Baroreflex Sensitivity in Patients With Laryngopharyngeal Dysfunction-The Overwhelmed Vagus Hypothesis.

Importance: The autonomic nervous system maintains internal stability by concurrently prioritizing and managing different functions. It is currently not known whether dysfunction at the aerodigestive junction could overwhelm autonomic control and impair other functions.

Objective: To compare baroreflex sensitivity, a prognostically significant index of the autonomic system's ability to stabilize blood pressure, between patients with predominantly esophagogastric (digestive) and patients with predominantly laryngopharyngeal (aerodigestive) symptoms.

Artificial intelligence-based triage of large bowel biopsies can improve workflow.

Background: Large bowel biopsies are one of the commonest types of biopsy specimen. We describe a service evaluation study to test the feasibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to triage large bowel biopsies from a reporting backlog and prioritize those that require more urgent reporting.

Methods: The pathway was developed in the UK by National Health Service (NHS) laboratory staff working in a medium-sized general hospital.

An investigation into the effect of nasogastric intubation on markers of autonomic nervous function.

Background: Nasogastric (NG) intubation for esophageal manometry can be traumatic and may be associated with a temporary reduction/absence in esophageal peristalsis. This study explored the prevalence and effect on esophageal motor function. We also hypothesized that baseline anxiety as well as markers of autonomic nerve function were correlated to attenuated esophageal peristalsis.

A novel accelerometer tilt switch device for switch actuation in the patient with profound disability.

We describe the design and operation of a new switch that can be operated by patients with severely limited movement. The basis for the switch is an inexpensive single-chip accelerometer device. The switch responds to a relatively rapid rotation of the active components.