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.

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.

Dexamethasone Effect on the Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-ß1/Smads Signaling Pathway in Benign Biliary Stricture Fibroblasts in Rodent.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1/Smads signaling pathway in benign biliary stricture (BBS) fibroblasts. STUDY DESIGN: An experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China, from January to August 2016. METHODOLOGY: Fibroblasts derived from rabbit BBS model were cultured and identified, then treated by different concentration of dexamethasone (0.02, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/ml). Dexamethasone-treated cells and non-treated control groups were incubated respectively for 48 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell counting kit-8. Relative mRNA expression of TGF-ß1, Smad4 and Smad7 were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad4 were investigated by Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with dexamethasone significantly inhibited the proliferation of BBS fibroblasts, significantly attenuated both the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad4, and significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of Smad7 in BBS fibroblasts (all p<0.05, 0.1-0.5 mg/ml), and exhibited in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway may play an important role in BBS progression; dexamethasone significantly altered the expression of TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway and significantly inhibited cell proliferation in rabbit BBS fibroblasts. Therefore, dexamethasone may be a therapeutic option for the prevention of BBS.

Tetramethylpyrazine Effects on the Expression of Scar-Related Genes in Rabbit Benign Biliary Stricture Fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF- ß1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and neuronal regeneration related protein (P311) in benign biliary stricture fibroblasts of rabbit. STUDY DESIGN: An experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China, from April to December 2015. METHODOLOGY: Fibroblasts isolated from rabbits following benign biliary stricture were cultured and treated with different concentrations of TMP(0.08, 0.4, and 2.0 mg/ml). TMP-treated cells and non-treated control groups were incubated for 48-hours, and proliferation was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The mRNAexpressions of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and P311 were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expressions of TGF-ß1 and α-SMAwere investigated by Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with TMPsignificantly reduced the proliferation of benign biliary stricture fibroblasts, and significantly attenuated both the mRNAand protein expressions of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and P311 (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: TMPsignificantly reduced the proliferation of benign biliary stricture fibroblasts, and significantly downregulated the mRNA/protein expression of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and P311. Therefore, TMPmay be a therapeutic option for the prevention of benign biliary stricture.

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.