Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Dr. Michel Kahaleh uses pCLE technique to diagnose and treat cancer

The world's smallest flexible microscope is diagnosing some big diseases and allowing physicians to treat patients on the spot. Dr. Michel Kahaleh, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Virginia Health System, is the only physician in Virginia currently using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE).

18 Jan 2010

Alterations in intestinal microbiota may lie behind IBS aetiology

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal functional disorder that can greatly affect the patient's well being. Multiple interacting mechanisms, including alterations in the intestinal microbiota, are suspected to lie behind IBS aetiology.

18 Jan 2010

Results show neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy improves patients with EC

Esophageal carcinoma (EC) is one of the major malignant diseases worldwide. Surgery alone cannot obtain satisfactory effects in patients with EC. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has been a hotspot for EC treatment research. Several related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, but opinions vary among clinicians as to the therapeutic effect of the new method.

18 Jan 2010

Treatment for chronic hepatitis C with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin proves effective

The current standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C with pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin is effective in approximately 50%-60% of patients, so that a substantial proportion of patients remain unresponsive.

18 Jan 2010

Role of H. pylori in autoimmune atrophic gastritis

Experimental animal studies have shown that H. pylori shares several antigenic regions in common with acid secreting cells in gastric mucosa. Antibodies triggered by H. pylori destroy acid secreting cells due to this antigenic mimicry.

17 Jan 2010

CT-guided biopsy: An alternative method for patients with pancreatic masses

It is reasonable to obtain a histological diagnosis before treating patients who have pancreatic masses and are unsuitable or unwilling to undergo surgery. As the pancreas is a deep seated organ surrounded by other vital structures, it is a challenge for the physician to obtain an adequate specimen for histological examination.

17 Jan 2010

Studies show treatment success for chronic hepatitis C may be predicted by rapid virological response

The likelihood of treatment success of 48 wk peg-interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy for chronic hepatitis C may be predicted by viral kinetics on therapy. In particular, recent studies have shown that sustained virological response (SVR) can be predicted by a rapid virological response (RVR), and an early virological response (EVR).

17 Jan 2010

Medical Marijuana praises New Jersey State Assembly for removing state-wide penalties on marijuana use

Medical Marijuana Inc applauds the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate for having approved "The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" on Monday, January 11, 2010. A804/S119 removes state-wide penalties for possession of up to two ounces of marijuana when a New Jersey licensed Physician recommends it for one of the qualified medical conditions including Aids, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn's disease among others.

13 Jan 2010

First sulfite-free rectal suspension for UC

sfRowasa™ (mesalamine) Rectal Suspension 4g/60mL –Sulfite-Free Formulation, is the first sulfite-free rectal suspension available for Ulcerative colitis (UC). According to a study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, products containing sulfites may exacerbate natural sulfide levels in the colon and may increase inflammation in UC patients. With its sulfite-free preparation, sfRowasa™ offers a new treatment option for the treatment of active, mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis or proctitis.

13 Jan 2010

Pediatric specialists and pharmacists may get boost from health bills

News outlets report on how the health care bill pending in Congress might affect pediatric specialists and pharmacists.

13 Jan 2010

First Edition: January 12, 2010

Today's news coverage details developments related to pending health reform plans with President Obama's meeting with organized labor regarding the 'Cadillac' tax claiming a lot of headlines.

12 Jan 2010

GSK exercises option to obtain exclusive license to develop and commercialize Traficet-EN

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and ChemoCentryx, Inc. today announced that GSK has exercised its option to obtain an exclusive license for further development and worldwide commercialization of Traficet-EN(TM) (CCX282-B), a specific CCR9 antagonist with the potential to offer a new approach for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease.

12 Jan 2010

EGS announces improved clinical outcomes from its new TIF procedure

EndoGastric Solutions (EGS), the recognized leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), today announced that data from two single-center series demonstrate improved clinical outcomes from a third-generation technique for its Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure. The data includes two case series totaling nearly 70 patients from two independent investigators, Reginald Bell, MD (Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO), and William Barnes, MD (Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services, Inc., Salem, KY).

9 Jan 2010

National survey reveals many Canadians understand risk of colon cancer, but are not taking action

A new national survey reveals that while almost all Canadians understand the importance of getting checked for colon cancer, most have not had a screening test and are confused about how and when it should happen.

8 Jan 2010

Medtronic invests in GI Dynamics to advance treatment for metabolic disorders

GI Dynamics, a leader in non-surgical treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity, today announced that it has received a strategic investment from Medtronic, Inc., the global leader in medical device technology and therapies designed to treat chronic diseases.

8 Jan 2010

Prometheus Laboratories executes $260 million senior secured credit facility

Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced that it has executed a $260 million senior secured credit facility. The credit facility consists of a $210 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit line.

7 Jan 2010

Study suggests why circumcised men less likely to become infected with HIV

A PLoS One study published Tuesday sheds new light on why men who have been circumcised are less likely to become infected with HIV, ANI/Times of India reports (1/6).

7 Jan 2010

Findings suggest abuse is a risk factor for chronic headache

Researchers from the American Headache Society's Women's Issues Section Research Consortium found that incidence of childhood maltreatment, especially emotional abuse and neglect, are prevalent in migraine patients.

5 Jan 2010

Circumcision lowers HIV risk; changes bacterial community on penis microbiome

Circumcision, which substantially lowers HIV risk in men, also dramatically changes the bacterial communities of the penis, according to a study led by scientists at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Johns Hopkins University and published Jan. 6 in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.

5 Jan 2010

Study confirms link between GI and autism

An article published today in the journal Pediatrics confirms what parents and advocacy organizations have been saying for years: many individuals with autism suffer from gastrointestinal disease that can contribute to behaviors and symptoms associated with autism.

5 Jan 2010