Microinjection of a growth factor cocktail affects activated microglia in the neocortex of adult rats

Microglia, as the resident immune cells in the central nervous system, play important roles in regulating neuronal processes, such as neural excitability, synaptic activity, and apoptotic cell clearance. Growth factors can activate multiple signaling pathways in central nervous system microglia and can regulate their immune effects, but whether growth factors can affect the morphological characteristics and ultrastructure of microglia has not been reported. After microinjecting 300 nL of a growth factor cocktail, including 10 μg/mL epidermal growth factor, 10 μg/mL basic fibroblast growth factor, 10 μg/mL hepatocyte growth factor and 10 μg/mL insulin-like growth factor into adult rat cortex, we found that the number of IBA1-positive microglia around the injection area increased significantly, indicating local activation of microglia. All CD68-positive labeling co-localized with IBA1 in microglia. Cell bodies and protrusions of CD68-positive cells were strongly attached to or were engulfing neurons. Characteristic huge phagosomes were observed in activated phagocytes by electron microscopy. The phagosomes generally included non-degraded neuronal protrusions and mitochondria, yet they contained no myelin membrane or remnants, which might indicate selective phagocytosis by the phagocytes. The remnant myelin sheath after phagocytosis still had regenerative ability and formed "myelin-like" structures around phagocytes. These results show that microinjection of a growth factor cocktail into the cerebral cortex of rodents can locally activate microglia and induce selective phagocytosis of neural structures by phagocytes. The study was approved by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences(approval No. IACUC-AMMS-2014-501) on June 30, 2014.

Temporal lobe epilepsy animal model established by stereotaxic microinjection of kainic acid

BACKGROUND： Kainic acid can be used to induce a model of epilepsy by systemic injection, such as intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection. Individual rats have different responses to kainic acid, therefore high doses of drug are required and the success rate of model induction is low. It is necessary to develop an improved method to establish a temporal lobe epilepsy （TLE） animal model. OBJECTIVE： To explore an economic, stable and efficient method of establishing a TLE animal model. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A completely randomized, controlled study. The experiments were performed in the Cellular Function Laboratory of the Physiology Department, Anhui Medical University from March to July 2007. MATERIALS： Twenty adult male Wistar rats, weighing 230-260 g, were provided by the Experimental Animal Centre of Nanjing Medical University. Kainic acid was purchased from Sigma in USA. Type SN-2 stereotaxic apparatus was made by Narishge in Japan. METHODS： Wistar rats were randomly divided into a kainic acid （KA） group （n = 12） and a normal saline （NS） group （n = 8）. For intrahippocampal microinjection, a burr hole was drilled in the skull at the following stereotaxic coordinates： anteroposterior （AP） 4.1 mm caudal to bregma; lateral （ML） 4.2 mm right lateral to the midline. Rats in the KA group were injected with 2.5 μL KA （0.4 g/L） into the center of the CA3 region, while in the NS group the same volume of NS was injected into the same site. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Both groups were monitored under a video capture system for 12 weeks to record spontaneous seizures. Intracranial eletroencepholograph （IEEG） recordings in vivo were performed after the behavioral observations. After the IEEG recordings, hippocampi were processed into coronal sections. Nissl and Timm stainings were then performed to observe and confirm pathology. RESULTS： Twenty rats were involved in the final analysis. Behavioral observations： the eadiest spontaneous onset of epilepsy appeared 2 weeks after injection of KA. Eight rats had spontaneous onset of epilepsy 3-12 weeks after treatment. None of rats in the NS group had spontaneous onset of epilepsy. IEEG recordings： Epileptic-form waves, such as sharp waves and spike waves, were calculated by artificial analysis The number of epileptic-form waves in the KA group increased significantly compared to those of the NS group （P 〈 0.01）. Morphology results： In the KA group, Nissl staining and Timm staining revealed typical pathology in the hippocampal temporosphenoid lobe. In the NS group, no pathology was observed. CONCLUSION： Intrahippocampal microinjection of KA is a reliable method to establish a temporal lobe epilepsy animal model, requiring low doses of kainic acid and giving a high rate of success.

