Publications by authors named "Meng-Zhao"

Background & Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related adverse events (AEs) are associated with morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. We aimed to assess incidences and comparisons of ERCP AEs.

Methods: We included studies performed after 2000 reporting on ERCP AEs from database inception through March 12, 2024.

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Introduction: Clinically significant post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) bleeding (CSPEB) is common. Contemporary estimates of risk are lacking. We aimed to identify risk factors of and outcomes after CSPEB.

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  • Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is a growing global health issue, and effective treatment requires the delivery of specific reactivators to the brain.
  • Researchers developed a novel amphiphilic hydrazide-pillar[5]arene (HP5A-6C) that integrates into liposomal structures for targeted brain delivery, with the ability to remain stable for up to 6 weeks.
  • When tested, these liposomes loaded with HI-6 showed a 60% increase in survival rates and significant alleviation of seizures and brain damage in mice poisoned with paraoxon (POX).
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  • Scientists studied a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) that helps cause diseases where the body attacks itself, like autoimmune diseases.
  • They used special computer tools to predict how IL-6 interacts with its partner, which is another protein called IL-6R.
  • The research showed that certain changes to IL-6 made it bind better or worse to IL-6R, helping them learn how to create new medicines that can stop the bad effects of IL-6.
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Influenza viruses are susceptible to seasonal influenza, which has repeatedly caused global pandemics and jeopardized human health. Vaccines are only used as preventive medicine due to the extreme mutability of influenza viruses, and antiviral medication is the most significant clinical treatment to reduce influenza morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, the clinical application of anti-influenza virus agents is characterized by the narrow therapeutic time window, the susceptibility to drug resistance, and relatively limited effect on severe influenza.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of cognitive impairment worldwide. Overweight and obesity are strongly associated with comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, and insulin resistance (IR), which contribute substantially to the development of AD and subsequent morbidity and mortality. Adipose tissue (AT) is a highly dynamic organ composed of a diverse array of cell types, which can be classified based on their anatomic localization or cellular composition.

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  • Clinically significant post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) bleeding (CSPEB) occurs in about 1.5% of procedures, often following higher-risk interventions like sphincterotomies, with patients frequently needing endoscopy and transfusions.
  • Key risk factors for CSPEB include the use of antiplatelet medications (like P2Y12 inhibitors) and anticoagulants (like warfarin and dabigatran), which significantly increase the likelihood of bleeding.
  • The study suggests that endoscopists may underestimate the bleeding risks associated with these medications, emphasizing the need for improved management of antithrombotic therapy during the periprocedural period to enhance
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  • The six-helix bundle (6-HB) is crucial for the fusion of viruses with host membranes, and current peptide inhibitors like Enfuvirtide face issues such as drug resistance and short effectiveness.
  • This study focuses on creating new α-helical peptides as fusion inhibitors specifically targeting viruses like MERS-CoV and IAVs, using novel designs that are distinct from natural peptides.
  • The research identified an effective artificial C-peptide, named 1SR, which prevents HIV-1 fusion by disrupting the 6-HB formation, offering a promising lead for future antiviral developments.
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The preparation of polymer gels via cross-linking of four-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (Tetra-PEG) precursors is an attractive strategy to prepare networks with relatively well-defined topologies. Typically, Tetra-PEG gels are obtained by cross-linking heterocomplementary reactive Tetra-PEG precursors. This study, in contrast, explores the cross-linking of self-reactive, thiol-end functional Tetra-PEG macromers to form disulfide-cross-linked gels.

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Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a devastating infectious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). Enfuvirtide(T20) is the first HIV-1 fusion inhibitor for marketing, which plays an important role in AIDS treatment. However, in the clinical application process, T20 has several drawbacks, such as a high level of development of drug resistance, a short half-life in vivo, and rapid renal clearance, which severely limits the clinical application.

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Background: Pancreatitis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to develop an accurate post-ERCP pancreatitis risk prediction model using easily obtainable variables.

Methods: Using prospective multi-center ERCP data, we performed logistic regression using stepwise selection on several patient-, procedure-, and endoscopist-related factors that were determined a priori.

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Background: Compared to adult scoliosis, correcting scoliosis in children often presents greater challenges. This is attributed to two key factors. Firstly, it involves accounting for the growth potential of children.

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Background: To analyze the factors affecting the loss of correction effect in patients with congenital scoliosis after one stage posterior hemivertebra resection, orthosis, fusion and internal fixation.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with congenital scoliosis (CS) who underwent one-stage posterior hemivertebra resection, orthosis, fusion and internal fixation were retrospectively included in Hebei Children's Hospital General demographic information of patients was collected. Preoperative and postoperative imaging indicators were compared, Including cobb Angle of the main curvature of the spine, segmental Cobb Angle, compensatory cephalic curve, compensatory curve on the caudal side, segmental kyphosis, coronal balance, sagittal balance, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and apical vertebra translation.

