Men Mean Age Research Articles

Effect of a community-based health education intervention on participation in household chores among husbands of pregnant women in a rural community in Northwestern Nigeria

Introduction: Reduction of workload on pregnant women has positive effect on pregnancy outcome. However, participation in household chores among husbands of pregnant women continues to be low. This study assessed the effect of a community-based health education intervention on men’s participation in household chores during their wives’ pregnancy in a rural community. Materials and Methods: Its is a quasi-experimental study involving men whose wives were currently pregnant. Preintervention, quantitative, and qualitative data were collected from the men and selected community leaders. Then a three-component intervention was conducted in the study community as follows; interactive workshop with the men, a film show with interactive discussion, and distribution of Islamic calendar for the current year carrying messages on men’s participation in pregnancy care. Six months later, postintervention data were collected using the same approach as the preintervention survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 and qualitative data were analyzed manually. Results: Mean age of men in the study group was 37.6 ± 10.5 years, and in the control group, it was 35.8 ± 10.8 years (P = 0.275). Men’s participation in household chores was low and showed no statistically significant change between pre- and postintervention data in study (P = 0.937) and control (P = 0.941) groups. Qualitative data showed most men perceived and treated household chores as women’s responsibility. Conclusion: Participation in household chores by husbands of pregnant women was low, and health education intervention did not significantly increase it. Further studies should evaluate the effectiveness of engaging community and religious leaders in eliminating the norms of gender roles.

Mean Hand Grip Strength and Cut-off Value for Sarcopenia in Korean Adults Using KNHANES VI.

The purpose of this study was to report age- and gender-specific distribution of the hand grip strength (HGS) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI-3 (2015) survey and determine cut-off values for low muscle strength of HGS of Koreans. Of a total of 7,380 participants, 4,553 were subjected to measurements of HGS, including 1,997 men and 2,556 women with a mean age of 49.3 years (range, 19–80 years). The mean ages of men and women were 49.0 and 49.5 years, respectively. HGS was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. It was defined as maximal measured grip strength of the dominant hand. The cut-off value for low muscle strength was defined as the lower 20th percentile of HGS of the study population. Maximum grip strength of men was significantly higher than that of women (40.2 kg in men vs. 24.2 kg in women, P < 0.001). The mean HGS was increased from the age of 19 to 39 years. It was peaked in the age of 35 to 39 years range for both men and women. It was then decreased after 39 years. The cut-off values of HGS in male and female elderly healthy populations were 28.6 and 16.4 kg, respectively. These data might be used as reference values when evaluating sarcopenia and assessing hand injuries.

Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in the Slovak Republic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the level of Health-related Quality of satisfaction in orthodontic patients compared with the control group. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the standardized questionnaire Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was used. The 37 statements in the questionnaire are divided into four subscales; the total satisfaction score has been evaluated as well. 146 orthodontic patients (42.5% men) aged 8-72 years were divided into four subgroups: (i) patients treated by dental crowns and implants (DCI), (ii) subjects with dental prosthesis (DP), (iii) patients treated by dental braces (DB), and (iv) patients treated by dental retainer (DR). The control group consisted of 49 dental patients without any orthodontic treatment (51.0% men in mean age 20.0±8.2 years). Mean scores and levels of satisfaction (%) were evaluated in all subgroups and in all subscales. Results: The lowest rate of patients OHRQoL satisfaction was observed in the DP subgroup; the highest satisfaction level was found in the DCI subgroup. The highest rate of patient OHRQoL satisfaction in the study group was observed in subscales social well-being and functional limitation, and the highest level of dissatisfaction in a subscale emotional well-being. High significant differences between study and control groups were found in terms of a higher satisfaction level in a control group. Conclusion: The most dissatisfied were the oldest patients with dental prosthesis with the highest level of dissatisfaction in the emotional well-being subscale.

