Effect of Photoperiod in the Regulation of the Annual Testicular Cycle of a Subtropical Mammal,the Indian Palm Squirrel,Funambulus pennanti

In seasonally breeding subtropical mammal,the Indian palm squirrel(Funambulus pennanti),reproductive recrudescence is initiated before the winter solstice followed by sexually active condition which extends until the end of summer season.Onset of seasonal regression coincides with the annual decrease in daily photoperiod and the increased level of relative humidity resulting from the arrival of monsoon at this latitude.To test the photoperiodic responses,three groups of squirrels were exposed to natural day length(NDL),long day length(LD15:9),and short day length(LD6:18) over a period of one year beginning from March.Squirrels of all these groups were exposed to similar ambient temperature and humidity conditions.Initially,the rate of testcular development was similar in control and long day squirrels attaining peak values in May(0.67cm^3)and June(0.7cm^3)respectively.Thereafter,while the gonads of controls regressed,the latter maintained a plateau.On the other hand,the gonads of short day squirrels regressed sharply until June(0.21cm^3) followed by spontaneous recrudescence and finally a plateau(0.55cm^3).These results indicate that initially squirrels are photosensitive(as long days are gonadostimulatory and short days are inhibitory)in the first half of summer season but eventually become refractory to the inhibitory effect of short days.Obviously,an acyclic condition is developed under constant long as well short day conditions maintaining the neuroendocrine-gonadal-axis in a continuously active state.We suggest that in nature although gonadal growth of this species does not synchronice with the increase in daily conditions.Present study also indicates that this species has developed a strong photoperiodic mechanism which may surpass the reproductive effect of other environmental factors when maintained in constant conditions of day length.     

A Survey of Social Nutrition Status of the ELderly in the Urban Area of Chengdu,Sichuan Province

The social nutrition status was investigated among 246 subjects aged 60-90 living at three urban communtities in Chengdu of Sichuan Province.The questionnaire was disigned to evaluate socio-demographic background,the subjects‘ nutrition knowledge,and the support systems for geriatric nutrition.Fasting venous blood was collected for the analysis of biochemical parameters.Bloot pressure,bone mineral contents(BMC),body weight(BW) and body height(BH) were measured at the same time.Only 49.7% of the subjects correctly answered four basic questions on nutrition.Food patterns for the elderly were simple and modest.Several nutrition-related disorders for the elderly were including high systolic blood pressure(44.6%),hypertriglyceridemia(25.9%),high diastolic blood pressure(25.1%),obesity(24.5%),high PBG(20.6%),emaciation(19.9%),high FBG(17.9%) and osteoporosis(16.8%).These data indicate that the support systems for the geriatric nutrition will have to be improved.     

Detection of the Urinary Biomarkers PYD,CTX-Ⅱ, and DPD in Patients with Kashin-Beck Disease in the Qinghai Province of China

Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) is an endemic degenerative osteoarthropathy of uncertain etiology. The aim of our study was to identify changes in C-telopeptide of type Ⅱ collagen(CTX-Ⅱ), pyridinoline(PYD), and deoxypyridinoline(DPD) among KBD patients. 54 KBD patients and 78 healthy controls were included this study. Urinary samples were collected and measured by ELISA. The median quantities of PYD, CTX-Ⅱ, and DPD of KBD patients were 1107.73 ng/μmol.cre, 695.11 ng/μmol.cre, and 1342.34 pml/μmol.cre, while the median quantities of healthy controls were 805.59 ng/μmol.cre, 546.47 ng/μmol.cre, and 718.15 pml/μmol.cre, respectively. The differences between KBD patients and healthy controls were statistically significant(Z = 4.405, 3.653, and 3.724; P 0.001). The higher levels of PYD, CTX-Ⅱ, and DPD detected in KBD patients indicate that they could be used as biomarkers of KBD.     

