Leukocyte antigen [HLA] class ii allele frequencies in female patients with breast cancer: a case control study

The study aimed to examine the association between human leukocyte antigen [HLA] class II allele frequencies and breast cancer in Iranian women. A total of 100 patients with pathologically proven breast cancer who referred to Cancer Institute were randomly selected and compared with a group of age matched healthy blood donors [n = 80]. HLA class II alleles were determined by amplification of DNA followed by HLA-typing using sequence-specific primer [SSP] for each allele. The frequency of HLA-DQA1 0301 [P=0.001, OR=3.4] and HLA-DRB11303 [/M].02, OR=2.3] among breast cancer patients was significantly higher than those in control group. HLA-DQA 10505 [/M].003, OR=0.4], HLA-DRB11301 CP=0.002, OR=0.12] and HLA-DQA10101 [P=0.01, OR=0.21] alleles showed negative association with breast cancer. The findings suggest that HLA-DQA10301 allele is mainly associated with increased risk of breast cancer in Iranian female patients. HLA-DQA 10505 and HLA-DRB11301 alleles are suggested as protective genetic factors against breast cancer. The findings confirm that specific alleles of HLA class II influence breast cancer risk

Activity status of elderly residing

Growing needs of the elderly patients is an essential concern for more strategies specially in the field of treatment and care, prevailing safe life style and a supportive environment. Activity can build self confidence in these patients and protect them against immobility. In a descriptive study on the elderly patients over 65 years of age 125 subjects were randomly selected. Their daily activity was investigated by Bartle Index [B.I] and a checklist including 10 activities through interviews and observations. Personal characteristics and questions on personal health evaluation were asked simultaneously. The data were analyzed by SPSS, T- test, ANOVA and pearson coefficient test The findings showed that the subjects were 44% male elderly patients and 59% female with mean age and SD of 70.78 +/- 5.6. Their residing status was 94% permanent and 6% temporary. Their attitude concerning their health was 83% as average to very negative. Other findings based on Bartle Index showed that 2% had average activity 98% had low physical activity [90-0]. Daily physical activity had an association with sex, type of residence and having a physically restrictive disease. ANOVA showed a significant m association between residing time and the attitude to health as a result of elderly daily physical activities Physical disability can be a major factor for health satisfaction feeling. The elderly actually have more disabilities and need help for their daily activities

[ epidemiological study of psychiatric disorders in Golestan province, 2001]

Background and Objective: the burden of psychiatric disorders in the developed countries has been identified by the screening questionnaires and standard clinical interviews at a high level, but the epidemiological studies of psychiatric disorders in our country are brief and their numbers are few. Providing essential mental health services to the people requires us to be knowledgeable about the present status of psychiatric disorders in the society. The objective of their research was to carry out the epidemiological study of the psychiatric disorders in the 18 years and above individuals in the urban and rural areas of Golestan province

Materials and Methods: 518 individuals selected through randomized clustered and systematic sampling methods from among the existing families of Golestan province and the schedule for affective disorders and Schizophrenia [SADS] questionnaires completed by the clinical psychologist. The diagnosis of the disorders was based on DSM-IV classification criteria

Results: the results of the study showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the province is 14.69%, which was 18.14% in the women, and 11.47% in the men. The mood and affective disorders respectively with 7.93 and 4.05% had the higher prevalence in the province. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this study was 0.97%, neuro-cognitive disorders 1.16% and dissociative disorders 0.58%. In the group anxiety disorders, panic disorder with 4.05% of had the higher prevalence and in the group of affective disorder, major depression, hypomanic and manic disorder with 1.93

Conclusion: this study showed that 7.53% of individuals that were studied suffered from at least one of the psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the province among the individuals in the age group of 41-55 years with 13.04%, separated or divorced individuals 50%, residents of urban areas 11.03%, illiterate individuals 12.75% and housewives 13.04% was more than other individuals in the sample. Being aware of this matter reveals the responsibility of the health policy makers and programmers, prevention, treatment and medical education more than before in relation to preparing application and executive plans in Golestan province for mental health