Category Archives: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease for which new therapeutic strategies are greatly needed. A recent phase III clinical trial investigating the impact of a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib, in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, provides a convincing proof of concept supporting the efficacy of this compound for induction and maintenance therapy. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by increased bowel movements and bloody diarrhea. The disease is thought to be initiated by damage to the colon epithelium, which brings the colon microflora in contact with luminal immune cells and elicits an inflammatory immune response further damaging and preventing healing of the epithelium. Consequently, current treatments, including glucocorticoids and TNF-alpha monoclonal antibodies, aim to shut down this adverse immune response. Although usually effective, this category of treatments has two major pitfalls: 1) Owing to their immunosuppressive activity, they make patients more vulnerable to infections and 2) Some patients do not respond at all to the treatment or fail to maintain a sustained response. Therefore, new strategies are needed, especially for this latter group of patients. In addition to these aforementioned treatments, another attractive and promising therapeutic target is the Janus Kinase (JAK) family, an essential mediator … Continue reading →

Posted in: News, Police & Crime | Comments (2) By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division On Monday, July 3, 2017 at approximately 8:26 PM, a robbery and homicide occurred at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and E. 18th Street. An officer involved shooting by an Antioch Police Department patrol officer occurred at the scene of the robbery and homicide. The homicide was not a result of the officer involved shooting. The Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney are currently investigating the incident. The investigation is in its early stages and no further information will be released, at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH. Publisher @ July 4, 2017 Posted in: History | Comments (0) A copy of the Declaration of Independence. Following is the text of the Declaration of Independence in celebration of Independence Day, July 4th, 2017: IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people … Continue reading →

THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they've come closer to pinpointing genes linked with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. For the study, the investigators examined the genomes of nearly 68,000 people. Of the regions of the genome associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 18 could be traced to a single genetic variant with more than 95 percent certainty. "We have taken the biggest ever data set for IBD and applied careful statistics to narrow down to the individual genetic variants involved," said study co-author Dr. Jeffrey Barrett, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom. "Now we have a clearer picture of which genes do and do not play a role in the disease. We are zooming in on the genetic culprits of IBD," he said in an institute news release. The findings could lead to improved effectiveness of current treatments for IBD, as well as the discovery of new drug targets, the study authors said. In diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, the body's immune system attacks parts of the digestive tract. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and extreme fatigue. The causes of the disease … Continue reading →

THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they've come closer to pinpointing genes linked with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. For the study, the investigators examined the genomes of nearly 68,000 people. Of the regions of the genome associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 18 could be traced to a single genetic variant with more than 95 percent certainty. "We have taken the biggest ever data set for IBD and applied careful statistics to narrow down to the individual genetic variants involved," said study co-author Dr. Jeffrey Barrett, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom. "Now we have a clearer picture of which genes do and do not play a role in the disease. We are zooming in on the genetic culprits of IBD," he said in an institute news release. The findings could lead to improved effectiveness of current treatments for IBD, as well as the discovery of new drug targets, the study authors said. In diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, the body's immune system attacks parts of the digestive tract. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and extreme fatigue. The causes of the disease … Continue reading →

For even accomplished athletes, the concept is overwhelming. The idea of doing a 2.4-mile open-water swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run, back-to-back-to-back is almost unthinkable. Its official name Ironman Triathlon, almost seems to trivialize the accomplishment. But imagine trying to complete one while coping with a digestive disease. Meet Portville native Ryan Hunt. Hunt, a sales representative for Universal Plant Services, which supplies equipment to the oil and gas industry, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis a chronic condition of the large intestine some eight years ago. He controls the disease, in part, with medication, but mostly via diet eating gluten-free and whole foods and minimizing his intake of dairy products. Its pretty much what the medical field recommends for everybody, said Hunt, who graduated with a degree in mathematics from Alfred University. But his physique has changed. Back when I was doing a lot of (weight) lifting, I weighed just short of 200 pounds, he said. Now Im a lean 152. Part of the reason, of course, is that he and a friend have been working out and have already competed in three half-Ironman events: 1.2- mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. But they decided to take … Continue reading →

