High-dose amoxicillin and pantoprazole regimen for eradication: a multi-center, multinational randomized controlled trial.

Aim: The aim was to compare the efficacy of high-dose amoxicillin and pantoprazole dual therapy for (HP) eradication in comparison with the clarithromycin-based quadruple regimen.

Material And Methods: The study was designed as a double blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) on patients with confirmed HP infection referring to 8 medical centers in three countries - Iran, Egypt, and Vietnam - during October 2021 to March 2022. After obtaining written consent, the participants were randomly divided into two groups to receive either high-dose amoxicillin and pantoprazole dual therapy (group A) or the clarithromycin-based quadruple regimen (group B) for 2 weeks and followed by 4 weeks of therapy with pantoprazole.

Bio-inspired artificial mechanoreceptors with built-in synaptic functions for intelligent tactile skin.

Tactile perception involves the preprocessing of signals from slowly adapting and fast-adapting afferent neurons, which exhibit synapse-like interactions between mechanoreceptors and their dendrites or terminals, transmitting signals to the brain. Emulating these adaptation and sensory memory functions is crucial for artificial tactile sensing systems. Here, inspired by human tactile afferent systems, we present an array of artificial synaptic mechanoreceptors with built-in synaptic functions by vertically integrating synaptic transistors with a reduced graphene oxide channel, an ionogel gate dielectric and an elastomeric fingerprint-like receptive layer in an all-in-one platform.

Initiation of acute pancreatitis in mice is independent of fusion between lysosomes and zymogen granules.

The co-localization of the lysosomal protease cathepsin B (CTSB) and the digestive zymogen trypsinogen is a prerequisite for the initiation of acute pancreatitis. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of co-localization are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of lysosomes in the onset of acute pancreatitis by using two different experimental approaches.

Bio-Inspired Sensory Receptors for Artificial-Intelligence Perception.

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing interest in replicating human sensory perception. Selective and sensitive bio-inspired sensory receptors with synaptic plasticity have recently gained significant attention in developing energy-efficient AI perception. Various bio-inspired sensory receptors and their applications in AI perception are reviewed here.

Utilizing a High-Performance Piezoelectric Nanocomposite as a Self-Activating Component in Piezotronic Artificial Mechanoreceptors.

Challenges such as poor dispersion and insufficient polarization of BaTiO (BTO) nanoparticles (NPs) within poly(vinylidene fluoride--trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) composites have hindered their piezoelectricity, limiting their uses in pressure sensors, nanogenerators, and artificial sensory synapses. Here, we introduce a high-performance piezoelectric nanocomposite material consisting of P(VDF-TrFE)/modified-BTO (mBTO) NPs for use as a self-activating component in a piezotronic artificial mechanoreceptor. To generate high-performance piezoelectric nanocomposite materials, the surface of BTO is hydroxylated, followed by the covalent attachment of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane to improve the dispersibility of mBTO NPs within the P(VDF-TrFE) matrix.

Inflammatory bowel disease evolution in the past two decades: a chronological multinational study.

Background: The multifactorial nature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which manifests differently in individuals creates a need for a better understanding of the behaviour and pattern of the disease due to environmental factors. The current study aimed to study the changes in IBD behaviour, presentation, and characteristics in patients over the past two decades with a goal of improving patients' diagnosis, management and outcomes.

Methods: During a 6-month period (1/02/2022-30/07/2022), the information of patients with IBD who attended IBD outpatient clinics of 11 referral centre's in six countries was collected, and based on the first time of diagnosis with IBD, they were allocated as group A (those who were diagnosed more than 15 years ago), group B (those who were diagnosed with IBD between 5 and 15 years ago) and group C (IBD cases who diagnosed in recent 5 years).

Nutritional status in patients with chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis is related to disease conditions and not dietary habits.

Malnutrition is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Inadequate food intake is considered a relevant driver of malnutrition in both entities. However, the contribution of habitual diet to impaired nutritional status is unclear.

Metal-enhanced fluorescence biosensor integrated in capillary flow-driven microfluidic cartridge for highly sensitive immunoassays.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) for low-concentration protein biomarkers remains challenging due to limitations in biosensor sensitivity and platform integration. This study addresses this gap by presenting a novel approach that integrates a metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) biosensor within a capillary flow-driven microfluidic cartridge (CFMC) for the ultrasensitive detection of the Parkinson's disease biomarker, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex interacting multi-functional protein 2 (AIMP-2). Crucial point to this approach is the orientation-controlled immobilization of capture antibody on a nanodimple-structured MEF substrate within the CFMC.

Endoscopic and Histopathological Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Lymphoma: A Multicentric Study.

: Extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is more prevalent in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract than in other sites. This study aimed to determine the endoscopic characteristics of primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphomas. : We investigated 140 patients from three tertiary referral hospitals with primary malignant lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract.

Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors.

Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic profile: an international, multicenter, case-control study.

Background: As a gram-negative and microaerophilic bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the main cause of chronic gastritis. Therefore, considering the high prevalence of HP infection worldwide, as well as the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between HP infection eradication and metabolic profile.

Methods: This prospective case-control study was performed on patients with HP infection whom referred to 7 medical centers in 3 countries (Iran, Egypt, and Vietnam) in 2020-2021.

ORAL N-ACETYL CYSTEINE VERSUS RECTAL INDOMETHACIN FOR PREVENTION OF POST ERCP PANCREATITIS: A MULTICENTER MULTINATIONAL RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

Background: This multicenter multinational RCT designed to compare the efficacy of suppository indomethacin and NAC for prevention of PEP.

Methods: During a 6-month period, all of the ERCP cases in seven referral centers were randomly assigned to receive either 1200 mg oral NAC, indomethacin suppository 100 mg, 1200 mg oral NAC plus indomethacin suppository 100 mg or placebo 2 hours before ERCP. The primary outcomes were the rate and severity of any PEP.

Systemic Bile Acids Affect the Severity of Acute Pancreatitis in Mice Depending on Their Hydrophobicity and the Disease Pathogenesis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a major, globally increasing gastrointestinal disease and a biliary origin is the most common cause. However, the effects of bile acids (BAs), given systemically, on the pancreas and on disease severity remains elusive. In this study, we have investigated the roles of different circulating BAs in animal models for AP to elucidate their impact on disease severity and the underlying pathomechanisms.

IS DAIRY FOODS RESTRICTION MANDATORY FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS: A MULTINATIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: The role of dairy foods in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been controversial and it is debatable if patients with IBD should avoid milk and dairy products or not, as well as the relationship between these foods and symptoms among those population.

Objective: This multi centric cross-sectional study designed to evaluate if it is really necessary to deprive IBD patients from consumption of dairy foods.

Methods: A multicenter study with 12 gastroenterology referral centers in four countries was designed to evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after consumption of dairy foods from all outpatients with IBD during 6 months and to compare patients treated at the same centers without IBD (non IBD cases).

Identification of early predictors for infected necrosis in acute pancreatitis.

Background: In acute pancreatitis, secondary infection of pancreatic necrosis is a complication that mostly necessitates interventional therapy. A reliable prediction of infected necrotizing pancreatitis would enable an early identification of patients at risk, which however, is not possible yet.

Methods: This study aims to identify parameters that are useful for the prediction of infected necrosis and to develop a prediction model for early detection.

Erratum: Non-cardia early gastric cancer in Central Vietnam: noticeable uncommon background mucosa and results of endoscopic submucosal dissection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/a-1854-4587.].

A stretchable ultraviolet-to-NIR broad spectral photodetector using organic-inorganic vertical multiheterojunctions.

Stretchable broadband photodetectors (PDs) are attractive for applications in wearable optoelectronics and personal healthcare. However, the development of stretchable broadband PDs is limited by difficulties in obtaining materials, designing device structures, and finding reliable fabrication processes. Here, we report stretchable broadband PDs by forming organic-inorganic vertical multiheterojunctions on a three-dimensionally micro-patterned stretchable substrate (3D-MPSS).

Impact of COVID-19 on Endoscopy Training: Perspectives from a Global Survey of Program Directors and Endoscopy Trainers.

Background/aims: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the training of medical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to assess the global impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy training from the perspective of endoscopy trainers and to identify strategies implemented to mitigate the impact on trainee education.

Methods: Teaching faculty of gastroenterology (GI) training programs globally were invited to complete a 36-question web-based survey to report the characteristics of their training programs and the impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of endoscopy training, including what factors decisions were based on.

Adherence to Surveillance Guidelines after the Removal of Colorectal Polyps: A Multinational, Multicenter, Prospective Survey.

Background/aims: As the number of colonoscopies and polypectomies performed continues to increase in many Asian countries, there is a great demand for surveillance colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to investigate the adherence to postpolypectomy surveillance guidelines among physicians in Asia.

Methods: A survey study was performed in seven Asian countries.

Role of Bile Acids and Bile Salts in Acute Pancreatitis: From the Experimental to Clinical Studies.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastroenterological disorders leading to hospitalization. It has long been debated whether biliary AP, about 30% to 50% of all cases, is induced by bile acids (BAs) when they reach the pancreas via reflux or via the systemic blood circulation.Besides their classical function in digestion, BAs have become an attractive research target because of their recently discovered property as signaling molecules.

The global impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal endoscopy units: An international survey of endoscopists.

Background & Study Aims: Corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has markedly impacted routine medical services including gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. We aim to report the real-life performance in high volume GI endoscopy units during the pandemic.

Patients And Methods: A web-based survey covering all aspects of daily performance in GI endoscopy units was sent to endoscopy units worldwide.