Assessing the suitability of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue for genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Objective: The power of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify common disease variants depends primarily on the number of included samples. The availability of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples in pathology institutes provides a valuable resource for GWAS, but the use of this material poses significant challenges. To explore the suitability of utilizing FFPE tissue for GWAS, we analysed the genotyping concordance between corresponding FFPE and blood samples.

CagA-dependent Hobit gastric tissue-resident memory T cells confer full protection from reinfection.

Background: infection is the most prevalent bacterial infection worldwide. Attempts to develop a vaccine have not been successful, partly due to the absence of well-defined immune correlates of protection. The inflammatory response to infection is characterised by the recruitment of T cells expressing markers of tissue-resident memory T (T) cells to the gastric mucosa.

Spatial immune profiling of Crohn's disease fistula carcinomas-defining a distinct cancer subtype.

Background And Aims: Fistula formation is a common and debilitating complication in Crohn's disease (CD). CD-associated fistula carcinomas (Fi-Cas), though rare, pose diagnostic and prognostic challenges. This study aims to identify disease-defining immune cell subsets in CD-associated Fi-Cas.

γ-glutamyltransferase is linked to proteomic adaptions important for colonization.

γ-glutamyltransferase (gGT) is a virulence factor that promotes bacterial colonization and immune tolerance. Although some studies addressed potential functional mechanisms, the supportive role of gGT for colonization remains unclear. Additionally, it is unknown how different gGT expression levels may lead to compensatory mechanisms ensuring infection and persistence.

Reassessment reveals underestimation of infiltration depth in surgical resection specimens with lymph-node positive T1b esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic resection (ER) has proven effective and safe for T1 esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, uncertainty remains concerning risk-benefit return of esophagectomy for submucosal lesions (T1b). Surgical series in past decades have reported significant risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in T1b EAC, but these rates may be overestimated due to limitations in histological assessment of surgical specimens.

Oral Microbiome Dysbiosis Is Associated With Precancerous Lesions and Disorders of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: A Population-Based Study.

Introduction: Oral microbiota may contribute to the development of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disorders. In this study, we evaluated the association between microbiota of saliva, subgingival, and buccal mucosa and UGI disorders, particularly precancerous lesions. We also aimed to identify which oral site have the greatest potential as biomarkers for the development of UGI cancers.

Biologically targeted discovery-replication scan identifies G×G interaction in relation to risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Inherited genetics represents an important contributor to risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and its precursor Barrett's esophagus (BE). Genome-wide association studies have identified ∼30 susceptibility variants for BE/EAC, yet genetic interactions remain unexamined. To address challenges in large-scale G×G scans, we combined knowledge-guided filtering and machine learning approaches, focusing on genes with (1) known/plausible links to BE/EAC pathogenesis (n = 493) or (2) prior evidence of biological interactions (n = 4,196).

Differential expression of the ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 in gastric biopsies indicates the severity of disease.

A20, an ubiquitin-editing enzyme, plays a pivotal role in regulating cell signaling and immune responses. Dysregulated A20 expression has been associated with various pathological conditions, including inflammatory diseases and malignancies, where its expression levels often correlate with differing prognoses in solid tumors. This study aimed to explore the expression and cellular localization of A20 in both nonpathological and diseased human gastric tissues to gain deeper insights into its involvement in gastric pathologies.

Efficacy and Safety of Budesonide Orodispersible Tablets for Eosinophilic Esophagitis up to 3 Years: An Open-Label Extension Study.

Background & Aims: Budesonide orodispersible tablets (BOT) have been shown to be safe and effective in phase III double-blind trials of induction and 48-week maintenance therapy of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We now analyzed the long-term efficacy and safety of BOT in a 96-week open-label extension (OLE) study.

Methods: All patients with EoE in the 48-week double-blind maintenance study were eligible to receive BOT treatment for up to 96 weeks.

Clinical Trial: Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Oesophageal Delivery System for Topical Corticosteroids Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Eosinophilic Oesophagitis.

Background: EsoCap is a thin mucoadhesive film designed to target the oesophageal mucosa. The device loaded with mometasone furoate (ESO-101) is under investigation for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ESO-101 in patients with active EoE.

Clinical management of patients with colorectal intramucosal carcinoma compared to high-grade dysplasia and T1 colorectal cancer.

Background And Aims: In the colorectum, intramucosal carcinoma (IMC), like high-grade dysplasia (HGD), should be resected endoscopically. We were interested to understand how real-world treatment of IMC cases compares to management of HGD and T1 colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A multicenter cohort study was conducted.

Architectural crypt distortions in ulcerative colitis: Time for reappraisal.

Chronic mucosal inflammation and architectural crypt distortions (ACD) are essential for the histologic diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC). ACD in UC has been defined as irregularly arranged, dilated, branched, and shortened crypts with inequality of inter-crypt distance. However, neither the diagnostic sections' crypt phenotype nor the cutting mode have been considered.

Dysplastic crypts with lateral buddings in tubular adenomas.

Tubular adenomas (TA) are the most frequent of all colorectal adenomas. Current definitions of TA do not include the phenotype of the dysplastic crypts. We report a novel crypt phenotype characterized by dysplastic crypts with lateral buddings (DCLB).

Histological Presentation of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Simply a Magic Number?

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis is an increasing condition in industrialized countries. The etiology is still somewhat unclear. It was thought that it can be part of eosinophilic gastroenteritis but nowadays seen as a separate entity and thus more often the esophagus is the only part of the gastrointestinal tract that is affected.

Nondysplastic Colon Crypts Intercalated in Tubular Adenomas Support Field Cancerization.

Background/aim: Tubular adenomas of the colon (TA) are neoplastic polyps composed of dysplastic tube-like crypts. Nondysplastic crypts, mostly in asymmetric branching have been previously reported, both beneath and bordering TA. In the present article, intercalated nondysplastic crypts (INDC) amidst dysplastic crypts in TA are showcased.

Gastric cancer prevention by community eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China. Affecting more than 40% of the world's population, Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for gastric cancer. While previous clinical trials indicated that eradication of H.

Methylation Analysis of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Carcinomas.

Background: Ulcerative colitis is a well-known inflammatory bowel disease. Patients have an increased risk of developing colitis associated carcinoma (CAC). It is important for patient management to be able to distinguish between ulcerative colitis associated carcinoma and sporadic carcinoma (sCRC).

Gut Pathobiont-Derived Outer Membrane Vesicles Drive Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis-Associated Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background & Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), often associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), presents a multifactorial etiology involving genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors. Gut dysbiosis and bacterial translocation have been implicated in PSC-IBD, yet the precise mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis remain elusive. Here, we describe the role of gut pathobionts in promoting liver inflammation and fibrosis due to the release of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs).

Histopathological Assessment of the Endoscopic Resection Specimen.

Background: Endoscopic resection for early neoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract is nowadays the accepted and feasible method also in non-tertiary reference centers. The main clinical advantage is the preserved quality of life compared to larger surgical procedures.

Summary: Clinical colleagues need to have basic knowledge of factors that may influence the outcome of histopathology.