Medscape Gastroenterology Headlines

Norovirus Outbreaks on Three College Campuses -- California, Michigan, and Wisconsin, 2008

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Norovirus outbreaks on colleges in California, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2008 highlight the potential for widespread infection and rapid transmission in this setting.

Dietary Supplement May Protect Against Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Toxicity

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:13:16 EST

Genomic techniques have identified an enzyme that converts common food substance into glutathione, a molecule that binds toxic metabolites of acetaminophen.

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

Ecallantide Effective for Acute Episodes of Hereditary Angioedema

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:40:20 EST

The investigational plasma kallikrein inhibitor ecallantide achieves rapid and sustained symptom relief from acute episodes of hereditary angioedema.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

Where Next for The Endoscope?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:59:03 EST

The authors trace the origins and development of endoscopic technology, from "resectoscope" to modern devices for virtual and capsule endoscopy.

Primary Amelanotic Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:47:38 EST

A case of primary amelanotic malignant melanoma of the esophagus that presented as an esophageal mass in a 66-year-old woman is discussed.

Promising New Cancer Drugs in the Pipeline

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:38:33 EST

A number of novel and promising cancer therapies are currently in the pipeline, and researchers might be discovering new uses for older drugs.

Helicobacter pylori: Diagnosis and Treatment

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

This article discusses the current diagnostic methods in H pylori treatment and their clinical implications, as well as established and novel treatment strategies.

Goal-directed Haemodynamic Therapy and Gastrointestinal Complications in Major Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Investigators performed a meta-analysis to examine the effects of goal-directed hemodynamic therapy on postoperative gastrointestinal and hepatic complications.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

Ceiling Effect Noted With Esomeprazole Dosing for GERD

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:26:22 EST

Increasing the dosage of esomeprazole does not increase efficacy after a certain point in the treatment of gastrointestinal reflux disease; a ceiling effect is seen with the proton pump inhibitor.

Probiotics Alleviate Symptoms of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:18:02 EST

As many as 80% of patients with cirrhosis have some evidence of hepatic encephalopathy; probiotic therapy is associated with a significant reduction in serum ammonia levels.

Part 2: The Case of the Emergency Room Physician Who Burned Out: Diagnosing and Treating His Substance Abuse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:17:28 EST

In part 2 of the new series on the Impaired Physician, substance abuse develops in Dr. X. Is it now time to turn him in?

Genetic Predictors of Treatment-Induced Viral Clearance in Hepatitis C

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:09:39 EST

Drs. Dermot McGovern and Gil Melmed comment on a study published in Nature on the ability of an IL-28B polymorphism to predict sustained viral response to hepatitis C treatment.

Alanine Aminotransferase, Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) and All-Cause Mortality: Results From a Population-Based Danish Twins Study Alanine Aminotransferase, GGT and Mortality in Elderly Twins

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Investigators examined the associations of ALT and GGT with all-cause mortality using data for 686 elderly twins included in the Longitudinal Study of Aging Danish Twins.

Cardiologists Shocked by New FDA Alert on Clopidogrel-PPI Interaction

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:54 EST

The FDA has issued a new warning on an interaction between clopidogrel and the PPI omeprazole and other drugs that inhibit the CYP2C19 enzyme.

5-Hydroxytryptamine Signalling in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhoea: Effects of Gender and Menstrual Status

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

This study evaluated the effects of gender and menstrual status on platelet-depleted plasma (PDP) 5-HT concentration in IBS patients, with diarrheal patients compared with healthy volunteers.

Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C and Persistently Normal Liver Enzymes: Influence of HIV Infection

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Investigators evaluated the influence of HIV infection in patients with chronic HCV and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) compared with patients with elevated aminotransferases.

Part 1: The Case of the Emergency Department Physician Who Burned Out: Risk Factors, Impact, and Early Interventions

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:42 EST

In part 1 of the new series on The Impaired Physician, Dr. X shows signs of burnout that put his personal and professional life at risk. Would you turn him in?