Chaga's disease is an important communicable neglected disease that is gaining wider attention due to its increasing incidence worldwide. Achalasia due to chagasic megaesophagus (CM), a complication of this disease, is a known-yet, poorly understood-etiological factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) development. In this study, we aimed to perform the analysis of TP53 mutations in a series of Brazilian patients with ESCC that developed in the context CM (ESCC/CM), and to compare with the TP53 mutation profile of patients with benign CM and patients with nonchagasic ESCC. Additionally, we intended to correlate the TP53 mutation results with patient's clinical pathological features. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct sequencing of the hotspot regions of TP53 (exon 5 to 8), we found that TP53 mutations were present in 40.6% (13/32) of the ESCC/CM group, 45% (18/40) of the nonchagasic ESCC group, and in only 3% (1/33) of the benign CM group. Missense mutations were the most common in the three groups, yet, the type and mutated exon mutation varied significantly among the groups. Clinically, the groups exhibited distinct features, with both cancer groups (ESCC and ESCC/CM) been significantly associated higher consumption of alcohol and tobacco, older age, worse Karnofsky performance status, poor outcome than the patients with benign CM. No significant association was found between TP53 mutation profile and clinical-pathological features in any of the three groups. We describe first the time the analysis of TP53 mutations in ESCC that developed in the context of CM, and the observed high frequency of mutations, suggest that TP53 also plays an important role in the tumorigenic process of this unexplored etiological condition.

After 2-year follow-up, silastic ring placement in the RYGB resulted in greater weight loss and weight stability and a threefold greater incidence of vomiting. There was no difference in the scores in the quality of life analysis.

Ten patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and esophageal symptoms (group 1) and 10 control subjects were studied. Esophageal electromanometry using the intermittent pull-through technique and catheter perfusion with distilled water were performed in all patients and individuals. The variables studied were pressure amplitude in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (mmHg) and deglutition wave amplitude (mmHg at 5, 10 and 15 cm above LES). In PSS patients, the average LES pressure was 18.5 +/- 4.6 mmHg, and in control subjects it was 27 +/- 6.5 mmHg (p < 0.01). Deglutition wave amplitude at 5, 10 and 15 cm above LES was 13.2 +/- 7.5 mmHg, 12 +/- 3.7 mmHg and 15 +/- 3.3 mmHg, respectively, in PSS patients. In control subjects, it was 67.6 +/- 12.5 mmHg, 58.6 +/- 20.9 mmHg and 52.4 +/- 21.4 mmHg (p < 0.001). In PSS patients, the pressure amplitude in LES and in the body of the esophagus was lower than in control subjects. In PSS patients, esophageal manometry showed the absence of normal peristalsis.

BackgroundChronic diseases such as chagasic megaesophagus (secondary to Chagas’ disease) have been suggested as etiological factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; however, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood.ObjectiveWe analyzed hotspot PIK3CA gene mutations in a series of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas associated or not with chagasic megaesophagus, as well as, in chagasic megaesophagus biopsies. We also checked for correlations between the presence of PIK3CA mutations with patients’ clinical and pathological features.MethodsThe study included three different groups of patients: i) 23 patients with chagasic megaesophagus associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CM/ESCC); ii) 38 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma not associated with chagasic megaesophagus (ESCC); and iii) 28 patients with chagasic megaesophagus without esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CM). PIK3CA hotspot mutations in exons 9 and 20 were evaluated by PCR followed by direct sequencing technique.ResultsPIK3CA mutations were identified in 21.7% (5 out of 23) of CM/ESCC cases, in 10.5% (4 out of 38) of ESCC and in only 3.6% (1 case out of 28) of CM cases. In the CM/ESCC group, PIK3CA mutations were significantly associated with lower survival (mean 5 months), when compared to wild-type patients (mean 2.0 years). No other significant associations were observed between PIK3CA mutations and patients’ clinical features or TP53 mutation profile.ConclusionThis is the first report on the presence of PIK3CA mutations in esophageal cancer associated with chagasic megaesophagus. The detection of PIK3CA mutations in benign chagasic megaesophagus lesions suggests their putative role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development and opens new opportunities for targeted-therapies for these diseases.

Taking together, we concluded that MSI is a rare event in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but can be associated with CM.

The usefulness of ileocolic sphincter (ICS) transplantation to the neck after a total laryngopharyngectomy was investigated in 12 mongrel dogs. The authors aimed to evaluate the influence of the transplantation on ICS pressure amplitude and ICS length, and on ICS resistance to intracecal pressure increase. Electromanometric measurements showed that ICS pressure amplitude and length presented no changes after the procedure. Also, there was no significant change in ICS resistance. However, long-term follow-up studies are needed to determine whether the ileocolic transition maintains the properties observed in the immediate postoperative period.

Abstract Background: Chagasic megaesophagus (clinical manifestation of chagasic disease) has been reported as an etiological factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, as well as the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Objective: We accessed the prevalence of HPV DNA in a series of squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus associated or not with the chagasic megaesophagus, and within samples of chagasic megaesophagus without cancer. Data obtained was further correlated to the pathological clinical data of affected individuals. Methods: Retrospective study that used a total 92 samples tissue/biopsy specimens of formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissues were retrospectively collected from the southeast region of Brazil from patients treated in three hospitals: Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo; Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais; and São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo. Cases were divided in three groups: i) 24 patients with chagasic megaesophagus associated with esophageal ESCC (CM/ESCC); ii) 37 patients with esophageal ESCC without chagasic megaesophagus (ESCC); iii) 31 patients with chagasic megaesophagus without esophageal ESCC (CM). Results: We detected a higher prevalence of high-risk HPVs in patients from both CM (12/31, 38.8%) and CM/ESCC groups (8/24, 33.3%), as compared to individuals of the ESCC group (6/37, 16.3%), although data was not statistically significant. We further observed that HPV-16 was more prevalent in patients of the ESCC (4/9, 44.5%) and CM/ESCC groups (2/8, 25.0%). In addition, some of these samples presented infection by multiple HPV types. High-risk HPVs detected were HPV-31, 45, 51, 53, 56, 66, and 73, of which the majority was identified in patients from the CM group. Furthermore, low-risk HPV-11 and HPV70 were identified in individuals from both ESCC and CM groups. Conclusion: This is the first report regarding the presence of HPV DNA in megaesophagus associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In the present study, HPV infection appears to be directly related to the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients with chagasic megaesophagus. Further studies are warrantee to confirm and better understand the role of oncogenic HPV persistent infection in these patients.

This result was found for startle probes presented at 2.5s, but not at longer intervals. Conclusions: The MN system is involved in emotional processing, as shown by modulation of the startle reflex when a negative picture is primed with emotionally congruent biological motion. Further, this modulation occurs only when the time interval between picture presentation and startle probe is relatively short, suggesting that the MN system may provide an early warning of threat-related actions.