Recent developments and new directions in the use of natural products for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a significant global health challenge, and there is an urgent need to explore novel therapeutic interventions. Natural products have demonstrated highly promising effectiveness in the treatment of IBD. PURPOSE: This study systematically reviews the latest research advancements in leveraging natural products for IBD treatment. METHODS: This manuscript strictly adheres to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant literature on the effects of natural products on IBD was retrieved from the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases using the search terms "natural product," "inflammatory bowel disease," "colitis," "metagenomics", "target identification", "drug delivery systems", "polyphenols," "alkaloids," "terpenoids," and so on. The retrieved data were then systematically summarized and reviewed. RESULTS: This review assessed the different effects of various natural products, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, quinones, and others, in the treatment of IBD. While these natural products offer promising avenues for IBD management, they also face challenges in terms of clinical translation and drug discovery. The advent of metagenomics, single-cell sequencing, target identification techniques, drug delivery systems, and other cutting-edge technologies heralds a new era in overcoming these challenges. CONCLUSION: This paper provides an overview of current research progress in utilizing natural products for the treatment of IBD, exploring how contemporary technological innovations can aid in discovering and harnessing bioactive natural products for the treatment of IBD.

Electrochemical biosensors for pathogenic microorganisms detection based on recognition elements.

The worldwide spread of pathogenic microorganisms poses a significant risk to human health. Electrochemical biosensors have emerged as dependable analytical tools for the point-of-care detection of pathogens and can effectively compensate for the limitations of conventional techniques. Real-time analysis, high throughput, portability, and rapidity make them pioneering tools for on-site detection of pathogens. Herein, this work comprehensively reviews the recent advances in electrochemical biosensors for pathogen detection, focusing on those based on the classification of recognition elements, and summarizes their principles, current challenges, and prospects. This review was conducted by a systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science databases to obtain relevant literature and construct a basic framework. A total of 171 publications were included after online screening and data extraction to obtain information of the research advances in electrochemical biosensors for pathogen detection. According to the findings, the research of electrochemical biosensors in pathogen detection has been increasing yearly in the past 3 years, which has a broad development prospect, but most of the biosensors have performance or economic limitations and are still in the primary stage. Therefore, significant research and funding are required to fuel the rapid development of electrochemical biosensors. The overview comprehensively evaluates the recent advances in different types of electrochemical biosensors utilized in pathogen detection, with a view to providing insights into future research directions in biosensors.

Chemical proteomic profiling of UTP-binding proteins in human cells.

Nucleotide-binding proteins play important roles in a variety of biological processes. While ATP- and GTP-binding proteins have been well studied, the systematical identification of UTP-interacting proteins remains under investigated. Here, we developed a chemical proteomic strategy using a biotinylated UTP affinity probe coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to enrich, identify and quantify UTP-binding proteins at the entire proteome scale. By performing labeling reactions with high vs low concentrations of UTP probe (100 and 10 µM) or with the UTP probe in the presence of free UTP in stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) experiments, we identified more than 70 potential UTP-binding proteins which are involved in multiple cellular processes, such as translational elongation and protein folding. We also validated the UTP-binding capability of the cytoskeletal protein ACTB by using cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). Together, we performed a high-throughput chemical proteomics-based analysis to identify, for the first time, UTP-binding proteins in human proteome, which should be applicable for the identification and quantification of UTP-binding proteins in other organisms.

