Editor-in-Chief articles of choice and comments from January to June 2024

Abstract

As the Editor-in-Chief of the World Journal of Gastroenterology, I carefully review all articles every week before a new issue’s online publication, including the title, clinical and research importance, originality, novelty, and ratings by the peer reviewers. Based on this review, I select the papers of choice and suggest pertinent changes (e.g., in the title or text) to the company editors responsible for publication. This process, while time-consuming, is essential for assuring the quality of publications and highlighting important articles that readers may revisit.

Key Words: Papers of choice; Weekly review; Suggested changes/revisions; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Pancreatic cancer; Liver cirrhosis; Liver injury; Gastric cancer; Colorectal cancer; Inflammatory bowel diseases

Core Tip: Every week before a new issue’s online publication, I perform a careful review of all articles, including the title, originality, novelty, and ratings by the peer reviewers. Based on this review, I select the papers of choice, suggest pertinent changes (e.g., in the title), and share my comments with the company editors responsible for publication. This process is critical for assuring the quality of publications and highlights important articles that readers may revisit.

INTRODUCTION

Prestigious posts such as those of the Editor-in-Chief of the World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG) come with duties. Every week before a new issue’s online publication, I carefully review all articles, including the title, clinical and research importance, originality, novelty, and ratings by the peer reviewers. Based on this review, I select my papers of choice, suggest changes (e.g., in the title), and share my comments with the company editors responsible for publication. While time-consuming, this process is essential for assuring the quality of publications and highlighting important articles that Readers may revisit. Overall, the reviewers performed careful peer reviews. In addition, WJG Scientists and the Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluations, ensuring the papers' quality is good.

HOT ARTICLES-ARTICLES OF CHOICE AND OTHER ARTICLES

Gastroenterology and hepatology

WJGv30i1: This issue contains 10 articles, including 2 editorials, 2 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. The articles in this first 2024 issue are very interesting and represent a good start to a New Year 2024.

I especially like papers: (1) “May ChatGPT be a tool producing medical information for common inflammatory bowel disease patients’ questions? An evidence-controlled analysis[1]”. This article presents a new important tool for the patients and health care professionals; (2) 2023: A year of accomplishments for the 13 Science Citation Index Expanded- and Emerging Sources Citation Index-indexed Baishideng journals[2]. It is very useful, especially for the academic gastroenterologists, hepatologists and surgeons; and (3) Crohn’s disease as the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction: An exploratory proposal based on basic and clinical data[3]. This paper presents a new hypothesis and a novel concept with potential science and clinical implications.

The reviewers performed overall very good peer reviews.

WJGv30i2: This issue contains 8 articles, including one related to the liver.

Some articles are exciting and important. I especially like papers: (1) “Small nucleolar RNA and its potential role in the oncogenesis and development of colorectal cancer[4].” In my opinion, this article will stimulate research in the small nucleolar RNA area related to other cancers; (2) “Hepato-cardio-renal syndrome in liver cirrhosis: Recognition of a new entity?[5]” This is an interesting article proposing the important role of the heart in hepatorenal syndrome. This new term was used only once before and was cited by the authors. Reviewer #: 05230210 performed an excellent peer review, and his comments assisted the authors in strengthening this paper; and (3) “Association of tumor budding with clinicopathological features and prognostic value in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ colorectal cancer[6]”. I fully agree with the reviewer’s remarks: “Tumor budding is an exciting topic”. It is not entirely new since a consensus in 2016 was released. However, this work provides important information regarding the significance of tumor budding in Stage III and IV colorectal cancer patients and how Bd2-3 are significant prognostic markers".

In the paper “Long-term prognosis and its associated predictive factors in patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis[7]”, reviewer 00058401 rated the article's scientific quality as grade C, but in SPECIFIC COMMENTS TO AUTHORS wrote only one word, “Congratulation”. This is not a serious review.

Editor's reply: The author has been invited to provide a new response to the reviewer's comments and upload it to the system.

WJGv30i4: This issue contains 9 articles, including 4/5 related to the liver.

The articles are interesting and important. I especially like papers: (1) “Revolutionizing gastric cancer treatment: The potential of immunotherapy[8]". This article will, in my opinion, stimulate research in this area and will be appreciated by the readers; (2) “Value of multiple models of diffusion-weighted imaging to predict hepatic lymph node metastases in colorectal liver metastases patients[9]”; and (3) Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with anti-angiogenesis agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and meta-analysis[10]. Please correct “inhibitiors” to inhibitors. It would be nice if the authors mention that Avastin is only the beginning for a new line of anticancer treatments that marks Napoleone Ferrara's long track record of discoveries from the identification of VEGF and its receptors, and their role in angiogenesis to the development of a viable drug–Avastin, Bevacizumab.

