[Application progress of clinical outcome assessment measures in patients with gastric cancer].

Gastric cancer is a common tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, and the global trend in morbidity and mortality are not encouraging. Especially in advanced gastric cancer, patient survival outcome is an essential clinical concern and a vital outcome indicator in clinical outcome assessment. This article reviews the definition of clinical outcome assessment and the measurement tools that can be applied in gastric cancer patients, describes the detailed classification of clinical outcome assessment tools, and reviews the current status of the application of clinical outcome assessment in gastric cancer, analyzing the effects and shortcomings of its application, to provide a reference for the clinical staff in choosing the appropriate tools, and assisting in the comprehensive and holistic assessment of clinical outcomes for the promotion of the development of precision medicine.

Dietary supplementation of proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and gut microbiota of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets.

Low-tannin sorghum is an excellent energy source in pig diets. However, sorghum contains several anti-nutritional factors that may have negative effects on nutrient digestibility. The impacts of proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and gut microbiota of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets were studied in this study. Ninety-six pigs (20.66 ± 0.65 kg BW) were allocated into three groups (eight pens/group, four pigs/pen): (1) CON (control diet, sorghum-based diet included 66.98% sorghum), (2) PRO1 (CON + 200 mg/kg proteases), (3) PRO2 (CON + 400 mg/kg proteases) for 28 d. No differences were observed in growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients between CON and PRO1 groups. Pigs fed PRO2 diet had increased (P < 0.05) BW on d 21 and 28, and increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain during d 14-21 and the overall period compared with pigs fed CON diet. In addition, pigs fed PRO2 diet had improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of gross energy, CP, and DM compared with pigs fed CON and PRO1 diets. Pigs fed PRO2 diet had lower (P < 0.05) plasma globulin (GLB) level and higher (P < 0.05) plasma glucose, albumin (ALB) and immunoglobulin G levels, and ALB/GLB ratio than pigs fed CON and PRO1 diets. Furthermore, pigs fed PRO2 diet had decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota at the phylum level and increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Prevotella_9 at the genus level. The linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis also showed that pigs fed PRO2 diet had significantly enriched short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, such as Subdoligranulum and Parabacteroides. In conclusion, protease supplementation at 400 mg/kg improved the growth performance of growing pigs fed sorghum-based diets, which may be attributed to the improvement of nutrient digestibility, host metabolism, immune status and associated with the altered gut microbiota profiles.

[A randomized controlled trial on the effect of exercise prescription based on a progressive mode in treating elderly patients with lower limb dysfunction after deep burns].

