The first gene responsible for Crohn's disease has now been identified and the pathophysiological understanding of inflammatory bowel disease as well as its practical treatment have made much progress in recent years. Thus it is obviously important to consider the targets and the aims of treatment in context. The Falk Symposium No. 131 (Part II of the Gastroenterology Week Freiburg 2002), held in October 2002 in Freiburg, Germany, in its first part was dedicated to newly defined and partly alternative therapeutic targets. In addition, an attempt was made to learn from experts from other fields such as pneumology or dermatology. The second part was dedicated to the aims of treatment in daily practice. Aside from general treatment, aims such as amelioration of symptoms, pre-conditions of treatment, the view of the patients, and aspects of life quality were dealt with. This volume is the proceedings of the symposium and is important reading for both clinicians and basic scientists.

Genetic susceptibility refers to how variations in a person 's genes increase or decrease his or her susceptibility to environmental factors, such as chemicals, radiation and lifestyle (diet and smoking). This volume will explore the latest findings in the area of genetic susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers, focusing on molecular epidemiology, DNA repair, and gene-environment interactions to identify factors that affect the incidence of GI cancers. Topics will include germline susceptibility, including Mendelian patterns of inheritance and gene-environment interactions that lead to cancer etiology.

This monograph contains a description of the discovery and development of a antisecretory therapy in the treatment of acid-related diseases: omeprazole, the first proton pump inhibitor. Overviews compare this and other proton pump inhibitors and discuss their pharmacology, including the mechanism of action, the effect on Helicobacter pylori infection, and the consequences of profound inhibition of gastric acid secretion. The pharmaceutic delivery system is described since it constitutes a special problem with this class of drugs. The clinical experience with proton pump inhibitors in acid-related diseases is reviewed with focus on gastro-esophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer diseases including Helicobacter pylori and NSAID-induced ulcerations and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Finally, an overview is presented on the socio-economic impact of proton pump inhibitors in acid-related diseases emphasizing the important aspect of quality of life. The monograph is aimed at a broad readership with an interest in the development problems of this, at present, most commercially successful drug; the pharmacology of a "tailor-made" drug for a specific target; the therapeutic strategies in acid-related diseases; and the dramatic changes in the long-term outcome results of the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases where most patients now can be cured from the disease after only one week of drug therapy.

This book examines the current state of probiotic research and in particular focuses on the future potential of this important and exciting area. Probiotics and Prebiotics contains state-of-the-art commentaries on all aspects of the intestinal microflora and probiotics and provides an authoritative review of important aspects of probiotic research. Written by leading experts in the field, each chapter affords a critical insight to a particular topic, reviews current research, discusses future direction and stimulates discussion. Topics covered include the genomics of probiotic microorganisms, the developing technologies for analysis of gut microorganisms, evaluation and future potential of prebiotic substances, and the potential for disease prevention in the host by probiotic organisms. This book is an essential text for all microbiologists, health professionals, biotechnologists, pharmaceutical companies, and dairy and food scientists.

Although pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious forms of cancers, the outlook for patients could be improved. The lack of clinical symptoms of early, surgically removable disease most often limits curative treatment options. The aggressive tumor cell biology, leading to a locally advanced nature of the disease and to early metastases, allows curative resection in only 20% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Patients are therefore often faced with a dreadful prognosis from a state of almost full physical health. Furthermore, because there is a high recurrence rate after curative resection, treatment of this tumor entity becomes a great challenge.

This book gives insight into the current understanding of the management of pancreatic cancer and considers recent findings in cancer research. It provides answers to questions of how to know when cancer is respectable, how to proceed when the diagnosis comes too late for a curative approach, and how to assess different study results. Moreover, it highlights new upcoming therapeutic options and experimental approaches, which might further improve the future prospects for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The application of molecular techniques to gastroenterology continues to yield important advances in the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Important new drugs have emerged through the collaborative and complementary efforts of basic scientists, clinicians, and clinical researchers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. The challenge has been exciting, with a few surprises along the way. Consider peptic ulcer disease as an example. The discovery of H receptors and the availability of potent and 2 selective H-receptor antagonists signaled the beginning of a new era 2 in the treatment of gastric hypersecretory states and peptic ulcers. Introduction of proton pump inhibitors offered another therapeutic option. Though H-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors 2 are important and useful drugs, the discovery of the link between H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease has led to even more effective pharmacotherapeutic regimens. Our intent in Drug Development: Molecular Targets for GI Diseases is to bring together hands-on experts to review promising areas of gastrointestinal pharmacology. The contemporary topics covered, from a mechanistic viewpoint, are relevant to gastrointestinal inflammation and motility disorders. Authoritative opinions are offered on both future research directions and potential applications for new therapies.

