RxPG News : Gastroenterology

India unveils zinc tablet to control diarrhoea

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:55:20 PST

New Delhi, April 7 - India Monday unveiled a zinc dispersible tablet to control diarrhoea, a disease that kills nearly 500,000 children in the country every year.

What change does prokineticin 2/Bv8 have in human hepatocellular carcinoma?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Liver hepatocarcinoma is a highly vascularized cancer, and more and more research is focused on the molecules controlling angiogenesis. In 2001, two novel peptides, known as prokineticin 1/EG-VEGF (PK1/EG-VEGF) and prokineticin 2/Bv8 (PK2/Bv8), were identified, as having potent angiogenic activities. The angiogenic potential of these two peptides during human hepatocellular carcinoma progression was evaluated. These findings show, that only, PK2/Bv8 is expressed in liver and -- surprisingly -- that its expression decreases during hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, these results show that PK2/Bv8 expression is restricted specifically to liver resident macrophages, thus suggesting a role in Kuppfer cell physiology.

Alcohol consumption and polymorphisms of cytochromes P4502E1 are high risks for ESCC

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Heavier alcohol consumption increases the risk of ESCC. There are synergetic interactions among alcohol drinking and ALDH2, ADH1B, CYP2E1 genotypes. The risk of ESCC in moderate-to-heavy drinkers, ALDH2 (1/2) combined with the ADH1B (1/1) genotype; ALDH2 (1/2) combined with the CYP2E1 (c1/c1) genotype; leads to synergetic interactions, higher than drinkers with ALDH2 (1/1) + ADH1B (1/2 + 2/2); ALDH2 (1/1) + CYP2E1 (c1/c2 + c2/c2).

Scientists successfully treat new mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:00:00 PST

March 6, 2008 -- Researchers trying to improve cancer immune therapy have made an unexpected find: They've produced the most accurate mouse model to date of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a cluster of conditions that afflict approximately 1.4 million Americans with abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea.

Type 2 diabetes may be caused by intestinal dysfunction

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (March 5, 2008) -- Growing evidence shows that surgery may effectively cure Type 2 diabetes -- an approach that not only may change the way the disease is treated, but that introduces a new way of thinking about diabetes.

Crohn's disease or gastrointestinal endometriosis?

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:03:09 PST

Crohn's disease may mimic gastrointestinal endometriosis in its clinical presentation.A case report published on January 7, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology describes such a patient.

small intestinal bacteria overgrowthplays a role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:09:07 PST

An article recently published in the January 14 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology has great significance for NASH. This article will undoubtedly bring about new pathogenesis and treatment of NASH.

Alternative strategy better for Crohn's Disease

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:52:59 PST

An international research study, published in The Lancet, has thrown into question the current method of treating Crohn’s disease – opening the door to a safer and more effective treatment option for sufferers of the chronic disease.

May inflammatory bowel disease mimic gynecological disorders in its clinical presentation

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

Endometriosis is a condition of unknown etiology in which endometrial tissue occurs at extra-uterine sites, including ovaries, fallopian tubes, and gastrointestinal tract. It usually occurs between 30 and 40 years of age. Four to 17% of menstruating women develop endometriosis. When the disease involves the small bowel, it usually has a benign course, but in rare circumstances, it may present as abdominal emergency. Invasive bowel endometriosis can present as bowel obstruction. The major cause of obstruction is stricture formation and adhesions, which occasionally mimic Crohn's disease or a malignancy in its clinical presentation.

Do patients with inflammatory bowel disease receive optimal care?

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic recurrent gastrointestinal disease. The disease has a relatively higher morbidity in young adults, in whom growth, education, employment and wellbeing all are adversely influenced. A number of guidelines for management of inflammatory bowel disease are available for bringing evidence-based medicine into full play to improve IBD patient care. What about the actual quality of care for patients with IBD in China?

University of Sydney researchers find new evidence linking kava to liver damage

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

In recent years, serious concerns about the dangers of kava and the effects on the liver have resulted in regulatory agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration and Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, banning or restricting the sale of kava and kava products.

