Natural and polyanionic heparin polysaccharide functionalized upconversion nanoparticles for highly sensitive and selective ratiometric detection of pesticide.

Pesticide contamination is a global concern, threatening human health and food safety. Herein, we developed heparin (HEP) functionalized upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)-based ratiometric nanosensor for the sensitive detection of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (DCN) pesticide via inner filter effect. The strategy for HEP functionalization of UCNPs is based on adjusting the surface potentials of UCNPs with polyanionic HEP through the electrostatic interaction. UCNPs (NaYbF4:Gd/Y/Tm@NaYbF4@NaYF4) was designed with core-shell-shell structure and extra sensitizer layer for efficient and strong upconversion luminescence (UCL) in the range of UV to NIR. After incorporation of DCN, the upconverted UV emission of UCNPs-HEP ratiometric nanosensor was considerably quenched with the NIR UCL at 800 nm remaining unchanged as internal standard. The UCNPs-HEP ratiometric nanosensor can achieve outstandingly selective and sensitive detection of DCN at the wide linear range of 5-300 µM with a detection limit of 0.41 µM. The remarkable applicability of the UCNPs-HEP ratiometric nanosensor was verified in apple, cucumber and grapes samples. The developed UCNPs-HEP ratiometric nanosensor with excellent biocompatibility and water dispersion capability, is promising for convenient, selective and sensitive sensing of DCN towards food and aqueous samples.

Highly water-soluble and biocompatible hyaluronic acid functionalized upconversion nanoparticles as ratiometric nanoprobes for label-free detection of nitrofuran and doxorubicin.

Antibiotic detection is crucial and challenging because the widespread consumption of antibiotics has shown extensive harmful effects on food, environment and human health. Here, we propose highly water-soluble and biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HYA) functionalized upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for ratiometric detection of multiple antibiotics. The ultraviolet upconversion luminescence (UCL) from UCNPs was significantly quenched by nitrofurazone (NFZ)/nitrofurantoin (NFT), and blue UCL was quenched by doxorubicin (DOX), while red UCL remained unchanged for internal reference. The UCNPs-HYA nanoprobes exhibit excellently sensitive and selective NFZ, NFT and DOX detection in linear range of 2.5-100 µM, 2.5-80 µM, and 2.5-200 µM with the LOD at 0.28 µM (55 µg/kg), 0.20 µM (48 µg/kg) and 0.17 µM (97 µg/kg), respectively. The nanoprobes achieved detecting real samples of NFZ in lake water, liquid milk and chicken meat with satisfactory results, and UCL bioimaging of DOX in HeLa cells. The UCNPs-HYA ratiometric nanoprobes are promising for food samples detection and potential biosensing in the cellular environment.

Clinical significance of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in gastric cancer patients: A meta-analysis of 9,764 participants.

Background: The clinical value of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score has been widely reported in multiple malignancies. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the CONUT score and clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed up to December 2022. The primary endpoints were survival outcomes and postoperative complications. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed during the pooled analysis. Results: Nineteen studies including 9,764 patients were included. The pooled results indicated that patients in the high CONUT group had a worse overall survival (HR = 1.70 95%CI: 1.54-1.87; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 33%) and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.36-1.82; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 30%), and a higher risk of complications (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.50-2.57; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 69%). In addition, a high CONUT score was significantly associated with larger tumor size, higher percentage of microvascular invasion, later TNM stage and fewer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, but not with tumor differentiation. Conclusion: Based on existing evidence, the CONUT score could act as a valuable biomarker to predict clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Clinicians could use this useful indicator to stratify patients and formulate individual treatment plans.

Prognostic value of pan-immune-inflammation value in colorectal cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) has been reported as a novel prognostic biomarker in multiple malignancies. The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of the PIV in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: We comprehensively searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to August 2022. The endpoints were survival outcomes. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for survival data were collected for analysis. Results: Six studies including 1879 participants were included. A significant heterogeneity in the PIV cut-off value among studies was observed. The combined results indicated that patients in the high baseline PIV group had a worse overall survival (HR=2.09; 95%CI: 1.67-2.61; P<0.0001; I2 = 7%) and progression-free survival (HR=1.82; 95%CI: 1.49-2.22; P<0.0001; I2 = 15%). In addition, early PIV increase after treatment initiation was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (HR=1.79; 95%CI: 1.13-2.93; P=0.01; I2 = 26%), and a trend toward poor progression-free survival (HR=2.00; 95%CI: 0.90-4.41; P=0.09; I2 = 70%). Conclusion: Based on existing evidence, the PIV could act as a valuable prognostic index in patients with colorectal cancer. However, the heterogeneity in the PIV cut-off value among studies should be considered when interpreting these findings.