Since June 2023 the AASLD changed the nomenclature; namely, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was named metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The MASLD nomenclature encompasses patients who have hepatic steatosis and have at least one of five cardiometabolic risk factors. Please see: https://www.aasld.org/new-masld-nomenclature.

My question to the WJG Editors-do we wish to change and adopt this new nomenclature to WJG?

Editor's reply: Thank you for your comments. We will correct the typo in manuscript title "Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with/without anti-angiogenesis agents and immune checkpoint inhibitiors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and meta-analysis". And I have written to authors to ask for response to your comments.

In addition, I noticed it the second time you remind us the new nomenclature for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, I will forward it to my colleague to discuss.

WJGv30i5: This issue contains 10 articles, including 4 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are interesting.

I especially like papers: (1) “Leveraging machine learning for early recurrence prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma: A step towards precision medicine[11]”. As the second reviewer pointed out this study is innovative, and may have certain value in the early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery. The model's ability to stratify risk facilitates targeted postoperative strategies, showcasing its potential as a guide for personalized patient care; and (2) “Development and validation of a prediction model for early screening of people at high risk for colorectal cancer[12]”. The issue is clinically important.

The reviewers performed overall very good peer reviews.

WJGv30i7: This issue contains 16 articles, including 2 editorials, 6 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. In this issue we have numerous very interesting articles.

I especially like papers: (1) “Pathophysiology of severe gallstone pancreatitis: A new paradigm[13]”. This article provides basis for of the two types of biliary pancreatitis; (2) “Muscle strength and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/metabolic-associated fatty liver disease[14]”. The article is appealing and important by indicating that the hand-grip test is a suitable method and easily available tool for estimating someone's muscle strength and different health-related outcomes. It is also easily accessible in the population; and (3) “Erlotinib combination with a mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone effectively suppresses pancreatic cancer cell survival[15]”. While in vivo importance of this cancer cell study is not certain, from the basic point of view the studies are important and promising.

The article “Metformin and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis[16]” the paper was reviewed by only 1 reviewer and no review was provided.

WJGv30i9: This issue contains 22 articles, including 2 editorials, 11 articles related to the liver and 3 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are very interesting. It took time to review them.

I especially like the following articles: (1) Title: “Role of exosomal circular RNAs as microRNA sponges and potential targeting for suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma growth and progression[17]". This article presents a new potentially important therapy; (2) Title: “From liver to hormones: The endocrine consequences of cirrhosis[18]”. This is an interesting reminder for the readers; (3) Title: “Telomerase-related advances in hepatocellular carcinoma: A bibliometric and visual analysis[19]” An interesting update; and (4) Title: “PRaG 3.0 therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A case report[20]”. An important potential therapy for this deadly disease.

The reviewers performed overall good peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i10: This issue contains 20 articles, including 6 editorials, 5 articles related to the liver and 3 letters to the editor. All articles in this issue are interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: Capsule endoscopy and panendoscopy: A journey to the future of gastrointestinal endoscopy[21]. Authors point that the horizons of capsule endoscopy are evolving. PCE is a non-invasive, effective, and safe procedure to evaluate the small bowel and the colon. Its use in CD and more recently in GI bleeding is expanding in routine clinical practice and offers the opportunity to evaluate multiple segments of the digestive tract at the same time, in a single non-invasive procedure. Currently, clinical indications for PCE include the assessment of non-stricturing, non-penetrating and extensive CD (affecting the small bowel and colon), mainly for disease monitoring and evaluation of mucosal healing in response to medical therapy; (2) Title: Vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual regimen with Saccharomyces boulardii as a rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori: Current perspectives and implications[22]; (3) Title: Optimizing nutrition in hepatic cirrhosis: A comprehensive assessment and care[23]; and (4) Title: Stage at diagnosis of colorectal cancer through diagnostic route: Who should be screened?[24]. This article relates to a very important issue and an identified population that will benefit most from the screening.

The reviewers performed overall good peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i13: This issue contains 13 articles, including 4 editorials, 5 articles related to the liver. The articles in this issue are very interesting and well selected.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “History of chronic gastritis: How our perceptions have changed”[25]. This review paper is very well structured and provides in depth insight into and diagnosis of gastritis in time related manner; (2) Title: Molecular insights into clinical trials for immune checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancer: Unravelling challenges and future directions[26]. This paper may serve for developing of new therapies; and (3) Real-world efficacy and safety of tofacitinib treatment in Asian patients with ulcerative colitis[27]. This is a review on a new drug in UC studied in Asian patient.

