Effect of lead intoxication and D-penicillamine treatment on hematological indices in rats

Lead is one of the most important environmental pollution which is toxic to many organ systems. D-penicillamine (D-P) is a chelator drug which is used for treatment of lead toxicity for several years. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of D-P in reducing the effects of lead on hematological indices. This study was done on 36 male adult, 6-8 weeks albino Wistar rats in Gorgan University of Medical Sciences. At first male adult rats were exposed to lead acetate in their drinking water. After 8 weeks, 6 rats were selected and blood samples were prepared to assess the effects of lead toxicity. The remained lead exposed rats were divided into recovery and treatment groups where distilled water and D-P was administered for them, respectively. After lead exposure, red blood cell count increased slightly, but hemoglobin and hematocrite were decreased. Also MCV and MCH were significantly decreased (P<0.05). RDW, PDW and MPV were significantly higher in lead exposed rats (P<0.05). After recovery period, most of parameters were close to normal while there were no significant differences between recovery and treatment groups. This study showed that hematologic effects of lead are reversible and D-P administration do not play an important role in subchronic lead intoxication

Effect of intrauterine morphine sulfate exposure on cerebellar histomorphological changes in neonatal mice

Neurotoxic effects of morphine sulfate in adult cerebellar cortex and neonatal cerebral cortex have been studied in animal models. This study was done to determine the neurotoxic effects of prenatal morphine exposure on the histo morphological changes of cerebellar cortical layer and Purkinje cells in mice neonates. In this experimental study 30 female mice were randomly allocated into cases and controls. In the case group, animals received morphine sulfate 10 mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally for 7 days. After mating, dams received morphine sulfate 10 mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally for 20 days of gestation. Animals in the control group received normal saline. On the day of delivery (P0), the cerebella of six neonates for each group were removed and stained with cresyl violet. Quantitative computer-assisted morphometric study was done on the cortical layer of the cerebellum. Morphine exposure caused a non-significant increase in fetal weight in the case group. Purkinje cells in cases were decreased in comparison with controls (p < 0.05). Histomorphometric examination revealed that the thickness of Pur kinje and internal granular layers of the cerebellar cortex decreased in the morphine-exposed group (p < 0.05). This study revealed that morphine administration before and during pregnancy can cause Purkinje cell loss and reduction of thickness of the Purkinje and internal granular layer of the cerebellar cortex and size of Purkinje cells in neonatal mice

Clinical manifestations of Giardiasis in Iran

Context: Giardiasis has multiple clinical manifestations and its prevalence is relatively high in the Hamadan province of Iran. Aims: This study was conducted to determine the most frequent clinical signs and symptoms of Giardiasis in the Hamadan province of Iran in 2006. Setting and Design: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. Methods and Material: Sixty four patients infected with Giardia were recruited. Antiglidin anti-body and TTG tests were done to rule out celiac disease. Statistical analysis used: The data was entered into a computer and chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of a total of 64 cases, 26 were females. Giardiasis was most common in cases aged 16-20 years old (20.3%), in males (59.4%) and in patients with the educational status of primary school (31.25%). The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain (42.1%). Conclusion: We found that the clinical manifestations of Giardiasis are similar to that of other gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac. So Giardiasis should be considered as the most probable diagnosis in patients with gastrointestinal problems

Temporal variations of dietary habits in a high-risk area for upper gastrointestinal cancers: A population-based study from Northern Iran

