[Changes in OCTA-related parameters and their impact on retinal sensitivity after ILM flap inversion surgery in patients with IMH].

Objective: To analyze the changes in optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)-related parameters before and after idiopathic macular hole (IMH) internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap inversion surgery and assess their impact on retinal sensitivity. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted, collecting clinical data of 30 patients (30 eyes) diagnosed with IMH who underwent vitrectomy combined with ILM flap inversion surgery at Shanxi Eye Hospital, affiliated with Shanxi Medical University, between January 2020 and December 2021. Visual acuity and best-corrected visual acuity were examined preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Microperimetry measured retinal sensitivity (RS), and OCTA measured retinal thickness (RT) as well as vessel density (VD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). Statistical analysis was performed using t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Thirty patients with IMH (30 eyes) were included, with 3 males (3 eyes) and 27 females (27 eyes). The mean age was (62.5±3.0) years, and the follow-up time was (96.3±1.3) days, with a 100% closure rate of macular holes postoperatively. RT in the macular was significantly lower at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively compared to preoperative values (F=46.21, P<0.001). The RT in the upper macular region showed statistically significant differences at different time points (P<0.001). VD in the SCP layer showed no significant differences between the upper and lower macular regions at various time points (F=3.21, P=0.601). VD in the upper region of the DCP layer increased at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (P<0.001). RS in the macular was higher at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively compared to preoperative values (F=52.01, P<0.001). RS in the lower macular region increased at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (P<0.001), while in the upper region, it increased only at 6 months postoperatively (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between RS and RT at 1 and 3 months postoperatively, but not at 6 months postoperatively in the upper macular region (r=0.40, P=0.071). In the lower macular region, there was a positive correlation between RS and RT at 1 and 3 months postoperatively (P<0.001). There was no correlation between RS in the upper macular region at 6 months postoperatively and preoperative RT (r=0.43, P=0.072), but there was a positive correlation with RT at 3 months postoperatively (r=0.58, P=0.041). Conclusions: After idiopathic macular hole internal limiting membrane flap inversion surgery, the OCTA-related parameters have changed. There are transient changes in deep vascular parameters and thinning of the retinal layers at the ILM inversion site, leading to decreased sensitivity.

[Relationship between macular hole cavity cross-sectional area and retinal blood flow density and its impact on retinal function in idiopathic macular holes].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the cross-sectional area of the macular hole (MH) cavity and the blood flow density in different retinal layers, as well as the impact of cavity size on preoperative and postoperative retinal function in patients with idiopathic macular holes (IMH). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from 18 patients (18 eyes) diagnosed with IMH who underwent vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling at Shanxi Eye Hospital affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from August 2019 to December 2021. Visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) were performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Blood flow density data were collected for the overall retina, macular center fovea, and parafoveal regions, and the cavity cross-sectional area was measured using ImageJ software. Ten healthy subjects without retinal abnormalities who underwent mfERG at Shanxi Eye Hospital affiliated to Shanxi Medical University during the same period were included as a control group. One eye was randomly selected for each subject, with 5 left eyes and 5 right eyes. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: All 18 IMH patients had unilateral disease, including 3 males and 15 females, with an average age of (64.22±4.33) years and a duration of illness of 75 (38, 120) days. In the control group, consisting of 10 subjects, 4 were male and 6 were female, with an average age of (63.67±6.96) years. Preoperatively, all 18 affected eyes exhibited a macular hole cavity, which closed and disappeared one month postoperatively. The total cavity cross-sectional area was (4.84±2.28) mm2, with an average area of (0.27±0.13) mm2. The cavity cross-sectional area was positively correlated with the MH height (r=0.82, P<0.001), ellipsoid zone disruption diameter (r=0.74, P<0.001), and preoperative BCVA (r=0.62, P=0.006). The cavity cross-sectional area was positively correlated with the blood flow density of the superficial macular center fovea (r=0.47, P=0.049) and negatively correlated with the blood flow density of the deep retina (r=-0.50, P=0.033) and deep parafoveal blood flow density (r=-0.65, P=0.003). Compared to healthy eyes in the control group, IMH eyes showed decreased amplitudes of P1 and N1 waves in mfERG, prolonged P1 wave latency except at ring 1 (2.18° outward from the foveal center), and prolonged N1 wave latency except at ring 2 (7.46° outward from the foveal center) and 5 (29.75° outward from the foveal center) (all P<0.05). The cavity cross-sectional area was only related to the preoperative latency of the N1 wave at ring 2 (r=0.64, P=0.004) and had an effect on the changes in the preoperative and postoperative latency of P1 and N1 waves at ring 1 and 5 (F=4.94, 5.96; P=0.042, 0.027). Time changes had no effect on the preoperative and postoperative amplitudes and latencies of mfERG P1 and N1 waves (all P>0.05), but the interaction between cavity cross-sectional area and time had statistical significance for the amplitudes of P1 at ring 1 and N1 at ring 2(F=6.89, 3.76; P=0.003, 0.035). Conclusions: In patients with IMH, a larger macular hole cavity cross-sectional area is associated with lower blood flow density, particularly in the deep parafoveal region, poorer visual acuity, and decreased retinal function at 7.46° outward from the foveal center.

