The Effects of Poria cocos Polysaccharides on Growth Performance, Immunity, and Cecal Microflora Composition of Weaned Piglets.

This paper aims to identify Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) as a potential feed additive used for swine production; thus, we explored the effects of different dietary inclusion levels of PCP on growth performance, immunity, and cecal microflora composition in weaned piglets. For this, a total of 120 28-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets (8.51 ± 0.19 kg; 28 ± 1 days of age) were randomly allocated to five groups that were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% PCP, respectively, for 42 days. The results indicated that the average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio were higher in the PCP treatment groups than in the control group, with a linear effect. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IL-2, IFN-γ, the number of CD4+ T cells, and the CD4+-to-CD8+ T-cell ratio (CD4+/CD8+) were increased, while the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased in the PCP supplementation groups compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the cytokine mRNA expression levels exhibited a similar trend in the spleen. PCP supplementation also reduced the abundance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella and enhanced that of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecum. In summary, dietary PCP inclusion exerted positive effects on the growth performance, immunity, and cecal microbiota of piglets and showed potential for use as a feed additive for improving the health of weaned piglets, with 0.1% being the optimal dosage.

Comparison of Growth Performance, Carcass Properties, Fatty Acid Profile, and Genes Involved in Fat Metabolism in Nanyang and Landrace Pigs.

This study compared the growth, carcass properties, fatty acid profile, lipid-producing enzyme activity, and expression pattern of genes involved in fat metabolism in Nanyang and Landrace pigs. In the study, 32 Nanyang (22.16 ± 0.59 kg) and 32 Landrace barrows (21.37 ± 0.57 kg) were selected and divided into two groups, each with eight pens and four pigs per pen. The trial period lasted 90 days. The findings showed that the Nanyang pigs had lower average daily weight gain and lean percentage and higher average backfat thickness and lipogenic enzyme activities, including for acetyl-CoA carboxylase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and fatty acid synthase, than the Landrace pigs. A total of 14 long-chain fatty acids were detected using HPLC-MS, in which it was found that the levels of C14:0, C18:1n-9, C20:1n-9, C20:4n-6, and MUFA were up-regulated and C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, PUFA n6, n3/n6, and total PUFA were down-regulated in the Nanyang pigs. Moreover, the mRNA levels for genes involved in fat metabolism, ME1, FAS, and LPL, were higher and the expression of SREBP1 mRNA was lower in the Nanyang pigs. Our results suggest genetic differences between the pig breeds in terms of growth, carcass traits, lipogenic enzyme activities, fatty acid profile, and the mRNA expression of genes involved in fat metabolism in subcutaneous fat tissue, which may provide a basis for high-quality pork production. Further studies are needed to investigate the regulation of lipid metabolism.

Characteristics of whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak multi-parametric imaging in lung cancer and the influence of different delineation methods on quantitative parameters.

Background: Dynamic course of flourine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) Patlak muti-parametric imaging spatial distribution in the targeted tissues may reveal highly useful clinical information about the tissue's metabolic properties. The characteristics of the Patlak multi-parametric imaging in lung cancer and the influence of different delineation methods on quantitative parameters may provide reference for the clinical application of this new technology. Methods: A total of 27 patients with pathologically diagnosed lung cancer underwent whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT examination before treatment. Parametric images of metabolic rate of FDG (MRFDG) and Patlak intercept (or distribution volume; DV) were generated using Patlak reconstruction. The values of primary lung cancer lesions, target-to-background ratio (TBR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were investigated using contour delineation and boundary delineation. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between multi-parametric images and clinicopathological features, and to compare the effects of contour delineation and boundary delineation on quantitative parameters. Results: MRFDG images showed higher TBR and CNR than did standardized uptake value (SUV) images. There were significant differences in MRFDG-max, MRFDG-mean, and MRFDG-peak among groups with different tumor diameters and pathology types (P<0.05). Moreover, the metabolic parameters of MRFDG were higher in patients with tumor diameters ≥3 cm and squamous carcinoma. The differences of the maximum and peak values of MRFDG and DV were not statistically significant in the different outlining method subgroups (all P>0.05). However, the difference of the mean values of MRFDG and DV were statistically significant in the different outline method groupings (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak multi-parametric imaging can obtain quantitative values for lung cancer with high TBR and CNR. Moreover, the multi-parameters are various from different pathology types to tumor size. Different delineation methods have a greater influence on the mean value of quantitative parameters.

