Efficacy of Crocus sativus L. on reduction of cadmium‐induced toxicity on spermatogenesis in adult rats

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal element, which probably cause infertility by impairment in spermatogenesis. The present work aimed (i) to study the toxic effect of cadmium on spermatogenesis in rat, as well as (ii) the protective effect of Crocus sativus L. on cadmium‐intoxicated rats. Cadmium chloride was administered intraperitoneally during 16 days at intervals of 48 h between subsequent treatments. Crocus sativus L. was pre‐treated in both of control and cadmium‐injected rats. Animals were sacrificed on day 17 after the first treatment. The left cauda epididymis was removed and immediately immersed into Hank's balanced salt solution for the evaluation of sperm count and viability, and left testis was fixed in 10% formalin for histological evaluation. Following contamination with cadmium, a decrease was observed in the number and viability of cauda epididymis sperm, which were increased by Crocus sativus L. pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, cadmium decreased both cell proliferation and Johnsen Scores in the seminiferous tubules, which were reversed by Crocus sativus pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, cadmium‐induced decrease in the amount of free serum testosterone as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation activity in the testicular tissue was reversed by Crocus sativus L. (P < 0.05). These findings may support the concept that Crocus sativus L. can improve the cadmium toxicity on spermatogenesis.     

Molecular Study of Sheep Malignant Theileriosis at Barka Region in the Sultanate of Oman

Background

We used the PCR technique based on the abovementioned primer pair and sequencing to demonstrate the Theileria infection in the sheep samples collected from Sultanate of Oman.

Methods

According to the frame work of “integrated control of ticks and tick borne diseases in globalized world managed by EU-ICTTD-3 project, the samples from blood, liver, spleen, lymph node and lung were sent to the laboratory of Iranian Research Center for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases (IRCTTD). Samples from blood smear and impression smears from liver, spleen, lymph node, and lung were analyzed by Geimsa staining. The DNA was extracted from the abovementioned samples and analyzed by PCR technique using specific primers derived from the nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA gene of T. lestoquardi, which can amplify the common region in other Theileria and Babesia spp. Subsequently the amplified DNA was sequenced.

Results

The analysis of blood smears of the sheep was negative for piroplasmosis performed through the Giemsa staining. The impression smears prepared from liver, spleen, lymph node, and lung showed suspicious structures mimicking Theileria schizonts in some cells. The results showed an expected PCR product of 428 bp in length, which is specific for Theileria spp. The PCR products were subsequently sequenced. The corresponding nucleotide sequence is registered under accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"JF309152","term_id":"323695911","term_text":"JF309152"}}JF309152 in GenBank. The sequence alignment in GenBank showed that the PCR products had 99% homology to the known T. lestoquardi registered under accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF081135","term_id":"7576455","term_text":"AF081135"}}AF081135 in the GenBank.

Conclusion

Oman sheep are highly susceptible for Theileria infection and the infected sheep mostly die before the microschizonts or erythrocytic form of Theileria appears in the nucleated or erytrocytic cells respectively.     

乙型肝炎病毒基因的整合机制及对宿主的影响

乙型肝炎病毒是导致慢性肝炎、肝纤维化、肝细胞癌的主要病因,目前认为乙型肝炎病毒基因整合在其致病机制中具有重要作用,本文试就该领域内目前研究成果做一综述．     

Molecular characteristics of two esophageal carcinosarcomas: a hint for theclonality of carcinomatic and sarcomatic tumor components

AIM To study the clonality of the esophageal carcinosarcoma by using molecular approaches.METHODS Two esophageal carcinosarcomas were included in the study. Tumor area from dysplasticlesion, squamout cell carcinoma, basaloid cell carcinoma and spindle cell elements were microdissectedseparately. Each element was analyzed with 14 microsatellite markers and direct sequenced for p53 gene andras gene mutation.RESULTS Both tumors displayed a typical histologic feature of carcinosarcoma. Both cases showed thedivergent differentiation by immunohistochemistry study. In case 1 the identical LOH at p53 and hMLH1 lociwas detected. The heterogenous LOH was detected only in carcinosarcoma at RB1 and BRCA1 loci, whilethe LOH at ACTC locus was seen only in sarcoma. The same mutation of the splice site of exon 6-intron 6displayed in the two tumor elements. In case 2, a coordinate LOH at RB locus was demonstrated in threetypes of tumor elements: sqamous carcinoma, basaloid carcinoma and spindle cell element. A heterogenousLOH was seen only in spindle cells at TAP1 locus. No mutation in exon 5-8 of p53 gene has been found incase 2. No mutation of K-ras gene was found.CONCLUSION Although the different differentiation, the two elements of esophageal carcinosarcoma mayhave a single clonality. The p53 gene mutation occurred before the two differentiation directions switched.The distinct molecular genotype can be determined through molecular biological analysis. The microsatelliteprofiling can serve as an approach to find out which genetic alteration occurs before or after thedifferentiation is determines.     

O等位基因引起ABO基因型与表现型定型差异

保证输血时血清学方面的安全,首要的是对受血者与献血者ABO血型定型,血清学检查通常分两个步骤.正定型通常使用鼠源单克隆抗体检测红细胞表面是否存在A或B抗原.互补的实验即反定型,利用当红细胞上缺乏A或B抗原时,人群可天然产生相对应的抗体的原理,检测血清中是否存在抗-A或者抗-B抗体.确定了受血者红细胞表面的ABO抗原以及血浆中的抗体,便能确定血型,为其提供相合的血液.     

