This book is the proceedings of Falk Symposium 151 on 'Emerging Issues in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases', held in Sydney, Australia, on 24-25 March 2006, the first symposium of its kind both in the southern hemisphere and in the Asia--Pacific region. All contributors are leaders in their field of IBD across a wide spectrum of geographical regions and ethnicity. The book presents the first major text where East meets West in IBD. The major issues of concern in the regions where IBD is a relatively common disease include the role of genetic and environmental factors in pathogenesis and disease expression, the application of sophisticated diagnostic tools, and the best use of biological agents in therapy.

An understanding of virus infection and the underlying role of the immune system in protection against these diseases is vital in today 's medical climate. Previously, only symptoms could be treated, as there were no antiviral therapies. The increasing amounts of research and the huge number of discoveries of immunologic agents and pathways has led to the opportunity to look to the basic physiology of the various disease process as never before. This book is designed to provide the clinician with a thorough and yet approachable textbook describing the relationships between immunology, virology and the disease process.

Hepatitis Delta Virus is an up-to-date guide to hepatitis D virus (HDV), a human virus with a number of distinctive features. Each chapter of this book describes one of the broad aspects of HDV from virology to molecular biology, and from diagnosis to therapy.

Immune Mechanisms in Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a highly, concise update of the most recent advances in the immunobiology, genetics and microbiology related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This book broadly treats the topics that lead to understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease in an organized, systematic approach.

This book is unique for its comprehensive presentation of protease function in stomach, colon, pancreas and liver under both physiological conditions and major diseases manifesting in these four organs. The individual chapters have been written by leaders in the field who paid much attention to outline in great detail the role of proteases in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Available animal models (of disease, transgenic, or knock-out) are extensively referred to and experimental data obtained thereby are discussed in the context of patient-derived data.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Bench to Bedside is a detailed and comprehensive story of the local and systemic pathophysiology of intestinal inflammation including management strategies. Research advances and current concepts of etiopathogenesis in the context of what is already known of the clinicopathologic features of these disorders is explored. This volume blends recent advances in the basic and clinical sciences as they relate to inflammatory bowel disease and emphasizes the effectiveness of a team approach of basic scientists and clinician investigators in this field.

In offering this book to what we hope will be interested readers, we have several aspirations. We have aspired to present to students and clinicians a rather narrow view of epidemiology concentrating on the causal factors and setting of the more usual gastroenterological problems and giving greater space to conditions of importance for which major knowledge of causation andcourse is available. Part of the rationale is thebelief that modern medicine lays excessive emphasis on therapy with increasingly expensive, and in many cases, dangerous drugs and too little emphasis on the causes and avoidance of disease. We are of the view that traditional views handed st down through generations of clinicians need scrutiny worthy of 21 century medicine whose currency includes topics like nanomoles, megabytes and logistic regression. We hope that clinicians will see that there is often a practical application to the findings of epidemiological exploration and that what passes for canonical knowledge is so often unsubstantiated myth and are fully aware of the reluctance of organized medicine to reject old paradigms in favor of the new, matched by an often uncritical enthusiasm for new therapies. Our researches have increased our belief in the major role of social factors especially diet, both in quantity and quality in many disorders and that clinicians have a responsibility to provide appropriate advice to policy makers as well as patients.

Nutrition has been identified as one of the most neglected, but important aspects of gastroenterology. "Clinical Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Disease" covers all of the vital aspects of nutrition and serves as the definitive resource on this topic.
Dr. Alan Buchman has teamed up with more than 70 world renowned leaders in the field to provide today's professional specializing in gastrointestinal disease with a practical guide that examines and explains the necessary elements and principles of nutrition. With more than 100 images and 180 tables, "Clinical Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Disease" contains essential information to optimally and successfully manage pediatric and adult patients.
Some Topics Covered Include:
- Nutritional assessment
- Nutrition in critical care
- Nutritional support
- Management of intestinal failure
- Obesity
- Pediatrics
- Probiotics
- Nutrient absorption
- Metabolism
- Home care

Some Gastrointestinal Diseases Covered Include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Colon cancer
- Pancreatititis
- Heptatic failure
- Celiac sprue
"Clinical Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Disease" delivers the latest information in a comprehensive and well-organized format that is perfect for gastroenterologists, general surgeons, and general internists looking to increase their knowledge of clinical nutrition. The extensive use of images, graphs, and tables compliments the text and makes this one of the most authoritative and thorough books on gastrointestinal disease currently on the market.

Covering all aspects of gastrointestinal pathology, this award-winning volume in the Diagnostic Pathology series is an excellent point-of-care resource for pathologists at all levels of experience and training-both as a quick reference and as an efficient review to improve knowledge and skills. This updated third edition is an easy-to-use, one-stop reference for the entire GI system, offering a templated, highly formatted design; concise, bulleted text; and superior color images throughout, enabling you to arrive at the correct diagnosis and prepare actionable, useful reports. Provides comprehensive coverage with the necessary tools to make a comprehensive diagnostic workup Incorporates significant changes in the AJCC cancer staging of gastrointestinal tumors Provides details on PD-L1 (immune checkpoint inhibitor) therapy, new types of colitis, and molecular biology of GI tract tumors as it relates to precision medicine and targeted therapy Discusses timely topics such as GAPP, a newly described form of gastric polyposis that leads to cancer; the increasing complexity of large B-cell lymphomas and which immunostains and molecular tests to order for proper classification and therapy; Immune Modulator therapy effect, which can closely mimic IBD; and newly described polyposis syndromes, such as mixed and serrated polyposis Features more than 2,500 annotated images throughout, including gross pathology, a wide range of stains, and detailed medical illustrations, depicting virtually any GI specimen you're likely to see 2015 BMA Medical Book Awards 1st Prize Award Winner in Pathology Category (previous edition) Enhanced eBook version included with purchase, which allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices

This book, the proceedings of the Falk Syposium No. 139 on "Gallstones: Pathogenesis and Treatment", held in Freiburg, Germany, on January 15-16, 2004, reflects the tremendous advances in the field of biliary diseases both at the genetic and cellular as well as the clinical levels. In industrialized countries, gallstones are a frequent clinical entity with a prevalence of 10-15%. In clinical practice one can differentiate between cholesterol stones, black pigment stones and brown pigment stones. 80-90% of gallbladder stones are cholesterol stones, 10--20% are black pigment stones. The prevalence of cholesterol stones increases with age and in Europe in the 70+ age group reaches about 20% in males and about 30% in females. Gallstones and gallstone diseases, therefore, are a frequent and important clinical problem. The book addresses the basic aspects of gallstone pathogenesis as well as the non-surgical and surgical treatment of gallstone diseases. Of particular interest are the epidemiology and genetics of gallstone formation, with definition of risk factors, in particular of genetic predispositions. Other major aspects are the hepatocellular and bilary transport mechanisms that predispose to the formation of gallstones. Apart from cholesterol and lipid transport and absorption, gallbladder function plays a central role in gallstone formation. Another clinically very relevant topic is the treatment of gallstone diseases by drugs, endoscopic and other non-surgical interventions, and surgery, as well as the long-term outcome of therapeutic interventions. The volume concludes with a state-of-the-art chapter on "Gallstone Research in the Post-Genomic Era". Gallstones: Pathogenesis and Treatment is an excellent update on the pathogenesis of gallstones as well as on the treatment of gallstone diseases, written by an international faculty of outstanding clinicans and scientists. The book will, therefore, be of great interest to hepatologists and gastroenterologists in academic institutions as well as in clinical practice.

Japan has long been a leader of research into the carcinogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of gastric carcinoma, which is still the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Distinguished experts in the field collaborated in creating this groundbreaking work, providing a comprehensive view of gastric cancer. This book encourages further development of gastric cancer research and its clinical application. Topics include all aspects of gastric carcinoma, such as the history of clinical and experimental gastric cancer research; updated issues of molecular and pathological research on gastric carcinogenesis; multidisciplinary methods in diagnosis, treatment, and chemotherapy; and perspectives in minimally invasive surgery. Color figures of histological specimens and other clinical features assist readers in readily understanding the textual descriptions, making this volume a valuable source for clinicians and researchers alike.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Clinician s Guide provides practical guidance for the diagnosis and management of those suspected or known to have one of the forms of these complex diseases. It is perfect both for gastroenterology trainees learning to care for these patients and the experienced physician as a concise and practical resource for day to day use. Written by the experts, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Clinician s Guide is an essential tool for all gastroenterologists managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

