Gastroenterology

A study in the October issue of Gastroenterology assessed the ability of candidate biomarkers to predict which cases of Barrett's esophagus will progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma or high-grade dysplasia, and identified those that can be measured in formalin-fixed tissues. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to  author Dr. Rebecca C. Fitzgerald of the Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

The US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer has revised and updated its guidelines for colonoscopy surveillance after screening and polypectomy. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to  author Dr. David A. Lieberman of Oregon Health and Science University about the new guidelines appearing in the September 2012 issue of Gastroenterology; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) is increasingly common among patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). An article in the August issue of Gastroenterology provides consensus recommendations, based on the medical literature, that clinicians can use to manage patients with BE and low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia (HGD), or early-stage EA. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to lead author Dr. Janusz Jankowski of the Blizard Institute, Queen Mary, University of London; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

The Multisociety Sedation Curriculum for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (MSCGE) was developed by the four national gastroenterology societies to address the need for a complete and programmatic approach to the training of procedure sedation. Dr. Kuemmerle discusses the overview of training in the curriculum with Committee Chair Dr. John J. Vargo, MD, MPH, of the Cleveland Clinic; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.The MSCGE was developed by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association Institute, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; In addition, the Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates played a crucial role in development.  The MSCGE is published jointly in the July 2012 issues of Gastroenterology, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Hepatology, and on the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates' website.

The American Gastroenterological Association, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and American College of Gastroenterology have developed a new practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to lead author Naga Chalasani, MD, FACG of the Indiana University School of Medicine about the recommendations in this article, which is published jointly in the June 2012 issues of Gastroenterology, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and Hepatology.  Dr. Kuemmerle discusses these findings with author Dr. Jordan Feld of the University of Toronto; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News

Cell-type specific expression patterns of hepatic interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the IL28B gene are associated with response to interferon-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A study in the May issue of Gastroenterology finds that cell-type–specific expression pattern of ISGs varies among patients with different IL28B genotypes and is a strong predictor of response to interferon-based treatment.  Dr. Kuemmerle discusses these findings with author Dr. Jordan Feld of the University of Toronto; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

A comprehensive review article in the April issue of Gastroenterology looks at the role of obesity and lipotoxicity in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, including pathophysiology, clinical implications, and future directions.  Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to author Dr. Kenneth Cusi of the University of Florida College of Medicine; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) develops in patients with chronic liver disease and has high mortality. A study in the March issue of Gastroenterology examined whether mobilization of bone marrow–derived stem cells with granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (G-CSF) might promote hepatic regeneration for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).  Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to author Dr. Shiv K. Sarin of GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

Technical advances have led to stool DNA (sDNA) tests that might accurately detect neoplasms on both sides of the colorectum. A study in the February issue of Gastroenterology assessed colorectal neoplasm detection by a next-generation sDNA test and effects of covariates on test performance. Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to first author Dr. David A. Ahlquist of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.

A study in the January issue of Gastroenterology sought  to determine whether infliximab therapy can be safely interrupted in patients with Crohn's disease who have undergone a period of prolonged remission. The authors assessed the risk of relapse after infliximab therapy was discontinued in patients on combined maintenance therapy with antimetabolites and identified factors associated with relapse  Dr. Kuemmerle speaks to first author Prof. Edouard Louis of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège, Liège, Belgium; Plus, a rundown of top stories from this month's issue of GI and Hepatology News.