Psychosocial factors and their association with reflux oesophagitis,Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma

AIM:To investigate the role of psychological characteristics as risk factors for oesophageal adenocarcinoma(OAC),as well as the reflux-mediated precursor pathway.METHODS:An all-Ireland population-based case-control study recruited 230 reflux oesophagitis(RO),224 Barrett's oesophagus(BO) and 227 OAC patients and 260 controls.Each case/control group completed measures of stress,depression,self-efficacy,self-esteem,repression and social support.A comparative analysis was undertaken using polytomous logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders.RESULTS:Compared to controls,OAC patients were almost half as likely to report high stress levels over their lifetime(P = 0.010,OR 0.51;95%CI:0.29-0.90)and 36% less likely to report having experienced depression(OR 0.64;95%CI:0.42-0.98).RO patients reported significantly higher stress than controls particularly during middle-and senior-years(P for trends < 0.001).RO patients were 37% less likely to report having been highly emotionally repressed(OR 0.63;95%CI:0.41-0.95).All case groups(OAC,RO and BO) were more likely than controls to report having had substantial amounts of social support(OR 2.84;95%CI:1.63-4.97;OR 1.97;95%CI:1.13-3.44 and OR 1.83;95%CI:1.03-3.24,respectively).CONCLUSION:The improved psychological profile of OAC patients may be explained by response shift.The role of psychological factors in the development of OAC requires further investigation.

Rabeprazole is effective for bile reflux oesophagitis after total gastrectomy in a rat model

AIM:To elucidate the effect of a proton pump inhibitor(PPI,rabeparazole)on oesophageal bile reflux in oesophagitis after total gastrectomy.METHODS:Twenty-one 8-week-old male Wistar rats were studied.They were performed oesophagoduodenostomy of total gastrectomy to induce oesophageal reflux of biliary and pancreatic juice.Five rats were performed the sham operation(Sham).On post-operative day 7,they were treated with saline(Control)(n=8)or PPI(rabeprazole,30 mg/kg per day,ip)(n=8)for 2 wk.On post-operative 21,all rats were sacrificed and each oesophagus was evaluated histologically.Oesophageal injury was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic findings as well as the expression of cyclooxygenase-2(COX2).We measured bile acid in the oesophageal lumen and the common bile duct.RESULTS:At 3 wk after surgery,a histological study analysis revealed an increase in the thickness of the epithelium,elongation of the lamina propria and basal cell hyperplasia in the oesophageal mucosa.The macroscopic ulcer score and microscopic ulcer length of the control group were significantly higher compared to those of the rabeprazole-treated group.The expression of COX2 was significantly increased according to the immunostaining in the control group compared to rabeprazole-treated group.Although there was no difference between the control and PPI groups in the total bile acid in the common bile duct,the bileacid activity in the oesophageal lumen was significantly decreased in the rabeprazole-treated group due to augmentation of the duodenal motor complex.CONCLUSION:With this model,rabeprazole is good effect for reflux esophagitis after total gastrectomy from bile reflux.Bile acid is an important factor in the mucosal lesion induced by duodenal reflux.

Current hurdles in the management of eosinophilic oesophagitis:The next steps

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic,antigen mediated disease of the disease of the oesophagus that may present in both adults and children.It is characterised by intermittent dysphagia,food bolus obstruction and weight loss.The pathogenesis is incompletely understood but is thought to culminate in poor compliance,or reduced distensibility.The condition is being reported and studied in the literature with increasing incidence,although equally it is highly likely that the diagnosis is being missed altogether with alarming frequency.Diagnosis of the condition requires at least one oesophageal biopsy with an eosinophil count greater than 15 per high power field.Endoscopic features include trachealisation,furrows,white exudate,narrowing and in the most severe cases stricture formation although none are pathognomonic of the condition.Therapy is often not required,but in the acute setting may take the form of dietary therapy or topical steroids.Long term maintenance therapy is usually only required in the most severe cases and the most effective treatment is the subject of ongoing research.There are a number of hurdles to be overcome in the management of patients with EoE.These include;improving our understanding of the aetiologyof the condition,investigating the individual causes,assessing the true disease severity and planning the best long term maintenance therapy.Distinguishing EoE from EoE gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is also a hurdle because the two conditions,both being common,can co-exist.In order to overcome these hurdles,a multifaceted approach is required.The management of food bolus obstruction requires a management algorithm that is accepted and endorsed by a number of specialties.National and international disease registers should be established in order to facilitate future research but more importantly to address areas where further education or increased diagnostic capabilities may be required.Assessment of disease severity should become a key goal,and the development of specific biomarkers for EoE should also be a priority.Finally,randomised controlled trials of new agents are required to assess the best treatment in both the acute and long term setting.