A strange case of upper obstructive syndrome

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

Aorto-duodenal fistulae (ADF) are the most frequent aorto-enteric fistulae (80%) and the most frequent presenting sign of ADF is upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGI). A 59-year-old male patient, who underwent an aortic-bi-femoral bypass five years ago, was admitted to the Emergency Room after five days of persistent occlusive syndrome with dyspepsia and biliary vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed in the third duodenal segment the presence of an area with the characteristics of inflammatory tissue, including air bubbles between the duodenum and aortic-bi-femoral prosthesis adherent to the third duodenal portion (pcomma signq) (Figure 1). Microbiological cultures and scintigraphy were unremarkable. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy showed the aortic prosthesis crossing the third segment of duodenal wall occluding the intestinal lumen (Figure 2). At laparotomy, after viscerolisis, the prosthesis was detached from duodenal wall and the intestine failed to close transversely (Figure 3). To protect the intestinal wall, a pediculated fragment of the greater omentum was placed between the duodenum and aortic bypass. Furthermore, a gastrojejunal Roux anastomosis was employed. The prosthesis was not changed because there were no local or systemic signs of infection. The post-operative course was uneventful.

Scientists using laser light to detect potential diseases via breath samples, says new study

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

By blasting a person's breath with laser light, scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado at Boulder have shown that they can detect molecules that may be markers for diseases like asthma or cancer.

Europe's most common genetic disease is a liver disorder

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:55:00 PST

Much less widely known than the dangerous consequences of iron deficiencies is the fact that too much iron can also cause problems. The exact origin of the genetic iron overload disorder hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) has remained elusive. In a joint effort, researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Heidelberg, Germany, have now discovered that HH is a liver disease. They report in the current issue of Cell Metabolism that the disorder develops when a crucial gene is lacking in liver cells.

Camera in a pill offers cheaper, easier window on your insides

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

What if swallowing a pill with a camera could detect the earliest signs of cancer? The tiny camera is designed to take high-quality, color pictures in confined spaces. Such a device could find warning signs of esophageal cancer, the fastest growing cancer in the United States.

Ginsenosaide Rb1 (R1)- chinese medicine ingredient found to protect liver

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:48:31 PST

A study by Han Jing-Yan et al discovered Ginsenosaide Rb1 (R1) is able to prevent hepatic microcirculatory disturbance and subsequent liver injury in mice induced by intestine ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). R1 is one of the major effective ingredients of Panax notoginseng (PN), a traditional Chinese herb medicine frequently included in various compound Chinese medicines for treatment of liver injury and numerous other diseases in China and other Asian countries.

Indian medicinal plant Acanthus ilicifolius may combat liver cancer

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world with a poor prognosis. About three quarters of the cases of liver cancer are found in Southeast Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, India, and Japan. The frequency of liver cancer in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa is greater than 20 cases per 100,000 population. Moreover, recent data show the frequency of liver cancer in the U.S. overall is rising.

Eltrombopag effective for hepatitis C patients with low blood-platelet counts

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Dec. 28, 2007) -- For patients with hepatitis C, having a low blood platelet count is a frequent complication associated with advanced disease. This problem is compounded by the fact that standard antiviral treatment for the disease can further reduce platelet numbers to dangerously low levels, effectively denying these patients the treatment they urgently need. Now, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that a new drug, eltrombopag, appears to significantly boost platelet counts, opening the door to effective treatment.

Breath test can discriminate between a bacterial overgrowth and IBS

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is colonized by bacteria immediately after birth; Escherichia coli, Streptococci and Clostridi are the first bacteria harboured by the colon, followed by anaerobic Enterococci, Lattobacilli and Bacteroidi. These commensal bacteria inhabiting the human intestine (i.e., intestinal microflora) participate in the development and maintenance of gut sensory and motor functions, including the promotion of intestinal propulsive activity; on the other hand, intestinal motility represents one of the major control systems of gut microflora, though the sweeping of excessive bacteria from the lumen. There is emerging evidence indicating that changes in this bi-directional interplay contribute to the pathogenesis of gut diseases, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Who is the arch-criminal in the development of hepatopulmonary syndrome?

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) develops when an arterial oxygenation deficiency occurs due to intra-pulmonary vascular dilatations that are often associated with severe hepatic disease. HPS occurs in 15-20% of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing evaluation for orthotopic liver transplantation. Recent studies support that the presence of HPS significantly increases mortality in cirrhosis, particularly in those with decompensated liver disease.

Research reveals secrets of alcohol's effect on brain cells

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Dec. 7, 2007) -- Alcohol triggers the activation of a variety of genes that can influence the health and activity of brain cells, and new research from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City sheds light on how that process occurs.

The most important candidate genes for pancreatic stone formation

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

Stone formation is an important feature of chronic pancreatitis, especially tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP), where the stones are large in size, highly irregular in shape and cause enormous tissue destruction. The exact mechanism of stone formation is not well-understood. It is very important to understand the initial event so that stone formation can be controlled before it causes obstruction and damage to the pancreatic tissue. One such study was recently reported in the November 28 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology because of its significance in pancreatic diseases.

