Reflux esophagitis (RE) can progress to severe complications if not diagnosed and treated promptly. MIR99AHG is downregulated in the precursor disease of RE. This study aims to investigate the expression and regulatory mechanisms of MIR99AHG in RE. This study included 176 patients with RE. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MIR99AHG, miR-200a-3p, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 For cellular experiments: cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in cell culture supernatants were assessed using CCK-8 assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, and ELISA, respectively. DLR validated the binding between MIR99AHG and miR-200a-3p. ROC analysis evaluated their diagnostic value. Pearson correlation analysis assessed their relationship. In the RE and cell model groups, MIR99AHG expression was downregulated while miR-200a-3p expression was upregulated. MIR99AHG targeted and bound miR-200a-3p, negatively regulating its expression. Both demonstrated significant diagnostic value. Following modeling with acid salts and bile salts, cellular proliferation capacity decreased, apoptosis rates increased, and inflammatory factor levels rose. Upon overexpression of MIR99AHG, miR-200a-3p expression levels were downregulated, leading to enhanced cellular proliferation capacity, reduced apoptosis rates, and decreased inflammatory factor levels. MIR99AHG represents a promising clinical biomarker in RE. By downregulating miR-200a-3p levels, MIR99AHG may promote proliferation and repair of esophageal mucosal epithelial cells, inhibit excessive apoptosis, and mitigate local inflammatory responses, thereby exerting multifaceted protective effects during RE progression.

Lactose intolerance is a complex symptomatic response to lactose maldigestion that is influenced by, but not strictly determined by, the down- regulation of the enzyme lactase. Several nucleotide polymorphisms - 13910C > T (rs4988235), - 13907C > G (rs41525747), - 13915T > G (rs41380347), - 14010G > C (rs145946881) and -14009T > G (rs869051967) upstream of the LCT gene have been associated with lactase persistence in European, African and Middle Eastern populations. We aimed to study the prevalence of lactase-persistence associated variants of the LCT gene in the Libyan population and its correlation with digestive symptoms (heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, abdominal cramps,).Buccal DNA swabs were collected from 242 adult individuals from the western, southern and eastern regions of Libya. A 500 bp DNA region spanning the - 13910C > T variant was analyzed. Novel variants (-13883T > A, -13921A > C, -13961T > C and -13962C > A) were detected in the analyzed region in addition to the previously described - 13910C > T and -13915T > G variants. However, their functional impact on lactase expression remains to be determined. The prevalence of the lactase persistence phenotype was associated with the derived alleles -13910*T and -13915*G, which were collectively detected in 30% of the study participants. The allele frequency of the lactase persistence -13915*G variant was 0.133 (SD ± 0.016), whereas the frequency of the -13910*T allele was 0.029 (SD ± 0.008). The most common was the Arab variant - 13915T > G in the eastern region of Libya followed by the European - 13910C > T variant. Both novel and well-known variants of LCT gene associated with lactase persistence are common in Libyans. Further studies are needed to confirm the association of the novel discovered variants with lactase persistence.

Gastroesophageal reflux in young children is most commonly evaluated with gastroesophageal scintigraphy (milk scan); however, reflux may be incidentally identified on other nuclear medicine examinations. We report a case of gastroesophageal reflux extending to the upper esophagus incidentally detected on hepatobiliary scintigraphy performed for evaluation of suspected biliary dyskinesia in a 17-month-old boy.

Silent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an atypical form of reflux disease in which patients present predominantly with extra-esophageal manifestations rather than classic symptoms such as heartburn or acid regurgitation. In this form, gastric refluxate may reach the upper aerodigestive tract, leading to laryngeal or respiratory symptoms that are frequently misattributed to infectious or allergic conditions. The absence of typical gastrointestinal complaints often results in delayed diagnosis and repeated ineffective treatments. We report the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with acute dry cough and progressive hoarseness without gastrointestinal symptoms. After excluding infectious and allergic etiologies, and noting a poor response to antitussive and bronchodilator therapies, a presumptive clinical diagnosis was established. Recognition of dietary triggers and rapid symptom resolution following a 4-week empirical trial of proton pump inhibitor therapy-along with symptom recurrence upon temporary discontinuation-supported the diagnosis of silent GERD. This case highlights the importance of considering reflux-related etiologies in patients with unexplained cough and laryngeal symptoms to avoid diagnostic delays and unnecessary empirical treatments.

Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Less. is used as a traditional medicine in South Africa to treat tuberculosis, abdominal pains, heartburn, coughs, colds, female sterility, eczema and wounds. In Uganda, the leaves are used to treat dental/oral diseases. This review aims to provide detailed information on the traditional uses, essential oils, phytochemistry, in silico studies, and pharmacological studies and propose possible future research directions on this widely investigated species. The data was gathered from various online electronic databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, SciFinder, Wiley Online, SpringerLink, and PubMed. Reports on the essential oil composition of H. odoratissimum showed the dominance of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid compounds. Several studies also reported the isolation of the non-volatile compounds, which were mainly flavonoids and terpenes. The species has been reported to have pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antimycobacterial, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory activity and antityrosinase activity. The most important study on H. odoratissimum was a clinical trial in human participants in South Africa addressing its in vivo irritancy potential. However, further research on the clinical and scientific aspects is needed to justify some of its other medicinal uses.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive disorder with a substantial impact on quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviors are associated with the occurrence and severity of GERD symptoms; however, integrated data from Romania remain limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between pro- and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, lifestyle-related behavioral factors, and the presence and severity of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in an adult Romanian population. Methods: A national cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire. All participants included in the study reported a prior diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and participant classification was based exclusively on current symptomatology assessed using the GERD-Q score. Therefore, comparisons were not performed between patients and a healthy population, but rather between individuals at different stages of clinical expression of the same condition, characterized by a fluctuating course. The instrument included standardized GERD-Q items for symptom assessment, together with questions regarding dietary intake and lifestyle behaviors. Pro-inflammatory (PRO), anti-inflammatory (ANTI), and combined (PRO-ANTI) dietary scores were established. Statistical analyses included comparative and correlational tests as well as multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Among the 340 participants included in the study, 72.4% reported symptoms consistent with GERD according to the GERD-Q score. A higher pro-inflammatory dietary score was significantly associated with GERD, with participants in the highest PRO category showing more than a fourfold higher likelihood of GERD in multivariable analyses. Consumption of spicy foods and carbonated beverages was associated with an increased risk of GERD in univariate analyses; however, these associations did not remain significant in multivariable models. Late meals (defined as consumption of one's last meal of the day less than two hours before bedtime) were independently associated with GERD. Combined analyses indicated a higher risk among participants who reported eating late meals, particularly when combined with large evening meals. Most foods considered protective, along with classical lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleeping position), were not independently associated with GERD. Conclusions: These findings suggest that overall dietary patterns with pro-inflammatory potential and meal timing in relation to the sleep-wake cycle may be more consistently associated with GERD symptoms in this sample than isolated food items or traditional lifestyle risk factors. Nutritional and behavioral interventions focused on improving overall dietary patterns and avoiding late meals may represent potential strategies for GERD management.

Background/Objectives. Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) significantly affects patients' quality of life (QoL). However, data on disease severity and its correlation with QoL among Vietnamese patients remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, symptom severity, and the relationship between symptom burden and quality of life in patients with IBS-D in Vietnam. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with IBS-D based on the Rome IV criteria at an outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital. Disease severity and QoL were assessed using the IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) and the standardized Vietnamese version of the IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) questionnaire, respectively. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and overlap syndromes were also recorded. Results. Among the 123 patients enrolled (mean age 42.6 ± 14.5 years; 55.3% female), the median IBS-SSS score was 175 (interquartile range: 140-225), and the median IBS-QoL score was 72 (interquartile range: 54-85). The prevalence of overlap syndromes was relatively high, with functional dyspepsia accounting for 46.3% and gastroesophageal reflux disease for 8.9%. A moderate inverse correlation was observed between IBS-SSS and IBS-QoL scores (r = -0.494; p < 0.001). Notably, patients with severe IBS (IBS-SSS ≥ 300) had significantly higher rates of smoking (44.4% vs. 13.2%; p = 0.012) and diabetes (22.2% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.047) compared to the non-severe group. Conclusions. IBS-D imposes a substantial symptom burden and significantly reduces the quality of life in Vietnamese patients, particularly among those with severe disease. The high prevalence of overlap syndromes, along with contributing factors like smoking and diabetes, further increase the complexity and severity of the condition.

Hiatal hernia is a complex pathology, associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and for which management involves complex surgical treatment. Knowing the role of gastropexy in reducing postoperative recurrences, the current study aimed to highlight the intraoperative advantages and results of this surgical technique. Our study includes 29 patients aged between 34 and 84 years. Regarding the mechanism of occurrence, two thirds of the patients presented with mixed hiatal hernias (65.52%), 31.03% with sliding hiatal hernias, and 3.45% with paraesophageal hiatal hernias. The hernia size played a decisive role in the choice of surgical procedure, whereby for large hernias (with a diameter of over 7 cm), the Nissen procedure associated with gastropexy was preferred. For hernias with a diameter of less than 7 cm, the Nissen procedure associated with hernia orifice repair was performed. For hernias between 5 and 6 cm, gastropexy was also performed. Statistical analysis revealed a close correlation between the surgical procedure and the hernia size, with p = 0.005. Out of a total of 29 patients, 18 patients had gastropexy and 11 were without gastropexy. The association of gastropexy does not increase hospitalization costs, but in the long term, it has the advantage of reducing relapse.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a complex inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent wheals and pruritus lasting longer than six weeks, often resulting in significant impairment in quality of life, sleep disturbance, and psychological distress. Although the majority of cases are classified as chronic spontaneous urticaria without identifiable triggers, a growing body of literature suggests that persistent infections may contribute to disease pathogenesis through immune-mediated mechanisms. Helicobacter pylori infection has been increasingly investigated because of its ability to induce chronic systemic inflammation, autoantibody production, and mast cell activation. We present a case of a 34-year-old male with a two-year history of recurrent urticaria that progressed to near-daily episodes over a three-month period. The patient also reported chronic dyspeptic symptoms including heartburn and epigastric discomfort. Laboratory investigations revealed normal complete blood count parameters, normal liver function tests, normal total IgE levels, and mildly elevated C-reactive protein. Stool antigen testing confirmed H. pylori infection and endoscopy demonstrated chronic gastritis. Following completion of eradication therapy, the patient remained symptom-free for two consecutive months, with subsequent stool antigen testing confirming successful eradication. This report highlights the potential pathogenetic role of H. pylori infection in selected patients with chronic urticaria and emphasizes the importance of targeted evaluation based on clinical presentation.