Dual-mode photoacoustic/ultrasound endoscopy (ePAUS) is a promising tool for preclinical and clinical interventions. To be clinically useful, ePAUS must deliver high-performance ultrasound imaging comparable to commercial systems and maintain high photoacoustic imaging performance at long working distances. This requires a transducer with an intact physical aperture and coaxial alignment of acoustic and optical beams within the probe, a challenging integration task. We present a high-performance ePAUS probe with a miniaturized, optically transparent ultrasonic transducer (TUT) called ePAUS-TUT. The 1.8-mm-diameter probe, fitting into standard endoscopic channels, aligns acoustic and optical beams efficiently, achieving commercial-level ultrasound and high-resolution photoacoustic imaging over long distances. These imaging capabilities were validated through in vivo imaging of a rat’s rectum and a pig’s esophagus. The ePAUS-TUT system substantially enhances feasibility and potential for clinical applications.

A transmural defect of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract is a life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) was used for managing UGI defects and showed promising results. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize evidence on the efficacy of EVT in patients with transmural defects of the UGI tract. We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for publications on the effect of EVT on successful closure, mortality, complications, and post-EVT strictures. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale. This meta-analysis included 29 studies involving 498 participants. The pooled estimate rate of successful closure with EVT was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.88). The pooled estimate rates for mortality, complications, and post-EVT strictures were 0.11, 0.10, and 0.14, respectively. According to the etiology of the transmural defect (perforation vs. leak and fistula), no significant difference was observed in successful closure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.45–4.67, p = 0.53), mortality (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.24–2.46, p = 0.66), complications (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.17–5.15, p = 0.94), or post-EVT stricture rates (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.12–4.24, p = 0.70). The successful closure rate was significantly higher with EVT than with self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement (OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.23–7.98, p = 0.02). EVT is an effective and safe treatment for leaks and fistulae, as well as for perforations in the UGI. Moreover, EVT seems to be a better treatment option than SEMS placement for UGI defects.

Kim JH, et al. J Gastric Cancer. 2018 Mar;18(1):82-89. https://doi.org/10.5230/jgc.2018.18.e7

Da Hyun Jung, Cheal Wung Huh, Sang Kil Lee, Jun Chul Park, Sung Kwan Shin, and Yong Chan Lee. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:165-75. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm20161

New antibacterial treatments against Helicobacter pylori are needed as H. pylori is acquiring antibiotic resistance. β-caryophyllene is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene, with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. This study investigates the effects of H-002119-00-001 from β-caryophyllene on the eradication of H. pylori in a mouse model, and its effects on the inflammation of the gastric mucosa. To evaluate the anti-H.pylori efficacy of β-caryophyllene, a total of 160 mice were divided into eight groups (n = 10 each) and were administered different treatments for 2 and 4 weeks. H. pylori eradication was assessed using a Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test and H. pylori qPCR of the gastric mucosa. The levels of inflammation of gastric mucosa were assessed using histology and immunostaining. H-002119-00-001 decreased bacterial burden in vitro. When H-002119-00-001 was administered to mice once daily for 2 weeks, cure rates shown by the CLO test were 40.0%, 60.0%, and 70.0% in groups 6, 7, and 8, respectively. H. pylori levels in gastric mucosa decreased dose-dependently after H-002119-00-001 treatment. H-002119-00-001 also reduced levels of inflammation in gastric mucosa. H-002119-00-001 improved inflammation and decreased bacterial burden in H. pylori-infected mouse models. H-002119-00-001 is a promising and effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of H. pylori infection.