Toll-Like Receptor 7 a Novel Non-Invasive Inflammatory Genetic Sensor for Ulcerative Colitis Remission Monitoring.

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.

Detoxification of aflatoxin M1 by probiotics Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus acidophilus in reconstituted milk.

Aim: The current study aimed to remove aflatoxin from reconstituted milk by adding three probiotics, namely Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Background: Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi that are found naturally all over the world. They can contaminate food crops and pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock. Microbial detoxification is one method of eliminating aflatoxins, including aflatoxin M1. Methods: For this purpose, about 109 and 107 cfu/ml of S. boulardii, L. casei, and L. acidophilus were inoculated into skim milk without aflatoxin M1. The samples were then spiked by aflatoxin M1 in concentrations of 0.5 and 0.75 ng/ml. The concentration of the aflatoxin residing in supernatant of milk samples after different storage times (30 and 90 minutes) and temperatures of 4 ℃ and 37 °C was measured by ELISA method, and the results were confirmed by HPLC. Results: The results showed that the highest amount of aflatoxin M1 removal was related to S. boulardii (96.88 ± 3.79c) with a microbial density concentration of 109 cfu/ml and toxin concentration of 0.75 ng/ml at 37 °C for 90 minutes and then to L. acidophilus (71.46 ± 3.79b) with a microbial density concentration of 107 cfu/ml and toxin concentration 0.75 ng/ml at 4 °C for 90 minutes. Furthermore, the maximum level of AFM1 binding to 107 cfu/ml of L. casei with average binding percentages of 64.31 ± 3/79c was 0.75 ng/ml at 37 °C for 90 minutes. Conclusion: The results revealed the possibility of using S. boulardii in combination with the selected probiotics of L. casei and L. acidophilus in the detoxification of AFM1-contaminated milk.

Comparison of endoscopic balloon dilatation potency using balloons size more or less than 15 mm in the treatment of large bile duct stones: a clinical trial study.

AIM: The present study was performed on patients with large bile duct stones to compare clinical outcomes and complications of balloon dilatation treatment between two sizes of balloons, < 15 mm and ≥ 15 mm. BACKGROUND: in 1982, the endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) method was presented by Staritz to reduce bleeding and perforation risk of large bile duct stones. METHODS: Patients with large bile duct stones admitted to Taleghani hospital from December 2018 to December 2019 who were the candidates for balloon dilation with limited sphincterotomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group B, a ≥ 15 mm balloon was used, and in group A, a balloon <15 mm was used. The clinical results of balloon dilation and its complications were recorded and compared. RESULTS: Most patients had 1 or 2 large bile duct stones, and there was no significant difference in the number of stones. Extraction was successful in 92.8% of group B and 85.7% of group A without significant differences (P = 0.8). Pancreatitis, hemorrhage, cholangitis, and perfusion occurred in 8%, 4.2%, 1.4%, and 2.8% of group B subjects and also in 10%, 2.8%, 0%, and 1.4% of group A subjects, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: Generally, this study results showed that balloon size did not have a significant effect on the success rate of bile duct stones. Moreover, considering the lack of significant association between balloon dilatation size and the occurrence of post-endoscopic complications such as pancreatitis, it seems that large-size dilatation has no serious clinical risk.

Investigating the human protein-host protein interactome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the small intestine.

AIM: The present study aimed to identify human protein-host protein interactions of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the small intestine to discern the potential mechanisms and gain insights into the associated biomarkers and treatment strategies. BACKGROUND: Deciphering the tissue and organ interactions of the SARS-CoV-2 infection can be important to discern the potential underlying mechanisms. In the present study, we investigated the human protein-host protein interactions in the small intestine. METHODS: Public databases and published works were used to collect data related to small intestine tissue and SARS-CoV-2 infection. We constructed a human protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and showed interactions of host proteins in the small intestine. Associated modules, biological processes, functional pathways, regulatory transcription factors, disease ontology categories, and possible drug candidates for therapeutic targets were identified. RESULTS: Thirteen primary protein neighbors were found for the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2. ACE2 and its four partners were observed in a highly clustered module; moreover, 8 host proteins belonged to this module. The protein digestion and absorption as a significant pathway was highlighted with enriched genes of ACE2, MEP1A, MEP1B, DPP4, and XPNPEP2. The HNF4A, HNF1A, and HNF1B transcription factors were found to be regulating the expression of ACE2. A significant association with 12 diseases was deciphered and 116 drug-target interactions were identified. CONCLUSION: The protein-host protein interactome revealed the important elements and interactions for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the small intestine, which can be useful in clarifying the mechanisms of gastrointestinal symptoms and inflammation. The results suggest that antiviral targeting of these interactions may improve the condition of COVID-19 patients.