Egg tanning improves the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutant locust production by enhancing defense ability after microinjection

The mutant efficiency and hatching ratio are two key factors that significantly affect the construction of genome-modified mutant insects.In the construction of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated dsLmRNase2^(–/–)mutant locusts,we found that the tanned eggs which experienced a 20-min contact with the oocyst exhibited a higher success rate compared to fresh newly-laid eggs that were less tanned.However,the heritable efficiency of the dsLmRNase2 deletion to the next generation G_(1 )progeny was similar between adults derived from the tanned or less tanned engineered eggs.Further,the similar effective mutant ratios in the normally developed eggs and G_(0) adults of tanned and less tanned eggs also indicated that tanning did not reduce the absolute mutation efficiency induced by CRISPR/Cas9.Moreover,we found that the syncytial division period,which was longer than the time for tanning,conferred a window period for microinjection treatment with efficient mutation in both tanned and less tanned eggs.We further found that tanned eggs exhibited a higher hatching rate due to a reduced infection rate following microinjection.Both the anti-pressure and ultrastructure analyses indicated that the tanned eggs contained compressed eggshells to withstand increased external pressure.In summary,tanned eggs possess stronger defense responses and higher efficiency of genome editing,providing an improved model for developing Cas9-mediated gene editing procedures in locusts.

Genome Editing in the Olive Flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus)Using CRISPR/Cas9 and a Simple Microinjection System

The whole-genome sequence of the olive flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus)provides a basis for gene functional analyses,which is important for the aquaculture industry.Understanding gene function will help us to select better economic traits such as fast growth and better culture conditions,which further will increase the aquaculture output.Gene knockout is an important reverse genetics approach for in vivo studies of gene function.In this study,the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method with a microinjection system using a simple braked needle was employed in olive flounder.After injection in embryos,green fluorescent protein expression was detected in 40%of larvae.The proportion of normal-hatched larvae was approximately 50%.Different mutations,including short indels and fragment deletions,were found in our test genes gsdf and myomaker.Additionally,we detected more than one mutation in a single larva.In summary,our microinjection technique and CRISPR/Cas9 can be applied to study gene functions in olive flounder.

The Effect of Intra-cerebral Microinjection with Daidzein on the Plasma LH Level in the Castrated Boars

Daidzein (DA) was microinjected into mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and nucleus ventrome-dialis thalami (VM) of the castrated male Goettingen Mini pigs (n = 9, 10 μl·animal-1, 8 pgDA·μl-1 and plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were compared between the prior and the posterior treatment. The result showed that LH levels after the cerebral administration (ad) tended to increase compared to the levels before ad. In MBH, LH levels in 4 cases (4/5), rose and were not changed in 1 case at 0.5 - 2 hours after ad compared to those before ad. There were no significant changes at 2.5 hours after ad. When it was injected in VM, LH levels in 3 cases (3/4) rose, and were not changed in 1 case after ad compared to those before ad. In the control, there were no changes in plasma LH levels between the pre-and post-treatment except 1 case in MBH. This study suggested that DA could up-regulate LH secretion through hypothalamus level in the castrated boars.

Pronuclear microinjection is not suitable for RNA polymerase III promoter driven constitutive RNAi transgenesis in mice for XY male-to-female sex reversal by <i>Sry</i>gene knockdown

Silencing of gene expression by RNA interference (RNAi) has become a widely used tool. For the study of mammalian gene function expression vectors for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were developed. However the standard methods of shRNA transgenic (Tg) mice production have not been established. Sry (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) is a mammalian sex-determining gene on the Y chromosome. In mice, the transient expression of Sry in supporting cell precursor cells between 10.5 and 12.5 days post-coitus (dpc) triggers the differentiation of Sertoli cells from granulosa cells. Then high efficiency of Sry gene silencing in Tg mice should induce XY male-to-female sex reversal. An shRNA Tg mouse targeting Sry gene was attempted to be generated by pronuclear microinjection. A low rate (Tg pups/all pups born after microinjection = 2/154 to 7/178) of Tg pups was observed. These Tg mice showed no XY male-to-female sex reversal. The results suggest that exogenous expression of small RNA might exert a negative effect on embryonic development and another approach should be needed for RNAi transgenesis in mice.

