Cancer incidence appears to be rising in a small province in Islamic Republic of Iran: a populationbased cohort study

In 2006 the Iranian national cancer registry reported that Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, a small province located in the southern part of the country, had a low incidence rate of almost all types of cancer. In a population-based cohort study, data on 660 cases of cancer in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province were analysed after ICD codes had been rechecked and duplicates removed. Over the period 2007-2009 the annual average incidence rate of all cancers rose significantly by 53.0% and 115.1% in men and women respectively. Cancers of the prostate, thyroid, bladder and soft tissues decreased over the study period. Despite the recorded rise, the incidence rates for different sites of cancer [except for skin cancer] were significantly lower compared with their corresponding national rates for 2006. The results point to improvements in the cancer diagnosis and registry in the province, although real changes in cancer incidence over the period cannot be ruled out

Molecular detection and conventional identification of leishmania species in reservoir hosts of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in fars province, south of Iran

The objectives of our research were to search for Leishmania species in rodents in Fars province, south of Iran, and to compare molecular with conventional methods for detecting these parasites. Rodents were captured using live traps and screened for Leishmania species using molecular and conventional methods, including the taking of smears from each ear. Nested PCR was employed to detect Leishmania in rodents by amplifying a region of the ribosomal RNA amplicon of Leishmania [ITS1- 5.8S rRNA-ITS2] that is species-specific by DNA sequence. Totally, 122 rodents were captured. Leishmania parasites were detected using the nested PCR and three conventional methods [direct smear, NNN culture and Balb/C inoculation. 41 [33.6%] out of 122 rodents had Leishmania infections [34 Meriones lybicus and 7 M. persicus]. All PCR products of the ITS-rDNA gene were sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that 28 out of 41 positive samples were Leishmania major. Thirteen sequences were unreadable and therefore not identified. At least two gerbil species common in Fars ZCL foci, M. lybicus and M. persicus, are acquiring infections of L. major and may be reservoir hosts of one predominant parasite haplotype. Most infections were detected molecularly not by conventional methods, because most rodents died in the traps

[Trend of incidence rate for female genital cancers based on cancer registry data in Fars province during 2003-2009]

Genital cancers are the second most common cancer among women [after breast cancer] in some countries. The aim of this study was to determine the trend of the age-standardized incidence rates for female genital cancers in Fars province during 2003-2009. In this descriptive study, using Fars province cancer registry data, the crude incidence rate per 100,000 people and the age-standardized incidence rates were calculated through direct standardization method and using the world standard population. In addition, to evaluate changes in incidence rate trend, the Cochran-Armitage linear trend test was used. Results showed that ovarian cancer was estimated as the most common cancer of female genital cancers. Age-standardized incidence rate of all female genital cancers during 2003-2009 were 3.7, 3.77, 5.52, 6.62, 9.75 and 12.4 cases per 100,000 people, respectively. It seems that the incidence rate of female genital cancers in Fars province is the same as the other regions in Iran which exhibits an ascending trend

Inhibition of murine systemic leishmaniasis by acetyl salicylic acid via nitric oxide immunomodulation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate antileishmanial effects of ASA via NO pathway in Leishmania major infected Balb/c mice. Moreover, toxicity and pathological consequences of ASA administration were investigated. Balb/c mice were infected with L. major and ASA was inoculated orally after lesion appearance for its ability to modulate NO and to modify Leishmania infection in host, in order to evaluate the effects of NO production on size and lesion macroscopy, delay of lesion formation and proliferation of amastigotes inside macrophages. Liver, spleen, and lymph nodes were also studied as target organs to detect amastigotes. In addition, plasma was investigated for NO induction using Griess microassay. ASA increased NO production in plasma of both na‹ve and Leishmania test groups at the ultimate of the experimental period. A decline was observed in proliferation of amastigotes inside macrophages of test group when compared with control one. ASA reduced lesion size, inhibited Leishmania visceralisation in spleen, lymph node, and decreased hepato/splenomegaly in ASA treated animals. Some antileishmanial effects of ASA by NO-modulation were indicated during systemic leishmaniasis in mice. Despite slight effects on lesion size, ASA decreased parasite visceralization in target organs and declined their proliferation inside macrophages. Therefore, ASA may be indicated to inhibit systemic leishmaniasis via NO pathway in mice model

