[Reliability study on establishing a rat tuberculosis wound model using Bacillus Calmette-Guérin]

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of a rat tuberculous wound model established by injecting Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Methods: The experimental research was conducted. According to the random number table, fifteen 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control group and infection group, with 3 rats in normal control group and 12 rats in infection group. Rats in infection group were injected with Freund's complete adjuvant, 3 weeks later, they were injected subcutaneously with BCG bacterial solution to establish a model of tuberculous wounds in rats; rats in normal control group did not receive any treatment. On the 8th, 15th, 32nd, and 43rd day of infection, the skin condition at the injection sites of the rats in infection group was observed roughly. Skin tissue at the injection sites of 3 rats in infection group at each corresponding time point stated above and skin tissue at the corresponding sites of the rats in normal control group were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe the cell arrangement, necrosis and inflammation. On 43rd day of infection, acid-fast staining was performed on the skin tissue at the injection sites of the rats in infection group to observe the distribution of bacteria. Results: On the 8th, 15th, 32nd, and 43rd day of infection, tuberculous wound lesions were gradually developed at the skin tissues at the injection sites of the rats in infection group. The cells of the diseased tissue of the rats in infection group arranged disorderly or concentrically, and the number of granulomas and necrotic cells gradually increased, while the skin tissue cells in the corresponding parts of the rats in normal control group arranged regularly with no inflammatory cell infiltration. On the 43rd day of infection, a large number of rod-shaped bacteria were observed in the skin tissue at the injection sites of the rats in infection group. Conclusions: The rat tuberculous wound model established using BCG is stable and reliable, which can meet the experimental requirements.

Increased MANF Expression in the Inferior Temporal Gyrus in Patients With Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an aging-related disorder linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The main pathologic feature of AD is the presence of extracellular senile plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. In neurodegenerative diseases, the unfolded protein response (UPR) induced by ER stress ensures cell survival. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) protects against ER stress and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. MANF is expressed in neurons of the brain and spinal cord. However, there have been no investigations on MANF expression in the brain of AD patients. This was addressed in the present study by immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative analyses of postmortem brain specimens. We examined the localization and expression levels of MANF in the inferior temporal gyrus of the cortex (ITGC) in AD patients (n = 5), preclinical (pre-)AD patients (n = 5), and age-matched non-dementia controls (n = 5) by double immunofluorescence labeling with antibodies against the neuron-specific nuclear protein neuronal nuclei (NeuN), ER chaperone protein 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), and MANF. The results showed that MANF was mainly expressed in neurons of the ITGC in all 3 groups; However, the number of MANF-positive neurons was significantly higher in pre-AD (Braak stage III/IV) and AD (Braak stage V/VI) patients than that in the control group. Thus, MANF is overexpressed in AD and pre-AD, suggesting that it can serve as a diagnostic marker for early stage disease.

[Effects of Freund's complete adjuvant on autophagy protein expression in rat tuberculous wound model]

