Dynamic changes in antibiotic resistance genes and gut microbiota after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies.

Background: Short-term antibiotics exposure is associated with alterations in microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the human gut. While antibiotics are critical in the successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the short-term and long-term impacts on the composition and quantity of antibiotics resistance genes after H. pylori eradication are unclear.

Cardiovascular sequalae in uncomplicated COVID-19 survivors.

Background: A high proportion of COVID-19 patients were reported to have cardiac involvements. Data pertaining to cardiac sequalae is of urgent importance to define subsequent cardiac surveillance.

Methods: We performed a systematic cardiac screening for 97 consecutive COVID-19 survivors including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, serum troponin and NT-proBNP assay 1-4 weeks after hospital discharge.

Combined Use of Common Fecal and Blood Markers for Detection of Endoscopically Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction: Monitoring of disease activity is essential in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Although endoscopic remission is the ideal therapeutic goal, noninvasive biomarkers (blood and fecal) are more acceptable to patients and are less costly. We evaluated the performance of combinations of fecal and blood markers on the detection of endoscopically active disease.

Linked color imaging versus narrow-band imaging for colorectal polyp detection: a prospective randomized tandem colonoscopy study.

Background And Aims: Linked color imaging (LCI) is a newly available image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) system that emphasizes the red mucosal color. No study has yet compared LCI with other available IEE systems. Our aim was to investigate polyp detection rates using LCI compared with narrow-band imaging (NBI).

Rates of metachronous adenoma after curative resection for left-sided or right-sided colon cancer.

Background/aims: We determined the rates of metachronous colorectal neoplasm in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after resection for right (R)-sided or left (L)-sided cancer.

Methods: Consecutive CRC patients who had undergone surgical resection for curative intent in our hospital between 2001 and 2004 were identified. R-sided colonic cancers refer to cancer proximal to splenic flexure whereas L-sided cancers include rectal cancers.

Prevention of post-sphincterotomy bleeding by proton pump inhibitor: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Although the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduces the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding, their role in preventing EST bleeding has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the use of pre-emptive PPIs in patients undergoing EST.

Treatment of Gastric Metaplasia or Dysplasia by Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation: A Pilot Study.

Background/aims: Patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are at increased risk of gastric cancer development. We tested the feasibility of using endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of dysplasia and metaplasia in the stomach.

Methodology: Patients who had histologically confirmed low-grade gastric dysplasia or IM were recruited.

Prevention of Dabigatran-Related Gastrointestinal Bleeding With Gastroprotective Agents: A Population-Based Study.

Background & Aims: Use of dabigatran, an inhibitor of thrombin, increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). However, it is not clear whether gastroprotective agents (GPAs) prevent GIB in dabigatran users. We investigated the risk of GIB and the role of gastroprotective agents (including proton pump inhibitors and histamine type-2-receptor antagonists) in patients using dabigatran.

Artificial neural network accurately predicts hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and seroconversion are regarded as favorable outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to develop artificial neural networks (ANNs) that could accurately predict HBsAg seroclearance or seroconversion on the basis of available serum variables.

Methods: Data from 203 untreated, HBeAg-negative CHB patients with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance (63 with HBsAg seroconversion), and 203 age- and sex-matched HBeAg-negative controls were analyzed.

Detection of colorectal adenoma by narrow band imaging (HQ190) vs. high-definition white light colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The benefits of narrow band imaging (NBI) on enhancing colorectal adenoma detection remain questionable. We tested whether the new generation of NBI (190-NBI), which is twice as bright as the previous version, would improve adenoma detection when compared with high-definition white light (HD-WL) colonoscopy.

Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial with tandem colonoscopy.

Ten day sequential versus 10 day modified bismuth quadruple therapy as empirical firstline and secondline treatment for Helicobacter pylori in Chinese patients: an open label, randomised, crossover trial.

Objective: Treatments with sequential therapy (SEQ) or bismuth quadruple (QUAD) therapy have been proposed as empirical firstline regimens for Helicobacter pylori. We compared the efficacy and tolerability of 10 day SEQ with 10 day modified QUAD as both firstline and secondline treatments for H pylori in a randomised crossover study.

Design: H pylori positive and treatment naïve patients were randomly assigned to receive either 10 day SEQ (esomeprazole for 10 days, amoxicillin for an initial 5 days, followed by clarithromycin and metronidazole for a subsequent 5 days) or modified QUAD (esomeprazole, bismuth subcitrate, tetracycline and metronidazole).

Factors for hepatitis B vaccination and abnormal liver function in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a single center experience.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic and past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to determine the risk factors associated with having received no vaccination for HBV and abnormal liver function among our patients.

