Effects of exercise by type and duration on quality of life in patients with digestive system cancers:A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:There is scant evidence regarding the effects of exercise type and duration on quality of life(QoL)in digestive system cancer(DSC)survivors.We aim to investigate the optimal type and duration of exercise to improve QoL for DSC survivors through a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Methods:A systematic literature search of PubMed,Embase,and Web of Science was performed.Eligibility for study inclusion was limited to studies that were randomized controlled trials involving all kinds of exercise in adult patients with DSCs,and the comparator was in standard care or other types of exercise.The primary outcome was QoL,including general health,physical health,mental health,and role function.Secondary outcomes included cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue,insomnia,depression,anxiety,and duration of hospital stay.The network meta-analyses were performed using a random-effect model.Results:The analysis included 32 eligible articles and a total of 2558 participants.Our primary outcome indicated that short-term aerobic exercise significantly enhanced general health(standardized mean difference(SMD)=0.66,95%credible intervals(Crls):0.05 to 1.30),and also contributed to a better mental health(SMD=0.38,95%CrI:-0.05 to 0.81)and role function(SMD=0.48,95%CrI:-0.27 to 1.20).Although without significant changes,short-term resistance exercise tended to increase the physical health of patients with DSCs(SM=0.69,95%CrI:-0.07 to 1.50)and effective in alleviating fatigue(SMD=-0.77,95%CrI:-1.50 to 0.01).Short-term aerobic exercise was related to a lower score of insomnia(SMD=-1.20,95%CrI:-2.40 to 0.06),depression(SMD=-0.51,95%CrI:-1.50 to 0.45),and anxiety(SMD=-0.45,95%CrI:-1.30 to 0.34).All types of exercise related to a trend of declined hospital stays(-0.87 to-5.00 day).Long-term resistance exercise,however,was negatively associated with general health(SMD=-0.33,95%CrI:-1.70 to 1.00),physical health(SMD=-0.18,95%CrI:-1.30to 0.90),and role function(SMD=-1.20,95%CrI:-2.50 to 0.11).Conclusion:This study suggests that short-term aerobic exercise,with or without resistance exercise programs,enhances QoL(especially for general health)as well as relieves cancer-related symptoms for DSC survivors,while long-term resistance exercise may have negative effects,and thus should be adopted cautiously.These results provide important evidence for the management of DSCs.

Scientific connotation of “treating different diseases with the same method” from the perspective of metabolic-immune dysregulation in inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis of digestive organs

Inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis develops in the context of chronic inflammation and is a significant cause of cancer within the digestive system.In the chronic inflammation microenvironment,the metabolic activity of tissue cells undergoes extensive changes,which interfere with the normal function of immune cells.Dysregulation of cell metabolism and immune function has been identified as a key factor contributing to inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis within the major digestive organs,such as the stomach,liver,and colorectum.This metabolic-immune imbalance also corresponds to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)theories of“yin-yang disharmony”and“disharmony between Ying-nutrients and Wei-defense.”The metabolic-immune imbalance has also been regarded as the key factor supporting“treatment of different diseases with the same method”,in which the same approach is adopted in the treatment of different conditions.In the TCM treatment process,it is necessary to first identify TCM patterns and then apply the corresponding TCM to correct the dysregulated metabolic and immune function,thereby blocking the progression from inflammation to malignancy.Our study findings deepen the TCM understanding of metabolic-immune dysregulation and the relationship between metabolic-immune dysregulation,pattern identification,and treatment method.They also provide new insights for the treatment of inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis in major digestive organs and help us further explore the scientific connotation of the TCM strategy of“treating different diseases with the same method”.

