Table of Contents -- Preface -- Chapter I -- The role of mucosal inflammation in gastroesophageal reflux disease -- Arne Kandulski, Doerthe Kuester, Peter Malfertheiner and Thomas Wex( -- Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. -- Abstract -- Epidemiology of GERD-associated pathologies -- Pathophysiology and Risk Factors for the Development of GERD -- Specific histomorphological alterations associated with GERD -- Mucosal Cytokine pattern in GERD -- Cytokine pattern in the esophageal mucosa of patients with GERD -- Further inflammatory markers / pathways associated with GERD -- Neuroinflammatory changes in GERD -- Cells involved in GERD-associated inflammation -- Animal models of GERD - a short overview -- Gene polymorphisms of inflammatory genes and GERD -- Novel directions in GERD-associated inflammation -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter II -- Systemic Implications in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) -- William A. Paradise1, Benjamin J. Vesper1,2, -- Kenneth W. Altman3 and James A. Radosevich1,2 -- 1University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA -- -- 2Jesse Brown VAMC, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA -- -- 3Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA. -- Abstract -- 1. Introducion -- 2. Gastric Acid Secretion -- Acid Production and Regulation -- Gastric H+/K+-ATPase Structure and Properties -- 3. GERD Treatment -- Antacids and Alginates -- Histamine H2-receptor Antagonists -- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) -- Prokinetics -- Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers (P-CABs) -- Anti-gastrin Agents -- CCK2 Receptor Antagonists -- Anti-Gastrin Vaccine -- 4. Long-Term Effects of PPI Use in Humans -- 5. Non-Gastric Acid Production -- Non-Gastric H+-ATPases -- 6. Comparison of ATPases within Humans, Bacteria and Fungi -- 7. Acid-Producing Bacteria and Fungi in Humans.

8. PPIs and Bacteria -- Helicobacter pylori -- Clostridium difficile -- Other Bacteria -- 9. PPIs and Fungi -- 10. Conclusion -- References -- Chapter III -- An Update on Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease -- Sunny Zaheed Hussain1,( and Vasundhara Tolia2 -- 1 WK Pediatric GI Specialists, Shreveport, LA, USA -- -- 2Michigan State University, MI, USA. -- Abstract -- Pathophysiology -- Epidemiology -- Clinical Presentations -- Diagnostic Evaluation -- Radiologic Studies -- pH Probe Monitoring -- Intraluminal esophageal Impedance -- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with Biopsy -- Treatment -- Surgical Intervention -- Recent Developments -- GERD in Infancy -- GERD in Older Children -- GERD in Special Populations -- Emerging natural History -- Genetics of Pediatric GERD -- Recent progress -- Clinical Vignettes -- References -- Chapter IV -- Paraesophageal hernias and use of mesh in laparoscopic antireflux procedures -- Stavros A. Antoniou, Rudolph Pointner and Frank A. Granderath -- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Krankenhaus "Maria v. d. Aposteln", Mönchengladbach, Germany. -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Physiopathology -- Symptoms and signs -- Diagnostic workup -- Surgical treatment -- Technical details -- Hernia reduction and crural dissection -- Crural repair -- Stomach management -- Complications -- Revisional fundoplication -- Controversial issues -- Removal of the hernia sac -- Type and shape of the mesh -- Simple reinforcement or tension-free hiatoplasty -- Application of an antireflux procedure -- Routine use of mesh in antireflux procedures -- Future perspectives -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter V -- The Minimally Invasive Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease -- V. Shankaran, A. Baldea, R. J. Joehl and P. M. Fisichella(.

Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA. -- Brief History -- Epidemiology -- Diagnostic studies -- Medical Treatment -- Surgical Treatment -- Indications for Surgery -- Pre-operative evaluation -- Long-term results of laparoscopic antireflux surgery -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter VI -- Anatomy and -- Physiology of the Esophagus -- C.S. Davis, R.J. Joehl and P.M. Fisichella* -- Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Upper Esophageal Sphincter -- Esophageal Body -- The Lower Esophageal Sphincter -- References -- Chapter VII -- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease -- E. Esteller(, I. Modolell and F. Segarra -- Capio Hospital General de Cataluña, San Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. -- References -- Index.