How useful is sentinel lymph node biopsy for the status of lymph node metastasis in cT1N0M0 gastric cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is intriguing because it is expected to further expand the indication of endoscopic resection (ER) for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer and as an additional operation for post-ER gastric cancer. The aim of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the feasibility and diagnostic value of SLNB technique in patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer. Eligible studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to April 2020. A random-effect model was used to pool the data, and subgroup analysis was used to explain the heterogeneities. A total of 22 clinical studies (1993 patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer) were included. The pooled SLN identification rate, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were 0.99 (0.99-1.00), 0.92 (0.88-0.95), 1.00 (1.00-1.00), and 832.8 (395.5-1753.6), respectively. The summary receiver operator characteristic displayed a test accuracy of 99.3%. Subgroup analysis found an improved SLN sensitivity for studies with the mean number of SLNs > 4 and studies stained with a combination of hematoxylin-eosin with immunohistochemistry (HE + IHC). Further, studies using the basin dissection were associated with a higher SLN identification rate. The current meta-analysis provides data that favors the use of SLNB for predicting the status of lymph node metastasis in patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer. However, establishing standard procedure and suitable criteria for further application and optimization of SLNB is urgently needed.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Gastric Cancer, an Optimization of Imaging Protocol for Tracer Mapping.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) plays an essential role in the evaluation of lymph node (LN) metastasis status and the extent of LN dissection in gastric cancer. The aim of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis for corresponding identification rate and sensitivity of different SLNB techniques. METHODS: Systematic search using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases was conducted for studies on SLNB in patients with gastric cancer. Studies were stratified according to the sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy technique: blue dye (BD), radiocolloid tracer (RI), indocyanine green (ICG), a combination of radiocolloid with blue dye (RI + BD), and a combination of radiocolloid with ICG (RI + ICG). A random-effect model was used to pool the identification rate, sensitivity, and accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 54 eligible studies (3767 patients) was included. The pooled identification rates of SLNB using BD, RI, ICG, RI + BD, RI + ICG were 95% (95%CI: 92-97%), 95% (95%CI: 93-97%), 99% (95%CI: 97-99%), 97% (95%CI: 96-98%), and 95% (95%CI: 87-99%), respectively. The pooled sensitivities were 82% (95%CI: 77-86%), 87% (95%CI: 81-92%), 90% (95%CI: 82-95%), 89% (95%CI: 84-93%), and 88% (95%CI: 79-94%), respectively. The pooled accuracies were 94% (95%CI: 91-96%), 95% (95%CI: 92-97%), 98% (95%CI: 95-99%), 97% (95%CI: 95-99%), and 98% (95%CI: 95-99%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis provides reliable evidence that favors the use of ICG and dual tracer method (RI + BD/ICG) for the identification of the SLN. Considering the high costs and potential biohazard of using radioactive substances in dual tracer method, performing SLNB with ICG is the technique of choice for experienced surgeons.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Patients with Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy in Long or Short Course.

METHODS: The data of 66 patients with CAT received ESWT was reviewed. According to the disease courses, those cases were allocated to short-term group (ST group, symptom duration 3-6 months) and long-term group (LT group, symptom duration >6 months). Propensity scores match (PSM) method was conducted to eliminate the confound factors in baseline features including gender, sport history, sides, type of CAT, BMI (body mass index), age, and scores evaluated by AOFAS (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society) and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) before ESWT. After balancing the features between ST and LT group, postinterventional VAS, AOFAS, and rate of Likert satisfaction scale at the 3rd month after first ESWT was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Among the baseline features in ST and LT group, gender (female ratio, 44.4% vs 71.4%, p = 0.041) and BMI (23.26 ± 2.15 vs 24.63 ± 2.41, p = 0.024) were identified as confound factors. After elimination of biased features with PSM, 3 months after first ESWT, AOFAS and VAS in both groups are significantly improved, when compared with their scores at baseline (p < 0.01). Moreover, at postintervention month 3 (PIM3), AOFAS in ST group is significantly higher than LT group (85.08 ± 9.83 vs 76.76 ± 9.85, t = 76.76 ± 9.85, p = 0.019), and the rate of Likert satisfaction in ST group is better than LT group; although, it did not reach but close to significant level (70.6% vs 47.1%, χ 2 = 1.943, p = 0.163). However, there is no statistical difference of VAS scores between two groups after ESWT (1.96 ± 0.98 vs 2.24 ± 1.29, t = 0.703, p = 0.487). CONCLUSIONS: ESWT could effectively relieve pain and improve function of hind foot in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy, and especially, it could offer better benefit on functional improvement in patients with short duration of CAT symptom.

