Search

To improve the application of hematology and urine testing of laboratory animals, and the consistency and effectiveness of the on-site review in China, there is a need for further standardization of the expression of testing ability in this field. In addition, it promotes better understanding and acceptance of the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) recognized results by relevant parties. In this paper, the expression of the accredited competence scope in the domestic and international institutes of laboratory animal hematology, blood biochemistry, and urine analysis fields were analyzed and compared. This study provides the CNAS with recommendations to standardize the expression of accreditation ability. In addition, it provides a detailed theoretical reference for further improving the process of standardizing testing of laboratory animals in China.

ObjectiveTo establish a novel sustained collection method for mesenteric lymph fluid by means of assisted reflux from the mesenteric-jugular lymphatic duct in rats.MethodsSixteen male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups. The control group underwent duodenal and intestinal lymphatic duct cannulation, after which intestinal lymph fluid was collected. The experimental group underwent jugular vein and intestinal lymphatic duct cannulation to establish intestinal-jugular lymphatic duct assisted reflux. The intestinal lymph fluid was collected on the 7th day after the operation using an awake mobility device. The flow rate of intestinal lymph fluid was recorded, and its cellular components and some biochemical indicators were detected.ResultsMesenteric-jugular lymphatic duct vein cannulation assisted reflux was successfully established in rats, and the rat models could be maintained for more than seven days. The intestinal lymph flow rate was （2.01±0.12） mL/h in the experimental group, which was higher than that of the control group [(0.92±0.09) mL/h, P＜0.01]. The number of lymphocytes (LYM#) and percentage of lymphocytes (LYM/%) in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01). The percentage of neutrophils (NEUT/%) and percentage of monocytes (MONO/%) were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.01, P＜0.05, respectively). The concentrations of K+, Na+, CO2, and urea in the lymph fluid of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P＜0.01). However, the concentrations of triacylglycerol (TG) and P3+ were lower than those of the control group (P＜0.01).ConclusionThis novel method can achieve real-time and long-term collection of mesenteric lymph fluid in rats under the condition of being awake, unrestricted in diet and in normal state, avoiding the influence of surgical stress, general anesthesia or animal restraint on the experimental results.

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of probucol olive oil and suspension formulations on the pharmacokinetics and mesenteric lymphatic transport in rats using an innovative mesenteric-jugular lymphatic duct assisted reflux model.MethodsTwelve Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: suspension preparation-jugular vein single cannulation group (H-JD group), suspension preparation-jugular vein and intestinal lymphatic double cannulation group (H-JCS group), olive oil preparation-jugular vein single cannulation group (G-JD group), olive oil preparation-jugular vein and intestinal lymphatic double cannulation group (G-JCS group). The concentrations of probucol in whole blood and lymph fluid of rats at different times were determined by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and drug-time curves were drawn. The pharmacokinetic parameters, relativebioavailability (Frel) and percentage dose in lymph fluid were calculated.ResultsThe drug-time curve of each group conformed to the non-compartmental model. The peak times (Tmax) of the H-JD group, H-JCS group, G-JD group, and G-JCS group were (11±12), (5±2), (13±9), and (19±9) h, respectively; the peak concentrations (Cmax) were (148±60), (207±137), (453±204), and (309±177) ng/mL, respectively; the areas under the curve (AUClast) were (3 210±885), (3 677±2 014), (12 360±6 629), and (8 080±3 064) h·ng·mL-1, respectively. The percentages of lymphatic fluid dose in the H-JCS and G-JCS groups were (1.29±0.50)% and (2.59±0.43)%. Compared with the H-JD group, the Frel of probucol in the G-JD group was (409±269)%; compared with the H-JCS group, the Frel of probucol in the G-JCS group was (309±256)%. Compared with the H-JD and H-JCS groups, the whole blood values of Cmax, Tmax, AUClast and percentage of lymphatic fluid probucol concentrations of the G-JD and the G-JCS groups were significantly increased (P＜0.05). The AUClast of whole blood in the G-JD group was significantly higher than that in the G-JCS group (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference between the H-JD and H-JCS groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionOlive oil formulation can improve the ratio of probucol transport through mesenteric lymph as well as its bioavailability.

