Sex and smoking differences in the association between gastroesophageal reflux and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a high-incidence area: Golestan Cohort Study

Prior studies have conflicting findings regarding the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We examined this relationship in a prospective cohort in a region of high ESCC incidence. Baseline exposure data were collected from 50 045 individuals using in-person interviews at the time of cohort entry. Participants were followed until they developed cancer, died, or were lost to follow up. Participants with GERD symptoms were categorized into any GERD (heartburn or regurgitation), mixed symptoms, or heartburn alone. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the relationship between GERD symptom group and histologically confirmed ESCC. The model was adjusted for known risk factors for GERD and ESCC. 49 559 individuals were included in this study, of which 9005 had GERD symptoms. Over 13.0 years of median follow up, 290 individuals were diagnosed with ESCC. We found no association between any GERD and risk of ESCC (aHR 0.90, 95% CI: 0.66-1.24, P = .54). Similar findings were observed for the GERD symptom subtypes. Significant interactions between any GERD and sex (P = .013) as well as tobacco smoking (P = .028) were observed. In post-hoc analyses, GERD was associated with a decreased risk of ESCC in men (aHR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27-0.98 P = .04) and in smokers (aHR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.83 P = .02). While there was little evidence for an overall association between GERD symptoms and ESCC risk, significant interactions with sex and smoking were observed. Men and smokers with GERD symptoms had a lower risk of ESCC development.     

Sexual compatibility among Iranian couples: a qualitative study

Sexual compatibility increases the stability of marriage and partners’ relationships and decreases sexually transmitted diseases. This qualitative study using a content analysis approach was conducted with 36 married men and women. Interviews were conducted for data collection. As the main theme of this study, “couple's sexual companionship” emerged as the main theme of sexual compatibility, that means couples’ participation for fulfilling each other sexual needs and solving problems arising from sexual discrepancies based on sexual understandings, sexual agreements and interests for continuing the sexual relationship with the aim of mutual sexual satisfaction. Sexual compatibility did not necessarily mean similarities, as during the marital life sexual discrepancies were inevitable. However, compatible couples encountered such a situation based on understandings, agreement and love. Active participation in sexual relationships, forgiveness and consideration, no huffing, mutual respect, flexibility and an occasional use of non-penetrative sexual relationships, sexual conversation with spouses, patience and development of the sexual relationship were the prominent feature of sexually compatible couples.     

Cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with opioid use disorder: A randomized controlled trial*

Aim: To examine the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation treatment (CRT) for people with opioid use disorder who were recruited into a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programme.

Method: 120 male subjects were randomly assigned to (1) MMT plus CRT in two months or (2) MMT plus a control intervention. Subjects were assessed at the beginning, mid-point and post-intervention as well as at 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-up time points.

Results: Analysis with repeated measure ANOVA showed that the CRT group performed significantly better in tests of learning, switching, processing speed, working memory and memory span. Moreover, the CRT group had significantly lower opiate use over the control group during 3-months follow-up. Analysis including only those with a history of methamphetamine use showed that the CRT group had significantly lower amphetamine use. No group differences were observed for treatment retention.

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that adding CRT as an adjunct intervention to MMT can improve cognitive performance as well as abstinence from both opiates and stimulants.     

Effects of Pistacia atlantica on Oxidative Stress Markers and Antioxidant Enzymes Expression in Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects many patients all over the world. It involves different parts of the body, such as brain, eyes, kidneys, vessels, and so on. The lack of balance between free radicals and antioxidants is a possible mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Antioxidant treatment, especially natural forms, can be a beneficial solution. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of Pistacia atlantica oleoresin (PAO) on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes expression in diabetic rats.

Method: Fifty adult male Wistar rats were allotted randomly into five groups as follow: control group, diabetic control group, glibenclamide control group, diabetic glibenclamide group, diabetic treated group with 200?mg/kg PAO. Then PAO was prepared and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). LD50 was also estimated for essential oil. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also measured. The expression of GPx, CAT, and SOD genes was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: The main constituents of essential oil gum were beta-pinene (29.38%), followed by alpha-pinene (18.15%), myrcene (7.36%), trans-pinocarveol (7.15%), and camphene (4.12%). Diabetes induced an increased level of MDA (69.92?±?3.92 vs. 43.76?±?3.73) and decreased levels of GSH (2.57?±?0.40 vs. 7.05?±?1.59), GPx (11.66?±?2.2 vs. 16.38?±?2.1), CAT (12.17?±?3.38 vs. 18.7?±?2.66), and SOD (0.78?±?0.67 vs. 2.41?±?0.46). In contrast, PAO treatment significantly decreased MDA (54.59?±?12.54 vs. 69.92?±?3.92) and increased GSH (4.5?±?0.89 vs. 2.57?±?0.40), GPx (25.86?±?5.37 vs. 11.66?±?2.2), CAT (22.69?±?0.36 vs. 12.17?±?3.38), and SOD (3.65?±?1.08 vs. 0.78?±?0.67) (p?<?0.05). Moreover, our results indicated that both GPx and CAT mRNA levels significantly increased approximately 4.46 and 6.23 times in rats fed with 200?mg/kg of PAO, more than that of the healthy control group, respectively (p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.001, respectively). Also, the average expression level of SOD was also significantly 1.57 higher in rats fed with 200?mg/kg of PAO in comparison to the diabetic control group (p?<?0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated that PAO could be propose as an agent that protects the body against diseases that are associated with oxidative stress.     

Anticonvulsant effect of melatonin through ATP-sensitive channels in mice

Melatonin is a neurohormone secreted principally by the pineal gland. This molecule has various pharmacological properties including improving immune system, prevent cancer, anti-aging, and anti-oxidant effects. The anticonvulsant effects of melatonin have been proved by previous studies. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels are considered as an important target in the seizure modulation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of melatonin in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice, focusing on its ability to regulate K_ATP channels. Acute intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (40 and 80 mg/kg) increased clonic seizure threshold induced by intravenous administration of PTZ. Melatonin (40 and 80 mg/kg) increased the latency of clonic seizure and reduced its frequency in mice receiving an intraperitoneal injection of PTZ. Administration of glibenclamide, a K_ATP channels blocker, before intravenous injection of PTZ reduced melatonin anticonvulsant effect. Diazoxide and cromakalim, as K_ATP channels openers, increased antiseizure effect of melatonin in PTZ model of seizures. These findings suggest that the antiseizure effect of melatonin probably is gained through increasing the opening of K_ATP channels.