Antegrade bowel intussusception can cause recurrent, chronic postoperative intestinal obstruction

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

Several complications can be seen after pancreatic surgery, most notably bleeding, infections and anastomotic dehiscence. Bowel obstruction can also be seen due to internal hernias or anastomotic strictures. A more unusual etiology for bowel obstruction in this setting is intussusception.

Hepatitis C treatment reduces the virus but serious liver problems may progress

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

Patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced liver disease who did not respond to previous standard therapy experienced significant decreases in their liver enzymes, viral levels, and liver inflammation following treatment with long-term pegylated interferon. However, the treatment did not slow or prevent the progression of serious liver disease. These findings come from the clinical trial, Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) and were reported at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease in Boston on November 5, 2007. HALT-C is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with additional support from Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.

Endosonography-guided biliary drainage is useful in cases with failed endoscopic biliary stenting

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:00:00 PST

The role of endosonography (ES) in digestive diseases is expanding gradually from diagnostic applications to therapeutic ones. The feasibility of ES-guided cholangiopancreatography was first reported by Harada et al. (pancreatography) and Wiersema et al. (cholangiography) in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Several reports on the application of ESBD for a therapeutic purpose have been published since 2001. However, there have been no reports as to the influence of this technique on the gut wall, the bile duct, and the intervening tissues. A research article published on November 7 issue 41 of World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses one answer to this question in a case report form.

24-week course of interferon-alpha therapy prolongs survival in patients hepatitis C virus

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:00:00 PST

Patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a risk of frequent recurrence and deterioration of liver function, even after curative treatment for the primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This unfavorable prognosis is associated with a sustained HCV infection. Thus, both the prevention of HCC recurrence and the preservation of liver function are high priorities when trying to improve the prognosis of patients with HCV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) after treatment for primary HCC is the essential factor required for an improved prognosis.

Does neural cell adhesion molecule-180 predict survival in colorectal cancer?

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:00:00 PST

When a person learns they are suffering from cancer, the first question in their mind is always: How much time do I have? Unfortunately, this is a question to which the researchers have long been seeking an absolute answer. Tumor progression to local invasion and metastasis are the most relevant processes for prognosis, and predictive factors for survival are sometimes the only hope for cancer patients. Tumor suppressors and adhesion molecules represent one of the primary challenges in cancer therapy.

Exclusion of common bile duct stones prior to gallstone operations

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CBDS occur in 7-20% of all patients undergoing a gallstone operation and may complicate the course of surgery. Although intraoperative x-ray investigation was routinely performed to diagnose CBDS in the pre-laparoscopic era, its use during the laparoscopic era has been debated. Consequently, other techniques for diagnosing CBDS have been introduced. For example, preoperative liver function test (LFT; s-bilirubin and s-ALP) results, if abnormal, might be diagnostic for CBDS. However, some patients might have normal LFT despite coexisting CBDS. Ultrasonography is the major diagnostic modality used to diagnose gallstones, but is less helpful for diagnosing CBDS. Computed tomography is rarely useful for diagnosing gallstones. Magnetic-resonance-cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP) has high specificity and sensitivity, with accuracy similar to that of ERCP (Endoscopic-Retrograde-Cholangio-Pancreatography), but its accuracy depends on the size and anatomical location of a gallstone. In addition, MRCP is not widely available, and unlike ERCP, does not allow the endoscopic extraction of stones. ERCP is the most common technique used for both the diagnosis and treatment of CBDS. It is, however, expensive, invasive, technically demanding and associated with small but significant morbidity.

Attenuation of NASH by stimulation of free fatty acid metabolism

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Medically-complicated obesity is a societal problem that needs to be solved. Liver disease, specifically non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH, is just one of the many complications of increased body weight. Treatment options for NASH are limited, and therefore there is an unmet need for pharmacologic treatment of this liver disease. A recent article in World Journal of Gastroenterology by Dr. Baski-Bey et al. offers a helping hand to potentially aid in abolishing the occurrence of NASH in the population. The article describes how administration of a constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) agonist (TCPOBOP) can induce genes involved in fatty acid microsomal omega-oxidation and beta-oxidation pathways, resulting in a reduction in the occurrence of NASH in mice fed the methionine choline deficient (MCD) diet. The MCD diet, when fed to rodents, rapidly produces hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis by blocking fatty acid oxidation.

