bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Presentation and Course of Crohn's Disease in Southeastern Ontario
Authors: Depew William T. , Medeiros Jose , Beck Ivan T. , Dacosta Laurington R. , Groll Aubrey
Published: April 2016

Clinical records of 222 patients with proven Crohn's disease identified at Queen's University Medical School in Kingston, Ontario from 1966 to 1984 were reviewed. Four clinical patterns were identified. Ileocolic disease (44%) was most trequent. Small intestinal involvement alone occurred in 30% while colonic involvement alone was documented in 18%. Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease was diagnosed in 8.5%, but in all such patients there was involvement of additional small or large bowel. Females (57%) out-numbered males (43%) with a female to male ratio of 1.3. The age range at diagnosis was seven to 73 years and 177 patients (80%) were diagnosed between the ages of 11 and 40 years. Patients with colonic disease only tended to be older and had fewer obstructive episodes, fewer surgical resections and more gross rectal bleeding. Patients with gascroduodenal disease were more often male, usually had additional small bowel involvement, experienced more local complications and required more surgical intervention than the ocher patterns. Only one patient was identified with disease restricted to the anorectum. Patients in this series were followed from two months to 24 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 4.9 years. The frequency of complications and the necessity for surgery were similar to other reported series. None of the patients had either large or small bowel cancer during the follow-up period and there were no deaths related directly to Crohn's disease, its complications or related surgery.
Clinical and Laboratory Observations on Patients from a Nursing Home Outbreak of Verotoxin-Producing E Coli (157:H7 Strain)
Authors: Belsheim Melvin R. , Lewis James , Brien William
Published: April 2016

Beginning on September 7, 1985, an outbreak of bloody diarrhea affected 53 of 169 residents of a London, Ontario nursing home. The most severely affected patients were transferred to local general hospitals under the care of a number of physicians for investigation and treatment. Overall, 19 patients died during the outbreak. Clinical and laboratory information on the 18 patients admitted to this institution are reported. A majority of these patients had either verotoxin detected in focal extracts or Escherichia coli 0157:H7 isolated from their stools. The mortality rare at this institution exceeded 75% (14 patients). Six patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and none of these survived the illness.
Veine Porte Préduodénale: A Propos d'un Cas
Authors: Cloutier R. , Laliberté J.
Published: April 2016

Une veine porte préduodénale fut découverte a l'operation chez un enfant de huit ans qui resscntait des douleurs épigastriques post prandiales soulagées par vornisSernenrs depuis deux ans et qui a présenté deux épisodes de pancréatitc ayant néccssité l'hospitalisation dans la derniére année. L'anomalie de la vésicule biliaire a la cholécystographic, le retard a la vidangc gastrique, l'angulation particuliére de la région prépylorique et la non rotation intescinale au repas baryté, de meme que la position anormale de la papille a la pancréatographie rétrograde, auraient pu, en rétrospective, permettre de suspecter le diagnostic avant l'operation. Une revue de la liuérature montre en effet que cette malformation s'accompagne souvent d'autres anomalies, principalernent au niveau du tube digestif. Lorsqu'il y a symptomarologie clinique en de hors de la période néonatale, il s'agit le plus souvent de subobscruction ala sortie de l'estomac. C'est cependant la premiére fois qu'une image de pancréatite aigue récidivante est associée a unc veine pone préduodénale.
Hypothalamic Hypogonadism in Hemochromatosis: A Case Report
Authors: Matwijiw Igor , Iliffe Gerald D. , Mehta Adi E. , Faiman Charles
Published: April 2016

A 42-year-old man developed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to primary hemochromatosis. Endocrine evaluation indicated a hypothalamic defect in the control of gonadotropin secretion. Although cirrhosis was present on liver biopsy, ocher major features of the hemochromatosis syndrome were not manifest. Patients with hemochromacosis arc now being diagnosed at earlier stages of disease. Clinicians should be alert to possible early development of hypothalamopituitary dysfunction and should be prepared co perform derailed endocrinological investigations in such patients.
Treatment of Bile Duct Stones Endoscopically and by Extracorporeal Shock Waves
Authors: Koller Oscar L. , Norman Richard W. , Turnbull Geoffrey K. , Woolnough Michael
Published: April 2016

Endoscopic sphi ncterotomy was performed in a 68-year-old female patient with multiple stones in the common bile duct and cholangitis. Because the extraction of all the stones was not achieved extracorporeal lithotripsy was performed. Following fragmentation all the residual stones passed spontaneously and no complication occurred.
C-Prime Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency Presenting as Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction and Angioedema
Authors: Lam C.W.E. , Shnitka T. , Aaron T.H. , Bowes K. , Thomson A.B.R.
Published: April 2016

