Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Chem Sci 2019 Jan 9;10(4):1219-1226. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

State Key Laboratory of Virology , Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) , Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease , Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wuhan 430071 , China . Email:

Near-infrared II fluorescence imaging holds great promise for imaging and imaging-guided surgery with deep penetration and high spatiotemporal resolution. However, most NIR-II aromatic luminophores suffer from the notorious aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect in the aqueous solution, which largely hinders their biomedical application . In this study, the first NIR-II organic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorophore (), encapsulated as nanoparticles ( dots) for biomedical imaging, was designed and synthesized. Read More

Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench 2018 ;11(Suppl 1):S32-S38

Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders in non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) Iranian patients.

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of NCCP, which accounts for about one third of cases.

Methods: This was a descriptive study on consecutive NCCP patients who referred to the gastroenterology clinic at the Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2015 to 2017. Read More

Front Microbiol 2019 1;10:84. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

CONACYT-IMSS, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico.

is a Gram positive, sporulated, rod-shape, anaerobic pathogen responsible for nosocomial diarrhea and colitis, mainly in antibiotic treated patients. produce two toxins responsible for disease, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), although not all strains produce them. Non-toxigenic (NTCD) strains are able to colonize the intestinal mucosa and are often isolated from asymptomatic individuals. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2019 Feb;25(5):539-551

Department of Basic Medical Science, Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are heterogeneous disorders with a variety of clinical manifestations, primarily defined by signs and symptoms rather than a definite underlying cause. Their pathophysiology remains obscure and, although it is expected to differ according to the specific FGID, disruptions in the brain-gut axis are now thought to be a common denominator in their pathogenesis. The hormone ghrelin is an important component of this axis, exerting a wide repertoire of physiological actions, including regulation of gastrointestinal motility and protection of mucosal tissue. Read More

Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019 Feb 17:e13562. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Department of Digestive Diseases, S. Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.

Background: Gastroparesis is a digestive syndrome characterized by delayed gastric emptying (GE) and by symptoms that are suggestive of gastroduodenal motor disorders. There are three grades of gastroparesis of increasing severity: (a) mild gastroparesis; (b) compensated gastroparesis; and (c) gastric failure. GE abnormalities are partially related to symptom type and severity, and other mechanisms may be involved. Read More

Clin Perinatol 2019 Mar 20;46(1):51-64. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, FB6135, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Electronic address:

Growth factors have important roles in gastrointestinal tract development, maintenance, and response to injury. Various experiments have been used to demonstrate growth factor influence in multiple disease processes. These studies demonstrated enhancement of mucosal proliferation, intestinal motility, immune modulation, and many other beneficial effects. Read More

J Gastroenterol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan.

Over almost 30 years since functional dyspepsia (FD) was defined, researchers have endeavored to elucidate the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Now a consensus is emerging that the gastric symptoms of FD are caused mainly by gastric motility abnormalities and gastric hypersensitivity. The involvement of other causative factors including acid, Helicobacter pylori, psychological factors, and diet has been debated, but how they are involved in the manifestation of dyspeptic symptoms remains unclear. Read More

J Clin Gastroenterol 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

Goal: The goal of this study was to determine the relationship of reflux with gastroparesis (Gp), looking both at symptoms and objective testing.

Background: Gp patients often experience gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. How the severity of reflux correlates with the severity of Gp is not known. Read More

J Pathol 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), also known as Lipocalin 2, is an antimicrobial protein, encoded by the gene LCN2, strongly upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a promising biomarker for IBD. Here we demonstrate that NGAL is highly expressed in all parts of pyloric metaplasia, also known as the ulcer-associated cell lineage (UACL), a metaplastic cell lineage suggested to play a role in wound healing in Crohn's disease (CD). We further show NGAL expression in regenerative intestinal crypts and in undifferentiated patient-derived colonoids. Read More

Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019 Feb 8;14(1):33. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: MNGIE is a rare and fatal disease in which absence of the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase induces systemic accumulation of thymidine and deoxyuridine and secondary mitochondrial DNA alterations. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported in MNGIE patients, however, they are not resolved with the current treatment interventions. Recently, our understanding of the GI pathology has increased, which rationalizes the pursuit of more targeted therapeutic strategies. Read More

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Objective: The use of electroceuticals in the gastrointestinal field continues to advance, however, the efficacy and effectiveness of clinical gastric stimulation and pacing remains limited. In the stomach, rhythmic bioelectrical events known as slow waves coordinates the muscular contractions that aid digestion. A range of slow wave abnormalities have been shown to be associated with functional motility disorders, such as gastroparesis, chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting, and functional dyspepsia. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115.

