Comparison of visual acuity between phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis AiLing Li, Qiongmin He, Lijuan Wei, Yingying Chen, Shuxiong He, Qiongkang Zhang, Yijie Yan

Introduction There is a growing interest in probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplements for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, a systematic review and evaluation is lacking. The purpose of the present study is to assess the efficacy and safety of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics for non-dialysis or non-renal transplant patients with CKD. Methods and analysis An extensive literature search will be undertaken to identify potentially eligible studies from electronic databases including PubMed (1946 to present), EMBASE (1974 to present), Web of Science (1900 to present) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, all years). No language restriction will be applied to the search. Both parallel and crossover randomised controlled trials will be included. The risk of bias of each included study will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The primary outcome measures are uraemic toxins. Secondary outcomes include kidney function, adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, cause-specific death, progression to end-stage kidney disease, quality of life, gastrointestinal function and adverse events. Data will be synthesised using appropriate statistical methods. The quality of evidence for each outcome will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval is required as no primary data will be collected. We will publish findings from this systematic review in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and the data set will be made freely available. PROSPERO registration number CRD42017079177.

The diagnostic value of microRNAs (miRNAs) for breast cancer (BC) is largely unknown. Here, our research aim was to explore new circulating miRNAs for BC diagnosis. First, we identified 14 common differentially expressed miRNAs in tissues by TCGA_BRCA and GSE97811 datasets and preliminarily validated them in serum by the GSE73002 dataset. Furthermore, we examined three plasma miRNAs in BC patients (n = 108) and healthy subjects (n = 103) by RT–PCR, namely, hsa-miR-100-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p and hsa-miR-342-3p. The levels of these three miRNAs in BC patients were higher than those in healthy controls (p < 0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed that these three miRNAs had high diagnostic efficacy for BC and early-stage BC. The combination of hsa-miR-100-5p and hsa-miR-191-5p was the optimal combination for the diagnosis of BC and early-stage BC. Additionally, hsa-miR-100-5p was correlated with stage I–II, T1 stage, N0 stage and Luminal A subtype (p < 0.05). Hsa-miR-191-5p and hsa-miR-342-3p were irrelevant to TNM stage, T stage, N stage and molecular subtypes. Meanwhile, the biological function analysis indicated that these three miRNAs are mainly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and microRNAs in cancer. In conclusion, these three miRNAs demonstrate a positive effect on detection and discovery in BC.

Background: Fushen Granule is an improved granule based on the classic formula Fushen Formula, which is used for the treatment of peritoneal dialysis-related intestinal dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the effect and mechanism of this granule on the prevention and treatment of chronic renal failure have not been fully elucidated.Methods: A 5/6 nephrectomy model of CRF was induced and Fushen Granule was administered at low and high doses to observe its effects on renal function, D-lactate, serum endotoxin, and intestinal-derived metabolic toxins. The 16SrRNA sequencing method was used to analyze the abundance and structure of the intestinal flora of CRF rats. A FMT assay was also used to evaluate the effects of transplantation of Fushen Granule fecal bacteria on renal-related functional parameters and metabolic toxins in CRF rats.Results: Gavage administration of Fushen Granule at low and high doses down-regulated creatinine, urea nitrogen, 24-h urine microalbumin, D-lactate, endotoxin, and the intestinal-derived toxins indophenol sulphateand p-cresol sulphate in CRF rats. Compared with the sham-operated group in the same period, CRF rats had a decreased abundance of the firmicutes phylum and an increased abundance of the bacteroidetes phylum at the phylum level, and a decreasing trend of the lactobacillus genus at the genus level. Fushen Granule intervention increased the abundance of the firmicutes phylum, decreased the abundance of the bacteroidetes phylum, and increased the abundance of the lactobacillus genus. The transplantation of Fushen Granule fecal bacteria significantly reduced creatinine(Cr), blood urea nitrogen(Bun), uric acid(UA), 24-h urinary microalbumin, D-lactate, serum endotoxin, and enterogenic metabolic toxins in CRF rats. Compared with the sham-operated group, the transplantation of Fushen Granule fecal bacteria modulated the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla and the Lactobacillus genus.Conclusion: Fushen Granule improved renal function and intestinal barrier function by regulating intestinal flora, inhibiting renal fibrosis, and delaying the progression of chronic renal failure.