Angular bundle kindling is accelerated in rats with a genetic predisposition to acoustic stimulus-induced seizures

Limbic kindling was examined in genetically epilepsy-prone (GEPR) and non-epileptic control rats. The early stage of kindling development was accelerated in both groups of GEPR rats compared to controls. Later stages of kindling were accelerated in GEPR-9 but not GEPR-3 rats. These results indicate that GEPR rats have an enhanced susceptibility to limbic kindling and suggest that limbic brain alterations may contribute to acceleration of the early stage kindling development in GEPR rats.     

一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶在遗传性癫痫易感大鼠惊厥发作中的作用

目的：探讨一氧化氮、一氧化氮合酶在遗传癫痫易感大鼠惊厥发作中的变化及作用。方法：选择惊厥评分在30－40的P77PMC大鼠35只，均分A－G7组，A组为对照组、G组预先30min腹腔注射一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L－NAME，分别于铃声刺激致惊后0．5、1、2、4,12h断头处死，取出脑组织分离双侧大脑皮层、海马等组织匀浆，测定一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶，分别统计并进行t检验。结果：惊厥后0．5－1h皮层、海马一氧化氮、一氧化氮合酶逐渐升高，2h达峰值，4－12h恢复正常，应用L－NAME后，一氧化氮、一氧化氮合酶升高被抑制，但大鼠惊厥评分增高并致1例惊厥后死亡和明显延长惊厥持续时间。结论：惊厥后大鼠体内一氧化氮、一氧化氮合酶合成增加，给予合成酶抑制后能明显下降，但能加重惊厥程度和延长持续时间，提示一氧化氮于惊厥后升高，可能作为内源性抑制性性质，在惊厥发作自行终止机制中具有重要作用。     

转基因食品的快速PCR鉴定

用十六烷基-二甲基-乙基-溴化铵(CTAB)法快速高效地从样品中提取了可供分析的基因组DNA,经PCR扩增,鉴定了含有35S启动子和NOS终止子的转基因样品.该方法的灵敏度可达0.1%,并且具有很好的稳定性.     

Evaluation of allergenicity of genetically modified soybean protein extract in a murine model of oral allergen-specific sensitization

Background With the development of genetically modified crop plants there has been a growing interest in the approaches available to assess the potential allergenicity of novel gene products. For additional assessment of the potential allergenicity of expressed proteins, informative data can be generated using animal models. Soybean is one of the major source of protein in human and animal nutrition, and has also been well characterized as a major allergenic source. Advances in biotechnology have resulted in an increasing number of genetically engineered foods, and among these soybean is one of the most widespread. Objective To develop and characterize a murine model of IgE‐mediated soybean sensitization induced by intragastric immunization, in the presence of Cholera Toxin, with wild‐type soybean extract (wt‐SE) or with genetically modified soybean extract (gm‐SE). Methods Balb/c mice born in our animal facilities, from females fed on soy‐free food, were fed with the same soy‐free food and used in all the experiments. Mice were sensitized by gavages with soybean extracts, and allergen‐specific IgE and IgG responses were studied by direct ELISA and ELISA inhibition. Antigen‐specific cell proliferation and cytokine production were evaluated in spleen cell cultures. Results Sensitization with both soybean extracts induced high levels of antigen‐specific IgE and IgG1 and low levels of specific IgG2a. Both wt‐SE and gm‐SE were able to inhibit the binding of specific IgE from mice immunized with gm‐SE to the same antigen used for the ELISA coating. A comparable proliferative response was obtained with the homologous as well as with the heterologous extracts. Conclusion In sensitized mice, we observed a predominantly T‐helper type 2 (Th2)‐type immune response, with increased soybean‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies and a concomitant increase of IL‐4 and IL‐5 production. Results obtained by specific IgE ELISA inhibition and by antigen‐specific T cell proliferation demonstrated that wt‐SE and gm‐SE shared B and T epitopes. The present murine model of soybean sensitization established by the oral route should provide valuable information about risk assessment for food allergy from new proteins of genetically modified foods.     

Ultrastructural analysis of pancreatic acinar cells from mice fed on genetically modified soybean

No direct evidence that genetically modified (GM) food may represent a possible danger for health has been reported so far; however, the scientific literature in this field is quite poor. Therefore, we investigated the possible effects of a diet containing GM soybean on mouse exocrine pancreas by means of ultrastructural, morphometrical and immunocytochemical analyses. Our observations demonstrate that, although no structural modification occurs in pancreatic acinar cells of mice fed on GM soybean, quantitative changes of some cellular constituents take place in comparison to control animals. In particular, a diet containing significant amount of GM food seems to influence the zymogen synthesis and processing.     

