Investigation of PD-1 gene variants in patients with endometrial cancer: A case-control study.

Objective: To assess the possible association of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), PD-1.3 (+7146G/A) and PD-1.5 (+7785C/T), with endometrial cancer (EC) susceptibility. In addition, the correlations between these SNPs and available clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with EC were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 147 women with pathologically confirmed EC and 258 age- and ethnically matched healthy women were enrolled between June 2019 and May 2022. Genomic DNA was extracted, and genotyping of PD-1.3 (+7146G/A) and PD-1.5 (+7785C/T) SNPs was performed. Haplotype analysis was also performed. Pearson's chi-square test with Yates correction was used to evaluate differences in allele and genotype distributions. The 95% confidence interval and odds ratio were determined using an unconditional logistic regression model. Results: There were no remarkable differences in the allele and genotype distributions of PD-1.3 (rs11568821) and PD-1.5 (rs2227981) between healthy controls and EC patients. However, there was a remarkable difference in the AC haplotype between the control and EC groups. No association was found between the investigated SNPs and the clinicopathologic features of EC. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the aforementioned SNPs were not related to the risk of EC in the southern Iranian population.

Association between exposure to water sources contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cancer risk: A systematic review.

The recent scientific focus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has stemmed from their recognized genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the nexus between exposure to water sources contaminated with PAHs and the associated cancer risk among global populations, encompassing both children and adults. Web of Science (WoS), Cochrane Library, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched following the PRISMA guidelines, until December 31, 2023. Quality assessment of the selected studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The increased lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) attributed to PAH exposure through ingestion and dermal absorption was thoroughly examined across diverse age groups. After extensive searching, screening, and eligibility, 30 articles were included in this review, which was conducted in different parts of the world, including Nigeria (n = 11), China (n = 7), India (n = 4), Iran (n = 3), South Africa (n = 2), Italy (n = 1), Colombia (n = 1), and Iraq (n = 1). Our analysis underscores Nigeria's alarming prevalence of PAH contamination in its rivers, groundwaters, and seawater. Remarkably, the highest cancer risk was identified among children and adults, notably in proximity to the Atlas Cove jetty (seawater) and various Nigerian rivers. This elevated risk is primarily attributed to the combined effects of ingestion and dermal absorption. Furthermore, our findings emphasize the prominent role of combustion-derived and pyrogenic sources of PAH in the examined aquatic ecosystems. This study unequivocally establishes that PAH-contaminated water sources significantly amplify the risk of cancer among both children and adults. The extent of risk variation is influenced by the specific water source, duration of exposure, and age group. Consequently, proactive identification of contaminated water sources and their pollution origins, coupled with targeted educational campaigns, holds promise for reducing the global burden of PAH-related cancer.

Establishing the relationship between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and male infertility: A systematic review.

It has been demonstrated that human exposure to environmental chemicals may have sperm genotoxic potentiality. Among the different classes, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been receiving attention in recent years due to reports of sperm geno-toxicity, a series of reproductive defects and male infertility. This review aims to substantiate the effects of PAHs exposure on male infertility, with focus on the sperm characteristics (count, concentration, volume, motility, DNA damage, and morphology). To this end, international databases such as Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase Ovid, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to conduct a systematic search for papers on the subject, based on PRISMA guidelines, published up to 24 March 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was subsequently used to assess the quality of the studies. The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between PAHs metabolites and sperm volume, concentration, motility, morphology, as well as an observed DNA degeneration. Also, the CYP1A1 genotype polymorphisms were considered as a representative of PAHs exposure to infertility; the review highlights that polymorphisms of this genotype were more common in the infertile people. In overall, this work provides a solid summary of the existing works correlating PAHs exposure and male infertility, which could impulse further protective measures and informative campaigns on users, workers, and general population.

Iranian caregivers, silent mediums in caring for relatives suffering from cancer.

BACKGROUND: Poor interaction of treatment personnel with patients' families leads to informational contrast in families, which may ultimately increase the tension and pressure in these conditions. Considering the necessity of caregivers' contribution for an optimized treatment, continuation of care, and supporting patients, and with regard to caregivers' important role, and also considering the emphasis placed by previous studies on the significance of the caregivers' experiences and as there are a limited number of studies on eastern countries, the present study attempts to justify caregivers' understanding of their own needs for interaction with the treatment team. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a qualitative research conducted through a content analysis method with an inductive approach. 23 familial caregivers of breast cancer patients from Seyed-Al-Shohada and ayat- ollah khan sari Hospital of Isfahan and Arak were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and field notes. The content was read for several iterations and units of meaning and primary codes were extracted, and then categories were extracted based on the centrality and similarity of meanings. RESULTS: Four categories were extracted: a) caregivers' contribution and acknowledging them in the treatment system, b) training in efficient caregiving, c) efficient interaction of the medical team with caregivers, and d) easy and dynamic access to the medical services. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that family caregivers should cooperate and interact with the medical team. They also need training from the medical team on caregiving to cancer patients. An understanding of caregivers' experiences and needs in their interaction with the medical team and identifying their needs as an important aspect in cancer care system assists in designing evidence-based healthcare interventions and a comprehensive family-cantered care program.