Comparison of the serum levels of trace elements in areas with high or low rate of esophageal cancer

Background: there is a critical role for trace elements in cancer prevention. Since northeast Iran is known as a high risk area for esophageal cancer, this study was designed to compare the serum levels of some trace elements in high and low rate areas of Golestan province

Methods: we used 240 fasting serum samples obtained in 2011 from eastern and western parts of Golestan province during the non-communicable diseases' screening program. To carry out laboratory examinations, the samples were firstly deproteinated and then the concentrations of the intended elements were measured by an atomic absorption spectrometer. A total of 227 samples were used in the present study and the remaining 13 samples were excluded due to inappropriate conditions

Results: the mean serum level of zinc in the high-risk region was significantly lower than that in the low-risk region. But no significant difference was detected in serum levels of copper, magnesium, and manganese in the low-risk and high-risk regions

Conclusion: as this study was an ecological study with no comparison between patients with cancer and healthy population, its results cannot be used for the general population. Therefore, complementary studies including case-control studies are suggested for further evaluation of the relationship between these elements and the incidence of esophageal cancer

Correlation between low bone density and disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis

Different clinical and epidemiological studies using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry have shown an increased prevalence of low bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between bone density and the disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this cross-sectional study, 52 patients with ulcerative colitis [duration of the disease less than 5 years] were invited to our research center, Golestan province, northeast of Iran, during February 2012 up to August 2012. A demographic checklist and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index was completed for each patients and 5 cc of blood sample was taken after obtaining the informed consent. We used colorimetry method for measuring serum calcium, UV method for serum phosphorus and ELISA for serum vitamin D. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was done to evaluate the bone density. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. Normality of data was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. T and ANOVA tests were used if data had normal distribution. Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for the remaining data. Correlation between qualitative variables was evaluated by Chi-square test. The mean [ +/- SD] age and disease activity of the patients were 37.72 [ +/- 12.18] years and 4.78 [ +/- 1.98], respectively. There were no correlation between disease activity and mean age Low bone density was seen in 30.8%, 11 .5%, and 15.4% in spine, femur neck, and hip, respectively. There was no relationship between Z-score of total hip, spine, and femur neck with disease activity, age, and duration of disease [p>0.05]. Our results showed an acceptable rate of low bone density in patients with ulcerative colitis without any correlation with the disease activity index

Evaluation of some plasma coagulation factors in women with spontaneous miscarriage

It has been reported that 15-20% of parous female have experienced at least one miscarriage, while 3% of them have experienced two miscarriages. The goal of this study was to evaluate the plasma level of coagulation factors in women with a his-tory of spontaneous abortions. In this case-control study, 82 women with a history of two or more abortions referred to the six private gynecologic clinics in Gorgan city without any structural abnormality were recruited during 201 1-2012. Plasma levels of antithrom-bin III [ATIII] using colorimetric assay, protein C, protein S, factor V Leiden and lupus anticoagulant [LAC] using coagulation method were measured. The control group was women with a history of normal delivery and no abortions. Those under anti-coagulant therapy were excluded from the study. Data were entered into the computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA] version 16 and analyzed by Chi-square, t test and non-parametric tests. At least one abnormality was reported in 35 cases [42.7%]. Among them, protein C deficiency was the most prevalent [30.5%]. ATIII was abnormal in 17.1% and lupus anti-coagulant was abnormal in 8.5%. Factor V Leiden was normal in all cases and protein S deficiency was only seen in one case. We suggest to perform these tests in regards to the thrombophilia in cases with spontaneous abortions in order to find an early cure for this treatable disorder

Selenium levels in rice samples from high and low risk areas for esophageal cancer

To assess the relationship between selenium [Se] concentration in rice and the incidence of esophageal cancer [EC] in a high risk area in Northern Iran. This ecological study was conducted in Golestan province of Iran in 2012. In this area, 45714 acres of land are cultivated by rice. A total of 69 rice samples were taken. We investigated Se concentrations by the voltammetric method. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test and Mann-Whitney U test. The mean [ +/- SD] Se level in rice samples was 0.229 [ +/- 0.145] mg/kg. The Se concentration was significantly higher in rice samples from high EC rate areas [0.35 mg/kg] compared with low risk areas [0.16 mg/kg] [p<0.001]. There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of Se in rice and the incidence rate of EC [p=0.03]. We found a high rice Se concentration and a significant positive relationship between rice Se levels and EC rates in the Golestan province of Iran. High soil and rice Se levels may play a possible role in the pathogenesis of EC in this area

