Association of gut microbiota with cerebral cortical thickness: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The causal relationship between gut microbiota and cerebral cortex development remains unclear. We aimed to scrutinize the plausible causal impact of gut microbiota on cortical thickness via Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for 196 gut microbiota phenotypes (N = 18,340) were obtained as exposures, and GWAS data for cortical thickness-related traits (N = 51,665) were selected as outcomes.

Hinokitiol protects gastric injury from ethanol exposure via its iron sequestration capacity.

Hinokitiol is a natural bioactive tropolone derivative isolated from Chamaecyparis obtusa and Thuja plicata, which exhibits promising potential in terms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and possesses potent iron-binding capacity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of hinokitiol in protecting against ethanol-induced gastric injury and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Our results demonstrated that hinokitiol effectively attenuated hemorrhagic gastric lesions, epithelial cell loss, and inflammatory response in mice with ethanol-induced gastric injury.

Roles of Rictor alterations in gastrointestinal tumors (Review).

Gastrointestinal tumors account for five of the top 10 causes of mortality from all cancers (colorectal, liver, stomach, esophageal and pancreatic cancer). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is commonly dysregulated in various human cancers. As a core component of the mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), Rictor is a key effector molecule of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

TRIM28 suppresses cancer stem-like characteristics in gastric cancer cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

The influences of TRIM28 on the gastric tumorigenesis together with potential molecular mechanisms remain to be studied. We aimed at exploring the important effects of TRIM28 on gastric cancer (GC) and uncovering underling molecular mechanisms. Through immunohistochemistry analysis of 20 pairs of GC and the peritumoral tissues, the expression level of TRIM28 was determined.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in early esophageal cancer.

Background: Given the poor prognosis of patients with lymph node metastasis, estimating the lymph node status in patients with early esophageal cancer is crucial. Indicators that could be used to predict lymph node metastasis in early esophageal cancer have been reported in many recent studies, but no recent studies have included a review of this subject.

Aim: To review indicators predicting lymph node metastasis in early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and early esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Non-alcoholic fatty liver degree and long-term risk of incident inflammatory bowel disease: A large-scale prospective cohort study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have shown similar worsening epidemic patterns globally and shared various overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. However, evidence on the relationship between NAFLD and IBD risk is lacking. We aimed to investigate the associations between long-term risk of incident IBD and NAFLD in a large prospective cohort.

Moluodan promotes DSS-induced intestinal inflammation involving the reprogram of macrophage function and polarization.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Moluodan (MLD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that is composed of 18 herbal medicines based on traditional Chinese medicine theory and practice. It has long been used in treating chronic gastritis and its components were traditionally used in dealing with intestinal inflammation. However, its specific pharmacological mechanism is still unclear.

Both extracellular vesicles from helicobacter pylori-infected cells and helicobacter pylori outer membrane vesicles are involved in gastric/extragastric diseases.

Bacterial-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as crucial mediators in the cross-talk between hosts and pathogens, playing a significant role in infectious diseases and cancers. Among these pathogens, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a particularly important bacterium implicated in various gastrointestinal disorders, gastric cancers, and systemic illnesses.

Helicobacter pylori promotes gastric fibroblast proliferation and migration by expulsing exosomal miR-124-3p.

Gastric fibroblasts (GFs) are direct targets of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). GFs infected with H.

Efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the quality of life of numerous people worldwide. The therapeutic role of gut microbiota modulation in IBS remains controversial. We aimed to assess the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics in patients with IBS.

Budesonide, an anti-inflammatory drug, exacerbate clostridioides difficile colitis in mice.

Background And Aims: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) induces intense acute inflammatory responses through toxin release. A combination of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents is sometimes recommended in severe, non-responsive cases, although clinical trials have been inconclusive, raising concerns about potential complications. This study aims to investigate the effect of budesonide and mesalamine in the treatment of CDI in a murine model, by evaluating the combination of fidaxomicin and these anti-inflammatory drugs.

Association between new plasma inflammatory markers and risk of colorectal neoplasms in individuals over 50 years old.

Objective(s): The prognostic value of systemic cytokine profiles and inflammatory markers in colorectal cancer were explored by several studies. We want to know more about inflammatory biomarkers in colorectal adenoma and early cancer.

Method: The level of 38 inflammatory markers in the plasma of 112 adenoma patients, 72 Tis-T1 staging of colorectal carcinoma patients, 34 T2-T4 staging of colorectal carcinoma patients and 53 normal subjects were detected and compared.