Comparison of gene expression responses of zebrafish larvae to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection by static immersion and caudal vein microinjection

infection model for studying inflammation and the innate immune response.We investigated the genes and signaling pathways activated by static immersion and caudal vein microinjection infection using transcriptome profiling and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)to compare the innate immune response in 3 days post-fertilization(dpf)zebrafish larvae infected by Vibrio parahaemolyticus Vp13 strain.The median lethal dose(LD50)values at 96 h following immersion and microinjection were 3.63×107 CFU/mL and 5.76×102 CFU/nL,respectively.An innate immune response was initiated after 2 h of incubation with the respective LD50 for each infection method.Six hundred and two genes in the immersion group and 359 genes in the microinjection group were activated and differentially expressed post-infection.Sixty-three Gene Ontology(GO)terms and four Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways were significantly enriched in the immersion group,compared with only three GO terms and no KEGG pathways in the microinjection group.Two genes,tnfb and ccl20a.3,were significantly up-regulated in both groups.We speculated that immersion infection may affect initial dorsal determination,cytochromes,and fatty acid-binding proteins,as well as inflammation,while microinjection infection may mainly directly affect the immune response.Infection with doses>LD50(1.09×109 CFU/mL and 1.09×103 CFU/nL by immersion and microinjection,respectively)caused more significant up-regulation of il11a,tnfa,tnfb,il1b,ccl34a.4,ccl20a.3,irak3,cxcl18b,and ccl35.1,suggesting that in addition to the classical innate immunity genes tnfa,tnfb,il1b,and il6,the genes il11a,ccl34a.4,ccl20a.3,cxcl18b,and ccl35.1 were also important for defending against Vp13 infection.These findings highlight the genes involved in the responses of zebrafish to Vp13 infection via different routes and doses,and thus provide the basis for further analyses of immune response signaling pathways.

CREATE TRANSGENIC RABBITS BY MICROINJECTING HUMAN apoA-Ⅱ GENE INTO FERTILIZED EGGS

Objective To create transgenic rabbits by microinjecting human apolipoprotein A-Ⅱ (apoA-Ⅱ) gene into one-cell embryos, to study apoA-Ⅱ gene function on plasma lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. Methods Superovulation and synchronization of estrus were induced in female Japanese White Rabbits by injecting hormone, then mating with male. After collected the fertilized eggs, the human apoA-Ⅱ gene was microinjected into the male pronucleus of eggs. The injected eggs were transferred into recipient female rabbits. Last, extract DNA from the new borns ear and determine whether the newborns were transgenic by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Southern blot analysis. Results A total of 822 embryos with microinjection of human apoAⅡ gene were implanted into 28 recipient rabbits. The number of surviving newborns was 37. 3 transgenic positive surviving founders were found with human apoA-Ⅱ.

Transgenic Pigs Carrying a Synthesized Fatty Acid Desaturase Gene Yield High Level of ω-3 PUFAs

Polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs） are essential for normal growth in mammals, especially the ω-3 PUFAs, which play important roles in preventing several life-threatening diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the sFat-1 gene from Caenorhabditis briggsae could be functionally expressed in transgenic pigs, and whether the transgenic could synthesize high quality ω-3 PUFAs endogenously. In this study, a gene construct consisting of CMV promoter and 1.9 kb cDNA of ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene （sFat-1） from C. briggsae was injected into the male pronucleus of pig embryos by microinjection. The piglets were screened for the transgene by PCR, Southern blot and reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Pigs that give positive results were mated with wild-type pigs to produce the next generation and the transmission of transgene was examined by PCR analysis. Fatty acids compositions of various tissues in the transgenic pigs were then analyzed by gas chromatograph. A total of 878 embryos were transferred into 42 recipients, among which 29 successfully got pregnant and gave birth to a total of 162 piglets, and 8 of them were identified to be transgenic. Fatty acid compositions in the transgenic pigs were altered, and the levels of ω-6：ω-3 ratios were decreased from 14.53 in the control to 2.62 in Fat-1 transgenic pigs. A number of primary sFat-1-transgenic pigs were bred in this study, which lays the foundation for cultivation of new varieties of transgenic pigs.

Regulation of fertilization in male rats by CatSper2 knockdown

Interest in ion channels as drug targets for contraception has grown with the realization that certain ion channel subunits are located exclusively in sperm. Selective knockdown of ion channel subunits can lead to infertility without ill effects, and selective inhibitors and/ or openers of these ion channels could interfere with sperm function. In this study, in vivo electmporation （EP） and rete testis microinjection-mediated plasmid DNA were adopted to silence CatSper2 expression, which is essential in sperm hyperactivation. The results showed that high transfection efficiency and expression were achieved by plasmid DNA that was directly injected into the rete testis. As a result of the expression of CatSper2 being blocked, the treatment group showed significantly lower （P〈0.05） hyperactivation rate, fertilization rate in vitro, migration motility in viscoelastic solution and intracellular Ca2＋ peak. The low hyperactivation and fertilization rates lasted for 60 days. Meanwhile, analysis of the sperm survival rate and testis histology indicated that in vivo EP had no significant effect on the function of the testis, spermatogenesis or sperm activity. The present study demonstrated that it was feasible to achieve male contraception by silencing the expression of CatSper2, the key protein involved in sperm hvoeractivation.

Impact of vasculature damage on the outcome of spinal cord injury:a novel collagenase-induced model may give new insights into the mechanisms involved

The deleterious effect of vasculature damage on the outcome of spinal cord injury has long been recognized, and numerous clinical studies have shown that the presence of hemorrhage into the spinal cord is directly associated with a poorer neurological outcome. Vascular damage leads to de- creased blood flow to the cord and the release of potentially toxic blood-borne components. Here we consider the mechanisms that may be contributing to hemorrhage-induced damage and discuss the utility of a new model of spinal cord hemorrhage, which was urgently required as most of our current understanding has been extrapolated from intracerebral hemorrhage studies.

Apelin-13 regulates electrical activity in the globus pallidus and induces postural changes in rats

The globus pallidus is the relay nucleus of the basal ganglia,and changes in its electrical activity can cause motor impairment.Apelin-13 is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems.It has been demonstrated that apelin-13 plays important roles in the regulation of blood pressure and other non-motor functions.However,its role in motor function has rarely been reported.In the present study,apelin-13(10μM/100μM)was injected into the globus pallidus of rats.The results showed that apelin-13 increased the spontaneous discharges in the majority of pallidal neurons.However,an apelin-13-induced inhibitory effect on the firing rate was also observed in a few pallidal neurons.In postural tests,after the systemic administration of haloperidol,unilateral pallidal injection of apelin-13 caused a contralateral deflection.Together,these findings suggest that apelin-13 regulates the electrical activity of pallidal neurons and thus participates in central motor control in rats.The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Qingdao University(approval No.20200615Wistar0451003020)on June 15,2020.

EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA INDUCED CHANGES OF CARDIAC SYMPATHETIC ACTIVITY AND INVOLVEMENT OF SPINIAL δ-OPIOID, NMDA-AND NON-NMDA RECEPTORS IN THE RABBIT

Aim: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) induced changes of cardiac sympathetic discharges and the effects of some related receptors in the spinal cord. Methods: A total of 53 rabbits anesthetized with mixture solution of 25% urethane (420 mg/kg) and 1.5% chloralose (50 mg/kg) were used in this study. AMI was induced by occlusion of the ventricular branch of the left coronary artery. Discharges of the left cardiac sympathetic nerve were recorded by using a bipolar platinum electrode. Bilateral "Ximen"(PC 40) and "Kongzhui"(LU 6) were stimulated electrically by using an EA therapeutic apparatus or an electrical stimulator. DPDPE δ opiate receptor agonist, 20 nmol, 10 μL, n=8), Naltrindole Hydrochloride (δ opiate receptor antagonist, 20 nmol, 10 μL, n=8), DAP5 (NMDA receptor antagonist, 5 nmol, 10 μL, n=9) and CNQX (non NMDA receptor antagonist, 5 nmol, 10 μL, n=8) were respectively injected into the thoracic subarachnoid space of the spinal cord in different groups, followed by observing their effects on changes of sympathetic activity evoked by EA of the abovementioned acupoints. Results: ① After AMI, sympathetic discharges increased (200.56±79.89%) in 10 cases and decreased (-59.34 ±7.06%) in other 9 cases in comparison with their individual basal values. After EA of "Ximen" (PC 4) and "Kongzhui"(LU 6), AMI induced increase and decrease changes of the sympathetic activity were suppressed significantly, but the effect of EA of LU 6 was weaker than that of EA of PC 4. ② Following EA of PC 4 and LU 6, sympathetic discharges increased significantly in 2 and 4 cases, decreased apparently in 7 and 3 cases, and had no striking changes in 1 and 3 cases respectively. The mean reaction threshold of sympathetic activity after EA of PC 4 and LU 6 were 2.1±0.65 mA and 3.28±1.13 mA separately. ③ After pre treatment with DPDPE, the reaction threshold of the cardiac sympathetic activity to EA of PC 4 elevated significantly (35.89±6.12%); while after pre treatment with Naltrindole, this reaction threshold decreased considerably (84.88±26.58%). Following intrathecal injection of DAP5 (n=9) and CNQX (n=9) , the reaction thresholds of the cardiac sympathetic activity to EA of PC 4 increased obviously (142.06±60.27% and 112.54±28.58% separately). It suggests that spinal δ opioid receptor, NMDA and non NMDA receptors are involved in EA induced changes of sympathetic activity. Conclusion: ① EA could regulate AMI induced changes of cardiac sympathetic activity; and ② spinal δ opioid receptors, NMDA and non NMDA receptors participate in the effect of EA on the cardiac sympathetic activity.

Efficient production of pronuclear embryos in breeding and nonbreeding season for generating transgenic sheep overexpressing TLR4

Background： Brucella is a zoonotic Gram-negative pathogen that causes abortion and infertility in ruminants and humans. TLR4 is the receptor for LPS which can recognize Brucella and initiate antigen-presenting cell activities that affect both innate and adaptive immunity. Consequently, transgenic sheep over-expressing TLR4 are an suitable model to investigate the effects of TLR4 on preventing Brucellosis. In this study, we generated transgenic sheep overexpressing TLR4 and aimed to evaluate the effects of different seasons（breeding and non-breeding season） on superovulation and the imported exogenous gene on growth.Results： In total of 43 donor ewes and 166 recipient ewes in breeding season, 37 donor ewes and 144 recipient ewes in non-breeding season were selected for super-ovulation and injected embryo transfer to generate transgenic sheep.Our results indicated the no. of embryos recovered of donors and the rate of pronuclear embryos did not show any significant difference between breeding and non-breeding seasons（P 〉 0.05）. The positive rate of exogenous TLR4 tested were 21.21 % and 22.58 % in breeding and non-breeding season by Southern blot. The expression level of TLR4 in the transgenic sheep was 1.5 times higher than in the non-transgenic group（P 〈 0.05）. The lambs overexpressing TLR4 had similar growth performance with non-transgenic lambs, and the blood physiological parameters of transgenic and non-transgenic were both in the normal range and did not show any difference.Conclusions： Here we establish an efficient platform for the production of transgenic sheep by the microinjection of pronuclear embryos during the whole year. The over-expression of TLR4 had no adverse effect on the growth of the sheep.