[Analysis of influencing factors of shunt dysfunction after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in liver cirrhosis accompanied with portal vein thrombosis].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of shunt after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in liver cirrhosis accompanied with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Methods: Forty-four cases with liver cirrhosis accompanied with PVT who underwent TIPS treatment from January 2015 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical baseline data of the patients were collected. Portal vein pressure gradient (PVPG) before and after the surgery was recorded. Shunt patency was observed at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the surgery. The influencing factors were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was successfully established in all 44 cases. The postoperative PVPG was lower than preoperative (P < 0.01). The shunt patency rate after TIPS in PVT was 18.2% (n = 8). The cumulative shunt patency rates at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery were 95.5%, 90.7%, 90.7%, 86.8% and 74.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that diabetes history, platelet level and prothrombin time-international normalized ratio were associated with postoperative shunt dysfunction. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes history (P = 0.007, OR = 28.606) was an independent risk factor for postoperative shunt dysfunction. Conclusion: TIPS is a safe and feasible procedure, which can effectively reduce the portal pressure in liver cirrhosis accompanied with PVT. Diabetic patients have a higher risk of postoperative shunt dysfunction. Therefore, clinical intervention should be strengthened for high-risk patients.

Characteristics and incidence of broiler chicken wooden breast meat under commercial conditions in China.

Wooden breast (WB) has emerged as a dramatically increasing myopathy in the poultry industry over the past few years. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of WB in a Chinese commercial broiler processing plant, and the consequences on quality attributes, textural properties, and sensory traits. A total of 1,135 breast fillets were collected at the deboning line and assigned to normal, mild, moderate, and severe WB categories by tactile evaluation. The proportion affected by WB was approximately 61.9%. WB fillets appeared heavier and thicker than normal fillets. The degree of WB myopathy was highly correlated with fillet weight and thickness. The meat quality characteristics of cooking loss and purge loss increased along with increasing severity of WB myopathy. Compression tests of raw meat revealed higher cutting strength and shear values for WB. In cooked meat, only severe WB fillets exhibited elevated hardness and chewiness. Finally, moderate and severe WB fillets affected the sensory evaluation by consumers owing to their impaired general appearance, texture, and drip loss. The results suggested that a high proportion of WB broiler fillets would cause detrimental losses to the poultry meat retailing and processing industry.

Protective effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides on intestinal development and mucosal immune function of immunosuppressed broilers.