Background: Androgen alopecia (AGA), the most common type of alopecia worldwide, has become an important medical and social issue. Accumulating evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the progression of various human diseases, including AGA. However, the potential roles of lncRNAs in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and their subsequent relevance for AGA have not been fully elucidated. The current study aimed to explore the function and molecular mechanism of the lncRNA AC010789.1 in AGA progression. Methods: We investigated the expression levels of AC010789.1 in AGA scalp tissues compared with that in normal tissues and explored the underlying mechanisms using bioinformatics. HFSCs were then isolated from hair follicles of patients with AGA, and an AC010789.1-overexpressing HFSC line was produced and verified. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to verify the molecular mechanisms involved. Results: AC010789.1 overexpression promoted the proliferation and differentiation of HFSCs. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that AC010789.1 overexpression promotes the biological function of HFSCs by downregulating miR-21-5p and TGF- β 1 expression but upregulating the Wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: These results reveal that overexpression of AC010789.1 suppresses AGA progression via downregulation of hsa-miR-21-5p and TGF- β 1 and promotion of the Wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway, highlighting a potentially promising strategy for AGA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KitW-2Bao mice are single-gene autosomal dominant mutation mice with a B6 background that were bred in our laboratory. Heterozygotes had morphological characteristics including albinism of the abdomen, extremities, and tail, whereas the homozygotes had albinism of the body, black eyes, and infertility. The homozygous mutants showed small, structurally abnormal gonads, and lacked germ cells. Heterozygous male mice lacked germ cells in some contorted seminiferous tubules. This mutation has been mapped at 43.8 cM from the centromere in chromosome 5 by linkage analysis and Kit has been identified as the candidate gene. After Kit full-length mRNA amplification, it was found that a G to T conversion at position 1228 in the ORF changed the 410th amino acid from V to F. This amino acid change could affect the protein's secondary structure. Heterozygous mutant mice were intercrossed and homozygous mutant mice were bred and genotyped. We found that no primordial germ cells (PGCs) appeared in the urogenital ridge area at fetus day 11.5 in the homozygotes. The number of PGCs also significantly decreased in heterozygotes. At fetus day 15.5, the differentiation of the testis tubule structure was unclear; as well, they contained no spermatogonia. Female homozygotes contained no primordial follicles in the ovary. The numbers of PGCs and primordial follicles were significantly decreased in heterozygous mice. W2Bao is the only mutated site in the extracellular 4th Ig-like domain and this mutant mouse model provides new material for the study of the mechanism of reproductive system development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scant hair mutant mouse (locus symbol: snthr1Bao) is a recessive mutation that originated in an ethylnitrosourea chemical carcinogenesis study using the DBA/2J inbred strain. The gene responsible for the mutation was previously determined to be phospholipase C, delta 1 (Plcd1; mutant allele symbol Plcd11Bao). To map the modifiers of Plcd1, an intercross (DBA/2J-snthr1Bao/snthr1Bao x C57BL/6J+/+) was conducted. The F2 mutant progeny exhibited a variety of alopecia phenotypes; all F2 mutants (n=507) were classified into 3 groups (mild, moderate, and severe alopecia) and genotyped based on 96 microsatellites. A major QTL was identified on mouse chromosome (mChr) 15 at 12 cM with an LOD score greater than 7 (P < 0.0001). Three minor QTLs were detected on mChr 2, 5, and 7 at 40, 84 and 48 cM, respectively. The QTLs on mChr 7 and 15 were associated with minor alopecia while the QTLs on mChr 2 and 5 were associated with moderate to severe alopecia. No antagonistic or synergistic effects among or between the 4 QTLs were found. Integrating the functions of the 4 potential regulatory QTLs and mutant Plcd1snthr1Bao, we found that these QTLs might contribute to variations of scant hair severity by altering the Ca2+ signal pathways in mouse skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scant hair mutant mouse (locus symbol: snthr1Bao) is a recessive mutation that originated in an ethylnitrosourea chemical carcinogenesis study using the DBA/2J inbred strain. The gene responsible for the mutation was previously determined to be