Secondhand smoke is associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease in non-smokers in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Active smokers are known to be at an increased risk of both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD), however the role of passive smoking remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine whether secondhand smoke (SHS) is associated with PUD and GERD.

Methods: In this population-based study, we conducted a large-scale analysis with 88,297 never-smokers (male: 18,595; female: 69,702; mean age 50.

High Obesity Indices Are Associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, but Low Obesity Indices Are Associated with Peptic Ulcer Disease in a Large Taiwanese Population Study.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are prevalent in Taiwan. Few studies have investigated the associations between obesity indices with GERD and PUD simultaneously. This study aimed to investigate the correlations among obesity indices with GERD and PUD in a large cohort of participants, around 120,000, in the Taiwan Biobank (TWB).

Sex difference in the associations among hyperuricemia with self-reported peptic ulcer disease in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Hyperuricemia may play a role in various systemic diseases. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between hyperuricemia and the risk of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Therefore, in this population-based study, we enrolled over 120,000 participants from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and examined the risk factors for self-reported PUD.

Sex difference in the associations among risk factors with gastroesophageal reflux disease in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common global health issue. Previous studies have revealed a higher prevalence of GERD in females than in males, however few studies have investigated sex differences in the risk factors associated with GERD. Therefore, the aim of this population-based study was to examine sex differences in the risk factors for GERD in a large cohort of over 120,000 Taiwanese participants.

Loss of MTA2-mediated downregulation of PTK7 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis progression by modulating the FAK-MMP7 axis.

The expression of metastasis tumor-associated protein 2 (MTA2) and protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. However, the functional effect and mechanism through which MTA2 regulates PTK7-mediated HCC progression remains unclear. Here, we found that MTA2 knockdown significantly down-regulated PTK7 expression in HCC cells (SK-Hep-1 and PLC/PRF/5).

Heterogeneity of Phase II Enzyme Ligands on Controlling the Progression of Human Gastric Cancer Organoids as Stem Cell Therapy Model.

Gastric cancer (GC) organoids are frequently used to examine cell proliferation and death as well as cancer development. Invasion/migration assay, xenotransplantation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were used to examine the effects of antioxidant drugs, including perillaldehyde (PEA), cinnamaldehyde (CA), and sulforaphane (SFN), on GC. PEA and CA repressed the proliferation of human GC organoids, whereas SFN enhanced it.

The impact of preoperative waiting time in Stage II-III gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Gastrectomy remains the curative option in gastric cancer. However, the growing concern that preoperative waiting jeopardizes survival has not been fully addressed. The present population-based cohort study aimed to clarify the impact of preoperative waiting time (PreWT).

A phase Ib/II trial of PEP503 (NBTXR3, radioenhancer) with radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.

To investigate the safety profile, dose-limiting toxicity and antitumor activity of PEP503 (NBTXR3) nanoparticles with radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or unresectable rectal cancer. Patients will receive a single intratumoral injection of the nanoparticles, followed by radiotherapy and intravenous infusion of fluorouracil or oral capecitabine concurrently. In phase Ib (escalation phase, 3 + 3 design), volume escalation is based on the tumor volume of 5, 10, 15 and 22% of total baseline tumor volume.

Independent Signaling of Hepatoma Derived Growth Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Human Gastric Cancer Organoids Infected by .

We prepared three-dimensional (3-D) organoids of human stomach cancers and examined the correlation between the tumorigenicity and cytotoxicity of (). In addition, the effects of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) on the growth and invasion activity of -infected gastric cancer organoids were examined. Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA)-green fluorescence protein (GFP)-labeled was used to trace the infection in gastric organoids.

Real-World Evidence of Effectiveness and Safety of Vedolizumab for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Taiwan: A Prospective Nationwide Registry (VIOLET) Study.

Background: This nationwide prospective registry study investigated the real-world effectiveness, safety, and persistence of vedolizumab (VDZ) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in Taiwan. Disease relapse rates after VDZ discontinuation due to reimbursement restriction were assessed.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively (January 2018 to May 2020) from the Taiwan Society of IBD registry.

An extended 36-week oral esomeprazole improved long-term recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding in patients at high risk of rebleeding.

Background: Patients with Rockall scores ≥6 have an increased risk of long-term peptic ulcer rebleeding. This study was aimed toward investigating whether an extended course of oral esomeprazole up to 1 year decreased ulcer rebleeding in such patients.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 120 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding and Rockall scores ≥6.

Comparison of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Application on Mucosal Tumor and Subepithelial Tumor in stomach.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is minimal invasive endoscopic procedure to deal with gastric tumor. Initially, it was developed to resect mucosal neoplasm since 2000 and extended its application to submucosal tumor in the following years. Although the basic ESD skills are similar in gastric mucosal tumor and subepithelial tumor, the success rate, complication may be different between the two types of gastric tumor resection.

