Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

GI Dynamics to present interim data on its EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner study

GI Dynamics, a leader in non-surgical, endoscopic treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity, today announced that interim data from its ongoing clinical study of the EndoBarrier™ Gastrointestinal Liner in obese patients with type 2 diabetes will be presented by Eduardo G. Moura, M.D., Ph.D., director of endoscopy, digestive surgery department, Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo, on Monday, November 23, 2009 at GASTRO 2009.

23 Nov 2009

Top-line data from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals' LX1031 Phase 2 study for IBS to be presented

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that top-line data from its Phase 2 clinical study with LX1031 in patients with non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) will be presented at GASTRO 2009 in London this week. Results from the study, which showed a significant improvement in IBS symptoms, will be presented by Dr. Philip M. Brown, Lexicon's senior vice president of clinical development, on November 25, 2009 at 2:30 pm local time at the session entitled, "Therapeutic insights in functional digestive disorders."

23 Nov 2009

Kingston University receives £99,000 for cancer research

Scientists have begun a three-year study to analyse why cancer patients become resistant to treatments designed to fight the disease. A research team from Kingston University has been awarded £99,000 to investigate why some tumours are sensitive and respond to treatments and why other tumours do not.

23 Nov 2009

Given Imaging introduces new PillCam system at GASTRO 2009 Conference

Given Imaging Ltd., the global leader in capsule endoscopy, today announced the launch of its second-generation PillCam® COLON capsule at the Gastro 2009 Conference taking place in London. Like Given Imaging's other capsule endoscopes, PillCam® SB and PillCam® ESO, PillCam COLON could be a more patient-friendly tool for imaging the gastrointestinal tract.

23 Nov 2009

Boston Scientific's WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent receives FDA clearance and CE Mark approval

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex® Fully Covered Esophageal Stent for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable esophageal cancer.

20 Nov 2009

New studies suggest elevated risk of gastrointestinal cancers in diabetic patients

There are minimal data assessing the relationship between diabetes with gallbladder, biliary and pancreatic cancer. Recent small studies have suggested an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer only in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

20 Nov 2009

GERD is an immune-mediated injury and not the result of acid burn, says new study

Contrary to current thinking, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might not develop as a direct result of acidic digestive juices burning the esophagus, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found in an animal study.

20 Nov 2009

Swissmedic grants marketing authorization for Amitiza

Sucampo Pharma Europe Ltd., a subsidiary of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has granted a marketing authorization for Amitiza® (lubiprostone) 24 microgram (mcg) gel capsules for the long-term treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

20 Nov 2009

Gastrointestinal symptoms may interfere with nutritional management of ED patients

Eating disorders (ED) patients display a high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms may interfere with their nutritional management. Ingestion of fructose-sorbitol (F-S) is an established means of gastrointestinal symptom provocation in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

20 Nov 2009

Embryonic stem cells raise hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, known for their capacity to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into almost all types of cells including hepatocytes, have raised the hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure. There have been several protocols available for hepatic fate specification from ES cells, however, most of the protocols currently used result in low yield or purity of functional hepatocytes. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to facilitate the hepatic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, little is know about whether VPA could induce the hepatic differentiation of ES cells.

19 Nov 2009

Book on pediatric IBD launched

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis. The distinct phenotype in pediatric and adolescent patients and the difference from adult IBD make early-onset IBD a unique subgroup requiring specific therapeutic considerations. In this book, leading experts from the USA, Europe and Israel present new data on the genetics, epidemiology, pathology and pathogenesis of pediatric IBD. Imaging and endoscopy in the diagnosis of IBD are also discussed.

19 Nov 2009

Report on unexplained liver haemorrhage after metastasis radiofrequency ablation published

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the world. Approximately one in four of these patients have metastases at diagnosis, liver being the most common site involved. Although historically it was considered that liver metastases meant a very poor prognosis, today, due to improved systemic therapy, many patients will be candidates for local hepatic treatments such as surgery or less aggressive radiofrequency ablation.

19 Nov 2009

Reduction of serum bilirubin, the hallmark of successful biliary drainage

Biliary drainage is performed as a palliative treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The reduction of serum bilirubin is usually the hallmark of successful biliary drainage. However, some patients may have persistent jaundice or scanty bile output after biliary drainage.

