Differential miRNA Expression in Ileal and Colonic Tissues Reveals an Altered Immunoregulatory Molecular Profile in Individuals With Crohn's Disease versus Healthy Subjects.

Background: MicroRNAs [miRNAs] are key modulators of gene expression in Crohn's disease [CD] and may drive tissue-specific molecular alterations underlying CD susceptibility. In this study, we analysed differential miRNA expression between CD and healthy subjects across ileal and colonic tissues.

Methods: A cohort of CD and healthy control [HC] subjects was recruited and clinical data collected.

Fecal calprotectin correlates with active colonic inflammatory bowel disease but not with small intestinal Crohn's disease activity.

Background: The utility of fecal calprotectin (FC) in small intestinal Crohn's disease (CD) is unclear. We examined how reliably FC reflects clinical and mucosal disease activity in small intestinal CD, colonic CD, and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: A total of 72 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients (23 colonic CD, 14 isolated small intestinal CD, and 35 UC) were included.

The Prevalence and Clinical Associations of Subclinical Sacroiliitis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Sacroiliitis, an inflammatory arthropathy associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but may go undiagnosed. The aims of this study were to assess prevalence of sacroiliitis in IBD and to determine association between clinical characteristics of IBD and sacroiliitis.

Methods: Inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) for any indication (2006-2015) were identified.

Differential Expression of microRNAs in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Identifies Autophagy and TGF-Beta-Related Signatures Aberrantly Expressed in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: MicroRNAs [miRNAs] have emerged as important regulators in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. This study investigated differential expression of miRNAs across clinical phenotypes in a well-characterized cohort of IBD patients and healthy controls [HCs].

Methods: A cohort of Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] patients and HCs was prospectively accrued.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring to Guide Infliximab Dose Adjustment is Associated with Better Endoscopic Outcomes than Clinical Decision Making Alone in Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Adequate infliximab (IFX) levels are associated with favorable outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease. Using therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to guide dosing is cost effective and associated with clinical improvement, but effect on endoscopic outcomes remains unclear.

Methods: Primary responders to IFX who underwent dose escalation (2008-2014) were reviewed.

Development of the Harvey-Bradshaw Index-pro (HBI-PRO) Score to Assess Endoscopic Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease.

Background: There is a need for better, less-invasive disease activity indices that provide a representative assessment of endoscopic disease activity. We developed a new clinical score that incorporates the Harvey-Bradshaw index [HBI] with modified patient-reported outcomes [PROp] and physician [clinician]-reported outcomes [PROc] and assessed its ability to measure endosopic disease activity in ileocolonic Crohn's disease [CD].

Methods: A cohort of 88 CD patients undergoing colonoscopy was accrued in a prospective fashion.

Ursodeoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid exert anti-inflammatory actions in the colon.

Ursodeoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid exert anti-inflammatory actions in the colon. 312: G550-G558, 2017. First published March 30, 2017; doi:10.

Low Fecal Calprotectin Correlates with Histological Remission and Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis and Colonic Crohn's Disease.

Background: Data regarding the correlation of histologic and endoscopic healing with fecal calprotectin (FC) are conflicting. We examined how FC levels correlate with histological and endoscopic remission in colonic inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients (23 with colonic Crohn's disease [CD] and 35 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) were included.

Infliximab to Treat Refractory Inflammation After Pelvic Pouch Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Inflammatory pouch complications refractory to first-line therapies remain problematic following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). We evaluated infliximab efficacy and associations with therapeutic response.

Methods: Data from individuals who underwent colectomy and IPAA for UC (2000-2014) were reviewed.

The Inappropriate Prescription of Oral Proton Pump Inhibitors in the Hospital Setting: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Unlabelled: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat upper gastrointestinal tract disorders. Their efficacy and perceived safety have led to widespread prescription. This is not without effect, in terms of adverse events and resource utilization.

Ursodeoxycholic acid attenuates colonic epithelial secretory function.

Dihydroxy bile acids, such as chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), are well known to promote colonic fluid and electrolyte secretion, thereby causing diarrhoea associated with bile acid malabsorption. However, CDCA is rapidly metabolised by colonic bacteria to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), the effects of which on epithelial transport are poorly characterised. Here, we investigated the role of UDCA in the regulation of colonic epithelial secretion.

Drug treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a clinicopathological disease characterized by oesophageal eosinophilia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Currently, the optimal treatment regimens remain unclear. The pathogenesis of eosinophilic oesophagitis appears to involve immune dysregulation, while acid reflux may have a secondary role; the mainstays in treatment are aimed principally at these dual processes.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis: an Irish experience.

Introduction: Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a recently recognized oesophageal disorder characterized by a combination of clinical and endoscopic features as well as the histological finding on oesophageal biopsy of greater than 15 eosinophils per high powered field. Recent reports suggest eosinophilic oesophagitis is increasing in incidence and this increase cannot be fully explained by increased recognition of the disorder. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the incidence of eosinophilic oesophagitis within the catchment area of a tertiary referral hospital in southwest Dublin, Ireland.

A case of achalasia diagnosed first on capsule endoscopy: find that hard to swallow?

Achalasia often manifests with dysphagia but can also, albeit less frequently, present more insidiously with unexplained weight loss. We describe the case of a 42-year-old female with Crohn's disease who presented with unexplained weight loss and upper abdominal discomfort. As part of her investigations, a video capsule endoscopy was performed, primarily to assess for small bowel mucosal lesions.