Alessandro Condivilla of Bologna first attempted a resection of the head of the pan creas in 1898, but several decades of further trial-and-error attempts ensued before the prototype procedure of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) was established by Whipple in 1935. In the half-century following that landmark, refinements of surgical technique, including pancreatico-and bilio-entero anastomosis as well as develop ment of new technology to support perioperative management and patient care have contributed to the decrease in mortality and morbidity rates for obstructive jaundice and pancreatic fistula. The improvement in mortality and morbidity rates associated with PD has led to an increase in the number of patients undergoing the procedure and in the number of institutions performing it. Indications for PD have also been expanded. In the early years after PD was established as a viable procedure, periampullary carcinoma was the most common indication; now PD is indicated for a number of benign and malignant diseases. Some surgeons believe that PD is the procedure of choice for certain types of chronic pancreatitis, pancreatico-biliary maljunction, and pancreatic and duodenal trauma. Other surgeons have reported the necessity of PD for lymph node dissection of gallbladder carcinoma. Consequently, the basic procedure has been greatly modi fied to accommodate the specific conditions of each disease. For patients with malig nancy, extended procedures have been developed to improve the curative resection rate and ensure complete lymph node dissection.

"BetaSys" uses the example of regulated exocytosis in pancreatic -cells, and its relevance to diabetes, to illustrate the major concepts of systems biology, its methods and applications.

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is often regarded as the one of the most common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. The goal of this volume is to highlight key protocols for working with C. jejuni. In particular, chapters aim to highlight recent developments with regards to in vivo models for C. jejuni pathogenesis, different approaches to isolate Campylobacter, and a systems biology approach for studying the effect of all potential Campylobacter gene mutants.Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biologyseries format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Campylobacter jejuni: Methods and Protocols encourages existing Campylobacter researchers to employ novel methods to further their own research and also encourages new researchers to include Campylobacter in their future research initiatives.

This book is the proceedings of the Falk Symposium No. 127 on Autoimmune Diseases in Paediatric Gastroenterology' (IV International Falk Symposium on Paediatric Gastroenterology), held in Basel, Switzerland, on November 8-9, 2001. The symposium focused on the role of the immune system, both the acquired and the innate systems, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adolescents. The innate system has an important fundamental role in host defence by initiating immune responses against potentially deleterious matter. However, a mutation within the innate system may elicit an immune response against the host: hence, an autoimmune response.

Chronic autoimmune hepatitis occurs predominantly in young people, and especially in women. Immunological changes are conspicuous. Tissue antibodies are found in a large number of patients. This is a disease of disordered immunoregulation marked by a deficit in suppressor T cells causing the production of autoantibodies against specific hepatocyte surface antigen. Liver membrane protein is found in the sera of patients with autoimmune chronic acute hepatitis and with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The latter condition of progressive granulomatous destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts is, in many respects, analogous to the graft-versus-host syndrome where the immune system has become sensitized to foreign HLA-molecules.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is another condition of unknown origin. All parts of the biliary tree can be involved in a chronic, fibrosing, inflammatory process that results in obliteration of the biliary tree and ultimately in biliary cirrhosis. About half of the patients also suffer from ulcerative colitis and rarely from Crohn's disease. Circulating antibodies to some antigens are found in obstructed portal tracts, as well as increased concentrations of biliary immune complexes in patients with PBC.
In all three previous Falk symposia on paediatric gastroenterology, attention was focused on the role of the innate immune system in the aetiology of IBD. It has become increasingly clear in recent years that the innate system has a much more important and fundamental role in host defence. The decision to initiate an immune response is one of the major roles of the innate system. Mutations within this system could transform it into becoming constitutively active, resulting in an inflammatory reaction and thus eliciting an autoimmune response.

Following an introduction to the basic phenomena of autoimmunity, the proceedings discuss clinical aspects of autoimmune diseases. In particular, current knowledge and the state of the art about the diagnosis and treatment of the autoimmune diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are described by world-renowned experts. The book also contains the short presentations on selected topics, as well as abstracts of the mini-posters read by title, which were included in the symposium.

