Gastric Xanthelasma, Microsatellite Instability and Methylation of Tumor Suppressor Genes in the Gastric Mucosa: Correlation and Comparison as a Predictive Marker for the Development of Synchronous/Metachronous Gastric Cancer.

A predictive marker for the development of synchronous/metachronous gastric cancer (GC) would be highly desirable in order to establish an effective strategy for endoscopic surveillance. Herein, we examine the significance of gastric xanthelasma (GX) and molecular abnormalities for the prediction of synchronous/metachronous GC. Patients ( = 115) were followed up (range, 12-122; median, 55 months) in whom the presence of GX and molecular alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and methylation of (), () and () genes, had been confirmed in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa when undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early GC.

Effect of Instruction on Preventing Delayed Bleeding after Colorectal Polypectomy and Endoscopic Mucosal Resection.

Background: The frequency of delayed bleeding after colorectal polypectomy has been reported as 0.6-2.8%.

Phosphorylated STAT3 expression linked to methylation is associated with proliferative ability of gastric mucosa in patients with early gastric cancer.

Gastric cancers (GCs) may develop in the gastric mucosa after elimination of () using eradication therapy. Cytokine signaling is a key mechanism underlying GC development and progression, and STAT3 signaling may serve a central role in gastritis-associated tumorigenesis. In the present study, () methylation was examined, as an activator of phosphorylated (p-)STAT3 expression in the non-neoplastic gastric mucosa (non-NGM) of patients with early GC.

Correction to: Magnitude and direction of the association between Clostridium difficile infection and proton pump inhibitors in adults and pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In the original publication of the article, Table 1 and Figs. 2a, 2b, 3a were published with errors.

The Link between Type III Reg and STAT3-Associated Cytokines in Inflamed Colonic Tissues.

Reg (regenerating gene) family proteins are known to be overexpressed in gastrointestinal (GI) tissues under conditions of inflammation. However, the pathophysiological significance of Reg family protein overexpression and its regulation is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the profile of family gene expression in a colitis model and focused on the regulation of Reg III and III, which are overexpressed in inflamed colonic mucosa.

A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial on the Effect of Magnesium Oxide in Patients With Chronic Constipation.

Background/aims: Magnesium oxide (MgO) has been frequently used as a treatment for chronic constipation (CC) since the 1980s in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate its therapeutic effects of MgO in Japanese CC patients.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Preventing Metachronous Gastric Cancer after the Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Epithelial Neoplasia: Roles of Eradication and Aspirin.

Whether eradication actually reduces the risk of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) development remains a controversial question. In this review, we addressed this topic by reviewing the results of clinical investigations and molecular pathological analyses of the roles of eradication and aspirin administration in the prevention of MGC. In regard to the clinical studies, the results of meta-analyses and randomized control trials differ from those of retrospective studies: the former trials show that eradication has a preventive effect on MGC, while the latter studies do not.

DNA methylation silencing of microRNA gene methylator in the precancerous background mucosa with and without gastric cancer: Analysis of the effects of H. pylori eradication and long-term aspirin use.

The risk of gastric cancer (GC) declines after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and long-term aspirin use. We evaluated the effects of H.

Alteration of GLP-1/GPR43 expression and gastrointestinal motility in dysbiotic mice treated with vancomycin.

Gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in various aspects of host physiology, including metabolism, gastrointestinal (GI) motility and hormonal secretion. In the present study, we investigated the effect of antibiotic-associated dysbiosis on metabolism and GI motility in relation to colonic expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and G protein coupled receptor (GPR)43. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice (ICR, 6 weeks old, female) were orally administered vancomycin (0.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid Releases Proinflammatory Cytokines from Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells Through the Farnesoid X Receptor.

Background/aims: Bile acids have recently been associated with the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We therefore evaluated the expression of bile acid receptors in the intestinal mucosa of IBS patients as well as the effects of bile acids on small intestinal epithelial cells.

Methods: Intestinal biopsy specimens were obtained from 15 IBS patients and 15 healthy controls.

Duodenal low-grade inflammation and expression of tight junction proteins in functional dyspepsia.

Background: Duodenal changes in functional dyspepsia (FD) might be related to the development of symptoms. However, relationships among low-grade inflammation, Helicobacter pylori infection, and protein expression by tight junctions (TJs) in the duodenum are unclear. We therefore aimed to determine whether duodenal inflammation and genes associated with TJ proteins are associated with FD.

