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A supramolecular polymer (CDP-DA) was prepared through the crosslinking reaction among the assembled complexes (CDDA) based on β-cyclodextrin (β-CyD) and octadecylamine (ODA). The structural properties of CDP-DA were clarified by experimental techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and thermal analysis. Based on the results of molecular docking, the crosslinking unit, CDDA, in the CDP-DA structure favors to exhibit the configuration that narrow rims of two host compounds (β-CyD) are opposite to each other leaving the amino group of ODA outside the host cavity. The corrosion inhibition performance of CDP-DA for mild steel in industrial condensate water was evaluated by electrochemical measurements and surface analyses, the mechanism of which was disclosed by molecular dynamics simulations in the aspects of adsorption equilibrium and ions diffusion models. The results of electrochemical tests indicate that CDP-DA effectively retards the anodic and cathodic reactions and improves the interfacial charge transfer resistance of mild steel in condensate water, which can be categorized as the mixed-type inhibitor. Surface analyses reveal that CDP-DA adsorbs on the steel surface in the integral form showing a monolayer nature, which is consolidated by molecular dynamics simulations. The diffusion behavior of in situ ions in the adsorbed layer is prominently suppressed as compared with those in bulk solution. The robust barrier layer and the mitigated diffusion of ions may contribute to the effective inhibition for CDP-DA against steel deterioration in the condensate water. Anticorrosive mechanism of a cross-linked supramolecular polymer for mild steel in the condensate water.On the first page, third paragraph of the introduction, the second sentence should have a typographical correction to state -.The expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) is increased during liver fibrogenesis, and EGF receptor (EGFR) antagonist could attenuate liver fibrosis. Since EGFR is highly expressed by hepatocytes and cholangiocytes in cirrhotic liver, whether hepatic stellate cells express EGFR in response to EGF still needs exploration. Although EGFR antagonist could attenuate liver fibrosis, many ligands with EGF-like domains, besides EGF, can function through EGFR. Whether specifically blocking EGF could attenuate bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis has not been revealed. BDL induced biliary infarcts and matrix deposition in mouse liver, and EGFR was expressed and phosphorylated by α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive myofibroblasts. LX-2 cells expressed EGFR, and these receptors were phosphorylated in the in vitro culture system. Growth curve and cell cycle analysis revealed that EGF could enhance cell proliferation of LX-2 cells. In addition, administration of EGF antibodies markedly reduced the EGF level in serum and the deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver of BDL mice when compared to IgG administration. Administration of EGF antibodies also reduced the phosphorylation of EGFR and the percentage of Ki-67-positive or PCNA-positive liver myofibroblasts of BDL mice when compared to IgG administration. Therefore, activated hepatic stellate cells express EGFR, thus being responsive to EGF signal, and administration of EGF antibodies could attenuate liver fibrosis by restricting the proliferation of myofibroblasts.BACKGROUND Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder that affects 1 in 100,000 individuals. Currently, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with anterior fundoplication is the ‘gold standard’ therapy for achalasia, alleviating symptoms by de-functionalizing the lower esophageal sphincter mechanism. Selleckchem Rhosin The advent of the Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site (LESS) technique provides a more minimally invasive approach to Heller myotomy. METHODS With IRB approval, 179 patients who underwent LESS Heller myotomy with anterior fundoplication since 2007 have been prospectively followed. Patients self-assessed symptom frequency and severity preoperatively and postoperatively using a Likert scale (0 = never/not bothersome to 10 = always/very bothersome). Patients scored their scar satisfaction (1 = revolting to 10 = beautiful). Data are presented as median (mean ± SD). Significance was accepted with 95% probability. RESULTS Fifty-one percent of patients were men, of age 55 (53 ± 17) years and BMI of 25 (25 ± 6.1) kg/m2. Patients hof experience documenting the salutary benefits of LESS Heller myotomy should be more than enough to encourage surgeons to incorporate the approach into their armamentarium.INTRODUCTION The advent of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) shed some light on the role of the current standards in the treatment of idiopathic achalasia, namely endoscopic pneumatic dilatation (PD) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). We analyzed the quality of the current evidence comparing LHM and PD. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane for meta-analyses/systematic reviews comparing PD and LHM or open surgery, limited to English language full-text articles. After a detailed review of these meta-analyses, all studies included were analyzed further in depth with respect to treatment protocol, assessment of success, complications and sequelae such as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), as well as follow-up details. RESULTS Six randomized controlled trials (RCT), 5 with LHM and 1 with open surgery, were found, published in 10 papers. In contrast to a rather homogeneous LHM technique, PD regimens as well as the clinical dysphagia scores were different in every RCT; most RCTs also showed methodological limitations. There were nine meta-analyses which included a variable number of these RCTs or other cohort studies. Meta-analyses between 2009 and 2013 favored surgery, while the 4 most recent ones reached divergent conclusions. The main difference might have been whether repeated dilatation was regarded as part of the PD protocol or as failure. CONCLUSIONS The variability in PD techniques and in definition of clinical success utilized in the achalasia RCTs on PD versus LHM render the conclusions of meta-analyses unreliable. Further randomized studies should be based on uniform criteria; in the meantime, publication of even more meta-analyses should be avoided.