Helicobacter pylori infection coexisting with intestinal metaplasia is not associated with colorectal neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and our country. Studies have indicated that there might be a relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and colorectal neoplasia (CN), although others have not found any relationship. AIM: To determine whether there is a potential relationship between Hp and CN in our patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 314 patients, aged 16-86 years, who underwent gastroscopy and colonoscopy at our department between 2015 and 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The age, gender, endoscopy results, presence of Hp, complete blood count (CBC), vitamin B12, folic acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), and sedimentation levels of the patients were examined. RESULTS: CBC, ferritin, vitamin B12, and CRP measurements did not show statistical significance in terms of the presence of Hp (p > 0.05). Folate values of Hp-positive patients were significantly lower than Hp-negative patients (p = 0.007; p < 0.01). No significant relationship was detected between Hp and colon cancer (p > 0.05). Adenomatous polyps were not related to Hp (p > 0.05). Correlation between intestinal metaplasia (IM) and adenomatous polyps was insignificant. There was no statistically significant difference between colon and gastric pathology results. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, no significant relationship was noted between Hp and CN. A few studies have been conducted in our country, and our results are consistent with some of these studies while it is contradictory to others. Large populational multicentre studies are needed in order to identify the relationship between Hp and CN.

Idiopathic Intrahepatic Cholestasis as an Unusual Presentation of Hodgkin's Disease.

Intrahepatic cholestasis in the form of paraneoplastic phenomena is an uncommon presentation of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Herein we report the diagnosis of mixed type HL-related idiopathic intrahepatic cholestasis in a 73-year-old man presenting with jaundice, after the inguinal lymph node biopsy indicative of mixed cellular type HL and liver biopsy consistent with intrahepatic cholestasis, following several diagnostic interventions including surgery for suspected extrahepatic obstructive cholestasis. Our findings emphasize the value of early liver biopsy in the diagnostic algorithm along with consideration of HL-related idiopathic intrahepatic cholestasis as a diagnosis of exclusion in cholestatic jaundice of obscure origin.

Relationship between levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum BDNF levels and various metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 88 T2DM patients and 33 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the patients and the control group. The serum levels of BDNF were measured with an ELISA kit. The current paper introduces a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) generalization curve to identify cut-off for the BDNF values in type 2 diabetes patients. RESULTS: The serum levels of BDNF were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in the healthy controls (206.81 ± 107.32 pg/mL versus 130.84 ± 59.81 pg/mL; P < 0.001). They showed a positive correlation with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.28; P < 0.05), the triglyceride level (r = 0.265; P < 0.05), and white blood cell (WBC) count (r = 0.35; P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, age (P < 0.05), body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05), C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.05), and BDNF (P < 0.01) were independently associated with T2DM. In ROC curve analysis, BDNF cut-off was 137. CONCLUSION: The serum BDNF level was higher in patients with T2DM. The BDNF had a cut-off value of 137. The findings suggest that BDNF may contribute to glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation.

A case of inflammatory pseudotumor in the spleen.

A case of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen is presented. A 43-year-old woman was hospitalized for a detailed examination due to pancytopenia, which was diagnosed during an examination related to left upper quadrant abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a 2 to 3 cm splenomegaly. Reticulocyte count was 4% and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 55 mm/h. No other important findings were noted, except for an evident increase in myeloid series and megakaryocytes (more evident in erythroid series) on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed splenomegaly and a centrally located hypodense lesion with a 92 X 86 mm axial diameter in the spleen. With a hematologic malignancy prediagnosis, a splenectomy was performed on the patient because of pancytopenia and splenomegaly. An intrasplenic, centrally located, well-limited, capsulated lesion (9.5 x 11 x 10 cm in diameter) was discovered on macroscopic examination of the material. A cellular infiltration area was seen on microscopic examination. The spleen capsule was mildly fibrotically thickened. The lesion that separated from the spleen tissue consisted of diffusely proliferated fusiform fibroblasts, heterogenous inflammatory cells consisting mainly of plasma cells, lymphocytes, sparse neutrophils and vascular elements. No granuloma or multinuclear giant cells were detected. Pancytopenia improved on follow-up. The patient followed up for two years, is now healthy and has no complaints.