A 17-year-old man presented with episodic abdominal pain, distension and vomiting. Esophageal manometry showed a reduced lower esophageal pressure with massive reflux, gastric emptying of liquids was normal and migrating myoelectric complexes were present on small bowel motility tracing. Full thickness surgical biopsies from the upper jejunum, mid-small bowel and ileum showed a normal villus pattern bur a reduction in the number of neurons in the myenteric plexus, degeneration and shrinkage of some of the persisting neurons in the myenteric plexus and swelling of the accompanying nerve fibres and Schwann cells. This was interpreted to be compatible with intestinal neurogenic pseudo-obstruction. He initially responded to glucocorticosteroids with reduction in the frequency and severity of these symptoms, accompanied by weight gain and a 14 cm growth in height. The steroids were stopped after two years, but within weeks his pain and distension returned. He then developed symptoms of angioedema, with markedly reduced C1esterase inhibitor activity and reduced C4Both the symptoms of ,mgioedema and pseudo-obstruction were well controlled with stanozolol. His younger brother later developed similar symptoms. also had C1esterase inhibitor deficiency, and also responded to stanozolol; an older brother had previously had similar symptoms which were lost over time. This suggests that C1esterase inhibitor deficiency may produce symptoms indicative of intestinal obstruction.
Alpha Errors, Beta Errors and Negative Trials
Authors: Leddin Desmond
Published: April 2016

Reports of negative trials arc increasing in number as standard therapy
for many gastrointestinal diseases is refined. The validity of a negative report depends
on the number of patients in the trial, the alpha and bern error and the difference in
efficacy which the trial is able to detect. The relationship between these parameters
is discussed and a formula given for the calculation of trial size. All reports of negative
trials should include not only the number of patients involved and the level of
significance of the results but also the beta error and the detectable difference in
efficacy of the treatments.
Celiac Sprue and Abdominal Lymphoma: Studies on the Cell-Mediated Immune Response of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
Authors: Davis P. , Freeman H.J. , Thomson A.B.R.
Published: April 2016

The development of primary abdominal lymphoma is a recognized complication of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE). ln five patients with GSE plus lymphoma, the distribution and function of peripheral blood lymphocytes were determined and compared with 13 patients with GSE without lymphoma and with 28 normal control subjects. The percentage of T cells was lower in patients with GSE and GSE with lymphoma than in controls, whereas patients with GSE plus lymphoma had a significantly increased number of peripheral blood B lymphocytes when compared with GSE patients or controls. There was no difference in K cell activity or lymphocyte responses to mitogens and antigens between controls, GSE or GSE plus lymphoma patients. Prospective studies are needed in patients with GSE co investigate whether this fall in peripheral blood T cells and rise in B lymphocytes is a marker of concurrent lymphoma.
Hepatitis Delta Infections in Toronto, Ontario
Authors: Feinman S. Victor , Berris Barnet , Gerin John L. , Purcell Robert H.
Published: April 2016

This study assessed the prevalence of hepatitis delta virus infection,
the relation of this infection to the clinical and histological status and to the geographic
origin of 216 patients with hepatitis B virus infection in Toronto, Ontario. Evidence
of delta infection was present in 13 of the 216 patients (6.0%). It was more common in
patients with acute hepatitis (11.1%) and with chronic hepatitis (16.7%) than in asymptomatic
carriers (3.6%). It was not present in the three patients with hepatocellular
carcinoma. The clinical course of the two patients with acute hepatitis and delta
markers was similar to patients with hepatitis B alone and both made a complete
recovery. Of the five patients with chronic liver disease and delta markers, three had
severe chronic active hepatitis. Three of the 13 patients with delta infection were
born in Canada. All three patients were intravenous drug abusers. Of the 10 patients
not born in Canada, eight were immigrants from countries where delta infection is
endemic. The remaining two were from West Germany and China. From this study
it was concluded that, in Toronto, delta infection was more common in patients with
acute and chronic hepatitis B than in asymptomatic carriers. Patients with both acute
hepatitis Band delta infection had a similar clinical course to patients with acute
hepatitis B alone. Patients with chronic hepatitis B and delta infection frequently
had severe chronic active hepatitis. In Canadian‐born patients delta infection was
present in intravenous drug abusers only. Most immigrants with evidence of delta
infection came from countries where delta is endemic.
Screening and Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Irvine E. Jan , Hunt Richard H.
Published: April 2016

Colorectal cancer is the second most common tumour in North American men and women. From present understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of large bowel cancer, theoretically at least, the prevalence rate could be significantly decreased with careful application of simple screening measures and appropriately directed diagnostic tests. Until results of randomized controlled trials are available, it is important to recognize the pitfalls of mass screening or of substituting screening for proper investigative procedures. One possible approach co the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is outlined.
Open Trial of Cyclosporine in Patients with Severe Active Crohn's Disease Refractory to Conventional Therapy
Authors: Peltekian Kevork M. , Williams C. Noel , MacDonald Allan S. , Roy Peter D. , Czolpinska Elizabeth
Published: April 2016

Fifteen patients with severe active Crohn's disease, refractory to conventional therapy, were given a 16 week course of cyclosporine ar an initial oral daily dose of 10 mg/kg, adjusted to maintain cyclosporine scrum trough levels between 100 and 200 ng/ml. Five patients withdrew early because of side effects, poor absorption or noncompliance. T he remaining 10 patients all improved within four weeks as measured by three different clinical indices: Crohn's Disease Activity Index, Simple Index of Crohn's Disease Activity and Mean Score of Therapeutic Goals (MSTG). Seven patients maintained this initial improvement and prednisone was either reduced or discontinued. Four of these seven patients relapsed with in four weeks of stopping cyclosporine, and three remain in remission after 75 ± 2 weeks. Side effects were minor and easily reversible. When the various clinical and laboratory indices were compared, MSTG was found to be the most useful index for the assessment of therapy. Cyclosporine appears to be a safe and effective therapy in patients with severe active Crohn's disease refractory to conventional therapy.
An Analysis of Crohn’s Disease Activity Indices from a Registry of Patients in Eastern Pennsylvania
Authors: Reed JF , Faust Linda A
Published: April 2016

The objectives of this report were to compare Crohn’s disease patients’ assessment of disease activity and its effect on their well-being to their physician’s assessment of the disease activity and the patient’s well-being; and to use existing Crohn’s disease indices in comparing the severity of Crohn’s disease across various indices. The indices included in this study were the National Cooperative Crohn’s Disease Study index, the Harvey and Bradshaw Index, the Oxford Index, the Modified Organisation Mondiale de Gastroentérologie Index, the Cape Town Index, the Bristol Index, and the St Marks Index. The comparison of Crohn’s disease patient self-evaluation and physician evaluation of the patient indicates a significant agreement between patient and physician assessment of disease activity (Χ241.68, P=0.00001). Cohen’s weighted kappa, a chance-corrected coefficient of agreement for nominal scales, was also used to evaluate the quality of agreement between physician and patient assessment of well-being. The weighted kappa (0.2322, P=0.0002) indicates a significant level of agreement.
Glutamine and Its Effects on the Intestine
Authors: Hardy Paul E , Fedorak Richard N , Thomson Alan BR , Thurston Olin G
Published: April 2016

Glutamine, an amino acid, is the principal energy substrate for small intestinal cells. It also acts as a nitrogen carrier through its amide nitrogen. Arterial glutamine is supported by net synthesis in skeletal muscle. Glutamine is rapidly metabolized by the intestine, whether supplied from the lumen or from the arterial circulation. Intestinal uptake of glutamine increases after trauma and operative stress. The consumption of glutamine by the gut may in large part be dependent on mucosal glutaminase activity and on enterocyte glutamine transport. Glutaminc has been shown to improve gut morphology and outcome in animal models of encerocolitis. It may play a similar role in aiding repair of human intestinal injury in persons with sufficient glutamine in their diet compared to those who arc glutamine deficient. Glutamine may have a positive effect on the immune function of the intestinal mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue. Glutamine is not currently available in nutritional preparations for routine clinical use, yet it has recently been shown to benefit maintenance of nitrogen balance in humans. Due to the instability and low solubility of glutamine, dipeptides have been studied. L-alanyl-L-glutamine seems to be the most promising glutamine precursor for parenteral use in humans, as it is safe and rapidly hydrolyzed in vivo to release free glutamine. The exact role of glutamine as a therapeutic agent to promote intetitinal well-being has yet to be determined. However, preliminary evidence suggests that glutaminc will be helpful in a variety of clinical scenarios.
Review of Laboraotory and Clinical Studies of Olestra, a Nonabsorbable Lipid
Authors: Bergholz Carolyn M , Jandacek Ronald J , Thomson Alan BR
Published: April 2016

The classical understanding of fat digestion and absorption is provided as background for a review of research on olestra, a triglyceride‐derived lipid that is not digested or absorbed from the intestinal lumen. Olestra (formerly ‘sucrose polyester’) is the generic name proposed for the mixture of the hexa, hepta and octa long chain fatty acid esters of sucrose. Olestra has the physical properties of fat and can therefore function as a zero calorie fat replacement in foods. The fate and effects of olestra in the gastrointestinal tract have been extensively investigated in animals and humans. Evidence from a variety of studies shows that olestra is not digested or absorbed and is not metabolized by colonic microflora. Feeding studies in five different species of animals show that olestra is nontoxic and noncarcinogenic, and causes no morphological changes in any tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Consumption of olestra foods does not alter gastric emptying, transit through the small and large bowel, bile acid physiology, bowel function, or fecal pH, water and electrolytes. Nutritional research shows no effect on absorption of macronutrients. Highly lipophilic materials such as cholesterol and vitamin E have the potential to partition into olestra, thereby decreasing their solubilization in intestinal micelles and subsequent absorption. Clinical research shows a modest reduction in serum cholesterol and vitamin E levels. The effect on vitamin E absorption can be offset by supplementation of olestra with vitamin E. The status of vitamins D and K and absorption of lipophilic drugs are not altered by daily consumption of 18 g olestra. Although serum retinol levels are not reduced, additional research is focusing on effects of olestra on hepatic stores of vitamin A to assess the appropriateness of supplementation. Using olestra to reduce the amount of fat in high fat foods, without affecting other nutrient, should contribute to a diet lower in energy from fat and higher in energy from carbohydrate.
Defence Mechanisms during Intestinal Infection
Authors: Buret André
Published: April 2016

This review examines and compares host defence mechanisms during intestinal infection with three types of organisms: a virus, a bacterium and a nematode parasite (ie, transmissible gastroenteritis virus [TGEV],Helicobacter jejuniandTrichinella spiralis). Diarrhea is commonly associated with all of these infections. It appears thatT spiralisinitiates the most elaborate defence system of the three organisms, involving full range humoral and cellular immunity, as well as mucus hypersecretion, epithelial alterations, altered gut motility and parasite impairment (morphological and physiological). In contrast, intestinal defence againstH jejuniand TGEV involves fewer components. The latter seems to initiate the most rudimentary host response. Despite such differences, these mechanisms exhibit many similarities, thus further illustrating the relatively limited repertoire of defence systems that the intestine can mount. The mediators translating the insult of any intestinal pathogen into a common response deserve further investigation.
Decidualized Endometriosis Causing Inversion of the Appendix, Massive Hemorrhage and Fetal Death
Authors: Magliocco Anthony M , Mulloy Robert , Preshaw Roy M , Kelly James K
Published: April 2016

An extraordinary case of inversion of the appendix due to decidualized endometriosis is reported. A 35-year-old woman presented at 3 7 weeks of pregnancy with acute massive rectal hemorrhage and fetal death. A limited right hemicolectomy was performed. The cecum contained an inverted appendix with an ulcerated tip. Histologically there was decidualized endometriosis in the ulcer bed and in all layers of the appendiceal wall.
Prognosis Factors in Patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Presenting with Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms
Authors: Weinerman Brian H , MacDougall Brendan , Carr Ian
Published: April 2016

Forty-one individuals who presented with symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract were extracted from the authors’ total review of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Manitoba from 1968 through 1978. Only cases at stages I to III were included, and there were 22 males and 19 females. Sixteen non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas arose in the small bowel, 15 in the stomach and 10 in the colon. The natural history of this group of gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin’s disease is described, and univariate and multivariate analyses were done using the variables of sex, pathology, stage, resection, site of disease and initial chemotherapy. The median survival of the group was 28 months. Sex and stage appeared to be important prognostically, but after multivariate analysis, only the female sex appear to be a good prognostic variable. There was a suggestion that resection should be attempted in these lesions, but there was not a large sample size in this group. In addition, it was felt that this group of individuals followed the same survival pattern as did poor prognosis non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas of nongastrointestinal origin.
The Prevalence of Crohn’s Disease in the Israeli Kibbutz Population
Authors: Niv Yaron
Published: April 2016

An epidemiological study of Crohn’s disease was performed in 279 Israeli Kibbutzim (rural communities) (population 121,403). The prevalence on December 31, 1987 was 25.53 per 100,000 population. When the data were stratified according to ethnic group, the highest point prevalence was found in Asian/African-born Jews (41.76 per 100,000 population), greater than in Israeli-born, or European/American-born Kibbutz members (38.92 and 17.35 cases per 100,000 population, respectively). There were 15 women and 16 men (female to male ratio 0.94). The average age of patients was 45 years in the survey year, and 35 years at diagnosis. Terminal ileitis was found in 69%, ileocolitis in 19%, and colitis in 12%. Probable complications of Crohn’s disease were observed in 10 cases (32%). Anemia was demonstrated in two cases (6%). The high rate of Crohn’s disease prevalence among Israeli-born versus European/American-born Kibbutz members may point to a role for environmental factors in the etiology of the disease.
Altered Cyclosporine Absorption in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis, Sclerosing Cholangitis and Pancreatic Insufficiency
Authors: Swain Mark G , Witt-Sullivan Helga , Ogilvie Richard , Wanless Ian , Heathcote Jenny
Published: April 2016

Pancreatic insufficiency leading to altered cyclosporine absorption is reported in a 37‐year‐old man with ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis. Asymptomatic chronic pancreatitis occurs frequently in patients with ulcerative colitis, and even more commonly when there is coexistent sclerosing cholangitis. However, pancreatic insufficiency has been documented in only one patient previously with ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis. Pancreatic function testing can help to identify the complex etiology of malabsorption in these patients and is recommended in patients when liver transplantation is contemplated, as pancreatic insufficiency may alter the absorption of cyclosporine.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in the Province of Quebec
Authors: Villeneuve Jean-Pierre , Fenyves Daphna , Infante-Rivard Claire
Published: April 2016

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a rare disease, but is usually recognized because of the characteristic clinical picture and the diagnostic specificity of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) determination. Information on the epitlemiology of PBC is limited. The authors have examined the incidence and prevalence of PBC in the province of Quebec, where all short term hospitals are required to classify discharge summary diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases. Code 571.6 designates primary or secondary biliary cirrhosis. The authors reviewed the charts of all patients to whom this code was assigned during a six year period (1980‐86). Two hundred and twenty‐eight subjects satisfied predetermined diagnostic criteria for PBC. The mean annual incidence rate was 3.9 per 106 population, and the point prevalence in 1986 was 25.4 per 106 population. Ninety‐two patients were female, with a mean age at the time of diagnosis of 55.7 years; 89.4% had positive AMA, and 10.5% were asymptomatic. As of January 1, 1989, 126 patients were alive, 91 had died, and 11 had undergone liver transplantation. Cumulative five and 10 year survivals from the time of initial diagnosis were 69% and 49%, respectively. In patients with serum bilirubins greater than 100 μmol/L (n=66), cumulative two year survival was 5.5%. These data indicate that the incidence and prevalence of PBC in Quebec arc similar to chose reported in Ontario and at the lower end of the range of chose reported in western Europe. The clinical features and evolution of PBC are also similar, and serum bilirubin is a major prognostic factor.
Mucinous Rectal Adenocarcinoma in Perianal Crohn’s Disease Fistulas
Authors: Kwan Wing C Peter , Freeman Hugh J
Published: April 2016

A 47-year-old male with longstanding Crohn’s disease complicated by perianal fistulous disease is described. In this patient, presentation with a large acute ischiorectal abscess resulted in diagnosis of a complicating mucinous adenocarcinoma. Despite the relatively high frequency of perianal complications in Crohn’s disease, diagnosis of carcinoma in this setting is difficult, and survival remains poor.
Duodenal Hematoma – A Case Report of Duodenal Atresia following Conservative Management of a Duodenal Hematoma
Authors: Pasieka Janice L , Machida Helen , Wong Andrew
Published: April 2016

In children, duodenal hematomas following blunt abdominal trauma are routinely treated conservatively. A case of a two-and-a-half-year-old female in whom conservative management was unsuccessful is presented. At surgery she was found to have an atretic duodenum secondary to the duodenal hematoma. Although uncommon, fibrotic stenosis must be considered in a patient who fails to show resolution of duodenal obstruction following conservative treatment for a duodenal hematoma.
Opiate Modulation of Gastrointestinal Motility and the Actions of Trimebutine
Authors: Collins Stephen M , Daniel Edwin E
Published: April 2016

Trimebutine is an opiate ligand that interacts with the μ, σ and κ receptor subclasses with approximately equal affinity. Since opiate receptors are widely
distributed in the gut, and because opiate receptor subtypes may be involved in excitatory or inhibitory control mechanisms, trimebutine has an unusual profile of action that cannot be predicted on the basis of experience with other synthetic opiates such as codeine, morphine or loperamide. Trimebutine influences motility throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of trimcbutine on the lower esophageal sphincter raises the possibility of a beneficial role in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflex disease. The ability of trimebutine to promote propulsive activity in the fasting and postprandial small intestine offers
novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of motility disorders, including postoperative ileus and pseudo‐obstruction. Finally, the effect of the drug on the colon supports the use of trimcbutine in irritable bowel syndrome patients who have constipation due to colonic inertia.
Esophageal Manometry with Provocative Testing in Patients with Noncardiac Angina-Like Chest Pain
Authors: Paterson William G , Marciano-D’Amore Delia A , Beck Ivan T , Da Costa Laurington R
Published: April 2016

In a five year period 238 of 594 esophageal manometric studies performed in the authors’ laboratory were done on patients whose major reason for referral was noncardiac angina-like chest pain. Standard eophageal manometry was performed followed by an acid-antacid perfusion period (Bernstein test) and then subcutaneous bethanechol (80 μg/kg to a maximum of 5 mg) was adminstered. Baseline manometry was normal in 38% of patients and was diagnostic of ‘nutcracker’ esophagus, nonspecific esophageal motility disorder, diffuse esophageal spasm and isolated hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter in 24%, 19%, 16% and 3% of patients, respectively. Ninety-six of 238 patients (40%) experienced reproduction of their presenting angina-like chest pain during acid perfusion. In 80% of these patients there were associated esophageal motor abnormal ilies induced by the acid perfusion. Thirty-six of 212 (17%) experienced pain reproduction following the injection of bethanechol; however, 16 of these had already had their presenting chest pain reproduced during the acid perfusion study. In two-thirds of the patients with pain reproduction following bechanechol there was an associated bethanechol-induced esophageal motility disorder. Overall 49% of patients had their pain reproduced during provocative testing. The acid perfusion test reproduced the pain much more frequently than bethanechol simulation. This study reaffirms the value of esophageal manometry and provocative testing in this group of patients.
Autonomic Regulation of Splanchnic Circulation
Authors: Fraser Kathleen A , Lee Samuel S
Published: April 2016

The role of the autonomic nervous system in circulatory regulation of the splanchnic organs (stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas and spleen) is reviewed. In general, the sympathetic nervous system is primarily involved in vasoconstriction, while the parasympathetic contributes to vasodilation. Vasoconstriction in the splanchnic circulation appears to be mediated by alpha‐2 receptors and vasodilation by activation of primary afferent nerves with subsequent release of vasodilatory peptides, or by stimulation of beta‐adrenergic receptors. As well, an important function of the autonomic nervous system is to provide a mechanism by which splanchnic vascular reserve can be mobilized during stress to maintain overall cardiovascular homeostasis.
The Three Paralogous MicroRNA Clusters in Development and Disease, miR-17-92, miR-106a-363, and miR-106b-25
Authors: Khuu Cuong , Utheim Tor Paaske , Sehic Amer
Published: April 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) form a class of noncoding RNA genes whose products are small single-stranded RNAs that are involved in the regulation of translation and degradation of mRNAs. There is a fine balance between deregulation of normal developmental programs and tumor genesis. An increasing body of evidence suggests that altered expression of miRNAs is entailed in the pathogenesis of human cancers. Studies in mouse and human cells have identified the miR-17-92 cluster as a potential oncogene. The miR-17-92 cluster is often amplified or overexpressed in human cancers and has recently emerged as the prototypical oncogenic polycistron miRNA. The functional analysis of miR-17-92 is intricate by the existence of two paralogues: miR-106a-363 and miR-106b-25. During early evolution of vertebrates, it is likely that the three clusters commenced via a series of duplication and deletion occurrences. As miR-106a-363 and miR-106b-25 contain miRNAs that are very similar, and in some cases identical, to those encoded by miR-17-92, it is feasible that they regulate a similar set of genes and have overlapping functions. Further understanding of these three clusters and their functions will increase our knowledge about cancer progression. The present review discusses the characteristics and functions of these three miRNA clusters.
QCD Thermodynamics and Magnetization in Nonzero Magnetic Field
Authors: Tawfik Abdel Nasser , Diab Abdel Magied , Ezzelarab Nada , Shalaby Asmaa G.
Published: April 2016

In nonzero magnetic field, the magnetic properties and thermodynamics of the quantum-chromodynamic (QCD) matter are studied in the hadron resonance gas and the Polyakov linear-sigma models and compared with recent lattice calculations. Both models are fairly suited to describe the degrees of freedom in the hadronic phase. The partonic ones are only accessible by the second model. It is found that the QCD matter has paramagnetic properties, which monotonically depend on the temperature and are not affected by the hadron-quark phase transition. Furthermore, raising the magnetic field strength increases the thermodynamic quantities, especially in the hadronic phase, but reduces the critical temperature, that is, inverse magnetic catalysis.
Fatigue Strain and Damage Analysis of Concrete in Reinforced Concrete Beams under Constant Amplitude Fatigue Loading
Authors: Liu Fangping , Zhou Jianting
Published: April 2016

Concrete fatigue strain evolution plays a very important role in the evaluation of the material properties of concrete. To study fatigue strain and fatigue damage of concrete in reinforced concrete beams under constant amplitude bending fatigue loading, constant amplitude bending fatigue experiments with reinforced concrete beams with rectangular sections were first carried out in the laboratory. Then, by analyzing the shortcomings and limitations of existing fatigue strain evolution equations, the level-S nonlinear evolution model of fatigue strain was constructed, and the physical meaning of the parameters was discussed. Finally, the evolution of fatigue strain and fatigue damage of concrete in the compression zone of the experimental beam was analyzed based on the level-S nonlinear evolution model. The results show that, initially, fatigue strain grows rapidly. In the middle stages, fatigue strain is nearly a linear change. Because the experimental data for the third stage are relatively scarce, the evolution of the strain therefore degenerated into two phases. The model has strong adaptability and high accuracy and can reflect the evolution of fatigue strain. The fatigue damage evolution expression based on fatigue strain shows that fatigue strain and fatigue damage have similar variations, and, with the same load cycles, the greater the load level, the larger the damage, in line with the general rules of damage.
A Simple HPLC-UV Method for the Determination of Glutathione in PC-12 Cells
Authors: Appala Raju N. , Chigurupati Sridevi , Appala Raju V. V. S. S. , Krishnan Selvarajan Kesavanarayanan , Islam Mohammad Jahidul
Published: April 2016

A highly sensitive and simple HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for the assay of glutathione (GSH) in PC-12 cells. Glutathione is a major intracellular antioxidant having multiple biological effects, best known for its cytoprotective effects against cell damage from reactive oxygen species and toxic reactive metabolites and regulating the cellular redox homeostasis. Due to its own sulfhydryl (SH) group, GSH readily reacts with Ellman’s reagent to form a stable dimer which allows for quantitative estimation of GSH in biological systems by UV detection. The separation was achieved using a C8column with a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 2.5 (mobile phase A) and acetonitrile (mobile phase B), running in a segmented gradient manner at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, and UV detection was performed at 280 nm. The developed HPLC-UV method was validated with respect to precision, accuracy, robustness, and linearity within a range of 1–20 μg/mL. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.05 and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the method shows the applicability for monitoring the oxidative stress in PC-12 cells.
Use of the Vocera Communications Badge Improves Public Safety Response Times
Authors: Joslin Jeremy D. , Goldberger David , Johnson Loretta , Waltz D. Paul
Published: April 2016

Objectives. Violence in the Emergency Department (ED) has been a long-standing issue complicated by deficiencies in staff training, ease of weapons access, and response availability of public safety officers. The Vocera Badge is being used by our staff to request public safety assistance in lieu of a formal phone call to the University Police Communications Center. We sought to learn if use of this technology improved officer response times to the ED.Methods. Mean response times were reviewed and descriptive statistics analyzed to determine if the use of the Vocera Badge improved public safety officer response times to the ED.Results. Average response times improved from an average of 3.2 minutes (SD = 0.456) in the 6 months before the use of the communication badges to an average of 1.02 minutes (SD = 0.319) in the 6 months after use began.Conclusions. The use of the Vocera Badge seemed to decrease response times of public safety officers to our ED compared with the traditional method of calling a dispatch center to request assistance.
Development of a Prediction Model Based on RBF Neural Network for Sheet Metal Fixture Locating Layout Design and Optimization
Authors: Wang Zhongqi , Yang Bo , Kang Yonggang , Yang Yuan
Published: April 2016

Fixture plays an important part in constraining excessive sheet metal part deformation at machining, assembly, and measuring stages during the whole manufacturing process. However, it is still a difficult and nontrivial task to design and optimize sheet metal fixture locating layout at present because there is always no direct and explicit expression describing sheet metal fixture locating layout and responding deformation. To that end, an RBF neural network prediction model is proposed in this paper to assist design and optimization of sheet metal fixture locating layout. The RBF neural network model is constructed by training data set selected by uniform sampling and finite element simulation analysis. Finally, a case study is conducted to verify the proposed method.
Influence of Environmentally Friendly and High-Efficiency Composite Additives on Pulverized Coal Combustion in Cement Industry
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Wang Shijie , Zhang Qi , Fang Qingyan , Chen Wangsheng
Published: April 2016

4 kinds of chemical reagents and 3 kinds of industrial wastes were selected as burning additives for 2 kinds of coals in cement industry. The work focused on the replacement of partial chemical reagents by industrial wastes, which not only reduced the cost and took full advantage of industrial wastes, but also guaranteed the high combustion efficiency and removed theNOXand SO2simultaneously. The experiments were carried out in DTF. The combustion residues were analyzed by SEM and XRD. The results showed that the burnout rate was increased after adding the additives; meanwhile, theNOXand SO2release concentration were reduced, but the degree of action varied for different additives and coals. The substitute of chemical reagents by industrial wastes was very effective; overall, the cold-rolled iron oxide worked better than others; the particles surface was tougher and the peaks of crystalline phase were lower than raw coal, which indicated that the additives played good roles in combustion process.
Posttraining Epinephrine Reverses Memory Deficits Produced by Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats
Authors: Lorón-Sánchez Alejandro , Torras-Garcia Meritxell , Coll-Andreu Margalida , Costa-Miserachs David , Portell-Cortés Isabel
Published: April 2016

The aim of this research is to evaluate whether posttraining systemic epinephrine is able to improve object recognition memory in rats with memory deficits produced by traumatic brain injury. Forty-nine two-month-old naïve male Wistar rats were submitted to surgical procedures to induce traumatic brain injury (TBI) or were sham-operated. Rats were trained in an object recognition task and, immediately after training, received an intraperitoneal injection of distilled water (Sham-Veh and TBI-Veh group) or 0.01 mg/kg epinephrine (TBI-Epi group) or no injection (TBI-0 and Sham-0 groups). Retention was tested 3 h and 24 h after acquisition. The results showed that brain injury produced severe memory deficits and that posttraining administration of epinephrine was able to reverse them. Systemic administration of distilled water also had an enhancing effect, but of a lower magnitude. These data indicate that posttraining epinephrine and, to a lesser extent, vehicle injection reduce memory deficits associated with TBI, probably through induction of a low-to-moderate emotional arousal.
Multiagent Systems Based Modeling and Implementation of Dynamic Energy Management of Smart Microgrid Using MACSimJX
Authors: Raju Leo , Milton R. S. , Mahadevan Senthilkumaran
Published: April 2016

The objective of this paper is implementation of multiagent system (MAS) for the advanced distributed energy management and demand side management of a solar microgrid. Initially, Java agent development environment (JADE) frame work is used to implement MAS based dynamic energy management of solar microgrid. Due to unstable nature of MATLAB, when dealing with multithreading environment, MAS operating in JADE is linked with the MATLAB using a middle ware called Multiagent Control Using Simulink with Jade Extension (MACSimJX). MACSimJX allows the solar microgrid components designed with MATLAB to be controlled by the corresponding agents of MAS. The microgrid environment variables are captured through sensors and given to agents through MATLAB/Simulink and after the agent operations in JADE, the results are given to the actuators through MATLAB for the implementation of dynamic operation in solar microgrid. MAS operating in JADE maximizes operational efficiency of solar microgrid by decentralized approach and increase in runtime efficiency due to JADE. Autonomous demand side management is implemented for optimizing the power exchange between main grid and microgrid with intermittent nature of solar power, randomness of load, and variation of noncritical load and grid price. These dynamics are considered for every time step and complex environment simulation is designed to emulate the distributed microgrid operations and evaluate the impact of agent operations.
Molecular Mechanism of Mutant CALR–Mediated Transformation
Authors: Stanley Robert F. , Steidl Ulrich
Published: April 2016

Summary: Elf and colleagues used an elegant series of functional and biochemical assays to investigate the molecular mechanism of mutant calreticulin (CALR)–driven cellular transformation in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Mutant CALR is sufficient to induce MPN in mouse transplantation experiments, and transformation is dependent upon physical interaction mediated by the positive electrostatic charge of the mutant CALR C-terminal domain and the thrombopoietin receptor MPL. Cancer Discov; 6(4); 344–6. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Elf et al., p. 368.
STAT5 Loss Awakens the Dark Force in Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Ni Jing , Cerwenka Adelheid
Published: April 2016

