Technique for repeated collection of cerebrospinal fluid from cisterna magna of anesthetized strain 13 guinea pigs

To study biochemical changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), we developed a reliable technique for repeated collection of CSF in anesthetized strain 13 guinea pigs. The animal's head was mounted in a stereotaxic instrument with ventral tilt at 30 degrees, and cisternal puncture was made with an L-shaped, 23-gauge needle through the shaved skin. Clear CSF was collected in a 1-ml syringe surrounded by crushed ice. Each collection procedure lasted for 3 min, and three consecutive collections produced about 0.2 ml of CSF. Sampling was repeated at 3-hr intervals. With intravenous saline infusion (10 ml/kg.hr), a total volume of 0.6-1.0 ml of CSF was collected over 6 to 12 hr. Animals maintained a mean blood pressure, heart rate, and minute volume, with few changes during CSF sampling for the entire collection.     

A restraint system for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

A method for restraining the marmoset in a primate chair is described. The device is inexpensive to construct, is reliable, and the majority of animals can be habituated to its use. The chair has been used in neurobiological studies employing electrophysiological recordings, with or without concurrent collection of serial blood samples.     

Quantification of bioactive acylethanolamides in rat plasma by electrospray mass spectrometry

We developed a high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method for the identification and quantification of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid substance, and other fatty acid ethanolamides (AEs) in biological samples. Using a mobile-phase system of methanol/water and gradient elution, we achieved satisfactory resolution of all major AEs, including anandamide, palmitylethanolamide (PEA), and oleylethanolamide (OEA). Electrospray-generated quasi-molecular species were used as diagnostic ions and detected by selected ion monitoring (SIM). Synthetic deuterium-labeled AEs were used as internal standards, and quantification was carried out by isotope dilution. A linear correlation (r2 = 0.99) was observed in the calibration curves for standard AEs over the range 0-0.5 nmol. Detection limits between 0.1 and 0.3 pmol per sample and quantification limits between 0.5 and 1.2 pmol per sample were obtained. The method was applied to the quantification of anandamide, PEA, and OEA in plasma prepared from rat blood collected either by cardiac puncture or by decapitation. After cardiac puncture, AE levels were in the low-nanomolar range: anandamide, 3.1 +/- 0.6 pmol/ml; PEA, 9.4 +/- 1.6 pmol/ml; OEA, 9.2 +/- 1.8 pmol/ml (mean +/- SE, n = 9). By contrast, after decapitation AEs were dramatically elevated (anandamide, 144 +/- 13 pmol/ml; PEA, 255 +/- 55 pmol/ml; OEA, 175 +/- 48 pmol/ml). Thus, disruptive procedures of blood collection may result in gross overestimates in the concentrations of circulating AEs.     

An abnormal course of the Th1-root of the brachial plexus in connection with a variety of the anterior scalenus muscle

A scalenus anterior muscle with 2 insertions was found - one insertion at the Tuberculum m. scaleni anterioris, the other at the osteo-cartilaginous border of the 1st rib. In the thus formed opening, limited by the 2 insertions and the 1st rib, the Th1-root of the brachial plexus emerged. Its other roots passed between the scalenus anterior and medius muscles as usual. An aponeurotic membrane, attached to the inner margin of the 1st rib and narrowing the upper thoracic aperture prevented the Th1-root from crossing over the 1st rib behind the Tuberculum m. scaleni anterioris as it normally does.     

Blood sampling by puncture in the cavernous sinus from hunted wild boar

A new method of sampling based on the extraction of blood from the cavernous sinus of the dura mater has been assessed in hunted wild boar. Blood from 139 animals was obtained by two different extraction methods: the harvesting from thoracic cavity (TC) and intracavernous venipuncture (IV). Sera obtained by the IV method had higher volume (mean 2.85 vs 1.85 ml), were less hemolytic (mean absorbance at 450 nm: 1.01 vs 2.41 nm). A higher number of samples and a higher proportion of sera collected by IV (90.6 %) compared to those obtained using the TC method (78.4 %), could be analyzed against Aujeszky’s disease using blocking ELISA. No statistically significant differences in seroprevalences between samples obtained using both extraction methods were observed. The results obtained indicate that the IV is an easy, fast, reliable, clean, and safe method to collect blood samples from hunted wild boar, proving a real alternative to the traditional collection method.     

