Construction of immunogenic cell death-related molecular subtypes and prognostic signature in colorectal cancer.

Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for advanced colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, immunotherapy resistance remains a common problem. Immunogenic cell death (ICD), a form of regulated cell death, induces adaptive immunity, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

A novel risk score model of esophageal stricture for patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background And Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising technique for superficial esophageal lesions. However, stricture is a frequent adverse complication. This study was performed to develop a precise and convenient score prediction model for esophageal strictures after ESD, and compare its efficacy with a previously published predictive model.

New endoscopic closure technique, "internal traction-assisted suspended closure," for GI defect closure: a pilot study (with video).

Background And Aims: After endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR), reliable closure of the perforation is critical. However, it is technically difficult to close some defects by using metal clips alone or by purse-string suturing, which may lead to unreliable closure. Inspired by the process of pulling up the 2 ends of the incision in the surgical suture, we developed a new endoscopic closure technique, the "internal traction-assisted suspended closure" technique.

Efficacy of two endoscopic rubber band ligation methods for symptomatic hemorrhoids: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Endoscopic rubber band ligation (ERBL) is considered an effective nonsurgical treatment for symptomatic grade I to III hemorrhoids; however, it is unclear whether ligation of hemorrhoids or simultaneous ligation of hemorrhoids and proximal normal mucosa (combined ligation) is safer and more effective. This controlled, open-label, and prospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of both methods for symptomatic grade I to III hemorrhoids.

Methods: Seventy patients with symptomatic grade I to III hemorrhoids were randomly assigned to the hemorrhoid and combined ligation groups (35 in each group).

Comparison of statins with steroids and botulinum toxin A in the prevention of benign strictures after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Preventing benign strictures following esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains difficult, and finding a safe, effective, and simple management method is vital. We previously reported that rosuvastatin significantly reduced the incidence and severity of strictures in a rabbit model of esophageal stricture. Accordingly, in this study, we compared the effects of statins, steroids, and botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) on stricture prevention after ESD involving more than three-fourths of the luminal circumference.

Establishment of anammox coupled with sulfide-depending autotrophic denitrification process and its efficient pollutants removal performance.

Nitrogen and sulfur pollutants coexist in many industrial wastewaters, which may cause serious water pollution issues. In this study, Anammox coupled with sulfide-depending autotrophic denitrification process (coupling process) was established by adding sulfide to an Anammox system in a membrane bioreactor. Variations in nitrogen and sulfur removal performance, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), key enzyme activities, and microbial components were analyzed.

Noninvasive Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation Improves Gastric Slow Waves Impaired by Cold Stress in Healthy Subjects.

Background/aims: Stress is known to inhibit gastric motility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and autonomic mechanisms of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) on cold stress (CS)-induced impairment in gastric motility that are relevant to the brain-gut interactions in healthy volunteers.

Materials And Methods: Healthy volunteers (eight women; age 28.

Protective effect of rosuvastatin against the formation of benign esophageal stricture.

Background: Benign esophageal strictures result from caustic or radiation injury or surgical procedures. Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. We examined the role of rosuvastatin in preventing benign esophageal fibrosis and stricture formation in a rabbit model.

A Comparative Study of the Properties of Recycled Concrete Prepared with Nano-SiO and CO Cured Recycled Coarse Aggregates Subjected to Aggressive Ions Environment.

This research focused on the modification effects on recycled concrete (RC) prepared with nano-SiO and CO cured recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) subjected to an aggressive ions environment. For this purpose, RCA was first simply crushed and modified by nano-SiO and CO respectively, and the compressive strength, ions permeability as well as the macro properties and features of the interface transition zone (ITZ) of RC were investigated after soaking in 3.5% NaCl solution and 5% NaSO solution for 30 days, respectively.

MALAT1: A Pivotal lncRNA in the Phenotypic Switch of Gastric Smooth Muscle Cells the Targeting of the miR-449a/DLL1 Axis in Diabetic Gastroparesis.

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Our previous study suggested that the expression of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is closely related to DGP. However, the role of MALAT1 in DGP pathogenesis remains unclear.

Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation improves functional dyspepsia by enhancing vagal efferent activity.

This study was designed to investigate whether transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) would be able to improve major pathophysiologies of functional dyspepsia (FD) in patients with FD. Thirty-six patients with FD (21 F) were studied in two sessions (taVNS and sham-ES). Physiological measurements, including gastric slow waves, gastric accommodation, and autonomic functions, were assessed by the electrogastrogram (EGG), a nutrient drink test and the spectral analysis of heart rate variability derived from the electrocardiogram (ECG), respectively.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Improves Gastrointestinal Disturbances Induced by Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Liver Cancers.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances occur in patients who receive chemotherapy via transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and could last for an extended period of time in some cases. Antiemetic drugs have a potential risk of developing hepatic failure and are ineffective for delayed nausea and emesis. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) has recently been reported to exert antiemetic and prokinetic effects, but it is unknown whether it has an ameliorating effect on TACE-induced GI disturbances.