Objective: To explore the effects of Freund's complete adjuvant on autophagy protein expression in rat tuberculous wound model. Methods: The experimental research method was used. In the first batch, twelve 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were sensitized by subcutaneous injection of Freund's complete adjuvant into the hips. Three weeks later, the rats were infected with attenuated Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) subcutaneously on both sides of the back spine. After establishing the tuberculosis wound rat model, according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), the rats were divided into 8 d infection group, 15 d infection group, 32 d infection group, and 43 d infection group, with 3 rats in each group, with continuous normal feeding to the corresponding days after infection. In the second batch, twenty-three 6-week-old male SD rats were divided into blank control group (n=3, normal feeding without any treatment), BCG alone group (n=5), BCG+ rapamycin group (n=6), BCG+ 3-methyladenine group (n=6), and BCG+ starvation group (n=3). The last 4 groups of rats were sensitized as before, and infected as before 1 week later. Rats in BCG alone group were fed normally without any treatment. Rats in BCG+ rapamycin group or BCG+ 3-methyladenine group were intraperitoneally injected with rapamycin or 3-methyladenine once every other day and fed normally. Rats in BCG+ starvation group were fasted for 48 hours after infection and then fed normally. All the rats in the first batch of 4 groups were sacrificed on the corresponding days after infection, and the tissue where the buttocks were injected with Freund's complete adjuvant was harvested; the tissue of rats in the second batch of BCG alone group, BCG+ rapamycin group, BCG+ 3-methyladenine group, and BCG+ starvation group were harvested the same as before 7 days after infection, and all the rats in blank control group were taken the same tissue at the same time point. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the structure and morphology of cells in the tissue harvested; immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expressions of Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) in the tissue harvested. Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test and Bonferroni correction. Results: Inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the tissue of rats where the Freund's complete adjuvant was injected in 8 d infection group, granuloma formation was seen in 15 d infection group, part of tissue cell necrosis was seen in 32 d infection group and 43 d infection group, and cell necrosis in 43 d infection group was worse than that in 32 d infection group. Seven days after infection, inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in the tissue of rats where the Freund's complete adjuvant was injected in BCG alone group, BCG+ rapamycin group, BCG+ 3-methyladenine group, and BCG+ starvation group, while regular arrangement of cells and no inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in blank control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the protein expressions of Beclin-1 or LC3B in the tissue of rats where the Freund's complete adjuvant was injected in 8 d infection group, 15 d infection group, 32 d infection group, and 43 d infection group (H=1.923, 5.821, P>0.05). Seven days after infection, the protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3B in the tissue of rats where the Freund's complete adjuvant was injected in blank control group, BCG alone group, BCG+ rapamycin group, BCG+ 3-methyladenine group, and BCG+ starvation group were respectively 0.325% (0.250%, 0.360%), 3.225% (1.340%, 3.987%), 4.823% (2.630%, 6.559%), 4.216% (1.790%, 5.969%), 1.765% (0.865%, 2.649%), and 0.301% (0.264%, 0.516%), 2.865% (1.455%, 5.768%), 1.033% (0.398%, 1.873%), 1.168% (0.429%, 1.907%), 0.655% (0.283%, 1.652%). The protein expression of Beclin-1 in the tissue of rats where the Freund's complete adjuvant was injected in BCG+ rapamycin group was significantly higher than that of blank control group (Z=4.796, P<0.05). The protein expression of LC3B in the tissue of rats where the Freund's complete adjuvant was injected in BCG alone group was significantly higher than that of blank control group (Z=4.953, P<0.05). Conclusions: Freund's complete adjuvant can enhance the expression levels of local tissue autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1 and LC3B in rat tuberculous wound model.

Differential effects of slow rewarming after cerebral hypothermia on white matter recovery after global cerebral ischemia in near-term fetal sheep

It is widely believed that rewarming slowly after therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy can improve outcomes, but its impact on white matter injury after HI is unclear. Fetal sheep (0.85 gestation) received 30 min ischemia-normothermia (n = 8), or hypothermia from 3–48 h with rapid spontaneous rewarming over 1 h (ischemia-48 h hypothermia, n = 8), or 48 h with slow rewarming over 24 h (ischemia-slow rewarming, n = 7) or 72 h with rapid rewarming (ischemia-72 h hypothermia, n = 8). Ischemia was associated with loss of total and mature oligodendrocytes and reduced area fraction of myelin basic protein (MBP) and 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase; immature/mature oligodendrocytes) and increased microglia and astrocytes. Total numbers of oligodendrocytes were increased by all hypothermia protocols but only ischemia-72 h hypothermia attenuated loss of mature oligodendrocytes. All hypothermia protocols similarly increased the area fraction of MBP, whereas there was only an intermediate effect on the area fraction of CNPase. Microglia were suppressed by all hypothermia protocols, with the greatest reduction after ischemia-72 h hypothermia, and an intermediate effect after ischemia-slow rewarming. By contrast, induction of astrocytes was significantly reduced only after ischemia-slow rewarming. In conclusion, slow rewarming after hypothermia did not improve oligodendrocyte survival or myelination or suppression of microgliosis compared to fast rewarming, but modestly reduced astrocytosis.

Initial experiences with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy combination pyeloplasty in management of ectopic pelvic kidney with stone and ureter-pelvic junction obstruction

To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of combine laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy to treat ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and stones. 16 patients of ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and stones were treated with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). The operative time, required dose of tramadol, visual analog pain scale (VAPS), postoperative day, stone-free rates (SFRs), perioperative complications, and serum creatinine were evaluated. The SFRs were evaluated with noncontrasted renal computed tomography (CT). Intravenous pyelography (IVP) and CT scan were used to evaluate the UPJO. Stone-free status was defined as absence of stone fragments in kidney or the size of that is less than 3 mm. Operation time from 118 to 225 min, average time (171 ± 28) min; lithotomy time from 16 to 45 min, average time (32 ± 6) min. Average tramadol required at the first day postoperation was (118 ± 49.6) mg; at the second day was (78 ± 24.8) mg. VAPS score at 24 h (5.0 ± 0.7), VAPS score at 48 h (2.5 ± 0.8). Postoperative day (3.9 ± 0.6) days. Stone-free rate was 100%. Average serum creatinine was (88.7 ± 24.3) mol/L before surgery and (92.8 ± 21.6) mol/L after surgery. No major complication. No stone and obstruction recurrence in the follow-up of average 29.3 months. Combined FUR and LC is a good option for patient of ectopic pelvic kidney with renal stone and UPJO. From our initial experience, the SFRs and the effect of pyeloplasty are satisfactory and without major complication, the operative time is acceptable.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in an aortic dissection patient

