Optimizing preparation of low-NaCl protein gels from goose meat and understanding synergistic effects of pH/NaCl in improving gel characteristics.

This study explored the feasibility of partially substituting NaCl with MgCl2 in preparing gel products from goose meat. Furthermore, the effects of synergistic interaction between different pH levels and NaCl concentrations on the structure and characteristics of the gels were explored by analyzing their secondary structure, microstructure, and water-distribution properties. The results showed that NaCl could be partially substituted by MgCl2, with the optimal preparation conditions: NaCl (0.83 mol/L), pH (7.3), MgCl2 (0.04 mol/L), heating temperature (79 °C), heating time (20 min), and solid-liquid ratio (1:3). Furthermore, the pH had a more significant impact on the gels' structure and characteristics than did NaCl concentration. Thus, our optimized method can reduce the usage of NaCl in the gel products while at the same time improving the characteristics of gel products under low-NaCl conditions by lowering pH, laying a solid theoretical foundation for producing low-NaCl protein gel products from goose meat.

Cordyceps militaris Extract and Cordycepin Alleviate Oxidative Stress, Modulate Gut Microbiota and Ameliorate Intestinal Damage in LPS-Induced Piglets.

Cordycepin is considered a major bioactive component in Cordyceps militaris extract. This study was performed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Cordyceps militaris extract (CME) and cordycepin (CPN) supplementation on intestinal damage in LPS-challenged piglets. The results showed that CPN or CME supplementation significantly increased the villus height (p < 0.01) and villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05) in the jejunum and ileum of piglets with LPS-induced intestinal inflammation. Meanwhile, CPN or CME supplementation alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by reducing the levels of MDA (p < 0.05) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum. Additionally, supplementation with CPN or CME modulated the structure of the intestinal microbiota by enriching short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, and increased the level of butyrate (p < 0.05). The RNA-seq results demonstrated that CME or CPN altered the complement and coagulation-cascade-related genes (p < 0.05), including upregulating gene KLKB1 while downregulating the genes CFD, F2RL2, CFB, C4BPA, F7, C4BPB, CFH, C3 and PROS1, which regulate the complement activation involved in inflammatory and immune responses. Correlation analysis further demonstrated the potential relation between the gut microbiota and intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and butyrate in piglets. In conclusion, CPN or CME supplementation might inhibit LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the intestinal microbiota and its metabolite butyrate in piglets.

The application of encapsulation technology in the food Industry: Classifications, recent Advances, and perspectives.

Encapsulation technology has been extensively used to enhance the stability, specificity, and bioavailability of essential food ingredients. Additionally, it plays a vital role in improving product quality and reducing production costs. This study presents a comprehensive classification of encapsulation techniques based on the state of different cores (solid, liquid, and gaseous) and offers a detailed description and analysis of these encapsulation methods. Specifically, it introduces the diverse applications of encapsulation technology in food, encompassing areas such as antioxidant, protein activity, physical stability, controlled release, delivery, antibacterial, and probiotics. The potential impact of encapsulation technology is expected to make encapsulation technology a major process and research hotspot in the food industry. Future research directions include applications of encapsulation for enzymes, microencapsulation of biosensors, and novel technologies such as self-assembly. This study provides a valuable theoretical reference for the in-depth research and wide application of encapsulation technology in the food industry.

From amino acid analysis to improved gel properties: The role of dl-valine in Landaise goose myofibrillar protein.

The impact of exogenous limiting amino acids on protein gel formation was investigated to enhance the gelation properties of Landaise goose myofibrillar protein (MP). Amino acid composition and gel properties were analyzed, and homologous protein modeling and molecular docking techniques were used to simulate binding sites. Valine was identified as the first limiting amino acid. The addition of 0.075 % dl-valine proved optimal to enhance the gel strength (59.5 g) and water retention (76.76 %) of MP gels. Hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds were found to be the main forces maintaining conformational stability of the MP-dl-valine gels. The propyl group of dl-valine can form hydrophobic interactions with protein, contributing to stable complexes. DL valine could also strengthen chemical bonds and secondary structure, convert free water to immobile water, and improve the microstructure of the gel. Therefore, valine can be utilized as a nutritional and gel enhancer in Landaise goose meat products.

Laparoscopic resection of focal nodular hyperplasia in the hepatic caudate lobe.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic resection of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in the hepatic caudate lobe. METHODS: The clinical data of eight patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatic caudate lobe FNH resection at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The laparoscopic procedures were successful in all eight patients, and no patients required conversion to open surgery. Five patients underwent partial caudate lobe resection, one patient underwent caudate lobe resection, and two patients underwent combined left hemihepatectomy with caudate lobe resection. Tumor resection was performed using the left approach in five cases, the right approach in one case, the middle hepatic fissure approach in one case, and the left and right combined approach in one case. The operation time ranged from 120 to 360 min, with a mean of 225 min. The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 50 to 600 ml, with a mean of 235 ml. No postoperative bleeding, bile leakage or abdominal infection occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection of hepatic caudate lobe FNH was safe and feasible in appropriate patients. Skilled laparoscopic hepatectomy techniques, adequate preoperative evaluation, appropriate choice of surgical approach and the control of intraoperative bleeding are critical to perform this surgery.

Slaughter performance of the main goose breeds raised commercially in China and nutritional value of the meats of the goose breeds: a systematic review.

A number of goose breeds are raised commercially in China. However, the data on the slaughter performance of the goose breeds and the nutritional value of their meats lack a thorough comparative analysis. In this systematic review, the slaughter performance of the goose breeds and nutritional value of their meats were comparatively analyzed to provide an overview of the characteristics of the goose breeds raised commercially in China. Fifteen goose breeds were selected from 27 research articles published up to January 2022 on the slaughter performance of the goose breeds raised commercially in China and their nutrient composition after literature searching, literature screening, variety selection, and data collation. The slaughter indexes of the goose breeds and the basic nutrient composition, amino acid composition, and fatty acid composition of the meats of the goose breeds were standardized using min-max normalization and compared. The results suggest that the slaughter indexes and nutritional indicators of the meats of Yangzhou white goose, Xupu goose, Landaise geese, and Sichuan white goose are more balanced than those of the meats of the other goose breeds. The results of this review can lay the foundation for optimizing the breeding methods of the commercially raised goose breeds and processing methods of the meats of the geese. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Non-invasive brain stimulation for treating psychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), especially repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), is a promising therapeutic tool for managing the psychiatric symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). This meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of NIBS on psychiatric symptoms in patients with PD. METHODS: Several electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant literature from inception to October 18, 2021. The therapeutic effects of NIBS were evaluated using a random-effects meta-analysis based on the standard mean difference (SMD) and multivariable-adjusted effect estimates and subgroup analyses. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Finally, 57 and 15 studies with 4,010 participants were obtained from the meta-analysis and systematic review, respectively. Significant differences were found between NIBS and sham-stimulation/placebo participants for depression (SMD = -0.75, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -0.99 to -0.50, I2 = 79 %), and rTMS combined with antidepressant therapy and antidepressant alone for depression (SMD = -0.98, 95 % CI: -1.37 to -0.59, I2 = 87 %) and anxiety (SMD = -1.46, 95 % CI: -2.44 to -0.48, I2 = 95 %). Meanwhile, lower risks were observed for post-treatment compared with pre-treatment for depression (relative risk [RR] = 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.57-0.76, I2 = 96 %) and anxiety (RR = 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.60-0.73, I2 = 67 %). CONCLUSIONS: NIBS can be considered an effective non-pharmacological option for treating PD depression; moreover, rTMS combined with antidepressants was demonstrated to be a useful tool against depression and anxiety in PD.

