Sero-epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in Isfahan-Iran: a community-based study

Hepatitis E virus [HEV] is an enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis with the highest incidence in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Central America. There is little published data on the epidemiology of the infection in Iran. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate anti-HEV sero-prevalence in Isfahan Province [Iran]. In a cross sectional study extending over 6 years, 816 subjects were selected from urban and rural areas of Isfahan Province in 2005 using multi stage cluster sampling method. Demographic data and blood samples were collected and anti-HEV antibodies were measured by ELISA method. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and P<0.05 was considered significant. The subjects of this study included 428 females [52.5%] and 388 males [47.5%]. The overall anti-HEV sero-prevalence rate was 3.8%. There was no significant difference in HEV sero-positivity between the subjects grouped according to sex [4.2% in females and 3.4% in males, P=0.78], household number [P=0.095] and living area [2.7% in rural and 4.1% in urban areas, P=0.09]. HEV sero-prevalence increased with age from 0.9% in children 6-9 years to 8% in persons over 50 years without statistical differences in them [P=0.08]. There was statistical difference between HEV sero-positivity in different regions of Isfahan Province, with the highest prevalence in Khomeini Shahr [13.3%] [P< 0.001]. HEV sero-prevalence in Isfahan Province is lower than previous reports from other parts of Iran and Middle East. Further -studies in other parts of Iran are needed to obtain a prevalence map for planning preventional strategies

Pattern of complementary and alternative medicine use in urban population

To determine the prevalence and patterns of Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM] use in urban population in Isfahan. In a cross-sectional study through two-stage sampling methods, 870 individuals were selected from Isfahan Province, center of Iran. We selected 20 clusters randomly and chose one household from each cluster by chance then 24 households were included consequently. Subsequently a resident of each household aged 18 years or older was selected randomly. We assessed the rate of use, types of alternative medicine, and conditional disease during recent two years. The overall use of at least one method of complementary and alternative medicine was 62.5%. The most common problems were as follows: digestive problem, obesity and hyperlipidemia, as well as anxiety and depression. Herbal medicine and bless therapy were the most common methods that people chose. Regarding to high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use, more attention to complementary and alternative medicine is mandate for physicians and health system managers. Health authorities' supervision and training of traditional practitioner is important not only for its economic impact and postponement of seeking treatment, but also for its untoward side-effects either alone or in combination with orthodox medicines

[Epidemiology of colorectal cancer in Isfahan Province]

The aim of this study was to assess epidemiology of colorectal cancer [CRC] in Isfahan, Iran. Data were gathered from hospital documents of hospital admissions for colonoscopy, surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy due to colorectal cancer during 1996-2003. 1100 cases with colorectal cancer in seven years were detected and reviewed. Our minimum incidence rate estimation was 1.3 per 100,000 in 1996, 3.7 /100,000 in 2001 and 3.1 / 100,000 in 2003. One third of CRC cases were diagnosed between thirties to fifties in both genders in our province with a peak incidence in the fifties for females and in the sixties for males. CRC in more than 85% of the patients was left sided. The one, five and seven year's survival rates were 97%, 43% and 21% respectively. A significant lower survival rate was seen in right colon in oppose to the left colon [13% vs. 40%] [p<0.05] after five years of follow up. Incidence of CRC in Isfahan Proviene is increasing. Rectum is the most common site [61.6%] for CRC. Many of Iranians who have CRC are young Regarding to fact program, Screening is recommended earlier than Western countries

[ effect of gender and number of pups on postpartum depressive-like behaviors in rats]

Postpartum depression [PPD] is the most common complication of childbearing women. According to the effect of alterations of estrogen, progesterone, beta-endorphins, CRH and hCG on the etiology of PPD and considering the effect of fetal gender on some maternal hormone levels, the effect of fetal gender on PPD [due to hormonal mechanisms] is a ponderable hypothesis. Because of the interaction between cultural, social and economical factors with occurrence of PPD, study on the correlation between gender or number of infants and PPD is difficult in human populations. We purposed to study the correlation between gender or number of pups and PPD-like behaviors in rats. In this study postpartum depressive-like behaviors were assessed in 30 Wistar rats by Forced Swim Test [FST]. Behaviors observed in the FST such as increased immobility and decreased active behaviors [struggling, swimming and diving] are depression symptoms. On postnatal days 3 and 4 dams were placed in a swim tank and their behaviors [struggling, swimming and immobility time and diving number] were recorded and assessed. The correlation between postpartum depressive like behaviors and pups sexual ratio [females/males] or pups number was analyzed by the Bivariate Correlation [Pearson's test]. A significant positive correlation between pups number and immobility time was observed [r = 0.641, p<0.05]. However increase in pups number decreased the struggling and swimming time and diving numbers, the correlations were not significant [p>0.05]. There was not any significant correlation between pups sexual ratio and behaviors observed in FST [p>0.05]. Results of this study imply that PPD-like behaviors are affected by pups number but are independent to pups gender in rats