Total Panax notoginseng saponin inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration and intimal hyperplasia by regulating WTAP/p16 signals via mA modulation.

Intimal hyperplasia, the key event of arterial restenosis, is a result of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration. Previous studies have demonstrated that total Panax notoginseng saponin (TPNS) represses intimal hyperplasia and inhibits the proliferation of VSMCs following balloon injury. However, the underlying roles of TPNS in intimal hyperplasia remain unclear.

Isolated gastric varices secondary to abdominal tuberculosis mimicking lymphoma: a case report.

Background: Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) rarely presents with abdominal masses and rarely causes isolated gastric varices.

Case Presentation: We report a case of isolated gastric varices secondary to abdominal TB mimicking lymphoma. A 42-year-old woman without any history of liver disease presented with melena and mild abdominal pain.

Sleep disturbance and psychological distress are associated with functional dyspepsia based on Rome III criteria.

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is considered a bio-psychosocial disorder. The role of psychosocial factors in FD pathogenesis remains unclear.

Methods: This study evaluated sleep quality and mood symptoms in patients with FD, assessing the associations of FD severity, disordered sleep, and psychological symptoms.

LncRNA MALAT1 is up-regulated in diabetic gastroparesis and involved in high-glucose-induced cellular processes in human gastric smooth muscle cells.

Recent years, widespread long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified and known as regulator of gene expression. Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. There was no research reported the role of lncRNAs in DGP.

Down-regulation of lncRNA MEG3 promotes hypoxia-induced human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via repressing PTEN by sponging miR-21.

Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension is a life-threatening disease arising from a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, irreversible pulmonary vascular remodeling and resulting in right ventricular failure. Recent studies suggested that pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration played an important role in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. However, the mechanisms of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension are complicated and largely unclear.

An association between the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene G894T polymorphism and premature coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Previous epidemiological studies have suggested that genetic factors are more likely to influence the development of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) than disease in older patients. Several studies have evaluated the association between the G894T polymorphism located in an exon of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the risk of premature CAD. However, the findings were inconsistent.

Atorvastatin treatment modulates p16 promoter methylation to regulate p16 expression.

Intimal hyperplasia, the key event of arterial restenosis, is a result of cell proliferation and cell migration. Atorvastatin exerts an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration, but the mechanism remains largely unknown. p16, as a well-known tumor suppressor, was also reported to suppress cell growth and migration, but with an unclear mechanism.

Effects of Exogenous Interleukin-9 on the Growth, Proliferation and Activity of Interstitial Cells of Cajal Cultured in vitro.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of exogenous interleukin-9 (IL-9) in the growth, proliferation and activity of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) cultured in vitro, and to assess its role in maintaining the functions of ICCs.

Methods: ICCs of murine gastric antrum were isolated and cultured in vitro. ICCs were identified with c-Kit and ANO1 immunofluorescent antibodies.

Association between Serum Ferritin and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background and Aims. CIN is a major and serious complication following PCI in patients with ACS. It is unclear whether a higher serum ferritin level is associated with an increased risk of CIN in high-risk patients.

Estrogen regulates the expression of small-conductance Ca-activated K+ channels in colonic smooth muscle cells.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels in colonic relaxation and the regulation of SK channels by estrogen.

Methods: The contractile activity of muscle strips from male rats was estimated, and drugs including vehicle (DMSO), 17β-estradiol (E2), or apamin (SK blocker) were added, respectively. In a further experiment, muscle strips were preincubated with apamin before exposure to E2.

Resveratrol inhibits collagen I synthesis by suppressing IGF-1R activation in intestinal fibroblasts.

Aim: To investigate whether resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) inhibits collagen I synthesis induced by insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in intestinal fibroblasts, and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis group. After 21 d of TNBS administration, the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in colon was measured by HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining.

Roles of interleukin-9 in the growth and cholecystokinin-induced intracellular calcium signaling of cultured interstitial cells of Cajal.

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and loss of ICC is associated with many GI motility disorders. Previous studies have shown that ICC have the capacity to regenerate or restore, and several growth factors are critical to their growth, maintenance or regeneration. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of interleukin-9 (IL-9) in the growth, maintenance and pacemaker functions of cultured ICC.

Mechanisms of cholecystokinin-induced calcium mobilization in gastric antral interstitial cells of Cajal.

Aim: To investigate the effect of sulfated cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8S) on calcium mobilization in cultured murine gastric antral interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and its possible mechanisms.

Methods: ICC were isolated from the gastric antrum of mice and cultured. Immunofluorescence staining with a monoclonal antibody for c-Kit was used to identify ICC.