Esophageal anatomy and physiology vary across spastic and non-spastic phenotypes of disorders of esophagogastric junction outflow.

Background: Pathophysiologic mechanisms of disorders of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow are poorly understood. We aimed to compare anatomic and physiologic characteristics among patients with disorders of EGJ outflow and normal motility.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated adult patients with achalasia types 1, 2, 3, EGJ outflow obstruction (EGJOO) or normal motility on high-resolution manometry who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) from January 2019 to August 2022.

Efficacy of beetroot juice on reducing blood pressure in hypertensive adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (BEET-PKD): study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, in part, contributes to early-onset hypertension. Beetroot juice (BRJ) reduces blood pressure (BP) by increasing NO-mediated vasodilation. The aim of this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study is to test the hypothesis that BRJ reduces systolic and diastolic clinic BP in hypertensive adults with ADPKD.

Evaluating the impact of stay-at-home orders on the time to reach the peak burden of Covid-19 cases and deaths: does timing matter?

Background: The economic, psychological, and social impact of pandemics and social distancing measures prompt the urgent need to determine the efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), especially those considered most stringent such as stay-at-home and self-isolation mandates. This study focuses specifically on the impact of stay-at-home orders, both nationally and internationally, on the control of COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted an observational analysis from April to May 2020 and included both countries and US states with known stay-at-home orders.

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Risk of Future Cardiovascular Disease in Women.

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of mortality in women globally. In addition to traditional risk factors, some sex-specific conditions increase the burden of cardiovascular disease in women. With this literature review, we aimed to review evidence on associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and risk of cardiovascular disease in later life.

Epithelial Recurrent Erosion Dystrophy Secondary to COL17A1 c.3156C>T Mutation in a Non-white Family.

Purpose: To report the identification of the collagen, type XVII, alpha 1 (COL17A1) c.3156C>T mutation associated with epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED) in a Thai family.

Methods: Slit-lamp examination was performed to determine the affected status of each member of a Thai family, with multiple members demonstrating scattered Bowman layer opacities.

Sensitivity and specificity of Urdu version of the PHQ-9 to screen depression in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) possesses many characteristics of a good screening tool and has the capacity to be used for screening depression in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aim: To examine the psychometric properties and criterion validity of the PHQ-9 to screen and detect depression in patients with CAD in Pakistan.

Design: In this validation study, 150 patients with CAD completed the Urdu version of the PHQ-9.

CTG18.1 Expansion in TCF4 Increases Likelihood of Transplantation in Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy.

Purpose: Fuchs dystrophy is the leading indication of corneal transplantation in the United States. A CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat in TCF4 correlates with increased severity in Fuchs dystrophy; however, quantitative estimates of increased transplantation risk, including effects of age and sex, are unclear.