MRI versus CT for the detection of pulmonary nodules: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is the current gold standard for the detection of pulmonary nodules but has high radiation burden. In contrast, many radiologists tried to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to replace CT because MRI has no radiation burden associated. Due to the lack of high-level evidence of comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of MRI versus CT for detecting pulmonary nodules, it is unknown whether CT can be replaced successfully by MRI. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MRI versus CT for detecting pulmonary nodules. METHODS: Electronic databases PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from their inception to September 2017 to identify studies in which CT/MRI was used to diagnose pulmonary nodules. According to true positive, true negative, false negative, and false positive extracted from the included studies, we calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and area under the curve (AUC) using Stata version 14.0 software (STATA Corp, TX). RESULTS: A total of 8 studies involving a total of 653 individuals were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC were 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.96), 0.76 (95%CI: 0.58-0.87), 3.72 (95%CI: 2.05-6.76), 0.12 (95%CI: 0.06-0.27), and 0.91 (95%CI: 0.88-0.93) for MRI respectively, while the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC for CT were 1.00 (95%CI: 0.95-1.00), 0.99 (95%CI: 0.78-1.00), 79.35 (95%CI: 3.68-1711.06), 0.00 (95%CI: 0.00-0.06), and 1.00 (95%CI: 0.99-1.00), respectively. Further, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of CT versus MRI and found that compared with MRI, CT shows statistically higher sensitivity (odds ratio [OR] for MRI vs CT: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.85-0.98; P value .010), specificity (OR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.69-0.97; P value .019), PLR (OR: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.10-0.83; P value 0.02), AUC (OR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.89-0.94; P value < .001), and lower NLR (OR: 8.72; 95%CI: 1.57-48.56; P value .013). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested both CT and MRI have a high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing pulmonary nodules, while CT was superior to MRI in sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC, indicating that in terms of the currently available evidence, MRI could not replace CT in diagnosing pulmonary nodules.

Effect of left gastric artery embolization on obesity and ghrelin/leptin levels in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of left gastric artery embolization (LGAE) on obesity and Ghrelin/Leptin levels in pigs. METHODS: Healthy female Wuzhishan piglets aged 3-4 months were allocated into obesity + LGAE group, obesity group, control group (fed with a normal diet; n=8 for each group). Body weight, serum Ghrelin, Leptin, glucose and insulin levels were compared before surgery, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Piglets in obesity group and obesity + LGAE group were heavier than those in control group before and 1 month after surgery (P<0.001), and in obesity group were heavier than those in obesity + LGAE group 1 month after surgery (P<0.05). A significant decrease in body weight was observed in obesity + LGAE group 3 months after surgery (P<0.05), and the obesity group showed heavier weight than the other two groups (P<0.001). Ghrelin levels in obesity group and obesity + LGAE group were higher than those in control group before and 1 month after surgery (P<0.001), and in obesity group were higher than those in obesity + LGAE group 1 month after surgery (P<0.05). They showed an evident decrease in obesity + LGAE group 3 months after surgery (P<0.05), and in obesity group were higher than that in the other two groups (P<0.01). Leptin levels in obesity group and obesity + LGAE group were higher than those in control group before surgery (P<0.01) and 1 month after surgery (P<0.05). They decreased significantly in obesity + LGAE group 3 months after surgery (P<0.01), and in obesity group were higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: LGAE greatly contributes to weight loss possibly by reducing the secretion of Ghrelin and Leptin.

