Effect of Hepatic Macrophage Polarization and Apoptosis on Liver Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury During Liver Transplantation

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is injury caused by a limited blood supply and subsequent blood supply recovery during liver transplantation. Serious ischemia-reperfusion injury is the main cause of transplant failure. Hepatic I/R is characterized by tissue hypoxia due to a limited blood supply and reperfusion inducing oxidative stress and an immune response. Studies have confirmed that Kupffer cells (KCs), resident macrophages in the liver, play a key role in aseptic inflammation induced by I/R. In liver macrophage polarization, M1 macrophages activated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exert a pro-inflammatory effect and release a variety of inflammatory cytokines. M2 macrophages activated by IL-4 have an anti-inflammatory response. M1-type KCs are the dominant players in I/R as they secrete various pro-inflammatory cytokines that exacerbate the injury and recruit other types of immune cells via the circulation. In contrast, M2-type KCs can ameliorate I/R through unregulated anti-inflammatory factors. A new notion has been proposed that KC apoptosis may influence I/R in yet another manner as well. Management of KCs is expected to help improve I/R. This review summarizes the effects of hepatic macrophage polarization and apoptosis on liver I/R.

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for small upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer

BACKGROUND

This prospective study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) for small (≤3 cm) upper gastrointestinal (GI) subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer.

METHODS

Between August 2011 and February 2013, a total of 85 patients with upper GI SETs originating from the MP layer were treated with STER. The key steps were as follows: (1) locating the tumor by injection of methylene blue or indigo carmine and then creating a submucosal tunnel from 5 cm above the tumor between the submucosal and muscular layers; (2) resecting the tumor by endoscopic resection techniques; (3) closing the mucosal incision site with several clips after the tumor is removed.

RESULTS

Of the 85 SETs, 60 were located in the esophagus, 16 in the cardia, and 9 in the stomach. STER was successfully performed in all cases (success rate: 100 %). The mean tumor size was 19.2 mm. The mean procedure time was 57.2 min. The average hospital stay after the procedure was 5.9 days. Pathological diagnosis of the tumors were leiomyoma (65/85), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) (19/85), and calcifying fibrous tumor (1/85). During the procedure, eight patients developed pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and/or pneumoperitoneum. These patients recovered after conservative treatment. The rate of all complications was significantly higher for lesions originating in the deeper MP layer (70 %) than in the superficial MP layer (1.3 %; p < 0.001). The total complication rate for different histological diagnoses was also significantly different (26.3 % for GISTs, 4.6 % for leiomyomas, 0 % for calcifying fibrous tumors, p < 0.05). No residual or recurrent tumors were detected during the follow-up period (median: 8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection appears to be a feasible, safe, and effective procedure for treatment of small (≤3 cm) upper GI SETs originating from the MP layer.

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.

RESULTS

Successful complete resection by eFTR was achieved in 50 cases (98.0%). One case failed and was converted into a laparoscopic resection due to the tumor falling into the peritoneal cavity during the procedure. The mean procedure time was 52 min. No patients had severe complications, such as massive bleeding, delayed bleeding, peritonitis, or gastrointestinal tract leakage. The mean tumor length was 2.4 cm. Pathological diagnoses of the tumors were leiomyomas (21/51) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (30/51). The median follow-up period after the procedure was 22.4 months (range 1-48 months), and no residual tumor or tumor recurrence was detected during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

eFTR with defect closure with clips and an endoloop appears to be a safe and effective technique for the treatment of patients with gastric SETs originating from the MP, especially for those with extraluminal growth or adhesions to the MP.

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. The complete resection rate, perioperative perforation rate, and perioperative bleeding rate were the main outcome measurements.

RESULTS

The complete resection rate was 97.1%. Ninety-four patients had complications (12.9%), including 88 with perioperative perforations (12.1%), 13 with perioperative bleeding (1.8%), 5 with localized peritonitis (0.7%), and one with delayed bleeding (0.1%). Eleven patients required surgery; the others were treated endoscopically. Risk factors for incomplete resection were extensive connection of the tumor to the MP layer (P=0.007) and extraluminal growth (P=0.048). Risk factors for perioperative perforation were larger tumor size (≤2.0 cm vs. 2.1-3.0 cm vs. >3.0 cm, P=0.021), extraluminal growth (P=0.046), and extensive connection (P<0.001). A risk factor for perioperative bleeding was larger tumor size (P=0.045). No residual or recurrent lesions were detected during the follow-up period (median: 28 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic resection is an effective and reasonably safe therapeutic method for treating/removing upper gastrointestinal SETs originating from the MP layer when managed by an experienced endoscopic team.