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019 Jan;23(2):795-810

Area Gastroenterologia ed Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Intestinal permeability is the property that allows solute and fluid exchange between intestinal lumen and intestinal mucosa. Many factors could have major impact on its regulation, including gut microbiota, mucus layer, epithelial cell integrity, epithelial junction, immune responses, intestinal vasculature, and intestinal motility. Any change among these factors could have an impact on intestinal homeostasis and gut permeability. Read More

Case Rep Gastrointest Med 2019 2;2019:2543808. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rainweg 68, 07318 Saalfeld/Saale, Germany.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel strategy for the therapy of dysbiosis-associated disorders via modulation of the gut microbiota. Intestinal dysbiosis is associated not only with digestive disorders, but also with a variety of extra-digestive disorders. A worldwide increasing number of FMT can be expected in the future as well as an increase in adverse events. Read More

Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 2019 Feb 2. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

University of Colorado Reflux & Esophageal Diseases Center, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Academic Office 1 Room 7605, 12631 E. 17th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to present the latest developments in esophageal motility testing and summarize the current paradigm of esophageal motility disorders.

Recent Findings: While high-resolution esophageal pressure topography interpreted according to the Chicago Classification represents the gold standard to evaluate esophageal motility, recent studies highlight the additional value of novel manometric applications. Novel applications include provocative measures to assess for obstructive physiology at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), esophageal peristaltic reserve, and rumination and supragastric belching disorders. Read More

J Surg Res 2019 Apr 17;236:153-158. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California. Electronic address:

Background: Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders are a large and broad group. Some of these disorders have been effectively treated with electrical stimulation. The goal of our present study is to determine whether the rate of intestinal peristalsis can be increased with electrical stimulation. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

No. 10 Jiaomen North Road, Fengtai DistrictBeijing, China , 100068 ;

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disturbs the autonomic nervous system and induces dysfunction in multiple organs/tissues, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The neuroprotective effects of melatonin in SCI models have been reported; however, it is unclear whether the beneficial effects of melatonin are associated with alleviation of gut dysbiosis. In this study, we showed that daily intraperitoneal injection with melatonin following spinal cord contusion at thoracic level 10 in mice improved intestinal barrier integrity and GI motility, reduced the expression levels of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, improved animal weight gain and metabolic profiling, and promoted locomotor recovery. Read More

Cancer Biomark 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignant disease worldwide and thus new therapeutic approaches are needed. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) remains the most widely used agent to treat colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its clinical efficacy is currently limited by the development of drug resistance. Read More

Clin Nutr 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Digestive System, Center for Chronic Intestinal Failure, St Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Intestinal failure (IF) is defined from a requirement or intravenous supplementation due to failing capacity to absorb nutrients and fluids. Acute IF is an acute, potentially reversible form of IF. We aimed to identify the prevalence, underlying causes and outcomes of acute IF. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Jan 24;9(1):601. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Danone Nutricia Research, Innovation, Science and Nutrition Department, RD 128 - Avenue de la Vauve, 91767, Palaiseau, France.

The adequate storage of fecal samples from clinical trials is crucial if analyses are to be performed later and in long-term studies. However, it is unknown whether the composition of the microbiota is preserved during long-term stool storage (>1 year). We therefore evaluated the influence of long-term storage on the microbiota composition of human stool samples collected in RNAlater and stored for approximately five years at -80 °C. Read More

Nat Rev Endocrinol 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

After the discovery of motilin in 1972, motilin and the motilin receptor were studied intensely for their role in the control of gastrointestinal motility and as targets for treating hypomotility disorders. The genetic revolution - with the use of knockout models - sparked novel insights into the role of multiple peptides but contributed to a decline in interest in motilin, as this peptide and its receptor exist only as pseudogenes in rodents. The past 5 years have seen a major surge in interest in motilin, as a series of studies have shown its relevance in the control of hunger and regulation of food intake in humans in both health and disease. Read More

BMC Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 23;19(1):15. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China.

