Objective: Improving meat quality is important for commercial production and breeding.The molecular mechanism of intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition and meat characteristics remain further study. Methods:This study aimed to study the mechanism of IMF deposition and meat characteristics including redox potential, nutrients compositions and volatile compounds in longissimus dorsi (LD) by comparing with different pig breeds including Shanghai white (SW), Duroc x (Landrace Yorkshire) (DLY) and Laiwu (LW) pigs. Results:Results showed that the contents of IMF, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and redox potential parameters were lower, while the content of MDA and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were higher in LD of SW pigs compared with LW pigs (p<0.05).No differences were observed about these parameters between SW and DLY pigs.Also, the contents of medium-long chain fatty acids and γaminobutyric acid (GABA) were higher, while Asp was lower in LD of SW pigs compared with LW pigs (p<0.05).Volatile compounds results showed that 6 ketones, 4 alkenes, 11 alkanes, 2 aldehydes, 1 alcohol were increased and cholesterol was decreased in SW pigs compared with LW pigs.Transcriptome results showed that differential expressed genes involved in lipid synthesis, metabolism and transport in LD between SW and LW pigs, which were further verified by qPCR.Spearman correlation showed that HSL and Nedd4 were positively related to contents of TG and IMF, while negatively related to volatile compounds and fatty acids (p<0.05).Plin3 and Mgll were negatively related to contents of TG, IMF and cholesterol, while positively related to MDA, LDH, and volatile compounds (p<0.05).PPARA was negatively related to contents of TC and IMF, and activity of SOD, while positively related to volatile compounds (p<0.05). Conclusion:Our study provided new insights into potential mechanisms of IMF deposition, nutrients composition and volatile compounds of muscular tissues of different pig breeds.
Motivation: The MRI LI-RADS v2018 table is complex and has insufficient sensitivity. Goal(s): To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the simplified LI-RADS table for HCC on ECA-MRI, and to determine the value of AFP level as an additional major feature. Approach: We developed and compared the per-lesion sensitivity for HCC defined by LI-RADS v2018, simplified LI-RADS table, and both of them combined with AFP ≥ 200 ng/mL. Results: Compared with LR-5 v2018, the simplified LI-RADS table provided higher sensitivity and comparable specificity for HCC. AFP ≥ 200 ng/mL may be a suitable additional major feature for further improving LR-5 v2018 and sLR-5 classification. Impact: Our simplified LI-RADS table may be more convenient and clinically helpful, and the AFP ≥ 200 ng/mL may be a suitable additional major feature for accurate LR-5 and sLR-5 classification.
Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), is an orphan disease without proven therapies, we rescued it with human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). In a discovery cohort of 10 uremic patients and 3 CUA patients, plasma proteomic analysis showed core differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) and Latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β binding protein 1 (LTBP1) decreased significantly after 3 days of hAMSC treatment. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) indicated megakaryocytes were the source of THBS1 in CUA patient. Same as the discovery cohort, plasma THBS1 and TGF-β1 levels were increased in seven CUA patients compared to the uremic group (n=20), as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the validation cohort. They can be inhibited after hAMSC treatment and increased as the frequency of therapy decreased. THBS1 and its receptor, CD47, were increased in the CUA skin. THBS1 and TGF-β1 are biomarker candidates for calciphylaxis.
Left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) is a novel imaging biomarker of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This study aimed to examine the prognostic implications of LARS in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and significant (moderate-severe to severe) aortic regurgitation.