A prospective study of symptomatic bacteremia following platelet transfusion and of its management

BACKGROUND: The danger of bacteremia due to contaminated platelets is not well known. There are also no established guidelines for the management of febrile reactions after platelet transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To determine the risk of symptomatic bacteremia after platelet transfusion, 3584 platelet transfusions given to 161 patients after bone marrow transplantation were prospectively studied. Platelet bags were routinely refrigerated for 24 hours after transfusion. Septic work-up was initiated for a temperature rise of more than 2 degrees C above the pretransfusion value within 24 hours of platelet transfusion or a temperature rise of more than 1 degree C that was associated with chills and rigor. Diagnosis of bacteremia after platelet transfusion was made only when the pairs of isolates from the blood and the platelet bags were identical with respect to their biochemical profile, antibiotic sensitivity, serotyping, or ribotyping. RESULTS: Thirty-seven febrile reactions, as defined above, occurred. Bacteremia subsequent to platelet transfusion was diagnosed in 10 cases. There was a 27-percent chance (95% CI, 15–43%) that these febrile reactions represented bacteremia that resulted from platelet transfusion. For a subgroup of 19 patients with a temperature rise of more than 2 degrees C, the risk of bacteremia was 42 percent (95% CI, 23–64%). Septic shock occurred in 4 of the 10 bacteremic patients. A rapid diagnosis was possible because the involved bacteria were demonstrated by direct Gram stain of the samples taken from the platelet bags of all 10 patients. CONCLUSION: Significant febrile reactions after platelet transfusion are highly likely to be indicative of bacteremia. Routine retention of platelet bags for subsequent microbiologic study was useful in the investigation of these febrile reactions. Empiric antibiotic therapy is indicated.     

O等位基因引起ABO基因型与表现型定型差异

保证输血时血清学方面的安全,首要的是对受血者与献血者ABO血型定型,血清学检查通常分两个步骤.正定型通常使用鼠源单克隆抗体检测红细胞表面是否存在A或B抗原.互补的实验即反定型,利用当红细胞上缺乏A或B抗原时,人群可天然产生相对应的抗体的原理,检测血清中是否存在抗-A或者抗-B抗体.确定了受血者红细胞表面的ABO抗原以及血浆中的抗体,便能确定血型,为其提供相合的血液.     

参三七皂苷Rg1预适应对5-氮胞苷诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞转化的干预

目的:用药物预适应方法进行干细胞诱导已有报道,本实验观察中药参三七皂苷Rg1对5-氮胞苷诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞转化中的作用。方法:实验于2003-01/05在南京医科大学药理教研室完成。①实验材料:清洁级SD大鼠8只。参三七皂苷Rg18mg,批号20021017,由云南省长春花生物制剂公司提供,加入不含胎牛血清的IMDM培养液10mL,调配成10-4mol/L溶液,4℃保存。5-氮胞苷(Sigma公司,批号021209)。②实验方法:贴壁法体外培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞。设立4组:空白对照组常规培养后进行无血清处理,每3d换液1次;5-氮胞苷单用组单纯以10μmol/L的5-氮胞苷进行处理,其终浓度为1×10-8moL/L,连续诱导15d;5-氮胞苷 参三七皂苷Rg1预适应组分别加入0.1,1μmol/L参三七皂苷Rg1培养液处理24h,再各以10μmol/L的5-氮胞苷进行诱导,其终浓度为1×10-8moL/L,连续诱导15d。③实验评估:取第2代骨髓间充质干细胞,绘制生长曲线并计算群体倍增时间。观察诱导后骨髓间充质干细胞的生长形态学特征和细胞超微结构变化。激光共聚焦显微镜测定细胞表面积变化和细胞内钙离子浓度。结果:①5-氮胞苷诱导后骨髓间充质干细胞的生长形态学特征和细胞超微结构变化:骨髓间质干细胞胞体逐渐增大并伸出细长突起,在突起末端出现分支,部分相邻细胞的突起连接成网,形态学上表现出向心肌细胞方向转化的特征。其超微结构呈梭形,有明显的肌丝,细胞核呈单椭圆形,位于细胞中央,间质干细胞形似心肌细胞。②参三七皂苷Rg1预适应对5-氮胞苷诱导的骨髓间充质干细胞增殖特性的影响:与5-氮胞苷单用组比较,5-氮胞苷 参三七皂苷Rg1预适应组从第3天开始细胞数明显增加,细胞生长曲线均无明显的生长平台期,达到高峰后细胞数开始减少。③参三七皂苷Rg1预适应对5-氮胞苷诱导的骨髓间充质干细胞表面积的影响:与空白对照组骨髓间充质干细胞表面积比较,5-氮胞苷单用组明显降低,0.1,1μmol/L参三七皂苷Rg1预适应则能显著升高5-氮胞苷诱导的骨髓间充质干细胞表面积(P<0.01)。④参三七皂苷Rg1对5-氮胞苷诱导的骨髓间充质干细胞内游离钙水平的影响:与空白对照组比较,5-氮胞苷诱导4周后骨髓间充质干细胞内游离Ca2 相对荧光强度均明显升高(t=6.72,P<0.01),且5-氮胞苷 1μmol/L参三七皂苷Rg1预适应组升高幅度大于5-氮胞苷单用组(t=3.13,P<0.05)。结论:①参三七皂苷Rg1预适应在体外可显著刺激5-氮胞苷诱导的鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞转化和增殖,改善细胞形态,刺激细胞内钙离子增加。②参三七皂苷Rg1与5-氮胞苷对骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞定向分化产生协同效应。     

健康人群隐神经传导中远端和近端方法的比较

隐神经传导对隐、股神经损伤,腰丛病变和L3、L4神经根损伤具有诊断价值.在通过表面电极评估隐神经逆向传导中,有远端和近端两种方法.[收稿日期 2005-09-20