Gastrointestinal tumors and infectious agents:A wide field to explore

Infection is currently one of the main contributors to carcinogenesis.In fact,the International Agency for Research on Cancer has categorized eleven biological agents as group I carcinogens.It is estimated that around 16%of the 12.7 million new cancers diagnosed in 2008 were attributable to infectious agents.Although underdeveloped regions carry the highest incidence rates,about 7.4%of infectionrelated cancer cases occur in developed areas.Physicians are increasingly aware of the potential carcinogenic role of common virus like the Human Papilloma virus in cervical cancer,or the hepatitis B and C viruses in hepatocarcinoma.However,the carcinogenic role of several other infectious agents is less recognized.Given that gastrointestinal malignancies carry an overall poor prognosis,a better understanding of the carcinogenic mechanisms triggered by infectious agents is key to decrease the rate of cancer related deaths.Preventive measures directed to such infections would ideally impact survival.In this paper we review the main pathogenic mechanisms related to the development of gastrointestinal malignancies induced by infectious microorganisms and other pathogens which are currently under investigation.

Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children

BACKGROUND The detection rate of peptic ulcer in children is improving,with development of diagnostic procedures.Gastroscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer,but it is an invasive procedure.Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS)has the advantages of being painless,noninvasive,nonradioactive,easy to use,and safe.AIM To investigate the clinical value of CEUS for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children.METHODS We investigated 43 children with digestive tract symptoms in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.All children were examined by routine ultrasound,gastrointestinal CEUS,and gastroscopy.The pathological results of gastroscopy were taken as the gold standard.Routine ultrasonography was performed before gastrointestinal CEUS.Conventional ultrasound showed the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall,gastric peristalsis,and the adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity.Gastrointestinal CEUS recorded the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall;the size,location and shape of the ulcer;gastric peristalsis;and adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity.The results of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal ultrasound were compared with those of gastroscopy to evaluate the diagnostic results and coincidence rate of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal CEUS.All children received informed consent from their guardians for CEUS.This study was reviewed and approved by the hospital medical ethics committee.RESULTS Among the 43 children,17(15 male,2 female)were diagnosed with peptic ulcer by gastroscopy.There were 26 children with nonpeptic ulcer.There were eight cases of peptic ulcer and 35 of nonpeptic ulcer diagnosed by conventional ultrasound.The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children diagnosed by conventional ultrasound was 79.1%(34/43),which was significantly different from that of gastroscopy(P=0.033).It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is low.Fifteen cases of peptic ulcer and 28 of nonpeptic ulcer were diagnosed by CEUS.The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children was 95.3%(41/43).There was no significant difference between CEUS and gastroscopy(P=0.655).It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is high.CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal CEUS has a high coincidence rate in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer in children,and can be used as a preliminary examination method.

Advancements in endoscopic hemostasis for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.Traditionally,through-the-scope(TTS)clips,thermal therapy,and injection therapies are used to treat GI bleeding.In this review,we provide an overview of novel endoscopic treatments that can be used to achieve hemostasis.Specifically,we discuss the efficacy and applicability of over-thescope clips,hemostatic agents,TTS doppler ultrasound,and endoscopic ultrasound,each of which offer an effective method of reducing rates of GI rebleeding.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound using SonoVue mixed with oral gastrointestinal contrast agent to evaluate esophageal hiatal hernia: Report of three cases and a literature review

