肠道微生态影响动脉粥样硬化发生发展的机制

动脉粥样硬化(AS)不仅是一种炎症性疾病,而且属于一种代谢性疾病。肠道微生态的改变可对AS的发生发展产生双面影响。一方面,肠道菌群紊乱可以通过影响机体的胆碱代谢、氧化应激、炎症反应等机制直接促进AS产生发展,此外,可通过导致AS危险因素肥胖、高脂血症、糖尿病等的产生这些间接机制促AS的进展。另一方面,益生菌及益生元的增加则可有效地降低肠道微生物内毒素产生、增强肠道屏障、减轻机体质量、缓解炎症反应、改善胰岛素抵抗,进而在AS的进展方面发挥重要作用。因此,合理调控机体肠道微生态环境成为AS防治的新型重要手段。     

PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism and progressive liver disease

The 148 Isoleucine to Methionine protein variant(I148M)of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3(PNPLA3),a protein is expressed in the liver and is involved in lipid metabolism,has recently been identified as a major determinant of liver fat content.Several studies confirmed that the I148M variant predisposes towards the full spectrum of liver damage associated with fatty liver:from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and progressive fibrosis.Furthermore,the I148M variant represents a major determinant of progression of alcohol related steatohepatitis to cirrhosis,and to influence fibrogenesis and related clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis C virus hepatitis,and possibly chronic hepatitis B virus hepatitis,hereditary hemochromatosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.All in all,studies suggest that the I148M polymorphism may represent a general modifier of fibrogenesis in liver diseases.Remarkably,the effect of the I148M variant on fibrosis was independent of that on hepatic steatosis and inflammation,suggesting that it may affect both the quantity and quality of hepatic lipids and the biology of non-parenchymal liver cells besides hepatocytes,directly promoting fibrogenesis.Therefore,PNPLA3 is a key player in liver disease progression.Assessment of the I148M polymorphism will possibly inform clinical practice in the future,whereas the determination of the effect of the 148M variant will reveal mechanisms involved in hepatic fibrogenesis.     

Endoscopic resection techniques for colorectal neoplasia:Current developments

Endoscopic polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) are the established treatment standards for colorectal polyps. Current research aims at the reduction of both complication and recurrence rates as well as on shortening procedure times. Cold snare resection is the emerging standard for the treatment of smaller(< 5 mm) polyps and is possibly also suitable for the removal of noncancerous polyps up to 9 mm. The method avoids thermal damage, has reduced procedure times and probably also a lower risk for delayed bleeding. On the other end of the treatment spectrum, endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)offers en bloc resection of larger flat or sessile lesions. The technique has obvious advantages in the treatment of high-grade dysplasia and early cancer. Due to its minimal recurrence rate, it may also be an alternative to fractionated EMR of larger flat or sessile lesions. However, ESD is technically demanding and burdened by longer procedure times and higher costs. It should therefore be restricted to lesions suspicious for high-grade dysplasia or early invasive cancer.The latest addition to endoscopic resection techniques is endoscopic fullthickness resection with specifically developed devices for flexible endoscopy.This method is very useful for the treatment of smaller difficult-to-resect lesions,e.g., recurrence with scar formation after previous endoscopic resections.     

Lymph node staging in colorectal cancer:Old controversies and recent advances

Outcome prediction based on tumor stage reflected by the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control(UICC)tumor node metastasis(TNM)system is currently regarded as the strongest prognostic parameter for patients with colorectal cancer.For affected patients,the indication for adjuvant therapy is mainly guided by the presence of regional lymph node metastasis.In addition to the extent of surgical lymph node removal and the thoroughness of the pathologist in dissecting the resection specimen,several parameters that are related to the pathological work-up of the dissected nodes may affect the clinical significance of lymph node staging.These include changing definitions of lymph nodes,involved lymph nodes,and tumor deposits in different editions of the AJCC/UICC TNM system as well as the minimum number of nodes to be dissected.Methods to increase the lymph node yield in the fatty tissue include methylene blue injection and acetone compression.Outcome prediction based on the lymph node ratio,defined as the number of positive lymph nodes divided by the total number of retrieved nodes,may be superior to the absolute numbers of involved nodes.Extracapsular invasion has been identified as additional prognostic factor.Adding step sectioning and immunohistochemistry to the pathological work-up may result in higher accuracy of histological diagnosis.The clinical value of more recent technical advances,such as sentinel lymph node biopsy and molecular analysis of lymph nodes tissue still remains to be defined.     

Prophecy about post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis:From divination to science

One unresolved issue of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP),which occurs in up to 40%of patients.Identification of risk factors for PEP is especially important in the field of ERCP practice because it may assist physicians in taking protective measures in situations with high risk.A decade ago,Freeman et al meticulously evaluated a large number of potentially relevant risk factors for PEP,which can be divided into patient-relat-ed and procedure-related issues.In this commentary, we summarize this classic article and reevaluate the risk factors for PEP from the current point of view.This is followed by assessment of strategies for prevention of PEP that can be divided into mechanical and pharmacologic methods.     

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in the screening and follow-up of high-risk individuals for familial pancreatic cancer

Managing familial pancreatic cancer(FPC)is challenging for gastroenterologists,surgeons and oncologists.High-risk individuals(HRI)for pancreatic cancer(PC)(FPC or with germline mutations)are a heterogeneous group of subjects with a theoretical lifetime cumulative risk of PC over 5%.Screening is mainly based on annual magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and endoscopic ultrasound(EUS).The goal of screening is to identify early-stage operable cancers or high-risk precancerous lesions(pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms with high-grade dysplasia).In the literature,target lesions are identified in 2%-5%of HRI who undergo screening.EUS appears to provide better identification of small solid lesions(0%-46%of HRI)and chronicpancreatitis-like parenchymal changes(14%-77%of HRI),while MRI is probably the best modality to identify small cystic lesions(13%-49%of HRI).There are no specific studies in HRI on the use of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS.EUS can also be used to obtain tissue samples.Nevertheless,there is still limited evidence on the accuracy of imaging procedures used for screening or agreement on which patients to treat.The cost-effectiveness of screening is also unclear.Certain new EUS-related techniques,such as searching for DNA abnormalities or protein markers in pancreatic fluid,appear to be promising.     