The largest colonic lipoma to date

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Colonic lipomas have been found in related literature. One extremely rare case was recently reported in the November 14 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology because of its maximum diameter of 8.5 cm. The article discussed age and sex factors, clinical and histopathological findings, diagnostic methods and treatment by reviewing the present case and previously available literature.

LIALDA demonstrates prolonged release of mesalamine in an in vitro study using a simulated colon

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia, PA � October 17, 2007 � According to a study using a dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal tract system, Shire plc's (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ) ulcerative colitis drug LIALDA� (mesalamine) demonstrated a delivery system where the majority of the drug�s active ingredient, 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA), is released over a prolonged period in the simulated colon. The colon is the site of inflammation in ulcerative colitis. In this in vitro model, after the LIALDA tablet passed through the simulated stomach, small intestine and colon compartments, the majority of 5-ASA within each tablet was released in the simulated colon (nearly 90 percent in simulated fasted state and 81 percent in the simulated fed state). Less than 1 percent of the 5-ASA was released from the tablet in the simulated stomach and small intestine. The study used the TNO Gastrointestinal Model, or TIM, which simulates a human stomach, small intestine and colon. The findings were published in the July/August issue of Advances in Therapy.

Patients may have sweet and effective way to prepare for upper GI endoscopy: an anesthetic lollipop

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

OAK BROOK, Ill. � October 16, 2007 � Researchers at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in Lebanon have found that administering a lidocaine lollipop as a single-agent anesthetic to patients undergoing an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedure eliminated the need for sedation in the majority of patients. The research appears in the October issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Is the spleen able to prohibit tumor cell proliferation?

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Primary and metastatic tumors of the spleen are described as unusual, excluding involvement by lymphoma. Indeed, isolated splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is not a common occurrence. Its rareness has been hypothetically explained by several characteristics of the spleen, such as anatomical, histological and immunological features.

First colonoscopy with removal of polyps linked to reduction in colon cancer death

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2007 � Using a model to predict reductions in death from colorectal cancer, epidemiologists and clinical researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering looked at the relative effect of an initial screening colonoscopy which clears pre-cancerous polyps from the colon versus surveillance follow-up colonoscopy. Ann G. Zauber, Ph.D., Sidney J. Winawer, M.D., MACG and colleagues presented their findings at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.

New studies reveal that night-time acid reflux can impact sleep

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2007� According to results of a survey presented at the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, nighttime acid reflux, along with some of the less typical manifestations or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is associated with significant sleep impairment.

Researchers warn that gastric bypass surgery may cause post-op nutrient deficiencies

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2007� Two studies by a group of researchers at Washington Hospital Center highlight potential postoperative nutritional deficiencies among patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery to treat obesity. Research presented at the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology by Dr. Frederick Finelli and Dr. Timothy Koch suggests that a potentially serious condition can emerge after gastric bypass surgery known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth that has an impact on absorption of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients such as calcium and zinc.

2 studies highlight the risks and significant health-care costs of NSAIDs injury

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2007 � Patients underreported their use of common but potentially dangerous over-the-counter pain medications known as NSAIDs, according to research presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. �This is a serious issue given what we know about the significant risk of injury and bleeding in the GI tract in patients using NSAIDs,� said David Johnson, M.D., FACG, one of the researchers and President of the America College of Gastroenterology.

Portal vein thrombosis is common in extraportal vein obstruction

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Among the 118 patients with portal vein thrombosis, noncirrhotic and nontumoral extrahepatic portal vein obstruction are young and present with well tolerated bleed. Cirrhosis and tumor related portal vein thrombosis patients are older and have grim prognoses. Hypercoagulable state as a cause of portal vein thrombosis is less common. The idiopathic group comprises the second largest number of patients.

18F-DG PET/CT can highly increase the detection of colorectal cancer

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is currently widely used in the clinical diagnosis of cancer to provide functional and morphological imaging. The value of PET/CT in detection of the recurrence and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) was recently confirmed in an article appearing in the October 7 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

Can liver cirrhosis be partially cured?

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The diffusion of hepatitis C virus infection worldwide is astonishing. Liver cirrhosis is present in at least 10-20% of these infected patients, with highly increasing health care and emotional costs. In patients with compensated (early stage) hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis, antiviral combined therapy offers an interesting rate of response, ending in viral clearance. Unfortunately post-therapy data on different aspects of the illness, such as the residual liver function, measured as Total Overnight Salivary Caffeine Assessment (TOSCA, a liver test of microsomal function), and hepatic hemodynamics to indirectly evaluate the portal hypertension, measured as the Resistive Index of Splenic Artery (SARI) at Ultra Sound Doppler are still lacking, because to date only the survival rate and hepato-carcinoma appearance have been studied in depth.

