Different roles of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in obscure small intestinal diseases

AIM: To compare the roles of capsule endoscopy(CE)and double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) in the diagnosis of obscure small bowel diseases.METHODS: From June 2009 to December 2014, 88 patients were included in this study; the patients had undergone gastroscopy, colonoscopy, radiological small intestinal barium meal, abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan and mesenteric angiography, but their diagnoses were still unclear. The patients with gastrointestinal obstructions,fistulas, strictures, or cardiac pacemakers, as well as pregnant women, and individuals who could not accept the capsule-retention or capsule-removal surgery were excluded. Patients with heart, lung and other vital organ failure diseases were also excluded. Everyone involved in this study had undergone CE and DBE. The results were divided into:(1) the definite diagnosis(the diagnosis was confirmed at least by one of the biopsy,surgery, pathology or the drug treatment effects with follow-up for at least 3 mo);(2) the possible diagnosis(a possible diagnosis was suggested by CE or DBE,but not confirmed by the biopsy, surgery or follow-up drug treatment effects); and(3) the unclear diagnosis(no exact causes were provided by CE and DBE for the disease). The detection rate and the diagnostic yield of the two methods were compared. The differencein the etiologies between CE and DBE was estimated,and the different possible etiologies caused by the age groups were also investigated.RESULTS: CE exhibited a better trend than DBE for diagnosing scattered small ulcers(P = 0.242, Fisher's test), and small vascular malformations(χ 2 = 1.810,P = 0.179, Pearson χ 2 test), but with no significant differences, possible due to few cases. However,DBE was better than CE for larger tumors(P =0.018, Fisher's test) and for diverticular lesions with bleeding ulcers(P = 0.005, Fisher's test). All three hemangioma cases diagnosed by DBE in this study(including sponge hemangioma, venous hemangioma,and hemangioma with hamartoma lesions) were all confirmed by biopsy. Two parasite cases were found by CE, but were negative by DBE. This study revealed no obvious differences in the detection rates(DR) of CE(60.0%, 53/88) and DBE(59.1%, 52/88). However,the etiological diagnostic yield(DY) difference was apparent. The CE diagnostic yield was 42.0%(37/88),and the DBE diagnostic yield was 51.1%(45/88).Furthermore, there were differences among the age groups(χ 2 = 22.146, P = 0.008, Kruskal Wallis Test). Small intestinal cancer(5/6 cases), vascular malformations(22/29 cases), and active bleeding(3/4cases) appeared more commonly in the patients over50 years old, but diverticula with bleeding ulcers were usually found in the 15-25-year group(4/7cases). The over-25-year group accounted for the stromal tumors(10/12 cases).CONCLUSION: CE and DBE each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The appropriate choice depends on the patient's age, tolerance, and clinical manifestations. Sometimes CE followed by DBE is necessary.

Breath test for differential diagnosis between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and irritable bowel disease:An observation on non-absorbable antibiotics

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) among patients with an earlier diagnosis of irritable bowel disease (IBS) in our geographical area, and to collect information on the use of locally acting non-absorbable antibiotics in the management of SIBO. METHODS: A non-interventional study was conducted in 73 consecutive patients with a symptom-based diagnosis.. RESULTS: When the patients underwent a "breath test", 33 (45.2%) showed the presence of a SIBO. After treatment with rifaximin 1200 mg/d for seven days in 32 patients, 19 (59.4%) showed a negative "breath test" one week later as well as a significant reduction of symptoms, thus confirming the relationship between SIBO and many of the symptoms claimed by patients. In the other 13 patients, "breath test" remained positive, and a further cycle of treatment with ciprofloxacin 500 mg/d was given for 7 additional days, resulting in a negative "breath test" in one patient only. CONCLUSION: (1) about half of the patients with a symptomatic diagnosis of IBS have actually SIBO, which is responsible for most of the symptoms attributed to IBS; (2) only a "breath test" with lactulose (or with glucose in subjects with an intolerance to lactose) can provide a differential diagnosis between IBS and SIBO, with almost identical symptoms; and (3) the use of non-absorbable antibiotics may be useful to reduce the degree of SIBO and related symptoms; it must be accompanied, however, by the correction of the wrong alimentary habits underlying SIBO.

