Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) exhibits significant sex differences. The female predominance in its worldwide prevalence and variations in symptomatology, treatment efficacy, and adverse effects all may arise from differences in pathophysiology. Due to entrenched historical biases, only recently have studies considered biological differences between the sexes that could affect the understanding of IBS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndometriosis is a chronic painful condition affecting 10% of reproductive-aged women with a high prevalence of overlapping gastrointestinal symptoms. There is a significant diagnostic delay for endometriosis and current screening practices for endometriosis in gastroenterology clinic populations have not been evaluated. 112 gastroenterology providers (57.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurogastroenterol Motil
January 2025
Background: Patients' report of bowel movement consistency is unreliable. We demonstrate the feasibility of long-term automated stool image data collection using a novel Smart Toilet and evaluate a deterministic computer-vision analytic approach to assess stool form according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS).
Methods: Our smart toilet integrates a conventional toilet bowl with an engineered portal to image feces in a predetermined region of the plumbing post-flush.
Distal esophageal spasm (DES) is a rare motility disorder presenting with dysphagia or chest pain. Although studies suggest a link between DES and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), data supporting a distinct GERD-related phenotype are limited. This study aims to investigate demographic, symptomatic, and physiologic differences between DES subjects with and without GERD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacillus prevalent in nature, capable of thriving under various environmental conditions. As an opportunistic pathogen, it frequently causes nosocomial infections such as urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and pneumonia, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. Consequently, developing novel vaccines against Acinetobacter baumannii is of utmost importance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCryptococcus neoformans is a widely distributed opportunistic pathogenic fungus. While C. neoformans commonly infects immunocompromised individuals, it can also affect those who are immunocompetent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe emergence of Cryptococcus neoformans has posed an undeniable burden to many regions worldwide, with its strains mainly entering the lungs through the respiratory tract and spreading throughout the body. Limitations of drug regimens, such as high costs and limited options, have directed our attention toward the promising field of vaccine development. In this study, the subtractive proteomics approach was employed to select target proteins from databases that can accurately cover serotypes A and D of the Cryptococcus neoformans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is a lack of data on the epidemiology of IBS in pregnant and postpartum patients in the United States.
Methods: A retrospective claims analysis was conducted in a cohort of 1,618,379 patients with ≥1 delivery hospitalization between 2013-2019 utilizing ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes after merging inpatient and outpatient claims. Obstetric, psychological, and other medical comorbidities were also examined.
The maternal inheritance of mitochondria is a widely accepted paradigm, and mechanisms that prevent paternal mitochondria transmission to offspring during spermatogenesis and postfertilization have been described. Although certain species do retain paternal mitochondria, the factors affecting paternal mitochondria inheritance in these cases are unclear. More importantly, the evolutionary benefit of retaining paternal mitochondria and their ultimate fate are unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Digital rectal examination should be performed prior to anorectal manometry; however, real-world data is lacking.
Aims: Characterize real world rates of digital rectal and their sensitivity for detecting dyssynergia compared to anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion test.
Methods: A retrospective single-center study was conducted to examine all patients who underwent anorectal manometry for chronic constipation between 2021 and 2022 at one tertiary center with motility expertise.
Gastrointest Endosc
February 2024
Background: Healthy China is a nationwide health strategy aiming at improving health from diverse dimensions, and strengthening high-quality assessment is essential for its stimulation. However, there is limited evidence in the surveillance of the actual performance of the initiative at regional levels. This study innovatively proposes a two-step surveillance process which comprehensively monitors Healthy China Initiative based on regional realities, thus provides guidance for policymaking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite their high prevalence and burden, disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are undertaught and underrepresented in medical curricula. We evaluated the exposure of UK gastroenterology trainees to DGBI and their comfort managing these conditions.
Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to trainees via UK training program directors.
The strong suppression of Aedes albopictus on two Guangzhou islands in China has been successfully achieved by releasing males with an artificial triple-Wolbachia infection. However, it requires the use of radiation to sterilize residual females to prevent population replacement. To develop a highly effective tool for dengue control, we tested a standalone incompatible insect technique (IIT) to control A.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Treat Options Gastroenterol
November 2022
Purpose Of Review: The world's population is aging rapidly, with 40% of patients seen in US gastroenterology (GI) clinics being 60 years or older. Many gastrointestinal problems are more common or unique to the older adult because of progressive damage to the structure and function of the GI tract. Until recently, the epidemiology of disorders of gut-brain interaction (such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia) was not well-characterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for medically refractory ulcerative colitis or dysplasia may be associated with structural and inflammatory complications. However, even in their absence, defecatory symptoms secondary to dyssynergic defecation or fecal incontinence may occur. Although anorectal manometry is well established as the diagnostic test of choice for defecatory symptoms, its utility in the assessment of patients with IPAA is less established.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is increasingly performed for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), although long-term efficacy and safety data are limited and are focused on results from academic medical centers rather than private settings where most patients receive care.
Methods: Medical records of 165 patients who received FMTs for CDI were reviewed from an academic medical center and an adjacent, unaffiliated private practice. Of these patients, 68 also completed a survey regarding their long-term disease course and interval health.
Neurogastroenterol Motil
January 2023
Background: Forty percent of individuals globally meet Rome IV criteria for a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). The global burden of pain across these disorders has not been characterized.
Methods: Our study included 54,127 respondents from the 26 Internet survey countries.
Objectives: This quality improvement project sought to enhance clinical information sharing for interhospital transfers to an inpatient hepatology service comprised of internal medicine resident frontline providers (housestaff) with the specific aims of making housestaff aware of 100% of incoming transfers and providing timely access to clinical summaries.
Interventions: In February 2020, an email notification system to senior medicine residents responsible for patient triage shared planned arrival time for patients pending transfer. In July 2020, a clinical data repository ("Transfer Log") updated daily by accepting providers (attending physicians and subspecialty fellows) became available to senior medicine residents responsible for triage.
Neurogastroenterol Motil
November 2022
Introduction: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are highly prevalent, estimated to affect about 40% of the global population. Patients with DGBI are still inadequately treated and face stigma which adversely impacts their disease course.
Methods: A 12-question multiple-choice anonymous survey was distributed electronically to all adult gastroenterology fellowship program directors across the United States.
Neurogastroenterol Motil
June 2022
Functional esophageal disorders (functional chest pain, functional heartburn, reflux hypersensitivity, globus, and functional dysphagia) are the disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI) and present with esophageal symptoms not associated with a structural, major motility or underlying inflammatory condition. Notably, many patients with the latter conditions may still experience esophageal symptoms beyond what could be attributed to their underlying disorders. Esophageal visceral hypersensitivity and hypervigilance are the two pathways which drive functional esophageal disorders and symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), a class of RNA molecules without protein coding potential, are more than 200 nucleotides in length and widely present in a variety of species. Although increasing progress in regard to the determination of lncRNA function has been made in vertebrates, lncRNAs were only identified recently and the functions of few lncRNAs have been annotated so far. Herein, the genome-wide alteration of the lncRNA expression profile trigged by AlbB infection was investigated by comparing Aag2 cells and W-Aag2 cells infected with AlbB.
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