At most three ES cells contribute to the somatic lineages of chimeric mice and of mice produced by ES-tetraploid complementation

Chimeric or entirely embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived mice ("ES mice") can be produced by injecting ES cells into diploid (2n) or tetraploid (4n) host blastocysts, respectively. Usually, between 10 and 15 ES cells are injected into the host blastocyst, but it is not clear how many of the injected cells contribute to the somatic lineages, thus serve as "founder cells" of the embryo proper. We have used genetically labeled ES cells to retrospectively determine the number of founder ES cells that generate the somatic lineages of chimeric and of ES mice. ES cell clones individually labeled with provirus were mixed in equal numbers and injected into 2n or 4n blastocysts to generate chimeric or ES mice. Southern analysis of DNA from the resulting animals indicated that the somatic lineages were most often derived from one or two and sometimes from up to three founder ES cells. The number of founder cells was independent of the total number of cells injected into the host blastocysts. Our results are consistent with the notion that constraints of the host embryo restrict the number of ES cells that can contribute to a chimeric or an ES mouse.     

Prolonged liver-specific transgene expression by a non-primate lentiviral vector

Liver-directed gene therapy has the potential for treatment of numerous inherited diseases affecting metabolic functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate gene expression in hepatocytes using feline immunodeficiency virus-based lentiviral vectors, which may be potentially safer than those based on human immunodeficiency virus. In vitro studies revealed that gene expression was stable for up to 24 days post-transduction and integration into the host cell genome was suggested by Alu PCR and Southern blot analyses. Systemic in vivo administration of viral particles by the hydrodynamics method resulted in high levels of gene expression exclusively in the liver for over 7 months whereas injection of plasmid DNA by the same method led to transient expression levels. Our studies suggest that feline immunodeficiency-based lentiviral vectors specifically transduce liver cells and may be used as a novel vehicle of gene delivery for treatment of metabolic disease.     

Identification and quantification of components in extracts of Uncaria tomentosa by HPLC-ES/MS

The two main classes of secondary metabolites, alkaloids and quinovic acid glycosides, of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae), a Peruvian plant commonly known as ‘uña de gato’, have been analysed. Separation of the alkaloidal fraction was achieved using a solid phase extraction method based on cationic exchange, and an analytical method employing HPLC‐ES/MS has been developed. Quantitative data for commercial wild bark, cultivated bark and leaves are reported. The analysis of quinovic acid glycosides was performed directly on the crude extract using both a fast analytical method based on ?ow injection ES/MS, and a more complete analytical technique using HPLC‐MS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonviral gene transfer to surface skin of mid-gestational murine embryos by intraamniotic injection and subsequent electroporation

The surface epithelium of mid-gestational murine embryos is thought to be an attractive target for gene therapy in vivo, due to its visibility and accessibility from the external surface of the maternal uterus. Almost all studies of in utero gene transfer have adopted viral vectors for infection of fetal epithelium, and depended on intraamniotic introduction and simple incubation of vectors, leading to only infection of the surface layer (periderm) of fetal skin. Here we report a simple and convenient method of gene transfer of plasmid DNA into the deeper portion of surface skin of murine mid-gestational fetus. One to two microlitres of a solution containing a lacZ expression plasmid (0.5-1 microg) and trypan blue (0.05%) were placed onto the surface of a fetus (E 14.5) near the eye by a micropipette attached to a mouthpiece. This fetus was immediately electroporated by placing it between tweezer-type electrodes attached to a square-pulse generator. At 1 and 4 days after gene transfer, fetuses were subjected to histochemical staining for lacZ activity in the presence of X-Gal, a substrate for lacZ. Focal reactions were observed in the skin epidermal layers including periderm and basal layer 1 day after DNA introduction. However, lacZ-positive cells were limited to a skin surface layer, the stratum corneum, in the samples obtained 4 days after gene transfer. Similar observation was also made in the transgenic fetuses (carrying a lacZ gene placed immediately downstream of the loxP-flanked sequence) injected with Cre expression vector. These findings suggest rapid movement of fetal epidermal cells toward the surface during late developmental stages. This local gene transfer approach appears to be effective as a method for skin-targeted gene transfer, enabling study of the role of genes of interest and tracing of cell lineage during fetal skin development.     

Direct removal in the mouse of a floxed neo gene from a three-loxP conditional knockout allele by two novel approaches

The presence in an intron of the ploxP-neo-loxP cassette often results in severe interference with gene expression. Consequently, many investigators selectively remove the ploxP-neo-loxP cassette by transient expression of Cre in ES cells. Although effective, the added manipulation of the ES cells may reduce the likelihood that a clone will be able to transmit via the germline. Therefore, we developed two novel approaches that remove the ploxP-neo-loxP by Cre-mediated recombination in mouse. First, the ploxP-neo-loxP-containing mice were crossed with EIIa-Cre transgenic mice. Second, a Cre-expression plasmid was injected into pronuclei of fertilized eggs bearing the ploxP-neo-loxP allele. Both approaches produced mosaic mice with partial and complete excision. These mosaic mice were then mated, and the neo-less conditional knockout allele was found in the offspring after screening only a few litters. These procedures provide options for removing neo directly in the mouse in addition to the commonly used approach that deletes neo in ES cells.     

