Mucosal Biopsy Specimens Research Articles

Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing reveals CREM is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis

BackgroundUlcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by persistent colonic inflammation. Here, we performed a systematic analysis to gain better insights into UC pathogenesis. MethodsWe analyzed two UC-related datasets extracted from the gene expression omnibus database using several bioinformatics tools. The primary cell types and key subgroups of primary cells associated with UC and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between UC and control samples were identified. The molecular regulation of the key genes was also predicted. The gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses of marker genes of key cell subgroups and model genes were performed. The expression of key enriched genes was validated in 10 clinical samples using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ResultsMonocytes were identified as the major cell type. Ten differentially expressed marker genes were obtained by intersecting the 3121 DEGs, 38 marker genes in major cell types, and 104 marker genes in key cell subgroups. Four essential genes, associated with immune response, were obtained using support vector machine recursive feature elimination and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analyses. The four essential genes were highly expressed in Cluster 0 during differentiation. Validation of the four key genes in colonic mucosal biopsy specimens from 10 normal and 10 UC patients revealed that CREM was highly expressed in both the lesion-free sites and lesion sites colonic mucosa of UC patients compared with normal adults. ConclusionsWe identified CREM involved in UC pathogenesis, which is expected to provide a new therapeutic target for UC.

Whipple’s disease: 5-year clinical follow-up

The article presents a clinical observation of Whipple’s disease in a 42-year-old patient with a history of stage IIB Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in whom the disease debuted with articular syndrome, lymphadenopathy of the retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes, deep vein thrombosis of the leg. The diagnosis was confirmed by a morphological study of biopsy specimens of the duodenal mucosa, mesenteric lymph nodes 12 p. of the intestine, electron microscopic detection of accumulations of rod-shaped bacteria in the intestinal mucosa 6 years after the onset of clinical manifestations. Dynamic observation for 5 years was carried out using video gastroduodenoscopy, morphological assessment of changes in xanthoma macrophages proposed by A. Herbay, the percentage of damage by PAS-positive macrophages to the area of the lamina propria of the duodenal mucosa of the intestine. Conducted therapy with ceftriaxone for 14 days followed by taking co-trimaxosole for 4 years 7 months led to a stable remission.

Identification of Targets for Subsequent Treatment of Crohn's Disease Patients After Failure of Anti-TNF Therapy.

Anti-TNF medications are the first-line treatment for Crohn's Disease (CD), despite the fact that a significant portion of the population continues to be ineffectively treated. This research aims to discover accurate intervention targets for the follow-up of anti-TNF non-responders using bioinformatics technology. GSE16879, GSE111761, and GSE52746 retrieved from the GEO database. Unbiased differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were discovered utilizing the limma and RobustRankAggreg (RRA) tools. Then, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify the module most strongly associated with non responders and subjected this module to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis with overlapping genes of the DEGs. GSEA analysis applied to check the results of GO and KEGG. Using the Cytoscape program, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. The software's MCODE addon and CytoHubba addon was used to find the most important modules and the hub genes. Subsequently, we employed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm hub gene expression from mucosal biopsy specimens. There were a total of 142 genes co-upregulated and 65 genes co-downregulated. According to the WGCNA analysis, 42 genes were duplicated inside the light cyan module. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of overlapped genes in nonresponders demonstrated an increase in the expression of genes associated with inflammation and immune response, consistent with GSEA results. The PPI network was constructed using 41 protein nodes and 177 edges. After validation, 8 of the top 10 genes were verified to be differentially expressed. Our investigation is the first to integrate three CD databases after the anti-TNF medication treatment. We identified IL1B, CCL4, CXCL1, CXCL10, CCL3, CSF3, TREM1, and IL1RN as potential therapeutic targets for patients whose anti-TNF treatment failed.

