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Sildenafil is valuable in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage liver disease through inhibition of the type-5 phosphodiesterase. The type-5 phosphodiesterase is also present in human mesenteric arteries. The effect of sildenafil on splanchnic blood flow and portal hypertension remains essentially unknown.

Since the discovery of the etiological role of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) in peptic ulcer disease, its eradication became the main objective of therapy, and several treatment regimens were developed. Currently, triple therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin remains the best therapeutic option. Despite its efficacy, 10% to 20% of the patients present with treatment failure, demanding alternative therapeutic regimes with variable success rates.

Musgrove Park hospital in Taunton has put restrictions in place on some wards to manage an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis (norovirus). As at Wednesday 12th November three wards are closed to new admissions: Eliot, Fielding and Ward 5. Norovirus exists in the community and although not usually serious is very infectious. It is estimated that between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK are affected each year.

POZEN Inc.'s (NASDAQ:POZN) PA32520 product candidate (enteric coated aspirin 325 mg with immediate release omeprazole 20 mg) may provide less upper gastrointestinal mucosal damage usually associated with higher doses of aspirin therapy, and may allow for treatment with higher doses of aspirin (up to 325 mg/daily) to maximize cardiovascular protection, according to new data presented today at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana.