IBD Serology and Disease Outcomes in African Americans with Crohn's Disease

Backgrounds: Recent studies have identified the role of serologic markers in characterizing disease phenotype, location, complications, and severity among Northern Europeans (NE) with Crohn's disease (CD). However, very little is known about the role of serology in CD among African Americans (AA). Our study explored the relationship between serology and disease phenotype in AA with CD, while controlling for genetic ancestry. Methods: AAs with CD were enrolled as participants through multicenter collaborative efforts. Serological levels of IgA anti-Saccharomyces cervisiae antibody (ASCA), IgG ASCA, E. coli outermembrane porin C, anti-CBir1, and ANCA were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Genotyping was performed using Illumina immunochip technology; an admixture rate was calculated for each subject. Multiple imputation by chained equations was performed to account for data missing at random. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (OR) for associations between serological markers and both complicated disease and disease requiring surgery. Results: A total of 358 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of our patients had inflammatory, noncomplicated disease (58.4%), perianal disease (55.7%), and documented colonic inflammation (86.8%). On multivariable analysis, both IgG ASCA and OmpC were associated with complicated disease (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.67-4.28; OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.41-3.53, respectively) and disease requiring surgery (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.49-4.22; OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 2.12-6.00). NE admixture to the African genome did not have any associations or interactions in relation to clinical outcome. Conclusions: Our study comprises the largest cohort of AAs with CD. The utility of serological markers for the prognosis of CD in NE applies equally to AA populations

Bryophyte Development: Physiology and Biochemistry

300 hal,;ill,;29 c

VISBREAKING-A FLEXIBLE PROCESS FOR UPGRADING OF RESIDUE

In context of the present scenario of refining of crude, Thermal Conversion Processes are getting renewed interest in upgrading the residual fractions. With the very heavy feed stocks the simplest and cheapest options available are the thermal processes namely Visbreaking and Delayed Coking. IIP/EIL have developed indigenous visbreaking and Delayed Coking technologies. Exclusive pilot plant studies to generate data, improve and optimize the proc.ess were carried out at lIP. At Visbreaking pilot plant the feedstock having viscosities in the range of 33 to 15240 cSt at 100°C have been processed. Visbreaking process was licensed to seven Indian Refineries. For marketing the soaker visbreaking technologies globally lIP has entered into an agreement with Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation, USA. For the further advancement of this technology to improve products quality and yields work is being carried out at lIP. For upgrading of heavy fractions, the integration of other refining processes with thermal conversion can improve the yield of desirable products. Conversion and fuel oil stability has also been discussed in this paper