Gastroparesis is an increasingly recognized disorder. Treatment can be difficult due to the several mechanisms for symptom production. Gastroparesis: Pathophysiology, Presentation and Treatment serves as a concise reference on this disorder that allows clinicians to quickly access and evaluate the necessary information for treating and managing patients with gastroparesis. Each chapter is written byexperts in their respective area. The volume will enable the reader to better understand all aspects of this disorder. The book presents current concepts in a variety of areas opening with the epidemiology, clinical presentation and pathophysiology of gastroparesis. The natural history of patients is explored as well as evaluation of patients with suspected gastroparesis. This section includes chapters on Wireless Capsule Motility, Electrogastrography and Antroduodenal Manometry. This important resource concludes with a full section on treatment including dietary, prokinetic, antiemetic, sensory, electric stimulation, and surgical methods. New developments include the use of gastric electric stimulation for treatment, the use of SmartPill for diagnosis, and a number of new agents in development for this disorder. Gastroparesis: Pathophysiology, Presentation and Treatment is the ideal reference for gastroenterologists, and also for surgeons, endocrinologists, primary care physicians and nutritionists looking to keep pace with the latest information treatment options for their patients. "

La salud y la enfermedad son parte de la vida, y la enfermedad es una entidad opuesta a la salud. Los sintomas son el aviso del cuerpo que algo no esta bien. El dolor es el principal sintoma que lleva al individuo a solicitar atencion medica. Todas estas enfermedades estan relacionadas con habitos alimenticios. Una de las base de una buena salud es una buena alimentacion. El cancer no se contagia ni se hereda, se hereda las costumbres alimenticias. El des balance en el cuerpo son las que causan enfermedades, el extremo de este des balance produce un cuerpo acido tambien, como es posible que una persona de 55 a 60 anos muera por causa natural y otra persona de 90 a 95 anos muera de causa natural tambien. La explicacion cientifica es que el paciente muere de una acidosis, su cuerpo esta completamente acido. Y esto esta relacionado con los alimentos que se consume.

There is currently an explosive growth of basic and clinical research in inflammatory bowel diseases. The extensive interest of the medical community in these diseases is largely explained by the devastating impact the illnesses have on the quality of life, their high prevalence in the community, and the fact that so many medical disciplines are involved in tackling the immensely complex studies on pathogenesis, clinical expression and treatment possibilities. The Falk Symposium No. 85 held in The Hague, the Netherlands, 29 June-1 July 1995 brought together over 80 speakers and 1000 participants from all over the world. Plenary sessions and workshops allowed the discussion of basic and clinical research, enabling appropriate choices to be made. Topics reflected areas of high current basic research interest, clinical importance, and actual or future treatment potential. Audience: An important work for all disciplines involved in research and therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.

This book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium No. 125 on 'Cytokines in Liver Injury and Repair' (Progress in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Part II), held in Hannover, Germany, on September 30 - October 1, 2001, provides an update of our current knowledge on the role of cytokines in various human and experimental liver diseases and on their present and prospective use in therapeutic trials.

Developments in recent years include: Since the first report of a cytokine knockout mouse for IL-2 in 1991 a large number of cytokine and cytokine receptor genes have been inactivated in mouse germlines and the corresponding mutant mice have provided a wealth of novel information. In addition, targeted-gene disruption techniques (e.g. cre-loxP) and liver-specific overexpression of certain cytokines have provided clues for the understanding of their role in the pathophysiology of liver diseases.

The number of well-characterized cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors is ever growing and it becomes increasingly evident that they are effective in a complex network of positive and negative signals. A disruption of this homeostatic balance is a direct cause of disease, determines its complications, and is related to its progression, e.g. in inflammation and fibrogenesis.

Signaling pathways from receptors to target genes have been dissected and now we are beginning to recognize highly complicated cross-talks between various signal transduction pathways and interferences with non-cytokine mediators such as reactive oxygen metabolites (ROS), lipid mediators, physical factors, and others leading to an almost incomprehensible vastness of agonistic and antagonistic signals.

Today, we understand in greater detail the extracellular control mechanisms of cytokine and growth factor bioavailability and its importance for pathophysiological mechanisms. During these processes the secretion of (latent) proforms of cytokines, their extracellular or transmembraneous immobilization and sustained proteolytic activation and their release into the immediate environment of cells play major roles and the possibility of autocrine, paracrine, juxtacrine, and endocrine signal transfer.

Finally, experimental and beginning clinical uses of proteins or gene transfer technologies for cytokine antagonism, scavenging, receptor blockade, and inhibition of signal cascades in therapeutic trials offer hopeful perspectives in the treatment of malign and benign liver diseases. Gene-therapeutic application of molecular-engineered 'designer cytokines', e.g. of hyper-IL-6, promises clinical benefit for the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure.

The book contains chapters by most well-known experts in the field who have contributed significantly to our present knowledge on cytokines in liver injury and repair.

