Irritable bowel syndrome is defined as abdominal discomfort or pain associated with altered bowel habits for at least three days per month in the previous three months, with the absence of organic disease. In North America, the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome is 5 to 10 percent with peak prevalence from 20 to 39 years of age. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom and often is describ...

The rich partial textures and beating of the traditional tibetan bowl have tantilized listeners for centuries. In this paper we propose a real-time physical model of a singing bowl meant for use in performance. In order to be able to use it in a performance context, we control it using a rubboard musical controller. We feel that the mapping between the two instruments is uniquely natural and co...

We examine the geometry of a complete, negatively curved surface isometrically embedded in R3. We are especially interested in the behavior of the ends of the surface and its limit set at infinity. Various constructions are developed, and a classification theorem is obtained, showing that every possible end type for a topologically finite surface with at least one bowl end arises, as well as al...

Intestinal epithelial barrier function is impaired in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Claudins are highly expressed in cells with tight junctions and are involved in the intestinal epithelial barrier function. The expression pattern of tight junction proteins in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome have not been fully elucidated. We therefore recruited 17 diarrhea-predominant irrita...

BACKGROUND Although little mortality is associated with irritable bowel syndrome, curative therapy does not exist and thus the economic impact of this disorder may be considerable. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed. Studies were included if their focus was irritable bowel syndrome, and direct and/or productivity (indirect) costs were reported. Two investigators abstr...

BACKGROUND Carcinoid tumours are well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours with secretory properties. Although fairly rare, they are the most common malignancy seen to affect the distal small bowel. Presentation is often non-specific with symptoms mimicking those of irritable bowel syndrome. Given this, the condition is often diagnosed late following disease progression, by which time the prog...