Factors Affecting Transformation Efficiency by Micro-Injecting Agrobacterium into Flower Bud of Chinese Cabbage

Three main parameters were selected to study their importance in transformation by budmicroinjection in non-head Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis (L.) Makinovar. communis Tsen et Lee]. The results showed that the developmental stage of floral bud, theconcentrations of sucrose and surfactant Silwet L-77 were critical for the successfultransformation by this new method. The suitable bud size is 2-3 mm in length, the favorableconcentration of sucrose and surfactant Silwet L-77 are 8 and 0.02% respectively. When thesucrose concentration was greater than 10% or that of Silwet L-77 was above 0.1%, the treatedbuds became yellow and finally blighted. 4/6 T1 seedlings resistant to kanamycin were positiveby PCR analysis, and T2 progeny of all these positive T1 plants have one or more hybridizingbands by Southern blot. Under 5% sucrose, 0.02% Silwet L-77 and grade 2 bud (2-3 mm in itslength) parameters, the most favorable transformation efficiency is about 0.56%, and meanefficiency reaches 0.16% in all experiments indicating that bud microinjection is potentialtransformation way in non-head Chinese cabbage.

Influence of vascular endothelial growth factor and radiation on gap junctional intercellular communication in glioblastoma multiforme cell lines

Glioblastoma multiforme （GBM） is a highly aggressive glial brain tumor with an unfavorable prognosis despite all current therapies including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. One characteristic of this tumor is a strong synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, an angiogenesis factor, followed by pronounced vascularization. VEGF became a target in the treatment of GBM, for example with bevacizumab or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor axitinib, which blocks VEGF receptors. To improve patients＇ prognosis, new targets in the treatment of GBM are under investigations. The role of gap junctions in GBM remains un- known, but some experimental therapies affect these intercellular channels to treat the tumor. Gap junctions are composed of connexins to allow the transport of small molecules between adjacent cells through gap junc- tional intercellular communication （GJIC）. Based on data derived from astrocytes in former studies, which show that VEGF is able to enhance GJIC, the current study analyzed the effects of VEGF, radiation therapy and VEGF receptor blockade by axitinib on GJIC in human GBM cell lines U-87 and U-251. While VEGF is able to induce GJIC in U-251 cells but not in U-87 cells, radiation enhances GJIC in both cell lines. VEGF reocptor blockade by axitinib diminishes radiation induced effects in U-251 partially, while increases GJIC in U-87 cells. Our data indicate that VEGF and radiation are both modifying components of GJ1C in pathologic brain tumor tissue.

EFFECT OF α_1 AND α_2 RECEPTORS IN THE RABBIT THORACIC SPINAL CORD ON ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT "NEIGUAN" FOR TREATMENT OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA

In the present paper, the effect of α1 and α2 subtypes of the thoracic spinal cord on electroacupuncture (EA)-induced improvement of ischemic cardiac electrical and mechanical activities was observed in 80 anesthetized rabbits by using ECG-ST, MBP, LVP and dp/dt max as indexes. Results showed that:1) EA at "Neiguan" could significantly improve the electrical and mechanical activities of the ischemic heart; 2) the effect of EA could be enhanced to a certain degree when α1 receptors of the thoracic spinal cord were activated by subarachnoid microinjection of phenylephrine, while it was weakened when α1 receptors were inhibited by microinjection of parison; and 3) activation or inhibition of α2 receptors of the thoracic spinal cord by microinjection of clonidine and yohimbine had no marked influence on the effect of EA in improving electrical activity of the ischemic heart, but when activated,they could weaken the effect of EA in raising MBP; while suppressed, they had no any striking influence on the effect of EA in raising MBP. It suggests that among α-receptors, predominantly α1-receptors participate in the process of EA-induced improvement of performance of ischemic heart.

