Top Story

• Researchers report genetic links to IBD
  U.K. researchers report that 163 genetic sequences are linked to inflammatory bowel disease and some also are involved with other immune system diseases as well as the response to bacterial infection. The study documented the discovery of 71 additional genes linked to IBD. "Most of the evidence relating to possible causal genes points to an essential role for host defense against infection in inflammatory bowel disease," the researchers said. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (11/2)

Guide to Healthy Living

• Study links genes to CRC risk in African-Americans
  African-Americans may have a higher risk of colorectal cancer due to genetic variations that influence how genes related to vitamin D function, a researcher from the University of Illinois at Chicago reported at a conference. However, one variant of a gene may provide some protection against the disease as data showed black patients have a lower proportion of left-side colorectal tumors than white patients. Medscape (free registration) (11/2)

• Food triggers play key role in acid reflux, expert says
  Acid reflux can be caused by a faulty valve linking the stomach and the esophagus, but New York University associate professor in endocrinology Loren Greene said food triggers, such as tomatoes or garlic, also are a problem. Eating foods containing caffeine, alcohol, mint, chocolate, citrus or vinegar also can lead to reflux symptoms. The Huffington Post (11/1)

• Stools can be a gauge for digestive health, dietitian says
  The color and consistency of stools can show how well the gastrointestinal tract is functioning, writes registered dietitian Jo Ann Hattner, co-author of "Gut Insight." She said consuming more water and fiber as well as yogurts and drinks that contain live active cultures may help regulate the digestive system. Food & Nutrition Magazine (Winter 2012)

• Greater weight loss seen with high-protein diet
  Participants who were on a high-protein diet lost 1.8 extra pounds and more body fat at 12 weeks compared with those on a standard-protein diet, according to a study from the University of South Australia. However, researchers did not observe any difference in changes in blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes markers between the two groups. Reuters (11/1)

• If you remember "Gilligan's Island," it may be colonoscopy time
  MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore tied its multimedia ad campaign to get older adults to have colonoscopies to the TV show "Gilligan's Island." Ads suggest people who were young "when Gilligan was marooned on a desert isle" need a colonoscopy to prevent colon cancer. Online ad clicks hit rates seven times higher than the U.S. average for health care campaigns, and the initiative led to 44 appointments for colonoscopies. HealthLeaders Media (10/31)

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Genetically engineered bacteria may help IBD
  Genetically engineered bacteria may hold promise for treating inflammatory bowel disease by calming the gut, according to research from French scientists. They noted that in IBD, levels of the anti-inflammatory protein elafin decrease, so they engineered a bacterium that would increase production and saw improvements in human gut tissue exposed to the treatment. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog (tiered subscription model) (11/1)

• Study links proteobacteria to Crohn's disease in children
  A study of 19 children recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease showed they had different levels of proteobacteria, which include such microbes as E. coli and Campylobacter concisus, depending on the severity of disease and greater levels than children who did not have the disease. The data suggest proteobacteria may play a causal role in Crohn's, according to researchers from the University of New South Wales in Australia. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (10/31)

Clinical Trial Monitor

A selection of U.S. based clinical trials seeking participants

• Prospective Randomized Trial Evaluating the Utility of Esophageal Stitches During Laparoscopic Fundoplication
  Missouri. clinicaltrials.gov

• Open-Label Extension Study of GSK1605786A (SHIELD-3)
  Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom. clinicaltrials.gov

• Genotype-guided Dosing of mFOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy in Patients With Previously Untreated Advanced Gastrointestinal Malignancies
  Illinois. clinicaltrials.gov

• PET Scan Imaging in Assessing Response in Patients With Esophageal Cancer Receiving Combination Chemotherapy
  California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont. clinicaltrials.gov

• Safety and Efficacy of Linaclotide in Patients With Chronic Constipation and Prominent Abdominal Bloating
  Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Canada. clinicaltrials.gov

The Last Word

News and information from the American College of Gastroenterology

• How to handle belching, bloating and flatulence
  Ever wonder why you experience belching, bloating and flatulence from time to time? Although intestinal gas is unavoidable, you may be able to alleviate the symptoms by following some helpful tips.

SmartQuote

Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible." --George Orwell, British novelist and journalist