In patients with hepatitis c virus infection and early-stage fibrosis, increased levels of alanine aminotransferase was found to correlate with liver stiffness among patients in the lowest strata of fibrosis. Dr. Kuemmerle discusses these findings from the August issue of CGH with Dr. Nezam Afdhal of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Plus, summaries of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

As CGH welcomes a new Board of Editors in the July 2012 issue, Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to AGA Institute Vice-President Dr. John I. Allen of the Minnesota University School of Medicine, who takes over as Section Editor of the newly renamed Practice Management: The Road Ahead.  For his initial article in this section, Dr. Allen outlines 5 concepts that will alter GI Practice in the coming decade; discusses how the AGA is helping gastroenterologists meet these challenges; and gives a preview of future articles to come. Dr. Kuemmerle and Dr. Allen discuss these issues and more in a special, wide-ranging interview; Plus, summaries of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies examining the magnitude of this association have yielded conflicting results. A meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies to determine the risk of CRC in patients with UC appears in the June issue of CGH. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to author Dr. Tine Jess of the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark; Plus, summaries of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News

Telbivudine reduces hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and normalizes levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A study in the May issue of CGH investigates its use in preventing vertical transmission.  Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to author Dr. Calvin Q. Pan of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. Plus, summaries of the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

A study in the April issue of CGH examines determinants of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels in hepatitis C–infected patients in order to improve AFP-based algorithms for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection. Dr. Kuemmerle discusses these findings with author Dr. Hashem B. El-Serag of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Plus, summaries of the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Patients with ulcerative colitis and concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a greater risk of developing colorectal dysplasia or invasive cancer than patients with only ulcerative colitis. A study in the March issue of CGH looked at whether primary sclerosing cholangitis is also a risk factor for colorectal dysplasia or cancer in patients with Crohn's disease of the colon. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks with senior author Dr. Roger Chapman of John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. Plus, summaries of the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Owners of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) recently have seen decreased reimbursements from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as rising costs. A Practice Management article in the January 2012 issue of CGH outlines three major options for owners of ASCs to deal with these issues. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks with author Dr. Lawrence R. Kosinski of the AGA Practice Management and Economics Committee, and the Illinois Gastroenterology Group; Plus, summaries of the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

The Study of Biologic and Immunomodulator-Naïve Patients With Crohn's Disease (SONIC) showed that combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine (IFX/AZA) is more effective than treatment with IFX alone. While enrollment was limited, numbers and types of adverse events were roughly equivalent among groups. A study in the January 2012 issue of CGH sought to define the frequency at which a rare adverse event would have to occur for the risks of combination therapy to outweigh the benefits of treatment. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks with author Dr. Corey Siegel of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center; Plus, summaries of the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Clostridium difficile infection is increasing in incidence, severity, and mortality. Treatment options are limited and appear to be losing efficacy, but fecal microbiota transplantation is safe, inexpensive, and effective. A “Perspective” article in the December issue of CGH looks at the rationale, methods, and use of fecal microbiota transplantation. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks with author Dr. Christina Surawciz of the University of Washington School of Medicine; Plus, summaries of the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been used to manage the complications of portal hypertension in cirrhosis, including variceal hemorrhage and refractory ascites. The uncoated TIPS stents are limited by stent stenosis; however, the introduction of coated stents has decreased this. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks with Dr. Arun Sanyal of Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine about how this development changes management of complications of portal hypertension. We also recap the top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.