维结构和人都比较相似的传统药物实验模型,其胚胎干细胞系的建立一直受到广泛的关注,但是迄今为止真正的猪胚胎干细胞系(即满足上述判定标准)还未被建立起来。本文将从多个方面阐述猪胚胎干细胞系的研究进展及亟待解决的问题。猪的全基因组序列已经测序完成,相信随着干细胞研究的深入开展,对维持多能性的转录因子和细胞信号通路认识的逐步加深,建立真正的猪胚胎干细胞系将成为可能。     

Telemetric monitoring of blood pressure in freely moving mice: a preliminary study

This paper describes for the first time the possibility for recording the systolic pressure (SP), diastolic pressure (DP), and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) as well as the heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity (LA) in freely moving mice, using a commercially available telemetry and data acquisition system. The system comprises a new, small radio-telemetry transmitter implanted in the peritoneal cavity, a receiver board placed underneath the home cage, a multiplexer and a computer-based data acquisition system. The signals from the receiver were consolidated by the multiplexer and were stored and analysed by the computer. The telemetered pressure signals (absolute pressure) were corrected automatically for changes in atmospheric pressure measured by an ambient pressure monitor. The effects of implantation on animal behaviour, and, after the animals had recovered, the effects of handling on the SP, DP, MAP and HR were examined. The radio-telemetry system for recording the SP, DP, MAP and HR provides an accurate and reliable method for monitoring the direct effects of handling on SP, DP, MAP and HR. In addition, by using this new blood pressure (BP) transmitter, we maintain that BP measurements in freely moving mice are more efficient, reliable, and less labour-intensive than the measurement techniques described in the literature thus far.     

The application of surface plethysmography for heart rate variability analysis after GSM radiofrequency exposure

The aim of the present study was to test whether the electromagnetic field emitted by standard GSM mobile phones results in changes in heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) of 35 healthy young male and female subjects. Two parallel signals, electrocardiogram and infrared surface plethysmogram were recorded and compared to test their validity for the analysis. Plethysmographic recording is proved to be a fast and reliable method for HRV measurements. In the radiofrequency (RF) exposure study, there was no significant difference in the values of HR and HRV between the RF and the sham groups. Our preliminary study demonstrates that, in our experimental conditions, RF fields emitted by cellular phones do not cause observable effects on the regulation of heart rate of healthy, young adults.     

Regulated bradycardia in the pulmonate limpet Siphonaria (Gastropoda: Mollusca) during pollutant exposure: implication for biomarker studies

Although the cardiac activity of invertebrates is now widely used as a biomarker of marine pollution, few studies consider the intrinsic factors causing the variability of heart rate (HR), including the physiological states associated with metabolic depression and behavioural isolation. We examined the cardiac responses to copper exposure of a pulmonate limpet (Siphonaria capensis Quoy and Gaimard), known to adaptively depress heart rate (and metabolic rate) under naturally stressful conditions (hyposalinity). Analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of copper concentration (0-1000 microg/L), exposure time (0-2 h), and individual difference (eight limpets per concentration) on heart rate parameters. Minute by minute heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), and bradycardia (< or =10 beats/min) were determined from continuous recording traces. Most of the HR variance was attributable to the interaction of concentration and individuals (35.8%). Considerably lower mean HRs for the higher range of copper concentrations (250 to 1000 microg/L), compared to the lower range (0 to 50 microg/L), were attributable to the virtually exclusive induction of bradycardia in the higher concentration treatments. With increasing concentration, bradycardia was induced sooner and became less interspersed with near normal heart rates (i.e., less episodic). This regulated bradycardial response is apparently associated with isolation (avoidance) behaviour rather than with copper uptake. These findings have implications for biomarker exercises which use heart rate, in cases where invertebrates depress metabolism.     

Using heart rate to detect high-intensity efforts during professional soccer competition

The goal of this article is to detect, describe, and compare 2 heart rate (HR) conditions associated with high-intensity efforts but somewhat different in nature: The first one is indicated by HR values close to the maximum heart reserve (MHRR), and the second is indicated by a marked increase in the HR values (MIHR). It was expected that both conditions were associated with different game situations. A sample of 441 game situations (241 MIHRs and 200 MHRRs), taken from HR records and individual filming of 12 elite soccer players, was assessed along 7 preseason competition matches. The game situations in which each of these 441 HR conditions took place were identified, using a previously established taxonomy of a combination of field formats and category systems in the Match Vision Studio Premium. For the recording of the HR condition, an HRM Polar was attached to the players when in competition, together with a simultaneous filming of their performance during the game. The HRM and video recordings were synchronized beforehand to be able to relate the game situation in the film with HR conditions. The results showed significant differences between both HR conditions for 4 criteria of game situations (Ball in play, Game Center, Role, and Opposition). In all the cases, the MIHR is more associated with active participation of the players in the game, whereas the MHRR is more associated with the end of this participation. Thus, the results suggest that MIHR could be a useful complementary measurement to assess the intensity of physiological load that elite soccer players bear during competition, together with more traditional measurements such as MHRR.     

