Gastrointestinal Tract News and Research

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Innovative system combines medical imaging capsules with digital play

Endoscopy patients will soon be able to ‘play’ with their insides as part of an innovative research project that aims to integrate humans and technology through fun experiences with ingestible sensors.

6 Aug 2020

Antioxidants in diet could raise risk of bowel cancer, new study reveals

Health benefits of antioxidants in food have been proven across a considerable body of scientific literature. Now, a new study shows that too much of a good thing may not be that good! Typically antioxidants in food, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and other plant compounds, could raise the risk of bowel cancer finds a new study from Israeli researchers.

30 Jul 2020

Finding the right treatment for people with IBD may soon become easier

Finding the right treatment for people living with chronic intestinal inflammation, also known as inflammatory bowel disease, might soon be getting easier.

27 Jul 2020

ASCRS releases updated recommendations for surgery in patients with Crohn's disease

Although rates of surgery for Crohn's disease have decreased over the years, many patients still require surgical treatment - due to inadequate responses to medical therapy, severe attacks of acute colitis, and many other situations.

23 Jul 2020

Study may lead to more effective treatments for chronic intestinal inflammation

Finding the right treatment for people living with chronic intestinal inflammation, also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), might soon be getting easier. World IBD Day happens on 19 May each year, with the goal to raise awareness about the disease and urge action.

23 Jul 2020

Emerging hydrogel material could improve oral drug delivery

An emerging hydrogel material with the capacity to degrade and spontaneously reform in the gastrointestinal tract could help researchers develop more effective methods for oral drug delivery.

16 Jul 2020

Compound in pickled capers can directly regulate proteins required for bodily processes

A compound commonly found in pickled capers has been shown to activate proteins required for normal human brain and heart activity, and may even lead to future therapies for the treatment of epilepsy and abnormal heart rhythms.

14 Jul 2020

Study shows how gut microbiota may contribute to type 2 diabetes

The individual mix of microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract provides vital clues as to how any future incidence of type 2 diabetes can be predicted, prevented and treated. This is demonstrated in a population study led from the University of Gothenburg.

13 Jul 2020

SARS-CoV-2 a dagger to the aging heart

Researchers in Europe have shown that genes involved in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are expressed to a higher degree in older heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) than they are in younger cardiomyocytes.

9 Jul 2020

OU researcher receives $1.3 million grant to study stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome

Anyone who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome can testify to its signature trait: It gets worse during times of stress.

9 Jul 2020

New technology can rapidly disrupt existing biofilms that account for chronic diseases

Chronic and recurrent bacterial diseases are treatment-resistant due to the ability of the pathogens to establish biofilms, which act as fortresses built of extracellular DNA and proteins to protect populations of the bacteria.

8 Jul 2020

Researchers develop peptides for treating gastrointestinal disorders

The fascinating family of trefoil factor peptides brings hope to both research and industry to improve the treatment of chronic disorders such as Crohn's disease.

7 Jul 2020

Viral and bacterial co-infections are pervasive in severe COVID-19 patients

A large group of researchers from China recently characterized microbial co-infections in the respiratory tract of hospitalized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and demonstrated a high prevalence of both viral and bacterial co-infections – particularly in individuals presenting with severe disease.

6 Jul 2020

Stool microbial and metabolite signatures predict cirrhosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting an estimated one-quarter of the global population. It is a progressive condition that, in worst cases, can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death.

30 Jun 2020

High fiber diet may improve the quality of life for patients with ulcerative colitis

Eating diets low in fat and high in fiber may improve the quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) - even those in remission.

30 Jun 2020

Raw milk can hold huge amount of antimicrobial-resistant genes

Raw or unpasteurized cows' milk from U.S. retail stores can hold a huge amount of antimicrobial-resistant genes if left at room temperature, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis.

29 Jun 2020

SARS-CoV-2 can replicate in human pediatric gastric organoids

A diverse research group from the United Kingdom, Italy, China, and Australia established a first expandable human gastric organoid culture across fetal developmental stages, supporting the hypothesis that fetal tissue seems to be much less susceptible to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection – especially in the early stages of development.

25 Jun 2020

Defective maintenance puts intestinal health in danger

In order to keep the intestinal mucosa and the entire organism healthy, intestinal epithelial cells have developed various protective functions involving a number of maintenance mechanisms that protect cells from stress.

23 Jun 2020

Cloning stem cells to develop treatments for Crohn's disease

For over a decade Wa Xian, research associate professor of biology and biochemistry at the University of Houston Stem Cell Center, has been perfecting technology for cloning stem cells. Now she is using it to take aim at pediatric Crohn's disease.

18 Jun 2020

Study identifies a previously unknown mechanism that contributes to intestinal cancer

A MedUni Vienna study group has identified a previously unknown mechanism involved in the development of intestinal cancer: The bacterial microbiome activates the so-called immune checkpoint Ido1 in Paneth cells, a special cell that is only found in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preventing local intestinal inflammation.

18 Jun 2020