Depolarization and Activation of Dihydropyridine-Sensitive Ca2+ Channels Stimulate Inositol Phosphate Accumulation in Photoreceptor-Enriched Chick Retinal Cell Cultures

Abstract: Elevated concentrations of extracellular K⁺ increased inositol phosphate accumulation in primary cultures of chick retinal photoreceptors and multipolar neurons. K⁺-evoked stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation was greater in photoreceptor-enriched cell cultures than in cultures where multipolar neurons were the predominant cell type. Destroying multipolar neurons, but not photoreceptors, with kainic acid and N -methyl- d -aspartate did not reduce the K⁺-evoked stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation. Both of these observations indicate that the observed effects occur in photoreceptor cells. The K⁺-evoked stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation was blocked by omitting Ca²⁺ from the incubation medium or by adding the dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca²⁺-channel antagonists, nitrendipine and nifedipine. Bay K 8644, a dihydropyridine agonist, stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation and enhanced the effect of K⁺. ω-Conotoxin GVIA, an inhibitor of N-type Ca²⁺ channels, had no significant effect on K⁺-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin neither blocked K⁺-evoked inositol phosphate accumulation nor altered the inhibitory effect of nifedipine. K⁺-evoked inositol phosphate accumulation appears to reflect activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, as it is inhibited by U-73122. These results indicate that Ca²⁺ influx through voltage-gated, dihydropyridine-sensitive channels activates phospholipase C in photoreceptor inner segments and/or synaptic terminals.     

Photobiomodulation by diffusing optical fiber on spinal cord: A feasibility study in piglet model

Previous studies on spinal cord injury (SCI) have confirmed that percutaneous photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy can ameliorate immunoinflammatory responses at sites of injury, accelerate nerve regeneration, suppress glial scar formation and promote the subsequent recovery of locomotor function. The current study was performed to evaluate a large‐animal model employing implanted optical fibers to accurately irradiate targeted spinal segments. The method's feasibility and irradiation parameters that do not cause phototoxic reaction were determined, and the methodology of irradiating the spinal cord with near‐infrared light was investigated in detail. A diffusing optical fiber was implanted above the T9 spinal cord of Bama miniature pigs and used to transfer near‐infrared light (810 nm) onto the spinal cord surface. After daily irradiation with 200, 300, 500 or 1000 mW for 14 days, both sides of the irradiated area of the spinal cord were assessed for temperature changes. The condition of the spinal cord and the position of optical fiber were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and different parameters indicating temperature increases or phototoxicity were measured on the normal spinal cord surface due to light irradiation (ie, heat shock responses, inflammatory reactions and neuronal apoptosis), and the animals' lower‐limb neurological function and gait were assessed during the irradiation process. The implanted device was stable inside the freely moving animals, and light energy could be directly projected onto the spinal cord surface. The screening of different irradiation parameters preliminary showed that direct irradiation onto the spinal cord surface at 200 and 300 mW did not significantly increase the temperature, stress responses, inflammatory reactions and neural apoptosis, whereas irradiation at 500 mW slightly increased these parameters, and irradiation at 1000 mW induced a significant temperature increase, heat shock, inflammation and apoptosis responses. HE staining of spinal cord tissue sections did not reveal any significant structural changes of the tissues compared to the control group, and the neurological function and gait of all irradiated animals were normal. In this study, we established an in‐vivo optical fiber implantation method, which might be safe and stable and could be used to directly project light energy onto the spinal cord surface. This study might provide a new perspective for clinical applications of PBM in acute SCI.     

Neuroprotective effect of ketamine against TNF-α-induced necroptosis in hippocampal neurons

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a crucial cytokine, has various homeostatic and pathogenic bioactivities. The aim of this study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of ketamine against TNF-α-induced motor dysfunction and neuronal necroptosis in male C57BL/6J mice in vivo and HT-22 cell lines in vitro. The behavioural testing results of the present study indicate that ketamine ameliorated TNF-α-induced neurological dysfunction. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining results showed that TNF-α-induced brain dysfunction was caused by necroptosis and microglial activation, which could be attenuated by ketamine pre-treatment inhibiting reactive oxygen species production and mixed lineage kinase domain-like phosphorylation in hippocampal neurons. Therefore, we concluded that ketamine may have neuroprotective effects as a potent inhibitor of necroptosis, which provides a new theoretical and experimental basis for the application of ketamine in TNF-α-induced necroptosis-associated diseases.     

