Xia & He Publishing Inc.

The disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs) encompass several common gastrointestinal syndromes that, in aggregate, affect up to 40% of the general population.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterized by injury to the small- and medium-sized intrahepatic bile ducts, which often leads to liver fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis if left untreated. Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-negative PBC is defined by evidence of biochemical cholestasis on laboratory evaluation, histological findings on liver biopsy consistent with PBC, and AMA-negative testing.

In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated over 800,000 deaths due to suicide and identified poisoning as a significant public health concern. Data from the United States National Poison Data System reported just over three million poison encounters logged during 2013. A concerning finding was a 4.7% increase in human exposure, resulting in serious outcomes, including death. Specifically, self-poisoning with pesticides has received attention over the past two to three decades.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a distinct form of chronic pancreatitis that typically presents with obstructive jaundice, abdominal discomfort, and other clinical manifestations. It is immune-mediated and marked by lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltration, pancreatic fibrosis, pancreatic dysfunction, and possible extrapancreatic organ involvement, and it generally responds well to glucocorticoid therapy.

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged as one of the most rapidly increasing contributors to liver-related morbidity worldwide. Its rise closely parallels global increases in obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, and clustered metabolic abnormalities. Over the past three decades, the distribution of MASLD has shifted markedly across regions due to population aging, changing lifestyles, and unequal health system performance.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. SARS-CoV-2 can affect multiple systems, including the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. Most infected individuals present with mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, cough, and fatigue; severe cases may develop dyspnea or even progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Chronic pelvic pain represents a significant clinical challenge, affecting quality of life and imposing a substantial physical and psychological burden. Despite advances in pharmacological and interventional strategies, a considerable proportion of patients remain refractory to conservative treatment. Interventions targeting the superior hypogastric plexus have been widely employed for refractory pelvic pain of malignant and non-malignant origin.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for 85–90% of primary liver cancer cases, represents the most prevalent hepatic malignancy worldwide. HCC is characterized by an asymptomatic early stage and rapid progression, resulting in the majority of patients presenting with locally advanced disease at diagnosis and consequently missing the optimal window for surgical resection.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), characterized by progressive vascular remodeling and pulmonary arterial stenosis, remains incurable. Historically, untreated patients have exhibited a mean survival of only 2.8 years. Although therapeutic advances have increased the 3-year survival rate to 70–76%, PAH continues to impose a significant global health burden. Given this, research into primary prevention risk factors is important for reducing the global PAH burden.

Over the past decade, digital pathology has advanced from an emerging adjunct technology to a clinically mature and increasingly integral platform across pathology laboratories in the United States. Regulatory clearance for primary diagnosis, continued innovation in whole slide imaging (WSI), the normalization of remote work, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have together created strong momentum for adoption in both academic medical centers and community practices.