XLPRA: A canine retinal degeneration inherited as an X-linked trait

Breeding studies are reported of a previously undescribed hereditary retinal degeneration identified in the Siberian Husky breed of dog. This disorder clinically resembles the previously reported autosomal recessive canine hereditary retinal degenerations collectively termed progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). However, the pedigree of the propositus, a male Siberian Husky, exhibited an X-linked pattern of transmission. This dog was outcrossed to three phenotypically normal female laboratory Beagles and two of their F1 daughters were bred to a phenotypically normal male Beagle, producing affected males in the F2 generation. Subsequent inbreedings produced further affected males and affected females as well. X-linked transmission was established by exclusion of alternative modes of inheritance and, consequently, the disease has been termed X-linked progressive retinal atrophy (XLPRA). This is the first reported X-linked retinal degeneration in an animal. Because of the many similarities of PRA in dogs to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in humans, this new disease may not only represent the first animal model of X-linked RP (XLRP) but may well be a true homolog of one of the XLRP loci (RP2, RP3, RP6). It is the first retinal degeneration in dogs that can be assigned to an identified canine chromosome, and the first for which linkage mapping offers a realistic approach to proceed by positional cloning towards identifying the responsible gene locus. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Griflola frondosa (GF) produces significant antidepressant effects involving AMPA receptor activation in mice

Context: Griflola frondosa (Fr) S.F. Gray (Meripilaceae) (GF) is a medical mushroom, and its regulation of the immune system is of interest for the treatment of mood disorders. α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors are the central mediator for the treatment of depression.

Objective: This study examines the antidepressant effects of GF and the role of AMPA in these antidepressant effects.

Materials and methods: The CD-1 mice were fed with GF- or Pleurotus ostreatus [(Jacq.: Fr) Kumm (Pleurotaceae)] (PO)-containing food for 1?day or 5 days. The antidepressant effects was determined in the tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST), and open field test (OFT). The involvement of AMPA receptors was determined by the application of the AMPA-specific blocker GYKI 52466.

Results: Treatments with 20%, 33% or 50% of GF-containing food significantly decreased the immobility time (63.6, 56.9, and 52.0% in TST; and 50.8, 43.2, and 38.2% in FST) after 1?day and (62.3, 51.8, and 52.8% in TST; and 49.5, 45.1, and 40.3% in FST) after 5 days. GF-containing food did not cause hyperactive effects in the OFT. The antidepressant effects of the 33% of GF-containing food (down-to 51.3% in 1-day TST and 46.8% in 5-day FST) were significantly stronger than that of the 33% of PO-containing food (down-to 85.5% in 1-day TST and 82.0% in 5-day FST). AMPA-specific blocker GYKI 52466 was able to block the antidepressant effects of the GF-containing food.

Conclusion: GF demonstrated the potential as a safe medical food supplement for the patient with depression.     

Imaging of acute mesenteric ischemia using multidetector CT and CT angiography in a porcine model

Acute mesenteric ischemia, a frequently lethal disease, requires prompt diagnosis and intervention for favorable clinical outcomes. This goal remains elusive due, in part, to lack of a noninvasive and accurate imaging study. Traditional angiography is the diagnostic gold standard but is invasive and costly. Computed tomography (CT) is readily available and noninvasive but has shown variable success in diagnosing this disease. The faster scanning time of multidetector row CT (M.D.CT) greatly facilitates the use of CT angiography (CTA) in the clinical setting. We sought to determine whether M.D.CT-CTA could accurately demonstrate vascular anatomy and capture the earliest stages of mesenteric ischemia in a porcine model. Pigs underwent embolization of branches of the superior mesenteric artery, then imaging by M.D.CT-CTA with three-dimensional reconstruction protocols. After scanning, diseased bowel segments were surgically resected and pathologically examined. Multidetector row CT and CT angiography reliably defined normal and occluded mesenteric vessels in the pig. It detected early changes of ischemia including poor arterial enhancement and venous dilatation, which were seen in all ischemic animals. The radiographic findingsd—compared with pathologic diagnosesd—predicted ischemia, with a positive predictive value of 92%. These results indicate that M.D.CT-CTA holds great promise for the early detection necessary for successful treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia. Presented at the Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Chicago, Illinois, May 14–18, 2005 (oral presentation). Supported by the Karin Grunebaum Research Fellowship, Harvard Medical School (D.E.R.), the German Research Fellowship, German Research Foundation STR 690/1-1 (O.S.), and the Phillip H. Meyers Grant from the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists (S.P.T.).     

