Ulcer News and Research RSS Feed - Ulcer News and Research

Twenty-five million Americans suffer from ulcers. An ulcer is a sore or hole in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). People of any age can get an ulcer and women are affected just as often as men.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that lives on the lining of the stomach. Although we used to think that spicy food, acid, and stress were the major causes of ulcers, we now know that nine out of ten ulcers are caused by H. pylori. Medicines that reduce stomach acid may make you feel better, but your ulcer may come back. Here's the good news: Since most ulcers are caused by this bacterial infection, they can be cured with the right antibiotics.

Novel medicine for chronic wound treatment

Every 20 seconds, a limb is lost as a consequence of diabetic foot ulcer that does not heal. To date, medical solutions that can change this situation are very limited. [More]
Genetic loci associated with H pylori bacteria are linked to stomach cancer

Genetic loci associated with H pylori bacteria are linked to stomach cancer

Two genome-wide association studies and a subsequent meta-analysis have found that certain genetic variations are associated with susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that is a major cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers and is linked to stomach cancer, findings that may help explain some of the observed variation in individual risk for H pylori infection, according to a study in the May 8 issue of JAMA. [More]
Scientists discover novel drug molecule that reduces swelling, inflammation in arthritic joints

Scientists discover novel drug molecule that reduces swelling, inflammation in arthritic joints

A gas associated with the smell of rotten eggs has proven to effectively reduce joint swelling, in research which could lead to advances in the treatment of arthritis. [More]

Derma Sciences initiates patient screening in DSC127 pivotal program for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Derma Sciences, Inc., a medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on advanced wound care, announces that patient screening has begun in the second of two Phase 3 clinical trials with the investigational topical drug candidate DSC127 for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. [More]
Pediatric nurse scientist awarded AACN Impact Research Grant

Pediatric nurse scientist awarded AACN Impact Research Grant

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recently awarded a $50,000 AACN Impact Research Grant to Martha A.Q. Curley, RN, PhD, FAAN, a leading clinical scientist in pediatric critical care nursing. [More]
BD receives FDA approval for second prefilled injectable drug

BD receives FDA approval for second prefilled injectable drug

BD Rx Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of leading global medical technology company BD, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the second drug to be offered in the recently launched BD Simplist line of ready-to-administer prefilled generic injectables. [More]
AACN awards Impact Research Grant to Detroit palliative care expert

AACN awards Impact Research Grant to Detroit palliative care expert

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recently awarded an AACN Impact Research Grant to Margaret "Meg" Campbell, RN, PhD, FAAN, a nationally known expert in hospital-based palliative care and end-of-life issues. [More]
High dietary salt combined with ulcer infection greatly increases risk of gastric cancer

High dietary salt combined with ulcer infection greatly increases risk of gastric cancer

Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that a diet high in salt is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. [More]
Fruit fly study offers clues to wound healing

Fruit fly study offers clues to wound healing

A person's skin and a fruit fly's exoskeleton, called a "cuticle" may not look alike, but both coverings protect against injury, infection, and dehydration. [More]

AAWC translates patient education brochure on pressure ulcers into Spanish

The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care announces that its latest patient education brochure on the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, "Take the Pressure Off!" has been translated into Spanish. [More]

Mycolactone activation of N-WASP boosts Buruli ulcer formation

Mycobacterium ulcerans infects the skin and subcutaneous tissues and secretes a lipid toxin, mycolactone, which causes open skin lesions, known as Buruli ulcers. [More]

Weekend reading: Humanizing hospitals, splurge of health data and huge sodas

Every week reporter Ankita Rao selects interesting reading from around the Web. [More]

MiR-198 controls migration of skin cells necessary for wounds to close and heal

Patients with diseases such as diabetes suffer from painful wounds that take a long time to heal making them more susceptible to infections that could even lead to amputations. A*STAR's discovery paves the way for therapeutics to improve healing of such chronic wounds, which are a significant burden to patients. [More]

Halometasone and fusidic acid optimal for infected eczema

Results from a randomized, open-label phase III trial suggest that a combination cream of halometasone and fusidic acid reduces symptoms of eczema to a similar degree to a betamethasone and neomycin sulphate cream, but is more effective at treating infected lesions. [More]
Examining global efforts against Buruli ulcer

Examining global efforts against Buruli ulcer

"During my visit to the Médecins Sans Frontières [MSF] Buruli ulcer ward in Cameroon it was wonderful to see the amazing care that the patients receive on a daily basis: antibiotics, state of the art dressings, physiotherapy to help prevent deformities, free food and medicines, and surgery when required," Daniel O'Brien, a specialist adviser with MSF-UK focusing on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and Buruli ulcer, writes in the BMJ Group Blogs. [More]
Dabigatran decreases risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism

Dabigatran decreases risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism

New findings from two double-blind, randomized trials, RE-MEDY and RE-SONATE, show that dabigatran 150 mg twice daily reduces the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). [More]
Dompé initiates enrollment in rhNGF phase I/II REPARO study for neurotrophic keratitis

Dompé initiates enrollment in rhNGF phase I/II REPARO study for neurotrophic keratitis

The first patient has been enrolled in the phase I/II REPARO study, the first international clinical trial evaluating the ophthalmological use of a topical solution of recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor (rhNGF) for the treatment of moderate to severe neurotrophic keratitis (NK). [More]

Sophisticated IT leads to more robust and integrated communication strategies in clinical staff

The federal government invested more than $25 billion in health information technology (IT) as a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act; yet, little is known about how IT applications improve patient safety and protect their privacy. Now, a University of Missouri nursing informatics expert suggests that sophisticated IT leads to more robust and integrated communication strategies among clinical staff, which allows staff to more efficiently coordinate care and better protect patient privacy. [More]

Oral eosinophilic ulcers ‘a self-limiting, reactive condition’

A review of patients with oral eosinophilic ulcers suggests that the lesions should be considered a reactive, local condition rather than a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder. [More]
Gene variant boosts ulcer susceptibility in NSAID users

Gene variant boosts ulcer susceptibility in NSAID users

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 2C gene cluster influences the risk for peptic ulcer disease in people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a study reveals. [More]