Objective: To explore the effect of exercise prescription based on a progressive mode in treating elderly patients with lower limb dysfunction after deep burns. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. From January 2021 to January 2023, 60 elderly patients with lower limb dysfunction after deep burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. The patients were divided into conventional rehabilitation group (30 cases, 17 males and 13 females, aged (65±3) years) and combined rehabilitation group (30 cases, 16 males and 14 females, aged (64±3) years) according to the random number table. For patients in both groups, the red-light treatment was started after the lower limb wounds healed or when the total area of scattered residual wounds was less than 1% of the total body surface area. After 2 weeks of red-light treatment, the patients in conventional rehabilitation group were given conventional rehabilitation treatments, including joint stretching, resistance, and balance training; in addition to conventional rehabilitation treatments, the patients in combined rehabilitation group were given exercise prescription training based on a progressive mode three times a week, mainly including dumbbell press, Bobath ball horizontal support, and high-level pulldown trainings. The training time for patients in both groups was 12 weeks. Before training (after 2 weeks of red-light treatment) and after 12 weeks of training, the upper limb and lower limb motor functions of the patients were evaluated using the simple Fugl-Meyer scale, the physical fitness of patients was evaluated using the simple physical fitness scale, and the patient's risk of falling was evaluated by the time consumed for the timed up and go test. The adverse events of patients that occurred during training were recorded. After 12 weeks of training, a self-designed satisfaction survey was conducted to investigate patients' satisfaction with the training effect. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, paired sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and chi-square test. Results: Before training, the scores of upper limb and lower limb motor functions of patients between the two groups were similar (P>0.05). After 12 weeks of training, the scores of upper limb motor function of patients in conventional rehabilitation group and combined rehabilitation group were significantly higher than those before training (with t values of -11.42 and -13.67, respectively, P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The score of lower limb motor function of patients in combined rehabilitation group was 28.9±2.6, which was significantly higher than 26.3±2.6 in conventional rehabilitation group (t=-3.90, P<0.05), and the scores of lower limb motor function of patients in conventional rehabilitation group and combined rehabilitation group were significantly higher than those before training (with t values of -4.14 and -6.94, respectively, P<0.05). Before training, the individual and total scores of physical fitness of patients between the two groups were similar (P>0.05). After 12 weeks of training, the balance ability score, walking speed score, chair sitting score, and total score of physical fitness of patients in conventional rehabilitation group and combined rehabilitation group were significantly increased compared with those before training (with Z values of -4.38, -3.55, -3.88, -4.65, -4.58, -4.68, -4.42, and -4.48, respectively, P<0.05), and the balance ability score, walking speed score, chair sitting score, and total score of physical fitness of patients in combined rehabilitation group were significantly increased compared with those in conventional rehabilitation group (with Z values of -3.93, -3.41, -3.19, and -5.33, P<0.05). Before training, the time consumed for the timed up and go test for patient's risk of falling in the two groups was close (P>0.05). After 12 weeks of training, the time consumed for the timed up and go test for patient's risk of falling in combined rehabilitation group was (28.0±2.1) s, which was significantly shorter than (30.5±1.8) s in conventional rehabilitation group (t=4.94, P<0.05). Moreover, the time consumed for the timed up and go test for patient's risk of falling in both conventional rehabilitation group and combined rehabilitation group was significantly shorter than that before training (with t values of 14.80 and 15.86, respectively, P<0.05). During the training period, no adverse events such as muscle tissue strain, edema, or falling occurred in any patient. After 12 weeks of training, the satisfaction score of patients with the training effect in combined rehabilitation group was 13.5±1.2, which was significantly higher than 8.5±1.4 in conventional rehabilitation group (t=21.78, P<0.05). Conclusions: The exercise prescription training based on a progressive mode can significantly promote the recovery of lower limb motor function and physical fitness of elderly patients with lower limb dysfunction after deep burns, and effectively reduce the patient's risk of falling without causing adverse events during the training period, resulting in patient's high satisfaction with the training effect.

Long-term chemically protected sodium butyrate supplementation in broilers as an antibiotic alternative to dynamically modulate gut microbiota.

Chemically protected sodium butyrate (CSB) is a new kind of sodium butyrate. Our previous study found that 1,000 mg/kg of CSB had the potential capacity of improving growth performance and promoting early development of small intestine in broilers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term antibiotics or CSB supplementation for intestinal microflora dynamical regulation in broilers. One hundred ninety-two 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatment (8 replicates per treatment) and fed with a basal diet (CON), a diet supplemented with the antibiotics (enramycin, 8 mg/kg and aureomycin, 100 mg/kg) (ANT), or a diet supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg of CSB, respectively. Results showed that dietary supplementation of CSB or ANT treatment elevated the weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.05), as compared with control (CON) group. Additionally, CON, CSB, or ANT administration dynamically altered the gut microbiota composition as time goes on. The increased presence of potential pathogens, such as Romboutsia and Shuttleworthia, and decreased beneficial bacteria such as Alistipes, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides were verified in new gut homeostasis reshaped by long-term antibiotics treatment, which has adverse effects on intestinal development and health of broilers. Conversely, CSB supplementation could dynamically enhance the relative abundance of Bacteroides, and decrease Romboutsia and Shuttleworthia in new microflora, which has positive effects on intestinal bacteria of broilers compared with CON group. Meanwhile, CSB supplementation was significantly increased the concentration of propionic acid and total short chain fatty acids (total SCFA; P < 0.05) in comparison with CON and ANT groups. Moreover, CSB treatment significantly increased anti-inflammatory and antioxidative capacities (P < 0.05) of broilers compared with ANT group. Taken together, we revealed characteristic structural changes of gut microbiota throughout long-term CSB or ANT supplementation in broilers, which provided a basic data for evaluating the mechanism of action affecting intestinal health by CSB or ANT administration and CSB as an alternative to antibiotics in the broilers industry.

