Repurposing Polysaccharide PG2 for Inhibiting ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Syncytial Formation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a serious threat to global public health. In an effort to develop novel anti-coronavirus therapeutics and achieve prophylactics, we used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for drug screening and identified that polysaccharide (PG2), a mixture of polysaccharides purified from , could effectively reverse COVID-19 signature genes. Further biological assays revealed that PG2 could prevent the fusion of BHK21-expressing wild-type (WT) viral spike (S) protein and Calu-3-expressing ACE2.

Colorimetric detection of Al3+ ions using triazole-ether functionalized gold nanoparticles.

A sensitive, selective colorimetric Al(3+) detection method has been developed by using triazole-ether functionalized gold nanoparticles (TTP-AuNPs). Gold nanoparticles were prepared by reducing HAuCl4 with sodium borohydride in the presence of 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)pentanamide (TP). The azide part of 2-[2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol and the acetylene part of TP were combined to form a triazole structure through a click reaction.

Current situation of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial neoplasms in the upper digestive tract in East Asian countries: a questionnaire survey.

Aim: This study was carried out to understand the current practice and learning of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal and gastric cancers in East Asian countries.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was used to investigate differences in upper gastrointestinal (GI) ESD among East Asian countries.

Results: ESD is used by many endoscopists in not only tertiary centers but also secondary care hospitals in China, Korea and Japan.

Desirable training and roles of Japanese endoscopists towards the further penetration of endoscopic submucosal dissection in Asia.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was invented in Japan and is now permeating into the rest of the world. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the desirable ESD training by knowing the current status of ESD training in Japan. After this, we mainly discussed the following three topics: (i) requirements for preceptees to start ESD training; (ii) requirements for competent endoscopists in ESD; and (iii) requirements for preceptors in the first half of the upper gastrointestinal tract session at the Endoscopic Forum Japan 2011.

Narrowband imaging for early detection of malignant tumors and radiation effect after treatment of head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To determine the value of narrowband imaging (NBI) screening for the early detection of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in patients who have received treatment and to assess the impact of radiotherapy on detection rates.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

FibroQ: an easy and useful noninvasive test for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Background: Liver biopsy-the gold standard in assessing liver histology-is recommended before all antiviral treatment. However, this procedure may cause complications, is costly, and is limited by sampling errors. Hence, noninvasive tests have been proposed to assess the severity of hepatic fibrosis.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric epithelial tumors: a multicenter study in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic procedure to resect early gastric cancer (EGC). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and complications of ESD for gastric epithelial tumors in Taiwan.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and outcome of ESD in patients who received ESD for gastric epithelial tumors between June 2004 and August 2007.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancers: experience from a new endoscopic center in Taiwan.

Goal: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancers (EGCs) at a new endoscopic center.

Background: ESD is a novel technique that can facilitate en-bloc resection of EGCs, but seldom reported outside Japan.

Study: A total of 25 consecutive patients (25 lesions) underwent ESD from June 2004 to March 2006.

Predictive role of nuclear factor-kappaB activity in gastric cancer: a promising adjuvant approach with caffeic acid phenethyl ester.

Background: The biologic significance of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in human gastric cancer is unclear. We clarify the clinical significance of NF-kappaB activation and its relationship to Helicobacter pylori infection, a well-known pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Moreover, we examine the effects and underlying mechanisms induced by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, for gastric carcinoma.

Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma in the rectum: report of a case.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin malignancy of neuroendocrine origin with predominant occurrence in the elderly males. Approximately 50 percent of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma develop distant metastasis at some point during the disease course; hence, Merkel cell carcinoma always has a poor prognosis. Distant metastasis has never been disclosed in the rectum to the best of our knowledge.

Clinical features and outcome of chronic viral hepatitis with acute exacerbation in patients with concurrent infections of hepatitis B and C virus.

Background/aims: Studies have shown that concurrent infection of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus may be associated with severe forms of chronic liver disease or with rapid progression. However, very little is known about the role and course of concurrent HBV and HCV infection in patients with acute viral hepatitis.

Methods: This study retrospectively compared the clinical features of 83 patients diagnosed with HBV- or HCV-related chronic hepatitis with acute exacerbation (12 with concurrent HBV and HCV infection, 46 with HBV infection alone, and 25 with HCV infection alone) encountered at Chia-Yi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, between January 2003 and December 2005.

Effect of oral esomeprazole on recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers.

Background: After endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer, a high-dose infusion of omeprazole substantially reduces the risk of recurrent bleeding. The role of oral proton pump inhibitors for these patients is uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the use of oral esomeprazole would reduce the frequency of recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers.

Endoscopic resection of a large colonic leiomyoma.

A 48-year old man suffered from intermittent hematochezia and abdominal cramping over a period of four weeks. A colonoscopy revealed a 4.5 cm semi-pedunculated tumor in the transverse colon.