Photocatalytic Activity of MoS2 Nanoflower-Modified CaTiO3 Composites for Degradation of RhB under Visible Light.

Nanoflower-like MoS2 deposited on the surface of rectangular CaTiO3(CTO) was designed and synthesized via a simple template-free strategy. Through SEM, TEM, and other characterization methods, the MoS2 nanoflowers were confirmed to be well deposited on the surface of CTO. LED was used as the visible light source, and rhodamine B (RhB) in an aqueous solution was used as the model pollutant to assess the photodegradation activity of the samples. The results showed that the MoS2/CaTiO3(MCTO) composite significantly improved the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in water, compared with a single CTO, and with the MCTO-2 composite photocatalysts, 97% degradation of RhB was achieved in 180 min, and its photocatalytic activity was about 5.17 times higher than that of the bare CTO. The main reasons for enhancing photocatalytic performance are the strong interaction between the nanoflower-like MoS2 and rectangular CTO, which can lead to the effective separation of electron transfer and photoexcited electron-hole pairs in MCTO composites. This work provides a new notion for researching an effective method of recycling catalytic materials.

Exosomal LINC00460/miR-503-5p/ANLN positive feedback loop aggravates pancreatic cancer progression through regulating T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and PD-1 checkpoint.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00460 is an onco-lncRNA in a variety of cancers, including pancreatic cancer (PC). This study is aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of LINC00460 in PC. METHODS: The tumor and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 73 PC patients. The expression of LINC00460, miR-503-5p, and ANLN was detected using qRT-PCR. We then analyzed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis/cell cycle of PC cells by performing the MTT/EdU, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The xenograft tumor model were utilized to confirm the effect of LINC00460 knockdown on PC through anti-PD-1 therapy in vivo, and the sensitivity of PANC-1 cells to the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells in vitro. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels. A co-culture model was utilized to explore the effects of exosomes on macrophages. RESULTS: LINC00460 was up-regulated in PC tissues and cells. LINC00460 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, facilitated cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest, and inhibited the tumor growth through anti-PD-1 therapy. Both miR-503-5p down-regulation and ANLN up-regulation reversed the effects of LINC00460 knockdown on inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion, and on promoting the apoptosis, G0/G1 phase arrest, and the sensitivity of PC cells to the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells. Exosomes were uptaken by the ambient PC cells. PANC-1 cells-derived exosomal LINC00460-induced M2 macrophage polarization accelerates the cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00460 silencing attenuates the development of PC by regulating the miR-503-5p/ANLN axis and exosomal LINC00460-induced M2 macrophage polarization accelerates the migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells, thus LINC00460 may act as a possible therapeutic target for treating PC.

Comparison of Two Different Accesses Single Orifice Percutaneous Endoscopic Surgery in Diagnosis of Ascites of Unknown Origin: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Ascites is a common clinical finding caused by many different diseases, so we developed a technique termed single orifice percutaneous endoscopic surgery (SOPES) which can access peritoneal cavity through the contralateral McBurney's point or umbilicus to seek the underlying causes. In this study, we describe the initial clinical experience of SOPES and compare the application of two accesses. Methods: This is a retrospective study performed between 2007 and 2018. Patients with ascites of unknown origin who underwent these two kinds of SOPES were included. Main outcomes were measured by diagnostic accuracy, complication rate, procedure time, time till stitches removal, length of hospital stay, and hospital cost. Results: 148 patients successfully undergone SOPES via the contralateral McBurney's point (IM group, n = 70) or the umbilicus (UM group, n = 78). 63 patients in the IM group and 71 patients in the UM group reached clear diagnosis (90.0% vs. 91.0%, p = 0.831). The overall complication rate was 5.4%, while the UM group was higher than the IM group (10.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.017). All complications were resolved after medical treatment, and no mortality resulted from this procedure. The procedure time and the time until stitches removal in the UM group were longer than that in the IM group. There were no significant differences in length of hospital stay and hospital cost between the two groups. Conclusions: SOPES, which combines the strength of minimally invasive single orifice incision and flexible angles of examination and instrumentation, is a newly developed flexible endoscopic surgical modality that provides new important clinical valuable in evaluation of ascites of unknown origin. Moreover, SOPES via the contralateral McBurney's point was safer than the umbilicus approach.

