Purinergic mechanisms in gliovascular coupling

Regional elevations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) often occur in response to localized increases in cerebral neuronal activity. An ever expanding literature has linked this neurovascular coupling process to specific signaling pathways involving neuronal synapses, astrocytes and cerebral arteries and arterioles. Collectively, these structures are termed the "neurovascular unit" (NVU). Astrocytes are thought to be the cornerstone of the NVU. Thus, not only do astrocytes "detect" increased synaptic activity, they can transmit that information to proximal and remote astrocytic sites often through a Ca(2+)- and ATP-related signaling process. At the vascular end of the NVU, a Ca(2+)-dependent formation and release of vasodilators, or substances linked to vasodilation, can occur. The latter category includes ATP, which upon its appearance in the extracellular compartment, can be rapidly converted to the potent vasodilator, adenosine, via the action of ecto-nucleotidases. In the present review, we give consideration to experimental model-specific variations in purinergic influences on gliovascular signaling mechanisms, focusing on the cerebral cortex. In that discussion, we compare findings obtained using in vitro (rodent brain slice) models and multiple in vivo models (2-photon imaging; somatosensory stimulation-evoked cortical hyperemia; and sciatic nerve stimulation-evoked pial arteriolar dilation). Additional attention is given to the importance of upstream (remote) vasodilation; the key role played by extracellular ATP hydrolysis (via ecto-nucleotidases) in gliovascular coupling; and interactions among multiple signaling pathways.     

Differentiation of AFS cells derived from the EGFP gene transgenic porcine fetuses

We have obtained the EGFP (enhanced green fluorescence protein) gene transgenic porcine fetuses before. The aims of this study were (i) to determine whether stem cells could be isolated from amniotic fluid of the transgenic porcine fetuses, and (ii) to determine if these stem cells could express EGFP and differentiate in vitro. The results demonstrated that stem cells could be isolated from amniotic fluid of the EGFP gene transgenic porcine fetuses and could express EGFP and differentiate in vitro. Undifferentiated AFSs (amniotic fluid-derived stem cells) expressed POU5F1, THY1 and SOX2, while the following differentiation cells expressed markers for chondrogenic (COL2A1), osteogenic (osteocalcin and osteonectin) and neurogenic cells such as astrocyte (GFAP), oligodendrocyte (GALC) and neuron (NF, ENO2 and MAP).     

Adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells transdifferentiate in vitro and integrate into the retina in vivo

Adult peripheral blood-derived cells are able to differentiate into a variety of cell types, including nerve cells, liver-like cells and epithelial cells. However, their differentiation into retina-like cells is controversial. In the present study, transdifferentiation potential of human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells into retina-like cells and integration into the retina of mice were investigated. Freshly isolated adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells were divided into two groups: cells in group I were cultured in neural stem cell medium, and cells in group II were exposed to conditioned medium from rat retinal tissue culture. After 5 days, several distinct cell morphologies were observed, including standard mononuclear, neurons with one or two axons and elongated glial-like cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of neural stem cell, neuron and retina cell markers demonstrated that cells in both groups were nestin-, MAP2 (microtubule-associated protein)- and GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)-positive. Flow cytometry results suggested a significant increase in nestin-, MAP2- and CD16-positive cells in group I and nestin-, GFAP-, MAP2-, vimentin- and rhodopsin-positive cells in group II. To determine survival, migration and integration in vivo, cell suspensions (containing group I or group II cells) were injected into the vitreous or the peritoneum. Tissue specimens were obtained and immunostained 4 weeks after transplantation. We found that cells delivered by intravitreal injection integrated into the retina. Labelled cells were not detected in the retina of mice receiving differentiated cells by intraperitoneal injection, but cells (groups I and II) were detected in the liver and spleen. Our findings revealed that human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells could be induced to transdifferentiate into neural precursor cells and retinal progenitor cells in vitro, and the differentiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells can migrate and integrate into the retina in vivo.     

A canonical correlation analysis of the association between carcass and ham traits in pigs used to produce dry-cured ham

The association between carcass and ham traits in a pig population used to produce dry-cured ham was studied using canonical correlation analysis. The carcass traits examined were hot carcass weight (HCW), backfat thickness (BT) and loin depth (LD), and the ham traits studied were gross ham weight (GHW), trimmed ham weight (THW), ham inner layer fat thickness (HIFT), ham outer layer fat thickness (HOFT), pH (pH) and the Göfo value. Carcass and ham traits are not independent. The canonical correlations (r) between the carcass and ham traits at 130 kg were 0.77, 0.24 and 0.20 for the first, second and third canonical pair, respectively, and were all significant (p < 0.01) by the Wilks test. The corresponding canonical correlations between the three canonical variate pairs for the carcass and ham traits at 160 kg were 0.88, 0.42 and 0.14, respectively (p < 0.05 for all, except the third). The correlations between the traits and their canonical variate showed an association among HCW, GHW and THW, and between BT and HOFT. These results indicate that carcass traits should be used to cull pigs that are not suitable for dry-cured ham production.     

