Combining lymph node ratio to develop prognostic models for postoperative gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm patients.

Background: Lymph node ratio (LNR) was demonstrated to play a crucial role in the prognosis of many tumors. However, research concerning the prognostic value of LNR in postoperative gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) patients was limited.

Aim: To explore the prognostic value of LNR in postoperative gastric NEN patients and to combine LNR to develop prognostic models.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M titers decline as interval from the second inactivated vaccine dose to the onset of illness is prolonged in breakthrough infection patients.

Background: Understanding of the early immune response in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) breakthrough infections is limited.

Methods: Ninety-eight patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) breakthrough infections were divided into two groups, with intervals from receiving the second dose of inactivated vaccine to the onset of illness <60 or ≥60 days.

Results: The median lymphocyte count and the median anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) titers were higher in the <60-day interval group compared with the corresponding medians in the ≥60-day interval group (p = 0.

Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality patterns in 2006-2015 and prediction of the epidemiological trend to 2025 in China.

Background: Due to dietary patterns, the aging population, and other high-risk factors, the occurrence of pancreatic cancer (PC) has been rapidly increasing in China.

Aim: To present the epidemiological trends of PC in China over the past decade and the estimated trend in 2025 and to compare the international differences in PC morbidity and mortality.

Methods: This study used a series of nationally representative data from the National Central Cancer Registry of China (NCCR), the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation databases.

Using circulating O-sulfotyrosine in the differential diagnosis of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.

Background: Sulfation of tyrosine, yielding O-sulfotyrosine, is a common but fixed post-translational modification in eukaryotes. Patients with increased circulating O-sulfotyrosine levels experience a faster decline in renal function with progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In the present study, we measured serum O-sulfotyrosine levels in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) to explore its ability to differentiate AKI from CKD.

The Role of Dietary Energy and Macronutrients Intake in Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndromes.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic illnesses. Interest in the effect of dietary opponents to the IBS pathogenesis has been increased in recent years. This study aims to review previous studies to determine the relationship between IBS prevalence in community and dietary energy and macronutrients intakes according to the national nutrition surveys.

Clinical guidelines of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review.

Aim: To perform a systematic review to grade guidelines and present recommendations for clinical management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: A database search was conducted on PubMed for guidelines published before May 2016, supplemented by reviewing relevant websites. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (ARGEE) Instrument II was a tool designed to appraise the methodological rigor and transparency in which a clinical guideline is developed and it is used internationally.

Increased carbamylation level of HDL in end-stage renal disease: carbamylated-HDL attenuated endothelial cell function.

It is thought that carbamylated modification plays a crucial role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, information on the biological effects of carbamylated high-density lipoprotein (C-HDL) in ESRD is poor. The present study investigated the carbamylation level of HDL in ESRD and the effects of C-HDL on endothelial repair properties.

Comparison of endoscopic resection and gastrectomy for the treatment of early gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Endoscopic resection methods, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, have become standard treatment modalities for patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) and absolute indications, with en bloc resection being more frequent with the latter. Endoscopic resection, however, has been associated with higher recurrence and metachronous cancer rates than gastrectomy. This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection and gastrectomy for EGC.

A case-control study: Association between serum neuregulin 4 level and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a great health burden. Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) is a recently identified secret factor that may be associated with NAFLD.

Aim: To investigate the association between serum Nrg4 level and NAFLD by conducting a case-control study.

Protective effect of histamine microinjected into cerebellar fastigial nucleus on stress gastric mucosal damage in rats.

In the study, we investigated the effect of histamine microinjected into cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) on stress gastric mucosal damage (SGMD), and its mechanisms in rats. The model of SGMD was established by restraining and water (21±1°C)-immersion for 3h. The gastric mucosal damage index (GMDI) indicated the severity of gastric mucosal damage.

Serum periostin is a potential biomarker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case-control study.

Recent animal studies support close associations of Periostin with hepatosteatosis and steatohepatitis. This study is to evaluate the role of serum periostin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A hospital-based age-/sex-matched case-control study was conducted.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers therapy and colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: We aim to investigate the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) therapy and colorectal cancer (CRC) by conducting a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods: Literature was searched on PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane library to identify relevant studies evaluating ACEIs/ARBs therapy and risk of CRC incidence or survival of CRC patients. Pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals was calculated for the association between ACEIs/ARBs and CRC risk and mortality.

Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Economy.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health issue around the world.