Cardiac activity of freshwater crayfish at wakefulness, rest, and “animal hypnosis”

In laboratory experiments, simultaneous continuous recording of the circadian cycle of behavioral reactions and cardiac activity of freshwater crayfish Astacus astacus and Procambarus clarkii was carried out. A non-invasive fiber-optic method of recording of the heart rate (HR) was used. The obtained data were analyzed by the method of variational pulsometry (VP). It was revealed that certain values of HR and characteristics of VP corresponded to the physiological states of active wakefulness and rest. It was found that during long immobilization of crayfish it is possible to identify the states of operative rest and sleep by the animal behavioral reactions and parameters of cardiac activity. Crayfish were studied in the state of artificially evoked immobilization (“animal hypnosis”). During this state, a high HR level, an increase of indexes of tension and autonomic equilibrium, and changes of other VP characteristics were observed. It is suggested that the different level of cardiac activity in different physiological states of crayfish (active wakefulness, operative rest, sleep, and “animal hypnosis”) is regulated by nervous influences analogous to sympathetic and parasympathetic influences in vertebrates. It was concluded that freshwater crayfish as a representative of the highly organized invertebrates can serve an effective model for studying mechanisms of sleep-like states and “animal hypnosis” in animals.     

Infants with univentricular heart have reduced heart rate and blood pressure responses to side motion and altered responses to head-up tilt.

Cardiovascular control was studied in infants with univentricular heart (UVH). Side motion tests and 45-s 45 degrees head-up tilt tests were performed in 11 control and 9 UVH infants at the age of 13 +/- 3.2 wk. In addition, heart rate (HR) reactions to spontaneous arousals and HR variability during slow-wave sleep (SWS) were determined. All UVH infants had been hypoxic for several weeks, and during the sleep study the mean arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation was 82 +/- 5%. Tests were done at night during SWS, confirmed by polysomnographic recording. Continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) was measured. In the side-motion tests, control infants consistently showed a transient increase in HR and BP. This response was markedly reduced in all of the UVH infants (P < 0.0001). In tilt tests, the UVH infants showed normal BP responses, but, although a sustained 2.0% decrease in HR was observed in the controls, the UVH infants presented with a sustained 2.6% mean HR increase (P = 0.005). The UVH infants also showed attenuated HR acceleration during spontaneous arousals (P = 0.01), but HR variability did not differ significantly from the controls. In conclusion, UVH infants with chronic hypoxia exhibit defective vestibulosympathetic pathways, as expressed by an absence of acute HR and BP reactivity to side motion. HR reactions to postural challenge and spontaneous arousal are also altered. Autonomic function abnormalities in these infants are suggested to be secondary to hypoxia.     

Non-Invasive Drosophila ECG Recording by Using Eutectic Gallium-Indium Alloy Electrode: A Feasible Tool for Future Research on the Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Cardiac Arrhythmia

Background

Drosophila heart tube is a feasible model for cardiac physiological research. However, obtaining Drosophila electrocardiograms (ECGs) is difficult, due to the weak signals and limited contact area to apply electrodes. This paper presents a non-invasive Gallium-Indium (GaIn) based recording system for Drosophila ECG measurement, providing the heart rate and heartbeat features to be observed. This novel, high-signal-quality system prolongs the recording time of insect ECGs, and provides a feasible platform for research on the molecular mechanisms involved in cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

In this study, two types of electrode, tungsten needle probes and GaIn electrodes, were used respectively to noiselessly conduct invasive and noninvasive ECG recordings of Drosophila. To further analyze electrode properties, circuit models were established and simulated. By using electromagnetic shielded heart signal acquiring system, consisted of analog amplification and digital filtering, the ECG signals of three phenotypes that have different heart functions were recorded without dissection.

Results and Discussion

The ECG waveforms of different phenotypes of Drosophila recorded invasively and repeatedly with n value (n>5) performed obvious difference in heart rate. In long period ECG recordings, non-invasive method implemented by GaIn electrodes acts relatively stable in both amplitude and period. To analyze GaIn electrode, the correctness of GaIn electrode model established by this paper was validated, presenting accuracy, stability, and reliability.