Surveying Global Availability of Parkinson's Disease Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease with both motor and non-motor manifestations. Available treatment reduces symptoms and is critical for improving quality of life. Treatment options include drugs, device-aided therapies, and non-pharmacological therapies. Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are also used in some countries. OBJECTIVE: To examine the availability of PD treatment by country, and differences by national income as defined by the World Bank (high income countries (HICs), upper middle income countries (UMICs), lower middle income countries (LMICs) and low income countries (LICs)). METHODS: This study was conducted by surveying International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society members about availability of PD treatment. LMICs and LICs (LMICs/LICs) were analysed together. RESULTS: There were 352 valid responses from 76 countries (41.5% from HICs, 30.4% from UMICs, and 28.1% from LMICs/LICs). Levodopa was widely available across all income groups (99%). Availability of other PD drugs decreased with national income. Availability of device-aided therapies decreased with national income (100% availability in HICs, 92.5% among UMICs, and 57.6% among LMICs/LICs). A similar trend was observed for CATs (37.0% availability in HICs, 31.8% in UMICs, and 19.2% in LMIC/LICs). Physiotherapy was the most available non-pharmacological therapy (> 90% respondents). Occupational therapy and SALT were less available in LMIC/LICs (49.5% and 55.6% respectively) compared to HICs (80.1% and 84.9% respectively). CONCLUSION: Our survey highlights significant discrepancies in availability of PD treatments between countries and income groups. This is concerning given the symptomatic benefit patients gain from treatment. Improving equitable access to PD treatment should be prioritised.

Effect of supplementing hydroxy selenomethionine on meat quality of yellow feather broiler.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing hydroxy selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) on performance, selenium (Se) deposition in the breast muscle, quality and oxidative stability, and expression of selenoprotein encoding genes of breast meat of the native slow-growing yellow-feathered broiler birds. A total of 375 one-day-old local yellow male birds were randomly assigned into 5 dietary treatments, supplemented with Se 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/kg in the form of OH-SeMet. Each treatment consisted of 5 replicates and each replicate had 15 birds, the birds were fed on basal diet containing corn and soybean meal, and the experiment lasted for 63 d. The results showed that dietary Se supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.001) Se contents in both serum and muscle, no significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed on growth performance, yield of breast, meat color, and intramuscular fat deposition of the breast muscle. Dietary Se addition improved water-holding capacity, the pH24h value, and tenderness of breast muscle, evidenced by a linear decreases of shear force (P < 0.05), accompanied by lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and higher glutathione reductase activity. The mRNA abundance of selenoprotein encoding genes also responded to dietary Se levels. It is concluded that, dietary supplementation with OH-SeMet improved muscular Se deposition and meat quality of the native yellow birds, with enhanced antioxidant capability and regulation in selenogenome.

Quantitative comparative phosphoproteomic analysis of the effects of colostrum and milk feeding on liver tissue of neonatal calves.

Posttranslational modifications, mostly phosphorylation, are critical for protein structure and function. However, the association between liver phosphoproteins in neonatal calves and colostrum intake is not well understood. In this study, we examined the liver phosphoproteome profile in neonatal calves after receiving colostrum or milk. Liver tissue samples were collected from control calves (CON, n = 3) 2 h after birth and from calves that received colostrum (CG, n = 3) or milk (MG, n = 3) 24 h after birth. Hepatic phosphoprotein expression profiles were analyzed using quantitative proteomics based on the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. In total, 1,587 phosphorylated sites were identified in 1,011 liver proteins. The most abundant phosphorylation site AA was serine (87.5%), followed by threonine (11.9%) and tyrosine (0.5%). Among the 1,011 phosphoproteins, 219, 453, and 26 displayed differential expression in the CG versus MG, CG versus CON, and MG versus CON comparisons, respectively. Differentially expressed phosphoproteins in the CG-MG comparison included 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, glucose transporter member 4, protein kinase N2, and vinculin, which were mainly involved in the glycogen metabolic process, transport, growth and development, and cell adhesion process, according to Gene Ontology analysis. Pathway analysis indicated their enrichment in the insulin signaling pathway, spliceosome, and adherens junction. The CG-CON comparison identified differentially expressed phosphoproteins and their target genes that were largely involved in the cellular process, macromolecule metabolic process, developmental process, and transport. Pathway analysis indicated their association with endocytosis, mechanistic target of rapamycin, AMP-activated protein kinase, and insulin signaling pathways. These data demonstrate that changes in the phosphoproteins of liver tissues may play an important role in energy metabolism and immune response in the calves that received colostrum. These results provide novel insights into the crucial roles of protein phosphorylation during the early life of newborn calves.

