The prognostic value of cancer stem cell markers in thyroid cancer: a systematic review.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer stem cells (TCSCs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic response of thyroid cancer, making them promising biomarkers and potential targets for clinical intervention. This systematic review aims to qualitatively assess the impact of commonly used TCSC markers on the prognosis of thyroid cancer using qualitative methods. Methods: In total, the analysis encompassed five articles. Results: Six TCSC markers were involved, among which CD133, CD44, CD24, CD15 and ALDH1 were associated with the prognosis of thyroid cancer. Conclusions: However, the utility of these TCSC markers in clinical practice for predicting the prognosis of thyroid cancer requires further research to provide additional evidence supporting their effectiveness.

Association Between ABO Blood Group and Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Patients With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

Background: Previous studies have evaluated the association between ABO blood group and venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in patients with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). However, it remains unclear whether ABO blood groups are associated with PICC-associated VTE risk. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of related studies to elucidate the potential role of ABO blood group as a risk factor for PICC-associated VTE. Methods: All detectable case-control and cohort studies comparing the role of ABO blood group as a risk factor for PICC-associated VTE were collected for this analysis by searching PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Web of Science, and Wanfang. We conducted a meta-analysis of the eligible studies and computed the summary risk estimates with random or fixed effects models. Results: A total of four studies involving 7,804 patients were included. Meta-analysis of the studies showed that the risk of PICC-associated VTE was significantly higher in blood types A [odds ratio (OR)=1.54, 95% CI=1.17-2.03), p=0.002], B (OR=2.35, 95% CI=1.71-3.23, p<0.0001), and AB (OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.68-3.88, p<0.0001) and lower in blood types O (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.45-0.74, p<0.0001). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity demonstrated that blood type O may be a genetic protective factor for PICC-associated VTE in Asians. Among Caucasians, individuals with blood types B and AB have a higher risk of PICC-associated VTE. Blood types A, B, and AB are risk factors for PICC-associated VTE in Asians. Conclusions: Blood type O is associated with a decreased risk of PICC-associated VTE, especially in Asian populations. Moreover, blood types A, B, and AB are risk factors for PICC-associated VTE.

New high-density fermentation method for producing high molecular weight polysialic acid based on the combination fermentation strategy.

Polysialic acid (PSA) is a long-chain linear amino polysaccharide with broad application prospects; however, its relatively low molecular weight limits its application range. This study aims to explore a new fermentation method of combining the three-phase pH control strategy, three-phase mixing speed control strategy, and exogenous substance to produce high molecular weight PSA. In brief, Escherichia coli K235 6E61 (CCTCC M208088) was used as a fermentation strain. 3 g·L-1 Na5P3O10 was added to the initial medium. At 0-12 h, the mixing speed was controlled to 250 r·min-1, and the pH was maintained at 7.2. At 12-20 h, the mixing speed was increased to 400 r·min-1, the pH was changed to 6.8, and 0.75% n-hexadecane was added at hour 16. After 20 h, the mixing speed was adjusted to 250 r·min-1; the pH was restored to 7.2. Air flow was regulated to 1.2 vvm throughout the experiment. The combination fermentation strategy greatly improved the molecular weight of PSA up to 498 kDa at 32 h, which is currently the maximum molecular weight of PSA produced through microbial fermentation. The yield of PSA reached 6.27 g·L-1 at the end of fermentation (36 h), which is also currently the highest yield of PSA produced by natural bacteria. Therefore, the proposed strategy could simultaneously increase the molecular weight and yield of PSA and is of great importance to the industrial production of high molecular weight PSA. Key points • A new fermentation process was explored to produce high molecular weight PSA. • The yield and molecular weight were improved by the combination fermentation strategy. • The maximum molecular weight and highest yield of PSA were obtained.

Totally implantable venous access ports: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing subclavian and internal jugular vein punctures.

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) is a completely closed intravenous infusion system that stays in the human body for a long time. It is used for the infusion of strong irritating or hyperosmotic drugs, nutritional support treatment, blood transfusion and blood specimen collection, and other purposes. There are two common ways of TIVAP: internal jugular vein implantation and subclavian vein implantation. However, the postoperative complications of the two implantation methods are quite different, and there is no recommended implantation method in the relevant guidelines. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the difference in complications of the two implantation methods, and choose the better implantation method. METHODS: Computer search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library database was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the establishment of the database to October 2021. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. RevMan5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1086 patients in five studies were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of infection (RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.43-1.48, p = .47), catheter blockage (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.15-3.46, p = .68), port squeeze (RR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.14-8.02, p = .95), catheter-related thrombosis (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.22-3.38, p = 0.83), catheter displacement (RR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.22-1.12, p = .09), extravasation (RR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.01-2.15, p = .15), and catheter rupture (RR = 3.77, 95% CI: 0.16-89.76, p = .41) between the two implantation paths. CONCLUSIONS: There is little difference in the complication rate of TIVAP between internal jugular vein insertion and subclavian vein insertion. Due to the small number of included studies, there are certain limitations, and more studies need to be included for analysis in the future.

In vitro and in vivo study of novel antimicrobial gellan-polylysine polyion complex fibers as suture materials.

