Effects of substituting corn with steam-flaked sorghum on growth, digestion and blood metabolites in young cattle fed feedlot diets

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of substituting ground corn grain with steam-flaked sorghum (SFS) grain on growth performance, nutrient utilisation and blood metabolites in beef bulls. Fifty-six Simmental beef bulls averaging 12 months of age and 356.4 ± 2.6 kg of bodyweight were randomly assigned to four groups. The treatments were control, low-SFS, medium-SFS and high–SFS, with 0, 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3 SFS grain, respectively, substituting ground corn grain of diets(dry matter (DM) basis). Diets consisted of 50% corn silage and 50% concentrate (DM basis). The average daily gain and feed conversion rate improved quadratically with increasing the proportion of SFS grain. Ruminal pH and ammonia-nitrogen (N) concentration decreased quadratically, whereas ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration increased quadratically. Ratio of acetate to propionate decreased quadratically (P = 0.027) due to the quadratic decrease in acetate production and the quadratic increase in propionate production. Digestibilities of DM, organic matter and crude protein increased quadratically, whereas that of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre decreased quadratically. The digestible N, retention N and the retention N to digestible N ratio improved quadratically. Inclusion of SFS grain in diets quadratically increased blood concentrations of glucose, total protein, albumin and triglyceride, but quadratically decreased the concentration of urea N. The results indicated that partly substituting ground corn grain with SFS grain could improve growth performance by improving ruminal fermentation and N utilisation; the optimum substitution rate was 2/3 (DM basis).

Knockdown of long non-coding RNA MEG3 protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia-induced injury by targeting microRNA-183

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs when blood supply to the heart is diminished (ischemia) for long time, and ischemia is primarily caused due to hypoxia. This study evaluated the effects of long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) on hypoxic rat cardiomyocyte-drived H9c2 cells. Hypoxic injury was confirmed by alterations of cell viability, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression. MEG3 level in hypoxic cells and effects of its knockdown on hypoxic cells were assessed. The interactions between MEG3 and miR-183 as well as miR-183 and p27 were investigated. In addition, the effects of aberrantly expressed MEG3, miR-183, and p27 on hypoxic cells along with the activation of PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a signaling pathway were all assessed. Results showed that hypoxia induced decreases of cell viability, migration and invasion, and increases of apoptosis and expressions of HIF-1α and MEG3. Knockdown of MEG3 decreased hypoxia-induced injury in H9c2 cells. Knockdown of MEG3 also increased miR-183 expression, which was identified as a target of MEG3. The effects of MEG3 knockdown on the hypoxic cells were reversed by miR-183 silence. p27 was identified as a target gene of miR-183, and its expression negatively regulated by miR-183. The mechanistic studies revealed that knockdown of p27 decreased hypoxia-induced H9c2 cell injury by activating PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a signal pathways. These findings suggest that knockdown of MEG3 alleviates hypoxia-induced H9c2 cell injury by miR-183-mediated suppression of p27 through activation of PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a signaling pathway.

Efficacy and safety of traditional chemotherapies for patients with ovarian neoplasm: a network meta-analysis

Background

Ovarian neoplasm is a kind of high risky cancer among female. This paper assessed the efficacy and safety of twelve therapies and figured out the superior chemotherapeutic drug for ovarian cancer through network meta-analysis (NMA).

Method

Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from electronic databases. Primary outcomes concerning efficacy, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), were presented as hazard ratio (HR) and the associated 95% credible interval(CrI), while outcomes concerning safety were assessed by odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% CrI. Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was calculated under each survival and safety outcome in order to show the rankings of tested therapies.

Result

Electronic databases such as PubMed and Embase were searched to finally obtain 19 eligible studies of 16290 patients. In accordance of primary outcomes, when it came to 3-y PFS, paclitaxel/epirubicin/carboplatin (Pa/E/Ca) and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin/ paclitaxel/ carboplatin (PLD/Pa/Ca) were preferred compared to carboplatin (Ca) (HR= 0.80, 95% CrI= 0.67-0.96; HR= 0.83, 95% CrI= 0.69-0.99). According to 5y-PFS, Pa/E/Ca was notably better than Ca (HR= 0.80, 95% CrI= 0.65-0.99). As to adverse effects, Ca was superior to Pa/E/Ca in neuropathy (HR=0.05, 95% CrI=0.02-0.19). Pa/E/Ca showed high rankings in 3y-PFS (SUCRA=0.749), 5y-OS (SUCRA=0.738) and 5y-PFS (SUCRA=0.798) while (PLD/Pa/Ca) in 3y-OS (SUCRA=0.737), 5y-OS (SUCRA=0.687) and 5y-PFS (SUCRA=0.712). Besides, Pa/E/Ca ranked the third with a SUCRA of 0.661 in neutropenia.

