Metabolic reprogramming and immunological changes in the microenvironment of esophageal cancer: future directions and prospects.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the seventh-most prevalent cancer worldwide and is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality. Metabolic reprogramming in tumors frequently coincides with aberrant immune function alterations, and extensive research has demonstrated that perturbations in energy metabolism within the tumor microenvironment influence the occurrence and progression of esophageal cancer. Current treatment modalities for esophageal cancer primarily include encompass chemotherapy and a limited array of targeted therapies, which are hampered by toxicity and drug resistance issues.

The Effects of Programmed Cell Death of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Development of Liver Fibrosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells have shown noticeable potential for unlimited self-renewal. They can differentiate into specific somatic cells, integrate into target tissues via cell-cell contact, paracrine effects, exosomes, and other processes and then regulate the target cells and tissues. Studies have demonstrated that transplantation of MSCs could decrease the expression and concentration of collagen in the liver, thereby reducing liver fibrosis.

Clinical manifestation and treatment of small intestinal lymphangioma: A single center analysis of 15 cases.

Background: Small intestinal lymphangioma is a very rare benign lesion. Thus far, the literature on small intestinal lymphangioma has mainly involved case reports. The present study retrospectively examined the clinical features of patients with a pathological diagnosis of small intestinal lymphangioma.

Cost-effective low-coverage whole-genome sequencing assay for the risk stratification of gastric cancer.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC), a multifactorial disease, is caused by pathogens, such as () and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and genetic components.

Aim: To investigate microbiomes and host genome instability by cost-effective, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing, as biomarkers for GC subtyping.

Methods: Samples from 40 GC patients were collected from Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang Province, affiliated with Wenzhou Medical University.

Feasibility of transgastric endoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery for benign gallbladder diseases (with video).

Background: With the increasing realization of the importance of gallbladder function, choledochoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery has been advocated for benign gallbladder diseases. However, limited information is available regarding the use of endoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery (EGPS) for patients with benign gallbladder diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of EGPS for benign gallbladder diseases.

Feasibility of endoscopic resection without laparoscopic assistance for giant gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer (with video).

Background And Aims: Currently, published data of endoscopic resection (ER) for giant (≥ 6 cm) gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer (MP-SETs) are extremely rare and limited to only case reports. The aim of this study was thus to assess the feasibility of using ER for giant (≥ 6 cm) gastric MP-SETs in a case series.

Methods: Between July 2013 and December 2020, a total of 23 patients with giant (≥ 6 cm) gastric MP-SETs were treated with ER in the endoscopic center of Taizhou hospital.

Transplantation of acellularized dermis matrix (ADM) plus fully covered metal stent to prevent stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection of early esophageal cancer (with video).

Backgroud And Study Aims: Esophageal stricture is a serious adverse event occurring after circular endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) involving the whole esophagus. However, there is still a lack of effectively preventive methods. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of application of acellularized dermis matrix (ADM) for the prevention of post-ESD esophageal stricture.

Effectiveness and safety of over-the-scope clip in closing perforations after duodenal surgery.

Background: Endoscopic resection of duodenal subepithelial lesions (SELs) is a difficult procedure with a high risk of perforation. At present, dealing with perforation after endoscopic resection of duodenal SELs is still considered a great challenge.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an over-the-scope clip (OTSC) in the treatment of perforation post-endoscopic resection of duodenal SELs.

The Immunomodulatory Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Play a Critical Role in Inducing Immune Tolerance after Liver Transplantation.

Although liver transplantation is considered to be the best choice for patients with end-stage liver diseases, postoperative immune rejection still cannot be overlooked. Patients with liver transplantation have to take immunosuppressive drugs for a long time or even their entire lives, in which heavy economic burden and side effects caused by the drugs have become the major impediment for liver transplantation. There is a growing body of evidences indicating that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation, a promising tool in regenerative medicine, can be used as an effective way to induce immune tolerance after liver transplantation based on their huge expansion potential and unique immunomodulatory properties.

Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve the Quality Control of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

With the rapid development of science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI) systems are becoming ubiquitous, and their utility in gastroenteroscopy is beginning to be recognized. Digestive endoscopy is a conventional and reliable method of examining and diagnosing digestive tract diseases. However, with the increase in the number and types of endoscopy, problems such as a lack of skilled endoscopists and difference in the professional skill of doctors with different degrees of experience have become increasingly apparent.

Prediction of Re-positivity for Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Among COVID-19 Patients in the Recovery Phase.

Although the pathogenesis and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been gradually revealed, the risk for re-emergence of coronavirus nucleic acids in recovered patients remains poorly understood. Hence, this study evaluated the risk predictors associated with re-positivity for virus nucleic acid. Between February 1 and March 20, 2020, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical epidemiological data of 129 COVID-19 patients who were treated at Zhongxiang People's Hospital of Hubei Province in China.

Progress of esophageal stricture prevention after endoscopic submucosal dissection by regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely accepted as an effective treatment for early esophageal cancer. However, post-ESD esophageal stricture remains a thorny issue. We herein review many strategies for preventing post-ESD esophageal stricture, as well as discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

Identification and Validation of a Novel DNA Damage and DNA Repair Related Genes Based Signature for Colon Cancer Prognosis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) with high incidence, has the third highest mortality of tumors. DNA damage and repair influence a variety of tumors. However, the role of these genes in colon cancer prognosis has been less systematically investigated.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection for small (≤ 4.0 cm) gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of endoscopic resection (ER) for small (≤ 4.0 cm) gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Methods: Between June 2005 and February 2015, we retrospectively analyzed 229 consecutive patients with gastric MP-GISTs who underwent ER with a follow-up at least 36 mo.