BACKGROUND Due to a thicker abdominal wall in some patients,ultrasound artifacts from gastrointestinal gas and surrounding tissues can interfere with routine ultrasound examination,precluding its ability to display or clearly show the structure of a hernial sac(HS)and thereby diminishing diagnostic performance for esophageal hiatal hernia(EHH).Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)imaging using an oral agent mixture allows for clear and intuitive identification of an EHH sac and dynamic observation of esophageal reflux.CASE SUMMARY In this case series,we report three patients with clinically-suspected EHH,including two females and one male with an average age of 67.3±16.4 years.CEUS was administered with an oral agent mixture(microbubble-based SonoVue and gastrointestinal contrast agent)and identified a direct sign of supradiaphragmatic HS(containing the hyperechoic agent)and indirect signs[e.g.,widening of esophageal hiatus,hyperechoic mixture agent continuously or intermittently reflux flowing back and forth from the stomach into the supradiaphragmatic HS,and esophagus-gastric echo ring(i.e.,the“EG”ring)seen above the diaphragm].All three cases received a definitive diagnosis of EHH by esophageal manometry and gastroscopy.Two lesions resolved upon drug treatment and one required surgery.The recurrence rate in follow-up was 0%.The data from these cases suggest that the new non-invasive examination method may greatly improve the diagnosis of EHH.CONCLUSION CEUS with the oral agent mixture can facilitate clear and intuitive identification of HS and dynamic observation of esophageal reflux.

Clinical presentations of gastric small gastrointestinal stromal tumors mimics functional dyspepsia symptoms

AIM: To explore whether clinical presentations of gastric small gastrointestinal tumors (GISTs) mimics gastrointestinal dyspepsia symptoms.

Risk of transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and related “superbugs” during gastrointestinal endoscopy

To evaluate the risk of transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE) and their related superbugs during gastrointestinal(GI) endoscopy. Reports of outbreaks linked to GI endoscopes contami-nated with different types of infectious agents, includ-ing CRE and their related superbugs, were reviewed. Published during the past 30 years, both prior to and since CRE's emergence, these reports were obtained by searching the peer-reviewed medical literature(via the United States National Library of Medicine's "MEDLINE" database); the Food and Drug Administration's Manu-facturer and User Facility Device Experience database, or "MAUDE"; and the Internet(via Google's search engine). This review focused on an outbreak of CRE in 2013 following the GI endoscopic procedure known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, performed at "Hospital X" located in the sub-urbs of Chicago(IL; United States). Part of the largest outbreak of CRE in United States history, the infection and colonization of 10 and 28 of this hospital's patients, respectively, received considerable media attention and was also investigated by the Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention(CDC), which published a report about this outbreak in Morbidity and Mortality WeeklyReport(MMWR), in 2014. This report, along with the results of an independent inspection of Hospital X's in-fection control practices following this CRE outbreak, were also reviewed. While this article focuses primar-ily on the prevention of transmissions of CRE and their related superbugs in the GI endoscopic setting, some of its discussion and recommendations may also apply to other healthcare settings, to other types of flexible endoscopes, and to other types of transmissible infec-tious agents. This review found that GI endoscopy is an important risk factor for the transmission of CRE and their related superbugs, having been recently as-sociated with patient morbidity and mortality following ERCP. The CDC reported in MMWR that the type of GI endoscope, known as an ERCP endoscope, that Hospi-tal X used to perform ERCP in 2013 on the 38 patients who became infected or colonized with CRE might be particularly challenging to clean and disinfect, because of the complexity of its physical design. If performed in strict accordance with the endoscope manufacturer's labeling, supplemented as needed with professional organizations' published guidelines, however, current practices for reprocessing GI endoscopes, which include high-level disinfection, are reportedly adequate for the prevention of transmission of CRE and their related superbugs. Several recommendations are provided to prevent CRE transmissions in the healthcare setting. CRE transmissions are not limited to contaminated GI endoscopes and also have been linked to other reusable flexible endoscopic instrumentation, including broncho-scopes and cystoscopes. In conclusion, contaminated GI endoscopes, particularly those used during ERCP, have been causally linked to outbreaks of CRE and their related superbugs, with associated patient morbidity and mortality. Thorough reprocessing of these complex reusable instruments is necessary to prevent disease transmission and ensure patient safety during GI endos-copy. Enhanced training and monitoring of reprocessing staffers to verify the proper cleaning and brushing of GI endoscopes, especially the area around, behind andnear the forceps elevator located at the distal end othe ERCP endoscope, are recommended. If the ERCPendoscope features a narrow and exposed channel thathouses a wire connecting the GI endoscope's controhead to this forceps elevator, then this channel's com-plete reprocessing, including its flushing with a deter-gent using a procedure validated for effectiveness, is also emphasized.

