Epidemiological, Endoscopic, Clinical, and Pathological Features of Patients with Celiac Diseases in Southern Littoral of Caspian Sea.

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder resulting from gluten consumption in genetically predisposed individuals. The present study investigated the epidemiological, endoscopic, and clinicopathological features of patients with celiac disease in the southern littoral of the Caspian Sea. Methods: 140 patients with celiac disease were interviewed and examined regarding demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and serologic, endoscopic, and pathological findings. Results: 44 (31.4%) of the patients were male and 68.6% were female. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 27.13±13.4 years (ranging from 2 to 60 years). The most common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were bloating (47.8%), abdominal pain (47.1%) and diarrhea (30.7%), respectively. Also, 17 (12.1%) patients did not complain of any GI symptoms.18 (12.8%) patients had aphthous stomatitis, 10.7% had dermatitis herpetiformis, 3.6% suffered from itching without a rash, two (1.4%) mentioned psoriasis and one (0.7%) had lichen planus. 19 (19.7%) of the female patients complained of menstrual bleeding disorders, 4% mentioned infertility, and 2% experienced primary amenorrhea. The most common comorbid condition was hypothyroidism in 16 (11.4%) patients. The most common endoscopic finding was duodenal scalloping (37.25%). In addition, 7.8% of the patients had a normal endoscopic appearance. 43 (30.7%) patients were classified as Marsh IIIC, 25.7% Marsh IIIB, 17.8% Marsh IIIA, 12.8% Marsh II and 12.8% were classified as Marsh I. Conclusion: Since celiac disease can present with non-GI manifestations and the majority of our patients had Marsh III classification, it seems that celiac disease must be considered as a routine screening test in GI clinics, and also, it should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis in other specialty fields.

Expression patterns of seven key genes, including ß-catenin, Notch1, GATA6, CDX2, miR-34a, miR-181a and miR-93 in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and a major cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Incidence of GC is affected by various factors, including genetic and environmental factors. Despite extensive research has been done for molecular characterization of GC, it remains largely unknown. Therefore, further studies specially conducted among various ethnicities in different geographic locations, are required to know the precise molecular mechanisms leading to tumorigenesis and progression of GC. The expression patterns of seven candidate genes, including ß-catenin, Notch1, GATA6, CDX2, miR-34a, miR-181a, and miR-93 were determined in 24 paired GC tissues and corresponding non-cancerous tissues by quantitative Real-Time PCR. The association between the expression of these genes and clinicopathologic factors were also investigated. Our results demonstrated that overall mRNA levels of GATA6 were significantly decreased in the tumor samples in comparison with the non-cancerous tissues (median fold change (FC) = 0.3143; P = 0.0003). Overall miR-93 levels were significantly increased in the tumor samples relative to the non-cancerous gastric tissues (FC = 2.441; P = 0.0002). ß-catenin mRNA expression showed a strong positive correlation with miR-34a (r = 0.5784; P = 0.0031), and miR-181a (r = 0.5652; P = 0.004) expression. miR-34a and miR-181a expression showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.4862; P = 0.016). Moreover, lower expression of Notch1 was related to distant metastasis in GC patients with a borderline statistical significance (p = 0.0549). These data may advance our understanding of the molecular biology that drives GC as well as provide potential targets for defining novel therapeutic strategies for GC treatment.

A Comparison between Hybrid and Concomitant Regimens for Helicobacter Pylori Eradication: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide. We designed a study to compare the efficacy of 14-day hybrid regimen with 10-day concomitant therapy for H. pylori eradication in Iran. METHODS 252 patients with naïve H. pylori infection were randomly divided to receive either hybrid regimen (pantoprazole 40 mg, and amoxicillin 1 gr twice daily for 14 days, accompanied by clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg, twice daily just during the last 7 days) or concomitant regimen (pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1 gr, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg, all twice daily for 10 days). 8 weeks after therapy, 14C- urease breath test was performed to confirm eradication. RESULTS According to intention to treat analysis, the eradication rates were 87.3% (95% CI: 81.4-93.1) and 80.9% (95% CI: 74-87.8) in hybrid and concomitant groups, respectively (p=0.38). Per-protocol eradication rates were 89.3% (95% CI: 83.8-94.7) and 83.1% (95% CI: 76.3-89.8), respectively (p=0.19). The rates of severe side effects were not statistically different between the two groups (4% vs. 8.7%). CONCLUSION 14-day hybrid therapy can be considered as a nearly acceptable regimen with few severe side effects in Iran. However, it seems that the efficacy of this therapy is decreasing as the resistance rates to antibiotics are increasing. We suggest further studies to assess the efficacy of a more prolonged concomitant therapy for H. pylori eradication in Iran.