The prevalence of the cagE gene of Helicobacter pylori and its association with gastroduodenal diseases

Background: Helicobacter pylori is the leading cause of gastroduodenal diseases. The CagE protein, which is encoded by the cagE gene on the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), plays an important role in supplying energy for the type IV secretion system (T4SS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the cagE gene of H. pylori isolates from patients with gastroduodenal diseases, and to investigate the association between the cagE gene and gastroduodenal diseases. Materials and methods: H. pylori strains were isolated from gastric mucosa biopsy specimens of 173 patients with gastroduodenal disease. The polymerase chain reaction technique was performed to identify the cagE gene. Results: The cagE gene was detected in 83.8% of H. pylori isolates. After adjusting for age and gender, the multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that cagE-positive H. pylori infection was associated with an increased risk for peptic ulcers (aOR = 5.72, 95% CI: 1.11 - 29.38, p = 0.037). Conclusion: High prevalence of the cagE gene was observed among H. pylori isolates from patients with gastroduodenal diseases. The cagE gene was related to an increased risk for peptic ulcers. Key words: Helicobacter pylori, cagE gene, gastroduodenal diseases.

Utility of C3d and C4d immunohistochemical staining in formalin-fixed skin or mucosal biopsy specimens in diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid and mucous membrane pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) sometimes have overlapping clinical, histopathological, and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) features in the early stages. Complement deposition is an intrinsic component of the patho-mechanism of BP in contrast to MMP. Hence immunohistochemistry (IHC) for C3d and C4d may be helpful in differentiating the two disorders. Seventy-four patients of BP and 18 patients of MMP along with 10 negative controls were enrolled in this study. C3d and C4d IHC was performed in formalin-fixed skin biopsy specimens. C3d IHC staining in BP/MMP had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 59.2%/41.2%, 100%/100%, 100%/100%, 25.6%/50.0%, respectively. C4d IHC staining in BP/MMP had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 26.8%/17.6%, 100%/100%, 100%/100% and 16.1%/41.7%, respectively. Receiver operator analysis showed utility of C3d in diagnosing both BP [Area under curve (AUC) = 0.8, p = 0.0001] and MMP (AUC = 0.71; p = 0.001). C4d was useful in diagnosis of BP (AUC = 0.5; p = 0.0001), but not MMP (AUC = 0.6; p = 0.064). Hence, C3d is a better diagnostic modality for BP as compared to C4d, whereas C3d and C4d have lower diagnostic importance in MMP. C3d IHC can be employed in diagnosing BP when a second biopsy for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is not possible or where a facility for IF microscopy does not exist.

Chronic endometritis and endometrial microsatellite instability: is there a connection?

Introduction One of the criteria of impaired DNA repair is microsatellite instability (MSI) resulting from functional insufficiency of the mismatched nucleotide repair (MMR) system, a complex of proteins (MLH-1, PMS- 2, MSH-2, MSH-6). No data on the study of MSI in chronic endometritis (CE) were found in the available literature.The aim of the study was to determine the structural features of microsatellite instability in the endometrium in female patients with chronic inflammation of the uterine mucosa.Materials and methods Group I consisted of 30 women with morphologically confirmed high-grade CE; Group II consisted of 30 patients with low-grade CE; Group III consisted of 30 women who sought pregnancy planning and had histologically unchanged endometrium. The degree of CE in patients in groups I and II was variable. We analyzed the expression levels of MLH-1-, MSH- 2-, MSH-6-, and PMS-2-proteins in the endometrium by estimating the staining area of nuclei and cytoplasm of the affected cells over the entire slice area. Nonparametric statistical methods with Mann-Whitney test were used. The value of probability of error was set at 0.05.Results There was a statistically significant decrease in the level of MMR protein expression in the endometrial samples from the Group I patients compared to the same indices in the Group II and III women. No statistically significant results were found when analyzing the level of MMR protein expression depending on the severity degree of CE.Discussion There was a statistically significant decrease in the expression level of the markers studied (MLH-1, PMS-2, MSH-2, MSH-6) in endometrial specimens from patients with low-activity CE compared to uterine mucosa biopsy specimens from highly active CE and mid-stage endometrial secretion phase specimens. The described morphological features of the uterine mucosa in patients with low-activity CE are consistent with the findings of other authors. The literature provides indications of structural features of MSI in pre-tumor and tumor processes in the uterine mucosa.Conclusion Endometrial samples with low activity and various degrees of CE show statistically significantly lower expression levels of MLH-1, PMS-2, MSH-2, MSH-6 when compared to biopsy specimens from highly active CE and normal endometrial samples, which may indicate pathogenetic heterogeneity in the development of inflammation in the endometrium.