Background: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie's syndrome or Benign duodenal stasis, is a rare benign disease. It could threaten the life if the manifestation is severe and the treatment is inappropriate. In the patients with SMA syndrome, the third portion (transverse part) of the duodenum is compressed externally between the SMA and abdominal aorta (AA) leading to duodenal stasis and gastrointestinal obstruction. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Oragenics, Inc. 13700 Progress Blvd, Alachua, FL 32608. USA

Lantibiotics present an attractive scaffold for the development of novel antibiotics. We report here a novel lantibiotic for the treatment of infection. The lead compounds were selected from a library of over 700 single and multiple substitution variants of the lantibiotic Mutacin 1140 (MU1140). Read More

Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019 Jan 22:e13554. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Nephrology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: Previous studies indicated delayed gastric emptying in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) using indirect methods. The objective of the current study was to examine gastrointestinal motility using a direct method as well as the role of the incretin hormones and glucagon.

Methods: Patients on chronic hemodialysis and with either normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes, and healthy control subjects (N = 8, respectively) were studied. Read More

Turk J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Izmir Katip Çelebi University - SBU Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.

Background/aims: Pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a severe disorder of gut motility. In this rare and difficult-to-manage disease, complex treatment method, such as intestinal transplantation, is sometimes needed. This study evaluated the management and follow-up results of patients with PIPO who received treatment at our center. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

Background: Neurogastroenterology and motility (NGM) disorders are common and have a high health care burden. Although pediatric gastroenterology fellows are expected to obtain comprehensive training in the diagnosis and management of NGM disorders, there is ongoing concern for unmet training needs and lack of exposure in treating patients who suffer from NGM problems.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-section survey of trainees listed as pediatric gastroenterology fellows in North American training programs in 2018 via direct E-mail and the pediatric gastroenterology listserv. Read More

Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019 Jan 20. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence. Italy.

The present review focused on those adipocytes-released peptides known to be involved in the control of gastrointestinal motility, acting both centrally and peripherally. To this purpose, the following peptides have been taken into account: leptin, adiponectin, nesfatin-1 and apelin. The discussion of the related physiological or pathophysiological roles, based on the most recent findings, is intended to underlie the close interactions among adipose tissue, central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Read More

Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019 Jan 20:e13540. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Background: Acotiamide, a prokinetic agent was shown to be efficacious in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). The exact mechanism of action is incompletely elucidated.

Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study aimed to examine the effect of acotiamide on gastric motility, measured as intragastric pressure, gastric emptying (GE) rate and gastrointestinal (GI) symptom perception in healthy volunteers (HVs). Read More

Gut 2019 Jan 19. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

Medical Department 1, University Hospital Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), Dresden, Germany.

Objective: Diverticular disease is a common complex disorder characterised by mucosal outpouchings of the colonic wall that manifests through complications such as diverticulitis, perforation and bleeding. We report the to date largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic risk factors for diverticular disease.

Design: Discovery GWAS analysis was performed on UK Biobank imputed genotypes using 31 964 cases and 419 135 controls of European descent. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan;25(1):95-106

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama 11010, Sri Lanka.

Background: Abdominal pain-predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs) are the most common cause of recurrent abdominal pain in children. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying pathophysiology of this condition is poorly understood.

Aim: To assess the role of gastric dysmotility and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the pathophysiology of AP-FGIDs. Read More

J Nurs Adm 2019 Feb;49(2):66-72

Author Affiliations: Nurse Practitioner (Dr Paul), Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders; Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Abecassis), Medical Intensive Care; Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Freiberger), Pulmonary/Pediatric Transplant Center; Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Hamilton), Medical Surgical Intensive Care; Nurse Practitioner (Ms Kelly), Urology and Urodynamics; Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Klements), Asthma and Medicine Patient Services; Nurse Practitioner (Dr LaGrasta), Cardiovascular Surgical Services; Nurse Practitioner (Mss Lemire, O'Donnell, and Phinney), General Surgery; Nurse Practitioner (Ms Patisteas), Orthopedic Surgery; Professional Development Specialist (Ms Conwell), Clinical Education and Informatics; Nurse Practitioner (Dr Saia), Cardiology; Nurse Practitioner (Ms Whelan), Cardiac Intensive Care; Senior VP, Patient Care Operations and Chief Nursing Officer (Dr Wood); and Nurse Practitioner (Ms O'Brien), Cardiology: Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts.

The process of developing a 3-tiered advanced practice RN (APRN) competency-based professional advancement model at Boston Children's Hospital is described. The model recognizes the contributions of entry-level and expert APRNs to advanced clinical practice and outcomes, impact, and leadership, while incorporating the tenets of Patricia Benner's Novice to Expert Model and the American Association of Critical- Care Nurses Synergy Model of Care. Read More

J Mol Biol 2019 Feb 11;431(4):643-652. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China. Electronic address:

Gap junctions are hexagonal arrays of protein molecules in the plasma membrane and were first described in Mauthner cell synapses of goldfish. They form pathways for coupling between cells, allowing passive, electrotonic spread of ions and also passage of larger molecules such as amino acids and nucleotides. They are expressed in both excitable and non-excitable tissues. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 13:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

a Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.

Objectives: Idiopathic gastroparesis is a gastric motility disorder characterized by chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying without an identifiable underlying condition. This review summarizes recent understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of idiopathic gastroparesis.

Materials And Methods: Structured literature search in the PubMed, Embase and ClinicalTrials. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Jan;8(2):e010152

1 Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden.

Background Morphine administration is a strong predictor of delayed onset of action of orally administered ticagrelor in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, likely because of impaired gastrointestinal motility. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the peripheral opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone could improve pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of orally administered ticagrelor in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction receiving morphine. Methods and Results The MOVEMENT (Methylnaltrexone to Improve Platelet Inhibition of Ticagrelor in Morphine-Treated Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction treated with morphine and ticagrelor. Read More

Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2019 Jan 11;21(2). Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Complementary therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have earned growing interest from patients and investigators alike, with a dynamic landscape of research in this area. In this article, we review results of the most recent studies evaluating the role of cannabis and turmeric for the treatment of IBD and other intestinal illnesses.

Recent Findings: Cannabinoids are well-established modulators of gut motility and visceral pain and have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Read More

Gut Liver 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Artificial intelligence is likely to perform several roles currently performed by humans, and the adoption of artificial intelligence-based medicine in gastroenterology practice is expected in the near future. Medical image-based diagnoses, such as pathology, radiology, and endoscopy, are expected to be the first in the medical field to be affected by artificial intelligence. A convolutional neural network, a kind of deep-learning method with multilayer perceptrons designed to use minimal preprocessing, was recently reported as being highly beneficial in the field of endoscopy, including esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and capsule endoscopy. Read More

Diabetes 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Patients with diabetes mellitus often develop gastrointestinal motor problems, including gastroparesis. Previous studies have suggested this gastric motor disorder was a consequence of an enteric neuropathy. Disruptions in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have also been reported. Read More

Front Physiol 2018 17;9:1811. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

The most common side effects of cisplatin chemotherapy are nausea and vomiting, and the overwhelming majority of research studies on the mechanism of cisplatin-induced nausea have been focused on the "vomiting center." As a modulatory center of gastric motility, the roles of the hypothalamus in nausea and vomiting remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of exogenous orexin-A injected into the arcuate nucleus (ARC) on cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting, and the possible underlying mechanism. Read More

Indian J Gastroenterol 2018 Nov 8;37(6):526-544. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, 600 100, India.

The Indian Motility and Functional Diseases Association and the Indian Society of Gastroenterology developed this evidence-based practice guideline for management of chronic constipation. A modified Delphi process was used to develop this consensus containing 29 statements, which were generated by electronic voting iteration as well as face to face meeting and review of the supporting literature primarily from India. These statements include 9 on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic criteria; 8 on pathophysiology; and the remaining 12 on investigations and treatment. Read More

Indian J Gastroenterol 2018 Nov 7;37(6):555-558. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Gastroenterology, Gleneagles Global Health City, 439, Cheran Nagar, Chennai, 600 100, India.

