Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals heterogeneity of gastric cancer: progress and prospects

Gastric cancer is one of the most serious malignant tumor and threatens the health of people worldwide. Its heterogeneity leaves many clinical problems unsolved. To treat it effectively, we need to explore its heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing, or single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), reveals the complex biological composition and molecular characteristics of gastric cancer at the level of individual cells, which provides a new perspective for understanding the heterogeneity of gastric cancer. In this review, we first introduce the current procedure of scRNA-seq, and discuss the advantages and limitations of scRNA-seq. We then elaborate on the research carried out with scRNA-seq in gastric cancer in recent years, and describe how it reveals cell heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, oncogenesis and metastasis, as well as drug response in to gastric cancer, to facilitate early diagnosis, individualized therapy, and prognosis evaluation

Barrett’s Esophagus and Intestinal Metaplasia

Intestinal metaplasia refers to the replacement of the differentiated and mature normal mucosal epithelium outside the intestinal tract by the intestinal epithelium. This paper briefly describes the etiology and clinical significance of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. This article summarizes the impact of intestinal metaplasia on the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of Barrett’s esophagus according to different guidelines. We also briefly explore the basis for the endoscopic diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. The identification techniques of goblet cells in Barrett’s esophagus are also elucidated by some scholars. Additionally, we further elaborate on the current treatment methods related to Barrett’s esophagus

Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A-Positive Helicobacter pylori Promotes Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells by Inhibiting miR-125b-5p

Objectives. To investigate the effects of cytotoxin-associated gene A- (CagA-) positive Helicobacter pylori on proliferation, invasion, autophagy, and expression of miR-125b-5p in colon cancer cells. Methods. Colon cancer cells were cocultured with H. pylori (CagA+) to analyze the effects of H. pylori on miR-125b-5p and autophagy. Colon cancer cells infected with H. pylori (CagA+) were mimicked by transfection of CagA plasmid. The effects of CagA on the proliferation, invasion, and autophagy of colon cancer cells were analyzed. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), clone formation, and Transwell assays were used to detect cell viability, proliferation, and invasion ability, respectively. Proteins and miRNAs were detected by western blotting and qPCR, respectively. Results. H. pylori (CagA+) inhibited expression of miR-125b-5p and promoted autophagy in colon cancer cells. MiR-125 b-5p was underexpressed in colon cancer cells after CagA overexpression. CagA promoted colon cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and autophagy. Overexpression of miR-125b-5p inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and autophagy of colon cancer cells and reversed the effects of CagA. Conclusion. H. pylori (CagA+) infection may promote the development and invasion of colon cancer by inhibiting miR-125b-5p

Inflammatory fibroid polyp: an unusual cause of abdominal pain in the upper gastrointestinal tract A case report

Inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFPs) tend to occur in the gastrointestinal tract, and they are rare and benign neoplasms. In general, IFPs often come from epithelial tissue. The gastric antrum is the most common location. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) often shows a predominantly hypoechoic mass with well-defined borders originating from the submucosal area. Here, we report the case of a 46-year-old woman with abdominal pain who underwent computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of resected specimens; the diagnosis was ultimately an inflammatory fibroid polyp. She is currently in clinical remission

Safety and Efficacy of Anticoagulation in Patients with Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims. Portal vein thrombosis is a serious adverse event that occurs during liver cirrhosis. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anticoagulant therapy and prophylactic anticoagulant therapy in cirrhosis patients with (/without) portal vein thrombosis. Methods. Eligible comparative studies were identified by searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using fixed-effects models. Recanalization and thrombus progression were defined as the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and death mortality. Results. A total of 3479 patients were included in this analysis. Compared with the control group, the recanalization rate in the anticoagulant therapy group was increased P<0.00001 in patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis without increasing adverse events. Multiple use of enoxaparin in small doses is safer than single large doses P=0.004. Direct oral anticoagulants are more effective P<0.00001 and safer than traditional anticoagulants. Prophylactic anticoagulant therapy can effectively prevent portal vein thrombosis formation P<0.00001. Conclusions. Anticoagulation therapy can treat or prevent portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis and is a relatively safe treatment

Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis of the Most Influential Publications in Achalasia Research from 1995 to 2020

Objective. To identify and evaluate characteristics of the most influential articles in achalasia research during the period 1995-2020. Methods. Articles in Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), and PubMed were scanned from 1995 to 2020 with achalasia as the keyword. We retrieved the articles that met all criteria by descending order after using EndNote to remove the duplicated references. Our bibliometric analysis highlighted publication year, country, journals, and networks of keywords. Results. Fifteen percent of the top 100 most-cited articles were published in Annals of Surgery. They were performed in 15 countries, and most (n=55) were from the USA. The number of citations of the 482 articles ranged from 30 to 953, 38 of which had been published in American Journal of Gastroenterology. Those articles were from 31 countries, and most of the studies (n=217) had been performed in the USA. Most of articles (n=335) were clinical research. Treatments were hotspots in the field of achalasia in the past years. The most influential title words were “achalasia,” “esophagomyotomy,” “pneumatic dilation,” and “lower esophageal sphincter.” Conclusion. Our study offers a historical perspective on the progress of achalasia research and identified the most significant evolution in this field. Results showed treatment was the most influence aspect in achalasia

Efficacy of Probiotic Supplementation Therapy for <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Eradication: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials - Fig 2

<p><b>A</b> risk of bias graph, <b>B</b> risk of bias summary (“+”low risk; “?”, unclear risk; “-”, high risk).</p

Eradication achieved according to age and region.

<p>Eradication achieved according to age and region.</p

Meta-analysis of eradication rates according to probiotic species, probiotic supplementation durations and probiotic supplementation time.

<p>Meta-analysis of eradication rates according to probiotic species, probiotic supplementation durations and probiotic supplementation time.</p

Meta-analysis of eradication rates according to age and region.

<p>Meta-analysis of eradication rates according to age and region.</p