Association of vitamin D receptor polymorphism [VDR rs 2238136] with colorectal cancer

Many studies have demonstrated that Vitamin D has an important role in cell growth and proliferation and vitamin D receptor polymorphism has significant relationship with colorectal cancer [CRC]. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of VDR rs 2238136 polymorphism in Iranian population and to investigate the relationship between this single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] and increased risk of CRC. In this case-control study, genotyping of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism [VDR rs2238136] was determined in a series of 112 colorectal cancer patients and 112 controls by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping assays [PCR-RFLP]. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS 16. VDR polymorphism [rs 2238136] had no significant relationship with CRC risk. The result of statistical analysis for the genotype AG compared with GG was OR=0. 59, CI=0.33-1.03 and for AA versus GG was OR=0.8, Ct=0.29-2.17. Incidence of mutant allele in patients and controls did not show significant difference [OR=0.74, CI=0.49 -1.13]. These findings suggest that VDR [rs 2238136] is not associated with increased risk of CRC. Moreover age, sex and smoking are not predisposing factors for increased risk of CRC

[Association of TNF-alpha promoter G-238A polymorphism and obesity in an Iranian population]

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] is expressed primarily in adiposities, and elevated levels of this cytokine have been linked to obesity and insulin resistance. We, therefore, examined the relationship between this variant and obesity in an Iranian population. Subjects of the Tehran lipid and Glucose Study were classified in two age groups, the under 18 and the above 18; adults were classified in three groups according to their body mass index; BMI<25, 25

[Epidemiologic survey of the self-injury in the male students of Tabriz's high schools and it's related factors]

There are currently no reliable estimates of the prevalence of self-injury among adolescent population. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of self-injury among a sample of 10 grade male students in Tabriz city and to evaluate the associated factors such as demographic and risk taking behaviors. Of all grade-10 male students in Tabriz, 1772 were randomly sampled. A self- administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, self-injury, substance abuse, general risk taking behavior and friends smoking. The influence of different factors on self-injury was evaluated with a logistic regression model. Among 1772 students 76 [4.3%, CI 95%: 3.4-5.3] had self- injury. Eight [10.5%] of them were carving, 4 [5.3%] burning, 9[11.8%] hitting, 27[35.5%] cutting, 7[9.2%] tattooing, 5[6.6%] skin picking and 17[22.4%] bruising. The results indicate that, ever alcohol use [OR= 1.52], having smoker friend [OR= 2.54] and higher smoking stage [OR= 1.85] were factors associated with student's self-injury. This study has shown low prevalence of self-injury and determined some of its risk factors among students. More studies about adolescent population are necessary to approve the observed results of this study and thus allow for a certain generalization of the observations

Comparing axillary and rectal temperatures in children under 5 at pediatric wards of Mofid hospital affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University

Assessment of vital signs is a part of nursing care. There are several methods for body temperature measurement. Usually, it is measured by oral, axillar, rectal, tempanic and skin routes, all of which have specific complications, advantages and risks. Rectal method is accurate and shows central body temperature but it is an invasive procedure. Although many studies have been conducted to compare these methods, the difference between body temperature is not yet known. This descriptive comparative study was conducted to compare axillary and rectal methods in the measurement of body temperature in children under 5 at pediatric wards of Mofid Hospital affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in Tehran. 126 hospitalized children between 3 and 5 years with or without fever were selected. Data collection instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire [validated by content validity] and mercury thermometers which were placed in warm water and then compared for reliability. The temperature of children was first measured orally for 5 minutes and then rectally over 1 minute with a 1-minute interval. Difference between axillary and rectal temperatures was 0.78°C [SD= 0.3]. There was no significant correlation between age and this difference with no effect of age as well as fever. Environmental temperature had no effect on the difference of the two methods. Since the difference between axillary and rectal temperatures is important, axillary method because of being non-invasive is recommended

[ prevalence of smoking and its related personal and environmental factors in Tabrizi adolescents]

Cigarette smoking continues to be a major public health problem that specifically affects the adolescent population. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of smoking and to examine personal and environmental factors related to smoking among adolescents [15-19 years old] in the city of Tabriz. A school-based study was conducted using a random sample of 1785 students from 30 schools in five regions of Tabriz. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire inquired about smoking status, demographic characteristics, and personal and environmental factors, such as parental and friends' smoking status, and group membership. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between independent variables and smoking status using SPSS software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. About 23% of participants reported ever smoking. 77.4%, 18.2%, and 4.4% were never smoker, experimenter and regular smoker, respectively. Group membership, having smoking friends, and being offered cigarette by others, were strongly associated with smoking status in adolescents. The prevalence of smoking in Tabrizi adolescents is considerable, and having smoker friends is strongly related with adolescent smoking

[ invitro study of the influence of [tug-back] on the apical seal in root canal therapy]

The final objective of root canal therapy is to create a complete seal along the length of the root canal system from the coronal opening to the apical termination and to accomplish the best adaptation from obturation material with canal walls. The tug-back of the master cone is recommended to provide apical seal. The purpose of this study, was to determine the influence of tug-back on the quality of the apical seal. In this experimental in vitro study, seventy single canal teeth were selected. The crowns were removed, the canals were prepared using a step-back instrumentation technique. Patency of the apical foramen was maintained and the teeth were divided into 2 experimental groups of 32. In the first group obtruration was achieved by tug-back in master cone and in the second group without tug-back using lateral condensation technique. Six teeth were used as control group, out of which three served as negative and three as positive controls. The teeth were placed in 100% humidity and 37 degree c for three days. The roots of the teeth were coated with two layers of nail varnish and one layer of stick wax except for the 2mm of apical end. Teeth were immersed in methylenblue 2% solution for one week and finally the teeth were sectioned vertically. The depth of maximum dye penetration for each tooth was recorded by two evaluators with stereomicroscope. All results were submitted for statistical analysis using Student's t-test. The mean linear dye penetration for experimental group with tug-back in master cone was 6.918 +/- 2.140 mm while this was 8.110+/-1.929mm in the group without tug-back. This difference was statistically significant [P=0.02]. The results of this study showed that the tug-back in master cone provided a significantly better apical seal

Prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and multivariate analysis of its correlates in Tabriz city, 2004

Despite relatively easy access to contraceptive, the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy is high. The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of unwanted pregnancies and related factors among mothers delivering at 6 hospitals in Tabriz. In this cross-sectional study, 1576 women attended to 6 hospitals for delivery or abortion in September 2004 in Tabriz were interviewed. The questionnaire surveyed demographic characteristics, fertility history, contraceptive use, and willingness to pregnancy. The data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression using SPSS and EPI software. Totally, 414[26.7%] women had unwanted pregnancy. Higher age [OR=1.06], higher number of live children [OR=1.37], and having history of unwanted pregnancy [OR=4.34] were associated with unwanted pregnancy. Unwanted pregnancy is quite common in the region, thus, appropriate policies should be considered to eliminate this maternal health concern