Signature of Gut Microbiome by Conventional and Advanced Analysis Techniques: Advantages and Disadvantages.

Gut microbiota is considered as a human organ with its own specific functions and complexity. Development of novel techniques such as shut gun sequencing, metagenomics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled bypassing the traditional culturedependent bias and has significantly expanded our understanding of the composition, diversity, and roles of the gut microbiota in human health and diseases. Although amplicon sequencing characterizes the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome, it is impossible to cover the direct evidence of the microbial biological functions related to the gut microbial community. Hence, the critical next step for gut microbiome studies is shifting from gene/ genome-centric analysis to mechanism-centric techniques by integrating omics data with experimental results. Realizing gut microbial diversity and their bioactive metabolites function will provide insight into the clinical application of gut microbiota in diagnoses and treatments of several diseases. In this review, we focused on explaining the conventional and advanced microbiome analysis techniques regarding gut microbiota investigation with considering the advantages and disadvantages of the platforms.

The synergistic impact of NSAIDs and aggressive hydration therapy on the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis in high -risk and low -risk patients.

AIM: The main complication of Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). BACKGROUND: Based on demographic characteristics and underlying issues and ERCP indication, patients are categorized as high risk or low risk. There have been no studies on the synergistic effects of NSAIDS and hydration therapy, separately sorted by the risk assessment of PEP in different groups of patients. METHODS: This study included 281 eligible participants after exclusion. According to demographic characteristics and co-morbidities, the patients were divided to high risk and low risk. The high-risk group was divided randomly into two subgroups and both of them received NSAIDs (100 mg rectal Diclofenac). One group received standard hydration (1.5mg/kg/hr), another the other received aggressive hydration (3mg/kg/h). The low-risk group received standard hydration. One of its subgroups received NSAIDs, while others did not. The efficacy of these preventions was compared across 4 subgroups. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.85±17.17. Eight hours after ERCP, the amylase and lipase were significantly higher in the high-risk group with standard hydration (P=0.00). Amylase, lipase 8 hours, between two low risk subgroups, NSAIDs had no significant effect (P=0.38, P=0.95, respectively). After adjustment based on cannulation, manipulation and duration of time, the results had no change (P=0.64, P=0.19, P=0.61). CONCLUSION: The aggressive hydration could significantly decrease the risk of PEP. However, the low-risk group was exposed to the lowest risk of PEP. NSAIDs could not help to decrease the rate PEP in the low-risk groups alone. Overall, it seems hydration and NSAIDs therapy had synergistic outcome in high-risk patients.

Predication of hub target genes of differentially expressed microRNAs contributing to Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric non-cancerous tissue.

AIM: The main goal of this investigation was to provide an overview on H.pylori effect on gastric tissue via bioinformatics analysis of microarray-identified miRNAs and its target genes. BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs which control about 30 to 60% of gene expression in human body play a critical role in different cell growth stages. Expression modification of non-coding (NC) RNAs in H.pylori infections requires further investigations to provide better understanding of their roles in the body. METHODS: GSE54397, the microRNA microarray dataset, was analyzed by GEO2R, the online GEO database for detection of differentially expressed microRNAs and lastly the potential target genes as well as their associated pathways. RESULTS: A total of 244 miRNAs were detected as differentially expressed (p<0.05 and FC>2) in non-cancerous tissue of gastric with H.pylori infection in comparison with tissues without H.pylori infection. The findings indicated that hub microRNAs and target genes of up-regulated network are KIF9, DCTN3, and CA5BP1 along with hsa-miR-519d, hsa-miR-573, hsa-miR-646, hsa-miR-92a-1, hsa-miR-186, and hsa-miR-892a, respectively. For the down-regulated network, genes of RABGAP1, HSPB11 and microRNAs of hsa-miR-620, hsa-miR-19b-2, hsa-miR-555, and hsa-let-7f-2 were hubs. Most of the up-regulated microRNAs are involved in gastric cancer development while there is no evidence for the down-regulated ones. Yet, all of the hub down-regulated miRNAs are reported to have associations with different kinds of cancer. CONCLUSION: The introduced hub miRNAs and genes may serve as feasible markers in the mechanisms of H.pylori infection for different kinds of gastric diseases, in particular gastric cancer. However, their role requires further investigations.