Methods: The prevalence of chronic or past infection with HBV infection and effective HBV vaccination were determined in patients with IBD who attended the IBD Clinic of the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, China. Risk factors associated with the absence of HBV vaccination and abnormal liver function were identified.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kinetics in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background: We investigated the differences in HBsAg kinetics at different levels of viremia in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We compared HBsAg levels among HBeAg-negative CHB patients with persistently undetectable HBV DNA (≤20 IU/mL; Group A, n = 100), HBV DNA 20-2,000 IU/mL (Group B, n = 100), and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL (Group C, n = 100). HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured at three consecutive time points during follow-up (median 21.

A large case-control study on the predictability of hepatitis B surface antigen levels three years before hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

Unlabelled: The kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels preceding spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance has not been fully investigated. The kinetics of HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA of 203 treatment-naïve, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance were compared with 203 age- and sex-matched HBeAg-negative controls. Serum samples at 3 years, 2 years, 1 year, and 6 months before HBsAg seroclearance and at the time of HBsAg loss were tested.

Evidence of serologic activity in chronic hepatitis B after surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance documented by conventional HBsAg assay.

Background: Possible serologic activity after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance documented by conventional assays in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: We determined the levels of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), and linearized HBsAg (CLEIA prototype) in 329 CHB patients (72.0% male) after HBsAg seroclearance was documented by a conventional HBsAg assay.

Clarithromycin-amoxycillin-containing triple therapy: a valid empirical first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Hong Kong?

Background: Recent studies have suggested the eradication rate for Helicobacter pylori infection with standard amoxycillin-clarithromycin-containing triple therapy as first-line treatment have fallen below 80%. Levofloxacin-containing triple therapy was proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the standard 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy against the 7-day levofloxacin-containing triple therapy, and to assess whether the classical triple therapy is still valid as empirical first-line treatment for H.

Quality of life and psychological impact in patients with noncardiac chest pain.

Background: Chest pain is common and data regarding noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) in Asia are lacking.

Aim: To determine the differences in clinical presentations, psychologic impact, and quality of life between patients with NCCP and cardiac chest pain (CCP), and to identify any factors that impacted on these patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain were recruited in Hong Kong and Wuhan, China.

Prevalence of colorectal neoplasm among patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease.

Context: Colorectal neoplasm and coronary artery disease (CAD) share similar risk factors, and their co-occurrence may be associated.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in patients with CAD in a cross-sectional study and to identify the predisposing factors for the association of the 2 diseases.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Patients in Hong Kong, China, were recruited for screening colonoscopy after undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD during November 2004 to June 2006.

Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients.

Aim: To investigate if increased dietary fiber, in terms of kiwifruit, is effective in Chinese constipated patients.

Methods: 33 constipated patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited for a 4-wk treatment of kiwi fruit twice daily. Response during wk 1-4 was defined as an increase in complete spontaneous bowl, motion (CSBM) > or = 1/wk.

Symptom resolution does not predict healing of erosive oesophagitis in Chinese.

Background: Previous studies suggested that Chinese have a milder spectrum of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and a lower dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) is sufficient for the control of symptoms as compared with the Western population.

Aims: To determine if 8 weeks of esomeprazole 20 mg daily would be adequate for both symptom resolution and oesophagitis healing in Chinese patients and the predictive factors for the response.

Methods: 66 patients with oesophagitis were included.

Success rate of motor evoked potentials for intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring: effects of age, lesion location, and preoperative neurologic deficits.

Transcranial electrical stimulation with myogenic motor evoked potential (MEP) recording was used for intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring in 341 consecutive "high-risk" neurosurgical or orthopedic procedures. Overall, the success rate for establishing reliable MEP response was 94.8% for upper extremities and 66.

Low-dose rabeprazole, amoxicillin and metronidazole triple therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese patients.

Background: Rabeprazole in combination with amoxicillin and metronidazole (RAM) has been shown to be an effective second-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. The effects were compared of 7-day low-dose and high dose rabeprazole in RAM for the primary treatment of H. pylori infection in Chinese patients.

Evaluation of an automated immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal neoplasia detection in a Chinese population.

Background: Most commercial fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) used for colorectal carcinoma screening of Western populations are guaiac-based, manually developed, subjective, and sensitive to dietary components. Preliminary studies demonstrated the unsuitability of these tests for screening a Chinese population. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of a human hemoglobin-specific automated immunochemical FOBT, the Magstream 1000/Hem SP (Fujirebio, Inc.