Articles tagged with Gastroenterology
A 23-year-old man developed severe autoimmune hepatitis after contracting varicella zoster virus, responding dramatically to steroid treatment. The case highlights the importance of considering AIH in patients with persistent altered liver enzymes following a viral infection.
Research found that vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 supplements effectively lower plasma homocysteine levels in patients with celiac disease. The study also discovered a protective role of B vitamins against the negative effects of villous atrophy on homocysteine levels.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that telmisartan significantly improved insulin resistance, reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis, and showed promise as a treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In contrast, valsartan had no effect on liver histology or plasma lipids.
Research published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that patients with upper GI bleeding admitted on weekends had a 22% higher mortality rate and were less likely to undergo early endoscopy. Patients with peptic ulcer-related UGIB also faced increased mortality, hospital charges, and length of stay.
A new study suggests that drinking alcohol in early adulthood may increase the risk of reflux esophagitis (RE) and Barrett's esophagus (BE), while wine consumption may reduce this risk. Higher education levels are also inversely associated with BE risk, suggesting socioeconomic status plays a role in the development of these conditions.
Researchers found significant correlations between serum levels of anti-tTG IgA and anti-DGP antibodies in untreated celiac disease patients. The study suggests an immune response difference to deamidated gliadin and tissue transglutaminase, supporting the hapten-carrier theory for anti-tTG IgA origin.
Imaging findings on MDCT suggest a higher risk of recurrence and metastasis in solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas. The study found that larger tumor size and specific imaging features were associated with increased vascular invasion and capsular disruption, indicating malignant potential.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that low-dose furazolidone-based quadruple regimens are effective for treating H pylori infection, with eradication rates ranging from 70-90%. The regimens have a low cost and relatively minor side effects, making them a useful option for rescue therapy, particularly in d...
Researchers developed a non-invasive diagnostic tool using serum biomarker tests to differentiate between healthy and diseased stomach mucosa. The European GastroPanel examination, combined with pepsinogen assays, showed high accuracy in detecting gastric atrophy and peptic ulcer diseases.
Researchers found that H2RA therapy was effective in preventing and treating low-dose aspirin-induced peptic ulcers, while PPIs showed similar results. Cytoprotective anti-ulcer drugs were ineffective in preventing peptic ulcers. The study suggests a therapeutic strategy for managing this condition.
A study suggests that measuring intra-abdominal pressure can help predict abdominal compartment syndrome in acute pancreatitis patients. The research team recommends IAP monitoring for patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) to prevent mortality.
Researchers found that spasm of the esophageal smooth muscle may trigger myocardial ischemia, leading to chest pain. The combination of these tests is significant for differential diagnosis, especially with foregut symptoms, and is cost-effective for patients from developing countries.
Researchers found that E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression is correlated with invasion and aggravation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The down-regulation of N-cadherin decreases invasiveness of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro.
Chronic ethanol feeding inhibits nuclear proteasome activity, altering epigenetic mechanisms and gene expression. Proteasome inhibition also affects the remethylation pathway, leading to decreased histone acetylation and increased betainehomocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) enzyme.
Researchers found that four strains of probiotics, including E.faecalis, alleviated symptoms of experimental colitis in mice. The study suggests that different probiotics have varying effects on the condition, with E_faecalis showing superior benefits.
The study found that PPAR-gamma activation inhibits pancreatic carcinoma growth by suppressing tumor angiogenesis. In a xenograft model, Rosiglitazone reduced microvascular density and VEGF expression, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition.
Research found capecitabine and irinotecan with bevacizumab to have comparable tumor response rates of 29% and 35%, similar overall survival at 15 months and 24 months. Toxicity was generally well-tolerated in a small patient population.
A study analyzed histologic features of liver biopsies from 86 infants with intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis (IHNC) and found no significant differences among different etiologies. However, a significant difference was observed in IHNC of infectious etiology, presenting with more severe erythropoiesis.
A new report by the NIH finds that digestive diseases result in over 100 million outpatient visits and 13 million hospitalizations annually, with a total cost of $141.8 billion. The top 10 most costly digestive diseases include digestive cancers, liver disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
A new study found that infliximab was effective at preventing endoscopic, clinical and histological postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease. The treatment significantly reduced the rate of endoscopic recurrence (9.1%) compared to placebo (84.6%).
