Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This clinical trial aims to evaluate the influence of taVNS on autonomic functions, rectal sensation, and acetylcholine (Ach) levels and to explore potential mechanisms involving gut microbiota and metabolic profiles.

Methods: This study was a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial executed at the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Anhui, China.

Post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index and mean nocturnal baseline impedance predict proton pump inhibitor response in patients with reflux hypersensitivity.

Background And Aim: Post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) have been shown to influence proton pump inhibitor (PPI) response in GERD patients. However, currently, little data concerning these variables in patients with reflux hypersensitivity (RH) are available. In this study, we aimed to evaluate, in RH patients, the prevalence of PPI responders and nonresponders and investigate the predictive value of impedance-pH variables, including PSPW and MNBI, on responses to PPI.

Integrative effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on esophageal motility and pharyngeal symptoms via vagal mechanisms in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

Background And Aim: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is primarily characterized by discomfort in the pharynx and has limited treatment options. This research aimed to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in patients with LPRD and delve into the potential underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A total of 44 participants, diagnosed with LPRD were divided into two groups randomly.

Ameliorating effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on a mouse model of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Limited treatment options have been shown to alter the natural course of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Therefore, safer and more effective approaches are urgently needed. We investigated the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in a mouse model of IBS-C.

Colorectal motility patterns and psychiatric traits in functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A study from China.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) represent a spectrum of constipation disorders. However, the majority of previous clinical investigations have focused on Western populations, with limited data originating from China.

Aim: To determine and compare the colorectal motility and psychiatric features of FC and IBS-C in an Eastern Chinese population.

Intestinal Ultrasound Combined with Blood Inflammatory Markers Is a More Efficient Tool in Evaluating Severity of Crohn's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background And Aims: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is considered a nonirradiating, noninvasive, well-tolerated, and valuable tool for objectively assessing Crohn's disease (CD) activity. However, there is no widely accepted intestinal ultrasound scoring system. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of IUS key parameters, the International Bowel Ultrasound Activity Score (IBUS-SAS), and IBUS-SAS combined with blood inflammatory markers in assessing CD activity.

Gut Microbiome and Metabonomic Profile Predict Early Remission to Anti-Integrin Therapy in Patients with Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis.

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have low response rates to anti-integrin medications, necessitating the identification of noninvasive biomarkers for predicting remission to anti-integrin therapy. In this study, patients with moderate to severe UC commencing anti-integrin therapy ( = 29), inactive to mild UC patients ( = 13), and healthy controls ( = 11) were selected. Besides clinical evaluation, fecal samples were collected at baseline and week 14 from moderate to severe UC patients.

Slow, deep breathing intervention improved symptoms and altered rectal sensitivity in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Background And Aim: Limited treatment options have been shown to alter the natural course of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Slow, deep breathing (SDB) is a common pain self-management intervention. This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of SDB on measures of autonomic and anorectal functions as well as patient-reported symptoms in constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C).

Sleep Deficiency Is Associated With Exacerbation of Symptoms and Impairment of Anorectal and Autonomic Functions in Patients With Functional Constipation.

Objective: Sleep deficiency (SD) is commonly seen in patients with functional constipation (FC). Our aim was to determine whether the presence of SD would influence symptoms, anorectal motility, sensation, and autonomic function in FC patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 85 FC patients with SD and 193 FC patients without SD underwent high-resolution anorectal manometry.

Placebo Response Rates in Acupuncture Therapy Trials for Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a functional digestive disease with limited management selection. Previous studies revealed that acupuncture therapy is effective for FD. However, because sham controls were not implemented in most clinical trials following acupuncture therapy, it is difficult to differentiate overall treatment responses from placebo.

Digital Rectal Examination Is a Valuable Bedside Tool for Detecting Dyssynergic Defecation: A Diagnostic Study and a Meta-Analysis.

Background: Accurate dyssynergic defecation (DD) diagnosis depends on anorectal physiological tests that are not widely available.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of digital rectal examination (DRE) compared with anorectal physiological tests in diagnosing DD in patients with constipation.