Effects of vitamin E and zinc supplementation on antioxidants in beta thalassemia major patients

In beta thalassemic patients, tissue damage occurs due to oxidative stress and it happens because of the accumulation of iron in the body. This study was conducted to determine the effect of zinc and vitamin E supplementation on antioxidant status in beta-thalassemic major patients. This double blind randomized clinical trial was carried out on 120 beta thalassemic patients older than 18 years. Patients were randomly categorized in four groups. Zinc [50mg/day] and vitamin E [400mg/day] supplements were administered for former and latter group, respectively. In the third group both supplements were administered in similar doses. The fourth [control] group received no supplement. The effect of supplementations on serum zinc and vitamin E, superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and body mass index [BMI] were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Serum zinc levels in group 1 and 3 were significantly increased [P<0.007 and P<0.005, respectively]. Serum vitamin E levels in group 2 and 3 were also increased significantly [P<0.001]. Mean GPX activity in group1, 2 and 3 decreased significantly [P<0.015, P<0.032 and P<0.029, respectively]. Mean SOD activity and TAC did not show significant change after supplementation. BMI had significant increase in all treated groups [P<0.001]. Our results suggest that beta thalassemic patients have enhanced oxidative stress and administration of selective antioxidants may preclude oxidative damage

prevalence of obesity and its related risk factor in the north of Iran in 2006

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the obesity and the related risk factors in the north of Iran. This was a population-based cross-sectional study that enrolled 2495 interviewers recorded the data using a multidimensional questionnaire including anthropometric indexes. Body mass index equal to or greater than 25 was considered as overweight and that of 30 and 40 as obese and pathologic obese respectively. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical data analysis. Mean age of the subjects was 39.2[95% CI: 38.6, 39.8] yr. Mean body mass index was 25.3 [95%CI: 25.0, 25.6] kg/m[2] for men and 27.5 [95% CI: 27.2, 27.9] kg/m[2] for women. The prevalence rates of overweight, obesity and pathologic obesity were 29.9% [745/2495], 22.5% [561/2495] and 1.8% [44/2495] respectively. The prevalence of obesity was higher in urban residents than rural ones, 27.3% versus 18.9% respectively [P<0.001]. The prevalence rates of obesity and pathologic obesity were much higher in women than men were, 30.3% versus 15.4% and 3.0% versus 0.6% respectively [P=0.001]. The odds ratio estimate was 1.68 [95% CI: 1.40, 2.02] for urban area compared to rural area; 2.60 [95% CI: 2.14, 3.15] for females compared to males; 5.95 [95% CI: 1.44, 2.84] for age group of 55-65 years compared to age group of 15-24 years; 1.76 [95% CI: 1.17, 2.64] for illiterate people compared to those who had academic education; 1.98 [95% CI: 1.13, 2.49] for poor people compared to people with high economic level. The prevalence of obesity and overweight is very high in the north of Iran, hence is a signal of serious health problem, and should be the focus of special attention

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and its co-infection with hepatitis D virus and hepatitis C virus in Iranian adult population.

CONTEXT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most prevalent public health problems worldwide (especially in developing countries). AIMS: This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and its co-infection with hepatitis D (HDV) and C (HCV) viruses in the northeastern part of Iran. SETTING AND DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As many as 1,850 subjects were explored for HBsAg. Anti-HDV and anti-HCV antibodies were assessed in HBsAg-positive cases. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Proportions were compared by Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 43.86 +/- 11.2 years. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence for HBsAg positivity was 9.7%. It was higher in males than in females (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.9-1.7). The risk of infection in singles was significantly higher than in married cases (OR: 2.13). Eight (5.8%) of HBsAg-positive cases were infected with HDV and 17 (12.3%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity in Golestan province of Iran is higher than the levels reported by WHO and previous studies from Iran. It is very important, especially for health providers and policy makers, to recognize the risk factors of HBV infection and its co-infection with HDV and HCV in this area and design effective preventive programs.