Background: Nutrition transition is a global health problem, especially in developing countries. It is known as an important factor for development of different types of health conditions including cancers. Objectives: We aimed to assess the pattern of nutrition transition in a high-risk area for upper gastrointestinal cancers in Northern Iran during the last decade. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on households of Golestan province, Iran. Data on household food consumption between 2001 and 2010 were obtained from the Statistical Center of Iran. The proportions of households with medium/high consumption of main foods were calculated for each year. Joint point software was used for assessing trends. Annual percent changes (APCs) and 95CIs were calculated. Results: In total, 12,060 households were recruited. The APCs (95CI) of the proportion of households medium/high consumption of cereals, vegetables, legumes, fish, dairy products and meats were -3.1 (-4.1 to -2.2), -2.9 (-3.8 to -2.1), -2.3 (-3.2 to -1.4), -2.8 (-3.3 to -2.4), -1.9 (-3.0 to -0.9) and 2.7 (1.2 to 4.3), respectively. Conclusions: We found significant increase in meat consumption among our population between 2001 and 2010. Our results also suggested significant decreasing trend in consumption of so-called healthy foods including, plant foods, fish, and dairy products. Regarding its correlation with health conditions including cancers, nutrition transition should be considered as a priority in health policy making in our region as well as other high-risk populations. It is recommended to conduct community level interventions to increase consumption of plant foods, fish, and dairy products

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the 8th most common cancer and the 6th most frequent cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common type of EC. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been suggested as a risk factor for developing ESCC. In this paper we will review different aspects of the relationship between PAH exposure and ESCC. PAHs are a group of compounds that are formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter. Studies in humans have shown an association between PAH exposure and development of ESCC in many populations. The results of a recent case-control study in a high risk population in northeastern Iran showed a dramatic dose-response relationship between PAH content in non-tumor esophageal tissue (the target tissue for esophageal carcinogenesis) and ESCC case status, consistent with a causal role for PAH exposure in the pathogenesis of ESCC. Identifying the main sources of exposure to PAHs may be the first and most important step in designing appropriate PAH-reduction interventions for controlling ESCC, especially in high risk areas. Coal smoke and drinking mate have been suggested as important modifiable sources of PAH exposure in China and Brazil, respectively. But the primary source of exposure to PAHs in other high risk areas for ESCC, such as northeastern Iran, has not yet been identified. Thus, environmental studies to determining important sources of PAH exposure should be considered as a high priority in future research projects in these areas

Different features in Wegener's granulomatosis: Report of five cases

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. It is often a rapidly progressive and potentially fatal disease. The clinical presentation of WG can be so diverse that the list of its differential diagnosis is vast, ranging from infectious diseases to other vasculitis (e.g. Behcet's disease), as well as malignancies. The exact aetiology of WG remains unclear. The upper airway diseases including sinusitis, oral lesions and otitis media are the most common presenting features of WG. In this paper, we have described 5 WG cases. They had different presentations and chief complaints. Some of them presented with upper airways diseases, while the others mainly suffered from the manifestations of pulmonary involvement. Although all of them were finally diagnosed as WG cases, the processes of the work up for the diagnosis as well as the outcome of the disease were not the same. So, the diversities in the presentation should be mentioned in the management of the WG suspected patients

Can we rely on public data as a source of information for cancer registry in developing countries?

Background/aims: Although a "hospital-based cancer registry" is important in improving patient care, a "population-based cancer registry" with emphasis on epidemiology is important in allocating health care resources and prioritizing public health programs. Because of its reliance on retrieved clinical and para-clinical documents, there is some limitation in registering all cancer incidents in this system, especially in developing countries. In this study we examined the possibility of using public data as a complementary source of information for recording cancers in a population-based cancer registry. Methods: Along with the annual census in rural areas, a survey was performed in Golestan province in March 2004 to identify public awareness about cancer incidents in the community. Individuals were questioned about history of cancer in their close relatives during the last two years. Those who reported cancer in their relatives were also asked to name the main organ of involvement. A similar list was retrieved from the cancer registry at the Ministry of Health in Gorgan, and cases with upper GI (esophagus and gastric) cancer diagnosis from 21 March 2002 through 20 March 2004 were selected for this study. Finally, these two lists were compared for examining accuracy of the collected data. Results: We included 137 cases in our study with rural residence and known addresses. Only 35 (25.5%) cases were reported by the relatives and among them only 20 (57.1%) relatives correctly reported the tumor location. Although we found a difference in accurate reporting of cancer incidents by year of diagnosis (more correct cases reported during the second versus the first year), the difference was not statistically significant between the two years. Conclusion: In this study, we examined the possibility of using public awareness about cancer incidents as a complementary source of information for a population-based cancer registry. We found that this approach is not ideal for reducing limitations. Therefore, we recommend a nationwide cancer registry to record all cancer-related information at the time of diagnosis. This strategy will reduce the need for performing retrospective surveys in collecting cancer-related information

