Construction of a recyclable magnetic chitosan/AlOOH/PEI composite with hierarchical porous structure for enhanced adsorption of fluoride ions from wastewater.

Al(III)-based adsorbents have a strong affinity for F, but suffer from problems such as poor structural stability, easy decomposition, and recycling difficulties in the powdered form. Herein, for the efficient removal of F from wastewater, magnetic chitosan/AlOOH/polyethyleneimine (MCAlP) adsorbents with a hierarchical porous structure, multifunctional groups, and structural stability were constructed through chelation, cross-linking, and immobilization strategies using chitosan as a carrier. The adsorption capacity of MCAlP for F was found to be 14.

Optimal threshold of portal pressure gradient for patients with ascites after covered TIPS: a multicentre cohort study.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended for treating recurrent and refractory ascites. However, determining the target portal pressure gradient (PPG) has been inconclusive. This multicentre cohort study explored the post-TIPS PPG potential range associated with improving survival.

Small Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Plus Variceal Embolization for Gastric Varices: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background & Aims: The effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) plus variceal embolization for treating gastric varices (GVs) remains controversial. This nationwide multicenter cohort study aimed to evaluate whether adding variceal embolization to a small diameter (8-mm) TIPS could reduce the rebleeding incidence in patients with different types of GVs.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved 629 patients who underwent 8-mm TIPS for gastric varices at 7 medical centers.

Exposure to atrazine stimulates progesterone secretion and induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the ovary of pseudopregnant rats.

Atrazine (ATR) is one of the most commonly used herbicides worldwide. As an endocrine disruptor, it causes ovarian dysfunction, but the mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that ATR could affect ovarian steroidogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Percutaneous transhepatic intraportal biopsy using gastroscope biopsy forceps for diagnosis of a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: A case report.

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are a rare group of neoplasms originating from the islets of the Langerhans. Portal vein tumor thrombosis has been reported in 33% of patients with PNENs. While the histopathological diagnosis of PNENs is usually based on percutaneous biopsy or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), these approaches may be impeded by gastric varices, poor access windows, or anatomically contiguous critical structures.

Individualized portal pressure gradient threshold based on liver function categories in preventing rebleeding after TIPS.

Background: The evidence in Portal pressure gradient (PPG) < 12 mmHg after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for preventing rebleeding mostly comes from observations in uncovered stents era. Moreover, association between Child-Pugh classes and post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has indicated that tolerance of PPG reduction depends on liver function. This study aimed to investigate the optimal PPG for covered TIPS and explore the optimal threshold tailored to the Child-Pugh classes to find individualized PPG to balance rebleeding and overt HE.

Hepatocyte-derived exosomes deliver H2AFJ to hepatic stellate cells and promote liver fibrosis via the MAPK/STMN1 axis activation.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activate and acquire proliferative features in response to liver injury. However, mechanisms involved in the activation of fibrotic HSCs remain uncharacterized. This study aims at elaborating the mechanistic basis by which exosomal H2AFJ derived from hepatocytes might affect the activation of HSCs and liver fibrosis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is effective in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis and variceal bleeding.

Background: Studies about treatment of patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis (CPVT) are still limited, especially in different types of CPVT. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in all types of CPVT with variceal bleeding.

Methods: Patients with CPVT who received TIPS treatment between January 2011 and June 2019 were divided into four types according to the extent of thrombosis.

Improved imaging of extremely-slight transparent aesthetic defects using a saturation level-guided method.

The quality-control process of polarizer production is hampered by the presence of extremely-slight transparent aesthetic defects (ESTADs). The saturated imaging method based on stripe structured backlight can effectively improve the imaging contrast of ESTADs. However, the contrast is very sensitive to the saturation degree, which requires careful manual selection.

Balloon-Assisted Percutaneous Transhepatic Antegrade Embolization with 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate for the Treatment of Isolated Gastric Varices with Large Gastrorenal Shunts.

Aims: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous transhepatic antegrade embolization (PTAE) with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate assisted with balloon occlusion of the left renal vein or gastrorenal shunts (GRSs) for the treatment of isolated gastric varices (IGVs) with large GRSs.

Methods: Thirty patients with IGVs associated with large GRSs who had underwent PTAE assisted with a balloon to block the opening of the GRS in the left renal vein were retrospectively evaluated and followed up. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to evaluate the technical success of the procedure, complications, changes in the liver function using Child-Pugh scores, worsening of the esophageal varices, the rebleeding rate, and survival.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the prevention of recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cavernous transformation of portal vein.

Background: Treatment options for patients with cavernous transformation of portal vein (CTPV) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to prevent recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with CTPV.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 67 consecutive patients undergone TIPS from January 2011 to December 2016.