Gastroenterology News and Research

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Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine where the digestive system and its disorders are studied.

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

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

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

Autism Speaks lauds recommendations for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of GI in ASD children

Autism Speaks applauds the consensus statement and recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) released online in Pediatrics as one step in advancing physician awareness of unique challenges in the medical management of children with autism.

5 Jan 2010

St. John's wort not effective in treating IBS

A Mayo Clinic research study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology finds that St. John's wort is not an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While antidepressants are frequently used to treat IBS, to date, no study has examined the success of using the herbal supplement St. John's wort in treating IBS.

5 Jan 2010

Peginterferon alpha-2a yields better results in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a (PegIFNα2a) plus ribavirin (RBV) better suppresses the virus to undetectable levels in the blood than treatment with peginterferon alpha-2b (PegIFNα2b) plus RBV, according to two new head-to-head studies in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

5 Jan 2010

University of Western Ontario receives grant to conduct randomized trial for Crohn's disease

Robarts Clinical Trials at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, has been awarded a 4.7 million dollar grant to conduct a randomized controlled trial evaluating treatment options for Crohn's disease.

5 Jan 2010

EGS receives U.S. patent covering its SerosaFuse fastener and “over the wire” delivery system

EndoGastric Solutions (EGS), the recognized leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a key patent covering its SerosaFuse fastener and “over the wire” delivery system.

4 Jan 2010

Warner Chilcott accepts $290.5 million in tender offer for its 8-3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

Warner Chilcott plc today announced that its subsidiary Warner Chilcott Corporation (the "Company") has received and accepted for purchase approximately $290.5 million aggregate principal amount of its 8-3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (Cusip No. 93443MAC5) (the "Notes") validly tendered by 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, (the "Consent Date"), and has received consents from holders of approximately 76% of the Notes as of the Consent Date.

31 Dec 2009

JumpStart announces two JumpStart Ventures investments

JumpStart Inc., the Northeast Ohio venture development organization that accelerates the progress of high growth early-stage businesses, announces two JumpStart Ventures investments.

31 Dec 2009

PDI awarded contract sales engagement with Top 5 pharmaceutical company

PDI, Inc., a leading provider of sales and marketing support to U.S. health care companies, has been awarded a significant contract sales engagement with a Top 5 pharmaceutical company. This program is expected to generate approximately $6 million in revenue for PDI during the first quarter of 2010 and may extend through the remainder of 2010.

24 Dec 2009

Combination of ropivacaine and fibrin sealant is effective in reducing pain after LC procedure

Fibrin sealant has been an extremely effective and widely used adjunct to surgical procedures to control diffuse slow bleeding over large surfaces. In addition, fibrin sealant has been used as a carrier for other compounds. Thus, it has been used to release medicines slowly at a fixed site and is therefore effective for a long time.

23 Dec 2009

Gastroenterology News and Research

Further Reading

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

Role of H. pylori in autoimmune atrophic gastritis

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

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

First sulfite-free rectal suspension for UC

Pediatric specialists and pharmacists may get boost from health bills

First Edition: January 12, 2010

EGS announces improved clinical outcomes from its new TIF procedure

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

Medtronic invests in GI Dynamics to advance treatment for metabolic disorders

Prometheus Laboratories executes $260 million senior secured credit facility

Autism Speaks lauds recommendations for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of GI in ASD children

St. John's wort not effective in treating IBS

Peginterferon alpha-2a yields better results in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C

University of Western Ontario receives grant to conduct randomized trial for Crohn's disease

EGS receives U.S. patent covering its SerosaFuse fastener and “over the wire” delivery system

Warner Chilcott accepts $290.5 million in tender offer for its 8-3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

JumpStart announces two JumpStart Ventures investments

PDI awarded contract sales engagement with Top 5 pharmaceutical company

Combination of ropivacaine and fibrin sealant is effective in reducing pain after LC procedure

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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