Pig kidney xenotransplantation: Progress toward clinical trials

Pig organ xenotransplantation offers a solution to the shortage of deceased human organs for transplantation. The pathobiological response to a pig xenograft is complex, involving antibody, complement, coagulation, inflammatory, and cellular responses. To overcome these barriers, genetic manipulation of the organ‐source pigs has largely been directed to two major aims—(a) deletion of expression of the known carbohydrate xenoantigens against which humans have natural (preformed) antibodies, and (b) transgenic expression of human protective proteins, for example, complement‐ and coagulation‐regulatory proteins. Conventional (FDA‐approved) immunosuppressive therapy is unsuccessful in preventing an adaptive immune response to pig cells, but blockade of the CD40:CD154 costimulation pathway is successful. Survival of genetically engineered pig kidneys in immunosuppressed nonhuman primates can now be measured in months. Non‐immunological aspects, for example, pig renal function, a hypovolemia syndrome, and rapid growth of the pig kidney after transplantation, are briefly discussed. We suggest that patients on the wait‐list for a deceased human kidney graft who are unlikely to receive one due to long waiting times are those for whom kidney xenotransplantation might first be considered. The potential risk of infection, public attitudes to xenotransplantation, and ethical, regulatory, and financial aspects are briefly addressed.     

pSVPoMcat微基因修饰雪旺细胞移植对损伤脊髓功能恢复的影响

目的观察pSVPoMcat微基因修饰雪旺细胞(SC)移植对损伤脊髓功能恢复的影响. 方法采用切割法制备脊髓半横断损伤模型(T8平面),实验动物随机植入pSVPoMcat微基因的 SC组(A组)、SC组(B组)和明胶海绵组(C组),每组10只.用皮层体感诱发电位(CSEP) 及图像分析方法比较各组间诱发电位潜伏期、波幅,再生轴突计数.同时,行电镜观察及联合行为(CBS)记分. 结果 A,B两组潜伏期和波幅呈恢复趋势,且A组已接近正常,与CBS结果一致.再生轴突计数A组为388±163,B组为109±16(P＜0.01),与电镜观察一致. 结论 pSVPoMcat微基因修饰SC移植对脊髓损伤(SCI)后的神经功能恢复有明显的促进作用.     

手性修饰的硼氢化钠对前手性酮的不对称还原

研究了以Ｎ－苄基－（３Ｓ,４Ｓ）－３,４－二羟基四氢吡咯修饰的硼氢化钠对前手性酮的不对称还原反应,合成了五个光学活性醇,同时研究了添加路易斯酸对还原反应光学产率的影响。     

改良的羟基磷灰石义眼座植入术

目的　寻求眼内容摘除术后义眼座植入的最佳手术方法。方法　将内直肌缝标记线并于附着处剪断 ,常规眼内容摘除后 ,将羟基磷灰石义眼座从内侧放入巩膜壳后肌锥内 ,复位内直肌 ,分层缝合。结果　 3 8例患者术后反应轻 ,未发现有义眼座暴露、脱出等并发症 ,结膜囊腔光滑、宽阔 ,放置义眼后水平方向活动达 15°～ 2 5° ,垂直方向活动达 10°～ 15°。结论　该术式操作简便 ,患者痛苦小 ,术后反应轻 ,恢复快 ,美容效果好。     

Gaining perspective on the allergenicity assessment of genetically modified food crops

Genetically modified plants are created by the insertion of foreign genes into plant cells followed by the generation of reproductively stable stock plants for rapid and precise improvements in agricultural crops. Current products provide resistance to insect pests, plant viruses or herbicides. Future products include nutritionally enhanced crops, salt and draught tolerant crops and plant produced industrial enzymes or pharmaceuticals. The risk that a newly expressed protein might cause serious allergic reactions is real, but the probability is relatively small. Regulatory agencies require a premarket evaluation of the genetically modified crop to reduce the potential for increased risks of food allergy. While absolute proof of safety is not possible, the major risk – transfer of a potent major allergen or nearly identical crossreactive protein – is minimized by allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E tests that evaluate proteins taken from major allergenic sources or proteins with sequences highly similar to any allergen. Other tests are performed to identify proteins that are likely to sensitize consumers. Experience indicates the current assessment process is working effectively. However, further guidance on bioinformatics and immunoglobulin E assays could increase the reliability of the assessment. Further development of alternative assays may be needed to assess the next generation of products.