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Background Recent reports suggested that circulating exosomal microRNAs (exomiRs) may serve as non-invasive prediction biomarkers in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, yet their clinicopathological and prognostic values need to be more clarified. Hence, the present meta-analysis was aimed to quantitatively assess the evidence regarding the association between circulating exomiRs and prognosis in GI cancer patients. Methods A comprehensive search was carried out in prominent literature databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were gathered to evaluate the strength of the association. The quality assessment was investigated through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and publication bias via Eggers’ test and funnel plots. Results A total of 47 studies, comprising of 4881 patients, were considered eligible for this meta-analysis. Both up-regulated and down-regulated circulating exomiRs are significantly associated with differentiation (HR = 1.353, P = 0.015; HR = 1.504, P = 0.016), TNM stage (HR = 2.058, P Conclusion This study supports that up- and down-regulated circulating exomiRs are associated with poorer survival outcomes and could be served as potential prognostic biomarkers in GI cancers. Given the limitations of the current findings, such as significant heterogeneity, more investigations are needed to fully clarify the exomiRs prognostic role.

About 30% of all nanoparticle products contain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). With the increasing use of AgNPs in industry and medicine, concerns about the adverse effects on the environment, and the possible toxicity of these particles to primary cells and towards organs such as the brain and nervous system increased. In this paper, the toxicity of AgNPs in neurons and brain of animal models was investigated by a systematic review and meta-analysis. The full texts of 26 relevant studies were reviewed and analyzed. Data from nine separate experiments in five articles were analyzed by calculating the standardized mean differences between viability of treated animals and untreated groups. Subgroup analysis was conducted. In addition, a systematic review provided a complete, exhaustive summary of all articles. The results of the meta-analysis showed that AgNPs are able to cause neuronal death after entering the brain (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–3.61; p

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major health and socioeconomic problems in the world. Immune-enhancing enteral formula has been proven to significantly reduce infection rate in TBI patients. One of the ingredients that can be used in immunonutrition formulas to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress is pycnogenol. Objective The objective of this work is to survey the effect of pycnogenol on the clinical, nutritional, and inflammatory status of TBI patients. Methods This is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Block randomization will be used. An intervention group will receive pycnogenol supplementation of 150 mg for 10 days and a control group will receive a placebo for the same duration. Inflammatory status (IL-6, IL- 1β, C-reactive protein) and oxidative stress status (malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity), at the baseline, at the 5th day, and at the end of the study (10th day) will be measured. Clinical and nutritional status will be assessed three times during the intervention. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) questionnaire for assessment of organ failure will be filled out every other day. The mortality rate will be calculated within 28 days of the start of the intervention. Weight, body mass index, and body composition will be measured. All analyses will be conducted by an initially assigned study arm in an intention-to-treat analysis. Discussion We expect that supplementation of 150 mg pycnogenol for 10 days will improve clinical and nutritional status and reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress of the TBI patients. Trial registration This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ref: NCT03777683) at 12/13/2018.

Considering conflicting results on the consequences of all types of obesity surgery, we were to summarize them via a systematic review. Electronic literature search was done via scientific search engines. After the removal of duplicates and selection of articles of interest, 771 studies were included. Insulin resistance indicators were significantly improved after bariatric surgery. Leptin was also significantly decreased while adiponectin was significantly increased. Although the level of metabolic hormones changed after bariatric surgery, they were not statistically significant. Inflammation indicators were significantly decreased. Significant reduction was also detected in PAI-1 and sICAM-1. Bariatric surgery is beneficial in morbidly obese patients. Although treating obesity in a surgical way may cause some complications, the weight loss is generally safe and effective.