Interleukin-8, key marker for colorectal cancer treatment

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently one of the three most frequent malignancies in Western industrial nations. Although the 5-year survival rate for patients with early stage and local CRC approaches nearly 90%, survival is dramatically decreased by local recurrence and the development of distant metastases that primarily affect the liver, which are the predominant cause of CRC-related mortality.

Stomach stem cell discovery could bring cancer insights

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. � Scientists have identified and described stem cells specific to several tissues and organs of the body � key master cells that give rise to the specialized cell types characteristic of that organ. But to date, it hasn�t been possible to pinpoint functioning stem cells in the stomach, either in laboratory animals or people.

Married esophageal cancer patients fare worse in some quality of life aspects than single patients

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Barcelona, Spain: In a surprising finding, American scientists have found that when battling oesophageal cancer, married patients don�t fare as well as their single counterparts in certain aspects of their quality of life.

Study makes progress in zoning in on biomarkers for better colon cancer treatment

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Barcelona, Spain: New research has yielded a clearer picture of which biomarkers could help doctors more precisely target the treatment of colon cancer, bringing closer the day when patients who will not benefit from chemotherapy are spared it, while those that will, get the more aggressive treatment they need.

Capsule endoscopy diagnoses more Crohn's disease recurrence after surgery than colonoscopy

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

OAK BROOK, Ill. - September 26, 2007 � Research from La Fe University Hospital in Valencia, Spain shows that capsule endoscopy diagnoses more Crohn�s disease recurrence after surgery than colonoscopy. Capsule endoscopy led to changes in therapy for more than half of the patients studied. The research appears in the September issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Molecular profiling can accurately predict survival in colon cancer patients

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Barcelona, Spain: Researchers in The Netherlands have developed a method of accurately predicting which patients with colon cancer are most likely to have their disease recur after surgery and who would, therefore, be likely to benefit from additional chemotherapy.

Immune system modulation can halt liver failure in animals

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have a developed a totally new approach to treating liver failure � manipulating the immune response. If the results of the animal study can be applied in human patients, the approach may be able to keep patients alive until donor organs become available or to support liver function until the organ can regenerate itself, eliminating the need for a transplant. The findings are being reported in the journal PLOS One.

Common abdominal pain may be due to a potentially treatable newly recognized inflammatory reaction

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As many as one in four people in westernized countries experience pain or discomfort in their upper abdomen, and physicians have almost nothing to offer except anti-acid medicines, which usually don�t work. Now, in a small but novel study, researchers have found evidence that an abnormal amount of inflammatory cells populates the upper intestine of affected individuals, which suggests a fresh way of understanding the common complaint.

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh psychiatrist receives prestigious NIH award

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Children�s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC psychiatrist Eva M. Szigethy, MD, PhD, is among a select group of researchers who have been chosen by the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to receive a prestigious New Innovator Award.

New research may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis in families

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have found that first-degree relatives (i.e., parents, siblings, children) of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are more likely to have the biomarker of the disease in their blood. Armed with this new information, physicians could screen and assess first-degree relatives of PBC patients with a simple blood test, enabling them to diagnose and treat more patients before the disease causes irreversible liver damage. These findings were published in this month�s issue of Hepatology.

Soy isoflavone may inhibit common gastrointestinal illness in infants

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The soy isoflavone genistin--at concentrations present in soy infant formula-- may reduce a baby�s susceptibility to rotavirus infections by as much as 74 percent, according to a University of Illinois study published in September�s Journal of Nutrition.

UVa researchers awarded $5.2 million for infectious disease research

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Two University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have been awarded grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop treatments and tests for some rapidly emerging trouble spots in the area of gastrointestinal diseases.

Inhaling nitric oxide helps transplant success

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. � Administering inhaled nitric oxide (NO) during surgery helps protect liver transplant patients from organ failure, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

New cancer fighter may help ICU patients beat infections

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

HSP 90 inhibitors, which are finding favor in fighting cancer, may also help battle overwhelming infection in intensive care patients, researchers say.

Gastric bypass reduces mortality risk in severely obese patients

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Salt Lake City�Severely obese patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery significantly reduce their risk of death from coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to research published in the Aug. 23, 2007, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The study was led by a team of researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine and LDS Hospital.

