Plasmons in Pb nanowire arrays on Si(557): Between one and two dimensions

The plasmon dispersion in arrays of nanowires of Pb close to an average Pb coverage of one monolayer was determined on the Si(557) surface using electron energy loss spectroscopy with both high energy and momentum resolution. While we find purely one-dimensional (1D) plasmon losses at a Pb concentration of 1.31 monolayers (ML), measured with respect to the Si(111) surface concentration, the 1.2 and 1.4 ML coverages exhibit wavelength-dependent transitions from 1D to anisotropic 2D properties. However, due to the high anisotropy in the system at all coverages, the dispersion curves exhibit 1D characteristics in both directions. This behavior seems to be related to the Pb-induced refacetting of the Si(557) surface, which depends on Pb coverage. It changes both effective system sizes and coupling strength between miniterraces. © 2011 American Physical Society.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japa

Computed tomography for the diagnosis of varices in liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

<p><b>Objectives:</b> This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for varices in liver cirrhosis.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for the literature identification. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUSROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR and NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated. We performed the subgroup analyses according to the location of varices, CT technique, and study design. The study quality was assessed according to the QUADAS-2 tool.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Seventeen papers were eligible. The study quality was modest. The AUSROC was 0.8975 and 0.9494 for predicting any size and high-risk varices, respectively. Summary sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR of CT for predicting any size and high-risk varices were 0.87/0.80/3.67/0.18/22.70 and 0.87/0.88/7.52/0.12/65.55, respectively. According to the location of varices, the AUSROC was 0.9127 for predicting any size gastric varices alone; and the AUSROC was 0.8958 and 0.9461 for predicting any size and high-risk esophageal varices alone, respectively. According to the CT technique, the AUSROC of multi-detector CT (MDCT) was 0.9047 and 0.9490 for predicting any size and high-risk varices, respectively; and the AUSROC of MDCT esophagograms for predicting any size and high-risk varices was 0.8735 and 0.9664, respectively. In the subgroup analysis of prospective studies, the AUSROC was 0.9122 and 0.9507 for predicting any size and high-risk varices, respectively.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> CT had a high accuracy for the diagnosis of varices in liver cirrhosis.</p

sj-docx-1-cat-10.1177_10760296231188718 - Supplemental material for Anticoagulation Therapy for Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis Associated With Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-cat-10.1177_10760296231188718 for Anticoagulation Therapy for Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis Associated With Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Yuhang Yin, Le Wang, Fangbo Gao, Lei Liu and Xingshun Qi in Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis</p

Supplementary_table_1_7 – Supplemental material for Use of nonselective β blockers after variceal eradication in cirrhotic patients undergoing secondary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal bleeding: a critical review of current evidence

Supplemental material, Supplementary_table_1_7 for Use of nonselective β blockers after variceal eradication in cirrhotic patients undergoing secondary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal bleeding: a critical review of current evidence by Xiangbo Xu, Xiaozhong Guo, Frank Tacke, Xiaodong Shao and Xingshun Qi in Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease</p

Acid suppression in patients treated with endoscopic therapy for the management of gastroesophageal varices: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<p><b>Background and aim</b>: Endoscopic therapy is the cornerstone choice for the management of varices and variceal hemorrhage. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of acid suppression in patients treated with endoscopic therapy for gastroesophageal varices.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: All eligible studies were searched via the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Incidence of bleeding, mortality, ulcers, chest pain, and dysphagia after endoscopic therapy and length of stay were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the types and major indications of endoscopic treatments. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated.</p> <p><b>Results</b>: Nine studies with 1470 patients were included. Acid suppression could significantly decrease the incidence of bleeding (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.19–0.81, P = 0.01) and diminish the ulcer size (OR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.38–1.57, P = 0.48) after endoscopic therapy. The subgroup analyses showed that acid suppression could significantly decrease the incidence of bleeding in patients undergoing prophylactic EVL, rather than in patients undergoing therapeutic EVL. There was no significant difference in the incidence of mortality, ulcers, chest pain, and dysphagia and length of stay between patients treated with and without acid suppression.</p> <p><b>Conclusion</b>: Acid suppression might be considered in patients undergoing prophylactic EVL for gastroesophageal varices.</p

