The bovine tubouterine junction: general organization and surface morphology

The bovine tubouterine junction is composed of three parts (terminal tubal segment, transition region proper, uterine apex) and follows a sigmoidal course displaying a tubal and an uterine curvature. In the terminal tubal segment, 4–8 primary longitudinal folds and a system of lower secondary folds, ridges and chords project into the centrally located lumen. The transition region proper possesses a slit-like lumen because of the existence of a thick mucosal pad containing the first uterine glands. The longitudinal primary folds of the tube broaden, flatten and start to diverge when they reach the transition region proper. The mucosal pad and broadened folds are heavily vascularized. A system of lateral outpocketings with blind ends pointing in an ampullary direction develops between the primary and secondary folds, the ridges and chords of the terminal tubal segment and transition region proper. From the bottom of these outpocketings, short tubulo-alveolar crypts originate. The mucosa of the uterine apex forms low transversal ridges. The musculature of the bovine tubouterine junction is divided into a continuous circular or spiral intermediate layer, flanked by inner and outer longitudinal layers. The outer longitudinal layer is incomplete in the terminal tubal segment but increases in thickness to form a continuous stratum in the uterine apex. An inner longitudinal layer occurs only in the terminal tubal segment where it is best developed in the bases of the primary longitudinal folds. The simple columnar surface epithelium of the tubouterine junction contains ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The former undergo cyclical changes, and increase during estrus and postestrus. During proestrus, groups of non-ciliated cells display bulbous apical protrusions. During proestrus and estrus, circumscribed epithelial lesions expose the underlying basal lamina.     

Ram spermatozoa cocultured with epithelial cell monolayers: An in vitro model for the study of capacitation and the acrosome reaction

The effects of different epithelial cells, namely, hamster oviduct, sheep oviduct, and pig kidney epithelial cells (IBRS-2), on the viability, percentage of progressive motility (PPM), and acrosome reactions of ejaculated ram spermatozoa were investigated. Sperm aliquots were cultured on cells, cell-conditioned medium 199, or control medium 199. The PPM of unattached spermatozoa was estimated after 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hr of incubation at 37°C under 5% CO₂ in air. Viability and the occurrence of true acrosome reactions were assessed using a triple-stain technique. Spermatozoa started to attach within 1 hr of coculture with the hamster or sheep oviductal epithelial cell (OEC) monolayers, and these spermatozoa showed vigorous tail motion. No spermatozoa were found to attach to the IBRS-2 monolayer. The PPM of unattached spermatozoa cocultured with the various types of epithelial cell monolayers for 12 hr was significantly higher than that of spermatozoa incubated in conditioned media or medium 199 alone (54% in hamster OEC vs. 40% in conditioned; 68% in sheep OEC vs. 38% in conditioned; 36% in control medium). On the other hand, after 24 hr of incubation, there were no differences in the PPM of spermatozoa cocultured with epithelial cells or incubated in conditioned media. The percentages of cells undergoing a true acrosome reaction reached maximum values (P < 0.05) in spermatozoa incubated for 9 hr in the presence of hamster OEC (22.5%) or for 12 hr on sheep OEC (20.5%) monolayers. IBRS-2, a commercial nonreproductive cell type, had a positive influence on both PPM and sperm viability but no effect on the occurrence of the acrosome reaction. Interactions leading to the acrosome reaction were thus observed only when spermatozoa were cocultured with OEC monolayers. The values of PPM in unattached sperm cells seen after 12 hr of coculture with OEC or IBRS-2 were still at a high level (52–67%) for in vitro fertilization. The coculture with OECs provides an “in vitro” model to study the capacitation processes in a situation that may resemble that occurring in vivo. Moreover, the coculture with hamster OECs may provide a convenient and standardized in vitro system to study mechanisms underlying capacitation and the acrosome reaction. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Epithelial properties of human intestinal Caco-2 cells cultured in a serum-free medium

Human intestinal Caco-2 cells were cultured under serum-free conditions on an insoluble collagen and FCS matrix (Caco-2-SF), and a comparison was made between several characteristics of Caco-2 and Caco-2-SF cells. Their morphological appearance was identical. Slight differences were found in cell growth and expression of brush border enzymes between Caco-2 and Caco-2-SF cells. Similar levels of activity of Gly-Gly transport were expressed in both types of cell. Caco-2 cells cultured on permeable filters showed high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), indicating the high monolayer integrity. The transepithelial transport activity for glucose, alanine and Gly-Gly was detected by measuring the change in short-circuit current (Isc) after adding each of these nutrients to the apical chamber. In Caco-2-SF cells, such parameters as TEER and Isc were reduced drastically, suggesting that the monolayer integrity and cell polarity that are important for transepithelial transport were not attained. These parameters, however, could be restored by adding FCS or by milk whey. The result suggested that FCS and milk whey contain factors which regulate the formation of the tight junctions and, consequently, the development of cell polarity. Thus the Caco-2-SF cell-culture system will provide a useful model for studying factors which regulate the intestinal transepithelial transport functions.Abbreviations BCECF 2,7-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein - TEER transepithelial electrical resistance - LY lucifer yellow CH lithium salt     

Study on TFF1 and PALB2 gene variants associated with gastric carcinoma risk in the Chinese Han population

ObjectiveGastric carcinoma (GC) has received extensive attention due to its complex pathogenesis. Studies have shown that the expression of Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and Partner and localiser of BRCA2 (PALB2) genes promotes the occurrence of GC. Therefore, we investigated whether TFF1 and PALB2 gene polymorphisms are associated with GC risk in the Chinese Han population.MethodsA total of 509 GC cases and 505 controls were recruited, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TFF1 and PALB2 in these subjects were genotyped. The association between each candidate polymorphism and GC risk was assessed by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The visualization of gene-gene interactions and functional enrichment analysis were then performed using Cytoscape software and the R package “cluster profile”.ResultsThe TFF1 rs2156310 polymorphism significantly reduced the predisposition to GC in people under 60 years of age (AA vs. AG - GG, OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35–0.97, p = 0.036). The gender-stratified analysis found that PALB2 rs513313 was significantly associated with the risk of GC in males (CT vs. TT, OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06–2.15, p = 0.022). Besides, PALB2 rs249954 significantly reduced the susceptibility to GC in females (AA vs GG, OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19–0.94, p = 0.034).ConclusionOur results revealed that TFF1 and PALB2 gene polymorphisms were correlated with the genetic susceptibility to GC, providing certain data support for researchers to further study the mechanism of GC.     

Picroside III,an Active Ingredient of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora,Ameliorates Experimental Colitis by Protecting Intestinal Barrier Integrity

This study aims to explore the protective effects of Picroside III, an active ingredient of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora, on the intestinal epithelial barrier in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced Caco-2 cells and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis in mice. Results show that Picroside III significantly alleviated clinical signs of colitis including body weight loss, disease activity index increase, colon shortening, and colon tissue damage. It also increased claudin-3, ZO-1 and occludin expressions and decreased claudin-2 expression in the colon tissues of mice with colitis. In vitro, Picroside III also significantly promoted wound healing, decreased the permeability of cell monolayer, upregulated the expressions of claudin-3, ZO-1 and occludin and downregulated the expression of claudin-2 in TNF-α treated Caco-2 cells. Mechanism studies show that Picroside III significantly promoted AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, and blockade with AMPK could significantly attenuate the upregulation of Picroside III in ZO-1 and occludin expressions and the downregulation of claudin-2 expression in TNF-α treated Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Picroside III attenuated DSS-induced colitis by promoting colonic mucosal wound healing and epithelial barrier function recovery via the activation of AMPK.     

三七总皂苷联合顺铂对胃癌大鼠肾损伤的改善作用及机制分析

摘要 目的：探讨三七总皂苷联合顺铂对胃癌大鼠肾损伤的改善作用并分析潜在机制。方法：选择60只健康SD雄性大鼠分为对照组、胃癌模型组、顺铂组及三七总皂苷组,各15只。除对照组外,其余组大鼠采用皮下接种胃癌BGC823细胞悬液法建立胃癌模型。建模成功后,给予对照组和胃癌模型组大鼠生理盐水腹腔注射和灌胃,给予顺铂组大鼠腹腔注射25 mg/kg顺铂注射液并灌胃生理盐水,给予三七总皂苷组大鼠腹腔注射25 mg/kg顺铂注射液并灌胃30 mg/kg三七总皂苷。分别于建模成功时、药物处理28 d时采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清肌酐（SCr）、尿素氮（BUN）和尿液β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶（NAG）、肾损伤分子1（KIM-1）水平。处死大鼠后取肾脏,分别测定肾脏组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平,制备肾脏组织石蜡切片并行苏木精-伊红染色后观察大鼠肾组织的病理学变化。采用TUNEL染色法检测肾脏组织细胞凋亡情况,采用Western Blotting法检测肾脏组织中LC3、HIF-1α和Beclin1 蛋白表达情况。结果：顺铂组和三七总皂苷组大鼠血清SCr、BUN和尿液NAG、KIM-1水平均显著高于对照组和模型组（P<0.05）,三七总皂苷组大鼠血清SCr、BUN和尿液NAG、KIM-1水平显著高于顺铂组（P<0.05）。三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏组织SOD、GSH水平显著低于模型组但显著高于顺铂组,MDA显著高于模型组但显著低于顺铂组（P＜0.05）,CAT与模型组无显著差异（P＜0.05）,但显著高于顺铂组（P>0.05）。顺铂组大鼠肾小管明显扩张、管腔狭窄,基底层上皮细胞水肿、坏死并形成空泡,肾小管。三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏病理学改变程度显著轻于顺铂组。顺铂组和三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏组织细胞凋亡指数显著增加,三七总皂苷组大鼠肾脏组织细胞凋亡指数显著低于顺铂组（P＜0.05）。顺铂组大鼠肾脏组织中LC3、HIF-1α和Beclin1蛋白水平均显著高于模型组,但显著低于三七总皂苷组（P＜0.05）。结论：三七总皂苷可能通过减轻过氧自由基和过氧化水平、增强线粒体自噬水平减少肾组织细胞凋亡,减轻顺铂引起的胃癌大鼠肾损伤。     