The reviewers performed overall good peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i15: This issue contains 11 articles, including 5 editorials, 5 articles related to the liver and 1 letter to the editor. All articles in this issue are very interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Combination treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Present status and future”[28]. This is a clinically important issue; (2) Title: “Probiotics: Shaping the gut immunological responses”[29]. Very detailed and systematic review; and (3) OSW-1 triggers necroptosis in colorectal cancer cells through the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway facilitated by the RIPK1-p62/SQSTM1 complex[30]. This study provided a new mechanism.

Regarding paper: “Understanding autoimmune pancreatitis: Clinical features, management challenges, and association with malignancies[31]”. In the abstract, the authors stated “In this editorial we comment on the article by Jaber et al.” If this is the main point of the paper, this article should be the letter to the editor and not an editorial. The reviewer commented on this and was also annoyed by this statement. To correct the authors should delete this statement from the abstract and use it in the discussion.

In some papers medical English wording is not precise and reminds Google translation. In several articles detailed reviews are missing and only is a brief summary statement.

The reviewers performed overall good peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i16: This issue contains 12 articles, including 2 letters to the editor. All articles in this issue are well selected and interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Drug-induced mucosal alterations observed during esophagogastroduodenoscopy”[32]. I agree with the reviewer, who pointed out “that the author sorted out the classification and endoscopic manifestations of upper gastrointestinal mucosal injuries” and “This paper provides a reference basis for endoscopists to make diagnoses and it is helpful and useful in the clinic.” The illustrations are of excellent quality; and (2) Title: “Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: Updated examination of mechanisms, pathophysiology, treatment, and association with gastroesophageal reflux disease”[33]. Both reviewers rated this paper as “very good” and I fully agree, because this paper meticulously dissects the mechanisms of laryngopharyngeal tissues injury by different reflux substances such as hydrochloric acid, bile, gastric enzymes. In my opinion, this review provides better understanding of this complex medical condition.

The reviewers performed overall good peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i17: This issue contains 12 articles, including 5 editorials, 6 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are very interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Quick and easy assessment of sarcopenia in cirrhosis: Can ultrasound be the solution?”[34]. The reviewer pointed out that the authors should explain the term US. Also, the language should be more polished e.g., US is “a cheap and harmless technique” should be substituted with” inexpensive and noninvasive procedure" or similar; (2) Title: “Contrast-enhanced guided endoscopic ultrasound procedures”[35]; and (3) Title: “Minocycline in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis”[36].

The reviewers performed careful peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i18: I read the articles and reviewers peer reviews with a great interest. This May 14 issue contains 13 articles, including 9 articles related to the liver and 3 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are very interesting and important.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Navigating terminological evolution, diagnostic frontiers and therapeutic horizon-an editorial exploration”[37]. As pointed by the reviewer, this article explains nomenclature changes, diagnostic innovations, therapeutic possibilities, and the role of the microbiome. Perhaps the authors should elaborate on Resmetirom (Rezdiffra-approved by the FDA) that is a partial agonist of thyroid hormone receptor beta (THR-β) and works by preventing the liver from forming fat. THR-β is the main form of THR in the liver, and stimulation of it reduces triglycerides within the liver. The authors can add this in a subsequent letter to the editor as a follow up; (2) Title: “Endo hepatology: Arrival at the frontier of interventional endosonography”[38]. This article elaborates on new important direction; and (3) Title: “FibroScan-aspartate transaminase: A superior non-invasive model for diagnosing high-risk metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis”[39].

The reviewers performed overall good peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i19: This issue contains 13 articles, including 4 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Immunotherapy for esophageal cancer: Where are we now and where can we go"[40]. The authors should specify in the title squamous esophageal cancer; and (2) Title: “Hepatocellular carcinoma-the role of the underlying liver disease in clinical practice"[41].

The reviewers performed careful peer reviews. Some articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation.

WJGv30i20: This issue contains 12 articles, including 3 editorials, 7 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are very interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Excess non-COVID-19-related mortality among inflammatory bowel disease decedents during the COVID-19 pandemic”[42]. Important conclusions; and (2) Title: “Development and validation of a new prognostic model for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure in intensive care unit”[43]. Clinically important article.

In article “Exosomal microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma, rising research filed in hepatocellular carcinoma” instead of “filed” should be “field”. I suggest changing the title to “Exosomal microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma, expanding research field”[44].

The reviewers performed careful peer reviews. Most articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation, which assured good quality of papers.

WJGv30i21: This issue contains 10 articles, including 4 editorials, 2 articles related to the liver and 1 letter to the editor. The articles in this issue are very interesting.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Effects of proton pump inhibitors on inflammatory bowel disease: An updated review”[45]. Important clinical conclusions; and (2) Title: “Thymoquinone affects hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in pancreatic cancer cells via HSP90 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways”[46]. Important basic article.

