[Relationship between rainfall and temperature with the incidence of cancer in Golestan Province, northern Iran]

Background and Objective: Golestan province in north of Iran is known as a high risk area for cancers. Differences in climatic characteristics including rainfall, temperature and humidity may affect the diet, types of vegetation and lifestyle of residents in this area. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between rainfall and temperature with the incidence of cancer in Golestan province, north of Iran

Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, climatological data and Data of cancer incidence in Golestan province, north of Iran were collected during 2005 and 2010

Results: Higher incidence of cancers was seen in areas with dried climate including Eastern parts of the province and the Turkmen sahra [P<0.05]. A significant negative correlation was found between the rainfall and the incidence of esophageal cancer [r=-0.64, P<0.04]. The average rainfall was significantly lower in high-risk area for esophageal cancer than in low-risk area [P<0.05]. The incidence of gastric cancers was significantly higher in dry climate than humid climates [P<0.05]. The incidence of esophageal and intestinal cancers was non-significantly higher in dry climate than humid climates. The incidence of breast cancer was non-significantly lower in dry climate than humid climates

Conclusion: This study showed that higher incidence of cancers in dry climates when compared with humid climates. Also, environmental factors may play a role in high incidence rate of cancers in this area

[Prevalence of fatty liver in overweight, ohese and normal children]

Background and Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease worldwide and it is defined as a disorder of excess fat accumulation in the liver. This study | was done to determine the prevalence of fatty liver among overweight, obese and normal children

Methods: This historical cohort study was conducted on 90 children ages 5 to 13 years old in Taleghani pediatric theching hospital in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2014. Subjects according to Body Mass Index [BMI] classified into obese [95%>BMI], over weight [85-95% BMI] and normal [5-85% BMI]. Childern were matched for age and sex. Liver enzymes [ALT Alanine aminotransferase and AST [Aspartate aminotransferase] and lipid profile includingTriglyceride: TG [High Density Lipoprotein: HDL and [Low Density Lipoprotein: LDL were measured and fatty liver evaluated based on sonographic parameters by a radiologist who didnot know children's BMI

Results: The prevalence of fatty liver was 23.3% in obese children that was non- significantly higher j than normal [16.7%] and over weight [16.7%] children. The prevalence of fatty liver was not] significantly different between two sexes. AST was significantly higher in children with normal BMI j in compared to obese and over weight children [P<0.05]. The highest and lowest level of cholesterol J was seen in obese and normal children [P<0.05]

Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of fatty liver non-significantly was higher u] obese children in comparision with normal and over weight children

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among Iranian children aged 15-26 months in 2006

This study in 2006 estimated the hepatitis B virus [BHV] vaccination coverage in the Islamic Republic of Iran at the national and district levels in urban, rural and remote populations of 41 university health service areas. Of 21 905 children recruited to the study, vaccination coverage based on vaccination card records was 100% in 14,15 and 10 of the 41 university areas for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd doses of HBV respectively. National levels of HBV1, HBV2 and HBV3 coverage were 98.9%, 98.8% and 98.4% respectively. The lowest HBV vaccination coverage rate was 90.7% [in a remote district]. HBV vaccination coverage was at an acceptable level in Iranian children

[Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotype among HCV infected patients in Golestan province, Iran]

Background: Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is one of the main causative factors of liver disease which can lead to chronic hepatitis C infection in 80% of cases. HCV genotypes have a special worldwide geographic distribution. The goal of the present study was to detect HCV genotypes in patients with anti-HCV positive titers in Golestan Province, Iran

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 95 positive HCV samples as detected by RIBA were evaluated. Viral RNA was extracted with a Roche extraction kit and the Fermentase cDNA kit Random hexamer primers was used for viral genomic cDNA synthesis. PCR was performed on all samples by a general pair of primers. Second-step PCR was done with specific primers, and the results were obtained following electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel and ethidium bromide staining in documentation gel

Results: General primer PCR revealed 91 positive samples. Assessment of 77 samples determined that the following genotypes were present: 1 and 3 [1a [19.5%], 1b [19.5%], 3a [15.6%], 3b [24.7%]], 2a [2.6%], 4 [7.8%]. The remaining samples were a mixture of genotypes 1 and 3 [6.5%]

Conclusion: The ingmost prevalent genotypes found were types 1 and 3 in Golestan Province. This distribution pattern differed from other areas in Iran, however genotype 4 was in accordance with other studies. Genotype 2 was only reported in this study and a study in Tehran. Thus, additional, larger studies of HCV genotypes should be performed for further analysis of genotypic distribution patterns

[Polyethylene glycol versus lactulose in chronic pediatric constipation]

Introduction: Constipation is one of the most prevalent causes of abdominal pain in pediatrics, with no underlying pathology. It is defined as functional constipation in 95% of cases evaluated. This study was designed to compare the therapeutic effect of polyethylene glycol [PEG] and lactulose in treating chronic functional constipation in children

