Editor's Focus

A review addressing the etiology of irritable bowel syndrome with the development of animal models is presented. Early life traumatic experiences influence the subsequent development of gastro-intestinal disturbances.

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Figure 1

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See page 240

Stigmasterol, a phytosterol prevalent in soy-derived parenteral nutrition lipid solutions, is a potent in-vitro antagonist of the hepatocyte protective nuclear receptor for bile acids, Farnesoid x-receptor. This mechanism may contribute towards bile acid induced hepatocyte damage and cholestasis.

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Figure 2

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See page 301

Indomethacin, ibuprofen and gentamycin, which are commonly administered to premature neonates, cause significant detrimental changes in glomerular and tubular structures in the neonatal rat.

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Figure 3

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See page 307

Homocysteine is associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Elevated homocysteine and cysteine concentrations in maternal circulation of pre-eclamptics are reflected in the fetal circulation and a negative predictor of birth weight.

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Figure 4

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See page 319

Prenatal cardiac intervention for aortic stenosis with evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), HLHS with restrictive atrial septum, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and hydrops due to structural heart disease, was associated with fetal hemodynamic instability requiring resuscitation medications with resolution.

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Figure 5

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See page 325

To determine respiratory resistance with forced oscillation technique, but overcome the error due to upper airway wall motion encountered in young children with airway obstruction, respiratory admittance was determined to be useful in assessing the response to salbutamol. See commentary by Hantos and Rimensberger.

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Figure 6

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See page 348