A polysaccharide produced by the common human symbiotic microbe Bacteroides fragilis, which is found in the gut, appears to protect against intestinal inflammatory disease in an experimental model, the results of an animal study suggest. Reuters Health Information
More than half of patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to aminosalicylate therapy respond to the biologic agent infliximab (Remicade) with complete mucosal healing. Reuters Health Information
The results are coming in for the long-term treatment with lubiprostone (Amitiza) for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and were reported here at a heavily attended session at Digestive Diseases Week 2008. The results show that the type-2 chloride channel activator was progressively effective over the course of a 36-week trial with minimal adverse effects. Reuters Health Information
This interactive case illustrates the complexity of treating hepatocellular carcinoma and highlights the latest treatment options and guidelines. Medscape Hematology-Oncology
Health authorities are looking into an outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning in U.S. nine states, with illnesses blamed in two of the states, Texas and New Mexico, on eating raw tomatoes, officials said on Tuesday. Reuters Health Information
Pharmacological inhibition of the IKK2 activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa-B, using the agent AS602868, blocks steatosis and initiation of non-alcoholic liver steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice, according to European researchers. Reuters Health Information
An inadequate antibody response to hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination may be a sign of undiagnosed celiac disease, according to a Hungarian study. Reuters Health Information
In patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal hemorrhage, the MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) score and the need for packed red blood cells (PRBCs) are indicative of early re-bleeding and death, researchers report in the June issue of Gut. Reuters Health Information
The authors consider H. pylori resistance from a different perspective: discussing concepts of resistance that are part of mainstream thinking for other infectious diseases, but not for H. pylori. Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology
The authors review current concepts of gastric motor function, etiology, investigation and treatment of gastroparesis. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
