Topic Review
The Contrast-Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasonography Fine-Needle Aspiration Technique
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic masses. According to three meta-analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA are 84–92%, 96–98%, and 86–91%, respectively. However, the occurrence of false-negative and false-positive results indicates that the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA needs to be improved. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) is used for the characterization of pancreatic masses and can be applied to improve the performance of EUS-FNA. 
  • 295
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Promising Highly Targeted Therapies for Cholangiocarcinom
To overcome the poor prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), highly targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), photodynamic therapy (PDT) with/without systemic chemotherapy, and experimental photoimmunotherapy (PIT), have been developed. Three preclinical trials have investigated the use of ADCs targeting specific antigens, namely HER2, MUC1, and glypican-1 (GPC1), for CCA. Trastuzumab emtansine demonstrated higher antiproliferative activity in CCA cells expressing higher levels of HER2. PDT is effective in areas where appropriate photosensitizers and light coexist. Its mechanism involves photosensitizer excitation and subsequent reactive oxygen species production in cancer cells upon irradiation. Hematoporphyrin derivatives, temoporfin, phthalocyanine-4, talaporfin, and chlorine e6 derivatives have mainly been used clinically and preclinically in bile duct cancer. PIT is the most novel anti-cancer therapy developed in 2011 that selectively kills targeted cancer cells using a unique photosensitizer called “IR700” conjugated with an antibody specific for cancer cells. PIT is currently in the early stages of development for identifying appropriate CCA cell targets and irradiation devices. Future human and artificial intelligence collaboration has potential for overcoming challenges related to identifying universal CCA cell targets. This could pave the way for highly targeted therapies for CCA, such as ADC, PDT, and PIT.
  • 295
  • 25 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Bowel Cleansing
Proper bowel preparation is of paramount importance for enhancing adenoma detection rates and reducing postcolonoscopic colorectal cancer risk. The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged for the preprocedural detection of inadequate bowel preparation, holding the potential to guide the preparation process immediately preceding colonoscopy.
  • 293
  • 24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Features of Liver Injury in COVID-19 Clinical Particularities
COVID-19 clinical presentation falls on a wide spectrum, from mild cases complaining of minor symptoms to severe illness with multiorgan dysfunctions and death. Multiple organ injuries have been described in COVID-19, such as pulmonary affliction, acute kidney damage, liver injury, stroke, cardiovascular and digestive tract disorders. 
  • 292
  • 07 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Percutaneous Ablation-Induced Immunomodulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and its incidence is rising. Percutaneous locoregional therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation, are widely used as curative treatment options for patients with small HCC, but their effectiveness remains restricted because of the associated high rate of recurrence, occurring in about 70% of patients at five years. These thermal ablation techniques have the particularity to induce immunomodulation by destroying tumours, although this is not sufficient to raise an effective antitumour immune response. Ablative therapies combined with immunotherapies could act synergistically to enhance antitumour immunity. 
  • 291
  • 09 Sep 2022
Topic Review
TGF-β, Activin and Follistatin in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition predominantly affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An increasing prevalence of IBD has been observed globally. The pathogenesis of IBD includes a complex interplay between the intestinal microbiome, diet, genetic factors and immune responses. The consequent imbalance of inflammatory mediators ultimately leads to intestinal mucosal damage and defective repair. Growth factors, given their specific roles in maintaining the homeostasis and integrity of the intestinal epithelium, are of particular interest in the setting of IBD. Furthermore, direct targeting of growth factor signalling pathways involved in the regeneration of the damaged epithelium and the regulation of inflammation could be considered as therapeutic options for individuals with IBD. Several members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily, particularly TGF-β, activin and follistatin, are key candidates as they exhibit various roles in inflammatory processes and contribute to maintenance and homeostasis in the GI tract. 
  • 291
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Liver cancer is very frequent, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of liver cancer cases. Its growing incidence has been greatly affected by the increasing prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The latter is a new epidemic in the era. In fact, HCC is often generated from noncirrhotic liver and its treatment benefits from surgical and nonsurgical approaches, potentially bridged by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) use. TIPS use is an effective treatment for portal hypertension complications, but its application in patients with HCC and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) remains controversial due to concerns about tumor rupture, dissemination, and increased toxicity. 
  • 291
  • 24 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Microbiota in the Natural History of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is still burdened with a severe prognosis, despite advances in the diagnosis and surgical management of this disease. The microbiota is a true organ, capable of several interactions throughout the digestive system. Microbiota can influence the development of precancerous disease predisposing to pancreatic cancer (PC). At the same time, neoplastic tissue shows specific characteristics in terms of diversity and phenotype, determining the short- and long-term prognosis.
  • 289
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Relationship between Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. Identification of possible preventive strategies is of central interest to avoid CVD onset and progression. In this regard, intensive medical and scientific activity is currently employed in the management of traditional risk factors, but despite maximum medical therapy, there is still a residual risk of undetermined etiology. The gut microbiota is gaining increasing interest as one of the potentially modifiable factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including CVD. A multitude of microorganisms lives symbiotically with the human host; 10–100 trillion microbes among bacteria, viruses, fungi, and helminths are located in the gut. They serve a multitude of functions, which include maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and defence against external aggressive agents, modulation of the immune response, and production of metabolites. 
  • 289
  • 01 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Endoscopic Diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer
Endoscopy is mandatory to detect early gastric cancer (EGC). When considering the cost-effectiveness of the endoscopic screening of EGC, risk stratification by combining serum pepsinogen values and anti-H. pylori IgG antibody values is very promising. After the detection of suspicious lesions of EGC, a detailed observation using magnifying endoscopy with band-limited light is necessary, which reveals an irregular microsurface and/or an irregular microvascular pattern with demarcation lines in the case of cancerous lesions. Endocytoscopy enables us to make an in vivo histological diagnosis. 
  • 287
  • 11 Mar 2024
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