Crohn's disease presenting as acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Severe gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage is a rare complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). Although several surgical and non-surgical approaches have been described over the last 2 decades this complication still poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Given the relative infrequency of severe bleeding in CD, available medical literature on this topic is mostly in the form of retrospective case series and reports. In this article we review the risk factors, diagnostic modalities and treatment options for the management of CD presenting as GI hemorrhage.

Education-based approach to addressing non-evidence-based practice in preventing NSAID-associated gastrointestinal complications

AIM:To evaluate an evidence-based educational program for improving strategies for prevention of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID)-associated gastrointestinal(GI)complications. METHODS:Four hundred and fifty-six specialists replied to a questionnaire that covered issues related to NSAID-induced adverse effects.They also collected data from their last five consecutive patients before and after they had attended an evidence-based seminar on GI prevention strategies. RESULTS:Four hundred and forty-one of 456 specialists(96.7%)participated in the survey,and 382(83.7%)in the education-based study that recorded data from 3728 patients.The specialists overestimated the risk of GI complications with NSAIDs,underestimated the GI safety profile of coxibs,but were aware of the risk factors and of the current prevention strategies.Proton pump inhibitors were co-prescribed with NSAIDs in>80% of patients with and without risk factors.The educational program had little impact on prescribing habits.CONCLUSION:Specialists are informed of advances in NSAID-associated adverse effects and have high rates of GI-prevention therapy.Our educational program did not alter these rates.

Infliximab stopped severe gastrointestinal bleeding in Crohn's disease

To report the result of rapid ulcer healing by infliximab in Crohn's patients with severe enterocolic bleeding. During 2005 and 2010, inflammatory bowel disease database of King Chulalongkorn Memorial and Samitivej hospitals were reviewed. There were seven Crohn's disease (CD) patients (4 women and 3 men; mean age 52 ± 10.4 years; range: 11-86 years). Two of the seven patients developed severe gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) as a flare up of CD whereas the other five patients presented with GIB as their first symptom for CD. Their mean hemoglobin level dropped from 12 ± 1.3 g/ dL to 8.7 ± 1.3 g/dL in a 3-d period. Median packed red blood cells units needed for resuscitation was 4 units. Because of uncontrolled bleeding, surgical resection was considered. However, due to the poor surgical candidacy of these patients (n = 3) and /or possible development of short bowel syndrome (n = 6), surgery was not pursued. Likewise angiographic embolization was not considered in any due to the risk of large infarction. All severe GIBs successfully stopped by one or two doses of intravenous infliximab. Our data suggests that infliximab is an alternative therapy for CD with severe GIB when surgery has limitation or patient is a high risk.

Role of the microbiome in non-gastrointestinal cancers

"The forgotten organ",the human microbiome,comprises a community of microorganisms that colonizes various sites of the human body.Through coevolution of bacteria,archaea and fungi with the human host over thousands of years,a complex host-microbiome relationship emerged in which many functions,including metabolism and immune responses,became codependent.This coupling becomes evident when disruption in the microbiome composition,termed dysbiosis,is mirrored by the development of pathologies in the host.Among the most serious consequences of dysbiosis,is the development of cancer.As many as 20% of total cancers worldwide are caused by a microbial agent.To date,a vast majority of microbiomecancer studies focus solely on the microbiome of the large intestine and the development of gastrointestinal cancers.Here,we will review the available evidence implicating microbiome involvement in the development and progression of non-gastrointestinal cancers,while distinguishing between viral and bacterial drivers of cancer,as well as "local" and "systemic","cancer-stimulating" and "cancer-suppressing" effects of the microbiome.Developing a system-wide approach to cancer-microbiome studies will be crucial in understanding how microbiome influences carcinogenesis,and may enable to employ microbiome-targeting approaches as part of cancer treatment.

