Effects of Dietary 5'-CMP on Neu5Gc Contents in the Muscle and Viscera of Xiang Pigs.

ABSTRACT: In order to reduce the health risks associated with red meat as listed by the World Health Organization, the work presented in this article aimed to elucidate the interaction between 5'-CMP-supplemented feed and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) in experimental animals in vivo. 5'-CMP was added to the diet of 90-, 180-, and 270-day-old Xiang pigs, and after 30 days, the Neu5Gc contents, physicochemical parameters, and free amino acid contents of muscle and internal viscera were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. The mechanism by which 5'-CMP affects Neu5Gc contents was investigated using molecular docking. Results show that 5'-CMP significantly decreased the Neu5Gc content in 180-day-old Xiang pigs (P < 0.05) but had no effect on the Neu5Gc contents in 90- and 270-day-old Xiang pigs. Umami amino acids were significantly increased in 180-day-old Xiang pigs. In the 90- and 270-day-old pigs, histidine increased by 10.38 and 17.87%, respectively. The other free amino acids were either reduced or not affected. Moreover, the 5'-CMP-supplemented diet did not affect the physicochemical parameters of the longissimus muscle in the Xiang pigs. 5'-CMP could occupy almost all the sialyltransferase active-site residues but not His302 and showed inhibition of the sialyltransferase activity. The results provided an experimental basis for the subsequent reduction of Neu5Gc in red meat before slaughter.

Radiation Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a global pandemic. It is unclear to radiotherapy practitioners how to carry out radiotherapy during the epidemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After the outbreak of COVID-19, our Institute established measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19, and continues to treat patients according to these measures. The Radiotherapy Department has been divided into a clean zone and a semi-contaminated zone, and corresponding personal protective equipment is used in these zones. The temperature of patients and their escorts, and history of fever are assessed daily. Special procedures are performed during radiotherapy setup and intracavitary brachytherapy. RESULTS: Over a period of 2 months, 655 patients were treated in the Department. Sixteen patients with fever were identified and no patient undergoing radiotherapy or medical staff have been infected with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Our protective measures were found to be effective and can be used as a reference in places where COVID-19 situations are not markedly serious.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the colon: A case report and review of the literature.

A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the Peking Union Medical College Hospital with a 6-week history of fever of undetermined origin. The computed tomography scan revealed a space-occupying lesion in the ascending colon and colonic endoscopy revealed a protrusive lesion in the initial segment of the ascending colon, occupying 3/5 of the lumen. Pathological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). The patient then underwent a laparotomy for right hemicolectomy and en bloc lymph node dissection. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of MFH and administration of adjuvant radiotherapy was decided. MFH is a high-grade sarcoma that rarely arises in the alimentary tract. To the best of our knowledge, there has only been one case of primary colorectal MFH treated by radiotherapy recorded to date, which makes our case the second trial. We herein present a case of MFH in the ascending colon and a review of previous case reports of patients presenting with this unusual type of MFH.