This study was aimed to assess the protective effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides (IAPS) on the development of small intestine and intestinal mucosal immunity of immunosuppressed broilers induced by cyclophosphamide (CPM). A total of 384 one-day-old broiler chicks with similar initial weight were randomly assigned into 6 groups: non-treated group (control), and CPM-treated groups fed either a basal diet or the diets containing 900 mg/kg APS, or 900, 600, 300 mg/kg IAPS, respectively. On days 16, 18, and 20, all broilers except for control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL CPM (40 mg/kg of BW). Broilers in the control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL sterilized saline (0.75%, wt/vol). This trial was lasted for 21 d. The results revealed that both APS and IAPS treatment elevated the duodenal IgA-producing cells number and the jejunal mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon γ of CPM-injected broilers (P < 0.05). The decreased jejunal villus height (VH), the ratio of VH to crypt depth (V/C), as well as the intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells number in CPM-injected broilers were elevated by dietary supplementation with 900 mg/kg APS or 900, 600 mg/kg IAPS (P < 0.05). The CPM-induced decrease in jejunum index, the duodenal VH and the jejunal IgA-producing cells number were only improved in the 900 mg/kg IAPS group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of IELs and IgA-producing cells in duodenum, VH, V/C, the number of goblet cells, and mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-10 in jejunum were higher in the 900 mg/kg IAPS group than those in the 900 mg/kg APS group (P < 0.05). In summary, IAPS possessed stronger immunomodulatory effect than APS at the same supplementation level. Therefore, gamma irradiation can be used as an alternative treatment to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of APS.

Attenuating effects of guanidinoacetic acid on preslaughter transport-induced muscle energy expenditure and rapid glycolysis of broilers.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on growth performance, plasma variables, muscle energy status, glycolytic potential, and meat quality of broilers experiencing transport stress during the summer. A total of 320 28-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments, including a GAA-free basal control diet (160 birds) and basal diet supplementation with 600 (80 birds) or 1,200 mg/kg (80 birds) GAA for 14 D. On the morning of day 42, after an 8-h fast, the birds fed basal diets were divided into 2 equal groups, and all birds in the 4 groups of 80 birds were transported according to the following protocols: 1) a 0.5-h transport of birds on basal diets (as a lower-stress control group), 2) a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets, and a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets supplemented with either 3) 600 or 4) 1,200 mg/kg GAA. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with GAA at 600 and 1,200 mg/kg for 14 D prior to slaughter did not affect growth performance, carcass traits, and most textural characteristics and chemical composition of the pectoralis major (PM) muscle (P > 0.05). In the GAA-free group, a 3-h transport increased the broiler live weight loss, elevated the plasma corticosterone concentration, decreased the plasma glucose concentration, muscle concentrations of ATP, creatine and energy charge value, increased the muscle AMP concentration and AMP/ATP ratio, and accelerated glycolysis metabolism, which resulted in inferior meat quality (lower pH and higher drip loss, P < 0.05). However, dietary addition of GAA at 1,200 mg/kg increased the mRNA expression of S-adenosyl-l-methionine: N-guanidino-acetate methyltransferase in the liver and creatine transporter in both the liver and PM muscle. It also elevated muscle concentrations of creatine and phosphocreatine (P < 0.05), which helps improve meat quality by ameliorating the 3-h transport-induced muscle energy expenditure and delaying anaerobic glycolysis of broilers.

Increased fat synthesis and limited apolipoprotein B cause lipid accumulation in the liver of broiler chickens exposed to chronic heat stress.

Chronic heat stress can enhance fat synthesis in broilers, and excessive triglyceride (TG) synthesized by the liver needs to be transported to extrahepatic tissues by very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) otherwise will accumulate in the liver, which may even result in hepatic steatosis. To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which chronic heat stress enhances fat synthesis and results in lipid accumulation in the liver of chickens, 144 broilers (Arbor Acres, 28-day-old) were randomly allocated to the normal control (NC, 22°C), heat stress (HS, consistent 32°C), or pair-fed (PF, 22°C) groups for a 14-D trial. The 7 D of heat exposure significantly increased the respiratory rate, relative weight of abdominal fat, the levels of glucose, TG, corticosterone, insulin, and VLDL in plasma, as well as the levels of TG, total cholesterol, acyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver, and mRNA expression levels of carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), ACC, FAS, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) in comparison with the other 2 groups. After 14 D of heat exposure, the relative weights of abdominal fat and liver and levels of TG and FAS in the liver were significantly higher in the HS group than in the other 2 groups, and there were no significant differences in the respiratory rate, plasma corticosterone concentration, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) level in the liver, and mRNA expression levels of key genes of fat synthesis among the 3 groups. In conclusion, chronic heat exposure activated LXRα pathway and enhanced fat synthesis in the liver after 7 D of heat exposure. After 14 D of heat exposure, heat-stressed broilers exhibited an adaptation to the high temperature in parameters of stress and fat synthesis gene expression levels. Moreover, chronic heat stress resulted in lipid accumulation in the liver of broilers, which is probably because the limited ApoB was not enough to transport the excessive TG synthesized by the liver in chronic heat-stressed broilers.

CalliSpheres® drug-eluting beads (DEB) transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is equally efficient and safe in liver cancer patients with different times of previous conventional TACE treatments: a result from CTILC study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in liver cancer patients with different times of previous conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) treatments. METHODS: 367 liver cancer patients about to receive DEB-TACE treatment were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. All patients were divided into no previous cTACE group (NPC group), 1-2 times previous cTACE group (PC group) and triple or above previous cTACE group (TPC group) according to the times of previous cTACE treatments. RESULTS: There was no difference in complete response (CR) (P = 0.671) and objective response rate (ORR) (P = 0.062) among three groups. Additionally, no difference in overall survival (OS) among groups (P = 0.899) was found. As to liver function, most liver function indexes were deteriorative at 1 week after DEB-TACE operation, but returned to baseline at 1-3 months after DEB-TACE operation in all three groups, while percentage of abnormal total bile acid (TBA) patients was higher in TPC group than NPC and PC groups at 1-3 month post-DEB-TACE (P = 0.018). As for safety profiles, the incidence of pain during DEB-TACE operation was lower in TPC group compared to NPC and PC groups (P = 0.005), while no difference of other adverse events was found during and 1 month post-DEB-TACE treatment among three groups. CONCLUSION: DEB-TACE treatment was equally efficient and tolerated in liver cancer patients with different times of previous cTACE treatments.

The alleviative effects and related mechanisms of taurine supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics in broilers exposed to chronic heat stress.

To investigate the alleviative effects and molecular mechanisms of taurine supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics in broilers exposed to chronic heat stress, 144 male Arbor Acres broilers (28 d old) were randomly distributed to positive control (PC, 22°C, basal diet), heat stress (HS, consistent 32°C, basal diet), or heat stress + taurine (HS + T, consistent 32°C, basal diet + 5.00 g/kg taurine) groups, with 6 cages per group and 8 birds per cage. Chronic heat stress significantly decreased body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake, and increased cloacal temperature and feed conversion ratio (FCR, P < 0.05). Though taurine supplementation tended to decrease the FCR in the HS + T group compared with the HS group after 14 d of heat exposure (P = 0.071), there were no significant alleviative effects of taurine supplementation on the increased cloacal temperature and decreased growth performance in chronic heat-stressed broilers (P > 0.05). After 7 and 14 d of heat exposure, taurine supplementation significantly increased the proportion of breast muscle and hormone-sensitive lipase activity in the abdominal fat (P < 0.05), and decreased the mRNA expressions of muscle atrophy F-box protein (MAFbx) and muscle ring-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) in breast muscle compared with the HS group (P < 0.05). After 7 d of heat exposure, taurine supplementation significantly increased serum non-esterified fatty acid concentration (P < 0.05), and decreased the mRNA expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1c (ACC) and muscular isoform of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (M-CPT1) compared with the HS group (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA expressions of M-CPT1 and ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70 kDa (p70S6K) in the HS + T group were significantly higher than those of the other two groups after 14 d of heat exposure (P < 0.05). In conclusion, taurine supplementation can improve carcass characteristics of chronic heat-stressed broilers by facilitating lipolysis for energy, enhancing protein synthesis, and suppressing protein degradation of the breast muscles.