Effect of iron nitrate modification on elimination of organic matter from landfill leachate by sludge-based activated carbon.

Sludge-based activated carbons (SACs) prepared from sewage sludge and corn straw, were modified by ferric nitrate, and the unmodified SAC and modified SAC were used as the adsorbing agent to treat the landfill leachate, the elimination capacity for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and organic matter in leachate were studied. Based on this, the physicochemical properties of SACs and the components changes in leachate were analyzed and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that under optimal experimental conditions, the elimination capacities of SAC372 for COD, biological oxygen demand over 5 days, and NH4+-N in the leachate were 81.58%, 54.73%, and 69.08%, respectively; while the adsorption capacities of modified SAC for these three substances were 86.25%, 63.51%, and 79.15%, respectively. The ferric nitrate modification improved the ability of SAC to eliminate COD and organic matter from leachate slightly, and made the adsorption occurred easily. The adsorption process of unmodified SAC was dominated by multi-layer adsorption, while the adsorption process of modified SAC was dominated by monolayer adsorption. The mass fraction of Fe (2p) in modified SAC remarkably increased, from 0.70% to 26.01%, organic functional groups certain phase of Fe oxides with different valence states were generated in SAC, which provided a substrate for iron-carbon micro electrolysis. After adsorbed by unmodified SAC and modified SAC adsorption, the total fluorescence intensity of in the leachate increased by 17.01% and 116.84%, respectively. Both two SACs could decompose the humic acid-like substances into aromatic protein organic compounds, and modified SAC could further decompose the soluble microbial byproduct-like substances.

Long noncoding RNA KIF9-AS1 promotes cell apoptosis by targeting the microRNA-148a-3p/suppressor of cytokine signaling axis in inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal disease. This study was attempted to investigate the effects of long noncoding RNA KIF9-AS1 (KIF9-AS1) on the development of IBD and its underlying mechanism of action. METHODS: Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was implemented to examine the expression of KIF9-AS1 and microRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a-3p). The IBD mouse model was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length and histological injury were used to evaluate the colon injury. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. In vitro, IBD was simulated by DSS treatment in colonic cells. Then the apoptosis of colonic cells was detected by flow cytometry assay. Furthermore, a dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to demonstrate the interactions among KIF9-AS1, miR-148a-3p and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS3). RESULTS: KIF9-AS1 expression was upregulated in IBD patients, DSS-induced IBD mice and DSS-induced colonic cells, whereas miR-148a-3p expression was downregulated. KIF9-AS1 silencing attenuated the apoptosis of DSS-induced colonic cells in vitro and alleviated colon injury and inflammation in DSS-induced IBD mice in vivo. Additionally, the mechanical experiment confirmed that KIF9-AS1 and SOCS3 were both targeted by miR-148a-3p with the complementary binding sites at 3'UTR. Moreover, miR-148a-3p inhibition or SOCS3 overexpression reversed the suppressive effect of KIF9-AS1 silencing on the apoptosis of DSS-induced colonic cells. CONCLUSION: KIF9-AS1 silencing hampered the colon injury and inflammation in DSS-induced IBD mice in vivo, and restrained the apoptosis of DSS-induced colonic cells by regulating the miR-148a-3p/SOCS3 axis in vitro, providing a new therapeutic target for IBD.

Development and numerical modelling of a novel UV/H2O2 rotating flow reactor for water treatment.

The ultraviolet photochemical degradation process is widely applied in wastewater treatment due to its low cost, high efficiency and sustainability. In this study, a novel rotating flow reactor was developed for UV-initiated photochemical reactions. The reactor was run in a continuous flow mode, and the tangential installation of the inlet and outlet on the annular reactor improved reaction rates. Numerical modelling, which combined solute transport, radiation transfer and photochemical kinetic degradation processes, was conducted to evaluate improvement compared to current reactor designs. Methylene Blue (MB) decomposition efficiency from the modelling results and the experimental data agreed well with each other. The model results showed that a rotational motion of fluid was well developed inside the designed reactor for a wide range of inflow rates; the generation of ·OH radicals significantly depended on UV irradiation dose, and thus the degradation ratio of MB showed a strong correlation with the UV irradiation distribution. In addition, the comprehensive numerical modelling showed promising potential for the simulation of UV/H2O2 processes in rotating flow reactors.

