by Chandra Sekhar Devulapalli

Received: 07 July 2021;  Published: 22 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103059

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a debatable condition that affects less than 6% of children. The absence of specific diagnostic markers and standardized diagnostic procedures make the diagnosis of NCGS challenging, covering patients with different and varied symptoms. Generally, the parents of small and younger children introduce a gluten-free diet (GFD) based on their personal experiences and expectations. Additionally, a “fad component” exists, contributing to the recent rise in the popularity of GFD. Thu [...]

by Hiroyuki Kashiwagi  , Ayumi Ito  , Harutaka Kambayashi  , Shun Murasugi  , Teppei Omori  , Maria Yonezawa  , Shinichi Nakamura  and Katsutoshi Tokushige

Received: 10 August 2020;  Published: 09 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103058

Anti-TNFα Therapy are used to induce remission and as maintenance therapy in refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) to achieve mucosal healing (MH). However, the time at which mucosal healing should be assessed is unclear. We retrospectively examined the optimal timing for colonoscopy and the criteria to determine the need for the continuation of treatment. We evaluated 44 UC patients that were treated with anti-TNFα Therapy and categorized them into the following groups according to the degree of MH within 12 months: [...]

by Víctor Escrich  , Angela Martinez Herreros  , Berta Lapeña  , Marta Mayorga  , Antonio Cuadrado  , Javier Crespo  and Emilio Fabrega

Received: 01 March 2021;  Published: 21 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2102057

The reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a rare cause of acute gastritis in adults. About 30 cases have been reported in the literature, mostly with immunocompromised patients and mainly after bone marrow transplantation or during the development of malignant hematological diseases. Clinically, it is usually accompanied by cutaneous manifestations. Here, we studied a case of VZV gastritis in a liver transplant (LT) patient. We described the main symptoms, endoscopic findings, histologic changes, and [...]

by Anita H Kelleher  and Angelos K Sikalidis

Received: 09 November 2020;  Published: 05 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2101056

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns due to its rich provision of phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, polyunsaturated, omega-3, and short-chain fatty acids through a variety of foods. The supply of such nutrients and bioactive components can support gut health and reduce systemic inflammation, with accumulating evidence from several human studies demonstrating the utility of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of chronic and metabolic diseases. Further stu [...]

by Gregor Reid  , Azza A. Gadir  , Scarlett Puebla Barragan  and Raja Dhir

Received: 11 December 2020;  Published: 01 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2101055

The human intestinal microbiota represents a complex microbial community that plays an essential role in the maintenance of host health. Over the last decade, metagenomic and metabolomic analyses have revealed the influence of intestinal microbial diversity and composition on a range of biological functions in the host. While overall taxonomic composition of the intestinal microbiome is informative, changes in spatial dynamics within the community also have profound biological significance as microbial functions ar [...]

by OBM Hepatology and Gastroenterology

Received: 04 January 2021;  Published: 05 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2101054

The editors of OBM Hepatology and Gastroenterology would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2020. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificat [...]

by Meir Djaldetti  , Chiya Moshe Leibovitch  and Hanna Bessler

Received: 28 June 2020;  Published: 19 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2004053

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of a multi-species probiotic (MSP) on cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and their immune dialogue with HT-29 colon cancer cells. PBMCs were incubated with MSP and their effect on cell proliferation and TNFα, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-10, and IL-1ra production was evaluated. The impact of MSP on the cytokine production by PBMC stimulated by HT-29 cells was detected. Not-stimulated PBMC incubated with MSP showed increased produc [...]

by Ivan M. Lang

Received: 17 August 2020;  Published: 02 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2004052

Several digestive tract reflexes involving the esophagus and its sphincter muscles have been identified, but to date, no comprehensive review has addressed most of these reflexes. The current review presents the known physiology of different esophageal reflexes in which either the esophagus or its sensory or motor portion of the reflex response is elaborated. The current review comprehensively examines the known and possible mechanisms underlying major esophageal reflexes, highlights the huge gaps in current knowle [...]

by Richard A. Manfready  , Jack Husney  , Swan Thung  and Ilan S. Weisberg

Received: 04 March 2020;  Published: 25 September 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2003051

Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease may be susceptible to non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, now referred to as porto-sinusoidal vascular disease. Here we describe a patient treated with long-term azathioprine for Crohn’s disease who developed porto-sinusoidal vascular disease with obliterative portal venopathy without nodular regenerative hyperplasia on histology. Specific signs of portal hypertension were present, including porto-systemic collaterals on imaging. Histopathol [...]

by Monika Pliszka  and Leszek Szablewski

Received: 06 March 2020;  Published: 07 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2003050

The human gut is a house to approximately 1,000 different species of bacteria. The bacterial composition of gut microbiota is influenced by several factors, including age, sex, mode of delivery, geographical location, ethnicity, diet, drugs, and administration of prebiotics and/or probiotics. Similarly, human health depends on the composition of gut microbiome, with gut bacteria playing a crucial role in human physiology. For instance, gut microbiota synthesizes vitamins and amino acids, and affects the biotransfor [...]