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease are commonly referred to a gastrointestinal motility unit for assessment of esophageal physiology tests prior to an anti-reflux procedure. On esophageal manometry, most patients have normal peristalsis; however, minor disorders of motility such as ineffective esophageal motility and fragmented peristalsis are not uncommon. Multiple rapid swallow (MRS) test is a provocative method for assessing peristaltic reserve in such patients. Read More

J Magn Reson Imaging 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.

Background: Opioids are known to affect gastrointestinal motility, but their effect on fluid absorption and secretion is poorly understood in humans.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of oxycodone on colonic fecal volume and stool dryness by using a novel MRI-based technique.

Study Type: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, crossover study. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2019 Jan 2;144(1):46-53. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

The global incidence and prevalence of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases is rising. Clinically, acute eosinophilic esophagitis cannot be distinguished from other causes of esophagitis. Endoscopic findings like rings, webs or furrows have a lower sensitivity than previously assumed. Read More

Ayu 2018 Jan-Mar;39(1):46-49

Pharmacology Laboratory, IPGT and RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.

Background: is an Ayurvedic formulation that can be prescribed for wide range of disorders, especially abdominal disorders such as indigestion, constipation and flatulence. is prepared by mixing an equal quantity of powder of ( Linn.), ( Retz. Read More

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Background And Aim: Inflammatory bowel disease results from a dysregulated immune response to intestinal microbial flora in individuals with genetic predisposition(s). This study aimed to determine the effects of compound polysaccharides (CP) containing yam polysaccharide and inulin on the rat model of colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and to explain the mechanism in terms of gut microbiota composition and function.

Methods: Male SD rats were divided into three groups: the control group, the model group, and the CP group. Read More

United European Gastroenterol J 2018 Dec 6;6(10):1461-1469. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Department Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.

Background: The prevalence and frequency of oesophageal symptoms suggestive of a functional oesophageal disorder according to the Rome IV criteria are unknown.

Objective: We aimed to describe the prevalence and risk factors for oesophageal symptoms compatible with functional oesophageal disorders in the general population.

Methods: Data were analysed from a population-based online survey of 6300 individuals aged ≥ 18 years in the USA, UK and Canada with equal demographic proportions across countries. Read More

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

Background And Aim: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction with incompletely understood pathophysiology. Consequently, heterogeneous expert opinions on diagnostic tests and assessment of treatment efficacies exist. So far, no consensus about the most relevant diagnostic and outcome tool has been reached. Read More

Nutr Clin Pract 2019 Feb 18;34(1):73-79. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

The gut microbiome has been implicated in a diversity of diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatic steatosis, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and anxiety. Current research also suggests the presence of a bidirectional relationship between the composition of the gut microbiome and critical illness. In the critical care setting, multiple factors (eg, use of antibiotics, aberrant nutrition, bloodstream infections, bowel ischemia, and abnormal bowel motility) strongly contribute to intestinal dysbiosis. Read More

Microb Pathog 2019 Feb 11;127:250-256. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Sabha University, Sabha, Libya.

Background: Cronobacter spp. are Gram-negative, facultative-anaerobic, non-spore forming, enteric coliform bacteria, which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Cronobacter spp. Read More

Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018 Dec 14:e13526. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.

The endogenous opioid system (EOS) is considered being a crucial element involved in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as it regulates gastrointestinal (GI) homeostasis through modulation of motility and water and ion secretion/absorption. Along with opioid receptors (ORs), the following components of EOS can be distinguished: 1. endogenous opioid peptides (EOPs), namely enkephalins, endorphins, endomorphins and dynorphins, and 2. Read More

Soins Gerontol 2018 Jul - Aug;23(132):12-14

Service de Médecine Gériatrique, Pôle 4, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Île-de-France-Ouest site Ambroise-Paré, AP-HP, 9 avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

Motility disorders are frequent, especially in the elderly. They must not be ignored and require a systematic evaluation. Constipation, which many elderly people suffer from, must not be trivialised as it can impact on quality of life. Read More