Exploring the role of protein DJ-1 in quality of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) and red, firm and non-exudative (RFN) pork during post-mortem aging.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of oxidative attributes, protein DJ-1 expression, oxidized form (oxDJ-1), and cellular localization in RFN and PSE pork meat during the post-mortem aging. The longissimus thoracis of RFN and PSE groups were collected and classified by determination of pH, color and purge loss and then aged for 1, 3 and 7 d at 4 °C postmortem. Results showed that the content of DJ-1 and oxDJ-1 was continuously increased during 7 d of postmortem aging. A relatively higher protein DJ-1, oxDJ-1, oxygen reactive species and disulfide bond contents were found in PSE meat in comparison to RFN meat. Immunostaining showed that protein DJ-1 was located in cytoplasm, membrane and some nucleus of muscle cells. DJ-1 was shown to correlate with meat quality and oxidative attributes, suggesting a regulatory role in resisting oxidative stress and meat quality formation during post-mortem aging.

A comparative study of S-nitrosylated myofibrillar proteins between red, firm and non-exudative (RFN) and pale, soft and exudative (PSE) pork by iodoTMT-based proteomics assay.

In this paper, the S-nitrosylated myofibrillar protein in pork was comparatively analyzed between pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) and red, firm, and non-exudative (RFN) meat. The S-nitrosothiol and immunoblot of S-nitrosylated protein indicated that the overall protein S-nitrosylation level in PSE pork was higher than that in RFN pork. Proteomics showed that 114 SNO-modified cysteines corresponding to 65 proteins were over-expressed in PSE samples while 74 nitrosylated cysteines of 20 proteins were over-expressed in RFN samples. Differential proteins including myosin, actin, actinin, nebulin, titin, troponin-I, and filamin were distributed in the cytoskeleton and muscle fibers, participating in muscle contraction, cell development, and myofibril assembly by exerting binding activity. The enriched KEGG pathways included tight junction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, AMPK signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. Our data suggest that S-nitrosylation of myofibrillar protein could be an alternative pathway of NO involved in the regulation of fresh meat quality.

The Efficacy of Orthodontics plus Implant Anchorage in Orthodontic Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of orthodontics plus implant anchorage in orthodontic treatment. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted on 90 patients who had orthodontic treatment in our hospital between October 2019 and October 2020, and they were assigned to either a control group (n = 45) or an observation group (n = 45) via the random number table method. Patients in the control group received orthodontics while those in the observation group underwent orthodontics plus implant anchorage. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical indexes, efficacy, orthodontic state, adverse reaction rate, quality of life, and satisfaction. Results: After treatment, orthodontics plus implant anchorage led to lower gingival attachment level, gingival bleeding index, plaque index, and periodontal probing depth versus orthodontics alone (P < 0.05); orthodontics plus implant anchorage contributed to a higher efficacy versus orthodontics alone (91.11% vs. 73.33%, P < 0.05); orthodontics plus implant anchorage resulted in smaller molar displacement, larger protrusion distance of the upper central incisor, and larger inclination angle of the upper central incisor (P < 0.05); orthodontics plus implant anchorage was associated with fewer adverse reactions (4.44% vs. 26.67%, P < 0.05) and a higher quality of life scores versus orthodontics alone (P < 0.05); orthodontics plus implant anchorage yielded a higher satisfaction level versus orthodontics alone (95.56% vs. 66.67%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The orthodontics plus implant anchorage offers a promising solution in orthodontic treatment. It is conducive to restoring dental indicators and improving quality of life and satisfaction. It is therefore worthy of application.

Effect of nitric oxide treatment on pork meat quality, microstructure, and total bacterial count during postmortem aging.

In this paper, the potential effect of nitric oxide (NO) on improving the fresh meat quality of pork was primarily investigated by treatment of longissimus thoracis (LT) with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 µL/L NO gas within 6 h post-slaughter. After the NO treatments were completed, the pork chops were vacuum-packaged and stored at 4 °C for 1, 4, and 7 d. Compared with the control group, NO treatment enhanced ultimate pH and a* value, and decreased the total bacterial count. The meat treated with 40 and 60 µL/L NO presented higher water holding capacity (WHC), lower shear force and meat hardness with more unconsolidated muscle cell structure. Though 80 µL/L NO treatment achieved better color and microbial attributes, it had a negative effect on WHC and tenderness. Our data suggest that NO treatment is able to improve pork meat quality in a dose-dependent manner.

Improvement strategies for quality defects and oxidation of pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like chicken meat: effects of domestic cooking and core temperature.

