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Background: Nutrition-related factors have been of great interest as one of risk factors of biliary stones. This study evaluated the association of dietary patterns with biliary stone among Iranians. Methods: This is a hospital-based case-control study, which was conducted in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 110 patients with gallstone or common bile duct (CBD) stone confirmed by Ultrasonography within the last 6 months before collecting data were recruited. Controls were age-matched patients admitted to the other wards of the same hospital for a broad spectrum of disorders including traumas and orthopedic conditions, or elective surgeries, or throat/ear/nose disease and had no gallbladder disorders, participated in this study. We used a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes of participants. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis. Results: By design, age was similar in both groups (57.66 ± 16.39 years vs. 56.00 ± 10.64 years in cases and controls, respectively). Two dietary patterns were extracted; "Unhealthy" (high consumption of artificial juice, processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, pickles, snacks, and red meats), and "Healthy" (high consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt). Participants in the highest tertile of "Healthy" dietary pattern were significantly less likely to have the gallstones disease (OR: 0.33, 95% CI = 0.120.89) compared to the reference group (low tertile of "Healthy" dietary pattern) (P = 0.02). Conclusions: High consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt in context of healthy dietary pattern are inversely associated with risk of gallstones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has a global distribution and is known to have caused large waterborne epidemics of icteric hepatitis. Transmission is generally via the fecal-oral route. Some reports have suggested parenteral transmission of HEV. Anti-HEV prevalence data among chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are few and give conflicting results. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in August of 2004. We tested 324 chronic HD patients attending three different units in the city of Tabriz, northwestern part of Iran, for anti-HEV antibody. A specific solid- phase enzyme-linked immunoassay (Diapro, Italy) was used. Results The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis E was 7.4 %(95% CI: 4.6%–10.6%). The prevalence rate of HBV and HCV infection were 4.6% (95% CI: 2.3%–6.9%) and 20.4% (95% CI: 16%–24.8%), respectively. No significant association was found between anti-HEV positivity and age, sex, duration of hemodialysis, positivity for hepatitis B or C virus infection markers and history of transfusion. Conclusion We observed high anti-HEV antibody prevalence; there was no association between HEV and blood borne infections (HBV, HCV, and HIV) in our HD patients. This is the first report concerning seroepidemiology of HEV infection in a large group of chronic HD individuals in Iran.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Bile stagnation leads to cholesterol concentrates and Crystal formation that are gall stone precursors. Cholecystokinin kinase hormone receptor (CCKAR) role in contraction and depletion of gall bladder. Polymorphisms of this receptor could have some role in gall bladder stone formation. Materials and Methods: Study on 116 gallstone cases and 118 healthy controls were performed. For molecular analysis, amplification of polymorphism containing sequence was obtained by polymerase chain reaction and then genotyping were carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Finally statistical analysis had carried out for detection of association. Results: With case-control study we recognize that C/T genotype in rs1800857 polymorphism increases gall stone risk more than 3 times (P=0/035; OR=2/954; CI95%= 1/072-8/14). Conclusion: This analysis confirms previous studies on rs1800857 polymorphism susceptibility to gall stone only in female and clarify the importance of this region to make a disease prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celiac disease has been associated with other autoimmune disorders such as autoimmune hepatitis, moreover it is known that T cell mediated immune response to dietary gluten and released cytokines are important for the entheropathy seen in celiac disease. We investigated celiac autoantibodies in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Sera from 84 patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) type 1 and 88 patients with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) were tested for Immunoglobulin A and G antibodies to Gliadin, Immunoglobulin A antibodies to tissue transglutaminase using enzyme immunoassay, and Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibodies by both indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme immunoassay. The patients positive for anti-endomysial antibodies and/or anti tissue transglutaminase antibodies were considered for deuodenal biopsy. The study was approved by Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease Ethics Committee and all patients gave their written informed consent to participate.Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial and Immunoglobulin A anti-gliadin antibodies were positive in two out of 84 patients with AIH. Moreover, Immunoglobulin A anti-gliadin antibodies were positive in another patient who was also positive for anti tissue transglutaminase antibodies. Tissue transglutaminase antibodies were positive in eight (9.1%) of 88 patients with CHB, two of which were also positive for anti-endomysial antibodies. One of the patients with CHB was only positive for anti-endomysial antibodies.Compared with the general population, the prevalence of celiac autoantibodies in CHB and AIH patients is relatively high, and it is noteworthy that most positive patients were asymptomatic for celiac disease. We suggest screening for celiac disease before and during treatment in patients with viral and autoimmune hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are two major types of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed in the innate immune system compartments, in charge of identifying a wide range of microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of TLR-2 , - 7 , and - 8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of UC patients as a novel non-invasive primary inflammation sensor for monitoring the clinical course of UC candidates., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, total RNA was extracted from the PBMC of 42 UC patients along with 20 healthy donors. The mRNA levels of TLR-2 , - 7 , and - 8 were assessed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain (qRT-PCR) reaction., Results: The present research study demonstrated no significant changes in TLR-2 mRNA expression in UC patients in comparison with the control group ( P = 0.1264), whereas significant elevation ( P = 0.0008) was distinguished in the TLR-7 expression of UC participants specifically during the remission course compared with healthy donors and flareup patients ( P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0063, respectively). The last selected TLR, TLR-8 was not shown remarkable changes either between UC patients and the control group or between clinical courses of the disease., Conclusion: Here, among three nominated TLRs for predicting UC patients, TLR -7 was potentially selected according to the significant difference in mRNA expression in flareup UC patients and control donors. TLR -7 could be used as a novel non-invasive biomarker for monitoring UC patients in the active course of the disease., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is mostly due to a series of genetic alterations that are being greatly under the influence of the environmental factors. These changes, mutational or epigenetic modifications at transcriptional forefront and/or post-transcriptional effects via miRNAs, include inactivation and the conversion of proto-oncogene to oncogenes, and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSG). Here, a thorough review was carried out on the role of TSGs with the focus on the APC as the master regulator, mutated genes and mal-/dysfunctional pathways that lead to one type of hereditary form of the CRC; namely familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This review provides a venue towards defining candidate genes that can be used as new PCR-based markers for early diagnosis of FAP. In addition to diagnosis, defining the modes of genetic alterations will open door towards genome editing to either suppress the disease or reduce its progression during the course of action.

Objective: To assess the frequency of 2 different forms of hemochromatosis HFE gene mutations (C282Y and H63D mutations) in a normal population in comparison with type 2 diabetic patients., Methods: This case control study was undertaken in Zanjan Diabetic Care Center, Zanjan, western Tehran, in 2005. Two hundred and two individuals were included in this study: 101 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and 101 age, and gender-matched controls. The patients were examined for mutations in the HFE gene. Nucleotide 845 (C282Y) and 187 (H63D) alleles were amplified by polymerase chain reaction PCR with lymphocyte deoxy-ribonucleic acid. The PCR products were analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion. Chi-square, student's t test, and Fisher's exact tests were used for comparison, and odds' ratio was calculated., Results: Two hundred and two individuals were studied. The frequency of wild/C282Y alleles was 98/2% in T2DM patients, and 99/1% in controls p=0.6. The frequency of wild/H63D alleles was 68.3/31.7% in diabetics p=0.08, and 73.4/26.3% in control subjects p=0.08. The distribution of genotypes was not statistically different., Conclusion: Based on our data, HFE mutations were not found in excess in patients with T2DM, and there was no evidence that a population-based search for an excess of these alleles in type 2 diabetes was indicated.

Introduction: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is a frequent finding in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is responsible for delayed acid clearance as it affects esophageal emptying and saliva transport. Since erosive GERD is a more severe disease than nonerosive GERD, it may be associated with IEM, which delays esophageal clearance. Objective : We investigated the role of IEM in patients with erosive and nonerosive GERD., Methods: We enrolled 100 patients with heartburn and a primary diagnosis of GERD referred to the GI motility department of RCGLD of Shahid Beheshti University between January 2002 and January 2005. Based on endoscopic findings, the patients were classified into two groups of erosive GERD and nonerosive GERD. Manometry and 24-hour ambulatory pH-metry was performed in all patients., Results: Seventy-seven patients completed the study: 31 (40.3%) with erosive GERD and 46 (59.7%) with nonerosive GERD. IEM was present in 38.7% of patients with erosive GERD and in 28.3% of those with nonerosive GERD (p=0.18). A low lower esophageal sphincter pressure was present in 45.2% of patients with erosive GERD, and in 45.7% of those with nonerosive GERD (p=0.97). Abnormal acid reflux was present in 32.3% and 41.3% of patients with erosive and nonerosive GERD, respectively (p=0.42)., Conclusion: There was no difference in the prevalence of IEM between patients with erosive and nonerosive GERD. IEM could be an integral part of GERD and may not always be associated with mucosal injury.