GOVARESH JOURNAL
Year:2018 | Volume:23 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:10

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) constitutes the most common type of EC in Asian countries. Despite advanced surgical techniques, 5-year survival of the affected patients is very low. Therefore, identification of genetic factors and cellular regulatory pathways, including microRNAs (miRNAs), in esophageal carcinogenesis is necessary for early detection. MiRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA about 18-24 nucleotides in length that negatively regulate gene expression. Deregulation of miRNAs was shown to have a crucial role in the pathways underlying tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Evidence indicates that aberrant expression pattern of miR-100 is associated with pathogenesis of ESCC. The function and expression pattern of miR-100 in ESCC are controversial and its effects in tumor progression has not been fully elucidated. A better understanding of molecular procedures mediated by miR-100 in carcinogenesis, may lead to the opportunity of exploring potential miR-100 based therapeutic applications. In this review, we provide an overview of miR-100, including its important regulation pathways and target genes involved in the development of cancers, emphasizing on its potential role in ESCC.

For the past 90 years all asymptomatic hydatid cysts of the liver are routinely removed surgically to prevent serious complication. The mortality of such operations are above 6%, while major complications of untreated liver hydatid cysts are less than 6%. The best way to manage incidentally discovered asymptomatic liver hydatid cysts is to fully understand their natural history: 1) The pericyst layer surrounding most liver hydatid cysts will become thicker and calcified. Such changes are known as PDCs (Pericyst Degenerative Changes) on computed tomography (CT) and indicate that these cysts can no longer grow in size and, therefore, need not to be operated upon. They can be followed up by CT (not sonography or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) at intervals of 1-5 years, and no sooner, to avoid radiation exposure. Albendazole can be prescribed for them under supervision if they show no PDCs on CT. Mild, intermittent pain of abdomen or flank is not a sign of complication. 2) The inside field of hydatid cysts on CT and not sonography or MRI) should be inspected at intervals of 1-5 years. Finding any structures (usually some lines) suggests that there has been detachment of the parasite from the host, called LMD (Laminated Membrane Detachment). These cysts will reach involution or develop daughter cysts over next 10 years, and also need not to be operated upon. Patients who develop jaundice, sever pain and fever, or have air in their cysts on CT, or have developed complications need to be operated upon, including ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography).

Background: CagA, a 120-to 145-kD Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) protein, increases the risk of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer (GC). The pathogenic CagA contains a highly polymorphic Glu-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Ala (EPIYA) repeat region in the C-terminal portion of the protein. The aim of this study was to determine the number and type of EPIYA (glutamine– proline– isoleucine– tyrosine– alanine) motifs within the cagA 3' variable region among H. pylori isolates and their association with GC. Materials and Methods: The total number of 206 individuals (170 controls and 36 patients with GC) referring to the endoscopy units of several cities in Iran (2008-2014) were recruited. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed to determine the presence of H. pylori, cagA gene, and EPIYA motifs. Results: In this study, 81 (47. 6%) and 22 (61. 1%) of the controls and patients with GC were carriers of cagA+ strains, respectively. The overall frequency of EPIYA-AB, EPIYA-ABC, EPIYA-ABCC, and EPIYA-ABCCC in patients with GC were 0%, 59%, 9%, and 31. 8%, respectively. The results of regression analysis showed a significant association between EPIYA-ABCCC motif and the risk of GC [OR = 9. 99 (95%CI: 2. 17-45. 88), p = 0. 003]. Conclusion: We propose that patients infected with H. pylori strains harboring more than one CagA EPIYA C motif (EPIYA-ABCCC) have an increased risk of GC, thus, testing for this genotype may have clinical usefulness.

Background: Telomerase is a ribonucleoproteins enzyme responsible for the maintenance of telomere length. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a major component of the catalytic subunit of telomerase enzymes and is expressed in cells that have telomerase activity but is not expressed in normal somatic cells. Based on the specific expression of hTERT in most cancer cells, it can be considered as a factor in the distinction between cancer cells and normal cells. It seems that inhibiting the expression of hTERT has been presented as a therapeutic approach in inhibiting the activity of telomerase. One of the special tools for inhibiting genes is the use of small interfering RNA (siRNAs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hTERT gene on the cell viability and cell cycle in gastric cancer cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, human cancer cells, adenocarcinoma gastric cell line (AGS) were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) containing 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin antibiotics. The suppression of the hTERT gene was accomplished by FlexiTube siRNA. The repression effect of hTERT gene was investigated on cell viability by MTT assay [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] with ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) reader at 570 nm, and cell cycle performed by flow cytometry and DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. Results: The effect of hTERT siRNA on the cell viability by MTT assay showed time dependent cell viability of AGS cell line upon treatment and increasing the exposure time to 48 hours for that concentration decreased AGS cell (p = 0. 02). Analysis of flow cytometry also showed increased number of cells in G1 phase and decreased the number of cells in S phase, and induced apoptosis via decreasing the level of hTERT expression. Conclusion: The significant downregulation in hTERT mRNA after 48 hours of hTERT siRNA treatment inhibited the cell viability of AGS cells and cell cycle arrest.

