The aim of the present study was to identify factor(s) predisposing to reintervention. Methods:  Retrospective review of patients (n = 117) referred to a single major endoscopic referral centre for palliative enteral stenting Lumacaftor supplier from 1999 to 2006. Twelve were excluded due

to inadequate follow-up data (n = 7) or initial radiographic documentation (n = 5). A total of 105 patients (gastroduodenal n = 57, colonic n = 48) were therefore analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was recurrent obstruction necessitating reintervention. Kaplan–Meier analysis of potential factors predisposing to reintervention, including stent angulation (mild [<15°], moderate [15°–90°], severe [>90°]) was completed for 98 patients (technically successful enteral stenting). Results:  Technical and clinical success were achieved in 98 of 105 (93.3%) and 92 of 98 (93.9%) cases, respectively. Post-stenting median survival was 97.5 days (range 3–1054). Eighteen patients (18.4%) required reintervention for stent obstruction at a median time to reintervention of 85 days (range 7–481). Increased stent angulation (severe vs mild hazard ratio 6.73 (95% confidence interval 1.59–27.59), PS341 P = 0.009) was the only statistically significant factor in multivariate analysis predicting reintervention. Conclusions:  Despite its limitation as a retrospective review, this study found that reintervention

for stent obstruction is necessary in almost one in five cases, and increasing severity of stent angulation is the most important risk factor. “
“Background and Aim:  Accumulating evidence suggests that the extracellular

matrix play important roles in intercellular communications and contribute to the development of a number of diseases, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The present study examined the structural characteristics and alterations of the extracellular matrix of the mucosa stroma in the Barrett’s esophagus metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. Methods:  A total of 41 esophageal tissue specimens (15 esophageal adenocarcinoma, 10 Barrett’s esophagus intestinal medchemexpress metaplasia, seven dysplasia and nine normal esophagus) were studied. The present study used transmission electron microscopy and computerized quantitative electron-microscopic analysis in order to investigate the characteristics of the extracellular matrix of the mucosa. Results:  The study revealed that marked structural alterations of the mucosa stroma, relating to changes in the distribution and appearance of collagen fibers as well as to changes in numbers of matrix microvesicles, occur in Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. It was found that there were 3.1 times more microvesicles in the stroma in Barrett’s esophagus than in the stroma of the normal esophagus (P < 0.0001) and that there were 5.