Acute suppurative oesophagitis with fever and cough: A case report

BACKGROUND Suppurative oesophagitis is a diffuse inflammation of the oesophagus characterized by suppurative exudate or pus formation.Suppurative infections can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract,most commonly the stomach,with inflammation involving the entire gastric cavity.However,cases extending beyond the cardia or pylorus and involving the oesophagus,small intestine,and colon are rare.Usually such cases are discovered during surgery or autopsy.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of acute suppurative oesophagitis.A 57-year-old man presented at the Emergency Department of our hospital with fever and productive cough.The patient had a significant history of lower oesophageal mucosal frostbite.He was successfully diagnosed and treated with repeated gastroscopy,appropriate antibiotics,and innovative symptomatic treatment.CONCLUSION Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of acute suppurative oesophagitis are critical.Nutritional support,postural drainage,and other symptomatic treatments must be considered.

Prevalence of eosinophilic oesophagitis in adults presenting with oesophageal food bolus obstruction

AIM: To look at the relationship between eosinophilic oesophagitis(EO) and food bolus impaction in adults. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed medical records of 100 consecutive patients who presented to our hospital with oesophageal food bolus obstruction(FBO) between 2012 and 2014. In this cohort, 96 were adults(64% male), and 4 paediatric patients were excluded from the analysis as our centre did not have paediatric gastroenterologists. Eighty-five adult patients underwent emergency gastroscopy. The food bolus was either advanced into the stomach using the push technique or retrieved using a standard retrieval net. Biopsies were obtained in 51 patients from the proximal and distal parts of the oesophagus at initial gastroscopy. All biopsy specimens were assessed and reviewed by dedicated gastrointestinal pathologists at the Department of Pathology, University Hospital Geelong. The diagnosis of EO was defined and established by the presence of the following histological features:(1) peak eosinophil counts > 20/hpf;(2) eosinophil microabscess;(3) superficial layering of eosinophils;(4) extracellular eosinophil granules;(5) basal cell hyperplasia;(6) dilated intercellular spaces; and(7) subepithelial or lamina propria fibrosis. The histology results of the biopsy specimens were accessed from the pathology database of the hospital and recorded for analysis. RESULTS: Our cohort had a median age of 60. Seventeen/51(33%) patients had evidence of EO on biopsy findings. The majority of patients with EO were male(71%). Classical endoscopic features of oesophageal rings, furrows or white plaques and exudates werefound in 59% of patients with EO. Previous episodes of FBO were present in 12/17 patients and 41% had a history of eczema, hay fever or asthma. Reflux oesophagitis and benign strictures were found in 20/34 patients who did not have biopsies. CONCLUSION: EO is present in approximately one third of patients who are admitted with FBO. Biopsies should be performed routinely at index endoscopy in order to pursue this treatable cause of long term morbidity.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic oesophagitis: What is the relationship?

