Form of gastric air bubble is associated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

Background/aims: Gastric bubble is present in approximately 70% of normal chest and abdominal radiograph. Most swallowed air is regurgitated and belching is a physiological phenomenon to expel ingested gas from the stomach and is a common symptom in normal adults. In the present study it was investigated whether gastric bubble detected on abdominal radiograph is associated with GERD symptoms.

Breath Hydrogen Gas Concentration Linked to Intestinal Gas Distribution and Malabsorption in Patients with Small-bowel Pseudo-obstruction.

Background: The patient with colonic obstruction may frequently have bacterial overgrowth and increased breath hydrogen (H2) levels because the bacterium can contact with food residues for longer time. We experienced two cases with intestinal obstruction whose breath H2 concentrations were measured continuously. CASE 1: A 70-year-old woman with small bowel obstruction was treated with a gastric tube.

Rebamipide and mosapride enhance pilocarpine-induced salivation.

Background: During esophageal acid clearance, salivation plays an important role in defending the esophageal mucosa. Mosapride, an agent used in chronic, long-term therapy of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) was regarded as mediating its efficacy through prokinetic properties. Rebamipide is also widely used as an anti-gastritis and anti-ulcer agent in GERD patients with chronic gastritis.

High prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with both acute and nonacute cough.

Although there have been many studies that showed a close association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and chronic cough, it has been unknown whether acute cough is also associated with GERD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between GERD and respiratory symptoms in general practice. 1725 consecutive patients who first attended our hospital were enrolled in the present study.

Extensive atrophic gastritis linked to increased levels of intraluminal hydrogen gas.

Background/aims: Gastric acid plays an important part in the prevention of bacterial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. If these bacteria have an ability of hydrogen (H2) fermentation, intraluminal H2 gas might be detected. We attempted to measure the intraluminal H2 concentrations to determine the bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract.

Extensive atrophic gastritis increases intraduodenal hydrogen gas.

Objective: Gastric acid plays an important part in the prevention of bacterial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. If these bacteria have an ability of hydrogen (H2) fermentation, intraluminal H2 gas might be detected. We attempted to measure the intraluminal H2 concentrations to determine the bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract.

Breath hydrogen and methane levels in a patient with volvulus of the sigmoid colon.

Volvulus of the large bowel is the third most common cause of colonic obstruction. A patient with colonic obstruction or delayed small intestinal transit may frequently have bacterial overgrowth and increased breath hydrogen (H(2)) and/or methane (CH(4)) excretion because the bacterium can contact with food residues for a longer time. A 39 year old woman attended our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain and distension.

Changes in a gastric air bubble linked to gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

The distribution of gas in the digestive tract is easily detected by a plain abdominal radiograph and associated with abdominal symptoms in some dyspeptic patients. Therefore, we investigate whether a gastric bubble detected on the abdominal radiograph is associated with gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) symptoms or not. All of the patients were asked to respond to the F-scale questionnaire regardless of their chief complaints.

Saliva transit from the oral cavity to the esophagus in GERD.

Background/aims: Normal esophageal acid clearance depends on the neutralization of acid by swallowed saliva, as well as on esophageal peristalsis. This study therefore aimed to investigate the association between saliva production and transport from the oral cavity to the esophagus and developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) METHODOLOGY: Twenty-eight consecutive patients with GERD symptoms by gastroesophageal reflux self-report questionnaires and 13 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. After intravenous administration of 99mTc-pertechnetate, anterior sequential imaging was performed every minute for 40 minutes.

Nizatidine Improves Impaired Salivary Secretion in GERD.

Unlabelled: During esophageal acid clearance, salivation plays an important role in defending the esophageal mucosa. Nizatidine, a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, inhibits acetylcholine esterase, with a resultant increase in acetylcholine. We experienced a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and impaired salivary secretion who has been successfully treated with nizatidine.

Ten-second endoscopic breath test using a 20-mg dose of 13C-urea to detect Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background/aims: Attempts to improve the 13C-urea breath test (UBT) have focused on decreasing the amount of substrate used and reducing the duration of the test. To render the test less expensive and more convenient, we designed a more rapid and less expensive endoscopic UBT with a low dose of 20 mg and a shortened measurement time.

Methodology: A total of 178 patients who underwent diagnostic upper endoscopy were enrolled.

Influence of urease activity in the intestinal tract on the results of 13C-urea breath test.

Background And Aim: A late rise in (13)CO2 excretion in the (13)C-urea breath test (UBT) should be found when the substrate passes rapidly through the stomach and makes contact with the colonic bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of intestinal urease activity on the results of the UBT.

Method: A total of 143 subjects who were diagnosed as Helicobacter pylori negative by serology, histology and rapid urease test were recruited.

High incidence of fermentation in the digestive tract in patients with reflux oesophagitis.

Objectives: Because bacteria represent the sole source of gut hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4), fasting breath H2 and CH4 gases have been used as markers of colonic fermentation. The presence of carbohydrates in the colonic lumen inhibits gastric and pancreatic secretions, and also influences lower oesophageal sphincter function in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Materials And Methods: Studies were performed in 793 consecutive patients undergoing oesophagogastroscopy (270 men and 523 women, aged 19-85 years).

Comparison of serum IgA and IgG antibodies for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objective: Although the diagnostic utility of serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is well established, the usefulness of IgA-based tests is less well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate two commercially available ELISAs, both for IgG and IgA.

Serum pepsinogens as a predicator of the topography of intestinal metaplasia in patients with atrophic gastritis.

The importance of atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia is related to the fact that it increases the risk of gastric cancer development. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic potential of serum pepsinogens in predicting the topography of intestinal metaplasia. Both dye endoscopy and 13C-urea breath test were carried out in 878 subjects.

Hydrogen breath test as an indicator of the quality of colonic preparation for colonoscopy.

Background: Breath hydrogen levels after ingestion of polyethylene glycol were evaluated as a method of predicting the quality of colonic preparation.

Methods: One hundred patients undergoing nonemergency colonoscopy were recruited for this study. After fasting overnight, they were instructed to ingest a polyethylene glycol solution containing 12 g lactulose at a rate of 50 mL every 5 minutes for 2 hours.

[A case of falciparum malaria successfully treated with intravenous artesunate].

The case was a 28-year-old Japanese female who was considered to be infected with malaria in India. She manifested fever in Tokyo, Japan, and was brought to Toho University Hospital due to continuous high fever and severe thrombocytopenia. Ring forms at 11% of her RBCs and ICT Malaria P.

Efficacy of lactulose plus 13C-acetate breath test in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Background: We designed a new method of measuring gastric emptying and orocecal transit time (OCTT) at the same time to assess the influence of gastric emptying upon OCTT.

Methods: Twenty-five dyspeptic patients (6 men, 19 women) with a mean age of 64.8 years (range, 25-80 years) were studied.