Association of IL28B (IFNL3) rs12979860 mRNA levels, viral load, and liver function among HCV genotype 1a patients.

AIM: The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation of interleukin 28B (IL28B, IFNL3) rs12979860 mRNA levels, viral load, and liver function among hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients genotype 1a. BACKGROUND: HCV is considered essentially hepatotropic and is a major health problem around the world. METHODS: This study included 100 HCV-infected patients with HCV genotype1a (G1a) and rs12979860 CC genotype. These patients were divided into two groups according to HCV treatment. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and HCV Load were measured and recorded for each patient. IL28B mRNA levels were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay, and their correlation with clinical data were analyzed. STRING was applied to construct a network and identify interactions between IL28B (IFNL3) and its significant neighbor proteins. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant relationship between the ALT as well as ALP levels with IL28B rs12979860 mRNA expression level in men, and also with age >50 years. In the treated group, AST level and HCV load had a significant relationship with IL28B mRNA expression level. The results showed that the level of ALP and AST decreased significantly with increased IL28B mRNA expression level in the treated and untreated group, respectively. STRING database showed that IL28B (IFNL3) interacted with ten important neighbor proteins with some of these proteins being involved in signal transduction pathway activating antiviral response. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that rs12979860CC genotype could predict IL28B mRNA expression level in HCV-infected patients with G1a. Furthermore, IL28B mRNA expression level may serve as a useful marker for the development of G1a HCV-associated outcomes.

Lack of Association between Interleukin 23R (IL-23R) rs10889677 Polymorphism and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility In an Iranian Population.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are inflammatory disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. A combination of inflammatory cytokines has an important role in IBD development. Genome-wide association studies have shown that polymorphisms in the interleukin-23R gene (IL-23R) increase susceptibility to IBD. The aim of this study was to investigate the IL-23R 3' UTR SNP to determine a potential association between genotype distribution and IBD. METHODS: The case group included 102 IBD patients and the control group included 107 healthy individuals. IL-23R polymorphisms rs10889677 were genotyped using PCR-RFLP analysis. RFLP results were confirmed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: The allele and genotype frequencies in patients and controls were evaluated and compared, and no significant association between this functional rs10889677 polymorphism and risk of IBD was observed (P=0.587; adjusted OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.597-1.339). We also found no significant association between CD (14.71%) and UC (85.29%) patients in allele or genotype levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the rs10889677 A>C polymorphism is not a potential prognostic marker in Iranian patients with IBD.

Evaluation of IL-12A, IL-12B, IL-23A and IL-27 mRNA expression level genes in peripheral mononuclear cells of inflammatory bowel disease patients in an Iranian population.

AIM: Aim of this study was to compare the gene expression of Interleukin 12 members in two phase of IBD. BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a well-known gastrointestinal disorder in the world that fluctuates between remission and flare-up phases. Each of these phases has an individual immune system response profile. Therefore, analyzing the interleukins (IL) expression status improves the diagnosis and the classification of the IBD cases. METHODS: In this a case-control study, among 400 patients whom admitted to the IBD clinic, forty nine IBD patients were included. Patients were divided into three categories based on 1) the phase of the disease, 2) the type of IBD, Ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), and 3) the therapeutic pathways. Using the real-time PCR method, the expression levels of IL-12A, IL-12B, IL-23A, and IL-27 were examined in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and compared to the pre-described subgroups. RESULTS: the data showed upregulation in the expression levels of IL-12A and IL-12B in the remission phase in comparison with the flare-up. However, no significant changes were obtained from the evaluation of IL-23A and IL-27. In addition, the mRNA levels of the target genes in the subgroups of Category 2 as well as Category 3 were similar. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that expression patterns of the IL-12A and IL-12B genes varied between the remission and flare-up phases for the IBD patients, and may be considered as potential biomarkers for the detection and the classification of IBD cases.

Barrett's esophagus network analysis revealed that arginine, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, valine, leucine and isoleucine can be biomarkers.