Efficacy and Safety of Parecoxib/Phloroglucinol Combination Therapy Versus Parecoxib Monotherapy for Acute Renal Colic: A Randomized,Double-Blind Clinical Trial

To investigate whether the addition of phloroglucinol to parecoxib could improve the efficacy in patients with acute renal colic. Patients of acute renal colic were randomly allocated to receive intravenous Parecoxib 40 mg plus placebo or Parecoxib 40 mg plus phloroglucinol 80 mg, respectively. Pain intensity was recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS) before drug administration and 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after treatment start. The primary outcome was the mean pain intensity difference (PID) at each checkpoint and the effectiveness of drugs (≥50 % decrease in VAS score at the end checkpoint). The need for rescue analgesics and the incidence of adverse effects were considered as secondary outcome of the study. Among 236 patients enrolled in the study, 119 patients received intravenous parecoxib plus placebo and 114 patients received intravenous parecoxib plus phloroglucinol, the remaining 3 patients given up treatment. Baseline demographics were similar between two groups. There are significant differences in the PID at 15 and 30 min between two groups (P _15 min = 0.011, P _30 min = 0.013). Rescue analgesics were required by 17 patients (14.3 %) receiving parecoxib, 7 patients (6.1 %) receiving parecoxib plus phloroglucinol (P = 0.041). There were no differences in PID at other checkpoints between two groups, as well as in the incidence of adverse events and the drug effectiveness. Parecoxib in combination with phloroglucinol for acute renal colic has a faster action, also reduces the demand of rescue analgesics.     

CD138免疫磁珠细胞分选的FISH技术在多发性骨髓瘤诊断中的应用

为了分析CD138免疫磁珠细胞分选的染色体荧光原位杂交(FISH)技术在提高多发性骨髓瘤(MM)细胞遗传学异常检测敏感性的作用。本研究选取我院收治的30例确诊MM的患者为研究对象,分离骨髓单个核细胞,应用探针组合,同时采用2种方法进行细胞遗传学检测:实验组采用CD138免疫磁珠分选浆细胞后行荧光原位杂交技术(MACS-FISH)检测;对照组直接荧光原位杂交技术(D-FISH)检测。结果:30例MM患者,实验组采用CD138 MACS-FISH检出率为83.3%,对照组D-FISH法细胞遗传异常检出率为46.7%,两组差异具有统计学意义(p<0.05)。研究结果表明:分析不同类型的细胞遗传异常,MACS-FISH法1q21检出率为46.7%,RB1检出率为50.0%,Ig H检出率为70.0%,P53检出率为20.0%;D-FISH法检出率分别为23.3%,30.0%、36.7%、10.0%。通过细胞核型分析,30例MM患者中,发现5例患者为异常核型,仅为16.7%,其中1例患者为单一结构异常,复杂异常核型患者为4例。我们的研究结论表明:进行CD138免疫磁珠分选浆细胞的FISH技术在多发性骨髓瘤诊断应用中可显著提高细胞遗传学异常检测敏感性,具有临床推广应用的价值。     