Conclusion

PLD/Pa/Ca, PLD/Ca and Pa/E/Ca are highly recommended as potential therapeutically choices for patients with ovarian cancer. But considering the lack of safety data for PLD/Pa/Ca, this intervention should be taken with caution.

Implantation of VVI pacemaker in a patient with dextrocardia, persistent left superior vena cava, and sick sinus syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

Dextrocardia, or right-lying heart, is an uncommon congenital heart disease in which the apex of the heart is located on the right side of chest. Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVA) is a rare venous anomaly that is often associated with the abnormalities of cardiac transduction system. A case with combination of dextrocardia, persistent left superior vena cava, and sick sinus syndrome has not been reported.

METHODS

We used different techniques including cardiac color Doppler echocardiography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and abdominal ultrasound to make a diagnosis and treated the patient by implanting a VVI pacemaker.

RESULTS

A 50-year-old woman was admitted with a syncope. Angiography of the right atrium and superior vena cava, echocardiography, electrocardiography, and abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of the combination of mirror image dextrocardia, PLSVA, and sick sinus syndrome. The complex structural anomalies presented great technical challenges for interventional treatments. After thorough examination and understanding of the structural anatomy and anomalies of the superior and inferior vena cava and cardiac chambers, we successfully treated this patient by implanting a VVI pacemaker.

CONCLUSION

Physicians must be aware of the complexity of the morphological and anatomical structures of dextrocardia accompanying PLSVC. Given that the diagnosis of situs inversus was performed at a relatively advanced age, it is therefore important to make such a correct diagnosis followed by appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Lysine demethylase KDM3A regulates breast cancer cell invasion and apoptosis by targeting histone and the non-histone protein p53

Invasive growth and apoptosis resistance of breast cancer cells are associated with metastasis and disease relapse. Here we identified that the lysine-specific demethylase KDM3A played a dual role in breast cancer cell invasion and apoptosis by demethylating histone and the non-histone protein p53, respectively. While inducing pro-invasive genes by erasing repressive histone H3 lysine 9 methylation, KDM3A promotes chemoresistance by demethylating p53. KDM3A suppressed pro-apoptotic functions of p53 by erasing p53-K372me1 as this methylation site is crucial for the stability of chromatin-bound p53. Unexpectedly, depletion of KDM3A was capable of reactivating mutated p53 to induce the expression of pro-apoptotic genes in breast cancer with mutant p53. Moreover, KDM3A knockdown also potently inhibited tumorigenic potentials of breast cancer stem-like cells and rendered them sensitive to apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. Taken together, our results suggest that KDM3A might be a potential therapeutic target for human breast cancer treatment and prevention.

The effect of levodopa benserazide hydrochloride on homocysteinemia levels in patients with Parkinson's disease and treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) resulted from treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to evaluate the therapeutic outcome of HHcy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-three newly diagnosed PD patients were divided into Madopar group (treated with Madopar) and non-Madopar group (not treated with Madopar). Plasma Hcy levels were measured. Five months later, 67 patients presenting with HHcy were randomly divided into treatment group (n = 34) (receiving methylcobalamin 500 µg, tid, and folic acid 50 mg, tid, orally) and control group (n = 33).  Madopar dosage was maintained in both groups. MRI examination was performed to detect cerebral ischemia and patients were evaluated by Webster's rating scale. Plasma Hcy levels were measured at 3-month follow-up. Webster's scores and MRI were performed at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

At the initial visit, Hcy levels of patients of Madopar group were significantly higher than those of non-Madopar group  (18.52 ± 6.48 µmol/L) vs. (15.78 ± 3.42), p < 0.05]. At 5-month follow-up, patients of the non-Madopar group presented significantly increased Hcy levels (18.97 ± 7.42 µmol/L) compare with pre-treatment Hcy levels (p < 0.05), whereas Hcy levels were slightly increased in patients of Madopar group (20.61 ± 7.87 µmol/L, p > 0.05). In the treatment group, serum Hcy levels were significantly decreased after 3-month treatment with methylcobalamin and folic acid (p < 0.01). However, serum Hcy levels were not significantly changed in patients of the control group. In addition, in the treatment group, no patient presented ischemic stroke with clinical symptoms and four patients were confirmed with new cerebral ischemic and lacunar lesions by MRI examination. However, in the control group, two ischemic strokes with clinical symptoms and 11 new cerebral ischemic and lacunar lesions were detected. Significant differences were observed between two groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, post-treatment modified Webster scores were significantly decreased than pre-treatment scores for both groups. However, no significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of Levodopa in the treatment of PD can cause HHcy, which can result in increased occurrence of ischemic stroke. Supplementation of methylcobalamin and folic acid can effectively reduce Hcy level and thereby prevent the occurrence of ischemic stroke.

