Gastrointestinal Tract News and Research

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Popular artificial sweetener can modify how the body handles sugar, find researchers

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a popular artificial sweetener can modify how the body handles sugar.

30 May 2013

Immune system attacks beneficial bacteria in several chronic human diseases

The human gut is loaded with commensal bacteria - "good" microbes that, among other functions, help the body digest food. The gastrointestinal tract contains literally trillions of such cells, and yet the immune system seemingly turns a blind eye. However, in several chronic human diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, HIV/AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, the immune system attacks these normally beneficial bacteria, resulting in chronic inflammation and contributing to disease progression.

23 May 2013

HI VISION™ Preirus™ ultrasound scanner released by PENTAX Medical

PENTAX Medical Company, a healthcare industry leader in endoscopic imaging, recently announced the release of the HI VISION™ Preirus™ ultrasound scanner. PENTAX Medical, in collaboration with Hitachi-Aloka, has had a rich history of introducing ultrasound scanners to the gastroenterology and pulmonary markets that present new possibilities in imaging capabilities. The new, state-of-the-art HI VISION™ Preirus will continue this tradition, enabling better patient care.

From PENTAX Medical Company 22 May 2013

PENTAX Medical, Hitachi-Aloka Medical to continue development of Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems

PENTAX Medical, a healthcare industry leader in endoscopic imaging, and Hitachi-Aloka Medical, a global leader in ultrasound imaging, recently announced renewed collaborative efforts between the two global companies to enable further innovation in the development of Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems.

From PENTAX Medical Company 18 May 2013

UCSF researchers create first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells

Raising hopes for cell-based therapies, UC San Francisco researchers have created the first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells, in the laboratory. The researchers showed that, in mice, the tissue can be used to foster the development of white blood cells the body needs to mount healthy immune responses and to prevent harmful autoimmune reactions.

17 May 2013

Changes in specific proteins contribute to 'leaky-gut' wall

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made an important advance in understanding the biological factors that keep the lining of the gut wall intact. Associate Professor, Maria O'Sullivan at Trinity's School of Medicine and St James's Hospital and colleagues, showed that changes in specific proteins may contribute to a 'leaky-gut' wall which may have important implications for common chronic digestive diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

17 May 2013

Implications for manipulating immune response for some inflammatory disorders

Cytokines are molecules produced by immune cells that induce the migration of other cells to sites of infection or injury, promote the production of anti-microbial agents, and signal the production of inflammatory mediators.

14 May 2013

NeuroDerm enrolls patients for Phase IIa clinical trial of ND0612

NeuroDerm, Ltd. announced today that enrollment of patients is ongoing in its Phase IIa clinical trial of ND0612, a novel drug formulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

16 Apr 2013

Updated clinical data from phase I study of Ensituximab presented at AACR meeting

Precision Biologics announced today that in conjunction with researchers from Precsion Biologics , Johns Hopkins Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center presented updated clinical data from the phase I study of Ensituximab, a novel therapeutic antibody to treat pancreas and colorectal cancers

11 Apr 2013

Finding avoids needless exposure to potentially toxic treatment

Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder that's difficult to treat. However, thanks to new research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, doctors may be able to treat some patients more effectively.

11 Apr 2013

Non-invasive gut health testing breakthrough

Health and functional claims made for foods such as probiotics still need to prove their effectiveness ― an important part of the answer rests in our small intestines and their role in digestion, and immunity.

5 Apr 2013

The content of persons’ breath may indicate their susceptibility to weight gain

The content of a person's breath may indicate how susceptible they are to weight gain, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

26 Mar 2013

Planar cell polarity genes control connectivity of enteric neurons

The enteric nervous system (ENS), the "little brain" that resides within the gut wall, governs motility, secretion, and blood flow in the human gastrointestinal tract. Failure of the ENS to develop normally leads to congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung Disease) while loss of normal gut innervation is thought to contribute to debilitating motility disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

11 Mar 2013

SCCA, ProCure announce opening of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and ProCure Treatment Centers, Inc. (ProCure) announced the opening of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy, A ProCure Center today in Seattle, Washington.

8 Mar 2013

Positive results from NeuroDerm ND0612 Phase I trial on Parkinson's

NeuroDerm, Ltd. announced today the results of a Phase I safety and pharmacokinetic trial of ND0612, a novel drug formulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

4 Mar 2013

Study indicates how gastric bypass reverses diabetes

In a substudy of the STAMPEDE trial (Surgical Therapy And Medications Potentially Eradicate Diabetes Efficiently), Cleveland Clinic researchers have found that gastric bypass surgery reverses diabetes by uniquely restoring pancreatic function in moderately obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

28 Feb 2013

Scientists identify two populations of human cells that migrate to the intestine

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and colleagues have identified a special population of adult stem cells in bone marrow that have the natural ability to migrate to the intestine and produce intestinal cells, suggesting their potential to restore healthy tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

28 Feb 2013

Bayer receives FDA approval for Stivarga to treat advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approved use of Stivarga (regorafenib) to treat patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that cannot be surgically removed and no longer respond to other FDA-approved treatments for this disease.

26 Feb 2013

C-section babies more likely to develop allergies

For expectant moms who may contemplate the pros and cons of natural child birth or Caesarian section, a Henry Ford Hospital study suggests that C-section babies are susceptible to developing allergies by age two.

25 Feb 2013

Systemic delivery of antisense oligonucleotides neutralizes mutant RNA toxicity in mice with DM1

By targeting the specific mutation that causes the hereditary neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy, it is possible to neutralize the mutant RNA toxicity and minimize or even eliminate the disabling symptoms of the disease.

25 Feb 2013