Carmelo Scarpignato Books

Reprint Chemotherapy 2005, Vol. 51, Suppl. 1 Rifaximin is a semisynthetic rifamycin which is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It has been available in Europe and other countries for several years, and has recently been approved for treatment of traveler’s diarrhea in the United States. Because of its broad spectrum of anti-microbial activity, rifaximin has been used with success in the treatment of infectious diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease, and colonic diverticular disease. Potential indications include the irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation, Clostridium difficile infection and bowel preparation before colorectal surgery.In this publication both the present and future clinical use of rifaximin as well as the pharmacology behind it are extensively reviewed. Compiling the latest information on this remarkably active antibacterial agent, it will be an essential resource for infectiologists, gastroenterologists, and digestive surgeons alike.

This book contains a collection of the currently newest, and probably most important facts on the pathogenesis of Barrett's Esophagus and the clinical consequences implicit in its complications. It was written with reference to the 6th OESO World Congress in Paris and is simultaneously the documentation of this meeting of esophagologeal experts from all over the world. The books are comprised of over 1,000 pages of in-depth exploration of a chosen theme of esophagology by the original process of its methodical dissection into a long series of questions relevant to very varied specialties, illustrating the specific, multi-disciplinary nature of OESO.

In gastroenterology, new therapies, both pharmaceutical and invasive, frequently emerge, often generating initial enthusiasm. Over time, these therapies may either fail or find their appropriate place in treatment protocols. It is crucial to critically evaluate these developments to assess their efficacy, safety, and superiority over existing options. The pharmacotherapy of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is particularly challenging due to its extensive mucosal area and complex systems, including its own nervous and endocrine systems, barriers to various environments, and mucosal immune system (GALT). These factors contribute to the pathophysiology of digestive disorders, making targeted therapeutic interventions essential while also considering the potential for drug side effects. Gastroenterology faces significant unmet clinical needs, and this issue focuses on Advances in GI Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Renowned experts explore drug classes that show promise in addressing these needs, many of which are already in clinical testing. Topics include acid suppressant therapy, anti-diarrheal agents, serotoninergic drugs, CCK-antagonists, neurokinin receptor-antagonists, peripheral opioid receptor ligands, treatments for H. pylori, biologic therapies in IBD, probiotics, acute pancreatitis management, and emerging therapies for viral hepatitis and liver fibrosis. This comprehensive resource will benefit pharmacologists, gastroent

The human gut flora consists of hundreds of bacterial species, with at least 400 different species and over 10^12 organisms, predominantly anaerobic bacteria. The gastrointestinal tract encounters numerous bacterial species and foreign antigens, developing a complex network of immunological and non-immunological mechanisms to protect against harmful pathogens. While healthy individuals typically tolerate their microbiota, this tolerance can be disrupted in those with gastrointestinal diseases. Advances in understanding microbial-gut interactions have led to a more pathophysiological approach to various clinical conditions. There are two primary methods to manipulate gut flora: antibiotics, which can selectively reduce harmful bacteria or overall bacterial concentrations, and the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics to restore beneficial flora. Rifaximin, a poorly absorbed antibiotic, has been used in Italy for treating infectious diarrhea and has recently gained recognition for its role in various gastrointestinal diseases, including hepatic encephalopathy and inflammatory bowel disease. Leading scientists from Spain and Italy provide a series of reviews on the current understanding of microbial flora in digestive diseases and the clinical applications of rifaximin. This volume offers valuable insights for infectiologists, gastroenterologists, and digestive surgeons, consolidating information from diverse sources.

Although cytotoxic chemotherapy is very effective in the management of certain neoplasms such as testicular cancer, the efficacy of this therapeutic modality in the treatment of many common neoplasms is limited.

There are few areas in medical science where the information explosion exceeds the capacity for a busy clinician to keep up to date. pylori was published in 1983, great progress has occurred concerning H.

Supplement Digestion 1999, Vol. 60, Suppl. 3 Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding, acute pancreatitis and postoperative complications after major pancreatic surgery have posed a persistent and often frustrating challenge to gastroenterologists, endoscopists and digestive surgeons for more than half a century. Although the effectiveness of somatostatin in the management of variceal bleeding, pancreatic fistula and prevention of postoperative complications is now clearly established, its use in UGI nonvariceal bleeding and acute pancreatitis is still debated and subjected to continuous investigation. In this supplement, a team of international experts presents an in-depth review of the current knowledge on the management of these difficult clinical conditions with this vasoactive peptide. After a review of the clinical pharmacology and safety of somatostatin and its analogs, an overview of the management strategies in UGI bleeding is presented. The place of somatostatin in the treatment of variceal and nonvariceal bleeding is then analyzed, attempting to better define the best drug and regimen. Finally the management of pancreatic fistula and prevention of postoperative complications with somatostatin or octreotide are thoroughly discussed An analysis of pharmacoeconomic issues, whose evaluation is becoming an essential part of any therapeutic guideline, completes this publication.