Age alone does not increase risk of death following liver transplant among selected septuagenarians

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Advanced age alone does not appear to be associated with the risk of death following liver transplant, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Metabolic study in mice could lead to 'good cholesterol' boosters

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers have identified a new player in the control of so-called good cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream and reduces heart attack risk, according to a report in the August issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. Should the metabolic pathway uncovered in mice operate similarly in humans, the new discovery could point the way to therapies that protect against heart disease by boosting concentrations of the beneficial high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Does this child have appendicitis? Watch out for key signs

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A 5-year-old with abdominal pain, nausea and fever may have appendicitis or any of a number of other problems. But how does the childs doctor decide whether to schedule an emergency appendectomy to surgically remove a presumably inflamed appendix a procedure that carries its own risks like any surgery or wait and observe what could be a ticking time bomb that could rupture and kill the patient in a matter of hours Its a classic physicians dilemma, but a new study led by the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center may ease the pediatricians problem-solving and parents anxiety.

Study shows radiofrequency ablation highly effective in treating kidney tumors

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

The patients underwent CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at Wake Forest Baptist for kidney tumors ranging in size from 0.6 cm to 8.8 cm. A total of 125 tumors in 104 patients were treated over the period 2000 to 2006. In all of the patients, a biopsy had confirmed the presence of renal cell carcinomas (RCC), a common type of renal malignancy.

Method shows promise for early detection of pancreatic cancer

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Optical technology developed by a Northwestern University biomedical engineer shown to be effective in the early detection of colon cancer now appears promising for detecting pancreatic cancer, the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Scientists find why red beans and rice can be nauseating

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

People cry foul when fowl is undercooked, but what about red beans and rice

Molecule blocks gene, sheds light on liver cancer

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS , Ohio New research shows how a particular small molecule blocks the activity of a cancer-suppressing gene, allowing liver-cancer cells to grow and spread.

Gene identified for Crohn's disease in children

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Pediatrics researchers have identified a gene variant that raises a childs risk of Crohns disease, a chronic and painful condition attributed to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Research shows new therapy is effective for patients with Crohn's disease

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Rochester, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have found that Certolizumab pegol is an effective treatment for adults with Crohns disease, according to two new studies. These findings were published in todays issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Certolizumab pegol blocks tumor necrosis factor, an important cause of inflammation in Crohns disease.

Antibody retards growth and induces death in liver cancer cells

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTBURGH, July 11 Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine report a significant new advance in the search for an effective treatment for human liver cancer in the July issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Using a newly available monoclonal antibody, they demonstrated significant reductions in tumor cell proliferation and survival in human and mouse hepatocellular cancer (HCC) cell lines. According to the researchers, this finding has significant implications not only for the treatment of liver cancer but for a number of different types of cancer.

U-M, Israeli scientists report major advance in search for genes associated with colon cancer

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A 10-year study involving thousands of Israeli Jews and Arabs, led by researchers from American and Israeli institutions, has yielded important new information in the search for the genes that make a person more likely to develop colon cancer.

Why liver cancer is more prevalent in males than in females

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Production of a protein that promotes inflammation appears to be linked to the higher incidence of liver cancer in men than in women, researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine have determined in mouse studies. Their discovery that female mice produce far less of the protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to liver injury than males do, and that production of this protein is suppressed by estrogen, may point the way to therapies to reduce the incidence of liver cancer in males. IL-6 contributes to the chronic liver inflammation that leads to cancer.

Ablation procedure proves safe, effective and fast

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:02:00 PST

Multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective way of treating patients with liver cancer that can be completed in less time than current ablation techniques, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Elevated pepsin levels may lead to rejection of lung transplants

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers in the United Kingdom have demonstrated that high levels of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that is a marker for gastric aspiration, are associated with acute rejection of a lung transplant. This research provides further evidence that lung rejection may be caused by factors other than alloimmunity, the attack the body mounts to protect itself against foreign cells.

Identification of genetic risk factor for coeliac disease promises improved treatment

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

An international research consortium investigating the genetic causes of intestinal inflammatory conditions has identified a new genetic risk factor for coeliac disease. The findings, published online today (10 June 2007) in the science journal Nature Genetics, could pave the way towards improved diagnostics and treatments for the common, lifelong complaint.

PET/CT should be 'first-step' test for patients with Crohn's disease

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, D.C.The molecular imaging power of PET/CT is invaluable in noninvasively monitoring Crohn's diseasea chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract that mainly affects young people, according to a study released by Belgian scientists at the 54th Annual Meeting of SNM, the world's largest society for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine professionals.