Comparison of quadruple and triple Furazolidone containing regimens on eradication of helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of classic standard triple therapy regimen of helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has decreased to unacceptably low levels, largely related to development of resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin. Thus successful eradication of H. pylori infections remains challenging. Therefore alternative treatments with superior effectiveness and safety should be designed and appropriately tested in all areas depending on the native resistance patterns. Furazolidone has been used successfully in eradication regimens previously and regimens containing furazolidone may be an ideal regimen. METHODS: H. pylori infected patients with proven gastric or duodenal ulcers and /or gastric or duodenal erosions at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari/Northern Iran, were randomly allocated into three groups: group A (OABF) with furazolidone (F) (200 mg bid.), group B (OABM-F) metronidazole (M) (500 mg bid.) for the first five days, followed by furazolidone (F) (200 mg bid.) for the second five days and group C (OAF) with furazolidone (F) (200 mg tid.). Omeprazole (O) (20 mg bid.) and amoxicillin (A) (1000 mg bid.) were given in all groups; bismuth (B) (240 mg bid.) was prescribed in groups A & B. Duration of all eradication regimens were ten days. Eight weeks after treatment, a 14C-urea breath test was performed for evaluation of H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: A total of 372 patients were enrolled in three groups randomly (124 patients in each group); 120 (97%) patients in group A (OABF), 120 (97%) in group B (OABM-F) and 116 (93%) in group C (OAF) completed the study. The intention-to-treat eradication rates were 83.7% (95% CI= 77.3-90.4), 79.8% (95% CI= 72.6-87), and 84.6% (95% CI= 78.2-91.1) and per-protocol eradication rates were 86.6% (95% CI= 80.5-92.8), 82.5% (95% CI= 75.6-89.4), and 90.5% (95% CI= 85.1-95.9) for groups OABF, OABM-F, and OAF, respectively. No statistical significant differences were found in case of severe drug adverse effects between the above mentioned three groups (p> 0.05). The most common side effects, namely nausea and fever, occurred in all groups, but more frequently in group C (OAF) (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: In developing countries such as Iran, furazolidone-based regimens can substitute clarithromycinbased regimens for H. pylori eradication because of a very low level of resistance, low cost and high effectiveness. Considering per-protocol eradication rate of ten days OAF regimen, and the acceptable limit of ninety percent, we recommend this regimen in developing countries such as Iran to be substituted of classic standard triple therapy. In order to minimize rare serious adverse effects, one week high dose OAF regimen should be taken into consideration in other studies.

Comparison Between 10- and 14-Day Hybrid Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has always been a concern. In our previous study, 14-day hybrid regimen showed ideal results. Based on these findings, we decided to compare the efficacy of 10- and 14-day hybrid regimens for H. pylori eradication. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy patients with peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection were enrolled in the study. One hundred and thirty-four patients received 10-day hybrid regimen (PACT-10): pantoprazole, 40 mg, and amoxicillin, 1 g, both twice daily for 10 days; plus clarithromycin, 500 mg, and tinidazole, 500 mg, both twice daily just during the last 5 days. One hundred and thirty-six patients received 14-day hybrid regimen (PACT-14): pantoprazole, 40 mg, and amoxicillin, 1 g, both twice a day for 14 days; plus clarithromycin, 500 mg, and tinidazole, 500 mg, both twice daily just for the last 7 days. Eight weeks after treatment, (14) C-urea breath test was performed to evaluate H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty patients (124 patients in PACT-10 and 126 patients in PACT-14 regimens) completed the study. The intention-to-treat eradication rates were 77.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 70.6-84.6%) and 86% (95% CI: 80-92%) for the two regimens, respectively (p = .17). Per-protocol eradication rates were 83.8% (95% CI: 80-86%) and 92.8% (95% CI: 88-96%), respectively (p < .01). There were no significant intergroup differences in compliance to treatment or discontinuation of therapy due to severe side effects. CONCLUSION: Ten-day hybrid regimen could not achieve acceptable eradication rate. However, 14-day hybrid regimen seems to be an acceptable option for H. pylori eradication in Iran.

Fecal calprotectin and ulcerative colitis endoscopic activity index as indicators of mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory large bowel disease with recurrent variable periods of exacerbation. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the correlation of UCEIS with fecal calprotectin (FC) level to assess disease activity in UC patients in order to determine whether FC can prognosticate clinical outcome and disease activity of UC instead of colonoscopic evaluation. Our endoscopic investigations revealed the extension of UC as the following: proctitis (11.6%), procto-sigmoiditis (18.5%), left-sided colitis (15.8%), extensive colitis (11.7%), and normal endoscopy (42.4%). Conclusively, we suggest that FC can be used as a reliable tool to evaluate disease activity in ulcerative colitis patients. Moreover, our findings indicate a significant correlation between FC level and mucosal healing.

Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding due to Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Induced Colopathy Case Report and Literature Review.

The adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and small intestine are well established. The effect of such therapy on the large intestine, so called NSAID-induced colopathy, is less well described. NSAID-induced colopathy usually involves the right colon due to a higher concentration of the drug at this site, but the rectum may also be involved. NSAIDs possibly damage the normal large intestine, which presents as ulceration, colitis and stricture. Even though several studies found that NSAIDs can cause diverticular bleeding and perforation, flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease ,and play a role as an etiologic factor in lymphocytic colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases , malignancy and infectious colitis must be ruled out before establishing the diagnosis of NSAID -induced colopathy. Discontinuation of the offending drug is mandatory. Here, we have reported the case of a 43-year-old female, NSAID user due to low back pain, who was admitted to the hospital with painless hematochezia.