Basolateral Amygdala SIRT1/PGC-1α Mitochondrial Biogenesis Pathway Mediates Morphine Withdrawal-Associated Anxiety in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a negative emotion that contributes to craving and relapse during drug withdrawal. Sirtuins 1 (SIRT1) has been reported to be critical in both negative emotions and drug addiction. However, it remains incompletely elucidated whether SIRT1 is involved in morphine withdrawal-associated anxiety. METHODS: We established a mouse model of anxiety-like behaviors induced by morphine withdrawal and then detected neuronal activity with immunofluorescence and mitochondrial morphology with electron microscopy, mitochondrial DNA contents with quantitative real-time PCR, and mitochondrial function with the ATP content detection kit and the Mitochondrial Complex IV Activity Kit in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). The mitochondrial molecules were detected by western blot. Then we used virus-mediated downregulation and overexpression of SIRT1 in BLA to investigate the effect of SIRT1 on anxiety and mitochondrial function. Finally, we examined the effects of pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 on anxiety and mitochondrial function. RESULTS: We found that BLA neuronal activity, mitochondrial function, and mtDNA content were significantly higher in morphine withdrawal mice. Furthermore, the expression levels of mitochondrial molecules increased in BLA cells. Virus-mediated downregulation of SIRT1 in BLA prevented anxiety-like behaviors in morphine withdrawal mice, whereas overexpression of SIRT1 in BLA facilitated anxiety-like behaviors in untreated mice through the SIRT1/ peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha pathway. Intra-BLA infusion of selective SIRT1 antagonist EX527 effectively ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors and mitochondrial dysfunction in mice with morphine withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Our results implicate a causal role for SIRT1 in the regulation of anxiety through actions on mitochondrial biogenesis. Inhibitors targeting SIRT1 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of opioid withdrawal-associated anxiety.

Determination of volatile flavor compounds in raw and treated duck meats of different body parts.

The compounds in volatile flavor substances in duck meats of three different body parts (breast, leg, and wing) were extracted by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction and determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 16 main volatile compounds including 4 hydrocarbons, 4 alcohols, 2 acids, 3 aldehydes, and 3 others (N-containing, S-containing) were identified in raw duck meats from three different body parts. The hydrocarbon compounds account for more than 50% of all volatile substances in all three body parts. And the percentage of hydrocarbon compounds in raw duck breast meat reaches 82.76%. A total of 81 volatile compounds including 15 hydrocarbons, 10 alcohols, 7 acids, 12 aldehydes, 4 esters, 19 S-containing and N-containing compounds, and 14 others were isolated and identified in 1 hr-marinated and cooked duck meats. A total of 101 kinds of volatile flavor compounds including 13 hydrocarbons, 14 alcohol, 7 acids, 8 aldehydes, 12 esters, 23 S-containing and N-containing compounds, and 24 others were detected in 3 hr-marinated duck meats of the three body parts. It was proved in this study that under the same conditions, the volatile compounds in duck legs are more than those in duck breasts and wings, and the types of volatile flavor substances increase significantly in duck meats after cooked. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Prepared and cooked duck meat, especially wings and legs are popular food in China. The results suggest that Pickling makes duck meat more flavory while proper pickling time is less than 3 hr. Duck wings are better for marinating and cooking compared with duck breasts and legs. The acceptance study of duck meat from different body parts and the analysis of volatile flavor compounds are beneficial for optimizing utilization of whole parts of duck meat.

Circ_0079558 promotes papillary thyroid cancer progression by binding to miR-26b-5p to activate MET/AKT signaling.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs featured by covalently closed circular structure. CircRNA_0079558 (circ_0079558) is derived from RAPGEF5 gene, and it has been found to be significantly up-regulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the role and working mechanism of circ_0079558 in PTC progression have never been illustrated. The levels of circ_0079558 and MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) were up-regulated in PTC tissues and cell lines, as evidenced by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assay. The silencing of circ_0079558 or MET restrained cell proliferation, migration and invasion whereas triggered cell apoptosis in PTC cells, as verified by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, plate colony formation assay, transwell invasion assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry. Through using MET specific inhibitor PHA665752, we found that circ_0079558 overexpression enhanced the malignant behaviors of PTC cells through activating MET/AKT pathway. Through dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, microRNA-26b-5p (miR-26b-5p) was identified to be the intermediary molecular between circ_0079558 and MET, and circ_0079558 knockdown reduced the expression of MET partly through elevating miR-26b-5p in PTC cells. The miR-198/FGFR1 pathway was identified as another signal axis downstream of circ_0079558, and the co-overexpression of FGFR1 and MET largely rescued the proliferation ability of circ_0079558-silenced PTC cells. Through xenograft tumor model, we found that circ_0079558 silencing restrained xenograft tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, circ_0079558 facilitated the proliferation and motility whereas inhibited the apoptosis of PTC cells largely through mediating miR-26b-5p/MET/AKT signaling.

