Pediatric guidelines on the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) have reported that the positivity of anti-endomysium antibodies in the presence of anti-transglutaminase antibodies (TGA) 10 times higher than normal is sufficient for the diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether this diagnostic process for children can also be applied to adult patients. We retrospectively examined patients aged >18 years who were diagnosed with CD. The results of serological tests and endoscopic biopsy were evaluated. Patients with more than one month of duration between celiac serology and endoscopy, those diagnosed with CD before admission, those on a gluten-free diet, and those with selective IgA deficiency were excluded from the study. A total of 269 patients were included in the study. TGA value was significantly higher in patients with villous atrophy (p<0.001) and positively correlated with mucosal damage (r=0.60, p10 ULN) for the TGA antibodies, in line with the criteria regulated by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) for the diagnosis of CD, the sensitivity was 71.64%, the specificity was 100%, and the positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%. When the cut-off value was taken as 29.42 U/mL, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 99.5%. For a TGA cut-off value of 52.7 U/mL (5.27 ULN), which determines the presence of partial or complete villous atrophy in the evaluation made considering mucosal damage, the sensitivity was 90%, the specificity was 100%, and the PPV was 100%. Based on our findings, TGA titers were highly effective in demonstrating CD-related mucosal damage. This study endorses a biopsy-free strategy in adult patients in line with the ESPGHAN criteria. Local validation of test-specific thresholds will ensure that this approach has a significant impact on adult patients.

Background/Aims: Atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and Helicobacter pylori (HP) are the risk factors for the development of gastric cancer (GC). Chromatin remodeling is one of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the carcinogenesis of GC. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of defined chromatin remodeling genes in gastric mucosal samples and their values as gastric carcinogenesis biomarkers. Materials and Methods: In total, 95 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups as: GC group (n=34), AG group (n=36), and control group (n=25). AG group was further divided into subgroups based on the presence of HP and IM in gastric mucosa. Chromatin remodeling gene expressions were analyzed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) array in all groups. Data were evaluated using the RT-qPCR primer assay data analysis software. Results: EED, CBX3, and MTA1 were more overexpressed, whereas ARID1A, ING5, and CBX7 were more underexpressed in the AG and GC groups compared with the controls. No significant differences were observed between the AG and GC groups concerning the expression of these 6 genes, although the fold change levels of these genes in the GC group were well above than in the AG group. EED, CBX3, and MTA1 were significantly more overexpressed in HP- and IM-positive AG subgroup compared with the HP- or IM-negative AG subgroup. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results provide an evidence of epigenetic alterations in AG. Expressions of EED, CBX3, MTA1, ARID1A, ING5, and CBX7 may be considered as promising markers to be used in GC screening for patients with AG. Cite this article as: Bilgiç F, Gerçeker E, Örenay Boyacıoğlu S, et al. Potential role of chromatin remodeling factor genes in atrophic gastritis/gastric cancer risk. Turk J Gastroenterol 2018; 29: 427-35.

Introduction: The objective of our study was to examine the correlation between hepatosteatosis and the triglyceride glucose index (TyG), plasma atherogenic index (PAI), and cardiometabolic index (CMI) in nondiabetic patients. We also aimed to assess the usefulness of these indices in evaluating cardiometabolic risk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MAFLD).Material and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 695 individuals who did not have diabetes, with an average age of 39.8±11.3 years. A total of 595 individuals, comprising 359 women and 236 men, were diagnosed with MAFLD. The control group consisted of 100 individuals who did not have MAFLD. All the subjects underwent transabdominal ultrasonography, anthropometric measurements, and blood analyses. The groups were assessed based on the TyG index, PAI, and CMI.Results: TyG, PAI, and CMI were greater in patients with MAFLD than those without MAFLD. The TyG index, with a cutoff point of 8.47, excluded significant simple steatosis with a sensitivity of 65.3% and a specificity of 66.0%. The PAI and CMI cutoff values were 0.39 and 1.40, with sensitivities of 66.6% and 70.1% and specificities of 67.0% and 70.1%, respectively. The TyG index was independently associated with MAFLD (OR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.339-3.665).Conclusions: The presence of MAFLD patients with a normal BMI and waist circumference indicates that these variables alone do not provide enough evidence for the diagnosis of MAFLD. Hence, it is advisable to incorporate the TyG index, the PAI, and the CMI into regular clinical practice to obtain a more precise and thorough evaluation of MAFLD and cardiometabolic risk.

