Re: [SwarmFest2004] Submission of an Extended Abstract for Oral Presentation (fwd)

[Rick Riolo]

An ascii text version of his abstract is attached.

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I'm submitting an extended abstract (509 words) for a possible oral
presentation for Swarmfest 2004.  It is a
status report on an ongoing project using ABM to examine the inflammatory
response.  The talk can be done in 20-30
minutes (I did not see length criteria on the webpage).  I have attached
the abstract to this email; I hope that
you will give me the opportunity to present my work.  Thank you for your
consideration.

Sincerely,
Gary An, MD
Department of Trauma, Cook County Hospital
Chicago, IL
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2004 20:30:32 EST
From: address@hidden
To: address@hidden
Subject: Re: [SwarmFest2004] Submission of an Extended Abstract for Oral
    Presentation

Hi Rick,

Sorry about that.   Its the Appleworks word processor.   I can't do .pdf, but
I tried the Simple Text app from Mac; I think it should work.   Thanks.

Gary

Agent Based Models of the Acute Inflammatory Response: Update on Development 
and Future Directions

Author: Gary An, MD

Rationale: The Acute Inflammatory Response (AIR) is the bodyÕs first response 
to injury and infection.  However, improvements in medical care over the past 
30 years have ÒuncoveredÓ a pathologic state of the AIR: Systemic Inflammatory 
Response Syndrome (SIRS)/Multiple Organ Failure (MOF)/Sepsis.  In this 
situation the AIR behaves in paradoxical fashion.  In many ways it acts as a 
complex, nonlinear system, with non-intuitive responses to manipulation.  An 
example of this property is the difficulty translating basic science knowledge 
of the underlying mechanisms of the AIR into effective clinical regimes for 
SIRS/MOF/Sepsis; only one therapy over the last 30 years has demonstrated any 
statistically significant benefit.  Over the past 4 years we have been using 
Agent Based Modeling (ABM) to try and bridge the gap between the basic science 
information and the clinical setting.  Presented here are a series of 
preliminary, abstract models that demonstrate the potential benefits of this 
approach, as well as suggestions for future directions of investigation.  
Methods: The current platform for development is StarlogoT.  There are three 
types of ABMs presented here.  The first is a global, systemic ABM that 
reproduces the general dynamics and behavior of the AIR.  Data sources for the 
development of the global ABM were review articles on the components and 
mechanisms of the AIR.  The second is a modification of the base global ABM to 
a specific pathogen, namely B. anthracis.  The ABM simulation of Anthrax was 
derived from review articles on the pathophysiology of B. anthracis infection.  
The third is an ABM of a basic science Òwet labÓ model, an epithelial cell 
barrier function model.  The basic science ABM was derived from the published 
papers that used the specific cell culture model simulated. 
Results:  The global ABM qualitatively reproduced the behavior of the AIR, as 
well as the unsuccessful results of the anti-cytokine trials of the 1990s.  
Furthermore, hypothetical regimes are shown to demonstrate the utility of ABM 
in designing and testing potential therapies. The Anthrax ABM demonstrates the 
difference between cutaneous and inhalational Anthrax as well as the effects of 
potential anti-exotoxin therapies.  The basic science ABM of epithelial barrier 
function reproduced the findings of the experiments in the published papers,  
and may be used as an example of how potential, modular ABMs can be used in 
collaborative, distributed efforts of ABM development.
Conclusions: ABM is a technique of analysis that may aid the translation of 
basic science research into more effective clinical regimes for the treatment 
of SIRS/MOF/Sepsis.  ABM is intended as an adjunct to more traditional research 
activities.  ABM may be useful as a pre-testing platform for proposed clinical 
trials.  The process of developing ABMs may lead to greater understanding of a 
"Theory" of SIRS/MOF/Sepsis.  Finally, a ÒfreewareÓ ABM of the AIR may have use 
as a functional, synthetic repository of basic science knowledge of the AIR.