Exposure to dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induces acute colitis, which is normally resolved after DSS removal. To study chronicity, mice are typically subjected to 3-5 cycles of weekly DSS-exposures, each followed by resting period of 1-2 weeks. Herein, we describe a novel and convenient way of inducing chronic, progressive colitis by a single exposure to DSS. C57BL/6 mice exposed to DSS for 5 ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Impaired colonocyte metabolism of butyrate has been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Colonocyte butyrate metabolism was investigated in experimental colitis in mice. METHODS Colitis was induced in Swiss outbred white mice by oral administration of 4% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). Colonocytes isolated from colitic and normal control mice were incubate...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The effects of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) on mouse intestinal epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes were analysed to investigate the mechanism by which DSS induces colitis and tumours in mice. Cytotoxicity of DSS towards intestinal epithelial cells and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte hybridomas or fresh intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes seems to have...

This paper reports and discusses the results of a survey conducted among experts working in the field of decision support systems (DSS) in Australian agriculture. It also reviews the literature on DSS in the light of these experts’ responses. The findings from this survey have consolidated our understanding of the current state of DSS in Australian agriculture. The uptake of DSS by farmers has ...

Essential hypertension is a complex trait influenced by multiple genes known as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for blood pressure (BP). It is not clear, however, what roles these QTLs play in maintaining normotension. Insights gained toward the maintenance of normotension will shed light on how hypertension can result from a deficiency or malfunctioning of this maintenance. Currently, congenic ...

JBP485 (cyclo-trans-4-L-hydroxyprolyl-L-serine), a dipeptide first isolated from Laennec that is a proprietary product made from the hydrolysate of human placenta, has been reported to have several biological properties, such as anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. However, the effect of JBP485 on inflammatory bowel disease has not yet been reported. Here we invest...

A human user is centrally involved in a Decision Support System (DSS) task, whereas for an autonomous agent system, a user’s role is a more abstract notion of oversight and approval. In this paper, we examine the potential integration of a multi-agent architecture into a DSS. The motivation in this work is to utilise autonomous agent problemsolvers within a suitable multi-agent framework in suc...

Portulaca oleracea L. is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used as adjuvant therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanism of its activity in IBD still remains unclear. Since previous studies have documented the anti-inflammatory effect of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ), Portulaca regulation of PPAR-γ in inflammation was examined in cur...

Many contingencies, both natural and man-made, have taught people that well coordination of organizations involved in emergency is most critical for effective response, and decisions ought to be made on the foundation of a synthetical analysis of data from multiple sources. These lessons bring new requirements for emergency Decision Support System (DSS), which include the capability of integrat...

Exposure to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induces acute colitis, which is normally resolved after DSS removal. To study chronicity, mice are typically subjected to three to five cycles of weekly DSS exposures, each followed by a 1- to 2-wk rest period. Here, we describe a novel and convenient way of inducing chronic, progressive colitis by a single exposure to DSS. C57BL/6 mice exposed to DSS fo...