Endocarditis induced by M. morganii in an immunocompetent patient without underlying valvular abnormalities.

Background: The gram-positive cocci is the most common pathogens of infective endocarditis (IE), and it is rarely induced by gram negative bacteria. Only one prior case has been described, in which a patient reported with IE caused by M. morganii, who suffered from multiple myeloma and received high dosages of corticosteroids, chemotherapy and immunomodulatory agents. IE is seldom diagnosed in patients without underlying valvular abnormalities. The most important risk factors of IE are intravenous drug abuse, implanted foreign material and central venous catheterization. Case summary: We describe a case of 34-year-old patient presented to the hospital with recurrent fever and pneumonia since 5 months. He was diagnosed with infective endocarditis with tricuspid vegetation by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Two blood culture tests demonstrated the growth of M. morganii, which was further confirmed by a NGS test, as well as a culture of vegetation from the tricuspid. All the evidence confirmed that M. morganii was the causative pathogen of the endocarditis in this case. The IE in an immunocompetent patient without underlying valvular abnormalities had been cured with broad antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention. Conclusion: This was a unique case of IE induced by an extremely rare agent in an immunocompetent patient without underlying valvular abnormalities. Broad-antibiotics with ß-lactam enzyme inhibition should be used on time for M. morganii induced IE with bacteraemia. The operation to curette the vegetation and repair the tricuspid was also an important way to cure the endocarditis in the patient without underlying valvular abnormalities and with repeated episodes of blood stream and lung infections.

Effects of Chinese Yam Polysaccharide on Intramuscular Fat and Fatty Acid Composition in Breast and Thigh Muscles of Broilers.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influences of Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) dietary supplementation on the composition of intramuscular fat (IMF) and fatty acids (FA) in thigh and breast muscles of broilers. Three hundred and sixty healthy one-day-old broilers (the breed of Crossbred chicken is named 817) with gender-balanced and similar body weight (39 ± 1 g) were randomly allocated into four groups (control, CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups). Broilers in the control group were only fed a basal diet, and broilers in CYP1 group were fed the same diets further supplemented with 250 mg/kg CYP, the CYP2 group was fed the same diets further supplemented with 500 mg/kg CYP, and the CYP3 group was fed the same diets further supplemented with 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. Each group consisted of three replicates and each replicate consisted of 30 birds. The feeding days were 48 days. The results observed that the CYP2 group (500 mg/kg) can up-regulate the mRNA expression levels of ß-catenin in thigh muscle compared to the control group. At the same time, all CYP groups (CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups) can up-regulate mRNA expression of Wnt1 and ß-catenin in breast muscle, while mRNA expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα in breast and thigh muscles could be down-regulated (p < 0.05). In summary, 500 mg/kg of CYP dietary supplementation can reduce IMF content and improve the FAs composition, enhancing the nutritional value of chicken meat.

Effects of dietary Chinese yam polysaccharide copper complex on growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of broilers.

Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) has received attention in recent years owing to its positive nutritional and medicinal characteristics. Copper is an essential trace metal in animals, which plays an important role in iron absorption and hemoglobin synthesis. However, no published study has evaluated Chinese yam polysaccharide copper complex (CYP-Cu) as a dietary additive in broilers. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary CYP-Cu on growth performance, immunity, and oxidative resistance in broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old 817 broiler chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 3 replicates of 30 birds each and were fed a basal diet with the addition of 0 (control group), 0.02, 0.10, and 0.50 g/kg CYP-Cu. The feeding trial lasted 48 days. On day 28 and day 48, 6 broilers in each group were slaughtered, respectively. Then the parameters of growth and carcass, serum biochemistry, immunity, and antioxidation, and the expression level of hepatic antioxidative genes were investigated. The results showed that compared with the control group, the supplementation of dietary CYP-Cu could improve the indexes of the growth, carcass, serum biochemistry, immunity and oxidation resistance in broilers, such as average daily gain (ADG), the slaughter percentage (SP), semi-evisceration weight percentage (SEWP), eviscerated carcass weight percentage (EWP), breast muscle percentage (BMP), leg muscle percentage (LMP), serum albumin (ALB), high density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), growth hormone (GH), insulin (INS), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione s-transferase (GSH-ST); these parameters in the 0.10 g/kg CYP-Cu treated group were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the total trial period, with the exceptions that feed conversion ratio (FCR) and serum low density lipoprotein (LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased in the total trial period. In addition, the antioxidative gene mRNA expression of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf 2), Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1), Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD 2), and Catalase (CAT) were upregulated in the liver (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the supplementation of dietary CYP-Cu improved the growth, immunity, and oxidation resistance of broilers, and the addition of 0.10 g/kg CYP-Cu in broiler diets is recommended, which suggests that CYP-Cu may be a promising green feed additive in the poultry industry.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Chinese Yam Polysaccharide on Carcass Composition, Meat Quality, and Antioxidant Capacity in Broilers.

The study aimed to evaluate the influences of the dietary supplementation of Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) on the carcass performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broilers. Three hundred and sixty healthy 1-day-old broilers with similar body weight (39 ± 1 g, gender balanced) were randomly divided into four groups (control, CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups). In the control group, broilers were fed a basal diet with CYP, and the CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups were fed diets supplemented with 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. There were three replicates in each group, 30 birds in each replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 48 days. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve live weight, half-eviscerated carcass percentage, eviscerated carcass percentage, and thigh muscle percentage. Moreover, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve the contents of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione s-transferase (GST) in serum (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and catalase (CAT) in the liver; the mRNA expression levels of HO-1, NQO1, GPX1, and CAT in the breast muscle; and the mRNA expression levels of NQO1, SOD1, and CAT in the thigh muscle of broilers in the CYP2 group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, the yellowness and shear force of the thigh and breast muscles and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of broilers in the control group were higher than that in the CYP2 groups (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the CYP2 group had the best effect on improving meat quality. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve the meat quality of broilers by improving carcass quality, meat color, shear force, and antioxidant capacity.

Effects of Chinese yam polysaccharides on the immune function and serum biochemical indexes of broilers.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYP) in diets on the immune function of broilers. A total of 360 (1-day-old, sex balance) healthy growing broilers with similar body weight (39.54 ± 0.51 g) were randomly divided into control (0.00 g/kg), CYP I (0.25 g/kg), CYP II (0.50 g/kg), and CYP III (1.00 g/kg) groups. Each group contains 3 replicates with 30 broilers in each replicate, and the feeding trial lasted 48 d. The results showed that compared with the control group, the CYP II group had higher thymus index, serum IgA, complement C3, C4, IGF-I, T3, T4, INS, GH, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P < 0.05) at 28, 48 d, respectively. In addition, the spleen index, serum IgM and IgG concentrations in CYP II group were higher than those in the control group at 28 d (P < 0.05). Results indicated that 0.50 g/kg CYP supplementation improved the immune function of broilers, and the CYP has a potential biological function as a green additive in broilers.

Study on Corrosion Resistance and Conductivity of TiMoN Coatings with Different Mo Contents under Simulated PEMFC Cathode Environment.

TiMoN coatings with different Mo contents on a SS316L substrate are deposited by using closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating (CFUMSIP) technology to enhance the corrosion resistance and durability of stainless steel (SS) bipolar plates (BPs) in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) during the start-up/shut-down process. The electrochemical test results illustrate that TiMoN-4A coating has extremely good corrosion resistance compared to other coatings. The potentiostat polarization (+0.6 VSCE) tests indicate that the corrosion current density (Icorr) of TiMoN-4A coating is 5.22 × 10-7A cm-2, which meets the department of energy 2020 targets (DOE, ≤1 × 10-6 A cm-2). Otherwise, TiMoN-4A coating also exhibits the best corrosion resistance and stability in potentiostatic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and high potential (+1.2VSCE) polarization tests. The interfacial contact resistance (ICR) measurement results show that TiMoN-4A coating has the minimum ICR of 9.19 mΩ·cm2, which meets the DOE 2020 targets (≤10 mΩ·cm2).