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency. Well-established risk factors include systemic hypertension, hereditary connective tissue diseases (Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), coarctation of the aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, aortitis, and arch hypoplasia. Ischemia of the viscera, the kidneys, the spinal cord, or the lower extremities due to malperfusion constitutes life-threatening complications that have to be considered in the treatment strategy.We report a rare case of symptomatic ischemia of the lower extremities due to aortic dissection. This case demonstrates that the treating physician needs to be vigilant for ischemia reperfusion injuries such as osteofascial compartment syndrome and acute renal failure in aortic dissection.

A new subtype of crossed fused ectopia of the kidneys

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly; here, we report a new subtype of crossed fused renal ectopia associated with the retroiliac megaureter and thoracic scoliosis deformity. It is beyond the traditional classification of crossed fused renal ectopia. There are 2 kidneys in the left and hydronephrosis of the upper kidney, the right kidney crossed over and fused with the lower kidney of the left. It is never seen in previous reports. Recurrent infection was cured by resecting the hydronephrosis of the upper kidney and retroiliac megaureter.

Genitourinary toxicity of ketamine

Ketamine is a relatively new recreational drug used by youngsters in recent decades. Its toxic effects on the genitourinary system were first reported in 2007, and now attract extensive attention from urologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists all over the world. As many front-line health professionals and medical social workers are still unaware of this new clinical entity and an increasing number of the drug users seek help for urological symptoms, this mini-review aimed to summarise the clinical features and possible mechanisms of ketamine-induced genitourinary toxicity. By raising public awareness of these toxic effects, the authors hope that the contents of this review will be widely disseminated not only to medical professionals, but also to relevant government departments and the general public.

High doses of salicylate and aspirin are inhibitory on acid-sensing ion channels and protective against acidosis-induced neuronal injury in the rat cortical neuron

Aspirin and its main metabolite salicylate are widely used to relieve pain, treat inflammatory diseases, and prevent ischemic stroke. Multiple pathways are responsible for the therapeutic actions exerted by these drugs. One of the pathways is targeting neuronal receptors/ion channels in the central nervous system. Correspondingly, increasing evidence has implicated acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) in the processes of the diseases that are medicated by aspirin and salicylate. We therefore employed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to examine the effects of salicylate as well as aspirin on ASICs in cultured cortical neurons of the rat. We recorded rapid and reversible inhibition of ASIC current by millimolar concentrations of aspirin and salicylate and found that salicylate reduced acidosis-induced membrane depolarization. These data suggest that ASICs in the cortex are molecular targets of high doses of aspirin and salicylate. In addition, the results from lactate dehydrogenase release measurement showed that high doses of aspirin and salicylate protected the cortical neuron from acidosis-induced neuronal injury. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of aspirin and salicylate actions in the brain and provide new evidence on aspirin and salicylate used as neuroprotective agents in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Fluoxetine potentiates GABAergic IPSCs in rat hippocampal neurons

The GABA system is highly involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders such as depression. Altered GABAergic function is evident in depressed patients and animal models of depression. Currently, the most widely used antidepressants are selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine. However, the effects of fluoxetine on GABAergic synaptic neurotransmission remain poorly investigated. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from cultured rat hippocampal neurons were therefore conducted to investigate the effects of fluoxetine on GABAergic neurotransmission. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) was completely blocked by 10 microM bicuculline and reversibly potentiated by 30 microM fluoxetine. The fluoxetine potentiation on either amplitude or frequency of sIPSCs was dose-dependent, with the EC(50) values of 10.96 and 14.26 microM, respectively. This potentiation was also TTX-insensitive, suggesting independence of presynaptic action potentials. The ritanserin (5 microM), a selective 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist, did not alter the fluoxetine potentiation on miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Taken together, our data suggest that fluoxetine can potentiate GABAergic neurotransmission without depending on presynaptic firing of action potentials and its elevating of 5-HT receptor activities. This potentiation by fluoxetine may normalize the hippocampal GABA deficit during depression and in part exert its antidepressant activity.

