Pathophysiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: implications for diagnosis and management.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder in which retrograde flow of gastric content into the oesophagus causes uncomfortable symptoms and/or complications. It has a multifactorial and partially understood pathophysiology. GERD starts in the stomach, where the refluxate material is produced.

The colorectal cancer-associated faecal microbiome of developing countries resembles that of developed countries.

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in developing countries, yet limited research on the CRC- associated microbiota has been conducted in these areas, in part due to scarce resources, facilities, and the difficulty of fresh or frozen stool storage/transport. Here, we aimed (1) to establish a broad representation of diverse developing countries (Argentina, Chile, India, and Vietnam); (2) to validate a 'resource-light' sample-collection protocol translatable in these settings using guaiac faecal occult blood test (gFOBT) cards stored and, importantly, shipped internationally at room temperature; (3) to perform initial profiling of the collective CRC-associated microbiome of these developing countries; and (4) to compare this quantitatively with established CRC biomarkers from developed countries.

Methods: We assessed the effect of international storage and transport at room temperature by replicating gFOBT from five UK volunteers, storing two in the UK, and sending replicates to institutes in the four countries.

High-resolution manometry features of paraesophageal hernia.

Background: Paraesophageal hernias (PEH) can be associated with obstructive symptoms, but high-resolution manometry (HRM) characteristics have not been described in detail.

Methods: HRM studies of confirmed PEH patients (n = 60, 66.3 ± 1.

200 mL Rapid Drink Challenge During High-resolution Manometry Best Predicts Objective Esophagogastric Junction Obstruction and Correlates With Symptom Severity.

Background/aims: Single swallow integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) on high-resolution manometry (HRM) does not always accurately predict esophagogastric outflow obstruction on timed barium esophagogram (TBE). Furthermore, neither single swallow IRP or TBE is reliable in predicting symptoms, particularly after treatment with dilatation or myotomy. A 200 mL rapid drink challenge (RDC) has been proposed as an adjunctive test during HRM.