Evaluation of the Paraoxonase-1 Level in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: This study, aimed to evaluate the role of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). PON-1 plays a significant role in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic responses and may help predict the severity of AP.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with AP and 45 healthy volunteers were included in the study.

Evaluation of HBsAg Seroclearance in Patients with Hepatitis B.

Objective: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance/seroconversion is regarded as an indicator of the ultimate immune control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. HBsAg loss is the most important endpoint, as it shows deep suppression of HBV replication and viral protein expression. This study was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the HBsAg seroclearance/seroconversion status in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B (CHB) diagnosis.

A New Risk-Scoring System for Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Screening by Turkish Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Study Group.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer worldwide. An early diagnosis and detection of colon cancer and polyp can reduce mortality and morbidity from colorectal cancer. Even though there are a variety of options in screen- ing tests, the question remains on which test is the most effective for the early detection of colorectal cancer.

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir + Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir ± Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience.

Background/aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.

Material And Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)±ribavirin (RBV) orombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir±dasabuvir (PrOD)±RBV for 12 or 24 weeks.

Serum levels of inflammatory markers CRP, ESR and albumin in relation to survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with several chronic inflammatory conditions. It is increasingly understood that the inflammation may be part of the carcinogenic process and prognostically important.

Objective: To evaluate the serum levels of three inflammation markers in relation to survival in HCC patients.

Association of Cirrhosis and Cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: We investigated association of pro-BNP, troponin-I, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (ECHO) during diagnosis and identification of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic patients.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided into three groups as; compensated cirrhotic patients (group 1, n= 30), decompensated cirrhotic (group 2, n = 30) and control group (group 3, n = 30). ECHO, and ECG were performed, and troponin-I and levels of pro-BNP were analyzed.

Impaired thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with mild acute pancreatitis.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the dynamic thiol/disulfide (SS) homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) concentration between healthy subjects and patients with mild acute pancreatitis (AP).

Materials And Methods: A total of 28 patients with AP (AP group) and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (control group) were included in this study. Serum thiols/SS and IMA concentrations were measured and compared between the two groups.

Cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and hepatitis E virus (HEV): Are they related?

Introduction And Objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis. In recent years, its role in the development of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis especially in immunosuppressed patients and its wide range of extrahepatic involvement have increased the amount of research on HEV. In this study we aimed to investigate the presence of HEV infection in individuals with cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Is There any Association Between Celiac Disease and

Objective: It was aimed to determine if there was a correlation between celiac disease (CD) and by comparing the prevalence of in patients with and without CD.

Materials And Methods: The patients who were diagnosed with CD and tested for and the patients who presented for gastroscopy and tested for were evaluated retrospectively and the prevalence of was compared.

Results: Fifteen (48%) of 31 patients who were diagnosed with CD and tested for were males and had a mean age of 33.

Gastroesophageal reflux in asymptomatic obese subjects: An esophageal impedance-pH study.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between reflux and body mass index (BMI) in the asymptomatic obese population using the impedance-pH technique.

Methods: Gastroesophageal reflux is frequent in the obese population. However, the relationship between acid reflux and BMI in asymptomatic obese people is unclear.

Durability of sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving antiviral treatment.

Methods: The files of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon±ribavirin between 1995 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Six months after the end of treatment, patients with negative hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA (<50 IU/mL, as determined by the polymerase chain reaction method) were enrolled in the study.

Co-infection with hepatitis B does not alter treatment response in chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aim: To investigate the clinical features and treatment response in patients with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection receiving anti-HCV therapy.

Patients And Method: Patients with HBV/HCV co-infection, who were eligible for anti-HCV therapy, were included in the study. Patients had detectable HBsAg for at least 6 months and detectable HCV-RNA before the initiation of therapy.

Etiological factors of duodenal and gastric ulcers.

Background/aims: We aimed to determine the etiology of patients with duodenal and gastric ulcers.

Methods: 140 patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer between April 2002-2009 were enrolled in this prospective study. Two biopsy specimens were collected from the antrum and corpus for histology and one for rapid urease testing, and stool samples were analyzed for Helicobacter pylori antigen.

Does Cholecystectomy Increase the Esophageal Alkaline Reflux? Evaluation by Impedance-pH Technique.

Background/aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the reflux patterns in patients with galbladder stone and the change of reflux patterns after cholecystectomy in such patients.

Methods: Fourteen patients with cholecystolithiasis and a control group including 10 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this prospective study. Demographical findings, reflux symptom score scale and 24-hour impedance pH values of the 14 cholecystolithiasis cases and the control group were evaluated.

Effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: an esophageal impedance-pHmetry study.

Background/aims: There is an increasing interest for a link between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). There is no study in the literature which examines the relationship between OSAS and esophageal functions in adults with impedance. We first evaluated the role of reflux in OSAS with simultaneous polysomnography and impedance-pHmetry and then investigated whether the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment changes in these parameters.

Second-line levofloxacin-based triple therapy's efficiency for Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer.

Objectives: First-line standard eradication efficacy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin regressed over 10 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a levofloxacin-based regimen in patients with peptic ulcer after failure of the standard first-line H.pylori eradication therapy in a country with a high rate of infection.

Is portal hypertensive enteropathy an important additional cause of blood loss in portal hypertensive patients?

Objective: Recently, mucosal changes of small bowel were defined by developing new imaging techniques including capsule endoscopy (CE) in portal hypertensive patients. However, the clinical impact of these changes is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the additional cause of blood loss in portal hypertensive patients.

Decreased prohepcidin levels in patients with HBV-related liver disease: relation with ferritin levels.

Background: Levels of prohepcidin, a homeostatic regulator of iron absorption, are altered in chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. However, data on the potential alterations of prohepcidin in patients with HBV-related liver disease are scarce. We investigated whether serum prohepcidin is related to iron overload and perenchymal dysfuction in HBV-related liver disease.