Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital hypothesized that differences in mucosal gene transcript expression might explain the differences in PPI treatment response. Instead, they found the transcriptional profiles in patients with PPI-responsive and -nonresponsive eosinophilic esophagitis are remarkably similar.

Researchers in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy at Brigham and MIT address limitations of metals in medical devices by using liquid metal embrittlement, long viewed as a failure mechanism to be avoided, to stimulate on-demand breakdown of solid aluminum.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently presented evidence of novel mechanisms by which intelectin-1 may affect an individual’s susceptibility to inflammation in the colon.

Colorectal cancer surgeon Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, and emergency medicine physician Eric Goralnick, MD, MS, created a Ukrainian-language Stop the Bleed video that shows laypeople how to care for a traumatic injury. This is just one of Dr. Melnitchouk’s many efforts to improve trauma—and cancer—care in Ukraine.

Joshua R. Korzenik, MD, director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues have created an interactive, mobile-delivered elimination diet program for IBS and dual IBS/IBD that’s powered by machine learning that delivers precise and personalized recommendations.

Brigham researchers found that patients with higher pre-operative levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin respond better to gastric bypass surgery than those with lower levels. Minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon Ali Tavakkoli, MD, says this suggests a crucial role for ghrelin in driving postoperative outcomes.

A study at the Mayo Clinic is the first to examine broadly and systematically the impact of patients’ limited English proficiency (LEP) on procedure-related gastroenterology care. In an editorial, Mass General Brigham clinicians comment on the study results, its limitations, and directions for additional research.

High-resolution anoscopy can be a helpful tool for identifying precancerous lesions in the anal canal. Colon and rectal surgeon James Yoo, MD, and infectious disease specialist Jennifer A. Johnson, MD, both of the Brigham, developed and recently hosted a course to educate colorectal fellows on the technique.

Select patients with complex ventral hernias may benefit from a technique that employs Botox injections to relax the abdominal muscles before surgery, enabling the surgeon to complete the hernia repair less invasively. The Brigham’s Eric G. Sheu, MD, PhD, and Daniel I. Glazer, MD, discuss the benefits of this approach.