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. The main outcome measurements included complete resection rate, complications, and long-term follow-up outcomes.

RESULTS

ER included endoscopic muscularis excavation in 179 cases, endoscopic full-thickness resection in 32 cases, and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection in 18 cases. The median size of GISTs was 1.90 cm. Of the 229 GISTs, 147 were very low risk, 72 were low risk, 8 were intermediate risk, and 2 were high risk. Short-term outcomes showed the complete resection rate was 96.5%, and 8 patients (3.5%) had complications. Of the 8 patients with complications, only one patient required surgical intervention. Long-term outcomes showed 225 patients were actively followed-up until composition of this manuscript. The remaining 4 patients were lost because of unrelated death. During the follow-up period (median, 57 mo), no residual, recurrent lesions, or distant metastasis were detected in any patients. Binary logistic regression analysis showed tumor size was a risk factor associated with a high mitotic index (≥ 5/50 HPF) of GISTs (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

ER seems to be an effective and safe method for gastric MP-GISTs ≤ 4.0 cm, and, for some intermediate or high risk GISTs, adjuvant therapy and/or additional surgery might be required to reduce the risk of recurrence or metastasis.

MiR-542-3p controls hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis via targeting BMP-7

There has been an increasing number of studies about microRNAs as key regulators in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we demonstrate that miR-542-3p can promote hepatic fibrosis by downregulating the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7), which is known to antagonize transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-mediated fibrogenesis effect. The expression of miR-542-3p is increased in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Downregulation of MiR-542-3p by antisense inhibitors can inhibit HSCs activation markers, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen as well as TGFβ signaling pathways. MiR-542-3p was significantly upregulated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice, and downregulation of miR-542-3p by lentivirus could prevent the development of hepatic fibrosis. In addition, miR-542-3p can directly bind to the 3'-untranslated region of BMP-7 mRNA, indicating that its profibrotic effect appears to be caused by its inhibition of BMP-7. Our results suggest that downregulation of miR-542-3p prevents liver fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its potential as a novel biomarker or therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis.

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. After the tumor was completely excavated from the MP layer, it was removed using a snare; (3) closing the artificial ulcer with clips.

RESULTS

The mean diameter of the 212 tumors was 16.5 mm. Complete resection by endoscopic excavation was achieved in 204 cases (96.2%). The rate of complete resection was significantly higher for tumors <2 cm (98.0%) than for tumors >2 cm (91.9%) (P=0.035). Perforation occurred in 32 cases (15.1%), and massive bleeding occurred in 9 cases (4.2%) during the procedure. The rate of perforation was significantly higher for the fundus and the body than for antrum (21.5%, 11.5%, 0%, respectively; P=0.036), and also differed significantly in relation to histologic diagnosis (23.7% for gastrointestinal stromal tumors vs. 7.8% for leiomyoma; P=0.001). Histologic diagnosis showed that the density of gastrointestinal stromal tumors located in the fundus and the body of the stomach was significantly higher than in the antrum (44.1%, 51.9%, 13.3%, respectively; P=0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic excavation is a safe and efficient method for resecting small (>3.5 cm) gastric SETs originating from the MP layer.

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. The following steps were performed: (1) circular mucosa incisions were made at the anal and oral side of the lesion after marking the margin, (2) two submucosal tunnels were created from the oral to anal side using a hybrid knife, which was followed by submucosal dissection, and (3) following the completion of CER, a retrievable esophageal stent was placed to prevent postoperative stricture.

RESULTS

CER using the submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement was successfully performed for all 23 cases. The complete resection and success rate were 100%, while the mean longitudinal diameter of the lesions was 65 mm. Mediastinal emphysema, pneumothorax, and postoperative stenosis were detected in 8.7% (2/23), 4.3% (1/23), and 17.4% (4/23) of the cases, respectively. Pathological diagnoses of the lesions included carcinomas (13/23) and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (10/23). No residual or recurrent tumors were detected in any patient during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

CER using the submucosal tunnel technique combined with esophageal stent placement seems to be a safe and effective procedure for treating patients with SELs that result in a higher en bloc resection rate with fewer or minor complications.

