Background and ObjectiveThe impact of perioperative allogenenic blood transfusion (ABT) on clinical outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is conflicting and unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the association between ABT and HCC clinical outcomes. Outcomes evaluated were all-cause death, tumor recurrence and postoperative complications.MethodsRelevant articles were identified through MEDLINE search (up to November 2012). Meta-analyses were performed by using the fixed or random effect models. Study heterogeneity was assessed by Q-test and I2 test. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots, Egger′s and Begg’s test.ResultsA total of 5635 cases from 22 studies finally met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis indicated HCC patients with ABT had an increased risk of all-cause death at 3 and 5 years after surgery (respectively: OR = 1.92, 95% CI, 1.61–2.29,P<0.001; OR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.47–1.73,P<0.001 ) compared with those without ABT. The risk of tumor recurrence was significantly higher for ABT cases at 1, 3 and 5 years (respectively: OR = 1.70, 95% CI, 1.38–2.10, P<0.001; OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.08–1.38, P<0.001; OR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.08–1.24, P<0.001). The HCC cases with ABT significantly increased postoperative complications occurrence compared with non-ABT cases (OR = 1.78,95% CI, 1.34–2.37, P<0.001).ConclusionsThe findings from the current meta-analysis demonstrated that ABT was associated with adverse clinical outcomes for HCC patients undergoing surgery, including increased death, recurrence and complications. Therefore, ABT should not be performed if possible.

Recently, sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) was discovered to be produced in the cardiovascular system and to influence important biological processes. Here, we investigated changes in endogenous SO 2 /glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) pathway in the development of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rats and the regulatory effect of SO 2 on cardiac function, myocardial micro-and ultrastructure, and oxidative stress. Wistar male rats were divided into control, ISO-treated, ISO þ SO 2 , and SO 2 groups. At the termination of the experiment, parameters of cardiac function and hemodynamics were measured and the micro-and ultrastructure of myocardium and stereological ultrastructure of mitochondria were analyzed. Myocardial SO 2 content was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. GOT (key enzyme for endogenous SO 2 production) activity and gene (GOT1 and GOT2) expressions were measured, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide radical levels were assayed. SOD (SOD1 and SOD2) and GSH-Px (GSH-Px1) gene expressions were also detected. The results showed that SO 2 donor at a dose of 85 mg/(kg day) did not impact the cardiac function and structure of rats, but exerted a subtle influence on myocardial redox status. ISO-treated rats exhibited decreased cardiac function, damaged myocardial structures, and downregulated endogenous SO 2 /GOT pathway. Meanwhile, myocardial oxidative stress increased, whereas antioxidative capacity downregulated. Administration of SO 2 markedly improved cardiac function and ISO-induced myocardial damage by ameliorating the pathological structure of the myocardium and the mitochondria. At the same time, myocardial products of oxidative stress decreased, whereas antioxidative capacity increased. These results suggest that downregulation of the endogenous SO 2 /GOT pathway is likely involved in the pathogenesis of ISO-induced myocardial injury. SO 2 protects against ISO-induced myocardial injury associated with increased myocardial antioxidant capacity in rats.

A novel method, powder thixoforming, for net-shape forming of the particle-reinforced Aluminum matrix composites in semi-solid state has been proposed based on powder metallurgy combining with thixoforming technology. The microstructural evolution and phase transformations have been investigated during partial remelting of the 2024 bulk alloy, prepared by cold pressing of atomized alloy powders to clarify the mechanisms of how the consolidated powders evolve into small and spheroidal primary particles available for thixoforming. The effect of heating temperature on the resulting semisolid microstructure has also been discussed. The results indicate that the microstructural evolution includes three stages-the initial rapid coarsening of the fine grains within the powders, the formation of continuous liquid layer on the primary particle surface (the original powder), and the final coarsening-that result from the phase transformations of θ→α, α→L, and α→L and L→α, respectively. The coarsening rate of the primary particles is low, and one original powder always evolves into one spheroidal particle with a continuous liquid layer surface. Properly raising the heating temperature is beneficial for obtaining an ideal semisolid microstructure.

Endogenous SO2 might be involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial I/R injury, and its mechanism might be associated with an increase in lipid peroxide level and a decrease in GSH generation.

To systematically evaluate the whole-transcriptome sequencing data of cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) to gain more insights into the transcriptomic landscape and molecular mechanism of this cancer, we performed whole-transcriptome sequencing based on the tumorous (C) and their corresponding non-tumorous adjacent to the tumors (CP) from eight CHOL patients. Subsequently, differential expression analysis was performed on the C and CP groups, followed by functional interaction prediction analysis to investigate gene-regulatory circuits in CHOL. In addition, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for CHOL data was used to validate the results. In total, 2,895 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (dif-mRNAs), 56 differentially expressed microRNAs (dif-miRNAs), 151 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (dif-lncRNAs), and 110 differentially expressed circular RNAs (dif-circRNAs) were found in CHOL samples compared with controls. Enrichment analysis on those differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA also identified the function of spliceosome. The downregulated hsa-miR-144-3p were significantly enriched in the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) complex network, which also included 7 upregulated and 13 downregulated circRNAs, 7 upregulated lncRNAs, and 90 upregulated and 40 downregulated mRNAs. Moreover, most of the DEGs and a few of the miRNAs (such as hsa-miR-144-3p) were successfully validated by TCGA data. The genes involved in RNA splicing and protein degradation processes and miR-144-3p may play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of CHOL.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous tumor with an increased incidence worldwide accompanied by high mortality and dismal prognosis. Emerging evidence indicates that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes possess protective effects against various human diseases by transporting microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). We aimed to explore the role of exosomal miR-15a derived from MSCs and its related mechanisms in HCC. Exosomes were isolated from transduced MSCs and co-incubated with Hep3B and Huh7 cells. miR-15a expression was examined by RT-qPCR in HCC cells, MSCs, and secreted exosomes. CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of miR-15a or spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) on cell proliferative, migrating, invasive, and apoptotic properties. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to validate the predicted targeting relationship of miR-15a with SALL4. Finally, in vivo experiments in nude mice were implemented to assess the impact of exosome-delivered miR-15a on HCC. The exosomes from MSCs restrained HCC cell proliferative, migrating, and invasive potentials, and accelerated their apoptosis. miR-15a was expressed at low levels in HCC cells and could bind to SALL4, thus curtailing the proliferative, migrating, and invasive abilities of HCC cells. Exosomes successfully delivered miR-15a to HCC cells. Exosomal miR-15a depressed tumorigenicity and metastasis of HCC tumors in vivo. Overall, exosomal miR-15a from MSCs can downregulate SALL4 expression and thereby retard HCC development.

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Abstract:The microstructure and tensile properties of the thixoforged in situ Mg2Sip/AM60B composite were characterized in comparison with the as-cast composite and thixoforged AM60B. The results indicate that the morphology of α-Mg phases, the distribution and amount of β phases and the distribution and morphology of Mg2Si particles in thixoforged composite are completely different from those in as-cast composite. The Mg2Si particles block heat transfer and prevent the α-Mg particles from rotation or migration during reheating. Both the thixoforged composite and thixoforged AM60B alloy exhibit virtually no porosity in the microstructure. The thixoforged composite has the highest comprehensive tensile properties (ultimate tensile strength (UTS)) of 209 MPa and an elongation of 10.2%. The strengthening mechanism of the Mg2Si particle is the additive or synergetic effect of combining the load transfer mechanism, the Orowan looping mechanism and the dislocation strengthening mechanism. Among them, the load transfer mechanism is the main mechanism, and the latter two are minor. The particle splitting and interfacial debonding are the main damage patterns of the composite.