Background and Aim: Aminosalicylic acids are recognized to be the first-line treatment options for ulcerative colitis. Currently, the effectiveness of curcumin as an adjuvant treatment in ulcerative colitis has been investigated, which was still controversial. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy and safety of curcumin as an adjuvant treatment in ulcerative colitis. Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from original to July 2019, and relevant randomized controlled clinical trials were enrolled and analyzed. The primary outcomes were clinical and endoscopic remission; meanwhile, the secondary outcomes were clinical and endoscopic improvement. Subgroup analyses of doses, delivery way, form, and intervention time of curcumin were also conducted. Results: Six randomized controlled clinical trials with a total of 349 patients were included. Eligible trials suggested that adjuvant curcumin treatment in ulcerative colitis was effective in inducing clinical remission (odds ratio [OR] = 5.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84-14.56, P = 0.002), endoscopic remission (OR = 5.69, 95% CI: 1.28-25.27, P = 0.02), and endoscopic improvement (OR = 17.05, 95% CI: 1.30-233.00, P = 0.03), but not in clinical improvement (OR = 4.79, 95% CI: 1.02-22.43, P = 0.05). We can see the potential advantages in large dosage, topical enema, special drug form, and longer duration from the enrolled studies. There were no severe side effects reported. Conclusions: Curcumin, as an adjuvant treatment of mesalamine, was proved to be effective and safe in ulcerative colitis. Better efficacy can be achieved with suitable dose, delivery way, formation, and intervention time, which needs further study to verify. Figure 1 The results of the inverted funnel plot analysis of the (a) clinical remission, (b) endoscopic remission, (c) clinical improvement, and (d) endoscopic improvement. [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] T Zheng et al. Effect of curcumin in ulcerative colitis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly occurring cancer among men. Globally, it is the third and fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, respectively, and it represents one of the major diseases that threatens human health. 1,2 The uncontrollable proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells within major organs, such as the liver and lung, are the leading causes of death in CRC patients. 3,4 Surgical resection is generally used for CRC patients that do not present with metastasis, however, resection of the primary lesions is often insufficient. 5,6 Cancer

To evaluate pre-and postoperative microvasculature features in eyes with different idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (iERM) classifications using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Methods: In this retrospective study, 100 eyes with iERM were enrolled; 62 eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). All iERM eyes were evaluated and graded using optical coherence tomography (OCT). According to the thickness of the fovea relative to the surrounding macula from OCT radial line scans, we classified iERM into three grades. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to measure the foveal avascular zone (FAZ)-related parameters and the superficial and deep capillary plexus layers using 3 3 3 mm scans. Measurements were taken at baseline and 3 months postoperatively. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), vessel density (VD), FAZ area, FAZ perimeter (PERIM), acircularity index (AI), and foveal vessel density (FD) were evaluated.Results: Idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (iERM) eyes with a higher grade had a lower FAZ area and perimeter (p < 0.0001), higher foveal vessel density (FVD) both in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) (p < 0.0001) and in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) (p < 0.05), and a lower parafoveal vessel density (PRVD) in the DCP (p < 0.0001). The macular vessel density ratio (MVR = FVD/PRVD) increased with an increase in grade both in the SCP and in the DCP (p < 0.0001). For grade 1 iERM eyes, only PRVD in the DCP significantly changed before versus after the operation (p < 0.05). For grade 2 iERM eyes, the FAZ area and perimeter became larger after the operation (p < 0.05). The MVR of grade 2 iERM eyes decreased postoperatively both in the SCP (p < 0.05) and in the DCP (p < 0.001). For grade 1 and grade 2 iERM eyes, preoperative LogMAR BCVA was negatively correlated with the FAZ area (p < 0.01) and perimeter (p < 0.01), and was positively correlated with the MVR in the SCP (p < 0.05). Postoperative LogMAR BCVA was positively correlated with the FVD in the DCP (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (iERM) eyes of different grades have significant differences in microvasculature features. According to OCTA, eyes with higher grades have more serious microvascular changes. Grading plays a part in predicting postoperative microvascular characteristics, and grade 1 iERM eyes have a better visual outcome compared with grade 2 iERM eyes.

Purpose In eyes with diabetic macular oedema (DME), aqueous humour (AH) cytokine levels before and after anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment were compared and correlated with optical coherence tomography structural parameters. Methods This prospective study included 56 control patients with cataracts and 83 patients with DME manifesting as diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular oedema and serous retinal detachment (SRD). AH samples were obtained before intravitreal injection of anti‐VEGF or cataract surgery. VEGF, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, interferon‐inducible protein 10 (IP‐10) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1) levels were measured by multiplex bead assay. AH cytokine levels, central macular thickness (CMT), number of hyper‐reflective foci (HF), continuity of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone (EZ) and best‐corrected visual acuity were evaluated. Results In SRD, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 levels and HF were increased (all p < 0.05) compared to DRT. At baseline, the number of HF was correlated with VEGF, IL‐6, IL‐8, IP‐10 and MCP‐1 (all p < 0.05). Eyes sensitive to anti‐VEGF treatment had high baseline levels of VEGF, MCP‐1, HF and many EZ disruptions (all p < 0.05). DME patients with normal VEGF levels but with high levels of IL‐8, IP‐10 and MCP‐1 (all p < 0.05) had little change in CMT after anti‐VEGF treatment (p = 0.678). Conclusions AH concentrations of some inflammatory cytokines in DME were differentially expressed among the three DME morphologies. HF was associated with VEGF and other inflammatory cytokine levels. Multiple HF at baseline predicted a significant decrease in CMT, and eyes with normal VEGF but increased inflammatory cytokines may be insensitive to anti‐VEGF treatment.