Endoscopic treatments for small gastric subepithelial tumors originating from muscularis propria layer

Minimally invasive endoscopic resection has become an increasingly popular method for patients with small (less than 3.5 cm in diameter) gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer. Currently, the main endoscopic therapies for patients with such tumors are endoscopic muscularis excavation, endoscopic full-thickness resection, and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection. Although these endoscopic techniques can be used for complete resection of the tumor and provide an accurate pathological diagnosis, these techniques have been associated with several negative events, such as incomplete resection, perforation, and bleeding. This review provides detailed information on the technical details, likely treatment outcomes, and complications associated with each endoscopic method for treating/removing small gastric SETs that originate from the MP layer.

Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection for the treatment of esophageal submucosal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer: an analysis of 15 cases

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection of esophageal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with esophageal submucosal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer underwent submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection between August 2011 and February 2012. The key steps were: (1) creating a submucosal tunnel from 5 cm above the tumour between the submucosal and muscular layers with a hook knife or hybrid knife; (2) dissecting the tumour by the technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection; (3) closing the mucosal incision site with clips after the tumour was removed.

RESULTS

Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection was successfully performed in all cases. The en bloc resection rate was 100%. The average tumour diameter was 1.8 cm (range 1.0-3.0 cm). During the procedure, perforation occurred in 3 patients, who recovered after conservative treatment. No residual tumour or tumour recurrence was detected during the follow-up period (mean: 3.5 months, range: 1-9 months). Pathological diagnoses of these tumours were leiomyomas (12/15) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (3/15).

CONCLUSIONS

Submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection is a feasible method for the treatment of small esophageal submucosal tumours originating from the muscularis propria layer.

The modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy versus antibiotic therapy alone for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) is an emerging endoscopic treatment modality for acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) supported by several case series. However, to date, systematic studies have not been conducted in children and the prospective comparative data are lacking. Moreover, due to a concern for future malignancy risk in children from ionizing radiation, we used contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) instead of endoscopic retrograde appendiceal radiography (ERAR). Therefore, we conducted a prospective, randomized control clinical trial to compare the modified ERAT (mERAT) to antibiotic therapy in children with AUA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility and of mERAT in the treatment of hospitalized children with AUA.

METHODS

Children with AUA, confirmed by ultrasonography and or abdominal computed tomography, were consecutively enrolled from October 2018 to February, 2020. They were randomly assigned to receive mERAT or routine antibiotic treatment. Patients were followed until May, 2020. Th primary outcome variable was the duration of relief of the abdominal pain after treatment. We collected patient's demographics, ultrasonic imaging findings, colonoscopy findings, and treatment outcomes of the mERAT and adverse even associated with mERAT.

RESULTS

A total of 83 children were enrolled. 36 were randomized to mERAT and 47 to antibiotics treatment. All children in the mERAT group had endoscopic confirmed acute uncomplicated appendicitis, and there were no significant complications. However, 9 of patients in antibiotic group were poor responsive to treatment and switched to mERAT. The overall success rate of treatment with mERAT (100%) was significantly higher than that of antibiotics (80.9%) (P = 0.004). The median time to discharge was significantly shorter in mERAT group than in antibiotics treatment group [6.0 ± 1.76 days] (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

mERAT provide a new alternative therapeutic option for childhood with AUA, especially for families who are reluctant to undergo an appendectomy.

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. Key steps of the procedure included the following: (1) injecting a mixture solution into the submucosal layer after making several dots around the tumor; (2) making a cross incision of the overlying mucosa, and excavating the tumor from the muscularis propria layer; (3) closing the artificial ulcer with clips after tumor removal.

RESULTS

The mean tumor size was 16.2 mm (range 7-35 mm). Endoscopic muscularis excavation was successfully performed in 65 out of 68 cases (success rate 95.6 %). Pathological diagnosis of these tumors included leiomyoma (39 out of 68) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (29 out of 68). Perforation occurred in seven patients (10.3 %). No massive bleeding or delayed bleeding occurred. The median follow-up period after the procedure was 23 months (range 6-42 months). No residual or recurrent tumor was detected and no stricture occurred in patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic muscularis excavation is a safe, effective and feasible procedure for providing accurate histopathologic evaluation and curative treatment for subepithelial tumors of the esophagogastric junction originating from the muscularis propria layer.

