Anti-Obesity Effects of Dietary d-Allulose and Medium-Chain Triglycerides in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

d-Allulose, a rare sugar, exerts anti-obesity effects by inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis and promoting energy expenditure. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) consist of three medium-chain fatty acids connected by glycerol. MCTs have been extensively investigated for their ability to reduce body fat accumulation. We previously investigated the anti-obesity effects of a combination of dietary d-allulose and MCT (5% - 13%) in rats;however, we could not confirm the anti-obesity effects of MCT or observed synergetic effects between d-allulose and MCT on body fat loss. We speculated that our previous studies were influenced by the excessive amount of MCT in the diets. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of the simultaneous intake of d-allulose and MCT in rats fed an obesity-inducing high-fat diet with a low amount of MCTs (2%). Thirty-two male Wistar rats (3-week-old) were randomly divided into four groups: control, d-allulose, MCT, and d-allulose + MCT groups. Rats in each group were fed ad libitum on a control (no d-Allulose or MCT), 5% d-allulose, 2% MCT, or 5% d-allulose + 2% MCT diets for 16 weeks. Abdominal adipose tissue weights were significantly lower in the d-allulose diet group than in the control group, whereas no differences were observed between results of the MCT-supplemented groups. The total body fat mass was significantly lower in the d-allulose and MCT diet groups than in the control group, but no differences were observed between the MCT-supplemented groups. These results suggested that anti-obesity effects of dietary d-allulose were observed, and the effects of dietary MCTs were weaker than those of d-allulose. Moreover, we confirmed the interaction between dietary d-allulose and MCT on indicators of obesity. Interestingly, their effects were not synergistic, as MCT supplementation offset the anti-obesity effects of dietary d-allulose. However, the specific mechanisms underlying those effects remain unknown, warranting further investigation.

一类高维齐次Moran集的Hausdorff维数与上盒维数

本文构造一类特殊的高维齐次Moran集:{m^(d)_(k)}型齐次Moran集,并得到了满足一定条件的这类集合的Hausdorff维数与上盒维数的表达式.

25羟维生素D3、M型磷脂酶A2受体基因多态性交互影响原发性膜性肾病病情进展的研究

目的探究25羟维生素D3[1,25-dihydroxy vitmin D3,25-(OH)D3]、M型磷脂酶A2受体(M-type phospholipase A2 receptor 1,PLA2R1)基因多态性交互影响原发性膜性肾病(idiopathic membranous nephropathy,IMN)病情进展的作用。方法选取2019年1月至2023年1月自贡市第一人民医院收治的101例IMN患者进行前瞻性研究,根据6个月内是否复发分为复发组、未复发组。比较两组患者基线资料、25-(OH)D3水平、PLA2R1基因多态性,以Logistic回归分析影响IMN病情进展的因素,以交互作用系数γ和OR值分析25-(OH)D3、PLA2R1基因多态性交互影响IMN病情进展的作用。结果复发组尿酸[(419.36±25.44)μmol/L比(366.20±28.34)μmol/L]高于未复发组,25-(OH)D3水平[(33.60±10.74)nmol/L比(42.40±9.56)nmol/L]低于未复发组(P<0.05)。复发组rs4664308位点AA基因型(69.44%比44.62%)患者占比高于未复发组,GA基因型(27.78%比43.08%)、GG基因型(2.78%比12.31%)患者占比低于未复发组(P<0.05)。Logis-tic回归分析显示,尿酸、25-(OH)D3、rs4664308位点GA和AA基因型均与IMN病情进展相关(P<0.05),尿酸每升高一个单位,IMN患者病情进展的风险增加4.233倍;25-(OH)D3每降低一个单位,IMN患者病情进展的风险增加0.581倍;rs4664308位点GA和AA基因型患者,病情进展的风险分别是基因型GG患者的3.253、4.054倍。交互作用分析显示,25-(OH)D3和PLA2R1基因多态性交互的OR值<两者单独存在OR值的乘积,两者对IMN病情进展的影响符合次相乘模型,且交互作用系数γ>1,25-(OH)D3非正常对PLA2R1基因多态性的效应具有正向交互作用(P<0.05)。结论25-(OH)D3、PLA2R1基因多态性均与IMN患者病情进展有关,25-(OH)D3水平对PLA2R1基因多态性的效应具有正向交互作用,联合检测两者状态可能有助于预测患者病情进展的风险,为临床个性化预防干预提供决策支持。