Intramural dissection of the esophagus is a rare complication of eosinophilic esophagitis in children

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by endoscopic signs and detection of more than 15 eosinophils per high-power field of view in biopsy specimens of the esophageal mucosa. Due to deep chronic eosinophilic inflammation, it can cause complications: esophageal stenosis, rarely perforation. Intramural esophageal dissection (IED) is a previously undescribed complication of EoE in children. We present a case of IED in a 15-year-old boy, which clinically manifested itself as sudden epigastric pain radiating to the back and nausea against the background of acute respiratory viral infection. According to endoscopy, CT and X-ray contrast study, a double-barreled esophagus with two cavities was detected - the esophagus itself and a blind "pocket", histologically in which granulation tissue and active inflammation with a large number of neutrophils were found. The initial histological examination did not reveal significant eosinophilic infiltration in the esophagus. The boy received a course of esomeprazole and was re-examined 6 months later. The radiographic picture was the same, and endoscopic examination revealed characteristic signs of EoE: longitudinal grooves and erosions, transverse rings, and narrowing of the esophageal lumen. In the middle third, the picture of a double-barreled esophagus was still preserved, but without signs of acute detachment, but with a dense septum between the two cavities of the esophagus. Histologically, the infiltrate contained more than 50 eosinophils in the field of view. The diagnosis was eosinophilic esophagitis complicated by RTI. A strict hypoallergenic diet was prescribed, excluding obligate allergens, budesonide 1 mg 2 times a day in the form of a gel. Endoscopic dissection of the esophageal septum was performed, its patency was restored. After 2 months, the boy was examined again while continuing drug therapy and diet. He had no complaints, radiologically the patency of the esophagus was not impaired. Endoscopically, the esophagus was freely passable, there was only a small fold at the site of the operation, longitudinal grooves and small erosions in the lower third remained. Histologically, the number of eosinophils decreased significantly. Therapy was continued. This clinical case demonstrates the possibility of developing RDI as a complication of EoE. The course of EoE can be asymptomatic, and RDI is the first manifestation of the disease. The endoscopic picture of a double-barreled esophagus is a consequence of dissection. The combination of a hypoallergenic diet, topical steroids and endoscopic septectomy is effective in the treatment of EoE with RDI.

Spectrum of Histopathological Lesions in patients undergoing Gastroduodenal Biopsies in a Tertiary Care Centre in North Karnataka, India

Introduction: Patients with Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms usually present with alarming symptoms. The use of modern flexible gastroduodenoscope and the acquisition of the mucosal biopsy specimens have opened a window to the living tissues and have greatly improved the diagnostic facility for the GI lesions. It provides an in depth visual assessment of GI mucosa and allows sampling of tissue to the pathologist for further assessment. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of histopathological incidence of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in patients undergoing gastroduodenal biopsy. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 100 patients conducted over a period of one year and seven months, December 2010 to June 2012 with symptoms of gastroduodenal diseases who attended endoscopic unit of the tertiary care hospital in Bellary North Karnataka, South India. All biopsies done for various upper abdominal symptoms like pain abdomen, dyspepsia, haematemesis, mass per abdomen, and vomiting were included. Routine haematoxylin and eosin, special stains like Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) and Giemsa were done. Histopathological parameters evaluated included mucosa evaluation (ulceration, metaplasia, dysplasia, atrophy), type of inflammatory infiltrate, H.pylori infection and type of tumour. Data was analysed using descriptive analysis. Results: Among 100 patients, 76 were males and 24 were females. Highest percentage of study participants were in the age group of more than 58 years 30 (30%). The most common endoscopic presentation was gastric erythema in 42 (42%) cases followed by benign gastric ulcer 16 (16%) cases, ulcero proliferative growth 15 cases, and duodenal erythema 13 (13%) cases. The most common histopathological diagnosis amongst non-neoplastic lesions were chronic gastritis 44 (44%) cases chronic duodenitis 15 cases, and benign gastric ulcer 11 (11%) cases and amongst neoplastic lesions, most common was gastric adenocarcinoma 15 (15%) cases. Conclusion: Endoscopy gross findings are not disease specific hence, histopathological study of biopsy specimen can help in confirmation of the diagnosis.