Advancements in AI Research for Digestive System Diseases

With the “boom” of AI, researchers have made significant progress in assisting clinical disease diagnosis, prediction, and treatment. This article provides an overview of models built using both traditional machine learning methods and deep learning methods, as well as research progress on robotics in digestive system diseases, aiming to provide references for further studies. An application has been developed by domestic and foreign scholars that allows users to upload images of stool samples, which are then analyzed using big data to provide a score for bowel preparation, thereby improving the quality of bowel preparation. In some gastrointestinal diseases, such as Hp infection, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer, chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer, IBD, etc., artificial intelligence possesses diagnostic capabilities comparable to those of professional endoscopists, and some applications can achieve real-time diagnosis. In the field of liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic diseases, artificial intelligence can assist in preoperative diagnosis using imaging or pathology, and robotic remote operations can be performed during surgery, predicting postoperative risk levels, and more. Different scholars have compared and analyzed various algorithm networks for different diseases to find the best-performing models. On this basis, methods such as the MCA attention mechanism, feature selection, gradient descent, and ensemble models can be introduced to further improve the diagnostic performance of the models. In the future, AI can not only help patients self-manage single or multiple diseases, monitor and manage their own diseases in a standardized and reasonable manner, but also predict and treat digestive system diseases at the genetic level.

Impact of COVID-19 in individuals with and without pre-existent digestive disorders with a particular focus on elderly patients

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has several extrapulmonary symptoms.Gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms are among the most frequent clinical manifestations of COVID-19,with severe consequences reported in elderly patients.Furthermore,the impact of COVID-19 on patients with pre-existing digestive diseases still needs to be fully elucidated,particularly in the older population.This review aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the GI tract,liver,and pancreas in individuals with and without previous digestive diseases,with a particular focus on the elderly,highlighting the distinctive characteristics observed in this population.Finally,the effectiveness and adverse events of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination in patients with digestive disorders and the peculiarities found in the elderly are discussed.

Hydatid Cyst of the Liver: About a Case at the Digestive and General Surgery Department of the University Hospital of Bouaké(Côte d’Ivoire)

Hydatid cyst of the liver (KHF) is a parasitic condition caused by the development of the larval form of the dog tapenia Echinococcus granulosus. In sub-Saharan Africa, few writings are interested in this pathology, which remains common and constitutes a public health problem in highly endemic countries [1] [2]. We report the observation of a 61-year-old hypertensive patient owner of a dog admitted for abdominal pain without abdominal mass. In whom ultrasound and computed tomography have made it possible to make the diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the liver (KHF). The patient underwent surgery. We performed an associated conservative treatment post-operative albendazole. The post-operative follow-up was simple. In our patient the evolution was good after a setback of more than 2 months. Through this observation and a review of the literature, we insist on the contribution of imaging in diagnosis and treatment, which is essentially surgical.

Chinese expert consensus and practice guideline of totally implantable access port for digestive tract carcinomas

Totally implantable access port is a fully implantable drug delivery system that is implanted subcutaneously and can be retained for a long time.Advantages of ports include a simple nursing process,low risk of infection and embolism,and high patient comfort.In order to promote the standardized application of ports in the treatment of digestive tract tumors and reduce port-related complications,the Chinese Research Hospital Association Digestive Tumor Committee,the Chinese Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons,the Chinese Gastric Cancer Association,and the Gastrointestinal Surgical Group of Chinese Surgical Society Affiliated to Chinese Medical Association have organized multidisciplinary expert discussions at the General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army and nationwide expert letter reviews and on-site seminars,and formulated an expert consensus of the operation guidelines.

Prevention program for the COVID-19 in a children’s digestive endoscopy center

The pneumonia caused by the coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)outbreak in Wuhan,China constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.The gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting,diarrhea and abdominal pain and the detection of COVID-19 nucleic acid from fecal specimens in a small number of patients suggest the possibility of transmission via the gastrointestinal tract.People of all ages are vulnerable to this virus,including children.Digestive endoscopy is an invasive procedure during which children cannot wear masks;therefore,they have higher risks of exposure to COVID-19,and the digestive endoscopy center is a relatively high-risk area for COVID-19 infection.Based on these factors and in combination with related policies and regulations,a prevention and control program for the COVID-19 pneumonia in a children's digestive endoscopy center was established to prevent the COVID-19 nosocomial infection.