Interfacial Polymerization Produced Magnetic Particles with Nano-Filopodia for Highly Accurate Liquid Biopsy in the PSA Gray Zone.

Magnetic particles are leading separation materials for biological purification and detection. Existing magnetic particles, which almost rely on molecule-level interactions, however, often encounter bottlenecks in highly efficient cell-level separation due to the underestimate of surface structure effects. Here, immune cell-inspired magnetic particles with nano-filopodia (NFMPs) produced by interfacial polymerization for highly efficient capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and further accurate clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer are reported .

Development and validation of an online calculator to predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors.

Background: No single endoscopic feature can reliably predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors (CRTs).

Aim: To establish and validate a simple online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light endoscopy.

Methods: This was a single-center study.

Neutrophil infiltration leads to fetal growth restriction by impairing the placental vasculature in DENV-infected pregnant mice.

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) infection during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, which has become a new clinical challenge. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown.

Methods: The effect of DENV-2 infection on fetuses was investigated using pregnant interferon α/β receptor-deficient (Ifnar1) mice.

Serum ferritin and the risk of short-term mortality in critically ill patients with chronic heart failure: a retrospective cohort study.

Serum ferritin levels are associated with a higher risk of incident heart failure (HF). Whether serum ferritin levels, either increased or decreased, predict the risk of mortality in individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF) remains unknown. This study aimed to clarify the potential predictive significance of serum ferritin levels in assessing the short-term mortality in critically ill patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Comparison of endoscopic submucosal dissection outcomes between early gastric cardiac and non-cardiac cancers: a retrospective single-center study.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) between early gastric cardiac cancer (EGCC) and early gastric non-cardiac cancer (EGNCC), and investigate associated risk factors for non-curative resection.

Methods: Early gastric cancer (EGC) patients who underwent ESD from January 2015 to September 2020 in Beijing Friendship Hospital were consecutively enrolled. The clinical, histopathological and endoscopic data were retrospectively analyzed.

Fine-Tuning through Generations: Advances in Structure and Production of CAR-T Therapy.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is a promising form of immunotherapy that has seen significant advancements in the past few decades. It involves genetically modifying T cells to target cancer cells expressing specific antigens, providing a novel approach to treating various types of cancer. However, the initial success of first-generation CAR-T cells was limited due to inadequate proliferation and undesirable outcomes.

Effect of 3-Dimensional Imaging Device on Polyp and Adenoma Detection During Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of 3-dimensional (3D) imaging device on polyp and adenoma detection during colonoscopy.

Methods: In a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, participants aged 18-70 years who underwent diagnostic or screening colonoscopy were consecutively enrolled between August 2019 and May 2022. Each participant was randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either 2-dimensional (2D-3D) colonoscopy or 3D-2D colonoscopy through computer-generated random numbers.

Recovery of driving skills after endoscopy under propofol sedation: a prospective pilot study to assess the driving skills after endoscopic sedation using driving simulation.

Background: Patients are recommended not to drive for at least the first 24 h after endoscopy with propofol sedation. However, the evidence underlying these recommendations is scarce. We hypothesized that after endoscopic procedures performed under propofol sedation, the subject's driving ability was restored in less than 24 h.

Molecular characterization of PANoptosis-related genes with features of immune dysregulation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease. PANoptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death involved in various inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to identify the differentially-expressed PANoptosis-related genes (PRGs) involved in immune dysregulation in SLE.

Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and epilepsy: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been shown to be elevated in individuals with epilepsy. Traditional observational studies have led to a limited understanding of the effects of GERD and BE on epilepsy due to the interference of reverse causation and potential confounders.

Methods: We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine whether GERD and BE can increase the risk of epilepsy.

Identification of novel serum autoantibody biomarkers for early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia detection.

Background: Early diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is critical for effective treatment and optimal prognosis; however, less study on serum biomarkers for the early ESCC detection has been reported. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate several serum autoantibody biomarkers in early ESCC.

Methods: We initially screened candidate tumor-associated autoantibodies (TAAbs) associated with ESCC by serological proteome analysis (SERPA) combined with nanoliter-liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), and the TAAbs were further subjected to analysis by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a clinical cohort (386 participants, including 161 patients with ESCC, 49 patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia [HGIN] and 176 healthy controls [HC]).

Case report: a precancerous lesion associated with HPV in the anal canal diagnosed by magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging and resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Although anal cancer remains rarely diagnosed in the world, its frequency is rising, especially in high-risk groups. The prognosis of advanced anal cancer is poor. However, there are still few reports on the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of early anal cancer and its precancerous lesions.