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology is the most influential journal in clinical medicine, publishing research applicable to practicing physicians. It received its first impact factor of 5.465 in 2008, ranking 8th out of 50 gastroenterology journals.
Researchers investigated the mechanisms behind reduced gastric mucosal blood flow caused by H. pylori extracts, finding a nerve- and iNOS-mediated pathway involved. The study revealed that H. pylori extracts decrease gastric mucosal blood flow by approximately 30% in mice.
Research in Costa Rica found that H. pylori infection, particularly the status of cagA and vacA genotype distribution, plays a major role in gastric cancer incidence rate variability. Gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were more common in patients with high GCIR.
A study found that HCC cases with AIH and PBC have four clinical features: shorter survival intervals, more men affected, and liver failure as primary cause of death. The research highlights these common characteristics in HCC associated with AIH and PBC.
A study found that antioxidant supplementation reduced painful days and analgesic use in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The benefits were seen as early as three months and suggest a state of heightened free radical-mediated injury in the disease.
Research team investigates Campylobacter jejuni pathogenesis, finding two distinct patterns of interaction with epithelial cells. Strains that invade epithelial cells destroy them, while those that don't affect barrier properties or increase mediator production.
A new quantitative analysis method uses computerized measurements to evaluate liver biopsy samples, providing accurate assessments of fibrosis and inflammation. The Metriser technology offers a faster and more objective alternative to traditional scoring systems.
Research found a high prevalence of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) in patients with iron deficiency anemia of unknown origin. A gluten-free diet improved anemia in GSE patients with mild duodenal lesions, suggesting GSE as a potential cause of iron-deficient anemia.
Research on Scutellaria barbata extract reveals growth inhibitory effects on human cancers, including lung, breast, and digestive system cancer. The extract induces apoptosis in hepatoma cells through the mitochondrial pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that bismuth compounds were associated with a low risk of adverse events, with the exception of dark stools, which has little clinical significance. The study suggests that bismuth-containing regimens may be a safe alternative to PPI-based triple therapies for H. pylori eradication.
A recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology investigated the gastrointestinal side effects of high-dose acetaminophen and NSAIDs. The research found that gastric lesions were similar between groups, indicating that acetaminophen is not entirely free of gastrointestinal side effects at high doses.
Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as GERD, uninvestigated dyspepsia, and IBS are common in the Korean population. These conditions significantly impair quality of life, particularly in females, the elderly, and those with lower economic classes.
A new screening test using barium meal follow through with pneumocolon has been proposed for chronic abdominal pain of luminal origin. The test can detect both small and large bowel lesions, reducing the need for separate colonoscopy procedures.
A new computer-aided screening technique has been developed to diagnose enteric lesions in capsule endoscopy, reducing the reading time from 5 hours to 1 hour on average. The technique uses image processing to screen out normal images, allowing for accurate diagnosis with high sensitivity rates.
Researchers found that extensive liver resection impairs the regenerative capacity of the liver on a molecular and cellular level. Key findings include delayed activation of NF-kappa B and increased programmed cellular death in regenerating livers.
Researchers identified clinical characteristics of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in 22 female patients, noting pain in the upper right abdomen and lower abdomen. Antibiotic treatment cured 20 patients, highlighting the importance of abdominal CT scans for diagnosis.
In a rat model of depression, fluoxetine inhibited mast cell ultrastructural alterations and de-regulated rMCP-1 expression. Treatment with fluoxetine suggested that SSRIs are an effective therapeutic agent for some gastroduodenal diseases caused by psychological factors.
Researchers found that fractionated radiation induced an immune imbalance, characterized by elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in the distal colonic mucosa. This imbalance persisted even after the end of radiotherapy, with a Th2 profile dominating the immune response.
A new study published in Gastroenterology finds that antibiotics are the single largest class of drugs causing liver injury, affecting 73% of cases. Central nervous system agents were also found to be commonly associated with drug-induced liver injury.
A recent study found that bariatric surgery leads to improvement of histopathological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in most patients. The risk of progression of inflammatory changes and fibrosis is minimal, with complete resolution of NAFLD reported in a majority of patients.