Mechanisms mediating cholinergic antral circular smooth muscle contraction in rats

AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction. METHODS:Circular smooth muscle strips from the antrum of Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in muscle baths in Krebs buffer.Isometric tension was recorded.Cumulative concentration-response curves were obtained for(+)-cis- dioxolane(cD),a nonspecific muscarinic agonist,at 10^(-8)- 10^(-4)mol/L,in the presence of tetrodotoxin(TTX,10^(-7)mol/L). Results were normalized to cross sectional area.A repeat concentration-response curve was obtained after incubation of the muscle for 90 min with antagonists for M1(pirenzepine), M2(methoctramine)and M3(darifenadn)muscarinic receptor subtypes.The sensitivity to PTX was tested by the ip injection of 100 mg/kg of PTX 5 d before the experiment.The antral circular smooth muscles were removed from PTX-treated and non-treated rats as strips and dispersed smooth muscle cells to identify whether PTX-linked pathway mediated the contractility to bethanechol. RESULTS:A dose-dependent contractile response observed with bethanechol,was not affected by TTx.The pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin decreased the contraction induced by bethanechol.Lack of calcium as well as the presence of the L-type calcium channel blocker,nifedipine,also inhibited the cholinergic contraction,with a reduction in response from 2.5±0.4 g/mm^2 to 1.2±0.4 g/mm^2(P<0.05).The dose- response curves were shifted to the right by muscarinic antagonists in the following order of affinity:darifenacin (M_3)>methocramine(M_2)>pirenzepine(M_1). CONCLUSION:The muscarinic receptors-dependent contraction of rat antral circular smooth muscles was linked to the signal transduction pathway(s)involving pertussis-toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins and to extracellular calcium via L-type voltage gated calcium channels.The presence of the residual contractile response after the treatment with nifedipine,suggests that an additional pathway could mediate the cholinergic contraction.The involvement of more than one muscarinic receptor(functionally predominant type 3 over type 2)also suggests more than one pathway mediating the cholinergic contraction in rat antrum.

Effect of cyclovirobuxine D on human growth-associated protein 43 and neurocan expression in ischemic brain tissue of stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND： Experimental data indicate that human growth-associated protein 43 mRNA expression coincides with axonal growth during nerve ganglion development; while neurocan, secreted from astrocytes, can inhibit sprouting and elongation of the axonal growth cone. OBJECTIVE： To verify regulatory effects of cyclovirobuxine D （CVB-D） extracted from Chinese box branchlet on human growth-associated protein 43 （GAP-43）, and neurocan expression in brain tissue of stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive （RHRSP） rats, at different time points after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. DESIGN： Randomized grouping design and controlled animal study. SETTING： This study was performed at the Center of Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine （a national key laboratory） from March 2003 to September 2006. MATERIALS： 100 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2 3 months and weighing 90-120 g, were selected for this study. CVB-D was provided by Nanjing Xiaoying Pharmaceutical Factory （Batch number： 307701）. METHODS： The initial tip of renal arteries was clamped bilaterally for 10 weeks to establish the RHRSP model. 100 RHRSP rats were randomly divided into 4 groups： naive group （n = 10）, sham surgery group （n = 10）, CVB-D group （n = 40）, and lesion group （n = 40）. Rats in the naive group did not undergo any treatment, and cervical vessels of rats in the sham surgery group were exposed, but not blocked. The right middle cerebral artery of rats in the CVB-D group and lesion group were occluded to establish cerebral ischemia. Rats in the CVB-D group were intraperitoneally injected with CVB-D （6.48 mg/kg） every day and with saline （1.5 mL/injection） twice a day. Rats in the lesion group were intraperitoneally injected with saline （2 mL/injection）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect GAP-43 and neurocan expression in the ischemic penumbra region of CVB-D and lesion brains at 2 hours post-cerebral ischemia and at 1, 7, 14, and 30 days post-perfusion （n = 10 at each time point）. Similarly, GAP-43 and neurocan expression was detected in the right hemisphere of naive and sham-operated animals. The results were expressed as positive cells. RESULTS： A total of 100 rats were included in the final analysis. The number of GAP-43 positive cells increased in the CVB-D group 1, 7, 14, and 30 days post-cerebral ischemia/perfusion compared to the lesion group, as indicated by a significant difference between the CVB-D and lesion group （P 〈 0.054）.01）. The number of neurocan-positive cells decreased in the CVB-D group on the first day compared to the model group; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. On post-ischemia days 7, 14, and 30, the number of neurocan-positive cells in the CVB-D group was significantly less than in the lesion group （P 〈 0.05）. Both, GAP-43 and neurocan expression was not detectable in brains of naive and sham-operated animals. CONCLUSION： CVB-D treatment up-regulated GAP-43 expression and down-regulated neurocan expression in the ischemic region of RHRSP rats.

