Conventional Versus Traction-Assisted Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal, Gastric, and Colorectal Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is increasingly being utilized for the resection of superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms. However, the long procedure time poses a technical challenge for conventional ESD (C-ESD). Traction-assisted ESD (T-ESD) was developed to facilitate the procedure by reducing its duration.

Spirulina Platensis Attenuates Rebound Dyspeptic Symptoms After Proton Pump Inhibitors' Discontinuation: Phase 2 Placebo-controlled Trial.

Context: Rebound acid hypersecretion after cessation of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can provoke dyspeptic symptoms. The search for alternatives to minimize the dyspeptic rebound symptoms after PPI discontinuation is warranted. Spirulina platensis, a dietary supplement made from blue-green algae, might be an alternative.

The brain-esophagus axis in subjects with and without obesity assessed by esophageal acid perfusion and functional brain imaging.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a complex pathophysiology and a heterogeneous symptom profile. The brain-esophageal axis in GERD has been studied with functional brain imaging during the last decades, but data from obese patients was just recently reported. A comparison of such a group with non-obese subjects is lacking in the literature.

Association between masticatory dysfunction and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A population-based study in the elderly.

Background: Caries and periodontal disease may cause tooth losses and chewing difficulty, especially in the elderly. Ingesting poorly chewed food may delay gastric emptying and favour the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Objective: This study investigated the association between masticatory dysfunction and GERD in the elderly from a rural area in southern Brazil.

Reduced mastication is a risk factor for Rome IV postprandial distress syndrome in patients investigated with upper endoscopy.

Background And Aims: Reduced mastication could force the stomach to do extra work on crushing food and contribute to dyspeptic symptoms. This study aimed to assess the relationship between mastication and dyspepsia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 209 consecutive patients referred for elective upper endoscopy.

Short-term intestinal effects of water intake in fibre supplementation in healthy, low-habitual fibre consumers: a phase 2 clinical trial.

A randomised clinical trial was conducted on 20 healthy, low-habitual fibre consumers to assess the short-term effects of water intake (2 l/day) on fibre supplementation with wheat bran, pectin, and green banana flour. During the 14-days trial, fibre intake doubled in both fibre ( = 10) and fibre/water ( = 10) interventions ( < 0.001), whereas daily water intake increased from 538 to 1990 ml in the fibre/water group ( < 0.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and dental erosion: The role of bile acids.

Objectives: To identify the bile acids in the saliva of patients with and without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and evaluate their effect on tooth surface.

Design: A cross-sectional study involved 26 GERD patients and 40 controls without GERD. Dental erosions were identified, saliva was collected and analyzed with chromatography for bile acid identification.

Disruption of the brain-esophagus axis in obese patients with heartburn.

Obesity is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Studies addressing the brain-esophagus axis in obese are lacking. In obese with and without heartburn, we assessed: (i) the brain responses to esophageal acid perfusion during functional brain imaging; (ii) esophageal impedance baseline before and after acid perfusion; and (iii) abdominal fat distribution.

Reduced masticatory function predicts gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal dysphagia in patients referred for upper endoscopy: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The role of mastication on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unknown.

Aims: To assess whether reduced masticatory function predicts GERD and esophageal dysphagia in patients investigated with upper endoscopy.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 179 adult patients referred for elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy agreed to participate.

Lactobacillus brevis CD2 attenuates traumatic oral lesions induced by fixed orthodontic appliance: A randomized phase 2 trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus brevis CD2 on the prevention of early traumatic oral lesions induced by a fixed orthodontic appliance.

Settings And Sample Population: Twenty orthodontic patients (14-57 yo) were recruited from a private clinic.

Subjects And Methods: In a phase 2, double-blind clinical trial, all patients were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to a 21-day course of soluble tablets containing L brevis CD2 (4 billion colony-forming units after breakfast, lunch and dinner) or placebo, starting at the day of orthodontic appliance placement.

Abdominal Palpation Does Not Modify the Number of Bowel Sounds in Healthy Volunteers and Gastrointestinal Outpatients.

Background: The effect of abdominal palpation on bowel sounds is controversial. The authors developed an auscultation apparatus to count bowel sounds and determined whether abdominal palpation modifies the number of bowel sounds in healthy volunteers and gastrointestinal outpatients.

Methods: Four medical students developed an auscultation apparatus by attaching a Littmann stethoscope to an electret condenser microphone.

Predictors of dental erosions in patients evaluated with upper digestive endoscopy: a cross-sectional study.

The most studied medical condition related with dental erosions is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to assess other predictors of dental erosions besides GERD in outpatients referred for upper digestive endoscopy. In a cross-sectional study, we prospectively evaluated 235 patients who underwent upper digestive endoscopy.

Predictive Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Bariatric Surgery: a Controlled Trial Comparing Sleeve Gastrectomy with Gastric Bypass.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with obesity.

Methods: Patients with class II or III obesity were treated with LSG or LRYGB. Procedure choice was based on patients and surgeon preferences.

Are Lactobacillus salivarius G60 and inulin more efficacious to treat patients with oral halitosis and tongue coating than the probiotic alone and placebo? A randomized clinical trial.

Background: The combination of probiotics and prebiotics might be useful to treat oral halitosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Lactobacillus salivarius G60 (LS) and inulin on oral halitosis and tongue coating.

Methods: In this double-masked, randomized, phase II clinical trial, 45 patients (aged 35 ± 15 years, 66% female) with oral halitosis and tongue coating were allocated to three treatment groups (n = 15) using gums of oral dissolution (one gum every 12 hours) for 10 days.

Influences of Screw Access Hole and Mechanical Cycling on the Fracture Load of Implant-Supported Crowns.

Purpose: To assess the influence of a screw access hole (SAH) and mechanical cycling on the fracture load of implant-supported crowns (ISCs) manufactured with screw-retained (s) or cement-retained (c) abutments with either metal (M) or zirconia (Z) infrastructure.

Materials And Methods: Six groups of restorations were made based on type of infrastructure (M or Z), fixation (s or c), and whether they underwent aging (a) with mechanical cycling: Zc, Zs, Zsa, Mc, Ms, and Msa. All ISCs were porcelain veneered and tested for compression to failure in distilled water (37°C) using a universal testing machine.

How to select patients for antireflux surgery? The ICARUS guidelines (international consensus regarding preoperative examinations and clinical characteristics assessment to select adult patients for antireflux surgery).

Objective: Antireflux surgery can be proposed in patients with GORD, especially when proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use leads to incomplete symptom improvement. However, to date, international consensus guidelines on the clinical criteria and additional technical examinations used in patient selection for antireflux surgery are lacking. We aimed at generating key recommendations in the selection of patients for antireflux surgery.

Acoustic signal of silent tracheal aspiration in children with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Unlabelled: Objetive: The aim of this study was to characterize the acoustic signal of silent tracheal aspiration in children with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD).

Method: Thirty-two children with OPD were examined with combined digital cervical auscultation (DCA) and videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Power spectral density (PSD, in 1/√Hz) of the acoustic signal from a sequential series of five liquid swallows was used for comparisons between children who silently aspirated and children who did not aspirate on VFSS.

Juice Test for Identification of Nonerosive Reflux Disease in Heartburn Patients.

Background/aims: Evaluation of esophageal clearance by orange juice swallowing could be useful to identify different categories of gastroesophageal reflux disease. We determined whether a juice test at the beginning of esophageal pH monitoring can identify nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) among heartburn patients.

Methods: Multiple swallows of orange juice (pH 3) were performed at the beginning of esophageal pH monitoring in 71 heartburn patients off acid-suppressive therapy.