Endoscopic ultrasound with tissue sampling is accurate in the diagnosis and subclassification of gastrointestinal spindle cell neoplasms.

Background And Objectives: Mesenchymal (spindle cell) neoplasms (SCN) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are an important subtype of subepithelial lesions that need subclassification to assess their malignant potential. Reported success rates of accurate subclassification with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsies are variable. Our goal was to analyze our experience using EUS-guided TruCut biopsy (EUS-TCB) in the majority of patients.

Intestinal helminths regulate lethal acute graft-versus-host disease and preserve the graft-versus-tumor effect in mice.

Donor T lymphocyte transfer with hematopoietic stem cells suppresses residual tumor growth (graft-versus-tumor [GVT]) in cancer patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, donor T cell reactivity to host organs causes severe and potentially lethal inflammation called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). High-dose steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs are used to treat GVHD that have limited ability to control the inflammation while incurring long-term toxicity.

Constipation and a low-fiber diet are not associated with diverticulosis.

Background & Aims: Asymptomatic diverticulosis is commonly attributed to constipation caused by a low-fiber diet, although evidence for this mechanism is limited. We examined the associations between constipation and low dietary fiber intake with risk of asymptomatic diverticulosis.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 539 individuals with diverticulosis and 1569 without (controls).

What should be done with a dilated bile duct?

Current methods for imaging the biliary tree include ultrasound, CT, MRI, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Bile duct abnormalities may be identified during evaluation of patient symptoms or laboratory abnormalities, or incidentally during imaging for another problem. Biliary dilatation, when identified, may be separated into obstructive or nonobstructive causes.

Palliative use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy tubes.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are most commonly placed for feeding purposes with the intention of maintenance or improvement in nutritional status; however, they may also be used in a palliative role in patients who have terminal illnesses for feeding or decompression. Percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy (PEC) tubes can be used to decompress malignant and functional bowel disorders with accepted morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the use of PEG and PEC tubes for palliative use.

Self-expanding plastic stents in treatment of benign esophageal conditions.

Background: Recently, self-expanding plastic stents (SEPSs) have been proposed for the treatment of benign esophageal disease.

Objectives: Our purpose was to review our experience with SEPSs in patients with benign esophageal conditions.

Design: This was a retrospective case review of patients who underwent SEPS placement for benign esophageal disease, including (1) benign stricture, including reflux disease, ischemia, and idiopathic, (2) radiation-induced strictures, (3) anastomotic strictures, and (4) esophageal leak/fistulae.

Cytoskeletal modulation of sodium current in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells.

A Na(+) current is present in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of the Na(+) current. Whole cell currents were recorded by using standard patch-clamp techniques with Cs(+) in the pipette to block K(+) currents.

Sodium current in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells.

Background & Aims: Sodium channels are key regulators of neuronal and muscle excitability. However, sodium channels have not been definitively identified in gastrointestinal smooth muscle. The aim of the present study was to determine if a Na(+) current is present in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells.