Geographic distribution and time trends of esophageal cancer in Brazil from 2005 to 2015.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the geographical distribution and time trends of the incidence and lethality of esophageal cancer (EC) in Brazil. The present study conducted an ecological study of EC using records from January 2005 to December 2015 in the Health Informatics Department of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (DATASUS) registry. In addition to demographical data on the population, EC incidence and lethality rates were estimated from hospitalizations and in-hospital mortalities and were adjusted by total available hospital beds.

Superiority of Interferon Gamma Assay Over Tuberculin Skin Test for Latent Tuberculosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Brazil.

Background And Aims: To compare tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) in the screening of LTBI among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in an endemic area for tuberculosis, to evaluate the need for repeating tests during anti-TNFα, therapy, and to check whether the results may be affected by immunosuppression.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 110 IBD patients and 64 controls was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The TST was administered after the Quantiferon()-TB Gold In-tube test was performed.

The socio-economic impact of work disability due to inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might have economic and social impacts in Brazil, where its prevalence has increased recently. This study aimed to assess disability due to IBD in the Brazilian population and demographic factors potentially associated with absence from work.

Methods: Analysis was performed using the computerized Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement, for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Disruption of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in inflammatory bowel disease fosters chronic intestinal inflammation.

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is essential for intestinal homeostasis and has been associated with inflammation and tissue repair. We hypothesized that Hh signaling could affect the inflammatory process in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For this purpose, colon specimens from the inflamed and non-inflamed mucosa of 15 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 15 with ulcerative colitis, and 15 controls were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR.

Multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphisms may determine Crohn's disease behavior in patients from Rio de Janeiro.

Objectives: Conflicting data from studies on the potential role of multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease may result from the analysis of genetically and geographically distinct populations. Here, we investigated whether multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphisms are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases in patients from Rio de Janeiro.

Methods: We analyzed 123 Crohn's disease patients and 83 ulcerative colitis patients to determine the presence of the multidrug resistance 1 gene polymorphisms C1236T, G2677T and C3435T.

Thiopurine-methyltransferase variants in inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence and toxicity in Brazilian patients.

Aim: To analyze the prevalence of thiopurine-methyltransferase (TPMT) genotypes and their association with drug toxicity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients from southeastern Brazil.

Methods: A total of 219 consecutive patients with IBD, of which 146 had Crohn's disease and 73 had ulcerative colitis, regularly seen at the outpatient unit of the Division of Gastroenterology at the University Hospital Pedro Ernesto of the State University of Rio de Janeiro, a tertiary referral center, were enrolled in this study from February 2009 to January 2011. We analyzed the presence of major TPMT genetic variants (TPMT 2, 3A, 3C) in IBD patients by means of a specific allele and RFLP-PCR.

Overexpression of ATP-activated P2X7 receptors in the intestinal mucosa is implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.

Background: Extracellular nucleotides released in conditions of cell stress alert the immune system from tissue injury or inflammation. We hypothesized that the P2X7 receptor (P2X7-R) could regulate key elements in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis.

Methods: Colonoscopy samples obtained from patients with Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis, and controls were used to analyze P2X7-R expression by RT and real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy.

Hedgehog pathway signaling regulates human colon carcinoma HT-29 epithelial cell line apoptosis and cytokine secretion.

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is involved in embryogenesis and physiologic processes including cell survival and proliferation. We used the HT-29 and other human colon carcinoma cell lines to investigate Hh signaling and biological functions in colonic epithelial cells. HT-29 cells were cultured under different conditions and exposed to various stimuli.