Hepatology News and Research

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Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas as well as management of their disorders.

Research group performs randomized study to evaluate efficacy of ICCBco in treatment of lung lesions

To evaluate efficacy of Calculus Bovis compound preparation (ICCBco) in the treatment of lung lesions in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis as the experimental animal model, a research group in China performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to observe pathological changes and pathological effect mechanism of expression of fibronectin and laminin in the lung tissue of portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomiasis.

6 Mar 2010

Researchers assess clinical and cost impacts of PPI utilization in hospitalized patients

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective agents for treating acid related gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The utilization of intravenous (IV) formulations of PPIs has dramatically increased in health care institutions for inappropriate indications, route of administration and length of treatment. This is associated with an increased cost burden, increased risk of IV related infections, and utilization of hospital resources.

6 Mar 2010

Study reports increased incidence of colorectal cancer in China

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China is lower than that in the west countries, but has increased in recent years and become a substantial cancer burden in China, particularly in the more developed areas.

6 Mar 2010

Closing small bowel stomas: Minimal delay optimal

It is generally recommended that a temporary stoma be closed within 9-12 wk after its construction. However, because some patients poorly tolerate the temporary stoma owing to extracellular dehydration, difficult pouch fitting, parenteral nutrition requirement in cases when the stoma is very proximal, and psychological or social impact, it might be advisable to opt for early closure.

6 Mar 2010

Hypertension: Regular nifedipine administration may lead to development of GERD

Nifedipine, a calcium-channel blocker, was shown to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure and increase esophageal acid exposure time, while atenolol, a b1 blocker, was shown to inhibit relaxation of the smooth muscle of the esophagus. However, the influence of these anti-hypertensive drugs on the segment of esophageal body contraction using high-resolution manometry was not fully investigated.

5 Mar 2010

Study explores prognostic biomarkers in patients with lymph node-negative colorectal cancer

Tumor budding at the invasive tumor front of colorectal cancer is recognized as an independent prognostic factor significantly related to both lymph node and distant metastasis.

5 Mar 2010

FDA's PADAC meeting to review pirfenidone NDA: InterMune posts briefing documents

InterMune, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted briefing documents for the March 9 Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee (PADAC) meeting to review the New Drug Application (NDA) for pirfenidone, InterMune's investigational drug candidate for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to reduce decline in lung function. The proposed trade name for pirfenidone is Esbriet®.

5 Mar 2010

Worm proteins may provide option in management of gastrointestinal inflammation in IBD patients

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from chronic inflammation of the gut leading to gastrointestinal motility alterations with symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea that profoundly affect their quality of life. The lack of exposure to worm infections, as a result of improved living standards and medical conditions, might have contributed to the increased incidence of IBD in the Western world.

5 Mar 2010

Signaling mechanisms responsible for HGF-induced CCA invasiveness: More insight

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a bile duct cancer, is one of the major cancers in Northeast Thailand. This cancer is difficult to diagnose and has high metastatic and mortality rates. Overexpression of Met, a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, has frequently been found in CCA and is correlated with progression of this type of cancer.

5 Mar 2010

Propofol is safe for endoscopic procedures with low rate of sedation-related adverse events: Study

Propofol is safe for advanced endoscopic procedures with a low rate of sedation-related adverse events when administered by a trained professional, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute.

4 Mar 2010

InterMune seeks European marketing approval for pirfenidone

InterMune, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking approval to market pirfenidone for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the European Union (EU). Currently, there are no EMA-approved treatments for IPF in the EU.

2 Mar 2010

Short-term dose of losartan-M6PHSA reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis: Study

A recent study found that rats with advanced fibrosis that were administered a short-term dose of losartan-M6PHSA had reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis. Those animals treated with oral losartan alone did not experience a similar reduction in disease activity. Results of this study appear in the March issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

1 Mar 2010

Study shows ghrelin prevents acute liver damage, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

Spanish researchers determined that rats treated with recombinant ghrelin displayed a reduction in liver fibrosis. Ghrelin, a stomach hormone, reduced the amount of fibrogenic cells by 25% in the treated rodents. Research further showed ghrelin prevented acute liver damage and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the animal models.