Hemodialysis Increases the Risk of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Angiodysplasia Bleeding: A Nationwide Population Study.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with or without hemodialysis were considered to have bleeding tendency and higher risk for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Previous studies had documented that hemodialysis may increase the gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. Few studies evaluated the relationship between CKD and lower GI bleeding.

Nutritional and dietary strategy in the clinical care of inflammatory bowel disease.

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease have been increasing for decades and IBD has become a worldwide disease. Epidemiology studies demonstrated higher incidence rates in the more westernized countries. The change of habitual diets in these countries is perceived as the reason for the development of IBD.

Predictive Value of ERCC1, ERCC2, and XRCC Expression for Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant mFOLFOX-4 Chemotherapy.

The dismal outcome in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) highlights the need for effective systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve clinical results. This study evaluated the correlation between the expression of three DNA repair genes, namely the excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1), excision repair cross-complementing group 2 (ERCC2), and X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) and the clinical outcome of patients with locally advanced or metastatic GC treated with mFOLFOX-4 neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Fifty-eight patients with histologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic GC following neoadjuvant mFOLFOX-4 chemotherapy were enrolled between January 2009 and January 2018.

Gastric juice-based PCR assay: An alternative testing method to aid in the management of previously treated Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Culture of Helicobacter pylori with previous eradication failure has been emphasized in clinical guidelines. The current unmet need to manage previously treated H pylori is one tool with diagnostic accuracy and ability for antibiotics susceptibility. Gastric juice PCR can provide diagnosis and antibiotics susceptibility; however, whether treatment failure affects its accuracy remains uninvestigated.

Predictor of slower gastric emptying in gastroesophageal reflux disease: Survey of an Asian-Pacific cohort.

Background And Aim: Asian populations have relatively lower prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and tend to exhibit symptoms of prolonged gastric retention. However, it remains unknown if slower gastric emptying influences its features in Asian countries. We prospectively assessed the potential implications of slower gastric emptying in an Asian-Pacific cohort of gastroesophageal reflux disease by a hospital-based survey.

Fecal microbiota transplantation: Review and update.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a method to directly change the recipient's gut microbiota to normalize the composition and gain a therapeutic benefit. The history of FMT has been traced back to the 4th century and has been highly regarded since 2013, when the United States Food and Drug Administration approved FMT for treating recurrent and refractory Clostridium difficile infection. Since then, the range of FMT applications extended rapidly and broadly not only in gastrointestinal disorders, but also in extra-gastrointestinal diseases.

Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted surgery, mini-laparotomy and conventional laparotomy in patients with Stage I-III colorectal cancer.

Background: Three operative techniques have been used for colorectal cancer (CRC) resection: Conventional laparotomy (CL) and the mini-invasive techniques (MITs)- laparoscopic-assisted surgery (LAS) and mini-laparotomy (ML). The aim of the study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing the three surgical approaches for Stage I-III CRC resection.

Patients And Methods: This study enrolled 688 patients with Stage I-III CRC undergoing curative resection.

Insights into the management of gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach).

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon but important cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. It is often associated with systemic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease. The etiology of GAVE has not been fully explored and remains controversial.

Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Proton Pump Inhibitor, Bismuth, Tetracycline, and Levofloxacin is More Effective than Standard Levofloxacin Triple Therapy in the Second-Line Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-amoxicillin-fluoroquinolone triple therapy is recommended as a second-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report. However, the eradication rate of this standard salvage treatment is suboptimal. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of esomeprazole-bismuth-tetracycline-levofloxacin therapy (TL quadruple therapy) and esomeprazole-amoxicillin-levofloxacin triple therapy (AL triple therapy) in rescue treatment for H.

Comparison of 10-day levofloxacin bismuth-based quadruple therapy and levofloxacin-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori.

Objective: This was a prospective study aiming to investigate whether levofloxacin plus bismuth-based quadruple therapy was more effective than levofloxacin-based triple therapy after failed first-line eradication therapies for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients infected with H.

Regorafenib Plus FOLFIRI With Irinotecan Dose Escalated According to Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 Genotyping in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

We analyzed the results of previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who received regorafenib plus FOLFIRI with the irinotecan dose escalation on the basis of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) genotyping. Thirteen patients with previously treated mCRC were subjected to UGT1A1 genotyping between October 2013 and June 2015 and were administered regorafenib plus FOLFIRI with irinotecan dose escalation. Patients with UGT1A1*1/*1 and *1/*28 genotypes were administered 180 mg/m2 of irinotecan, whereas those with the UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype were administered 120 mg/m2 of irinotecan.