Mortality of oral cavity cancer in Iran

Background: Oral cavity cancer is the eighth most frequent cancer among men in the world. Its incidence varies widely geographically and two-thirds of the incident cases are diagnosed in developing countries. The aim of this study was to present the mortality trends from this cancer for Iranian population during a period of almost a decade, in order to provide update information regarding time trends for this cancer.Methods: We analyzed National death Statistics reported by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education from 1995 to 2004, stratified by age group, sex, and cause of death. Oral cavity cancer [ICD-10; C00-08] was assessed for annual mortality rates/100,000, overall, by sex and by age group (<15, 15-49 and ≥50 years of age) and age standardized rates (ASR) were calculated. Results: The age standardized mortality rate of oral cavity cancer increased dramatically during these years from 0.09 per 100,000 in 1995 to 0.59 per 100,000 in 2002. However, a sharp decrease was observed from 2002 to 2004. Moreover the mortality of oral cavity cancer was higher for males except from 2000-2002 during which the rate of female’s death was close to male’s. Age specific rates for oral cavity cancer indicated higher mortality rate for older age. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive projection for burden of death due to oral cavity cancer, indicating that the trend of its mortality was increased in recent decade and then would be leveled off. Whilethe burden of oral cavity cancer in Iran is lower than other Asian countries, further studies are required to establish risk factors or modifiers for this cancer in Iranian population in order to decrease its incidence and mortality.     

MicroRNAs and metastasis-related gene expression in Egyptian breast cancer patients

Aim and background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or cleavage. The present study was conducted to study miRNAs in Egyptian breast cancer (BC) and their relation to metastasis, tumor invasion and apoptosis in addition to their association with the ER and PR statuses. Methods: Real Time RT-PCR was performed to identify the miRNA expression level of eight miRNAs and eight metastatic-related genes in 40 breast cancer samples and their adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. The expression levels of each miRNA relative to U6 RNA were determined using the 2–ΔCT method. Also, miRNA expression profiles of the BC and their corresponding ANT were evaluated. Results: The BC patients showed an up-regulation in miRNAs (mir-155, mir-10, mir-21 and mir-373) with an upregulation in MMP2, MMp9 and VEGF genes. We found down regulation in mir-17p, mir-126, mir-335, mir-30b and also TIMP3, TMP1 and PDCD4 genes in the cancer tissue compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Mir -10b, mir -21, mir-155 and mir373 and the metastatic genes MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF were significantly associated with an increase in tumor size (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between any of the studied miRNAs regarding lymph node metastasis. Mir-21 was significantly over-expressed in ER-/PR- cases. Conclusion: Specific miRNAs (mir-10, mir-21, mir-155, mir-373, mir-30b, mir-126, mir-17p, mir-335) are associated with tumor metastasis and other clinical characteristics for BC, facilitating identification of individuals who are at risk.     

Wild and semi-domesticated food plant consumption in seven circum-Mediterranean areas

The use of local Mediterranean food plants is at the brink of disappearance. Even though there is relatively abundant information on inventories of wild edible taxa, there is also a crucial need to understand how these plants are consumed and when and how these consumption phenomena change over time and place around the Mediterranean. Additionally, it is important to study such knowledge systems and find innovative ways of infusing them to the future Mediterranean generations. During the years 2003-2006 a circum-Mediterranean ethnobotanical field survey for wild food plants was conducted in selected study sites in seven Mediterranean areas (European Union-funded RUBIA Project). Structured and semi-structured questionnaires have been administered to indigenous people and 294 wild food plant taxa were documented in the survey. A comparative analysis of the data was undertaken showing that the quantity and quality of traditional knowledge varies among the several study areas and is closely related to the traditions, environment and cultural heritage of each country. More similarities of wild edible popular use were revealed between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Mediterranean.     