RISK FACTORS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN VOLYN REGION (UKRAINE)

The prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Volyn Region (101.0 per 100000) is the highest in Ukraine. To study MS risk factors in Volyn Region, special questionnaires were distributed among all MS patients residing in Volyn region. Results were obtained from 227 respondents including 154 women and 73 men of mean age 43±10.6 years. The control group included 105 healthy respondents inhabiting Volyn region. We found associated risk factors for MS to be: mother of Volyn origin, maternal age after 27 years old and paternal age after 29 years old at birth of respondent, subject's born as a third child, brestfeeding for less than one year, living in the zone of industrial pollution, near mobile, TV- and radio re-translators, full traffic automobile roads, time spending outdoors less than one hour in winter and less than eight hours in summer, consumption of fruit and vegetables less than 5 times a week, of beef less than 3 times a week, poultry meet less than 3, berries less than 3, cereals less than 4 times a week, chronic stressful situations in life. Patients with MS more frequently reported AVRI, hepatitis and herpes simplex virus. Among patients with MS there were fewer respondents with history of chickenpox, rubella and DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), BCG immunizations. Here, we introduced a novel study of MS risk factors within Volyn Region. The Registry established in 2012 is being constantly updated and can be a database for a long-term retrospective study involving a large number of patients.

Evaluation of quality of life among type 2 diabetes patients

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an essential part of health outcomes for diabetes patients . Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the quality of life among 100 Iranian type 2 diabetes patients aged 37 to 66 years, attending the outpatient diabetes clinic at Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, from August to October 2013. Diabetes quality of life (DQoL) questionnaire was used to determine quality of life of diabetes patients. Body weight, height, waist circumference, clinical parameters, including glycated hemoglobin A1c level (HbA1c) were also measured. Results: The mean age of men and women was 56±6.1 and 53.4± 6.7 years respectively. Sixty one present of patients were female and 39 % were male with 4.05 ± 1.4 mean years duration of diabetes. The mean total DQOL was 54.6± 2.4, a moderate quality of life and was associated with diabetes care and treatment adherence. The mean for diabetes-related worry was 77.5 ±7.05. Conclusions: Male diabetic patients in comparison with female diabetic patients, non-insulin-treated patients compared with insulin-treated patients had better quality of life. HbA1c higher than 7%, was associated with higher probabilities of worse quality of life among patients. More studies are needed to include larger study populations among Iranian type 2 diabetes patients in order to help health care providers develop proper health care programs for diabetic patients in Iran.

The Relationship between Duration of Infertility and Intrauterine Insemination: A Multi-Centers Study

Introduction: The duration of infertility should be considered as a factor that may affect the outcome of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART). The aim of the present work is to examine the outcome of infertility treatment in relation to duration of infertility. Materials and methods: One hundred fifty-two couples with mild male infertility factor were involved in this retrospective study. Sixty nine couples from Allow In vitro Fertilization center (IVF), and remaining (83 couples) from Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment; Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad-Iraq. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) had been done for all couples using the same ART. Results: The mean age of men was 35.88 ± 0.57 years and the duration of infertility was 5.44 ± 0.29 year (range=1-19 years). The higher pregnancy and life-birth rates was demonstrated in those couples suffering from infertility for duration less than 4 years in compare to those who had duration more than 10 years (P<0.003, r=-0.869). Abortion rate was observed in those couples who had duration more than 10 years in compare to those who have duration of infertility less than 4 years (P<0.0014). The linear life-birth rate, in both IVF centers, shows decrease by increase in the duration of infertility. Conclusion: The researchers conclude that by increase in the duration of infertility the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques -IUI will be decreased markedly.

Particularities of Primary Breast Cancer in Men.

Background: Breast cancer in men is rare (1% of all breast cancers) and shows some particularities. Methods: We performed a retrospective study analyzing patients admitted and treated in First Surgical Clinic, Emergency Hospital “St. Spiridon” Iasi from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2015 with malignant breast tumors. Patients included in the study were diagnosed with breast cancer after pathological examination. We followed the clinical data, laboratory and postoperative follow-up of patients. Results: Between 2008 to 2015 in our clinic were treated 319 breast cancers, of which only 11 men, so 3.4%, higher rate to literature data. Most of the patients were aged and with an advance clinical stage. The mean age of men with breast cancer was 67 years, ten years older than women with same disease. The favoring factors in the study group, were smoking, alcohol consumption in 10 patients, obesity present in 9 patients, blood type IIA, Rh + in 8 patients, periurethral adenoma in 7 patients, diabetes in 6 patients. Neoplastic family histories were recorded in 3 patients, one of Lynch syndrome type II, with BRCA2 mutation. In three cases the breast cancer was the 2nd or 3rd cancer after skin cancer after cancer urothelium and sarcoma soft tissue and in one case with colon cancer, 4 years after breast cancer surgery, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Lynch syndrome). We performed radical mastectomy with axillar lymphadenectomy in 9 cases and whiteout lymphadenectomy (sentinel lymphnode negative) in 2 cases. Median survival was 4.2 years (range 1-8 years). Conclusion: Men have a particular form of breast cancer. Unlike women, this cancer is found in men at an older age, with a higher rate of lymphatic invasion and hormone receptor positivity. Treatment should be personalized by a multidisciplinary team.

