Association between Cardiovascular Risk and Diabetes with Colorectal Neoplasia: A Site-Specific Analysis.

Several studies have shown site-specific differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) with respect to the risk factors. CRC was shown to be associated with cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors, but site-specific variations have not been investigated so far. This study aimed to assess the associations between the prevalence and subsite-specific differences of colorectal neoplasia and established CVR scores or known coronary artery disease (CAD) in a large asymptomatic European screening cohort ( = 2098).

HFE hemochromatosis screening in patients with severe hip osteoarthritis: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Objective: Despite the high frequency of HFE gene mutations in Western Europe, widespread screening for HFE hemochromatosis is not recommended due to its variable phenotype. Joint pain and a premature osteoarthritis-like disease including the hip joints are the most frequent manifestation in patients with HFE hemochromatosis and iron overload. Therefore, screening of patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip could identify patients with HFE hemochromatosis.

Ultrasound verified inflammation and structural damage in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis-related arthropathy.

Background: Chronic arthropathy occurs in approximately two thirds of patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). The aim was to study inflammatory and structural lesions in patients with HH with (HH-A) and without arthropathy (HH-WA) using ultrasonography.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 26 patients with HH-A, 24 with HH-WA and 37 with hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

Clinical and Metabolic Characterization of Lean Caucasian Subjects With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver.

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely linked to obesity; however, 5-8% of lean subjects also have evidence of NAFLD. We aimed to investigate clinical, genetic, metabolic and lifestyle characteristics in lean Caucasian subjects with NAFLD.

Methods: Data from 187 subjects allocated to one of the three groups according to body mass index (BMI) and hepatic steatosis on ultrasound were obtained: lean healthy (BMI≤25 kg/m, no steatosis, N=71), lean NAFLD (BMI≤25 kg/m, steatosis, N=55), obese NAFLD (BMI≥30 kg/m, steatosis; N=61).

Parathyroid Hormone is Related to Dysplasia and a Higher Rate of Distal Colorectal Adenoma in Women but Not Men.

Molecular and clinical observations provide evidence for a potential role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in colorectal cancer development. We therefore aimed to assess the association of PTH with regard to colorectal cancer precursor lesions. A cohort of 1432 participants, 777 men, 58.

Gut microbiome development along the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

Colorectal cancer, a commonly diagnosed cancer in the elderly, often develops slowly from benign polyps called adenoma. The gut microbiota is believed to be directly involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. The identity and functional capacity of the adenoma- or carcinoma-related gut microbe(s), however, have not been surveyed in a comprehensive manner.

Hepatic steatosis in Wilson disease--Role of copper and PNPLA3 mutations.

Background & Aims: The earliest characteristic alterations of the liver pathology in Wilson disease (WD) include steatosis, which is sometimes indistinguishable from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Steatosis in WD may reflect copper-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. A genetic polymorphism in rs738409, in the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3), is strongly associated with appearance of in NAFLD.

Gender- and site-specific differences of colorectal neoplasia relate to vitamin D.

Background: The effect of vitamin D on colorectal adenomas may vary with regard to gender, localisation and histological type of the lesion.

Aim: To define the role of vitamin D and gender in a Caucasian cohort of subjects undergoing screening colonoscopy after consideration of established risk factors.

Methods: One thousand five hundred and thirty-two subjects (813 males, 58.

Relations of vitamin D status, gender and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Caucasians.

Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency may be linked to the development of obesity-associated complications such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We therefore evaluated the relationship of Vit D serum concentrations with metabolic parameters and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Caucasian men and women. One thousand six hundred and thirty-one Caucasians (832 males, 58.

Evaluation of genome-wide loci of iron metabolism in hereditary hemochromatosis identifies PCSK7 as a host risk factor of liver cirrhosis.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed genetic determinants of iron metabolism, but correlation of these with clinical phenotypes is pending. Homozygosity for HFE C282Y is the predominant genetic risk factor for hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and may cause liver cirrhosis. However, this genotype has a low penetrance.

HFE-related hemochromatosis: an update for the rheumatologist.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a frequent disease in Caucasian populations. It leads to progressive iron overload in a variety of organs. The most common cause is the C282Y homozygous mutation in the HFE gene.

VCAM-1 serum levels are associated with arthropathy in hereditary haemochromatosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the role of vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) with or without arthropathy.

Methods: Sera from a large cross-sectional cohort of unselected HH patients (n=147) were obtained and compared to an age-matched and sex-matched control group. Serum levels of VCAM-1 were measured by ELISA and were correlated with clinical measures.

Idiopathic hand osteoarthritis vs haemochromatosis arthropathy--a clinical, functional and radiographic study.

Objective: Haemochromatosis arthropathy is a secondary OA and the most frequent and earliest clinical presentation of hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). The aim of this study was to perform a direct clinical, functional and radiographic comparison with idiopathic hand OA (HOA) to unravel important differences between these clinical entities.

Methods: In total, 299 patients (141 with HH arthropathy of the hands and 158 patients with idiopathic HOA) were recruited.

GHRH antagonist when combined with cytotoxic agents induces S-phase arrest and additive growth inhibition of human colon cancer.

Treatment of colon cancer with an antagonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), JMR-132, results in a cell cycle arrest in S-phase of the tumor cells. Thus, we investigated the effect of JMR-132 in combination with S-phase-specific cytotoxic agents, 5-FU, irinotecan and cisplatin on the in vitro and in vivo growth of HT-29, HCT-116 and HCT-15 human colon cancer cell lines. In vitro, every compound inhibited proliferation of HCT-116 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Glucose acts as a regulator of serum iron by increasing serum hepcidin concentrations.

Mutual clinical and molecular interactions between iron and glucose metabolism have been reported. We aimed to investigate a potential effect of glucose on iron homeostasis. We found that serum iron concentrations gradually decreased over 180 min after the administration of 75 g of glucose from 109.

Combination of gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist with cytotoxic agents produces synergistic inhibition of growth of human experimental colon cancers.

We investigated the efficacy of a powerful antagonist of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) RC-3940-II administered as a single agent or in combination with cytotoxic agents on the growth of HT-29, HCT-116 and HCT-15 human colon cancer in vitro and in vivo. GRP-receptor mRNA and protein were found in all three cell lines tested. Exposure of HT-29 cells to 10 μM RC-3940-II led to an increase in the number of cells blocked in S phase and G 2/M and cells with lower G(0)/G(1) DNA content.

Association of the IL28B genotype with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background & Aims: Insulin resistance, fibrosis and steatosis are established predictors of response to peg-interferon/ribavirin therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Several host genetic polymorphisms (IL28B, PNPLA3) modify treatment-outcome, the degree of steatosis or fibrosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of these polymorphisms on insulin resistance (IR) in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an independent risk factor for colorectal neoplasia.

Background And Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of insulin resistance (IR), and IR is associated with an increased risk of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Increased echogenicity suggesting NAFLD is a frequent incidental finding on ultrasound examination. We aimed to systematically evaluate whether NAFLD is an independent risk factor for colonic neoplasia.

A European evidence-based guideline for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Background: The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and associated co-morbidities are rising worldwide.

Aims: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing T2DM.

Methods: A European multidisciplinary consortium systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening and interventions for T2DM prevention using SIGN criteria.