Synergistic Effects of Matrix Biophysical Properties on Gastric Cancer Cell Behavior via Integrin-Mediated Cell-ECM Interactions.

The biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a pivotal role in modulating cancer progression via cell-ECM interactions. However, the biophysical properties specific to gastric cancer (GC) remain largely unexplored. Pertinently, GC ECM shows significantly heterogeneous metamorphoses, such as matrix stiffening and intricate restructuring.

Letter to editor 'Non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices based on liver and spleen stiffness'.

This letter to the editor relates to the study entitled "Non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices based on liver and spleen stiffness". Acute bleeding caused by esophageal varices is a life-threatening complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. Due to the discomfort, contraindications, and associated complications of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy screening, it is crucial to identify an imaging-based non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis.

Non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices based on liver and spleen stiffness.

Background: Acute bleeding due to esophageal varices (EVs) is a life-threatening complication in patients with cirrhosis. The diagnosis of EVs is mainly through upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, but the discomfort, contraindications and complications of gastrointestinal endoscopic screening reduce patient compliance. According to the bleeding risk of EVs, the Baveno VI consensus divides varices into high bleeding risk EVs (HEVs) and low bleeding risk EVs (LEVs).

Predictive value of alarm symptoms in Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disease that shares features with many organic diseases and cannot be accurately diagnosed by symptom-based criteria. Alarm symptoms have long been applied in the clinical diagnosis of IBS. However, no study has explored the predictive value of alarm symptoms in suspected IBS patients based on the latest Rome IV criteria.

Comparison of smear cytology with liquid-based cytology in pancreatic lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a safe and accurate technique to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatic cancers. Recently, numerous studies comparing the diagnostic efficacy of smear cytology (SC) and liquid-based cytology (LBC) for pancreatic lesions yielded mixed results.

Aim: To compare and identify the better cytology method for EUS-FNA in pancreatic lesions.

Predictive value of alarm symptoms in patients with Rome IV dyspepsia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: No studies have evaluated the predictive value of alarm symptoms for organic dyspepsia and organic upper gastrointestinal (GI) diseases based on Rome IV criteria in the Chinese population.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of alarm symptoms for dyspeptic patients based on Rome IV criteria.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of dyspepsia patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria at two academic urban tertiary-care centers from March 2018 to January 2019.

Prognostic value of risk scoring systems for cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding.

Background: Acute variceal bleeding is one of the deadliest complications of cirrhosis, with a high risk of in-hospital rebleeding and mortality. Some risk scoring systems to predict clinical outcomes in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding have been developed. However, for cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding, data regarding the predictive value of these prognostic scores in predicting in-hospital outcomes are limited and controversial.

Association of proton pump inhibitors with risk of hepatic encephalopathy in advanced liver disease: A meta-analysis.

Background: Several studies have explored the association between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with advanced liver disease. However, the evidence-based conclusions are controversial. We hypothesized that using PPIs may increase the risk of HE in patients with advanced liver disease.