A purposefully created intramural space provides an endoscopic access route to the deeper layers and into the extraluminal cavities. The mucosa overlying the intramural space is protective, reducing contamination during natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures and providing a sealant flap to repair the

entry point and the submucosal space. In addition to NOTES, SEMF enables endoscopic achalasia myotomy, histologic analysis of the muscularis propria, and submucosal tumor removal. Takeshi Ohki, Masayuki Yamato, Teruo Okano, and Masakazu Yamamoto Video of the cell sheet transplantation technique accompanies this article Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have captured selleckchem the world’s attention and directed an unprecedented focus on regenerative medicine. The potential of iPS cells to aid in the development of new treatments for various diseases is exciting, and researchers are only beginning to discover their potential benefits for humans. iPS cells are more effective if they are interconnected

with tissues; however, new technologies are needed to create and transplant these tissues. This study introduces a new connection between endoscopy and regenerative medicine in gastroenterology through specifically addressing how cell sheet technology can be a viable method of tissue creation and transplantation. see more Mi-Young Kim, Jun-Hyung Cho, Pankaj Jain, and Joo Young Cho Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) improves Rebamipide the quality of life of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) and dysplasia by preserving gastric function. ESD in the treatment of EGC and dysplasia has become standard in Japan and Korea and is being developed and implemented in many major centers in Asia. With a well-designed prospective study, long-term outcomes of expanded criteria for endoscopic resection of EGC are expected to provide reliable indications

for endoscopic treatment. Ongoing and novel clinical investigations of minimally invasive approaches and close collaboration between Western and Asian countries are expected to establish the best way to treat EGC. Horst Neuhaus In Europe, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is widely accepted as an appropriate diagnostic approach to obtain specimens for accurate histopathologic evaluation, which may change grading and local staging of early neoplasia determined by prior biopsies and imaging. In contrast to EMR, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allows resection of even large lesions in a single piece. Evidence on the clinical value of ESD is still limited and mainly based on data from Japan, and may not be directly applicable to Europe, where the outcome of ESD may be less favorable because of the limited Western expertise in this challenging technique. Norio Fukami Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-established advanced mucosal resection technique used in Japan, where it originated, and some other Asian countries.