Effects of in ovo feeding of l-arginine on breast muscle growth and protein deposition in post-hatch broilers.

In ovo feeding (IOF) of l-arginine (Arg) can affect growth performance of broilers, but the response of IOF of Arg on breast muscle growth is unclear, and the mechanism involved in protein deposition remains unknown. Hense, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of IOF of Arg on breast muscle growth and protein-deposited signalling in post-hatch broilers. A total of 720 fertile eggs were collected from 34-week-old Arbor Acres breeder hens and distributed to three treatments: (1) non-injected control group; (2) 7.5 g/l (w/v) NaCl diluent-injected control group; (3) 0.6 mg Arg/egg solution-injected group. At 17.5 days of incubation, fertile eggs were injected 0.6 ml solutions into the amnion of the injected groups. Upon hatching, 80 male chicks were randomly assigned to eight replicates of 10 birds each and fed ad libitum for 21 days. The results indicated that IOF of Arg increased relative breast muscle weight compared with those of control groups at hatch, 3-, 7- and 21-day post-hatch (P<0.05). In the Arg-injected group, the plasma total protein and albumen concentrations were higher at 7- and 21-day post-hatch than those of control groups (P<0.05). The alanine aminotransferase activity in Arg group was higher at hatch than that of control groups (P<0.05). The levels of triiodothyronine at four time points and thyroxine hormones at hatch, 7- and 21-day post-hatch in Arg group were higher than those of control groups (P<0.05). In addition, IOF of Arg increased the amino acid concentrations of breast muscle at hatch, 7- and 21-day post-hatch (P<0.05). In ovo feeding of Arg also enhanced mammalian target of rapamycin, ribosomal protein S6 kinase-1 and eIF4E-bindingprotein-1 messenger RNA expression levels at hatch compared with those of control groups (P<0.05). It was concluded that IOF of Arg treatment improved breast muscle growth, which might be associated with the enhancement of protein deposition.

Effects of in ovo feeding of L-arginine on the development of digestive organs, intestinal function and post-hatch performance of broiler embryos and hatchlings.

This study was to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) L-arginine (Arg) solution on the development of digestive organs, the duodenal mucosa of broiler embryos and hatchlings, and the growth performance of chicks during the first week post-hatch. A total of 720 fertilized eggs with similar weight were randomly allocated to three groups, consisting of eight replicates of 30 eggs each. Three treatments were arranged as non-injected control, diluent-injected (0.75% NaCl solution) group and Arg solution-injected group containing 1% Arg, dissolved in diluent. At 17.5 days of incubation, 0.6 ml of IOF solution was injected into amniotic fluid of each egg of injected groups. Results showed IOF of Arg solution increased (p < .05) the chick embryo weight at 19 days of incubation; the body weight gain of post-hatch broilers during 1-7 days; the weights of liver, pancreas, proventriculus and gizzard; the concentrations of duodenal ghrelin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and glucagon-like peptide 2; and the duodenum mucosal enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase, maltase, sucrase and inducible nitric oxide synthase of 7-day-old post-hatch broilers compared with other groups. The IOF of Arg solution also increased (p < .05) the villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD) and decreased (p < .05) the CD in duodenum of broiler embryos and post-hatch hatchlings, except for the CD at 19 days of incubation. In conclusion, IOF of 1% Arg solution into the amnion at 17.5 days of incubation could improve the development of digestive organs, the duodenal morphology, the releasing of gastrointestinal hormones and mucosal enzyme activities of broiler embryos and hatchlings and finally the growth performance of chicks during the first week post-hatch. Therefore, IOF of appropriate Arg solution could be an effective technology for regulating early nutrition supply and subsequent growth development in poultry industry.

Effects of Different Selenium Sources on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Meat Quality of Local Chinese Subei Chickens.

