Improving Reliability of Immunological Assays by Defining Minimal Criteria for Cell Fitness.

Human PBMC-based assays are often used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease, as well as for the prediction and tracking of response to biological therapeutics. However, the development and use of PBMC-based biomarker assays is often limited by poor reproducibility. Complex immunological assays can be further complicated by variation in cell handling before analysis, especially when using cryopreserved cells.

Clinical Predictors of Early and Late Endoscopic Recurrence Following Ileocolonic Resection in Crohn's Disease.

Background And Aims: Multiple factors are suggested to place Crohn's disease patients at risk of recurrence after ileocolic resection with conflicting associations. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of recurrence at first [early] and further [late] postoperative colonoscopy.

Methods: Crohn's disease patients undergoing ileocolic resection were prospectively recruited at six North American centres.

The Burden of Anemia Remains Significant over Time in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at a Tertiary Referral Center.

Background And Aims: Anemia is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), as well as a predictor of poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia over time and the management of moderate to severe anemia at a tertiary referral IBD center.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the occurrence of anemia at the time of referral or diagnosis and during follow-up at the McGill University Health Centre IBD center.

Benefits of implementing a rapid access clinic in a high-volume inflammatory bowel disease center: Access, resource utilization and outcomes.

Background: Emergency situations in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) put significant burden on both the patient and the healthcare system.

Aim: To prospectively measure Quality-of-Care indicators and resource utilization after the implementation of the new rapid access clinic service (RAC) at a tertiary IBD center.

Methods: Patient access, resource utilization and outcome parameters were collected from consecutive patients contacting the RAC between July 2017 and March 2019 in this observational study.

High Adherence to Surveillance Guidelines in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Results in Low Colorectal Cancer and Dysplasia Rates, While Rates of Dysplasia are Low Before the Suggested Onset of Surveillance.

Background: Patients with Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] are at increased risk for colorectal dysplasia [CRD] and colorectal cancer [CRC]. Adherence to CRC surveillance guidelines is reportedly low internationally.

Aim: To evaluate surveillance practices at the tertiary IBD Center of the McGill University Health Center [MUHC] and to determine CRD/CRC incidence.

Perceived Quality of Care is Associated with Disease Activity, Quality of Life, Work Productivity, and Gender, but not Disease Phenotype: A Prospective Study in a High-volume IBD Centre.

Background And Aims: Measuring quality of care [QoC] in inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] has become increasingly important, yet complex assessment of QoC from the patients' perspective is rare. We evaluated perceived QoC using the Quality of Care Through the Patient's Eyes-IBD [QUOTE-IBD] questionnaire, and investigated associations between QoC, disease phenotype, work productivity, and health-related quality of life [HRQoL] in a high-volume IBD centre.

Methods: Consecutive patients attending McGill University Health Centre [MUHC]-IBD Centre completed the QUOTE-IBD, Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [SIBDQ], IBD-Control, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment [WPAI] questionnaires.

Inflammatory bowel disease patient perceptions of diagnostic and monitoring tests and procedures.

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with its high incidence and prevalence rates in Canada generates a heavy burden of tests and procedures. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the transfer of information from physician to patient, as well as the patient understanding and perceptions about the tests and procedures that are ordered to them in the context of IBD diagnosis and monitoring.

Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by 210 IBD patients in Canada.

Harmonization of quality of care in an IBD center impacts disease outcomes: Importance of structure, process indicators and rapid access clinic.

Background And Aims: We aimed to evaluate the quality of care at a tertiary inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center using quality of care indicators (QIs) including patient assessment strategy, monitoring, treatment decisions and outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the quality of care pre- and post-referral and during follow-up at the at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) IBD center. Consecutive patients were included presenting with an outpatient visit ('index visit') between July and December 2016.

Exploring the Use of a Participative Design in the Early Development of a Predictive Test: The Importance of Physician Involvement.

In this study, we contribute to the personalized medicine and health care management literature by developing and testing a new participative design approach. We propose that involving gastroenterologists in the development of a predictive test to assist them in their clinical decision-making process for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases will increase the likelihood of their acceptance of the innovation. Based on data obtained from 6 focus groups across Canada from a total of 28 physicians, analyses reveal that current tools do not enable discriminating between treatment options to find the best fit for each patient.

Patients' perception of their involvement in shared treatment decision making: Key factors in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Objectives: This study aims to characterize the relationships between the quality of the information given by the physician, the involvement of the patient in shared decision making (SDM), and outcomes in terms of satisfaction and anxiety pertaining to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: A Web survey was conducted among 200 Canadian patients affected with IBD. The theoretical model of SDM was adjusted using path analysis.

AMPK activation through mitochondrial regulation results in increased substrate oxidation and improved metabolic parameters in models of diabetes.

Modulation of mitochondrial function through inhibiting respiratory complex I activates a key sensor of cellular energy status, the 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Activation of AMPK results in the mobilization of nutrient uptake and catabolism for mitochondrial ATP generation to restore energy homeostasis. How these nutrient pathways are affected in the presence of a potent modulator of mitochondrial function and the role of AMPK activation in these effects remain unclear.

Metabolic effects of dietary cholesterol in an animal model of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis.

Although the atherogenic role of dietary cholesterol has been well established, its diabetogenic potential and associated metabolic disturbances have not been reported. Diet-induced hamster models of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia were employed to determine lipogenic and diabetogenic effects of dietary cholesterol. Metabolic studies were conducted in hamsters fed diets rich in fructose (40%), fat (30%), and cholesterol (0.