Transretinoic acid inhibits rats gastric epithelial dysplasia induced by N-methyi-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine:influences on cell apoptosis and expression of its regulatory genes

INTRODUCTIONGastric epithelial dysplasia (GED) hypothetically is a straight-forward concept: dysplastic epithelium replacing the normal gastric epithelium of the stomach [1].In the stomach ,like any other segment of the gut ,it is defined as an unequivocal non-invasive epithelial change[2,3].The observation of gastric dysplasia as a cancerous lesion was recognized over a century ago ,but it is only after the advent of gastroscopy that its clinical significance has been stressed[4-7].

Vitamin D3 supplementation influences ovarian histomorphometry and follicular development in prepubertal albino rats

Objective:To evaluate the development of ovarian follicles in female albino rats following vitamin D3 supplementation.Methods:Eighteen prepubertal female albino rats,aged 3-4 weeks,weighing(70.25±9.16)g,were assigned to three groups(n=6 in each group).Group A was treated with 5.00 mL/kg of distilled water and served as the control group,group B was treated with 0.025 mg/kg of vitamin D3 dissolved in distilled water,and group C was treated with 0.125 mg/kg of vitamin D3 dissolved in distilled water.All treatments were administered orally,twice weekly for 28 days.Blood and ovaries were harvested under anaesthesia.Serum vitamin D3 levels were determined by using spectrophotometric method.Ovaries were processed for histology and every10th hematoxylin and eosin stained-section was selected for histomorphometry.The number of follicles at each developmental stage was estimated.Results:Both 0.025 mg/kg and 0.125 mg/kg of vitamin D3 significantly increased serum concentrations of vitamin D3 and calcium(P<0.05),but did not alter inorganic phosphorus concentration(P>0.05).The control group had fewer growing follicles(primary,secondary and antral follicles)and more non-growing follicles(primordial and atretic follicles)when compared with the vitamin D3-supplemented groups(P<0.05).Vitamin D3 at 0.025 mg/kg significantly increased antral follicles and corpora lutea counts(P<0.05).Vitamin D3 at 0.125 mg/kg significantly increased total,primordial and atretic follicles counts(P<0.05),but significantly decreased primary,secondary,antral follicles count,ovarian weight,relative ovarian weight,and ovarian surface area when compared with the control group and rats treated with 0.025 mg/kg of vitamin D3(P<0.05).Conclusions:Vitamin D3 supplementation at 0.025 mg/kg can enhance optimal ovarian follicle recruitment and development in female rats.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of precision T-Cell Receptors (TCRs) in targeting KRAS G12D cancer through in vitro development

Objectives:The Kirsten rat sarcoma virus(KRAS)G12D oncogenic mutation poses a significant challenge in treating solid tumors due to the lack of specific and effective therapeutic interventions.This study aims to explore innovative approaches in T cell receptor(TCR)engineering and characterization to target the KRAS G12D7-16 mutation,providing potential strategies for overcoming this therapeutic challenge.Methods:In this innovative study,we engineered and characterized two T cell receptors(TCRs),KDA11-01 and KDA11-02 with high affinity for the KRAS G12D7-16 mutation.These TCRs were isolated from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)derived from tumor tissues of patients with the KRAS G12D mutation.We assessed their specificity and anti-tumor activity in vitro using various cancer cell lines.Results:KDA11-01 and KDA11-02 demonstrated exceptional specificity for the HLA-A*11:01-restricted KRAS G12D7-16 epitope,significantly inducing IFN-γrelease and eliminating tumor cells without cross-reactivity or alloreactivity.Conclusions:The successful development of KDA11-01 and KDA11-02 introduces a novel and precise TCR-based therapeutic strategy against KRAS G12D mutation,showing potential for significant advancements in cancer immunotherapy.

