Multisystems Approach Identifies Environmental Chemicals That Promote Intestinal Inflammation

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are using an integrated systems approach—a publicly available database, zebrafish chemical screens, machine learning and mouse models—to identify environmental chemicals that promote intestinal inflammation.

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Enhanced Recovery Pathway Boosting Postsurgical Outcomes in Peritoneal Metastasis Patients

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been shown to improve clinical outcomes and prognosis in patients with peritoneal metastasis. However, it is associated with a significant complication rate and a long postsurgical recovery in the hospital.
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Updated Guidelines: Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Colon and Rectal Surgery

Patient in hospital bed with doctor holding their hand, recovery after surgery

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons published revised joint guidelines for developing enhanced recovery protocols for elective colon and rectal resection. Jennifer L. Irani, MD, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, served as co–first author.

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Gastroenterology Fellowship Leaders Perceive Multiple Benefits of GI Hospitalists

Doctor standing next to patient recovering in bed at hospital, inpatient

Clinicians in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and colleagues explored the prevalence and perceptions of the GI hospitalist model in academic GI departments across the United States. They report GI hospitalists are relatively common and geographically diverse.

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Transcriptional Profile Overlaps in PPI-Responsive and -Nonresponsive Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Esophagram or Barium swallow front view showing esophagus for diagnosis

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital hypothesized that differences in mucosal gene transcript expression might explain the differences in PPI treatment response. Instead, they found the transcriptional profiles in patients with PPI-responsive and -nonresponsive eosinophilic esophagitis are remarkably similar.

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Actively Triggerable Aluminum for Gastrointestinal Applications

Gallium, a silvery, soft metal, melting on palm of outstretched hand

Researchers in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy at Brigham and MIT address limitations of metals in medical devices by using liquid metal embrittlement, long viewed as a failure mechanism to be avoided, to stimulate on-demand breakdown of solid aluminum.

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Intelectin-1 Contributes to the Severity of Ulcerative Colitis

Molecular model of human intelectin-1 on green and purple background

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently presented evidence of novel mechanisms by which intelectin-1 may affect an individual’s susceptibility to inflammation in the colon.

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Brigham Clinicians Are Teaching Ukrainians How to ‘Stop the Bleed’

People surrounding table learning how to stop the bleed from a traumatic injury

Colorectal cancer surgeon Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, and emergency medicine physician Eric Goralnick, MD, MS, created a Ukrainian-language Stop the Bleed video that shows laypeople how to care for a traumatic injury. This is just one of Dr. Melnitchouk’s many efforts to improve trauma—and cancer—care in Ukraine.

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Pilot Study: Digital Program Produces Individualized Elimination Diets for Self-Management of IBS and IBD

Close up of person holding smartphone and tapping on screen

Joshua R. Korzenik, MD, director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues have created an interactive, mobile-delivered elimination diet program for IBS and dual IBS/IBD that’s powered by machine learning that delivers precise and personalized recommendations.

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How Can Doctors Predict Patient Response to Weight Loss Surgery?

Diagram of digestive anatomy on white background, showing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure

Brigham researchers found that patients with higher pre-operative levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin respond better to gastric bypass surgery than those with lower levels. Minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon Ali Tavakkoli, MD, says this suggests a crucial role for ghrelin in driving postoperative outcomes.

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