Head-to-head comparison of 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of primary digestive system cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Althoug 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is widely accepted as a diagnostic tool for detecting digestive cancers, 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT may perform better in detecting gastrointestinal malignancies at an earlier stage. This study aimed to systematically review the diagnostic performance of 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT compared with that of 18F-FDG PET/CT in primary digestive system cancers. Methods: In this study, a comprehensive search using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was performed to identify studies that met the eligibility criteria from the beginning of the databases to March 2023. The quality of the relevant studies with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) method was assessed using the RevMan 5.3 software. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated using bivariate random-effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic and meta-regression analysis using the R 4.22 software. Results: A total of 800 publications were identified in the initial search. Finally, 15 studies comprising 383 patients were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT were 0.98 (95% CI, 0.94-1.00) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.23-1.00), whereas those of 18F-FDG PET/CT were 0.73 (95% CI, 0.60-0.84) and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.52-0.95), respectively. 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT performed better for specific tumours, particularly in gastric, liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancers. Both imaging modalities had essentially the same diagnostic efficacy in colorectal cancer. Conclusions: 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT showed a higher diagnostic ability than 18F-FDG PET/CT in terms of diagnosing primary digestive tract cancers, especially gastric, liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancers. The certainty of the evidence was high due to the moderately low risk of bias and low concern regarding applicability. However, the sample size of the included studies was small and heterogeneous. More high-quality prospective studies are needed to obtain higher-quality evidence in the future. Systematic Review Registration: The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO [CRD42023402892].

Molecular characterization of a novel amalgavirus infecting lilium spp. in China.

A novel plant virus with a double-stranded (ds) RNA genome was detected in Lilium spp. in China by high-throughput sequencing and tentatively named "lily amalgavirus 2" (LAV2). The genomic RNA of LAV2 is 3432 nucleotides (nt) in length and contains two open reading frames (ORFs) that putatively encode a '1 + 2' fusion protein of 1053 amino acids (aa), generated by a '+1' programmed ribosomal frameshift (PRF). ORF1 encodes a putative 386-aa protein of unknown function, and ORF2 overlaps ORF1 by 350 nt and encodes a putative 783-aa protein with conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) motifs. The '+1' ribosomal frameshifting motif, UUU_CGN, which is highly conserved among amalgaviruses, is also found in LAV2. Sequence analysis showed that the complete genome shared 46.04%-51.59% nucleotide sequence identity with those of members of the genus Amalgavirus and had the most similarity (51.59% sequence identity) to lily amalgavirus 1 (accession no. OM782323). Phylogenetic analysis based on RdRp amino acid sequences showed that LAV2 clustered with members of the genus Amalgavirus. Overall, our data suggest that LAV2 is a new member of the genus Amalgavirus.

Analgesic effect of ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine in the postoperative period in children undergoing ultrasound-guided single-shot sacral epidural block: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine in prolonging postoperative analgesia and reducing pain scores in children undergoing surgery. Methods: Five online databases were searched for RCTs on postoperative analgesia of pediatric patients undergoing ultrasound-guided single-shot sacral epidural block with dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine up to January 2, 2023. Pain score and sedation score at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after the operation, the time of first receiving additional analgesic drugs, and the number of postoperative adverse effects were selected to compare the efficacy and safety of combined treatment with ropivacaine alone for pediatrics. The standard mean difference (SMD) or odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated by using a random-effects model. Results: A total of 295 articles were retrieved, but only 20 records were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for sacral epidural block in children undergoing ultrasound-guided single-shot sacral epidural block had a more prolonged analgesia effect (SMD = 3.47, 95%CI: 2.80, 4.14). There were lower analgesia scores at 2 h(T1), 4 h(T2), 8 h(T3), 12 h(T4), and 24 h(T5) in postoperative period (T1 : SMD = -1.02, 95%CI: -1.31, -0.72; T2 : SMD = -1.02, 95%CI: -1.32, -0.72; T3 : SMD = -0.84, 95%CI: -1.12, -0.56; T4 : SMD = -0.61, 95%CI: -1.03, -0.20; T5 : SMD = -1.03, 95%CI: -1.28, -0.78). And the incidence of adverse effects was similar between the two groups (OR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.59, 1.18). Conclusions: The results of this review and meta-analysis support that dexmedetomidine, as an adjuvant to ropivacaine, can improve postoperative analgesia of surgery and significantly prolong the analgesic time in children, with a similar incidence rate of adverse symptoms when compared with ropivacaine alone.

[Application value and safety of prostate peripheral nerve block combined with dezocine in transrectal prostate biopsy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value and safety of peripheral prostate nerve block (PPNB) combined with dezocine in transrectal prostate biopsy. METHODS: Using a random number table, we divided 97 patients undergoing prostate biopsy in our hospital from October 2018 to October 2020 into an experimental group (n = 49) and a control group (n = 48), the former anesthetized by PPNB combined with dezocine and the latter by PPNB only. We compared the hemodynamic indexes before operation, during puncturing and at 5 minutes after operation, the pain scores during the movement of the probe in the rectum, at puncturing and at 5 minutes after surgery, and the adverse reactions to anesthesia between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The heart rate was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control during puncturing and at 5 minutes after operation (P < 0.05), while the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were remarkably higher in the former than in the latter group during puncturing (P < 0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain was markedly lower in the experimental group than in the control during the movement of the probe in the rectum, at puncturing and at 5 minutes after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence rate of adverse reactions to anesthesia between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PPNB combined with dezocine for prostate biopsy is more conducive to maintaining the stability of the patient's hemodynamics, and has a good analgesic effect and a high safety.

[Inoculation experiments of Cistanche tubulosa on 8 introduced Tamarix species].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the inoculation ratio and echinacoside content of Cistanche tubulosa and provide theoretical basis for Tamarix introduction, resource protection and screening of C. tubulosa. METHOD: 8 Tamarix species were introduced in the North China Plain and inoculation of C. tubulosa was conducted on all species. Phenylethanoid glycosides fingerprinting and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa were analyzed by using HPLC. RESULT: The adaptability of 8 Tamarix species were significantly different, phenylethanoid glycosides component of C. tubulosa on T. gansuensis and T. austromongolica were basically identical in contrast to T. chinensis, echinacoside content showed no obvious difference in C. tubulosa plant growing 4 months. CONCLUSION: T. gansuensis and T. Austromongolica are suitable for the host introduction plant of C. tubulosa resource protection and screening in North China Plain.

[Studied of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of Cistanche tubulosa in Huabei plain].

OBJECTIVE: To give some theory support of Cistanche tubulosa cultivation by searching dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa. METHOD: Dry matter accumulation content of C. tubulosa culturing in Huabei plain was analysed in different growth season of C. tubulosa. Echinacoside content was determined by HPLC. RESULT: Dry matter accumulation of C. tubulosa showed "S" variation. Dry matter accumulation increased fastest in September among growing seasons. Dry matter amount was 138.58 g after C. tubulosa grew a year. Dry matter amount decreased significantly along with inoculation time retarded. Echinacoside content was 30.59% when C. tubulosa grew in 5 months, decreased guadully after that, and 9.76% in annual. CONCLUSION: Variation rule of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content was found in C. tubulosa that grew one year in Huabei plain.