Despite increasing evidence indicating the essential involvement of selenium (Se) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of commercial broilers, the effects of different Se sources on local Chinese Subei chickens is unclear. A total of 360 50-day-old male chickens were individually weighed and randomly allocated to four treatment groups. Chickens in each of the four groups were fed diets supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg as sodium Se (SS), Se-enriched yeast (SY), selenomethionine (Met-Se), or nano red element Se (Nano-Se) for 40 days. At the end of the experiment, one bird of approximately average weight from each cage was selected and slaughtered, and blood and breast muscles samples were collected. The results showed that there was no significant difference in feed intake, body weight gain, or feed to gain ratio among treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary SY, Met-Se, and Nano-Se supplementation increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum and breast muscles and decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum and carbonyl in breast muscles compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). Moreover, SY, Met-Se, and Nano-Se supplementation increased pH45min, total protein solubility, and myofibrillar protein solubility, as well as decreased the shear force value compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). In addition, birds in the SY and Met-Se groups exhibited lower cooking loss compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, organic Se and Nano-Se supplementation resulted in an improvement of antioxidant capacity and meat quality in local Chinese Subei chickens relative to inorganic Se.

In ovo feeding of creatine pyruvate modulates growth performance, energy reserves and mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis enzymes in liver of embryos and neonatal broilers.

The effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of creatine pyruvate (CrPyr) on the growth performance, energy reserves and mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis enzymes in liver of late-term embryos and neonatal broilers were investigated. After candling on 16 day of incubation, a total of 960 eggs were randomly assigned to three treatments: (i) non-injected control, (ii) saline group injected with 0.6 ml of 0.75% physiological saline and (iii) Creatine pyruvate group injected with 0.6 ml of physiological saline containing 12 mg CrPyr/egg. After hatching, 120 male chicks with average body weight (BW) were randomly allocated into each treatment group for a 7-day feeding trial. The results showed that broilers subjected to CrPyr treatment had higher BW than those of the control and saline groups on 1, 3 and 7 day post-hatch, as well as the yolk sac weight on 19 day of incubation (19 E), the day of hatch and 3 day post-hatch (p < .05). Compared with the control and saline groups, IOF of CrPyr increased the plasma creatine concentration on the day of hatch, and the plasma pyruvate concentration on the day of hatch and 3 day post-hatch (p < .05). Moreover, IOF of CrPyr increased the liver pyruvate and glucose concentrations on 19 E and the day of hatch, and the liver glycogen concentration during the experiment (p < .05). Broilers in the CrPyr group showed increased mRNA expression levels of pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glycogen synthase 2 (GYS2) on 19 E and the day of hatch (p < .05). These results indicated that IOF of CrPyr increased energy reserves in liver of embryos and neonatal broilers possibly through upregulating the mRNA expression levels of PC, PEPCK and GYS2, which could benefit the increase of BW in broilers on 7 day post-hatch.

In ovo feeding of L-arginine alters energy metabolism in post-hatch broilers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of L-arginine (Arg) on energy metabolism in post-hatch broilers. A total of 720 eggs was randomly assigned to 3 treatments: 1) non-injected control group, 2) 0.75% NaCl diluent-injected control group, and 3) 1.0% Arg solution-injected group. At 17.5 d of incubation, 0.6 mL of each solution was injected into the amniotic fluid of each egg of injected groups. After hatching, 80 male chicks were randomly assigned to each treatment group with 8 replicates per group. The results showed that IOF of Arg increased glycogen and glucose concentrations in the liver and pectoral muscle of broilers at hatch (P < 0.05). The plasma glucose and insulin levels were higher in the Arg group than in the non-injected and diluent-injected control groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, IOF of Arg enhanced the hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) activity at hatch (P < 0.05). There was no difference in hexokinase (HK) or phosphofructokinase (PFK) enzyme activities in the pectoral muscle in all groups. Further, IOF of Arg increased the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) mRNA expressions at hatch (P < 0.05). In addition, broilers in the Arg group had a higher mRNA expression of glycogen synthase and a lower expression of glycogen phosphorylase in the liver and pectoral muscles than in the non-injected controls at hatch (P < 0.05). In conclusion, IOF of Arg solution enhanced liver and pectoral muscle energy reserves at hatch, which might be considered as an effective strategy for regulating early energy metabolism in broilers.