前列腺Ⅰ号抗炎镇痛作用以及抗前列腺炎的实验研究

采用热板法和扭体法观察前列腺Ⅰ号抗炎、镇痛以及抗大鼠实验性前列腺炎的作用。采用小鼠耳廓二甲苯制炎法观察抗炎作用,前列腺炎模型采用向大鼠前列腺组织内注入角叉菜胶的方法。结果显示前列腺Ⅰ号能减少小鼠扭体反应数,延长小鼠热板法引起的痛反应潜伏期,对小鼠耳廓肿胀有明显的抑制作用,前列腺炎模型试验中,前列腺液检查卵磷脂小体明显增加,白细胞数降低。因此前列腺Ⅰ号具有明显的抗炎、镇痛以及抗前列腺炎的作用。     

Measurement of the flow in coronary artery bypass grafts

The aim of our study was to measure the flow in coronary artery bypass grafts and to compare the flow between two groups of patients. In group A the arterial revascularization was performed with both internal thoracic arteries using as a Y graft and in group B conventional revascularization using left internal thoracic artery (ITA) attached to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and venous grafts to the other branches of the left coronary artery was performed. The flow in all grafts was measured at six time points during the operation. The cumulative flow at the end of the operation in the group A (arterial Y graft) was 51.8 +/- 24.5 ml/min and in group B (conventional technique) it was 96.8 +/- 41.1 ml/min (p < 0.05). The flow in left ITA to LAD was similar in both groups (27.3 +/- 15.9 ml/min and 26.3 +/- 16.1 ml/min in group A and B). The flow in right ITA (25.2 +/- 18.4 ml/min) was significantly lower than in venous grafts (72.5 +/- 45.5 ml/min). The calculated flow reserve was 2.2 in group A and 2.1 in group B. We found that the cumulative flow in arterial Y graft was lower in comparison with conventional revascularization. This is due to the lower flow in the right ITA branch of the Y graft compared to venous grafts. However based on clinical results, we can postulate that the flow in the Y graft is sufficient to meet the demand of the myocardium originally supplied by the left coronary artery.     

一项小鼠采血新技术——颌下静脉丛采血法

目的介绍小鼠颌下静脉丛采血方法。方法选用2月龄昆明小鼠,固定小鼠后,将采血注射针头刺入颌下静脉丛血管取血。结果单人操作约1 min内可完成小鼠颌下静脉丛采血,采血量达到0.3-0.5 mL。结论此方法无需麻醉、创伤小、采血量大并可重复采血,是一种简便、安全、快速、采血量多的采血方法。     

An improved simple technique for the collection of blood samples from rats and mice

The technique of blood collection from the lateral caudal vein has been improved. The method requires only moderate skill and no anaesthesia is necessary. Collection of blood samples causes little trauma and can be repeated at frequent (8 h) intervals thus making the method particularly suitable for pharmacokinetic and hormonal studies. Blood samples are uncontaminated by tissue fluids. Large volumes can be obtained, in mice up to 1.5 ml and in Wistar rats over 4 ml.     

Poland's syndrome: correction of thoracic anomaly through minimal incisions

A method that minimizes residual scarring following Poland's syndrome correction by latissimus dorsi muscle transposition and placement of a submuscular breast implant is described. In order to reduce any resulting unsightly scarring and, in particular, eliminate the anterior thoracic scar, both a dorsal S-shape and an axillary incision were made and the muscle flap was raised. A prosthesis was then inserted and the muscle flap sutured to the anterior chest wall through an anterior incision symmetrical to the inferior border of the contralateral areola. The latter is a previously undescribed approach that produces good cosmetic results.     

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of methyl N-[5-[[4-(2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]carbonyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl] carbamate in rat blood

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay has been developed and validated for the determination of methyl N-[5-[[4-(2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]carbonyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl] carbamate (CDRI compound 81/470) in normal rat blood. The method described herein is simple, with improved selectivity and sensitivity over a previously reported HPLC method. The limit of quantitation is 10 ng/ml (method 1) and 2.5 ng/ml (method 2) in blood, as compared with 40 ng/ml for the previous method. The standard curve in blood is linear over the concentration range 10–1000 ng/ml in method 1 and 2.5–1000 ng/ml in method 2 and the extraction recovery is higher than 80% for both methods.     

血细胞分离机大量采集实验猕猴外周血单核细胞方法探讨

目的使用COBE Spectra血液成分分离机大量采集实验猕猴外周血单核细胞（PBMCs）,继而可从中分离得到外周血造血干细胞（PBSC）,为进一步利用猕猴开展免疫学研究、基因治疗提供足够的目的细胞,探讨采集的关键技术,建立安全、有效的采集方法。方法体重为4～5 kg的实验猕猴5只,采集前一个月内分3次进行自体或异体血液于4℃储备共120 mL,用于采集时填充管路。5只猴采集前接受rhGM-CSF 20μg/kg皮下注射动员4～5 d,麻醉动物后行股动脉穿刺,选择自动外周血干细胞收集程序（Auto-PBSC）进行采集。采集结束后管路中血液以10 mL/min回输给动物3～5 min。结果生长因子连续注射第4天外周血白细胞数增至最高,收获细胞数量随循环血量和采集次数增加而增多。经动员的所有猴能够采集到需要的PBMC,最多达9.9×108,采集次数1～3次,循环血量达750～1420 mL,实验结束后1只猕猴因心脏衰竭死亡。结论人用血细胞分离机可用于4～5 kg实验猕猴PBMC的大量采集。由于动物不同于人体,为保证采集成功需要选用适合于猕猴的程序,采集前做好储血和生长因子动员准备,稳定的麻醉保定,提高抗凝剂比例,积极处理并发症是关键。     