Incidence and mortality rate of common gastrointestinal cancers in south of iran, a population based study

Considering the importance of updating information about incidence and mortality of common or fatal cancers and the need for studying the effectiveness of changes in the Iranian cancer registration system from pathological based to population based since 2007, the aim of this study was to provide updated population based information on incidence and mortality rates of esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum cancers in south of Iran, and also to provide basic data for investigating the performance of population based cancer registration system in these regions. This study was a review of population based data of esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum cancers in Fars province during 2008-9.We estimated Age Standardized Incidence and Mortality Rates [ASIRs and ASMRs], truncated ASIRs and ASMRs for each cancer using direct age standardization based on Iran's population and also based on the standard population of world. Finally, considering poison distribution, we calculated standard error of incidence and mortality rates. Adjusted incidence rates of esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum cancers [per 100, 000] and their standard error were 2.56 [0.0092], 9.99 [0.0182], 4.85 [0.0127] and 1.56 [0.0072] in males; and 1.60 [0.0072], 4.66 [0.0123], 3.24 [0.0103] and 0.93 [0.0055] in females respectively. These values for ASMRs per 100000 were 0.94 [0.0056], 11. 54 [0.0195], 2.46 [0.009], 0.34 [0.0033] for men, and 0.51 [0.004], 4.21 [0.0117], 1.54 [0.0071] and 0.41 [0.0037] for women. Incidence and mortality rates of esophagus cancer in southern regions of Iran were less than the national average. We also clarified that stomach and colorectal cancers were the most important digestive cancers in this area

[Menopause age and affecting factors in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS]]

Menopause is considered as the cessation of menstrual cycles and reproductive potential. Although the age at menopause is known to affect the development of diseases however, little information on factors affecting the age at menopause is available. The aim of the present study was to determine the menopausal age and affecting factors among the women investigated during the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS]. There were 1114 women aged 39-70 in the TLGS who developed menopause naturally. All women were interviewed by a trained interviewer using a standard questionnaire containing questions associated with socio-demographic and reproductive status while a general physical exam was also performed. Menopause was defined according to the WHO classification as a condition of absence of spontaneous menstrual bleeding for more than 12 months, for which no other pathologic or physiologic cause could be determined. Age at menopause [AMP] was calculated for each individual based on report of the last menstrual cycle. Data were analyzed by ordinal regression and ANOVA using SPSS version15. The mean age at menopause was 49.6 +/- 4.5. The age at menopause was affected by smoking, menarcheal age, and the number of birth i.e., an increase in menarcheal age and the number of birth caused increased menopausal age while the previous history of smoking resulted in decreased age at menopause. It seems that smoking, reproductive status, and the menarcheal age to be among the factors influencing the menopausal age in Iranian population

[Seroparasitological evaluation of Plasmodium vivax malaria and stability of the anti-plasmodial antibodies in Parsabad, Ardabil province]

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world and a major health problem in some areas of Iran. In addition to endemic areas in the south and south-eastern part of Iran, a new threat of Plasmodium vivax malaria importation emerged from the Parsabad district, which is located in Ardabil province in the north western part of the country. Malaria in this area may have originated from Azerbaijan, Armenia or southern part of Iran. This study has been carried out to clarify seroparasitological results from Indirect Fluorescence Assay [IFA], stability of antiplasmodial antibodies and its comparison with those of confirmed direct microscopy in Parsabad district during 2003-2005. This seroparasitological study has been carried out on 250 samples from malaria infected patients which was previously confirmed by microscopy and treated with routine antimalarial agents, and 250 samples of healthy control with no history of malaria in Parsabad during two years [2003-2005]. Sera of collected blood samples were assessed for the presence of anti-plasmodial antibodies using IFA assay. Statistical analysis was applied by using ANOVA and Students t-tests with Graph Pad Prism. The results of this study indicated that all blood smears of test group were detected as positive by observation of P. vivax by direct microscopy and no positive smears were found among control group. Moreover, no mixed-infection was observed among collected samples. In addition, serological results revealed that 47 cases [19%] from test group and 4 cases [1.6%] from control group had antibodies against P. vivax malaria [P<0.001]. The results of this study demonstrated that the rate of antiplasmodial antibodies is not stable in malaria infected patients which was previously confirmed by microscopy and can not be used for epidemiological evaluation for malaria in this area. Therefore, more investigation is needed for evaluation and detection of the malaria

