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Context.--Mastocytic enterocolitis is a recently described entity defined by chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology and normal colon biopsy results with increased mast cells (MCs) seen on special stains. These patients may benefit from mast cell stabilizers; however, the clinical utility of MC counts remains unknown. Objective.--To determine the clinical utility of colonic MC counts on normal biopsies in patients with chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology. Design.--Blinded MC counts using a c-Kit stain were performed in 76 consecutive patients with chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology who had normal colon biopsy results and in 89 consecutive control patients presenting for screening colonoscopy. Mast cells were counted per single high-power field in the highest-density area. A t test was used to compare the counts, and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to examine sensitive and specific cutoff values. Results.--Overall, MC counts averaged 31 MCs per high-power field in the study group versus 24 MCs per high-power field in the control group (P < .001). When stratified by location, a significant increase was seen in biopsies from the left colon only. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that overall MC counts, left-sided MC counts, and the difference between rightand left-sided MC counts did not yield discriminatory cutoff values (area under the curve, 0.68, 0.74, and 0.81, respectively). Conclusions.--Mast cell counts were increased in patients with chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology, primarily in the left colon. However, receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrates no discriminatory cutoff values. Quantitative MC stains yield little useful diagnostic information, and further studies are necessary to determine whether mastocytic enterocolitis truly represents a distinct entity. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2015; 139:225-232; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2013-0594-OA), The American Gastroenterology Association defines chronic diarrhea as the production of liquid or loose stools for longer than 4 weeks, with or without increased stool frequency. (1) Common causes include [...]

The article focuses on studying the role of long non coding RNA (IncRNA) in development and progression of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). It mentions the use of several techniques including RNA sequencing and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to show abnormally upregulated level of some IncRNAs in EAC patients. It also reports that these IncRNA may cause changes in chromatin and nucleosome assembly which results in EAC.

Background and study aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is technically challenging and time consuming. Repeated injection of dyed saline during tunneling is performed to enhance the demarcation between the submucosal layer and the muscularis propria. This process requires exchanging the knife for a catheter to spray dyed saline and is time consuming. This study aimed to describe a new method of injecting dyed saline through an integrated water jet channel during POEM. Patients and methods: POEM was performed using a triangular tip knife. Repeated jet injection of saline mixed with indigo carmine was performed whenever the submucosal dissection plane became unclear. Results: The study cohort consisted of nine patients (8 achalasia, 1 Jackhammer esophagus). All procedures were technically feasible and successful without any complications and resulted in the patients' Eckhardt's scores returning to normal. The mean submucosal tunnel length was 13.3cm and the mean myotomy length was 9.9cm. The mean procedure time was 127 minutes. Conclusion: The modified POEM technique with use of jet injection of dyed saline is simple and may render POEM easier and more efficient than the standard dissection method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]