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ESG delays gastric emptying, induces early satiation, and significantly reduces body weight. ESG could be an alternative to bariatric surgery for selected patients with obesity. ClincialTrials.gov number: NCT 01682733.

Our meta-analysis indicates that targeted biopsies with acetic acid chromoendoscopy, electronic chromoendoscopy by using narrow-band imaging, and endoscope-based CLE meet the thresholds set by the ASGE PIVI, at least when performed by endoscopists with expertise in advanced imaging techniques. The ASGE Technology Committee therefore endorses using these advanced imaging modalities to guide targeted biopsies for the detection of dysplasia during surveillance of patients with previously nondysplastic BE, thereby replacing the currently used random biopsy protocols.

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The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to be 25% and continues to rise worldwide in the setting of the obesity epidemic. This increase is especially concerning because NAFLD is often a progressive disease that can be associated with significant complications such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and an increase in liver-related and overall mortality. Because of the devastating complications and comorbidities, NAFLD is a very costly disease for the healthcare system, with estimated annual direct medical costs exceeding $100 billion in the United States alone. Given this progressive course, it is imperative to make the diagnosis in patients with risk factors (metabolic syndrome, weight gain, and insulin resistance/diabetes). Once the diagnosis is made, the focus should shift to treatment and monitoring for the development of associated complications. Given that currently no pharmaceutical intervention is approved for the treatment of NAFLD, focus shifts instead to mitigation of risk factors through avoidance of foods that are rich in red meat, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and high-fructose corn syrup; are low fiber; and have high energy density. The landmark of treatment, however, continues to be weight loss and improvement of insulin resistance, often through a multimodality approach. The current manuscript reviews the clinical phenotypes of NAFLD, its risk factors, and pathogenesis, as well as treatment options including lifestyle modifications and dietary interventions, medical therapies, endoscopic bariatric interventions, and bariatric surgery. (Nutr Clin Pract. 2020;35:72-84) Keywords fatty liver; insulin resistance; liver cirrhosis; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; nutrition therapy; weight loss From the

Background & Aims A single nucleotide polymorphism 61*G (rs4444903) in the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) gene has been associated, in 2 case-control studies, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We tested associations between demographic, clinical, and genetic data and development of HCC, and developed a simple predictive model in a cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis. Methods Black and white subjects from the HALT-C trial (n=816) were followed prospectively for development of a definite or presumed case of HCC for a median time period of 6.1 years. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression model to determine the hazard ratio for risk of HCC and to develop prediction models. Results Subjects with EGF genotype G/G had a higher adjusted risk for HCC than those with genotype A/A (hazard ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–4.23; P=0.03). After adjusting for EGF genotype, blacks had no increased risk of HCC risk, compared with whites. Higher serum levels of EGF were observed among subjects with at least one G allele (P=0.08); the subset of subjects with EGF G/G genotype and above-median serum levels of EGF had the highest risk of HCC. We developed a simple prediction model that included the EGF genotype to identify patients at low, intermediate, and high risk for HCC; 6-year cumulative HCC incidences were 2.3%, 10.4%, and 26%, respectively. Conclusions We associated the EGF genotype G/G with increased risk for HCC; differences in its frequency among black and white subjects might account for differences in HCC incidence between these groups. We developed a model that incorporates EGF genotype and demographic and clinical variables to identify patients at low, intermediate, and high risk for HCC.