NUDT15 genotyping during azathioprine treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: implications for a dose-optimization strategy.

Background: NUDT15 R139C is an Asian-prevalent genetic variant related to azathioprine (AZA) intolerance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it remains unclear how to utilize the genotyping results to improve the step-up dosing strategy with an already low starting dose in Asian practice.

Methods: Clinical data of eligible IBD patients who received AZA therapy and NUDT15 R139C testing were retrospectively collected.

[Advances in three important signaling pathways related to aging in Drosophila melanogaster and screening of anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine].

Aging is the most basic life feature of organisms. It is a phenomenon of dysfunction of cells,tissues and organs under the influence of external environment and internal factors during the growth of organisms. During the process,many cellular signaling pathways and biologically active substances,such as insulin/insulin-like growth factor( IGF)-1 signaling( IIS) pathway,apoptotic signaling pathway,mTOR signaling pathway,AMPK pathway,sirtuin pathway,deacetylases have been found to be closely related to the molecular mechanism of aging.

Transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) uc.261 expression is closely correlated with disease activity and intestinal permeability in Crohn's disease.

Objectives: Transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) uc.261 is reported to participate in intestinal mucosa barrier damage in Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to determine the association with disease activity and intestinal permeability.

Circular RNA expression alterations in colon tissues of Crohn's disease patients.

Genetic factors are crucial in the development of Crohn's disease (CD). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and regulate a number of signalling pathways via circRNA‑miRNA interactions. As competing endogenous RNAs, the functions of circRNAs in CD should be investigated.

A single-center experience with methotrexate in the treatment of Chinese Crohn's disease patients.

Objective: Methotrexate (MTX) can be used as an alternative for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who are intolerant of thiopurine. This retrospective study aimed to provide some clues about MTX treatment in Chinese patients with CD.

Methods: Medical records of 27 adult patients with CD who were treated with MTX between 2012 and 2017 at Renji Hospital were reviewed.

Noncoding Transcribed Ultraconserved Region (T-UCR) uc.261 Participates in Intestinal Mucosa Barrier Damage in Crohn's Disease.

Background: To date, 481 ultraconserved regions (UCRs) have been discovered in human genome. We aimed to investigate the transcribed UCR (T-UCR) characteristics in Crohn's disease (CD ) and determine whether T-UCR uc.261 participated in intestinal mucosa barrier damage.

Usefulness of spectral computed tomography for evaluation of intestinal activity and severity in ileocolonic Crohn's disease.

Background: Assessment of intestinal activity and severity of Crohn's disease (CD) is crucial to guide treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of spectral computed tomography (CT) in this assessment and make a comparison with conventional CT.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with ileocolonic CD underwent spectral CT scanning.

Therapeutic modulation of gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: More questions to be answered.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit impaired control of the microbiome in the gut, and 'dysbiosis' is commonly observed. Western diet is a risk factor for the development of IBD, but it may have different effects on gut microbiota between IBD and non-IBD individuals. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) can induce remission in pediatric Crohn's disease with a decrease in gut microbial diversity.

Handgrip Strength Index Predicts Nutritional Status as a Complement to Body Mass Index in Crohn's Disease.

Background: Body mass index [BMI] is widely used to measure nutritional status in Crohn's disease [CD] patients, but limitations remain. Measuring handgrip strength index, in addition to BMI, may aid in overcoming limitations.

Methods: A total of 150 patients with CD and 254 controls were included in this study.

CNTNAP3 associated ATG16L1 expression and Crohn's disease.

Autophagy is a common physiological process in cell homeostasis and regulation. Autophagy-related gene mutations and autophagy disorders are important in Crohn's disease (CD). The nucleotide oligomerization domain 2-autophagy genes autophagy 16-like 1 (NOD2-ATG16L1) signaling axis disorder contributes to the dysfunction of autophagy.

High suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 expression impairs STAT3-dependent protective effects of interleukin-22 in ulcerative colitis in remission.

Background: High SOCS3 expression in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission reflects the shorter time to relapse. We investigated whether high SOCS3 increased risk for relapse through violating STAT3-dependent protective effects of interleukin (IL)-22 during UC remission.