Alcohol and tobacco misuse: Reducing aerodigestive cancer risk

Significant concerns over the health,social and economic burdens of the two most common,and frequently co-misused drugs of abuse,alcohol and tobacco,has encouraged focused but separate health promotion and disease prevention policies.However,this separation of focus means that while individuals who present with alcohol-related problems are increasingly supported to attain and maintain abstinence from alcohol they are not routinely assisted to refrain from smoking.This is tragically inopportune as alcohol and tobacco have an established"synergistic"effect on aerodigestive cancer risk.Moreover,even when patients successfully tackle their alcohol problems they remain at increased risk for developing these cancers,especially if they continue to smoke.A case series is presented together with a discussion on how service provision for co-misuse could be improved to obviate aerodigestive cancer risk.Given the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use in the United Kingdom,these observations may have far reaching implications for the individual,health provider(s)and wider society.

The Epidemiological Profil of Digestive Cancers in Secondary and Tertiary Health Care Facilities in Cameroon

Background: Cancers have been a major public health problem in developing countries in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of digestive cancers in secondary and tertiary health care facilities in Cameroon. Methodology: This was a cross sectional and descriptive study conducted over a period of 12 months in 14 health structures over the national territory. Included in our study were patients aged 15 and above with a histologically proven digestive cancer, patients with a clinical, biological and morphologic evidence of a digestive cancer. Socio-demographic (age, gender, region of origin, profession), clinical (symptoms on diagnosis, personal and family past history, consumption habits, tumour location) and paraclinical data were recorded on a pretested questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Quantitative data was expressed as means with their corresponding standard deviations. Chi square was used for correlation between variables. A P value 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Five hundred and eighty-two cases of digestive cancers were recorded out of 37,780 consultations/admissions during the study period giving a prevalence of 1.5% with a male predominance (58.1%). The mean age was 53.11 ± 17.26 years (15 - 99) with 33.8% of them below 45 years of age. Tumours were predominantly localized in the liver (43.5%) and colon (24.9%). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type in 44.5% of all cases. Alcohol consumption was found to be associated with colorectal cancer (p = 0.028) while tobacco consumption was found to be significantly associated with oesophageal cancer (p ≤ 0.001) and gastric cancer (p = 0.0047). Conclusion: A third of patients with digestive cancers were aged less than 45 years suggesting an early onset of these cancers in our setting. Relatively low prevalence with the liver being the most common site of localisation in our setting.

A guide to diagnosis of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in digestive diseases

Iron deficiency (ID), with or without anemia, is often caused by digestive diseases and should always be investigated, except in very specific situations, as its causes could be serious diseases, such as cancer. Diagnosis of ID is not always easy. Low serum levels of ferritin or transferrin saturation, imply a situation of absolute or functional ID. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate ID anemia from anemia of chronic diseases, which can coexist. In this case, other parameters, such as soluble transferrin receptor activity can be very useful. After an initial evaluation by clinical history, urine analysis, and serological tests for celiac disease, gastroscopy and colonoscopy are the key diagnostic tools for investigating the origin of ID, and will detect the most important and prevalent diseases. If both tests are normal and anemia is not severe, treatment with oral iron can be indicated, along with stopping any treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the absence of response to oral iron, or if the anemia is severe or clinical suspicion of important disease persists, we must insist on diagnostic evaluation. Repeat endoscopic studies should be considered in many cases and if both still show normal results, investigating the small bowel must be considered. The main techniques in this case are capsule endoscopy, followed by enteroscopy.

Anemia and digestive diseases: An update for the clinician

Anemia and iron deficiency are so common in digestive diseases that often are underestimated and undertreated. Our goal is to review from classif ication to treatment of the diverse types of anemias in different digestive diseases to update our knowledge on diagnosis and treatment. With the goal of improving the prognosis and quality of life of digestive diseases patients, we will review current transfusion, intravenous iron, and erythropoietin roles in the treatment of anemia.

