Intestinal Metaplasia Group Research Articles

The importance of blood parameters in the detection of intestinal metaplasia and early diagnosis of gastric cancer

Background: We aimed to determine whether complete blood count(CBC) parameters, such as the white blood count(WBC), hemoglobin(Hb), platelet(PLT), red cell distribution width(RDW), mean platelet volume(MPV), platelet distribution width(PDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR), have a predictive value in the detection of gastric cancer(GC) and intestinal metaplasia(IM). Methods: While proven GC, IM, and healthy control(HC) patients were included, patients with the comorbid disease were excluded, and univariate analyses compared three groups. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was run for CBC parameters. The area under the curve(AUC) was evaluated, and a cut-off value was determined. The sensitivity and specificity of each parameter were considered. Results: The GC, IM, and HC groups consisted of 72(33%), 73(34%), and 72(33%) patients, respectively. RDW, PLT, NLR, PLR, and MLR were significant between GC and IM. The highest AUC (0.727) was obtained for the PLT yielding a 56.9% sensitivity and 79.4% specificity at a cut-off value of 151.8. The AUC of RDW was found as 0.691 and 0.626 for pairwise comparisons of GC-HC and IM-HC, respectively. At a cut-off value of 13.4, PLR yielded 70.8% sensitivity and 61.1% specificity in the detection of GC, while 64.4% sensitivity and 51.1% specificity for IM. Conclusion: CBC parameters, such as RDW, PLT, NLR, PLR, and MLR, have value in detecting GC. RDW also has diagnostic value in helping to detect IM. PLR can help to distinguish patients with GC from those with IM. These inexpensive, easily accessible parameters may help in the timely diagnosis of GC and IM. Keywords: Gastric cancer; intestinal Metaplasia; Monocyte to lymphocyte ratio; red cell distribution; hemoglobin; platelet; neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio; platelet-lymphocyte ratio; inflammation.

Epithelial cell proliferation index in patients with atrophic gastritis depending on the presence of complete or incomplete intestinal metaplasia in the gastric antrum

Introduction. There is a debate about the significance of intestinal metaplasia (IM) subtypes for the development of gastric cancer. Therefore, determining the indicators of cellular renewal in individuals with complete and incomplete IM is certainly a topical issue.Aim. To study the proliferative activity of epithelial cells of the gastric antrum in patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive antral atrophic gastritis depending on the subtype of IM.Materials and methods. The study included 20 people with chronic antral non-atrophic gastritis (CNG; group A), 20 patients with chronic antral atrophic gastritis (CAG) without IM (group B), 20 patients with CAG with complete IM (group C) and 20 people with CAG with incomplete IM (group D). The stage of chronic gastritis was assessed by the morphological method in accordance with the modified Sydney classification. Typing of IM foci in the gastric mucosa was performed using the PAS reaction. Proliferation activity was studied by the expression of nuclear protein Ki67 using immunohistochemistry.Results. The proliferation index in the foci of complete BM in group C was 5%, and in group D in the foci of incomplete BM the Ki67 expression index was significantly higher and was 39% (p < 0.001). Outside the foci of metaplasia, the proliferation index was 23.5% in group C and 19% in group D (p = 0.06).Conclusion. We have registered significantly higher proliferation indicators of gastric epithelial cells in foci with incomplete IM compared to foci with complete IM. Determination of proliferation indicators in foci of incomplete intestinal metaplasia may be a marker of an increased risk of developing gastric cancer.

Clinicopathological significance of intestinal metaplasia in endoscopically resected early gastric carcinoma.

To investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in endoscopically resected early gastric carcinoma (EGC). Altogether 136 consecutive cases with EGC resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection over 5 years were included and divided into theearly gastric cardiac (EGCC; n = 60) and non-cardiac carcinoma (EGNCC; n = 76) groups. Goblet cell IM and subtypes were determined with histology and immunostaining. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was compared among various IM groups. IM was identified in 128 (94.1%) EGC cases, including complete IM (n = 39), incomplete IM (n = 27), and mixed IM (n = 62). Incomplete IM was significantly more common in EGCC and exhibited a lower frequency of en bloc resection than the complete subtype. The frequency of synchronous or metachronous gastric tumor was significantly more common in EGCC with complete IM than in those with incomplete IM. Compared to EGC without IM, EGC with IM showed a significantly higher frequency of non-poorly cohesive carcinoma, en bloc resection, and non-eCuraC-1 grade. EGNCC with IM was significantly associated with negative resection margins and en bloc resection. The 5-year RFS was significantly lower in EGNCC patients with incomplete IM compared with those with mixed IM. The independent risk factors for RFS included tumor size >2 cm and eCuraC-1 grade. Subtyping IM in EGC helped predict endoscopic resectability, prognosis, and risk of synchronous or metachronous gastric tumor. The significance of IM differed between EGCC and EGNCC. Large studies with longer follow-up are warranted to validate our findings.

Whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitor increases the risk of precancerous lesions in the stomach: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

To evaluate through meta-analysis whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) increases the risk of precancerous lesions in the stomach. Randomized controlled trials that compared the occurrence and progression of precancerous lesions in patients receiving PPI treatment versus non-PPI treatment were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, CBM, Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (from database inception to May 1, 2023). The Revman 5.3 and STATA 17.0 software were used for analysis, and subgroup analysis was conducted based on follow-up time (≤12 months and > 12 months) and lesion type (atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and epithelial dysplasia). Six randomized controlled trials with a total of 1623 cases were included, including 1015 cases in the experimental group and 608 cases in the control group. The meta-analysis results showed that the overall abnormal lesion rate combined with statistical relative risk (RR) = 1.31 (0.85-2.02), P = .23. Subgroup analysis showed that the follow-up time > 12 months combined result was RR = 2.21 (1.47-3.33), P = .0001, the intestinal metaplasia group combined result was RR = 1.96 (0.91-2.47), P = .04. During long-term follow-up, patients using PPI exhibited a significantly higher incidence of overall abnormal lesions compared to the control group, particularly with a higher risk observed for intestinal metaplasia. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of short-term follow-up and other types of lesions. It is important to exercise caution when interpreting these findings due to the limited number of nominated investigations included in the meta-analysis.

Differences in gastric microbiota and mucosal function between patients with chronic superficial gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

Chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) can further develop into gastric cancer, which seriously endangers the health of people all over the world. In this study, the differences in gastric microbiota between CSG patients and IM patients were detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. As the expression levels of mucin and CDX2 are closely related to IM, the expression differences of mucin (MUC2 and MUC5AC) and CDX2 in the gastric mucosa of CSG patients and IM patients were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. The results showed that both Faith_pd and Observed_species indexes of microbiota in the gastric juice of CSG patients were significantly higher than those of IM patients. At the genus level, Thermus and Anoxybacillus were dominant in the gastric juice of IM patients, and Helicobacter was dominant in the gastric juice of CSG patients. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) demonstrated that the dispersion of samples in the CSG group is greater than that in the IM group, and some samples in the CSG group are clustered with samples in the IM group. The KEGG metabolic pathway difference analysis of gastric juice microbiota in CSG and IM patients revealed that the gastric juice microbiota in the CSG and IM patients were significantly enriched in the amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and the functional differences between the two groups were mainly concentrated in the bacterial secretion system (VirB1, VirB2, VirB3, VirD2, and VirD4). In conclusion, there are significant differences in gastric microbiota and mucosal function between the CSG and IM patients. Moreover, the results of this study may provide a new means for the detection of CSG and IM and a new direction for the prevention and treatment of CSG and IM.

Ultrasound criteria for predicting pre-cancer changes of the gastric mucosa in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis combined with thyroid pathology

Precancerous conditions increase the risk of gastric cancer by 2–3 % every 10 years. Among comorbid pathology, 46 % of all endocrinopathies are diseases of the thyroid gland. An urgent issue today is the definition of non-invasive criteria for the formation of a risk group for the detection of precancerous changes in the gastric mucosa in patients with comorbid pathology. The aim of the study was to evaluate the structure of the thyroid gland as ultrasound criterion for predicting precancerous lesions in the stomach in patients with atrophic gastritis under conditions of comorbidity. Materials and methods. The study was conducted among 81 patients with gastric precancerous conditions. The upper endoscopy was performed using EVIS EXERA III systems with an Olympus 190 gastroscope (Japan). All the patients in this study underwent a sonological examination of the thyroid gland on an ultrasound scanner Toshiba Xario (Japan). Results. In patients with atrophic gastritis, a high frequency of structural changes in the thyroid gland (77 %) was observed. Focal changes were determined in 33 % of atrophic gastritis patients with a predominance of their diagnostic frequency in patients with gastric mucosal dysplasia (χ2 = 5.32, P < 0.05 as compared to the patients with gastric mucosal atrophy and χ2 = 4.25, P < 0.05 as compared to the patients from the intestinal metaplasia group). Patients with gastric mucosal dysplasia were characterized by coarse-grained thyroid parenchyma, which was more common by 2.2 times as compared to the group of patients with atrophy (P > 0.05) and by 1.8 times as compared to the patients with intestinal metaplasia (χ2 = 4.09, P < 0.05). Conclusions. Diagnostic criteria for the formation of a risk group for the detection of gastric mucosal dysplasia are focal changes in the thyroid parenchyma (sensitivity 63.6 %, specificity 71.4 %), coarse granularity of the thyroid parenchyma (sensitivity 72.7 %, specificity 61.4 %) and an increased vascularization of parenchyma at the sonological examination of the thyroid gland (sensitivity 63.6 %, specificity 70.0 %).

