Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Moleculargenetic decryptions of upper gastrointestinal disorders have evolved into an emerging field with increasing attention. This holds for benign and malignant diseases and extends far beyond prediction and prevention. Extensive and holistic analyses of the moleculargenetic background in multifactorial upper gastrointestinal diseases—including genetic germline risk variants and somatic mutations, as well as corresponding functional consequences—although still developing and in progress, have already led to a relevant rise in our current understanding. This new knowledge has the ability of early prediction and the possibility of developing targeted therapies, as well as the identification of genetic profiles to predict drug resistance.

In this Special Issue of IJMS, we are presenting the state-of-the-art of the moleculargenetic and biological aspects of upper gastrointestinal diseases by internationally prominent and renowned authors.

Prof. Dr. Ines Gockel
Dr. Johannes Schumacher
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

molecular genetic analyses of upper gastrointestinal diseases
esophageal cancer
squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Barrett’s adenocarcinoma
achalasia
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
gastric cancer
molecular subtypes of esophageal and gastric cancer
multifactorial upper gastrointestinal diseases
somatic mutations

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers

Review

14 pages, 564 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer: Molecular Genetics, Biological Mechanisms and Current Therapeutic Approaches

by Lidia-Sabina Cosma, Sophie Schlosser, Hauke C. Tews, Martina Müller and Arne Kandulski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 7821; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23147821 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2802

Abstract

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by a high prevalence of diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer. It is caused by inactivating mutations in the tumor suppressor gene CDH1. Genetic testing technologies have become more efficient over the years, also enabling the discovery of other susceptibility genes for gastric cancer, such as CTNNA1 among the most important genes. The diagnosis of pathogenic variant carriers with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer is a selection process involving a multidisciplinary team. To achieve optimal long-term results, it requires shared decision-making in risk management. In this review, we present a synopsis of the molecular changes and current therapeutic approaches in HDGC based on the current literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Genetics and Biological Mechanism of Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 66436 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Focus on Enterochromaffin Cells among the Enteroendocrine Cells: Localization, Morphology, and Role

by Rita Rezzani, Caterina Franco, Lorenzo Franceschetti, Marzia Gianò and Gaia Favero

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3758; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23073758 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7756

Abstract

The intestinal epithelium plays a key role in managing the relationship with the environment, the internal and external inputs, and their changes. One percent of the gut epithelium is represented by the enteroendocrine cells. Among the enteroendocrine cells, a group of specific cells characterized by the presence of yellow granules, the enterochromaffin cells, has been identified. These granules contain many secretion products. Studies showed that these cells are involved in gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions and hyperalgesia; their number increases in these conditions both in affected and not-affected zones of the gut. Moreover, they are involved in the preservation and modulation of the intestinal function and motility, and they sense metabolic–nutritional alterations. Sometimes, they are confused or mixed with other enteroendocrine cells, and it is difficult to define their activity. However, it is known that they change their functions during diseases; they increased in number, but their involvement is related mainly to some secretion products (serotonin, melatonin, substance P). The mechanisms linked to these alterations are not well investigated. Herein, we provide an up-to-date highlight of the main findings about these cells, from their discovery to today. We emphasized their origin, morphology, and their link with diet to better evaluate their role for preventing or treating metabolic disorders considering that these diseases are currently a public health burden. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Genetics and Biological Mechanism of Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases 2.0)

► Show Figures