Methods: A total of 218 chronic constipation patients who fulfilled the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional constipation (FC) and underwent a standardized DRE and high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) test were enrolled in this study.

Subjective Taste and Smell Changes in Conjunction with Anxiety and Depression Are Associated with Symptoms in Patients with Functional Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background: Patients with functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often report psychological abnormalities and decreased eating enjoyment. Several patients also complain of changes in the sense of smell and taste, but these are often disregarded clinically.

Aims: Therefore, there is a need to determine whether taste/smell disturbances and psychological abnormalities are present in patients with FC or IBS and whether these are related to the severity of lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Subjective Changes of Taste and Smell in Conjunction With Anxiety and Depression Are Associated With Symptoms in Globus Patients Without Evidence of Pathologic Acid Reflux.

Background/aim: Patients suffering from globus often report decreased enjoyment when eating as well as a psychological abnormality. Some patients exhibit taste and smell changes (TSCs) when compared with the period before the diagnosis. The main aim of this study was to explore if TSCs and psychological abnormality are present in patients with globus, whether they are associated with the severity of throat symptoms, and the potential risk factors for globus.

Ameliorating Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) Acupoints Combined with Adaptive Biofeedback Training on Functional Outlet Obstruction Constipation.

Background: Stimulant laxatives are still considered the most common treatment for functional outlet obstruction constipation (FOOC). However, the effectiveness of laxatives is unsatisfactory, and the long-term use of laxatives may cause certain adverse events. With this in mind, it is, however, paramount that novel complementary treatment(s) and/or other forms of alternative medicine are adequately investigated.

Predictive Value of Fissured Tongue in Functional Dyspepsia Combined with Depression.

Anxiety and depression are common in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. Although fissured tongue (FT) is often observed in FD, its clinical value in such patients is rarely reported. We analyzed clinical data of FD patients with FT with the aim of elucidating the clinical value of FT in FD.

A role for the non-receptor tyrosine kinase ACK1 in TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis and proliferation in human intestinal epithelial caco-2 cells.

The roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and its mediators in cellular processes related to intestinal diseases remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to determine the biological role of activated Cdc42-associated kinase 1 (ACK1) in TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis and proliferation in Caco-2 cells. ACK1 expression was knocked down using ACK1-specific siRNAs, and ACK1 activity was disrupted using a small molecule ACK1 inhibitor.

Involvement of Activated Cdc42 Kinase1 in Colitis and Colorectal Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND Activated Cdc42 kinase1 (ACK1) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase which is critical for cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Genomic amplification of ACK1 has been reported in multiple human cancers. We aimed to investigate ACK1 protein expression in colorectal mucosa with inflammation and neoplasm, and to evaluate its correlation with disease activity and severity.

[Annexin A2 expression in intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and its clinical implications].

Objective: To explore the role of annexin A2 (ANXA2) expression in the intestinal mucosa in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Intestinal or colonic mucosal biopsy samples were obtained from 54 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 37 with Crohn's disease (CD), and 15 healthy control subjects. Immunohistochemistry was employed to examine the expression of ANXA2 in the intestinal mucosa, and mRNA expression of ANXA2 was detected using real-time PCR.

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies associate with phenotypes and higher risk for surgery in Crohn's disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: Recent studies suggested that anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) status was associated with diagnostic findings, stratified classification phenotypes, disease activity and clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD). However, the relationship between ASCA status and phenotypes of CD remains controversial in these studies.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ASCA status is associated with the phenotypes and the risk of surgery in diverse populations in CD.

Confirmation of three inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility loci in a Chinese cohort.

Purpose: Recent genome-wide association studies have identified a number of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) susceptibility loci in White populations. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether these susceptibility loci also existed in a Chinese Han IBD population.

Methods: Peripheral blood DNA samples from groups of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) (n = 48), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 49), and healthy controls (n = 50) were genotyped for eight genes.