Dear Member of ESNM, Our world is facing a threat of enormous magnitude with the spread of COVID-19. Rapid changes affect societies in a global manner and the health crisis is a major challenge for European healthcare systems. Many of you are finding your academic and clinical duties affected by the virus, and indeed many of you may even be brought directly into managing patients affected by the virus. This will affect us immensely, and it remains to be seen how this will impact our lives after the infection will be finally defeated.
The European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility is committed to the health and well-being of its Members and the health care of the community. It is now important to create space to care for oneself and families. In addition to this, many of you will be directly involved in the increased demands of caring for patients, providing additional support to hospitals trying to help containing the tremendous impact of COVID-19 infection.
Due to social distancing measures and the risks related to traveling in these days and for the safety of our members, like many other organizations throughout Europe, we have decided since the early phases of the spread of the virus, to postpone several ESNM meetings and endorsed events planned during the spring. This action affected among others, the FNM meeting in Adelaide, Australia, the hands-on motility program in Turkey, the European Congress of young Gastroenterologists in Croatia and the IBS days meeting in Bologna. Most these events will be safely reprogrammed and we will duly inform you in due course on the new dates.
But crisis moments also present opportunities. We will face a more sophisticated and flexible use of technology and virtual meetings. As scientists, physicians and responsible individuals we have also a serious commitment in this scenario. Indeed, there is a return to faith in serious experts, including scientists and physicians. People will be back accepting that expertise matters. Your continuous interest in the scientific activities of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility is of great value in this context. As an additional note, I am sure that it will turn out that we will contribute to advance science from our perspective to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal functions as many infected patients experience GI complains.
How will the COVID-19 pandemic affect our work in the coming months is difficult to say. But I would like to look at the near future with optimism and hope that we can be back soon and in a better shape. Meanwhile stay safe and take care of yourself and your families.
Giovanni Barbara
President of ESNM
PS: UEG has set up a dedicated page on COVID-19 and its relevance to the gastroenteorology discipline. You can find a list of links to to articles, registries and society statements there.
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European Guidelines on Achalasia: ESNM and UEG Recommendations
Achalasia is a primary motor disorder of the oesophagus characterised by absence of peristalsis and insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation. With new advances and developments in achalasia management, there is an increasing demand for comprehensive evidence-based guidelines to assist clinicians in achalasia patient care. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050640620903213
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ESNM Teaching Video: Endoscopic Features of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
We are excited to share this video by M. Ghisa, M.D, from the University of Padova, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology which explains the Endoscopic features of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
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Education Videos from Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
Our affiliated society from Ireland and especially the Neurogastroenterology & Motility section share a narrated whiteboard description from the Mercy University Hospital of supragastric belching, rumination syndrome and resistant reflux. These conditions are associated with reflux, heartburn, regurgitation, abdominal pain and belching. |
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Graphical Abstract on Gastrointestinal Pain
Gastrointestinal pain is a common symptom of many disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, chronic pancreatitis and irritable bowel syndrome: A new paper in Nature Reviews Disease Primers highlight neurogastroenterology, pathogenesis and symptom management Click on the link to read full article
doi: 10.1038/s41572-019-0135-7
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Graphical Abstract on Analysis of Postreflux Swallow-Induced Peristaltic Wave Index
Analysis of postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index is consider as a method for evaluating the effectiveness of esophageal clearance and the criterion for phenotyping of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Click on the link to read the full abstract https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.13671 (pg 86, abstract no. 96)
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Call for ESNM Representative UEG Research Committee Since our current representative is stepping down and taking on another very important project at UEG, we herewith would like to invite you to apply for the position of the ESNM representative in the UEG Research Committee. Your term will start this year and last for 3 years, for details on the job description please see link below.
Please send your application via email to info@esnm.eu until Wednesday April 15, 2020. The ESNM Steering Committee will evaluate all applications and select the representative.
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XXVII Meeting of the Spanish Association of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (GEMD)
The Spanish Association of Neurogastroenterology and Motility celebrated their annual meeting in Barcelona, the 22nd and 23rd November. The meeting was preceded by the IX Course of Neurogastroenterology and Motility for trainees in gastroenterology, from Thursday November 21 to Friday November 22. The course reviewed in an intensive program the most important functional and motility disorders, from the oro-pharinx to the ano-rectum, with a faculty of national experts in each field. The course was well attended with 55 registered participants. |
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2020 Annual Meeting of the Israeli
Gastroenterological Society
The annual meeting of the Israeli gastroenterological society recently took place in Tel Aviv (8-10 January 2020). Before the general meeting, the Israeli neurogastroenterology group had a special 2-hours workshop and general assembly, including a lecture that was given by Dr. Daniel Pohl on the proved and future utilities of the Endoflip technique.
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2020 Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (DGNM)
65 participants from different disciplines gathered at the Palotti Haus in Freising at the occasion of the 27th annual meeting of the German Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (DGNM) from February 28 to March 2, 2020. The meeting started on Friday afternoon with a common dinner followed by a get together. During the 27th anniversary meeting, 34 talks were given in nine sessions. These were dedicated to basic and translational science; a further focus of the meeting was on the future of neurogastroenterology in Germany
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Research Fellow (Senior Postdoc) Genomics/Computational Biology
A postdoctoral position is available, to join the Gastrointestinal Genetics Research Group directed by Prof Mauro D’Amato at the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University. Our team combines genomic, computational and pre-clinical expertise to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms predisposing to gastrointestinal (GI) disease. The druggable genome, nutrigenetics and host (genome) - microbiota interactions are also new research lines within the group. We take advantage of an extremely vast network of international collaboration with academic, clinical and pharma partners. The ultimate goal of our studies is their translational application for improved therapeutic precision in gastroenterology.
Click here for detailed information, application deadline April 7, 2020
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Upcoming ESNM Educational and Endorsed Events
Hands-on Course for Gastrointestinal Motility Training Course -> postponed
2nd European Conference of Young Gastroenterologists -> postponed
Ascona III Meeting, Advances in Clinical Measurement Gastrointestinal Motility & Function -> postponed2nd Australian-German Brain-Gut Neurogastroenterology Course
Date: September 21-27, 2020 Venue: Princess Alexandra Hospital Brisbane, Australia, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane
"All you wanted to know about human small bowel motility….but were afraid to ask” Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020
Venue: East Midland Conference Centre, Nottingham University Campus, Nottingham, UK
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UEG Week October 10-14, 2020
UEG Week is THE place for clinicians and scientists from all around the globe to present their best work. Different interactive formats allow lively interaction between the audience, chairs, speakers at the venue and with over 2,300 colleagues worldwide following our live stream.
Submitting your abstract to UEG Week is a unique opportunity to make your scientific achievements visible for a large audience. Submit your abstract, clinical or video case by April 24, 2020
www.ueg.eu/week/abstract-submission/
• Present your clinical and basic science gastroenterology research
• View our infographic on how to submit an abstract
• Your abstract is eligible for UEG Week awards and travel grants
• Submitting abstracts for UEG Week is free of charge
Register for UEG Week – benefit from early bird fees before May 14, 2020
https://www.ueg.eu/week/attendance/
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FNM 2020 Postponed!
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the FNM 2020 Local Organising Committee resolved to postpone FNM 2020, including all satellite meetings, the Postgraduate course, the POEM masterclass and the Women’s networking event, to spring 2021.
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