Distribution of SP receptor in the auditory centre of brainstem and in the medial geniculate body of guinea pigs

SubstanceP(SP)hasbeenaffirmedasaprimaryafferentsensoryneurotransmitter.Intheauditorysystemofthemammal,SPisalsowidelydistributed.YlikosikietallljreportedthatSPmightbeaprimaryafferentneurotransmitterormodulatorinrabbitcochlea.WehavereportedthedistributionofSPandsubstancePreceptor(SPR)inthecochleaofguineapigsL'j.ButthereisnoreportaboutthedistributionofSPandSPRintheauditorycentreandmedialgenicularbodyofguineapigs.Inthispaper,wedescribethedistributionofSPR--positiveneuronsandfibersintheco…     

Distribution of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the premotor neurons of the rat pharyngeal muscle

Pharyngealmusculatureisanimportantmuscleofswallowing.Themotorneuronsinnervatingthepharyngealmusculaturearelocatedinthesemicompactpartofthenucleusambiggus(NA)Lij.Theneuronsinthenucleusofthesolitarytract(NTS)andtheadjacentreticularformationarepremotorneuronsofthepharyngealmusculature[2].However,thechemicaltransmittersoftheseneuronsarestillunknown.Somatostatin(SOM)isaneuropeptide,whichdistributeswidelyinthebrainandperipheralstructure.Inadditiontoanimportantregulationforneuroendocrinesystem,S…     

Distribution of peptidergic neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the rat

Distribution of peptidergic neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVN)of the rat was investigated by means of immunohistochemical technique,and thearea,perimeter,maximum diameter,minimum diameter and grey scale of peptidergicneuronal cell bodies were measured with an image analyser.All of these peptidergicneurons,oxytocin(OXY)-,vasopressin(VP)-,substance P(SP)-,corticotropin releasingfactor(CRF)-,thyrotropin releasing hormone(TRH)-,neurotensin(NT)-,cholecystokinin(CCK)-,somatostatin(SOM)-,galanin(GAL)-,leucine-enkephalin(L-ENK)-,vasoactive intestine polypeptide(VIP)-,and ACTH-like neurons,were ob-served in the PVN.The data of image analysis showed that the area of peptidergicneuronal cell bodies in the magnocellular subnucleus part of the PVN was similar,but wasdifferent in the parvocellular subnucleus part of the PVN.     

Effects of Electroacupuncture on the Contents of NO, ET and T-AOC in the Brain Tissues of the Cerebral Hemorrhage Model Rats

In the cerebral hemorrhage model rats established by injection of collagenase and heparin into caudatenucleus,the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET),and total anti-oxidation capability (T-AOC) in the brain tissues were investigated.It is found that thecontent of NO in the Shuigou EA group lowered,ET decreased and the T-AOC raised significantly in boththe Fengfu EA group and the Shuigou EA group (all P<0.05) as compared with the model group,indicating that acupuncture can reduce the contents of ET and NO,and increase the T-AOC in the braintissues of the rats with cerebral hemorrhage.     

An Out—Break of Epidemic Dropsy in the Barabanki District of Uttar Pradesh,India：A Limited Trial for the Scope of Antioxidants in the Management of Symptoms

An attempt was made to explore the scope of the bio-antioxidants in the management of symptoms of epidemic dropsy caused by argemone alkaloids,sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine.The study was performed on 24 randomly selected epidemic dropsy cases who consumed argemone contaminated mustard oil.On examination the cases revealed characteristic pitting edema over limbs(95.8%) accompanied by tenderness(79.2%)and diffuse erythema(95.8%).Tachycardia was present in /13 f the examined cases while evelated jugular venous pressure was seen in over 40% of the cases.In two of the cases reddish-purplish blotches over lower limbs,not raised and which blanched on pressure,was an unusual feature.Chest X-ray revealed pulmonary congestion in 5 cases.ECG performed in 3 cases with severe breathlessness,showed non-specific ST-T changes most marked in L2,L3,avF and V2-V6 which reversed on recovery.Treatment with a combination of antioxidants.rioflavin and tocopherol showed improvement in pain in lower limbs(75%),edema(83.3%)and erythema(66.6%).     