Background: Celiac disease as a chronic gluten-dependent disease is associated with mental disorders. Therefore, it is essential to study mental health and binge eating, as psychological issues, in these individuals. This study was performed with to compare the components of general health and binge eating in patients with celiac disease and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: The design of the study is descriptive-causal comparative. The statistical population includes all celiac patients and healthy people, aged 18 to 80 years from West Azerbaijan province in year of 2016. 40 patients that detected celiac disease and referring to gluten-free products from the relevant centers and the gastrointestinal clinic were selected and 40 healthy Individual who were matched with respect to demographic characteristics with celiac patients were selected by available sampling method. The participants answered Goldberg general health questionnaire and Gormally and et. Binge eating scale. Results: The result of multivariate analysis of variance showed that the mean of somatic symptoms (F = 28. 48), anxiety (F = 61. 50), depression (F = 17. 76), social dysfunction (F = 30. 77), and binge eating (F = 32. 01) in patients with celiac disease are significantly more than healthy people. Conclusion: Mental health in patients with celiac disease is significantly worse than healthy people and binge eating in such patients is more common than healthy individuals. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the psychological status of such patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disabling disease, which its incidence seems to have a significant increase during the last decade, especially in Iran. This is a narrative review regarding IBD treatment options including conventional and biological treatments, their indications, and their adverse effects. At the end, there is a brief discussion regarding IBD in special groups such as in pregnant women and the effect of nutrition in IBD.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is an important complication of low-dose aspirin. There are few and conflicting results about the etiology of UGIB in relation to low-dose aspirin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy of patients taking low-dose aspirin who developed UGIB. Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients with UGIB who referred to Fatemieh Hospital, Semnan, Iran during 2001-2011 were studied and eligible patients were enrolled to the study. The endoscopic data were extracted and compared between the patients taking low-dose aspirin and who were not taking aspirin (control). Results: 419 cases were studied. 58 (13. 8%) patients consumed low-dose aspirin and 204 (48. 7%) patients did not consume aspirin. The average age of the patients who received low-dose aspirin and those in the control groups were 65. 9 ± 5. 9 and 50. 4 ± 22. 3 years, respectively (p = 0. 000). 46. 6% and 32. 4% of the patients in low-dose aspirin and control groups were women, respectively, and the remaining patients were men (p > 0. 05). The main endoscopic findings in low-dose aspirin and control groups were erosions of the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus (55. 9% and 51. 7%) and peptic ulcer (50% and 43. 6%), respectively. The other findings such as neoplasia, Mallory Weiss, and hiatal hernia were uncommon (1. 7% and 5. 9%). The prevalence of endoscopic findings was not statistically significant between the two groups (p > 0. 05). Conclusion: In this small study, although patients with UGIB and low-dose aspirin consumption had more peptic ulcers and erosions in comparison with the control group, the difference was not significant.

Background: Crohn’ s disease is the most challenging, common type of autoimmune disorders due to which, intestine is inflamed but its causes have not been defined. Although Crohn’ s disease has been often thought of as an autoimmune disorder, it can be triggered by whatever that lead to the inflammation in the whole bowel. Henceforth, exploring trade-off among this disease and genomic variants supposedly will enhance the identification of important genes and in turn to the possible therapeutic protocols. The aim of the present study was to identify any association between Crohn’ s disease and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Materials and Methods: We retrieved single nucleotide polymorphism of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on Crohn’ s disease among which we extracted neighboring genes and expression variants in addition to pathways in which the affected genes are enriched. Results: Using GWAS data can help to explain the disease incidence. We noticed that genes harboring single nucleotide polymorphisms in Crohn’ s disease were mainly enriched in interleukin pathways in addition to fatty acid and choline metabolism. Conclusion: The affected genes obtained by data analysis like fatty acid desaturase (FADS) and solute carrier family 22 (SLC22) could be proposed for future studies in order to clarifying their interactions by confident experiments and cross-sectional studies.

gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical condition that presents with hematemesis (vomiting of blood or coffee ground-like material) and/or melena (black, tarry stools). Gastroduodenal ulcer disease, erosive esophagitis, esophagogastric varices, and erosive gastritis/duodenitis account for most of the cases. Ectopic varices are varices develop at sites other than the esophagus and stomach for example duodenal, rectal, and peristomal varices. Ectopic varices are relatively rare; however, approximately 5% are related to gastrointestinal bleeding. Duodenal variceal bleeding is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Here we report a case of UGIB due to duodenal varices in a 44-year-old woman who admitted to the hospital because of melena, nausea, and vomiting from 3 weeks earlier. Two esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination and one colonoscopic examination were normal. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed ectopic varices in the duodenum. Endoscopic cyanoacrylate was injected and bleeding was controlled. The patient did not experience rebleeding after one month.