Blood velocity assessment using 3D bright-blood time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography.

Blood velocity is a functional parameter that is not easily assessed noninvasively, especially in small animals. A new noninvasive method that uses magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to measure blood flows is proposed. This method is based on the time-of-flight (TOF) phenomenon. By initially suppressing the signal from the stationary spins in the area of interest, it is possible to sequentially visualize only the signal from the moving spins entering a given volume. With this method, 3D cine images of the blood flow can be generated by positive contrast, with unparalleled spatial (<200 microm) and temporal resolutions (<10 ms/image). As a result, it is possible to measure flow in sinuous paths. The present method was applied in vivo to measure the blood velocity in mouse carotid arteries. Because of its robustness and simplicity of implementation, this method has numerous potential applications for fundamental studies in small animal models.     

Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity: Implications for immunoadjuvant potential

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Shatavari in vernacular) are widely used in Ayurveda as Rasayana for immunostimulation, galactogogue as also in treatment of conditions like ulcers and cancer. Various studies have indicated immunomodulatory properties of Shatavari root extracts and formulations.

Aim of the study

To study the effect of standardized Asparagus racemosus root aqueous extract (ARE) on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity of SRBC sensitized animals.

Materials and methods

We used HPTLC to quantify steroidal saponins (Shatavarin IV, Immunoside^®) and flow cytometry to study effects of ARE on Th1/Th2 immunity. SRBC specific antibody titres and DTH responses were also monitored as markers of Th2 and Th1 responses, respectively. We also studied lymphocyte proliferation. Cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide and levamisole were used as controls.

Results

Treatment with ARE (100 mg/(kg b.w. p.o.)) resulted in significant increase of CD3⁺ and CD4/CD8⁺ percentages suggesting its effect on T cell activation. ARE treated animals showed significant up-regulation of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-g) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines suggesting its mixed Th1/Th2 adjuvant activity. Consistent to this, ARE also showed higher antibody titres and DTH responses. ARE, in combination with LPS, Con A or SRBC, produced a significant proliferation suggesting effect on activated lymphocytes.

Conclusion

The study suggests mixed Th1/Th2 activity of ARE supports its immunoadjuvant potential.     

克氏螫虾与中国对虾微量元素与氨基酸含量的比较

对克氏螯虾和中国对虾的不同部位所含游离氨基酸和重要微量元素进行了比较。结果表明,克氏螯虾某些部位中游离氨基酸和微量元素的含量高于中国对虾。提示克氏螯虾可能具有与中国对虾相似的药用价值。     

化学品环境管理与水生实验动物

从分析化学品的特性入手，在概述化学品的环境管理对水生实验生物需求和国内外水生实验生物发展现状的基础上，从加强化学品环境管理的科学基础建设出发，对我国水生实验生物的研究与发展的标准化、产业化、必要的资质认可及信息交流提出建议。     

斯氏狸殖吸虫感染多种动物及体内发育的研究

目的 :以不同数量斯氏狸殖吸虫囊蚴 ,分别感染大白鼠 ,小白鼠和豚鼠 ,定期解剖观察虫体。方法 :经1 5、30、45、60、75、90、1 1 0和 1 2 5d分别解剖观察虫体在实验动物体内发育 ,分布及虫体检出率。结果 :大鼠在感染 90d后虫体可以逐步发育成熟并产卵 ,而小白鼠和豚鼠体内只能查到童虫阶段。结论 :初步证实大白鼠是斯氏狸殖吸虫的适宜宿主 ,小白鼠和豚鼠体内的虫体全部处于滞育阶段 ,不能发育为成虫     

基底动脉缝隙连接蛋白的分布

目的：探讨正常脑血管缝隙连接蛋白的分布。方法：采用RT—PCR、免疫组化方法测定多种缝隙连接蛋白在大白兔基底动脉的表达。结果：(1)RT—PCR发现大白兔基底动脉血管组织中至少存在Xx45、Cx43、Cx40和Cx37四种缝隙连接蛋白mRNA表达；(2)免疫组化证实Cx45和Cx43主要分布于血管内皮，平滑肌细胞间末见Cx45和Cx43的染色。结论：大白兔基底动脉血管组织存在丰富的缝隙连接蛋白的表达，与体内其它弹力血管相比，缝隙连接蛋白的分布模式有其特殊性。     

敌枯双慢性毒性实验的病理形态学研究——实验大鼠脏器组织病理变化

将150只SD大鼠随机地分成Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ四个实验组和一个对照组(Ⅴ)。实验组敌枯双剂量分别为1.0,0.2,0.05及0.01mg/kg,均用去离子水配成相应浓度的染毒水,由动物自由摄取,对照组摄入去离子水。于实验第29.5,55周分两批处死。经组织病理学检查,结果发现:敌枯双可引起甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞萎缩甚至脱屑,其发生率(Ⅲ组为63.64%)与对照组(0%)比较差异有高度显著性(P<0.01);睾丸曲细精管各级生精细胞减少、萎缩甚至完全消失,其发生率(Ⅳ组为58.33%)与对照组(8.33%)比较差异有显著性(P<0.01);对心肌、肝组织也有不同程度的损伤.     

骨痹通天丸抗炎镇痛免疫作用研究

实验动物口服骨痹通天丸5．58g／kg．2．79g／kg，观察本品对炎症反应，局部疼痛和免疫功能的影响。结果表明，骨痹通天丸的两个剂量组对大鼠蛋清性关节肿具有不同程度的抑制作用（P＜0．01或0．05）；对二甲苯性耳廓肿仅大剂量组具有明显抑制作用（P＜0．01）；对小鼠热刺激所致的疼痛反应具有不同程度的抑制作用（P＜0．01或0．05）；对化学刺性疼痛两个剂量组均有明显抑制作用（P＜0．01）；并可抑制小鼠重要免疫器官的增长和巨噬细胞的吞噬功能（P＜0．05），对血清溶血素未显示其效应。     

经皮局部隔离肝脏灌注化疗合并血液灌流方法学实验研究

目的　探讨经皮局部隔离肝脏灌注化疗的方法及可行性。方法　 12只实验用犬 ,对照组 4只 ,进行常规经肝动脉灌注化疗 ;实验组 8只 ,利用介入放射学方法进行经皮局部隔离肝脏灌注化疗结合血液灌流。化疗药物选用阿霉素 ,分别检测肝静脉及外周血液中的血药浓度。结果　实验组介入操作全部成功 ,1例死于血液灌流的血路管漏气 ,平均操作时间 ( 132 .3± 15 .3)min。血药浓度测定显示 ,对照组肝静脉血和外周静脉血浓度峰值分别为 ( 370 9.676± 385 .72 3)ng/ml、( 15 76.14 0± 2 2 6.933)ng/ml;实验组为( 465 3.42 0± 430 .2 0 4)ng/ml、( 433.612± 40 .5 0 1)ng/ml。统计学处理 ,两组相差非常显著。结论　经皮局部隔离肝脏灌注化疗结合血液灌流是一种可行的技术 ,具有简单、创伤小、可保护正常肝脏、便于重复治疗的优点。与常规经肝动脉灌注化疗相比 ,不仅可以增加局部血药浓度 ,更可以降低外周的血药浓度 ,降低毒副作用