High incidence combination of multiple primary malignant tumors of the digestive system

BACKGROUND Clinical reports of multiple primary malignant tumors(MPMTs)in the digestive system are increasing.In China,although the survival rate of patients with MPMTs is increasing,the quality of life is very low.Many patients have reached the advanced stage when the second primary tumor is found,resulting in no early intervention and treatment.This is due to the misunderstanding of MPMTs by clinicians,who treat such tumors as metastases.Therefore,before a patient has a second primary tumor,doctors should understand some common combinations of digestive system MPMTs to provide clinical guidance to the patient.AIM To explore the high incidence combination of digestive system MPMTs under heterochronism and synchronization.METHODS A total of 1902 patients with MPMTs at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.They were divided into metachronous MPMT and synchronous MPMT groups,and then the high incidence combinations of the first primary cancer and the second primary cancer in metachronous cancer and synchronous cancer were sorted.Sex and age differences between metachronous and synchronous tumors were tested by the chi square test and t test,respectively.A P value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant,and SPSS version 26.0(SPSS Inc.,Chicago,Illinois,United States)was used for statistical analysis.RESULTS Among the 1902 patients with MPMTs confirmed by pathology,1811(95.2%)cases were secondary primary cancers,89(4.7%)cases were tertiary primary cancers,and 2(0.1%)cases were quaternary primary cancers.Most(88.2%)of the secondary primary cancers were identified as metachronous multiple primary cancers six months after diagnosis of the first primary cancer.The top ten most common MPMTs in the first primary cancer group ranged from high to low as follows:Breast cancer,thyroid cancer,nonuterine cancer,lung cancer,colon cancer,kidney cancer,uterine cancer,bladder cancer,rectal cancer,and gastric cancer.The highest incidence rate of the first primary cancer in male metachronous cancer was lung cancer(11.6%),the highest incidence rate of the second primary cancer was still lung cancer(24.9%),the highest incidence rate of the first primary cancer in female metachronous cancer was breast cancer(32.7%),and the highest incidence rate of the second primary cancer was lung cancer(20.8%).Among them,breast cancer,nonuterine cancer and uterine cancer were female-specific malignant tumor types,and thyroid cancer also accounted for 79.6%of female patients.The top five metachronous cancer combinations,independent of female-specific malignant tumor types and thyroid cancer,were colon cancer and lung cancer(26 cases),kidney cancer and lung cancer(25 cases),rectal cancer and lung cancer(20 cases),gastric cancer and lung cancer(17 cases),and bladder cancer and lung cancer(17 cases).The most common synchronous cancer combination was colon cancer and rectal cancer(15 cases).CONCLUSION Screening for lung cancer should be performed six months after the detection of colon cancer while rectal cancer screening should be performed within six months.

Blood transfusion for the treatment of acute anaemia in inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive diseases

Allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) is frequently used as the first therapeutic option for the treatment of acute anaemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially when it developed due to gastrointestinal or perioperative blood loss, but is not risk-free. Adverse effects of ABT include, but are not limited to, acute hemolytic reaction (wrong blood or wrong patient), febrile non-hemolytic transfusional reaction, bacterial contamination, transfusion-related acute lung injury, transfusion associated circulatory overload, transfusion-related immuno-modulation, and transmission of almost all infectious diseases (bacteria, virus, protozoa and prion), which might result in increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the main physiological goal of ABT, i.e. to increase oxygen consumption by the hypoxic tissues, has not been well documented. In contrast, the ABT is usually misused only to increase the haemoglobin level within a f ixed protocol [mostly two by two packed red blood cell (PRC) units] independently of the patient' s tolerance to normovolemic anaemia or his clinical response to the transfusion of PRC units according to a "one-by-one" administration schedule. Evidencebased clinical guidelines may promote best transfusion practices by implementing restrictive transfusion protocols, thus reducing variability and minimizing the avoidable risks of transfusion, and the use of autologous blood and pharmacologic alternatives. In this regard, preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) consistently diminished the frequency of ABT, although its contribution to ABT avoidance is reduced when performed under a transfusion protocol. In addition, interpretation of utility of PABD in surgical IBD patients is hampered by scarcity of published data. However, the role of autologous red blood cells as drug carriers is promising. Finally, it must be stressed that a combination of methods used within wellconstructed protocols will offer better prospects for blood conservation in selected IBD patients undergoing elective surgery.

