Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Elton Dajti, Leonardo Frazzoni, Veronica Iascone, Matteo Secco, Amanda Vestito, Lorenzo Fuccio, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Pietro Fusaroli, Fernando Rizzello, Carlo Calabrese, Paolo Gionchetti, Franco Bazzoli, Rocco Maurizio Zagari
Summary: Faecal calprotectin is a reliable test with high sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing patients with inflammatory bowel disease from those with irritable bowel syndrome. It seems to have a better sensitivity in Western countries and at a cut-off of <= 50 mu g/g.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jin-Tong Shi, Nuo Chen, Jia Xu, Hemant Goyal, Zhi-Qi Wu, Jie-Xin Zhang, Hua-Guo Xu
Summary: Fecal calprotectin (FC) levels are correlated with the disease activity of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its usefulness in predicting IBD relapse is yet to be determined. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of FC in predicting IBD relapse. A total of 24 prospective studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the optimal FC cut-off value was found to be 152 μg/g. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FC were 0.720 (0.528 to 0.856) and 0.740 (0.618 to 0.834), respectively. FC is a valuable non-invasive and cost-effective biomarker for early prediction of IBD relapse, with an ideal threshold of 152 μg/g.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Andreas Zollner, Andreas Schmiderer, Simon J. Reider, Georg Oberhuber, Alexandra Pfister, Bernhard Texler, Christina Watschinger, Robert Koch, Maria Effenberger, Tim Raine, Herbert Tilg, Alexander R. Moschen
Summary: This study demonstrated the diagnostic equivalence of FLCN2 and FCAL in inflammatory bowel diseases, with both biomarkers showing comparable sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, mucosal overexpression of LCN2 in deep remission suggests its potential as a candidate for molecular inflammation warranting further investigation.
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
James P. Campbell, Claudia Zierold, Ashli M. Rode, Frank A. Blocki, Byron P. Vaughn
Summary: The automated LIAISON Calprotectin assay is an efficient method for distinguishing between inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome with high sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marilyn Hagan, Bu' Hussain Hayee, Ana Rodriguez-Mateos
Summary: Polyphenols (PPs) may have therapeutic benefits in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like IBS or IBD, but the evidence base is inconsistent and further research is needed to clarify their effects.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Giovanni Marasco, Cesare Cremon, Maria Raffaella Barbaro, Giulia Cacciari, Francesca Falangone, Anna Kagramanova, Dmitry Bordin, Vasile Drug, Egidia Miftode, Pietro Fusaroli, Salem Youssef Mohamed, Chiara Ricci, Massimo Bellini, Mohammed Masudur Rahman, Luigi Melcarne, Javier Santos, Beatriz Lobo, Serhat Bor, Suna Yapali, Deniz Akyol, Ferdane Pirincci Sapmaz, Yonca Yilmaz Urun, Tugce Eskazan, Altay Celebi, Huseyin Kacmaz, Berat Ebik, Hatice Cilem Binicier, Mehmet Sait Bugdayci, Munkhtsetseg Banzragch Yagci, Husnu Pullukcu, Berrin Yalinbas Kaya, Ali Tureyen, Ibrahim Hatemi, Elif Sitre Koc, Goktug Sirin, Ali Riza Caliskan, Goksel Bengi, Esra Ergun Alis, Snezana Lukic, Meri Trajkovska, Keren Hod, Dan Dumitrascu, Antonello Pietrangelo, Elena Corradini, Magnus Simren, Jessica Sjoelund, Navkiran Tornkvist, Uday C. Ghoshal, Olga Kolokolnikova, Antonio Colecchia, Jordi Serra, Giovanni Maconi, Roberto De Giorgio, Silvio Danese, Piero Portincasa, Antonio Di Sabatino, Marcello Maggio, Elena Philippou, Yeong Yeh Lee, Daniele Salvi, Alessandro Venturi, Claudio Borghi, Marco Zoli, Paolo Gionchetti, Pierluigi Viale, Vincenzo Stanghellini, Giovanni Barbara
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and post-COVID-19 disorders of gut-brain interaction among hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that patients with COVID-19 had higher rates of gastrointestinal symptoms on hospital admission and lower rates of constipation and hard stools at 12 months post-infection compared to the control group. Additionally, the rate of irritable bowel syndrome was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 than in controls.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jun Hwan Kim, Dae Yong Yi, Yoo Min Lee, You Jin Choi, Ju Young Kim, Yong Hee Hong, Ji Young Park, Su Yeong Kim, Na Mi Lee, Sin Weon Yun, Soo Ahn Chae, In Seok Lim, Eung Sang Choi, In Sook Jeong
Summary: The study investigated the association between obesity and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in pediatric patients. It found that fecal calprotectin levels were higher in normal-weight pediatric IBS patients compared to their obese counterparts, and this difference was more prominent in younger patients.
