Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

New noninvasive technique to detect colorectal and gastric cancers found

A preliminary evaluation of methylation of two gene promoters in fecal DNA showed promise as a noninvasive method to detect colorectal and gastric cancers, according to a new study published online August 21 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

24 Aug 2009

Takeda Canada reacquires commercial rights for an oral type 2 diabetic treatment drug

Takeda Canada, Inc. announced that it has reacquired the Canadian commercial rights to ACTOS(R) (pioglitazone HCl), an oral treatment for type 2 diabetes, from Eli Lilly Canada Inc. Takeda, the discoverer of ACTOS, licensed the drug to Lilly as part of a worldwide agreement in 1999.

21 Aug 2009

Research suggests that nitrates and nitrites in plants may be beneficial to health

A Michigan State University researcher is challenging health standards that consider nitrates and nitrites in food to be harmful.

21 Aug 2009

Health Informatics Consulting to oversee practice management & EHR implementation at New Jersey ambulatory centers

Two new ambulatory surgical centers under construction in Northern New Jersey will streamline and improve the quality of care for patients through a partnership with Health Informatics Consulting (http://www.hi-consulting.net), a leader in healthcare technology.

20 Aug 2009

SFDA approves China Pharma Holdings' generic Omeprazole Sodium injection

China Pharma Holdings, Inc., which develops, manufactures, and markets specialty pharmaceutical products in China, today announced that it has received approval from the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration ("SFDA) for the production of generic Omeprazole Sodium injections.

19 Aug 2009

New biomarker predicts response to hepatitis C treatment

Researchers have identified the first genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, and a single letter of DNA code appears to make a huge difference. Duke University Medical Center scientists says the biomarker not only predicts who is most likely to respond to treatment and who isn't, but also may explain why there are such different rates of response among racial and ethnic groups, a phenomenon that has puzzled physicians for years.

16 Aug 2009

Novel treatment reduces swollen livers

Viruses need living cells for replication and production of virus progeny. Thus far, antiviral therapy primarily targets viral factors but often induces therapy resistance. New improved therapies attempt to targets cellular factors that are essential for viral replication.

16 Aug 2009

Study looks at imipramine in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

IBS remains a common intestinal disorder causing significant discomfort and poor quality of life in patients who have the diagnosis. TCAs have been shown to improve abdominal pain in patients with IBS; however, there is insufficient evidence of global symptom relief. The search for an optimal treatment to improve symptoms and quality of life in IBS remains ongoing.

12 Aug 2009

Factors associated with use of gastric cancer screening services in Korea

The mortality of gastric cancer is decreasing despite the increasing incidence in Korea. This can be explained by surgical technique development and early detection by endoscopic screening or upper gastrointestinal study.

12 Aug 2009

Scientists take the first step to targeted treatment for stomach cancer

Researchers have identified a protein that plays an important role in the development of stomach cancers and that could one day be a target for new treatments for the disease, according to research published (Wednesday) in the British Journal of Cancer.

12 Aug 2009

Experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis reverses disorder in mice

A new experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) completely reverses the devastating autoimmune disorder in mice, and might work exactly the same way in humans, say researchers at the Jewish General Hospital Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and McGill University in Montreal.

11 Aug 2009

Predictors of disease behavior change in patients with Crohn's disease

Using the Vienna classification system, it has been shown in clinic-based cohorts that there can be a significant change in disease behavior over time, whereas disease location remains relatively stable. Clinical and environmental factors as well as medical therapy might be relevant in predicting disease behavior change in patients with CD.

11 Aug 2009

Characteristic pathological findings and effects of ecabet sodium in rat reflux esophagitis

Recently, the number of patients with GERD has increased in Japan. However, there have been few reports about the pathological findings in the esophageal squamous epithelium, and there are differing opinions among pathologists about the findings considered characteristic of chronic reflux esophagitis.

11 Aug 2009

Metabolic bone disease in cirrhosis patients

Long-standing liver disease has long been recognized to result in fragile bones with increased risk of fractures. In various international studies, the overall incidence has varied from 11% to 48%, with a fracture rate of 3%-44%.

10 Aug 2009

Gallbladder emptying in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an idiopathic chronic cholestatic inflammatory liver disease characterized by diffuse fibrosing inflammation of intra- and/or extrahepatic bile ducts, resulting in bile duct obliteration, biliary cirrhosis, and eventually hepatic failure. One of the most common symptoms at the time of presentation of PSC is mild to severe abdominal pain localized in the right upper quadrant. However, the mechanisms responsible for the abdominal pain in PSC are not fully understood.

10 Aug 2009

Cephalon, Inc. completes acquisition of Arana Therapeutics

Cephalon, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEPH) announced today that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Australian biotechnology company, Arana Therapeutics Limited. As a result of the acquisition, Arana is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cephalon.

10 Aug 2009

Association of Specialty Professors announces the 2009 T. Franklin Williams scholars

The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) is pleased to announce the eighth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars. These scholars are recipients of two- to four-year career development awards funded by a generous grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies (USA) Inc. and the John A. Hartford Foundation, and co-sponsored by 12 internal medicine specialty societies.

10 Aug 2009

Expert available on recent FDA analysis of TNF blockers

Lloyd J. Old, M.D., is Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) New York Branch. He is also Director of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Scientific Advisory Council, Director of the CRI/LICR Cancer Vaccine Collaborative, and Director of the CRI Cancer Vaccine Consortium. He has been a Member of the National Academy of Sciences since 1978.

9 Aug 2009

Psoriasis sufferers at risk for other medical conditions

Emerging research reveals that people with psoriasis are at risk for developing other serious medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes and obesity. According to a new study by the National Psoriasis Foundation, of 5,000 people with psoriasis, nearly two-thirds report having at least one other critical health problem.

6 Aug 2009

Tips to avoid heat stroke

The first sign of dangerous heat stroke can be just that – no sweat. As the temperature rises, your body’s natural cooling mechanism, sweat (or more kindly, perspiration), evaporates and helps to cool your body. But on those hot, humid cut-the-air-with-a knife days, evaporation is slowed and your body may not be able to keep itself cool.

5 Aug 2009