Dietary exposure assessment of paralytic shellfish toxins through shellfish consumption in Shenzhen population, China.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by certain marine dinoflagellates accumulate in filter-feeding marine bivalves. We used LC-MS/MS to detect and quantify 13 PSTs in 188 shellfish samples of 14 species collected from Shenzhen city's Buji seafood wholesale market from March 2019 to February 2020. Twenty-six of 188 shellfish samples (13.8%) were PSTs detectable. Within 14 species, 10 out of 34 noble clam Chlamys nobilis samples contain detectable PSTs with the highest detection rate 29.4%. Seven out of 17 samples from Nan'ao island contained detectable PSTs with the highest detection rate 41.2% among 11 origins. Samples containing PSTs were concentrated in spring and winter, with the highest levels in March>December>January. Among PSTs detected, C1 was dominant. Acute dietary exposure assessment for Shenzhen residents were based on mean adult body weight, 99th percentile daily shellfish consumption of Shenzhen food consumption survey 2008 and maximum PSTs concentration for each shellfish species. The outcome for Chlamys nobilis was 2.4~3.7-fold higher than recommended ARfDs. Mean PSTs concentration, P99, and mean shellfish consumption were used to assess chronic dietary exposure. The results were lower than recommended ARfDs. In conclusion, residents in Shenzhen are at risk for acute PSTs poisoning, while relatively safe from chronic PSTs exposure.

Effects of Chinese yam Polysaccharides on the Muscle Tissues Development-Related Genes Expression in Breast and Thigh Muscle of Broilers.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYP) on myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), and myostatin (MSTN) mRNA expression of breast and thigh muscle tissues in broilers. A total of 360 (1-day-old, gender-balanced) crossbred broilers chicks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly distributed into four groups, with three replicates in each group and each replicate included 30 broilers. The feeding trial lasted for 48 days. Experimental broilers were fed 0.00 mg/kg basal diet (control group), 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. The results showed that CYP250 and CYP500 groups had higher thigh muscle percentage (TMP) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of MYOD1, MYOG mRNA in breast muscle tissues of CYP500 and CYP1000 groups was higher (p < 0.05), and the expression of MSTN mRNA in thigh muscle of CYP250, CYP500, and CYP1000 groups was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the expression of MYOD1 mRNA in the thigh muscle tissue of each group (p > 0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of MYOD1, MYOG, and MSTN mRNA in the thigh muscle tissue of broiler chickens in the CYP500 group were positively correlated with TMP. However, the expression of MYOG mRNA in thigh muscle tissue of the CYP1000 group was negatively correlated with TMP. In general, this study indicated that appropriate dietary CYP supplementation influenced the growth and development of thigh muscle tissue in broilers by altering TMP and muscle tissue development-related genes expression. Therefore, CYP could be used as a potential feed additive to promote the development of muscle tissues in broilers.

Myocardial Bridge Bypass Graft: A Novel Surgical Procedure for Extensive Myocardial Bridges.

In patients with myocardial bridges (MBs) and insufficient medical management, the optimal surgical strategy remains undetermined. Based on computer simulations we developed a novel procedure, MB bypass grafting, that showed better hemodynamics compared with coronary artery bypass grafting in a simulation study. In this novel procedure the left internal mammary artery was used to connect the proximal and distal ends of the MB. For the first time we used MB bypass grafting to treat a patient with extensive MB. The patient recovered well after surgery, and the left internal mammary artery graft remained patent 3 months postoperatively.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on immune function in growing Huoyan geese.

This present experiment was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on immune function in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 28-day-old healthy growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly allotted into control, CS100, CS200, and CS400 groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 4 wk. The 4 diets contained 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg CS per kg feed, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control group, the relative weight of thymus, serum concentrations of IGF-I, INS, GH, T3, T4, IgM, IgG, IgA, complement C3, and IL-2 in CS200 group were significantly higher at both 42 and 56 D of age, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, relative weight of bursa of fabricius (BF), spleen, serum complement C4, and TNF-a concentrations in CS200 group were higher at 56 D of age (P < 0.05), no differences were observed at 42 D of age (P > 0.05). These results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS enhanced immune organs weight, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, complements, hormone, as well as cytokines, and improved immune function of growing Huoyan geese.