Performance and mechanism of hydrogen sulfide removal by sludge-based activated carbons prepared by recommended modification methods.

The sludge-based activated carbons (SACs) were prepared by sewage sludge and corn straw and modified by ferric nitrate. The H2S removal performance and the desulfurization mechanism of the modified SAC were studied. Results showed that breakthrough sulfur capacity and saturation sulfur capacity of the SAC prepared by recommended modification were 27.209 mg/g and 48.098 mg/g, which were as 4.68 times and 7.02 times larger as those before modification, respectively. Additionally, results showed that the desulfurization products of unmodified SAC were mainly sulfur, while that of modified SAC were mainly sulfate. These results indicated that ferric nitrate modification changed the way of hydrogen sulfide removal by SAC: the desulfurization process of unmodified SAC can be expressed as S2- → S0 → S4+ → S6+, and the oxidative active component was dominated by O*, while that of modified SAC can be expressed as S2- → S0 → S6+, and the oxidative active components are both Fe3+ and O*.

Curcumin ameliorates DSS­induced colitis in mice by regulating the Treg/Th17 signaling pathway.

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 sodium­induced 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, IL­10, IL­17 and IL­23 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 re­equilibration of Treg/Th17. IL­10 level in the colon was significantly increased, while inflammatory cytokines IL­6, IL­17 and IL­23 were significantly reduced following curcumin treatment. No significant difference in HIF­1α 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 re­equilibration of Treg/Th17 and that the regulatory mechanism may be closely related to the IL­23/Th17 pathway. The results of the present study provided molecular insight into the mechanism by which curcumin treats ulcerative colitis.

Overlooked risk for needle tract seeding following endoscopic ultrasound-guided minimally invasive tissue acquisition.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided minimally invasive tissue acquisition can be performed by two approaches as follows: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). These have been evolved into leading approaches and widely used for the histological diagnosis of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs. However, the role of EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB in disease diagnosis and evaluation remains controversial. Although the incidence of surgery-associated complications remains low, the consequences of needle tract seeding can be serious or even life-threatening. Recently, increasing case reports of needle tract seeding are emerging, especially caused by EUS-FNA. This complication needs serious consideration. In the present work, we integrated these case reports and the related literature, and summarized the relevant cases and technical characteristics of needle tract seeding caused by EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB. Collectively, our findings provided valuable insights into the prevention and reduction of such serious complication.

Possible role of microRNA miRNA-IL-25 interaction in mice with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The regulatory network of ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated miRNAs is not fully understood. In this study, we aim to investigate the global profile and regulatory network of UC associated miRNAs in the context of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). METHODS: UC was induced in C57BL mice using DSS. Differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by RNA sequencing and subjected to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway enrichment analysis. RT-qPCR was used to verify the differential expression of miRNAs and candidate target mRNA. Luciferase reporter vector bearing a miRNA binding site was constructed to verify the binding site of the miRNA on mRNA. RESULTS: A total of 95 miRNAs (31 were up-regulated and 64 were down regulated) differentially expressed in the colonic tissues of the UC mice. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, IL-25 pathway genes were enriched. Subsequent RT-qPCR confirmed a decreased expression of IL-25 and a significant up regulation of IL-25 target miRNAs including mmu-miR-135b-5p, mmu-miR-7239-5p and mmu-miR-691 in UC mice. CONCLUSION: Using the luciferase assay, we verified the biding sites of mmu-miR-135b-5p and mmu-miR-691 to the IL-25 3'UTR. In conclusion, mmu-miR-135b-5p:IL-25 and mmu-miR-691:IL-25 interactions are important pathways that may exert a protective role in UC.

