KRAS amplification in metastatic colon cancer is associated with a history of inflammatory bowel disease and may confer resistance to anti-EGFR therapy.

Mutations in RAS occur in 30-50% of metastatic colorectal carcinomas (mCRCs) and correlate with resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. Consequently, mCRC biomarker guidelines state RAS mutational testing should be performed when considering EGFR inhibitor treatment. However, a small subset of mCRCs are reported to harbor RAS amplification.

Risk of bacterial exposure to the endoscopist's face during endoscopy.

Background And Aims: Nonuniversal use of facial protection during endoscopy may place endoscopists at risk of exposure to blood and body fluids; however, the frequency of exposure is unknown.

Methods: A prospective 6-month study of 4 gastroenterologists using a face shield during endoscopy was undertaken. The face shield was swabbed in a standardized fashion before and at the end of the session.

An Automated Inpatient Split-dose Bowel Preparation System Improves Colonoscopy Quality and Reduces Repeat Procedures.

Background/goals: Inpatient colonoscopy preparations are often inadequate, compromising patient safety and procedure quality, while resulting in greater hospital costs. The aims of this study were to: (1) design and implement an electronic inpatient split-dose bowel preparation order set; (2) assess the intervention's impact upon preparation adequacy, repeated colonoscopies, hospital days, and costs.

Study: We conducted a single center prospective pragmatic quasiexperimental study of hospitalized adults undergoing colonoscopy.

Predictors of Inadequate Inpatient Colonoscopy Preparation and Its Association with Hospital Length of Stay and Costs.

Background/aims: Adequate bowel preparation is essential to safe and effective inpatient colonoscopy. Predictors of poor inpatient colonoscopy preparation and the economic impacts of inadequate inpatient preparations are not defined. The aims of this study were to (1) determine risk factors for inadequate inpatient bowel preparations, and (2) examine the association between inadequate inpatient bowel preparation and hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs.

Assessing bolus retention in achalasia using high-resolution manometry with impedance: a comparator study with timed barium esophagram.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) could be used to assess bolus retention similar to the timed barium esophagram (TBE).

Methods: Twenty achalasia patients (10 males, aged 21-79 years) were prospectively evaluated with HRIM and TBE to determine the correlation between barium column height and the impedance bolus height (IBH). The TBE protocol used a 200-ml barium challenge and the HRIM protocol used a 200-ml saline challenge protocol.

Effect of meal content on heart rate variability and cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress.

Little is known about transient effects of foods and nutrients on reactivity to mental stress. In a randomized crossover study of healthy adults (n=20), we measured heart rate variability (respiratory sinus arrhythmia), blood pressure, and other hemodynamic variables after three test meals varying in type and amount of fat. Measurements were collected at rest and during speech and cold pressor tasks.