Gastroenterology Commons^™

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Colocolic Fistula: A Rare Consequential Presentation Of Cecal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, Jessica Rutyna, Paige Stratton, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Anthony V. Baratta Jr

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Relative to a 5-year survival rate, CRC patients diagnosed with localized disease accrue a 90% survival rate while those diagnosed with distant-stage disease maintain 14% survival. Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a unique subtype of CRC characterized by the presence of extracellular mucin occupying 50% of tumor expansion. Fistula complications of colonic malignancy have rarely been reported and more commonly occur as complications of diverticulitis. Colocolic fistulae are atypical consequences of colon cancer, which have been rarely reported. We wish to report a unique case …

Metastatic Breast Cancer Found During Colon Cancer Screening, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Tausif Syed, Meenal Sharma, Jay Bapaye, Ahmed Shehadah, Alexander T. Kusnik, Ali Jaan, Richard Alweis, Andrej Strapko

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

No abstract provided.

Bouveret's Syndrome: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Sheza Malik, Hajra Khan, Jay Bapaye, Asim Mushtaq

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Bouveret syndrome is an exceedingly rare complication of cholelithiasis, characterized by gastric or intestinal obstruction due to the impaction of one or more gallstones in the proximal gastrointestinal tract. We present a case of an elderly woman with multiple comorbidities who presented with gastric outlet obstruction caused by a cholecystogastric fistula. The management and treatment of Bouveret syndrome present a challenge, as endoscopic retrieval is the first-line treatment strategy, but it is rarely successful. Most patients ultimately require surgery as was seen in our case

Adult Ileoileal Intussusception Caused By Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Scarlet Louis-Jean, Shire Chaudhry, Stephanie Richards

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Adult intussusception is a rare diagnosis that can be caused by non-Hodgkin’s diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this case report, we discuss a middle-aged man who presented with non-specific symptoms of intussusception and absence of classic B symptoms. He was found to have intussusception secondary to stage IIIE, CD20 positive DLBCL. The patient underwent small bowel resection with anastomosis, followed by 6 cycles of R-CHOP, which resulted in complete remission of his neoplasm. In reporting this case, we hope to further highlight the role of malignancy in intussusception and guidance on appropriate therapy.

Slow Surgical Correction Affects More Than Just The Bowels, Emilia M. Clementi

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

Reflection on how delayed colostomy reversal affects a patient's mental and physical well-being.

Periodontal Status And Inflammatory Markers In Gingival Crevicular Fluid Of Patients With Periodontitis And Colorectal Cancer, Sandu Râmboiu, Flavia Mirela Nicolae, Andrada Soancă, Dorin Nicolae Gheorghe, Dora Maria Popescu, Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu, Dragoș Nicolae Mărgăritescu, Adina Turcu-Știolica, Mihail Virgil Boldeanu, Valeriu Marin Șurlin, Dan Ionuț Gheonea, Petra Șurlin

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Objectives. The present pilot study was carried out to evaluate the periodontal status, the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in gingival crevicular fluid on hospitalized patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods. The sample of our study was represented by 74 patients with colorectal cancer. They were assigned to one of the two study groups, based on cancer’s stages, as follows: (i) stage III-IV: 51 patients (A-group); (ii) stage I-II: 23 patients (B-group). For each participant periodontal parameters were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected and immunologically assessed. Results. Statistically significant differences were found between …

Diabetes Mellitus: Interdisciplinary Medical, Surgical And Psychological Therapeutic Approach, Bogdan Socea, Adrian Silaghi, Laura Florentina Rebegea, Daniela Gabriela Balan, Cristian Balalau, Tiberiu Ștefăniță Tenea-Cojan, Doina Andrada Mihai, Ioana Paunica

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Diabetes mellitus is a complex and widespread metabolic disease, having extremely complex implications (biological, psychological, social) for patients. Understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes (majorly influenced by various factors such as genetic predisposition, age, lifestyle choices, etc.) is essential for the prevention of this condition and the establishment of effective treatment strategies. The latest and relevant literature data related to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diabetes are presented, after an exhaustive review of the articles published on this topic and indexed in the WOS, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes can be achieved …

Gastric Cancer; Actualities And Perspectives Of Early Diagnosis And Targeted Therapy, Adrian Silaghi, Laura Florentina Rebegea, Daniela Gabriela Balan, Anca Dumitriu, Stana Paunica, Cristian Balalau, Stefăniță Tenea Cojan, Dragos Epistatu, Vlad Denis Constantin