This study compared the quality, oxidation, and microstructure of high-market-share PSE-like chicken meat (PSE) after domestic cooking with those of normal chicken meat (NOR). Cooking techniques included steaming (ST), boiling (BO), roasting (RO), and microwaving (MV) at 60, 70, and 80 °C. The results indicated that PSE-induced chicken breasts were of poor quality, with significantly higher cooking loss rates (NOR: 22.1% vs. PSE: 26.2%) and shear force (NOR: 50.4 N vs. PSE: 69.2 N) than normal chicken meat. In addition, PSE-like chicken meat showed higher oxidative sensitivity and more severe muscle fiber structure damage. Among the four cooking techniques, RO increased meat toughness (NOR: 78.5 N vs. PSE: 98.3 N) and intensified excessive protein oxidation and aggregation in PSE chicken breast most significantly, manifested by the increased malondialdehyde (NOR: 0.46 vs. PSE: 0.57, mg kg-1 meat) and carbonyl (NOR: 11.2 vs. PSE: 13.4, nmol mg-1 protein), reduced tryptophan and thiols (NOR: 41.3 vs. PSE: 33.7, nmol mg-1 protein), and prominent protein cross-linking such as Schiff bases and disulfide bonds during heat treatment (p < 0.05). BO was the second most destructive technique, while MV caused the least impact (p > 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated a correlation between oxidative damage and meat quality, which was attributed to variations of the PSE and normal samples by BO, RO, and ST treatments. Thus, MV is suggested to be a promising and effective cooking method in reducing the differences in quality and oxidation attributes between PSE and normal chicken meat.

Comparative Study on Pale, Soft and Exudative (PSE) and Red, Firm and Non-Exudative (RFN) Pork: Protein Changes during Aging and the Differential Protein Expression of the Myofibrillar Fraction at 1 h Postmortem.

In this paper, the protein changes during aging and the differences in the myofibrillar protein fraction at 1 h postmortem of pale, soft and exudative (PSE), and red, firm and non-exudative (RFN) pork longissimus thoracis (LT) were comparatively studied. The PSE and RFN groups were screened out based on the differences in their pH and lightness (L*) at 1 h, and their purge loss at 24 h postmortem. Based on the measured MFI, desmin degradation, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis, PSE meat presented more significant changes in the myofibrillar protein fraction compared to RFN meat during postmortem aging. Through liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer/mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) analysis, a total of 172 differential proteins were identified, among which 151 were up-regulated and 21 were down-regulated in the PSE group. The differential proteins were muscle contraction, motor proteins, microfilaments, microtubules, glycolysis, glycogen metabolism, energy metabolism, molecular chaperones, transport, and enzyme proteins. The AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were identified as the significant pathways related to meat quality. This study suggested that the different changes of the myofibrillar protein fraction were involved in the biochemical metabolism in postmortem muscle, which may contribute to the molecular understanding of PSE meat formation.

Circular RNA TRAPPC6B inhibits intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth while inducing autophagy in macrophages by targeting microRNA-874-3p.

OBJECTIVES: Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulate antimicrobial immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. METHODS: The present study assessed circular RNA TRAPPC6B (circTRAPPC6B) for antimicrobial immune functions and defined mechanisms wherein circTRAPPC6B regulates Mtb growth, autophagy and microRNA in macrophages. RESULTS: The Mtb infection of monocytes/macrophages resulted in a significantly decreased level of circTRAPPC6B that inhibited intracellular Mtb growth in macrophages. Conversely, circTRAPPC6B expression enhanced autophagy or autophagy-associated protein LC3-II production in Mtb-infected macrophages. circTRAPPC6B-enhanced autophagy aggregation or sequestration was also observed in fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis and confocal imaging. Mechanistically, circTRAPPC6B targets an inhibiting element miR-874-3p, as shown by bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis and pull-down assay, respectively. Notably, miR-874-3p prohibited autophagy via suppressing autophagy protein ATG16L1 by binding to its 3'-untranslated region (UTR) in Mtb-infected macrophages and thus promoting intracellular Mtb growth. Concurrently, circTRAPPC6B enhanced autophagy in Mtb-infected macrophages by blocking the ability of miR-874-3p to inhibit ATG16L1. Thus, circTRAPPC6B antagonises the ability of miR-874-3p to suppress ATG16L1 expression and activate and enhance autophagy sequestration to restrict Mtb growth in macrophages. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggested that both circTRAPPC6B and miR-874-3p mechanisms can be explored as potential therapeutics against Mtb infection.