Dietary squalene supplementation alleviates diquat-induced oxidative stress and liver damage of broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of squalene supplementation on growth performance, oxidative status, and liver function of diquat-challenged broilers. One hundred forty-four 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to 3 groups, and each group consisted of 6 replicates of 8 birds each. The three groups were as follows: 1) nonchallenged broilers fed with a basal diet (control group), 2) diquat-challenged broilers fed a basal diet, and 3) diquat-challenged broilers fed with a basal diet supplemented with 1.0 g/kg of squalene. Broilers were intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg/mL of diquat solution at a dosage of 1 mL/kg of BW or an equivalent amount of saline at 20 d. Compared with the control group, weight gain and BW change rate during 24 h after injection were decreased by diquat challenge (P < 0.05), and the diquat-induced compromised growth performance was improved by squalene supplementation (P < 0.05). Diquat administration reduced plasma superoxide dismutase activity and increased malondialdehyde accumulation and glutathione peroxidase activity in both plasma and the liver (P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma glutathione peroxidase activity in diquat-challenged broilers was reduced by squalene supplementation (P < 0.05). The hepatic glutathione level was reduced by diquat administration (P < 0.05), whereas its level in plasma and the liver of diquat-challenged broilers was increased by squalene supplementation (P < 0.05). The relative liver weight of broilers was increased by diquat challenge (P < 0.05), with its value being intermediate in the squalene-supplemented group (P > 0.05). The plasma aminotransferase activities and total bilirubin concentration were increased by diquat challenge (P < 0.05), which were reduced by squalene supplementation (P < 0.05). The mRNA abundance of hepatic nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (P < 0.05) was upregulated by diquat treatment, regardless of squalene supplementation. The mRNA abundance of hepatic glutathione peroxidase 1 and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2-associated X protein was upregulated by diquat challenge (P < 0.05), which was reversed by squalene administration (P < 0.05). Squalene increased NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 mRNA abundance and decreased caspase 3 mRNA abundance in the liver of diquat-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). The results suggested that squalene can increase weight gain, improve oxidative status, and alleviate liver injury in diquat-challenged broilers.

Safety and efficacy of common vitamin D supplementation in primary hyperparathyroidism and coexistent vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Vitamin D deficiency can stimulate parathyroid secretion. However, whether to correct vitamin D deficiency in patients with PHPT is controversial. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vitamin D replacement in patients with PHPT. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The relevant data were extracted from the included documents. The methodological items for non-randomized studies score entries were used for evaluation of quality. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0 were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 11 articles were included with a total of 388 patients. The serum calcium mean difference (MD) was - 0.06 mg/dL [95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 0.16, 0.04]. Subgroup analysis showed that serum calcium levels did not change if the intervention time exceeded 1 month. The 24-h urinary calcium MD was 36.78 mg/day (95% CI - 37.15, 110.71), which indicated that there was no significant effect of vitamin D supplementation on 24-h urinary calcium levels. The MD of PTH was - 16.01 pg/mL (95% CI - 28.79, - 3.24). Subgroup analysis according to the intervention time showed that vitamin D intervention for more than 1 month significantly reduced PTH levels. The ALP MD was - 10.81 U/L (95% CI - 13.98, - 7.63), which indicated Vitamin D supplementation reduced its level. The MD of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 22.09 µg/L (95% CI 15.01, 29.17), and no source of heterogeneity was found. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation in patients with PHPT and vitamin D deficiency significantly reduces PTH and ALP levels without causing hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.

