A systematic review of the role of DNA methylation on inflammatory genes in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic disease of the large intestine with evidence pointing to the role of epigenetic changes.

Methods: Searches were performed in three databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science), following PRISMA protocol. DNA methylation was the only epigenetic mechanism affecting genes linked to inflammatory response in UC.

Detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) by urinary volatile organic compound analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer related death in Europe and the USA. There is no universally accepted effective non-invasive screening test for CRC. Guaiac based faecal occult blood (gFOB) testing has largely been superseded by Faecal Immunochemical testing (FIT), but sensitivity still remains poor.

Application of a novel tool for diagnosing bile acid diarrhoea.

Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) is a common disease that requires expensive imaging to diagnose. We have tested the efficacy of a new method to identify BAD, based on the detection of differences in volatile organic compounds (VOC) in urine headspace of BAD vs. ulcerative colitis and healthy controls.

A novel tool for noninvasive diagnosis and tracking of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves the role of bacteria. These bacteria ferment nonstarch polysaccharides in the colon producing a fermentation profile that through altered gut permeability can be traced in urine. We proposed to track the resultant volatile organic compounds or gases that emanate from urine using noninvasive real-time tools, specifically by electronic nose and Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometer (FAIMS) instruments.

The detection of patients at risk of gastrointestinal toxicity during pelvic radiotherapy by electronic nose and FAIMS: a pilot study.

It is well known that the electronic nose can be used to identify differences between human health and disease for a range of disorders. We present a pilot study to investigate if the electronic nose and a newer technology, FAIMS (Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry), can be used to identify and help inform the treatment pathway for patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy, which frequently causes gastrointestinal side-effects, severe in some. From a larger group, 23 radiotherapy patients were selected where half had the highest levels of toxicity and the others the lowest.

Dysregulation of plasma ghrelin in alcoholic cirrhosis.

Objective: Abnormalities in circulating ghrelin have been reported in chronic liver disease. This study assessed the response of anabolic peptides ghrelin, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and healthy subjects to oral glucose. In a previous study, using oral glucose we identified loss of ghrelin regulation in nonalcoholic steato-hepatitis.

Perioperative peripheral parenteral nutrition for patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer: a pilot study of safety, surgical, and nutritional outcomes.

At esophagectomy, cancer patients may be malnourished. Nutrition administered central venously is associated with complications, potentially negating nutritional benefits. We aimed to determine the safety of nutrition administered by the peripheral parenteral route (PPN) and record changes in nutritional and surgical outcome.

Immunohistochemical and quantitative mRNA assessment of ghrelin expression in gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Ghrelin is an orexigenic gut peptide produced predominantly by the stomach. Gastric mucosal ghrelin production could be compromised by an infiltrating adenocarcinoma.

Aims: To assess the expression of ghrelin mRNA and peptide in oesophagogastric adenocarcinomas and adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa.

Extended lifespan and long telomeres in rectal fibroblasts from late-onset ulcerative colitis patients.

Objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by damage to the intestinal epithelium and connective tissue. The causes of this damage could include changes in the ability of colonic fibroblasts to heal wounds and maintain epithelial cell proliferation. Telomeres shorten with each cell division and eventually signal senescence.

Barrett's surveillance is worthwhile and detects curable cancers. A prospective cohort study addressing cancer incidence, treatment outcome and survival.

Objectives: To establish whether Barrett's surveillance is worthwhile in terms of incident cancers and whether outcomes are favourable.

Methods: A prospective non-randomized single centre Barrett's surveillance programme commencing 1 January 1992 through 1 April 2001 (112 months). Oesophagectomy recommended for high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma.

Telomerase, hTERT and splice variants in Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background And Objectives: The enzyme telomerase is re-activated in most cancers but its mechanism of regulation in oesophageal carcinogenesis is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression and hTERT mRNA splicing in the regulation of telomerase enzyme activity in Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Paired samples from oesophageal adenocarcinoma (n=21) and adjacent macroscopically normal mucosa, and paired samples from Barrett's oesophagus (n=16) and adjacent cardia mucosa were obtained.