Creeping Fat-Derived Free Fatty Acids Induce Hyperplasia of Intestinal Muscularis Propria Muscle Cells: A Novel Link Between Fat and Intestinal Stricture Formation in Crohn's Disease.

Background & Aims: In Crohn's disease, wrapping of mesenteric fat around the bowel wall, so-called "creeping fat," is highly associated with strictures. The strongest contributor to luminal narrowing in strictures is a thickening of the human intestinal muscularis propria (MP). We investigated creeping fat-derived factors and their effect on mechanisms of human intestinal MP smooth muscle cell (HIMC) hyperplasia.

Cognitive Impairment and Insomnia in Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Emerging evidence suggests a broader spectrum of celiac disease (CeD) system involvement, including neurological manifestations. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available evidence from studies assessing the association of cognitive impairment and insomnia with CeD. A total of 259 participants with CeD were included in the studies investigating insomnia and 179 were included in studies investigating cognitive impairment.

Current and future microbiome-based therapies in inflammatory bowel disease.

Purpose Of Review: The role of the microbiome and dysbiosis is increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Intestinal microbiota transplant (IMT), previously termed fecal microbiota transplant has demonstrated efficacy in restoring a healthy microbiome and promoting gut health in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Several randomized trials (RCTs) highlighted IMT's potential in treating ulcerative colitis, while smaller studies reported on its application in managing Crohn's disease and pouchitis.

Prevalence of celiac disease in systemic lupus erythematosus, sjogren syndrome and systemic sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Celiac disease (CeD) is an immune-mediated disorder affecting the small bowel, associated with genetic factors and increasing global prevalence.

Aim: This study explores the association between CeD, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS), and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines.

Pancreatic enzyme supplementation versus placebo for improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms in non-responsive celiac disease: A cross-over randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency (PEI) is a possible cause of recurrent/persistent symptoms in celiac disease. Although pancreatic enzyme supplementation may be used to treat non-responsive celiac disease (NRCD) in clinical practice, clinical outcomes are variable and there is limited and low quality evidence to support this practice. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme supplements (PES) for improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms in NRCD.

Activated intestinal muscle cells promote preadipocyte migration: a novel mechanism for creeping fat formation in Crohn's disease.

Objective: Creeping fat, the wrapping of mesenteric fat around the bowel wall, is a typical feature of Crohn's disease, and is associated with stricture formation and bowel obstruction. How creeping fat forms is unknown, and we interrogated potential mechanisms using novel intestinal tissue and cell interaction systems.

Design: Tissues from normal, UC, non-strictured and strictured Crohn's disease intestinal specimens were obtained.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: efficacy of balloon-assisted enteroscopy for dilation of small bowel Crohn's disease strictures.

Background: Evidence for endoscopic balloon dilation of small intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease (CD) using balloon-assisted enteroscopy is scarce.

Aim: To evaluate endoscopic balloon dilation for the treatment of small intestinal CD strictures using balloon-assisted enteroscopy.

Methods: Citations in Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane were systematically reviewed.

Comparison of volatile organic compound profiles in exhaled breath versus plasma headspace in different diseases.

Breath analysis is the study of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in exhaled breath. This analysis provides information on the body's condition. In this study we investigated the relationship between 22 VOC's detected in exhaled breath and plasma headspace using a selected ion flow tube mass spectrometer (SYFT-MS).

Selective deletion of MyD88 signaling in α-SMA positive cells ameliorates experimental intestinal fibrosis via post-transcriptional regulation.

Intestinal fibrosis leading to strictures remains a significant clinical problem in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The role of bacterial components in activating intestinal mesenchymal cells and driving fibrogenesis is largely unexplored. Tamoxifen-inducible α-SMA promoter Cre mice crossed with floxed MyD88 mice were subjected to chronic dextran sodium sulfate colitis.

Histopathology Scoring Systems of Stenosis Associated With Small Bowel Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background & Aims: Stenosis is a common complication of Crohn's disease (CD) that has no effective medical therapy. Development of antifibrotic agents will require testing in randomized controlled trials. Computed tomography enterography- and magnetic resonance enterography-based technologies might be used to measure outcomes in these trials.

Pathogenesis of fibrostenosing Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which could affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. A severe complication of CD is fibrosis-associated strictures, which can cause bowel obstruction. Unfortunately, there is no specific antifibrotic therapy available.

Efficacy of Endoscopic Dilation of Gastroduodenal Crohn's Disease Strictures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the effects of endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) for strictures of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We performed a pooled analysis of the efficacy and safety of EBD for UGI CD-associated strictures.

Methods: We searched Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane library, as well as bibliographies of relevant articles, for cohort studies of adults with CD and strictures of the stomach or duodenum (up to the ligament of Treitz) who underwent EBD through December 2016.

The Mesenteric Fat and Intestinal Muscle Interface: Creeping Fat Influencing Stricture Formation in Crohn's Disease.

Adipose tissue is present in close proximity to various organs in the human body. One prominent example is fat contained in the mesentery that is contiguous with all abdominal digestive organs including the intestine. Despite the fact that mesenteric fat-wrapping around the inflamed gut (so called "creeping fat") was described as a characteristic feature of Crohn's disease (CD) in the early 1930s, the functional implications of creeping fat have received only recent attention.

Meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and adverse events of biologics and thiopurines for Crohn's Disease after surgery for ulcerative colitis.

Background: Long-term inflammatory complications of IPAA include Crohn's Disease (CD) or "CD-like" (CDL) condition. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) with or without immunomodulator (IM) therapy in this group of patients.

Methods: Literature databases were searched from inception to October 4, 2017.

Efficacy, Safety, and Long-term Outcome of Serial Endoscopic Balloon Dilation for Upper Gastrointestinal Crohn's Disease-associated Strictures-A Cohort Study.

Background: Gastric and duodenal Crohn's disease [CD]-associated strictures are rare. Evidence on endoscopic balloon dilation [EBD] of upper gastrointestinal [GI] CD strictures is limited, in particular in respect to serial dilations.

Methods: Prospective short- and long-term outcome data as well as complication rates on a cohort of upper GI CD-associated stricture dilations [stomach and duodenum] were collected from 1999 to 2015.

Tests for Serum Transglutaminase and Endomysial Antibodies Do Not Detect Most Patients With Celiac Disease and Persistent Villous Atrophy on Gluten-free Diets: a Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Tests to measure serum endomysial antibodies (EMA) and antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (tTG) were developed to screen for celiac disease in patients consuming gluten. However, they are commonly used to monitor patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the sensitivity and specificity of tTG IgA and EMA IgA assays in identifying patients with celiac disease who have persistent villous atrophy despite a GFD.

A Distinct Colon-Derived Breath Metabolome is Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but not its Complications.

Objectives: The accuracy of available noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis, stratification, and prediction of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) courses is limited. We analyzed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of IBD patients and controls for diagnosis and differentiation of IBD as well as their link with disease location, activity, and phenotype.

Methods: A prospective study of diagnostic testing was conducted, recruiting Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), other inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases (OGDs), and healthy controls (HCs), as well as subjects with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Low testosterone in non-responsive coeliac disease: A case series, case-control study with comparisons to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Adults with coeliac disease (CD) often report persistent fatigue, even when CD appears well controlled for unknown reasons.

Aims: To evaluate common indications for testosterone panel (TP) testing and prevalence of low testosterone (T) in CD.

Methods: In our case series, we determined common indications for checking TP in CD.

Association between tree pollen counts and asthma ED visits in a high-density urban center.

Background: Asthma exacerbation patterns are cyclic in nature and often correlate with air particle concentrations.

Objective: To examine the relationship between asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits and outdoor air quality for pediatric and adult patients in a high asthma prevalence area, the New York City borough of the Bronx.

Methods: Numbers of daily asthma-related adult and pediatric ED visits during one complete year (1999) were obtained from the seven major Bronx hospitals.