A Potential Linking between Vitamin D and Adipose Metabolic Disorders.

Vitamin D has been discovered centuries ago, and current studies have focused on the biological effects of vitamin D on adipogenesis. Besides its role in calcium homeostasis and energy metabolism, vitamin D is also involved in the regulation of development and process of metabolic disorders. Adipose tissue is a major storage depot of vitamin D. This review summarized studies on the relationship between vitamin D and adipogenesis and furthermore focuses on adipose metabolic disorders. We reviewed the biological roles and functionalities of vitamin D, the correlation between vitamin D and adipose tissue, the effect of vitamin D on adipogenesis, and adipose metabolic diseases. Vitamin D is associated with adipogenesis, and vitamin D supplements can reduce the burden caused by metabolic diseases. The review provides new insights and basis for medical therapy on adipose metabolic diseases.

Regulation of Wnt Singaling Pathway by Poly (ADP-Ribose) Glycohydrolase (PARG) Silencing Suppresses Lung Cancer in Mice Induced by Benzo(a)pyrene Inhalation Exposure.

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that specifically causes cancer and is widely distributed in the environment. Poly (ADP-ribosylation), as a key post-translational modification in BaP-induced carcinogenesis, is mainly catalyzed by poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) in eukaryotic organisms. Previously, it is found that PARG silencing can counteract BaP-induced carcinogenesis in vitro, but the mechanism remained unclear. In this study, we further examined this process in vivo by using heterozygous PARG knockout mice (PARG+/-). Wild-type and PARG+/- mice were individually treated with 0 or 10 µg/m3 BaP for 90 or 180 days by dynamic inhalation exposure. Pathological analysis of lung tissues showed that, with extended exposure time, carcinogenesis and injury in the lungs of WT mice was progressively worse; however, the injury was minimal and carcinogenesis was not detected in the lungs of PARG+/- mice. These results indicate that PARG gene silencing protects mice against lung cancer induced by BaP inhalation exposure. Furthermore, as the exposure time was extended, the protein phosphorylation level was down-regulated in WT mice, but up-regulated in PARG+/- mice. The relative expression of Wnt2b and Wnt5b mRNA in WT mice were significantly higher than those in the control group, but there was no significant difference in PARG+/- mice. Meanwhile, the relative expression of Wnt2b and Wnt5b proteins, as assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, was significantly up-regulated by BaP in WT mice; while in PARG+/- mice it was not statistically affected. Our work provides initial evidence that PARG silencing suppresses BaP induced lung cancer and stabilizes the expression of Wnt ligands, PARG gene and Wnt ligands may provide new options for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Comparison of microRNAs in the intramuscular adipose tissue from Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is critically involved in lipogenesis occurring in various body parts of humans and animals. In this study, to further investigate the role and distribution of miRNA in porcine intramuscular adipose tissue, small RNAs were extracted from Jinhua and Landrace pigs to identify the expression profiles of miRNAs. miRNA expression profiles revealed that 558 miRNAs including 287 known and 271 novel miRNAs were identified, and 220 of them showed differential expression in the pigs. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in fatty metabolism. In conclusion, the current study reveals the active participation of miRNAs in the regulation of adipogenesis in the intramuscular adipose tissue of Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

The Dynamic Roles of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Colon Cancer.

Colon cancer is still one of the most common causes of cancer in human and is characterized by lymphocyte infiltrates and originates from the epithelial cells found in the lining of colon or rectum of the gastrointestinal tract. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are composed of the multipotent stem cell group of stroma and can be differentiated as various cell lineages, such as fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and adipocytes. MSCs provide mechanical and structural support and have potential functions during tumor growth and metastasis. The efficacy of MSC-based therapies is partly dependent on the migration and homing of MSCs to tumors and metastatic sites. However, their migratory and engraftment potential is poorly understood. In this review, the characteristics and mechanisms of MSC's dynamic interaction with colon cancer were summarized, particularly the potential functions of MSCs on colon cancer, including its role in improving tumor growth and as a potential candidate for tumor therapy. Understanding MSC homing provides new insights into the manipulation of MSC and the improvement of their efficacy for colon cancer therapy.