In spite of significant scientific progress in recent years, the aetiopathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remains elusive. With a prevalence of 1: 700 to 1: 500 in central Europe, both diseases are not rare. However, most physicians will generally treat only a few patients with IBD in their clinical practice. Because of this limited experience and the variety of clinical IBD manifestations, IBD patients are frequently treated in specialized tertiary care centres. Nevertheless, IBD patients will also consult less specialized general practitioners, who will not be able to focus extensively on the management of IBD patients due to time constraints.
Physicians who take care of IBD patients have to select among an ever-increasing amount of new scientific information in order to provide optimal and up-to-date care to their patients. In the era of evidence-based medicine it is often under debate whether evidence-based medicine may really improve the management of IBD patients or whether the diversity and complexity of IBD needs an individual and patient-oriented approach.
This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium 134 on Trends and Controversies in IBD - Evidence-Based Approach or Individual Management', held in Berlin, Germany, on 12-13 June 2003, critically discusses established and emerging new concepts in the field of IBD. It critically analyzes evidence-based and individual approaches in the management of IBD and discusses these approaches with the help of selected case reports.

Giardia duodenalis (=G. lamblia), Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis are more than just a mouthful for most who might encounter them. These protozoan parasitic agents contribute significantly to the staggering caseload of diarrheal disease morbidity encountered in developing world nations. Compounding the issue of their mere presence is the fact that standard ova and parasite exams frequently do not detect these infections. Detectable stages may be shed intermittently or require specialized staining procedures. Added to this is the often large number of asymptomatic carriers who serve as reservoirs for infecting others. These parasites are also not strangers to more developed nations, having responsibility for both small and large-scale disease outbreaks. In such settings they may be even more difficult to detect simply because they are frequently overlooked in the grand scheme of disease causing possibilities. They share common features; all are Protozoa, all possess trophic stages that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, all have the ability to produce disease and in some instances death, and all produce environmentally stable cysts or oocysts, which ensure their transmissibility. In other ways, these organisms are profoundly different. Giardia is a flagellate that inhabits the gut lumen in close association with enterocytes. Entamoeba is an amoeba that preferentially inhabits the mucosal region of the gut lumen, but which may, under certain circumstances, become invasive. Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora are obligate intracellular coccidians, each taking up a unique niche within their respective host enterocytes.

This book, the proceedings of a Falk Workshop on `Topical Steroids in Gastroenterology and Hepatology', held in Berlin, Germany, on 14 June 2003, critically discusses the current role of budesonide in gastroenterology, hepatology, surgery and oncology and focuses especially on potential new indications for the use of budesonide. A number of smaller clinical studies and anecdotal case reports with impressive clinical effects are reported in patients with gastrointestinal, hepatic, oncological and surgical problems. In addition, the use of budesonide for the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis and ileocolonic Crohn's disease is evaluated with respect to its role in an evidence-based management of IBD. Finally, as clinical experience with the use of budesonide is increasing, safety issues and the side-effect profile of budesonide is addressed.

This fully revised and updated third edition of the Oxford Handbook of Gastroenterology and Hepatology provides up-to-date, pragmatic advice on the management of common conditions and emergencies. An essential resource for all those involved in the care of patients with gastroenterological and hepatological disease, both for specialists and trainees in gastroenterology and hepatology, and also clinicians from other specialties. The handbook includes a problems-based approach, a unique A to Z compendium of conditions, and sections on therapeutic drugs, and emergencies. Thoroughly revised and updated, it now includes such updates as new approaches for the management of eating disorders, and post-liver transplant patients, the latest advances in endoscopy, new therapies, refined advice on how to select between therapeutic options, as well as additional emergency topics on abdominal trauma, bowel obstructions, and major haemorrhage.

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.

