Comparison of gastric adverse effects of aspirin and celecoxib before and after eradicating Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs

The present study was carried out to determine whether Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs could affect lesions caused by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], aspirin and celecoxib. Thirty asymptomatic mixed-breed dogs were used for this study. Gastric biopsies were taken via gastroscopy and evaluated by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and rapid urease tests [RUT]. Helicobacter spp. was detected in all specimens. The infection was completely eradicated in 15 dogs by a three-drug regimen for 21 days [amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole]. Each Helicobacter-positive and -negative group was then divided into three subgroups treated with aspirin, celecoxib and placebo for 14 days. Dogs in the different subgroups were compared by sequential gastroscopy on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 [a week after drug cessation]. The results show that selective COX-2 inhibitors are better tolerated than conventional non-selective NSAIDs in dogs in terms of their side effects; however, these drugs should be administered with caution. Unlike what is advised in medical practices in humans, it seems that the eradication of non-pylori Helicobacter spp. from the stomach is not necessary prior to administrating NSAIDs in dogs

[Association between nuts consumption and abdominal obesity, overweight and obesity in female adolescents: an epidemiological study]

Nuts are one of the most healthy food groups, but due to their fat content and high energy density their consumption is mostly restricted for weight control. The aim of this study was to assess the association between nuts consumption and abdominal obesity, overweight and obesity. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected on 550 female adolescents, aged 15-18 years, selected by multistage cluster random sampling from Najafabad high schools. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard methods. Intakes of nuts and other food groups were evaluated by a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ] questionnaire. Other required variables were collected by general questionnaires. Abdominal obesity was defined on basis of the 75[th] Waist circumference percentiles for Iranian children and adolescents. Overweight and obesity were defined on the basis of International Obesity Task Force [IOTF] cut-points. The prevalence of abdominal obesity and overweight or obesity were 48.9 and 25.7 percent respectively. Mean and median intakes of nuts in this community were 22.36 and 10.35 gr/day respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, the subjects in the top quartile of nut consumption were less likely to have overweight and obesity [odds ratio [OR]:0.25; 95% Cl: 0.11-0.54] and abdominal obesity [OR: 0.54; 95% Cl, 0.28-1.03], compared to those in the lowest quartile. Consumption of nuts was associated with lower risk of abdominal obesity, overweight and obesity. The results of this study suggest that incorporating nuts into diets might help weight control

Folate and vitamin B12 intake and risk of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Iran and has a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to assess the association between folate and vitamin B12 intake and risk of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus cancer. In this case-control study, cases [n=47] were patients diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus [SCCE] in main hospital Kurdistan and controls [matched with cases by age and sex] were patients with acute non-cancer diseases at the same hospitals [n=96]. Demographic data and physical activity were collected using questionnaires. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire used for nutritional information and folate and vitamin B12 intake were calculated with Nutritionst IV [N4]. Thirty eight percent of cases and 40% of controls were males. Mean age of cases and controls were 58 +/- 18 and 58 +/- 17 years respectively. Mean folate intake among cases was 152.1 microg/day, which was less than in the controls. After adjustment for confounders, folate intake was inversely related with SCCE [OR=0.03, 95% Cl 0.00, 0.12]. The association between vitamin B[12] intake and SCCE was not significant [p=0.46]. Folate intake was inversely related with SCCE: however, there was not a significant association between vitamin 612 intake and SCCE

[Association between duration of breastfeeding and subsequent overweight and obesity in female adolescents]

In order to prevent obesity it is essential to identify its determinants. This study aimed to assess the association between duration of breastfeeding and subsequent obesity among female adolescents in Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected on 550 female adolescents aged 15-18 years selected by multistage cluster random sampling from Najafabad high schools. Anthropometric measurements were made and the body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Information on duration of breastfeeding and other required variables was collected by interviewing parents using questionnaires. Overweight and obesity were defined on the basis of TOTF cut-points. The mean [ +/- SD] duration of breastfeeding was 19.7 +/- 8.1 months, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity 20.5% and 6%, respectively. Breastfeeding as such [that is, without considering its duration], was significantly associated with a reduced risk of overweight or obesity [25.8% for breastfed, vs 50% for non-breastfed, adolescent, P = 0.02]. However, no statistically significant association was found between duration of breastfeeding and either overweight or obesity in the subjects [r= -0.007, P=0.87]. Our findings indicate that breastfeeding may reduce subsequent risk of obesity and overweight in female adolescents, although we found no association between duration of breastfeeding and adolescent overweight or obesity