Amiloride attenuates glycine-induced currents in cultured neurons of rat inferior colliculus

Amiloride, a potassium sparing diuretic, is well known to interact with many ion transport systems and modulate the activity of several membrane receptors. However, relatively little information is available as to how amiloride affects membrane receptors of neurons in the brain areas. In the present study, we investigated the effects of amiloride on glycine-induced currents (I(Gly)) in cultured neurons of rat inferior colliculus with whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Amiloride itself did not activate any current across the neuronal membrane but it reversibly inhibited the amplitude of the I(Gly) in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner, with an IC(50) of 487.4+/-25.3microM (n=5). Amiloride shifted the concentration-response relationship to the right without changing Hill coefficient and without changing the maximum response of the I(Gly). The pre-perfusion of amiloride produced an inhibitory effect on the I(Gly). In addition, amiloride was shown with a voltage ramp protocol to significantly reduce the conductance induced by glycine but not to change the reversal potential of the I(Gly). These results demonstrate that amiloride competitively inhibits the I(Gly) in rat inferior colliculus neurons by decreasing the affinity of glycine to its receptor. Our finding suggests that attention should be paid to the possible side effects of amiloride used as a drug on brain functions in the case of a defective blood-brain barrier and in the case of direct application of this drug into the cerebrospinal fluid for treatment of brain tumors.

Sodium salicylate reduces inhibitory postsynaptic currents in neurons of rat auditory cortex

Sodium salicylate (SS) is a medicine for anti-inflammation and for chronic pain relief with a side effect of tinnitus. To understand the cellular mechanisms of tinnitus induced by SS in the central auditory system, we examined effects of SS on evoked and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs and mIPSCs) recorded from layer II/III pyramidal neurons of rat auditory cortex in a brain slice preparation with whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Both eIPSCs and mIPSCs recorded from the auditory cortex could be completely blocked by bicuculline, a selective GABA(A) receptor antagonist. SS did not change the input resistance of neurons but was found to reversibly depress eIPSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. SS reduced eIPSCs to 82.3% of the control level at 0.5 mM (n=7) and to 60.9% at 1.4 mM (n=12). In addition, SS at 1.4 mM significantly reduced the amplitude of mIPSCs from 24.12+/-1.44 pA to 19.92+/-1.31 pA and reduced the frequency of mIPSCs from 1.34+/-0.23 Hz to 0.89+/-0.13 Hz (n=6). Our results demonstrate that SS attenuates inhibitory postsynaptic currents in the auditory cortex, suggesting that the alteration of inhibitory neural circuits may be one of the cellular mechanisms for tinnitus induced by SS in the central auditory region.

Modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor function by thiopental in the rat spinal dorsal horn neurons

To assess the actions of thiopental at the spinal dorsal horn level, we examined the effects of thiopental using the whole cell patch-clamp technique on mechanically dissociated rat spinal dorsal horn neurons. Thiopental, at large concentrations, elicited a current (I(Thio)) through activation of chloride conductance, and its threshold concentration was approximately 50 microM. I(Thio) was sensitive to bicuculline, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor antagonist, but not to strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist. At a clinically relevant concentration (30 muM), thiopental markedly enhanced the peak amplitude of a subsaturating GABA-induced current (I(GABA)) but not that of a saturating GABA-induced current. Furthermore, thiopental prolonged the time constants of both desensitization and deactivation of I(GABA). At a large concentration (300 muM), it inhibited the peak amplitude of I(GABA), which may be the result of open-channel blockade. In addition, at 30 microM, thiopental increased the duration and decreased the frequency of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. These results indicate that thiopental enhances GABAergic inhibitory transmission and suggest that GABA(A) receptors in the spinal cord are a potential target through which thiopental causes immobility and depresses the response to noxious stimuli.

Taurine activates strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors in neurons of the rat inferior colliculus

Taurine (Tau) is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the mammalian central nervous system. Whether the neurotransmission of the central auditory system is regulated or modulated by Tau is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of Tau-activated currents in acutely dissociated neurons of the rat inferior colliculus (IC) using whole cell patch clamp recordings. At a holding potential of -60 mV and under a condition of chloride equilibrium potential near 0 mV, Tau activated an inward current and its half-maximal activation concentration was equal to 0.37 mM. The measured reversal potential of Tau-activated currents was close to theoretical chloride equilibrium potential. The currents evoked by Tau at both low (1 mM) and high (10 mM) concentrations were almost completely inhibited by strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist. The Tau-activated current, however, was not affected by bicuculline, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist. Tau at increased concentrations progressively reduced the current response to subsequent glycine application. At saturated concentrations, Tau-activated current and glycine-activated current were mutually cross-desensitized by each other. These findings indicate that Tau activates glycine receptors in neurons of the rat IC and thus may have a functional role in regulating or modulating the neurotransmission of the central auditory system in mammals.