A associação entre câncer colorretal e índice de qualidade nutricional (INQ); um estudo de caso-controle / The association between colorectal cancer and index of nutritional quality (inq); a case-control study

ABSTRACT Background: The nutritional quality of diet may influence the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study compared the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) of various dietary components between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 480 participants were enrolled in the study (160 patients with colorectal cancer as a case group and 320 healthy control). An analysis was conducted on the general characteristics of the participants, their medical histories, anthropometric indicators, physical activity, alcohol consumption, reproductive history, smoking and food intake. A valid food frequency questionnaire was used to assess nutrient intake and INQ was calculated from daily nutrient intake. Results: A Significant inverse association was found between CRC and INQ for vitamins A (OR=0.01, CI: 0.01-0.01), K (OR=0.04, CI: 0.01-0.15), and B12 (OR=0.71, CI: 0.51-0.98), B5 (OR=0.43, CI: 0.00-0.01), zinc (OR=0.35, CI: 0.13-0.95), and phosphorus (OR=0.17, 0.19-0.94). The association between the INQ of vitamin B12 and zinc with colorectal cancer was disappeared after age adjustment. There was a significant negative association between CRC with the INQ of vitamins A, K, B5, phosphorus, and calcium after further adjustments for gender, BMI, menopausal status, and total energy intake. Conclusion: CRC is significantly associated with INQ for some micronutrients. INQ can be considered as an indicator to assess clinical nutritional problems.

RESUMO Contexto: A qualidade nutricional da dieta pode influenciar o risco de câncer colorretal (CCR). Este estudo comparou o Índice de Valor Nutricional (INQ) de vários componentes dietéticos entre pacientes com CCR e controles saudáveis. Métodos: Um total de 480 participantes foram inscritos no estudo (160 pacientes com CCR como um grupo de casos e 320 controles saudáveis). Uma análise foi conduzida sobre as características gerais dos participantes, seus históricos médicos, indicadores antropométricos, atividade física, consumo de álcool, histórico reprodutivo, tabagismo e ingestão de alimentos. Um questionário de frequência alimentar válido foi usado para avaliar a ingestão de nutrientes e o INQ foi calculado a partir da ingestão diária de nutrientes. Resultados: Associação significativa entre CCR e INQ para as vitaminas A (OR=0,00, IC: 0,00-0,01), K (OR=0,04, IC: 0,01-0,15), B12 (OR=0,71, IC: 0,51-0,98) houve uma associação negativa), B5 (OR=0,43, IC: 0,00-0,01), zinco (OR=0,35, IC: 0,13-0,95), fósforo (OR=0,17, IC: 0,19-0,94). A associação entre o INQ da vitamina B12, zinco e CCR desapareceu após o ajuste pela idade. Houve uma associação negativa significativa entre CCR e INQ de cálcio, e outros resultados não mudaram após ajustes adicionais para idade, gênero, Índice de Massa Corporal, estado de menopausa e ingestão total de energia. Conclusão: CCR está significativamente associado ao INQ para alguns micronutrientes. O INQ pode ser usado como um indicador para avaliar problemas nutricionais clínicos.

Test-Retest Reliability Of Wavelet-Based Specific Frequency Bands Of Postural Control During Two Standing Task Conditions

Background: The evaluation of balance measures can help identify postural control processes, but traditional data collection for the center of pressure (COP) may not reveal differences in postural control mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the frequency component of postural sway using wavelet analysis of COP signals. Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects (average age: 39.16±7.2 years, average weight: 72±11.06 kg, average height: 171±6.31 cm) participated in this project. They were requested to perform three trials of single-leg and tandem stance conditions for 20-second with and without vision on a force plate. The frequency content of COP signals, including the energy, root mean square (RMS), and velocity of the COP in four frequency bandwidths of postural sway, was evaluated. The test-retest reliability of COP parameters was tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Among different COP parameters, the energy of the COP within a moderate (1.56–6.25 Hz) frequency band (.79≤ ICC ≤.97) with standard error measurement (SEM) ranged from .14 to .23, the RMS of COP within low (.39–1.56Hz) (.79≤ ICC ≤.93) and ultralow (< .10 Hz) (SEM ranged from .000 to .002) (.78≤ ICC ≤.94) in a tandem stance and the RMS of COP in a bandwidth of < .10 Hz (SEM=.00) in a single-leg stance (.70≤ ICC ≤.99) with the eyes closed and open showed good to excellent reliability. Conclusion: The results of this study showed moderate to excellent reliability of wavelet-based COP measures; therefore, these parameters can be used for the identification of postural control mechanisms.