OBJECTIVE: At present, there is no reliable indicator for dietary compliance and disease severity in patients with celiac disease (CD). The aim of this study is to evaluate mean platelet volume (MPV) level as a biomarker for detection of disease activation, dietary adherence, and assessment of disease severity. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with CD and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of CD was estab-lished by both positive antibodies against endomysium or gliadin and histopathological criteria (lymphocytic infiltration and total villous atrophy in duodenal biopsies). RESULTS: MPV was observed to be significantly higher among CD patients when compared to healthy controls (8.14 +/- 0.26 fL vs. 7.82 +/- 0.29 fL and p=0.001). Overall dietary adherence rate was 72.8% (58/81 CD patients). After induction of a gluten-free diet, the MPV was significantly lower in the dietary adherent group than non-adherent patients (7.86 +/- 0.17 fL vs. 8.07 +/- 0.30 fL and p=0.001). The increase of MPV was correlated with Marsh classification (Marsh 3 active CD vs. Marsh 2 active CD vs. Marsh 1 active CD; 8.32 +/- 0.27 fL vs. 8.12 +/- 0.19 fL vs. 7.98 +/- 0.19 fL; p=0.004 and p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Based on these data, we believe that increased MPV can provide additional benefit to screening in patients with CD. It can indicate the activation of the disease and adherence to the diet.

Background and study aims: Endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), also known as endocan. is a soluble pnoteoglycan secreted by human vascular endothelial cells. In sonic studies, it has been found that endocan have important effects on cell adhesion, inflammation and angiogenesis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the endocan level in patients with pancreatitis and the availability of endocan level in determining the severity of the disease. Patients and methods : A total of -12 patients with pancreatitis and 33 healthy individuals were included in the study. The serum endocan levels in patients were evaluated 1st and 3th days after the symptom's onset. Current scoring systems and the relationship between the severity of the disease and endocan levels were evaluated. Results : The endocan levels of the patients on day I are significantly correlated only with the APACHE II score (p=0.039 r=11.319), while the endocan values on day 3 are significantly correlated with the BISAP (bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis) (p=0.013 r=0.380), APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation)(p<0.001; r=0.53) and Ranson (p=0.037 r=032) scores. The cutoff level of endocan (day 3) was calculated 92.2 pg/ml (83% sensitivity and 50% specificity; p=0.039 area under the curve 0.706) for severe pancreatitis when considering the patients with a score of 8 or higher in the APACHE II scoring system. Conclusion : Serum endocan level can be used as a marker of prognosis in patients with pancreatitis. However, studies involving large populations are needed on this matter.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in elderly patients (≥85 years old). Material and Methods: Patients who underwent ERCP for any reason within 12 months were evaluated. Patients undergoing ERCP were classified as the elderly group aged 85 years and older or the controls under the age of 85 years. Results: A total of 1225 patients, 504 males and 721 females, were included in the study. Length of hospital stay, the number of patients in whom pre- cut sphincterotomy was performed in ERCP, and mortality rate showed similar characteristics compared to the control group in patients with advanced age (≥85 years old). Except for pancreatitis, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of complications related to the procedure. Post ERCP pancreatitis was observed significantly less in the elderly group (p= 0.042). Pre-cut sphincterotomy was required in a total of 191 (15.5%) patients. In patients who underwent pre-cut sphincterotomy and patients with cholangitis, post ERCP complication rates were not significant between the groups. Conclusion: ERCP is a safe procedure for older patients (≥85 years old) as well as young patients.