The pericardium and cardiac transmural filling pressure in the fetal sheep

Fetal pericardial physiology may be important for understanding normal and abnormal circulatory states. Right atrial, pericardial, thoracic, and amniotic fluid pressures were measured simultaneously in chronically-instrumented, near-term fetal sheep. Fourteen experiments were performed in 8 fetuses 4-21 days after surgery. The pressure gradient from the right atrium to the amniotic fluid and its components (transatrial, transpericardial and transthoracic pressures) were measured during control and with rapid infusion and withdrawal of blood. Under control conditions, right atrial minus amniotic pressure was 3.2 +/- 1.8 (SD) torr, right atrial minus pericardial pressure 2.5 +/- 1.7, pericardial minus thoracic pressure 0.6 +/- 0.7, and thoracic minus amniotic pressure 0.1 +/- 1.4. At right atrial pressures above control, pericardial minus thoracic pressure rose linearly with right atrial minus thoracic pressure. The average regression coefficient was 0.50 with an intercept of -1.5 torr. Administration of dextran-saline solution (121% of estimated blood volume) over 2-4 hs in 10 experiments did not reduce the pericardial minus thoracic to right atrial minus thoracic pressure relationship. Fluid added to the pericardium of three lambs progressively shifted the pericardial minus thoracic to right atrial minus thoracic pressure relationship up and to the left. The pericardial minus thoracic to right atrial minus thoracic pressure relationship was unaffected by fetal growth. Thus, the fetal pericardium affects cardiac filling pressures. The affect of the pericardium is increased markedly by pericardial liquid but is unchanged during growth.     

Determination of dopexamine hydrochloride in human blood by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A method is described for the determination of dopexamine hydrochloride at concentrations of 5 to 1000 ng/ml in human blood using electrochemical detection. The method uses a Hypersil ODS column and a mobile phase containing heptane sulphonate, orthophosphoric acid, diisopropylamine and disodium EDTA. Blood samples are stabilised immediately after collection by the use of dipotassium EDTA and a high concentration of sodium metabisulphite. The sample preparation procedure consists of a simple de-proteinisation with perchloric acid. The method is accurate, with inter-assay accuracies ranging from 100 to 104%, and is free of interference by blood from different individuals. Known and potential metabolites of dopexamine hydrochloride and a wide range of drugs do not interfere with the method. The method is precise with inter-assay coefficients on variation of 10.6% at 5 ng/ml and of less than 4.2% at higher concentrations. Stabilised blood samples may be stored for over six months at −25°C prior to analysis.     

Determination of extracellular hesperidin in blood and bile of anaesthetized rats by microdialysis with high-performance liquid chromatography: a pharmacokinetic application

A method coupled with microdialysis technique and liquid chromatography was applied in the continuous and concurrent in vivo monitoring of extracellular hesperidin in the blood and bile of anaesthetized rats. Hesperidin was intravenously administered via the femoral vein. Sampling was achieved using two microdialysis probes, which were implanted into the jugular vein and into the bile duct. Dialysates of blood and bile were both directly injected onto the liquid chromatographic system, so no further clean-up procedures were required. Separation was performed using a reversed phase ODS-2 microbore column 150 mm x 1 mm i.d., particle size 5 microm with mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1M ammonium acetate (30:70, v/v) at flow-rate of 0.05 ml/min. The UV detection for hesperidin was set at a wavelength of 283 nm. This method was used to determine the pharmacokinetics of hesperidin and its interaction in the presence of cyclosporin A, which is a P-glycoprotein modulator. The results indicate that the curve of area under the concentration versus time (AUC) for hesperidin in bile was significantly greater than that for hesperidin in blood at the dose of 30 mg/kg. The blood-to-bile distribution ratio (k = AUC(bile)/AUC(blood)) was 8.9 +/- 2.5 for hesperidin at 30 mg/kg. Following cyclosporin A treatment, the distribution ratio was reduced to 3.2 +/- 0.6. In conclusion, hesperidin goes through hepatobiliary elimination against the concentration gradient from blood to bile, and this hepatobiliary excretion of hesperidin may be regulated by the P-glycoprotein.     

