Table of contents
April 2008 Volume 5 No 4
Viewpoints
Benefits and risks of a fish diet—should we be eating more or less?
178The consumption of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to have cardioprotective benefits; however, these benefits are tempered by the risk of mercury poisoning. This Viewpoint article discusses the benefits and potentially harmful effects of a fish diet, and considers the amount and type of fish that should be consumed to obtain the most benefit with the least risk of toxicity.
Childhood obesity—a problem of surgical proportions?
180Childhood obesity is at epidemic proportions globally and its management is controversial. This Viewpoint considers the role of surgery for pediatric extreme obesity and the prevalence of this type of bariatric surgery. Guidelines for the use of bariatric surgery, clinical outcomes, and future research avenues are also discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1072 | Full Text | PDF (103K)
Research Highlights
Artificial neural networks—a tool for assessing risk in patients with UGIH?
182Two candidate genes for liver carcinogenesis identified in tree shrews and humans
182Mechanical bowel preparation for colorectal surgery can be abandoned
182Lamivudine prophylaxis reduces the risk of HBV reactivation in chemotherapy recipients
183Bariatric surgery benefits elderly morbidly obese patients
183Plasma albumin mRNA levels might predict post-transplant recurrence of HCC
184Patients misperceive the risks and benefits of infliximab therapy for IBD
184Cannabis use is a risk factor for fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV infection
184Oral Aspergillus niger endoprotease therapy could be feasible
185SmartPill® versus scintigraphy for diagnosis of gastroparesis
185Gene-expression profiles might predict response of rectal cancers to therapy
186Sex-related differences in Crohn's disease among pediatric patients
186Antibiotics do not prevent infected pancreatic necrosis in ANP
187Updated consensus on the management of GERD in Asia
187Probiotic supplementation affects hepatic lipid metabolism in a mouse model
187Capsule endoscopy can be safely performed in patients with cardiac pacemakers
188GERD linked with CVD and gastrointestinal symptoms but not diabetes
188Practice Points
How effective is bisphosphonate treatment for preventing bone fractures after liver transplantation?
190doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1065 | Full Text | PDF (100K)
Is early steroid withdrawal after liver transplantation feasible with tacrolimus monotherapy?
194doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1073 | Full Text | PDF (100K)
Is laparoscopic colectomy inferior to open colectomy for patients with curable colon cancer?
196doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1074 | Full Text | PDF (101K)
Endoscopic variceal ligation—is there any benefit to placing more than six bands?
198doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1066 | Full Text | PDF (104K)
Is lansoprazole effective for the initial management of young patients with dyspepsia?
200doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1068 | Full Text | PDF (103K)
Reviews
Functional nausea and vomiting
202Functional vomiting, cyclic vomiting syndrome and chronic idiopathic nausea are fairly rare but highly disabling disorders. Although there is a dearth of randomized, controlled treatment trials for these disorders, interest in their etiology and treatment is increasing. In this Review, the authors consider the nomenclature, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of these functional gastroduodenal disorders, with a particular focus on cyclic vomiting syndrome.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1094 | Full Text | PDF (160K)
Mechanisms of Disease: the evolving understanding of liver allograft rejection
209Liver transplantation is a successful treatment for selected patients with end-stage liver disease and is unrivalled amongst other forms of solid organ transplantation in the ability of the recipient to develop long-term tolerance to the allograft. In this Review, the authors consider work that has highlighted the mechanisms underpinning liver allograft tolerance. In particular, the emerging role of regulatory T cells (TREGS) is emphasized, along with the relative impact of current immunosuppressive therapies.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1070 | Full Text | PDF (197K)
Case Studies
Using heparin therapy to reverse protein-losing enteropathy in a patient with CDG-Ib
220This article considers the case of a 22-year-old female with congenital disorder of glycosylation type Ib and a history of congenital hepatic fibrosis, portal hypertension and esophageal varices, who presented with edema, diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia and pancytopenia. Protein-losing enteropathy was diagnosed. As previous mannose therapy was associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain, albumin was infused followed by intravenous and subcutaneous therapy with unfractionated heparin.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1061 | Full Text | PDF (156K)
Detection of an aortoenteric fistula in a patient with intermittent bleeding
Bülent Ödemi
,
Ömer Baar,
brahim Ertu
rul,
Mehmet bi,
lhami Yüksel,
Engin Uçar
and
Kemal Arda
This Case Study discusses a 57-year-old male diagnosed with an aortoenteric fistula secondary to aortic graft surgery. The case highlights the importance of performing multidetector CT as soon as possible in patients who are suspected to have this condition so a quick diagnosis can be made.
doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1075 | Full Text | PDF (229K)
Article Responses
Authors' response to "Hemoclip application for colonic diverticular hemorrhage"
E3doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1147 | Full Text
