ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT'S HOT IN THE LITERATURE

Reverse metabolomics: New method for biomarker discovery in Crohn's disease
Nature
The discovery and analysis of metabolites usually requires separating them from the sample first, which introduces many limitations, especially when studying metabolites from human samples. Reverse metabolomics is a new method for studying microbiome-derived molecules. It combines organic synthesis, data science, and mass spectrometry to investigate biological phenotypes within a specific compound class and, thereby, identify potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets. read more

Review by Prof. Zikai Wang (China)

Recycled hemodialysis membranes dramatically reduce the incidence off water-borne diarrheal illness
Scientific Reports
Despite progress in many parts of the world in providing potable water to its communities, there are still far too many areas of the developing world where access to clean water is not available. This study describes a simple, cheap, yet very effective method to dramatically reduce contamination of drinking water using recycled hemodialysis membranes. read more

Review by Prof. Eamonn Quigley (USA)

GI NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Study reveals microplastics' significant impact on digestive pathways
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center via News Medical
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles found in water, food, and air, are causing significant damage to our digestive systems. Researchers from the University of New Mexico discovered that microplastics enter the gut, kidney, liver, and brain tissues, highlighting the need for more effective strategies to combat the harmful effects of microplastics read more

Utility of microvascular reconstruction in gastrointestinal cancer surgery during complex resections and emergency salvage
Springer Link
Major gastrointestinal surgical resections can sometimes require arterial or venous resection, encounter variant anatomy, or cause vessel injury, leading to visceral insufficiency. Unaddressed, this can cause organ ischemia or necrosis, causing significant morbidity or mortality. This case series aims to highlight the use of microvascular plastic surgical principles in emergency situations to counter these vascular insufficiencies. read more

Hyperspectral imaging combined with blood oxygen saturation for in vivo analysis of small intestinal necrosis tissue
Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy via ScienceDirect
Acute mesenteric ischemia is a significant gastrointestinal condition that affects the blood supply of the small intestine. Discriminating small intestinal tissues with different degrees of ischemia remains challenging. This study used hyperspectral imaging to construct pseudo-color images of oxygen saturation about small intestinal tissues and differentiate between normal and ischemic regions. read more

Cryptic plasmid offers insights into gut health
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology via ScienceDirect
Prof. Dr. A. Murat Eren from the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg has identified a cryptic plasmid in the human gut that could serve as a biomarker for identifying health hazards, like water contamination, or human disorders, like Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Eren and his team used a new machine-learning approach to identify over 68,000 plasmids in human intestinal flora. read more

Ambient long-term exposure to organophosphorus pesticides and the human gut microbiome: An observational study
Environmental Health
Organophosphorus pesticides (OP) have been associated with various human health conditions. Animal experiments and in-vitro models suggested that OP may also affect the gut microbiota. We examined associations between ambient chronic exposure to OP and gut microbial changes in humans. read more

WGO NEWS

EVENTS CALENDAR

ESGE Days 2024
When: April 25-27, 2024
Location: Berlin, Germany
Organizer(s): European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
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IHPBA World Congress 2024
When: May 15-18, 2024
Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Organizer(s): International Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Association (IHPBA)
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DDW 2024
When: May 18-21, 2024
Location: Washington, DC, United States
Organizer(s): AASLD, AGA, ASGE and SSAT
Learn More