Methods: Expression of IL-22 and c-Myc in UC remission mucosa was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Helicobacter pylori regulates TLR4 and TLR9 during gastric carcinogenesis.

Objective: To investigated the influence of H. pylori on TLR4 and TLR9 in gastric mucosa during gastric carcinogenesis.

Methods: Gastric biopsy specimens were taken from 148 patients and divided into five groups, including normal group (n = 10), chronic superficial gastritis group (n = 35), atrophy/intestinal metaplasia group (n = 35), dysplasia group (n = 34) and gastric carcinoma group (n = 34).

Therapeutic potential of microRNA: a new target to treat intrahepatic portal hypertension?

Intrahepatic portal hypertension accounts for most of the morbidity and mortality encountered in patients with liver cirrhosis, due to increased portal inflow and intrahepatic vascular resistance. Most treatments have focused only on portal inflow or vascular resistance. However, miRNA multitarget regulation therapy may potentially intervene in these two processes for therapeutic benefit in cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Using cognitive theory to facilitate medical education.

Background: Educators continue to search for better strategies for medical education. Although the unifying theme of reforms was "increasing interest in, attention to, and understanding of the knowledge base structures", it is difficult to achieve all these aspects via a single type of instruction.

Methods: We used related key words to search in Google Scholar and Pubmed.

LncRNA DQ786243 affects Treg related CREB and Foxp3 expression in Crohn's disease.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have different functions in cells. They work as signals, decoys, guides, and scaffolds. Altered lncRNA levels can affect the expression of gene products.

Dynamic expression of miR-126* and its effects on proliferation and contraction of hepatic stellate cells.

In our previous study, miR-126 was identified as one of the leading miRNAs that is downregulated during activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the roles and related mechanisms of miR-126 in HSCs are not understood. In this study, we compared expression of miR-126 during HSC activation both in vitro and in vivo.

Prevalence and factors related to hepatitis B and C infection in inflammatory bowel disease patients in China: a retrospective study.

Objectives: The objectives of this retrospective study were to assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in Chinese IBD patients, identify potential risk factors of the infection in this population, and discuss the prevalence of HBV and HCV in the general Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 714 IBD patients who had been investigated for HBV and/or HCV infection were consecutively enrolled in the study. Clinical and laboratory data on IBD and hepatitis infection were collected.

Computed tomography enterography versus balloon-assisted enteroscopy for evaluation of small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease.

Background And Aim: We aimed to assess the correlation between computed tomography enterography (CTE) and balloon-assisted enteroscopy on severity of small bowel lesions, and evaluated the accuracy of CTE parameters in assessing small intestine lesions in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: We performed an observational study of a single-center cohort. Data were retrieved from our inpatient databases starting from October 2007.

Safety and efficacy of calcium and magnesium infusions in the chemoprevention of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy in gastrointestinal cancers.

Objective: To derive a more precise estimation on the safety and efficacy of calcium and magnesium (Ca and Mg) infusions in the prevention of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy.

Methods: A total of 16 studies including 1765 individuals were involved in this meta-analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated-factor (TRAF)-1 and TRAF-2 in inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)-1 and TRAF-2 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Immunostaining, western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect the expression of TRAF-1 and TRAF-2 in colonic mucosa of IBD patients and control. Furthermore, serum protein levels of TRAF-1 and TRAF-2 were measured by ELISA and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine their diagnostic value.

Up-regulation and pre-activation of TRAF3 and TRAF5 in inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: TRAF3 and TRAF5 share a common ancestral gene, and interact as essential components of signaling pathways in immunity. TRAF3 and TRAF5 are overexpressed in the colon of rat/mouse models with colitis. However, the expressions of TRAF3 and TRAF5 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease have not been elucidated.

Once-daily versus multiple-daily mesalamine for patients with ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of once-daily (OD) mesalamine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) compared with multiple-daily (MD) mesalamine.

Methods: Electronic databases up to July 2011 were searched for related studies evaluating the efficacy of OD vs MD for treatment of UC. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered eligible.