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. The main outcome measures considered were the incidence of complete resection, perioperative perforation, delayed perforation, delayed bleeding, residual lesions, and lesion recurrence.

RESULTS

Complete resection was successfully achieved for all 68 patients. The median lesion size was 1.7 cm. The median procedure time was 62 min. The mean hospital stay was 5.5 days. During the procedure, five patients developed perioperative perforations (7.4 %) and no patients developed delayed bleeding, delayed perforation, or other serious complications. The five patients with perioperative perforations recovered after conservative treatment. The perioperative perforation rate was significantly higher for lesions originating in the muscularis propria layer (18.2 %) than in the submucosal layer (2.2 %; p < 0.05). No residual or recurrent lesions were detected during the follow-up period (median: 27 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic resection with wound closure using clips and an endoloop is an effective and reasonably safe therapeutic method for treating/removing duodenal SELs when managed by an experienced endoscopic team, and it can provide an alternative treatment option for patients with duodenal SELs.

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 is 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. The complete resection rate and adverse event rate were the main outcome measurements. Successful complete resection by STER was achieved in all 56 cases (100%). The median size of the tumor was 1.8 cm. Nine patients (15.3%) had adverse events including subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoperitoneum, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion. These nine patients recovered successfully after conservative treatment without endoscopic or surgical intervention. No residual or recurrent tumors were detected in any patient during the follow-up period (median, 25 months). The adverse event rate was significantly higher for tumors originating in the deeper MP layers (46.7%) than in the superficial MP layers (4.9%) (P < 0.05), differed significantly according to tumor size (5.4% for tumors < 2.0 cm vs. 36.8% for tumors ≥ 2.0 cm; P < 0.05), and also differed significantly in relation to the tumor growth pattern (4.1% for the intraluminal growth vs. 100% for the extraluminal growth; P < 0.001). STER using methylene-blue guidance appears to be a feasible method for removing SETs originating from the MP layer in the cardia.

Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis techniques for the treatment of patients with acute appendicitis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) in treating patients with acute appendicitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2014 and December 2014, 22 patients with acute appendicitis underwent ERAT. Patient demographics, colonoscopy findings, endoscopic retrograde appendiceal radiography (ERAR) findings, and treatment outcomes of the ERAT and adverse events associated with ERAT were analyzed.

RESULTS

In this study, 22 patients with acute appendicitis underwent ERAT. The median age of the patients was 39.5 years. Colonoscopy findings included mucosal hyperemia and swelling of the appendiceal orifice and/or its surrounding mucosa (86.4 %, 19/22) and pus at the appendiceal orifice (40.9 %, 9/22). ERAR findings included irregular contour (76.2 %, 16/21), appendiceal lumen dilation (28.6 %, 6/21), appendiceal lumen stenosis (42.9 %, 9/21), and filling defect of the appendiceal lumen (23.8 %, 5/21). Deep intubation was successfully performed in 21 of the 22 patients (95.5 %). Sixteen patients underwent endoscopic appendiceal stent placement after endoscopic appendiceal irrigation (EAI) due to lumen stenosis of the appendiceal, excessive pus, or appendiceal fecalith, and the remaining 6 patients only underwent EAI. Among the 22 patients who underwent ERAT, their abdominal pain was noticeably relieved following the procedure. The main adverse events associated with ERAT were spontaneous discharge of the stent, recurrent abdominal pain, and recurrent appendicitis. During the follow-up (median 33 months), 2 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

ERAT provide a new alternative therapeutic method for patients with acute appendicitis, particularly for certain patients who are unwilling to undergo an appendectomy.

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.

METHODS

Between January 2007 and January 2013, 42 consecutive patients with gastric HP were enrolled in this retrospective study. Key steps: (1) Injection of a solution (100 ml saline + 2 ml indigo carmine + 1 ml epinephrine) into the submucosal layer after making several dots around the lesion; (2) Incision of the mucosa outside the marker dots with a needle-knife, and then circumferential excavation until complete resection of the lesion; (3) Closure of the artificial ulcer with several clips after tumor removal.

RESULTS

In this study, 18 cases (42.9%) were suspected as gastric HP (assessed by two experienced endoscopists before endoscopic excavation), 8 (19.0%) were suspected as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 7 (16.7%) as gastric polyp, and the remaining 9 cases (21.4%) were still unknown. The mean procedure duration was 28.6 min. En bloc resection by endoscopic excavation was achieved in 40 cases (95.2%), and no massive bleeding, delayed bleeding, perforation, or other severe complication occurred in these patients. Among the 42 lesions, a tube echo could be detected in 11 cases by EUS. Those 11 cases were diagnosed as gastric HP by histopathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic excavation appears to be a safe and feasible procedure for accurate histopathologic evaluation and curative treatment in gastric HP. Use of EUS has some value in the diagnosis of gastric HP before the procedure

Endoscopic resection of large (≥ 4 cm) upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer: a single-center study of 101 cases (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although endoscopic resection (ER) is already established as a minimally invasive technique for small (< 4.0 cm) upper gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer (MP-SETs), published data of ER for large (≥ 4.0 cm) upper gastrointestinal MP-SETs are extremely rare and limited to case reports. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ER for large (≥ 4.0 cm) upper gastrointestinal MP-SETs in a large case series.

METHODS

Between June 2012 and December 2018, 101 patients with large (≥ 4 cm) upper gastrointestinal MP-SETs were enrolled in this study. The main outcome measures included complete resection, total complications, and local residual or recurrent tumor.

RESULTS

The rate of complete resection was 86.1%. Thirteen patients (12.9%) experienced complications including gas-related complications (6/101, 5.9%), localized peritonitis (4/101, 4.0%), esophageal/cardiac mucosal laceration (2/101, 2.0%), and delayed bleeding (1/101, 1.0%). These 13 patients recovered after endoscopic and conservative treatment. The independent risk factor for incomplete resection was tumor size (P = 0.005), and the independent risk factors for total complications were tumor size (P = 0.011) and tumor extraluminal growth (P = 0.037). During the median follow-up of 36 months, local residual tumor was detected in 1 patient. No local recurrence occurred in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being associated with a relatively low complete resection rate, ER is an alternative therapeutic method for large (≥ 4.0 cm) upper gastrointestinal MP-SETs when performed by an experienced endoscopist. This method is especially valuable for patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery.

Capsaicin inhibits glycolysis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating hexokinase‑2 expression

Capsaicin is a principal component of hot red peppers and chili peppers. Previous studies have reported that capsaicin exhibits antitumor functions in a variety of tumor models. Although various mechanisms underlying the capsaicin‑mediated inhibition of tumor growth have been demonstrated, the impact of capsaicin on tumor metabolism has rarely been reported. The present study demonstrated that capsaicin exhibited an inhibitory effect on tumor glycolysis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Following treatment with capsaicin, glucose consumption and lactate production in ESCC cells was decreased. Capsaicin resulted in a decrease of hexokinase‑2 (HK‑2) expression, which is known for its important role in tumor glycolysis. Further investigations demonstrated that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression was increased in ESCC cells treated with capsaicin, and that the RAC‑α serine threonine‑protein kinase signaling pathway was downregulated. In PTEN‑knockdown KYSE150 cells, the decrease in HK‑2 and inhibition of glycolysis caused by capsaicin was attenuated, which suggested that the impact of capsaicin on tumor metabolism was associated with its effect on PTEN.

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. The complete resection rate and adverse event rate were the main outcome measurements. Successful complete resection by STER was achieved in all 56 cases (100%). The median size of the tumor was 1.8 cm. Nine patients (15.3%) had adverse events including subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoperitoneum, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion. These nine patients recovered successfully after conservative treatment without endoscopic or surgical intervention. No residual or recurrent tumors were detected in any patient during the follow-up period (median, 25 months). The adverse event rate was significantly higher for tumors originating in the deeper MP layers (46.7%) than in the superficial MP layers (4.9%) (P < 0.05), differed significantly according to tumor size (5.4% for tumors < 2.0 cm vs. 36.8% for tumors ≥ 2.0 cm; P < 0.05), and also differed significantly in relation to the tumor growth pattern (4.1% for the intraluminal growth vs. 100% for the extraluminal growth; P < 0.001). STER using methylene-blue guidance appears to be a feasible method for removing SETs originating from the MP layer in the cardia.

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.