AIM: Identification of crucial genes and possible biomarkers which are involved in Barrett's esophagus (BE) disease was aim of this study. BACKGROUND: BE is diagnosed by endoscopy and biopsy and is characterized by esophageal columnar metaplastic epithelium. BE can convert into dysplasia that finally results cancer condition. METHODS: Gene expression profiles of BE and normal gastric cardia which are characterized by GSE34619 and GPL6244 platform (1) were retrieved from gene expression omnibus (GEO). The significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed via protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis. The nodes of network were enriched via gene ontology (GO) to find biological terms. Action map of network elements was provided. RESULTS: Among 250 top DEGs, 100 ones were included in PPI network and KIT, CFTR, IMPDH2, MYB, FLT1, ATP4A, and CPS1 were recognized as prominent genes related to BE. Seven amino acids including arginine, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, valine, leucine and isoleucine which are related to BE were highlighted. CONCLUSION: In conclusion five central DEGs; KIT, CFTR, IMPDH2, MYB, and FLT1 were proposed as possible biomarkers for BE. However, validation and more experimental information is require to finalize the findings.

Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel diseases: insight into diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology which mostly involves the intestine and requires a personalized approach for treatment. IBD represents a heterogeneous group of patients with inherently variable disease courses. Hence, the heterogeneity of patient populations may delay the diagnosis, clinical practice and initiation of appropriate treatment. Use of biomarkers for diagnosis and management of IBD is still necessary. Descriptions of the immunological pathway abnormalities in IBD improve assessment to identify the patient's disease status, and relative risk of progression to complicated disease behaviors, and this information may ultimately influence therapeutic decisions. In this study, we try to explain the role of biomarkers in early diagnosis, estimating prognosis, and target agents for correct managements of IBD's patients. This information might be important to provide insight into emerging panels of multiple IBD biomarkers and highlighting the essential role of personalizes panel for each patient.

Evaluation of prognostic factors effect on survival time in patients with colorectal cancer, based on Weibull Competing-Risks Model.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the association between survival of patients with colorectal cancer and prognostic factors in a competing risk parametric model using Weibull distribution. BACKGROUND: The prognosis of colorectal cancer is relatively good in terms of survival time. In many prognostic studies, patients may be exposed to several types of competing events. These different causes of death are called competing risks. METHODS: Data was recorded from 372 patients with colorectal cancer who registered in the Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran) from 2004 to 2015 in a retrospective study. Analysis was performed using competing risks model and Weibull distribution. Software used for data analysis was R, and significance level was regarded as 0.05. RESULTS: The result indicated that, at the end of follow-up, 111 (29.8%) deaths were from colorectal cancer and 14 (3.8%) deaths were due to other diseases. The average body mass index (BMI) was 24.61(SD 3.98). The mean survival time for a patient in 372 was 62.05(SD 48.78) month with median equals to 48 months. According to competing-risks method, only stageIII (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.246-2.315 ), stageIV( HR, 4.51; 95% CI,2.91-6.99 ) and BMI( HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.96-0.975) have a significant effect on patient's survival time. CONCLUSION: This study indicated pathologic stage (III,IV) and BMI as the prognosis, using a Weibull model with competing risks analysis, while other models without the competing events lead to significant predictors which may be due to over-estimation.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging disease with high prevalence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Many studies have reported the prevalence of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. However, these results are inconsistent. METHODS: A Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, web of science and Science Direct from 2005 to August 2017. The necessary information was extracted. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic. Meta-regression analyses were performed to the estimation of the relationship between the year of study and sample size with the prevalence of NAFLD. Publication bias was assessed by both Begg rank correlation and Egger tests. Subgroup analysis was performed for identification of sources heterogeneity. RESULTS: Seventeen studies involving 10897 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with NAFLD were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients by random effects models was 54% (95% CI, 45%- 64%). There is a significant heterogeneity across studies with (I2= 99%, p> 0.01). The funnel plot as graphically and Begg and Egger as statistically showed no publication bias among studies. Subgroup analysis indicated that the prevalence of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients differed in predictive factors such as lipid profile, BMI, HbA1c, AST, and ALT. This finding in spite of heterogeneity of documents is corresponding to the positive correlation between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that the overall prevalence of NAFLD among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is significantly higher. It can be concluded that type 2 diabetes mellitus patients should be managed to prevent NAFLD.

Evaluation of involved proteins in colon adenocarcinoma: an interactome analysis.