Theres no doubt that inflammatory bowel disease is horrible. Its consequences, all sorts of gastrointestinal distress, can be downright debilitating. But treating it is full of uncertaintyfolks with the same symptoms might respond in wildly different ways. Thats why scientists are trying to pinpoint its cause, among all the genetic complexities that can contribute. A team of researchers have made some fairly major progress in understanding, and hopefully treating, IBDs underlying causes, like Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. They say theyve identified just a few dozen DNA base pairs, the As, Cs, Ts and Gs that spell out your genetic code, that could be responsible for causing the illness. Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a disease with at least 1.4 million American sufferers that consists of a few underlying causes, like Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis, leading to inflammation in the digestive tract. It can lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as other unseen symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. The complex disease is probably not related to diet, but could be autoimmune. Within IBD, there are common subtypes, study author Jeffrey Barrett from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute told Gizmodo. Some people respond to front line … Continue reading →

Probably every investor interested in biotech knows all of the challenges facing Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD). Its once high-flying stock has been beaten down over the last couple of years as sales plunged for its hepatitis C franchise. However, over the last month, Gilead stock has begun a tentative but distinct rebound. Is now the time to buy Gilead Sciences stock? These three charts show why the answer is "yes." Image source: Getty Images. It's one thing to look at Gilead's impressive cash stockpile, but it's even better to look at the biotech's cash and its free cash flow. This shows just how solid of a position the company is in financially. Data source: Gilead Sciences 10-K filing. Chart by author. Even though Gilead's revenue and earnings have fallen, the company is in better place when it comes to its cash position than it's ever been. Gilead has also been able to improve its cash position while paying out an attractive dividend with a current yield of 2.94%. The last time Gilead spent billions of dollars to buy another company, it purchased Pharmasset. That $11 billion deal gave Gilead the drug Sovaldi, which led to Harvoni and to Epclusa. Over … Continue reading →

LIVERPOOL (WSYR-TV) - According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, 1.6-million Americans are suffering with one of the painful gastrointestinal diseases they're trying to fight. For some patients, medicine does not relieve symptoms including internal bleeding, joint swelling, skin lesions and abdominal cramping. Researchers haven't pinpointed a single cause for the diseases, but possibilities include environmental factors, genetic predisposition or abnormalities of the immune system. Ulcerative Colitis patients suffer from intense inflammation along their colon, while Crohn's Disease can impact various points along the gastrointestinal tract. To support ongoing research, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation is hosting the 2017 Syracuse Takes Steps walk on June 17 at Onondaga Lake Park. Families can register now online. Click here for more information. People who don't want to form their own team can still walk. NewsChannel 9's Tammy Palmer, who suffers from ulcerative colitis is welcoming anyone to join her team. Click here to sign up! You can also play the clip above to hear more about Tammy's personal struggles with the disease. She has created a Facebook group called CNY Crohn's and Colitis Crusaders to offer patients a place to meet and share their experiences. Read more: Hundreds to Take Steps for … Continue reading →

LIVERPOOL (WSYR-TV) - As more people are diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis, the push for a cure is growing. Saturday morning about 400 people joined the annual Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis walk at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. That's more than double the turnout just last year. Volunteers with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation say they also doubled their fundraising this year, topping a $30,000 goal. "Our goal, obviously first and foremost is to get the word out so that people know what those diseases mean, so when they look around and see 300 plus people there to support them, they don't feel alone and isolated," says Eric Israel with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Organizers say many people don't understand the diseases because patients may be uncomfortable talking about them. "I know a lot of people are sensitive to the subject. But here, it is normal. It affects people in different ways and you learn about them," says Sara Gunther, an ulcerative colitis patient who led a team of supporters in the walk. Several people from NewsChannel 9 joined Tammy Palmer's team at the walk. She underwent J-pouch surgery when medication failed to treat her … Continue reading →

May 30, 2017 05:20 ET | Source: Research and Markets Dublin, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Ulcerative Colitis Market and Forecast Analysis" report to their offering. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is characterized by inappropriate diffuse inflammation of the rectal and colonic mucosa, which occurs in the innermost layer of the intestinal lining. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, incurable disease with low mortality that is generally diagnosed in adolescence and early adulthood. Ulcerative colitis is currently an idiopathic condition, the pathogenesis of which is yet to be fully elucidated. However, it is known to involve an interaction between genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors. Risk factors include ethnicity, family history, antibiotic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent use, and diet. Incidence and prevalence have been increasing over the past two decades in most regions of the world. It is estimated that in 2015, there were 2.1 million diagnosed prevalent cases of ulcerative colitis in the US, Japan, and five major EU markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). Over 2015-35, the number of prevalent cases is expected to increase to 2.5 million (16.6% increase). Key Topics … Continue reading →