Age of peak performance in Olympic sports: A comparative research among disciplines

This research aimed to study the ages of peak performance in Olympic sport disciplines, and to distinguish age groups among them. The ages (in decimal years) of athletes with the best performances at the 2012 Summer Olympics were considered (n = 3548). A total of forty sport disciplines were included; the athletics events were classified in six disciplines: Sprint, Middle-distance, Long-distance, Combined, Jumping and Throwing. A full statistical summary was produced. A regression tree was proposed for each gender to discriminate groups of sport disciplines according to age. The ages ranged from 14.0 to 52.8 years. The 72% of the athletes aged between 20 and 30 years, and the 99% aged below 40 years. The mean ages for men and women were 27.0 and 26.2 years, respectively. The regression tree analysis generated four groups of sport disciplines in men, and five in women. In men, the mean ages of the groups were: Group 1 = 24.4, Group 2 = 25.9, Group 3 = 28.0 and Group 4 = 30.8. In women, the mean ages of the groups were: Group 1 = 19.9, Group 2 = 22.7, Group 3 = 24.6, Group 4 = 26.5 and Group 5 = 28.3. The combat, gymnastics and swimming disciplines located mostly in the youngest groups in men; a similar tendency was evidenced in women, except for the combat sports. Apart from Combined, all athletics disciplines located in the groups 4 and 5 in women. On the contrary, these disciplines sited mainly in the groups 1 and 2 in men. All game and nautical sports placed in the two eldest groups in both genders, excluding women Water Polo.

Влияние почечной дисфункции на исходы госпитального и отдаленного периодов у больных инфарктом миокарда с подъемом сегмента ST в сочетании с сахарным диабетом 2-го типа

PURPOSE. To elucidate association of renal dysfunction (RD) with unfavorable outcomes of in-hospital and long-term (1 year) treatment stages of patients with ST-elevation (STE) myocardial infarction (M) and concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM).We enrolled in this register study 954 patients (65% men, 35% women, mean age 63.4 [62.6-64.2] years) with STE acute coronary syndrome. Mean age of men was 60.3 (59.4-61.1), of women--69.2 [68.1-70.4] years. DM was verified in 175 patients (18.3%) basing on history data and values of fasting and postprandial glycaemia. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by MDRD formula using serum creatinine level determined at admission.Four groups of patients were distinguished depending on the presence of DM and RD: with DM and RD (n = 82), with DM without RD (n = 93), without DM with RD (n = 269) and without DM and RD (n = 510). Presence of RD in acute period of MI was associated with 3.3-fold increase of risk of in-hospital and annual mortality, while the presence of DM was associated with 1.6-fold increase of in-hospital mortality without significant impact on annual mortality.RD had a significant impact on realization of poor outcomes in STEMI patients with concomitant DM. Prognostic significance of combination of DM and RD was proved to be higher than that of isolated DM.

Characteristic CT Findings After Percutaneous Cryoablation Treatment of Malignant Lung Nodules.