Article
Cell Biology
Yun-yun Shao, Yao Guo, Xiao-juan Feng, Jun-jin Liu, Zhuang-peng Chang, Gui-feng Deng, Ding Xu, Jian-ping Gao, Rui-gang Hou
Summary: Oridonin showed therapeutic effects in experimental PI-IBS by repairing intestinal barrier function, potentially through the regulatory role of PXR/NF-κB signaling pathway. Oridonin may serve as a PXR ligand for the development of drugs in the therapy for PI-IBS.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Nikolas Plevris, James Fulforth, Mathew Lyons, Spyros I. Siakavellas, Philip W. Jenkinson, Cher S. Chuah, Laura Lucaciu, Rebecca J. Pattenden, Ian D. Arnott, Gareth-Rhys Jones, Charlie W. Lees
Summary: The study found that normalization of fecal calprotectin levels within 12 months of diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of progression of CD, with patients who achieved normalization having a significantly lower risk of disease progression.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Yi-Lin Liu, Jin-Song Liu
Summary: IBS is a common gastrointestinal disease globally, with current guidelines mainly based on western populations. China, with its large population, has a vast literature on IBS, but linguistic variations have caused these studies to be less known in western medical literature. Research on IBS in the Chinese population can benefit understanding and future studies in this area.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Tom Holvoet, Marie Joossens, Jorge F. Vazquez-Castellanos, Evelien Christiaens, Lander Heyerick, Jerina Boelens, Bruno Verhasselt, Hans van Vlierberghe, Martine De Vos, Jeroen Raes, Danny De Looze
Summary: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) therapy has shown promising efficacy in treating patients with treatment-resistant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), particularly in relieving predominant bloating symptoms. The treatment response was associated with higher microbiome diversity in stool samples before FMT administration, suggesting a potential biomarker for patient selection.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jane Lim, Ali Rezaie
Summary: Despite achieving remission in IBD, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms are common in quiescent IBD, which can be attributed to a wide range of overlapping gastrointestinal etiologies and systemic disorders. Delay in diagnosis can lead to patient suffering and unnecessary treatment escalation.
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Michael Camilleri, Guy Boeckxstaens
Summary: This article evaluates the evidence that targeted pathophysiological mechanisms and customized treatments can be an alternative approach to treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The authors conducted a literature review on the mechanisms and treatments of IBS, identifying various noninvasive clinical tests that can assess the underlying mechanisms responsible for symptom generation. These mechanisms include rectal evacuation disorders, abnormal transit, visceral hypersensitivity or hypervigilance, bile acid diarrhea, sugar intolerances, barrier dysfunction, the microbiome, immune activation, and chemicals released by these mechanisms. The authors also recognized the basic molecular mechanisms contributing to these pathophysiologies, offering opportunities for interventions with medications targeted at specific food components, receptors, and potentially the microbiome. Although the evidence supporting interventions for each mechanism varies, the current state-of-the-art allows for a shift from symptom-based treatment to individualized treatment guided by pathophysiology and clinically identified biomarkers.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Andre Schulz, Sina-Katharina Welsch, Sarah Etringer, Greta Hansen, Lea Milbert, Jochen Schneider, Gennaro Taddei, Raquel Gomez Bravo, Charilaos Lygidakis, Zoe van Dyck, Annika Lutz, Paul Wilmes, Claus Vogele
Summary: This study investigates whether IBD and IBS patients have altered perception of 'natural' gastric distensions. The results show that IBD patients drink significantly more water until satiation than IBS patients, suggesting relative gastric hypersensitivity in IBS and relative hyposensitivity in IBD patients.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
R. Gacesa, A. Vich Vila, V. Collij, Z. Mujagic, A. Kurilshikov, M. D. Voskuil, E. A. M. Festen, C. Wijmenga, D. M. A. E. Jonkers, G. Dijkstra, J. Fu, A. Zhernakova, F. Imhann, R. K. Weersma
