Implementation and Analysis of a 5-Year Online Esophageal Motility Curriculum for Gastroenterology Fellows.

BACKGROUND: Motility disorders are frequently encountered in gastroenterology (GI) practice, yet a national structured training curriculum for GI fellows in motility disorders is lacking. Since GI fellowships vary considerably in opportunities for specialized esophageal motility (EM) training, novel educational technology may be leveraged to provide standardized EM curriculum to train GI fellows in esophageal manometry. METHODS: GI fellows participated in an online EM learning program at a single academic center from 2017 to 2022. Fellows answered case-based questions and were provided with evidence-based, corrective feedback related to core EM learning objectives. The primary outcome was change in knowledge and comfort in interpretation and clinical application of EM studies. RESULTS: Sixty-nine fellows actively participated in the online EM curriculum. 65 fellows completed a pre-curriculum test, and 54 fellows completed a post-curriculum test. There was a cumulative improvement between pre-curriculum test and post-curriculum test scores from 70 to 87%, respectively (p < 0.001). Fellows had a mean improvement of 19% in questions as they progressed through the curriculum. Prior to enrolling in the EM course, 26% of fellows felt comfortable in interpreting EM studies compared to 54% of fellows after completion of the program (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An online, technology-based curriculum was effective in educating GI fellows on core competencies of EM. Fellows demonstrated improvement in proficiency of clinically important EM studies and increased comfort in interpreting EM studies. Further studies are needed to evaluate the use of technology-based learning to widely disseminate a structured training curriculum in EM, particularly in training programs without a motility presence.

Two cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults: experience at a single centre in Sydney.

We report two cases of middle-aged men who presented with clinical features that satisfied the diagnostic criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A). Both patients were treated for toxic shock syndrome and MIS-A and have recovered. The purpose of this article is to communicate our experience and challenges of assessing and treating this condition and to raise awareness of the condition.

Safety of Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in Pregnant Patients with Known or Suspected Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is crucial in the diagnosis and staging of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there are limited safety data in pregnant populations, resulting in conservative society guidelines and practice patterns favoring diagnostic delay. We studied whether performance of flexible sigmoidoscopy is associated with adverse events in pregnant patients with known or suspected IBD. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) between April 2008 and April 2019. Female patients aged between 18 and 48 years who were pregnant at the time of endoscopy were identified. All patient records were reviewed to determine disease, pregnancy outcomes, and lifestyle factors. Two independent reviewers performed the data abstraction. Adverse events were assessed for temporal relation with endoscopy. RESULTS: We report the outcomes of 48 pregnant patients across all trimesters who underwent lower endoscopy for suspected or established IBD. There were no hospitalizations or adverse obstetric events temporally associated with sigmoidoscopy. 78% (38/50) of lower endoscopies performed in the patients resulted in a change in treatment following sigmoidoscopy. 12% (5/43) of the lower endoscopies performed in patients with known IBD showed no endoscopic evidence of disease activity despite symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Lower endoscopy in the pregnant patient with known or suspected IBD is low risk and affects therapeutic decision making. It should not be delayed in patients with appropriate indications.

Immunosuppression of Macrophages Underlies the Cardioprotective Effects of CST (Catestatin).

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Epiphrenic diverticula: An added source of complexity in achalasia management.

Epiphrenic (pulsion) esophageal diverticula can occur in the setting of underlying esophageal motility disorders such as achalasia and present a unique management challenge to the gastroenterologist. Asymptomatic diverticula do not require treatment, but symptomatic diverticula require therapy targeted to the underlying esophageal motility disorder, or else the diverticula will recur. Generally, laparoscopic or combined laparoscopic/thoracoscopic myotomy, diverticulectomy, and anterior fundoplication are required. However, therapeutic options for epiphrenic diverticula are evolving as peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) becomes more commonplace. We review two cases of achalasia complicated by epiphrenic diverticula at our institution. In the first case, type II achalasia was identified and the patient underwent laparoscopic myotomy. In the second case, type III achalasia was present and the patient underwent successful POEM. We discuss the presentation, pathophysiology, and management of epiphrenic diverticula as well as the expanding role for POEM in diverticula.

Role of dermal-epidermal basement membrane zone in skin, cancer, and developmental disorders.

The dermal-epidermal basement membrane zone is an important epithelial and stromal interface, consisting of an intricately organized collection of intracellular, transmembrane, and extracellular matrix proteins. The basement membrane zone has several main functions including acting as a permeability barrier, forming an adhesive interface between epithelial cells and the underlying matrix, and controlling cellular organization and differentiation. This article identifies key molecular players of the dermal-epidermal membrane zone, and highlights recent research studies that have identified structural and functional roles of these components in the context of various blistering, neoplastic, and developmental syndromes.