Polymorphisms in Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα) Gene in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to determine if polymorphisms in the TNFα gene are associated with AP. Two polymorphisms located in the promoter region (positions −308 and −238) in TNFα gene were determined using polymerase chain reaction- (PCR-) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods in 103 patients with AP and 92 healthy controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI and smoking. The frequencies of TNFα polymorphisms were both similar in patients with mild or severe pancreatitis, so were in pancreatitis patients and in controls. We suggest that both SNPs of TNFα are not genetic risk factor for AP susceptibility (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13−4.01 for TNFα−308 and OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75−1.77 for TNFα−238)

Investigation of the functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the BCRP transporter and susceptibility to colorectal cancer

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) protects tissues by actively transporting xenobiotics and their metabolites out of the cells. BCRP is expressed in the apical membrane of normal intestinal and colonic epithelium. The BCRP substrates include a number of structurally unrelated compounds, such as drugs, pesticides, carcinogens and endogenous compounds. Although the functional and common BCRP alleles, 34G>A and 421C>A, are shown to vary by ethnicity, their potential mechanism has not been adequately described with regards to affecting the susceptibility to colorectal cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the BCRP variants on the susceptibility to colorectal cancer and to predict the individual responses to xenobiotics transferred by BCRP. BCRP 421C>A was significantly associated with the colorectal cancer risk (odds ratio, 16.12; P=0.005). These findings are the first results of BCRP allele distributions in the Turkish population and provide an understanding of the correlation between therapeutic approaches and etiology of colorectal cancer

Polymorphisms in Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF alpha) Gene in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor a (TNF alpha), play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to determine if polymorphisms in the TNF alpha gene are associated with AP. Two polymorphisms located in the promoter region (positions -308 and -238) in TNF alpha gene were determined using polymerase chain reaction-(PCR-) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods in 103 patients with AP and 92 healthy controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI and smoking. The frequencies of TNFa polymorphisms were both similar in patients with mild or severe pancreatitis, so were in pancreatitis patients and in controls. We suggest that both SNPs of TNFa are not genetic risk factor for AP susceptibility (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13-4.01 for TNF alpha(-308) and OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-1.77 for TNF alpha(-238))

MLH1 - 93G > A and I219V polymorphisms are susceptible to increased risk of sporadic colorectal cancer in a Turkish population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) comprises approximately 10% of all cancers and is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality despite current diagnostic and treatment improvements. DNA damage and altered DNA replication through the deregulation of related genes cause genomic instability in sporadic CRC. DNA repair is very complex; many factors play a role to ensure that the restoration of errors occurs during the transfer of genetic material. MutL homolog 1 (MLH1) is one of the vital DNA repair genes responsible for genomic stability. Together with environmental factors, the genetic background may be associated with CRC development; thus, genetic polymorphisms are considered as risk factors. The present prospective case-control study aimed to determine the association between 93G>A and I219V polymorphisms of MLH1 and CRC susceptibility in a Turkish population. The genotyping of 158 patients and 164 age- and sex-matched controls was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Two variants, 93G>A and I219V, were associated with an increased risk of CRC. Individuals with A allele of 93G>A had an approximately 2-fold risk (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.22-3.04; p<0.01) and those with G allele of I219V had an approximately 3-fold risk (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.76-4.52; p<0.01) of developing CRC. Our results provide novel information for understanding the influence of MLH1 on CRC risk in the Turkish population; however, further studies with a larger number of participants are required

Influence of the Functional Polymorphisms in the Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1 in the Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is an important cause of death throughout the world, and its etiology involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Transporter proteins are important in protecting organs from xenobiotics or toxins. Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) plays role in hepatic uptake and clearance of albumin-bound amphipathic organic compounds, including endogen substances, drugs, or xenobiotics. The SLCO1B1 gene expressing OATP1B1 is highly polymorphic. Up to now, SLCO1BI variants were the focus of several investigations on drug pharmacokinetics and cancer susceptibility. However, no information has been available on association between SLCO1B1 and colorectal cancer risk. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the relationship between colorectal cancer and the functional common variants of SLCO1B1 (388 A > G, -11187 G > A, 521 T > C) and to estimate the prevalence of these variants in the Turkish population. To that end, the distributions of the variants were determined in 100 patients with colorectal cancer and 150 healthy volunteers. SLCO1B1 521 T > C was statistically significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31-5.41; p = 0.0057). In haplotype-based analysis, SLCO1B1 haplotype G(388)-T-11187-T-521 might be associated with the development of colorectal cancer (OR = 4.26; 95% CI = 1.62-11.16; p = 0.002). We believe that the findings may be beneficial to the development of efficacious preventive strategies and therapies for colorectal cancer

Associations between the functional polymorphisms in the ABCB1 transporter gene and colorectal cancer risk: a case-control study in Turkish population

Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancer types in the world and its etiology involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. ABCB1 is highly expressed in the apical surface of colonic epithelial cells and acts as an efflux pump by transporting toxic endogenous substances, drugs and xenobiotics out of cells. ABCB1 polymorphisms may either change its protein expression or alter its function. Several studies have reported a possible association between ABCB1 variants and colorectal cancer, but no consistent conclusion has been arrived at. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between colorectal cancer and the functional common variants of ABCB1 (1236C>T; 2677G>T/A; 3435C>T). The distributions of the variants were determined in 103 patients with colorectal cancer and 150 healthy volunteers using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. ABCB1 1236C>T was statistically significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk (OR, odd ratio = 1.91; 95% CI, confidence interval = 1.09-3.35; p = 0.034). In haplotype-based analysis, the proportion of individuals with the ABCB1 haplotype C-1236-G(2677)-T-3435 was significantly more common in patients than in controls (OR = 11.96; 95% CI = 2.59-55.32; p = 0.0004). We believe that the findings may be beneficial to the development of efficacious preventive strategies and therapies for colorectal cancer

SHOULD ANGIOGRAPHY BE ROUTINELY EMPLOYED IN HIGH GRADE LIVER INJURIES UNDERGOING DAMAGE CONTROL SURGERY?

Objective: The management of traumatic liver injuries involves various strategies ranging from observation to operative intervention and includes various options such as angiography and/or damage-control surgery. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether routine angiography is necessary or can be reserved for selected patients with persistent bleeding after depacking

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care