Bile News and Research

RSS

Mistakes in mismatch repair genes may accurately predict response to certain immunotherapy drugs

In a report of a proof-of-principle study of patients with colon and other cancers for whom standard therapies failed, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say that mistakes in so-called mismatch repair genes, first identified by Johns Hopkins and other scientists two decades ago, may accurately predict who will respond to certain immunotherapy drugs known as PD-1 inhibitors. Such drugs aim to disarm systems developed by cancer cells to evade detection and destruction by immune system cells.

30 May 2015

Carbon monoxide may actually protect the brain from damage after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Carbon monoxide is known by many as a poisonous gas that causes brain injury and other neurological symptoms, including memory loss and confusion. But a new study led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests the opposite may be true: When administered in small, carefully controlled amounts, carbon monoxide may actually protect the brain from damage following subarachnoid hemorrhage, a devastating stroke that results from bleeding in the brain.

27 May 2015

People who have higher HDL function experience fewer heart attacks later in life

HDL is the 'good cholesterol' that helps remove fat from artery walls, reversing the process that leads to heart disease. Yet recent drug trials and genetic studies suggest that simply pushing HDL levels higher doesn't necessarily reduce the risk of heart disease.

27 May 2015

Conjoined twin boys undergo successful separation surgery

Carter and Conner, conjoined twin boys born Dec. 12, 2014, in Jacksonville, Fla., underwent a successful separation surgery on May 7, 2015. The 12-hour surgery was led by a team of highly skilled pediatric specialists that included Daniel Robie, MD, chief of pediatric general surgery, and Nicholas Poulos, MD, pediatric general surgeon, for Nemours Children's Specialty Care and Wolfson Children's Hospital.

11 May 2015

Capsaicin has beneficial effects on liver damage, study reveals

Results revealed today at the International Liver Congress 2015 show that the daily consumption of capsaicin, the active compound of chilli peppers, was found to have beneficial effects on liver damage.

23 Apr 2015

BioReliance inks non-exclusive license agreement with QTS for proprietary B-CLEAR technology

BioReliance, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation's biologics and early-development services business under SAFC Commercial, is pleased to announce a non-exclusive license agreement with Qualyst Transporter Solutions for its proprietary B-CLEAR technology.

21 Apr 2015

Phase 2 IMAGO trial of SHP625 fails to meet primary endpoints in pediatric patients with ALGS

Shire plc today announced that the 13-week Phase 2 IMAGO trial of its investigational compound SHP625 (LUM001) did not meet the primary or secondary endpoints in the study of 20 pediatric patients with Alagille syndrome (ALGS), a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder that presents with chronic cholestasis (accumulation of bile acids in the liver) and severe pruritus (itching).

9 Apr 2015

Symposium to highlight latest thinking related to obesity

The 15th Plymouth Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome Symposium will take place at Plymouth Postgraduate Medical Centre on 21st May.

6 Apr 2015

UC Davis researchers unravel how micro RNA could potentially lead to novel cancer therapies

The micro RNA miR-22 has long been known for its ability to suppress cancer. However, questions remain about how it achieves this feat. For example, which molecules are regulating miR-22, and which are miR22 targets?

6 Apr 2015

Study highlights the treatable causes of cerebellar ataxias

No cures are possible for most patients who suffer debilitating movement disorders called cerebellar ataxias. But in a few of these disorders, patients can be effectively treated with regimens such as prescription drugs, high doses of vitamin E and gluten-free diets, according to a study in the journal Movement Disorders.

24 Mar 2015

FDA approves CHOLBAM (cholic acid) for treatment of bile acid synthesis disorders

Asklepion Pharmaceuticals, LLC. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CHOLBAM (cholic acid) as a once-daily treatment for cholic acid deficiency in bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme defects.

18 Mar 2015

Betaretrovirus may infect patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

In a new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, researchers at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry have shown that a betaretrovirus which resembles a mouse mammary tumor virus infects patients with the rare liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

20 Feb 2015

Researchers reveal how C. difficile wreaks havoc on guts, causes life-threatening diseases

In a new paper in the journal Infection and Immunity, the researchers lay out for the first time exactly how C. difficile wreaks havoc on the guts of animals in a short time, and causes severe diarrhea and life-threatening disease in humans.

19 Feb 2015

University of Alberta researcher named winner of A.S.P.E.N.'s 2015 Harry M. Vars Award

David Lim, MD, CM, of the University of Alberta has been named the winner of the 2015 Harry M. Vars Award by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. The award is for his research on parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants, which was presented at A.S.P.E.N.'s Clinical Nutrition Week conference in Long Beach, California, February 14 to 17.

19 Feb 2015

New class of experimental drug could help patients with bile duct cancer

Patients with bile duct cancer could be helped by a new class of experimental drug, a study has shown.

18 Feb 2015

Rutgers patient gets second chance at life following liver transplant

Mati Muñoz is 65 years old - filled with the enthusiastic energy that comes with a second chance at life. A decade ago, says Muñoz, who lives in Woodbridge Township, N.J., her liver was being destroyed by hepatitis C, a viral disease she believes she contracted as a girl in her native Cuba from a poorly sterilized needle used in a medical procedure.

17 Feb 2015

Loyola pediatrician offers tips to help ease spit-up in babies after feeding

A baby's feeding habits are a common source of questions for pediatricians. Though every baby will spit up, some do it considerably more than others, which can cause parents to think something might be wrong.

16 Feb 2015

St. John Hospital first in Michigan to offer new alternative treatment for acid reflux disease

St. John Hospital is among the first in the state and the only site in southeast Michigan to offer a new alternative treatment for patients with acid reflux disease.

10 Feb 2015

University of Alberta's David Lim named recipient of Research Trainee Award by A.S.P.E.N.

David Lim, MD, CM, of the University of Alberta has been named a Research Trainee Award recipient by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. The award is for his research on parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants that he will present at A.S.P.E.N.'s Clinical Nutrition Week conference in Long Beach, California, February 14 to 17.

6 Feb 2015

Scientists identify gene mutations that provide better insight into hepatitis-liver cancer link

Using whole genomic sequencing, scientists from RIKEN in Japan have for the first time demonstrated the profound effect that chronic hepatitis infection and inflammation can have on the genetic mutations found in tumors of the liver, potentially paving the way to a better understanding of the mechanisms through which these chronic infections can lead to cancer.

2 Feb 2015