Objective:To compare the feasibility and safety of a new portable endoscopic system and the conventional endoscopic system for the detection and emergency treatment of abdominal trauma in animal models.Methods:Three healthy Bama pigs, which were fasted and water deprivation for 8 h before surgery and then underwent induction anesthesia. A layer-by-layer incision was made into the abdominal cavity of Bama pigs. An artificial pneumoperitoneum was established using a laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum machine. A bullet model was inserted into the abdominal cavity to build the bullet wound model. After the bullet model was removed, a shrapnel model was inserted into the mid-abdomen to build the shrapnel wound model. The two types of endoscopic system were used to detect, remove bullet model or shrapnel model of the three Bama pigs respectively. The procedure order of the two systems was assigned according to the random number table method. The surgical success, operation time, endoscopy pipeline patency, endoscopic operation satisfaction, adverse events and equipment defects were recorded.Results:Three surgeries were performed using the new portable endoscopic system and three other surgeries using the conventional endoscopic system, all of which were successful. The time of the new portable endoscopic system to find and remove the bullet model, and the shrapnel model were 232.33±11.68 s, 300.33±57.70 s, 170.00±44.44 s and 52.67±2.52 s, respectively. The corresponding time of the conventional endoscopic system were 232.67±21.20 s ( t=-0.054, P=0.962), 256.67±67.00 s ( t=0.880, P=0.472), 176.00±52.42 s ( t=-0.111, P=0.922), 58.67±14.84 s ( t=-0.832, P=0.493), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two systems ( P>0.05). The endoscopy tubes of the two endoscopic systems were both smooth. The operator was satisfied with the endoscopic procedures of both endoscopic systems, and no adverse event or device defect occurred. Conclusion:The portable endoscopic system proves to be safe and feasible for the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal trauma in animal models.

The transformation from inflammation to cancer is a complex pathological process, in which the inflammatory state progresses to the formation of malignant tumors. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressively inflammatory and fibrosing disease, predominantly featuring acinar cell atrophy owing to the cellular damage and fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma. This review centers on elucidating how prolonged exposure to a chronic inflammatory environment prompts adaptive changes in acinar cells, which may ultimately lead to their conversion into cancerous cells. By delving into the pivotal role of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, this article investigates the multi-stage pathway of CP progression into pancreatic cancer, as well as the underlying molecular regulatory networks. We aim to light on the profound mechanisms of CP's inflammation-driven carcinogenic transformation, and thus provide a scientific foundation for devising innovative preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions targeted at mitigating or halting this lethal conversion process.

The process of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is inva-sive, and its related treatments have a potential risk of complications, which poses certain obstacles to its safe promotion. Therefore, it is very important to standardize the management of ERCP compli-cations and promote the widespread development of ERCP in China. The authors interpret the back-ground, significance, and key issues that need to be paid attention to in the Guidelines for the management of complications of duodenal perforation associated with ERCP in China ( 2023 edition), in order to facilitate ERCP physicians to better grasp and apply the guidelines, provide guidance and reference for the standardized management of ERCP related complications of duodenal perforation, and promote the popularization and widespread development of ERCP in China.

Recently， the International Association of Pancreatology published a revised edition of the guidelines for the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm （IPMN） of the pancreas. The guidelines mainly focus on five topics， i.e.， revision of “high-risk stigmata” and “worrisome features”， surveillance of unresected IPMN， surveillance after resection of IPMN， revision of pathological aspects， and research on molecular markers in cyst fluid， in order to provide the best evidence-based reference for clinical practice. This article makes an excerpt of the key points in the guidelines.

Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is an immune-mediated,special type of chronic pancreatitis,which can involve multiple organs.The clinical manifestation of AIP is complex and varied,making the diagnosis and treatment challenging.With reference to the latest guidelines and studies from both domestic and international sources,this guideline comprises 20 recommendations regarding the diagnosis,treatment,follow-up,and prognosis of AIP.The aim of this guideline is to promote the care capability and improve the outcome of patients with AIP in China.