Effect of left or right gastric artery interventional embolization on obesity and ghrelin/leptin expression in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of left or right gastric artery interventional embolization on obesity and ghrelin/leptin expression in pigs. METHODS: Thirty-two female Wuzhishan pigs aged 3-4 months were randomly divided into four groups, with eight pigs in each group: obesity + left gastric artery embolization group, obesity + right gastric artery embolization group, obesity + sham surgery group and healthy control group. The body weight and serum levels of ghrelin, leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) before the operation, one month and three months after the operation, and the gastric pathology three months after the operation were compared. RESULTS: The preoperative body weight, ghrelin level, leptin level, IL-6 level and TNF-α level of the obesity + sham surgery group, obesity + left gastric artery embolization group and obesity + right gastric artery embolization group were higher than those of the healthy control group (all P<0.05). One month after the operation, the body weight, ghrelin level, leptin level, IL-6 level and TNF-α level of the obesity + sham surgery group, obesity + left gastric artery embolization group and obesity + right gastric artery embolization group were higher than those of the healthy control group. The body weight, ghrelin level, IL-6 level and TNF-α level of the obesity + sham surgery group were higher than those of the obesity + left artery embolization group and obesity + right gastric artery embolization group (all P<0.05). Three months after the operation, the body weight, ghrelin level, leptin level, IL-6 level and TNF-α level of the obesity + sham surgery group were higher than those of the obesity + left artery embolization group, obesity + right artery embolization group and the healthy control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Left or right gastric artery interventional embolization in pigs can effectively reduce body weight, which may be related to the reduced secretion of ghrelin, leptin and inflammatory factors. However, the clinical application and safety of left or right gastric artery embolization still need further study.

The effect of TACE in combination with thalidomide-mediated adjuvant therapy on the levels of VEGF and bFGF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with thalidomide-mediated adjuvant therapy on the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: A prospective study was designed, by which 134 HCC patients from our hospital who underwent treatment were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 67 participants per group. The control group was administered hepatic TACE, while the observation group was given TACE in combination with thalidomide. The total disease control rate (DCR) and the rate of adverse effects were analyzed and compared between the two groups of patients. The expression levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, VEGF, VEGFA, and bFGF were measured between the two groups before and after treatment. The overall survival rate of the two groups were also compared after a follow-up for 3 years. RESULTS: The rate of adverse effects and DCR in the control group were 44.78% and 61.19%, respectively, whereas these rates were 22.39% and 89.55% in the observation group, respectively. Of note, the differences in terms of the rate of adverse effects and DCR were statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.05). Before treatment, no significant difference was shown regarding the expression levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, VEGF, VEGFA, and bFGF between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the expression levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ were significantly upregulated in the two groups, while the levels of CD8+, VEGF, VEGFA, and bFGF were considerably downregulated (P<0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the expression levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ were significantly higher, whereas the levels of CD8+, VEGF, VEGFA, and bFGF were notably lower in the observation group (P<0.05). After the follow-up for 3 years, the overall survival rate of the observation group was significantly higher in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TACE in combination with thalidomide-mediated adjuvant treatment has revealed a promising clinical outcome on HCC patients by downregulating the levels of VEGF and bFGF.

[Tiaohe Ganpi Hexin Decoction in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a randomized controlled trial].

BACKGROUND: The quality of life has been greatly influenced and the cost of medical expenses is very high in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The etiology and pathogenesis of IBS are still unclear, and the prevention and treatment of this disease still lack of effective methods. OBJECTIVE: To explore and analyze the effects of Tiaohe Ganpi Hexin Decoction (TGHD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for regulating the liver and spleen, on IBS patients with diarrhea. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: All 40 IBS patients came from the First Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the treatment group (n=20) were given TGHD, while those in the control group (n=20) were prescribed oral pinaverium with a four-week treatment period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, total obviously effective rate, disappearance rate of symptoms, and clinical symptom score in the two groups were evaluated before and after four-week treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, TCM syndrome scores in both groups were decreased (P<0.01), and the TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). There was a significant difference in the total obviously effective rate between the two groups (P<0.01), and the total obviously effective rates in the treatment and control groups were 85%(17/20) and 45%(9/20) respectively. The disappearance rates of abdominal pain, abdominal distention, poor stool output, stool frequency, stool character and mucous stool in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The symptom scores of abdominal pain, abdominal distention, poor stool output, stool frequency, stool character and mucous stool in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TGHD can significantly improve the clinical symptoms in IBS patients with diarrhea.