Gut mycobiome alterations in obesity in geographically different regions.

The gut fungi play important roles in human health and are involved in energy metabolism. This study aimed to examine gut mycobiome composition in obese subjects in two geographically different regions in China and to identify specific gut fungi associated with obesity. A total of 217 subjects from two regions with different urbanization levels [Hong Kong (HK): obese,  = 59; lean, = 59; Kunming (KM): obese,  = 50; lean,  = 49.

The effect of Andrographis paniculata water extract on palliative management of metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-A phase II clinical trial.

Patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have a grave prognosis with limited life expectancy. Here, a phase II clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effect of Andrographis paniculata (AP) on the palliative care of patients with metastatic ESCC. Patients with metastatic or locally advanced ESCC deemed unfit for surgery, and who have already completed palliative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy or are not fit for these treatments, were recruited.

Use of over-the-scope clip (OTSC) versus standard therapy for the prevention of rebleeding in large peptic ulcers (size ≥1.5 cm): an open-labelled, multicentre international randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Over-the-scope clip (OTSC) has been used recently for primary haemostasis of peptic ulcers. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of OTSC to standard endoscopic therapy in primary treatment of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding that are of size ≥1.5 cm.

Cigarette smoke promotes colorectal cancer through modulation of gut microbiota and related metabolites.

Objective: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate whether cigarette smoke promotes CRC by altering the gut microbiota and related metabolites.

Design: Azoxymethane-treated C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke or clean air 2 hours per day for 28 weeks.

A prospective 5-year study on the use of transient elastography to monitor the improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease following bariatric surgery.

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) is a non-invasive assessment for diagnosing and staging liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Evidence on its role as a longitudinal monitoring tool is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the role of TE in monitoring NAFLD improvement following bariatric surgery.

Accuracy of hiatal hernia diagnosis in bariatric patients: Preoperative endoscopy intraoperative reference.

Background And Aim: Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in Asia. Bariatric surgery in the region is growing in popularity to reflect increasing demand. Hiatal hernia (HH) is common among the obese population.

The effect of bariatric surgery on the improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms in morbidly obese male patients.

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are strongly linked with obesity. Whether bariatric surgery can effectively alleviate LUTS in morbidly obese men is unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in reducing the prevalence and severity of male LUTS in obese patients.

Bariatric Surgery in Vegetarians: Asia-Pacific Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Society (APMBSS) survey of Asian surgeon experience.

Purpose: Bariatric and metabolic surgery is increasing in Asia to address the growing obesity epidemic. Literature is scarce regarding this surgery in vegetarian patients. We aim to survey surgeons regarding their practices and experiences with the vegetarian population.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with Tissue Fusion Technology Promoted Wound Healing in Porcine Bowel Anastomosis.

Objective: To evaluate the possible biological effect of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with tissue fusion technology on the anastomosis.

Methods: Sixteen pigs were divided into a 7 d group and 14 d group, each of which was further subdivided into an MSC-treated group and a control group. Five anastomoses per animal were established using LigaSure ForceTriad (Covidien, MA, USA), a tissue sealing system.

Prostaglandin E induces DNA hypermethylation in gastric cancer and .

: Prostaglandin E (PGE) is a pro-inflammatory eicosanoid up-regulated in gastric cancer (GC). However, its impact on epigenetic dysfunction in the process of gastric carcinogenesis is unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of PGE in DNA methylation in gastric epithelium , in mice, and humans.

Bariatric surgery for Prader-Willi syndrome was ineffective in producing sustainable weight loss: Long term results for up to 10 years.

Background: Obesity control in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is notoriously difficult. The role of bariatric surgery in PWS remains controversial as long-term data are lacking.

Objectives: To evaluate the 10-year outcomes of bariatric surgery in PWS.

Portomesenteric vein thrombosis following laparoscopic greater curve plication for morbid obesity.

Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) is an uncommon condition associated with intra-abdominal visceral ischemia that is often difficult to manage. While postoperative PMVT has been rarely reported following laparoscopic abdominal surgery, its occurrence in morbidly obese patients is gaining increasing concern due to its relatively higher incidence after laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Diagnosis of PMVT can be readily accomplished by computed tomography scan.