Importance of the Development of Veterinary Toxicology in Argentina

The different types of toxic substances that affect farm animals in Argentina are described. These substances include (a) toxic plants, such as Solanum glaucophyllum. Baccharis coridifolia, Festuca arundinacea; (b) mycotoxins, such as zearalenone, tremorgenic mycotoxins, and ergoalkaloid; (c) trace elements, such as fluorine, copper, molybdenum, and arsenic; and (d) others, such as toxic algae and pesticides. The direct and indirect economic loss of farm animals associated with these toxic substances in Argentina is roughly estimated at 50 million dollars a year. A number of recommendations are made to ameliorate the situation. 1989 Academic Press, Inc.     

Possible Role of the Submandibular Gland in the Development of Obesity in Mice

The possible role of submandiblular glands(SMG) in the development of obesity was studiedintwo types of genetically obese mice,ob/ob and yellow A:Obesity is caused by hyperplasia followed by hypertrophy in ob/ob mice and mainly by hypertrophy in A mice.The histological features of SMGs exhibited clear sexual dimorphism in both mice similar to lean controls.The SMGs of ob/ob mice was smaller in size and had smaller granular convoluted tubular portions than lena controls,while the SMGs of A mice did not differ from lean controls.Sialoadenectomy before and after development of obesity generally reduced the gain of body weights in both sexes of A mice but not in ob/ob mice.The content of epidermal growth factor(EGF) in the SMGs was higher in A mice and lower in ob/ob mice than their controls.The possible role of EGF in the SMGs in the development of obesity is discussed.     

Role of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the era of immunotherapy

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is currently the standard of care for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. In recent years, with the continuous development of immunotherapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, blinatumomab, and inotuzumab ozogamicin, a series of vital clinical studies have confirmed its high response rate and favorable outcomes for ALL. Although the emergence of immunotherapy has expanded relapsed or refractory (r/r) ALL patien...     

Changes of Expressions of VEGF, bFGF, and Angiogenesis, and Effect of Benazepril, bFGF on Angiogenesis in Acute Myocardial Infarction Model of the Rabbits

Objective To explore the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and angiogenesis, and the effects of bFGF, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiter(ACEI) benazepril on the angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model of rabbits, and to provide a probable evidence for the treatment of AMI. Methods AMI model was established by ligating anterior descending branch of coronary artery of Japan-Sino hybridization white rabbits. The postoperative rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups and each group was treated with different drugs. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with normal saline (NS) for 28 and 14 days (d), group 3 and 4 with bFGF for 28 and 14 d, groups 5 with benazepril for 14 d, and group 6 with benazepril and bFGF for 14 d respectively. The rabbits were killed on the 14th or 28th d and their hearts were excised, sectioned and stained with HE, Masson trichrome to observe VEGF, bFGF and CD34 under a microscope, which were quantified with a computer-assisted morphometry. Results Compared with group 1, the granulation tissue of infarction zone (IZ) in group 2 freshened up, and the capillary density (CD) in IZ was increased (P=0.002). The CD in the IZ as well as VEGF and bFGF in groups 3 and 4 were increased respectively (P=0.011-0.037). In group 5 the changes of VEGF and bFGF were not found in the IZ and the border zone (BZ) while CD was significantly increased (35.4% and 25.6%, P=0.036 and 0.037). Compared with group 2, the CD in the IZ and BZ of group 6 was significantly increased (63.4% and 44.3% P=0,007 and 0.007), meanwhile VEGF and bFGF were increased. Compared with group 5, only VEGF was increased. Conclusion Intravenous bFGF may increase VEGF and bFGF significantly, thus promoting the angiogenesis in the IZ and BZ in cardiac infarction as VEGF and bFGF are the potent angiogenic growth factors. Benazepril may promote angiogenesis in the IZ and BZ in cardiac infarction, but its mechanism is irrelative to the expression of VEGF and bFGF. The combination of benazepril and bFGF may promote, to some extent, the expression of VEGF and bFGF, but their effect on angiogenesis has not been found.     

Experience in the Surgical Treatment of Hepatic Hydatidosis

Of the 1290 cases of hydatidosis hospitalized,907(70.3%)cases of hepatic hydatid cyst(HHC) were treated surgicall in 1954-1990.There were 484(53.3%) males and 423(46.7%)females.     