The fifth meeting in the successful series Helicobacter pylori: Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Cure took place in Maui, Hawaii, November 2002. The meeting focused on all current aspects of H. pylori research. Internationally acclaimed basic and clinical researchers explored, in depth, the novel information across the spectrum of H. pylori infection, the characteristics of the organism, the inflammatory and tissue modifying consequences, the overall impact of this infection on a global scale, and new therapeutic possibilities.
H. pylori infection, both in man and in the laboratory animal, has become a standard model to investigate fundamental problems in biology, such as microbial-host interactions, intracellular signalling, modulation of inflammation, mucosal atrophic metaplasia, and microbial resistance, to name just a few. The issues addressed in this book are grouped according to their leading theme. Topics include: the new Helicobacters, strain differences of H. pylori and their consequence on microbial-host interactions and the effects of H. pylori infection on the gastric mucosa. The role of H. pylori is explained in relation to: gastric carcinogenesis; gastroesophageal reflux disease; dyspepsia and long-term acid suppression. Eradication therapies are reviewed with respect to their global consequences and problems. The last two sections are devoted to a global update on therapeutic indications and finally on priorities for further research.
These proceedings accurately reflect the state-of-the-art presentations delivered by world experts. This latest volume will further enrich this top-class series on H. pylori infection.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, is a very common condition affecting around 20-40 % of the population over a one year period. This book describes all the essential features of GERD for the general public in an engaging and stimulating manner that facilitates learning and reinforcement. This is accomplished by applying methods that accommodate various learning styles, including the use of illustrations, tables, charts, and boxes that highlight definitions, facts, or website links for more detailed information. Features: Provides questions and answers about the features, definitions, and descriptions of GERD Includes numerous in-text Web links to WebMD, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USDA, the CDC, pharmaceutical companies, YouTube, and other sites with animations, diets, practical case studies, and tools related to GERD. Selected Topics: Causes, risk factors, symptoms, degrees of GERD, anatomy and physiology of the esophagus, lower esophageal sphincter and stomach as it relates to GERD, complications, diagnostic tests, and treatments based on lifestyle modifications, medications, endoscopic procedures, and surgery, diets.

Leading experts in the fields of gastroenterology, surgery, and radiology comprehensively review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and treatment of acute bleeding disorders of the GI tract. The authors break down acute bleeding into upper and lower GI tract sources and provide a differential diagnosis for each disease, evidence-based algorithms for clinical practice, treatment modalities for its management, and standards of care. The authors outline the many dilemmas faced by physicians in their approach to their patients, such as localization of the bleeding source (upper vs lower), the need and timing for emergency endoscopy, and the timing for radiologic intervention and/or surgery.

Biomechanics of the Gastrointestinal Tract is an up-to-date book for researchers on the study of the mechanical properties and the motor system of the gastrointestinal tract. A well-illustrated book, it provides a comprehensive overview to relevant tissue geometry, morphology and biomechanical theory. Separate chapters cover smooth muscle and nerve function including the application to animal and human studies of motility, symptoms and pain, determination of the true resting state, history-dependent properties, and tissue remodelling in disease. Several methods and diagnostic applications such as determination of in vivo length-tension diagrams and multimodal pain testing are completely new but will undoubtedly be used by many in the future. New non-invasive imaging techniques based on ultrasound, MR- and CT-scanning in combination with balloon distension are emerging as the techniques for future in vivo studies.

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.

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.

Relief at Last for the Millions of Chronic Heartburn Sufferers
Written by an internationally recognized expert on digestive diseases, this much-needed book brings relief to the tens of millions who suffer from the pain of severe heartburn almost daily. If you find yourself dependent on antacids, losing sleep, missing work, or canceling plans because of heartburn discomfort, you may be among those who struggle with gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD. The good news is that your condition is treatable----especially in its early stages. Drawing from his extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients, as well as the latest research from around the globe, Dr. Anil Minocha explains the causes of heartburn----and the potentially serious consequences of leaving it untreated. In addition to providing an overview of the problem, Dr. Minocha offers invaluable information on:
* The latest treatment options-from nutrition and simple lifestyle changes to drugs, surgery, and alternative remedies
* How your diet and weight may be affecting your GERD
* The relationship between stress and heartburn
* Dealing with GERD during pregnancy, and in infants, children, and the elderly

""An in-depth analysis of how to heal heartburn and acid reflux, a problem that afflicts humans across the lifespan, from infancy to old age. . . . A valuable home reference.""-Elizabeth D. Tate, F.N.P., M.N., coauthor of Unforgettable Faces: Through the Eyes of a Nurse Practitioner
""Priceless and practical. . . . Easy to read. . . . A must-buy book for all heartburn sufferers.""-Joel E. Richter, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G., Chairman, Department of Gastroenterology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation