'Festschrift' Honors Pioneer of Fiberoptic Endoscopy

Newswise — Dr. Basil I. Hirschowitz distinguished gastroenterology clinician and researcher and inventor of the fiberoptic endoscope is the honoree of a special celebratory journal, or "Festschrift," in the August issue of The American Journal of Medical Sciences (AJMS), official journal of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy.

Dr. Hirschowitz is renowned as the inventor of the first fiberoptic endoscope in 1957—a technological breakthrough that paved the way for the widespread use of endoscopy in medicine and surgery. In his long and productive career, Dr. Hirschowitz also made numerous important discoveries related to stomach acid secretion in health and disease.

The Festschrift marks the 50th anniversary of The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, founded by Dr. Hirschowitz in 1959. "His contributions to the field of gastroenterology in general and to the University of Alabama at Birmingham specifically have been extraordinary and he has touched countless lives through his clinical, research, and educational efforts," writes Dr. Mel C. Wilcox, current head of the Division. "This Festschrift is dedicated to the many contributions he has made to medicine."

Updates on GI Effects of Aspirin, Acid Reflux, and Cancer Stem Cells

The Festschrift highlights areas of recent progress in gastroenterology and other fields, presented by a few of the many leading clinicians and researchers who have studied with Dr. Hirschowitz over the years. Dr. Angel Lanas of University of Zaragoza, Spain, provides an update on the effects of aspirin and other cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors on the gastrointestinal tract. These drugs also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs have well-known harmful effects on the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract, including contributing to the risk of ulcers. However, emerging evidence suggests that they may also have beneficial effects possibly including reductions in the risk of gastrointestinal cancers. More research will be needed to determine whether appropriate use of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors may help to prevent colorectal cancer in some patients.

Dr. Joel E. Richter of Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, presents new insights into gastroesophageal reflux disease specifically, how reflux (backward flow) of the stomach contents causes damage to the esophagus. Traditionally, the damage has been blamed on stomach acid. However, new research suggests that in at least some patients, symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation are caused by other substances: weak acids, non-acids, or bile. This may be especially important in patients who have continued symptoms despite taking modern drugs (proton pump inhibitors) that are highly effective in suppressing stomach acid.

Dr. Sahli Mittal of University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and colleagues summarize the latest scientific thinking on stem cells and cancer. Recent advances have raised hopes for the use of stem cells in treating a wide range of diseases. Meanwhile, studies of cancer cell biology have suggested a new hypothesis: that cancers arise from mutant stem cells, thus accounting for their tendency to recur and spread and their resistance to conventional treatments. If this hypothesis is borne out by future research, it could lead to an important new advance in the fight against cancer: treatments directed specifically against cancer stem cells.

The Festschrift opens with an overview and appreciation of Dr. Hirschowitz's career and achievements, authored by Dr. Wilcox. He writes, "I hope these manuscripts underscore and reflect the mentorship of Dr. Basil Hirschowitz and highlight many lives he has touched."

About The American Journal of the Medical Sciences

Founded in 1820, The American Journal of the Medical Sciences (AJMS) is the official journal of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Regular features include Clinical and Basic Investigation studies, Reviews, Historical Articles, Case Reports, Images in the Medical Sciences. Other special features include contributions from the Southwestern Internal Medicine Conference, Cardiology Grand Rounds from the University of North Carolina and Emory University, Case Records of the VA Maryland Healthcare System/University of Maryland Medicine, and Clinical Pathological Correlation from Texas A&M Health Science/Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Images in the Medical Sciences. The AJMS publishes original articles dealing with topics such as infectious disease, rheumatology/immunology, hematology/oncology, cardiology, pulmonology/critical care, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology and endocrinology. Visit the journal website at www.amjmedsci.com.

About the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Founded in 1946, the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI) is a regional academic society dedicated to the advancement of medically-related research. Its major focus is on encouraging students and postgraduate trainees (residents and fellows) to enter academic medicine and to support junior faculty success in clinical investigation. SSCI members are committed to mentoring future generations of medical investigators and promoting careers in academic medicine. Visit the SSCI website at www.ssciweb.org.

About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher for healthcare professionals and students with nearly 300 periodicals and 1,500 books in more than 100 disciplines publishing under the LWW brand, as well as content-based sites and online corporate and customer services.

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