Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Kidney disease risk gene found in more populations than previously known

In the largest population genomics investigation to date, a team of researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Stanford University, and the University of Colorado have discovered that kidney disease risk variants of the gene APOL1, previously known to affect African and African American populations, are also found at appreciable frequencies in Caribbean and Latin American populations.

28 Dec 2018

Multicenter study demonstrates effectiveness, safety of topical antibiotics in NICU babies

A team of doctors led by Karen L. Kotloff, M.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, has performed a clinical trial involving multiple hospitals that tested the effectiveness of applying a topical antibiotic known as mupirocin for prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infection in babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

28 Dec 2018

Kanazawa University researchers unravel link between inflammation and cancer

Severe inflammation in tissues is often associated with the occurrence of cancer. The mechanism linking both these conditions is not clearly understood. Furthermore, inflamed and cancerous tissues contain a heterogenous mix of damaged and protective cells.

27 Dec 2018

Whole genome study identifies genetic architecture for diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

In the largest genetic analysis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) performed to date, an international consortium, including researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, conducted a whole genome association study to identify common genetic architecture for different diagnostic criteria used to define the syndrome.

24 Dec 2018

Researchers reveal how dietary intervention can help prevent autoimmune disease in mice

Could a change in diet be beneficial to people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus? A Yale-led team of researchers have revealed how a dietary intervention can help prevent the development of this autoimmune disease in susceptible mice.

21 Dec 2018

Change in genome of Caucasians could explain higher rates of esophageal cancer

A change in the genome of Caucasians could explain much-higher rates of the most common type of esophageal cancer in this population, a new study finds.

21 Dec 2018

Gut microbiome plays role in immune system regulation, study finds

Scientist have long known that bacteria in the intestines, also known as the microbiome, perform a variety of useful functions for their hosts, such as breaking down dietary fiber in the digestive process and making vitamins K and B7.

19 Dec 2018

Split liver transplants could save children on wait list finds study

A review analysed 5,300 cases of liver transplants on children across the country. The team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins Medicine looked at the patients who were more likely to survive after a split liver transplant. A split liver transplant is a type of transplant where the recipient receives only a part of the donor’s liver.

18 Dec 2018

Sickest children could benefit from split liver transplants

In a review of registry data for more than 5,300 liver transplants performed in children nationwide, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers identify the type of patient who is most likely to survive a split liver transplant--receiving only part of a donor's liver--with no additional long-term health risks, which could allow for an increase in the availability of organs.

18 Dec 2018

Malnutrition in children with Crohn's disease linked with increased risk of surgical complications

Results of a medical records study of children with Crohn's disease by Johns Hopkins researchers have added substantial evidence for a strong and direct link between malnutrition and increased risk of surgical complications and poor outcomes.

17 Dec 2018

New bacterial species may help fight obesity and metabolic disorders

The MyNewGut project has discovered new bacterial species and strains in healthy people that seem to be effective against obesity, metabolic and mental disorders related to stress and obesity (e.g. depression).

17 Dec 2018

RNA sequencing offers novel insights into the microbiome

Researchers have come up with a revolutionary strategy for studying the activity of the gut microbiome – using high-throughput sequencing of tRNA.

17 Dec 2018

New European-funded project aims to improve microbiome research

The newly started European-funded project MicrobiomeSupport held its kick-off meeting on 28 November 2018 in Ottawa, Canada.

17 Dec 2018

Probiotics may offer therapeutic benefits for biopolar patients

A new study has shown that probiotics may serve as a potential therapeutic approach to bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions.

13 Dec 2018

Salk professor receives $1.8 million from NOMIS Foundation for research on mechanisms to promote health

Associate Professor Janelle Ayres has been awarded $1.8 million over two years by the NOMIS Foundation to study health as an active process in which microbes--including the trillions of microorganisms that call the human body home--initiate interactions that promote the health of the host.

13 Dec 2018

Study: Loss of tight junction barrier protein results in gastric cancer development

Tight junctions are multi-protein complexes that serve as barriers in epithelial tissues such as the skin or lining of the gut. Loss of a specific tight junction barrier protein, claudin 18, occurs in the majority of gastric cancer patients and is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

13 Dec 2018

New collaborative partnership in quest of novel antibiotics

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, Eisai Co., Ltd. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited have signed an agreement for GARDP to access and screen components of Eisai and Takeda's chemical libraries.

12 Dec 2018

Gut bacteria may modify effectiveness of anti-diabetes drugs

Why do orally-administered drugs for diabetes work for some people but not others? According to researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine, bacteria that make up the gut microbiome may be the culprit.

11 Dec 2018

The Microbiome Movement announce Microbiotica as official industry partner

The Microbiome Movement are proudly announce Microbiotica as an industry partner for the 3rd Microbiome Movement – Drug Development Europe 2019.

From The Microbiome Movement 11 Dec 2018

Researchers develop new system for efficiently producing human norovirus

An Osaka University-led research team has developed a system for simply and efficiently producing human norovirus. By coaxing human induced pluripotent stem cells to develop into a type of cell that usually lines the intestine, they created a cellular environment that can be used for producing the virus, studying how it interacts with human cells, and investigating potential vaccines.

11 Dec 2018