Distributed and dynamical communication: a mechanism for flexible cortico-cortical interactions and its functional roles in visual attention.

Perceptual and cognitive processing relies on flexible communication among cortical areas; however, the underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. Here we report a mechanism based on the realistic spatiotemporal dynamics of propagating wave patterns in neural population activity. Using a biophysically plausible, multiarea spiking neural circuit model, we demonstrate that these wave patterns, characterized by their rich and complex dynamics, can account for a wide variety of empirically observed neural processes.

Advances in Pediatric Diagnostic Endoscopy: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Pediatric endoscopy has revolutionized the way we diagnose and treat gastrointestinal disorders in children. Technological advances in computer processing and imaging continue to affect endoscopic equipment and advance diagnostic tools for pediatric endoscopy. Although commonly used by adult gastroenterologists, modalities, such as endomicroscopy, image-enhanced endoscopy, and impedance planimetry, are not routinely used in pediatric gastroenterology.

Undifferentiated Abdominal Pain in Children Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Although common, little is known about the characteristics and management of undifferentiated abdominal pain (UAP) in the pediatric emergency department (ED). This study was a 12-month retrospective study for "abdominal pain" ED visits. Patients without an identifiable diagnosis were categorized as "UAP," while others with identified disease processes were categorized as "structural gastrointestinal diagnosis (SGID).

Pediatric Sloughing Esophagitis: A Case Report and Discussion.

Background: Sloughing esophagitis is an uncommon entity with an unclear pathogenesis characterized by desquamating sheets of squamous mucosa. It has been associated with bullous dermatologic disorders, other autoimmune diseases and has been most commonly reported in elderly, debilitated individuals on multiple medications.

Case Report: We report sloughing esophagitis in a previously healthy 17 year-old girl.

Implementation of guidelines in eosinophilic esophagitis at an academic pediatric practice.

Guidelines for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) require high-dose PPI (HD-PPI) trial to evaluate for PPI-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE) prior to EoE diagnosis and dedicated therapy. This involves a second esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to assess for PPI-REE. This study is to evaluate adherence to current guidelines in evaluation of PPI-REE and EoE.

Infant Reflux in the Primary Care Setting: A Brief Educational Intervention and Management Changes.

There has been a significant increase in prescription of acid suppression therapy to infants despite limited support for efficacy and safety. Prior studies have shown that educational interventions can improve clinician practices. Our aim is to implement an educational module with high-yield evidence to decrease the rate of prescribing these medications.