A novel indazole derivative, compound Cyy-272, attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a diffuse lung dysfunction disease characterized by high prevalence and high mortality. Thus far, no effective pharmacological treatment has been made for ALI in clinics. Inflammation is critical to the development of ALI. Therefore, anti-inflammation may be a potential therapy strategy for ALI. Indazole-containing derivatives, representing one of the most important heterocycles in drug molecules, are endowed with a broad range of biological properties, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammation. In the current study, we investigated the biological effects of Cyy-272, a newly synthesized indazole compound, on LPS-induced ALI both in vivo and in vitro. Results show that Cyy-272 can inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated macrophage and alleviate LPS induced ALI. Further experiment revealed that Cyy-272 exhibit anti-inflammation activity by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation. Overall, our studies show that an indazole derivative, Cyy-272, is effective in suppressing LPS-induced JNK activation and inflammatory signaling.

Quantification of axonal ingrowth and functional recovery in a myocutaneous flap model in rats with strong clinical implications.

The process of reinnervation, an important component of functional restoration after flap transfer, is understudied, making it necessary to carry out a further investigation for delineation of the exact timeline. Seventy-six Sprague-Dawley rats were used as the experimental animals. An anatomic study was first conducted to clarify the pattern of nerve distribution in the dorsal skin of 16 rats. Afterward, a myocutaneous flap was harvested on the right flanks of 40 rats, which were then assigned into seven time points. At each time point, skin samples were harvested and immunofluorescent staining was performed using α-Bungarotoxin, and antibodies against NF-200, p75, α-SMA, and TH. One-way analysis of variance was adopted for comparison of nerve density after surgery. For evaluation of functional return, cutaneous trunci muscle reflex (CTMr) test was performed on 10 additional rats, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison of reflex intensity among six time points after surgery. The outcomes revealed that the cutaneous branches from the intercostal nerves and the dorsothoracic nerve from the brachial plexus could be found entering the dorsal skin, distributed in the skin proper and the panniculus carnosus, respectively. After flap surgery, full spontaneous reinnervation of the skin proper and vessels within the flaps could be achieved at day 180. However, if the stumps of cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves were damaged, the nerve density in the skin proper underwent a 2/3 decline. The panniculus carnosus in the cranial part had a much better reinnervation than that in the caudal part. The CTMr test showed that the flap could regain most of its sensate and motor activity. Our study shows that strong spontaneous reinnervation could be expected after flap surgery. The pattern of the original nerve distribution in both the recipient and donor sites may have a big impact on the reinnervation of the flap.

Clinical Multi-Omics Study on the Gut Microbiota in Critically Ill Patients After Cardiovascular Surgery Combined With Cardiopulmonary Bypass With or Without Sepsis (MUL-GM-CSCPB Study): A Prospective Study Protocol.

Introduction: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and hemodynamic instability are complications that develop after cardiac surgery combined with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for heart disease. Patients who develop fever with hemodynamic instability after cardiac surgery may have systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a technique that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs during cardiac surgery. Recent reports suggest that early bloodstream infections of patients undergoing CPB are due to gram-negative bacteria that are present in the intestinal flora. The theory of intestinal flora translocation has growing evidence. Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion that occurs during cardiac surgery with CPB will induce a systemic inflammatory reaction and may cause intestinal flora translocation. Does this systemic reaction cause sepsis? We therefore propose this protocol to determine whether the changes in the intestinal flora in patients after cardiac surgery with CPB are related to sepsis. Methods and Analysis: This study is a prospective observational case-control study to analyze the variation in the intestinal microflora and metabolites in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and to observe the outcomes of patients with routine clinical interventions. The control group will include healthy people without intestinal illness. Feces and blood samples will be acquired 1 day before cardiac surgery and within 24-72 h after cardiac surgery, and will be used for genomics and metabolomics analyses. Demographic data describing age, sex, main diagnosis, and past medical history and data related to the CPB time and application of antibiotics are available. Sequential (sepsis-related) organ failure assessment, infection-related laboratory items, infection site, and pathogenic microorganisms, and nutrition, and gastrointestinal function assessment are additionally recorded. Group analysis of data will be conducted according to the outcomes (sepsis vs. non-sepsis and survivors vs. non-survivors). Ethics and Dissemination: This protocol has been ethically approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College (ID: ZS-1612). Informed consent will be obtained before subject enrolment, and data will be stored in a secured database. The results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. Trial Registration Number: NCT04032938.

