The need for objective diagnostic tools in people with alcohol intake abuse is one of the major needs in daily clinical practice. Determination of blood alcohol concentration is commonly used in cases of suspected acute alcohol intoxication, especially in the emergency room. A dose-dependent correlation between alcohol consumption and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a known index of excessive alcohol intake. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are frequently elevated (2-4 times above normal) in patients with alcohol use disorder and an AST/ALT ratio >2 is indicative of alcohol-related liver disease. Several studies highlighted a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT) levels, with increased values in about 75% of patients drinking >60 g/day of ethanol for at least 5 weeks. Also, 60-80 g of alcohol per day for a minimum of 2 weeks can result in increased carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) levels (normally less than 2% of total transferrin). Complete abstinence from alcohol leads to a normalization of CDT values in approximately 2-3 weeks. Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is detectable in urine from a minimum of 6 hours up to a maximum of 100 hours after alcohol intake. In-vitro studies showed that the levels of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in human red blood cells were proportional to ethanol concentration and exposure time, suggesting an important role in differentiating abstinence from unhealthy drinking. γGT and CDT are the most useful markers for monitoring chronic alcohol abstinence, whereas blood alcohol concentration and urinary EtG are the most valuable indexes of acute alcohol consumption. In conclusion, no specific laboratory marker alone is reliable to identify patients with alcohol abuse, thus the best diagnostic strategy includes combined index use in addition to other screening tools (i.e., clinical history/context and questionnaires).

Helicobacter pylori is responsible for several gastrointestinal disorders, of which gastric cancer is the most concerning. Given the racial and ethnic disparities seen with H. pylori infection and gastric cancer in the U.S., certain populations (immigrants, non-white racial groups) remain at high-risk. While several guidelines recommend screening for H. pylori in these high-risk groups, specific guidance on how to implement population screening and the cost-effectiveness of this approach is lacking. Here we discuss several controversies including the cost-effectiveness and implementation of a population-based H. pylori screening program, empiric vs. tailored therapy based on antibiotic susceptibility, and the role of potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) in H. pylori treatment. With the rapidly changing landscape of H. pylori management, here we review the latest studies and guidelines for practical clinical application.

Limited data exist regarding the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab (VDZ) in China's elderly adult population with ulcerative colitis (UC) in China. In this investigation, a comparative analysis of its efficacy and safety was performed between elderly and younger adult UC cohorts.

The global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached an alarming 25%, based on recent population-based studies. NAFLD diagnosis primarily relies on imaging methods, which may be invasive, costly, or limited. Existing prediction models, such as the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and NAFLD Liver Fat Score (NLFS), mainly incorporate metabolic parameters from Western populations and neglect non-metabolic factors, limiting their generalizability. To address these limitations, this study developed a screening model integrating both metabolic and non-metabolic indicators, tailored specifically to diverse populations undergoing routine physical examinations.

The role of infliximab therapeutic drug monitoring in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) management is unknown. We aimed to identify whether infliximab therapeutic drug monitoring is associated with ASUC outcomes.

Anthropometric measurements and lipid profiles are associated with the onset of gallstone disease, with these associations exhibiting sex-specific variations. This study investigated the association between the prevalence of gallstones and two anthropometric-lipid markers, namely Lipid Accumulation Products (LAP) and Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), while also assessing the presence of sex disparities.

Esophageal diseases (ED) are a common category of upper gastrointestinal disorders, mainly including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, achalasia, and esophageal cancer (EC). In recent years, the high recurrence rate of GERD and poor prognosis of EC are paid more attention, collectively contributing to the global burden of ED.

This study developed and validated prognostic nomograms incorporating inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers to predict disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with non-metastatic right-sided colon adenocarcinoma (NRCA).

Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) has promising potential in the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors, assessment of fibrosis, and prediction of chemotherapy efficacy. We hypothesize that radiation therapy might reduce variations in chemotherapeutic efficacy caused by fibrosis-induced blood flow disparities, as we explored the relationship between CH-EUS patterns and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) in resectable pancreatic cancer (PC).