Telephone follow-up by nurse practitioners of geriatric patients discharged from the emergency department after traumatic injury.

Introduction: Geriatric patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) after an injury are at risk for adverse outcomes. Older patients are at a higher risk for sensory impairments and cognitive problems which can make comprehension of discharge instructions more difficult. Moreover, geriatric patients often have limited skills with or access to alternative sources of information, such as hospital web pages or phone applications, which could put them at a higher risk of undertreatment.

The clinical effect of benesco™ on reflux symptoms: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases in the western world. Lifestyle modifications and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) form the basis of the management of GERD. A subset of patients seeks for (natural) alternative therapies besides PPIs.

Efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal diverticula.

 Epiphrenic diverticula are rare and mainly occur in patients with underlying esophageal motility disorders. The current standard treatment is surgical diverticulectomy often combined by myotomy and is associated with significant adverse event (AE) rates. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy in reducing esophageal symptoms in patients with esophageal diverticula.

The effect of sleep positional therapy on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux measured by esophageal pH-impedance monitoring.

Background & Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an electronic positional therapy wearable device on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux measured by pH-impedance reflux monitoring.

Methods: We performed a single-center, prospective, interventional study in 30 patients with nocturnal reflux symptoms and a nocturnal esophageal acid exposure time (AET) ≥1.5% measured off acid-suppressive medication by ambulatory pH-impedance reflux monitoring.

Systematic review: Clinical effectiveness of interventions for the treatment of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.

Background: Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms have a major impact on sleep quality and are associated with complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We performed a systematic review to assess the data on the effectiveness of the currently available interventions for the treatment of nocturnal reflux symptoms.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Sleep Positional Therapy for Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial.

Background & Aims: Experimental studies have suggested that sleep position plays a role in the occurrence of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux and the left lateral decubitus position is most favorable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel electronic sleep positional therapy wearable device on sleep position and nocturnal reflux symptoms.

Methods: We performed a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial in patients with nocturnal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.

Associations Between Sleep Position and Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Study Using Concurrent Monitoring of Sleep Position and Esophageal pH and Impedance.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spontaneous sleep positions on the occurrence of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.

Methods: In patients referred for ambulatory pH-impedance reflux monitoring, the concurrent sleep position was measured using a sleep position measurement device (measuring left, right, supine, and prone positions).

Results: Fifty-seven patients were included.

The inability to belch syndrome: A study using concurrent high-resolution manometry and impedance monitoring.

Introduction: Although inability to belch has previously been linked to dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), its underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. Our aim was to study mechanisms underlying inability to belch and the effect of UES botulinum toxin (botox) injections in these patients.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with symptoms of inability to belch.

Characterisation of patients with supine nighttime reflux: observations made with prolonged wireless oesophageal pH monitoring.

Background: Although nighttime reflux symptoms are common, the presence of nocturnal reflux is seldom confirmed with a standard 24 hours pH study.

Aim: To study patients with supine nighttime reflux symptoms using prolonged wireless pH monitoring.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with typical acid reflux symptoms were studied using 96-h pH monitoring.

Utility of Routine Esophageal Biopsies in Patients With Refractory Reflux Symptoms.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of routine esophageal biopsies in patients with refractory reflux symptoms.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients referred for upper endoscopy and collected histological, clinical, and endoscopic data.

Results: Of the 301 included patients, 14 (4.

Pneumatic dilation for persistent dysphagia after antireflux surgery, a multicentre single-blind randomised sham-controlled clinical trial.

Objective: There is no evidence-based treatment for persistent dysphagia after laparoscopic fundoplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pneumatic dilation on persistent dysphagia after laparoscopic fundoplication.

Design: We performed a multicentre, single-blind, randomised sham-controlled trial of patients with persistent dysphagia (>3 months) after laparoscopic fundoplication.

The natural course of giant paraesophageal hernia and long-term outcomes following conservative management.

Background: Accurate information on the natural course of giant paraesophageal hernia is scarce, challenging therapeutic decisions whether or not to operate.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes, including hernia-related deaths and complications (e.g.

Age-Dependent Metabolic and Immunosuppressive Effects of Tacrolimus.

Immunosuppression in elderly recipients has been underappreciated in clinical trials. Here, we assessed age-specific effects of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (TAC) in a murine transplant model and assessed its clinical relevance on human T cells. Old recipient mice exhibited prolonged skin graft survival compared with young animals after TAC administration.

NAD(+) regulates Treg cell fate and promotes allograft survival via a systemic IL-10 production that is CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) T cells independent.

CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs have been shown to play a central role in immune homeostasis while preventing from fatal inflammatory responses, while Th17 cells have traditionally been recognized as pro-inflammatory mediators implicated in a myriad of diseases. Studies have shown the potential of Tregs to convert into Th17 cells, and Th17 cells into Tregs. Increasing evidence have pointed out CD25 as a key molecule during this transdifferentiation process, however molecules that allow such development remain unknown.

Frailty and Transplantation.

Consequences of aging are gaining clinical relevance. In transplantation, aging and immunosenescence impact treatment and outcomes. The impact of aging, however, will critically depend on distinguishing healthy, chronological aging from biological aging that may result into frailty.