Molecular motors may speed nutrient processing

Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Matthew Tyska, Ph.D., recalls being intrigued, from the first day of his postdoctoral fellowship in 1999, with a nearly 30-year-old photograph. It was an electron micrograph that showed the internal structures of an intestinal cell microvillus, a finger-like protrusion on the cell surface. Microvilli are common features on the epithelial cells that line the bodys cavities.

Doctors, engineers develop new wireless system to detect esophageal reflux

Tue, 29 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

DALLAS May 29, 2007 -- UT Southwestern Medical Center doctors and UT Arlington engineers have developed a wireless monitoring system that uses electrical impulses to track esophageal reflux.

New technique effective in closing accidental colonoscopy wounds

Wed, 23 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- To prevent colon cancer, the second leading cause of United States cancer deaths, the American Cancer Society recommends that after age 50 people undergo colonoscopies every ten years to detect signs of that disease either actual tumors or precancerous polyps.

Could statins be a new option for hepatitis C patients?

Tue, 22 May 2007 10:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 20, 2007) -- Research presented today at Digestive Disease Week? 2007 (DDW?) demonstrates the potential of statins, important cholesterol management therapies, for improving the management of hepatitis C ? a disease that affects nearly four million Americans. Although there have been no new treatments for hepatitis C since the introduction of pegylated interferon in 2001, the opportunity to develop a new generation of therapies that offer better outcomes may be imminent. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

New Mayo Clinic MRI technology enables noninvasive liver diagnoses

Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Two recent Mayo Clinic studies have found that magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), a new imaging technique invented at Mayo Clinic, is an accurate tool for non-invasive diagnosis of liver diseases. The findings will be presented this week at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Annual Meeting in Berlin, Germany, and Digestive Disease Week 2007 in Washington, D.C.

New approach to treating precancerous esophagus condition

Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

DURHAM, N.C. The use of concentrated radio waves appears to be a safe and effective way to burn away abnormal cell growth in the esophagus that can be a precursor of cancer.

New prevention, treatment methods for patients with painful bowel inflammation

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an umbrella term referring to a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the intestines, including ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease and perianal fistula.

Mice, men make livers differently

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Scientists often study mice as a model for human biology and disease, because their basic biological processes are assumed to be essentially the same as those of humans.

Cure for hepatitis C announced by VCU researcher

Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

RICHMOND, Va. (May 21, 2007) The use of peginterferon alone, or in combination with ribavirin, points to a cure for hepatitis C, the leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer and the need for liver transplant, a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher said today.

Hepatitis C increases risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Tue, 08 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Hepatitis C infection is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (malignancy involving lymphatic tissue) of 20 percent to 30 percent, and a three-fold increase in the risk of another type of lymphoma, according to a study in the May 9 issue of JAMA.

Risk of lymphoma increases with hepatitis C virus infection

Tue, 08 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

People infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at an increased risk of developing certain lymphomas (cancers of the lymphatic system), according to a study published in the May 8, 2007, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and Baylor College of Medicine, found that HCV infection increased the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by 20 percent to 30 percent. The risk of developing Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) went up by 300 percent and the risk for cryoglobulinemia, a condition marked by abnormal levels of certain antibodies in the blood, was also elevated for those with HCV infections.

Keeping the immune system from starting a 'food fight'

Thu, 03 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

After every meal, the body must prevent the immune system from launching an all-out fight against food. Now, researchers report the identity of a nutrient floodgate that serves to protect against such an inflammatory immune response. Their findings appear in the May 4, 2007 issue of the journal Cell, a publication of Cell Press.

Adalimumab is an effective treatment for refractory Crohn's disease

Tue, 01 May 2007 11:26:54 PST

A study led by Mayo Clinic found that adalimumab (HUMIRA®)) is an effective treatment for adults with Crohn's disease who do not respond to infliximab (REMICADE®) therapy. These findings were published online today by Annals of Internal Medicine.

Adult stem/progenitor cells repair of damaged brain, pancreas, kidney cells newly understood

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

New studies in the laboratory of Dr. Darwin J. Prockop, Director of Tulane Universitys Center for Gene Therapy, are shedding light on the previously mysterious mechanism through which even relatively small amounts of stem/progenitor cells taken from a patients own bone marrow enhance repair of damaged tissues.

Mailman School of Public Health researchers report blood DNA can be early predictor of liver cancer

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health have discovered a means for early detection of liver cancer. Using DNA isolated from serum samples as a baseline biomarker, the scientists examined changes in certain tumor suppressor genes that have been associated with the development of liver carcinomas. This is the first study to prospectively examine potential biomarkers for early detection of liver cancer in high-risk populations, including those with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections.