METHODS

Between June 2020 and January 2021, 22 patients with gallbladder stones and/or gallbladder polyps were treated with EGPS. The main outcome measures included the rate of complications, residual gallbladder stones, and gallbladder stone recurrence.

RESULTS

In this study, transgastric EGPS was successfully performed in 22 patients (13 female, 9 male) with benign gallbladder diseases, and included 8 cases of multiple gallstones, 4 cases of gallbladder polyps with gallstones, 6 cases of multiple gallbladder polyps, 2 cases of single gallstone, and 2 case of singe gallbladder polyp. The median time of transgastric EGPS was 118 min. During hospitalization, 4 patients suffered localized peritonitis (4/22, 18.2%), and these patients successfully recovered after conservative medical treatment. None of the patients experienced massive bleeding, delayed bleeding, diffuse peritonitis, or any other serious complications. During the median follow-up of 4 months, 1 patient suffered residual gallstone, while no gallstone recurrence or deaths related to transgastric EGPS occurred in any patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Transgastric EGPS appears to be a feasible treatment method in selected patients with benign gallbladder diseases. However, as it is a new technique, further studies are needed to explore the long-term effectiveness of transgastric EGPS.

Isoliquiritigenin Suppressed Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Growth by Blocking EGFR Activation and Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest

Isoliquiritigenin (ILQ) is a natural product isolated from licorice root which has served as traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Recently, the antitumor effects of ILQ have been widely studied in various cancers, but the role and related mechanisms of ILQ in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (ESCC) are still poorly understood. In our studies, ILQ showed profound antitumor activities in ESCC cells. In vitro, ILQ substantially inhibited cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth in a panel of human ESCC cells. Mechanism studies showed that EGFR signaling pathway played an important role for ILQ to exert its antitumor activity in ESCC. Exposure to isoliquiritigenin substantially decreased EGF-induced EGFR activation and its downstream Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathway. EGFR knockdown with shRNA in ESCC cell significantly reduced the sensitivity of cancer cells to ILQ. Moreover, it was found that ILQ had a significantly inhibitory effect on AP-1 family, the protein of Jun and Fos subfamilies was substantially downregulated, and the transcriptional activity of AP-1 family was dramatically suppressed by ILQ. By reducing the expression of cyclin D1, ESCC cells were induced G0/G1 arrest, and cell division was substantially blocked. Finally, the antitumor potency of ILQ was validated in xenograft models and the tumor growth was prominently restrained by ILQ. Briefly, our study showed that ILQ, or its analogue, appeared to be a promising new therapeutic agent for ESCC management.

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. The study assessed outcomes of en bloc resection, complete resection, total complications, and local residual/recurrence of tumors.

RESULTS

The mean procedure time was 112.2 min. En bloc resection was achieved in 22 tumors (95.7%). En bloc removal from the stomach and complete resection were achieved in 6 patients (26.1%). The rate of complete resection differed significantly depending on the minimum tumor diameter (P < 0.001). During hospitalization, 4 patients had complications, including localized peritonitis (3/23, 13.0%) and pulmonary infection (1/23, 4.3%). These 4 patients recovered successfully after conservative medical treatment. Histopathological examination revealed that 18 tumors were gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and 5 tumors were leiomyoma. No patients were observed to have residual or recurrent tumors during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ER for giant (≥ 6 cm) gastric MP-SETs was associated with several technical challenges and a relatively low complete resection rate, this technique was found to be a feasible therapeutic method for selected patients with a giant (≥ 6 cm) gastric MP-SETs when performed by an experienced endoscopic team.

Using next-generation sequencing to analyze Helicobacter pylori clones with different levofloxacin resistances from a patient with eradication failure

