nail as a biomonitor of trace element status in Golestan cohort study

Background: In the Golestan Cohort Study that was launched to investigate the causes of esophageal cancer, a complete biospecimen bank was established for storage of collected blood, urine, hair, and nail samples. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of nail samples as a biomarker of selected trace elements status

Methods: Thirty toenail samples were selected randomly from the participants of Golestan Cohort Study [GCS]. The samples were cleaned and analyzed for selenium, mercury, chromium, iron, zinc, and scandium by instrumental neutron activation analysis at the University of Missouri Research Reactor Center. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for selected trace elements concentration versus scandium concentration to assess terrestrial contamination

Results: The selenium, zinc, and mercury were not correlated with scandium, suggesting they were free from substantial contamination. The high correlations of scandium with iron and chromium suggest that the iron and chromium levels may be compromised by terrestrial contamination. The coefficients of variation for duplicate samples for selenium and zinc were 2.6% and 7.2%, respectively

Conclusion: The nail samples from Golestan Cohort Study appears to be useable as a biomarker of selenium, zinc, and mercury and could be considered for use in future studies

Manganese intake and risk of esophageal cancer in golestan cohort study

Background: Infections attributed to Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] involve almost half of the world's population. One of the effects is auto-antibody induction and cross-reaction with numerous proteins in the body. As a result of its widespread prevalence and importance, this study evaluates the associations between H. pylori and thyroid auto-antibodies

Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 100 patients who were candidates for gastroesophageal endoscopy that referred to the Yazd Gastrointestinal Clinic. Patients underwent the following laboratory analyses: urease test, anti-H. pylori [IgG], TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid auto-antibodies [anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroid peroxides] Patients were divided into two groups of H. pylori positive and negative according to the results of the anti-H. pylori IgG and urease tests. The level of thyroid auto-antibodies and thyroid function tests were compared between groups. Data were analyzed with chi-square and t-tests. SPSS software version 17 was used for data analysis

Results: Overall, 61 % of patients were H. pylori positive. The mean anti-Thyroid peroxidase level in the H. pylori positive group was significantly more than the negative group [p<0.01]. In addition, 19.7% of H, pylori positive patients and 5.1% of H. pylori negative patients had positive anti-TPO levels, which the difference between both groups was significant [p<0.04]. There was no significant difference in thyroid fimction between the two groups

Conclusion: Although no significant difference in thyroid function was seen in the two groups more patients tested positive for anti-TPO levels in the H. pylori positive group, which was suggestive of thyroid auto-antibody induction by H. pylori

fasting in Ramadan ameliorate lipid profile? A prospective observational study

There are conflicting data on the effects of fasting in Ramadan in Muslim countries on Lipid profile. We aimed to evaluate the effect of fasting on lipid profiles and some ratios which are strong for predicting cardiovascular disease. This prospective observational study was done in Iran in 2012. Forty three persons were enrolled into the study. Their anthropometric measurement was done. Fasting plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL], total cholesterol [TC], and triglyceride [TG] were measured at baseline and after one month fasting during Ramadan by standard methods. Paired t test were used to compare lipid profiles before and after the intervention. High density lipoprotein cholesterol was 33.10 +/- 6.53 mg/dL at baseline and increased to 42.49 +/- 8.44mg/dL [P < 0.001]. Fasting in Ramadan decreased serum LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios significantly [P < 0.001]. Triglyceride levels were unaffected. Low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels increased [P=0.008]. Changes did not differ significantly between men and women. Fasting in Ramadan is effective to ameliorate High density lipoprotein, and LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios. Omitting one meal may be considered to control High density lipoprotein level. TG = Triglyceride, LDL = Low density Lipoprotein, HDL = High Density Lipoprotein, TC = Total Cholesterol

Systematic review of zinc biomarkers and esophageal cancer risk

It is hypothesized that poor zinc nutritional status is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer [EC], but current evidence is contradictory. Since some factors may influence zinc absorption, its status may be better evaluated thorough biomarkers. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review on the association of zinc biomarkers with EC in observational studies and to evaluate the efficacy of zinc supplements in preventing EC in randomized trials. The MEDLINE database was searched in December 2013 for studies written in English with relevant keywords. Articles which met inclusion criteria were included in this study. Eleven observational studies that measured zinc biomarkers and eight randomized trials which evaluated supplements containing zinc, met our inclusion criteria. The majority of studies suggested that higher zinc status was inversely associated with EC risk. Most of the evidence for this hypothesis comes from case-control studies, which may introduce bias. Cohort studies are needed to establish whether poor zinc status is associated with increased risk for EC. Findings from trials are inconclusive as there is no data from single agent trials. However, the evidence is not still strong enough to conclude a protective role of zinc in EC