Efficient production of chimeric mice from embryonic stem cells injected into 4-to 8-cell and blastocyst embryos

Background： Production of chimeric mice is a useful tool for the elucidation of gene function. After successful isolation of embryonic stem （ES） cell lines, there are many methods for producing chimeras, including co-culture with the embryos, microinjection of the ES ceils into pre-implantation embryos, and use of tetraploid embryos to generate the full ES-derived transgenic mice. Here, we aimed to generate the transgenic ES cell line, compare the production efficiency of chimeric mice and its proportion to yield the male chimeric mice by microinjected ES cells into 4- to 8-cell and blastocysts embryos with the application of Piezo-Micromanipulator （PMM）, and trace the fate of the injected ES cells. Results： We successfully generated a transgenic ES cell line and proved that this cell line still maintained pluripotency. Although we achieved a satisfactory chimeric mice rate, there was no significant difference in the production of chimeric mice using the two different methods, but the proportion of the male chimeric mice in the 4- to 8-cell group was higher than in the blastocyst group. We also found that there was no tendency for ES cells to aggregate into the inner cell mass using in vitro culture of the chimeric embryos, indicating that they aggregated randomly. Conclusions： These results showed that the PMM method is a convenient way to generate chimeric mice and microinjection of ES cells into 4- to 8-cell embryos can increase the chance of yielding male chimeras compared to the blastocyst injection. These results provide useful data in transgenic research mediated by ES cells.

In utero and exo utero fetal surgery on histogenesis of organs in animals

Until recently, fetal surgery was only used for fetuses with very poor prognosis who were likely to die without intervention. With advances in imaging, endoscopic techniques, anesthesia and novel interventions, fetal surgery is becoming a realistic option for conditions with less severe prognoses, where the aim is now to improve quality of life rather than simply allow survival. Until forty years ago, the uterus shielded the fetus from observation and therapy. Rapid changes in the diagnosis and treatment of human fetal anatomical abnormalities are due to improved fetal imaging studies, fetal sampling techniques(e.g., amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling), and a better understanding of fetal pathophysiology derived from laboratory animals. Fetal therapy is the logical culmination of progress in fetal diagnosis. In other words, the fetus is now a patient. Now-a-days, in utero(IU) and exo utero(EU) surgical methods are popular for experimental analyses of the histogenesis of organ development. Using these surgical methods, developmental anomalies can be created and then repaired. By applying microinjection and/or fetal surgery with these methods, models of developmental anomalies such as neural tube defects, temporomandibular joint defects, hip joint defects, digit amputation, limb and digit development and regeneration, and tooth germ transplantation in the jaw could be created and later observed. After observing different types of anomalies, novel IU and EU surgical techniques would be the best approach for repairing or treating those anomalies or diseases. This review will focus on the rationale for the IU and EU creation of animal models of different organ defects or anomalies and their repair, based on analyses of organ histogenesis and pathologic observations. It will also focus in detail on the surgical techniques of both IU and EU methods.

Delivery of dsRNA for RNAi in insects： an overview and future directions

RNA interference （RNAi） refers to the process of exogenous double-stranded RNA （dsRNA） silencing the complementary endogenous messenger RNA. RNAi has been widely used in entomological research for functional genomics in a variety of insects and its potential for RNAi-based pest control has been increasingly emphasized mainly because of its high specificity. This review focuses on the approaches of introducing dsRNA into insect cells or insect bodies to induce effective RNAi. The three most common delivery methods, namely, microinjection, ingestion, and soaking, are illustrated in details and their advantages and limitations are summarized for purpose of feasible RNAi research. In this review, we also briefly introduce the two possible dsRNA uptake machineries, other dsRNA delivery methods and the history of RNAi in entomology. Factors that influence the specificity and efficiency of RNAi such as transfection reagents, selection of dsRNA region, length, and stability of dsRNA in RNAi research are discussed for further studies.