Pharmacodynamic elucidation of glutamate & dopamine in ketamine-induced anaesthesia.

General anaesthetics are some of the most widely used and essential therapeutic agents. However, despite over a century of research, the molecular mechanisms of general anaesthesia in the central nervous system remain elusive. Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride) has been approved for use in general anaesthesia either alone or in combination with other medications. It is a superb drug for use in short-term medical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation, and it has approval for the induction of general anaesthesia as a pre-anaesthetic to other general anaesthetic agents. However, Several questions remain unsolved, including the exact identification of the neural substrate of consciousness and its components, the pharmacodynamic interactions between anaesthetic agents, the mechanisms of cognitive alterations that follow an anaesthetic procedure, the identification of an eventual unitary mechanism of anaesthesia-induced alteration of consciousness, the relationship between network effects and the biochemical targets of anaesthetic agents, leading to difficulties in between-studies comparisons. Thus, the glutamate and dopamine systems play distinct roles in terms of neuronal signalling, yet both have proposed to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. Imaging of the glutamate system and other aspects of research on the dopamine system have produced less consistent findings, potentially due to methodological limitations and the heterogeneity of the disorder. In this review, we discuss the neural circuits through which the two systems interact and how their disruption may cause psychotic symptoms. We also summarize from a molecular perspective of mechanisms of action of ketamine as general anaesthetics on ligand-gated ion channels mediated modulation of dopamine in the brain region.

Study of the rational dose of propofol in elderly patients under bispectral index monitoring during total intravenous anesthesia: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Propofol has been used widely as an anesthetic for elderly patients; however, the drug instructions only indicate that the need for maintenance of general anesthesia in elderly patients is reduced, and not the extent of the reduction. This study has summarized the usage of propofol in total intravenous anesthesia under bispectral index (BIS) monitoring and determined the optimum dosage of propofol for elderly patients. METHODS: The study comprised 156 patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia divided into 2 groups according to their age: the elderly group (O group) and nonelderly group (Y group). BIS monitoring was used in both groups during the operation, and propofol and remifentanil were used to maintain anesthesia. The preoperative special conditions, intraoperative maintenance of propofol, remifentanil, fentanyl, cis-atracurium, vasoactive drug use, and hemodynamic changes were summarized. RESULTS: Propofol maintenance in the O group was 3.372 ±â€Š0.774 mg/(kg h), which was significantly lesser than that in Y group (P < 0.05). The incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the use rate of vasoactive drugs in the O group were significantly higher than in the Y group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Propofol maintenance in the O group was significantly lower than that in the nonelderly group; this indicates that the anesthetic drug delivery rate for elderly patients should be reduced.

Propofol inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by downregulating Twist.

Propofol is a commonly used anesthetic drug with potential antitumor activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferation and antimetastatic mechanisms of propofol in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SMMC-7721 was treated with different concentrations of propofol. Cell proliferation was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and cell motility was assessed by the wound healing assay. Cell migration and invasion ability were analyzed by the transwell assay. Protein levels of E-cadherin, Vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 were measured by Western blotting. Twist1 gene expression was assessed by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The proliferation, motility, migration, and invasion of SMMC-7721 cells were inhibited by propofol treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol treatment downregulated the protein levels of Vimentin, MMP-2, and MMP-9 while increasing that of E-cadherin. Propofol treatment inhibited the expression of the Twist1 gene in SMMC-7721 cells. The overexpression of Twist1 could partially reverse the inhibitory effects of propofol on SMMC-7721 cells. Propofol inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells by downregulating the expression of Twist1, making it a potential drug for HCC treatment.