Molecular characterization of porcine MMP19 and MMP23B genes and its association with immune traits

MMP19 and MMP23B belong to the Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) family, which are zinc-binding endopeptidases that are capable of degrading various components of the extracellular matrix. They are thought to play important roles in embryonic development, reproduction and tissue remodeling, as well as in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis and host defense. However, they are poorly understood in pigs. Here, we obtained the full length coding region sequence and genomic sequence of the porcine MMP19 and MMP23B genes and analyzed their genomic structures. The deduced amino acid sequence shares similar precursor protein domains with human and mouse MMP19 and MMP23B protein, respectively. Using IMpRH panel, MMP19 was mapped to SSC5p12-q11 (closely linked to microsatellite DK) and MMP23B was mapped to SSC8q11-q12 (linked to microsatellite Sw2521). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that MMP19 was abundantly expressed in the liver, while MMP23B was strongly expressed in the ovarian and heart. Furthermore, both genes were all expressed increasingly in prenatal skeletal muscle during development. Three SNPs were detected by sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods, and association analysis indicated that C203T at exon 5 of MMP19 has a significant association with the blood parameters WBC (G/L) and IgG2 (mg/mL) (P<0.05), SNP C131T at exon 3 of MMP23B is significantly associated with the blood parameters HGB (g/L) and MCH (P<0.05), and A150G in exon 4 has no significant association with the economic traits in pigs.     

血浆是引起血沉增快的主要因素

目的：阐明血沉增快的原因是血浆还是红细胞。方法：收集72例血沉异常的抗凝血标本,同时收集血型相对应的72例血沉正常标本,组成血型相同的血沉异常和正常标本72对,每对互换血浆后重新测定血沉,与原始血沉结果比较,并通过多元线性回归分析血沉与血浆蛋白及血脂浓度的关系。结果：血沉异常标本的红细胞加入血沉正常标本的血浆后,72例（100%）血沉均减慢,其中30例血沉下降90%以上,35例下降70%-90%,7例小于70%。血沉正常标本的红细胞加入血沉异常标本的血浆后,67例（93%）血沉加快,其中58例（81%）变为异常（18例血沉加快10倍以上,40例加快5-10倍）。球蛋白、白蛋白和纤维蛋白原与血沉具有线性关系,球蛋白（r=0.420,P〈0.001）和纤维蛋白原（r=0.673,P〈0.001）与血沉呈正相关,而白蛋白（r=-0.558,P〈0.001）与血沉呈负相关。结论：血沉增快主要与血浆因素相关,红细胞对于血沉的影响作用很小。     

脐血干细胞移植治疗中间型脊髓性肌萎缩症1例并文献复习

目的：探讨脐血干细胞移植治疗中间型脊髓性肌萎缩症的临床治疗可行性及效果。方法：已确诊的中间型脊髓性肌萎缩症患儿,采用脐血干细胞移植治疗,4次为一疗程,移植途径采用静脉输注（1次）加蛛网膜下腔注射（3次）的方法,治疗前和治疗后半年均需完善神经系统体检、实验室检查、FIM评分、肌电图等。结果：移植治疗后患儿神经系统症状明显改善,FIM评分提高,实验室检查肌酶下降,肌电图提示重收缩每10.0ms所检肌运动单位较前增加。随访10月患儿未出现副反应。结论：应用脐血干细胞移植治疗中间型脊髓性肌萎缩症是有效安全的,可以改善患儿神经功能。     

围体外循环期血小板保护的研究进展

在体外循环过程中,血小板可经各种途径被激活,导致α-颗粒释放,发生粘附、聚集、收缩、释放等反应,导致术后血小板数量和质量的下降。通过在围体外循环期使用某些药物可对血小板进行功能性保护,而血小板分离技术可使血小板避免体外循环的打击,得到数量和功能的双重保护。本文将就体外循环期间血小板保护的研究进展作一综述。     

乌司他丁联合连续性血液净化治疗重症脓毒症临床研究

目的：研究连续性血液净化联合乌司他丁对重症脓毒症患者炎症反应的影响及其临床疗效。方法：70例重症脓毒症患者随机分为对照组（n=22例）、CBP组（n=23例）和CBP＋乌司他丁组（n=25例）,其中对照组采用经典治疗方案,CBP组在此基础上加用连续性血液净化,CBP＋乌司他丁组在CBP组基础上加用乌司他丁治疗。观察比较患者病情发展,分别于治疗前后进行血液生化指标、凝血功能检测和动脉血气分析,ELISA法检测血清CRP水平。结果：①与对照组和CBP组相比,CBP＋鸟司他丁纽患者病死率、ICU住院时间、MODS发生率均明显下降（P〈0．05）。②经过治疗,CBP＋乌司他丁组患者APACHEⅡ评分降至15．46±3．96,与对照组（18．06±4．25）和CBP组（17．14±5．55）比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。③治疗后,患者BUN、HR降低程度依次为CBP＋乌司他丁组〉CBP组〉对照组,组问比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）,而治疗前后PH值、HCO3-、MAP比较差并不明显（P〉0．05）。④CBP＋乌司他丁纽血清CRP含量下降,WBC数量减少,其变化程度明显大于CBP组和对照组（P〈0．05）。⑤对照组、CBP组和CBP＋乌司他丁组患者PT、TT和APTT时间延长,血小板数量下降,其中CBP＋鸟司他丁组PT、APTT时间短于CBP组和对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：连续性血液净化联合乌司他丁可有效抑制脓毒症患者炎症反应,缓解病情,改善患者预后。     

Complete genome sequence of Bacteroides helcogenes type strain (P 36-108)

Bacteroides helcogenes Benno et al. 1983 is of interest because of its isolated phylogenetic location and, although it has been found in pig feces and is known to be pathogenic for pigs, occurrence of this bacterium is rare and it does not cause significant damage in intensive animal husbandry. The genome of B. helcogenes P 36-108(T) is already the fifth completed and published type strain genome from the genus Bacteroides in the family Bacteroidaceae. The 3,998,906 bp long genome with its 3,353 protein-coding and 83 RNA genes consists of one circular chromosome and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.