Close homolog of L1-deficient ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease by regulating the balance of Th17/Treg.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of close homolog of L1 (CHL1) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the correlation with the balance of Th17/Treg. METHODS: Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced IBD mice model was established. CHL1 knockout (KO) mice and CHL1 wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to DSS. CHL1 expression was detected using qRT-PCR. Weight was recorded daily, and disease activity index (DAI) score was assessed. The colon length and histological changes were measured. The number of neutrophils, macrophages and T cells was observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and the proportion of Th17/Treg cells were detected by qRT-PCR and flow cytometry. The expression of RORγt, STAT3 and Foxp3 was detected by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: CHL1 expression was upregulated in DSS-induced IBD mice. DSS-CHLl-KO mice exhibited less weight loss than the DSS-CHLl-WT mice. The DAI score and histological score were decreased in DSS-CHLl-KO mice compared with DSS-CHLl-WT mice, while colon length was increased. Number of neutrophils, macrophages and T cells, and expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-21 and IL-23 were decreased in DSS-CHLl-KO mice, while IL-10 expression was increased. Moreover, CHL1-deficient inhibited Th17 cells differentiation and promoted Treg cells differentiation in IBD mice. CHL1-deficient also inhibited the expression of RORγt and STAT3, and promoted the expression of Foxp3 in IBD mice. CONCLUSION: CHL1-deficient reduces the inflammatory response by regulating the balance of Th17/Treg in mice with IBD. CHL1 is expected to be a new target for the treatment of IBD.

Colonoscopic post-polypectomy bleeding in patients on uninterruptedclopidogrel therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

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.

Efficacy of low-dose versus high-dose simethicone with polyethylene glycol for bowel preparation: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Additional simethicone (SIM) can improve adequate bowel preparation and adenoma detection rate (ADR). However, there is no consensus on the optimal dose of SIM. In this study, we compared the adequate bowel preparation rate with supplementation of split-dose 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) with low-dose SIM (200 mg) versus high-dose SIM (1200 mg). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded trial involving consecutive subjects undergoing colonoscopy. The primary outcome was adequate bowel preparation as assessed by Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score. RESULTS: Four hundred subjects were randomly allocated to low-dose SIM or high-dose SIM group. Baseline characteristics were comparable in the two groups (P > 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed with respect to total bubble scale (BS) (8.49 ± 1.00 vs 8.39 ± 1.10, P = 0.07), total BBPS score (8.70 ± 0.81 vs 8.29 ± 1.18, P = 0.98), ADR (33.68% vs 31.79%, P = 0.69) or withdrawal time (13 [range, 10-16] min vs 13 [10-15] min, P = 0.96). The intubation time in low-dose SIM group was significantly shorter than that in high-dose SIM group (8 (4-16) min vs 10 [6-17] min, P = 0.04). In addition, BS scores as well as diminutive ADR in right colon were superior in the low-dose SIM group (2.68 ± 0.59 vs 2.52 ± 0.73, P = 0.03 and 54.29% vs 30.30%, P = 0.046, respectively). CONCLUSION: Addition of low-dose SIM to split-dose 2 L PEG was as effective as addition of high-dose SIM with respect to adequate bowel preparation, ADR and patient tolerance. However, low-dose SIM was superior with respect to intubation time, right colon BS scores, right colon diminutive ADR and cost savings.

miR-802 participates in the inflammatory process of inflammatory bowel disease by suppressing SOCS5.

The present study aims to reveal the detailed molecular mechanism of microRNA (miR)-802 in the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD tissues were obtained from IBD patients, followed by CD4+ cells isolation. Then, qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to detect the expression of miR-802, suppressor of cytokine signaling 5 (SOCS5), interleukin (IL)-17A and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Transfection of miR-802 mimics and miR-802 inhibitor in CD4+ cells was detected by Western blot. TargetScan and luciferase reporter assay were used to detect the relationship between SOCS5 and miR-802. Finally, colitis mice model was established to verify whether miR-802 inhibitor was involved in the protective effect of colonic mucosa. The miR-802 was highly expressed in inflamed mucosa and PBMC cells of IBD. The highest expression of miR-802 was observed in CD4+ T cells based on different immune cell subsets analysis. SOCS5 was the target gene of miR-802. The mice model experiments showed that blockade of miR-802 could alleviate mice colitis. Our study suggests that up-regulation of miR-802 plays an important role in inflammatory process of IBD via targeting SOCS5. Moreover, the differentiation of Th17 and secretion of TNF-α in IBD could be stimulated by miR-802.