Percutaneous Intramyocardial Septal Radiofrequency Ablation for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: In patients with disabling symptoms caused by hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), echocardiography-guided percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation (PIMSRA) could be a less invasive treatment option. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the PIMSRA for left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient reduction in HOCM. METHODS: The study enrolled 15 patients with HOCM. These patients underwent electrocardiography, imaging, and blood biochemistry examination over 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: At 6 months of follow-up, patients showed significant reductions in peak LVOT gradients (resting gradient: from 88.00 [66.00] mm Hg to 11.00 [6.00] mm Hg; p = 0.001; stress-induced gradient: from 117.00 [81.00] mm Hg to 25.00 [20.00] mm Hg; p = 0.005) and interventricular septum (IVS) thickness (anterior IVS: from 25.00 [21.00] mm to 14.00 [12.00] mm; p = 0.001; posterior IVS: from 24.00 [21.00] mm to 14.00 [11.50] mm; p = 0.001). The reductions in IVS thickness and LVOT gradients were associated with improvement in New York Heart Association functional classification (from 3.00 [2.00] to 1.00 [1.00]; p < 0.001), total exercise time (from 6.00 [5.50] min to 9.00 [8.00] min; p = 0.007), and pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels (from 924.00 [370.45] pg/ml to 137.45 [75.73] pg/ml; p = 0.028). No patient had bundle branch block or complete heart block. CONCLUSIONS: PIMSRA is a safe and effective treatment approach for severe, symptomatic HOCM and results in sustained improvement in exercise capacity, persistent reduction in LVOT gradient, and sustained improvement in cardiac function.

Identification and comparison of long non-conding RNA in Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

The regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various biological functions has been demonstrated. However, their role in fat deposition and lipid metabolism in pigs remains less understood. To explore the expression profile of lncRNAs in Jinhua and Landrace pigs, we investigated the expression levels of lncRNAs in intramuscular adipose tissues obtained from these pigs. Results showed that the expression levels of lncRNAs in these pig breeds significantly (Fold Change ≥ 2.0, FDR < 0.05) differed. A total of 4910 lncRNAs were identified, and 119 of these lncRNAs were differentially expressed. Of these differentially expressed lncRNAs, 60 and 59 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. The differentially expressed lncRNAs are involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, PI3k-Akt signaling pathway. We then compared these differentially expressed lncRNAs with mRNAs and found that six of the co-expressed lncRNAs were implicated in pathways related to fat deposition and lipid metabolism. Overall, our results revealed a remarkable difference in fat metabolism in intramuscular adipose tissues of pigs, and provide a basis for subsequent research on fat deposition.

Transcriptome analysis reveals differential gene expression in intramuscular adipose tissues of Jinhua and Landrace pigs.

Meat is a rich source of protein, fatty acids and carbohydrates for human needs. In addition to necessary nutrients, high fat contents in pork increase the tenderness and juiciness of the meat, featuring diverse application in various dishes. This study investigated the transcriptomic profiles of intramuscular adipose tissues in Jinhua and Landrace pigs by employing advanced RNA sequencing. Results showed significant interesting to note that there were significant differences in the expression of genes. 1,632 genes showed significant differential expression, 837 genes were up-regulated and 195 genes were down-regulated. Variations in genes responsible for cell aggregation, extracellular matrix formation, cellular lipid catabolic process, and fatty acid binding strongly supported that both pig breeds feature variable fat and muscle metabolism. Certain differentially expressed genes are included in the pathway of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway and insulin pathway. Results from real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction also validated the differential expression of 17 mRNAs between meats of the two pig breeds. Overall, these findings reveal significant differences in fat and protein metabolism of intramuscular adipose tissues of two pig breeds at the transcriptomic level and suggest diversification at the genetic level between breeds of the same species.