A case-control study of the relationship between gastric cancer and meat consumption in Iran

Background: Despite the descending trends of gastric cancer in many parts of the world, its mortality rate has still remained high globally. Meat, red and processed meat in particular, may induce gastric carcinogenesis through potential mechanisms. However, the role of this dietary aspect in the risk of gastric cancer has not well been investigated so far. Therefore, we designed a study to assess the relation between meat consumption and the risk of gastric cancer in Golestan Province, a high- risk area for gastric malignancies in Iran. Methods: Subjects of this population-based case-control study included 190 histologically confirmed case so fgastric cancer and 647 controls. Meat consumption was evaluated using a 116-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A lifestyle questionnaire also collected data concerning demographic features, anthropometric measures, and other known risk factors of gastric cancer. We estimated crude and adjust edoddsratios(ORs) and 95 confidence intervals (CIs) for the relation between meat intake and gastric cancer. Results: After being adjusted for potential confounders, red meat intake was positively associated with gastric cancer which reached statistical significance (OR=1.87, 95 CI: 1.01-3.47, Ptrend = 0.07). On the other hand, individuals in the highest quartile of white meat consumption had astatistically significant reduced risk of gastric cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 0.36, 95 CI: 0.19-0.68, Ptrend = 0.005). Conclusions: We observed a positive association between red meat consumption and the risk of gastric cancer, and a reverse relationship regarding white meat intake and the risk of this malignancy

The effect of 12 weeks Anethum graveolens (dill) on metabolic markers in patients with metabolic syndrome; A randomized double blind controlled trial

Background: The clustering of metabolic abnormalities defined as metabolic syndrome is now both a public health and a clinical problem .While interest in herbal medicine has greatly increased, lack of human evidence to support efficacies shown in animals does exist. This clinical trial study designed to investigate whether herbal medicine, Anethum graveolens (dill) extract, could improve metabolic components in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial using a parallel design was conducted. 24 subjects who had metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria (update of ATP III) were randomly assigned to either dill extract (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12) for 3 months. Results: Across lipid component of metabolic syndrome, no significant differences in triglyceride (TG) concentration and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were seen between the two groups. However TG improved significantly from baseline (257.0 vs. 201.5p = 0.01) with dill treatment but such a significant effect was not observed in placebo group. Moreover, no significant differences in waist circumference, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were seen between two groups after 3 months follow up period. Conclusion: In this small clinical trial in patients with metabolic syndrome, 12 weeks of dill extract treatment had a beneficial effect in terms of reducing TG from baseline. However dill treatment was not associated with a significant improvement in metabolic syndrome related markers compared to control group. Larger studies might be required to prove the efficacy and safety of long-Term administration of dill to resolve metabolic syndrome components. © 2012 Mansouri et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Stabilizing s-hole dimethyl interactions

Methyl groups bound to electronegative atoms, such as N or O, are recognized to participate in tetrel bonding as Lewis acids. On the other hand, the capability of methyl groups bound to electropositive atoms, such as B or Al, to act as Lewis bases has been recently reported. Herein, we analyze the combination of these two behaviors to establish attractive methyl···methyl interactions. We have explored the Cambridge Structural Database to find experimental examples of these dimethyl-bound systems, finding a significant degree of directionality in the relative disposition of the two methyl groups. Moreover, we have carried out a comprehensive computational analysis at the DFT level of the dimethyl interactions, including the natural bond orbital, energy decomposition analysis, and topological analysis of the electron density (QTAIM and NCI). The dimethyl interaction is characterized as weak yet attractive and based on electrostatics, with a non-negligible contribution from orbital charge transfer and polarization

Nitrate and Nitrite Level of Drinking Water and the Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers in Urban Areas of Golestan Province, Northeast of Iran

