Recent Trends in Non-Invasive Methods of Diagnosis and Evaluation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Short Review.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are a conglomerate of disorders causing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which have gained a significant increase in prevalence in the 21st century. As they present a challenge in the terms of diagnosis as well as treatment, IBDs can present an overwhelming impact on the individual and can take a toll on healthcare costs. Thus, a quick and precise diagnosis is required in order to prevent the high number of complications that can arise from a late diagnosis as well as a misdiagnosis. Although endoscopy remains the primary method of evaluation for IBD, recent trends have highlighted various non-invasive methods of diagnosis as well as reevaluating previous ones. This review focused on the current non-invasive methods in the diagnosis of IBD, exploring their possible implementation in the near future, with the goal of achieving earlier, feasible, and cheap methods of diagnosis as well as prognosis in IBD.

Assessing the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Mangiferin in Murine Model for Myocarditis: Perspectives and Challenges.

Myocarditis is a major cause of heart failure and death, particularly in young individuals. Current treatments are mainly symptomatic, but emerging therapies focus on targeting inflammation and fibrosis pathways. Natural bioactive compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids show promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Corticosteroids are frequently employed in the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis and appear to lower mortality rates compared to conventional therapies for heart failure. This study aims to explore the effects of Mangiferin on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, nitro-oxidative stress markers, histopathological alterations, and cardiac function in experimental myosin-induced autoimmune myocarditis. The effects were compared to Prednisone, used as a reference anti-inflammatory compound, and Trolox, used as a reference antioxidant. The study involved 30 male Wistar-Bratislava rats, which were randomly divided into five groups: a negative control group (C-), a positive control group with induced myocarditis using a porcine myosin solution (C+), three groups with induced myocarditis receiving Mangiferin (M), Prednisone (P), or Trolox (T) as treatment. Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. Biochemical measurements of nitro-oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were conducted. Finally, histopathological changes were assessed. At echocardiography, the evaluation of the untreated myocarditis group showed a trend toward decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) but was not statistically significant, while all treated groups showed some improvement in LVEF and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS). Significant changes were seen in the Mangiferin group, with lower end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWd) by day 21 compared to the Trolox group (p < 0.001). In the first week of the experiment, levels of interleukins (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly higher in the myosin group compared to the negative control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01), indicating the progression of inflammation in this group. Treatment with Mangiferin, Prednisone, and Trolox caused a significant reduction in IL-1ß compared to the positive control group (p < 0.001). Notably, Mangiferin resulted in a superior reduction in IL-1ß compared to Prednisone (p < 0.05) and Trolox (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Mangiferin treatment led to a statistically significant increase in total oxidative capacity (TAC) (p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in nitric oxide (NOx) levels (p < 0.001) compared to the negative control group. Furthermore, when compared to the Prednisone-treated group, Mangiferin significantly reduced NOx levels (p < 0.001) and increased TAC levels (p < 0.001). Mangiferin treatment significantly lowered creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels on day 7 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) and reduced CK levels on day 21 (p < 0.01) compared to the untreated group. In the nontreated group, the histological findings at the end of the experiment were consistent with myocarditis. In the group treated with Mangiferin, only one case exhibited mild inflammatory infiltrates, represented by mononucleated leukocytes admixed with few neutrophils, with the severity graded as mild. Statistically significant correlations between the grades (0 vs. 1-2) and the study groups have been highlighted (p < 0.005). This study demonstrated Mangiferin's cardioprotective effects in autoimmune myocarditis, showing reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. Mangiferin appears promising as a treatment for acute myocarditis, but further research is needed to compare its efficacy with other treatments like Trolox and Prednisone.

The Multifaceted Role and Regulation of Nlrp3 Inflammasome in Colitis-Associated Colo-Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Colitis-associated colo-rectal cancer remains the leading cause of mortality in inflammatory bowel diseases, with inflammation remaining one of the bridging points between the two pathologies. The NLRP3 inflammasome complex plays an important role in innate immunity; however, its misregulation can be responsible for the apparition of various pathologies such as ulcerative colitis. Our review focuses on the potential pathways of upregulation or downregulation of the NLRP3 complex, in addition to evaluating its role in the current clinical setting. Eighteen studies highlighted the potential pathways of NLRP3 complex regulation as well as its role in the metastatic process in colo-rectal cancer, with promising results. Further research is, however, needed in order to validate the results in a clinical setting.