Overall adjustment acupuncture for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP): a study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is becoming more prevalent in aging societies worldwide, and the economic burden attributable to osteoporotic fractures is substantial. The medications presently available to treat osteoporosis have side effects. Acupuncture is widely used for treating osteoporotic postmenopausal women because it is non-invasive and has fewer side effects, but the powerful clinical evidence for its efficacy remains insufficient. Our study intends to explore the effect of overall adjustment acupuncture (OA) in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a randomized, sham-controlled, patient- and assessor-blinded trial and aims to evaluate the effect of OA in women with PMOP. We will recruit 104 women aged 45-70 years with a diagnosis of PMOP. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the OA group and the sham acupuncture (SA) group. Both groups will receive real herbal medicine treatment as a basic treatment twice a day for 3 months, the OA group receives real acupuncture treatment and the SA group receives placebo acupuncture treatment (non-penetrating, sham skin-needle therapy, sham cupping). All patients will receive acupuncture treatment twice per week for 3 months. The primary outcome is bone mineral density (BMD) and the secondary outcomes include estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), bone gla protein (BGP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), PPARγ, ß-catenin, FoxO3a levels, visual analog pain scale score (VAS), Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and quality of daily life score (QOL). Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, middle of the treatment (1.5 months), the end of treatment (3 months). The present protocol followed the SPIRIT guidelines and fulfills the SPIRIT Checklist. CONCLUSION: This study will be conducted to compare the efficacy of OA versus SA. This trial should help to evaluate whether OA can effectively prevent and treat PMOP by improving the estrogen levels of postmenopausal women. The mechanism is to improve the imbalance of osteogenic differentiation and lipogenesis of bone-marrow cells under oxidative stress. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR1800017581. Registered on 5 August 2018. URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn.

[Implementation of the Bethesda system for reporting the thyroid cytopathology: study on 5 729 cases from a cancer center].

Objective: To analyze the data of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology applied in a comprehensive cancer center and to evaluate the diagnostic ability of fine needle aspiration (FNA). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 5 729 cases applying this reporting system at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The series were from 5 011 patients including 1 174 men and 3 837 women, and their median age was 45 years (range, 7-88 years). FNA results were correlated with final histological diagnosis after surgery and the accuracy of FNA diagnosis and the malignancy rates for each of categories were also analyzed. Results: Among 5 729 thyroid aspirates, aside from 456 (8.0%) cases with nondiagnostic or unsatisfactory (ND/UNS) outcomes, 1 055 (18.4%) cases were benign, 409 (7.1%) cases showed atypical of undetermined significance or follicular lesions with undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 80 (1.4%) cases were follicular neoplasm or suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), 982 (17.1%) cases were suspicious for malignancy (SUS), and 2 747 cases were malignant (47.9%). Of 5 729 cases, 3 239 had received thyroidectomies after FNA, 95.99% of them were proven histologically to be malignant, with following malignancy rates in individual FNA categories: ND/UNS 75.00%; benign 40.91%; AUS/FLUS 77.67%; FN/SFN 41.67%; SUS 96.86%; and malignant 99.96%. FNA predicted malignancy with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of 98.8%, 60.5%, 97.7%, 98.9% and 59.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The data of the Bethesda reporting system indicates high proportion of malignant diagnosis and high risk of malignancy at all FNA diagnostic categories. FNA offers high diagnostic accuracy and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases.

[Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection].