Diagnostic performances of the KWAK-TIRADS classification, elasticity score, and Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology of TI-RADS category 4 thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of the KWAK Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (KWAK-TIRADS), elasticity score (ES), and Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) in the diagnosis of suspicious thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 392 cases of TI-RADS category 4 thyroid nodules that underwent thyroidectomy between January 2017 and October 2019. All patients underwent ultrasonography, ultrasound elastography, and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) before surgery. The nodules were classified into different categories based on the KWAK-TIRADS, ES, and BSRTC. Patients were divided into two groups based on postoperative pathological characteristics. The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated. Student's t-test and Pearson chi-square test were used to compare diagnostic performance. RESULTS: There were 159 patients in the benign group and 233 in the malignant group. The percentage of malignant nodules in KWAK-TIRADS categories 4a, 4b, and 4c were 44.3%, 64.8%, and 92.9%, respectively. The percentages of malignant nodules in ES 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0%, 37.1%, 93.8%, and 100%, respectively. The percentage of malignant nodules in BSRTC levels I, II, III, IV, V and VI were 57.1%, 2.8%, 9.9%, 76.6%, 99.1%, and 100%, respectively. Among those methods, the BSRTC had better diagnostic efficiency than the KWAK-TIRADS and ES (Sp 81.1%, Se 93.6%, and AUC 0.918, P<0.01). Among the combined methods, KWAK-TIRADS+ES+BSRTC was more effective than KWAK-TIRADS+ES, KWAK-TIRADS+BSRTC, and ES+BSRTC (Sp 93.7%, Se 91.4%, and AUC 0.967, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The combination of KWAK-TIRADS, ES, and BSRTC can improve the accuracy of identifying category 4 thyroid nodules.

Nursing Interventions to Reduce Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Occlusion for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are considered the most at risk of the consequences of catheter occlusion. Therefore, nursing interventions that can effectively reduce the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines must be identified to ensure a smooth treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate nursing interventions to minimize PICC line occlusion and make recommended measures for preventing or decreasing occlusion and abnormal extubation. METHODS: Studies about PICC occlusion that were published up to January 2017 were searched and screened in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct (Elsevier), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases CNKI and Wanfang. Two independent reviewers screened the literature in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the included studies, and extracted the data. Further meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: Thirteen trials were included. Meta-analysis revealed that education for nurses (relative risk, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.51; P < .00001) was significantly associated with PICC occlusion, whereas PICC type (relative risk, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-1.15; P = .12) was not significantly associated with PICC occlusion. The solution to washing pipes and the PICC insertion techniques were descriptively analyzed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study determined the correlation of PICC occlusion with the nurses' knowledge and skills, PICC types, flushing liquid and methods, and insertion techniques. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study can serve as a guide for clinical work and for developing targeted measures to reduce occlusion.

Roles of Cyclooxygenase-2 gene -765G > C (rs20417) and -1195G > A (rs689466) polymorphisms in gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The roles of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) -765G > C (rs20417) and -1195G > A (rs689466) polymorphisms in gastric cancer were intensively analyzed, but the results of these studies were inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis to elucidate the associations between these two COX2 polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk. METHODS: Eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Vip, and Wanfang databases. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the genetic correlation between COX2 polymorphisms and gastric cancer susceptibility in five genetic models. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to estimate whether the evidence of the results is sufficient. Furthermore, their interactions with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or smoking in gastric cancer were also assessed using a case-only method. RESULTS: The COX2 gene -765G > C polymorphism showed no significant association with gastric cancer susceptibility under all the five genetic models (take the allelic model for example: OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.95-2.09) in total analysis, and the stratification analysis by ethnicity indicated a similar association in Caucasian group under four genetic models (allelic model, dominant model, homozygous model, and heterozygous model). But in the subgroup of the Asian population, the -765G > C polymorphism was significantly associated with gastric cancer risk under the same contrast. The COX2 -1195G > A polymorphism showed significant correlation with gastric cancer susceptibility in total analysis, and stratification analysis by ethnicity also revealed a similar association in both Asian and Caucasian groups under the same contrast. Moreover, TSA confirmed such associations. Both H. pylori infection and cigarette smoking interacted with -765 C allele in gastric cancer (OR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.15-12.43 and OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.38-4.48, respectively), but not in -1195 A allele (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 0.62-6.21, and OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.93-1.64, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: COX2 -765G > C polymorphism may serve as a genetic biomarker of gastric cancer in Asians, but not in Caucasians. COX2 -1195G > A polymorphism may serve as a genetic biomarker of gastric cancer in both Asians and Caucasians. The -765G > C, rather than -1195G > A polymorphism interacted with H. pylori infection or cigarette smoking to increase gastric cancer risk.