Assessment of FMR1 triplet repeats in patients affected with mental retardation, fragile X syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency

The CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene expand in patients with fragile X syndrome, fragile X-associated tremour/ataxia syndrome and fragile X-associated primary ovarian failure. In this study, the CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene were studied in 449 males and 207 females using traditional polymerase chain reaction and triplet repeat primed PCR methods, also 18 CVS samples (six males and 12 females) were tested for prenatal diagnosis. Further, methylation sensitive multiplexed ligation dependent probe amplification was performed on some samples to confirm the results. Regarding the male patients, 1.1% and 9.7% had premutation (PM) and full mutation (FM) alleles, respectively. Also three (0.66%) male patients were mosaic for PM and FM alleles. Among females, 1.9% were GZ carriers and 5.8% were PM carriers. Prenatal diagnosis resulted in detection of two PM and one FM males as well as one FM carrier female. Our results were in concordance with the previously published results.

Inductive role of sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells) conditioned medium on bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells / Papel inductivo del medio acondicionado de células sustentaculares (células de Sertoli) en las células madre mesenquimales derivadas de la médula ósea

RESUMEN: Las células madre de la línea germinal masculina son factores clave para la espermatogénesis masculina y la fertilidad. Las células sustentaculares (células de Sertoli) como células somáticas juegan un papel fundamental en la creación de un microambiente esencial para la auto-renovación y diferenciación de las células de la línea germinal masculina. Las células madre mesenquimales son reconocidas como células auto-renovables y multipotentes capaces de diferenciarse en múltiples tipos de células. La generación de células germinales masculinas a partir de células madre mesenquimales puede proporcionar un método terapéutico para tratar la infertilidad masculina. En este estudio, las células mesenquimales derivadas de la médula ósea (BMMSCs) se recuperaron de la médula ósea de ratones de 6-8 semanas de edad del Instituto de Investigación Médico Naval (NMRI). En el estudio se aislaron las células sustentaculares y se enrriquecieron usando placas revestidas con lectina. Se obtuvo el medio de condición celular después de diferentes intervalos de tiempo. Posteriormente se cultivaron las BMMSC con diferentes concentraciones de SCCM y medio de Eagle modificado por Dulbecco (DMEM) en diversos momentos. Se evaluaron marcadores específicos de células de línea germinal usando la reacción en cadena de polimerasa transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR) e inmunocitoquímica. Los resultados mostraron que las BMMSCs cultivadas con SCCM durante 48h exhibieron transcritos específicos de línea germinal (Mvh, Iid4, piwil2) (p <0,05) y marcadores (Mvh, Scp3). Nuestros resultados indican que el cultivo de BMMSCs con SCCM puede conducir a la diferenciación efectiva de BMMSCs en células germinales y proporcionar una estrategia de tratamiento para la infertilidad masculina.

SUMMARY: Male germ line stem cells are key factors for male spermatogenesis and fertility. Sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells) as somatic cells play a pivotal role in creating essential microenvironment for the self-renewal and differentiation of the male germ line cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are recognized as self-renewing and multipotent cells able to differentiate into multiple cell types. The generation of male germ cells from mesenchymal stem cells may provide a therapeutic method to treat male infertility. In this study, Bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) were retrieved from the bone marrow of 6-8-week old Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice. Sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells) were isolated and made rich using lectin coated plates. Sustentacular cell condition medium (SCCM) was collected after different time intervals. Then the BMMSCs were cultured with different concentration of SCCM and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) at various times. Specific markers of Germ line cells were evaluated by using Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that BMMSCs cultured with SCCM for 48h exhibited germ line specific transcripts (Mvh, Iid4, piwil2) (p< 0.05) and markers (Mvh, Scp3). Our findings represent that culturing BMMSCs with SCCM may lead to effective differentiation of BMMSCs into germline cells and provide a treatment strategy for male infertility.

Cytogenetic abnormalities in 222 infertile men with azoospermia and oligospermia in Iran: Report and review.

Background: Infertility affects approximately 10%-15% of couples in reproductive age. In half of the couples, causes are male-related, associated with impaired spermatogenesis. There is a complex correlation between genetics and infertility. Several factors affect on gametogenesis, from which factors that lead to chromosomal abnormalities are one of the best known. The aim of this study was to determine type and rate of chromosomal abnormalities in infertile azoospermic and oligospermic males in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: The records of a total of 222 participants were evaluated retrospectively. Results: As a whole we observed 13.96% chromosomal abnormality, from which 12.15% showed numerical and 1.8% showed structural abnormalities. Conclusion: Comparison of our results with the review of the literature shows a higher incidence (4- fold) of gonosomal, in particular, numerical gonosomal, chromosomal anomalies. Cytogenetic analysis is strongly suggested for infertile men, particularly in those who suffer from azoospermia.