Gastric intestinal metaplasia: Long-term follow-up results.

Precancerous lesions are the most commonly cited factor in gastric cancer etiology. The sequence of events in intestinal-type gastric carcinogenesis is considered to be chronic gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia, and carcinoma, respectively. Early diagnosis and treatment of advanced precursor lesions and gastric cancer is possible by identifying and monitoring patients with such premalignant lesions. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term follow-up results of intestinal metaplasia in our hospital and the rate of progression to malignancy by comparing these patients with patients who have undergone gastroscopy without a diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia. One hundred and fifty-six followed-up patients out of 700 between the ages of 18 and 85 who were admitted to our hospital between 2009 and 2019, who were diagnosed with IM by pathological examination from biopsy material, and 150 patients who were not diagnosed with IM between 2009 and 2011 were included. The results of the cases were evaluated first retrospectively; then, the patients who were invited for control and underwent endoscopy were evaluated prospectively. IM and control groups were compared in terms of dysplasia and gastric cancer development. In addition, the IM group was compared in terms of 5 and 10 years of follow-up, extensive or local involvement, and complete and incomplete involvement in terms of dysplasia and cancer development. The follow-up period of the patients ranged from 1 to 10 years, and the mean follow-up interval was 4.2 ± 2.8 (min: 1; max: 10) years. Age, gender, and pathology results of the patients were examined in terms of IM type, localization of IM, pathology accompanying IM, and presence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and compared with the control group. While gastric carcinoma was detected in three of 156 patients in the IM group, gastric carcinoma was not detected in the follow-up of 150 patients in the control group. IM was most common in the antrum. Incomplete IM was detected in 89 patients, and complete IM in 69 patients. While two of the three patients with gastric carcinoma were localized to the antrum, one patient had incomplete-type IM and two patients had complete-type IM, and Hp was positive in two patients. While dysplasia was detected in nine of the patients diagnosed with IM, it was detected in two patients in the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the IM and control groups in terms of dysplasia positivity (p = 0.037). On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was found between the IM and control groups in terms of age-group, gender, follow-up time group, and Hp positivity (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between those who were followed up for 5 and 10 years in the IM group in terms of dysplasia and cancer development. Therefore, it is considered that patients with intestinal metaplasia may be followed up at longer intervals, except for patients with race, ethnicity, incomplete type, extensive involvement, and a family history of gastric cancer.

The Association of Trefoil Factors with Gastric Cancer and Premalignant Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Cohort Study.

A lack of research on the association of trefoil factors (TFF) with gastric cancer and premalignant lesions (PML) in the general population is an important obstacle to the application of TFFs for gastric cancer screening. We aimed to analyze the association of TFFs with gastric cancer and PMLs in a general population. We evaluated 3,986 adults residing in Wuwei, China. We collected baseline characteristics and gastric cancer risk factors, including TFFs, endoscopic diagnosis, and pathologic information. Three logistic regression models were generated to analyze the association between TFFs and gastric cancer, as well as PMLs. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to determine the strength of association. Compared with pepsinogen (PG) and anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G antibody (Hp-IgG), TFFs had significant association with gastric cancer and PMLs after adjusting for biomarkers and risk factors (P < 0.05). The ORs (95% CI) for TFF1 (1.67; 1.27-2.20), TFF2 (2.66; 2.01-3.51), and TFF3 (1.32; 1.00-1.74) were larger than the ORs for PGI (0.79; 0.61-1.03), PGI/II (1.00; 0.76-1.31), and Hp-IgG (0.99; 0.73-1.35) in the gastric cancer group. In the intestinal metaplasia (IM) group, not only the TFF3 serum level was the highest, but also the OR (1.92; 1.64-2.25) was the highest. TFFs were associated with risk of gastric cancer and PMLs. Serum TFFs can improve the screening of high-risk populations for gastric cancer.