Falk Symposium No. 82, held in Halle, Germany, November 1994, focuses on the advances made in understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sections of this book, the Proceedings of the conference, are devoted to extraintestinal manifestations, cancer development, IBD in the context of pregnancy, and the assessment of disease activity, prognosis and quality of life. The second half of the book is devoted to the discussion of standards and new developments in diagnosis, conservative management and surgery. Audience: All clinicians and basic scientists working in the field of IBD.

Despite recent advances, the pathogenesis and therapy of various forms of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract remains problematical. Especially threatening is the possible complication of the development of a malignant growth, but the role of the chronic inflammatory process in this is not known. Three examples are: H. pylori-induced gastritis is associated with gastric lymphomas and carcinomas; there is an increased incidence of intestinal T-cell lymphomas in tropical sprue; and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly ulcerative colitis, are associated with an increased incidence of carcinoma. In this book, the Proceedings of Falk Symposium No. 81, held in Berlin, November 3-5, 1994, an extensive exchange of information and opinions between international experts yields a state-of-the-art consensus on practical procedures in diagnostics, prophylaxis and therapy.

Helicobacter pylori is an important human pathogen that infects up to 50% of the human population. As the leading cause of peptic ulcers, gastritis, and gastric cancer worldwide, the organism has been the subject of intensive research to unravel the mysteries of its genetics and cellular biology. In fact, the number of publications in this field has risen dramatically in recent years making it extremely difficult for even the most diligent reader to stay abreast of progress. This book distills the most important cutting-edge findings in the field to produce a timely and comprehensive review. With contributions from leading international helicobacter researchers, topics include: lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane proteins, motility and chemotaxis, type IV secretions systems, metal metabolism, molecular mechanisms of host adaptation, genomotyping, and proteonomics. As a useful introduction to the subject for new researchers and as an invaluable reference for the experienced researcher, this book is essential reading for all researchers working with Helicobacter and related organisms.

Did you know that 62% of the food in our supermarkets is not only processed but 'ultra-processed' (ingredients from other foods are combined to make something 'new', often in colours that do not exist in nature) and that data shows that by eating this kind of food over time we are literally slowly poisoning ourselves?

In the hard-hitting, ground-breaking tradition of his NY Times bestseller FAT CHANCE, which revealed the dangers of sugar, Dr Robert Lustig persuasively presents a stark exposé of how our addiction to processed foods (aided and abetted by the food industry, big ag, big pharma, institutional medicine and the government) is behind the lethal increase in major non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, cancer and dementia. We have come to accept that these chronic diseases are simply part of the 'natural ageing process', but Dr Lustig makes the case that this is simply not true.

The solution on both a personal and societal level is a return to unprocessed food and Dr Lustig offers a doable plan for us to heal and restore our own health and wellbeing with real food, and in the process boosting our immunity to viruses like Covid-19.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are common. There is increasing appreciation of the importance of the immune system in the pathogenesis of a number of these diseases. This book covers basic aspects of innate and adaptive immunity in the gastrointestinal tract, oral tolerance, and cellular and molecular mechanisms of acute and chronic inflammation. Specific disease covered include bacterial infections, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, coeliac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Other topics include mucosal immunisation and intestinal transplantation immunology. The readership of this book includes clinicians, scientists, and students interested in the gastrointestinal tract.

The explosion of information on Helicobacter pylori-related disease, both in the basic sciences and in clinical medicine, has continued to progress at an unprecedented pace. In many instances H. pylori infection, both in man and in the laboratory animal, has become a model to investigate fundamental biological issues such as micro-organism host interactions, intracellular signalling, development of mucosal atrophy, mechanism of microbial resistance, disease modifying factors etc. In view of this bewildering flood of information, another meeting on H. pylori in the successful series "Basic mechanisms to clinical cure" was organized in January 1998 in San Diego, California, to define the "state-of-affairs" in H. pylori research at this time. The main objective was to integrate this information in a series of presentations and discussions between investigators and clinicians addressing all aspects of H. pylori research and to review the current position and future research directions. The format included presentations by world experts heavily involved in H. pylori research followed by in-depth discussion on intriguing or controversial issues. The presentations were grouped according to the leading theme: characteristics of the organism, mode of transmission, mechanisms of H. pylori-induced inflammation, causation of disturbances of gastric secretory and motor function, aspects of clinical presentation and management, problems related to H. pylori-associated gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT-lymphoma, novel aspects of antimicrobial therapy and vaccination. The chapters published in these proceedings accurately reflect the content of the presentations. These proceedings are testimony to the impact on basic science and clinical medicine of the H. pylori discovery.