DDW 2016: Basic and Translational Activities and Interests of the AGA Council

s, which represents an increase of 23% over 1 year and 36% over 2 years. Abstract programming includes 40 (15%) accepted for oral presentation and 180 (66%) accepted for poster presentation. Two abstracts were selected for presentation at the AGA Presidential and Clinical Plenary Session. The PAN section members’ interests span from clinical practice to clinical, translational, and basic science investigation. Popular clinical and translational themes include acute and chronic pancreatitis; pancreatic necrosis; autoimmune pancreatitis; pancreatic cystic neoplasms, IPMN, and neuroendocrine tumors; cancer; pancreatic endoscopy and imaging; and pancreatic cancer risk factors, biomarkers, and diagnosis. Basic science and translational themes focus on basic regulatory mechanisms and pathways relevant to popular PAN clinical topics, including inflammation and injury, immunology and fibrosis, healing and regeneration, growth, and neoplasia. These basic interests are organized under 3 abstract descriptors, including: Pancreatic genetics, epigenetics, physiology, cell biology, and pathobiology; Pancreatitis: inflammation, fibrogenesis, and immunology; and Microbiome and pancreatic disease. Research Fora For DDW 2016, the PAN section is sponsoring 5 research fora, each with a focused theme pertaining to clinical, translational, or basic research. These include the following. Saturday, May 21, 2016: “Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms.” Sunday, May 22, 2016: “Acute Pancreatitis.” Monday, May 23, 2016: “Pathobiology of the Pancreas.” Tuesday, May 24, 2016: “Chemoprevention and Novel Treatments of Pancreatic Cancer” and “Chronic Pancreatitis.” Do not miss 3 AGA-sponsored hybrid clinical research fora featuring many PAN section abstracts and exciting keynote speakers: “Clinical Trials: Preventing Post-ERCP [Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography] Pancreatitis and Treating Pancreatic Necrosis,” “Pancreatic Cancer Screening,” and “Chemoprevention and Novel Treatments of Pancreatic Cancer.” The PAN also cosponsors the research fora “Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors.” Poster Sessions Poster sessions scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2016, through Tuesday, May 24, 2016, will cover an array of topics. In response to universally positive feedback, poster judging will be offered again at DDW 2016 and afford junior presenters the exciting opportunity to engage with and impress senior experts in the field. Also, do not miss the AGA-sponsored Poster Tour (ticketed event) on “Acute Pancreatitis” led by Drs Mel Wilcox and Bechien Wu. Saturday, May 21, 2016: “Pancreatitis: Inflammation, Fibrogenesis, and Immunology” and “Pancreatic Cancer: Risk Factors, Biomarkers, and Diagnosis.” Sunday, May 22, 2016: “Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms,” “Pancreatic Disorders: Endoscopy and Imaging,” “Microbiome and Pancreatic Disease,” and “Clinical Acute Pancreatitis II.” Monday, May 23, 2016: “Clinical Acute Pancreatitis I.” Tuesday, May 24, 2016: “Clinical Chronic Pancreatitis,” “Pancreatitis: Inflammation, Fibrogenesis, and Immunology,” and “Pancreatic Genetics, Epigenetics, Cell Biology, and Pathobiology.” Symposia For DDW 2016 the PAN section is sponsoring or cosponsoring a Collaborative Global Topic Symposium, 3 translational symposia, and 4 clinical symposia. The Collaborative Global Topic Symposium Saturday, May 21, 2016, focuses on “Regenerative Medicine: Emerging Therapy for Pancreatic and GI Tract Disorders” and will highlight the key concepts and tools of regenerative medicine and application to the pancreas and intestinal tract. Topics include the following: “Nuclear Reprogramming Factors: Mechanistic Players and Therapeutic Tools in 250 Commentary Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology Vol. 2, No. 3 Regenerative Medicine” (Gwen Lomberk), “Pioneer Transcription Factors in Acinar, Ductal, and Endocrine Homeostasis” (Francisco Real), “Acinar to Ductal Metaplasia in Pancreas Regeneration” (Howard Crawford), and “Tissue Regeneration of the GI Tract Using Stem Cell Derived Organoids” (David Tuveson). The translational symposium on Saturday, May 21, 2016, focuses on “Implications and Limitations for Genetic Testing in Pancreatic Diseases,” a practical topic relevant to clinical practice that examines important and inter-related aspects of genetic testing in chronic pancreatitis and the application of genetic and epigenetic tools to understanding and treating pancreatic cancer. Topics include the following: “Introductory Case: Sporadic PRSS1 Mutation in Patient With Single Attack of Pancreatitis (Matthew DiMagno), “Presentation of Research Mentor Award: David C. Whitcomb, MD, PhD, AGAF” (Matthew DiMagno and Santhi Vege), “View of the Geneticist–Classifying the Significance of Mutations” (Randall Brand), “Pro and Con of Genetic Screening in Chronic Pancreatitis” (David C. Whitcomb), “Genomic Analysis in Chronic Pancreatitis” (Andrew Rhim), and “Epigenetics at the Intersection of Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer” (Raul Urrutia). The clinical symposium on Sunday, May 22, 2016, focuses on “Determining the Etiology of Patients Labeled With Idiopathic Pancreatitis.” Topics include the following: “Definition of Idiopathic Pancreatitis and Role of Pancreas Divisum” (Matthew DiMagno), “Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction” (Stuart Sherman), “Genetic Associations With Idiopathic Pancreatitis” (Nageshwar Reddy), and “INSPPIRE Consortium: Prevalence of Idiopathic Pancreatitis in Infants and Toddlers” (Aliye Uc). The translational symposium Sunday, May 22, 2016, focuses on “Novel Targets for Treating Acute Pancreatitis.” Topics include the following: “Disrupting Neurogenic Mechanisms of Inflammation” (Rodger Liddle), “Carbon Monoxide Based Therapies for Acute Pancreatitis” (Aida Habtezion), “Is TNF [Tumor Necrosis Factor]-a Signaling an Appropriate Target in Acute Pancreatitis?” (George Perides), “Targeting Acinar Ductal Metaplasia to Promote Tissue Healing” (Maximillian Reichert), and “Where and When Might These Novel Approaches Be of Clinical Value?” (Fred Gorelick). The second clinical symposium on Sunday, May 22, 2016, focuses on “Update: Medical Management of Autoimmune Pancreatitis and IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis” and will be immediately followed by the “Pancreatic Disorders Section Business Meeting.” This is a less common but serious clinical situation with significant morbidity that warrants a multidisciplinary collaborative approach. Topics include the following: “Definitions of Remission, Recrudescence, and Relapse in AIP“ (Suresh Chari), “Using a Steroid Trial in AIP: What Is the Role?” (Myung-Hwan Kim), “Induction and Maintenance of Remission in AIP: Role of Glucocorticoids” (Kazuichi Okazaki), “Management of Relapses and Maintenance of Remission: Role of Immunomodulators” (Phil Hart), and “Management of Relapses and Maintenance of Remission: Role of B-Cell Depletion Therapy” (Mark Topazian). The PAN section also is cosponsoring a clinical symposium Sunday, May 22, 2016, focused on “DuodenoscopeAssociated Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infections: Epidemiology, Regulations, and Best Practices.” The PAN section is cosponsoring a clinical symposium Monday, May 23, 2016, focusing on “Management of Pancreatic Necrosis.” The translational symposium on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, focuses on “Update: Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis.” Topics include the following: “Mechanisms of Visceral Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis” (Chung Owyang), “Pain and Fibrosis: Targeting TGF [Transforming Growth Factor] b as a Unifying Theme in Chronic Pancreatitis” (Jay Pasricha), “Assessing Pain and Opioid Dependence in Chronic Pancreatitis” (Claudia Campbell), and “Treating Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis: Pharmacological and Non-pharmacological Approaches” (Marco Bruno). The PAN section also is cosponsoring a translational symposium on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, focused on “Updated Understanding and Approach to Managing Neoplastic Cysts/IPMNS of the Pancreas.” Other Events Beyond the research fora and symposia, there are plenty of other exciting events happening in the PAN section at DDW 2016. Sunday, May 22, 2016: Do not miss the AGA Breakfast with Experts (Drs Suresh Chari and Darwin Conwell) focused on “Chronic Pancreatitis: Screening for Cancer and Treating the Pain.” At 5:30 pm, catch up with PAN section leaders and hear important updates and future plans for the PAN section by attending the “Pancreatic Disorders Section Business Meeting” (Room 31BC of the Convention Center), beginning immediately after the clinical symposium focused on “Update: Medical Management of Autoimmune Pancreatitis and IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis”. Monday, May 23, 2016: Do not miss attending 1 of 2 breakfast sessions, either the AGA Breakfast with Experts (Drs Elmunzer and Scheiman) focused on “Managing Pancreatic Cysts–Myths and Guidelines,” or the AGAsponsored Focused Clinical Update on “Updates in Management of Chronic Pancreatitis” (Yadav). Also attend the AGA Presidential and Clinical Plenary and hear presentations of 2 top-rated PAN section abstracts, “Detection of Pancreatic High-Grade Dysplasia and Cancer Using Novel Methylated DNA Markers: Discovery and Tissue Validation” (Shounak Majumder), and “Molecular Markers Help Define Cyst Type in the Pancreas: An International, Multicenter Study of Over 300 Cysts” (Anne Marie Lennon). At 12 noon, join Drs Mel Wilcox and Bechien Wu for the AGA-sponsored Poster Tour of abstracts on “Acute Pancreatitis.” Conflicts of interest The author discloses no conflicts. Most current article © 2016 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the AGA Institute. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). 2352-345X http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmgh.2016.03.008