Microbiome changes in the gastric mucosa and gastric juice in different histological stages of Helicobacter pylori-negative gastric cancers.

BACKGROUNDThe gastric microbiota in patients with gastric cancer (GC) has received increasing attention, but the profiling of the gastric microbiome through the histological stages of gastric tumorigenesis remains poorly understood, especially for patients with Helicobacter pylori-negative GC (HPNGC).AIMTo characterize microbial profiles of gastric mucosa and juice for HPNGC carcinogenesis and identify distinct taxa in precancerous lesions.METHODSThe 16S rRNA gene analysis was performed on gastric mucosa from 134 Helicobacter pylori-negative cases, including 56 superficial gastritis (SG), 9 atrophic gastritis (AG), 27 intestinal metaplasia (IM), 29 dysplasia (Dys), and 13 GC cases, to investigate differences in gastric microbial diversity and composition across the disease stages. In addition, paired gastric mucosa and juice samples from 18 SG, 18 IM, and 18 Dys samples were analyzed. α-Diversity was measured by Shannon and Chao1 indexes, and β-diversity was calculated using partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA). Differences in the microbial composition across disease stages in different sample types were assessed using the linear discriminant analysis effect size.RESULTSThe diversity and composition of the bacterial microbiota in the gastric mucosa changed progressively across stages of gastric carcinogenesis. The diversity of the gastric mucosa microbiota was found to be significantly lower in the IM and Dys groups than in the SG group, and the patients with GC had the lowest bacterial community richness (P < 0.05). Patients with IM and those with Dys had similar gastric mucosa microbiota profiles with Ralstonia and Rhodococcus as the predominant genera. Microbial network analysis showed that there was increasing correlation strength between IM and Dys (|correlation threshold|≥ 0.5, P < 0.05). GC and its precancerous lesions have distinguishable bacterial taxa; our results identified HPNGC-associated bacteria Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae (P < 0.05). Additionally, across precancerous lesion stages from AG to Dys in Helicobacter pylori-negative patients, Burkholderiaceae abundance continuously increased, while Streptococcaceae and Prevotellaceae abundance presented a continuous downward trend. Furthermore, the microbial diversity was higher in gastric juice (P < 0.001) than in the mucosa, while PLS-DA revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (ANOSIM, P = 0.001). A significant difference in the microbial structure was identified, with Proteobacteria being more prevalent in the gastric mucosa and Firmicutes being more abundant in gastric juice.CONCLUSIONOur results provide insights into potential taxonomic biomarkers for HPNGC and its precancerous stages and assist in predicting the prognosis of IM and Dys based on the mucosal microbiota profile.

The importance of antioxidant status in gastric intestinal metaplasia.

BackgroundOxidative stress status in different cancer types was investigated before, but not studied in gastric intestinal metaplasia to the best of our knowledge. Purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a difference between oxidative stress status in patients with intestinal metaplasia (IM) compared to individuals without IM, we compared the serum levels of disulfide (SS), total thiol (TT) and native thiol (NT).MethodsThis was a prospective, non-randomized casecontrol study including 67 patients with histopathologically confirmed IM and 60 individuals demographically matched in terms of age, gender, BMI, smoking status, and chronic diseases as control group.ResultsThe mean NT, TT and NT to TT (NT/TT) ratios were statistically significantly higher in IM group compared to controls ((351.71 ± 81.9 mol/L vs. 271.82 ± 54.13 mol/L, p=0.000), (391.5 ± 92.69 mol/L vs. 308.59 ± 55.53 mol/L, p=0.000) and (0.89 ± 0.6 vs. 0.87 ± 0.29, p=0.022), respectively). The mean SS to TT (SS/TT) ratio was significantly lower in IM group than control group (0.050 ± 0.31 vs. 0.060 ± 0.014, P=0.022). Median SS and mean SS/NT ratio was similar in both groups (16.3 (3.3-78) vs. 18.3 (10-32.7), p=0.271 and 0.055 ± 0.041 vs. 0.070 ± 0.019, p=0.068, respectively). In ROC analysis, cut off value of SS/NT for IM was found 0.062, in regression analysis, SS/NT <0.062 was found as an independently prognostic marker for IM (OR, 2.38; 95%CI: 1.168-4.865, P=0.017).ConclusionsSS/NT ratio lower than 0.062 was found as an independently prognostic marker for IM. This ratio could help to distinguish which patients should be followed closely for gastric cancer.