Blood thinners and gastrointestinal endoscopy

As the number of diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopies is increasing, and there is an increase in number of patients taking blood thinners, we are seeing more and more patients on blood thinners prior to endoscopic procedures. Gastrointestinal bleeding or thromboembolism can occur in this category of patients in the periendoscopic period. To better manage these patients, endoscopists should have a clear concept about the various blood thinners in the market. Patients’ risk of thromboembolism off anticoagulation, and the risk of bleeding from endoscopic procedures should be assessed prior to endoscopy. The endoscopic procedure should be done when it is safe to do it.

液体栓塞剂与传统栓塞材料治疗消化道出血的疗效及安全性对比

目的:对比温度敏感型液体栓塞剂(TSLEA)与传统栓塞材料在治疗消化道出血(GIB)中的安全性及有效性,分析其应用价值。方法:回顾性分析GIB患者临床资料,根据患者术中有无使用TSLEA分成两组并分析两组间的差异。结果:TSLEA组10例,14支责任血管,非TSLEA组24例,31支责任血管。两组技术成功率均为100%,术后平均随访时间16.07月;非TSLEA组临床成功率91.67%,术后并发症发生率8.33%;TSLEA组无明显并发症,临床成功率90.00%。两组间并发症发生率(P=0.888)、临床成功率(P=0.837)差异无统计学意义。结论:TSLEA与传统的栓塞材料相比,技术成功率、临床成功率及并发症发生率相仿,但其可以通过扭曲、纤细的责任血管,是一种良好的栓塞材料。

西沙必利联合血液灌流对CRF维持性血液透析患者胃肠道症状及胃肠激素水平的影响

【目的】探讨西沙必利辅助血液灌流对慢性肾衰竭(CRF)维持性血液透析患者胃肠道症状及胃肠激素水平的影响。【方法】回顾性分析2021年2月至2023年1月本院收治的72例CRF患者的临床资料,根据治疗方法不同将其分为观察组和对照组,每组36例。两组均行维持性血液透析治疗,对照组予以血液灌流治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上予以西沙必利治疗。治疗2周后,比较两组肾功能[血肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、肾小球滤过率(GFR)]、胃肠道症状、胃肠激素[生长抑素(SS)、胃动素(MOT)、血管活性肠肽(VIP)]及血清成纤维细胞生长因子23(FGF-23)、降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平及不良反应发生情况。【结果】治疗后,两组Scr、BUN均较治疗前降低,eGER均较治疗前升高(P<0.05);两组Scr、BUN、eGER比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后,两组反酸、恶心及呕吐、腹胀、嗳气、便秘评分均低于治疗前,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组血清MOT、SS水平低于治疗前及对照组,VIP高于治疗前及对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组血清FGF-23、CGRP、TNF-α水平低于治疗前,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组不良反应发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。【结论】西沙必利辅助血液灌流治疗CRF维持性血液透析患者,可调节胃肠激素水平,改善胃肠道症状,减轻炎症损伤,安全性较高。

非嗜酸细胞性食管炎的嗜酸细胞性胃肠病研究进展

嗜酸细胞性胃肠病(eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders,EGIDs)是一种免疫介导的慢性疾病,以嗜酸性粒细胞浸润胃肠道为组织学特征。其中研究最多的是嗜酸细胞性食管炎(eosinophilic esophagitis,EoE)。但近年来,非EoE的EGIDs患病率逐渐增加,其病因和发病机制尚不明确,超敏反应及Th2型免疫应答在其中发挥重要作用。临床表现取决于嗜酸性粒细胞浸润的胃肠壁部位和深度,实验室检查、影像学表现和内窥镜检查为其诊断提供了重要依据,病理组织学检查是其诊断的基石。饮食疗法和皮质类固醇激素是EGIDs的主要治疗方法,其他治疗方法包括肥大细胞稳定剂、白三烯拮抗剂、抗组胺药、免疫调节剂和生物制剂,其中生物制剂为难治性或皮质类固醇依赖型非EoE EGIDs患者提供了新的治疗选择。

