Arch Iran Med
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Multicenter Study
The Iranian Study of Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN): Rationale, Design, and Initial Findings.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified opium use as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, much remains to be studied on the relation between opium and cancer. We designed the Iranian Opium and Cancer (IROPICAN) study to further investigate the association of opium use and cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung, and colon and rectum. In this paper, we describe the rationale, design, and some initial results of the IROPICAN Study. ⋯ The IROPICAN study will serve as a major resource in studies addressing the effect of opium on risk of cancers of the head and neck, bladder, lung, and colon and rectum.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia in the old age population, making it a worldwide concern. Unfortunately, few drugs have been presented for treatment of mild and moderate AD. To meet this need, more effective anti-AD agents are emerging. ⋯ Saffron and its active constituents interfere with AD by improving learning behavior, spatial memory, and cognitive function; protecting against neuronal loss; inhibiting beta-amyloid aggregation and neurotoxicity; preventing senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation; suppressing the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity; and reducing neuroinflammation. Given conclusive scientific findings, saffron and its derivatives might counter neurodegenerative diseases through multiple pathways. Further clinical trials are expected to confirm the neuroprotective properties of this herb and also to translate such findings to improve patients' outcomes.
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Influenza is one of the most important viral diseases with high mortality and morbidity that can have a great impact on public health and economy. ⋯ The incidence of influenza, especially type A, in Fars province, southern Iran is considerable and requires more attention for prevention in health policy programs.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the Positive Rate and Diagnostic Value of Capsule Endoscopy and Double-Balloon Enteroscopy in Small Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.
Capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) have provided great help in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases (SBD). The aim of this study was to explore the positive rate and diagnostic value of CE and DBE for patients who were suspected of having SBD, and to make a comparison between the two methods. ⋯ CE and DBE are both important methods for intestinal examination. Patients can choose appropriate tests according to their condition.
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The study aimed at evaluating steroid biomarker genes (ERα, PGR, ERβ) and determining the expression level of estrogen-regulated genes (SCUB2 and BCL2) and growth factors receptors (HER2 and IGFR1) in cancer tissue samples obtained from Iranian patients with breast cancer. Moreover, relationships with clinicopathologic aspects of tumor and response to treatment were studied. ⋯ Many studies suggest that PGR alone is not enough for the functional evaluation of ERα. Evaluation of the progesterone receptor expression as well as other genes such as BLC2, SCUBE2, and IGFR1, seems necessary to evaluate functionality.