19 Nov 2009

Study: EP4 agonist may reduce gastric bleeding and inflammation

Over 300 million patients use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the world to treat pain, arthritis, fever and other diseases. Nearly 30% of the users suffer from gastric lesions and bleeding.

19 Nov 2009

Experimental study shows beneficial effects of Vardenafil on NSAID-induced gastric ulcer

Indomethacin has been proved by epidemiological and experimental studies to be closely associated with peptic ulcer development. Vardenafil is a potent phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor and its effects on the gastric mucosa havenot been reported.

19 Nov 2009

Green tea prevents the development of hepatic fibrosis in rat model of DMN-induced liver fibrosis

Several studies have shown that lipid peroxidation stimulates collagen production in fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and plays an important role in the development of liver fibrosis. Hepatoprotective effects of green tea against carbon tetrachloride, cholestasis and alcohol induced liver fibrosis were reported in many studies. However, the hepatoprotective effect of green tea in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced models has not been studied.

18 Nov 2009

Albireo completes A3309 phase 1b study in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation

Albireo today announced the completion of a phase 1b study showing a favorable tolerability and safety profile of A3309 in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation. In addition, the data revealed appropriate efficacy signals in this patient population. A3309 is a first in class compound developed for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-C).

18 Nov 2009

CONMED Linvatec produces the smallest Biocomposite Interference screw for fixation of ACL and PCL grafts

CONMED Corporation's CONMED Linvatec arthroscopy unit today announced the release of new sizes of its Matryx™ Biocomposite Interference Screw. These new screws represent the latest advance in biocomposite material technology that allows CONMED Linvatec to produce the smallest Biocomposite Interference screw available on the market today for primary fixation of ACL and PCL grafts.

17 Nov 2009

First phase of new electronic health record system launched at Trinity Center

NYU Langone Medical Center launched the first phase of its new electronic health record system last week at their multi-disciplinary faculty group practice at Trinity Center in lower Manhattan. The integrated system, powered by software from Epic Systems Corporation, provides a single platform from which physicians, staff and patients themselves can access and manage medical information.

17 Nov 2009

Scientists solve 50-year-old thalidomide puzzle

Research into the controversial drug thalidomide reveals that the mechanism through which the drug causes limb defects is the same process which causes it to damage internal organs and other tissues. The article, published in Bio-Essays, outlines the challenges surrounding thalidomide research and claims that confirmation of a 'common mechanism' could lead to new treatments for Leprosy, Crohn's Disease, AIDS and some forms of cancer..

17 Nov 2009

Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

GI Dynamics to present interim data on its EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner study

Top-line data from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals' LX1031 Phase 2 study for IBS to be presented

Kingston University receives £99,000 for cancer research

Given Imaging introduces new PillCam system at GASTRO 2009 Conference

Boston Scientific's WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent receives FDA clearance and CE Mark approval

New studies suggest elevated risk of gastrointestinal cancers in diabetic patients

GERD is an immune-mediated injury and not the result of acid burn, says new study

Swissmedic grants marketing authorization for Amitiza

Gastrointestinal symptoms may interfere with nutritional management of ED patients

Embryonic stem cells raise hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure

Book on pediatric IBD launched

Report on unexplained liver haemorrhage after metastasis radiofrequency ablation published

Reduction of serum bilirubin, the hallmark of successful biliary drainage

Study: EP4 agonist may reduce gastric bleeding and inflammation

Experimental study shows beneficial effects of Vardenafil on NSAID-induced gastric ulcer

Green tea prevents the development of hepatic fibrosis in rat model of DMN-induced liver fibrosis

Albireo completes A3309 phase 1b study in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation

CONMED Linvatec produces the smallest Biocomposite Interference screw for fixation of ACL and PCL grafts

First phase of new electronic health record system launched at Trinity Center

Scientists solve 50-year-old thalidomide puzzle

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Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Your full guide to the gut microbiome eBook

Leveraging the Radian ASAP in standard casework

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CellVoyant's AI-Powered Vision for the Future of Cell Therapy

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