Publications by authors named "Heitor-S-P Souza"

Colorectal cancer CRC remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with chronic intestinal inflammation identified as a major risk factor. Notably, the tumor suppressor undergoes mutation at higher rates and earlier stages during human inflammation-driven colon tumorigenesis than in sporadic cases. We investigated whether deleting affects inflammation-induced tumor growth and the expression of Lgr5+ cancer stem cells in mice.

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Aberrant signaling through damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) has been linked to several health disorders, attracting considerable research interest over the last decade. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a key extracellular DAMP, activates the purinergic receptor P2X7, which acts as a danger sensor in immune cells and is implicated in distinct biological functions, including cell death, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and defense against microorganisms. In addition to driving inflammation mediated by immune and non-immune cells, the persistent release of endogenous DAMPs, including ATP, has been shown to result in epigenetic modifications.

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Introduction And Objectives: Microbial translocation contributes to cirrhosis progression and complications. This study aims to investigate whether molecules related to intestinal permeability or microbial translocation can serve as prognostic biomarkers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis for liver function, complications during hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, composite outcomes of in-hospital mortality and complications, 12-month mortality, and survival rates.

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Background/objectives: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disorder associated with marked morbidity and mortality and frequently requires hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the time trends and geographical distribution of hospital admissions, the lethality rate of CP across Brazil, and the potential relationship with social indicators and associated risk factors.

Methods: Data were retrospectively obtained from the Brazilian Public Health System Registry between January 2009 and December 2019.

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Background: The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) enzyme, encoded by the hTERT gene, synthesizes protective telomeric sequences on chromosomes and plays a fundamental role in cancer formation. Methylation of the hTERT gene has an upregulatory effect, increasing hTERT enzyme synthesis and allowing continuous tumor cell division.

Objective: In a group of patients with breast cancer, we aimed to analyze the methylation status of hTERT in the tumor, surrounding tissue, and circulating free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) of blood collected on the day of mastectomy and then approximately one year later.

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Objective: This prospective study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the methylation status of two pivotal genes, CDKN2A/p16INK4A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) and RB1 (retinoblastoma transcriptional corepressor 1), in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Samples were obtained from 15 women diagnosed with breast cancer and who underwent a total mastectomy. DNA was extracted from the tumor, non-tumor tissue, and peripheral blood (circulating cell-free DNA).

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Article Synopsis
  • The Brazilian Organization for Crohn's Disease and Colitis (GEDIIB) created a national registry to study factors linked to the severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among Brazilian patients.
  • The study included 1,179 patients, primarily diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's Disease (CD), and found that many had extensive disease, with a significant portion needing biologic treatments.
  • Factors like age, disease extent, and certain complications increased the severity of IBD, particularly for those with extensive colitis or specific disease behaviors.
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This study aimed to evaluate humoral responses after vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with IBD enrolled in a tertiary outpatient unit were followed up between September 2021 and September 2022 via serial blood collection. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 were measured before administration and 1 and 6 months after the administration of two doses of different vaccination regimens.

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The overall burden of cancer is rapidly increasing worldwide, reflecting not only population growth and aging, but also the prevalence and spread of risk factors. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including stomach, liver, esophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, represent more than a quarter of all cancers. While smoking and alcohol use are the risk factors most commonly associated with cancer development, a growing consensus also includes dietary habits as relevant risk factors for GI cancers.

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In mice, oral infection induces severe ileitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7) on the inflammatory response to -induced ileitis. Cysts of the ME49 strain of were used to induce ileitis.

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Article Synopsis
  • The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising in Brazil, with a significant increase in hospitalizations from 2005 to 2018, particularly among individuals over 50, especially males over 70.
  • The geographic distribution showed the highest prevalence in the South and Southeast but a notably higher proportional increase in the Northeast, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.
  • While the lethality rate for HCC has remained stable between 21% and 25%, this stability contrasts with rising hospitalization rates, indicating potential shifts in environmental and socioeconomic factors affecting health in Brazil.
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Given the role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), we investigated its role in the development and progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CA-CRC). CA-CRC was induced in P2X7R and P2X7R mice with azoxymethane (AOM) combined with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). In a therapeutic protocol, P2X7R mice were treated with a P2X7R-selective inhibitor (A740003).

