Precisely Prepared Hierarchical Micelles of Polyfluorene-block-Polythiophene-block-Poly(phenyl isocyanide) via Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly.

The precise preparation of hierarchical micelles is a fundamental challenge in modern materials science and chemistry. Herein, poly(di-n-hexylfluorene)-block-poly(3-tetraethylene glycol thiophene) (poly(1m-b-2n)) diblock copolymers and polyfluorene-block-polythiophene-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide) triblock copolymers were synthesized using a one-pot process via the sequential addition of corresponding monomers using a Ni(II) complex as a single catalyst for living/controlled polymerization. The crystallization-driven self-assembly of amphiphilic conjugated poly(1m-b-2n) led to the formation of nanofibers with controlled lengths and narrow dispersity. The block copolymers exhibited white, yellow, and red emissions in different self-assembly states. By using uniform poly(1m-b-2n) nanofibers as seeds, introducing the polyfluorene-block-polythiophene-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide) triblock polymer as a unimer in the seed growth process, and adjusting the structure of the poly(phenyl isocyanide) block and the polarity of self-assembly solvent, A-B-A triblock micelles, multiarm branched micelles, and raft micelles were prepared.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection training: evaluation of an ex vivo training model with continuous perfusion (ETM-CP) for hands-on teaching and training in China.

BACKGROUND: The existing ex vivo models of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) cannot simulate intraoperative hemorrhage well. We aimed to establish an ESD training method by applying an ex vivo training model with continuous perfusion (ETM-CP). METHODS: Four training sessions were conducted for 25 novices under the guidance of 2 experts. Eventually, 10 novices completed ESD operations on a total of 89 patients after the training. The resection effectiveness, resection speed, complication rate, and novice performance before and after the training were compared. The data regarding the effects of the training and the model were gathered through a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: In terms of the simulation effect of the model, ETM-CP was evaluated as similar to the live pig in all aspects (P > 0.05). The questionnaire analysis revealed that the ESD theoretical knowledge, skill operation, and self-confidence of novices were improved after the training (P < 0.05). The resection time per unit area had a correlation with the number of training periods (rs = - 0.232). For novice performance, the resection time per unit area was shortened (P < 0.05). There was no difference in patient performance between the novice group and the expert group after the training in terms of en bloc resection, R0 resection, complication rate, endoscopic resection bleeding (ERB) score, muscularis propria injury (MPI) score, and resection time per unit area (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ETM-CP is effective for ESD training.

Blue laser imaging combined with JNET (Japan NBI Expert Team) classification for pathological prediction of colorectal laterally spreading tumors.

BACKGROUND: Blue laser imaging (BLI) can provide useful information on colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) by visualizing the surface and vessel patterns in detail. The present research aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of BLI-combined JNET (Japan NBI Expert Team) classification for identifying LSTs. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study included 172 LSTs consisted of 6 hyperplastic polyps/sessile serrated polyps, 94 low-grade dysplasias (LGD), 60 high-grade dysplasias (HGD), 6 superficial submucosal invasive (m-SMs) carcinomas, and 4 deep submucosal invasive carcinomas. The relationship between the JNET classification and the histologic findings of these lesions were then analyzed. RESULTS: For all LSTs, non-experts and experts had a 79.7% and 90.7% accuracy for Type 2A (P = 0.004), a sensitivity of 94.7% and 96.8% (P = 0.718), and a specificity of 61.5% and 83.3% (P = 0.002) for prediction of LGD, respectively. The results also demonstrated 80.8% and 91.3% accuracy for Type 2B (P = 0.005), a sensitivity of 65.2% and 83.3% (P = 0.017), and a specificity of 90.6% and 96.2% (P = 0.097) for predicting HGD or m-SMs. For LST-granular (LST-G) lesions, Type 2A in experts had higher specificity (65.6% vs. 83.6%, P = 0.022) and accuracy (81.8% vs. 91.2%, P = 0.022). Type 2B in experts only had higher accuracy (82.5% vs. 92.0%, P = 0.019). However, no significant differences were noted for any comparisons between non-experts and experts for LST-non-granular (LST-NG) lesions. CONCLUSIONS: BLI combined with JNET classification was an effective method for the precise prediction of pathological diagnosis in patients with LSTs. Diagnostic performance of JNET classification by experts was better than that by non-experts for all examined LST or LST-G lesions when delineating between Type 2A and 2B, but there was no difference for the identification of LST-NG lesions by these two groups.

Comparison of endoscopic submucosal tunneling dissection and thoracoscopic enucleation for the treatment of esophageal submucosal tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal tunneling dissection (ESTD) has been proved to be safe and effective for removal of esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs) and can maintain the mucosal integrity compared with other endoscopic methods. The aim of the study was to estimate the safety and efficacy of ESTD as well as compare its efficacy with thoracoscopic enucleation for esophageal SMTs, which is used increasingly as a minimally invasive approach. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients with esophageal SMTs <40 mm who underwent ESTD or thoracoscopic enucleation at Nanfang Hospital between January 2008 and August 2016. Epidemiologic data (sex, age), tumor location, tumor size, en bloc resection rate, adverse events, pathologic results, length of postoperative hospital stay, and cost were compared between ESTD and thoracoscopic enucleation. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included. A total of 74 patients underwent ESTD, and the other 52 underwent thoracoscopic enucleation. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in sex, age, tumor size, hospitalization expense, infection, adverse events, and en bloc resection rate (P < .05). However, patients in the ESTD group had a shorter operating time, less estimated blood loss, shorter length of postoperative hospital stay, and lower chest pain level (P < .05). Kaplan-Meier curves for disease-free survival also showed no statistically significant difference between ESTD and thoracoscopic enucleation groups during the median follow-up of 19.5 and 42 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment efficacy was comparable between the ESTD and thoracoscopic enucleation for esophageal SMTs <40 mm. However, there was a significant advantage in the ESTD group for a shorter operating time, reduced postoperative chest pain, and shorter hospitalization.

Clinicopathological characteristics of signet-ring cell carcinoma derived from gastric fovelar epithelium.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the immunophenotype, differential diagnosis, and clinicopathological characteristics of signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) derived from gastric foveolar epithelium. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, histopathological features, and follow-up data of seven cases of SRCC derived from gastric foveolar epithelium with small intramucosal lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven patients with a mean age of 38.3 years were diagnosed with SRCC derived from gastric foveolar epithelium and small intramucosal lesions, all of them were negative for CDH-1 germline mutation. The glands proliferated and expanded, and then morphologically transformed into signet-ring cells and formed clonal hyperplastic SRCC, which expanded laterally along the gastric foveolar cells to a length of 3-6 mm. Periodic acid Schiff staining was positive, while CK7 and MUC6 were negative, in all cases. Ki-67-positive cells ranged 37%-60%. During a follow-up period of 6-30 months, no patients experienced tumor recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: SRCC derived from gastric foveolar epithelium is originated from the proliferative region of the bottom of the gastric pit and gland neck. It is easily missed diagnosed or misdiagnosed as it grows laterally along the gastric foveolar cells. Biological behavior, genetics, and etiology of such SRCC, as well as the clinicopathological characteristics, need to be further studied.

Histopathological Features of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Gastric Mucosa.