THE EFFECTS OF A SIMPLE METHOD FOR CRYOPRESERVATION AND THAWING PROCEDURES ON CORD BLOOD DERIVED DC-BASED ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA VACCINE

BACKGROUND

Producing sufficient numbers of DCs at one time point and subsequently cryopreserving the generated DCs in ready-for-use aliquots for clinical application is useful in cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of a simplified cryopreservation method and thawing procedures acting on the biological characteristics and specific cytotoxic activity of cord blood derived DC-based esophageal carcinoma vaccine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells were isolated from cord blood using CD34+ Progenitor Cell Isolation Kit by magnetic cell sorting system (MACS). The CD34+ cells were expanded with cytokines as DCs, and fused with EC109 cells by PEG-3600. The fused cells were transferred to a freezing tube without rate-controlled freezing and stored at -80 degree C for three weeks. During cryopreservation, 2.5% DMSO, 2.5% glucose and 10% FCS at final concentration was used as stock solution. After thawing, cells were assayed for Typan blue viability, morphology, immunophenotypes and T-cell stimulatory capacity, and specific CTL activity.

RESULTS

Cryopreservation does not cause significant changes in the phenotypes expression or morphology of the fused cells, and the viability were well preserved (Typan blue viability was 77.2±1.8%). After being stimulated by DC-based esophageal carcinoma vaccine either before or after cryopreservation, the numbers of CD3+T/CD4+T and CD3+T/CD8+T lymphocytes increased obviously, especially for CD3+T/CD4+T, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 changed from 0.85 to 1.29 and 1.25 respectively. Specific CTL activity were well preserved (compare to the fresh fused vaccine, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

A simple -80 degree C freezing and storage method is practical for cord blood derived DC-based esophageal carcinoma vaccine. It will greatly facilitate the clinical use of DC-based vaccine for immunotherapy.

Metabolic targeting of oncogene MYC by selective activation of the proton-coupled monocarboxylate family of transporters

Deregulation of the MYC oncogene produces Myc protein that regulates multiple aspects of cancer cell metabolism, contributing to the acquisition of building blocks essential for cancer cell growth and proliferation. Therefore, disabling Myc function represents an attractive therapeutic option for cancer treatment. However, pharmacological strategies capable of directly targeting Myc remain elusive. Here, we identified that 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA), a drug candidate that primarily inhibits glycolysis, preferentially induced massive cell death in human cancer cells overexpressing the MYC oncogene, in vitro and in vivo, without appreciable effects on those exhibiting low MYC levels. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of glutamine metabolism synergistically potentiated the synthetic lethal targeting of MYC by 3-BrPA due in part to the metabolic disturbance caused by this combination. Mechanistically, we identified that the proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and MCT2, which enable efficient 3-BrPA uptake by cancer cells, were selectively activated by Myc. Two regulatory mechanisms were involved: first, Myc directly activated MCT1 and MCT2 transcription by binding to specific recognition sites of both genes; second, Myc transcriptionally repressed miR29a and miR29c, resulting in enhanced expression of their target protein MCT1. Of note, expressions of MCT1 and MCT2 were each significantly elevated in MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas and C-MYC-overexpressing lymphomas than in tumors without MYC overexpression, correlating with poor prognosis and unfavorable patient survival. These results identify a novel mechanism by which Myc sensitizes cells to metabolic inhibitors and validate 3-BrPA as potential Myc-selective cancer therapeutics.

Aberrant IDH3α expression promotes malignant tumor growth by inducing HIF-1-mediated metabolic reprogramming and angiogenesis

Cancer cells gain a growth advantage through the so-called Warburg effect by shifting glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has been suggested to function in metabolic reprogramming; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. We found that the aberrant expression of wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 3α (IDH3α), a subunit of the IDH3 heterotetramer, decreased α-ketoglutarate levels and increased the stability and transactivation activity of HIF-1α in cancer cells. The silencing of IDH3α significantly delayed tumor growth by suppressing the HIF-1-mediated Warburg effect and angiogenesis. IDH3α expression was associated with the poor postoperative overall survival of lung and breast cancer patients. These results justify the exploitation of IDH3 as a novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Association of the IRF5 SNP rs2004640 with systemic sclerosis in Han Chinese

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease involving multiple genetic factors. An association of the IRF5 polymorphism with SSc was reported in Caucasian populations of Europe and North America, as well as in Japanese populations. The present study aimed to examine whether the SSc-associated SNP rs2004640 of IRF5 gene confer susceptibility to SSc and clinical features of SSc in a Han Chinese population. A Han Chinese cohort consisting of 424 SSc patients and 502 healthy controls were examined in the study. TaqMan assays were carried out to examine the SNP. Exact p-values were obtained (Fisher’s test) from 2x2 tables of allele counts and disease status. SSc patients of Han Chinese showed increased homozygous TT genotype of the rs2004640 (p = 0.027, odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, CI =1.03-1.93), which was significantly associated with pulmonary fibrosis of SSc and ATA-positive SSc of Han Chinese. The lcSSc and ACA-positive SSc of Han Chinese appeared also in association with the increased T allele frequency. However, the Chinese dcSSc did not show any association with the rs2004640. The results were consistent with previous reports in other ethnic populations in supporting the notion that polymorphisms of IRF5 may play an important role in susceptibility to SSc.

