How vinyl chloride, chemical released in the Ohio train derailment, can damage the liver – it’s used to make PVC plastics | Department of Medicine (pitt.edu)
Juliane Beier, PhD, provides commentary on vinyl chloride – the chemical in several of the train cars that derailed and burned in East Palestine, Oh., in February 2023 – which can wreak havoc on the human liver.
FORTE: Clinical Trial Comparing 5 or 10 Year Surveillance Colonoscopy | UPMC Physician Resources
In February 2022, the first patient was enrolled in a multicenter, National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trial that could reduce the number of surveillance colonoscopy exams performed, freeing up resources to better serve public health. Robert E. Schoen, MD, MPH, and Jeffrey M. Dueker, MD, MPH, in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition are national primary investigators of the FORTE (Five or Ten Year Colonoscopy for 1–2 Non-Advanced Adenomatous Polyps) trial, which will determine the best timing for a repeat colonoscopy in patients with nonadvanced adenomas found and removed at colonoscopy.
Dr. Beier to Lead SOT | Department of Medicine (pitt.edu)
Juliane Beier, PhD, has been elected to lead the Society for Toxicology’s Mechanisms Special Section, which is the SOT’s largest specialty section. In her new role, Dr. Beier will progress from VP-elect, through her presidency, to a past-president position.
UPMC Physicians and Researchers Present at DDW 2023 | UPMC Physician Resources
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2023 was held in Chicago from May 6 to May 9. Physicians and researchers from UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh shared their expertise in a range of gastrointestinal conditions.
IBD UNITE Educates | Department of Medicine (pitt.edu)
The annual IBD UNITE patient and medical professional education program occurred in March 2023. Those interested in lecture recordings from this meeting may visit the UPMC IBD UNITE website.
Evinacumab in Severe Hypertriglyceridemia with or without Lipoprotein Lipase Pathway Mutations: A Phase 2 Randomized Trial | UPMC Physician Resources
In collaboration with colleagues from other institutions, Erin Kershaw, MD, chief, UPMC Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and David Whitcomb, MD, PhD, professor emeritus, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, recently published a notable research article in Nature Medicine.
Faculty from Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Publish Research on Hydrogen-Methane Breath Testing for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth | UPMC Physician Resources
David Levinthal, MD, PhD, and Aylin Tansel, MD, MPH, both experts from UPMC Digestive Health Care and University of Pittsburgh Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, published research on hydrogen-methane breath testing in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology. When used appropriately, breath testing can greatly aid in the diagnosis of SIBO. In their article, “Understanding Our Tests: Hydrogen-Methane Breath Testing to Diagnose Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth,” Dr. Tansel and Dr. Levinthal provide an overview of breath testing.
Dr. Levinthal Discusses New Weight Loss Meds on @LiveScience | Department of Medicine (pitt.edu)
David Levinthal, MD, PhD, and colleagues discuss effects of newer weight loss medications in an August 2023 @LiveScience feature, Can Ozempic and Wegovy Case ‘Stomach Paralysis and ‘Cyclic Vomiting’?
Dr. O’Keefe Discusses Fiber in the NYT | Department of Medicine (pitt.edu)
Stephen J.D. O’Keefe, MD, professor of Medicine, discussed the important role of fiber related to overall gut health and to support the gut microbiome in an August 2023 feature in the New York Times: You Probably Aren’t Getting Enough Fiber: Here’s Why That’s a Problem, and How to Fix It.
Dr. Levinthal Featured on ACG’s GastroGirl Podcast | Department of Medicine (pitt.edu)
David Levinthal, MD, PhD, was featured on the American College of Gastroenterology’s GastroGirl podcast to discuss, “How Does Marijuana Affect My Gut Health?”
UPMC Physicians and Researchers Presented at American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2023 Meeting | UPMC Physician Resources
The Liver Meeting 2023 was held in Boston from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14. Physicians and researchers from UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh shared their expertise in a range of liver conditions.