Clinical impact of serum miR-661 in diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum miR-661 could serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS:   The expression of serum miR-661 was detected in 150 cases of NSCLC and 114 cases of normal healthy controls by Real-time PCR. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to analyze diagnostic value of serum miR-661. The relationship between serum miR-661 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was investigated. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Moreover, Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic value of serum miR-661 in NSCLC patients. RESULTS: We found that the expression of serum miR-661 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC compared with healthy controls (p < 0.01). The expression level of serum miR-661 was positively correlated with histological grade (p = 0.011), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.003), distant metastasis (p = 0.021) and clinical stage (p = 0.005). Then, ROC curve analysis showed that serum miR-661 has considerable diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.726 (p = 0.001). Moreover, NSCLC patients with serum miR-661 higher expression have shown significantly poorer overall survival than those with lower serum miR-661 expression (p = 0.004). Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed that serum miR-661 expression levels were an independent prognostic factor for survival in NSCLC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings indicate that serum miR-661 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC.

In ovo feeding of creatine pyruvate alters energy reserves, satellite cell mitotic activity and myogenic gene expression of breast muscle in embryos and neonatal broilers.

We investigated the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of creatine pyruvate (CrPyr) on energy reserves, satellite cell mitotic activity (SCMA) and myogenic gene expression in breast muscle of embryos and neonatal broilers. A total of 960 eggs were randomly allocated into three treatments: 1) non-injected control group, 2) saline group injected with 0.6 mL of physiological saline (0.75%), and 3) CrPyr group injected with 0.6 mL of physiological saline (0.75%) containing 12 mg CrPyr/egg at 17.5 d of incubation. After hatching, a total of 120 male chicks were randomly assigned to each treatment group, with eight replicate sets per group. Selected chicks had body BW close to the average of their pooled group. Our results showed that the total and relative breast muscle weights of broilers subjected to CrPyr treatment were higher than those in the control and saline groups on 19 d of incubation (19 E), the day of hatch, 3 and 7 d post-hatch (P < 0.05). The myofiber diameter and cross-sectional area of individuals in the CrPyr group were higher than those in other treatments on 3 and 7 d post-hatch (P < 0.05). Moreover, IOF of CrPyr increased (P < 0.05) creatine concentrations on 19 E, the day of hatch and 3 d post-hatch, the same treatment increased phosphocreatine concentrations on 19 E. Broilers in the CrPyr group showed higher expression of myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD) (P < 0.05), myogenin and paired box 7 (Pax7), as well as higher index of SCMA on 3 d post-hatch. However, myostatin mRNA expression in CrPyr-treated broilers was down-regulated on 3 d post-hatch (P < 0.05). These results indicated that IOF of CrPyr increased energy reserves of embryos and SCMA of broilers on 3 d post-hatch, which led to enhanced muscle growth in the late embryos and neonatal broilers. Additionally, IOF of CrPyr increased the activity of satellite cells possibly through up-regulating MyoD, myogenin, and Pax7 mRNA expression and down-regulating myostatin mRNA expression.

Effects of dietary starch types on early postmortem muscle energy metabolism in finishing pigs.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary starch types on early postmortem muscle energy metabolism in finishing pigs. Ninety barrows (68.0±2.0kg) were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with five replicates of six pigs, containing pure waxy maize starch (WMS), nonwaxy maize starch (NMS), and pea starch (PS) (amylose/amylopectin were 0.07, 0.19 and 0.28 respectively). Compared with the WMS diet, pigs fed the PS diet exhibited greater creatine kinase activity, higher adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate contents, lower phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine monophosphate and glycogen contents, and lower glycolytic potential (P<0.05). Moreover, the PS diet led to reduced percentage of bound hexokinase activity, decreased level of phosphorylated AKT (P<0.05) and increased level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (P<0.05). In conclusion, diet with high amylose content might promote PCr degradation and inhibit the rate of glycolysis, followed by attenuation of early postmortem glycolysis in finishing pigs.