1 Mar 2010

Widely used biomarkers in early detection of liver cancer are not ideal: Study

Widely used biomarkers are not optimal in early detection of liver cancer, the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, according to a new study published in this month's Gastroenterology.

26 Feb 2010

NIH panel proposes multiple management strategies for lactose intolerant individuals

Lactose intolerance is a real and important clinical syndrome, but quantifying its public health burden is challenging. An NIH Consensus Development panel was convened this week to assess the available evidence on lactose intolerance and health across the age spectrum and across racial and ethnic groups.

25 Feb 2010

Lack of knowledge and awareness impeding efforts to control HBV and HCV

A recent report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) confirmed that 3.5 to 5.3 million people (1-2 % of the U.S. population) have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Despite efforts by federal, state and local government agencies to control and prevent these diseases, they remain a serious public health concern. The major factor impeding efforts to control HBV and HCV is lack of knowledge and awareness among health care providers, social service professionals, members of the public, and policy-makers.

24 Feb 2010

Colonoscopies performed by non-gastroenterologists may increase risk of developing subsequent CRC

Following a negative complete colonoscopy, those who had their colonoscopies at a hospital and had their procedures performed by a non-gastroenterologist may be at a significantly increased risk of developing subsequent colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

24 Feb 2010

FDA Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee supports approval of XIFAXAN 550 mg for management of HE

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today reported that the Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA has recommended by a vote of 14 to 4 in favor of the approval of XIFAXAN® (rifaximin) Tablets, 550 mg for the maintenance of remission of hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

23 Feb 2010

New endoscopic ablation technique safe and effective for treating Barrett's esophagus

Early tumor formation in Barrett's esophagus (BE) can be effectively and safely treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), in combination with prior endoscopic removal of visible lesions, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

19 Feb 2010

$NovaShunt initiates study to evaluate AFS for refractory ascites patients$

NovaShunt initiates study to evaluate AFS for refractory ascites patients

NovaShunt today announced the initiation of its pivotal multi- center clinical study named PIONEER, a Prospective, multi-center, open label, non-randomized study to Investigate the safety and perfOrmance of the Automated Fluid ShuNt in patiEnts with ascitEs and diuretic Resistance.

11 Feb 2010

Hepatology News and Research

Further Reading

Research group performs randomized study to evaluate efficacy of ICCBco in treatment of lung lesions

Researchers assess clinical and cost impacts of PPI utilization in hospitalized patients

Study reports increased incidence of colorectal cancer in China

Closing small bowel stomas: Minimal delay optimal

Hypertension: Regular nifedipine administration may lead to development of GERD

Study explores prognostic biomarkers in patients with lymph node-negative colorectal cancer

FDA's PADAC meeting to review pirfenidone NDA: InterMune posts briefing documents

Worm proteins may provide option in management of gastrointestinal inflammation in IBD patients

Signaling mechanisms responsible for HGF-induced CCA invasiveness: More insight

Propofol is safe for endoscopic procedures with low rate of sedation-related adverse events: Study

InterMune seeks European marketing approval for pirfenidone

Short-term dose of losartan-M6PHSA reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis: Study

Study shows ghrelin prevents acute liver damage, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

Widely used biomarkers in early detection of liver cancer are not ideal: Study

NIH panel proposes multiple management strategies for lactose intolerant individuals

Lack of knowledge and awareness impeding efforts to control HBV and HCV

Colonoscopies performed by non-gastroenterologists may increase risk of developing subsequent CRC

FDA Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee supports approval of XIFAXAN 550 mg for management of HE

New endoscopic ablation technique safe and effective for treating Barrett's esophagus

NovaShunt initiates study to evaluate AFS for refractory ascites patients

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

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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