Effect of 1, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D_3 on Gastric Carcinogenesis Induced by N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Rats

The effect of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1, 25 (OH)2D3) given in the post-initiation stage of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in male Wistar rats. Gastric carcinogenesis in rats was induced by administration of MNNG (150 mg·L-1) in drinking water. Four weeks after MNNG exposure, the rats were switched to the diet containing 1, 25 (OH)2D3 (2. 5 μg·kg-1 and 5. 0 μg·kg-1) and maintained on the diet. Animals were killed at week 16 and week 32 for immunohistochemical and histopathological studies. At week 16, the proliferating cell nuclear antingen (PCNA) labeling index in epithelium from the glandular stomach of rats that received 1, 25 (OH)2D3 (5.0 μg·kg-1) in combination with MNNG (150 mg·L-1) were significantly higher when compared with the rats receiving MNNG alone. Supplementation of 1, 25 (OH)2D3 (5. 0 μg·kg-1) in the rats' diet caused a dramatic increase in carcinoma incidence, and the number of individual cancer foci in the glandular stomach of rats receiving MNNG at week 32. It was concluded that certain dose of 1, 25 (OH)2D3 enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by MNNG in rats.

Expression of calbindin D28K in substantia nigra of model rats with Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND： Previous researches suggested that expression level of calbindin D28K mRNA decreased in substantia nigra （SN） of model rats with Parkinson disease （PD）, and this might be related to the decrease of anti-degeneration potentials of dopaminergic neurons. OBJECTIVE： To observe expression changes of calbindin D28K in SN dopaminergic neurons during their degeneration and death in midbrain of PD model rats. DESIGN： Completely randomized grouping design SETTING： Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical College MATERIALS＂ A total of 92 healthy male SD rats, with the age of 3 months, weighing 200-250 g, were selected from Experimental Animal Center of Xuzhou Medical College [certification： SCXK （su） 2003-0003]. Calbindin D28K（CB）, tyroxine hydroxylase （TH）, ABC kit, 6-hydroxydopamine （6-OHDA） and Nissl dyes were provided by Sigma Company, and sheep serum was provided by Beijing Zhongshan Company. METHODS： The experiment was carried out in the Neurobiological Center of Xuzhou Medical College from October 2003 to October 2004. ① With lot method, rats were divided into blank control group （n=28）, experimental control group （n=-28） and experimental group （n=36）. Rats in experimental group were injected with 6-OHDA at right corpus striatum for PD modeling; rats in experimental control group were injected with saline at the same site; rats in blank control group did not give any injections.② On the 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th days, SN segments on right midbrain from every 5 rats in experimental group were fixed, embedded with paraffin and cut into successively coronary pieces. Rats in other two groups were treated with the same methods and then stained with Nissl to show neuronal form. Meanwhile, CB and TH antibodies staining with immunohistochemistry were used to show CB containing dopaminergic neurons and dopaminergic neurons, and cells were calculated and observed under optic microscope. ③ On the 14^th and 28^th days, every 4 rats in experimental group and every 4 rats in control group were selected to obtain their brains and separate SN on the injured side. Western blot was used to detect expression of calbindin D28K, protein band was scanned with imaging equipment, and data were analyzed with LabWorks software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：① On the 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th days, Nissl staining results of SN neurons and immunohistochemical staining results of CB and TH antibodies; ② On the 14^th and 28^th days, Western blot results of calbindin D28K in SN neurons, RESULTS; Among 92 rats, 2 rats in experimental group died after 1 day due to 6-OHDA injection and other 90 rats were involved in the final analysis. ①Nissl staining results： On the 7^th day of 6-OHDA injection, most neuronal somas on right SN pars compacta were shown as deep pycnosis or lysis breakage; on the 14^th and 21^st days, amount of neurons was decreased remarkably; on the 28^th day, most neurons in SN pars compacta disappeared. ② Results of immunohistochemical staining： Amount of positive neurons of calbindin D28K in right SN pars compacta was not changed on the 7^th day after 6-OHDA injection; on the 14^th day, the amount was higher in experimental group than that in both control groups （P 〈 0.01） and was decreased till the 21^st day, but it was still higher than that in the two control groups （P 〈 0.05）; on the 28^th day, positive neurons of calbindin D28K nearly disappeared, and the amount was lower than that in the two control groups （P 〈 0.01）. In addition, on the 7^th day after 6-OHDA injection into corpus striatum, positive TH neurons decreased 24% in right SN, and there was significant difference from that in control groups; on the 14^th, 21^st and 28^th days, positive TH neurons decreased 37%, 46% and 64%, respectively. ③ Western blot results： On the 14＇h day after 6-OHDA injection into corpus striatum, expression of calbindin D28K in right SN was higher in experimental group than that in both control groups （P 〈 0.05）; however, on the 28^th day, the expression was lower than that in the two control groups （P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION ： During degeneration and death of dopaminergic neurons, CB expression in SN pars compacta increases firstly and decreased gradually.