Assess computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics after percutaneous cryotherapy for lung cancer.A retrospective IRB-approved analysis of 40 patients who underwent nonsurgical treatment for primary stage 1 lung cancer performed from January 2007 to March 2011 was included in this study. All procedures were performed using general anesthesia and CT guidance. Follow-up imaging with CT of the chest was obtained at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postprocedure to evaluate the ablated lung nodule. Nodule surface area, density (in Hounsfield units), and presence or absence of cavitations were recorded. In addition, the degree of nodule enhancement was also recorded. Patients who were unable to obtain the aforementioned follow-up were excluded from the study.Thirty-six patients underwent percutaneous cryoablation with men to women ratio of 75% with mean age for men 74.6 and mean age for women 74.3 years of age. The average nodule surface area preablation and postcryoablation at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups were 2.99, 7.86, 3.89, 3.18 and 3.07�cm2, respectively. The average precontrast nodule density before cryoablation was 8.9 and average precontrast nodule density postprocedure at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow-ups were 8.5, −5.9, −9.4, and −3.8 HU, respectively. There is increased attenuation of lung nodules over time with an average postcontrast enhancement of 11.4, 18.5, 16.1, and 25.7 HU at the aforementioned time intervals. Cavitations occurred in the cryoablation zone in 53% (19/36) of patients. 80.6% (29/36) of the cavitations in the cryoablation zone resolved within 12 months. Four patients (11%) had recurrence of tumor at the site of cryoablation and none of the patients had satellite or distant metastasis.Our study shows that patients who underwent cryotherapy for lung nodules treatment had characteristic changes on follow-up CT including. The surface area of the nodule increases at the 1-month follow-up with subsequent gradual decrease in the surface area. Decreased nodule density (Hounsfield units) at each interval follow-up is associated with complete ablation of the lung cancer whereas increasing nodule density was suggestive of recurrence. Cavity formation within the region of the ablated nodule, most of which typically resolved within the first 3 to 6 months. Nodule enhancement is difficult to assess because of the limited data sets that are available.

Prevalence of Hypertension in the Elderly

In 2011, an estimated 524 million people (8% of the world’s population) were aged 65 or older. Until 2050, this number is expected to nearly triple to about 1.5 billion, representing 16% of the world’s population. Between 2010 and 2050, the number of older people in less developed countries is projected to increase more than 250%, compared with a 71% increase in developed countries [1]. Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are the leading cause of death worldwide, having comprised 60% of all deaths in 2005. Approximately 80% of NCD-attributable deaths are occurring in low and middle-income countries [2]. Hypertension is one of the most powerful contributors to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In order to collect more information in this regard, the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) was assessed among subjects examined in this study. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,060 Iranian subjects living in Hamadan, during the period of 6 months starting from March until August 2012 randomly participated. BP was measured in the sitting position after 10 min rest and the mean of three readings from right arm was used in the analysis. High BP was defined according to the JNC VII and WHO guideline criteria; a systolic BP (SBP) > 140 mmHg or a diastolic BP (DBP) > 90 mmHg or being on treatment. Stage I (mild hypertension) was defined as an SBP between 140-159 mmHg and a DBP between 90-99 mmHg. Stage II and III (moderate and severe hypertension) were defined as a SBP ≥ 160 mmHg or a DBP ≥ 100 mmHg. Subjects receiving at least one antihypertensive drug and presenting with a normal BP level (< 140/90 mmHg) were identified. Those subjects having high BP in spite of pharmacological treatment were classified as uncontrolled hypertensive. In this study, the mean age of men and women were 68.9 ± 15.3 and 57 ± 14 years, respectively. Subjects were selected in near equal proportion in both sexes (48% male and 52% female). Women, especially the younger ones, had a mean BP level lower than men, but the difference between genders was shown to decrease with age, especially in the older age groups. The prevalence of high BP in men and women were 16.4% and 19.2% respectively. The severity of hypertension increased with age. Stages II-III of hypertension was more frequent in men than in women, but this difference was not significant and 12.3% of the older patients had moderate to severe hypertension. Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease. Data about the prevalence of hypertension, mean levels of SBP and DBP and concomitant risk factors can be helpful in planning preventive strategies [3].

Court orders on procreation.

The aim of this study is to empirically evaluate judgments entered from 1913 to 2013 in the matters of compulsory sterilization. Holdings and dispositions at the U.S. Appellate and Supreme courts are randomly located in LexisNexis using Shepard's symbols. Continuous variables are processed with the Mantel-Haenszel method. Court orders are used as units of analysis. The majority of cases (56.4 %) concern minors at a mean age of 11.7 years. Forty-four (80 %) petitions are filed by the parents or guardians; 11 (20 %) are parens patriae. Petitions for female sterilization are denied in 56.4 % cases under the Federal Laws (2 U.S.C. 431; 28 U.S.C; 29 U.S.C; 42 U.S.C; 424 U.S.), Procedural due process clause of the 14th Amendment, statutes, and common law precedents. Petitions for female sterilization are granted in 36.4 % cases under the statutory penal codes, the Law of the land, precedents, and the dicta. No significant associations are found between the parity and degree of mental impairment (r = 0.342). Substantial correlations are met between the gender, degree of impairment (r (2) = 0.724), and dispositions (r (2) = 802). The mean age of women is 20.78 years; the mean age of men is 30.25 years. Correlations fail to establish reasoning between the age of the subjects and the entered judgments (r (2) = 0. 356). (1) The female/male ratio (8:1) and age gap of the respondents indicate on a disproportionate impact of the statutes. (2) The procedure of sterilization in itself is incommensurate with equality, as the volume of surgery is uneven in males and females. (3) The case law is instructive with respect to which arguments have not been advanced. (4) Lastly, due to the etiological intricacy of mental impairment, with genetic transmission strikingly different in men and women, expert-witnesses ought to act in a medical vacuum because there is no mathematical certainty as to the transmission mode of the traits in question (exon and intron mutations, triplet repeat disorders, histone disorders, autosomal-dominant or autosomal-recessive transmission, sex chromosome-linkage, polygenomic imprinting, and organic reasons).