Eosinophilic oesophagitis(EoE) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease(GORD) are the most common causes of chronic oesophagitis and dysphagia associated with oesophageal mucosal eosinophilia. Distinguishing between the two is imperative but challenging due to overlapping clinical and histological features. A diagnosis of EoE requires clinical, histological and endoscopic correlation whereas a diagnosis of GORD is mainly clinical without the need for other investigations. Both entities may exhibit oesophageal eosinophilia at a similar level making a histological distinction between them difficult. Although the term proton-pump inhibitor responsive oesophageal eosinophilia has recently been retracted from the guidelines, a relationship between Eo E and GORD still exists. This relationship is complex as they may coexist, either interacting bidirectionally or are unrelated. This review aims to outline the differences and potential relationship between the two conditions, with specific focus on histology, immunology, pathogenesis and treatment.

Effectiveness and tolerability of programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor+chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy for upper gastrointestinal tract cancers

BACKGROUND The combination of programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)inhibitor and che-motherapy is approved as a standard first-or second-line treatment in patients with advanced oesophageal or gastric cancer.However,it is unclear whether this combination is superior to chemotherapy alone.AIM To assess the comparative effectiveness and tolerability of combining PD-1 inhibitors with chemotherapy vs chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced gastric cancer,gastroesophageal junction(GEJ)cancer,or oesophageal carcinoma.METHODS We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for studies that compared the efficacy and tolerance of PD-1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy vs chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced oesophageal or gastric cancer.We employed either random or fixed models to analyze the outcomes of each clinical trial,en-compassing data on overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),objective response rate,and adverse events(AEs).RESULTS Nine phase 3 clinical trials(7016 advanced oesophageal and gastric cancer patients)met the inclusion criteria.Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the pooled PD-1 inhibitor+chemotherapy group had a significantly longer OS than the chemotherapy-alone group[hazard ratio(HR)=0.76,95%confidence interval(CI):0.71-0.81];the pooled PFS result was consistent with that of OS(HR=0.67,95%CI:0.61-0.74).The count of patients achieving an objective response in the PD-1 inhibitor+chemotherapy group surpassed that of the chemotherapy-alone group[odds ratio(OR)=1.86,95%CI:1.59-2.18].AE incidence was also higher in the combination-therapy group than in the chemotherapy-alone group,regardless of whether≥grade 3 only(OR=1.30,95%CI:1.07-1.57)or all AE grades(OR=1.88,95%CI:1.39-2.54)were examined.We performed a subgroup analysis based on the programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)combined positive score(CPS)and noted extended OS and PFS durations within the CPS≥1,CPS≥5,and CPS≥10 subgroups of the PD-1 inhibitor+chemotherapy group.CONCLUSION In contrast to chemotherapy alone,the combination of PD-1 inhibitor and chemotherapy appears to present a more favorable option for initial or subsequent treatment in patients with gastric cancer,GEJ tumor,or oesophageal cancer.This holds true particularly for individuals with PD-L1 CPS scores of≥5 and≥10.

Oesophageal Mycosis: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects and Risk Factors for Occurrence in the Digestive Endoscopy Unit of the Donka National Hospital, Conakry CHU