3D数字化与C2M个性定制数字化课程建设路径探索——以高职服装与服饰设计专业为例

随着科技的不断进步,数字化技术逐渐成为各行各业发展的重要驱动力。在高职服装与服饰设计专业中建设3D数字化与C2M个性定制数字化课程,不仅能够快速、准确地获取消费者的个性化需求,还可以培养学生的创新思维和实践能力,让学生迅速适应市场需求的变化。因此,高职院校应重视3D数字化与C2M个性定制数字化课程,更新服装与服饰设计专业教材内容,加大设备投入,建立一支高质量的师资队伍,科学设置课程,加强实践教学,并深化校企合作,以此推动高职教育的可持续发展。

Multicriteria Analysis by Codification for the Determination of Soil Landscape Units in Forest and Pre-Forest Zones of Cote D’Ivoire: The Case of the Square Degrees of M’Bahiakro and Daloa

The present study, carried out in the forest (Daloa) and pre-forest (M’Bahiakro) zones of Cote d’Ivoire, aims to determine soil landscape units using the coding method. Geological maps and satellite images (SRTM and Landsat) were used for this purpose. The methodological approach adopted consisted in producing maps of slope, geology, land use and topography using the codification method. These various maps, integrated into a GIS using the coding aggregation method, were used to generate soil landscape maps. Twenty-seven (27) soil landscapes have been identified for the pre-forest zone (M’Bahiakro), with a strong dominance of acid rock over a moderate relief under savannah, forest/degraded forest and crops/fallow. However, the forest zone (Daloa), with forty-one (41) soil landscapes identified over the entire zone, is characterized by a majority of mafic rocks on a medium altitude under forest/degraded forest, water and crops/fallow. The criteria used from the codification method (sum of aggregations) made it possible to predict the spatial distribution of soil map units according to agro-ecological environments in the humid intertropical zone. This is essential for the orientation and reinforcement of soil survey tools. However, a comparative evaluation of the different multicriteria analysis methods for coding and weighting soil landscape unit mapping would enable us to identify the most suitable and efficient method for drawing up base maps for soil surveys.

CHANGES OF CATHEPSIN D AND α _2- MACROGLOBULIN IN RATS AFTER ACUTE TOTAL BODY IRRADIATION

α 2-macroglobulin (α2M) could stimulate the regeneration of thymic and bone marrow cells in rats received γ-irradiation, but there was very few reports concerning its mechanism. Wistar rats were irradiated by 16Co at 7 Gy, 8.5 Gy, 15 Gy total body doses. Blood plasma and some tissue’s extracts were collected α 2M level. a M activity and cathepsin D activity, malonaldehyde level were determined by radioimmunoassay, modified Schidlow’s method, Barrett’s method and Ohkawa’s method respectively.

Effect of propofol on the reactivity of acetylcholinesterase,N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors,and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in the hippocampus of aged rats after chronic cerebral ischemia

We induced ischemic brain injury in aging rats to examine the effects of varying doses of propofol on hippocampal activities of acetylcholinesterase, N-methyI-D-aspartate receptors, and y-aminobutyric acid receptors. Propofol exhibited no obvious impact on acetylcholinesterase activity, but directly activated the y-aminobutyric acid receptor. The neuroprotective function of propofol on the hippocampus of aging rats following cerebral ischemic injury may be related to altered activities of y-aminobutyric acid receptors and N-methyI-D-aspartate receptors.