Abstract: Background & Aims: Esophageal and gastric cancers are among prevalent cancers in the world and it is believed that nitrate and nitrite contaminations of drinking water are important factors in increasing the risk of these cancers. This study was designed to determine the correlations between these factors and upper gastrointestinal cancers. Methods: In this ecologic study, mean concentrations of nitrite and nitrate of drinking waters in Golestan urban areas were obtained during 2004-2005. All patients with esophageal and gastric cancers during this period who resided in urban areas were recruited to estimate the incidence rate and Age Standardized Rate (ASR) of these cancers. The province was divided into three regions of low, intermediate and high incidence based on 33% and 66% quartiles of both cancers. Spearman Correlation Coefficient and regression line were used to analyze data. Results: Based on the results, nitrite and nitrate concentration of drinking waters in all three regions were in the standard range. There was a significant positive correlation between nitrate increase and esophageal cancer incidence (R=0.624 , P=0.013). There was no correlation between levels of nitrite in drinking water and the risk of esophageal and stomach cancer. Conclusions: It seems that there is an increased risk of esophageal cancer correlated with higher nitrate levels in drinking water. But nitrite level of drinking water has no impact on the esophageal and gastric cancer, from the ecological point of view. Further studies on food resources and drinking water of urban and rural areas are recommended to determine the effects of these factors on the upper gastrointestinal cancers. Keywords: Nitrate, Nitrite, Drinking water, Esophageal cancer, Gastric cancer, Golestan provinc

BMJ open effect of FTY720 (fingolimod) on graft survival in renal transplant recipients: A systematic review protocol

Introduction: Studies have shown that FTY720 has inconsistent effects in kidney transplant recipients. Several review articles on FTY720 have been published, but most have focused on the mechanism of action of FTY720. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate and determine the beneficial and harmful effects of FTY720 therapy in kidney transplant recipients. Methods and analysis: We electronically searched the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Sciences, EMBASE, Cochrane databases and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials. Any clinical, randomised controlled trials relating to FTY720 for treating kidney transplant recipients were included without publication status or language restriction. Study selection, data extraction and assessment of study quality were performed independently by two researchers. Data were synthesised by either the fixed effects or the random effects model according to a heterogeneity test. If the extracted data were suitable for meta-analysis, STATA software was used to combine the relative risks for dichotomous outcomes, and the mean differences for continuous outcomes with 95 CIs were measured. Death, loss of function and incidence of acute kidney rejection were assessed as the primary outcomes. Renal graft function, malignancy, delayed graft function and infection were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Ethics/dissemination: This review does not require formal ethics approval because the data are not individualised. The resulting review article will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Esophageal cancer in Iranian Turkmens: An ethnic disparity concern

The association between ethnic diversity in Turkmen population with esophageal cancer incidence in Iranian Turkmens (Golestan province) was trying to explore in the present study. This is a cross sectional study in Turkmen patients with confirmed diagnosis of esophageal cancer between 2002 through 2003 at a referral clinic in Gonbad. One hundred and six Turkmen patients, diagnosed with esophageal cancer by endoscopy and biopsy, were included. Demographic factors (sex and age), cancer histology (SCC and adenocarcinoma), tumor origin (upper 3rd, middle 3rd and lower 3rd of esophagus) and patients' contact numbers were retrieved and the patients were categorized into five different groups based on their ethnicity: Ahtahbai, Jafarbai, Googlan, others and unidentified ethnic group. Incidence rate was estimated based on the number of patients and population of each ethnic group. Descriptive statistics was performed and data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis Test for continuous variables and Chi-square Test for categorical variables. A total of 106 Turkmen patients with mean age of 64.22±12.12 (61 male and 45 female) were included in this study. Frequency for each ethnic group was identified as: Ahtahbai (n = 31, 29.2%), Googlan (n = 30, 28.3%), Jafarbai (n = 27, 25.5%), others (n = 7, 6.6%) and unidentified ethnic group (n = 11,10.4%). The mean age and gender were not significantly different between these ethnic groups. Heterogeneity was found within Turkmen population, Ahthabai having least and Googlan highest esophageal cancer incidence rate. As esophageal cancer is very common in Turkmen population and with the high incidence rate in Googlan, this ethnic group needs to be more targeted for the esophageal cancer-screening programme. Further population-based studies can better explore possible factors in different Turkmen ethnic groups

Hepatitis B/C virus co-infection in Iran: A seroepidemiological study

Background/aims: As hepatitis B and C virus have the same transmission routes, dual infection may occur. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HCV in HBsAg-positive subjects. Methods: 139 HBsAg-positive subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were tested using ELISA method for anti-HCV antibodies. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the proportions. Results: There were 68 (48.9%) males and 71 (51.1%) females. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years. One case was excluded because of inadequate blood sampling. Anti-HCV antibody was positive in 17 (12.3%) of the 138 remaining subjects. Seropositivity of HCV was similar between female and male patients (p=0.69). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in our study was higher than such reports from some countries (Italy), but was in line with worldwide prevalence (>10%)