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Microbe-host communication is essential to maintain vital functions of a healthy host, and its disruption has been associated with several diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although individual members of the intestinal microbiota have been associated with experimental IBD, identifying microorganisms that affect disease susceptibility and phenotypes in humans remains a considerable challenge. Currently, the lack of a definition between what is healthy and what is a dysbiotic gut microbiome limits research.

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Phenolic compounds (PCs) present in foods are associated with a decreased risk of developing inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to extract and characterize PCs from craft beer powder and evaluate their potential benefits in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PCs were extracted and quantified from pure beer samples.

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Background: The epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in developing countries may uncover etiopathogenic factors. We investigated IBD prevalence in Brazil by investigating its geographic, spatial, and temporal distribution, and attempted to identify factors associated with its recent increase.

Methods: A drug prescription database was queried longitudinally to identify patients and verify population distribution and density, race, urbanicity, sanitation, and Human Development Index.

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Background: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally, and the disease is frequently managed surgically. The aim of this study was to investigate the time trends and geographic distribution of IBD hospitalizations, surgeries and surgical-associated lethality.

Methods: Data from the Brazilian Health Public System were retrospectively collected regarding hospitalizations, in-hospital deaths, IBD-related surgical procedures and lethality from 2005 to 2015.

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Background: 1,3-beta-D-glucan (BG) is a ubiquitous cell wall component of gut micro-organisms. We hypothesized that the serum levels of BG could reflect active intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To determine whether the serum BG concentrations correlate with intestinal inflammation.

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Mucosal healing (MH) has become a major target in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC). Because repeat endoscopy is expensive and invasive, we aimed to evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) as an alternative marker to predict MH in UC.Eighty patients with UC in clinical remission were consecutively included in a prospective observational study.

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Background And Aims: Crohn's disease (CD) can lead to work disability with social and economic impacts worldwide. In Brazil, where its prevalence is increasing, we assessed the indirect costs, prevalence, and risk factors for work disability in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in a tertiary care referral center of the state.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the database of the Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement.

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Monitoring anti-TNF agents in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients may be helpful in optimizing outcomes. We aimed to evaluate potential correlations among demographic, clinical, laboratory, or imaging parameters, as well as serum levels of infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) and their respective antibodies, in the clinical management of IBD patients.A cross-sectional study of 95 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in maintenance therapy with infliximab or adalimumab was performed.

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Background: Dehiscence of intestinal anastomosis results in high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of locally administered adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in a model of high-risk colonic anastomosis in rats.

Methods: Seven days after induction of colitis with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, Wistar rats were submitted to a transection of the descending colon followed by end-to-end anastomosis and were then treated with 2×10 adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (from the preperitoneal fat) or an acellular culture solution instilled onto the surface of the anastomosis.

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Dramatic changes in the environment and human lifestyle have been associated with the rise of various chronic complex diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A dysbiotic gut microbiota has been proposed as a crucial pathogenic element, contributing to immune imbalances and fostering a proinflammatory milieu, which may be associated with disease relapses or even the initiation of IBD. In addition to representing important regulators of the mucosal immunity and the composition of the gut microbiota, food components have been shown to be potential environmental triggers of epigenetic modifications.

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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.

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Background/aims: Consistently defining disease activity remains a critical challenge in the follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We investigated the potential applicability of abdominal ultrasonography with color Doppler (USCD) analysis for the detection of morphological alterations and inflammatory activity in CD.

Methods: Forty-three patients with CD ileitis/ileocolitis were evaluated using USCD analysis with measurements obtained on the terminal ileum and right colon.

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Mice orally infected with develop Crohn's disease (CD)-like enteritis associated with severe mucosal damage and a systemic inflammatory response, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Previously, helminthic infections have shown therapeutic potential in experimental colitis. However, the role of in -induced CD-like enteritis has not been elucidated.

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