Analysis of micromolar concentrations of glucose by an interference free flow injection based biosensor

A fast, sensitive, interference-free, single enzyme single reagent glucose biosensor, operated in flow injection analysis (FIA) mode, was developed. The method used involved formation of colored complex of titanium sulfate reagent with the peroxide generated by glucose oxidase immobilized in a packed bed reactor. The color developed was detected spectrophotometrically in a flow cuvette. The system could measure down to 0.5 mg glucose l^–1 and the response was reproducible and linear in the range 1 mg l^–1 to 100 mg l^–1. The analysis time for a 500 l sample was 35 s and was free of interference from a number of substances tested. Analysis results using an off-line batch kit were observed to be in agreement with the developed system for determination of glucose in blood plasma samples.     

谷氨酸传感器及在流动注射分析中的应用

利用谷氨酸氧化酶(简称GO)共价偶联于硅烷化铂化铂丝(Φ0．5mm)表面。构建一种简单的微酶电极,该电极具有良好的操作性能;应用于流动注射分析系统(FIA),可用来测量谷氨酸含量,测量范围。0－2．0mmo1/L,精度(CV为o．4％)、响应时间小于60秒,使用寿命大于20天,实际测量发酵液中各氨酸含量,回收率为98．7％一107．5％。     

苯巴比妥钠联合脑苷肌肽治疗新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病的疗效及对患儿血清HIF-1α、LXA4、ET-1表达的影响

目的:探讨苯巴比妥钠联合脑苷肌肽治疗新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病的疗效及对患儿血清缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)、血脂氧素A4(LXA4)、内皮素-1(ET-1)表达的影响。方法:选择2013年1月至2018年3月我院接诊的88例缺氧缺血性脑病新生儿作为本研究对象,将其按照随机数表法分为试验组45例和对照组43例。对照组在常规治疗基础上给予脑苷肌肽注射液2 mL加入0.9%氯化钠溶液50 mL中静脉滴注,1次/d;试验组在对照组基础上给予苯巴比妥钠注射液肌肉注射,首次剂量10 mg/kg/次,24 h内可重复给药2~3次,24 h总剂量最高不超过30 mg/kg,之后以5 mg/kg/d的维持剂量,分2次使用,均连续治疗14 d。比较2组的临床疗效、临床症状恢复时间、治疗前后血清HIF-1α、LXA4、ET-1水平、神经行为评分(NBNA)、心理运动发育指数(PDI)、智力发育指数(MDI)的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,试验组临床疗效总有效率为93.33%,显著高于对照组(76.74%,P<0.05),原始反射、肌肉张力、意识障碍恢复时间均明显短于对照组(P<0.05),血清HIF-1α、ET-1水平均明显低于对照组,而血清LXA4水平、NBNA评分、PDI评分、MDI评分明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗期间均未有发热、皮疹、肝肾功能障碍等不良反应发生。结论:苯巴比妥钠联合脑苷肌肽治疗新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病疗效明显优于脑苷肌肽治疗,其可有效调节血清HIF-1α、LXA4、ET-1水平,促进神经功能恢复,且安全性高。     

电感耦合等离子质谱法(ICP-MS)法测定茵栀黄注射液中有害元素铅、砷、镉、汞、铜的含量

建立了电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定茵栀黄注射液中Pb、As、Cd、Hg、Cu 5种元素的方法。样品经微波消解后,直接用ICP-MS同时测定上述5种元素,结果5种元素的检出限分别在5～1250 ng/L之间;线性良好,线性相关系数均为r≥0.999;精密度RSD3.5%;回收率在95.7%～107.5%之间。方法操作简便、分析速度快、灵敏度高,各项分析性能指标均达到要求,适用于茵栀黄注射液中有害元素的测定。     

腹腔注射腺病毒pMultiRNAi-Ldhc对高原鼠兔骨骼肌Ldhc基因的沉默效果

腹腔注射是一种简单且方便给药的方式,为了验证腹腔注射腺病毒pMultiRNAi-Ldhc对高原鼠兔(Ochotonacurzoniac)骨骼肌Ldhc基因沉默的可行性,将27只高原鼠兔分为干扰组、空壳组和空白对照组,每组各9只个体,干扰组和空壳组分别注射0.65ml腺病毒pMultiRNAi-Ldhc和腺病毒pMultiRNAi-NS,空白对照组注射等量生理盐水,注射后7d检测骨骼肌中Ldhc基因mRNA和蛋白的表达水平,测定了乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性和乳酸(LD)及三磷酸腺苷(ATP)的含量。结果表明,与空白对照组相比,干扰组在mRNA和蛋白水平上,Ldhc基因表达分别降低了41.73%和15.76%;乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、乳酸(LD)和ATP含量分别降低了23.98%、51.08%和19.29%。结果说明,腹腔注射腺病毒pMultiRNAi-Ldhc能有效沉默骨骼肌中Ldhc基因表达。