A laparoscopic approach was used to successfully treat two cases of retrorectal cysts, a rare developmental lesion. The procedure allowed for perfect visualization of deep structures in the presacral space, minimizing surgical trauma.
Research found that workers with high levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and central obesity had significantly higher self-reported fatigue after work. The study suggests that objective measures such as elevated ALT and increased waist circumference are associated with work-related fatigue in apparently healthy workers.
Researchers found serum TGF-beta1 and s-fractalkine levels significantly increased in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared to controls. Measurement of these markers may help diagnose early-stage CP and evaluate the severity status of the disease.
A study found that ascorbic acid supplementation in diabetic rats improved myenteric neuron density by 14% and cellular area by 4.4%, suggesting moderate neuroprotection.
A rare case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with multiple lymphomatous polyposis is reported, highlighting the importance of endoscopic evaluation to differentiate neoplastic intestinal lesions from infectious enterocolitis. The patient presented with fever, watery diarrhea, and colonic involvement without leukemic change or v...
A study compared FibroScan with liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C, finding non-invasive methods effective for fibrosis assessment. Transient elastography outperformed traditional biopsy in differentiating significant from absent or mild fibrosis, offering an alternative to invasive procedures.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that almost 30% of patients with CSX no longer exhibited typical chest pain after gastroenterological workup. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors significantly improved symptoms, suggesting a strong link between acid-related disorders and CSX.
A recent study investigated the possible association between chronic pancreatitis (CP) and liver cirrhosis (LC) in alcoholic patients. The research found an inverse correlation between pancreatic and liver function tests, suggesting that these diseases evolve differently and have distinct etiopathogeny.
Research on sildenafil use in cirrhosis patients found that it does not induce profound changes in splanchnic blood flow and portal hypertension. The study suggests phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibition is not a useful therapeutic agent for alleviating portal hypertension in end-stage liver disease.
Researchers have developed a quadruple therapy regimen that shows promise in treating peptic ulcer disease, achieving an eradication rate of 68.8% in a study of 51 patients. The new treatment combines omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and furazolidone, with only 31.4% of patients experiencing adverse effects.
HBV infection induces increased steady state of ATR protein and phosphorylation of downstream targets including Chk1, p53, and H2AX. The level of Mre11 and p21 were reduced after HBV-positive serum addition. This suggests that HBV escapes the consequences of activation of the DNA damage checkpoint by degradation of checkpoint proteins.
This study investigates the correlation between changes in CT perfusion parameters pre- and post-TACE treatment of HCC and various responses to TACE. The findings suggest that CT perfusion imaging is a feasible technique for monitoring response of HCC to TACE, indicating its potential as an adjunctive tool in clinical practice.
The biomagnetic technique assesses esophageal transit time using a non-invasive method that avoids ionizing radiation. The study found that ETT is affected by anatomical position, with faster rates in the supine position.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found no association between ineffective esophageal motility and gastropharyngeal reflux disease. Patients with IEM had similar acid clearance times as those with normal esophageal motility, suggesting that conventional manometry may not be able to evaluate true esophageal effe...
Research published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that dietary glycine significantly decreased liver injury due to bile duct ligation in rats. Hepatic injury was reduced by a direct effect on hepatocytes, whereas Kupffer cells did not play a major role in cholestatic models.
Researchers investigated Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity in a rat NASH model, confirming the effectiveness of CEUS examination in diagnosing NASH. The contrast effect in the liver parenchymal phase using Levovist® strongly implicates Kupffer cells in NASH pathogenesis.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that berberine increases insulin sensitivity in rat islets through the modulation of HNF4 alpha expression and glucokinase activity. Berberine enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner.
Collagenous colitis is characterized by chronic watery diarrhea and abnormal collagen deposition. A rare case of collagenous colitis presenting as protein-losing enteropathy has been reported, with successful treatment with prednisolone. The condition should be included in the differential diagnosis for chronic diarrhea with hypoprotei...
Researchers successfully performed EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy in four patients with failed ERCP, achieving rapid improvement of obstructive jaundice. In some cases, a plastic stent or naso-biliary drainage tube was used to manage complications.
A case-series study found that rectal doses of d-alpha tocopherol reduced disease severity and promoted clinical remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis. The treatment's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were likely responsible for the observed benefits.