Incidence of genitourinary cancers in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a survey in 2005.

We here report the incidence of different types of genitourinary cancers among the Iranian population according to the records of the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In a population-based cancer-registry study in 2005, all recorded data in pathology laboratories, freestanding cancer clinics and treatment centers, physician offices, and other state central registries were obtained with the assistance of Iran Universities of Medical Sciences and sent to the Diseases Management Center in the Health Ministry. The prevalences of urological cancers were as follows: bladder cancer 48.3%; prostate cancer 33.4%; renal cell carcinoma 10.3%; renal pelvis and ureter cancer 0.75%; testicular cancer 6.15%; penile cancer 0.15%; urethral cancer 0.45%; and other unspecified urinary cancers 0.43%. The male to female ratios for the various common urological cancers varied between 1.69 (renal cell carcinoma) and 7.75 (unspecified urinary cancers). The incidence of prostate cancer among our population was dramatically higher than in other countries of Asia. However, bladder cancer was found to be the commonest of the genitourinary cancers, especially in elderly patients, among our population.

Application of diagnostic methods and molecular diagnosis of hemoglobin disorders in Khuzestan province of Iran.

BACKGROUND: The hemoglobinopathies refer to a diverse group of inherited disorders characterized by a reduced synthesis of one or more globin chains (thalassemias) or the synthesis of structurally abnormal hemoglobin (Hb). The thalassemias often coexist with a variety of structural Hb variants giving rise to complex genotypes and an extremely wide spectrum of clinical and hematological phenotypes. Hematological and biochemical investigations and family studies provide essential clues to the different interactions and are fundamental to DNA diagnostics of the Hb disorders. Although DNA diagnostics have made a major impact on our understanding and detection of the hemoglobinopathies, DNA mutation testing should never be considered a shortcut or the test of first choice in the workup of a hemoglobinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A careful three-tier approach involving: (1) Full blood count (2) Special hematological tests, followed by (3) DNA mutation analysis, provides the most effective way in which to detect primary gene mutations as well as gene-gene interactions that can influence the overall phenotype. With the exception of a few rare deletions and rearrangements, the molecular lesions causing hemoglobinopathies are all identifiable by PCR-based techniques. Furthermore, each at-risk ethnic group has its own combination of common Hb variants and thalassemia mutations. In Iran, there are many different forms of α and β thalassemia. Increasingly, different Hb variants are being detected and their effects per se or in combination with the thalassemias, provide additional diagnostic challenges. RESULTS: We did step-by-step diagnosis workup in 800 patients with hemoglobinopathies who referred to Research center of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies in Shafa Hospital of Ahwaz Joundishapour University of medical sciences, respectively. We detected 173 patients as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and 627 individuals as thalassemic patients by use of different indices. We have successfully detected 75% (472/627) of the β-thalassemia mutations by using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) technique and 19% (130/627) of the β-thalassemia mutations by using Gap-PCR technique and 6% (25/627) as Hb variants by Hb electrophoresis technique. We did prenatal diagnosis (PND) for 176 couples which had background of thalassemia in first pregnancy. Result of PND diagnosis in the first trimester was 35% (62/176) affected fetus with β-thalassemia major and sickle cell disease that led to termination of the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Almost all hemoglobinopathies can be detected with the current PCR-based assays with the exception of a few rare deletions. However, the molecular diagnostic service is still under development to try and meet the demands of the population it serves. In the short term, the current generation of instruments such as the capillary electrophoresis systems, has greatly simplified DNA sequence analysis.

Heterozygosity and allele frequencies of the two VNTRs (ApoB and D1S80) in Iranian population.

Genetic markers are used for identity testing and paternity analysis depends on knowing the allele frequencies in the population. Minisatellites show allelic variability in the number of repeat units. We have studied the allele frequencies and heterozygosity of two VNTRs (ApoB and D1S80) in Iranian populations. A total of 96 and 82 chromosomes were analyzed by PCR and gel electrophoresis for ApoB and D1S80 respectively. In the ApoB system, allele 37 was the most common followed by allele 35 whereas allele 23 was the most common followed by allele18 at the D1S80 locus. Observed heterozygosity was relatively low in ApoB than D1S80 locus, however, no significant differences were found between observed and expected heterozygosity.