Anthropometric indices in individuals infected with ascaris lumbericoids in Iran

Context: Ascaris Lumbericoids infection is more common in children and teenagers and in areas with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions. Largest of all the parasites inhabiting the human intestine it is also the most common of parasitic infections in developing countries. It has been reported to infect about one-fourth of the world population. Chronic ascariasis has been reported to adversely effect the growth rate and anthropometric indices in infected individuals of growing age. Aims: The goal of this research was to evaluate the anthropometric indices in individuals infected with Ascaris in Hamedan province of Iran. Settings and Design: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. Methods and Material: Six hundred fourteen randomly selected individuals who were inhabitants of Hamedan province of Iran were chosen for this study. Stool samples of these individuals were collected and then experimented with Formel-Ether method to determine Ascaris Lumbericoids infection. Height and weight of these individuals were measured and compared with the indices related to NCHS. Demographic information of these individuals was entered into questionnaires and ultimately was analyzed with SPSS software. Results: Out of the total study population, 16.5% of individuals were found to be infected with Ascaris. Out of the individuals infected with Ascaris, 1% were underweight. In the age groups of 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 years, 3.5%, 5.1% and 3.5% were found to be suffering from malnutrition, respectively. Conclusion: Malabsorption in children might result in malnutrition. In this study, few individuals infected with Ascaris had malnutrition, thus Ascaris infection may not be an important cause of malnutrition among children in our area

Endoscopic screening for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth common cancer and the sixth most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains the most common type of EC in the developing world and an important health problem in high-risk areas. Most of ESCC cases present in late stages, resulting in delayed diagnosis and poor prognosis. Prevention is the most effective strategy to control ESCC. Primary and secondary preventive methods may be considered for ESCC. In primary prevention, we try to avoid known risk factors. The aim of the secondary preventive method (ESCC screening programs) is to detect and eliminate premalignant precursor lesion of ESCC, preventing its progression into advanced stages. Similar to all population-based screening programs, any screening for early detection of ESCC must be cost-effective; otherwise, screening may not be indicated in that population. Endoscopy with iodine staining has been accepted as a population-level ESCC screening program in some high-risk areas including parts of China. This method may be too expensive and invasive in other high-risk communities. Nonendoscopic methods may be more applicable in these populations for population-based screenings. The limitations (questionable validity and costs) of new endoscopic imaging modalities, including narrow-band imaging (NBI), made them inappropriate to be used in population-level ESCC screening programs. Low-cost, less-invasive endoscopic imaging methods with acceptable diagnostic performance may make screening of ESCC in high-risk areas cost-effective

Central obesity and advanced liver stiffness in Hepatitis B: Result from golestan hepatitis B cohort study

Background: Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus and obesity may both contribute synergistically to liver disease, although relatively few studies have investigated this hypothesis. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the relationship between central obesity and the liver stiffness in the Golestan Hepatitis B cohort study (GHBCS). Methods: Our study included 304 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients enrolled from GHBCS. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and laboratory tests were performed after a follow-up of 4 years (2012). The hepatitis B viral load was measured at the baseline and follow-up using the real-time PCR method. Waist circumference ≥102 cm in men and ≥ 89 cm in women (central obesity) was considered to be abnormal. Advanced liver stiffness (ALS) was defined as LSM≥8 KPa. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-V17. Logistic regression was used to test predictors of advanced liver stiffness (LSM ≥ 8 KPa). Linear regression was used to test the predictive value of variables in ALT (as a continuous variable). P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among these CHB patients, 19 (7.4%) cases with a mean (±SD) age of 49.5 (±6.3) developed ALS after 4 years of follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed a significant predictive role of central obesity and viral load in ALS. Conclusions: Central obesity is related to the liver stiffness in chronic hepatitis B patients. © 2015, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved