Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated complications are becoming increasingly prevalent. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with diabetes is known as diabetic enteropathy (DE) and may manifest as either diarrhea, fecal incontinence, constipation, dyspepsia, nausea, and vomiting or a combination of symptoms. The long-held belief that vagal autonomic neuropathy is the primary cause of DE has recently been challenged by newer theories of disease development. Specifically, hyperglycemia and the resulting oxidative stress on neural networks, including the nitrergic neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), are now believed to play a central role in the development of DE. DE occurs in the majority of patients with diabetes; however, tools for early diagnosis and targeted therapy to counter the detrimental and potentially irreversible effects on the small bowel are lacking. Delay in diagnosis is further compounded by the fact that DE symptoms overlap with those of gastroparesis or can be confused with side effects from diabetes medications. Still, early recognition of the presence of DE is essential to mitigating symptoms and preventing further progression of complications including dysmotility and malabsorption. Current diagnostic modalities include manometry, wireless motility capsule (SmartPill™), and scintigraphy; however, these are not regularly utilized in clinical practice due to limited availability. Several medications are available for symptom relief in DE patients including rifaximin for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and somatostatin analogues for diarrhea. While rodent models on stem cell therapy and alteration of the microbiome are promising, there is still a great need for further research on the pathologic underpinnings and development of novel treatment modalities for DE.

The fractional excretion of urea (FEU) is a useful index for differentiating the main categories of causes of acute kidney injury, ie, prerenal causes and intrinsic causes. It may be used in preference to the more widely used fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) in situations in which the validity of the latter is limited, such as in patients taking a diuretic.

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Self-reported stressors are highly prevalent in internal medicine trainees. Verbal/physical assault by patients and families appear to be the triggering event for most positive screens. These observations will help with future study designs to quantify the burden of work related PTSD in internal medicine trainee physicians so that appropriate supportive measures can be provided.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) primarily consists of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), endogenous ligands, and enzymes for endocannabinoid biosynthesis and inactivation. Although the presence of CBRs, both CB1 and CB2, as well as a third receptor (G-protein receptor 55 [GPR55]), has been established in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, few studies have focused on the role of cannabinoids on esophageal function. To date, studies have shown their effect on GI motility, inflammation and immunity, intestinal and gastric acid secretion, nociception and emesis pathways, and appetite control. Given the varying and sometimes limited efficacy of current medical therapies for diseases of the esophagus, further understanding and investigation into the interplay of the ECS on esophageal health and disease may present new therapeutic modalities that may help advance current treatment options. In this brief review, the current understanding of the ECS role in various esophageal functions and disorders is presented.