Reversal Effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine on <i>Moringa oleifera</i>Leaves-Induced Sub-Acute Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats

Background: M. oleifera is a highly valued medicinal plant used widely from time immemorial to treat various ailments. However, with continued un-standardized use of the plant leaves, studies have reported organ toxicity to the liver, kidney and the heart. As communities continue to use M. oleifera leaves for its medicinal and nutritional values, there is need to find an antidote for its hepatotoxicity. Aim: The study established the reversal effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) on M. oleifera aqueous leaf extract-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Twenty-four (24) rats received a toxic dose (8.05 g/kg bwt) of M. oleifera leaf extract for 28 days to cause sub-acute hepatotoxicity. They were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received 1 ml normal (control group), Group II received 1000 ng/kg NAC, Group III received 1200 mg/kg NAC and Group IV received 1500 mg/kg NAC. Another group of 6 rats (Group V) received 0.75 mg/kg Paracetamol to cause hepatotoxicity. Group V (a positive control) received the prescribed clinical dose of 1200 mg/kg NAC which reverses the hepatotoxicity. All the NAC doses were given once a day intragastric for 7 days. On days: 1, 3 and 7 of receiving NAC, liver serum enzymes and bilirubin were measured. On day 7 the animals were sacrificed and liver tissue harvested for histopathology analysis. Results: A dose of 8.05 g/kg of M. oleifera leaf extract and 0.75 mg/kg Paracetamol were able to induce hepatotoxicity in Wister albino rats in 28 days. The M. oleifera extract induced hepatotoxic rats treated with NAC at doses of 1000 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg, had a reduction in mean serum liver enzymes, plus reduced mean serum bilirubin levels. The liver histopathological analysis showed reduced inflammation after treatment with NAC for 3 and 7 days in the M. oleifera and paracetamol induced hepatotoxic rats. Conclusion: NAC can reverse M. oleifera leaf aqueous extract-induced sub-acute hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino rats.

Growth of the Earthworm Millsonia omodeoi and Its Capacity to Accumulate Five Heavy Metals (HM) in Soils along a Toll Highway in Côte d’Ivoire

The roads in correlation with the traffic linked to their existences are at the origin of the emission of numerous polluting substances likely to induce disturbances of the growth and the behavioral changes in the organisms living in their vicinities. The purpose of this study is to analyze the growth and capacity accumulation of a common earthworm species (Millsonia omodeoi) in Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils along a main road called “Autoroute du Nord” in C?te d’Ivoire. Thus, the earthworms were harvested in soils from a distance of 0 m (just after the sidewalk) to a distance of 200 m from the toll highway and in a control soil sampled in Lamto reserve (C?te d’Ivoire). The study was carried out in the soil laboratory at the ecological station of Lamto reserve. The Ford-Walford technique was used to determine the model and parameters most appropriated for describing the growth of earthworms. A pairwise comparison of the growth parameters was carried out using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the STATISTICA 7.1 software. The heavy metals contained in the cultivated soils and earthworms were detected and quantified using a Scanning Electron Micro-scope (MEB FEG Supra 40 VP Zeiss) and an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer SPECTRA 110 (VARIAN). The capacity accumulation of heavy metals in earthworm was determined by the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) calculation. The results of this study showed that Gompertz is the most appropriated model to describe the growth of M. omodeoi. The life cycle of M. omodeoi shows that this earthworm adopts a K type demographic strategy. Cu is the most accumulated heavy metals in M. omodeoi, when Cr is the least accumulated. Concerning heavy metal content in the earthworms, it decreases while moving away from the pavement. These results highlight a possibility of choice of M. omodeoi as 1) indicators of heavy metals pollution and 2) target of biological organisms for environmental impact studies.

Impact of 1,25-(OH)_2D_3 on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Objective To investigate the impact of 1, 25-(OH)2D3 on left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) in type 2 diabetic rats. Methods Type 2 diabetic mellitus(DM) model rats were established by intraperitoneally injecting with 30 mg/kg streptozotocin. After 8 weeks, 19 male rats were identified as diabetic with left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) by ultrasound examination, and randomly assigned into three groups: untreated(DM-LVH, n=7), treated with insulin(DM-LVH+INS, n=6), and treated with 1, 25-(OH)2D3(DM-LVH+VD, n=6). Healthy male rats were used as the controls group(n=6). The fasting blood glucose and the insulin level were determined weekly. The left ventricular mass index, myocardial collagen content, collagen volume fraction, and 1, 25-(OH)2D3-receptor level were determined by 4 weeks later. Results In the DM-LVH model group, the insulin level was significantly decreased compared with the non-diabetic control group(P<0.05), whereas the blood glucose, left ventricular mass index, myocardial collagen content, collagen volume fraction, and 1, 25-(OH)2D3-receptor expression were significantly increased(all P<0.05). In the DM-LVH+INS and DM-LVH+VD groups, the insulin levels were significantly increased compared with the DM-LVH model group(P<0.05), whereas the other parameters were significantly decreased(all P<0.05). Conclusion 1, 25-(OH)2D3 could reverse LVH in diabetic rats and that the mechanism may involve stimulating insulin secretion and reducing blood glucose via direct up-regulation of 1, 25-(OH)2D3-receptor expression.

