Electroless deposition of copper nanoparticles integrates polydopamine coating on reverse osmosis membranes for efficient biofouling mitigation.

In this study, highly antimicrobial CuNPs were integrated into a hydrophilic polydopamine (PDA) coating and immobilized on a RO TFC membrane via a mild and facile reduction approach to form a stable and durable dual-functional layer. Based on the XDLVO analysis, the introduction of PDA increased the membrane-foulant total interaction energy (ΔG) to 14.13 mJ/m, resulting in improved anti-adhesive properties as demonstrated by a 37% decrease in BSA adsorption for the modified membranes.

Antifouling lipid membrane coupled with silver nanoparticles for electrochemical detection of nucleic acids in biological fluids.

Electrochemical method capable of detecting specific nucleic acids in complex fluid will undoubtedly advance the diagnosis of many kinds of diseases. Herein, by coupling lipid membrane with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), we develop a new electrochemical method for sensitive and reliable detection of nucleic acids in biological fluids. The advantages of lipid membrane especially its excellent antifouling ability is employed to enhance the applicability of the method in complex environment; while the significant solid-state Ag/AgCl response of AgNPs is used to ensure the detection sensitivity of the method.

Identification of programmed death ligand-1 positive exosomes in breast cancer based on DNA amplification-responsive metal-organic frameworks.

Cancer-derived exosomes have recently emerged as potent candidates for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. As an example, programmed death ligand-1 positive (PD-L1) exosomes are found to be correlated with the progression and immunotherapy response of breast cancer, and therefore show great potential in liquid biopsy. Herein, we propose an electrochemical biosensing method for accurate identification of PD-L1 exosomes by using DNA amplification-responsive metal-organic frameworks, PVP@HRP@ZIF-8.

The Efficacy of Proton Pump Inhibitor in Cirrhotics with Variceal Bleeding: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aims: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was widely used in cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding empirically rather than evidence-based practice. We aimed to evaluate the plausible indication of PPI use in variceal bleeding cirrhotic patients and figure out whether it can decrease the re-bleeding rate after endoscopic therapy. Furthermore, we also investigated the association between PPI and bleeding-related mortality in these patients.

Prognostic impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in cirrhosis: A propensity score matching analysis with a prespecified cut-point.

Background & Aims: An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has received attention as a prognostic surrogate across chronic liver diseases. However, an exact threshold has not been fully elucidated.

Methods: A total number of 589 patients with cirrhosis (LC) were included.

Prognostic nomogram for acute pancreatitis patients: An analysis of publicly electronic healthcare records in intensive care unit.

Purpose: The mortality rate of severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is 20-30% even after admission to intensive care unit (ICU). Thus we aimed to develop a laboratory-based nomogram to identify AP patients at high risk for mortality.

Materials And Methods: The primary and validation cohorts were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database (MIMIC-III).

External validation and improvement of LiFe score as a prediction tool in critically ill cirrhosis patients.

Aim: The LiFe (liver, injury, failure, evaluation) score, calculated according to arterial lactate, total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR), is a novel score for risk prediction in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with cirrhosis. The present study aimed to externally validate and optimize the LiFe score for predicting outcomes in critically ill cirrhosis patients.

Methods: The study used the single-center database Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III (MIMIC-III) for analysis.

Increasing Diverticulosis in an Aging Population: A Colonoscopy-Based Study of 5-Year Trends in 26 463 Patients in Northern China.

BACKGROUND Because such data are scarce in northern China, the purpose of this study was to determine trends in diverticulosis over the past 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 26 463 patients (27 558 examinations, including 1095 repeated colonoscopies) performed between January 2011 and December 2015 were reviewed respectively. The distributions of diverticulosis were recorded, which were classified as right-sided, left-sided, and bilateral type.

Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio levels in assessment of histologic severity in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

We aimed to investigate the relationship between the histologic severity and red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). One hundred and seven consecutive patients with liver biopsy-proven and as yet treatment-naïve PBC were enrolled as the primary and validation cohort. The histologic stages were divided into early stage (Scheuer's stage 1 & 2) and late stage (Scheuer's stage 3 & 4).

Prognostic nomogram incorporating neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for early mortality in decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation. However, its predictive utility of 30-day mortality remains elusive in decompensated cirrhotics.

Aims: We aimed to combine NLR and other variables associated with early mortality of cirrhotics with acute insults in to a predictive nomogram.

Sex differences in risk factors of uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in a metropolitan area from Northern China.

As the world's most populated and rapidly aging country, there is limited information on sex-related differences in factors regarding uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in China. We aimed to investigate sex differences in individual risk factor in a northern metropolis. Patients with colonic diverticulosis who underwent indicated colonoscopy were queried with respect to medical history and demographic features.

Does neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict 1-year mortality in patients with primary biliary cholangitis? Results from a retrospective study with validation cohort.

Objectives: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been used to predict prognosis in various liver diseases, but its role in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is not clarified. We aimed to investigate the prognostic usefulness of NLR for 1-year mortality in PBC.

Methods: The study recruited a retrospective cohort with 88 patients with PBC and a prospective validation cohort with 63 participants who were followed-up for 1 year.

Analysis of the learning curve for peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia: Single-center, two-operator experience.

Background And Aim: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as an advanced technique for the treatment of achalasia, and defining the learning curve is mandatory.

Methods: From August 2011 to June 2014, two operators in our institution (A&B) carried out POEM on 35 and 33 consecutive patients, respectively. Moving average and cumulative sum (CUSUM) methods were used to analyze the POEM learning curve for corrected operative time (cOT), referring to duration of per centimeter myotomy.