AIM: Assessment of related genes to colon cancer to introduce crucial ones, was the aim of this research. BACKGROUND: Colon cancer is one of the invasive colorectal diseases. This disease is preventable and manageable if it be diagnosed in early stage. The aggressive tools for its detection imply more investigation for new molecular diagnostic methods. METHODS: Numbers of 300 genes from String database (SD) are analyzed via constructed Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network by Cytoscape software 3.4.0. Based on centrality parameters the main connected component of network was analyzed and the crucial genes were introduced. Cluster analysis of the network and gene ontology for the nodes of the main cluster revealed more details about the role of the key proteins related to colon cancer disease. RESULTS: The constructed network was consisted of 300 genes which among them 68 genes were isolated and the 232 other genes formed the main connected component. Ten crucial genes related to colon adenocarcinoma were introduced that presented in cluster 1. Gene ontology analysis showed that cluster 1 is involved in 226 biological processes which are classified in 25 groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, results indicate that the identified key proteins play significant roles in colon adenocarcinoma. It may be possible to introduce a few diagnostic biomarker candidates for colon cancer disease.

Introduction of inflammatory bowel disease biomarkers panel using protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis.

AIM: In the present study, a protein-protein interaction network construction is conducted for IBD. BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases as serious chronic gastrointestinal disorders attracted many molecular investigations. Diverse molecular information is present for IBD. However, these molecular findings are not highlighted based on interactome analysis. On the other hand, PPI network analysis is a powerful method for study of molecular interactions in the protein level that provide useful information for highlighting the desired key proteins. METHODS: Cytoscape is the used software with its plug-ins for detailed analysis. Two centrality parameters including degree and betweenness are determined and the crucial proteins based on these parameters are introduced. RESULTS: The 75 proteins among 100 initial proteins are included in the network of IBD. Seventy-five nodes and 260 edges constructed the network as a scale free network. The findings indicate that there are seven hub-bottleneck proteins in the IBD network. CONCLUSION: More examination revealed the essential roles of these key proteins in the integrity of the network. Finally, the indicator panel including NFKB1, CD40, TNFA, TYK2, NOD2, IL23R, and STAT3 is presented as a possible molecular index for IBD.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori on metabolic syndrome parameters in diabetic patients.

AIM: The aim of this study is to survey the effect of Helicobacter Pylori on metabolic syndrome parameters in diabetic patients. BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is the most common infection in developing countries. Some studies showed the association between HP infection and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a major mechanism in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and it is said that MetS is more prevalent among HP infected subjects. Also, some studies have shown that MetS is common among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of MetS in diabetic patients and its association with HP. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out from May to December 2014 on 211 diabetic patients. For each patient, the following data were collected: age, gender, diabetes duration, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), HDL, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, and HbA1c. The lipid profile was performed on fasting samples. Anti- HP IgG antibody was measured and serum titer >30AU/mL was considered positive. MetS was diagnosed by The National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III report (NCEP-ATPIII) and IDF criteria. RESULTS: Totally 139 patients (65.9%) were HP+ and 72 patients (34.1%) were HP-. Age, gender and diabetes duration were not significantly different in both groups. BMI was significantly lower in HP+ women (29.05±5.26 vs. 31.45±4.8, p=0.02). Although the waist circumference of men was not different between the two groups but it was significantly lower in HP+ women (102.04±12.37 vs. 97.3±10, p=0.03). Although BP and TG levels were not statistically different in HP+ and HP- patients, but HP+ patients had lower HDL level (p=0.037) which was due to lower HDL in men (58.2±26.6 vs. 72.48±28.1, p=0.012). The prevalence of MetS according to the IDF criteria among HP+ and HP- patients was 76.6% vs. 69.8% (p=0.27). Also, the prevalence of MetS according to NCEP-ATP III criteria among HP+ and HP- patients was 90.4% vs. 87.2% (p=0.5). Duration of diabetes did not affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among HP+ and HP- patients. CONCLUSION: It seems that HP infection increases the prevalence of metabolic syndrome through an increase in insulin resistance. According to NCEP-ATPIII criteria, the increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in HP+ patients is almost significant, however more complete studies is recommended to investigate this relationship.

Novel Missense Mutation at Codon 2774 (C.8321 G>A) p.S2774N of APC Gene in a Denovo Case of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by germline mutation in Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene. FAP accounts less than 1% of all colorectal cancers incidence. Patients generally present hundreds to thousands of adenomas in colon and rectum and develop colorectal cancer by age 35 - 40 if left untreated. A milder form of FAP with fewer numbers of polyps (< 100) is Attenuated FAP (AFAP) and in comparison with classical FAP, it usually diagnosed at an older age. Approximately 15% - 20% of FAP patients are ''de novo'' cases without any family history of the disease and novel APC mutations account for approximately 25% of FAP cases. In our study, we reported a novel missense mutation at the APC gene in a denovo patient with AFAP like phenotype.