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Purpose: To evaluate the value of quantitative parameters derived from diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in differentiating histologic grades and clinical stages of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 65 patients who were surgically and pathologically diagnosed as ccRCC were recruited in this study. In addition to routine renal magnetic resonance imaging examination, all patients underwent preoperative IVIM and DKI.

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Iron ion is one of the most physiologically important elements in metabolic processes, indispensable for all living systems. Since its excess can lead to severe diseases, new approaches for its monitoring in water samples are urgently needed to meet requirements. Here, we firstly report a novel and universal route for the synthesis of a series of pillar[n]arene derivates containing one benzoquinone unit by photocatalysis.

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Gene therapy is a promising strategy for HCC treatment, but it commonly faces the problem of low specificity in gene transfection. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of peptide-based gene delivery vectors (H-01 to H-18) containing varied HCC cell-targeting fragments for specifically binding different receptors highly expressed on HCC cell membranes. The physicochemical properties of peptide vectors or peptide/DNA complexes were characterized, and the gene delivery abilities of peptide vectors were evaluated in HepG2 cell lines.

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  • This study examines the most effective resection techniques for early gastric cancer (EGC) in patients who have previously undergone resection, comparing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) against traditional surgery.
  • The analysis included 10 observational studies, showing that ESD had a significantly higher rate of complete resection compared to EMR, while there were no notable differences in outcomes between ESD and surgery.
  • The findings suggest that ESD or surgery is generally preferred over EMR for metachronous EGC due to EMR's higher risk of incomplete resection, with treatment choice depending on local expertise and patient preferences
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Paraquat (PQ) is exceptionally toxic to the human body. PQ ingestion can cause severe organ damage with a mortality rate of 50-80%, resulting from the absence of effective antidotes and detoxification solutions. Herein, a host-guest formulation is proposed, in which ergothioneine (EGT), an antioxidant drug, was encapsulated by carboxylatopillar[6]arene (CP6A) to achieve a combinational therapy for PQ poisoning.

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Since bacteria in biofilms are inherently resistant to antibiotics and biofilm-associated infections pose a serious threat to global public health, new therapeutic agents and schemes are urgently needed to meet clinical requirements. Here two quaternary ammonium-functionalized biphen[n]arenes (WBPn, n=4, 5) were designed and synthesized with excellent anti-biofilm potency. Not only could they inhibit the assembly of biofilms, but also eradicate intractable mature biofilms formed by Gram-positive S.

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In this study, the photothermal effect and up-conversion florescence imaging effect of gold nanobipyramids in liver cancer cells are investigated theoretically and experimentally to explore the photothermal ablation tumor therapy with higher photothermal conversion efficiency, shorter laser action time, smaller action range and lower laser power. The small-size gold nanobipyramids with good biocompatibility and infrared absorption peak located in the first biological window are synthesized. Femtosecond laser is focused on the nanobipyramids clusters in cells and the cells die after being irradiated for 20 s at a power as low as 3 mW.

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Swelling in polymer materials is a ubiquitous phenomenon. At a molecular level, swelling is dictated by solvent-polymer interactions, and has been thoroughly studied both theoretically and experimentally. Favorable solvent-polymer interactions result in the solvation of polymer chains.

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  • Infection transmission after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can happen due to contaminated duodenoscopes, even after they undergo high-level disinfection.
  • A study aimed to compare contamination rates and technical performance between duodenoscopes with disposable elevator caps and standard designs, involving 518 patients across two Canadian ERCP centers.
  • Results showed that disposable elevator caps significantly reduced microbial contamination rates (3.8% vs. 11.2%) and did not compromise the technical success of ERCP procedures.
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Advanced external preparations that possess a sustained-release effect and integrate few irritant elements are urgently needed to satisfy the special requirements of topical administration in the clinic. Here, a series of liquid pillar[n]arene-bearing varying-length oligoethylene oxide chains (OEPns) were designed and synthesized. Following rheological property and biocompatibility investigations, pillar[6]arene with triethylene oxide substituents (TEP6) with satisfactory cavity size were screened as optimal candidate compounds.

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Endoscopic submucosal dissection is an effective approach with higher en bloc resection and complete resection rate for superficial gastrointestinal (GI) lesions. However, endoscopic submucosal dissection is technically challenging and associated with several adverse events, such as bleeding or perforations. The single channel flexible endoscope's intrinsic limitations in preserving visualization of the submucosal dissection plane as compared to laparoscopic surgery are the most common cause of complications during the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique.

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Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is characterized by similar histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features with breast secretory carcinoma. MASC usually occurs in adults. A 4-year-old boy presented with a right infra-auricular mass.

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