Advances in the study of Alzheimer''''s disease

INTRODUCTION Alzheimer’sdisease(AD)isaneurodegenerativedisordercharacterizedbycerebraldepositsofβamyloidpeptidesandneurofibrillarytangles(NFT)whicharesurroundedbyinflammatorycells.ADisthe fourthlargestcausesofdeathforpeopleover65earsof age.Thediseaseisthecommonestformofdementia affectingolderpeopleandaccountsfor60%65%cases whereasvasculardementiaandmixeddementiaaccount for15%20%ofthecaseseach[1].Therehasbeen substantialprogressinthetherapeuticapproachtoADin thepastfewyears.Thisreview…     

The relationship of galanin immunoreactive nerve fibers to glandular cells in the anterior pituitary in the monkey

Theanteriorpituitaryisknowntoberegulatedbyhypothalamichormonesviatheportalsystem.However,ourrecentstud-ieshavedemonstratedthepresenceofasubstantialamountofsubstanceP(SP)-,calcitoningene-relatedpeptide(CGRP)-andgalanin(GAL)-immunoreactive(ir)nervefiberswithnumerousvaricositiesintheanteriorpituitariesoftheMacacamulattamonkey.ThepresentstudyinvestigatedtherelationshipoftheGAL--irnervefiberstotheglandularcells.TheM.mulattamonkeyswereusedandsectionsoftheanteriorpituitaryweredoubleimmunostaine…     

Localization of NKCC1 in the Cochlea and Morphology of the Cochlea in NKCC1-Knockout Mice

The Na-K-2Cl co-transporter(NKCC)is anintegral membrane protein responsible for coupledelectroneutral transport of1Na:1K:2Cl across theplasma membrane in a variety of ani mal cells.There are two functionally distinct isoforms ofNKCC.The apically expressed adsorptiveisoforms(NKCC2)has been found only in the kidney,whereas the basolaterally located secretoryisoform(NKCC1)is expressedin several different tissues,where it participatesin vectorial salt transport,iongradient homeostasis,and …     

Review of the Mechanisms of Action of the Statins and Their Pleiotropic Effects in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis

Statins are lipid-towering agents widely used in the treatment of hyperchotesterotemia and atherosclerosis. They act by inhibiting of 3-hydroxy-3-methytgtutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevatonate in cholesterol biosynthesis. Due to their ability to reduce low-density tipoproteins (LDL) Levels more than other cholesterol-lowering drugs, they have become the drugs most often prescribed in the treatment of atheroscterosis.     

Morphological characteristics of the synaptic structures of substance P-immunoreactive terminals in the marginal division of the rat striatum

In the present study,the morphological characteristics of the synaptic structure(MCSS)of the substance P immunoreactive(SPIR)teminals in the marginal division(MrD)of the ratstriatum were studied by using electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry.Four major typesof SPIR symnapses were identified in teh MrD.axodendritic,axo-spinous,axo-axonic,and com-pound.Axo-dendritic and axo-spinous synapses were more common,and a few axo-axonic andcompound synapses wer observed as well.In the postsynaptic target zones of axo-dendritic,andaxo-spinous synapses,there were small or large dendrites or spires.Some synapses with morethan two synaptic components are referred to as compound synapses.Both symmetric andasymmetric SPIR synapses were seen in the MrD.The vesicles in the SPIR presynaptic boutonswere mostly pleomorphic although a few of them were round,The MCSS distinguishes theultrastructure of the MrD from that of the other part of striatum,which suggests that the func-tion of the MrD may be different from that of the rest of the striatum.     

Circadian Variation in the Baroreflex Sensitivity of the Conscious Rat

The cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was measured in quiet awake rats after phenylephrine injections.It was shown that BRS progressirely increased during daytime (rest neriod)and decreased It beinning of the night (actirity neriod) These     

Efficacy of Dlfferent Drugs in the Treatment of Ulcers

One hundred and fifty-six out patientswith peptic ulcer confirmed by endoscopicexamination were divided into three groupsand were treated separartely with gastro-pin and probanthin(GP), ranitidine(R) andfurazolidone (F). After treatment,patientswere followed for half a year. Results