Artificial intelligence in small intestinal diseases:Application and prospects

The small intestine is located in the middle of the gastrointestinal tract,so small intestinal diseases are more difficult to diagnose than other gastrointestinal diseases.However,with the extensive application of artificial intelligence in the field of small intestinal diseases,with its efficient learning capacities and computational power,artificial intelligence plays an important role in the auxiliary diagnosis and prognosis prediction based on the capsule endoscopy and other examination methods,which improves the accuracy of diagnosis and prediction and reduces the workload of doctors.In this review,a comprehensive retrieval was performed on articles published up to October 2020 from PubMed and other databases.Thereby the application status of artificial intelligence in small intestinal diseases was systematically introduced,and the challenges and prospects in this field were also analyzed.

Gastrointestinal motility and absorptive disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: Prevalence, diagnosis and treatment

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD),Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis,are chronic conditions associated with high morbidity and healthcare costs.The natural history of IBD is variable and marked by alternating periods of flare and remission.Even though the use of newer therapeutic targets has been associated with higher rates of mucosal healing,a great proportion of IBD patients remain symptomatic despite effective control of inflammation.These symptoms may include but not limited to abdominal pain,dyspepsia,diarrhea,urgency,fecal incontinence,constipation or bloating.In this setting,commonly there is an overlap with gastrointestinal(GI)motility and absorptive disorders.Early recognition of these conditions greatly improves patient care and may decrease the risk of mistreatment.Therefore,in this review we describe the prevalence,diagnosis and treatment of GI motility and absorptive disorders that commonly affect patients with IBD.

Association between intestinal neoplasms and celiac disease:A review

Celiac disease(CD)is a chronic immune-mediated intestinal disease with genetic susceptibility.It is characterized by inflammatory damage to the small intestine after ingestion of cereals and products containing gluten protein.In recent years,the global prevalence rate of CD has been approximately 1%,and is gradually increasing.CD patients adhere to a gluten-free diet(GFD)throughout their entire life.However,it is difficult to adhere strictly to a GFD.Untreated CD may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms,such as diarrhea,abdominal pain,and extraintestinal symptoms caused by secondary malnutrition.Many studies have suggested that CD is associated with intestinal tumors such as enteropathyassociated T-cell lymphoma(EATL),small bowel cancer(SBC),and colorectal cancer.In this study,we reviewed related studies published in the literature to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of intestinal tumors in patients with CD.Compared with the general population,CD patients had a high total risk of SBC and EATL,but not colorectal cancer.The protective effect of GFD on CD-related malignancies is controversial.Further studies are needed to confirm whether GFD treatment can reduce the risk of intestinal neoplasms in CD.

Subclinical atherosclerosis is linked to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth via vitamin K2-dependent mechanisms

AIM To assess the rate of matrix Gla-protein carboxylation in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO) and to decipher its association with subclinical atherosclerosis.METHODS Patients with suspected SIBO who presented with a low risk for cardiovascular disease and showed no evidence of atherosclerotic plaques were included in the study. A glucose breath test was performed in order to confirm the diagnosis of SIBO and vascular assessment was carried out by ultrasound examination. Plasma levels of the inactive form of MGP(dephosphorylateduncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein) were quantified by ELISA and vitamin K2 intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire.RESULTS Thirty-nine patients were included in the study. SIBO was confirmed in 12/39(30.8%) patients who also presented with a higher concentration ofdephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein(9.5 μg/L vs 4.2 μg/L; P = 0.004). Arterial stiffness was elevated in the SIBO group(pulse-wave velocity 10.25 m/s vs 7.68 m/s; P = 0.002) and this phenomenon was observed to correlate linearly with the levels of dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein(β = 0.220, R2 = 0.366, P = 0.03). Carotid intima-media thickness and arterial calcifications were not observed to be significantly elevated as compared to controls.CONCLUSION SIBO is associated with reduced matrix Gla-protein activation as well as arterial stiffening. Both these observations are regarded as important indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis. Hence, screening for SIBO, intestinal decontamination and supplementation with vitamin K2 has the potential to be incorporated into clinical practice as additional preventive measures.

