The microRNA expression in crypt-top and crypt-bottom colonic epithelial cell populations demonstrates cell-type specificity and correlates with endoscopic activity in ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aims: Colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction is one of the early events in ulcerative colitis (UC) and microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in its regulation. However, cell type-specific miRNome during UC is still unknown. Thus, we aimed to explore miRNA expression patterns in colon tissue and epithelial cells at active and quiescent UC.

Constituents of stable commensal microbiota imply diverse colonic epithelial cell reactivity in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Despite extensive research on microbiome alterations in ulcerative colitis (UC), the role of the constituent stable microbiota remains unclear.

Results: This study, employing 16S rRNA-gene sequencing, uncovers a persistent microbial imbalance in both active and quiescent UC patients compared to healthy controls. Using co-occurrence and differential abundance analysis, the study highlights microbial constituents, featuring Phocaeicola, Collinsella, Roseburia, Holdemanella, and Bacteroides, that are not affected during the course of UC.

Prolonged culturing of colonic epithelial organoids derived from healthy individuals and ulcerative colitis patients results in the decrease of LINE-1 methylation level.

Patient-derived human intestinal organoids are becoming an indispensable tool for the research of digestive system in health and disease. However, very little is still known about the long-term culturing effect on global genomic methylation level in colonic epithelial organoids derived from healthy individuals as well as active and quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epigenetic stability of these organoids by assessing the methylation level of LINE-1 during prolonged culturing.

Comparison of genomic and transcriptional microbiome analysis in gastric cancer patients and healthy individuals.

Background: and the stomach microbiome play a crucial role in gastric carcinogenesis, and detailed characterization of the microbiome is necessary for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. There are two common modalities for microbiome analysis: DNA (16S rRNA gene) and RNA (16S rRNA transcript) sequencing. The implications from the use of one or another sequencing approach on the characterization and comparability of the mucosal microbiome in gastric cancer (GC) are poorly studied.

Molecular Characterization and Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients and Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Seroprevalence rates and molecular characterization of hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalent in the Lithuanian human population has not yet been evaluated. Immunosuppressed individuals have been recognized as a risk group for chronic hepatitis due to HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) infections. The objectives of the present study were to determine prevalence rates of anti-HEV antibodies among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, to isolate and characterize HEV strain present in the Lithuanian human population, and to investigate its capacity to infect non-human primate (MARC-145 and Vero), swine (PK-15) and murine (Neuro-2a) cells in vitro.

Environmental and Dietary Risk Factors for Colonic Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis.

Background And Aims: Colonic diverticulosis (CD) is among the most common conditions of the large bowel. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of CD and its complications, including advanced age, obesity, physical inactivity, and a low-fiber diet. Available data is conflicting and a comprehensive analysis of different bowel, dietary and environmental habits linked with CD is lacking.

Drug-Induced Intersticial Nephritis. Clinical Case.

5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) preparations are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. The most commonly used medicine is mesalamine. Overall, it is a very safe drug with few side effects.

Evaluation of a novel 14C-urea breath test "Heliprobe" in diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: At present, (14)C-urea breath test is considered a gold standard for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, but they are time-consuming, comparably expensive, and usually not portable tests. The aim of our study was to establish the diagnostic value of the novel, inexpensive, quick, and convenient to use (14)C-urea breath test "Heliprobe", Noster AB, Sweden.

Material And Methods: Helicobacter pylori testing using "Heliprobe" was performed in 108 consecutive patients.