Background::Early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) can considerably improve the prognosis of patients. Aberrant cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation signatures are a promising tool for detecting ESCC. However, available markers based on cell-free DNA methylation are still inadequate. This study aimed to identify ESCC-specific cfDNA methylation markers and evaluate the diagnostic performance in the early detection of ESCC.Methods::We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) for 24 ESCC tissues and their normal adjacent tissues. Based on the WGBS data, we identified 21,469,837 eligible CpG sites (CpGs). By integrating several methylation datasets, we identified several promising ESCC-specific cell-free DNA methylation markers. Finally, we developed a dual-marker panel based on methylated KCNA3 and OTOP2, and then, we evaluated its performance in our training and validation cohorts. Results::The ESCC diagnostic model constructed based on KCNA3 and OTOP2 had an AUC of 0.91 [95% CI: 0.85–0.95], and an optimal sensitivity and specificity of 84.91% and 94.32%, respectively, in the training cohort. In the independent validation cohort, the AUC was 0.88 [95% CI: 0.83–0.92], along with an optimal sensitivity of 81.5% and specificity of 92.9%. The model sensitivity for stage I–II ESCC was 78.4%, which was slightly lower than the sensitivity of the model (85.7%) for stage III–IV ESCC. Conclusion::The dual-target panel based on cfDNA showed excellent performance for detecting ESCC and might be an alternative strategy for screening ESCC.

Background::Evaluating the impact of digestive system diseases is vital for devising effective prevention strategies. However, comprehensive reports on the burden of digestive system diseases in China are lacking. Our study aimed to provide an overview of the burden and trends of digestive system diseases from 1990 to 2019 in China and its provinces.Methods::This cross-sectional study utilized the Global Disease Burden Study 2019 to estimate the incidence, mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life disability, years of life lost, and changes in the burden of digestive diseases across Chinese provinces from 1990 to 2019. The analysis of disease burden primarily examines the characteristics of sub-disease distribution, time trends, age distribution, and sex distribution. Additionally, we compared provincial age-standardized DALYs for digestive diseases with the expected rates based on the socio-demographic index (SDI).Results::In 2019, there were 499.2 million cases of digestive system diseases in China, resulting in 1,557,310 deaths. Stomach cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and esophageal cancer are the top three diseases associated with mortality and DALY related to digestive system diseases. Meanwhile, cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gallbladder and biliary diseases are the top three kinds of diseases with the highest prevalence among digestive system diseases. The risk of gastric cancer sharply increases among men after the age of 40 years, leading to a significant disparity in burden between men and women. As the SDI increased, the DALYs associated with digestive system diseases in China and its provinces showed a downward trend.Conclusion::Our study highlights the inverse correlation between DALYs associated with digestive system diseases and the SDI.

Background::Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the main types of malignant tumor of the digestive system, and patient prognosis is affected by difficulties in early diagnosis, poor treatment response, and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) has been widely used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of PDAC patients. Nevertheless, the production mechanism and potential role of CA19-9 in PDAC progression have not yet been elucidated.Methods::We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on six samples pathologically diagnosed as PDAC (three CA19-9-positive and three CA19-9-negative PDAC samples) and two paracarcinoma samples. We also downloaded and integrated PDAC samples (each from three CA19-9-positive and CA19-9-negative patients) from an online database. The dynamics of the proportion and potential function of each cell type were verified through immunofluorescence. Moreover, we built an in vitro coculture cellular model to confirm the potential function of CA19-9. Results::Three subtypes of cancer cells with a high ability to produce CA19-9 were identified by the markers TOP2A, AQP5, and MUC5AC. CA19-9 production bypass was discovered on antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (apCAFs). Importantly, the proportion of immature ficolin-1 positive (FCN1+) macrophages was high in the CA19-9-negative group, and the proportion of mature M2-like macrophages was high in the CA19-9-positive group. High proportions of these two macrophage subtypes were associated with an unfavourable clinical prognosis. Further experiments indicated that CA19-9 could facilitate the transformation of M0 macrophages into M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusions::Our study described CA19-9 production at single-cell resolution and the dynamics of the immune atlas in CA19-9-positive and CA19-9-negative PDAC. CA19-9 could promote M2 polarization of macrophage in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.

The rhythmic fluctuations of biological activities with the rotation of the earth for nearly 24 h are called circadian clock. Intestinal flora is a community of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract of human body,and its balance plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis. Specific environment changes in the external environments (such as special circadian rhythms in the polar region and high-altitude hypoxia in the plateau region) and changes in lifestyle (such as shift work,insomnia,and flights across time zones) can adversely affect circadian rhythms and lead to disruption of the circadian clock and intestinal flora. The synergistic effects of circadian clock disruption and dysbiosis further lead to an imbalance of homeostasis of body internal environment,which increases the risk of metabolic disorders. Elucidating the changes of circadian clock and intestinal flora in special environments may provide new ideas for the maintenance of circadian rhythms and homeostasis in special environments.

Acute pancreatitis is the most common adverse event after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),and it remains a challenging clinical issue despite the use of various preventive measures.In recent years,the role of calcineurin in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis has received attention,and its specific inhibitors provide a new and promising direction for preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis.This article reviews the basic and clinical progress on the relationship between calcineurin and its inhibitors and the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in recent years,hoping to provide more ideas for future research.