We prepared two types of cholesterol hydrophobically modified pullulan nanoparticles (CHP) and carboxyethyl hydrophobically modified pullulan nanoparticles (CHCP) substituted with various degrees of cholesterol, including 3.11, 6.03, 6.91 and 3.46 per polymer, and named CHP_−3.11, CHP_−6.03, CHP_−6.91 and CHCP_−3.46. Dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) showed that the pullulan nanoparticles were 80–120 nm depending on the degree of cholesterol substitution. The mean size of CHCP nanoparticles was about 160 nm, with zeta potential −19.9 mV, larger than CHP because of the carboxyethyl group. A greater degree of cholesterol substitution conferred greater nanoparticle hydrophobicity. Drug-loading efficiency depended on nanoparticle hydrophobicity, that is, nanoparticles with the greatest degree of cholesterol substitution (6.91) showed the most drug encapsulation efficiency (90.2%). The amount of drug loading increased and that of drug release decreased with enhanced nanoparticle hydrophobicity. Nanoparticle surface-negative charge disturbed the amount of drug loading and drug release, for an opposite effect relative to nanoparticle hydrophobicity. The drug release in pullulan nanoparticles was higher pH 4.0 than pH 6.8 media. However, the changed drug release amount was not larger for negative-surface nanoparticles than CHP nanoparticles in the acid release media. Drug release of pullulan nanoparticles was further slowed with human serum albumin complexation and was little affected by nanoparticle hydrophobicity and surface negative charge.

Background: The digestive system is significantly associated with the incidence and progression of various diseases. Investigating its microbial community will aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of digestive pathologies. Microbial composition varies not only between distinct organs but also within different regions of the same organ. Additionally, dynamic shifts in microbial composition occur throughout various phases of the disease, complicating research. This study systematically evaluated the biological samples and diverse collection methods employed in digestive system microbiota research, with the aim of guiding sample selection and collection strategies for future microbial studies. Methodology: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using professional databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. The focus of this review is on microbial community research, particularly the use of high-throughput sequencing to compare different samples of the same organization, as well as the impact of different sampling methods on microbial community structure of the same sample. Results: A diverse array of microbiological samples are available for study, including saliva, endoscopic biopsies, luminal mucosa, luminal fluid, feces, bile, and surgically excised tissues. Multiple techniques exist to obtain specimens from identical locations, each with a unique set of benefits and limitations. Conclusions: When selecting specimens and sampling methods for microbiota studies, it is essential to consider the characteristics of the microbiota population, research environment, and the objectives of the study. Despite the importance of appropriate sampling for microbial community studies, consensus on the optimal sample type and collection method remains elusive.

Background: Cap polyposis (CP) is a rare, non-neoplastic colorectal disorder characterized by inflammatory polyps with distinctive endoscopic and histopathological features. Although increasingly reported, particularly in East Asian populations, its etiology remains unclear, and diagnostic and treatment strategies are not well standardized. Previous studies have been limited by small sample sizes and regional focus. This review aims to systematically analyze the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of CP in Chinese patients, with comparative insights from Japanese cases, to improve understanding and guide clinical practice. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang databases for studies published before October 2023. Keywords included “cap polyposis” and “cap-shaped polyp”. Articles were screened against predefined inclusion criteria: studies from Mainland China, pathologically confirmed CP cases, and availability of clinical and therapeutic data. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Fourteen studies involving 57 patients were included. The most common symptoms were hematochezia (59.6%) and diarrhea (28.1%). Polyps were predominantly located in the rectum (68.4%), and 66.7% of patients had three or more polyps. Helicobacter pylori testing was positive in 57.1% of tested patients (12/21). Comparative analysis with Japanese cases revealed similar rectal predominance but suggested potential variations in gender distribution and treatment preferences. Treatments included endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, H. pylori eradication, and surgery. During a median follow-up of 14 months, 10 patients experienced recurrence. Conclusion: CP is a benign but easily misdiagnosed condition with a high recurrence rate. Diagnosis relies on combined endoscopic and histopathological findings. Treatment remains empirical, with H. pylori eradication beneficial in infected patients, and endoscopic resection effective for localized disease. Further multicenter studies are needed to establish standardized management protocols.

The present study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) combined with endoscopic mucosal dissection (ESD) as a treatment for the exogenous growth of gastric stromal tumors of the serosal layer. The clinical data of one patient presenting with the growth of an exogenous gastric stromal tumor of the serosal layer admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Taihe Hospital, were reviewed. The patient's condition was evaluated pre‑operatively, and NOTES combined with ESD were performed under general anesthesia. PubMed, EMbase, Wanfang data, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and other databases, combined with the published literature were also searched to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this type of treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). In the present study, the duration of the surgery was 110 min, intraoperative blood loss was approximately 5 ml, and the lesion was completely stripped. After 5 days, the patient resumed a normal diet. After 45 days, the wound healing of the gastroscope was complete. An abdominal CT scan revealed that the tumor had been completely removed. In general, the endoscopic treatment of GISTs has a number of advantages; however, large lesions limit its application. Laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques have expanded the indications for GIST surgery to reduce contamination and tumor dissemination risks. NOTES technology is a novel direction for the treatment of GISTs, and its combination combined with ESD is safe and feasible. On the whole, as demonstrated herein, NOTES combination with ESD is safe and feasible for the treatment of GISTs originating from the gastric serosa or extraluminal growth type, particularly when the lesion is <3.5 cm in diameter. This method may thus be worthy of clinical promotion.