Multifocal Multisystem Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving Pituitary Masquerading as Crohn’s Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background/Objective. We present a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with gastrointestinal involvement masquerading as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a patient who initially had features of central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Case Report. A 19-year-old male presented at 14 years of age with central diabetes insipidus. He subsequently developed panhypopituitarism and sellar-suprasellar mass, the biopsy of which was inconclusive. Secondary causes for hypophysitis were ruled out. Five years later, he developed perianal pus discharging sinuses, positive ASCA, and sacroiliitis. Rectal ulcer biopsy showed nonspecific inflammation and necrosis. Hence, he was managed as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Due to nonresponsiveness of symptoms, doubt about diagnosis was invoked and rectal ulcer biopsy was repeated, which then showed infiltration by Langerhans cells. Hence, he was diagnosed with LCH and showed resolution of symptoms on initiating steroids and vinblastine. Discussion. Gastrointestinal involvement by LCH is unusual and only rarely has represented a prominent clinical manifestation. In most cases, such involvement suggests widespread multisystem disease. Its distinctive morphologic and immunohistochemical features allow LCH to be distinguished from other inflammatory infiltrations found in mucosal biopsy specimens. Conclusion. Preceding CDI and hypopituitarism may predict LCH in patients with IBD-like diseases.

The correlation between reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori infection based on natural population

Objective: Reflux esophagitis (RE) may be negatively correlated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, but the conclusion and relevant mechanism is still controversial. This study proposed to explore the correlation between RE and H. pylori infection based on natural population. Methods: From July 2013 to December 2014, 3 940 residents aged 40-69 years were recruited in Linqu County of Shandong Province and Hua County of Henan Province by the whole sampling method. All the subjects underwent gastroscopy, and gastric mucosa biopsy specimens were collected for pathological diagnosis and Warthin-Starry (WS) staining to identify H. pylori infection. Venous blood samples of some subjects were collected for H. pylori immunoglobulin G (H. pylori-IgG) detection. Also, demographic and sociological data were collected. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation between RE and H. pylori infection. Results: A total of 359 cases of RE were detected. Excluding RE and other upper gastrointestinal organic diseases, 3 382 cases were considered as controls. Chi-square test showed that WS staining positive rate in RE group was significantly lower than that in control group (P=0.023), but there was no significant difference in the positive rate of H. pylori-IgG between the two groups (P=0.281). There were significant differences between RE group and control group in gender composition, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, education level and mucosal active inflammation. Multivariate regression analysis showed that RE was negatively correlated with gastric mucosa active inflammation [OR=0.754 (95%CI 0.600-0.949), P=0.016], and positively correlated with male [OR=4.231 (95%CI 3.263-5.486), P<0.001], age ≥60 years, BMI≥24 kg/m2 [OR=1.540 (95%CI 1.220-1.945), P<0.001]. Compared to those aged 40-49 years and 50-59 years, the odds ratio (OR) of RE in these aged ≥60 years were 1.566 (95%CI 1.144-2.143, P=0.005) and 1.405 (95%CI 1.093-1.805, P=0.008). Conclusion: RE is more closely related to H. pylori present infection. Multivariate analysis showed that RE is negatively correlated with active inflammation of gastric mucosa caused by H. pylori infection, and positively correlated with male, overweight and aged ≥60 years.

Antibiotics Resistance Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Strains in Northwest China.