Introduction: Oesophageal mycosis (OM) is one of the most common opportunistic infections in patients infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). However, this condition is increasingly observed in immunocompetent subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the endoscopic prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors for the occurrence of oesophageal mycosis in our department. Patients and Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of all patients who underwent oeso-gastroduodenal fibroscopy during the period from 1st January to 31st December 2022, i.e. one year, at the digestive endoscopy unit of the hepato-gastroenterology department of the Donka CHU national hospital in Conakry. All patients found to have oesophageal mycosis by FOGD were included. The endoscopy was performed using appropriate equipment: A Fujinon 4400 video endoscopy column;Three Fujinon EG 590 video gastroscopes;A hoover;Data were collected using a pre-established survey form and analysed using Epi info software version 6.0.4;Pearson’s Chi2 test as a test of independence and the exact 5% threshold ficher test. Results: Out of 1343 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed, 107 cases of oesophageal mycosis were found, representing a prevalence of 7.96%. The mean age was 40 years, with a male predominance of 55.42%. The sex ratio M/F was 1.24. The 45 and over age group was the most affected, with a prevalence of 40.43%, followed by the [35 - 45] age group, with a prevalence of 22.43%. Clinical symptoms were dominated by epigastralgia in 74.76% of cases, followed by odynophagia in 37.38% of cases, nausea and vomiting in 28.03% of cases, and pyrosis in 26.16% of cases. Oesophageal mycosis without oesophagitis was the most common endoscopic finding in 70% of cases. The main associated endoscopic lesions were erythemato-erosive and congestive gastropathy in 28.03% of cases, peptic oesophagitis (9.34%) and gastric ulcer (5.60%). The main risk factors found were positive HIV serology in 39.25% of cases, and diabetes in 24.30% of cases, with a statistically significant relationship of 0.02 and 0.01 respectively. Conclusion: Oesophageal mycosis is the most common opportunistic infection in patients with impaired cellular immunity. The prevalence of oesophageal mycosis in our series was 7.96%. This study enabled us to identify the main risk factors for the occurrence of oesophageal mycosis. Our country needs to step up its programme to combat and prevent immunodeficiency diseases, particularly HIV and diabetes.

Digestive and breast cancer patients managed during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic:Short and middle term outcomes

BACKGROUND The first wave of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic in Spain lasted from middle March to the end of June 2020.Spanish population was subjected to lockdown periods and scheduled surgeries were discontinued or reduced during variable periods.In our centre,we managed patients previously and newly diagnosed with cancer.We established a strategy based on limiting perioperative social contacts,preoperative screening(symptoms and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction)and creating separated in-hospital COVID-19-free pathways for non-infected patients.We also adopted some practice modifications(surgery in different facilities,changes in staff and guidelines,using continuously changing personal protective equipment…),that supposed new inconveniences.AIM To analyse cancer patients with a decision for surgery managed during the first wave,focalizing on outcomes and pandemic-related modifications.METHODS We prospectively included adults with a confirmed diagnosis of colorectal,oesophago-gastric,liver-pancreatic or breast cancer with a decision for surgery,regardless of whether they ultimately underwent surgery.We analysed short-term outcomes[30-d postoperative morbimortality and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection]and outcomes after 3 years(adjuvant therapies,oncological events,death,SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination).We also investigated modifications to usual practice.RESULTS From 96 included patients,seven didn’t receive treatment that period and four never(3 due to COVID-19).Operated patients:28 colon and 21 rectal cancers;laparoscopy 53.6%/90.0%,mortality 3.57%/0%,major complications 7.04%/25.00%,anastomotic leaks 0%/5.00%,3-years disease-free survival(DFS)82.14%/52.4%and overall survival(OS)78.57%/76.2%.Six liver metastases and six pancreatic cancers:no mortality,one major complication,three grade A/B liver failures,one bile leak;3-year DFS 0%/33.3%and OS 50.0%/33.3%(liver metastases/pancreatic carcinoma).5 gastric and 2 oesophageal tumours:mortality 0%/50%,major complications 0%/100%,anastomotic leaks 0%/100%,3-year DFS and OS 66.67%(gastric carcinoma)and 0%(oesophagus).Twenty breast cancer without deaths/major complications;3-year OS 100%and DFS 85%.Nobody contracted SARS-CoV-2 postoperatively.COVID-19 pandemic–related changes:78.2%treated in alternative buildings,43.8%waited more than 4 weeks,two additional colostomies and fewer laparoscopies.CONCLUSION Some patients lost curative-intent surgery due to COVID-19 pandemic.Despite practice modifications and 43.8%delays higher than 4 weeks,surgery was resumed with minimal changes without impacting outcomes.Clean pathways are essential to continue surgery safely.

Percutaneous closure of gastrorenal shunt as adjunctive therapy for esophageal carcinoma

The embolization of gastric varices is an established technique for acute bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. Here, we report an attempt to embolize a gastrorenal shunt to facilitate esophagectomy in a patient with an esophageal malignancy. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature to highlight the role of interventional medicine in the treatment of patients with esophageal malignancy.