Control of artifacts in plasma adenosine determinations

The literature concerning the role of adenosine (ADO) in physiology reveals no agreement about plasma ADO concentrations and suggests two main sources of error in these determinations: rapid ADO uptake by red blood cells or rapid ADO production from ADO nucleotides, which may be released by any cell lysis or platelet aggregation during plasma preparation. We therefore studied ADO concentrations in plasma from normal human forearm venous blood. ADO was determined by a high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure with a sensitivity of 3 nM (original plasma). Observed ADO concentrations ranged from 894 nM to 8.2 nM depending on the conditions of plasma preparation. In plasma prepared in plastic tubes from 4.5 ml of blood drawn into a plastic syringe containing 1.5 ml of an isotonic stopping solution (pH 7.4) containing heparin (60 units ml), dilazep (40 microM), EGTA (40 mM, EDTA (40 mM), erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (40 microM), and alpha, beta-methylene adenosine-5'-diphosphate (525 nM), the plasma ADO concentration was 13.3 +/- 1.88 nM (SE) after correction for a simultaneous ADO recovery determination. The mean ADO recovery was 78% +/- 3.39. The mean plasma ADO concentration found by this method of collection and preparation is lower then reported by others. Proper collection methods are required to avoid artifacts when determining plasma ADO concentrations.     

A simple technique for blood collection in the opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

The left and right brachiocephalic veins were used for rapid collection of 5-10 ml blood samples in adult opossums. These vessels were also used to collect 0.5-1 ml blood samples in 120-day-old opossums. The animals were anaesthetized with 30 mg/kg of ketamine hydrochloride given intramuscularly prior to blood collection.     

Thoracic duct cannulation of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) for lymphocyte collection: thoracic approach.

The thoracic duct of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) was cannulated with medical grade tubing through a thoracatomy at right interspace 9-10. In 42 monkeys successfully cannulated, a mean of 1.194 x 10(9) lymphocytes was collected in the 70-hour period after surgery. A second collection, 1-3 weeks later, was possible for a shorter period (up to 60 hours) in a portion of these monkeys (15) with a smaller mean yield of lymphocytes (1.076 x 10(9). A third, but still shorter, collection period of up to 48 hours was possible in only five monkeys from which a mean yield of 0.698 x 10(9) lymphocytes was collected. A temporary postoperative weight loss in the monkeys was followed by a return to normal weight several months later.     

Ovarian function in the elephant: luteinizing hormone and progesterone cycles in African and Asian elephants

Serum samples were collected weekly for 3 yr from two female African elephants, for 18 mo from two other female African elephants, and for 2 yr from two female Asian elephants. Animals were not sedated at the time of blood collection. Ovarian cycles, characterized by changes in progesterone and immunoreactive luteinizing hormone (ILH) concentrations, averaged 15.9 +/- 0.6 wk (N = 25) for African females and 14.7 +/- 0.5 wk for Asian females (N = 10). The length of the active luteal phase averaged 10.0 +/- 0.3 wk for African elephants (range 8-14 wk) and 10.6 +/- 0.6 wk for Asian females (range 9-13 wk). Interluteal phases were 5.9 +/- 0.6 wk for African females and 4.2 +/- 0.5 wk for Asian females. One African female (Maliaca) had two extended interluteal phases, both occurring between the months of February and May. Excluding these two periods, there were no differences in the length of the ovarian cycle or the length of the luteal phase between species of elephant. Serum progesterone in both species ranged from less than 50 pg/ml to 933 pg/ml. Average progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase were significantly lower in African elephants compared with Asian elephants (328 +/- 13, N = 30 cycles vs. 456 +/- 23, N = 14 cycles; p less than 0.001). ILH ranged from nondetectable to 11.6 ng/ml. These data suggest that the length of the ovarian cycle in the African elephant is about 16 wk and confirm that the length of the ovarian cycle in the Asian elephant is about 15 wk.     

Optimization and validation of analytical conditions for bovine serum albumin using capillary electrophoresis.

A quick and reproducible capillary electrophoresis method was optimized and validated for the assay of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The effects of various parameters such as pH of buffer, concentration of buffer, capillary dimensions, use of coated capillaries, and additives such as surfactants and protein solubilizers were evaluated. The capillary coatings or additives did not give any advantage in reducing the surface adsorption of BSA on the capillary walls. The optimized conditions include use of borate buffer, pH 8.5 having a concentration of 150 mM in a 27 cm capillary with an aperture window of 100 x 200 microns for detection. The optimized method for the detection of BSA was validated. The interday and intraday coefficient of variation was not greater than 7.59% at BSA concentrations of 25-1000 micrograms/ml. The method developed was reproducible and accurate.