PurposeThis study aims to estimate the resistance rate of Helicobacter pylori (HP) to commonly used antibiotics and analyze the potential influencing factors in northwest regions of China.Patients and MethodsHP-positive patients visiting the outpatient department of multiple hospitals were enrolled in the study. Then, gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were collected for HP isolation, culture, and investigation of the resistance rate of HP to amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin by Epsilometer test (E-test) antibiotic susceptibility testing. In addition, multi-drug resistance, the influence of HP eradication history, age, and region of residence on drug resistance rate were analyzed.ResultsIn total, 198 HP clinical strains were successfully isolated and cultured. The resistance rates of amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin were 16.16%, 85.86%, 7.58%, 46.46%, and 55.05%, respectively. The multi-drug resistance rates demonstrated that dual and triple resistances were 30.30% and 22.73%, respectively. The quadruple resistance rate reached 9.60%. Our results revealed that the prior eradication history of HP significantly increased levofloxacin and clarithromycin resistance. Metronidazole and levofloxacin resistances significantly differed among different age groups, which presented an upward trend with increasing age. Drug resistance rates varied with geographic regions, especially amoxicillin and clarithromycin resistance, which were highest in Hexi Corridor and Longnan regions.ConclusionThe current situation of HP resistance to common antibiotics is severe. Tetracycline is the most sensitive antibiotic, followed by amoxicillin, the first choice for HP eradication. However, the eradication failure of HP may lead to an increase in the resistance rate. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the standardized diagnosis and treatment of HP to improve the primary eradication rate.

Histomorphology and Molecular Profiling of Well-Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus Including its Unusual Variants

Esophageal verrucous squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma cuniculatum are rare variants of extremely well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. These rare tumors share similar risk factors and clinical presentations with conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, these tumors have distinct morphological features, molecular mutation profiles, and clinical outcomes. Diagnosis of esophageal verrucous squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma cuniculatum can be challenging, requires high clinical suspicion, and often can only be diagnosed on a deep mucosal biopsy or resection specimen. Surgical treatment or endoscopic resection can be curative in early disease. This review presents the histomorphology and molecular profiling of the conventional type and the rare variants of the esophageal well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Variation of histopathological features in colonic mucosal biopsy with clinical diagnosis of suspicious inflammatory bowel disease in Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya period 2015 - 2019

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory diseases that often relapse and divided into two types, Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Histopathological findings in colonic mucosal biopsy with clinical diagnosis suspicious IBD can vary and overlap. Therefore, criteria and guidelines have been created to improve the diagnostic accuracy. This descriptive observational study was performed retrospectively with cross sectional approach. 122 samples of colonic mucosal biopsies with clinical diagnosis of suspicious IBD were retrieved from histopathological archives in the Anatomical Pathology Laboratorium of Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya during period 1st January 2015 - 31st December 2019. The most common histopathological feature found in colonic mucosal biopsies with clinical diagnosis of suspicious IBD was crypt distortion (97/79.50% samples), and the least was irregularity of surface epithelium (30/24.59% samples). 10 of 122 samples was concordant with the final diagnosis of IBD. Knowledges regarding the variations of histopathological features in colonic mucosal biopsy specimens with clinical diagnosis of suspicious IBD, can improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Vascular E-selectin Expression Detected in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Sections With an E-selectin Monoclonal Antibody Correlates With Ulcerative Colitis Activity.

It is widely accepted that E-selectin, an inducible endothelial cell adhesion molecule, plays a critical role in the initial step of neutrophil recruitment to sites of acute inflammation. However, immunohistological analysis of E-selectin has been hampered by lack of E-selectin-specific monoclonal antibodies that can stain formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. Here, we employed E-selectin•IgM (a soluble form of E-selectin) as immunogen, and then, after negative selection with L-selectin•IgM and P-selectin•IgM and screening of FFPE sections of both COS-1 cells overexpressing E-selectin and acute appendicitis tissues, we successfully generated an E-selectin-specific monoclonal antibody capable of staining FFPE tissue sections. We used this antibody, designated U12-12, to perform quantitative immunohistological analysis of 390 colonic mucosal biopsy specimens representing ulcerative colitis. We found that the higher the histological disease activity, the greater the number of vessels expressing E-selectin, an observation consistent with previous analyses of frozen tissue sections. Furthermore, in active ulcerative colitis, E-selectin-expressing vessels contained neutrophils attached to endothelial cells, presumably in the process of extravasation, which eventually could cause epithelial damage. These results overall indicate that U12-12 is effective for E-selectin immunohistochemistry in archived FFPE samples representing various human diseases.