Preoperative risk modelling for oesophagectomy: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Oesophageal cancer is a frequently observed and lethal malignancy worldwide.Surgical resection remains a realistic option for curative intent in the early stages of the disease.However,the decision to undertake oesophagectomy is significant as it exposes the patient to a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality.Therefore,appropriate patient selection,counselling and resource allocation is important.Many tools have been developed to aid surgeons in appropriate decision-making.AIM To examine all multivariate risk models that use preoperative and intraoperative information and establish which have the most clinical utility.METHODS A systematic review of the MEDLINE,EMBASE and Cochrane databases was conducted from 2000-2020.The search terms applied were((Oesophagectomy)AND(Risk OR predict OR model OR score)AND(Outcomes OR complications OR morbidity OR mortality OR length of stay OR anastomotic leak)).The applied inclusion criteria were articles assessing multivariate based tools using exclusively preoperatively available data to predict perioperative patient outcomes following oesophagectomy.The exclusion criteria were publications that described models requiring intra-operative or post-operative data and articles appraising only univariate predictors such as American Society of Anesthesiologists score,cardiopulmonary fitness or pre-operative sarcopenia.Articles that exclusively assessed distant outcomes such as long-term survival were excluded as were publications using cohorts mixed with other surgical procedures.The articles generated from each search were collated,processed and then reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.All risk models were appraised for clinical credibility,methodological quality,performance,validation,and clinical effectiveness.RESULTS The initial search of composite databases yielded 8715 articles which reduced to 5827 following the deduplication process.After title and abstract screening,197 potentially relevant texts were retrieved for detailed review.Twenty-seven published studies were ultimately included which examined twenty-one multivariate risk models utilising exclusively preoperative data.Most models examined were clinically credible and were constructed with sound methodological quality,but model performance was often insufficient to prognosticate patient outcomes.Three risk models were identified as being promising in predicting perioperative mortality,including the National Quality Improvement Project surgical risk calculator,revised STS score and the Takeuchi model.Two studies predicted perioperative major morbidity,including the predicting postoperative complications score and prognostic nutritional index-multivariate models.Many of these models require external validation and demonstration of clinical effectiveness.CONCLUSION Whilst there are several promising models in predicting perioperative oesophagectomy outcomes,more research is needed to confirm their validity and demonstrate improved clinical outcomes with the adoption of these models.

Potential of damage associated molecular patterns in synergising radiation and the immune response in oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND There is an intimate crosstalk between cancer formation,dissemination,treatment response and the host immune system,with inducing tumour cell death the ultimate therapeutic goal for most anti-cancer treatments.However,inducing a purposeful synergistic response between conventional therapies and the immune system remains evasive.The release of damage associated molecular patterns(DAMPs)is indicative of immunogenic cell death and propagation of established immune responses.However,there is a gap in the literature regarding the importance of DAMP expression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma(OAC)or by immune cells themselves.AIM To investigate the effects of conventional therapies on DAMP expression and to determine whether OAC is an immunogenic cancer.METHODS We investigated the levels of immunogenic cell death-associated DAMPs,calreticulin(CRT)and HMGB1 using an OAC isogenic model of radioresistance.DAMP expression was also assessed directly using ex vivo cancer patient T cells(n=10)and within tumour biopsies(n=9)both pre and post-treatment with clinically relevant chemo(radio)therapeutics.RESULTS Hypoxia in combination with nutrient deprivation significantly reduces DAMP expression by OAC cells in vitro.Significantly increased frequencies of T cell DAMP expression in OAC patients were observed following chemo-(radio)therapy,which was significantly higher in tumour tissue compared with peripheral blood.Patients with high expression of HMGB1 had a significantly better tumour regression grade(TRG 1-2)compared to low expressors.CONCLUSION In conclusion,OAC expresses an immunogenic phenotype with two distinct subgroups of high and low DAMP expressors,which correlated with tumour regression grade and lymphatic invasion.It also identifies DAMPs namely CRT and HMGB1 as potential promising biomarkers in predicting good pathological responses to conventional chemo(radio)therapies currently used in the multimodal management of locally advanced disease.

