Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory-based marker. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to explore the prognostic role of NLR in patients with hepatocellular ...carcinoma (HCC).
Overall, 598 papers were identified, of which 90 papers including 20,475 HCC patients were finally included. Low baseline NLR was significantly associated with better overall survival (HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.59-2.04, p < 0.00001) and recurrence-free or disease-free survival (HR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.80-2.76, p < 0.00001). Low post- treatment NLR was significantly associated with better overall survival (HR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.22-2.94, p = 0.004). Decreased NLR was significantly associated with overall survival (HR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.83-2.72, p < 0.00001) and recurrence-free or disease-free survival (HR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.83-2.72, p < 0.00001). The findings from most of subgroup meta-analyses were consistent with those from the overall meta-analyses.
All relevant literatures were identified via PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated. Subgroup meta-analyses were performed according to the treatment options, NLR cut-off value ranges, and regions.
NLR should be a major prognostic factor for HCC patients. NLR might be further incorporated into the prognostic model of HCC.
According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, hepatic resection and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) should be recommended in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma ...(HCC) within and beyond the BCLC stage A, respectively. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the overall survival between HCC patients undergoing hepatic resection and TACE.
PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were searched. All relevant studies were considered, if they reported the survival data in HCC patients undergoing hepatic resection and TACE. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the comparison of cumulative overall survival. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95%CIs were calculated for the comparison of 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the BCLC stages and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Sensitivity analyses were performed in moderate- and high-quality studies and in studies published after 2005.
Fifty of 2029 retrieved papers were included. One, 15, and 34 studies were of high-, moderate-, and low-quality, respectively. The overall meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly higher overall survival in hepatic resection group than in TACE group (HR=0.60, 95%CI=0.55-0.66). Additionally, 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were statistically significantly higher in hepatic resection group than in TACE group (OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.56-2.14; OR=3.09, 95%CI=2.60-3.67; OR=3.48, 95%CI=2.83-4.27). The subgroup meta-analyses confirmed the statistical significance in HCC within the BCLC stage A (HR=0.72, 95%CI=0.64-0.80), in HCC beyond the BCLC stage A (HR=0.60, 95%CI=0.51-0.69), in HCC within the BCLC stage B alone (HR=0.48, 95%CI=0.25-0.90), and in HCC with PVTT (HR=0.78, 95%CI=0.68-0.91). The statistical significance was also confirmed by sensitivity analyses in moderate- and high-quality studies (HR=0.62, 95%CI=0.53-0.71) and in studies published after 2005 (HR=0.59, 95%CI=0.53-0.66).
Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis, hepatic resection may be considered in HCC beyond the BCLC stage A. However, given the limitations of study quality, more well-designed randomized controlled trials should be warranted to confirm these findings.
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to explore the clinical outcome of the transplantation of stem cells from various human tissue sources in cirrhotic patients.
The relevant papers ...were searched via PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Changes in liver function before and after stem cell therapy were evaluated (self-control data). Difference in liver function and incidence of procedure-related complications, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death between patients undergoing stem cell therapy and conventional treatment were evaluated (case-control data).
Of 786 papers initially identified, 31 were included. The sources of stem cell included bone marrow (n=26), umbilical cord (n=3), peripheral blood (n=1), and human fetal liver (n=1). No severe procedure-related complications were reported. According to the meta- analyses of self-control data, model for end-stage liver diseases (MELD) score was significantly reduced at the 3rd-4th and 6th months after stem cell therapy, but this reduction was not statistically significant at the 1st-2nd or 12th postoperative months. Child-Pugh score was also reduced after stem cell therapy, but the reduction was not statistically significant at all follow-up time points. According to the meta-analyses of case-control data, MELD and Child-Pugh scores were not significantly different between treatment and control groups at all follow-up time points. The incidence of HCC was not significantly different between treatment and control groups (odds ratio OR to=0.41, P=0.53). The mortality was not significantly different between the two groups (OR=0.48, P=0.20).
Stem cell therapy could improve the liver function without any severe procedure-related complications. However, compared with conventional treatment, the benefit of stem cell therapy appeared to be not significant in improving the liver function and survival.
Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) plays a crucial role in many biochemical reactions in human metabolism. In this work, a flow-mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF)–post-occlusion reactive ...hyperaemia (PORH) system was developed for noninvasive and in vivo measurement of NADH fluorescence and its real-time dynamical changes in human skin tissue. The real-time dynamical changes of NADH fluorescence were analyzed with the changes of skin blood flow measured by laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) experiments simultaneously with FMSF-PORH measurements, which suggests that the dynamical changes of NADH fluorescence would be mainly correlated with the intrinsic changes of NADH level in the skin tissue. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations were applied to understand the impact of optical property changes on the dynamical changes of NADH fluorescence during the PORH process, which further supports that the dynamical changes of NADH fluorescence measured in our system would be intrinsic changes of NADH level in the skin tissue.
Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) may be negatively associated with the prognosis of pancreatitis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of literatures to explore the prevalence of SVT in ...pancreatitis. All observational studies regarding the prevalence of SVT in pancreatitis were identified via PubMed and EMBASE databases. The prevalence of SVT was pooled in the total of patients with pancreatitis. And it was also pooled in the subgroup analyses according to the stage and causes of pancreatitis, location of SVT, and regions where the studies were performed. After the review of 714 studies, 44 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses showed a pooled prevalence of SVT of 13.6% in pancreatitis. According to the stage of pancreatitis, the pooled prevalence of SVT was 16.6% and 11.6% in patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis, respectively. According to the causes of pancreatitis, the pooled prevalence of SVT was 12.2% and 14.6% in patients with hereditary and autoimmune pancreatitis. According to the location of SVT, the pooled prevalence of portal vein, splenic vein, and mesenteric vein thrombosis was 6.2%, 11.2%, and 2.7% in pancreatitis. The prevalence of SVT in pancreatitis was 16.9%, 11.5%, and 8.5% in Europe, America, and Asia, respectively.
Superhydrophobic reduced graphene oxide modified melamine foam (RGMF) was prepared via a facile ultrasonic-microwave synergistic method and it showed high selectivity for collecting various oils and ...organic solvents from water and excellent recyclability and stability. Display omitted
•Ultrasonic-microwave synergistic method was used to produce the RGMF.•The UMRGMF exhibited superhydrophobicity with water contact angle exceeding 150°.•The UMRGMF showed a high oil adsorption capacity and excellent recyclability.•The UMRGMF displayed high stability against cavitation erosion and corrosion liquids.
We herein report the fabrication of recyclable, stable and cost-effective superhydrophobic reduced graphene oxide modified melamine foam (RGMF) through ultrasonic-microwave synergistic method for the first time. In the synthesis process, ultrasonic and microwave irradiation not only shortened the reduction time of graphene oxide (GO) with the existence of reducing agent, but also considerably enhanced the firmness of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) anchored onto the melamine foam (MF). The structure and property of the obtained RGMF were characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM and contact angle measurements. The results showed that the skeletons of MF were completely covered with rGO layers which were compact and full of wrinkles. The as-prepared RGMF was superhydrophobic without further modification. Besides, the RGMF showed excellent selective adsorption capacity of various oils and organic solvents from water. The maximum oil adsorption capacity was 112 times of the weight of the initial MF, and the adsorption capacity of the RGMF did not deteriorate after it was reused 20 times. More importantly, the RGMF showed good stability against cavitation erosion and corrosion liquids. All these features made the as-prepared material an ideal candidate for removal and collection of oils and organic solvents from water.
The magnetic, superhydrophilic/oleophobic (MSHO) sponge was prepared via a facile route and exhibited efficient oil/water separation capacity and good continuous selective adsorption performance for ...water from bulk oil.
Display omitted
•A magnetic, superhydrophilic and oleophobic sponge was prepared by a dipping method.•The MSHO sponge exhibited efficient oil/water separation capacity.•The MSHO sponge could selectively absorb and continuously remove water from bulk oil.•Magnetic property of the MSHO sponge makes it easily being removed with a magnet.•The MSHO sponge has potential application in oil purification and oil spill cleanup.
In this work, a magnetic, superhydrophilic/oleophobic (MSHO) sponge was prepared by a facile one-step dipping method. It not only showed excellent capacity for oil-water separation but also could selectively absorb and continuously remove water from bulk oil, which is probably owing to the combination of its high porosity, superhydrophilic and oleophobic nature, as well as its capillary action. The magnetic property of the MSHO sponge made it easily being removed with a magnet. It was believed that the MSHO sponge had potential application prospect in industrial oil products purification and oil spill cleanup.