Summary: This study aimed to develop a noninvasive fecal test to distinguish between IBD and IBS and reduce the use of endoscopies. Results show that fecal HBD2 has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating between IBD and IBS, while combining microbiome data with other biomarkers has the potential to improve predictive power. HBD2, in combination with FCal and potentially gut microbiome data, was found to be a novel biomarker for IBD in patients with gastrointestinal complaints.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan Jerkovic, Vedran Kovacic, Tina Ticinovic Kurir, Josko Bozic, Leida Tandara
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate serum CST levels and their correlation with clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients. The study found a significant correlation between serum CST levels and inflammatory markers, cardiac injury markers, and hospitalization days. The findings suggest that plasma CST levels may serve as a tool for early risk assessment in non-critical COVID-19 patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Josip Vrdoljak, Zvonimir Boban, Domjan Baric, Darko Segvic, Marko Kumric, Manuela Avirovic, Melita Peric Balja, Marija Milkovic Perisa, Cedna Tomasovic, Snjezana Tomic, Eduard Vrdoljak, Josko Bozic
Summary: In this study, machine learning models were trained and evaluated to predict breast cancer lymph node metastasis in patients eligible for neoadjuvant treatment. Radiological methods have a high misdiagnosis rate in determining axillary lymph node status, hence the need for supplementary methods. Random forest algorithm achieved good performance (AUC: 0.79). Such models can improve disease stage prediction and treatment selection, particularly for NST patients reliant on radiological and clinical findings for lymph node assessment.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Antonio Mestrovic, Nikola Perkovic, Ante Tonkic, Zeljko Sundov, Marko Kumric, Josko Bozic
Summary: The increase in antibiotic resistance to H. pylori has led to a decrease in the effectiveness of eradication therapy. Tailored therapy based on sensitivity tests to antibiotics is proving to be a superior option, even as a first-line therapy. Using a susceptibility-guided strategy and PCR technology can further optimize the eradication process.
Article
Biology
Dinko Martinovic, Daria Tokic, Mislav Usljebrka, Slaven Lupi-Ferandin, Livia Cigic, Lucija Vanjaka Rogosic, Sasa Ercegovic, Mirko Kontic, Marko Kumric, Doris Rusic, Marino Vilovic, Mateo Leskur, Josko Bozic
Summary: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may play an important role in skin quality and the aging process; the study found a positive correlation between AGEs and melanin, erythema, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and a negative correlation between AGEs and hydration and friction; AGEs were significantly associated with age, melanin, erythema, TEWL, skin hydration, and friction.
Review
Biology
Dinko Martinovic, Daria Tokic, Ema Puizina-Mladinic, Sanja Kadic, Antonella Lesin, Slaven Lupi-Ferandin, Marko Kumric, Josko Bozic
Summary: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic breathing disorder characterized by airflow decrease or stoppage due to collapse of the oropharyngeal tract during sleep. Surgical treatment of OSA is constantly improving, but careful consideration of individual patients and potential risks is necessary. Additionally, surgeries in the head and neck region unrelated to OSA may also contribute to its development. This subject is important yet underdiscussed in the literature, and this review aims to explore both the potential of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) treatments for OSA and the possibility of OMFS treatments causing OSA.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marko Kumric, Goran Dujic, Josip Vrdoljak, Karla Svagusa, Tina Ticinovic Kurir, Daniela Supe-Domic, Zeljko Dujic, Josko Bozic
Summary: This study found that a 5-week administration of CBD can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients, and this antihypertensive effect may be explained by CBD's interaction with the sympatho-chromaffin system.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Dinko Martinovic, Daria Tokic, Ema Puizina Mladinic, Mislav Usljebrka, Sanja Kadic, Antonella Lesin, Marino Vilovic, Slaven Lupi-Ferandin, Sasa Ercegovic, Marko Kumric, Josipa Bukic, Josko Bozic
Summary: While surgical therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) has improved, the focus should also be on supportive pre and aftercare. Nutritional management is challenging due to complications and reduced oral intake, but enteral nutrition is preferred. However, there is a lack of studies, recommendations, and guidelines for HNC patients' nutritional management. This narrative review highlights the need for future research and an algorithm for better nutritional care.