Mo1256 EPITHELIAL GLAND BURDEN DETERMINED BY VOLUMETRIC LASER ENDOMICROSCOPY IS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLETE REMISSION OF INTESTINAL METAPLASIA FOLLOWING ENDOSCOPIC ERADICATION THERAPY FOR BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS

Endoscopic eradication of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) aims to achieve complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM), defined by absence of visible columnar mucosa on high-definition white light (HDWL) endoscopy and negative biopsies for intestinal metaplasia (IM). Given sampling error associated with random biopsies, some experts recommend two consecutive negative endoscopies to establish CRIM. Volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) is an advanced imaging modality capable of comprehensive high-resolution imaging of BE. Epithelial glands are a VLE feature associated with BE. We hypothesize that VLE epithelial gland burden in the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is associated with the presence of IM in patients with BE following endoscopic eradication therapy. Patients with BE with absence of visible columnar mucosa on HDWL endoscopy following endoscopic eradication therapy underwent VLE imaging. Random surveillance biopsies were obtained as per standard protocol. VLE scans were analyzed with intelligent real-time image segmentation (IRIS), an artificial intelligence software that superimposes features of interest (signal intensity, mucosal layering, epithelial glands) onto an en-face map of the esophagus. The GEJ on IRIS en-face scans was defined as the transition between squamous epithelium (presence of layering, normal signal intensity) and cardia (lack of layering, increased signal intensity) and demarcated using image processing software ImageJ. We previously showed that the surface area occupied by epithelial glands correlates with manual gland quantification. The GEJ demarcation was transferred to an en-face map of epithelial glands and the surface area (gland burden) was measured 1 cm proximal and 1 cm distal to the GEJ for each VLE scan (Figure 1) The mean gland surface area of VLE scans from patients with IM negative biopsies was compared to those with IM positive biopsies using the Student t-test. This study was funded by the ASGE Endoscopy Research Award. A total of 123 BE patients without visible BE on HDWL endoscopy following endoscopic therapy underwent VLE. Random biopsies were negative for IM in 87 and positive in 36 patients. Highest grade of histology was non-dysplastic BE (N=32), indefinite (N=2), low-grade (N=2). The mean (SD) gland surface area in the GEJ was significantly higher in patients with IM positive biopsies compared to patients with IM negative biopsies [10.1(9.9)mm2 vs. 6.5(5.5)mm2, p=0.02] (Figure 2) Systematic quantification of epithelial gland burden in the GEJ using VLE can predict presence of IM in patients with BE following endoscopic eradication therapy. VLE may have a role in confirming true CRIM and reducing number of required surveillance endoscopies.Mean gland surface area measured in patients with absence of visible columnar mucosa on high-definition white light endoscopy and negative surveillance biopsies for IM (group 0) and positive surveillance biopsies for IM (group 1)View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Tu1508 PREDICTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLETE AND INCOMPLETE INTESTINAL METAPLASIA (IM) ASSOCIATED WITH HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION: A LARGE-SCALE STUDY FROM LOW PREVALENCE AREA OF GASTRIC CANCER (IM-HP TRIAL)

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a precancerous lesion of gastric cancer related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Until now, there has been limited data about IM prevalence and associated risk factors in Thai people. This study aimed to determine risk factors related to the development of IM to guide proper management in Thailand. 1,117 dyspeptic patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand were enrolled between April 2018 and August 2019. Patients’ data including baseline characteristics, laboratory results, and histopathology of gastric biopsies from medical database were extensively reviewed. 1,117 patients had overall H. pylori prevalence of 44.8% and the mean age was 60.6 years and 44.7% of whom were males. 862 (77.2%) patients demonstrated chronic gastritis, while 209 (18.7%) had IM. There were 180 (16.1%) patients with complete IM and 29 (2.6%) with incomplete IM. In groups of complete and incomplete IM, current H. pylori infection rates were 66.1%, and 58.6%, respectively (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.33-1.62, p = 0.434). The mean body mass index (BMI) of incomplete IM group (27.3) was significantly higher than BMI of complete IM group (23.7) (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.04-1.23, p = 0.003). Age >45 years, current H. pylori infection, and family history of gastric cancer were significantly higher in IM than chronic gastritis group with OR 1.90 (95% CI 1.04-3.45, p = 0.036), OR 2.94 (95% CI 2.10-4.11, p <0.001), and OR 5.36 (95% CI 1.11-26.01, p = 0.037), respectively, as demonstrated in table 1 and 2. There was no difference of laboratory result including complete blood count, plasma glucose, tumor markers (CEA and CA19-9) between complete and incomplete IM groups. During 16 months of study, there were 12 patients (1.1%) diagnosed with gastric cancer and 2 of them had history of prior IM along with adenocarcinoma on their gastric pathology. The 1-year survival rate of 12 gastric cancer patients was as low as 50%. Age >45 years, current H. pylori infection, and family history of gastric cancer are significant predictors for the presence of intestinal metaplasia. Body mass index might be beneficial for using as a predictive risk factor to reduce the development of incomplete intestinal metaplasia. H. pylori eradication could be an effective way to prevent the development of gastric precancerous lesions.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Psychoanalysis of 300 patients with chronic gastritis