不同盐胁迫对柳枝稷生物量、品质和光合生理的影响

为明确不同盐胁迫对柳枝稷生物量、品质及光合生理的影响,以无盐胁迫作为对照(CK),选取0.40%Na Cl、0.80%Na2SO4和0.80%Na HCO3进行了土柱试验。结果表明:(1)与CK相比,Na Cl、Na2SO4、Na HCO3胁迫下柳枝稷地上生物量、地下生物量、总生物量、籽粒产量及根冠比均显著降低(P0.05),总生物量分别降低49.39%、60.52%、76.45%,Na HCO3对柳枝稷的生长抑制作用最强,Na Cl最弱;(2)Na Cl胁迫下柳枝稷地上生物质灰分含量显著增高14.89%,Na2SO4胁迫下硫(S)含量显著增高262.32%,纤维素含量显著降低13.71%,Na HCO3胁迫下钾(K)含量显著增高54.95%,半纤维素含量显著增高10.87%,灰分和S含量的增高不利于柳枝稷地上生物质的燃烧利用,纤维素含量的降低和半纤维素含量的增高不利于其转化利用;(3)Na Cl、Na2SO4、Na HCO3胁迫下柳枝稷叶片净光合速率(Pn)分别显著降低21.89%、29.54%和24.59%,气孔限制因素可能是其光合作用受到抑制、生物量下降的关键因素。     

Diversity of the Sediment Microbial Community in the Aha Watershed (Southwest China) in Response to Acid Mine Drainage Pollution Gradients

Located in southwest China, the Aha watershed is continually contaminated by acid mine drainage (AMD) produced from upstream abandoned coal mines. The watershed is fed by creeks with elevated concentrations of aqueous Fe (total Fe > 1 g/liter) and SO₄²⁻ (>6 g/liter). AMD contamination gradually decreases throughout downstream rivers and reservoirs, creating an AMD pollution gradient which has led to a suite of biogeochemical processes along the watershed. In this study, sediment samples were collected along the AMD pollution sites for geochemical and microbial community analyses. High-throughput sequencing found various bacteria associated with microbial Fe and S cycling within the watershed and AMD-impacted creek. A large proportion of Fe- and S-metabolizing bacteria were detected in this watershed. The dominant Fe- and S-metabolizing bacteria were identified as microorganisms belonging to the genera Metallibacterium, Aciditerrimonas, Halomonas, Shewanella, Ferrovum, Alicyclobacillus, and Syntrophobacter. Among them, Halomonas, Aciditerrimonas, Metallibacterium, and Shewanella have previously only rarely been detected in AMD-contaminated environments. In addition, the microbial community structures changed along the watershed with different magnitudes of AMD pollution. Moreover, the canonical correspondence analysis suggested that temperature, pH, total Fe, sulfate, and redox potentials (E_h) were significant factors that structured the microbial community compositions along the Aha watershed.     

Co-metabolic degradation of pyrene by indigenous white-rot fungus Pseudotrametes gibbosa from the northeast China

Pyrene as high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is found in most terrestrial environment. However, the biodegradation of pyrene has been limited due to its bioavailability and toxicity. So it is vital to study degradation-capable microorganism and suitable co-substrate. In this study, the indigenous white-rot fungus Pseudotrametes gibbosa isolated from ChangBai Mountain located in northeast China was used to degrade pyrene, and 6 co-substrates were selected as co-metabolic carbon and energy sources. The results showed that P. gibbosa was able to utilize pyrene as sole carbon and energy source. The degradation efficiency achieved 28.33% within 18 days. Meanwhile, co-substrate wheat bran extract could stimulate laccase (Lac) production significantly by P. gibbosa, compared with other co-substrates and control (without co-substrate). In the presence of co-substrates, the biodegradation efficiency of pyrene ranged from 34.23% to 50.64% which was enhanced due to co-metabolism except for salicylic acid (25.91%) and phthalic acid (21.64%).     

响应面法优化松茸发酵产多糖的培养条件

运用响应面法对松茸产多糖的发酵培养条件进行优化研究。首先根据C、N源实验结果,利用Plackett-Bur-man设计,对影响多糖产量的相关因素进行评估,筛选出具有显著效应的3个因素:玉米粉、豆粕和KH2PO4。在此基础上,利用最陡爬坡试验逼近以上3个因素的最大响应区域,采用Box-Behnken设计法对各因素的水平组合进行优化,获得松茸产多糖优化发酵的培养条件:玉米粉质量分数4.54%,豆粕质量分数4.96%,KH2PO4质量分数0.15%,MgSO4.7H2O质量分数0.05%,VB1质量分数0.001%,初始pH5.5,摇床转速180 r/min,发酵时间10 d。在此优化培养条件下松茸总多糖产量可达5.97 g/L。