GELLAN GUM: and gellan-derived materials have never been used for suture materials due to their lack of strength and toughness. In this study, gellan and ε-polylysine formed a polyion complex in water solution, and the complex was transformed into fibers via wet-spinning. The fibers were bundled, twisted, and elongated, and the resultant twisted and elongated yarn (GPF) had a diameter of 97.53-103.76 µm and tensile strength of 4 N. The swelling ratio of GPF was 165.55%-183.23% in weight in normal saline, and the linear density was 2.84-3.31 g/km. GPF was tested using agar diffusion tests and it was found that the fibers had good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In weight loss experiments, GPF was found to be undegradable in normal saline and slightly degradable (residual weight ratio was 83.2 ± 1.2%) in simulated body fluid with trypsin within 7 days. Moreover, GPF showed no cytotoxicity toward BV-2 cells in cytotoxity tests with CCK8 and no hemolysis in hemolytic tests with fresh C57 mice blood. Finally, GPF was assessed using mouse dorsal cross-cutting model, and none of the mice that were tested with GPF showed infection or rejection reaction. Therefore, GPF is a promising suture material, and this study provides a new development direction for the application of gellan materials with improved mechanical properties.

Preparation of polymyxin B-loaded gellan-polylysine polyion complex fibers with high affinity to endotoxin.

Endotoxemia, a life-threatening disease affecting people worldwide, can be treated by hemoperfusion alone. New hemoperfusion materials with high biocompatibility and endotoxin-combination ability are always in demand. Herein, polymyxin B (PMB), a specific endotoxin binding molecule, was loaded onto gellan-polylysine polyion complex, and the obtained material was used in preparing wet-spun fibers. The tensile strength of the as-spun yarns (100 fibers) ranged from 1.49 N to -1.58 N and that of the dried and rewetted yarns ranged from 1.45 N to 1.56 N. The adsorption ability of the fibers with lipopolysaccharides from E. coli was 2.784 ± 0.036 EU/mg in simulated human body fluid and 2.452 ± 0.107 EU/mg in mouse plasma. The fibers showed no cytotoxicity toward U2OS cells and no hemolysis toward mouse blood. The influence of the fibers on the clotting time of mouse blood was negligible, and the blood cells were not adhesive to the fibers. Thus, the PMB-loaded gellan-polylysine complex fiber and its derivate fabrics can be used in hemoperfusion.

Enhanced stability of the bactericidal activity of nisin through conjugation with gellan gum.

Nisin is a high-efficiency Gram-positive bacterium-targeted antimicrobial peptide widely used in the food industry. However, its antibacterial activity can be attenuated in specific niches, and its biomedical applications are limited. Herein, nisin was covalently bonded with gellan gum, a biocompatible polysaccharide. The antibacterial stability of nisin was also verified to be effectively enhanced. After nisin was conjugated with gellan, the antibacterial duration of nisin against Staphylococcus epidermidis increased from 96 h to 216 h under acidic conditions and from 48 h to 144 h under alkaline conditions. The antibacterial activity of gellan-nisin conjugate was also not lost with either heat alkali treatment at 80 °C or chymotrypsin digestion. Hemolysis and cytotoxicity tests also confirmed the good biocompatibility of this conjugate. This conjugate could be a promising biomaterial for medical applications, such as wound dressings and implant coatings.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G promoter polymorphisms and risk of venous thromboembolism - a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: A 4G/5G polymorphism in the promoter region of the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) gene has been reported to enhance the plasma levels of PAI-1, which plays an important role in fibrinolysis disorders and venous thromboembolism, but a large number of studies have reported inconclusive results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to analysis these associations. Materials and methods: We performed a publication search for articles published before April 2019 by using the electronic databases of web of Science, Embase, PubMed, CNKI, CBM and WanFang data with the following terms "PAI-1", "polymorphism", "Venous Thromboembolism". Two investigators independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Statistical analyses were undertaken using Stata 14.0. Results: A total of 27 studies, with 3135 patients and 5346 controls were included. Overall, the variant PAI-1 4G/4G and PAI-1 4G/5G was associated with venous thromboembolism risk, compared with the PAI-1 5G/5G allele in the populations included in the analysis. Stratified analysis revealed that PAI-1 4G/4G and PAI-1 4G/5G genotypes were associated with an increased VTE risk among Asia populations in all five genetic models. Conclusions: The PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism may be a potential biomarker of VTE risk, particularly in Asia populations. Further larger studies with multi-ethnic populations are required to further assess the association between PAI-1 4G/4G polymorphisms and VTE risk.

Enhancing biocompatibility and neuronal anti-inflammatory activity of polymyxin B through conjugation with gellan gum.

Polymyxins, as strong antibiotics with high liposaccharide deactivation abilities, are rarely used as neuronal anti-inflammatory agent because of their high cytotoxicity. In this study, polymyxin B (PMB) was conjugated with deacylated gellan gum for the sustained release of PMB to reduce its cytotoxicity at high concentration without affecting the antibacterial and liposaccharide binding activities. For the conjugate of original PMB/GN ratio of 1.0 (GPC), the conjugating rate was 96.40%, and the releasing ratio of PMB was 30.12% within 60 h. The FT-IR spectra of GPC indicated that the amino groups of PMB were covalently bonded with the COOH groups of gellan and other PMB molecules. Most GPCs were micelle shaped regardless of whether they were under dry conditions or in an aqueous solution. The inhibition zones of PMB against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were small, but the half maximal inhibitory concentration value against BV-2 cells increased from 15.63 µg/mL to 2000.00 µg/mL after conjugation. GPC can also effectively depress the liposaccharide-stimulated overexpression of cytotoxic nitric oxide by BV-2 cells. This study revealed the possibility of using polymyxins for neuronal anti-inflammation and that this gellan/PMB conjugate can potentially be applied to wound healing and implants.