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Gastric cancer is an extremely aggressive form of malignancy that, if left untreated, is life-threatening. Improved survival rates depend on early detection of the disease, as well as on the combination of different forms of treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.). Screening methods have brought real benefit in early detection of malignancies, but many cases are still diagnosed at advanced stages. The current study is a review related to actualities and perspectives of early diagnosis and targeted therapy of gastric cancer. After an extensive review of the literature, epidemiological, diagnostic and treatment data are presented. The open surgical approach is …

Barrett's Esophagus As A Premalignant Condition; Medical And Surgical Therapeutic Management, Vlad Denis Constantin, Adrian Silaghi, Laura Florentina Rebegea, Stana Paunica, Anca Silvia Dumitriu, Doina Andrada Mihai, Ioana Paunica, Dragos Epistatu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Barrett's esophagus (BE) represents a special clinical entity, which may have reduced symptoms, but an increased potential for malignant degeneration. The factors that lead to the appearance of Barrett's esophagus are multiple, the most important being gastro-esophageal reflux, as well as smoking and obesity. BE occurs as a result of damage of the esophageal mucosa, caused by acid/basic gastroesophageal reflux and resulting in the transformation of the epithelium from squamous to intestinal type. The diagnosis of BE is primarily based on endoscopic examination. This method has not only a diagnostic role, but also a therapeutic one through the minimally invasive …

A Case Report And A Review Of Pediatric Hepatoblastoma, Anthony D. Derenzi, Audrey Bowen

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Hepatoblastoma is a rare pediatric cancer. Approximately 100 cases of hepatoblastoma are reported per year. Due to the limited incidence of this disorder an internationally agreed- upon criteria was developed to classify patients as standard or high-risk. Studies involving chemotherapeutic agents, surgery, and liver transplants have been demonstrated to improve the disease-free survival rate. The combination of chemotherapeutic agents and surgery demonstrated the ability of these regimens to downgrade the initial diagnostic staging of tumors and transform previously unresectable tumors into resectable tumors.

Case Presentation

The following case of hepatoblastoma presents a 4-year-old male who presented to the emergency …

Proton Pump Inhibitor Use And Adverse Effects In South Atlantic Hospitals, Nicholas D'Angelo, Ramyar Sigarchy, Anthony Esswein, Sidra Asrar

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have transformed the management of acid-related gastrointestinal disorders, becoming one of the top-selling medications in the United States. There is no doubt that PPIs have a significant therapeutic impact on patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. However, evidence is mounting that PPIs are overprescribed, leading to more patients possibly experiencing adverse effects. There is a great deal of ongoing debate surrounding the significance and impact of these adverse effects.

Methods

We conducted a study in 9 HCA hospitals in the southeastern United States to determine the number of patients who started on PPIs …

Oral Dosages Of The Nsaid Aspirin Decreased The Growth Rate Of Species Found In The Human Gut Microbiome Including Akkermansia Muciniphila, Bacteroides Fragilis, Clostridium Sordellii, And Clostridium Difficile, Wyatt H. Greenbaum, Garrett J. Greenbaum, Anna Spiezio

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Over past few decades, new insight has been revealed in the scientific community about the importance of the human gut microbiome relating to general health. It is known that imbalances in the species that reside in the human gut can cause organism-wide problems in humans. When prescribing or injecting oral medications, the thought of the downstream effects on the gut microbiome are not always considered. By exposing known healthy members of the gut; Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium sordellii, and Clostridium difficile to the Aspirin, this study attempted to provide insight into the effects of the drug on bacterial growth. …

Biliary Dyskinesia In Stiff Person Syndrome: An Association Between Reduced Gaba Production And Gastroenteric Dysmotility, Scarlet Louis-Jean, Nirav Agrawal, Shire Chaudhry, Adrien Mazer

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) and biliary dyskinesia are two rare but potentially debilitating conditions that can significantly impact quality of life. SPS is a rare neurological disorder characterized by muscle stiffness, rigidity, and muscle spasms that primarily affect the trunk and limbs and is associated with extra-axial manifestations involving the gastrointestinal tract. Biliary dyskinesia is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abnormal gallbladder emptying, leading to symptoms of intense abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Despite their distinct clinical presentations, studies have suggested a possible connection between the two disorders. This link may be due to involvement of similar neurotransmitters and autoantibodies …

Acute Esophageal Necrosis And Duodenal Disease In The Setting Of Recently Initiated Chemotherapy, Kulveer Dabb, Ryan Jansen Van Rensburg, Heba Yusuf, Daniel Klein, Alexander D. Lake, Mohamed Kaif

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), commonly referred to as “black esophagus” or Gurvits syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by diffuse black mucosa in the distal esophagus. Most often, the patient is an older male with multiple comorbidities, presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The exact pathogenesis is unclear, but it is often thought to be secondary to acute vascular hypo-perfusion or ischemia of the esophageal mucosa in critically ill patients with certain secondary comorbid conditions such as renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, malnourishment, alcohol abuse, or association with an underlying malignancy.

Case Presentation

We present a case …

Adenocarcinoma Of The Transverse Colon Presenting As Anterior Abdominal Wall Abscess, Jenn Klein, Nima Avin, Sunil Gandhi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Locally invasive colon carcinoma comprises a small fraction of the incidence of colon carcinoma. Complications, such as perforation and obstruction, can occur in less than 0.5% of cases and often present differently based on location.

Case Presentation

We present a case of an 85-year-old woman who presented with an acute abdominal wall abscess which was caused by perforation of transverse colon carcinoma.

Conclusion

En-bloc resection increases 5-year survival, and adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the risk of recurrence in patients with stage II resectable colon carcinoma.

The Utility Of Fecal Calprotectin In The Diagnosis And Management Of Microscopic Colitis, Busara Songtanin, Abbie Evans, Kenneth Nugent, Vanessa Costilla

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background: The incidence of microscopic colitis has increased over time. To date, there is no specific biomarker for microscopic colitis, and the diagnosis relies on histopathological tissue obtained during colonoscopy which is an invasive and costly procedure. Unlike Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the utility of fecal calprotectin in diagnosing or monitoring microscopic colitis has not been established, and studies on the role of fecal calprotectin in microscopic colitis are limited. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the utility of this biomarker in the diagnosis of microscopic colitis. Methods: The medical records of patients who have been diagnosed with collagenous …

Gastrointestinal Bleeding As Initial Manifestation Of Injection Drug Use-Associated Amyloidosis, Mohammed Rifat Shaik, Nishat Anjum Shaikh, Elvina Yunasan, Erika Wheeler, Robert T Chow

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Systemic amyloidosis has been reported in the context of injection drug use, usually related to ongoing chronic inflammation and persistent cutaneous infections. The kidneys are almost always the first organs affected in that setting. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is less common and rarely the initial site of presentation. We present a case of systemic amyloidosis that primarily manifested in the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in the setting of chronic injection drug use. The patient's hemoglobin level dropped progressively over time due to ongoing, slow gastrointestinal bleeding, prompting an endoscopic examination that ultimately confirmed the presence of gastrointestinal amyloidosis. As the …

Recurrent Psychosis In Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Scarlet Louis-Jean, Shire Chaudhry

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Neuropsychological manifestations following food exposures in patients with food sensitivities are increasingly being identified in the literature, as understanding of the gut-brain axis is further improved. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) has been shown to occur in individuals without serological or biopsied evidence of celiac disease (CD), who manifest psychotic or mood disorders that resolve following elimination of gluten. In this case history, we discuss a similar manifestation in a 31-year-old woman without serological evidence of CD, whose psychiatric symptoms improve with gluten elimination.

Prevalence And Impact Of Gastrointestinal Manifestations In Covid-19 Patients: A Systematic Review, Bassam Hossain, Shoreh Qazi, Sumair Ahmad, Atif Saleem, Amanke Oranu, Fahad Malik

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background and Objective: The aim of this study is to systematically analyze and summarize the implications of COVID-19 on the digestive system by quantitatively evaluating the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, anorexia. reported in COVID-19 cases. We simultaneously investigated other variables to determine the association of such symptoms in COVID-19 patients which can potentially influence the disease prognosis and outcome. This systematic review presents an updated literature on the issue as it requires more scientific discussion in order to better inform the medical community and authorities so that appropriate measures can be taken …

Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Compared To Alternative Surgical Techniques For The Treatment Of Grade Ii-Iv Haemorrhoids: A Systematic Review, Dayna Van De Hoef, Aisling Hogan

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Background. Haemorrhoidal disease is a common disorder in the Western World that commonly requires surgical treatment, but original open techniques were associated with significant complications and pain. Haemorrhoidal Arterial Ligation (HAL) has gained popularity for relatively low complication and postoperative pain rates. This review assesses clinical outcomes of this technique in comparison to alternative modern techniques. Methods. The literature was searched on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. Search terms: dearterialization, artery ligation, mucopexy, recto-anal repair. Inclusion criteria: RCTs, original publications, grade II, III and/or grade IV haemorrhoids, elective procedures. Exclusion criteria: non-English, non-adults, published pre-2016. Results. 14 …

Matrix Gla Protein – A New Marker For Colorectal Cancer Detection? A Systematic Review, Mirela-Georgiana Perné, Lorena Ciumărnean, Olga-Hilda Orășan, Vasile Negrean, Teodora-Gabriela Alexescu, Mircea Vasile Milaciu, Ioana Roșca, Răzvan Dan Togănel, Gabriel Emil Petre, Lucia Procopcoiuc, Cristina Drugan, Alexandra Crăciun

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Background. Colorectal cancer is a real public health issue, with high morbidity and severe impact on quality of life. Although mortality from this type of cancer is decreasing due to modern diagnostic and treatment methods, the understanding of its genetic and molecular mechanisms is important to develop a broader range of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Genetic therapy is an important strategy in cancer treatment, and the matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene expression has been described in numerous studies as increased in tumour pathology. In this article, we have summarized the currently available evidence on the connection between MGP and colorectal …

Impact Of Risk Factors On The Evolution Of Severe Acute Pancreatitis, Andra Maria Trotea, Raluca Grigorescu, Dragos Serban, Radu Palade, Simona Balasescu, Cristian Mihai Branescu, Daniel Radu, Corneliu Tudor, Tiberiu Alexandru Trotea

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Introduction. Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is an acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas with increasing incidence and mortality rates in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of age, comorbidities, and different scoring systems on the complications and outcomes of SAP. Materials and Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on 161 patients diagnosed and treated for SAP at the Bucharest University Hospital in the intensive care unit (ICU), in the period 2014-2021. The impact of risk factors for the development of SAP, occurrence of complications (respiratory, cardiac, etc.), length of hospital stays and mortality was …

Tips And Tricks For Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy In The Patient With Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; A Case Report, Carmen Popa, Andrei Moisin, Mihai Faur, Mihaela Racheriu, Ramona Coca, Cristian Mihai Branescu, Tiberiu Trotea, Denisa Tănăsescu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Laparoscopic surgery in patients with ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is challenging in terms of technical approach. The severity of possible complications and the lack of studies on this association increase the surgeon's discomfort with such surgery. The main complications that may occur are increased intracranial pressure, secondary pneumo-peritoneum pneumocephalus, encephalitis and the risk of catheter injury during laparoscopic procedures. We present the case of a 56-year-old patient operated in 2004 for a basilar artery top aneurysm with subarachnoid hemorrhage and secondary hydrocephalus, for which a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was fitted. This patient presented in our clinic with diffuse abdominal pain, more accentuated in …

Acute Lithiasis Cholecystitis; Particularities Of Diagnosis And Treatment In The Elderly, Adrian Silaghi, Bogdan Socea, Petrisor Banu, Vlad Dumitru Baleanu, Dragos Epistatu, Ioana Paunica, Vlad Denis Constantin

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Objectives. The incidence of acute cholecystitis increases with age, when patients usually associate additional comorbidities. Such comorbidities and the late presentation to the doctor make the treatment more complex, associating higher rates of complications. The present study aims to evaluate the methods of diagnosis and treatment applied to a group of older patients with acute cholecystitis. Materials and Methods. 585 patients were enrolled in the study between 2019 and 2023. The inclusion criteria in the study were represented by the presence of the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in patients over 65 years of age, while patients who presented complex locoregional …

Diagnosis And Management Of Colon Cancer Patients Presenting In Advanced Stages Of Complications, Vlad Denis Constantin, Adrian Silaghi, Dragos Epistatu, Anca Silvia Dumitriu, Stana Paunica, Daniela Gabriela Bălan, Bogdan Socea

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Colorectal cancer is an important health problem with a significant impact on the individual and society. Malignancy (including colorectal cancer) is usually slightly symptomatic in its initial stages. This causes cancer to be discovered in some patients accidentally (either through screening tests in predisposed individuals or during routine investigations for other diseases), while in other patients the colorectal cancer is discovered in late stages, when the symptoms are much more intense due to complications. Unfortunately, such advanced cases of the disease have high rates of morbidity and mortality even with treatment. Current treatment methods are usually complex, interdisciplinary, causing significant …