Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Molecular explanation for increased susceptibility to intestinal inflammation in malnutrition

More than one billion people in poor countries are starving, and malnutrition remains a major problem even in rich countries, making it a leading cause of death in the world. For over a hundred years, doctors have known that a lack of protein in the diet or low levels of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, can lead to symptoms like diarrhoea, inflamed intestines and other immune system disorders, which weaken the body and can be fatal. However, the molecular mechanism which explains how malnutrition causes such severe symptoms has been largely unexplored.

26 Jul 2012

Follow-up exams for patients with celiac disease are often inadequate and highly variable

Follow-up exams for patients with celiac disease are often inadequate and highly variable, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).

26 Jul 2012

Reprieve for intraoperative nitrous oxide

A large analysis challenges the view that intraoperative nitrous oxide use should be avoided.

25 Jul 2012

Giving patients a new immune system can cure Crohn's disease

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have opened a clinical trial to test the theory that giving a patient a new immune system can cure severe cases of Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

25 Jul 2012

EMA COMP issues positive opinion to Albireo for A4250

Albireo AB, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in gastroenterology, today announced that the European Medicines Agency Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) has issued a positive opinion on an application for orphan medicinal product status for the company's lead hepatology candidate, A4250.

25 Jul 2012

Colonoscopy with polypectomy decreases colorectal cancer incidence and mortality

A study from researchers in Switzerland found that colonoscopy with polypectomy significantly reduces colorectal cancer incidence and colorectal cancer-related death in the general population.

25 Jul 2012

Esophageal biopsy advised in children with foreign body impaction

Study findings suggest that a considerable number of children with esophageal foreign body or food bolus impaction have eosinophilic esophagitis.

24 Jul 2012

Endoscopy, better tissue sampling required to improve care for patients with oesophageal cancer

The world's largest review of all the evidence on the best way of managing and treating common pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the oesophagus (gullet) has found that good endoscopy equipment, more endoscopic surgery, and more tissue sampling are required to improve care for patients.

24 Jul 2012

Study represents new use of bone marrow transplantation

24 Jul 2012

Aspirin use appears to reduce risk of Barrett's esophagus

Aspirin use appears to reduce the risk of Barrett's esophagus (BE), the largest known risk factor for esophageal cancer, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

24 Jul 2012

Chewing gum may relieve the pain of braces

Young adolescents and teens with fixed orthodontic appliances who chew gum report significantly less pain and impact of their braces than their peers who do not chew gum, report researchers from Sheffield in the UK.

23 Jul 2012

Study explores role of L. reuteri against foodborne infection

While many bacteria exist as aggressive pathogens, causing diseases ranging from tuberculosis and cholera, to plague, diphtheria and toxic shock syndrome, others play a less malevolent role and some are critical for human health.

21 Jul 2012

Short-term infection with intestinal worms may provide long-term protection against TID

Short-term infection with intestinal worms may provide long-term protection against type I diabetes (TID), suggests a study conducted by William Gause, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School.

20 Jul 2012

Scientists identify inhibitors of key enzyme involved in survival of malaria parasite

An international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, have identified the first reported inhibitors of a key enzyme involved in survival of the parasite responsible for malaria. Their findings, which may provide the basis for anti-malarial drug development, are currently published in the online version of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

20 Jul 2012

HealthHIV, CCO announce new series of CME/CE-certified interactive local live workshops

Clinical Care Options (CCO), a leader in next-generation medical education, information, and publishing for healthcare professionals, announces a new series of CME/CE-certified interactive local live workshops developed and implemented in partnership with HealthHIV, the leading national HIV nonprofit organization building the capacity of primary care providers to integrate HIV care into their practices.

20 Jul 2012

GUMC, MedStar GUH launch Huntington Disease Care, Education and Research Center

Georgetown University Medical Center in collaboration with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital announce the launch of the Huntington Disease Care, Education and Research Center.

20 Jul 2012

Smoking offers no benefits in IBD prevention

Smoking increases the risk for Crohn’s disease but not ulcerative colitis, the results of the largest prospective study of the link between inflammatory bowel disease and the habit confirm.

19 Jul 2012

Robotic surgery shows promise for local control of OSCC

In individuals with low-risk oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, treatment with transoral robotic surgery alone can result in an excellent rate of local disease control for up to 3 years, report researchers.

19 Jul 2012

U.S. News & World Report names U-M among 2012 America's Best Hospitals

The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers offer the best care in Michigan and some of the nation's best care, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

18 Jul 2012

CSIRO to produce antibodies for development of new vaccines against rotavirus

CSIRO has been contracted by PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health) to produce antibodies on a large scale that will aid the development of new, safe, affordable and effective vaccines against rotavirus, a major cause of severe and fatal diarrhoea in young children worldwide.

18 Jul 2012