Multiband mucosectomy for advanced dysplastic lesions in the upper digestive tract

Endoscopic resection(ER) is at present an accepted treatment for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasia. ER provides similar efficacy to surgery; however, it is minimally invasive and less expensive. Endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) is superior to biopsy for diagnosing advanced dysplasia and can change the diagnostic grade and the management. Several EMR techniques have been described that are alternatively used dependent upon the endoscopist personal experience, the anatomic conditions and the endoscopic appearance of the lesion to be resected. The literature suggests that EMR offers comparable outcomes to surgery for selected indications. EMR techniques using a cap fitted endoscope and EMR using a ligation device [multiband mucosectomy(MBM)] are the most frequently use. MBM technique does not require submucosal injection as with the endoscopic resectioncap technique, multiple resections can be performed with the same snare, pre-looping the endoscopic resection-snare in the ridge of the cap is not necessary, MBM does not require withdrawal of the endoscope between resections and up to six consecutive resections can be performed. This reduces the time and cost required for the procedure, while also reducing patient discomfort. Despite the increasing popularity of MBM, data on the safety and efficacy of this technique in upper gastrointestinal lesions with advanced dysplasia, defined as those lesions that have high-grade dysplasia or early cancer, is limited.

Orexins:A promising target to digestive cancers,inflammation,obesity and metabolism dysfunctions

Hypothalamic neuropeptides named hypocretin/orexins which were identified in 1998 regulate critical functions such as wakefulness in the central nervous system.These past 20 years had revealed that orexins/receptors system was also present in the peripheral nervous system where they participated to the regulation of multiple functions including blood pressure regulation,intestinal motility,hormone secretion,lipolyze and reproduction functions.Associated to these peripheral functions,it was found that orexins and their receptors were involved in various diseases such as acute/chronic inflammation,metabolic syndrome and cancers.The present review suggests that orexins or the orexin neural circuitry represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple pathologies related to inflammation including intestinal bowel disease,multiple sclerosis and septic shock,obesity and digestive cancers.

Human papillomavirus in upper digestive tract tumors from three countries

AIM: To clarify human papillomavirus (HPV) involvement in carcinogenesis of the upper digestive tract of virological and pathological analyses. METHODS: The present study examined the presence of HPV in squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity (n = 71), and esophagus (n = 166) collected from Japan, Pakistan and Colombia, with different HPV exposure risk and genetic backgrounds. The viral load and physical status of HPV16 and HPV16-E6 variants were examined. Comparison of p53 and p16INK4a expression in HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases was also made. RESULTS: HPV16 was found in 39 (55%) oral carcinomas (OCs) and 24 (14%) esophageal carcinomas (ECs). This site-specific difference in HPV detection between OCs and ECs was statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the geographical distribution of HPV16-E6 variants. Multiple infections of different HPV types were found in 13 ECs, but multiple infections were not found in OCs. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The geometric means (95% confidence interval) of HPV16 viral load in OCs and ECs were 0.06 (0.02-0.18) and 0.12 (0.05-0.27) copies per cell, respectively. The expression of p16INK4a proteins was increased by the presence of HPV in ECs (53% and 33% in HPV-positive and-negative ECs, respectively; P = 0.036), and the high-risk type of the HPV genome was not detected in surrounding normal esophageal mucosa of HPV-positive ECs. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we cannot deny the possibility of HPV16 involvement in the carcinogenesis of the esophagus.

COVID-19 and the digestive system:A comprehensive review

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)is spreading at an alarming rate,and it has created an unprecedented health emergency threatening tens of millions of people worldwide.Previous studies have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid could be detected in the feces of patients even after smearnegative respiratory samples.However,demonstration of confirmed fecal-oral transmission has been difficult.Clinical studies have shown an incidence rate of gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms ranging from 2%to 79.1%in patients with COVID-19.They may precede or accompany respiratory symptoms.The most common GI symptoms included nausea,diarrhea,and abdominal pain.In addition,some patients also had liver injury,pancreatic damage,and even acute mesenteric ischemia/thrombosis.Although the incidence rates reported in different centers were quite different,the digestive system was the clinical component of the COVID-19 section.Studies have shown that angiotensinconverting enzyme 2,the receptor of SARS-CoV-2,was not only expressed in the lungs,but also in the upper esophagus,small intestine,liver,and colon.The possible mechanism of GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients may include direct viral invasion into target cells,dysregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,immune-mediated tissue injury,and gut dysbiosis caused by microbiota.Additionally,numerous experiences,guidelines,recommendations,and position statements were published or released by different organizations and societies worldwide to optimize the management practice of outpatients,inpatients,and endoscopy in the era of COVID-19.In this review,based on our previous work and relevant literature,we mainly discuss potential fecal-oral transmission,GI manifestations,abdominal imaging findings,relevant pathophysiological mechanisms,and infection control and prevention measures in the time of COVID-19.