Conclusions

Noninvasive ECG recording by GaIn electrodes was presented for recording Drosophila pupae ECG signals within a limited contact area and signal strength. Thus, the observation of ECG changes in normal and SERCA-depleted Drosophila over an extended period is feasible. This method prolongs insect survival time while conserving major ECG features, and provides a platform for electrophysiological signal research on the molecular mechanism involved in cardiac arrhythmia, as well as research related to drug screening and development.     

Determinants of the natriuresis after acute, slow sodium loading in conscious dogs

The relative importance of systemic volume, concentration, and pressure signals in sodium homeostasis was investigated by intravenous infusion of isotonic (IsoLoad) or hypertonic (HyperLoad) saline at a rate (1 micromol Na(+) x kg(-1) x s(-1)), similar to the rate of postprandial sodium absorption. IsoLoad decreased plasma vasopressin (-35%) and plasma ANG II (-77%) and increased renal sodium excretion (95-fold), arterial blood pressure (DeltaBP; +6 mmHg), and heart rate (HR; +36%). HyperLoad caused similar changes in plasma ANG II and sodium excretion, but augmented vasopressin (12-fold) and doubled DeltaBP (+12 mm Hg) without changing HR. IsoLoad during vasopressin clamping (constant vasopressin infusion) caused comparable natriuresis at augmented DeltaBP (+14 mm Hg), but constant HR. Thus vasopressin abolished the Bainbridge reflex. IsoLoad during normotensive angiotensin clamping (enalaprilate plus constant angiotensin infusion) caused marginal natriuresis (9% of unclamped response) despite augmented DeltaBP (+14 mm Hg). Cessation of angiotensin infusion during IsoLoad immediately decreased BP (-13 mm Hg) and increased glomerular filtration rate by 20% and sodium excretion by 45-fold. The results suggest that fading of ANG II is the cause of acute "volume-expansion" natriuresis, that physiological ANG II deviations override the effects of modest systemic blood pressure changes, and that endocrine rather than hemodynamic mechanisms are the pivot of normal sodium homeostasis.     

A modified technique for tail cuff pressure measurement in unrestrained conscious rats

In physiological experiments, it is essential to measure arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) in animals. Tail cuff pressure (TCP) measurement using photoelectric volume oscillometry has been commonly used. We designed a new technique for continuous measurement of AP and HR in conscious, unrestrained rats. This is based on the observation that fixation of the rat's tail with tape keeps the animal in position without struggling. The animal is free to move its body. To test the accuracy of this new technique, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent four AP and HR measurement techniques. These included a new unrestrained method (UR), which was compared to the following three methods: traditional restrained TCP method with restrainer, direct monitoring of AP and HR with femoral artery catheterization and a combination of photoelectric volume oscillometry (with body heating to 37 degrees C) and femoral arterial recording. The results show that the modified UR measurement provides accurate data on AP and HR. This method obtains a lower value of HR and similar mean AP when compared to direct monitoring from femoral arterial catheterization. Accordingly, the modified unrestrained TCP measurement can be used in conscious rats as a noninvasive method.     

Vectorcardiography analysis of the repolarization response to pharmacologically induced autonomic nervous system modulation in healthy subjects

Autonomic nervous system activity is essential for regulation of ventricular repolarization (VR) and plays an important role in several arrhythmogenic conditions. This study in 31 healthy adult subjects (16 men, 15 women) evaluated the VR response to pharmacologically modulated autonomic nervous system activity applying vectorcardiography (VCG) analysis. During continuous VCG recording, 0.01-0.1 μg·kg(-1)·min(-1) isoprenaline (Iso) was infused at an increasing flow rate until three targeted heart rates (HR) were reached. After Iso washout, one intravenous bolus of 0.04 mg/kg atropine was given followed by an intravenous bolus of 0.2 mg/kg propranolol. A 5-min steady-state VCG recording was analyzed for each of the seven phases (including baseline 1 and 2). Furthermore, during the first 4 min following atropine, six periods of 10-s VCG were selected for subanalysis to evaluate the time course of change. The analysis included QRS, QT, and T-peak to T-end intervals, measures of the QRS and T vectors and their relation, as well as T-loop morphology parameters. By increasing HR, Iso infusion decreased HR dependent parameters reflecting total heterogeneity of VR (T area) and action potential morphology (ventricular gradient). In contrast, Iso prolonged QT HR corrected according to Bazett and increased the T-peak to T-end-to-QT ratio to levels observed in arrhythmogenic conditions. HR acceleration after atropine was accompanied by a transient paradoxical QT prolongation and delayed HR adaptation of T area and ventricular gradient. In addition to the expected HR adaptation, the VR response to β-adrenoceptor stimulation with Iso and to muscarinic receptor blockade with atropine thus included alterations previously observed in congenital and acquired long QT syndromes, demonstrating substantial overlap between physiological and pathophysiological electrophysiology.