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy for treatment of esophageal carcinoma.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is technically challenging. Da Vinci Robotic system could improve surgical dissection with additional degree of freedom from robotic arms. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of performing MIE using Da Vinci Robotic system among patients with esophageal cancers.

Aldosterone-producing Adenoma in Primary Aldosteronism: CT-guided Radiofrequency Ablation-Long-term Results and Recurrence Rate.

Purpose To evaluate the long-term biochemical, clinical, and recurrence outcomes of radiofrequency (RF) ablation in treating primary aldosteronism due to aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. The use of computed tomographically (CT) guided percutaneous RF ablation was evaluated in 36 patients (19 men; mean age ± standard deviation, 52.

An innovative ex-vivo porcine upper gastrointestinal model for submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection (STER).

Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection (STER) is a novel endoscopic technique to remove submucosal tumour (SMT). We propose a novel, low cost simulator for training of techniques for STER. The model consisted of an ex-planted porcine oesophagus, stomach and duodenum with marbles embedded surgically in the submucosal plane.

Epigenetic silencing of the NR4A3 tumor suppressor, by aberrant JAK/STAT signaling, predicts prognosis in gastric cancer.

While aberrant JAK/STAT signaling is crucial to the development of gastric cancer (GC), its effects on epigenetic alterations of its transcriptional targets remains unclear. In this study, by expression microarrays coupled with bioinformatic analyses, we identified a putative STAT3 target gene, NR4A3 that was downregulated in MKN28 GC daughter cells overexpressing a constitutively activated STAT3 mutant (S16), as compared to an empty vector control (C9). Bisulphite pyrosequencing and demethylation treatment showed that NR4A3 was epigenetically silenced by promoter DNA methylation in S16 and other GC cell lines including AGS cells, showing constitutive activation of STAT3.

Is Preoperative Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery Mandatory? An Asian Perspective.

Background: The role of routine preoperative oesopha gogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) for all bariatric surgery candidates is controversial. We aim to investigate the prevalence of clinically significant OGD findings in a primarily Chinese obese population and identify factors that predict a normal screening OGD.

Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery in our centre from August 2002 to December 2014 were reviewed.

Robotic versus Open Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: An Evidence-Based Review.

While open thyroidectomy (OT) is advocated as the gold standard treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer, the contemporary use of robotic thyroidectomy (RT) is often controversial. Although RT combines the unique benefits of the surgical robot and remote access thyroidectomy, its applicability on cancer patients is challenged by the questionable oncological benefits and safety. This review aims to analyze the current literature evidence in comparing RT to OT on thyroid cancers for their perioperative and oncological outcomes.

Asian consensus on the relationship between obesity and gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

The incidence of obesity is increasing in Asia, with implications on gastrointestinal (GI) and liver diseases. The Gut and Obesity in Asia Workgroup comprises regional experts with the aim of studying relationship between obesity and the GI and liver diseases in Asia. Through literature review and the modified Delphi process, consensus statements examining the impact of obesity on esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, and liver diseases, exploring relationship between gut microbiome and obesity, and assessing obesity therapies have been produced by the Gut and Obesity in Asia Workgroup.

Expression of Antioxidant Molecules and Heat Shock Protein 27 in Thyroid Tumors.

Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage is a known causing factor for many types of tumors, but information on the role of oxidants and antioxidants in thyroid tumors is limited. The aim of this study was to determine antioxidant levels in thyroid tumors. In this study, tumor and its matched non-tumor thyroid tissue samples were obtained from 53 patients with thyroid tumors.

Correlation of CBD/CHD angulation with recurrent cholangitis in patients treated with ERCP.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for bile duct stone extraction has a major role in the treatment of cholangitis. It is well known that certain risk factors predispose to recurrence of such stones. The aims of this study were to evaluate the correlation between angulation of the common bile duct (CBD), right hepatic duct (RHD), and left hepatic duct (LHD) with recurrent cholangitic attacks and to elucidate other risk factors that may be associated with these attacks.

Ex vivo comparison of the lumen-apposing properties of EUS-specific stents (with video).

Background And Aims: Several EUS-specific stents have become available. It has been claimed that some of these stents have lumen-apposing properties, but objective data measuring such properties are not available. The aim of this study is to measure the lumen-apposing force (LAF) of these stents.