Outcomes and Quality of Life of Patients with a Digestive Stoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case of the Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon

Introduction: The installation of a digestive stoma involves changes affecting all aspects of the patients’ lives. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a digestive stoma on the quality of life of patients operated on at the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH). Patients and Methodology: We conducted a prospective descriptive study over a period of 12 months from June 2018 to May 2019 in all patients with a digestive stoma for at least 3 months operated on at the YCH. The follow-up was done within 12 months. Quality of life was assessed using the stoma QOL (quality of life) and self-image using the BIS (Body Image Scale). Results: We collected a total of 34 patients, of whom 22 were male, giving an M/F sex ratio of 1.8. The average age of the patients was 42.8 years. The indications were tumoral in 44.11% of cases (n = 15) and non-tumoral in 55.88% of cases (n = 19). The colon was the most frequently ablated organ (n = 26) with 76.5% of colostomies. The complication rate was 67.6%. Stomal oedema was the most common early complication with 38.2% of cases. All patients used colostomy bags. The average time to return to sexual activity was 8 months for men and 9 months for women. 85.3% of the patients had an average impairment of quality of life according to the Stoma Quality of Life Scale. According to the Body Image Scale, 73.5% of the patients had a moderate dissatisfaction with their self-image. Conclusion: The realization of a digestive stoma imposes a long-term follow-up especially on the psychological level in order to allow the empowerment of the patients who all have a modification of their quality of life and their self-image.

Consensus on the digestive endoscopic tunnel technique

With the digestive endoscopic tunnel technique(DETT), many diseases that previously would have been treated by surgery are now endoscopically curable by establishing a submucosal tunnel between the mucosa and muscularis propria(MP). Through the tunnel, endoscopic diagnosis or treatment is performed for lesions in the mucosa, in the MP, and even outside the gastrointestinal(GI) tract.At present, the tunnel technique application range covers the following:(1)Treatment of lesions originating from the mucosal layer, e.g., endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for oesophageal large or circular early-stage cancer or precancerosis;(2) treatment of lesions from the MP layer, per-oral endoscopic myotomy, submucosal tunnelling endoscopic resection, etc.; and(3) diagnosis and treatment of lesions outside the GI tract, such as resection of lymph nodes and benign tumour excision in the mediastinum or abdominal cavity. With the increasing number of DETTs performed worldwide, endoscopic tunnel therapeutics, which is based on DETT, has been gradually developed and optimized. However, there is not yet an expert consensus on DETT to regulate its indications, contraindications, surgical procedure, and postoperative treatment.The International DETT Alliance signed up this consensus to standardize the procedures of DETT. In this consensus, we describe the definition, mechanism,and significance of DETT, prevention of infection and concepts of DETTassociated complications, methods to establish a submucosal tunnel, and application of DETT for lesions in the mucosa, in the MP and outside the GI tract(indications and contraindications, procedures, pre-and postoperative treatments, effectiveness, complications and treatments, and a comparison between DETT and other operations).

Considerations on the practice and future reform of integrated course of the digestive system

Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine has comprehensively implemented the systembased integrated teaching for clinical medicine programs.According to the review and summarization of teaching the digestive system course for several years,we deem that compared with discipline-based traditional teaching model,the integrated teaching can efficiently improve students’interest and passion for learning basic medicine knowledge and facilitate students’ability to establish the connection between basic medicine and clinical medicine.In the future,the knowledge integration among different disciplines should be enhanced,such as the integration of histology with pathology,morphology with function,and physiology with pharmacology,etc.It is necessary to adjust teaching contents and methods accordingly,so as to achieve better teaching outcomes.