Echinococcosis: an occupational disease

Hydatidosis is a common infestation caused by Echinococcus spp. Solitary hydatid cyst of the lung is not uncommon but coexistence of two or more pulmonary cysts are less common. These cysts may drain into the bronchial tree or very rarely into the pleural cavity which causes a poor outcome. Certain people such as slaughters, tanners, stockbreeders, shepherds, butchers, veterinarians and all whose job makes them to work closely with animals are at higher risk of the infection and developing echinococcosis. Herein, we present a 14-year-old shepherd who developed severe chest pain and hydropneumothorax following a minor trauma to his chest. He had two pulmonary hydatid cysts, one of which drained to the left pleural cavity and caused the symptoms. Another cyst was complicated during his hospital course. The patient was treated surgically, received albendazole and discharged home uneventfully. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance for the correct diagnosis and treatment of hydatid disease in hyperendemic areas and in those whose occupation might put them at a higher risk of contraction of hydatid disease

influence of serum lipoprotiens and body mass index on the age of menarche

Menarcheal age is an important event in human life and is influenced by various genetic, demographic, socio-economic and inviromental factors. Limited current data shows controversy regarding the effect of antropometric and biochemical variables on age of menarche and the related factors among Iranian girls. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of antropometric,demographic and serum lipoproteins on the age of menarche. in the present descriptive study, we enrolled 370 girls aged 10-16 year, from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS], whose menstruation had begun 6 months prior to the study. The mean age of menarche, weight, height, waist circumference and body mass index were 12.6 +/- 1.1 years, 53.7 +/- 10.5kg, 157.3 +/- 5.5cm, 72.5 +/- 9.8cm and 21.7 +/- 3.9 kg/m2, respectively. Although there were statistically significant relationships between age of menarche and body mass index, height, waist circumference and level of mother's education, there was no significat correlation between menarcheal age and weight or serum lipoprotiens. Serum lipoprotiens were not found to have any influence on the menarcheal age in girls

[Comparison of the efficiency of rhinomanometry and E.N.T examination in diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

Considering the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [OSAS] and its complications, proper diagnosis and treatment is particularly important. Since the standard diagnostic test for OSAS is polysomnography, which is not widely available, finding a simple, available, and cheap diagnostic method is very helpful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of anterior rhinomanometry and upper respiratory tract examination in diagnosis of the OSAS. In this observational analytic study, all patients referred to BAMDAD sleep clinic for polysomnography from Feb 2007 to Jul 2007 were evaluated by anterior rhinomanometry as well as upper respiratory tract examination and results were compared with each other. Of 66 patients participated in our study, 31 patients were in the normal group, 19 in mild apnea group, and 16 in moderate to severe apnea group. The results of ENT examination showed clear obstruction in 22 patients. 12 of them were in moderate to severe apnea group, and 9 of them in mild apnea group. Only one patient with abnormal examination was in the normal group. The respiratory tract resistance which was measured by anterior rhinomanometry showed no significant association with positive results of polysomnography. Our study showed that although anterior rhinomanometry is invalid for diagnosis of OSAS, ENT examination [such as noctural oxymetry] can be a useful diagnostic method for OSAS

Cancer occurrence in Fars Province, Southern Iran

Cancer is a significant health problem in the developing countries, and one that is likely to increase in future. Due to unavailability of data concerning cancer during the last 15 years in our area and young age structure of our country, this active hospital-based study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of cancer in Fars Province, southern Iran. Data including face-to-face interview with patients and a survey of their medical and demographic records in relation to all invasive cancers were actively collected from 1990 to 2005 from four university hospitals. Among 2993 cases of registered malignant neoplasms presented by site and sex, the crude incidence [CRs], and age-specific incidence and age-standardized incidence rates [ASRs] per 100,000 were determined, using the world standard population. Over a 5-year period, 1495 and 1620 cancer cases were registered in males and females, respectively, while breast cancer was at the top of 10 cancers in both sexes. With regard to the top 10 types of cancer, there was a remarkable difference between the results of our study and the estimated cancer incidence for Iran by Globocan 2000. Ethnic, racial and environmental factors may explain these differences but more studies in a longer time span are needed to clarify the causes