Factors Associated with Prolonged RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 Positive Testing in Patients with Mild and Moderate Forms of COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

Background and objectives: This article aims to evaluate the number of days necessary for patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 to reach undetectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract specimens. As a secondary objective, we sought to establish a correlation between different conditions associated with longer viral load as this could result in a longer period of contagion and infectivity. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study. A total of 70 patients with confirmed mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 were enrolled in our study. Results: Number of days with traceable viral load was 25.93 (±6.02) days in patients with mild COVID-19 and 26.97 (±8.30) in moderate form (p = 0.72). Age, male gender, and obesity, along with several chronic conditions (cardiac, liver, renal, and neurological disease), were associated with prolonged positive RT-PCR test from the nasal swab (therefore prolonged viral load). These are in general, risk factors for severe forms of COVID-19. Conclusions: There are several conditions associated with prolonged positive RT-PCR in mild and moderate forms of COVID-19. As to why and what is the significance of it remains to be studied.

Phytochemical Composition Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Artemisia dracunculus and Artemisia abrotanum.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities mechanism of Artemisia dracunculus (A. dracunculus) and Artemisia abrotanum (A. abrotanum) ethanol extracts in acute rat inflammation induced in Wistar male rats with turpentine oil. The characterization of the polyphenolic compounds in the extracts was conducted using UV-Vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry techniques. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated in vitro by DPPH, FRAP, H2O2, and NO scavenging tests and in vivo by measuring the total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-Oxo-dG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), and total thiols (SH). Inflammation was evaluated by measuring nuclear factor-kB-p65 (NfkB-p65) and NLRP3 inflammasome activation with IL-1ß, IL-18, and gasdermin D. Liver and renal toxicity was determined following transaminases (ALT and AST), creatinine, and urea. The experimental results indicated that A. dracunculus and A. abrotanum ethanol extracts have moderate in vitro antioxidant activity and had in vivo antioxidant activity and an anti-inflammatory effect by NfkB-p65, IL-1b, IL-18, and gasdermin D serum level reduction. The antioxidant activity correlated with the chemical composition of the extracts. These results bring evidence-based use of A. dracunculus and A. abrotanum's in traditional and contemporary medicine.

Phytochemical Profile and Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Gypsophila paniculata Ethanol Extract in Rat Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the Gypsophila paniculata ethanol extract (GPEE) on oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic markers in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM). Phytochemical analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was performed to measure the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH, FRAP, H2O2, and NO scavenging tests, and the in vivo effects of the GPEE were assessed in streptozotocin-induced DM rats. Treatments with the GPEE, metformin, and Trolox were administrated by gavage for 10 days. On day 11, blood was collected, and serum oxidative stress (total oxidative status, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, nitric oxide, 3-nitrotyrosine, advanced glycation end-products, total antioxidant reactivity, total thiols), inflammatory (IL-1ß, NF-κB, IL-18, and gasdermin D), metabolic (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and triglyceride-glucose index), and liver injury (AST, ALT, and AST:ALT ratio) markers were measured. The GPEE was found to have a significant polyphenols content and a moderate in vitro antioxidant effect. In vivo, the GPEE lowered oxidants and increased antioxidants, decreased inflammatory markers and blood glucose, and improved lipid profiles and transaminases in a dose-dependent manner, with higher doses having a better effect, being comparable to those of metformin and Trolox.

Attitudes towards COVID­19 vaccination in patients with cancer: A cross­sectional study of 12 oncology centers.

Patients with cancer are a high-priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, as per guideline recommendations. The present cross-sectional study was performed to assess the perception of patients with cancer from Romania regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The study included 932 patients with solid and hematologic malignancies. This was a multicenter study including 12 oncology centers located in Western and Northwestern Romania. Between December 2021 and January 2022, patients with cancer completed an individual paper questionnaire regarding acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, type of vaccine, side effects and source of information. During the first year of the vaccination campaign in Romania, 58.05% (541/932) of the investigated patients received COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccination rate was highest in the 61-70 year age group (61.22%). The most frequently used vaccine was Pfizer-BioNTech (72%). There was a statistically significant association between the rate of vaccination and the area of residence and level of education (P<0.001), with rural residence and a lower level of education being predictive factors for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. Patients living in rural areas used non-medical sources (e.g. mass media, social platforms) as their main source of information (53.40%, 204/382), whereas patients living in urban areas (64.90%, 357/550) used predominantly medical sources (e.g. recommendations from oncologists and general practitioners). The main source of information among non-vaccinated patients was mass media (e.g. television, radio); 72.38% vs. 29.67% among vaccinated patients. For the latter, the primary source of information was the recommendations made by oncologists (59.70%) and general practitioners (56.76%). The most commonly reported side effect was injection site pain (20-33% for the first dose and 5-27% for the second dose). In conclusion, the present study confirmed that patients with cancer may be reluctant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, mainly due to the fear of its potential side effects. Although there is scientific evidence to support the efficacy and safety of vaccines, the primary source of information for patients may affect vaccine uptake, thus affecting the efforts to stop the pandemic. Furthermore, the present study revealed that non-vaccinated patients preferred mass media as their main source of information, whereas vaccinated patients relied on the recommendations made by oncologists or general practitioners.