人卵巢癌裸鼠腹腔及网膜移植的研究

目的：建立既符合卵巢癌临床特征，又便于实验观察和分析的人卵巢癌裸鼠异种移植模型。方法：将体外培养的卵巢癌Ａｏ细胞接种于裸鼠皮下和腹腔内，并切取皮下移植瘤；在麻醉状态下对裸鼠进行网膜局部手术移植。结果：腹腔种植成瘤率为７０％（７／１０），肿瘤结节大小不一，分布广泛，其中２只腹水形成；网膜移植全部成瘤，移植瘤呈单一生长，易分离和切除，肿瘤重量一致性较好。结论：人卵巢癌裸鼠网膜异种移植模型直接反映肿瘤生物学行为，便于观察和分析实验结果，适于在卵巢癌实验研究中应用。     

供、受体绵羊处理同步性和发情同步差对移植胚胎成活率的影响

研究供受体羊同期发情处理的同步性和发情同步差对移植胚胎成活率的影响。结果:与供体羊同期处理的受体、比供体羊提前1d处理的受体、比供体羊晚一天处理的受体和比供体羊提前2d处理的受体移植胚胎后,移植单胚和双胚胎成活率分别为64.18%和55.44%、56.93%和33.33%、54.5%和43.33%、20.00%和16.67%。同期处理组,均以发情同步差在0~12h内的受体羊妊娠率和胚胎成活率为最高,其值为75.94%和65.74%,其次为同步差在12~24h,受体羊的妊娠率和胚胎成活率分别为61.46%和55.88%;同步差大于24h以上,受体羊的妊娠率和胚胎成活率显著下降。非同期处理组,部分供、受体羊同期发情,并获得57.41%~66.67%的受体羊妊娠率。可见:随着供、受体发情同步差的增大,受体羊的妊娠率和移植胚胎成活率下降,非同期处理的供、受体羊的同期发情在胚胎移植生产中也发挥着重要作用。     

实验性变应性鼻炎大鼠鼻黏膜水通道蛋白5的表达及意义

目的　证实水通道蛋白 5(aquaporin5, AQP5)在实验性变应性鼻炎大鼠鼻黏膜中的表达及分布,并探讨其与变应性鼻炎的关系。方法　挑选健康Wistar大鼠 24只,雌雄不限,体重 200~300g,随机分为实验组和对照组各 12只。实验组用卵白蛋白行基础致敏,继之鼻腔局部激发建立大鼠变应性鼻炎模型;对照组用生理盐水代替卵白蛋白进行试验。取所有大鼠的鼻黏膜,应用免疫荧光技术定位AQP5在对照组和实验组大鼠鼻黏膜中的分布,并采用免疫组化技术进一步检测AQP5在两组大鼠鼻黏膜中的表达。结果　①实验组大鼠鼻黏膜常规HE染色表现为明显的腺体增生、炎症反应和嗜酸粒细胞浸润;②免疫组化染色及免疫荧光技术均显示AQP5在实验组和对照组大鼠鼻黏膜中的分布基本一致,主要表达在腺上皮细胞、导管上皮细胞及纤毛上皮细胞的胞膜和胞质中;③免疫组化染色的统计学分析显示,实验组AQP5在黏膜细胞中表达的量 (156. 37±1.93)明显高于对照组(178.52±1.94),两组间差异有统计学意义 (t=28.08, P<0.01)。结论　变应性鼻炎时,腺体过度分泌与AQP5的高表达密切相关。     

重型颅脑损伤后肠动力障碍动物模型的建立

目的 采用改良的自由落体撞击法建立小鼠重型颅脑损伤后肠动力障碍(intestinal motility disorders,IMD)模型,为进一步研究损伤后IMD机制奠定基础.方法 采用自制圆柱套杆撞击器对小鼠致伤,于伤后1,6h、1,3,7d各时相点观察脑、肠组织的病理学改变,检测脑含水量、小肠推进率.结果 重型颅脑损伤后在脑组织出血水肿时期,肠道亦有急性炎症、充血等表现;脑含水量于6h增加,24 h达高峰;损伤后1h即出现小肠推进率的下降,6h达最低值.结论 小鼠重型颅脑损伤后存在IMD,本装置采用改良Feeney自由落体撞击法可成功建立重型颅脑损伤后IMD的小鼠模型.     

银杏叶提取物对缓激肽诱导的大鼠记忆能力减退的改善作用

目的观察银杏叶提取物(GBE)对缓激肽诱导的大鼠记忆能力减退的改善作用,并探索其作用机制。方法大鼠经Morris水迷宫训练合格后,分别灌胃给予GBE(40,80和160mg.kg-1,每日1次)3周,于给药1周时海马内注射20mmol.L-1缓激肽5μL,给药结束后用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠的空间记忆能力,RT-PCR法测定海马半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶(caspase)3及caspase8mRNA的表达。结果海马内注射缓激肽后,大鼠在水迷宫中的逃避潜伏期和寻台搜索距离明显延长,且海马caspase3和caspase8mRNA表达增加;GBE对缓激肽诱导的空间记忆能力减退有改善作用,且降低海马caspase3及caspase8mRNA表达。结论GBE可改善缓激肽诱导的大鼠记忆能力减退,其机制可能与降低海马caspase3和caspase8mRNA表达有关。     

Battle of Animal Models

This is a brief summary of the animal models session held during the 12th Annual Meeting of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Santa Fe, NM, USA. This session provided important information for participants on availability and utility of animal models for the studies of HIV-1 central nervous system infection and drug abuse. It highlighted animal model relevance to human disease/condition, its utility for the studies of pathogenesis, potential importance for the development of therapeutics, and demonstrated limitations/pitfalls. Persidsky and Fox contributed equally to this article.