Establishment and optimization of an in vitro guinea pig oocyte maturation system.

Guinea pigs are a valuable animal model for studying various diseases, including reproductive diseases. However, techniques for generating embryos via embryo engineering in guinea pigs are limited; for instance, in vitro maturation (IVM) technique is preliminary for guinea pig oocytes. In this study, we aimed to establish and optimize an IVM method for guinea pig oocytes by investigating various factors, such as superovulation induced by different hormones, culture supplementation (e.g., amino acids, hormone, and inhibitors), culture conditions (e.g., oocyte type, culture medium type, and treatment time), and in vivo hCG stimulation. We found that oocytes collected from guinea pigs with superovulation induced by hMG have a higher IVM rate compared to those collected from natural cycling individuals. Moreover, we found that addition of L-cysteine, cystine, and ROS in the culture medium can increase the IVM rate. In addition, we demonstrated that in vivo stimulation with hCG for 3-8 h can further increase the IVM rate. As a result, the overall IVM rate of guinea pig oocytes under our optimized conditions can reach ~69%, and the mature oocytes have high GSH levels and normal morphology. In summary, we established an effective IVM method for guinea pig oocytes by optimizing various factors and conditions, which provides a basis for embryo engineering using guinea pigs as a model.

[Clinical study on prevention of recurrence of asthma in children by Xiaochuangao acupoint paste: treating winter diseases in summer].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the clinical efficacy of Xiaochuangao acupoint paste (XAP) in treating asthma in children. METHOD: Ninety children patients with asthma were randomly assigned to three groups with 30 patients each, being treated with XAP, hormone and XAP combined with hormone, respectively. The changes of the lung function and the recurrence times during one-year follow-up were observed. RESULT: Group II (Hormone group) saw higher total effective rate (69.2%) than Group I (XAP group) (63.3%) , but with no statistic difference between these two groups. Group llI (XAP and Hormone) saw the highest total effective rate (93.1%), with significant statistic difference from the other two groups (P < 0.05). All three groups saw the significant increase of the levels of FEV1, FEV11/FVC and PEF after the treatments (P < 0.05), while no statistical difference of FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF were observed in the three groups before the treatments. After the treatments, statistic differences of FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF between Group Ill and Group II were observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: XAP played a role in preventing the recurrence of asthma in children. Combined with hormone, XAP showed better effects.

[Clinical observation of effects of Modified Sijunzi Decoction on the intestinal mucosal barrier of giant colon children patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study whether Modified Sijunzi Decoction (MSD) has protective effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier function of giant colon children. METHODS: Thirty-two giant colon children patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the treatment group (16 cases) took MDS after cleaning edema, while cleaning enema was given to those in the control group 10 days before operation. The affected colon tissues were cut out during the radical correction and made into slices. The secreted immunoglobulin A (SIgA) level of colonic mucosal lamina propria plasma cells ws detected using immunohistochemical assay. The colonic mucosal gland density was detected under the light microscope. The tight junction between the colon epitheliums, the epithelium microvilli, the morphologies of organelles such as mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, etc. were observed under the electron microscope. RESULTS: The average number of colonic mucosal glands and the SigA value of submucosal lamina propria plasma cells were higher in the treatment group than in the control group under the high power field. Compared with the control group, more intact morphologies of organelles were observed under the electron microscope. CONCLUSION: MSD could strengthen the intestinal mucosal barrier function of giant colon children and play certain roles in protecting its functions through improving the proliferation of the intestinal mucosa cells and maintaining the integrity of the bowel mucosa, as well as enhancing the local intestinal immunity.