Effects of dietary starch types on growth performance, meat quality and myofibre type of finishing pigs.

To investigate the effects of dietary starch types on growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs, ninety barrows (68.0±2.0kg) were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with five replicates of six pigs, containing pure waxy maize starch (WMS), nonwaxy maize starch (NMS) and pea starch (PS) (amylose/amylopectin were 0.07, 0.19 and 0.28 respectively). Compared with WMS diet, PS diet increased the average daily gain, loin eye area, pH45 value, NMR transverse relaxation (T2)2 peak area ratio and sarcoplasmic protein solubility, decreased the feed to gain ratio, back fat, drip loss, cooking loss and T23 peak area ratio (P<0.05). Moreover, PS diet increased the myosin heavy-chain (MyHC)-I and IIa levels, decreased the MyHC-IIb level, decreased the miR23a level and increased its target gene level, increased the miR499 level and decreased its target gene level (P<0.05). Diet with high amylose content might be beneficial to the growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs.

Effect of electrical stunning frequency on meat quality, plasma parameters, and protein solubility of broilers.

This study was designed to compare the effects of different stunning frequencies of pulsed direct current on meat quality of broilers. This was achieved by investigating plasma parameters, blood loss, carcass damage, meat water-holding capacity, meat color, meat shear value, muscle pH, and protein solubility. A total of 400 broilers was divided into 5 treatment groups and stunned with 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 Hz at 15 V for 10 seconds. Blood samples were collected immediately after cutting the neck. Pectoralis major muscles were removed from the carcass after chilling and placed in ice. Breast muscle pH and meat color were determined at both 2 and 24 h postmortem. Drip loss, cooking loss, pressing loss, and cooked breast meat-shear values were determined at 24 h postmortem. Treatment at 500 and 900 Hz significantly increased (P < 0.05) blood plasma corticosterone and lactate concentrations compared with the 700 Hz group. The wing damage of carcasses was significantly serious in the 500, 800, and 900 Hz groups. The Pectoralis minor damage of carcesses in the 700 Hz group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared to the other stunning groups. The pH at 2 h postmortem in the 500 and 900 Hz groups was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in other groups. However, the final pH and meat color were not affected by stunning frequency. In the 500 and 900 Hz groups, the protein solubility and shear force values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and drip loss was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the 700 Hz group. This study indicates that the waveform of the pulsed direct current is acceptable for stunning broilers at a stunning frequency of 700 Hz.

Effects of in ovo feeding of creatine pyruvate on the hatchability, growth performance and energy status in embryos and broiler chickens.

The effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of creatine pyruvate (CrPyr) on the hatchability, growth performance and energy status of embryos and broilers (Arbor Acres) were investigated. Five treatments were arranged as non-injected treatment (Control), 0.6 ml physiological saline (0.75%) injected treatment (Saline), and IOF treatments injected with 0.6 ml physiological saline (0.75%) containing 3, 6 or 12 mg CrPyr (CrPyr3, CrPyr6 or CrPyr12) into the amnion per fertile egg on day 17.5 of incubation. After hatching, 80 male chicks from each treatment with similar weight close to the average BW of their pooled group were selected and randomly assigned into eight replicates of 10 chicks each. The results showed that the hatchability was not affected among groups, whereas the hatching weight of broilers in CrPyr12 was significantly higher than the control and saline groups (P0.05). Irrespective of dosage, the concentrations of creatine and phosphocreatine, and activities of creatine kinase in embryos were enhanced in CrPyr treatments at 19 E when compared with the control and saline groups (P<0.05). The activities of glucose-6-phosphatase in liver in CrPyr6 and CrPyr12 treatments were higher than the control and saline groups at 19 E (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that IOF of CrPyr, especially at the level of 12 mg/egg, could improve energy status of embryos and hatchlings, which was useful for enhancing hatching weight, BW and pectoral muscle weight until the end of the experiments at 21 days post-hatch in broilers.