Is metformin use associated with a reduced risk of oesophageal cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Studies on the association between metformin use and the risk of oesophageal cancer (OC) have generated controversial findings. This updated meta-analysis was conducted to reassess the effects of metformin on OC.

Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was conducted to select relevant studies from origination to February 2021.

Do proton pump inhibitors prevent Barrett's esophagus progression to high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma? An updated meta-analysis.

Purpose: Previous research on the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and the risk of progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in Barrett's Esophagus (BE) patients has generated inconsistent findings. This meta-analysis was performed to clarify the association.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search strategy to select relevant studies up to September 2020.

Management of Incidental Pancreatic Cystic Lesions: Integrating Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Factors With Current Clinical Guidelines.

Owing to increased detection rates, the diagnosis and management of incidental pancreatic cysts has become a common predicament. Up to 13% of patients undergoing cross-sectional imaging studies for other indications are found to have pancreatic cystic lesions. Although most cystic lesions are benign, the malignant potential of several types of pancreatic cysts makes accurate classification vital to directing therapy.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle tissue acquisition: where we stand in 2013?

Since its introduction, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided fine needle aspiration and fine needle biopsy have become an indispensable tool for the diagnosis of lesions within the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding organs. It has proved to be an effective diagnostic method with high accuracy and low complication rates. Several factors can influence the accuracy and the diagnostic yield of this procedure including experience of the endosonographer, availability of onsite cytopathology services, the method of cytopathology preparation, the location and physical characteristics of the lesion, sampling techniques and the type and size of the needle used.

Primary prevention of variceal bleeding: pharmacological therapy versus endoscopic banding.

Variceal bleeding is one of the most feared complications in patients with liver cirrhosis. It continues to be a leading cause of death among patients with liver cirrhosis. Although its prognosis has improved over the last several decades, it still carries substantial mortality.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration needles: which one and in what situation?

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is increasingly used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for pancreatic and other gastrointestinal disorders. Several factors affect the outcome of EUS-FNA, one of which is needle size. The decision to use a specific needle depends on factors including location, consistency, and type of the lesion; presence of onsite cytopathologist; and need for additional tissue procurement for histology.

Fecal transplantation for the treatment of recurrent clostridium difficile infection.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is currently a leading cause of antibiotic and health care-related diarrhea. The incidence and the severity of CDI-related diarrhea have increased dramatically in the USA and Europe in the past few decades. The emergence of multidrug-resistant hypervirulent strains of C.