Objective To analyze the difference of psychosocial characteristics in patients with chronic gastritis. Methods From June to December 2018, a total of 300 patients with chronic gastritis visited Xijing Hospital were consecutively enrolled. The patients were divided into chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG) group, chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) group and CAG with intestinal metaplasia group, with 100 cases in each group. Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), living events scale (LES) and Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) were used for evaluation and analysis. Chi square test, analysis of variance, nonparametric rank sum test and Kruskal Wallis H test were used for statistical analysis. Results The incidences of anxiety of the CAG group and the CAG with intestinal metaplasia group were both significantly higher than that of the CNAG group (64.0%, 64/100; 53.0%, 53/100; and 34.0%, 34/100; respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=0.007 and 0.001, both P 56.7) of etraversion or introversion and concealment in CAG group and the CAG with intestinal metaplasia group were higher than those in the CNAG group (48.0%, 48/100; 23.0%, 23/100; 4.0%, 4/100 and 46.0%, 46/100; 21.0%, 21/100 and 7.0%, 7/100, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=0.001, 0.001, 0.001 and 0.004, all P<0.01). Conclusions Anxiety is associated with CAG and intestinal metaplasia, while depression is associated with intestinal metaplasia. In male patients and patients under 50 years old, depression, negative event and high psychiatric stress are more significantly related to intestinal metaplasia. The mental characteristics of extroversion, emotional instability, psychoticism and concealment are closely associated with CAG. Key words: Chronic gastritis; Atrophy; Intestinal metaplasia; Psychological characteristic; Mental characteristic

Incidence of adenocarcinoma bladder in patients with cystitis cystica et glandularis: A retrospective study

Introduction:Cystitis cystica et glandularis (CCG) is a hyper proliferative condition, likely representing a local immune response to chronic inflammatory stimulus. It has been hypothesized as a potential precursor of adenocarcinoma; however, a definite association has not been demonstrated. We aimed to determine whether CCG is a precursor to malignancy and to study the correlation of its two histological variants: the typical and the intestinal metaplasia (IM) type CCG.Materials and Methods:In this retrospective study, all the cases of CCG diagnosed and treated between January 2012 and December 2019 were analyzed. All the cases were followed up cystoscopically and biopsies were taken if the lesion persisted. The development of adenocarcinoma during the follow-up was noted. The patients were divided into two groups based on the histological subtype, i.e., the typical type and the IM type, and the two groups were also compared in terms of presentation, cystoscopic appearance, and development of adenocarcinoma.Results:A total of 64 patients, with 52 in the typical and 12 in the IM group were analyzed. The commonest symptom was hematuria (59.38%), followed by irritative bladder symptoms (51.56%). The median follow-up period was 5 years and 5 months (range: 7–96 months) and no patient progressed to adenocarcinoma. On comparing the two groups, the lesions weresignificantly more extensive in the IM group (50% vs. 15.38%). However, there were no differences in the symptoms or the development of malignancy between the two groups.Conclusions:At a median of 5 years and 5 months of follow up, CCG (including the IM-type) did not show any increase in the risk of malignancy.

Casein kinase 2 interacting protein 1 positively regulates caudal-related homeobox 1 in intestinal-type gastric cancer.