Objective: To explore the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who received entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxianwan for 78 weeks. Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection were randomly treated with entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxian for 78 weeks. Ishak fibrosis score was used for blind interpretation of liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in liver fibrosis condition before and after the treatment was compared. Student's t test and non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-Test and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the measurement data. The categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-square test method and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test bivariate associations. Results: Liver fibrosis improvement rate after 78 weeks of treatment was 36.53% (80/219) and the progression rate was 23.29% (51/219). The improvement of liver fibrosis was associated to the degree of baseline fibrosis and treatment methods (P < 0.05). The improvement rate of hepatic fibrosis in patients treated with anluohuaxianwan combined with entecavir at baseline F < 3 (54.74%, 52/95) was significantly higher than that in patients treated only with entecavir (33.33%, 16/48), P = 0.016 and the progression rate of hepatic fibrosis (13.68%, 13/95) was lower than that in patients treated alone (18.75%, 9/48), P = 0.466. In patients with baseline F < 3, the proportion of patients with improved and stable liver fibrosis in the combined treatment group (68.1%, 32/47) was higher than that in the treatment group alone (51.7%, 15/29). Conclusion: Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment can significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Furthermore, it has the tendency to improve the stability rate and reduce the rate of progression of liver fibrosis.

Alterations of the circular RNA profile in the jejunum of neonatal calves in response to colostrum and milk feeding.

Circular RNA (circRNA) have been suggested to contribute to regulating gene expression in various tissues and cells of eukaryotes. However, little is known regarding the expression pattern of circRNA and their potential function in the small intestine of neonatal calves that receive colostrum. In the current study, jejunum tissue samples were collected from control calves (2 h after birth; CT; n = 3) and neonatal calves that ingested colostrum (24 h after birth; CO; n = 3) or milk (24 h after birth; MK; n = 3) to compare the circRNA expression patterns using a high-throughput RNA sequencing approach. A total of 21,213, 17,861, and 21,737 circRNA were identified in the CT, CO, and MK groups, respectively. Only 13,254 of these circRNA were common to the 3 groups, suggesting high specificity of circRNA expression depending on nutrient type. In total, 243, 249, and 283 circRNA were differentially expressed in the CO versus CT, CO versus MK, and MK versus CT comparisons, respectively. Gene ontology analysis showed that the differentially expressed circRNA and their predicted or known target genes from the CO and MK groups were mainly involved in macromolecule metabolic process, response to stress, and vesicle-mediated transport. Moreover, pathway analysis showed that the Rap1 signaling pathway, focal adhesion, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction were the most significantly enriched pathways. These data collectively indicate that circRNA are abundant and dynamically expressed when calves receive colostrum and act as microRNA sponges to regulate their target genes for jejunum function during the early development of newborn calves.

[The bacterial flora and drug sensitivity of chronic tonsillitis in different age groups].

Objective:To investigate the pathogenic bacteria and drug sensitivity tests in patients with chronic tonsillitis.Method：We chose a group of patients who were diagnosed chronic tonsillitis as the research object. According to age, they were divided into the children group, the adolescents group and the adults group. Collect secretions of tonsil in the operation, then summarize and analyze the secretions.Result: The detection rate of gram-negative bacteria in adult group was significantly higher than that of children and adolescents groups.Conclusion: Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be preferred in adult patients. While others should choose the antibiotic that is sensitive to gram positive bacterium first, before the pathogenic bacteria and drug sensitivity tests. The multi-drug resistant bacterium infection can not be neglected.

Changes in serum metabolites in response to ingested colostrum and milk in neonatal calves, measured by nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics analysis.

Uptake of colostrum is of central importance for establishing a passive immunity transfer in neonatal calves. Studies of absorption and transmission of colostral immunoglobulins have been widely reported; however, changes in the serum in response to the absorption of colostral components in neonatal calves have not been completely characterized. Here, a nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics approach was used to investigate the changes in metabolites in ingested colostrum, milk, and serum after neonatal calves were fed colostrum or milk. Twenty-seven neonatal male Holstein calves were assigned to 1 of the following groups: (1) calves not fed colostrum or milk and slaughtered approximately 2 h after birth (control group, n = 6), (2) calves fed colostrum at 1 to 2 h after birth and slaughtered 8 h after birth (n = 6), (3) calves fed 2 colostrum meals (at 1-2 and 10-12 h after birth) and slaughtered 24 h after birth (n = 6), (4) calves fed 3 colostrum meals (at 1-2, 10-12, and 22-24 h after birth) and slaughtered 36 h after birth (n = 6), or (5) calves fed 2 milk meals (1-2 and 10-12 h after birth) and slaughtered 24 h after birth (n = 3). Concentrations of valine, leucine, lactate, lysine, and isoleucine were higher and concentrations of lactose were lower in the groups fed colostrum and milk compared with groups not fed colostrum and milk, respectively. Metabolite changes between groups fed or not fed colostrum and milk were similar and may reflect the primary metabolic requirements of ingestion by the small intestine of neonatal calves. Concentrations of serum metabolites choline, valine, leucine, and glutamate were higher in the serum of calves that received colostrum compared with control calves. Furthermore, concentrations of serum phenylalanine, valine, and glutamate were significantly higher, whereas serum concentrations of citrate and very low density lipoproteins were lower in calves that received colostrum compared with calves fed milk. Our results indicate that concentrations of leucine, valine, and glutamate, which were higher in the calves that ingested colostrum, may transfer into the bloodstream, and that these metabolites are associated with health benefits in the neonatal calves that received colostrum. These findings provide novel information to help us understand the mechanism by which colostrum components are metabolized and absorbed in the small intestine and then transferred into bloodstream of neonatal calves.

