Evaluation of the changes of immune cells during lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in rats, changes in peripheral blood immune cells and mammary tissue after an intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results of the study showed that infusion of LPS induced a rapid migration of neutrophils (PMNs) from the blood to mammary alveoli, increased the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mammary tissues, decreased the activity of myeloperoxidase in serum and reduced the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. This is the first report of changes in peripheral blood immune cells and mammary tissue in rat mastitis.

CpG-ODN enhances mammary gland defense during mastitis induced by Escherichia coli infection in goats.

Seven healthy native goats in early lactation, weighing 30-40 kg, were used in this study. The right mammary gland of the seven does were infused with CpG-ODN at a dosage of 100 microg kg(-1) body weight on the day 5 postpartum (PP). The left glands were used as controls and infused with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). On day 8 PP, the same dosage of CpG-ODN or PBS was again infused. On day 9 PP, the mammary glands (both right and left) of the seven does were infused with 6 x 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) Escherichia coli and, at 0, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h postinfection (PI), milk samples were collected from all glands. Goats were euthanized at 72 h PI and the mammary tissue harvested. Infusion with 6 x 10(6)CFU ml(-1)E. coli induced acute mastitis. Histopathological evaluations showed that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were still present in alveoli at 72 h PI, but PMNs in the CpG-ODN-treated glands has disappeared. Bacteria counts in milk peaked at 16 h PI and CpG-ODN induced a significant decrease in viable bacteria from 16 h PI until the end of the experiment. This study showed that CpG-ODN promoted the expression of its specific receptor (TLR-9 mRNA) in mammary tissue, stimulated IL-6 production, reduced bacteria counts in milk, attenuated the impact of inflammation mediators on cells and significantly shortened the inflammation course. These results suggest that the CpG-ODN improved mammary gland defense and, thereby, had a beneficial effects against mastitis caused by E. coli infection in goats.

[Analysis and discrimination of infant powdered milk via FTIR spectroscopy].

Six kinds of infant powdered milk were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and their corresponding second derivative infrared spectra. The main nutritious components such as lipid (1,747, 2,854 and 2,926 cm(-1)), protein (1,658 and 1,540 cm(-1)), and carbohydrate(1,200-900 cm(-1)) of had distinct fingerprint characteristics of FTIR spectra. Maltodextrin, sucrose and lactose also had obvious spectral characteristics, which changed with different added content. For the samples from the same factory but with different sorts, there was some dissimilarity in the relative intensities of infrared absorption peaks due to the difference in fat, protein and carbohydrate. For the samples of the same sort but from different factories, there are certain similarities in the IR spectra, however, the second derivative infrared spectra present different fingerprint characteristics. This analytical method is fast and direct for evaluating the quality of infant powdered milk.

[Analysis and discrimination of Collocalia esculenta L. via FTIR spectroscopy].

Collocalia esculenta L. is called Yanwo in China. Thirty kinds of dry yanwo were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) . The results indicated that there were some obvious differences in FTIR between the dry yanwo and the natural yanwo, mainly represented in some absorption peaks of protein, amino acid (1 634, 1 535 cm(-1)) and amylase (1 034 cm9-1)). Meanwhile, the shape, position and intensity of the peaks from methylene (2 935 cm(-1)), protein and amino acid (1 647, 1 533, 1 447 cm(-1)) in dry yanwo were similar to those of the glutin. Therefore, different amounts of glutin were added in dry yanwo samples. The content of candy in some dry candy yanwo products was as high as 99%, but the content of yanwo was only 1%. The characteristic peaks of yanwo in these products even could not be found. So the quality of yanwo in the market could not be guaranteed from these results. FTIR is fast and direct to analyse and evaluate the quality of yanwo product.

[Quality analysis of powdered milk via FTIR spectroscopy].

Eleven kinds of powdered milk were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The main nutritious components had distinct fingerprint characteristics in the IR spectra of milk powder. For samples from the same factory but of different brands, there was some dissimilarities in the relative intensities of infrared absorption peaks due to the difference in fat, protein and carbohydrate as well. For the samples of the same sort, but from different factories, there were certain similarities in the IR spectra. The spectra of milk powders with high level of fat, protein, and carbohydrates have their own characteristic absorption prak in the FTIR. Three kinds of commonly used excipients: maltodextrin, sucrose and lactose, all have specific fingerprint features, which change as their amounts alter. The present research provides a fast and direct method for evaluating the quality of powdered milk.

[On two editions of Yunyu Xuanji and their source].

Yunyu Xuanji is considered as one of the 400 key ancient books in the 'TCM Ancient Books Protection and Use Project' by the State Bureau of TCM. Two editions of this book are hand-written copies. The Qianyao edition was finished in the 52(nd) year of the Kangxi Period (1713). The other edition (Taoshi Xianyishukoucongshu) was probably done in the Late Qing Dynasty or the period of the Republic of China. By careful comparison, the contents of the two editions are basically the same, and only the preface of the former edition has been given some changes, which were probably made by later generations. The second manuscript was written in a more standard mode. Therefore the two editions were written according to the same literature and it is possible that the latter one is the copied edition of the Qianyao edition.

[On the academic value of Wutingzisujiebashiyinanjing (Wutingzi's Vernacular Explanation of Nanjing).].

Nanjing, one of the four ancient classics of TCM, was followed by later students of TCM, XIONG Zong-li, a famous doctor and publisher in the Ming Dynasty, compiled Wutingzisujiebashiyinanjing (Wutingzi's Vernacular Explanation of Nanjing) which combined visual and legible graphic interpretation with vernacular language to explain, or quoted the classics, combined with his own opinions. This book popularly and vividly displayed the substance of Nanjing to the descendants and made a great contribution to the popularization and propagation of TCM classics. It is a valuable reference book both to students and researchers of Nanjing.

Retinoid protects rats against neutrophil-induced oxidative stress in acute experimental mastitis.

Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMN) are able to produce large quantities of bactericidal molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are associated with tissue damage in models of inflammatory mastitis. In this study, the putative protective effect of retinoid was evaluated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced mastitis model in rats. Commencing at 10 d of gestation, retinoid (dissolved in olive oil) or an equal volume of olive oil were administered daily by gavage to pregnant rats until parturition. LPS or pyrogen-free physiological saline were infused into the mammary gland 72 h after parturition. At pre-infusion (defined as 0 h) and at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h post-infusion, six rats from each group were euthanized. Retinoid administration decreased PMN accumulation in mammary alveoli, significantly decreased the level of TNF-alpha in mammary tissues and IL-8 in serum at the different time points. ROS release was significantly increased after LPS infusion and was reduced by retinoid at 16 h PI. Retinoid reduced N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity in both serum and mammary tissue at 8 h PI. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) mRNA expression reached its peak value earlier in retinoid treated rats than in the control group. Overall, the results suggest that activated PMN play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute mastitis and retinoid administration may be an effective tool for protecting mammary tissue against PMN-induced oxidative stress during LPS-induced acute mastitis.