BRCA Mutations Increase Fertility in Families at Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Risk.

BackgroundDeleterious mutations in the BRCA genes are responsible for a small, but significant, proportion of breast and ovarian cancers (5 - 10 %). Proof of de novo mutations in hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) families is rare, in contrast to founder mutations, thousands of years old, that may be carried by as much as 1 % of a population. Thus, if mutations favoring cancer survive selection pressure through time, they must provide advantages that compensate for the loss of life expectancy.MethodThis hypothesis was tested within 2,150 HBOC families encompassing 96,325 individuals. Parameters included counts of breast/ovarian cancer, age at diagnosis, male breast cancer and other cancer locations. As expected, well-known clinical parameters discriminated between BRCA-mutated families and others: young age at breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and male breast cancer. The major fertility differences concerned men in BRCA-mutated families: they had lower first and mean age at paternity, and fewer remained childless. For women in BRCA families, the miscarriage rate was lower. In a logistic regression including clinical factors, the different miscarriage rate and men's mean age at paternity remained significant.ResultsFertility advantages were confirmed in a subgroup of 746 BRCA mutation carriers and 483 non-carriers from BRCA mutated families. In particular, female carriers were less often nulliparous (9.1 % of carriers versus 16.0 %, p = 0.003) and had more children (1.8 ± 1.4 SD versus 1.5 ± 1.3, p = 0.002) as well as male carriers (1.7 ± 1.3 versus 1.4 ± 1.3, p = 0.024).ConclusionAlthough BRCA mutations shorten the reproductive period due to cancer mortality, they compensate by improving fertility both in male and female carriers.

PP.01.10

Objective: Our country is in high risk cardiovascular region in Europe. The aim of the study was to evaluate healthy lifestyle and pharmacological therapy effect in hypertensive patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) according to European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Prevention. Design and method: We evaluated age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) heart rate (HR), total cholesterol (TC), smoking status and pharmacological therapy use in treated hypertensive patients after survived myocardial infarction or primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We analyzed 105 CHD patients (77 men and 28 women) women living in community Stari Grad, Belgrade, during their control examinations in October-December 2014.year. All data tested by Student T test. Results: Mean age in men was 67 ± 9 and in women 70 ± 9 years (p = 0,1) Mean SBP in men was 137,17 ± 14 mm Hg and in women 134,68 ± 14 mm Hg (p = 0,5) Mean DBP in men was 79,81 ± 7 mm Hg and in women 79,44 ± 6 mm Hg (p = 0,8) Mean HR in men was 67,64 ± 9/sec and in women 75,10 ± 11/sec (p = 0,004) Mean TC was in men 5,0 mmol/L and in women 4,88 mmol/L (p = 0,8) Smoking status was present in 12 (16%) men and in 10 (36%) women. Beta blockers were used in 70 (91%) men and in 25 (89%) women ACE inhibitors were used in 68 (88%) men and in 23 (82%) women Calcium antagonists were used in 42 (55%) men and in 17 (61%) women Antithrombotic drugs were used in all patients Lipid lowering drugs were used in 60 (78%) men and in 22 (79%) women. Mean number drugs in men was 3,9 and in women 4,2 (p = 0,8) drug. Conclusions: Life style and pharmacological therapy made optimal mean blood pressure in hypertensive men and women with CHD. HR was optimal in hypertensive men with CHD Pharmacological therapy to improve prognosis was used in great percentage. Secondary prevention in hypertensive patients with CHD needs permanent implementation in these high risk regions in Europe.

