A peptic ulcer is a lesion in the gastric or duodenal wall, which broadens through the muscularis mucosa to the submucosal and muscularis propia tissues. Surprisingly it can be more frequently found in duodenum than in stomach. The most common symptoms of PUD are dyspepsia, gastric outlet obstruction, gastro-intestinal bleeding and anemia. A peptic ulcer forms when the balance between aggressive factors (such as gastric acid overproduction, NSAIDs overuse, Helicobacter pylori activity), and defensive mechanisms of the gastric mucosa is impaired. H. pylori is to blame for most ulcers as it declines the protective layer of the stomach and duodenum, leading to the sensitive tissue exposure and its’ destruction by digestive acids. Prolonged use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen is a second most common origin of ulcers as they block prostaglandins and lead to serious damage of the mucosa. Read full text »

Results of new study reveal patients with clinically diagnosed superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) have increased risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) with its fatal compilactions. The study results have been published in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Read full text »

A team of scientists of the Universitätsmedizin Berlin together with other 16 transplant centres in Germany and Switzerland has tested a new therapeutic immunosuppressive strategy, positively affecting the function of the kidneys after transplantation. The results of the investigation, which was a success, were published online in the journal The Lancet. Read full text »

After their estrogenic properties were found, plant-derived isoflavones have been gaining rising popularity in treating ailments connected with menopause. Approximately 20% of women going through menopause transition seek doctor’s help to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms (1). As hormone replacement therapy involves certain risks, there is a significant need for a safe alternative. An increasing frequency of women choosing soy products is attributed to their belief that soy-derived supplements are natural, mild and efficient. Yet most studies cannot confirm the beneficial effects of soya. Soy Phytoestrogens as Replacement Estrogens (SPARE) trial was published recently in Archives of Internal Medicine (2). It suggests that phytoestrogens work as poorly as placebo. Did we get our hopes too high? Read full text »

Exposure to mold during infancy increases the risk of asthma. Tendency to development of asthma is three times higher among children living in mold contaminated areas. More on this topic can be found in the August issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Read full text »

As a consequence of an ongoing epidemic of obesity various methods of bariatric surgery are becoming popular. Many patients are recommended gastric bypass (GB), which seems to be the most commonly performed type of procedure and, at the same time, the most effective one. Despite the strong position of gastric bypass as the gold standard in weight loss surgery, mechanisms by which a maintained weight loss is achieved are not exactly understood. According to the new study (1) performed by Imperial College London scientists patients after gastric bypass choose low fat food products, not just because they are recommended to go on a diet, but as a result of an actual change in their food preferences. They simply stop eating high fat food. Read full text »

The fight against melanoma is difficult. The rates are rising dramatically among young people, it is deadly if not caught early and the disease tends to adapt to even the most modern treatment. University of Rochester researchers made an important discovery, which can be next step to new treatment in the future. Read full text »