The regimens containing levofloxacin (LVX) have been recommended as an alternate to standard triple therapy to treat Helicobacter pylori infections and H pylori mixed infection always lead to H pylori chronic infection. Although the molecular mechanism of LVX resistance with gyrA gene mutation has been clearly understood in H pylori, other genes involved in antibiotic resistance remain unclear. Efflux pump plays an important role in clinically relevant multidrug resistance. Furthermore, the relationship between the strains with different LVX level-resistances from individuals is also unknown.Helicobacter pylori monoclonal strains were isolated from patients with eradication failure. E test was used to detect the minimal inhibitory concentration of LVX. One lower-level LVX-resistant clone and 2 higher-level LVX-resistant clones from the same patient were selected to sequence the complete genomes. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and mutations were extracted and analyzed from gryA and resistance-nodulation-division family efflux genes.Two clones with higher-level resistance had the mutation pattern of Asn87Lys and one lower-level LVX-resistant clone had an Asp91Asn mutation. Compared to clones with higher-level resistance, the higher genetic variations were found in genes belonging to the resistance-nodulation-division family in H pylori strains with lower-level resistance to LVX. There were significantly more SNVs of Hp0970 (hefE) and Hp1329 (hefI) in the lower-level LVX-resistant clone than those in the higher-level LVX-resistant clones (P = .044).The mutation pattern of the Asn87Lys of the gyrA gene confers a higher resistance to LVX than that of the Asp91Asn in H pylori. Increase in the number of SNVs of the Hp0970 (hefE) and Hp1329 (hefI) genes change the resistance to LVX. Twelve mutations verified by Sanger sequencing in Hp0970 (hefE) and Hp1329 (hefI) may decrease resistant levels to LVX.

Ninety-four thousand-case retrospective study on antibacterial drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND

The resistance rate to antibacterial drugs is the key inhibitor of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication treatment.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence and drug resistance of H. pylori based on big data.

METHODS

Gastric mucosal specimens were collected from naive patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for H. pylori culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), including clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole and amoxicillin. Every 10 years of age was grouped as an age group. The H. pylori infection and resistance were explored based on the age group and gender.

RESULTS

The number of H. pylori-positive specimen was 94509 in 283823 gastric mucosal specimens, with an infection rate of 33.30%. The infection rate increased with age, and males had a higher infection rate than females. The average resistance rate of H. pylori to amoxicillin and metronidazole was 0.21% and 93.72%, which remained stable. The average resistance rate to clarithromycin was 23.99% with an increasing trend from 14.43% to 38.24%. The average resistance rate to levofloxacin was 30.29%, which increased from 17.07% to 39.42% and mostly stabilized after 2017. The resistance rate of H. pylori increased with age, except amoxicillin. H. pylori in females are at higher risk of resistance to metronidazole, but not to amoxicillin, regardless of the age group. Meanwhile, H. pylori in females are at higher risk of resistance to levofloxacin and clarithromycin in the 21-50 age group. The single, dual, triple and quadruple-drug resistance rate was 54.59%, 29.03%, 11.71% and 0.11%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The resistance of H. pylori in Taizhou city is serious. Guided by the consensus report, individualized treatment based on AST is recommended.

Esophageal mucosal auto-transplantation versus acellular dermal matrix transplantation for preventing esophageal stenosis after endoscopic resection in patients with superficial esophageal mucosal lesions

BACKGROUND

Esophageal stricture is the principal complication associated with endoscopic resection (ER) in patients with superficial esophageal cancer (SEC), and medical intervention may be required to prevent esophageal stricture after ER. The aim of this study was to compare acellular dermal matrix (ADM) transplantation and esophageal mucosal autograft (EMA) transplantation in terms of efficacy in preventing esophageal stricture after ER for SEC.

METHODS

Between May 2017 and November 2022, 48 patients with SEC who underwent EMA or ADM after ER were enrolled in this study. The primary outcomes measured included esophageal stricture, refractory esophageal stricture, and the number of endoscopic dilations after esophageal stricture.

RESULTS

A total of 48 patients with SEC were enrolled in this study, 17 of whom underwent EMA after ER (EMA group) and 31 of whom underwent ADM after ER (ADM group). The median of total procedure duration and the median of transplantation duration in the ADM group was significantly shorter than that in the EMA group (Z = - 2.408, P = 0.016; Z = - 2.710, P = 0.006). During the follow-up, 4 patients developed refractory esophageal stricture in the EMA group and 1 developed refractory esophageal stricture in the ADM group. The rate of refractory esophageal stricture was lower in ADM group than in EMA group (3.2% vs. 23.5%, P = 0.047). In patients with > 3/4 circumferential range ER, the rate of refractory esophageal stricture was also lower in ADM group than in EMA group (4.0% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.067). Among the patients who developed esophageal stricture, the median number of endoscopic dilations in the ADM group was less than that in the EMA group (Z = 27.500; P = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with EMA, ADM provided several advantages, as it reduced the number of endoscopic dilations for patients with esophageal strictures and shortened the procedure duration for patients who underwent esophageal ESD.