Interleukin 1β Blockade Reduces Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Model of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Independent Ulcerative Colitis.

Background & AimsInflammatory bowel diseases are multifactorial diseases commonly treated with either immunomodulatory drugs or anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Currently, failure to respond to anti-TNF therapy (assessed no earlier than 8–12 weeks after starting treatment) occurs in 20%–40% of patients enrolled in clinical trials and in 10%–20% in clinical practice. Murine models of inflammatory bowel disease provide important tools to better understand disease mechanism(s). In this context and among the numerous models available, Winnie–TNF–knockout (KO) mice recently were reported to show characteristics of ulcerative colitis (UC) that are independent of TNF, and with increased interleukin (IL)1β production.MethodsHerein, the efficacy of recombinant IL1-receptor antagonist (anakinra) administration was evaluated in Winnie-TNF-KO mice, used as a UC model of primary anti-TNF nonresponders.ResultsWe analyzed gut mucosal biopsy specimens and circulating cytokine profiles of a cohort of 30 UC patients; approximately 75% of primary nonresponders were characterized by abundant IL1β in both the serum and local intestinal tissues. In Winnie-TNF-KO mice, administration of anakinra efficiently reduced the histologic score of the distal colon, which represents the most common site of inflammation in Winnie mice. Furthermore, among lamina propria and mesenteric lymph node–derived T cells, interferon γ–expressing CD8+ T cells were reduced significantly after anakinra administration.ConclusionsOur study provides new insight and alternative approaches to treat UC patients, and points to anti-IL1 strategies (ie, anakinra) that may be a more effective therapeutic option for primary nonresponders to anti-TNF therapy.

&lt;i&gt;Helicobacter pylori&lt;/i&gt; infection reduces the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease

The aim is to study the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease. Materials and methods - cross-sectional observational study of 1007 patients with dyspepsia syndrome who underwent videoesophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and histological examination of biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa by OLGA-system. The age, gender, overweight, cigarette smoking, presence of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastritis stage were assessed. Results - the study showed a significant decrease in the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with positive H. Pylori status by 4% (RR 0,68; 95% CI, 0.49-0.94, p=0,041). The risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease significantly higher in overweight (RR 2,62; 95% CI 2,0-3,56; р&lt;0,001) men (RR 1,76; 95% CI 1,33-2,32; р=0,0046) who smoked cigarettes (RR 3,23; 95% CI 2,45-4,24; р&lt;0,001) and was not associated with the patient’s age and the stage of gastritis (р&gt;0,05). Conclusion - a significant reduction in the frequency and risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection is demonstrated.

Diode laser-assisted inferior turbinoplasty in resistant cases of allergic rhinitis: a clinical and histopathological study.

Chronic nasal obstruction owed to inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy is one of the most common problems encountered in rhinology. When medical management fails, surgical reduction of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinate is often used. Diode laser is appropriate for the use in the nasal turbinate. This study was designed to define the histopathologic changes in the inferior turbinate post diode laser turbinoplasty and evaluate the outcome in patients having allergic inferior turbinate hypertrophy that has not responded to the medical treatment. A prospective single-cohort study was carried out. Under general anesthesia, 18 patients underwent inferior turbinoplasty using diode laser 980 nm in the contact mode submucosally under guidance of a 4-mm nasal endoscope 0°. Inferior turbinate mucosa biopsy specimens were taken at the time of surgery, and after 3 months, they were histopathologically examined with assessment of the patients' symptoms. At 3 months postoperatively, histopathologic assessment demonstrated marked structural changes in diode laser-treated inferior turbinates including the predominance of fibrous tissue with diminution of seromucinous glands, venous sinusoids, and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Concurrently, 16 patients (89%) had no nasal obstruction, 15 patients (83%) had moderate-to-good improvement of rhinorrhea, whereas 13 patients (72%) had moderate-to-good improvement of sneezing. Diode laser produces histopathologic changes in the inferior turbinate soft tissues, providing excellent ablation of the soft tissue with controllable performance and good hemostasis. Therefore, it is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective procedure in relieving nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy as well as other symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Expression of Oncogenic Molecules in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction: Long-term disease duration of ulcerative colitis (UC) is known to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer in adults; however, this association has not been genetically analyzed in children with UC. Herein, we examined the expression of cancer-related genes in the colonic mucosa of pediatric UC patients and their risk of developing colorectal cancer. Methods: Microarray analysis of cancer-related gene expression was conducted on rectal mucosa biopsy specimens randomly selected from pediatric cases, including 4 active-phase UC cases, 3 remission-phase UC cases, and 3 irritable bowel syndrome control cases. The subject pool was then expanded to 10 active-phase cases, 10 remission-phase cases, and 10 controls, which were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical staining. Results: The microarray results indicated significantly higher expression levels of cancer-related genes PIM2 and SPI1 in the active group than in the remission and control groups (p < 0.05). Real-time PCR confirmed that PIM2 and SPI1 expression levels were significantly higher, whereas TP53 and APC expression levels were significantly lower, in the active-phase group than in the remission and control groups (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining for PIM2, SPI1, TP53, and APC proteins supported the real-time PCR results. Conclusions: Expression levels of previously unreported cancer-related genes in adult UC patients were significantly higher in pediatric UC patients than in controls. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa increased the expression levels of cancer-related genes even in childhood-onset UC cases, suggesting that chronic inflammation from childhood may increase the risk of colorectal cancer development.