Effect of prophylactic transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion after R0 resection. A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is thought to prevent recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is a matter of controversy. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of preventive TACE on the tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) classification in cases of stage II HCC (T2N0M0) after R0 resection. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control study conducted in a tertiary-level public hospital. METHODS: We analyzed recurrence rates and mortality rates over time for 250 consecutive cases of HCC in TNM classification cases of stage II HCC (T2N0M0) after R0 resection. These cases were divided into patients who underwent TACE (TACE+) and presented microvascular invasion (MVI+; n = 80); TACE+ but did not present MVI (MIV-; n = 100); MVI+ but did not undergo TACE (TACE-, n = 30); and TACE-/MVI- (n = 40). RESULTS: MVI+ patients in the TACE+ group had significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at one, two and three years than those in the TACE- group (all P < 0.05). Among MVI- patients, the TACE+ group did not have significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at one, two and three years than the TACE- group (all P > 0.05). Regardless of whether TACE was performed or not, MVI- patients had significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at two and three years after their procedures than did MVI+ patients (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Recurrence rates and mortality rates for MVI+ patients were significantly higher than for MVI- patients, beyond the first year after TACE. Postoperative adjuvant TACE may be beneficial for HCC patients with MVI.

Effect of prophylactic transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion after R0 resection. A case-control study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is thought to prevent recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is a matter of controversy. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of preventive TACE on the tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) classification in cases of stage II HCC (T2N0M0) after R0 resection. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control study conducted in a tertiary-level public hospital. METHODS: We analyzed recurrence rates and mortality rates over time for 250 consecutive cases of HCC in TNM classification cases of stage II HCC (T2N0M0) after R0 resection. These cases were divided into patients who underwent TACE (TACE+) and presented microvascular invasion (MVI+; n = 80); TACE+ but did not present MVI (MIV−; n = 100); MVI+ but did not undergo TACE (TACE−, n = 30); and TACE−/MVI− (n = 40). RESULTS: MVI+ patients in the TACE+ group had significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at one, two and three years than those in the TACE- group (all P < 0.05). Among MVI- patients, the TACE+ group did not have significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at one, two and three years than the TACE- group (all P > 0.05). Regardless of whether TACE was performed or not, MVI− patients had significantly lower recurrence rates and mortality rates at two and three years after their procedures than did MVI+ patients (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Recurrence rates and mortality rates for MVI+ patients were significantly higher than for MVI− patients, beyond the first year after TACE. Postoperative adjuvant TACE may be beneficial for HCC patients with MVI.

CircRNA_0000502 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and inhibits apoptosis through targeting microRNA-124.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression level of circ_0000502 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to further explore whether it can promote the malignant progression of HCC by targeting and binding to microRNA (miR)-124. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of circ_0000502 in 40 pairs of HCC tissue specimens and adjacent ones, and to analyze the relationship between circ_0000502 expression and prognosis of patients with HCC. QRT-PCR was used to verify the expression of circ_0000502 in HCC cells. The circ_0000502 knockdown model was constructed using lentivirus in HCC cell lines, and cell counting KIT-8 (CCK-8), Transwell and flow cytometry assays were used to figure out the effect of circ_0000502 on the function of HCC cells. Lastly, luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to verify the relationship between circ_0000502 and miR-124. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results indicated that the level of circ_0000502 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent ones. Compared with patients with low expression of circ_0000502, patients with high expression of circ_0000502 had a lower overall survival rate compared with the negative control (NC) group. The proliferation, invasion and migration ability of circ_0000502 knockdown group significantly decreased, while on the contrary cell apoptosis increased. QRT-PCR results revealed that the expression of miR-124 and circ_0000502 mRNA in HCC tissues was negatively correlated. Also, the result of luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that circ_0000502 could be targeted by miR-124 via this binding site. CONCLUSIONS: High expression of circ_0000502 was significantly positively correlated with poor prognosis of HCC. Besides, circ_0000502 promoted the malignant progression of HCC by regulating miR-124 expression.

Advantages of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in common bile duct stones.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, safety, and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and open common bile duct exploration for treatment of common bile duct stones. METHODS: In total, 210 patients were prospectively randomized into 3 groups: laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and open common bile duct exploration. The primary outcome measures were the common bile duct stone clearance rate and the complication rate. The secondary outcome measures were mortality, total costs, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The success rates in the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group (97.14%, 68 out of 70) and open common bile duct exploration group (98.57%, 69/70) were significantly higher than that in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography group (85.71%, 60/70, both p < 0.05). The complication rates in the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group (2.86%, 2/70) and open common bile duct exploration group (1.43%, 1/70) were significantly lower than that in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography group (14.29%, 10/70, both p < 0.05). The success rate and complication rate were not significantly different between the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group and open common bile duct exploration group (both p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration provides an alternative therapeutic approach that was safer and more reliable, allowed for earlier recovery, and provided more cost-effective treatment of common bile duct stones.