Aim: This study is to investigate whether adult prevalence of NAFLD correlates with national economic status.

Methods: Literature search on PubMed database was conducted to identify eligible records fully published before September 2014.

Prevalence of fatty liver disease and the economy in China: A systematic review.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the economy and the adult prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) in mainland China.

Methods: Literature searches on the PubMed and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were performed to identify eligible studies published before July 2014. Records were limited to cross-sectional surveys or baseline surveys of longitudinal studies that reported the adult prevalence of FLD and recruited subjects from the general population or community.

National prevalence of coronary heart disease and its relationship with human development index: A systematic review.

Background: Coronary heart disease has become a major health concern over the past several decades. Several reviews have assessed the effects of socioeconomic status on the coronary heart disease epidemic in communities and countries, but only a few reviews have been performed at a global level. This study was to explore the relationship between the prevalence of coronary heart disease and socioeconomic development worldwide using the Human Development Index.

Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis: Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Serrated Polyp.

Background: Alcohol intake is closely related to colorectal cancer, which remains inconsistent with studies on the relation between alcohol consumption and risk of colorectal serrated polyp (SP) which was proven to have potential of developing into malignant serrated neoplasm.

Aim: A meta-analysis investigating the association between alcohol intake and colorectal SP with the dose-response of alcohol intake was conducted.

Methods: The literature search was performed on PubMed to identify pertinent articles presenting results for at least three categories of alcohol consumption dated up to October 2014.

Betatrophin provides a new insight into diabetes treatment and lipid metabolism (Review).

Replenishing the insulin-producing β-cell mass is considered to be a potential cure for diabetes. A recent study identified a secreted protein, known as betatrophin, which potently induces pancreatic β-cell proliferation. Notably, a number of studies reportedly identified betatrophin, which is also known as lipasin, atypical angiopoietin-like 8 and refeeding-induced fat and liver protein, and considered to be a novel regulator in lipid metabolism according to the studies.

Is national socioeconomic status related to prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome?

Background And Aim: There are a multitude of cross-sectional surveys that provide the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the community. However, the data regarding the influence of socioeconomic status on prevalence of IBS were sparse. This study is to investigate the possible relation between human development and prevalence of IBS, at national level.

Glutamate microinjection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus attenuates ulcerative colitis in rats.

Aim: To investigate the effects of glutamate microinjection into hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats and to explore the relevant mechanisms.

Methods: 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (100 mg/kg in 50% ethanol) was instilled into the colon of adult male SD rats to induce UC. A colonic damage score (CDS) was used to indicate the severity of the colonic mucosal damage.

Muscimol microinjection into cerebellar fastigial nucleus exacerbates stress-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats.

Aim: To investigate the effects of microinjection of the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol into cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) on stress-induced gastric mucosal damage and the underlying mechanism in rats.

Methods: Stress-induced gastric mucosal damage was induced in adult male SD rats by restraining and immersing them in cold water for 3 h. GABA(A) receptor agonist or antagonist was microinjected into the lateral FN.

Protection of ghrelin postconditioning on hypoxia/reoxygenation in gastric epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the protective effect and mechanisms of ghrelin postconditioning against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury in human gastric epithelial cells.

Methods: The model of H/R injury was established in gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1) human gastric epithelial cells. Cells were divided into seven groups: normal control group (N); H/R postconditioning group; DMSO postconditioning group (DM); ghrelin postconditioning group (GH); D-Lys3-GHRP-6 + ghrelin postconditioning group (D + GH); capsazepine + ghrelin postconditioning group (C + GH); and LY294002 + ghrelin postconditioning group (L + GH).

P-cresol, but not p-cresylsulphate, disrupts endothelial progenitor cell function in vitro.

Background: Patients afflicted with chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically suffer from cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is a leading cause of patient mortality. It has been demonstrated that two distinct physiological events contribute to this disease state. These include the abundance of abnormally high levels of protein-bound uraemic toxins as well as functionally aberrant endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).

Hemocompatibility of drug-eluting coronary stents coated with sulfonated poly (styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene).

The presence of polymer coating on a coronary stent is a major mediator of coronary inflammation reaction thereby affects re-endothelialization. Poly(styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene) (SIBS) is one of the most attractive alternatives to serve as stent coating, but has shown less than optimal biocompatibility. Increasing the sulfonic acid content in the polymer can result in increased strength and hydrophilicity.