The Cecal Appendix: One More Immune Component With a Function Disturbed By Post‐Industrial Culture

Laurin, Michel; Everett, Mary Lou; Parker, William

doi:10.1002/ar.21357

Cited by 83 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 98 publications

(153 reference statements)

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“…Based on this finding, we hypothesized that these two features may be related; this hypothesis has been supported by other researchers. The appendix is currently considered to be part of the immune system, rather than a vestigial remnant (10,11), and its orifice is exposed to the intestinal environment. We were unsure whether there was any difference in the occurrence of inflammation between UC and specific colitis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic evaluation of appendiceal orifice inflammation in ulcerative colitis

Zhan¹,

Chen²,

Wang³

et al. 2016

Turk J Gastroenterol

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic evaluation of appendiceal orifice inflammation in ulcerative colitis

Zhan¹,

Chen²,

Wang³

et al. 2016

Turk J Gastroenterol

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“…Indeed, although humans may not use the appendix to host cellulose-degrading bacteria, it has been proposed that its worm-like morphology and location in the gut may function as a 'safe house' for the normal colonic fl ora. Th e appendix could be a THE RED SECTION reservoir from which normal microbial diversity could be rapidly restored aft er gastrointestinal infections ( 7,8 ).…”

Section: Is the Human Appendix A Vestigial Organ?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Link between the Appendix and Ulcerative Colitis: Clinical Relevance and Potential Immunological Mechanisms

Sahami

Kooij

Meijer

et al. 2016

American Journal of Gastroenterology

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The human appendix has long been considered as a vestigial organ, an organ that has lost its function during evolution. In recent years, however, reports have emerged that link the appendix to numerous immunological functions in humans. Evidence has been presented for an important role of the appendix in maintaining intestinal health. This theory suggests that the appendix may be a reservoir or 'safe house' from which the commensal gut flora can rapidly be reestablished if it is eradicated from the colon. However, the appendix may also have a role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Several large epidemiological cohort studies have demonstrated the preventive effect of appendectomy on the development of ulcerative colitis, a finding that has been confirmed in murine colitis models. In addition, current studies are examining the possible therapeutic effect of an appendectomy to modulate disease course in patients with ulcerative colitis. This literature review assesses the current knowledge about the clinical and immunological aspects of the vermiform appendix in IBD and suggests that the idea of the appendix as a vestigial remnant should be discarded.

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“…17 Some recent research suggests that the appendix may be an example of a biological structure with just such a history, having first functioned in digestive processes, then become vestigial (and so lost this function), and yet later taken on a function in immune responses to stomach illness (Laurin et al, 2011).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Functions in Basic Formal Ontology

Spear

Ceusters

2016

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Abstract. The notion of function is indispensable to our understanding of distinctions such as that between being broken and being in working order (for artifacts) and between being diseased and being healthy (for organisms). A clear account of the ontology of functions and functioning is thus an important desideratum for any top-level ontology intended for application to domains such as engineering or medicine. The benefit of using top-level ontologies in applied ontology can only be realized when each of the categories identified and defined by a top-level ontology is integrated with the others in a coherent fashion. Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) has from the beginning included function as one of its categories, exploiting a version of the etiological account of function that is framed at a level of generality sufficient to accommodate both biological and artifactual functions. This account has been subjected to a series of criticisms and refinements. We here articulate BFO's account of function, provide some reasons for favoring it over competing views, and defend it against objections.

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The Cecal Appendix: One More Immune Component With a Function Disturbed By Post‐Industrial Culture

Abstract: This review assesses the current state of knowledge regarding the cecal appendix, its apparent function, and its evolution.

Cited by 83 publications

References 98 publications

Diagnostic evaluation of appendiceal orifice inflammation in ulcerative colitis

Diagnostic evaluation of appendiceal orifice inflammation in ulcerative colitis

The Link between the Appendix and Ulcerative Colitis: Clinical Relevance and Potential Immunological Mechanisms

Functions in Basic Formal Ontology

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