The reviewers performed careful peer reviews. Most articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation, which assured good quality of papers.

WJGv30i22: This issue contains 12 articles, including 5 editorials, 6 articles related to the liver and 2 letters to the editor. The articles in this issue are very interesting and the choice of outstanding papers was difficult.

I especially like the following papers: (1) Title: “Histopathological impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver: Cellular damage and long-term complications”[47]. Important article. The reviewer provided excellent suggestions that markedly improved this paper; (2) Title: “Heparin is an effective treatment for preventing liver failure after hepatectomy”[48]. Important clinical article with potential therapeutic implications; and (3) Title: “Approach to loss of response to advanced therapies in inflammatory bowel disease”[49]. Important clinical article with potential therapeutic implications.

In the letter to the editor: “Interaction between inflammatory bowel disease, physical activity, and myokines: Assessment of serum irisin levels”[50] the reviewer did an excellent review. He stated “I just want to know if the author's purpose of writing this letter is a suggestion or addition to Stafie et al.'s article? Or is it just a way of stating their opinion if they have a different opinion? Secondly, the quality of the author's pictures is very poor and there are paragraph marker symbols in the pictures, so I hope the author will make changes”. I fully agree with this straightforward review.

Overall, the reviewers performed careful peer reviews. Most articles had only 1 reviewer, but WJG Scientists and Company Editor-in-Chief performed additional reviews and evaluation, which assured good quality of papers.

WJGv30i23: This issue contains 10 articles (including 6 editorials, 1 review, 2 retrospective studies and 1 prospective study.

The article: “Close relationship between mediators of inflammation and pancreatic cancer: Our experience[51]”. While the article sounds interesting, it has only Abstract, Introduction and Conclusion. The major parts, such as methods, results and discussion are missing. Since the authors used “Our experience” in the title, the readers would expect some methods and results. I am surprised that the Reviewer #07646418 did not notice this. The second issue: The title of this article promises too much. The authors refer in the title to the mediators of inflammation, while they studied only Mast cells, related proteins and refer to angiogenesis. Therefore, the title should be modified, e.g., "Relationship between mediators of inflammation and pancreatic cancer: focus on mast cells and …. Our experience"; "Relationship between mast cell, angiogenesis and pancreatic cancer. Our experience"; or similar.

The article: “Understanding the molecular crossroads in acute liver failure: A pathway to new therapies[52]” has only Abstract, Introduction and Conclusion.

I like the following articles: (1) Title: “Role of gut-liver axis and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease[53]”. Excellent summary of pathophysiology and clinical relevance; and (2) Title: “Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography improves diagnostic accuracy of T staging compared with multi-detector computed tomography in gastric cancer patients[54]” Clinically important topic.

WJGv30i24: I reviewed the June 28, 2024 newest WJG issue. This issue contains 12 articles (including 6 editorials, 1 retrospective, 1 observational, 1 basic, 1 scientometric, and 2 letters to the editor). I found this issue well organized and interesting.

I like the following articles: (1) Title: “Mapping global research trends: Nutrition associations with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - a Scopus bibliometric analysis[55]” While this article was not rated well by the reviewers, it is in my opinion, an important paper providing new views on this prevalent disease. It is my article of choice; and (2) Title: “Alanine aminotransferase predicts incident steatotic liver disease of metabolic etiology: Long life to the old biomarker![56]” Possibly “incident” should be changed to “incidence of”. The paper provided a nice review of ALAT history in the diagnosis of liver diseases.

In the paper, “Fecal calprotectin and endoscopic scores: The cornerstones in clinical practice for evaluating mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease[57]”. The subheading, “FECAL BIOMARKERS AND MUCOSA HEALING IN PATIENTS WITH IBD” “mucosa” should be changed to “MUCOSAL”.

The reviewers did an overall good job.

CONCLUSION

After the first 6 months of the year 2024, as the Editor-in-Chief of WJG, I wish to share with readers the evolution of my process of carefully reviewing all published articles, including my considerations of the title, clinical and research importance, originality, novelty, and rating by the peer reviewers. I perform this service every week before a new issue’s online publication. Based on this review process, I indicate my papers of choice and suggest changes to enhance them (e.g., in the titles), sharing the comments with the company editors responsible for publication. This time- and effort-intensive process allows me to ensure the quality of publications and highlight essential articles that could spur readers to revisit an issue or delve deeper into papers that could benefit their own research or clinical activities or provide new knowledge in a seemingly unrelated topic that didn’t first catch their attention.