phospholipase C, delta 1 (Plcd1; mutant allele symbol Plcd11Bao). To map the modifiers of Plcd1, an intercross (DBA/2J-snthr1Bao/snthr1Bao x C57BL/6J+/+) was conducted. The F2 mutant progeny exhibited a variety of alopecia phenotypes; all F2 mutants (n=507) were classified into 3 groups (mild, moderate, and severe alopecia) and genotyped based on 96 microsatellites. A major QTL was identified on mouse chromosome (mChr) 15 at 12 cM with an LOD score greater than 7 (P < 0.0001). Three minor QTLs were detected on mChr 2, 5, and 7 at 40, 84 and 48 cM, respectively. The QTLs on mChr 7 and 15 were associated with minor alopecia while the QTLs on mChr 2 and 5 were associated with moderate to severe alopecia. No antagonistic or synergistic effects among or between the 4 QTLs were found. Integrating the functions of the 4 potential regulatory QTLs and mutant Plcd1snthr1Bao, we found that these QTLs might contribute to variations of scant hair severity by altering the Ca2+ signal pathways in mouse skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is the main downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, which is involved in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to comprehensively understand the prognostic performances of YAP1 expression and its potential mechanism in pan-cancers by mining databases. Methods: The YAP1 expression was evaluated by the Oncomine database and GEPIA tool. The clinical significance of YAP1 expression was analyzed by the UALCAN, GEPIA, and DriverDBv3 database. Then, the co-expressed genes with YAP1 were screened by the LinkedOmics, and annotated by the Metascape and DAVID database. Additionally, by the MitoMiner 4.0 v tool, the YAP1 co-expressed genes were screened to obtain the YAP1-associated mitochondrial genes that were further enriched by DAVID and analyzed by MCODE for the hub genes. Results: YAP1 was differentially expressed in human cancers. Higher YAP1 expression was significantly associated with poorer overall survival and disease-free survival in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), brain Lower Grade Glioma (LGG), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). The LinkedOmics analysis revealed 923 co-expressed genes with YAP1 in adrenocortical carcinoma, LGG and PAAD. The 923 genes mainly participated in mitochondrial functions including mitochondrial gene expression and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly. Of the 923 genes, 112 mitochondrial genes were identified by MitoMiner 4.0 v and significantly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation. The MCODE analysis identified three hub genes including CHCHD1, IDH3G and NDUFAF5. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the YAP1 overexpression could be a biomarker for poor prognosis in ACC, LGG and PAAD. Specifically, the YAP1 co-expression genes were mainly involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function especially in oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, our findings provided evidence of the carcinogenesis of YAP1 in human cancers and new insights into the mechanisms underlying the role of YAP1 in mitochondrial dysregulation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wu, Tang, Ke, Zhou, Zhou, Tang and Ke.)

Immunofluorescence is an invaluable technique widely used in cell biology. This technique allows visualization of the subcellular distribution of different target proteins or organelles, by specific recognition of the antibody to the endogenous protein itself or to its antigen via the epitope. This technique can be used on tissue sections, cultured cells, or individual cells. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence can also be used in combination with non-antibody fluorescent staining, such as DAPI or fluorescent fusion proteins, e.g., GFP or YFP, etc.Autophagy is a catabolic pathway in which dysfunctional organelles and cellular components are degraded via lysosomes. During this process, cytoplasmic LC3 translocates to autophagosomal membranes. Therefore, cells undergoing autophagy can be identified by visualizing fluorescently labeled LC3 or other autophagy markers. Immunofluorescence is an important part of autophagy detection methods even if observation of the formation of autophagosome by transmission electron microscopy has become a gold standard for characterizing autophagy.By observing the immunofluorescence staining of some key autophagy proteins, we can intuitively evaluate the levels of autophagy in samples. Herein, this protocol describes the predominant method used for the research of autophagy, which mainly focuses on the immunofluorescence staining of cellular LC3, P62, and ULK1 in response to normoxia and hypoxia, by presenting the detailed materials required and methodology.