Direct non-medical costs double the total direct costs to patients undergoing cataract surgery in Zamfara state, Northern Nigeria: a case series.

BackgroundCost is frequently reported as a barrier to cataract surgery, but few studies have reported costs of accessing surgery in Africa. The purpose of this prospective, facility based study was to compare direct non-medical cost with total direct cost of cataract surgery to patients, and to assess how money was found to cover costs.MethodsParticipants were those aged 17 years and above attending their first post-operative visit after first eye, subsidised, day case cataract surgery. Systematic random sampling was used to select participants who were interviewed to obtain data on socio-demographic details, and on expenditure during the assessment visit, the surgical visit, and the first follow-up visit. Costs were a) direct medical costs (patients’ costs for registration, investigations, surgery, medication), and b) direct non-medical costs (patients’ and escorts’ costs for transport, accommodation, meals). The source of funds to pay for the services received was also assessed.ResultsAlmost two thirds (63%) of the 104 participants were men. The mean age of men was 64 (±12.5) years, being 63 (±12.9) years for women. All men were married and 35% of women were widows. 84% of men were household heads compared with 6% of women. The median total direct cost for all visits by all participants was N8,245 (US$51), being higher for men than women (N9,020; US$56 and N7,620; US$47) (p < 0.09) respectively. Direct non-medical cost constituted 49% of total direct cost. 92% of participants had adequate money to pay, but 8% had to sell possessions to raise the money. 20% of unmarried women sold possessions or took out a loan.ConclusionDespite the subsidy, cost is still likely to be a barrier to accessing cataract surgery, as the total direct costs represented at least 50 days income for 70% of the local population. Provision of transport would reduce direct non-medical costs.

Colors of fruits and vegetables and 3-year changes of cardiometabolic risk factors in adults: Tehran lipid and glucose study.

We aimed to investigate the associations of colors of fruit and vegetable (FV) subgroups, with 3-year changes of cardiometabolic risk factors. This longitudinal study was conducted in the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, between 2006-2008 and 2009-2011, on 1272 adults. Total intake of FV and their subgroups have been assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline (2006-2008) and again at the second examination (2009-2011). Demographics, anthropometrics and biochemical measures were evaluated at baseline and 3 years later. The associations of anthropometric and lipid profile changes with FV subgroups were estimated. The mean age of men and women at baseline was 39.8±12.7 and 37.3±12.1 years, respectively. Mean total intake of FV, red/purple, yellow, green, orange and white FV was 706±337, 185±95, 141±91, 152±77, 141±87 and 22±18 g/day, respectively. In men, 3-year changes of weight (β=-0.13, P=0.01) and waist circumference (β=-0.14, P=0.01) were related to intake of red/purple FV; the yellow group was inversely associated with 3-year changes of total cholesterol (β=-0.09, P=0.03) and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=-0.11, P=0.03). Consumption of green and white FV was inversely related to abdominal fat gain, and atherogenic lipid parameters in men (P<0.05). In women, higher intake of red/purple FV was associated to lower weight and abdominal fat gain, fasting serum glucose and total cholesterol (P<0.05); yellow FV was also related to 3-year weight gain (β=-0.11, P=0.01). Various colors of FV subgroups had different effects on cardiometabolic risk factors; higher intake of red/purple FV may be related to lower weight and abdominal fat gain, and yellow, green and white FV may be related to lipid parameters.

Hormone receptor expression and clinicopathologic features in male and female breast cancer.

Male and female breast cancers were investigated for variation in the clinicopathologic characteristics and expression of steroid hormone receptors in the northeast of Iran. Tumor specimens of 17 males and 338 females with breast cancer were collected at the hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Immunohistochemical expression of hormone receptors and clinicopathologic features of breast cancer were compared between two groups. The mean age in men was 15 years higher than women (p=0.000). Males and females were mainly in stage II and III respectively (p=0.007). Although more than 60% of male and female patients were grade II, the respective figures for grade I and III were 25% and 12.5% in men but 7.1% and 27.2% in women respectively (p=0.025). ER was significantly more positive in men against women; 82.3% versus 53.4% (p=0.016). The related measures for PR was 58.8% and 50.3%, respectively (p=0.424). Males also showed significantly more ER expression than postmenopausal females; 82.3% versus 48.9% (p=0.010). Breast cancer in males and females contrasted in age at diagnosis, histological type, stage, grade and ER expression which emphasize they are separate diseases with different behaviors.

Demographic survey of four thousand patients with 10 common cancers in North Eastern Iran over the past three decades.

Cancer is a major cause of mortality in developing countries and correct and valid information about the epidemiology of this disease is the first step in the planning of health care in each region. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency, mean age and sex ratio of the most 10 common non-skin cancers in the world and Iran, among patients referred to an oncology clinic. This descriptive study was conducted in Mashhad, north east of Iran. The data obtained from the records of patients referred to the private oncology center between the years of 1985-2012." According to the latest report of GLOBOCAN study commonest malignancies included were lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, stomach, liver, cervix, esophageal, bladder cancers and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A total of 4,606 cases were analyzed. The mean age was 55.5±13.8years (male: 59.5±13.9, female: 52.6±12.9). Overall, breast cancer (1,264 cases, relative frequency of 27.4%) was the most prevalent cancer; however the mean ages of diagnosis were not significantly different between 5-year time period divisions (p=0.290). The most common cancer in men was esophageal cancer (26.3%).The lowest mean age was related to women diagnosed with breast cancer (48.5±11.8) and men with non-Hodgkins lymphoma (48.4±17.8). There were statistically significant differences between the mean age of men and women with gastric (p=0.003) and esophageal cancers (p<0.001). Male to female sex ratios in our study for bladder, lung and stomach cancers were 6.57, 2.60 and 2.50 respectively. The results showed that breast cancer tends to be found in younger female patients and bladder cancer appears more often in men. Screening in target population in addition to early diagnosis may reduce death and disability.

Hepatitis virus and hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil: a report from the State of Espírito Santo.

Few studies have examined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Brazil, and the incidence and risk factors for this type of malignancy vary greatly geographically. In this paper, we report several risk factors associated with HCC diagnosed at the University Hospital in Vitória, ES, Brazil. We reviewed 274 cases of HCC (January 1993 to December 2011) in which hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus infection and chronic alcoholism were investigated. A diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed by histology or by the presence of a characteristic pattern on imaging. HCC with associated liver cirrhosis was noted in 85.4% of cases. The mean ages of men and women were 56.6 years and 57.5 years, respectively. The male-to-female ratio was 5.8:1. Associated risk factors included the following: HBV, 37.6% (alone, 23.4%; associated with chronic alcoholism, 14.2%); HCV, 22.6% (alone, 13.5%; associated with chronic alcoholism, 9.1%), chronic alcoholism, 17.1%, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, 2.6% and cryptogenic, 19.3%. The male-to-female ratio was higher in cases associated with HBV or chronic alcoholism compared with HCV-associated or cryptogenic cases. In 40 cases without associated cirrhosis, the male-to-female ratio and mean age were lower than those in cirrhosis-associated cases. These results demonstrate that the main risk factor associated with HCC in the State of Espírito Santo is HBV. Chronic alcoholism is an important etiological factor, alone or in association with HBV or HCV infection.

Association between lunar phase and sleep characteristics

ObjectivesPopular belief holds that the lunar cycle affects human physiology, behavior, and health, including sleep. To date, only a few and conflicting analyses have been published about the association between lunar phases and sleep. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between lunar phases and sleep characteristics. MethodsIn this retrospective, cross-sectional analysis, data from 319 patients who had been referred for sleep study were included. Individuals with apnea–hypopnea index ≥15/h were excluded. Socio-demographic parameters were recorded. All participants underwent one-night standard polysomnography. Associations between lunar cycle (new moon, full moon and alternate moon) and sleep parameters were examined in unadjusted and adjusted models. ResultsFifty-seven percent of patients were males. Mean age for men was 45 ± 14 years and 51 ± 12 years for women. In total, 224 persons had their sleep study done during alternate moon, 47 during full moon, and 48 during new moon. Full moon was associated with lower sleep efficiency [median (%) (IQR): new moon 82 (18), full moon 74 (19), alternate moon 82 (15); P < 0.001], less deep sleep [median (%) (IQR): new moon 9 (9), full moon 6 (4), alternate moon 11 (9); P < 0.001], and increased REM latency [median (min) (IQR): new moon 98 (74), full moon 137 (152), alternate moon 97 (76); P < 0.001], even after adjustment for several covariables. ConclusionThe results are consistent with a recent report and the widely held belief that sleep characteristics may be associated with the full moon.