Testosterone May Hold Therapeutic Promise for the Treatment ofIschemic Stroke in Aging: A Closer Look at Laboratory Findings

Male sex is more prone to cerebrovascular disorders, yet the exact role of androgens in cerebralischemia remains unclear. Here we reviewed current understanding of testosterone (TES)neuroprotective activity against ischemic stroke and mechanisms underlying these effects inaging. TES may exert a neuroprotective effect in aging through pathways including inhibition ofoxidant molecules production, enhancing the enzymatic antioxidant capacity of the brain andmodulation of apoptotic cell death. Given this, a better understanding of the neuroprotectiveroles of TES may propose an effective therapeutic strategy to improve the quality of life anddecrease androgen-related cerebrovascular problems in the aging men

The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Linear Growth and Growth Factors in Primary Schoolchildren in the Suburbs Mashhad, Iran

Background: Zinc is an essential trace element required for the functional activity of several enzyme systems. Several studies have been carried out to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on children’s growth, but controversy exists as to the effect of zinc on growth and GH-IGF-I system. Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on linear growth and serum level of  IGF-I, Ca ,P, ALP in elementary school children living in a low socioeconomic suburb of Mashhad in Northeast of Iran. Methods: The study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy trial. Subjects were 200 volunteer primary school children. Both case and control groups comprised of 100 individuals each with 50 males and 50 females. Intervention supplementation was zinc sulfate tablets (10 mg elemental) and placebo tablets for both groups, administrated for a period of six months. The height, weight, height for age and weight for age Z-scores and Body Mass Index were measured at 0,2,4, and 6 months. After six months the level of IGF-I, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were measured using blood samples taken from 50 volunteer children, 33 from the case and 17 from the control group. The results were compared in the two groups. Results: There was a significant increase (

Opium use and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Scant evidence exists to support the association of opium use with head and neck cancer, limited to the larynx and oral cavity. In a multicenter case- control study- Iran Opium and Cancer study, we recruited 633 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (254 lip and oral cavity, 54 pharynx, 327 larynx and 28 other subsites within the head and neck) and 3065 frequency- matched controls from April 2016 to April 2019. Odds ratios (ORs) for opium use and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were obtained using mixed- effects logistic regression because of heterogeneity among centers. The adjusted OR (95% CI) for regular opium use was 3.76 (2.96- 4.79) for all HNSCC combined. Strong dose- response effects were observed by frequency or amount of use, and duration of use. Regular opium uses significantly increased the risk of HNSCC of the pharynx, larynx and other subsites within the head and neck with OR (95% CI) of 2.90 (1.40- 6.02), 6.55 (4.69- 9.13) and 5.95 (2.41- 14.71), respectively. The observed associations were significant even among never tobacco smokers (including cigarette and water- pipe smoking). Moreover, by the multiplicative interaction scale, the effect of opium use could be varied by cigarette smoking on HNSCC, 8.16 (6.20- 10.74). For the first time, the current study showed opium users have an increased risk of several anatomic subsites of HNSCC.What’s new?Opium use has been associated with the risks of several cancers, but there is little data on whether opium contributes to head and neck cancer risk. Here, the authors conducted a multicenter case- control study, the Iran Opium and Cancer study (IROPICAN). They recruited 633 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and 3065 controls. The study drew from 10 provinces in Iran where opium use is most prevalent. They found that regular opium users have an elevated overall risk of HNSCC, and laryngeal cancer in particular.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/166166/1/ijc33289_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/166166/2/ijc33289.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/166166/3/ijc33289-sup-0001-TableS1.pd