Recent understanding of the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia: role of the duodenum as the pathogenic center.

Over almost 30 years since functional dyspepsia (FD) was defined, researchers have endeavored to elucidate the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Now a consensus is emerging that the gastric symptoms of FD are caused mainly by gastric motility abnormalities and gastric hypersensitivity. The involvement of other causative factors including acid, Helicobacter pylori, psychological factors, and diet has been debated, but how they are involved in the manifestation of dyspeptic symptoms remains unclear.

Colonic M1 macrophage is associated with the prolongation of gastrointestinal motility and obesity in mice treated with vancomycin.

Gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in not only the gastrointestinal (GI) immune system but also GI motility and metabolism. Antibiotic treatments are likely to affect the gut flora and GI immune system, subsequently disturbing GI motility and body metabolism. In the present study, we investigated antibiotic‑induced alterations of body metabolism and GI motility in association with the macrophage profile in the colon.

Randomised clinical trial: vonoprazan versus lansoprazole for the initial relief of heartburn in patients with erosive oesophagitis.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, the onset of action is considered slow and PPIs cannot completely block acid secretion at night. A new potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) can rapidly block acid secretion.

Objective image analysis of non-magnifying image-enhanced endoscopy for diagnosis of small depressed early gastric cancers.

 Gastric cancers (GC) after eradication are difficult to diagnose even by magnifying narrow-band imaging (NBI) or blue laser imaging (BLI) endoscopy. Little is known with regard to non-magnifying (NM)-NBI/BLI for early GC so we examined the efficacy of NM-NBI/BLI for early GC diagnosis.  We retrospectively analyzed the images of 29 small (≤ 1 cm) intramucosal GC that had been treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection and 137 benign depressed lesions (BDLs).

Sex differences in associations among metabolic syndrome, obesity, related biomarkers, and colorectal adenomatous polyp risk in a Japanese population.

To investigate sex differences in the associations among metabolic syndrome, obesity, adipose tissue-related biomarkers, and colorectal adenomatous polyps, a cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted on 489 consecutive individuals who underwent their first colonoscopy at 3 hospitals. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin, as well as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were also evaluated. The presence and number of adenomatous polyps, including advanced adenoma, were higher in men than in women.

Long-term effects of H. pylori eradication on epigenetic alterations related to gastric carcinogenesis.

The risk of gastric cancer (GC) remains in precancerous conditions, including atrophic mucosa and intestinal mucosa (IM), even after H. pylori treatment. To define the molecular changes following H.

Effect of probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 on the relationship between gut microbiota profile and stress sensitivity in maternally separated rats.

Although gut microbiota and early life events are likely involved in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it remains unclear how these factors interact in the pathophysiology of IBS. In the present study, using rats subjected to maternal separation (MS) as a model of IBS, we investigated interrelationships among gut microbiota, stress susceptibility and intestinal permeability, and examined the effect of the probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 (BBG9-1) on those interrelationships. When compared with the controls at postnatal day 20, MS rats showed hypercorticosteronemia, enhanced intestinal permeability and changes in gut microbiota structure.

Esophagography in Patients With Esophageal Achalasia Diagnosed With High-resolution Esophageal Manometry.

Background/aims: High-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) is considered to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of achalasia. However, the Japan Esophageal Society recommends that esophagography is also accurate in either diagnosing or excluding the disorder. Accordingly, we compared the efficacy of esophagography and HREM in diagnosing achalasia patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Vonoprazan, a potent acid blocker, is superior to proton-pump inhibitors for eradication of clarithromycin-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Vonoprazan is a novel gastric acid suppressant that is applied in Japan to treat gastric diseases including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the ability of vonoprazan to eradicate clarithromycin-susceptible and clarithromycin-resistant H.

Rectal Foreign Body of Eggplant Treated Successfully by Endoscopic Transanal Removal.

Transanal rectal foreign body implies that a foreign body has been inserted transanally due to sexual orientation or other reasons and cannot be removed. Such cases require emergency measures because foreign bodies often present difficulties in manual removal or endoscopic removal and may even require surgery when peritonitis due to gastrointestinal perforation occurs. We report a patient in our hospital who had a rectal foreign body inserted into the deep part of the proctosigmoid that could be removed endoscopically.