Establishment of an immortalized cell line derived from the pupal ovary of Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and identification of the cell source.

Determining the source of primary cells is conductive to enriching sufficient cells with immortal potential thereby improving the success rate of establishing cell lines. However, most of the existing insect cell lines are established by mixing and fragmentation of explants. At present, the origin of cell lines can only be determined according to the cultured tissues, so it is impossible to determine which cell types they come from. In this study, a new cell line designated IOZCAS-Myse-1 was generated from pupal ovaries of the migratory pest Mythimna separata by explant tissues to derive adherent cultures. This paper mainly shows the further descriptive information on the origin of primary cells in the process of ovarian tissue isolation and culture. Phospho-histone H3 antibody-labeled cells with mitotic activity showed that the rapidly developing somatic cells in vivo gradually stopped proliferation when cultured ex vivo. The primary cells dissociated outside the tissue originated from the lumen cells, rather than the germ cells or the follicular epithelium cells. The results suggest that the newly established cell line IOZCAS-Myse-1 had two possible sources. One is the mutation of lumen cells in the vitellarium, and the other is the stem cells with differentiation potential in the germarium of the ovarioles. Moreover, the newly established cell line is sensitive to the infection of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus, responds to 20-hydroxyecdysone and has weak encapsulation ability. Therefore, the new cell line can be a useful platform for replication of viral insecticides, screening of hormone-based insecticides and immunology research.

Zinc protects against cadmium-induced toxicity in neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissues via metallothionein-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential heavy metal and a prevalent environmental toxin that has been shown to induce significant cardiomyocyte apoptosis in neonatal murine engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs). In contrast, zinc (Zn) is a potent metallothionein (MT) inducer, which plays an important role in protection against Cd toxicity. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Zn against Cd toxicity in ECTs and explore the underlying mechanisms. ECTs were constructed from neonatal ventricular cells of wild-type (WT) mice and mice with global MT gene deletion (MT-KO). In WT-ECTs, Cd (5-20 µM) caused a dose-dependent toxicity that was detected within 8 h evidenced by suppressed beating, apoptosis, and LDH release; Zn (50-200 µM) dose-dependently induced MT expression in ECTs without causing ECT toxicity; co-treatment of ECT with Zn (50 µM) prevented Cd-induced toxicity. In MT-KO ECTs, Cd toxicity was enhanced; but unexpectedly, cotreatment with Zn provided partial protection against Cd toxicity. Furthermore, Cd, but not Zn, significantly activated Nrf2 and its downstream targets, including HO-1; inhibition of HO-1 by a specific HO-1 inhibitor, ZnPP (10 µM), significantly increased Cd-induced toxicity, but did not inhibit Zn protection against Cd injury, suggesting that Nrf2-mediated HO-1 activation was not required for Zn protective effect. Finally, the ability of Zn to reduce Cd uptake provided an additional MT-independent mechanism for reducing Cd toxicity. Thus, Zn exerts protective effects against Cd toxicity for murine ECTs that are partially MT-mediated. Further studies are required to translate these findings towards clinical trials.

Risk Factors for Dural Tears in Thoracic and Lumbar Burst Fractures Associated With Vertical Laminar Fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To reveal the risk factors for dural tears in thoracic and lumbar (TL) burst fractures associated with vertical laminar fractures through multivariate analysis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Dural tears associated with laminar fractures in patients with TL burst fractures represents a special group requires distinct treatment with different surgical prognosis. It is still very difficult to predict dural tears in patients with vertical laminar fractures. The risk factors for dural tears have seldom been evaluated. METHODS: Medical records of 113 patients of TL burst fractures with vertical laminar fractures were reviewed. The data were subdivided into two groups consisting of patients with and without dural tears. Demographic information, preoperative clinical, and radiological characteristics were compared between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to determine the independent risk factors for dural tears. RESULTS: The incidence of dural tear was 27.4% in this retrospective cohort. When compared with the dural intact group, the dural tear group had significantly worse preoperative neurological status, wider interpedicular distance, greater separation of laminar fractures, and larger encroachment of retropulsed fragment in the bony spinal canal. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the ratio of interpedicular distance greater than 125% (odds ratio = 9.5; P < 0.001) and the ratio of encroachment of retropulsed fragment in the bony spinal canal of more than 50% (odds ratio = 61.2; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for dural tears. CONCLUSION: Patients with wider interpedicular distance and larger encroachment of retropulsed fragment in the bony spinal canal were more likely to have dural tears in TL burst fractures with vertical laminar fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