Objective: To investigate the histopathological characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in the gastric mucosa in the process from occurrence to intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods: Specimens obtained from the endoscopic biopsy and endoscopic submucosal dissection of 2457 cases of gastric Hp infection were observed and assessed in detail using histology and immunohistochemistry techniques. The condition was divided according to the histopathological characteristics of gastric mucosal damage caused by Hp infection. The histopathological characteristics and immunophenotype of each stage were subsequently elucidated. Results: Helicobacter pylori is initially implanted in the mucus layer covered by the epithelium on the surface of the gastric mucosa. It then selectively adheres to the cytoplasm of the surface mucus cells, which makes the oval and spherical particles containing mucus that is wrapped by the bounded membrane in the cytoplasm on the nucleus of the surface mucus cells disappear, while the cytoplasm undergoes spiderweb-like vacuolar degeneration. This leads to the proliferation and transformation of the surface mucous cells before developing into intraepithelial neoplasia. In the process of histomorphology, mucosal ulcers, mucosal lymphoid tissue proliferation, gland atrophy, intestinal epithelial metaplasia, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and adenocarcinoma may occur. In this study, the condition was divided into five stages according to the histopathological characteristics of gastric mucosal damage caused by Hp infection, as well as the degree of gastric mucosal damage and involvement depth as follows: the mucus infection stage, the surface epithelial cell infection stage, the lamina propria lesion stage, the mucosal atrophy stage, and the intraepithelial neoplasia stage. Conclusion: Understanding the histopathological characteristics of gastric Hp infection in terms of its occurrence and development into intraepithelial neoplasia is conducive to the precise treatment and tracking of malignant cell transformation, and is of great significance in controlling the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

Faecal microbiome and metabolic signatures in rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: The prevalence of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNET) has increased substantially over the past decades. Little is known on mechanistic alteration in the pathogenesis of such disease. We postulate that perturbations of human gut microbiome-metabolome interface influentially affect the development of RNET. The study aims to characterize the composition and function of faecal microbiome and metabolites in RNET individuals. Methods: We performed deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing and untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomic profiling of faecal samples from the discovery cohort (18 RNET patients, 40 controls), and validated the microbiome and metabolite-based classifiers in an independent cohort (15 RNET participants, 19 controls). Results: We uncovered a dysbiotic gut ecological microenvironment in RNET patients, characterized by aberrant depletion and attenuated connection of microbial species, and abnormally aggregated lipids and lipid-like molecules. Functional characterization based on our in-house and Human Project Unified Metabolic Analysis Network 2 (HUMAnN2) pipelines further indicated a nutrient deficient gut microenvironment in RNET individuals, evidenced by diminished activities such as energy metabolism, vitamin biosynthesis and transportation. By integrating these data, we revealed 291 robust associations between representative differentially abundant taxonomic species and metabolites, indicating a tight interaction of gut microbiome with metabolites in RNET pathogenesis. Finally, we identified a cluster of gut microbiome and metabolite-based signatures, and replicated them in an independent cohort, showing accurate prediction of such neoplasm from healthy people. Conclusions: Our current study is the first to comprehensively characterize the perturbed interface of gut microbiome and metabolites in RNET patients, which may provide promising targets for microbiome-based diagnostics and therapies for this disorder.

Comment on "Efficacy and adverse events of cold vs hot polypectomy: A meta-analysis".

This is a comment on a meta-analysis of published studies comparing cold vs hot polypectomy. We believe that the conclusion of this meta-analysis that "cold polypectomy is a time-saving procedure for removing small polyps with markedly similar curability and safety to hot polypectomy" needs more rigorous evidence.

Endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection of upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors: A comparative study of hook knife vs hybrid knife.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of a hook knife (HO) with a hybrid knife (HK) during endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) procedure. METHODS: Between August 2012 and December 2015, the ESTD procedure was performed for 83 upper GI submucosal lesions, which originated from the muscularis propria layer identified by upper endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography. Of these, 34 lesions were treated by a HO, whereas 49 lesions were treated by a HK. Data regarding age, gender, presenting symptoms, tumor location and size, procedure time, complications, en bloc resection rate and others were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the age, gender, presenting symptoms and tumor location between the two groups. ESTD was successfully completed in all the patients, and no case was converted to laparoscopy. The mean procedure time was significantly shorter in the HK group than in the HO group (41.3 ± 20.3 min vs 57.2 ± 28.0 min, P = 0.004). The mean frequency of device exchange was 1.4 ± 0.6 in the HK group and significantly less than 3.3 ± 0.6 in the HO group (P < 0.001). The differences in tumor size and histopathological diagnoses were not significant between the two groups (P = 0.813, P = 0.363, respectively). Both groups had an equal en bloc resection rate and complete resection rate. Additionally, the complication rate was similar between the two groups (P = 0.901). During the follow-up, no recurrence occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate for the first time that HO and HK do not differ in efficacy or safety, but HK reduces the frequency of device exchange and procedure time.