Small intestine contrast ultrasonography vs computed tomography enteroclysis for assessing ileal Crohn's disease

AIM:To compare computed tomography enteroclysis(CTE) vs small intestine contrast ultrasonography(SICUS) for assessing small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease(CD),when using surgical pathology as gold standard.METHODS:From January 2007 to July 2008,15 eligible patients undergoing elective resection of the distal ileum and coecum(or right colon) were prospectively enrolled.All patients were under follow-up.The study population included 6 males and 9 females,with a median age of 44 years(range:18-80 years).Inclusion criteria:(1) certain diagnosis of small bowel requiring elective ileo-colonic resection;(2) age between 18-80 years;(3) elective surgery in our Surgical Unit;and(4) written informed consent.SICUS and CTE were performed ≤ 3 mo before surgery,followed by surgical pathology.The following small bowel lesions were blindly reported by one sonologist,radiologist,surgeon and histolopathologist:disease site,extent,strictures,abscesses,fistulae,small bowel dilation.Comparison between findings at SICUS,CTE,surgical specimens and histological examination was made by assessing the specificity,sensitivity and accuracy of each technique,when using surgical findings as gold standard.RESULTS:Among the 15 patients enrolled,CTE was not feasible in 2 patients,due to urgent surgery in one patients and to low compliance in the second patient,refusing to perform CTE due to the discomfort related to the naso-jejunal tube.The analysis for comparing CTE vs SICUS findings was therefore performed in 13 out of the 15 CD patients enrolled.Differently from CTE,SICUS was feasible in all the 15 patients enrolled.No complications were observed when using SICUS or CTE.Surgical pathology findings in the tested population included:small bowel stricture in 13 patients,small bowel dilation above ileal stricture in 10 patients,abdominal abscesses in 2 patients,enteric fistulae in 5 patients,lymphnodes enlargement(> 1 cm) in 7 patients and mesenteric enlargement in 9 patients.In order to compare findings by using SICUS,CTE,histology and surgery,characteristics of the small bowel lesions observed in CD each patient were blindly reported in the same form by one gastroenterologistsonologist,radiologist,surgeon and anatomopathologist.At surgery,lesions related to CD were detected in the distal ileum in all 13 patients,also visualized by both SICUS and CTE in all 13 patients.Ileal lesions > 10 cm length were detected at surgery in all the 13 CD patients,confirmed by SICUS and CTE in the same 12 out of the 13 patients.When using surgical findings as a gold standard,SICUS and CTE showed the exactly same sensitivity,specificity and accuracy for detecting the presence of small bowel fistulae(accuracy 77% for both) and abscesses(accuracy 85% for both).In the tested CD population,SICUS and CTE were also quite comparable in terms of accuracy for detecting the presence of small bowel strictures(92% vs 100%),small bowel fistulae(77% for both) and small bowel dilation(85% vs 82%).CONCLUSION:In our study population,CTE and the non-invasive and radiation-free SICUS showed a comparable high accuracy for assessing small bowel lesions in CD.

Incidental findings at MRI-enterography in patients with suspected or known Crohn's disease

AIM:To determine the frequency and clinical impact of incidental findings detected with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-enterography in patients with suspected or known Crohn's disease(CD). METHODS:Incidental findings were defined as unexpected lesions outside the small intestine,not previously known or suspected at the time of referral, and not related to inflammatory bowel disease.Through a systematic review of medical charts we analyzed the clinical impact of incidental findings,and compared the MRI findings with subsequent diagnostic procedures. RESULTS:A total of 283 patients were included in the analysis,and MRI detected active CD in 31%,fistula in 1.4%and abscess in 0.7%.Extra-intestinal findings notrelated to CD were recorded in 72 patients(25%),of which 58 patients(20%)had 74 previously unknown lesions.Important or incompletely characterized findings were detected in 17 patients(6.0%).Incidental findings led to 12 further interventions in 9 patients(3.2%) revealing previously unknown pathological conditions in 5(1.8%).One patient(0.4%)underwent surgery and one patient was diagnosed with a malignant disease. MRI detected incidental colonic lesions in 16 patients of which additional work-up in 4 revealed normal anatomy. Two patients(0.7%)benefitted from the additional examinations,whereas incidental findings led to unnecessary examinations in 9(3.2%). CONCLUSION:In a minority of patients with suspected or known CD,important incidental findings are diagnosed at MRI-enterography.However,a substantial number of patients experience unnecessary morbidity because of additional examinations of benign or normal conditions.

Gut-liver axis and probiotics: Their role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The incidence of obesity and its related conditions, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), has dramatically increased in all age groups worldwide. Given the health consequences of these conditions, and the subsequent economic burden on healthcare systems, their prevention and treatment have become major priorities. Because standard dietary and lifestyle changes and pathogenically-oriented therapies(e.g., antioxidants, oral hypoglycemic agents, and lipid-lowering agents) often fail due to poor compliance and/or lack of efficacy, novel approaches directed toward other pathomechanisms are needed. Here we present several lines of evidence indicating that, by increasing energy extraction in some dysbiosis conditions or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,specific gut microbiota and/or a"low bacterial richness"may play a role in obesity,metabolic syndrome,and fatty liver.Under conditions involving a damaged intestinal barrier("leaky gut"),the gut-liver axis may enhance the natural interactions between intestinal bacteria/bacterial products and hepatic receptors(e.g.,toll-like receptors),thus promoting the following cascade of events:oxidative stress,insulinresistance,hepatic inflammation,and fibrosis.We also discuss the possible modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics,as attempted in NAFLD animal model studies and in several pilot pediatric and adult human studies.Globally,this approach appears to be a promising and innovative add-on therapeutic tool for NAFLD in the context of multi-target therapy.

基于心-脾-肠轴探讨肠道菌群与冠心病的相关性

人口老龄化程度的加深引发社会对老年人生活质量的关注,冠心病严重威胁患者生活质量。近年来,肠道微生态系统对人体生理病理机制逐渐被发掘,通过分析中医学对心、脾、小肠的密切联系,基于心-脾-肠轴理论结合现代医学肠道菌群及其代谢产物对冠心病的主要调节作用以及多种冠心病危险因素对肠道菌群的影响,揭示肠道菌群与冠心病的相关性,探求从脾论治改善肠道菌群以治疗冠心病的科学性。

Use of shape-from-shading to characterize mucosal topography in celiac disease videocapsule images

AIM To use a computerized shape-from-shading technique to characterize the topography of the small intestinal mucosa.METHODS Videoclips comprised of 100-200 images each were obtained from the distal duodenum in 8 celiac and 8 control patients.Images with high texture were selected from each videoclip and projected from two to three dimensions by using grayscale pixel brightness as the Z-axis spatial variable.The resulting images for celiac patients were then ordered using the Marsh score to estimate the degree of villous atrophy,and compared with control data.RESULTS Topographic changes in celiac patient three-dimensional constructs were often more variable as compared to controls.The mean absolute derivative in elevation was 2.34 ± 0.35 brightness units for celiacs vs 1.95 ± 0.28 for controls(P = 0.014).The standard deviation of the derivative in elevation was 4.87 ± 0.35 brightness units for celiacs vs 4.47 ± 0.36 for controls(P = 0.023).Celiac patients with Marsh ⅢC villous atrophy tended to have the largest topographic changes.Plotted in two dimensions,celiac data could be separated from controls with 80% sensitivity and specificity.CONCLUSION Use of shape-from-shading to construct three-dimensional projections approximating the actual spatial geometry of the small intestinal substrate is useful to observe features not readily apparent in two-dimensional videocapsule images.This method represents a potentially helpful adjunct to detect areas of pathology during videocapsule analysis.

Eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract and their role in the pathogenesis of major colorectal disorders

Eosinophils are currently regarded as versatile mobile cells controlling and regulating multiple biological pathways and responses in health and disease.These cells store in their specific granules numerous biologically active substances(cytotoxic cationic proteins, cytokines, growth factors, chemokines,enzymes) ready for rapid release. The human gut is the main destination of eosinophils that are produced and matured in the bone marrow and then transferred to target tissues through the circulation. In health the most important functions of gut-residing eosinophils comprise their participation in the maintenance of the protective mucosal barrier and interactions with other immune cells in providing immunity to microbiota of the gut lumen. Eosinophils are closely involved in the development of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),when their cytotoxic granule proteins cause damage to host tissues. However,their roles in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis appear to follow different immune response patterns. Eosinophils in IBD are especially important in altering the structure and protective functions of the mucosal barrier and modulating massive neutrophil influx to the lamina propria followed by transepithelial migration to colorectal mucus. IBD-associated inflammatory process involving eosinophils then appears to expand to the mucus overlaying the internal gut surface. The author hypothesises that immune responses within colorectal mucus as well as ETosis exerted by both neutrophils and eosinophils on the both sides of the colonic epithelial barrier act as additional pathogenetic factors in IBD. Literature analysis also shows an association between elevated eosinophil levels and better colorectal cancer(CRC) prognosis, but mechanisms behind this effect remain to be elucidated. In conclusion, the author emphasises the importance of investigating colorectal mucus in IBD and CRC patients as a previously unexplored milieu of disease-related inflammatory responses.

Diagnostic imaging and radiation exposure in inflammatorybowel disease

Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). However due to the relapsing nature of IBD, there is growing concern that IBD patients may be exposed to potentially harmful cumulative levels of ionising radiation in their lifetime, increasing malignant potential in a population already at risk. In this review we explore the proportion of IBD patients exposed to high cumulative radiation doses, the risk factors associated with higher radiation exposures, and we compare conventional diagnostic imaging with newer radiation-free imaging techniques used in the evaluation of patients with IBD. While computed tomography(CT) performs well as an imaging modality for IBD, the effective radiation dose is considerably higher than other abdominal imaging modalities. It is increasingly recognised that CT imaging remains responsible for the majority of diagnostic medical radiation to which IBD patients are exposed. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and small intestine contrast enhanced ultrasonography(SICUS) have now emerged as suitable radiation-free alternatives to CT imaging, with comparable diagnostic accuracy. The routine use of MRI and SICUS for the clinical evaluation of patients with known or suspected small bowel Crohn's disease is to be encouraged wherever possible. More provision is needed for out-of-hours radiation-free imaging modalities to reduce the need for CT.

Paneth cells in intestinal physiology and pathophysiology

Small intestinal mucosa is characterised by villus forming connective tissues with highly specialised surface lining epithelial cells essentially contributing to the establishment of the intestinal border.In order to perform these diverse functions,spatially distinct compartments of epithelial differentiation are found along the crypt-villus axis,including Paneth cells as a highly specialised cell type.Paneth cells locate in crypts and assist undifferentiated columnar cells,called crypt base columnar cells,and rapidly amplifying cells in the regeneration of absorptive and secretory cell types.There is some evidence that Paneth cells are involved in the configuration and function of the stem cell zone as well as intestinal morphogenesis and crypt fission.However,the flow of Paneth cells to crypt bottoms requires strong Wnt signalling guided by EphB3 and partially antagonised by Notch.In addition,mature Paneth cells are essential for the production and secretion of antimicrobial peptides including α-defensins/cryptdins.These antimicrobials are physiologically involved in shaping the composition of the microbiome.The autophagy related 16-like 1(ATG16L1) is a genetic risk factor and is involved in the exocytosis pathway of Paneth cells as well as a linker molecule to PPAR signalling and lipid metabolism.There is evidence that injuries of Paneth cells are involved in the etiopathogenesis of different intestinal diseases.The review provides an overview of the key points of Paneth cell activities in intestinal physiology and pathophysiology.

Washed microbiota transplantation reduces proton pump inhibitor dependency in nonerosive reflux disease

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)is closely associated with the intestinal bacteria composition and their metabolites.AIM To investigate whether washed microbiota transplantation(WMT)improves symptoms of nonerosive reflux disease(NERD)with proton pump inhibitor(PPI)dependency.METHODS Patients with recurrent NERD and PPI dependency at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from 2017 to 2018 were included and divided into a WMT or PPI group treated with PPI with/without WMT.The endpoint was NERD symptom frequency evaluated 1 mo after WMT using reflux disease questionnaire(RDQ)and GERD questionnaire(GERDQ)scores,remission time,PPI dose,and the examination of intestinal mucosal barrier function.RESULTS In the WMT(n=15)and PPI(n=12)groups,the total remission rate at 1 mo after treatment was 93.3%vs 41.7%.Compared with the PPI group,the WMT group showed better results in GERDQ(P=0.004)and RDQ(P=0.003)and in remission months(8 vs 2,P=0.002).The PPI dose was reduced to some extent for 80%of patients in the WMT group and 33.3%in the PPI group.In 24 patients,intestinal mucosal barrier function was examined before treatment,and changes in the degree of damage were observed in 13 of these patients after treatment.Only one of the 15 patients had minor side effects,including a mushy stool two or three times a day,which resolved on their own after 1 wk.CONCLUSION This study is the first to demonstrate that WMT may be safe and effective for relieving NERD symptoms and reducing PPI dependency and recurrence.

Recommendations to quantify villous atrophy in video capsule endoscopy images of celiac disease patients

AIM To quantify the presence of villous atrophy in endoscopic images for improved automation.METHODS There are two main categories of quantitative descriptors helpful to detect villous atrophy:(1) Statistical and(2) Syntactic. Statistical descriptors measure the small intestinal substrate in endoscope-acquired images based on mathematical methods. Texture is the most commonly used statistical descriptor to quantify villous atrophy. Syntactic descriptors comprise a syntax, or set of rules, for analyzing and parsing the substrate into a set of objects with boundaries. The syntax is designed to identify and distinguish three-dimensional structures based on their shape.RESULTS The variance texture statistical descriptor is useful to describe the average variability in image gray level representing villous atrophy, but does not determine the range in variability and the spatial relationships between regions. Improved textural descriptors will incorporate these factors, so that areas with variability gradients and regions that are orientation dependent can be distinguished. The protrusion syntactic descriptor is useful to detect three-dimensional architectural components, but is limited to identifying objects of a certain shape. Improvement in this descriptor will require incorporating flexibility to the prototypical template, so that protrusions of any shape can be detected, measured, and distinguished.CONCLUSION Improved quantitative descriptors of villous atrophy are being developed, which will be useful in detecting subtle, varying patterns of villous atrophy in the small intestinal mucosa of suspected and known celiac disease patients.

Implementation of a polling protocol for predicting celiac disease in videocapsule analysis

AIM: To investigate the presence of small intestinal villous atrophy in celiac disease patients from quantitative analysis of videocapsule image sequences.METHODS: Nine celiac patient data with biopsy-proven villous atrophy and seven control patient data lacking villous atrophy were used for analysis. Celiacs had biopsy-proven disease with scores of Marsh Ⅱ-Ⅲ C except in the case of one hemophiliac patient. At four small intestinal levels (duodenal bulb, distal duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), video clips of length 200 frames (100 s) were analyzed. Twenty-four measurements were used for image characterization. These measurements were determined by quantitatively processing the videocapsule images via techniques for texture analysis, motility estimation, volumetric reconstruction using shape-from-shading principles, and image transformation. Each automated measurement method, or automaton, was polled as to whether or not villous atrophy was present in the small intestine, indicating celiac disease. Each automaton's vote was determined based upon an optimized parameter threshold level, with the threshold levels being determined from prior data. A prediction of villous atrophy was made if it received the majority of votes (≥ 13), while no prediction was made for tie votes (12-12). Thus each set of images was classified as being from either a celiac disease patient or from a control patient. RESULTS: Separated by intestinal level, the overall sensitivity of automata polling for predicting villous atrophy and hence celiac disease was 83.9%, while the specificity was 92.9%, and the overall accuracy of automata-based polling was 88.1%. The method of image transformation yielded the highest sensitivity at 93.8%, while the method of texture analysis using subbands had the highest specificity at 76.0%. Similar results of prediction were observed at all four small intestinal locations, but there were more tie votes at location 4 (ileum). Incorrect prediction which reduced sensitivity occurred for two celiac patients with Marsh type Ⅱ pattern, which is characterized by crypt hyperplasia, but normal villous architecture. Pooled from all levels, there was a mean of 14.31 ± 3.28 automaton votes for celiac vs 9.67 ± 3.31 automaton votes for control when celiac patient data was analyzed (P<0.001). Pooled from all levels, there was a mean of 9.71 ± 2.8128 automaton votes for celiac vs 14.32 ± 2.7931 automaton votes for control when control patient data was analyzed (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Automata-based polling may be useful to indicate presence of mucosal atrophy, indicative of celiac disease, across the entire small bowel, though this must be confirmed in a larger patient set. Since the method is quantitative and automated, it can potentially eliminate observer bias and enable the detectionof subtle abnormality in patients lacking a clear diagnosis. Our paradigm was found to be more efficacious at proximal small intestinal locations, which may suggest a greater presence and severity of villous atrophy at proximal as compared with distal locations.

Acupuncture improved lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal absorption in mice

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),in which abnormal lipid metabolism plays an important role in disease progression,has become a pandemic.Abnormal lipid metabolism,for example an increased fat intake,has been thought to be an initial factor leading to NAFLD.The small intestine is the main site of dietary lipid absorption.A number of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture has positive effects in the regulation of lipid metabolism,which is closely associated with the progression of NAFLD.We therefore hypothesized that,acupuncture can improve the conditions of NAFLD by regulating intestinal absorption of lipid.AIM To study the role of acupuncture treatment in the improvement of metabolic syndrome secondary to NAFLD by mouse model.METHODS 8-wk-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a methionine-and choline-deficient diet for 3 wk.Then,all mice were separated randomly into acupoints group(AG)or non-acupoints group(NG)with high fat diet feeding.Needling treatment was performed at Zu san li,Guan yuan and Yong quan acupoints as acupuncture treatment to AG mice while non-acupoints place to NG mice.Finally,mice were anesthetized with an injection of ketamine-medetomidine and euthanized by exsanguination.RESULTS An apparent improvement of obesity was found in AG mice after acupuncture treatment.In AG mice,the body weight was much lower(22.6±1.2 g vs 28.1±1.0 g,P<0.005)in comparison to NG mice.The length of small intestine in AG mice was significantly shorter(26.7±2.3 cm vs 32.7±2.7 cm,P<0.005).A large amount of chyme was observed in the lumen of the AG small intestine.The expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein,apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein C2 was downregulated.Triacylglycerols(TGs),total cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acid(NEFA)levels of the small intestinal tissue were significantly higher in AG mice,but the serum TGs and NEFA levels were reduced in AG mice.CONCLUSION These results indicate that acupuncture at Zu san li,Guan yuan and Yong quan suppressed lipid absorption by downregulating the expression of apolipoproteins in the small intestine.

Application of double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis and therapy of small intestinal diseases

Background X-ray of the digestive tract and radionuclide examination could not accurately detect diseases of the small intestine. Double-balloon enteroscopy has been used to increase the detection rate of these diseases in addition to endoscopic biopsy and therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the small intestine. Methods A total of 258 double-balloon enteroscopies via the mouth and/or anus were performed in 208 patients. If no lesion was detected on one side （mouth or anus）, examination on the other side （anus or mouth） was made. If active small intestinal bleeding was detected, endoscopic hemostasis was done to treat the bleeding. Results In the 208 patients, 50 were subjected to double-balloon enteroscopy via both mouth and anus. Lesions were detected in 151 patients, giving a rate of 72.6% （151/208）. The detection rates for obscure digestive tract bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss were 90.2% （92/102）, 64.9% （24/37）, 48.5% （16/33） and 43.3% （13/30）, respectively. Lesions of the 151 patients were confirmed by endoscopic biopsy, surgery, clinical studies, and follow-up. In the 102 patients with bleeding of the digestive tract, active bleeding was detected in 27 patients. Endoscopic hemostasis was successful in 25 of them （92.6%, 25/27）. No serious complications occurred in all the patients, the average time for the procedure was 100 minutes. Conclusions Double-balloon enteroscopy is safe, effective in the diagnosis of diseases of the small intestine in addition to endoscopic therapy.

Multifocal stenosing ulceration of the small intestine

Several reports have described an apparently uncommon clinicopathological disorder that is characterized by multifocal stenosing small-intestinal ulceration.Compared to Crohn's disease,the ulcers are not transmural and typically remain shallow,and involve only the mucosa and submucosa.The disorder seems to be localized in the jejunum and proximal ileum only,and not the distal ileum or colon.Only nonspecif ic inflammatory changes are present without giant cells or other typical features of granulomatous inflammation.Most patients present clinically with recurrent obstructive events that usually respond to steroids,surgical resection,or both.With the development of newer imaging modalities to visualize the small-intestinal mucosa,such as double-balloon enteroscopy,improved understanding of the long-term natural history of this apparently distinctive disorder should emerge.