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Backgroud: In our current work, we aimed to investigate the expressions of glypican (GPC) family genes at the mRNA level and assess their prognostic significances in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: The pathological roles of GPC family genes were examined using bioinformatics analysis. The diagnostic values of GPC genes were explored with the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. Moreover, the mRNA expression and prognostic values of GPC genes were assessed via the KM plotter database.Results: Our data showed that the expression of GPC-3 was dramatically increased in the liver tumor tissue. Moreover, the expressions of the other five GPC family members were not significantly different between the tumor and normal liver tissues (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the up-regulation of GPC-1 at the mRNA level was dramatically correlated to the reduced overall survival (OS) for all HCC patients (hazard ratio = 2.03, 95% confidence intervals =1.44-2.87, P = 4.1e-05) compared with its low-expression group. Besides, the prognosis of the Caucasians was related to most GPC family genes, while the prognosis of the Asian race was only related to the expression of GPC-2. Besides, for pathological factors, including stage, grade, AJCC, and vascular invasion, the higher the pathological grade and vascular invasiveness, the lower the expression levels of GPC family genes (P < 0.05). Finally, the expression levels of GPC-1, 2, and 3 in the hepatitis group were related to the poor prognosis of HCC in the risk factor (alcohol consumption and hepatitis) subgroup (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Our findings indicated that GPC-3 was dysregulated in HCC compared with paracancerous tissues. The expression of GPC-1 could be used as a potent predictive index for the general prognosis of HCC. The pathology, patients, and risk factors might affect the prognostic value of GPC family genes in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy (EUS‐FNB) is used to diagnose lesions within or adjacent to the digestive tract. However, there is no report on the overall diagnostic accuracy, technical success, and adverse events of FNB. The aims of this study were to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis to comprehensively assess the diagnostic accuracy, technical success, and adverse events of FNB. Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles published in English from January 1998 to May 2019 (No. CRD42019141647). Primary outcomes were EUS‐FNB related diagnostic accuracy rate, technical success rate, and adverse event rate. Results: A total of 51 articles including 5330 patients met our criteria. The overall EUS‐FNB related diagnostic accuracy rate, technical success rate, and adverse event rate was 90.82% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88.69–92.76%], 99.71% [95% CI 99.35–99.93%], and 0.59% [95% CI 0.29–1.0%], respectively. Biopsy with 22G needle could increase the diagnostic accuracy rate and technical success rate to 92.17% [95% CI 89.32–94.61%] and 99.88% [95% CI 99.64–99.99%], respectively, and decrease the adverse event to 0.37% [95% CI 0.08–0.87%]. Moreover, it showed that 22G needle was an independent factor associated with a higher diagnostic accuracy rate and technical success rate and a lower adverse event rate (P = 0.04, P < 0.001, and P = 0.04, respectively) by univariate and multivariate meta‐regression analyses. Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy is a feasible and safe procedure for lesions within or adjacent to the digestive tract. Biopsy using 22G needle could increase the diagnostic accuracy rate and technical success rate and decrease adverse event rate during the FNB procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The extraction is unnecessary and a column washing is also not required. [•] Different kinds of oils can be analysed with the same chromatographic conditions. [•] Ten synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) can be eluted within 6min. [•] Baseline drift and peak overlapping were successfully resolved by our method. [•] Low detection limits are rapidly achieved with minimal organic reagents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work presents a novel approach for simultaneous determination of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and propyl gallate (PG) in a very interfering environment by combining the sensitivity of molecular fluorescence and the selectivity of the second-order calibration method. The excitation–emission fluorescence matrix data are processed by applying the second-order calibration method based on the self-weighted alternating normalized residue fitting (SWANRF) algorithm. The limits of detection (LOD) were 1.2–1.3ng/ml for BHA and 2.2–2.9ng/ml for PG. The recoveries from spiked cosmetics samples are in the ranges 95.7–103.9% for BHA and 95.9–105.7% for PG. The proposed method avoids preconcentration and elution procedures, so it considerably decreases the analytical time and the experimental expenses. Because the instrument involved in the measurement is nonsophisticated, the experiments could be carried out in routine laboratories. Then it is compared with the HPLC method in dosage of cosmetics and organic reagents, runtime, cost per analysis and LOD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new chromatographic methodology is presented for fast quantitative analysis of ten synthetic phenolic antioxidants in five kinds of oil samples: propyl gallate (PG), 2,4,5-trihydroxybutyrophenone (THBP), tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), ethoxyquin (EQ), 3-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyanisole (BHA), octyl gallate (OG), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxymethyphenol (Ionox-100), dodecyl gallate (DG), 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT). The second-order calibration, with second-order advantage, based on the alternating penalty trilinear decomposition (APTLD) algorithm has shown to be an excellent tool for modeling the three-way data, where overlapping peaks, uncalibrated inteferences, and baseline drift existed, making the fast determination and resolution of the phenolic antioxidants in oils possible. Such extraction procedure in which the antioxidants of interest would be seperated is unnecessary and the ten antioxidants can be eluted within 6mins. For the validation of the method, linearity, root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) and limit of detection (LOD) have been performed. The average recovery of antioxidants ranges from 94.9 to 106.1% and the ten analytes can be adequately determined with limits of detection of 0.18–5.72μgml−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Aims: Oxidant/antioxidant balance is suggested to be an important factor for the recurrence and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the study is to investigate the potential protective role of resveratrol (Res) against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced oxidative damage in colon of mice with UC. Methods: UC was induced in mice by oral administration of synthetic DSS (molecular weight 5000) for 7 days. Mice were divided into normal group, colitis control group, low-dose Res-treated group (RLD-treated group), and high-dose Res-treated group (RHD-treated group). Inhibitory effects of concomitant treatment with Res were assessed daily using a Disease Activity Index (DAI) and severity of histological changes. MDA, MPO, SOD and GSH-PX activity of colonic tissue were determined in colon samples by chemical colorimetry. TNF-α, IL-8, IFN-γ, p22phox and gp91phox expression levels were detected using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), ELISA, and Western blot analysis. Result: Administration of Res significantly inhibited the severity of UC compared to the colitis control group. Colonic tissue MDA and MPO activities decreased significantly in Res-treated groups compared to colitis control groups. Furthermore, colonic tissue SOD and GSH-Px activities increased significantly in Res-treated groups compared to colitis control groups. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IFN-γ, p22phox, and gp91phox also decreased significantly in the Res-treated group compared to the colitis control group. Conclusions: Oral administration of Res exerts marked inhibitory effects on UC in mice. Resveratrol may play an important role in preventing DSS-induced oxidative damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Curcumin has a therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis, but the underlying mechanism has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to clarify the possible mechanisms. Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice were treated with curcumin via gavage for 7 days. The effects of curcumin on disease activity index (DAI) and pathological changes of colonic tissue in mice were determined. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23 expression levels were measured by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of mouse spleen regulatory T cells (Treg)/Th17 cells, and western blotting was used to measure the nuclear protein hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α level. The results demonstrated that curcumin can significantly reduce DAI and spleen index scores and improve mucosal inflammation. Curcumin could also regulate the re-equilibration of Treg/Th17. IL-10 level in the colon was significantly increased, while inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly reduced following curcumin treatment. No significant difference in HIF-1α was observed between the colitis and the curcumin group. It was concluded that oral administration of curcumin can effectively treat experimental colitis by regulating the re-equilibration of Treg/Th17 and that the regulatory mechanism may be closely related to the IL-23/Th17 pathway. The results of the present study provided molecular insight into the mechanism by which curcumin treats ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new HPLC-DAD analysis of eight flavonoids assisted by ATLD was proposed. [•] The sample pretreatment was simple and the analysis time was relatively short. [•] Baseline drift and peak overlapping were successfully resolved by our method. [•] The analytical method has been applied for 3 kinds of propolis capsules analysis. [•] The results are satisfactory even in the presence of matrix interferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the use of second-order calibration for development of HPLC-DAD method to quantify nine polyphenols in five kinds of honey samples. The sample treatment procedure was simplified effectively relative to the traditional ways. Baselines drift was also overcome by means of regarding the drift as additional factor(s) as well as the analytes of interest in the mathematical model. The contents of polyphenols obtained by the alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) method have been successfully used to distinguish different types of honey. This method shows good linearity (r >0.99), rapidity (t <7.60min) and accuracy, which may be extremely promising as an excellent routine strategy for identification and quantification of polyphenols in the complex matrices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel method, region-based on moving window subspace projection technique (RMWSPT) coupled with Monte Carlo simulation, was developed for the chemical rank estimation of excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence data arrays. RMWSPT determines the chemical rank by performing singular value decomposition (SVD) on the unfolded matrices of original data array and the subarrays yielded by a moving window, and through employing the subspace projection technique on the difference between the corresponding sub-bands of the significant eigenvectors and those of subarrays. Compared with the traditional methods, it utilizes the information from eigenvectors combined with the projection residual sum of squares values to estimate the rank of the EEM data arrays instead of using the eigenvalues. Two simulated and two real EEM data arrays were analyzed to demonstrate the excellent performance of the RMWSPT. Moreover, its performance was compared with that of other three factor-determining methods, i.e., factor indicator function (IND), the core consistency diagnostic (CORCONDIA) test and two-mode subspace comparison (TMSC) approaches. The results showed that the newly proposed method can accurately and quickly determine the chemical rank to fit the trilinear model, and it can deal with more complex situations in the presence of severe collinearity and trace concentration. The RMWSPT method thus lights a new avenue to determine the chemical rank of EEM data arrays and may hold great potential to be extended as a promising alternative for the chemical rank estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current guidelines recommend temporary cessation of clopidogrel for 7-10 days for patients on clopidogrel undergoing colonoscopy with polypectomy. However, recent prospective randomized controlled trials have advocated for uninterrupted clopidogrel, due to similar post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB) rates with and without continued clopidogrel therapy. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the risk of PPB rate in patients on continued clopidogrel therapy. Systemically identified publications were used to compare the rate of PPB in patients on continued clopidogrel therapy with those who had interrupted clopidogrel therapy. The primary outcome was the incidence of PPB. The secondary outcomes were immediate PPB, delayed PPB and serious cardio-thrombotic events. This study has been registered in PROSPERO (no. CRD42018118325). A total of five studies were identified, which included 655 patients in the continued clopidogrel group and 6620 patients in the control group. There was an increased risk of PPB with continued clopidogrel [P=0.0003; risk ratio (RR), 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36-2.83). The rate of immediate PPB was slightly higher in the continued clopidogrel group (5.77% vs. 1.77%, respectively), but was not statistically significant (P=0.06; RR, 1.57; 95%CI, 0.98-2.51). The rate of delayed PPB was increased in the continued clopidogrel group (P=0.0008; RR, 3.10; 95%CI, 1.60-5.98). However, no significant difference in serious cardio-thrombotic events was observed within 30 days (P=0.74; RR, 0.78; 95%CI, 0.18-3.40). Although continued clopidogrel therapy decreased the incidence of serious cardio-thrombotic events, the risk of delayed PPB was increased. Therefore, endoscopists should make all preparations to prevent bleeding in the perioperative period for patients at high thrombotic risk and on continued clopidogrel therapy, if polypectomy cannot be reasonably postponed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) is commonly performed during therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but is an independent risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis, bleeding and duodenal perforation. These are partly ascribed to the electrosurgical current mode used for EST, and currently the optimal current model for EST remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare the rate of complications undergoing EST using the Endocut versus the blended current.Methods: A systematic search of databases was performed for relevant published and prospective studies including randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to compare Endocut with blended current modes for EST. Data were collected from inception until 1 July 2018, using post-ERCP pancreatitis, bleeding and perforation as primary outcomes.Results: Three RCTs including a total of 594 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis results showed the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis, primarily mild to moderate pancreatitis, was no different between Endocut versus blended current modes [risk ratio (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-1.52, P = 0.29]. However, the risk of endoscopically bleeding events, primarily mild bleeding, was lower in studies using Endocut versus blended current (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.95, P = 0.03). Notably, none of the patients experienced perforation in these three trials.Conclusions: The rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis was not significantly different when using the Endocut versus blended current during EST. Nevertheless, compared with the blended current, Endocut reduced the incidence of endoscopically evident bleeding; however, the available data were insufficient to assess the perforation risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The multi-state fluorescence characteristics of 3-methylindole (MI) make its spectra rich in chemical information and the spectral interpretation rather challenging. The trilinear decomposition method could be appropriate for this task and provide a deeper insight into the hydrogen bonding to MI. Taking the excitation fluorescence spectra together with the emission counterparts to formulate a three-way data array and solving the data array using the Alternating Trilinear Decomposition (ATLD) algorithm is beneficial for studying hydrogen bonding to MI in several aspects. Firstly, making full use of the excitation spectra could guarantee that the experimentally collected data contain sufficient information necessary for investigating signals originated from the weak interactions buried in the strong interaction background. Secondly, the resolution of a three-way data array could theoretically guarantee the uniqueness of the resolved component spectra with actual physical meaning. Thirdly, the ATLD algorithm resolves spectra of complex mixture and determines the spectra of corresponding individual components of different states without disturbing the complex chemical equilibrium involved. The hydrogen bonding interaction of MI with other molecules has been studied using the ATLD algorithm. A detailed investigation has been undertaken for the 1La and 1Lb states as the lowest excited singlet states which dominate the fluorescence emission of MI depending on the effect of other molecules and the surrounding microenvironment. The hydrogen bonding between indole derivatives and other molecules has been examined and some association constants involving hydrogen bond formation have been estimated and compared with theoretical simulation results or experimental observations of previous researchers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, with the purpose of developing an effective and inexpensive method, excitation–emission matrix fluorescence data and second-order calibration method based on the self-weighted alternating trilinear decomposition (SWATLD) algorithm were combined for simultaneous determination of 2-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid methyl ester (NAAME) in environmental samples, i.e. soil and sewage samples. In order to investigate the prediction quality of the proposed method, different strategies, such as taking spectroscopic measurements in the presence of different matrix interferents and at different fluorescence spectrophotometers, were introduced to build calibration models and comparisons among them were done subsequently. The root-mean-square error of prediction and t-test were used to compare different SWATLD-based calibration models. The limits of detection obtained for NOA and NAAME were 0.36–0.95ngmL−1 and 1.32–2.69ngmL−1, respectively, for different models. Such a chemometrics-based protocol may possess great potential to be extended as a promising alternative for more practical applications in environment monitoring and for the design of small intelligent and field-portable analytical instruments that rely on statistical discrimination, not complete instrumental separation, of the target analytes even in the presence of unknown and uncalibrated interferences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]