[Risk factors of pain during colonoscopic examination].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factorsthat predict pain during colonoscopy for decision of sedation or analgesia before the examination. METHODS: A total of 283 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopicexamination at Nanfang Hospital between July, 2016 and September, 2016were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data and visual analogue scale after the examination were analyzed to identify the risk factors for pain during colonoscopy using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. A risk stratification model for predicting pain in colonoscopy was established. RESULTS: The completion rate of the procedure was significantly lower in patients with a visual analogue scale ≥5 (P<0.000). Univariate analysis showed that female patients, previous abdominal surgery, no previous experience with colonoscopy, complaint of abdominal pain before colonoscopy, insufficient experience of the endoscopists, patient's anticipation of high painlevelbefore examination, and a low body mass index (BMI) were all associated with the experience of pain in colonoscopy (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regressionanalysis identified BMI index (X1), level of experience of the endoscopist (A1, A2, A3) and the patient's anticipation of painlevel (X2) as the risk factors of pain in colonoscopy(P<0.05), and the establishedmodel with the 3 variables was: P=eY/(1+eY),Y=0.049-0.124×X1-0.97×X2+1.713×A1+0.781×A2+0.147×A3, which showed a sensitivity of 70.3% and a specificity of 67.5%for predicting pain in colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: The patient's anticipation of a high pain level in colonoscopy, insufficient experience of the endoscopist, and a low BMI are the independent risk factors for pain in colonoscopy, and evaluation of these factors can help in the decision-making concerning the use of sedation or analgesia before colonoscopy.

Training in early gastric cancer diagnosis improves the detection rate of early gastric cancer: an observational study in China.

Few studies have analyzed the training of endoscopists in the diagnosis of early gastric cancer (EGC). This study assessed whether specific training of endoscopists improves the detection rate of EGC. The rates of detection of EGC by endoscopists at the Digestive Endoscopy Center of the Affiliated Nanfang Hospital of China Southern Medical University between January 2013 and May 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Because some endoscopists received training in the diagnosis of EGC, beginning in September 2013, the study was divided into 3 time periods: January to September 2013 (period 1), September 2013 to January 2014 (period 2), and January to May 2014 (period 3). The rates of EGC detection during these 3 periods were analyzed. From January 2013 to May 2014, a total of 25,314 gastroscopy examinations were performed at our center, with 48 of these examinations (0.2%) detecting EGCs, accounting for 12.1% (48/396) of the total number of gastric cancers detected. The EGC detection rates by trained endoscopists during periods 1, 2, and 3 were 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.5%, respectively, accounting for 22.0%, 39.0%, and 60.0%, respectively, of the gastric cancers detected during these time periods. In comparison, the EGC detection rates by untrained endoscopists during periods 1, 2, and 3 were 0.05%, 0.08%, and 0.10%, respectively, accounting for 3.1%, 6.0%, and 5.7%, respectively, of the gastric cancers detected during these times. After training, the detection rate by some trained endoscopists markedly increased from 0.2% during period 1 to 2.3% during period 3. Further, the use of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) (odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval 2.4-4.1, P < 0.001) contributed to the diagnosis of EGC. In conclusion, specific training could improve the endoscopic detection rate of EGC. M-NBI contributed to the diagnosis of EGC.