Irritable bowel syndrome in Iranian young adults: A survey among medical students

A cross-sectional study on medical students at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran was conducted to determine the prevalence of IBS and to assess the symptom subgroups based on the predominant bowel habit. A vaild self report questionnaries based on ROM II criteria was administered to all the medical students. Comparison between groups was assessed using the Chi-square and Fishers Exatct analytical tests. Of 708 questionnaires, 513 complete responses were received (response rate of 87.4%). Fifty (10.6%) subjects reported symptoms consistent with the diagnosis of IBS, predominantly in women. Forty (77.4%) and three (7.1%) were of the constipation-predominant and diarrhea-predominant subgroups, respectively. Six (12.2%) subjects fell into the non-specific IBS subgroup. The mean age of the IBS group was 22.6±2 years. IBS rate was higher in married students (15.2%) than singles (9.7%). There were no significant differences regarding sex, age, marital status and place of residence in the IBS and non-IBS groups. 57.1% (n = 28) of the medical students had consulted their healthcare practitioner for their symptoms. Hospitalization and endoscopic procedures were reported in 3 (6.1%) of cases. Self-medication was reported in 55.1% (n = 27) of subjects. Based on this study, the prevalence of IBS in young Iranian population are higher than previously expected that deserves greater care and further investigation

Cigarette butts abundance and association of mercury and lead along the Persian Gulf beach: an initial investigation.

The toxic metal contents of cigarette butts and distribution of cigarette butts have not been studied well in maritime environment. In the present study, cigarette butts distribution and the associations of Hg and Pb from cigarette butts were monitored along the Persian Gulf with 10 days interval sampling time. The number of cigarette butts, and Hg and Pb associations of butts were found to vary widely between 2 and 38 items per square meter, 2.5 and 86.32 ng/g cigarette butt (CB), as well as 650 and 8630 ng/g CB, respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that there were no significant differences between the number of butts, and Hg and Pb contents of the butts at different sampling times. Considering amount of cigarette butts littered yearly, this study demonstrates that remarkable toxic metals of Hg and Pb may enter maritime environment each year and may introduce critical hazards to aquatic organisms, enter food chain, and finally human body. KEYWORDS: Bushehr; Cigarette butts; Lead; Mercury; Persian Gul

FRAX-based intervention and assessment thresholds for osteoporosis in Iran

A Summary We compared the utility of the current Iranian guidelines that recommend treatment in women with a T-score <= - 2.5 SD with a FRAX-based intervention threshold equivalent to women of average BMI with a prior fragility fracture. Whereas the FRAX-based intervention threshold identified women at high fracture probability, the T-score threshold was less sensitive, and the associated fracture risk decreased markedly with age. Introduction The fracture risk assessment algorithm FRAX (R) has been recently calibrated for Iran, but guidance is needed on how to apply fracture probabilities to clinical practice. Methods The age-specific ten-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture were calculated in women with average BMI to determine fracture probabilities at two potential intervention thresholds. The first comprised the age-specific fracture probabilities associated with a femoral neck T-score of -2.5 SD, in line with current guidelines in Iran. The second approach determined age-specific fracture probabilities that were equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture, without BMD. The parsimonious use of BMD was additionally explored by the computation of upper and lower assessment thresholds for BMD testing. Results When a BMD T-score <= - 2.5 SD was used as an intervention threshold, FRAX probabilities in women aged 50 years was approximately two-fold higher than in women of the same age but with an average BMD and no risk factors. The relative increase in risk associated with the BMD threshold decreased progressively with age such that, at the age of 80 years or more, a T-score of -2.5 SD was actually protective. The 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture by age, equivalent to women with a previous fracture rose with age from 4.9% at the age of 50 years to 17%, at the age of 80 years, and identified women at increased risk at all ages. Conclusion Intervention thresholds based on BMD alone do not effectively target women at high fracture risk, particularly in the elderly. In contrast, intervention thresholds based on fracture probabilities equivalent to a "fracture threshold" target women at high fracture risk