Materials and Methods: In this randomized, double blind clinical trial, patients were classified into two groups: lactulose [n=65] and PEG [n=63]. During an eight week period, patients were either treated with an average of 3.5 g/day [PEG] or 7 g/day [lactulose]. Successful treatment was defined as defecation [painless and soft, or normal] three times or more per week. Analysis was performed by calculation and comparison of the success rate in both groups, followed by reporting the relative risk and number needed to treat [NNT]

Results: Response to treatment in the second week was significantly higher in the PEG group when compared with the lactulose group [P<0.0001]. There was a significant difference in the response rate between both groups in the 4th and 6th weeks [P<0.0001]. In the 8th week all patients in the PEG group were treated successfully, whereas there were five [7.7%] cases who did not respond in the lactulose group

Conclusion: These results have shown that a four week treatment period with PEG [3 g/day] lead to a response rate of 87% in children, in comparison with lactulose [7 g/day] which needed at least eight weeks of treatment

[Nitrate and nitrite level of drinking water and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in urban areas of Golestan province, northeast of Iran]

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. 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

[Gastrointestinal and abdominal Tuberculosis in Golestan-Iran: a 5-years report]

15-20% of TB cases are extra pulmonary tuberculosis [EPTB]. Abdominal TB is the most common type of extra intestinal TB. Signs and symptoms of abdominal TB are unspecific. In this study, we identified all GITB cases in Golestan province [Iran] between 1999 and 2003 and determined their demographic characteristics. We reviewed all new cases of TB reported during 1999-2003 from TB centers of Golestan province.Then EPTB and especially GI and abdominal TB cases were selected. We completed a questionnaire containing demographic information for each of them. The information entered the computer in SPSS-13 was used to analyze the data. 30 patients had been treated for GI and abdominal TB, most of them were females [22 cases, 73.3%]. Mean age of the patients was 32.03 +/- 13.73 with higher incidence in age before 40 years old [70%]. Most common complaints of the patients were fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, fever and abdominal pain, respectively. In 66.7% of patients the diagnosis was pathologically documented. Our data suggest that 38.46% of all TB cases in Golestan province were EPTB, and this scale is higher than other studies. In this study, 5.27% of EPTB cases were GI and abdominal TB, higher than the world reports [3%]

[Seroepidemiology of celiac disease among blood donor in Golestan province]

Celiac is a digestive disease. In this disease, small bowel is damaged and the absorption of nutrients are adversely affected. These patients do not absorb gluten. There is probably a correlation between esophagus cancer and celiac. The aim of this research was to study the seroepidemiology celiac disease in this area with high prevalency of esophagus cancer. This research was a descriptive study, which was performed on blood donors in Golestan province during the year 2005-06. blood samples were taken from 2547 subjects. tTG-IgA determination were carried out using ElISA technique, the titre<4U/ml, 4-10U/ml and >10Um/l were considered to be as negative, weakly positive and positive respectively. EMA antibody assessment were carried out on all sample population with more than 4U/ml, using IFA method. 28 subjects [1.1%] had tTG-Ab positive test, out of this number 18 subjects [0.7%] were weakly positive and 10 persons [0.4%] were considered to be positive. EMA test were positive in 70% of subjects with tTG positive results. There was not any significant meaning between positive tTG test and ethnicity from weakly positive tTG, 15 subjects [83.3%] and 3 subjects [16.7%] were male and female respectively. The entire tTG positive were male subjects. In regard to high prevalency of esophagus cancer in the region and the relation of celiac disease with above cancer, it seems necessary to look more seriously at the celiac disease

Study of the P53 gene expression by immunohistochemistry in patients with gastric cancer at 5th azar hospital in Gorgan, Iran

Background and Purpose: P53 gene is a tumor suppressive gene and its product, P53 protein, is a protective factor against tumor formation that inhibits the extension of genetically damaged cells. P53 aggregation in tumoral cell nucleus is related with p53 gene mutations, which can be detected by immunohistochemical methods. This study was designed to investigate the protein aggregation in patients with gastric cancer in Gorgan, Iran

Methods and materials: All paraffin-embedded blocks of gastric cancer cases during the years 2000 to 2004 in the pathology ward of the 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan, Iran [111 cases altogether] were evaluated and stained, for detecting microtome cutting. The obtained data were entered into SPSS and chisquare was used for analysis

Results: 111 cases with gastric cancer were investigated. The most frequent type of gastric tumor was adenocarcinoma [66.7%]. In 59.5% of the affected cases, P53 protein was detected. No significant relationship was observed between P53 expression and factors such as age, gender, and histological type of the tumor

Conclusions: In this study, P53 protein rate was high but it showed no significant relationship with other variables. We suggest further studies to discover the relationship between protein aggregation in tumor cells and other variables in affected cases