In 2019, the World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG) has published the 3^rd issue which containing 10 articles including 4 reviews, and 6 original articles, contributed by scientists worldwide. Among these comprehensive articles are (1) “Roles of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger 1 in digestive system physiology and pathophysiology”, a Review by Rui Xie, MD, PhD, Professor, et al from Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital to Zunyi Medical College, China; (2) “NKX6.3 protects against gastric mucosal atrophy by downregulating β-amyloid production”, a Basic Study by Won Sang Park, MD, PhD, Doctor, Professor, et al from Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, South Korea; and (3) “Incidence and treatment of mediastinal leakage after esophagectomy: Insights from the multicenter study on mediastinal leaks”, a Retrospective Study by Uberto Fumagalli, MD, Director, Surgical Oncologist, et al from Department of Digestive Surgery, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Italy, 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 25, Issue 3, January 21, 2019.

Figure 1 The cover of the issue. Editorial board member of World Journal of Gastroenterology, Maria Gazouli, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.

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.