Publications by authors named "Micaela Cretella"
Objective: Crohn's Disease (CD)-associated inflammation is supposed to be driven by T helper (Th)1/Th17 cell-derived cytokines, even though there is evidence that the mucosal profile of cytokine may vary with the evolution of the disease. We aimed at comparing the pattern of effector cytokines in early and established lesions of CD.
Design: Mucosal samples were taken from the neo-terminal ileum of CD patients undergoing ileocolonic resection, with (early lesions) or without post-operative recurrence, and terminal ileum of CD patients with long-standing disease undergoing intestinal resection (established lesions).
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are tiny, noncoding, small, endogenous RNAs that play major roles in neoplastic transformation and could therefore offer a better quantitative and noninvasive method for the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) using feces. In the present study, we screened feces for 648 miRNAs and analyzed the role of miR-144* as a potential CRC diagnostic marker.
Methods: Fecal miRNA expression was profiled with RT-pre-amplification-qPCR, and the stability was determined using both endogenous and exogenous miRNA by RT-qPCR.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the ability to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas through the analysis of DNA fragments in feces, highlighting the dysfunction of apoptotic mechanisms in neoplastic cells.
- Sensitivity for long DNA (L-DNA) in fecal tests was found to be 86% with a specificity of 81% for CRC detection, while the combination of fecal DNA tests with immunological fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) improved detection rates substantially.
- The findings suggest that using fecal DNA integrity as a diagnostic tool is effective and non-invasive, achieving higher sensitivity and specificity when combined with iFOBT for identifying CRC and advanced adenomas.
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, prevention is possible by early detection. In the present work, we have demonstrated and validated a novel quantitative method based on a DNA integrity assay and mutation in faeces of CRC patients using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Local injection of infliximab in Crohn's disease (CD) lesions may reduce the risk of rare side effects, reduce the dose, and increase the efficacy of the drug. The objective was to prospectively assess the feasibility and the safety of local injection of infliximab for the postoperative recurrence of patients with CD who were followed for at least 1 year.
Methods: In a pilot, open-label study, 8 patients with CD (3 men; median age 48 years, range 35-82 years) undergoing ileocolonoscopy were prospectively enrolled.