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection using methylene-blue guidance for cardial subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) of subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer in the cardia is rarely performed due to the difficulty of creating a submucosal tunnel for resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of STER using methylene-blue guidance for SETs originating from the MP layer in the cardia. From January 2012 to December 2014, 56 patients with SETs originating from the MP layer in the cardia were treated with STER using methylene-blue guidance.

Safety of endoscopic resection for duodenal subepithelial lesions with wound closure using clips and an endoloop: an analysis of 68 cases.

Background: Endoscopic removal of a duodenal lesion is still considered to be a challenging procedure that can be fraught with potentially serious complications, specifically perforation or delayed bleeding. This study was to assess the safety of endoscopic resection for duodenal subepithelial lesions (SELs) with wound closure using clips and an endoloop.

Methods: From October 2010 to July 2015, a total of 68 consecutive patients with duodenal SELs were treated with endoscopic resection with wound closure using clips and an endoloop.

Safety of Endoscopic Resection for Upper Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Tumors Originating from the Muscularis Propria Layer: An Analysis of 733 Tumors.

Objectives: Although endoscopic resection is an accepted technique for upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer, published data regarding its complications are highly variable and limited to small data series. This study aimed to analyze the safety of endoscopic resection in a large case series.

Methods: A total of 726 consecutive patients with 733 upper gastrointestinal SETs originating from the MP layer underwent endoscopic resection from June 2005 to December 2014.

Complete circular endoscopic resection using submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement for circumferential superficial esophageal lesions.

Background And Aims: At present, removing a circumferential superficial esophageal lesion (SEL) via en bloc resection is still a great challenge. Based on the previous success of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of complete circular endoscopic resection (CER) using a submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement for patients with circumferential SELs.

Methods: From August 2012 to June 2014, 23 patients with circumferential SELs were treated by CER using a submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement.

Endoscopic excavation for the treatment of small esophageal subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria.

Background/aims: This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic excavation for esophageal subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria.

Methodology: Forty-five patients with esophageal subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria were treated with endoscopic excavation between January 2010 and June 2012. The key steps were: (1) making several dots around the tumor; (2) incising the mucosa along with the marker dots, and then seperating the tumor from the muscularis propria by using a hook knife or an insulated-tip knife; (3) closing the artificial ulcer with clips after the tumor was removed.

[Effect of modified zuoguiwan on Th17/Treg subpopulation of estrogen deficiency induced bone loss mice].

Objective: To observe the effect of Modified Zuoguiwan (MZ) on the balance between helper T cell subsets 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cell subsets (Treg) in estrogen deficiency induced bone loss mice and to explore its mechanism.

Methods: Totally 50 BALB/c mice were divided into the sham-operation group, the ovariectomy model group, the low dose MZ group, the middle dose MZ group, and the high dose MZ group by random digit table, 10 in each group. Mice in the low, middle, and high dose MZ groups were respectively administered with MZ at the daily dose of 7.

Endoscopic excavation for gastric heterotopic pancreas: an analysis of 42 cases from a tertiary center.

Background: Because of the difficulty associated with making an accurate diagnosis of gastric heterotopic pancreas (HP) before surgery, surgical resection is usually performed in suspected cases. However, this is an invasive procedure and prone to certain surgical complications.

Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic excavation for gastric HP, as well as the value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in diagnosing gastric HP.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection with defect closure using clips and an endoloop for gastric subepithelial tumors arising from the muscularis propria.

Background And Aims: This retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic full-thickness resection (eFTR) with defect closure using clips and an endoloop for the treatment of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) arising from the muscularis propria (MP).

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2012, 51 patients with gastric SETs arising from the MP underwent eFTR with defect closure using clips and an endoloop. The key steps were (1) several milliliters of mixture solution was injected into the submucosa after dots were marked around the tumor; (2) a cross incision was made in the mucosa to reveal the tumor; (3) subsequently, circumferential excavation was performed as deep as the muscularis propria, and full-thickness resection of the tumor was performed with an insulated-tip knife, including its underlying MP and serosa; (4) the gastric wall defect was closed with clips and an endoloop was then placed to fix and tighten all of the clips together.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic excavation for gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer: results from a large study in China.

Background And Aim: In this retrospective study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic excavation of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer.

Materials And Methods: Between November 2007 and June 2012, 212 patients with gastric SETs originating from the MP layer were treated via endoscopic excavation. The key procedures were: (1) injecting a mixture solution (100 mL saline+2 mL indigo carmine+1 mL epinephrine) into the submucosa around the tumor; (2) making a cross-incision of the mucosa and then excavating the tumor by the technique of endoscopic excavation.

Endoscopic muscularis excavation for subepithelial tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Background: Because of complicating anatomic factors, endoscopic submucosal dissection is seldom performed in subepithelial tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic muscularis excavation for treating subepithelial tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from the muscularis propria layer.

Methods: Between December 2008 and December 2011, 68 patients with subepithelial tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from the muscularis propria layer were treated with endoscopic muscularis excavation.