In 2018, the World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG) has published the 11^th issue which containing 10 articles including 1 review, and 9 original articles contributed by scientists worldwide. Among these comprehensive articles are (1) “Functional macrophages and gastrointestinal disorders”, a review by Jing-Dong Xu, PhD, Assistant Professor, et al from Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, China; (2) “NOD2- and disease-specific gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Crohn’s disease patients”, a basic study by Robert Jaster, MD, Academic Research, Professor, Senior Scientist, Pofessor, et al from Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Germany; and (3) “Fatty liver in hepatitis C patients post-sustained virological response with direct-acting antivirals”, a prospective study by Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc, Associate Professor, et al from Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Comprehensive Transplant Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, United States, etc. We invite you to peruse all 10 articles in this issue, as they present the latest research progress/findings and provide insightful comments in gastroenterology and hepatology that will guide basic research and clinical practice in these fields.

This journal is an open-access journal which allows free immediate access to all full-text articles. For details, please visit: Volume 24, Issue 11, March 21, 2018.

Figure 1 The cover of the issue. Editorial board member of World Journal of Gastroenterology, Chang Moo Kang, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, South Korea

We encourage gastroenterologists and hepatologists worldwide to submit manuscripts to the WJG describing their original basic or clinical research findings that are of high academic value and which report new diagnostic techniques or summarize their treatment experiences.