Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex® Fully Covered Esophageal Stent for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable esophageal cancer. [More]

There are minimal data assessing the relationship between diabetes with gallbladder, biliary and pancreatic cancer. Recent small studies have suggested an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer only in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). [More]

Contrary to current thinking, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might not develop as a direct result of acidic digestive juices burning the esophagus, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found in an animal study. [More]

Eating disorders (ED) patients display a high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms may interfere with their nutritional management. Ingestion of fructose-sorbitol (F-S) is an established means of gastrointestinal symptom provocation in irritable bowel syndrome patients. [More]

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, known for their capacity to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into almost all types of cells including hepatocytes, have raised the hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure. There have been several protocols available for hepatic fate specification from ES cells, however, most of the protocols currently used result in low yield or purity of functional hepatocytes. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to facilitate the hepatic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, little is know about whether VPA could induce the hepatic differentiation of ES cells. [More]

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d3e55b/pediatric_board_re) has announced the addition of the "Pediatric Board Review" report to their offering. [More]

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the world. Approximately one in four of these patients have metastases at diagnosis, liver being the most common site involved. Although historically it was considered that liver metastases meant a very poor prognosis, today, due to improved systemic therapy, many patients will be candidates for local hepatic treatments such as surgery or less aggressive radiofrequency ablation. [More]

Biliary drainage is performed as a palliative treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The reduction of serum bilirubin is usually the hallmark of successful biliary drainage. However, some patients may have persistent jaundice or scanty bile output after biliary drainage. [More]

Over 300 million patients use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the world to treat pain, arthritis, fever and other diseases. Nearly 30% of the users suffer from gastric lesions and bleeding. [More]

Indomethacin has been proved by epidemiological and experimental studies to be closely associated with peptic ulcer development. Vardenafil is a potent phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor and its effects on the gastric mucosa havenot been reported. [More]

Several studies have shown that lipid peroxidation stimulates collagen production in fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and plays an important role in the development of liver fibrosis. Hepatoprotective effects of green tea against carbon tetrachloride, cholestasis and alcohol induced liver fibrosis were reported in many studies. However, the hepatoprotective effect of green tea in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced models has not been studied. [More]

CONMED Corporation's CONMED Linvatec arthroscopy unit today announced the release of new sizes of its Matryx™ Biocomposite Interference Screw. These new screws represent the latest advance in biocomposite material technology that allows CONMED Linvatec to produce the smallest Biocomposite Interference screw available on the market today for primary fixation of ACL and PCL grafts. [More]

NYU Langone Medical Center launched the first phase of its new electronic health record system last week at their multi-disciplinary faculty group practice at Trinity Center in lower Manhattan. The integrated system, powered by software from Epic Systems Corporation, provides a single platform from which physicians, staff and patients themselves can access and manage medical information. [More]

CONMED Corporation's CONMED Linvatec arthroscopy unit today announced the release of the Bullseye™ Anatomic Cruciate Reconstruction System, a novel guide system for anatomic cruciate ligament (ACL and PCL) reconstructions of the knee. [More]

Warner Chilcott plc today announced a 20,000,000 share secondary offering of its ordinary shares by certain selling shareholders. The selling shareholders include funds affiliated with Bain Capital Partners, DLJ Merchant Banking, J.P. Morgan Partners (advised by CCMP Capital) and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., certain other institutional investors and members of the Company's senior management. The offering is being conducted as a public offering pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares but will pay the expenses of the offering. [More]