Copyright 2008 Medical News Today Latest GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/gastrointestinal/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119544.php Researchers with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center have discovered one of the clues that may explain how a common stomach bacteria can trigger stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori infects nearly 50 percent of the population and is the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer. However, only a fraction of those infected with H. pylori develop cancer, so researchers have been trying to define the pathways that lead to cancer development. Richard Peek Jr., M.D. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119555.php Novartis announced that Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) tablets has been granted priority review status by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first therapy to be reviewed for use after surgery in kit-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). FDA priority review status is granted to therapies that could potentially fill a currently unmet medical need and accelerates the standard review timing from ten to six months. Colorectal Cancer Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119554.php Researchers from St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri report that EUS and EUS-FNA is 99.1 percent accurate in diagnosing pancreatic neoplasms (abnormal growths or tumors) in patients who were referred for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) because of CT and/or MRI reports of two common, though somewhat ambiguous findings - enlargement of head of pancreas (HOP) or dilation of the pancreatic duct (PD). GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119425.php Contrary to a common recommendation to avoid eating popcorn, nuts and corn to prevent diverticular complications, a large prospective study of men indicates that the consumption of these foods does not increase the risk of diverticulosis or diverticular complications, according to a study in the August 27 issue of JAMA. Diverticular disease is a common and costly digestive disorder in Western countries. One-third of the U.S. Nutrition / Diet Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119433.php Karger Publishers is pleased to announce two new online journals dedicated exclusively to case reports: Case Reports in Gastroenterology and Case Reports in Oncology. These peer-reviewed online-only journals are two new forums devoted to publishing case reports. They cover the entire spectrum of their specific fields of medicine, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, toxicities of therapy, supportive care, quality-of-life and survivorship issues. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119224.php A new study published in the August 27 issue of JAMA reports good news for men who enjoy nuts, corn, or popcorn. Researchers studying a large cohort of men have found that consumption of these foods does not increase the risk of diverticulosis or diverticular complications - a conclusion that is contrary to common beliefs. Diverticular disease is characterized by having diverticula in the colon, and it often leads to diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. Irritable-Bowel Syndrome Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119340.php Regenerx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:RGN) announced that it completed enrollment of its first of four ongoing Phase II clinical trials. The trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Company's topical drug candidate, RGN-137, in seventy-two patients with pressure ulcers who are being treated for up to 84 days or less if fully healed. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119300.php Asian-American/Pacific Islanders with early-stage stomach cancers have an overall median survival rate that is higher than those of other races or ethnicities, according to new research, Reuters Health reports.For the study, Barry Feig of the University of Texas M.D. Cancer / Oncology Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119201.php Data from a recent study demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and pathogen protection benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 a probiotic bacterial strain of human origin. Gastrointestinal benefits of probiotics have been well-documented, but more and more research is revealing that probiotic benefits extend to the entire body. The report was published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119214.php ARYx Therapeutics, Inc., (NASDAQ:ARYX), a biopharmaceutical company, announced the results of a Phase 2b clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of its prokinetic agent, ATI-7505, in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation. The clinical trial, conducted by Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals (P&G), was designed to enroll 400 patients evaluating four doses of the agent compared to placebo. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119082.php Researchers have uncovered a big clue as to why some of the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers pose a greater risk for serious problems like stomach cancer than others; it turns out these bacteria can exploit the surrounding stomach cells to protect them from the immune system. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial strain that can infect the human stomach and induce inflammation, ulcers, and potentially even stomach cancer. However, only a small fraction of H. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119064.php Self-destruction for a common cause ETH Zurich biologists, led by Professors Martin Ackermann and Wolf-Dietrich Hardt, in collaboration with Michael Doebeli of the University of British Colombia in Vancouver (CN), have been able to describe how random molecular processes during cell division allow some cells to engage in a self-destructive act to generate a greater common good, thereby improving the situation of the surviving siblings. Biology / Biochemistry Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119130.php Eisai Corporation of North America and its partner Helsinn Healthcare SA announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new oral formulation of ALOXI(R) (palonosetron hydrochloride) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). ALOXI Capsules 0. Cancer / Oncology Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119121.php ETH Zurich biologists, led by Professors Martin Ackermann and Wolf-Dietrich Hardt, in collaboration with Michael Doebeli of the University of British Colombia in Vancouver (CN), have been able to describe how random molecular processes during cell division allow some cells to engage in a self-destructive act to generate a greater common good, thereby improving the situation of the surviving siblings. Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119071.php Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a potential new way to stop the bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, tularemia and severe diarrhea from making people sick. The researchers found that the molecule LED209 interferes with the biochemical signals that cause bacteria in our bodies to release toxins. "What we have here is a completely novel approach to combating illness," said Dr. Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119000.php Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RDEA) announced that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom has authorized a Phase 1 study evaluating RDEA594 in normal healthy volunteers. RDEA594 is the Company's lead product candidate for the treatment of gout. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118942.php Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators have found that infusions of a particular bone marrow stem cell appeared to protect gastrointestinal tissue from autoimmune attack in a mouse model. Stem Cell Research Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118685.php Stem cell scientists have developed a more accurate way of identifying aggressive forms of bowel cancer, which should eventually lead to better treatment and survival rates. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. The UK-led team, headed by scientists from Durham University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute, (NESCI*), studied tissue samples from 700 colorectal (bowel) cancer patients and tracked their progress. Stem Cell Research Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118835.php The prevalence of obesity and overweight in the United States coupled by the increased risk of gastrointestinal diseases related to obesity raises serious implications for the health of Americans. Several scientific studies in the August issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology examine the association between obesity and the risk of colorectal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Dr. Frank K. Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118648.php STEM cell scientists have developed a more accurate way of identifying aggressive forms of bowel cancer, which should eventually lead to better treatment and survival rates. The UK-led team, headed by scientists from Durham University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute, (NESCI*), studied tissue samples from 700 colorectal cancer patients and tracked their progress. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118554.php A meta-analysis published in the August issue of Archives of Surgery concludes that patients who have surgery to remove all or part of the colon (colectomy) have enhanced recovery of intestinal function if they chew gum. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118614.php Futher to an alert it issued in October 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to strengthen the warnings on diabetes drug Byetta (exenatide) after receiving reports of another 6 patients having to be admitted to hospital, two of whom died, because they got hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis after taking the drug. The four surviving patients are now recovering, said the FDA. Diabetes Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118624.php In up to 20 percent of people infected with HIV, the virus manages to escape from the bloodstream and cross into the brain, resulting in HIV-associated dementia and other cognitive disorders. HIV / AIDS Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118544.php The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against eating certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods, imported from Ireland, because they may be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Azaspiracid toxins are odorless, tasteless, and cannot be destroyed or neutralized by freezing or cooking, including boiling. Nutrition / Diet