The Correlation Between Vertical Laminar Fractures and the Severity of Associated Burst Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Patients with laminar fractures have a higher chance of experiencing severe trauma and neurologic deficit. In previous studies, laminar fractures were divided into different types based on the axial plane of computed tomographic scans. No report described the morphology of vertical laminar fractures in the coronal plane. Furthermore, the correlation between a specific type of laminar fracture and the extent of severity of thoracolumbar (TL) burst fractures has rarely been mentioned. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 341 patients with TL burst fractures with or without laminar fractures were divided into 6 groups based on the morphology observed across reconstructed coronal and axial computed tomographic planes. The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS), Load Sharing Classification (LSC), and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale were evaluated for each patient. Intergroup comparisons were also performed for all metrics. RESULTS: The TLICS, LSC, and ASIA impairment scale were determined for each laminar fracture group. Statistical differences were found in most intergroup comparisons across all metrics. Significantly higher injury scores were observed in the groups with a more severe coronal and axial laminar fracture, and the injury severity in the coronal scan played a more decisive role. CONCLUSIONS: The morphology of vertical laminar fractures as observed across multiple image planes was more complex and accurate than an analysis based solely on the axial plane. Different morphologies indicated differences in the severity of associated TL burst fractures. The laminar fracture in the coronal plane was associated with the severity of spinal injury.

Cervical myelopathy caused by invaginated laminae of the axis associated with occipitalizaion of the atlas: Case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: In previous studies, few cases of cervical myelopathy caused by invaginated anomalous laminae of the axis have been reported, and none of them was combined with occipitalization of the atlas. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 28-year-old male was brought to our hospital with motor and sensory impairments of the extremities after a car accident. DIAGNOSES: MRI showed the spinal cord was markedly compressed at the C2/3 level. Reconstructed CT scans revealed an invaginated laminae of axis into the spinal canal as well as atlas assimilation. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was successfully managed with surgical treatment by removal of the anomalous osseous structure as well as fixation and fusion. OUTCOMES: The patient had a rapid recovery after the operation. He regained the normal strength of his 4 extremities and the numbness of his extremities disappeared. He returned to his normal work 3 months after the surgery without any symptoms. LESSONS: Invaginated laminae of axis combined with occipitalization of the atlas is a rare deformity. MRI and reconstructed CT scans are useful for both diagnosing and surgical planning of this case. Surgical removal of the laminae results in a satisfactory outcome. The pathogenesis of this anomaly could be the fusion sequence error of the 4 chondrification centers in the embryological term.

[Study of molecular genetics of the size of reproductive organs and litter size in the sow].

The mutations of ESR, PRLR and FSHR genes were investigated by SNP; 103 F2 sows were slaughtered and their reproductive organs were determined; the litter size of sow was recorded. The linkage between mutations of genes and size of reproductive organ, litter size was analyzed. The results revealed: these sows that could provide more piglets with bigger reproductive organs usually carried genotype like as genotype BB on the sites of ESR, FSHRB and the genotype AA on the sites of ESRB and PRLR, that is, the genotype of BB on the sites of ESR or FSHRB in sow was not only helpful to promote growth of reproductive organs, but also benefit to improve litter size; The size of productive organs and litter size of the sow with genotype AA on the sites of ESRB or PRLR were significantly higher than those of sow with genotype AB or BB.