Risk factors and clinical outcomes of incomplete endoscopic resection of small rectal neuroendocrine tumors in southern China:a 9-year data analysis

Background:The histologically complete resection(CR)rate of small rectal neuroendocrine tumors(RNETs)is unsatisfactory at the first endoscopy.Risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with incomplete resection(IR)have not been explicitly elucidated.This study aims to explore the relevant factors of IR.Methods:This retrospective study reviewed patients with small RNETs(10mm)in eight centers from January 2013 to December 2021.Clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between the CR and IR groups,and the polypectomy and advanced treatment groups.Results:Of the 326 patients included,83(25.5%)were diagnosed with IR.Polypectomy(odds ratio[OR]=16.86),a central depression(OR=7.50),and treatment in the early period(OR=2.60)were closely associated with IR.Further analysis revealed that an atypical hyperemic appearance(OR=7.49)and treatment in the early period(OR=2.54)were significantly associated with the inappropriate use of polypectomy(both P<0.05).In addition,a total of 265(81.3%)were followed up with a median follow-up period of 30.9 months.No death,metastasis,or recurrence was found during the follow-up period.Conclusions:Polypectomy,a central depression,and treatment in the early period were risk factors for IR.Further,an atypical hyperemic appearance and treatment in the early period were significant predisposing factors for inappropriate choice of polypectomy.For histologically incompletely resected small RNETs,follow-up may be a safe and feasible alternative to rigorous salvage therapy.

A β-sheet-targeted theranostic agent for diagnosing and preventing aggregation of pathogenic peptides in Alzheimer’s disease

Amyloid-βpeptide(Aβ)aggregates,particularly Aβoligomers,are established biomarker and toxic species in Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Early detection and disaggregation of Aβaggregates are of great importance for the treatment of AD due to the unavailability of therapy at the advanced stages of the disease.A multitalented agent,2-{2-[(1 H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)methoxy]phenyl}benzothiazole(BPB),is designed by merging twoβ-sheet targeting groups into one molecule to detect and inhibit the Aβaggregation.BPB can quantitatively measure theβ-sheet level of soluble Aβoligomers and specifically distinguish the aggregates of Aβ40 and Aβ42 by unique luminescence spectrum.Animal tests demonstrate that BPB can efficiently penetrate the blood brain barrier and precisely stain Aβplaques in the brain;more importantly,it can differentiate the blood of APP transgenic mice from that of normal ones.In addition to the diagnostic potential,BPB also suppresses the generation of ROS,protects the neurons from neurotoxicity,and disaggregates the Aβaggregates in brain homogenates of APP transgenic mice induced by metal ions or self-assembly.In view of its detective ability toward Aβoligomers and inhibition to Aβ-related neurotoxicity,BPB may be developed into a sensitive probe for screening blood samples in the early diagnosis of AD as well as an effective inhibitor for diminishing Aβaggregates in the treatment of the disease.