Analysis of Competing Risks of Causes of Death in Cancer Patients from Golestan, Iran over Twelve Years (2004-2016).

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related causes of death (cancer CoD) are the main etiologies of death in cancer patients. Recent increase in survival rates of cancer patients resulted in higher risk of dying from causes other than cancer, called competing causes of death (competing CoD). We aim to characterize competing CoD among cancer patients in Golestan province, Northern Iran. METHODS: Data on cancer incidence was obtained from the Golestan population-based cancer registry (GPCR) dataset. Data on causes of death was obtained from the Golestan death registry (GDR) dataset. Using a linkage method between the GPCR and GDR dataset, we prepared the study dataset including data on vital status and causes of death in our cancer patients. The proportions of cancer CoD and competing CoD were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was considered to assess the relationship between competing CoD and other variables. RESULTS: Overall, 4,184 cancer patients died in the study population, including 2,488 men (59.9%). Cause of death in 3,455 cases was cancer and 729 cases (17.4%) died due to competing CoD. Ischemic heart disease (40.7%) was the most common competing CoD in our population. Higher survival rate was the strongest variable related to the competing CoD (adjusted OR=1.91; 95%CI: 1.61-2.26). Residence area, age group and year of death were other indicators of competing CoD in our population. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest high rates of competing CoD in our cancer patients. Competing CoD should be mentioned in cancer control planning both in clinical practice as well as in public health policy making.
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Vitamin D3 administration prevents memory deficit and alteration of biochemical parameters induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress in rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D3 (Vit D) administration on memory function, hippocampal level of amyloid-beta (Aß), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxidative stress status in a rat model of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Vit D was intraperitoneally administered at doses of 100, 1000, and 10,000 IU/kg. Animals were subjected to UCMS for a total period of 4 weeks. Memory function was assessed using morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests. Biochemical markers were measured to reveal the status of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system. In addition, the levels of Aß and BDNF were measured in hippocampal region. In the UCMS group, latency to find the platform was greater and the time spent in target quadrant (MWM test) as well as the latency to enter the dark compartment (PA test), were less than the vehicle group. Hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA) and Aß concentrations in the UCMS group were higher than the vehicle group. Hippocampal level of thiol and BDNF plus the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were reduced in UCMS group compared to the control subjects (i.e. vehicle group). Interestingly, Vit D treatment supplementation reversed the mentioned effects of UCMS. Our findings indicated that Vit D administration improves UCMS-induced impairment of learning and memory through prevention of adverse effects on Aß, BDNF and oxidative stress parameters.

Metformin improved memory impairment caused by chronic ethanol consumption during adolescent to adult period of rats: Role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a crucial time for brain maturation. We investigated the protective effects of metformin (Met) on behavioral changes, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nitrite in adulthood induced by ethanol (Eth) consumption during adolescent to adult period of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The adolescence male rats (21 days old) were treated as: 1) Control, 2) Eth (Eth in drinking water (20 %)), 3-5) Eth-Met50, 100 and 150 mg/kg (Eth in drinking water and Met (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg). After 5 weeks treatment, Morris water maze (MMW) and passive avoidance (PA) tests were done. RESULTS: The latency in the MWM test was higher and the latency to enter the dark chamber in the PA test was lower in the Eth group than in control. In Eth-Met100 and 150 groups, they were less than the Eth group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite concentration in the hippocampus and cortex of the Eth group were higher than the control group. The thiol content and catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in hippocampal and cortical tissues of the Eth group reduced compared to the control group. TNF-α was higher in hippocampal tissues of Eth group animals. Met reversed all of these effects. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the protective effects of Met against chronic Eth consumption induced learning and memory impairment were accompanied by decreasing of TNF-a, nitrite and oxidative stress in adolescent rats.

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Plus Intraoperative Corticosteroid Injection versus Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Alone: A Double Blinded Clinical Trial.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a prevalent disease with significant morbidity. The current treatments range from oral medication and local corticosteroid injection to surgical carpal tunnel release (CTR). In this study, we tried to assess the results of Carpal Tunnel Release surgery in combination with the anti-inflammatory effect of local corticosteroid injection. Methods: 65 patients were enrolled by clinical and electrodiagnostic tests and randomly divided into two groups, 32 in group one which underwent surgery with Dexamethasone injection and 33 in group 2 which intervened with carpal tunnel release surgery alone. Data on Boston questionnaire of patients were conducted before and two weeks after surgery. Distal motor and sensory latencies of patients were recorded before and two months after surgery. Mean values were compared between groups before and after surgery. Results: The mean preoperative Boston index was 35.83 in group one and 37.7 in group two, these data postoperative were 15.83 and 19.15 respectively. The mean preoperative distal sensory latency was 54.8 in group one and 47.6 in group two, these data postoperative were 34.1 and 35.1 respectively. The mean preoperative distal motor latency was 63.2 in group one and 62.3 in group two, these data postoperative were 44.5 and 46.55 respectively. Conclusions: CTR surgery plus local corticosteroid injection did not significantly change in results of Electrodiagnostic test or Boston index compared to the non-injection group.