调中益气汤治疗老年气虚型慢传输便秘的疗效研究

背景调中益气汤最早用来治疗脾虚湿滞所导致的胃肠病。多年临证经验发现,调中益气汤加减可治疗老年慢传输型便秘(STC)。目的评价调中益气汤治疗老年气虚型STC临床疗效及对肠动力的影响。方法选取银川市中医医院2022年5月—2023年4月肛肠科、治未病中心就诊的中医辨证为气虚型STC患者100例,选用1∶1随机数字表法将患者随机分为观察组50例和对照组50例。观察组采用调中益气汤煎汤口服,对照组50例口服琥珀酸普芦卡必利片,各治疗4周。分别于治疗前、治疗4周后记录并比较每周完全自主排便次数(CSBM)积分、中医证候积分、临床症状积分和48、72 h标记物排出率,检测胃肠激素水平,观察不良反应发生情况。随访3个月,观察两组患者便秘复发情况。结果治疗4周后,观察组每周CSBM积分、中医证候积分和临床症状各积分均低于对照组(P<0.05),48、72 h标记物排出率高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组血清5-羟色胺、血管活性肽、生长抑素低于对照组,而胃泌素高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗4周后观察组临床总有效率高于对照组(χ^(2)=4.031,P=0.046);随访3个月,观察组复发率低于对照组(χ^(2)=5.134,P=0.023)。研究过程中观察组有2例服用调中益气汤后出现腹胀,对照组4例口服琥珀酸普芦卡必利片出现口干、恶心、头晕等,均未进行对症治疗,试验终止后症状自行消失。结论调中益气汤能够改善老年STC患者中医证候、胃肠传输时间和临床症状,调节胃肠神经激素水平,促进胃肠动力,且临床复发率较低,值得临床推广。

枯草芽孢杆菌中一个受二硫键还原剂诱导并与伸长因子Tu同源的蛋白质

分析了β-巯基乙醇（β-ME）和二硫苏糖醇（DTT）对枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillussubtilis细胞蛋白质组分的影响。在LB培养基中，β-ME和DTT处理能诱导一个50kD蛋白质（P50）的合成。在正常生长条件下P50是一个组成性（constitutive）成的细胞质蛋白质。热激也能诱寻P50，但是孢子形成（sporulation）不能诱导P50。在Schaeffer孢子形成培养基中，β-ME和DTT都不能诱导P5O，表明二硫键还原剂诱导P50的能力依赖于特定的生理条件。用VS蛋白酶有限降解P50，得到4个主要的多肽片段，测定了其中两个片段的N-端氨基酸序列。同源性检索发现P50高度同源于蛋白质合成的伸长因子Tu。

Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound imaging: Basic principles, present situation and future perspectives

Over the last decade, the development of stabilised microbubble contrast agents and improvements in available ultrasonic equipment, such as harmonic imaging, have enabled us to display microbubble enhancements on a greyscale with optimal contrast and spatial resolution. Recent technological advances made contrast harmonic technology available for endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) for the first time in 2008. Thus, the evaluation of microcirculation is now feasible with EUS, prompting the evolution of contrast-enhanced EUS from vascular imaging to images of the perfused tissue. Although the relevant experience is still preliminary, several reports have highlighted contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS(CHEUS) as a promising noninvasive method to visualise and characterise lesions and to differentiate benign from malignant focal lesions. Even if histology remains the gold standard, the combination of CH-EUS and EUS fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) can not only render EUS more accurate but may also assist physicians inmaking decisions when EUS-FNA is inconclusive,increasing the yield of EUS-FNA by guiding the puncture with simultaneous imaging of the vascularity.The development of CH-EUS has also opened up exciting possibilities in other research areas,including monitoring responses to anticancer chemotherapy or to ethanolinduced pancreatic tissue ablation,anticancer therapies based on ultrasound-triggered drug and gene delivery,and therapeutic adjuvants by contrast ultrasound-induced apoptosis.Contrast harmonic imaging is gaining popularity because of its efficacy,simplicity and noninvasive nature,and many expectations are currently resting on this technique.If its potential is confirmed in the near future,contrast harmonic imaging will become a standard practice in EUS.

A clinical dilemma:abdominal tuberculosis

AIM:To evaluate the clinical,radiological and microbiological properties of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) and to discuss methods needed to get the diagnosis. METHODS:Thirty-one patients diagnosed as abdominal TB between March 1998 and December 2001 at the Gastroenterology Department of Kartal State Hospital, Istanbul,Turkey were evaluated prospectively.Complete physical examination,medical and family history,blood count erythrocyte sedimentation rate,routine biochemical tests, Mantoux skin test,chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasonography (USG) were performed in all cases,whereas microbiological examination of ascites,upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,colonoscopy or barium enema,abdominal tomography,mediastinoscopy,laparoscopy or laparotomy were done when needed. RESULTS:The median age of patients (14 females,17 males) was 34.2 years (range 15-65 years).The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain and weight loss. Eleven patients had active pulmonary TB.The most common abdominal USG findings were ascites and hepatomegaly.Ascitic fluid analysis performed in 13 patients was found to be exudative and acid resistant bacilli were present in smear and cultured only in one patient with BacTec (3.2%).Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy yielded nonspecific findings in 16 patients.Colonoscopy performed in 20 patients showed ulcers in 9 (45%),nodules in 2 (10%) and,stricture,polypoid lesions,granulomatous findings in terminal ileum and rectal fistula each in one patient (5%). Laparoscopy on 4 patients showed dilated bowel loops, thickening in the mesentery,multiple ulcers and tubercles on the peritoneum.Patients with abdominal TB were divided into three groups according to the type of involvement. Fifteen patients (48%) had intestinal TB,11 patients (35.2%) had tuberculous peritonitis and 5 (16.8%) tuberculous lymphadenitis.The diagnosis of abdominal TB was confirmed microbiologically in 5 (16%) and histo- pathologically in 19 patients (60.8%).The remaining nine patients (28.8%) had been diagnosed by a positive response to antituberculous treatment. CONCLUSION:Neither clinical signs,laboratory,radiological and endoscopic methods nor bacteriological and histopathological findings provide a gold standard by themselves in the diagnosis of abdominal TB.However,an algorithm of these diagnostic methods leads to considerably higher precision in the diagnosis of this insidious disease which primarily necessitate a clinical awareness of this serious health problem.

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture on Immune Function After Chemotherapy in 28 Cases

PURPOSE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture therapy on T cells and activity of NK cell in the patient of Chemotherapy. METHOD: Electro-acupuncture therapy was simultaneously applied during chemotherapy, T cells and activity of NK cell of patients were determined before electroacupuncture treatment (before chemotherapy) and after 4-course electro-acupuncture treatments. RESULTS: Before chemotherapy, CD3 was low within the normal range, CD4 was much lower than the normal range, and CD8, CD4/CD8 and activity of NK cell were within the normal range. After one month of chemotherapy combined with electro-acupuncture, no decline of all the indices was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture can really increase the immune function of patients of chemotherapy.

OBSERVATION ON FREQUENCY SPECTRUM OF ELECTROGASTROGRAM (EGG) IN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA

Functional dyspepsia is a frequently-encountered clinical syndrome, characterized by fullness and pain in the upper abdomen, belching, sour regurgitation, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, without organic pathologic change, metabolic or psychic diseases. It is closely related with disturbance of gastric motility. Our previous study has indicated that acupuncture has marked therapeutic effects on disturbance of gastric motility. In the present paper, analysis of time-frequency spectrum of EGG was used as indexes, and the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment on functional dyspepsia were assessed objectively. The results are reported in the following.