Silica and esophageal cancer in Golestan province northeast of Iran

Objectives: Association of silica with diseases like cancers has been determined previously. This study was designed to determine the quantity of silis in flour produced in Golestan province and its relation to the esophageal cancer. Methodology: We took flour samples from all flour mills in Golestan province. Base-melting method in nickel cruise was used in 550° c; the extract was reduced with acid. The differences between silis concentration in various regions were compared. P-value 0.05). Conclusions: This study did not show high level of silica in the flour of Golestan province. We could not find significant differences between silica contaminations in the various areas. Further studies on the consumed bread and rice in the various regions of the province can be helpful

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

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

Modeling of influential predictors of gastric cancer incidence rates in Golestan Province, North Iran

Golestan province has a reputation for relatively high incidence rates of gastric cancer in Iran. Along with dietary, lifestyle and environmental influential factors, soil selenium and high levels of pesticide used may exert influence in this region. The present study was designed for modeling the influential predictors on incidence of gastric cancer in Golestan. All registered cases of gastric cancer from March 2009 to March 2010 (49 females and 107 males) were investigated. Data were gathered by both check list and researcher made questionnaire (demographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics) and analysed using logistic regression. Mean (±SD) age at diagnosis was 62.9±13.8 years. CIR and ASR of gastric cancer showed 9.16 and 13.9 per 100,000 people, respectively. Based on univariate logistic regression, a history of smoking (OR= 2.076), unwashed hands after defecation (OR= 2.612), history of cancer in relatives (OR= 2.473), history of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives (OR= 2.278), numbers of gastric cancers in first-degree relatives (OR= 2.078), history of X-ray and dye exposure (OR= 2.395), history of CT scan encounter (OR= 2.915), improper food habits (OR= 3.320), specific eating behavior (OR= 0.740), consumption of probable high risk foods (OR= 2.942), charred flesh (OR= 1.945), and animal fat (OR= 2.716) were confirmed as a risk factors. Changes in lifestyle may be expected to increase gastric cancer incidence dramatically in the near future. Therefore, appropriate educational interventions should be designed and implemented by competent authorities

Down-regulatory effects of miR-211 on long non-coding RNA SOX2OT and SOX2 genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that transcriptionally or post-Transcriptionally regulate gene expression through degradation of their mRNA targets and/or translational suppression. However, there are a few reports on miRNA-mediated expression regulation of long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). We have previously reported a significant upregulation of the lncRNA SOX2OT and its intronic coding gene, SOX2, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue samples. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of induced overexpression of miR-211 on SOX2OT and SOX2 expression in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we performed both bioinformatic and experimental analyses to examine whether these transcripts are regulated by miRNAs. From the list of potential candidate miRNAs, miR-211 was found to have complementary sequences to SOX2OT and SOX2 transcripts. To validate our finding experimentally, we transfected the NT-2 pluripotent cell line (an embryonal carcinoma stem cell) with an expression vector overexpressing miR-211. The expression changes of miR-211, SOX2OT, and SOX2 were then quantified by a real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach. Results: Compared with mock-Transfected cells, overexpression of miR-211 caused a significant down-regulation of both genes (P<0.05). Furthermore, flow-cytometry analysis revealed a significant elevation in sub-G1 cell population following ectopic expression of miR-211 in NT-2 cells. Conclusion: We report here, for the first time, the down-regulation of SOX2OT and SOX2 genes by an miRNA. Considering the vital role of SOX2OT and SOX2 genes in pluripotency and tumorigenesis, our data suggest an important and inhibitory role for miR-211 in the aforementioned processes

Prolongation of AV nodal refractoriness by Ruta graveolens in isolated rat hearts

Objectives: To evaluate concentration-dependent effects of total extract of Rusta graveolens and its purified alkaloid fraction on the nodal basic and functional properties. Methods: In the present experimental study, we used the Langendorff model for perfusion of isolated rat hearts to determine the effects of various concentrations of methanolic extract of Rue (1.25 × 10-6 weight per volume percent W/V; 2.5 × 10-6% W/V; 3.7 × 10-6 % W/ V) and total alkaloid of Rue (0.25 × 10-6% W/V; 0.5 × 10-6% W/V) on electrophysiological properties of cardiac tissue. Selective stimulation protocols were used to independently quantify atrioventricular (AV) nodal recovery, facilitation, and fatigue. We used 3 groups (N=24) of isolated perfused rat AV nodal preparations to assess the effect of Rue extracts. The study was carried out in October 2006 in the electrophysiology laboratory of the Cardiovascular Research Center of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Gorgan, Iran. Results: Our results showed that both the total plant extract and the alkaloid fraction of Ruta graveolens had a similar trend of action on nodal conduction time and refractorines. Furthermore, we observed increased atrioventricular conduction time (83±4 to 108±5 msec) and functional refractory period (157.6±3 to 163.7±4 msec) at a maximum concentration of 3.75 × 10-6% W/V. Conclusion: The above results indicated a potential antiarrhythmic effect of Ruta graveolens in treating supra ventricular tachyarrhythmia