MicroRNA-25 promotes gastric cancer migration, invasion and proliferation by directly targeting transducer of ERBB2, 1 and correlates with poor survival

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common tumors and the molecular mechanism underlying its metastasis is still largely unclear. Here, we show that miR-25 was overexpressed in plasma and primary tumor tissues of GC patients with tumor node metastasis stage (III or IV) or lymph node metastasis. MiR-25 inhibition significantly decreased the metastasis, invasion and proliferation of GC cells in vitro, and reduced their capacity to develop distal pulmonary metastases and peritoneal dissemination in vivo. Furthermore, miR-25 repressed transducer of ERBB2, 1 (TOB1) expression by directly binding to TOB1-3'-UTR, and the inverse correlation was observed between the expressions of miR-25 and TOB1 mRNA in primary GC tissues. Moreover, the loss of TOB1 increased the metastasis, invasion and proliferation of GC cells, and the restoration of TOB1 led to suppressed metastasis, invasion and proliferation. The receiver operating characteristics analysis yielded an area under the curve value of 0.7325 in distinguishing the GC patients with death from those with survival. The analysis of optimal cutoff value revealed poor survival in GC patients with high plasma concentrations of miR-25 (>0.2333 amol/μl). Taken together, miR-25 promotes GC progression by directly downregulating TOB1 expression, and may be a noninvasive biomarker for the prognosis of GC patients.

Meta-analysis of the association of dermatomyositis and polymyositis with cancer

BACKGROUND

Although some features of dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) have been reported as possible prognostic indicators for cancer development, previous studies were small in size and were unable to establish a definitive relationship between neoplasms and DM and PM.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate risk factors for developing malignancies in patients with DM and PM.

METHODS

Meta-analysis of the studies reported in the literature was performed to unveil risk factors for developing cancer among patients with DM and PM. The included studies were either cohort or retrospective case-control studies with information on cancer status. Risk for malignancy was determined as the odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), determined by fixed and random effects models. Stata 10.0 software was used to identify possible publication bias.

RESULTS

Twenty studies with 380 patients and 1575 controls were included in the analysis. The factors that may increase the risk of cancer in patients with DM and PM were older age (WMD 11·41, 95% CI 9·84-12·98), male sex (OR 1·92, 95% CI 1·49-2·48), cutaneous necrosis (OR 5·52, 95% CI 3·49-8·74) and dysphagia (OR 2·41, 95% CI 1·50-3·86), whereas those that may provide protection against cancer included arthritis (OR 0·38, 95% CI 0·24-0·61) and interstitial lung disease (OR 0·32, 95% CI 0·20-0·51).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that age, sex, cutaneous necrosis, dysphagia, arthritis and lung complications may influence susceptibility to cancer in patients with DM and PM.

Antimicrobial resistance and toxin gene profiles of Staphylococcus aureus strains from Holstein milk

Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus) from Holstein milk samples with mastitis and nonmastitis was conducted to estimate its prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and toxin genes. A total of 353 milk samples were collected from three Chinese Holstein herds. Fifty-three Staph. aureus isolates collected from 29 Staph. aureus-positive samples were characterized via antimicrobial susceptibility, toxin genes and Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles. The prevalence of Staph. aureus was 4·0-9·5% in mastitic and 7·3-11·5% in nonmastitic samples in the analysed herds. Approximately 61·0% of Staph. aureus strains isolated from mastitis cows were resistant to ≥10 antimicrobials compared with 0% of isolates with nonmastitis. The most frequently observed super antigenic toxin gene was pvl (41·5%) followed by seh + pvl (13·2%). We did not find mecA-positive methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA) strains, while mecA-negative MRSA strains were identified in the three herds. PFGE results suggested potential transmission of Staph. aureus strains in different farms. These results open new insights into Staph. aureus transmission and antimicrobial resistance of Holstein dairy cows and into developing strategies for udder health improvement of dairy cattle.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Significantly higher levels of antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus strains were detected in the lactating Holstein milk with clinical mastitis compared with that without clinical mastitis. PFGE results suggest potential transmission of Staph. aureus strains in different dairy farms. The results imply that the dairy farms need to select effective antibiotics in the treatment of Staph. aureus-infected cows and prevent the transmission of Staph. aureus strains from one herd to another.