Paired-related homeobox 1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oesophageal squamous cancer

BACKGROUND It is unclear that paired-related homeobox 1(PRRX1)induces epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT)in oesophageal cancer and the specific function of PRRX1 in oesophageal cancer metastasis.AIM To assess the signicance of PRRX1 expression and investigate the mechanism of EMT in oesophageal cancer metastasis.METHODS Detect the expression of PRRX1 by immunohistochemistry in oesophageal tumour tissues and adjacent normal oesophageal tissues;the PRRX1 short hairpin RNA(shRNA)or blank vector lentiviral gene delivery system was transfected into cells;cell proliferation assay,soft agar colony formation assays,cell invasion and migration assays and animal studies were used to observe cells biological characteristics In vitro and in vivo;XAV939 and LiCl were used to alter the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.Immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis were used to detect protein expression of EMT markers and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.RESULTS PRRX1 is expressed at high levels in oesophageal cancer specimens and is closely related to tumour metastasis in patients with oesophageal cancer.Regulation of PRRX1 expression might exert obvious effects on cell proliferation,especially the migration and invasion of oesophageal cancer cells.Moreover,silencing PRRX1 expression using a shRNA produced the opposite effects.In addition,when PRRX1 was overexpressed,inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway with XAV939 negated the effect of PRRX1 on EMT,whereas when PRRX1 was downregulated,activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway with LiCl impaired the effect on EMT.CONCLUSION PRRX1 is upregulated in oesophageal cancer is closely correlated with cancer metastasis.Additionally,PRRX1 induces EMT in oesophageal cancer metastasis through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling.

Combined and intraoperative risk modelling for oesophagectomy:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common malignancy worldwide and is associated with a poor prognosis.Oesophagectomy remains the best prospect for a cure if diagnosed in the early disease stages.However,the procedure is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is undertaken only after careful consideration.Appropriate patient selection,counselling and resource allocation is essential.Numerous risk models have been devised to guide surgeons in making these decisions.AIM To evaluate which multivariate risk models,using intraoperative information with or without preoperative information,best predict perioperative oesophagectomy outcomes.METHODS A systematic review of the MEDLINE,EMBASE and Cochrane databases was undertaken from 2000-2020.The search terms used were[(Oesophagectomy)AND(Model OR Predict OR Risk OR score)AND(Mortality OR morbidity OR complications OR outcomes OR anastomotic leak OR length of stay)].Articles were included if they assessed multivariate based tools incorporating preoperative and intraoperative variables to forecast patient outcomes after oesophagectomy.Articles were excluded if they only required preoperative or any post-operative data.Studies appraising univariate risk predictors such as preoperative sarcopenia,cardiopulmonary fitness and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were also excluded.The review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses model.All captured risk models were appraised for clinical credibility,methodological quality,performance,validation and clinical effectiveness.RESULTS Twenty published studies were identified which examined eleven multivariate risk models.Eight of these combined preoperative and intraoperative data and the remaining three used only intraoperative values.Only two risk models were identified as promising in predicting mortality,namely the Portsmouth physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity(POSSUM)and POSSUM scores.A further two studies,the intraoperative factors and Esophagectomy surgical Apgar score based nomograms,adequately forecasted major morbidity.The latter two models are yet to have external validation and none have been tested for clinical effectiveness.CONCLUSION Despite the presence of some promising models in forecasting perioperative oesophagectomy outcomes,there is more research required to externally validate these models and demonstrate clinical benefit with the adoption of these models guiding postoperative care and allocating resources.

Endoscopic Ruler for varix size measurement:A multicenter pilot study

BACKGROUND We invented Endoscopic Ruler,a new endoscopic device to measure the size of varices in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.AIM To assess the feasibility and safety of Endoscopic Ruler,and evaluate the agreement on identifying large oesophageal varices(OV)between Endoscopic Ruler and the endoscopists,as well as the interobserver agreement on diagnosing large OV using Endoscopic Ruler.METHODS We prospectively and consecutively enrolled patients with cirrhosis from 11 hospitals,all of whom got esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)with Endoscopic Ruler.The primary study outcome was a successful measurement of the size of varices using Endoscopic Ruler.The secondary outcomes included adverse events,operation time,the agreement of identifying large OV between the objective measurement of Endoscopic Ruler and the empirical reading of endoscopists,together with the interobserver agreement on diagnosing large OV by Endoscopic Ruler.RESULTS From November 2020 to April 2022,a total of 120 eligible patients with cirrhosis were recruited and all of them underwent EGD examinations with Endoscopic Ruler successfully without any adverse event.The median operation time of Endoscopic Ruler was 3.00 min[interquartile range(IQR):3.00 min].The kappa value between Endoscopic Ruler and the endoscopists while detecting large OV was 0.52,demonstrating a moderate agreement.The kappa value for diagnosing large OV using Endoscopic Ruler among the six independent observers was 0.77,demonstrating a substantial agreement.CONCLUSION The data demonstrates that Endoscopic Ruler is feasible and safe for measuring the size of varices in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Endoscopic Ruler is potential to promote the clinical practice of the two-grade classification system of OV.

Helicobacter pylori eradication and reflux disease onset:Did gastric acid get "crazy"?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is highly prevalent in the general population.In the last decade,a potential relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) eradication and GORD onset has been claimed.The main putative mechanism is the gastric acid hypersecretion that develops after bacterial cure in those patients with corpus-predominant gastritis.We performed a critical reappraisal of the intricate pathogenesis and clinical data available in this field.Oesophagitis onset after H.pylori eradication in duodenal ulcer patients has been ascribed to a gastric acid hypersecretion,which could develop following body gastritis healing.However,the absence of an acid hypersecretive status in these patients is documented by both pathophysiology and clinical studies.Indeed,duodenal ulcer recurrence is virtually abolished followingH.pylori eradication.In addition,intra-oesophageal pH recording studies failed to demonstrated increased acid reflux following bacterial eradication.Moreover,oesophageal manometric studies suggest that H.pylori eradication would reduce-rather than favor-acid reflux into the oesophagus.Finally,data of clinical studies would suggest that H.pylori eradication is not significantly associated with eitherreflux symptoms or erosive oesophagitis onset,some data suggesting also an advantage in curing the infection when oesophagitis is already present.Therefore,the legend of "crazy acid" remains-as all the others a fascinating,but imaginary tale.

Feasibility and nutritional impact of laparoscopic assisted tailored subtotal gastrectomy for middle-third gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic assisted total gastrectomy(LaTG)is associated with reduced nutritional status,and the procedure is not easily carried out without extensive expertise.A small remnant stomach after near-total gastrectomy confers no significant nutritional benefits over total gastrectomy.In this study,we developed a modified laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy procedure,termed laparoscopicassisted tailored subtotal gastrectomy(LaTSG).AIM To evaluate the feasibility and nutritional impact of LaTSG compared to those of LaTG in patients with advanced middle-third gastric cancer(GC).METHODS We retrospectively analyzed surgical and oncological outcomes and postoperative nutritional status in 92 consecutive patients with middle-third GC who underwent radical laparoscopic gastrectomy at Department of Pancreatic Stomach Surgery,National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,and Peking Union Medical College between 2013 and 2017.Of these 92 patients,47 underwent LaTSG(LaTSG group),and the remaining underwent LaTG(LaTG group).RESULTS Operation time(210±49.8 min vs 208±50.0 min,P>0.05)and intraoperative blood loss(152.3±166.1 mL vs 188.9±167.8 mL,P>0.05)were similar between the groups.The incidence of postoperative morbidities was lower in the LaTSG group than in the LaTG group(4.2%vs 17.8%,P<0.05).Postoperatively,nutritional indices did not significantly differ,until postoperative 12 mo.Albumin,prealbumin,total protein,hemoglobin levels,and red blood cell counts were significantly higher in the LaTSG group than in the LaTG group(P<0.05).No significant differences in Fe or C-reaction protein levels were found between the two groups.Endoscopic examination demonstrated that reflux oesophagitis was more common in the LaTG group(0%vs 11.1%,P<0.05).Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant improvement in the overall survival(OS)and disease free survival(DFS)in the LaTSG group.Multivariate analysis showed that LaTSG was an independent prognostic factor for OS(P=0.048)but not for DFS(P=0.054).Subgroup analysis showed that compared to LaTG,LaTSG improved the survival of patients with stage III cancers,but not for other stages.CONCLUSION For advanced GC involving the middle third stomach,LaTSG can be a good option with reduced morbidity and favorable nutritional status and oncological outcomes.