Maternal haemoglobin concentrations before and during pregnancy and stillbirth risk: A population-based case-control study

Background: Results of previous studies on the association between maternal haemoglobin concentration during pregnancy and stillbirth risk are inconclusive. It is not clear if haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy has a role. Using prospectively collected information from pre-pregnancy and antenatal visits, we investigated associations of maternal haemoglobin concentrations before and during pregnancy and haemoglobin dilution with stillbirth risk. Methods: In a population-based case-control study from rural Golestan, a province in northern Iran, we identified 495 stillbirths (cases) and randomly selected 2,888 control live births among antenatal health-care visits between 2007 and 2009. Using logistic regression, we estimated associations of maternal haemoglobin concentrations, haemoglobin dilution at different stages of pregnancy, with stillbirth risk. Results: Compared with normal maternal haemoglobin concentration (110-120g/l) at the end of the second trimester, high maternal haemoglobin concentration (≥140g/l) was associated with a more than two-fold increased stillbirth risk (OR = 2.31, 95% CI [1.30-4.10]), while low maternal haemoglobin concentration (<110g/l) was associated with a 37% reduction in stillbirth risk. Haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy was not associated with stillbirth risk. Decreased haemoglobin concentration, as measured during pregnancy (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.46, 0.80]), or only during the second trimester (OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.62, 0.90]), were associated with reduced stillbirth risk. The associations were essentially similar for preterm and term stillbirths. Conclusions: Haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy is not associated with stillbirth risk. High haemoglobin level and absence of haemoglobin dilution during pregnancy could be considered as indicators of a high-risk pregnancy. © 2016 The Author(s)

Seroprevalence of anti-Hp and anti-cagA antibodies among healthy persons in Golestan province, northeast of Iran (2010)

Background: The major cause of peptic ulcer disease is helicobacter pylori (Hp), and it is also implicated in the pathogenesis of adenocarcinoma of the distal stomach and gastric lymphoma. The incidence of peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis, and gastric adenocarcinoma are more common in people infected of cagA positive strains of Hp. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the anti-Hp and anti-cagA antibodies among healthy persons in Golestan province-North of Iran. Methods: The blood samples of 1028 healthy people were collected all over Golestan province by cluster sampling. A demographic questionnaire was completed and body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each case. Hp-IgG (Pishtaz teb Co. Iran) and anti- cagA (DIA.PRO Italy) titer were evaluated by Elisa method. Data were collected and analyzed. Results: Six hundred-eighty three individuals (66.4%) were positive for Hp and 395 (57.8%) of them were cagA positive. Hp positive cases were (66.3%) and (66.6%) in male and female, respectively. Prevalence of cagA was 56.3% and 58.9%, respectively. The most seropositivity of Helicobacter Pylori (75.4%) was in 55-64 years old (p<0.001). Prevalence of cagA (63.4%) was more in age between 15-24 years. Conclusion: Prevalence of anti-Hp antibody and strains of cagA seropositive in healthy persons of this province of Iran were relatively high. Preventive protocol for reducing of the infection is recommended

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

Comparison of three with six regions of interest analyses in patients with idiopathic constipation undertaking colon transit scintigraphy using 67Ga-citrate

OBJECTIVE AND INTRODUCTION: Preparation of data from 6 geometric regions of interest in the colon is time consuming, and can become impractical in the environment of busy Nuclear Medicine Departments. Therefore, we have investigated and demonstrated an alternative method for obtaining the same diagnostic information from an analysis of patients with idiopathic constipation who underwent colon transit scintigraphy using 67Ga-citrate. Data analysis methods using three regions of interest are compared to the results obtained using the more time consuming 6 regions of interest method to analyze the data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we report our results of the comparative reanalysis of data obtained by more traditional methods. We compare 3 regions of interest (ROI) which were taken from areas including the right colon, left colon and the rectosigmoid colon, with original work using our alternative 6 (ROI) diagnostic methodology. In addition, the proximal colonic emptying (PCE) was determined at 24 hr post ingestion among members of 3 identified subject groups. RESULTS: The distribution of activity as the ingested 67Ga-citrate passes through the colon constitutes an activity profile. The mean activity position in the colon can be determined from subsequent radiographic images and from this the mean clearance time can be calculated. In quantitative assessment, this represents the time at which half of activity was eliminated from colon (mean half clearance time - MCT) which did not appear different in the reanalysis. There is no significant difference in the current study in GMC 24h, GMC 48h and GMC 72h between two groups using the Man Whitney u test (p &gt; 0.05), while in the previous work the results were statistically significant for the two later time periods GMC (GMC 48h and GMC 72h) (p = 0.016 and p = 0.027 respectively). The PCE in the group 1 was = 2.50 (0.37); group 2, 1.57 (0.47) and group 3, 2.97. The PCE was not different between the two groups (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation demonstrated that the radionuclide colon transit study using 67Ga-citrate is a safe, physiologic, and quantitative method for evaluating the transit of fecal material from cecum to rectum. Although, the visual assessment of diagnosis of the subjects in the two analyses is the same, it was not completely supported by quantitative measurements. Therefore, further studies need to be done