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies, and intestinal-type GC is the main histopathologic type of GC in China. We previously reported that casein kinase 2 interacting protein 1 (CKIP-1) acts as a candidate tumor suppressor in intestinal-type GC. CKIP-1 participates in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways, including the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, of which caudal-related homeobox 1 (CDX1) may be a downstream target gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between CKIP-1 and CDX1 in intestinal-type GC.MethodsSixty-seven gastroscopy biopsy specimens and surgically resected gastric specimens were divided into four groups: gastric mucosa group, intestinal metaplasia (IM) group, dysplasia group, and intestinal-type GC group. The expression levels of CKIP-1 and CDX1 were detected in these groups and GC cell lines, and the correlations between these expression levels were analyzed. SGC7901 and BGC823 cells were divided into CKIP-1 shRNA groups and CKIP-1 over-expression groups, and CDX1 expression was detected. β-Catenin expression was detected in intestinal-type GC tissue samples and CKIP-1 shRNA and CKIP-1 over-expression SGC7901 cells, and its correlation with CKIP-1 expression in intestinal-type GC tissue was analyzed. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor DKK-1 and activator LiCl were incubated with SGC7901 cells, BGC823 cells, and CKIP-1 shRNA and CKIP-1 over-expression SGC7901 and BGC823 cells, following which CDX1 and Ki-67 expression were detected.ResultsThe expression levels of CKIP-1 and CDX1 were lower in patients with intestinal-type GC than in patients with IM and dysplasia (both P < 0.05). CKIP-1 and CDX1 expression levels were positively correlated in IM, dysplasia, and intestinal-type GC tissue and cell lines (r = 0.771, P < 0.01; r = 0.597, P < 0.01; r = 0.654, P < 0.01; r = 0.811, P < 0.01, respectively). CDX1 expression was decreased in the CKIP-1 shRNA groups and increased in the CKIP-1 over-expression groups of SGC7901 and BGC823 cells compared to that in the corresponding control groups (both P < 0.05). CKIP-1 expression was negatively correlated with β-catenin expression in intestinal-type GC patients (r = −0.458, P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, β-catenin expression was increased in the CKIP-1 shRNA SGC7901 cell group and decreased in the CKIP-1 over-expression SGC7901 cell group (P < 0.05). CDX1 expression was increased in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells treated with DKK-1, DKK-1 increased CDX1 expression and decreased Ki-67 expression in the CKIP-1 shRNA group; the opposite result was observed in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells treated with LiCl, and LiCl decreased CDX1 expression and increased Ki-67 expression in the CKIP-1 over-expression group (both P < 0.05).ConclusionsThrough the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, CKIP-1 may positively regulate CDX1 in intestinal-type GC.

The Relationship Between Histopathologic Findings and Weight Loss in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between histopathologic findings detected in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) specimens and excess weight loss percentages (%EWL) and excess BMI decrease percentages (%EBL). Patients who underwent LSG in the hospital's Gastroenterological Surgery Department between the years 2013 and 2018 and who completed 1year of follow-up were involved in the study. Patients whose 6th month and 12th month BMI were unknown were excluded from the study. Clinical and pathologic data of the cases were obtained from the automation system of the hospital. As a result of comparison among diagnosis groups, it was detected in the histopathologic analysis that the 12th month mean %EWL measurement was higher in the inactive stomach diagnosis group. In the comparisons among intestinal metaplasia (IM) groups, it was seen that 6th month %EWL and %EBL and 12th month %EWL and %EBL measurements were higher in the group without IM. Age, baseline BMI and active gastritis incidence in histopathologic analysis have a negative effect on weight loss. A correlation of histopathologic changes in morbid obese patients with weight loss after bariatric surgery was asserted in this study. Operating on younger patients with lower BMI and inactive gastritis with the LSG method could contribute to achieving more successful results. Prospective research studies are necessary within this context.

Correlation between macrophage migration inhibitory factor and autophagy in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis

The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and autophagy in gastric cancer is not clear. We determined H. pylori infection status of the subjects and investigated the expression of MIF and autophagy markers (Atg5, LC3A and LC3B) in human gastric tissue at baseline. Then H. pylori eradication was done for H. pylori positive patients and MIF and Atg5 levels were investigated on each follow-up for both H. pylori-eradicated and H. pylori negative patients. Baseline tissue mRNA expression of MIF, Atg5, LC3A and LC3B was measured by real-time PCR in 453 patients (control 165, gastric dysplasia 82, and gastric cancer 206). Three hundred three patients (66.9%) had H. pylori infection at the time of enrollment. Only within H. pylori-positive group, MIF level was significantly elevated in patients with cancer than in control or dysplasia groups (P<0.05). LC3A and LC3B levels also showed significant differences within H. pylori-positive subgroups. H. pylori-positive dysplasia subgroup showed significantly lower (LC3A) (P<0.05) and higher (LC3B) mRNA levels (P<0.05) than in other subgroups. On follow-up, within H. pylori-eradicated group, Atg5 expression increased sequentially from control to dysplasia and cancer subgroups. Multiple linear regression showed autophagy markers (LC3A, LC3B, and Atg5) directly predicted MIF level (adjusted R2 = 0.492, P<0.001). Serial follow-up showed longitudinal increase in Atg5 level in general, with constantly higher levels in H. pylori-eradicated group than in -negative group. Intestinal metaplasia (IM) group initially showed higher Atg5 expression than the IM-negative group. However, it was reversed between the groups eventually because of the lower rate of increase in IM group. These results suggest a role of MIF and autophagy markers and their interaction in H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis.