Review
Oncology
Josip Vrdoljak, Ante Kreso, Marko Kumric, Dinko Martinovic, Ivan Cvitkovic, Marko Grahovac, Josip Vickov, Josipa Bukic, Josko Bozic
Summary: Breast cancer is a significant health issue worldwide, and accurately detecting lymph node metastasis is critical for treatment and prognosis. Artificial intelligence techniques, such as machine learning and deep learning, offer promising solutions for improving diagnostic procedures. Researchers have developed advanced deep learning models for classifying breast cancer lymph node metastasis from medical images, with promising results. Combining radiological data and patient information can further improve the accuracy of these models. This review aims to compile knowledge about state-of-the-art AI models used for breast cancer lymph node metastasis detection, discusses validation techniques and limitations, and presents future directions and best practices for real-world clinical settings.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ante Mihovilovic, Zoran Dogas, Dinko Martinovic, Daria Tokic, Ema Puizina Mladinic, Marko Kumric, Natalija Ivkovic, Marino Vilovic, Josko Bozic
Summary: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major public concern and this study aimed to evaluate serum Urotensin II (UII) levels in OSA patients and controls. The study included 89 OSA patients and 89 controls, and UII levels as well as other parameters were assessed. The OSA group had higher levels of hsCRP and serum UII compared to the control group, and there was a positive correlation between UII levels and hsCRP and systolic blood pressure. Multiple regression analysis showed significant associations of UII levels with AHI, SBP, and hsCRP. These findings suggest that UII may play a role in the complex pathophysiology of OSA and its cardiometabolic complications.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ana Batinic, Davorka Sutlovic, Sendi Kuret, Antonela Matana, Marko Kumric, Josko Bozic, Zeljko Dujic
Summary: CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with potential efficacy in treating various disorders. DehydraTECH (TM) 2.0 CBD is a patented capsule formulation that improves CBD bioabsorption. This study compared the effects of CBD and DehydraTECH (TM) 2.0 CBD based on polymorphisms in CYP P450 genes and investigated the impact of a single CBD dose on blood pressure. The results showed that DehydraTECH (TM) 2.0 CBD resulted in a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, likely due to its higher CBD bioavailability. The presence of certain CYP P450 enzymes affected CBD concentrations and further research is needed to optimize CBD formulations.
Review
Biology
Luka Komic, Marko Kumric, Hrvoje Urlic, Azer Rizikalo, Marko Grahovac, Jelena Kelam, Marion Tomicic, Doris Rusic, Tina Ticinovic Kurir, Josko Bozic
Summary: The clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) refers to the presence of detectable somatic mutations in genes associated with hematologic cancers in individuals without any apparent evidence of such conditions. Studies have shown that the frequently altered genes in CHIP are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, myeloid malignancies, and obesity. The shared pathogenetic mechanisms of obesity and CHIP contribute to the development of these conditions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ivan Jerkovic, Josipa Bukic, Dario Leskur, Ana Seselja Perisin, Doris Rusic, Josko Bozic, Tomislav Zuvela, Sara Vuko, Jonatan Vukovic, Darko Modun
Summary: This study aimed to compare the attitudes and behaviors related to urinary tract infections (UTIs) among female students studying within biomedical fields and those studying in non-biomedical fields. The cross-sectional survey involved 392 female students, with 243 attending biomedical school and 149 attending non-biomedical school. Results showed that biomedical students exhibited better hygiene practices and greater awareness of antibiotic resistance risks and possible interactions. The study highlights the need to address knowledge gaps among young women regarding antibiotic resistance risks, interactions, and efficacy of available treatments.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Goran Dujic, Marko Kumric, Josip Vrdoljak, Zeljko Dujic, Josko Bozic
Summary: This study examines the effects of chronic CBD administration on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. The results show that CBD reduces average 24-hour mean, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure, and does not cause significant adverse events. This suggests that CBD may be a safe and effective treatment for hypertension.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hrvoje Urlic, Marko Kumric, Josip Vrdoljak, Dinko Martinovic, Goran Dujic, Marino Vilovic, Tina Ticinovic Kurir, Josko Bozic
Summary: Diabetes mellitus is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and can also impact cardiac function independent of other heart pathologies. However, the use of echocardiography in patients with diabetes is often underappreciated, leading to worsening of diabetes-related heart failure. This review aims to discuss the role of echocardiography in managing diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the potential of emerging echocardiographic techniques for earlier diagnosis and more effective management of this complication.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2023)
