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Cleveland Clinic and University of Western Ontario awarded $4.9 million from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to build Crohn’s disease and ileostomy research consortium

A new consortium, co-led by Florian Rieder, MD, and Vipul Jairath, MD, will create clinical care pathways toward drug development and improve disease management for patients with Crohn's disease and permanent ileostomy. The EndO-trial Consortium aims to develop effective drugs and measure treatment outcomes using patient-reported outco...

Study on extremely preterm infants provides important healthcare knowledge

A large clinical study led by Linköping University found no difference in the risk of severe complications between breast milk-based and cow's milk-based enrichment for extremely preterm infants. The study included 228 infants and found that both groups had a similar incidence of necrotising enterocolitis, sepsis, and death.

SourceLinköping University·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 2, 2024

NIH researchers create genetic atlas detailing early stages of zebrafish development

A new genetic atlas details the gene expression programs that drive zebrafish development, revealing insights into human embryonic growth and the origins of diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders. The atlas provides a comprehensive resource for studying cell development and differentiation in vertebrates.

Infection with stomach bacteria may increase risk of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found that Helicobacter pylori infection can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 11-24% in people over 50, potentially due to inflammation and damage to the brain. The study analyzed data from over four million people and considered the time interval between infection and increased risk.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2023

Scientists plead to be heard in pesticide debate: Exposure linked to risk of developing parkinson's disease via changes in gut microbiome

A review article links pesticide exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease through alterations in the gut microbiota. The authors recommend reducing or replacing agrochemicals and implementing coordinated efforts to develop standardized biomarkers for gut integrity and microbiome changes.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Parkinson’s Disease·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 6, 2023

Chlorine disinfectant is no more effective than water at killing off hospital superbug

A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalMicrobiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2023

How gut microbes help alleviate constipation

Scientists have identified a key genetic factor, abfA cluster, responsible for improving gut motility and alleviating constipation. The study found that Bifidobacteria longum strains with the abfA cluster can enhance arabinan utilization, leading to improved gastrointestinal transit time.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2023

Study shows link between mental and physical health

A new study published in BMJ Mental Health reveals that people with severe mental health issues are almost twice as likely to experience multimorbidity, a combination of chronic diseases. The research emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address this critical issue.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalBMJ Mental Health·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 9, 2023

Researchers use AI to predict challenging behaviors common in profound autism

A study found that gastrointestinal and sleep issues may be connected to self-injury and aggression in adolescents diagnosed with profound autism. The researchers discovered a possible connection between these health issues and future challenging behaviors, predicting next-day behavior with over 80% accuracy.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalJournal of Personalized Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 6, 2023

Human mini guts reveal new insights into the process leading to Cronkhite-Canada syndrome and potential new therapies

A study using human mini guts reveals a link between high polyp proliferation and increased serotonin production, which may lead to new treatments for Cronkhite-Canada syndrome. The findings suggest that serotonin inhibitors could improve the outcome of this disease.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

Genetics links endometriosis and IBS

A study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals that endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share common genetic risk factors. This finding explains why patients with one condition may also develop the other, highlighting the need for increased awareness and early diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 26, 2023

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles researchers develop clinical tool to predict if a child in acute liver failure will need a transplant

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a novel app called the CHALF score to predict if a child with acute liver failure needs a transplant. The tool assesses liver failure risk on a scale of 5-60 and has been shown to accurately predict patient outcomes.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalTransplantation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 24, 2023

Canadians with peptic ulcer disease faced mental health challenges during COVID-19 pandemic

The study, which analyzed data from older adults with peptic ulcer disease, revealed that approximately 1 in 8 individuals developed depression for the first time during the pandemic. Women, those who felt lonely, and those with functional limitations were at higher risk of depression. Targeted screening and intervention are being reco...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 19, 2023

Researchers uncover NSMF protein’s role in relieving DNA replication stress

Researchers discovered NSMF protein's role in alleviating DNA replication stress by displacing weakly bound RPA proteins and promoting phosphorylation. This mechanism accelerates relief of replication stress, offering a new direction for treating various diseases, including cancer and age-related conditions.

New genetic relations between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric diseases discovered

A new study has identified thousands of shared genetic variants between patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. This discovery provides a new understanding of the brain-gut axis and holds promise for developing effective treatments for IBS.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 15, 2023

How the gut signals to the brain

Scientists have identified five distinct subtypes of sensory neurons in the colon that carry signals to the brain, with different subtypes responding to gentle and intense forces. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of gastrointestinal conditions and inform the development of more effective therapies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateAug 3, 2023

Important step toward next-generation probiotics

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new strategy for producing oxygen-tolerant probiotics, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which can improve glucose control. The combination of bacteria increased biomass and butyrate production, making it safe for human consumption.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Family loses child to necrotizing enterocolitis and publishes “Forever Our Little One,” a storybook for bereaved families

A mother-daughter duo has created a storybook to comfort bereaved families who have lost a child to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The book, Forever Our Little One, features illustrations inspired by the family's experiences. The NEC Society will benefit from all sales, supporting research into the devastating intestinal disease.

Vaccine candidate prevents diarrhea, improves growth in animal model

A vaccine originally developed to prevent bacteria-caused diarrhea has been found to also help infant nonhuman primates grow faster, according to a new study. The researchers found that vaccinated baby monkeys were taller than the unvaccinated when measured from head to toe, with a significant improvement in growth rate.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2023

Pathogenic bacteria use a sugar in the intestinal mucus layer to infect the gut, study shows

A new study reveals that pathogenic bacteria fuel their growth by consuming sialic acid, a key component of the protective intestinal mucus layer. The findings suggest a potential treatment target for intestinal bacterial infections and chronic diseases linked to gut bacteria, including IBD and celiac disease.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 3, 2023

All the immunity, none of the symptoms

Researchers found that an iron-rich diet can prevent deadly symptoms in mice during active infection, while a functional adaptive immune system is required for immunity against future infections. The study paves the way for the development of new vaccines that could promote immunity for those with diarrheal diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2023

Wider search needed to improve outcomes for eosinophilic food allergy

A clinical trial found that benralizumab effectively depleted eosinophils, but it did not alleviate symptoms or improve gut tissue health in patients with eosinophilic gastritis. The study's findings suggest a new therapeutic target for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and highlight the need to reconsider remission definitions.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 16, 2023

Intestinal bacteria influence the growth of fungi

Researchers discovered that certain bacterial species, including lactic acid bacteria, correlate with high levels of Candida yeasts in the gut microbiome. This suggests a complex interaction between these microorganisms, where lactic acid bacteria may favor Candida proliferation while making the fungus less virulent.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2023

Study finds stool transplants more effective than antibiotics for treating recurring, life-threatening gut infections

A new Cochrane Review found that stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection by 77%, compared to 40% with standard antibiotic treatment. The study also showed a decrease in side effects with stool transplantation.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 24, 2023