The superhydrophobic/superoleophilic chitosan sponge (MCTCS) was prepared via a facile approach and exhibited good biodegradability, excellent absorption ability and recyclability, efficient ...emulsified oil/water separation capacity and good continuously selective oil adsorption performance from water.
Display omitted
•Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic chitosan sponge was synthesized via a green method.•The MCTCS sponge exhibited excellent absorption ability and recyclability.•The MCTCS sponge could capture and absorb the emulsified oils in water effectively.•The MCTCS sponge could selectively absorb and continuously remove oil from water.•The MCTCS sponge with good biodegradability is a promising oil spill cleanup material.
Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic chitosan sponge (MCTCS) was successfully prepared via a facile freeze-drying method with the assistance of TPP/citral crosslinking and octadecanethiol modification. The three dimensional porous structure endowed the MCTCS sponges with large pore volume and good compressive property. Moreover, the MCTCS sponge could effectively absorb oil with an absorptive capacity up to 60 times of its own weight. More importantly, the MCTCS sponge could selectively absorb the emulsified oils in water effectively, and achieve continuous oil–water separation with the assistance of peristaltic pump. The oil and water separation efficiency was up to 99%. Furthermore, the MCTCS sponge still maintained a highly absorptive capacity after being reused for many cycles and possessed ideal biodegradability. It was believed that the superhydrophobic/superoleophilic chitosan sponge would be a promising absorbent material for the removal of oil from water in environmental remediation.
Display omitted
In this work, gold/bismuth oxychloride (Au/BiOCl) nanocomposites with different morphologies were successfully prepared by simple solvothermal method and sodium borohydride reduction ...method, which exhibited significantly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic disinfection for Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus). Particularly, the flower-like Au/BiOCl nanocomposite showed the highest photocatalytic bactericidal performance among the prepared Au/BiOCl samples. The radical trapping experiments revealed that the hole was the main reactive species responsible for the inactivation of S.aureus over Au/BiOCl composite. The enhanced photocatalytic bactericidal effect could be attributed to the enhanced adsorption intensity of visible light that originated from the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Au, rapid transfer and space transport of hot electrons caused by the hierarchical structure of BiOCl layered compound. Furthermore, the Au/BiOCl coating prepared on stainless steel wire mesh via in-situ synthesis method exhibited excellent superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic performance, which endowed the coating with anti-oil-fouling in water. More importantly, compared with Au/BiOCl powder catalyst, the prepared Au/BiOCl coating with anti-oil-fouling also possessed high photocatalytic bactericidal activity and stable recycling performance.
Display omitted
•BiOCl/Bi2O3 coated mesh with superwetting was synthesized via a facile method.•This mesh demonstrates excellent oil/water separation and photocatalytic performance.•This mesh also ...possessed anti-biofouling and outstanding mechanical stability.•A double-layer mesh integrated oil separation and water purification in one device.•The versatile coated mesh has application prospect in complex oily sewage purification.
A superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic BiOCl/Bi2O3 coated mesh was successfully prepared through a facile one-step hydrothermal method, which exhibits outstanding mechanical stability against sandpaper friction and resistance to water erosion and corrosive liquids. Notably, it demonstrates excellent oil/water separation efficiency and photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation while preventing the adhesion of microorganisms to the coating surface, endowing anti-biofouling properties to the mesh. To achieve simultaneous separation of oil from water as well as degradation of soluble dye and bacteria pollutants in a single device, a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic BiOCl/Bi2O3 coated mesh was also prepared using surface modification with octadecanethiol. Subsequently, a dual-layer mesh (DLM) was obtained by overlaying the superhydrophilic BiOCl/Bi2O3 coating onto the superhydrophobic BiOCl/Bi2O3 coating. The resulting dual-layer mesh with its superwetting properties enables concurrent oil–water separation, photodegradation of organic contaminants and photocatalytic bactericidal activity within trapped sewage. Furthermore, this versatile BiOCl/Bi2O3 coated mesh can serve as a template for fabricating other bismuth-containing micro/nanostructure coatings with remarkable wetting properties. It is anticipated that such a versatile BiOCl/Bi2O3 coated mesh possessing superior superwetting properties, robust mechanical durability, excellent anti-biofouling properties and outstanding photocatalytic activity will find promising applications in complex oily sewage purification systems.
PDF