Increase of SOX9 promotes hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury by activating TGF-ß1.

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury causes damage in aerobically metabolizing organs or tissues, which is an essential injury mechanism in various clinical settings. SRY-related high mobility group-Box gene 9 (SOX9) is a transcription factor of the SRY family, modulating various cellular processes, including fibrosis formation and tumor growth. However, the effects of SOX9 on hepatic IR injury have not been explored. In the present study, a hepatic IR injury model was established, supported by a significant histological alteration with high Suzuki scores, and a remarkable up-regulation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Importantly, we found that SOX9 was over-expressed in liver of mice after IR operation. Suppressing SOX9 markedly reduced inflammatory response, as evidenced by the reduced mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß and inactivation of inhibitor of κBα (IκBα)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. In addition, SOX9 suppression alleviated apoptosis in liver of mice after IR injury, as supported by the reduced number of terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferse (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL)-staining cells and decreased expression of Caspase-3 in liver tissue sections. The role of SOX9 in accelerating hepatic IR injury was further confirmed in primary hepatocytes under hypoxiaand reoxygenation (HR) treatment by enhancing inflammatory response and apoptosis. Of note, we found that transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 was highly induced in liver of mice after IR injury. HR treatment also stimulated TGF-ß1 expressions in vitro. Significantly, SOX9 over-expression-induced inflammation and apoptosis were obviously reduced by pirfenidone (Pirf), TGF-ß1 inhibitor. In contrast, TGF-ß1 exposure to cells further enhanced inflammation and apoptosis in HR-operated cells either with SOX9 knockdown or over-expression. Therefore, we identified a novel SOX9-dependent pathway that contributed to hepatic IR injury through enhancing inflammation and apoptosis by activating TGF-ß1.

Valproic acid, targets papillary thyroid cancer through inhibition of c-Met signalling pathway.

Tyrosine kinase receptors such as c-Met and its ligands are interesting therapeutic targets that have been reported to be involved in the progression of several types of cancers. Histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA) is one such compound with promising anti-cancer properties. The current study was designed to evaluate the c-Met activity of VPA in thyroid carcinoma. A total 36 nu/nu mice with SW1736 cells-induced tumours were randomised into three treatment groups (5, 15, 30 mg/kg/day p.o. VPA; n = 9/group). Various cellular and enzymatic assays were performed to evaluate the dose-response relationship of VPA in c-Met inhibition. In vitro assays revealed that VPA (IC50, 5-26 nmol/l) shows c-Met phosphorylation and c-Met-dependent inhibition of cellproliferation. This causes inhibition of downstream signalling pathways in human thyroid cancer cell lines (SW1736, WRO). Additionally, VPA also showed anti-angiogenetic activity in HGF-stimulated endothelial cell. VPA showed significant reduction in tumour size in xenograft model (P = 0.023) with high levels of c-Met expression. The anticancer activity was found to be dose dependent and strongly correlated with c-Met expression. Thus, this novel finding paves way for investigation of new mechanism of action and its validation in clinical settings.

Changes of serum trace elements level in patients with alopecia areata: A meta-analysis.

Abnormalities of serum trace elements are involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA); however, the results of published studies are controversial. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the alterations of serum level of trace elements and AA using a meta-analysis approach. We searched all articles indexed in PubMed, Embase and Science Citation Index published up to 30 April 2016 concerning the association between serum level of zinc, copper, iron/ferritin, selenium or magnesium and AA. Ten eligible articles involving 764 subjects were identified. Overall, pooled analysis indicated that patients with AA had a lower serum level of zinc (P < 10-4 ) and selenium (P < 10-4 ) than the healthy controls. However, there was no significant difference between the AA patients and controls in the levels of serum copper (P = 0.81), serum iron (P = 0.36), serum ferritin (P = 0.37) and serum magnesium (P = 0.07). This meta-analysis suggests that low serum levels of zinc and selenium seem to be important risk factors for AA.