Issues and controversies in esophageal inlet patch

The proximal esophagus is rarely examined,and its inspection is often inadequate.Optical chromoendoscopy techniques such as narrow band imaging improve the detection rate of inlet patches in the proximal esophagus,a region in which their prevalence is likely underestimated.Various studies have reported correlations between these esophageal marks with different issues such as Barrett’s esophagus,but these findings remain controversial.Conflicting reports complicate the process of interpreting the clinical features of esophageal inlet patches and underestimate their importance.Unfortunately,the limited clinical data and statistical analyses make reaching any conclusions difficult.It is hypothesized that inlet patches are correlated with various esophageal and extraesophageal symptoms,diagnoses and the personalized therapeutic management of patients with inlet patches as well as the differential diagnosis for premalignant lesions or early cancers.Due to its potential underdiagnosis,there are no consensus guidelines for the management and follow up of inlet patches.This review focuses on questions that were raised from published literature on esophageal inlet patches in adults.     

Sleep,immunity and inflammation in gastrointestinal disorders

Sleep disorders have become a global issue,and discovering their causes and consequences are the focus of many research endeavors.An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder.Certain sleep disorders have been shown to cause neurocognitive impairment such as decreased cognitive ability,slower response times and performance detriments.Recent research suggests that individuals with sleep abnormalities are also at greater risk of serious adverse health,economic consequences,and most importantly increased all-cause mortality.Several research studies support the associations among sleep,immune function and inflammation.Here,we review the current research linking sleep,immune function,and gastrointestinal diseases and discuss the interdependent relationship between sleep and these gastrointestinal disorders.Different physiologic processes including immune system and inflammatory cytokines help regulate the sleep.The inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor,interleukin-1(IL-1),and IL-6 have been shown to be a significant contributor of sleep disturbances.On the other hand,sleep disturbances such as sleep deprivation have been shown to up regulate these inflammatory cytokines.Alterations in these cytokine levels have been demonstrated in certain gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease,gastro-esophageal reflux,liver disorders and colorectal cancer.In turn,abnormal sleep brought on by these diseases is shown to contribute to the severity of these same gastrointestinal diseases.Knowledge of these relationships will allow gastroenterologists a great opportunity to enhance the care of their patients.     

Rare cystic liver lesions: A diagnostic and managing challenge

Cystic formations within the liver are a frequent finding among populations.Besides the common cystic lesions,like simple liver cysts,rare cystic liver lesions like cystadenocarcinoma should also be considered in the differential diagnosis.Thorough knowledge of each entity’s nature and course are key elements to successful treatment.Detailed search in PubMed,Cochrane Database,and international published literature regarding rare cystic liver lesions was carried out.In our research are included not only primary rare lesions like cystadenoma,hydatid cyst,and polycystic liver disease,but also secondary ones like metastasis from gastrointestinal stromal tumors lesions.Up-to date knowledge regarding diagnosis and management of rare cystic liver lesions is provided.A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm is also proposed.The need for a multidisciplinary approach by a team including radiologists and surgeons familiar with liver cystic entities,diagnostic tools,and treatment modalities is stressed.Patients with cystic liver lesions must be carefully evaluated by a multidisciplinary team,in order to receive the most appropriate treatment,since many cystic liver lesions have a malignant potential and evolution.     

Endoscopy and polyps-diagnostic and therapeutic advances in management

Despite multiple efforts aimed at early detection through screening, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with an estimated 51000 deaths during 2013 alone. The goal remains to identify and remove benign neoplastic polyps prior to becoming invasive cancers. Polypoid lesions of the colon vary widely from hyperplastic, hamartomatous and inflammatory to neoplastic adenomatous growths. Although these lesions are all benign, they are common, with up to one-quarter of patients over 60 years old will develop pre-malignant adenomatous polyps. Colonoscopy is the most effective screening tool to detect polyps and colon cancer, although several studies have demonstrated missed polyp rates from 6%-29%, largely due to variations in polyp size. This number can be as high as 40%, even with advanced (> 1 cm) adenomas. Other factors including sub-optimal bowel preparation, experience of the endoscopist, and patient anatomical variations all affect the detection rate. Additional challenges in decision-making exist when dealing with more advanced, and typically larger, polyps that have traditionally required formal resection. In this brief review, we will explore the recent advances in polyp detection and therapeutic options.     

高血压降压治疗目标的再认识

根据传统的高血压水平的定义,1993年WHO高血压治疗指南提出血压控制目标为<140/90mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133kPa),但是并非所有患者都必须将血压降至同一水平,而应根据患者情况进行个体化治疗。Framingham进行的一项长达10～12年的心血管事件研究发现,第5年后,正常上限血压[收缩压(SBP     

State of knowledge of helminth fauna of freshwater fishes of Poland

A total 89 fish and lamprey species has been recorded from Polish freshwater habitats. Twenty-seven of them (30.3%) have not been surveyed for parasitic helminthes. Some of the latter fishes are either rare or not easily accessible. Other live only in specific habitats in scattered localities. An important obstacle for studying parasite faunas of some fishes may be their status on an endangered species. Among the non-surveyed fishes, are those which have been relatively recently introduced to Poland or migrated there on their own. The present paper attempts to review all hitherto not studied helminthologically fish species, their habitats, localities and current protection status.