Roles of spermine in modulating the antioxidant status and Nrf2 signalling molecules expression in the thymus and spleen of suckling piglets-new insight.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of spermine and extended spermine administration on the antioxidant status and expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signalling molecules in the thymus and spleen in suckling piglets. One half of eighty 12-day-old suckling piglets obtained sufficient nutrient intake supplemented with spermine (0.4 mmol/kg body weight), and another half received restricted nutrient intake supplemented with physiological saline in equal doses once a day for 7 hr or 3, 6 or 9 days in pairs. Spermine supplementation and its extended duration significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) contents (p < .05), but markedly improved antisuperoxide anion (ASA), antihydroxyl radical (AHR), catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities (p < .05) and glutathione (GSH) content (p < .05) in the thymus and spleen. Additionally, real-time PCR analysis showed that spermine administration and extended spermine intake reduced Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) gene transcription and enhanced SOD1, GPx1, CAT, glutathione reductase (GR) and Nrf2 mRNA levels of the thymus and spleen (p < .05), and also improved GST gene expression in the thymus (p < .05). Notably, the spermine-supplemented time for the optimal effects of suckling piglet was determined to be 6 days. Collectively, the current study suggested that spermine supplementation and extended spermine administration could protect the health of the thymus and spleen from early weaning by enhancing the antioxidant status and regulating the expression of antioxidant-related signalling molecules.

Effects of spermine on the antioxidant status and gene expression of antioxidant-related signaling molecules in the liver and longissimus dorsi of piglets.

Previous studies showed that spermine could protect the organism from oxidative damage in vivo. However, in vivo information on the antioxidant-related underlying molecular mechanism of spermine is limited. In this experiment, we further evaluated the effects of spermine supplementation and extended spermine administration on the antioxidant status and antioxidant-related signaling molecules gene expression in the liver and longissimus dorsi of piglets. A total of 80 piglets were randomly distributed to two groups, that is, those with adequate nutrient intake administrated with spermine (0.4 mmol/kg BW) or those with restricted nutrient intake supplemented by saline. The piglets were fed in pairs for 7 h or 3, 6, or 9 days. The results are as follows: (1) spermine can promote the antioxidant capacity by increasing enzymatic antioxidant capacity, glutathione content and clearance of oxygen radicals; (2) spermine significantly increased the mRNA levels of enzymatic antioxidant substances, NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, and the mammalian target of rapamycin but decreased the mRNA levels of ribosomal p70 S6 kinase in the liver and longissimus dorsi of the piglets.

Cantharidin suppressed breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell growth and migration by inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway.

As an active constituent of the beetle Mylabris used in traditional Chinese medicine, cantharidin is a potent and selective inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) that plays a crucial role in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell fate. The role and possible mechanisms exerted by cantharidin in cell growth and metastasis of breast cancer were investigated in this study. Cantharidin was found to inhibit cell viability and clonogenic potential in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed that cell percentage in G2/M phase decreased, whereas cells in S and G1 phases progressively accumulated with the increasing doses of cantharidin treatment. In a xenograft model of breast cancer, cantharidin inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, high doses of cantharidin treatment inhibited cell migration in wound and healing assay and downregulated protein levels of major matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion were dose-dependently inhibited by cantharidin treatment. Interestingly, the members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling family were less phosphorylated as the cantharidin dose increased. Cantharidin was hypothesized to exert its anticancer effect through the MAPK signaling pathway. The data of this study also highlighted the possibility of using PP2A as a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

Excess of dietary montmorillonite impairs growth performance, liver function, and antioxidant capacity in starter pigs.