ABO blood type and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

<p><b>Background</b>: ABO blood type is an invariant factor. There is a link between ABO blood type and some malignancies, such as gastric, pancreatic, and skin cancer. The role of ABO blood type in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between ABO blood type and risk of HCC.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: Literature search was conducted among the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.</p> <p><b>Results</b>: Seven papers were included. They included 92,847 healthy subjects, 5,463 patients with hepatitis, 294 cirrhotic patients, and 3,322 HCC patients. The proportion of blood type O was significantly lower in HCC patients than healthy subjects (OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.66–0.87, P < 0.0001) without any significant heterogeneity (P = 0.55, I² = 0%). The proportions of blood types A, B, and <i>AB</i> were not significantly different between HCC patients and healthy subjects. The proportion of ABO blood type was not significantly different between patients with HCC and those with hepatitis or cirrhosis.</p> <p><b>Conclusion</b>: HCC patients might have a lower proportion of blood type O than healthy subjects. Among the patients with chronic liver diseases, ABO blood type might not be associated with the risk of HCC.</p

Survival and prognostic indicators of Budd–Chiari syndrome: a systematic review of 79 studies

<p>This paper aimed to systematically review the survival of Budd–Chiari syndrome and to identify the most robust prognostic predictors. Overall, 79 studies were included. According to the treatment modalities, the median 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate was 93, 83 and 73% after interventional radiological treatment; 81, 75 and 72.5% after surgery other than liver transplantation; 82.5, 70.2 and 66.5% after liver transplantation and 68.1, 44.4% and unavailable after medical therapy alone. According to the publication years, the median 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate was 68.6, 44.4% and unavailable before 1990; 75.1, 69.5 and 57% during the year 1991–1995; 77, 69.6 and 65.6% during the year 1996–2000; 86.5, 74 and 63.5% during the year 2001–2005 and 90, 82.5 and 72% after 2006. Bilirubin, creatinine and ascites were more frequently identified as significant prognostic factors in univariate analyses. But their statistical significance was less frequently achieved in multivariate analyses.</p

sj-jpg-3-tag-10.1177_17562848231167858 – Supplemental material for Incidence and type of adverse events in patients taking vonoprazan: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Supplemental material, sj-jpg-3-tag-10.1177_17562848231167858 for Incidence and type of adverse events in patients taking vonoprazan: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Wentao Xu, Zhaohui Bai, Yiyang Shang, Jing Wang, Yujun Wong and Xingshun Qi in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology</p

sj-docx-7-tag-10.1177_17562848231167858 – Supplemental material for Incidence and type of adverse events in patients taking vonoprazan: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Supplemental material, sj-docx-7-tag-10.1177_17562848231167858 for Incidence and type of adverse events in patients taking vonoprazan: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Wentao Xu, Zhaohui Bai, Yiyang Shang, Jing Wang, Yujun Wong and Xingshun Qi in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology</p

Terlipressin for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome: an overview of current evidence

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication of liver cirrhosis, which is of pre-renal origin due to central volume depletion together with cardiac dysfunction and characterized by oliguria with severe urinary sodium retention and elevated serum creatinine levels. HRS is divided into HRS I, which is rapidly progressive and mostly seen in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, and HRS II, which progresses more slowly and is always accompanied by gross ascites. Liver transplantation is the best choice of treatment for HRS but rarely available. Current mainstay pharmacological therapies are vasoconstrictors, such as terlipressin, noradrenaline and dopamine, in combination with albumin. This paper aims to overview the current evidence regarding outcomes of terlipressin for the treatment of HRS.</p