Xuejun Tang

Cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy (CAES) via a long needle optimizes the visualization of operation field and enables precise injection of sclerosant, yet evidence regarding its application in high-grade internal hemorrhoids (HDs) remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CAES therapy for bleeding-predominant grade III symptomatic internal HDs, and explore potential risk factors associated with postoperative bleeding persistence and recurrence. This single-arm retrospective observational study included 82 patients with bleeding-predominant grade III internal HDs who underwent a single CAES procedure by the injection of liquid polidocanol via a long needle. Treatment efficacy was assessed at 3 months post-CAES using the conventional Hemorrhoid Disease Severity Score (HDSS; based on the frequency of symptoms, including bleeding) and the score of the intensity dimension of the bleeding symptom. Bleeding recurrence was monitored during follow-ups. Logistic regression analysis was employed to explore potential risk factors associated with bleeding outcomes. (1) The overall efficacy rate was 85.4%. The effective rates for bleeding and prolapse symptoms were 96.3% and 58.2%, respectively. (2) During a follow-up of 24 months, the bleeding recurrence rate was 25.3% (20/79). (3) Exploratory logistic regression analysis suggested that a high pre-CAES bleeding intensity score (odds ratio [OR] = 2.887, p = 0.030) was significantly associated with non-excellent outcome (i.e., persistent bleeding); meanwhile, a high pre-CAES bleeding intensity score (OR = 3.981, p = 0.012) and a high post-CAES bleeding frequency score (OR = 3.803, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with post-CAES bleeding recurrence. (4) No severe complications were reported. CAES with long-needle injection of polidocanol may serve as an effective and safe therapeutic option for managing bleeding symptom in grade III internal HDs. The higher bleeding-associated scores, which encompass both bleeding frequency and intensity, may represent potential risk factors for persistent or recurrent bleeding after the CAES procedure.

The number of people travelling to high-altitude areas or participating in mountain sports is increasing. For individuals visiting such terrains for the first time, the lack of adaptation to the hypobaric hypoxic environment can lead to the deterioration of gastrointestinal function and barriers. In more severe cases, this lack of acclimatisation may lead to acute high-altitude illness. At present, the prevention and treatment of these issues primarily revolve around strategies such as descending to lower altitudes, oxygen supplementation, and medication. However, the available intervention measures to prevent health problems resulting from high-altitude environments remain limited. In this review, we discuss common altitude-related illnesses, including gastrointestinal problems. Moreover, we explore the potential of commonly used medications and dietary supplements in alleviating altitude-related issues. This review can provide a basis for future research on modulating the gut microbiota for mitigating high-altitude illness.

Mir‑100‑let‑7a‑2‑mir‑125b‑1 cluster host gene (MIR100HG), which is located on chromosome 11q24.1, is a polycistronic microRNA host gene. MIR100HG overexpression in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been demonstrated to be associated with cetuximab resistance; however, the role of MIR100HG in CRC metastasis remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of aberrant MIR100HG expression on metastasis and prognosis in patients with CRC. The results from reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR demonstrated that MIR100HG expression was higher in CRC tissues compared with in corresponding normal mucosa tissues. In particular, MIR100HG expression was higher in advanced CRC compared with in early stage CRC. Furthermore, the results from Kaplan‑Meier analysis followed by a log‑rank test revealed that patients with CRC and high MIR100HG expression exhibited poorer disease‑free survival and overall survival compared with patients with CRC and lower MIR100HG expression. Furthermore, results from in vitro Transwell assays and in vivo animal assays demonstrated that upregulated MIR100HG expression promoted CRC cell migration and invasion and the formation of liver metastatic colonies in mice. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that MIR100HG overexpression may contribute to the progression of CRC and may predict a poorer prognosis in patients with CRC. MIR100HG may therefore be considered as a novel therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker in patients with CRC.