Montmorillonite (MMT) is widely used as a mycotoxin adsorbent in animal feeds, but its safety remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the safety of MMT supplementation in diets fed to starter pigs. A total of 120 32-d-old piglets (initial weight, 8.0 ± 0.9 kg) were randomly allotted into dietary treatments with graded MMT levels (0 [FS 0], 0.5% [FS 0.5], 1.0% [FS 1.0], 2.5% [FS 2.5], and 5.0% [FS 5.0]) with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. All diets were fed for 28 d. As the MMT level increased, ADG and G:F changed in a linear and quadratic manner, while ADFI was linearly decreased ( > 0.05). Compared with FS 0, ADG, ADFI, and G:F of pigs in FS 1.0 increased ( < 0.05). However, the ADFI in pigs of FS 5.0 was lower than that in pigs of FS 0 ( < 0.05). The relative liver weight activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) changed in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared with FS 0, pigs in FS 2.5 and FS 5.0 had a greater serum ALT ( < 0.05), while AST activity significantly increased in pigs of FS 5.0 ( < 0.05). Dietary MMT supplementation decreased serum Mg content in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05), while Zn and Cu contents were linearly decreased ( < 0.05). Serum Zn and Cu contents of pigs in FS 0.5, FS 2.5, and FS 5.0 groups were lower than those in the control. Pigs fed with 2.5% and 5% MMT showed hepatic histopathological changes, including swelling, granular and vesicular degeneration, and apparent vacuolar degeneration. In addition, the content of serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) decreased in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared to the control, 5.0% MMT significantly increased piglets' serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreased GSH-PX activity ( < 0.05). T-AOC concentration in the pigs fed 2.5% and 5.0% MMT was lower than that in the control group ( < 0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changed in a quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Piglets in FS 1.0 showed a higher SOD activity when compared with the control ( < 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of MMT higher than 1.0% can negatively affect liver structure and serum mineral content, and 5.0% MMT supplementation would also decrease feed intake, aggravate liver damage, and reduce the antioxidant capacity of starter pigs. Therefore, excess supplementation of MMT is not safe in starter pigs.

[Effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of kidney tubules, serum interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor ß(1) in hyperuricemic rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of kidney tubules and the levels of serum IL-6 nad transforming growth factor (TGF)ß(1) in hyperuricemic rats. Methods: Forty male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NC group), oteracil potassium group (OP group), oteracil potassium with febuxostat group (OF group) and oteracil potassium with benzbromarone group (OB group). Each group had 10 rats and balanced in body weights. To induce hyperuricemia, rats were given oteracil potassium by gastric gavage once a day for eight weeks. Rats in OF group and OB group were given either febuxostat or benbromarone starting with oteracil potassium, and rats in NC group was given saline only. Blood samples were taken before, and at the end of 4 and 8 weeks of the treatments and serum uric acid, creatinine, blood usea nitrogen(BUN), IL-6 and TGFß(1) contents were measured at each time point. Renal pathological changes were observed via HE and Masson staining, and the expression of α-SMA and E-cadherin were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with those in NC group, the levels of serum uric acid, creatinine, BUN, IL-6 and TGFß(1) in the another three groups were increased significantly (all P<0.01). However, the IL-6 and TGFß(1) contents in OF group were much lower than those in OP group (P<0.01). HE and Masson staining showed that OF group had less damage and tubulointerstitial fibrosis than OP group and OB group (P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of α-SMA was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01) and that of E-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in OF group compared with those in OP group. Conclusion: Febuxostat treatment significantly inhibited EMT and reduced the levels of IL-6 and TGFß(1) in hyperuricemia rats.