Correlation of clinical symptoms, endoscopic features and density of oesophageal eosinophilia in children with newly-diagnosed eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory immune-mediated oesophageal disease of growing prevalence. The aim of this study is to characterise the clinical symptoms, endoscopic features and histological findings, as well as their possible correlations, in newly-diagnosed EoE paediatric patients. Between 2009-2018, the clinical records of patients diagnosed with EoE at the Paediatric Hospital in Warsaw, Poland, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms in association with oesophageal mucosal biopsy specimens containing not less than 15 intraepithelial eosinophils per hpf. The prevalence and the possible correlations between symptoms, endoscopic features and the density of eosinophilic infiltration were analysed; the medical history of the comorbidities were also assessed. The study included 47 children (median age 9.5 years). The most common clinical symptoms were abdominal pain (53%) and GERD-like symptoms (26%). The most common macroscopic changes were white plaques and exudates in 47% and furrows in 34%. A macroscopically normal oesophagus was observed in 28% of the children. The median number of eosinophils was estimated to be 45 eosinophils/hpf (IQR: 30-60), and no significant differences were found between the density of eosinophil infiltration and clinical symptoms or endoscopic features. Moreover, 70% of the children had a history of an allergy disease, older children (>3 years) tended to have pollen allergy more often than younger children (p<0.05). The density of oesophageal eosinophilia does not correlate with symptoms or endoscopic findings in children with newl-diagnosed EoE.

Histologic Findings and Tissue B-Cell Depletion in Endoscopic Mucosal Biopsy Specimens of the Gastrointestinal Tract After Treatment With Rituximab.

Rituximab (RTX) is associated with variable adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events. However, the histologic correlate in affected patients is not well defined. Patients (n = 93) who had received RTX and undergone endoscopic biopsies were identified. CD20 and PAX5 immunostains were performed on biopsy specimens showing inflammatory pathology (group A, 36 patients) and 35 of 57 noninflammatory biopsies (group B) that were taken within 1 year from the last RTX infusion. Histologic findings were correlated with tissue B-cell depletion (CD20/PAX5-/-). B cells were depleted in 12 (33%) of 36 group A biopsy specimens. After excluding biopsies taken more than 1 year from the last RTX infusion, the frequencies of tissue B-cell depletion were similar between group A (12/26; 46.2%) and group B (17/35; 48.6%) (P > .05). Also, the frequencies of inflammatory pathology were not statistically different whether B cells were depleted or not (P > .05). In group A with tissue B-cell depletion (n = 12), causality was indicated in two (17%) cases showing lymphocytic colitis pattern of injury (LCPI). In RTX-treated patients, tissue B-cell depletion does not appear to be the main cause of inflammatory pathology in the GI tract. A minor subset, however, develops histologic evidence of potential RTX-induced effect, notably in the form of LCPI.