CHO immobilization in alginate/poly-l-lysine microcapsules: an understanding of potential and limitations

Microencapsulation offers a unique potential for high cell density, high productivity mammalian cell cultures. However, for successful exploitation there is the need for microcapsules of defined size, properties and mechanical stability. Four types of alginate/poly-l-Lysine microcapsules, containing recombinant CHO cells, have been investigated: (a) 800 μm liquid core microcapsules, (b) 500 μm liquid core microcapsules, (c) 880 μm liquid core microcapsules with a double PLL membrane and (d) 740 μm semi-liquid core microcapsules. With encapsulated cells a reduced growth rate was observed, however this was accompanied by a 2–3 fold higher specific production rate of the recombinant protein. Interestingly, the maximal intracapsular cell concentration was only 8.7 × 10⁷ cell mL^-1, corresponding to a colonization of 20% of the microcapsule volume. The low level of colonization is unlikely to be due to diffusional limitations since reduction of microcapsule size had no effect. Measurement of cell leaching and mechanical properties showed that liquid core microcapsules are not suitable for continuous long-term cultures (>1 month). By contrast semi-liquid core microcapsules were stable over long periods with a constant level of cell colonization (ϕ = 3%). This indicates that the alginate in the core plays a predominant role in determining the level of microcapsule colonization. This was confirmed by experiments showing reduced growth rates of batch suspension cultures of CHO cells in medium containing dissolved alginate. Removal of this alginate would therefore be expected to increase microcapsule colonization.     

两种异位心脏移植小鼠模型的建立和比较

目的比较腹部和颈部小鼠心脏移植模型的优缺点,探讨二次器官移植或双心脏移植研究的可行性和实用性动物模型。方法参照Ono法和Chen法并加以改进,建立了同系或者同种小鼠腹部和颈部异位心脏移植模型,同时对两种手术方式的成功率、手术时间、移植心脏存活时间和病理组织学进行了比较。结果腹部和颈部异位心脏移植手术成功率分别为86.7%和83.3%,两种手术方式在总手术时间、移植心脏存活时间和病理组织形态学检查上均无明显差异(P0.05)。结论在熟练掌握显微外科技术的基础上,两种异位心脏移植模型都能顺利建立,两者既可分开选用,又可结合运用,以适应不同实验需求。     

Gene delivery by lentivirus vectors

The capacity to efficiently transduce nondividing cells, shuttle large genetic payloads, and maintain stable long-term transgene expression are attributes that have brought lentiviral vectors to the forefront of gene delivery vehicles for research and therapeutic applications in a clinical setting. Our discussion initiates with advances in lentiviral vector development and how these sophisticated lentiviral vectors reflect improvements in safety, regarding the prevention of replication competent lentiviruses (RCLs), vector mobilization, and insertional mutagenesis. Additionally, we describe conventional molecular regulatory systems to manage gene expression levels in a spatial and temporal fashion in the context of a lentiviral vector. State of the art technology for lentiviral vector production by transient transfection and packaging cell lines are explicitly presented with current practices used for concentration, purification, titering, and determining the safety of a vector stock. We summarize lentiviral vector applications that have received a great deal of attention in recent years including the generation of transgenic animals and the stable delivery of RNA interference molecules. Concluding remarks address some of the successes in preclinical animals, and the recent transition of lentiviral vectors to human clinical trials as therapy for a variety of infectious and genetic diseases.     

脂多糖对大鼠实验性变应性鼻炎的影响

目的研究脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)对实验性变应性鼻炎的影响。方法SD大鼠40只随机分4组,其中,变应性鼻炎组经腹腔注射及鼻腔滴入卵清白蛋白(OVA)致敏,建立变应性鼻炎动物模型;LPS刺激组经鼻腔滴入LPS(10μg/100μL);变应性鼻炎 LPS刺激组为大鼠激发成变应性鼻炎后再以LPS滴入鼻腔。观察各组的症状变化,如喷嚏,流涕等。行常规HE及甲苯胺蓝染色观察各组鼻黏膜炎性细胞的浸润情况,并行高倍镜下嗜酸性粒细胞计数。结果①变应性鼻炎 LPS刺激组过敏症状评分高于其余各组(P<0.01);正常对照组及LPS刺激组症状评分差异无显著性(P>0.05)。②变应性鼻炎 LPS刺激组鼻黏膜中嗜酸性粒细胞计数高于变应性鼻炎组,差异有显著性(P<0.05);正常对照组及LPS刺激组鼻黏膜中嗜酸性粒细胞计数差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论LPS刺激可以加重变应性鼻炎的症状及鼻黏膜组织的病理学改变。     

First detection of the microsporidium Enterocytozoon bieneusi in non-mammalian hosts (chickens)

Faecal samples taken from eight underweight, approximately 5-week-old broiler chickens in a poultry abattoir were investigated for microsporidial infections by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and PCR. In two of six chickens, which were suspected of being infected with microsporidia by light microscopy, Enterocytozoon bieneusi (genotype 'J') was detected by PCR and DNA sequencing, and in one of the two PCR-positive samples by extensive electron microscopy. This is the first time that E. bieneusi has been detected in chickens, i.e. in a non-mammalian species.     

Electro and acoustic myography for noninvasive assessment of lumbar paraspinal muscle function

In 31 normal subjects (17 male), aged 19-48 years, and 8 patients with chronic low back pain (4 male), aged 37-55 years, the repeatability of surface recordings of acoustic myography (AMG) and electromyography (EMG) were examined in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. Five isometric test positions were examined. In 21 of the normal subjects, four positions tested were: quiet standing, half extension from prone lying, full extension from prone with and without resistance. In 10 of the normal subjects and the 8 back pain patients, a standardised, unsupported horizontal position with the upper body over the end of a couch was tested. The AMG and EMG signals were full-wave rectified and integrated (iAMG and iEMG). The variability of recordings during repeated 5-s isometric contractions was assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated from the ANOVA. Both recording techniques produced the most repeatable results during the unsupported, horizontal hold position. In the normal subjects, CV were, iAMG 5.6%, iEMG 4.9%; and in the patients, iAMG 4.4%, iEMG 2.6%. The CV for the other four isometric test positions ranged from 15.3% to 29.4% for iAMG, and 8% to 15.7% for iEMG. These results demonstrated that a controlled test manoeuvre for examining AMG and EMG of the paraspinal muscles was vital for repeatable recordings. The CV for the standardised, horizontal position were lower than for previously published results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

弥猴单侧软腭肌肉对针式电极刺激的反应

目的建立针电极口内刺激猴软腭肌肉诱发腭咽闭合运动的模式,取得软腭肌肉运动的有效刺激数值,为软腭肌肉功能重建奠定基础。方法通过解剖成年猕猴软腭的五组肌肉,确定其体表位置;利用实验动物用腭部肌肉电极定位刺激器及针式电极对软腭肌肉进行有效刺激;结合鼻咽纤维镜、头颅侧位X片及软腭造影技术观察、记录肌肉收缩及腭咽闭合动作。结果在猕猴口内定位目标肌肉进行针电极刺激可诱发肌肉收缩。刺激电压为3 V、刺激频率为20 Hz时均能诱发单侧软腭肌肉的有效收缩;单侧腭帆提肌在刺激电压为5 V、20 Hz时可发生腭咽闭合动作。咽腭肌、舌腭肌在刺激电压5 V、刺激频率100 Hz时发生软腭下降动作。腭帆张肌仅发生收缩,而未发生腭咽闭合。应用鼻咽纤维镜和X线成像技术配合能记录腭咽闭合动作。结论弥猴可作为研究软腭肌肉运动模式的实验动物。应用电极刺激软腭肌肉,可初步建立腭咽闭合的动作模式。