The efficacy and safety of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection in treating large esophageal subepithelial lesions.

Background: Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) is considered an effective, safe and minimally invasive treatment for esophageal subepithelial lesions (SELs) with maximal dilameter less than 3.0 cm, yet its efficacy for lesions over 3.0 cm remains unclear.

Esophageal microbial dysbiosis impairs mucosal barrier integrity via toll-like receptor 2 pathway in patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

Background: Previous research on the lower gastrointestinal tract has proved that microbial dysbiosis can lead to intestinal barrier dysfunction and enhanced visceral sensitivity, thus triggering bowel symptoms. Whether esophageal microbial dysbiosis also contributes to the development of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms, which are known to be associated with impaired esophageal barrier integrity, remains to be explored.

Methods: Patients with GER symptoms (gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] and functional esophageal disorders [FED]), duodenal ulcer patients and healthy controls were prospectively included for esophageal microbial analysis.

Comparative Efficacy of P-CAB vs Proton Pump Inhibitors for Grade C/D Esophagitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Los Angeles grade C/D esophagitis is a severe manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease that require active treatment and close follow-up. Potassium competitive acid blockers (P-CAB) are promising alternatives to proton pump inhibitors (PPI). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of P-CAB and PPI in healing grade C/D esophagitis to aid clinical decision-making.

The Disease Spectrum and Natural History of Patients With Abdominal Bloating or Distension: A Longitudinal Study.

Background/aims: Abdominal bloating or distension (AB/D) is a common complaint in the outpatient of gastroenterology department. Since the potential contributors are numerous and complex, a longitudinal study on the disease spectrum and natural history of patients was performed to better understand the key factors of AB/D.

Methods: Consecutive patients with the chief complaint of AB/D referred to the outpatient clinic were screened.

Current complementary and alternative therapy forgastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a widely prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, affecting ∼13.3% of the global population. There are shortages and limitations of current GERD treatment modalities, and complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) is a promising option to fill in the gap.

Development and Validation of Serum Markers as Noninvasive Diagnostic Methods for Achalasia.

Introduction: Currently, the diagnosis of achalasia mainly relies on invasive or radioactive examinations. This study aimed to develop a noninvasive diagnostic method for achalasia based on specific serum markers.

Methods: Serum levels of profilin-1, galectin-10, immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-9, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, and transgelin-2 were measured in patients with achalasia and controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Clinical relevance of salivary pepsin detection in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease subtypes.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is heterogeneous with a varied symptom spectrum and reflux profiles. Its definite diagnosis often requires invasive tools including endoscopy or reflux monitoring. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of salivary pepsin detection as a non-invasive screening tool to diagnose GERD of different subtypes.

The molecular pathogenesis of achalasia: a paired lower esophageal sphincter muscle and serum 4D label-free proteomic study.

Background: Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder with potential molecular pathogenesis remaining uncertain. This study aimed to identify the differentially expressed proteins and potential pathways among achalasia subtypes and controls to further reveal the molecular pathogenesis of achalasia.

Methods: Paired lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle and serum samples from 24 achalasia patients were collected.

Achalasia: The Current Clinical Dilemma and Possible Pathogenesis.

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder manifested by dysphagia and chest pain that impair patients' quality of life, and it also leads to chronic esophageal inflammation by food retention and increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Although achalasia has long been reported, the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of achalasia are not fully understood. The current clinical dilemma of achalasia is mainly due to its unclear pathogenesis.

Clinical outcomes of asymptomatic low-grade esophagitis: results from a multicenter Chinese cohort.

Background: Asymptomatic low-grade (Los Angeles Classification Grades A and B) esophagitis is common in clinical practice with unclear clinical outcomes. This study aimed to explore the clinical outcomes of asymptomatic low-grade esophagitis.

Methods: This was a multicenter cohort study conducted by three academic hospitals in China.

Efficacy of keverprazan for duodenal ulcer: A phase II randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial.

Background And Aim: Considering the limitation of varying acid suppression of proton pump inhibitors, this study was aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and dose-effect relationship of keverprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, in the treatment of duodenal ulcer (DU) compared with lansoprazole.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, low-dose, high-dose, and positive-drug parallel-controlled study was conducted to verify the non-inferiority of keverprazan (20 or 30 mg) to lansoprazole of 30 mg once daily for 4 to 6 weeks and dose-effect relationship of keverprazan in the treatment of patients with active DU confirmed by endoscopy.

Results: Of the 180 subjects randomized, including 55 cases in the keverprazan_20 mg group, 61 cases in the keverprazan_30 mg group, and 64 cases in the lansoprazole_30 mg group, 168 subjects (93.

Hemodynamic Characteristics of Patients with Myocardial Injury and Cardiogenic Shock Caused by Severe COVID-19-Related Pneumonia.

Objective: To observe hemodynamic characteristics in a series of patients with myocardial injury caused by severe COVID-19-related pneumonia.

Materials And Methods: We continuously collected clinical data from severe COVID-19-related pneumonia patients from the West Campus of Union Hospital in Wuhan and Dongguan People's Hospital in Dongguan to explore the prevalence of myocardial injury and hemodynamic characteristics after circulatory failure. Doppler ultrasound and PiCCO2 were used to evaluate the hemodynamics of each patient, and arterial blood gas analysis was performed at the same time.

The Number of Interstitial Cells of Cajal Differs Among Different Subtypes of Achalasia and is Related to Patients' Prognosis.

Introduction: Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder with heterogeneous manometric subtypes and prognosis, characterized by degeneration of the esophageal myenteric plexus, and reduction in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). This study aimed to explore the histopathologic characteristics of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle from patients with achalasia with different subtypes and different prognosis.

Methods: We examined specimens of LES muscle from 122 patients with achalasia who underwent peroral endoscopic myotomy and from 10 control patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Upright Integrated Relaxation Pressure Predicts Symptom Outcome for Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction.

Background/aims: Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is characterized by elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and preserved esophageal peristalsis. The clinical significance of EGJOO is uncertain. This study aim to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients and to find out potential parameters to predict patients' symptom outcome.

Association between well-being and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures by healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study.

Importance: Knowledge and attitude influence compliance and individuals' practices. The risk and protective factors associated with high compliance to these preventive measures are critical to enhancing pandemic preparedness.

Objective: This survey aims to assess differences in mental health, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of preventive measures for COVID-19 amongst healthcare professionals (HCP) and non-healthcare professionals.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome.

Background And Aim: Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID-19 on respondents with self-reported IBS.

Methods: We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Healthcare of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparison Between Epicenter vs. Non-epicenter Areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge to healthcare. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in epicenter and non-epicenter areas. Patients with IBD from Hubei province (the epicenter of COVID-19) and Guangdong province (a non-epicenter area), China were surveyed during the pandemic.

Novel physiologic nomogram discriminates symptom outcome in patients with erosive esophagitis.

Background And Aim: Most of patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) are of LA grade A&B with low reflux burden, therefore require further esophageal function tests (EFTs). One-third of them respond poorly to pump proton inhibitor (PPI) treatment. The aim was to establish and validate a physiologic nomogram to discriminate symptom outcome to PPI treatment in patients with EE.

Acid Exposure Time > 6% Might Not Improve the Therapeutic Outcome in Chinese Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients.

Background/aims: There is less acid burden in Chinese gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. However, the Lyon consensus proposed a higher threshold of acid exposure time (AET > 6%) for GERD. The aims are to apply the updated criteria in Chinese GERD patients and clarify its influence on clinical outcome.