角结膜缘上皮良、恶性病变细胞核DNA原位图像定量分析

应用真彩色医学图像分析技术,对５１例角结膜缘上皮良、恶性病变（其中上皮增生１９例,不典型增生６例,原位癌１４例,鳞状细胞癌１２例）进行了ＤＮＡ原位定量分析研究．结果显示：原位癌和鳞状细胞癌ＤＮＡ含量明显增加,多为高倍异倍体细胞,ＤＮＡ直方圆明显右移,峰值主要位于＞５Ｃ处,≥５Ｃ细胞分别占７８．８９％和７８．３１％;上度增生病变ＤＮＡ含量较低,多为低倍整倍体细胞,ＤＮＡ直方图峰值位于２Ｃ～４Ｃ处,２Ｃ～４Ｃ细胞占８８．５９％;上皮不典型增生病变ＤＮＡ含量介于良性病变和癌之间,ＤＮＡ直方图逐渐右移,２Ｃ～４Ｃ细胞占５８．６２％,≥５Ｃ细胞占４１．３８％。以上数据经统计学处理各组间有显著性差异。表明ＤＮＡ倍性程度与肿瘤的增殖程度呈正相关,高倍异倍体细胞随肿瘤恶性程度的增高而增多。作者认为ＤＮＡ原位图像定量分析可为角结膜缘上皮良、恶性病变的诊断、分级及早期发现癌变趋势提供一个可靠的参考指标。     

Cellular responses to enteropathogenicEscherichia coli infection

EnteropathogenicEscherichia coli (EPEC), first described in the 1940's and 1950's, remain an important cause of severe infantile diarrhoea in many parts of the developing world. EPEC do not produce enterotoxins and are not invasive; instead their virulence depends upon exploitation of host cell signalling pathways and the host cell cytoskeleton both as a means of colonizing mucosal surfaces of the small intestine and causing diarrhoea. Following initial mucosal attachment, EPEC secrete signalling proteins and expresss a surface adhesin, intimin, to produce attaching & effacing lesions in the enterocyte brush border membrane characterised by localised destruction of brush border microvilli, intimate bacterial adhesion and cytoskeletal reorganisation and accretion beneath attached bacteria. The pathophysiology of EPEC diarrhoea is also complex and probably results from a combination of epithelial cell responses including both electrolyte secretion and structural damage.     

Inhibition of satiety by a cholecystokinin antagonist is independent of gastric emptying

The ability of a cholecystokinin antagonist Proglumide to inhibit satiety induced by intraperitoneal injections of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP) and bombesin was examined in rats equipped with chronic gastric cannulae. Both CCK-OP and bombesin significantly suppressed sham feeding. Proglumide administered alone did not alter sham feeding but it abolished the suppression of feeding induced by CCK-OP. In contrast, Proglumide did not inhibit the effect of a low dose of bombesin, but partially inhibited satiety induced by a high dose of bombesin, thus confirming our previous findings. These results indicate that the effect of Proglumide is independent of its recently described effects on gastric emptying in rat.     

Analysis of food stimulation of gastrin release in dogs by a panel of inhibitors

The release of gastrin into the serum of five conscious gastric fistula dogs after a meat meal was monitored for 2 hours. Neither the rate of increase in serum gastrin nor the 2 hour cumulative integrated gastrin response was changed by administration of small doses of somatostatin tetradecapeptide (0.5 microgram/kg.hr IV for 2 hr), 16-16 dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (0.25 microgram/kg.hr IV for 2 hr or 1 microgram/kg intragastrically), or bethanechol (20 micrograms/kg.hr IV for 2 hr). Acidification of the food in the antrum to pH 1.2 to 1.4 eliminated serum gastrin release in response to food. In control studies, serum gastrin levels were not altered by IV administration of saline for 2 hr with no food or when a plate of food was held just out of the dogs' reach (teasing). Food-stimulated gastrin release was contrasted with that stimulated by bombesin under identical laboratory conditions [17]. In each case, antral acidification, somatostatin, prostaglandin E2 and bethanechol affected bombesin-stimulated gastrin release differently from that stimulated by food. We conclude that food and bombesin release gastrin by different pathways.