EFFECTS OF PASSIVE STRETCH ON SOLEUS MUSCLE ATROPHY IN IMMOBILIZED RATS

Objective To study the possible mechanism and prevention of disused muscle atrophy. Methods The shortened immobilization (plaster fixation) of rat’s soleus muscle(SOL) was used as the model of muscle "disuse" and the lengthened immobilization of rat’s SOL muscle as "passive stretch" method. Types of skeletal muscle fibers were differentiated with m-ATPase staining technique. The changes of rat’s SOL weight (wet weight) as well as the types and the mean cross sectional area (CSA) of muscle fibers were examined respectively on days 2,4,7,14 and 21 under both shortened and lengthened immobilization, and then the effect of passive stretch on soleus muscle atrophy in immobilized rats was observed. Results When shortened immobilization was applied for 4 days, SOL weight (wet weight ) became lighter, the fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) shrank, and type Ⅰ muscle fibers started to transform into type Ⅱ, which all indicated that immobilized muscles began to atrophy, and as immobilization proceeded, muscle atrophy proceeded toward higher level. In contrast to that, when lengthened immobilization was applied, SOL didn’t show any signs of atrophy until day 7, the sign reached its highest level on day 14 and maintained that level even though immobilization continued. Conclusion From the results, we conclude that the passive stretch can either relieve or retard the disused muscle atrophy.

The effects of 90-day feeding of D-psicose syrup in male wistar rats

D-Psicose is a rare sugar present in small quantities in natural products. In a previous study, we showed that D-psicose suppresses increase in plasma glucose and reduces body fat accumulation in rats. Based on acute and chronic toxicity testing in rats, D-psicose is classified as an ordinary and safe substance. Recently, we developed a high D-psicose syrup (PS) made from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) by the alkaline isomerization method. However, the safety of PS as a food additive has not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the effects of 90-day feeding of PS in male Wistar rats. The rats were fed diets containing 3% D-psicose (control) or 4.3% PS for 90 days. The body weight gain and intra-abdominal adipose tissue weight did not differ between the control and PS group. The weights of the tissues did not differ between the two dietary groups. In clinical chemistry and hematological analyses, no differences were found between the control and PS groups. No gross pathological findings were evident at dietary doses of 4.3% PS. Therefore, the present study found no adverse effects of PS in rats fed a diet containing 4.3% PS for 90 days.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 protein expression in the hippocampus and temporal cortex of kainic acid-induced epilepsy rats

BACKGROUND： The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 （NMDAR1） contributes to the incidence of epilepsy. However, the relationship between epilepsy-induced brain injury and NMDAR1 remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in NMDAR1 protein expression in the hippocampus and temporal cortex of kainic acid-induced epilepsy rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETFING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Physiology and Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Jilin University from March 2002 to March 2003. MATERIALS： Rabbit anti-NMDAR1 antibody was purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, China. METHODS： A total of 80 healthy, male, Wistar rats, aged 22 weeks, were randomly assigned to sham-surgery （n = 10） and model （n = 70） groups. Epilepsy models were established by injecting kainic acid （1μL） into the right amygdala, and rats were sacrificed at 2, 6, 24, 72 hours, and 7, 15, 30 days after surgery, with 10 animals at each time point. The rats in the sham-surgery group were injected with 1μL phosphate buffered saline into the right amygdala. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： NMDAR1 protein expression in the hippocampus and temporal cortex at 2, 6, 24, 72 hours and 7, 15, 30 days after epilepsy was detected using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS： In the sham-surgery group, a few NMDARl-positive cells were distributed in the hippocampus and temporal cortex. In the model group, NMDARl-positive cells were increased in the hippocampus and temporal cortex at 2 hours following kainic acid-induced epilepsy. They were significantly increased at 6 hours, and slightly decreased at 7 days （CA3 region and temporal cortex）, but remained greater than the sham-surgery group. This continued until day 30 （P 〈 0.01 ）. In addition, there were more NMDAR1 positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus than the temporal cortex （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： In epilepsy model rats, NMDAR1 protein expression was upregulated in the hippocampus and temporal cortex, and in particular in the hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus. NMDAR1 may participate in epilepsy and the excitation process of the epileptic brain.