Significance of feeding dysfunction in eosinophilic esophagitis

Feeding dysfunction is a frequent presenting symptom of eosinophilic esophagitis(EoE). Here we present 3 children of various ages whose manifestations of EoE associated feeding dysfunction led to significant and life altering impact on their growth and development. Early identification of presenting symptoms of EoE will allow for prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatments. Recognition of salient features of dysfunction and treatment by feeding therapists and nutritionists led to symptom resolution and growth.

Esophageal cancer: Risk factors,screening and endoscopic treatment in Western and Eastern countries

Esophageal cancer is one of the most unknown and deadliest cancers worldwide,mainly because of its extremely aggressive nature and poor survival rate.Esophageal cancer is the 6th leading cause of death from cancer and the 8th most common cancer in the world.The 5-year survival is around 15%-25%.There are clear differences between the risk factors of both histological types that affect their incidence and distribution worldwide.There are areas of high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma(some areas in China) that meet the requirements for cost-effectiveness of endoscopy for early diagnosis in the general population of those areas.In Europe and United States the predominant histologic subtype is adenocarcinoma.The role of early diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus remains controversial.The differences in the therapeutic management of early esophageal carcinoma(high-grade dysplasia,T1 a,T1 b,N0) between different parts of the world may be explained by the number of cancers diagnosed at an early stage.In areas where the incidence is high(China and Japan among others) early diagnoses is more frequent and has led to the development of endoscopic techniques for definitive treatment that achieve very effective results with a minimum number of complications and preserving the functionality of the esophagus.

Achalasia: A review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology,treatment and outcomes

Achalasia is a neurodegenerative motility disorder of the oesophagus resulting in deranged oesophageal peristalsis and loss of lower oesophageal sphincter function.Historically,annual achalasia incidence rates were believed to be low,approximately 0.5-1.2 per 100000.More recent reports suggest that annual incidence rates have risen to 1.6 per 100000 in some populations.The aetiology of achalasia is still unclear but is likely to be multi-factorial.Suggested causes include environmental or viral exposures resulting in inflammation of the oesophageal myenteric plexus,which elicits an autoimmune response.Risk of achalasia may be elevated in a sub-group of genetically susceptible people.Improvement in the diagnosis of achalasia,through the introduction of high resolution manometry with pressure topography plotting,has resulted in the development of a novel classification system for achalasia.This classification system can evaluate patient prognosis and predict responsiveness to treatment.There is currently much debate over whether pneumatic dilatation is a superior method compared to the Heller’s myotomy procedure in the treatment of achalasia.A recent com-parative study found equal efficacy,suggesting that patient preference and local expertise should guide the choice.Although achalasia is a relatively rare condition,it carries a risk of complications,including aspiration pneumonia and oesophageal cancer.The risk of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus is believed to be significantly increased in patients with achalasia,however the absolute excess risk is small.Therefore,it is currently unknown whether a surveillance programme in achalasia patients would be effective or cost-effective.