Risk stratification and pattern of cardiotoxicity in pediatric Ewing sarcoma

Introduction

Anthracycline chemotherapy contributes to improved outcomes in Ewing sarcoma; however, the most feared complication is cardiotoxicity. Echocardiograms were routinely used to monitor cardiac function after anthracycline treatment. Nevertheless, indices chosen to assess cardiac toxicity vary significantly among different centers, and no uniform protocol has been accepted as ideal.

Evaluation of asymptomatic venous disease by Doppler ultrasonography in Behçet’s disease patients

Aim of the work

Evaluation of asymptomatic venous disease in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) using venous Doppler ultrasonography (US) and its relation to different disease manifestations and activity.

Qatari Women Living With Cardiovascular Diseases—Challenges and Opportunities to Engage in Healthy Lifestyles

In Qatar, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular diseases can be prevented and controlled by modifying lifestyle risk behaviors. In this qualitative study, we investigate ways to increase participation in physical activity, and to promote a healthy diet, and nonsmoking behavior in Qatari women. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 50 Arabic women. Participation in physical activity, observing a healthy diet, and abstinence from smoking are desirable lifestyle practices among Qatari women. Social support networks, cultural values, religion, changing sociodemographic and economic conditions, heart disease, and a harsh climate affect the ability of these women to pursue a healthy lifestyle.     

Paratesticular metastasis from Wilms tumor: the possible routs of metastasis and literature review

Testicular or paratesticular metastasis from Wilms tumor (WT) is extremely rare. We report a 5-year-old boy with WT of right kidney presented with metastasis to the ipsilateral spermatic cord. The patient underwent a high inguinal right orchiectomy. Histopathological examination revealed infiltration of WT to spermatic cord but the testis and epididymis were not involved. The patient received the standard chemotherapy regimen but the response to treatment was poor with 2 tumor recurrences within the follow-up period. Among the mechanisms of metastasis to scrotal region, retrograde venous and the patent processus vaginalis seem to be more common and also preventable.     

Treatment of localized non-segmental vitiligo with intradermal 5-flurouracil injection combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B: A preliminary study

Abstract Background: Several treatment modalities had been used for the treatment of vitiligo but the optimal treatment has not yet been identified. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of 5-flurouracil (5-FU) combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) as a treatment option for vitiligo. Patients and methods: The study included 60 vitiligo patients with overall symmetrical lesions affecting less than 30% of body surface area. For each patient, one side of the body was treated with NB-UVB alone (control side) while the other side was treated with NB-UVB therapy in addition to intradermal injection of 5-FU (50 mg/ml), 0.01-0.02 ml per injection with 1 cm apart in skin of vitiligo, every 2 weeks for 4 months. Results: The overall repigmentation was significantly higher in the 5-FU side compared with control side in all body parts (p < 0.001) except for the acral lesions where the difference was not significant (p = 0.561). No systemic side effects of 5-FU were detected, and the majority of the patients reported pain during injections. Conclusions: Intradermal 5-FU injection in combination with NB-UVB could be considered as a simple, safe, tolerable and cheap technique for treatment of vitiligo. It shortens the duration of NB-UVB therapy and improves the outcome, repigmentation. Longer follow-up is needed.     

Detection of plasma and urinary monoamines and their metabolites in nonsegmental vitiligo

Vitiligo is one of the most troubling diseases to both patient and physician. Monoamines are chemical compounds derived from the hydroxyderivative of amino acids. They have been implicated in many dermatoses, but their role in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo remains obscure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the neural factor in the pathogenesis of nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) by measuring catecholamines and their metabolites in plasma and urine of patients suffering from NSV, and to correlate these factors with the onset and activity of the disease. The study included 20 patients with NSV and 20 healthy individuals. All subjects were subjected to plasma and urine detection of catecholamines and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) using high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Comparison of plasma and urinary catecholamines and 5-HIAA between the patient and control groups revealed a statistically significant increase in the group of NSV patients (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the patients with recent and old onset of NSV. In conclusion, the increase in the level of monoamines may be the initiating event in the pathogenesis of NSV.