The importance of complete blood count parameters in the screening of gastric cancer.

IntroductionGastric cancer is ranked fourth among all cancers in the world and second in cancer-related deaths. Gastritis leads to the activation of neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and platelets. Long-term inflammation leads to multistage histopathologic changes called Correa tract, which includes gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia, and cancer stages.AimTo determine if there is any difference in haematological parameters between gastric cancer (GC) patients, patients with IM, and healthy controls (HC).Material and methodsSeventy-three GC patients, 79 patients with IM, and 70 HCs were included in the study. Demographics and laboratory parameters of complete blood count were extracted from the hospital medical database records.ResultsThe mean Hb levels were statistically significant between all three groups. Mean red cell distribution width (RDW), white blood cells (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR) levels were statistically significantly different between gastric cancer and healthy controls. Mean RDW, MPV, and PDW levels were statistically significantly different between the IM and healthy control groups. Mean WBC, NLR, PLR, and MLR levels were statistically significantly different between the gastric cancer and IM groups.ConclusionsRDW, platelet count, NLR, MLR, and PLR have diagnostic value and can help to distinguish patients with GC from those with IM. These parameters are accessible easily, the cost is not high, and it may help patients not to delay endoscopic screening.

Expression profiles of histone modification genes in gastric cancer progression.

Gastric cancer (GC) development can be attributed to several risk factors including atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and the presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP). Also, histone modification is an epigenetic mechanism that plays a pivotal role in GC carcinogenesis. In this preliminary study, we aimed to describe the expression profiles of histone modification in the AG, IM, and GC patient groups. A total of 80 patients with AG (n = 27), IM (n = 25), and GC (n = 28) with an additional 20 control subjects were included in the study. Expression profiles of three histone phosphorylation genes (PAK1, NEK6, and AURKA) and five histone deacetylation genes (HDACs 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7) were examined based on the results of Real Time qPCR method. It was observed that AURKA and HDAC2 genes were significantly overexpressed in all groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). In GC patients, overexpression of HDAC2 gene was detected in the absence of metastasis, and overexpression of AURKA, HDAC2, and NEK6 genes was detected in the presence of metastasis. When cancer involvements were compared, significant overexpression of the HDAC2 gene was noted in overall and corpus involvements (P < 0.05). In addition, overexpression of AURKA, NEK6, HDAC1, and HDAC2 genes and underexpression of HDAC5 gene were detected in the antrum involvement (P < 0.05). In conclusion, decreased expression of HDAC5 in GC is reported for the first time in this study, while supporting the existing literature in AURKA, NEK6, HDAC1, and HDAC2 up regulations during GC development.

Occurrence of gastric cancer in patients with atrophic gastritis during long-term follow-up

Background: Additional data on the incidence of gastric neoplasia in the Chinese atrophic gastritis (AG) population during long-term follow-up are needed and the influence of the endoscopic surveillance interval on gastric neoplasia occurrence remains unknown.Aims: Retrospectively investigated the occurrence of gastric cancer (GC) and precancerous lesions in AG patients during long-term follow-up and assessed risk factors, such as the endoscopic surveillance interval for the development of gastric neoplasia.Methods: This study enrolled 332 AG patients who underwent initial gastroscopy from 2002 to 2005. Following parameters were collected: age, gender, smoking history, H. pylori infection, location of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM), surveillance interval, follow-up duration, and neoplasia occurrence.Results: Gastric neoplasia was diagnosed in 16 patients. The annual incidence rates per person-year of total gastric neoplasia, gastric high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN), early GC and advanced GC were 0.53%, 0.07%, 0.20% and 0.33%, respectively. A multivariate Cox analysis not accounting for the extent of AG and/or IM showed that the risk factors for GC development among AG patients included the presence of AG and/or IM involving both antral and corporal (p<.001, HR 2.898) and H. pylori infection (p=.018, HR 3.946). In the extensive AG and/or IM group, a 2- to 3-year surveillance interval might be instructive in early detection of GC (p=.008, HR 0.015).Conclusions: Our data reveal an annual incidence rate of 0.53% per person-year for GC and HGIN in AG patients. A 2- to 3-year surveillance interval may be suitable for patients with extensive AG and/or IM.