[Diet therapy in irritable bowel syndrome; a review]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS] has the most common functional gastrointestinal disease and has among the most common reasons for outpatients doctor visit both in primary and specialty clinics. Patients suffer from lifelong chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and flatus often associated with anxiety depression which significant opposing effect on the quality of life and have to use the patients to use the healthcare system and induce a huge cost for health care system. It has also result in abstinence from work and its economic consequences. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome has symptom base which were most challenging aspect of clinical practice. Recently there was accumulating evidence in favor of dietary therapy as one of the cheapest and most effective therapy for IBS. However, there was need for a review which concludes these results. Purpose of this study was to look at the recent literatures about the role of diet in controlling IBS symptoms. Studies published in recent 5 years in Pub Med and SID databases were searched with relevant keywords. Human studies, English or Persian and original articles were included. Studies which were not relevant to medical nutrition therapy were excluded. From 81 studies, 31 studies were included. Foods containing gluten, lactose, fructose, galactane, sorbitol, fructane and allergen foods should be limited or omitted. Patients should be advised to use fibers, prebiotics and probiotics more often. Medical nutrition therapy is a useful method for controlling symptoms of these patients and should be advised

Introduction of a new diagnostic method for breast cancer based on fine needle aspiration [fna] test data and combining intelligent systems

Accurate Diagnosis of Breast Cancer is of prime importance. Fine Needle Aspiration test or "FNA", which has been used for several years in Europe, is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive and accurate technique for detecting breast cancer. Expending the suitable features of the Fine Needle Aspiration results is the most important diagnostic problem in early stages of breast cancer. In this study, we introduced a new algorithm that can detect breast cancer based on combining artificial intelligent system and Fine Needle Aspiration [FNA]. We studied the Features of Wisconsin Data Base Cancer which contained about 569 FNA test samples [212 patient samples [malignant] and 357 healthy samples [benign]]. In this research, we combined Artificial Intelligence Approaches, such as Evolutionary Algorithm [EA] with Genetic Algorithm [GA], and also used Exact Classifier Systems [here by Fuzzy C-Means [FCM]] to separate malignant from benign samples. Furthermore, we examined artificial Neural Networks [NN] to identify the model and structure. This research proposed a new algorithm for an accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. According to Wisconsin Data Base Cancer [WDBC] data base, 62.75% of samples were benign, and 37.25% were malignant. After applying the proposed algorithm, we achieved high detection accuracy of about "96.579%" on 205 patients who were diagnosed as having breast cancer. It was found that the method had 93% sensitivity, 73% specialty, 65% positive predictive value, and 95% negative predictive value, respectively. If done by experts, Fine Needle Aspiration [FNA] can be a reliable replacement for open biopsy in palpable breast masses. Evaluation of FNA samples during aspiration can decrease insufficient samples. FNA can be the first line of diagnosis in women with breast masses, at least in deprived regions, and may increase health standards and clinical supervision of patients. Such a smart, economical, non-invasive, rapid and accurate system can be introduced as a useful diagnostic system for comprehensive treatment of breast cancer. Another advantage of this method is the possibility of diagnosing breast abnormalities. If done by experts, FNA can be a reliable replacement for open biopsy in palpable breast masses. Evaluation of FNA samples during aspiration can decrease insufficient samples.

Effect of glucose-insulin-potassium on plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein in acute ST- elevation myocardial infarction; a randomized clinical trial

The anti inflammatory effects of glucose-insulin-potassium [GIK] in the management of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] are controversial. We aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of GIK in STEMI patients treated with streptokinase which is not obvious up to now. This randomized clinical trial enrolled 72 patients who had STEMI that were treated within 12 hours from symptom onset with a high dose of GIK [25% glucose, 50 IU of soluble insulin per liter, and 80 m mol of potassium chloride per liter at 1 ml/kg/hour] [GIK group] or normal saline [control group] as adjunct to thrombolytic therapy. We analyzed Plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [HS CRP] at baseline and sequentially for 48 hours. Baseline HS CRP were significantly increased [2- to 3-fold] at 24 and 48 hours in each group [P<0.01]. There was no difference in plasma concentrations of HS CRP between GIK and control patients [P = 0.24]. Mean glucose level over 6 hours was higher in GIK group than control group [P=0.006]. GIK therapy offers no anti-inflammatory effect in patients with STEMI treated with streptokinase

Reciprocal ST-segment changes in acute myocardial infarction

The presence of ST depression in electrocardiogram of a patient with STEMI may represent a reciprocal electrical effect or true remote ischemia, which has prognostic value. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between ischemic regions through coronary angiographic findings with reciprocal ST-segment changes in acute myocardial infarction. From March 2007 to May 2008, 55 consecutive patients with diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction who had reciprocal ST depressions in electrocardiogram and were candidate for coronary angiography were recruited in our study. The amount of ST-segment depression at 0.08 seconds after the J point in the reciprocal leads on admission 12-lead electrocardiograms of the patients were evaluated for the quantification of reciprocal ST depressions [mm]. Twenty five of 55 patients had anterior [45.5%] and 30 patients had inferior MI [54.5%].In inferior MI with 1VD, mean ST depression to mean ST elevation was 1.4. In inferior MI with multi vessel disease, mean ST depression to mean ST elevation was 2. In anterior MI with 1VD, mean ST depression to mean ST elevation was o.25. In anterior MI with multi vessel disease, mean ST depression to mean ST elevation was 0.48. Our result demonstrated a significant positive linear correlation between ST Depression/ST Elevation and the site and number of vessels with occlusion, indicating severe reciprocal ST depressions as a marker of extensive coronary artery disease