Berberine prevents stress-induced gut inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity and reduces intestinal motility in rats.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic non-organic disease of the digestive system. Berberine (BBR) has been used to treat patients with IBS, but the underlying therapeutic mechanism is little understood. We believe that BBR achieves its therapeutic effect on IBS by preventing stress intestinal inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity and reducing bowel motility. AIM: To test the hypothesis that BBR achieves its therapeutic effect on IBS by preventing subclinical inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and reducing visceral hypersensitivity and intestinal motility. METHODS: IBS was induced in rats via water avoidance stress (WAS). qRT-PCR and histological analyses were used to evaluate the levels of cytokines and mucosal inflammation, respectively. Modified ELISA and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signal transduction pathway. Colorectal distention test, gastrointestinal transit measurement, Western blot, and qRT-PCR were used to analyze visceral sensitivity, intestinal motility, the expression of C-kit (marker of Cajal mesenchymal cells), and the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB. RESULTS: WAS led to mucosal inflammation, visceral hyperalgesia, and high intestinal motility. Oral administration of BBR inhibited the NF-κB signal transduction pathway, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α], promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and transforming growth factor-ß), and improved the terminal ileum tissue inflammation. BBR inhibited the expression of BDNF, TrkB, and C-kit in IBS rats, leading to the reduction of intestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity. The therapeutic effect of BBR at a high dose (100 mg/kg) was superior to than that of the low-dose (25 mg/kg) group. CONCLUSION: BBR reduces intestinal mucosal inflammation by inhibiting the intestinal NF-κB signal pathway in the IBS rats. BBR reduces the expression of BDNF, its receptor TrkB, and C-kit. BBR also reduces intestinal motility and visceral sensitivity to achieve its therapeutic effect on IBS.

Diagnosis of follicular lymphoma by laparoscopy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Over the past years, only few cases of follicular lymphoma diagnosed by laparoscopy have been reported in the world. Since follicular lymphoma related ascites often causes occult disease and lacks specific clinical manifestations, it is often difficult to identify the cause by routine laboratory tests and imaging methods. Diagnostic experience is not sufficient and more cases need to be accumulated for further analysis. CASE SUMMARY: Ascites due to unknown reasons often causes problems for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, we report one case with ascites in whom the reason causing ascites was not identified through routine examination. Laparoscopic examination of the celiac lesions and histological examination of the lesions were performed and the final diagnosis was peritoneal follicular lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic abdominal examination is of great significance for the definite diagnosis of ascites due to an unknown reason.

Endocut Versus Conventional Blended Electrosurgical Current for Endoscopic Biliary Sphincterotomy: A Meta-Analysis of Complications.

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.

Numerical modelling of a three-phase internal air-lift circulating photocatalytic reactor.

The photocatalytic degradation process has been recognized as a low-cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable technology for water and wastewater treatment. As a key carrier of the photocatalytic process, the semiconductor TiO2 has been used in many studies. Analysis and modelling of hydrodynamics in the three-phase flow system can provide useful information for process design, operation and optimization of the three-phase flow photocatalytic reactor, which requires research on the mixing and flow characteristics of the interphase regions in the reactor. In this study, we modelled the hydrodynamics in an internal air-lift circulating photocatalytic reactor using an Eulerian multi-fluid approach. Localized information on phase holdup, fluid flow patterns and mixing characteristics was obtained. The simulation results revealed that the distribution of solid particle concentration depends on the flow field in the internal air-lift circulating photocatalytic reactor. The distance between the draft tube and wall of the reactor and changes in the superficial gas velocity (Ug) were found to be influential factors in reactor performance. The computational model developed could support optimizing reactor design to improve the hydrodynamics and provide guidance for scale-up.