Research team identifies additional genetic risk factors for Crohn's disease

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

An international research team including investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology has identified several novel genetic variations associated with the risk of Crohn's disease. One of the identified genes establishes a role for autophagy, a previously unsuspected biological pathway, in Crohn's disease pathology; and the report documents functional studies which establish that this gene is integral to immune responses to intestinal bacteria. The report will appear in the journal Nature Genetics and is receiving early online release.

Blood sugar's manufacture limited by building blocks' supply

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers have discovered a factor that controls blood sugar's manufacture in a novel way: by limiting the supply of its building blocks. The findings are reported in the April issue of the journal Cell Metabolism, published by Cell Press.

Genetic pathways to curable and incurable forms of pancreatic cancer identified

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

SEATTLE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an almost uniformly fatal disease regardless of the stage at time of diagnosis. However, a small percentage of patients develop a form of ductal adenocarcinoma associated with cystic lesions that can be detected earlier, is less aggressive and has a 50 percent long-term survival rate. Why cystic ductal pancreatic cancer behaves differently, despite carrying the same basic genetic mutations as the more common and deadly type of ductal pancreatic cancer, has long been a mystery. Now researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have unlocked the genetic reason why.

Survival rates after liver transplants

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:58:22 PST

Survival rates are similar among patients with hepatitis B who are listed for liver transplantation, whether or not they have hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a new study in the March 2007 issue of Liver Transplantation. An accompanying editorial suggests that these results affirm the current policy on the allocation of donor livers.

Manual dishwashing study digs up dirt on dish cleanliness

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS , Ohio New research at Ohio State University answers an infectious question about eating at restaurants: How clean are manually washed dishes?

Putting an old drug to a new use

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

We all know that iron deficiencies are dangerous, but also too much iron is bad for our health. Our body stores excess iron in various tissues, where it can lead to organ failure and even death if not treated before irreversible damage has occurred. Researchers from the Innsbruck Medical University, the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) now made a surprising discovery that may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treating such disorders. In this week's online issue of the journal Nature Medicine they report that a compound that was frequently used to treat high blood pressure can reverse iron overload in mouse models and has the potential to treat similar conditions in humans.

Naltrexone shown to help with Crohn's symptoms

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:49:34 PST

A Penn State College of Medicine pilot study suggests a low dose of naltrexone, a drug used to ease symptoms of alcohol and drug addiction, may also bring relief to people with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestine that affects an estimated 500,000 Americans. The study results were released online this week in an early edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Weight-loss supplement shows good and bad traits

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A supplement some people turn to in hopes of losing a few pounds may have some previously unknown, unsavory side effects, suggest two new studies.

New culture method for hepatitis C virus uses primary hepatocytes and patient serum

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:00:00 PST

Seattle, WA -- Researchers open the way for improved study of hepatitis C virus by devising a novel virus culture system that allows replication of patient-isolated virus in nontransformed hepatocytes, instead of culture-adapted virus strains in transformed cell lines. The related report by Lázaro et al, Hepatitis C virus replication in transfected and serum-infected cultured human fetal hepatocytes, appears in the February issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

New drug therapy to combat GVHD in stem-cell patients shows significant reduction in deaths

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:00:00 PST

SEATTLE Gastrointestinal graft-vs.-host disease is a common and potentially deadly side effect for patients who undergo an allogeneic stem-cell transplant to treat certain blood cancers. Now, new research from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center shows that adding a widely used topical corticosteroid to the standard treatment for GVHD kept the disease in remission and significantly reduces deaths one year after therapy.

Gene chip discovery may lead to individualized treatment for 5 hereditary liver diseases

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI -- Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed the first gene chip to use in the early diagnosis of at least five hereditary liver diseases, to detect genetic causes of jaundice in children and adults, and potentially to lead to personalized treatment options.

Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice associated with increased risk of skin moles in childhood

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Children who received light therapy (phototherapy) for jaundice as infants appear to have an increased risk of developing skin moles in childhood, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Some types of moles are risk factors for developing the skin cancer melanoma.

Study highlights new and cheaper way to treat heroin addiction

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Costly methadone treatment for heroin addicts could be replaced by a substitute painkiller that is half the price, safer and less toxic.

British scientists create artificial stomach

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 17:50:00 PST

British scientists have created the world's first artificial stomach that may allow us to understand what happens in the gut and help develop healthier foods to manipulate the digestive process.