Summary: Natural killer cells (NK) are commonly considered to be potent antitumor effector cells. The study by Gotthardt and colleagues challenges this concept and reveals that STAT5-deficient/inhibited NK cells induce angiogenesis and promote tumor progression. These unexpected findings shed new light on potential adverse effects of JAK–STAT inhibitors in the clinics. Cancer Discov; 6(4); 347–9. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Gotthardt et al., p. 414.
Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Paclitaxel in Patients with Docetaxel-Resistant Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Imai Hiroo , Komine Keigo , Takahashi Shin , Saijo Ken , Okada Yoshinari , Kobayashi Akihiro , Okita Akira , Chikamatsu Sonoko , Kasahara Yuki , Takahashi Masahiro , Oishi Takayuki , Shirota Hidekazu , Takahashi Masanobu , Shimodaira Hideki , Ishioka Chikashi
Published: April 2016

Background: Incomplete cross-resistances between paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) has been demonstrated in several types of cancer. The objective of the present study was to assess the existence of cross-resistance between PTX and DTX in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Patients in the PTX group received PTX without DTX pretreatment, patients in the prior DTX (Pr-DTX) group received PTX after the development of resistance to DTX, and patients in the DTX group received DTX without subsequent PTX treatment. Results: A total of 73 patients were enrolled. The response rates to PTX in the PTX and Pr-DTX groups were 22.7 and 20.0%, respectively. The median progression-free survival times from the first day of PTX treatment in the PTX and Pr-DTX groups were 113 (95% CI 56-154) and 97 days (95% CI 36-189), respectively. The median overall survival times from the first day of DTX treatment in the Pr-DTX and DTX groups were 315 (95% CI 124-453) and 148 days (95% CI 139-177), respectively. Conclusions: There is no or incomplete clinical cross-resistance between PTX and DTX in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Replacement of DTX with PTX is a suitable treatment option for patients with DTX-resistant esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
IgE Reactivity of Recombinant Pac c 3 from the Asian Needle Ant (Pachycondyla chinensis)
Authors: Jeong Kyoung Yong , Yi Myung-hee , Son Mina , Lyu Dongpyo , Lee Jae-Hyun , Yong Tai-Soon , Park Jung-Won
Published: April 2016

Background: Stings from the Asian needle ant are an important cause of anaphylaxis in East Asia. A 23-kDa protein homologous to antigen 5 is the major allergen produced by these ants. In this study, we aimed to produce a recombinant antigen 5 allergen, Pac c 3. Methods: Recombinant Pac c 3 allergen from the Asian needle ant was expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Ni affinity chromatography. IgE reactivity was demonstrated by ELISA and immunoblotting. Results: The recombinant protein was recognized in 5 of 6 (83.3%) serum samples from patients with demonstrated anaphylaxis to ants. IgE reactivity to an antigen 5 allergen from Asian needle ant venom sac extract was specifically inhibited by the recombinant protein. It was also able to inhibit IgE binding to the vespid allergen Ves v 5 by ImmunoCAP analysis, indicating the presence of cross-reactivity. Conclusion: A recombinant Pac c 3, cross-reactive with Ves v 5, from the Asian needle ant was successfully produced in the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris. This protein could be useful for the development of component-resolved diagnostics.
Toll-Like Receptors in Cystic Fibrosis: Impact of Dysfunctional microRNA on Innate Immune Responses in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung
Authors: Vencken Sebastian F. , Greene Catherine M.
Published: April 2016

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a class of pattern recognition receptors that are particularly expressed in the sentinel and epithelial cells in the body, including the lung. They are central players in the innate immune system in response to microbial infection, and are the triggers of a complex pathway network that both promotes the inflammatory response and influences the adaptive immune response. These pathways are transiently and finely tuned by cellular factors, including a cell's microRNA response program. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that specifically regulate gene expression. In this article, we review the disease-specific microRNA regulatory network of cystic fibrosis, a debilitating and ultimately fatal disease and, specifically, its effect on TLR signalling.
Characteristics of Hyperautofluorescent Choroidal Vessels within the Macular Atrophic Area Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Shinojima Ari , Mori Ryusaburo , Nakashizuka Hiroyuki , Tanaka Koji , Fujita Kyoko , Kawamura Akiyuki , Haruyama Miho , Yamamoto Atsushi , Yuzawa Mitsuko
Published: April 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristic findings in patients with geographic atrophy with or without hyperautofluorescent choroidal vessels within macular atrophic areas on short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence imaging. Procedures: Sixty-seven eyes of 43 consecutive patients with macular atrophic areas were divided into groups with (group 1) and without (group 2) hyperautofluorescent choroidal vessels on fundus autofluorescence imaging and then retrospectively studied using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results: In group 1 (n = 21), the average subfoveal choroidal thickness was 61.5 ± 20.1 μm, and the average foveal retinal thickness was 93.0 ± 51.3 μm. On the other hand, in group 2 (n = 46), the average subfoveal choroidal thickness was 200.7 ± 83.1 μm, and the average foveal retinal thickness was 109.2 ± 58.5 μm. Although retinal thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.28), the difference in choroidal thickness was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Choroidal thinning might contribute to the hyperautofluorescence of choroidal vessels.