All-cancer incidence in Tehranian adults: more than a decade of follow-up-results from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence rates for different malignancies and assess the risk factors for all-cancer incidence in Tehran. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: This study consists of 8599 participants aged ≥ 30 years who were free of cancer (3935 men). Cancer diagnosis was based on pathology reports. Sex-stratified crude incidence rates and age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) using Segi's method were calculated for all-cancers. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to evaluate associations of potential risk factors, including sex, age, obesity status (body mass index [BMI]: 25-30 kg/m2 as reference), education, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus with the incidence of cancers among the population. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were also reported. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 13.9 years, there were 130 and 129 incident cancers for men and women, respectively; the corresponding ASRs were 356.1 and 243.6 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The three most incident cancers among men were gastrointestinal (GI) (ASR = 127.5), hematopoietic (ASR = 99.5), and reproductive system malignancies (ASR = 46.3). The most common incident cancers in women were breast cancer (ASR = 92.1), GI (ASR = 65.4), and reproductive system malignancies (ASR = 16.8). Among risk factors for cancer incidence, age (IRR [95% CI]: 1.05 [1.03-1.06]) and having a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (IRR [95% CI]: 1.38 [1.01-1.90]) had a statistically significant association with incident cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of cancers in Tehran during more than a decade of follow-up calls for a need to define risk factors as well as to implement programs for early screening.

Upregulation of Helicoverpa armigera core RNA interference genes by bacterial infections and its effect on the insect-bacteria interaction.

RNA interference (RNAi) is an extremely conserved defence mechanism. The antiviral role of the RNAi pathway in insects is well documented; however, the relevance of this pathway in other aspects of insect immunity is largely unknown. In this study, we questioned whether RNAi has any function during insect-bacteria interactions. For this, we assessed induction of the RNAi pathway in response to bacterial infections by monitoring the expression of dicer1/argonaute1 and dicer2/argonaute2, which are important genes in the microRNA and short interfering RNA sub-pathways respectively. Bacterial cells of Bacillus thuringiensis and Serratia marcescens were injected into the haemocoel of fifth-instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera, whereas double-distilled water was injected into control insects. Expression levels of the RNAi-related genes increased in the bacteria-injected larvae compared with controls. Transcript knockdown of dicer1 reduced the replication of B. thuringiensis; as a consequence, larval mortality decreased compared with the control. However, replication of S. marcescens increased following dicer1 silencing, which led to higher rates of larval mortality when compared with the control. RNAi of dicer2 promoted replication of both bacteria in the larvae and also enhanced larval mortality. Therefore, dicer1 and dicer2 affected larval survival and the replication rates of the pathogenic bacteria, suggesting their roles in the interactions.

Wolbachia-induced transcription factor GATA4 suppresses ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D and imaginal disc growth factor.

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia infects a wide array of insect hosts and has been implicated in a range of biological modifications as a consequence of its infection. Previously, it was shown that the transcription factor GATA4 was significantly induced in Wolbachia wMelPop-CLA strain infected Aedes aegypti whole mosquitoes and cells. Here, we provide evidence that this induction also occurs in mosquito ovaries where the ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D (Bsg25D) and imaginal disc growth factor (Disc) are suppressed by Wolbachia. We further demonstrate that transcriptional depletion of GATA4 results in upregulation of both genes and conversely its overexpression leads to downregulation of the genes, suggesting that Wolbachia-induced GATA4 plays a suppressive regulatory role with regards to Bsg25D and Disc expression in mosquito ovaries. When the Disc gene was silenced in mosquitoes, we did not observe any difference in the number of mature ovarian follicles developed between treatment groups. However, we did find a significant delay in the hatching of eggs that had been laid by Disc knockdown mosquitoes.

Involvement of microRNA miR-2b-3p in regulation of metabolic resistance to insecticides in Plutella xylostella.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, has developed extremely high levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole and other classes of insecticides in the field. As microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in various biological processes through gene regulation, we examined the miRNA profile of P. xylostella in response to chlorantraniliprole exposure. RNA sequencing analysis showed that insecticide treatment caused significant changes in the abundance of some miRNAs. Increasing exposure time and insecticide concentration induced more dysregulated miRNAs in P. xylostella larvae. We also screened potential target genes for some of the differentially expressed miRNAs (such as miR-2b-3p, miR-14b-5p and let-7-5p), which may play important roles in insecticide resistance development. Exposure of P. xylostella larvae to chlorantraniliprole caused considerable overexpression in the transcript levels of potential target genes cytochrome P450 9f2 (CYP9F2) and 307a1 (CYP307a1). Application of miR-2b-3p and miR-14b-5p mimics significantly suppressed the relative transcript levels of CYP9F2 and CYP307a1, respectively, in a P. xylostella cell line. Furthermore, enrichment of P. xylostella diet with miR-2b-3p mimics significantly increased mortality in deltamethrin-resistant larvae when exposed to deltamethrin. The results suggest that miR-2b-3p may suppress CYP9F2 transcript levels in P. xylostella and consequently inhibit larval detoxification pathways. The findings provide an insight into possible role of miRNAs in regulation of metabolic resistance of insects to insecticides.

Genomic innovations, transcriptional plasticity and gene loss underlying the evolution and divergence of two highly polyphagous and invasive Helicoverpa pest species.

BACKGROUND: Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea are major caterpillar pests of Old and New World agriculture, respectively. Both, particularly H. armigera, are extremely polyphagous, and H. armigera has developed resistance to many insecticides. Here we use comparative genomics, transcriptomics and resequencing to elucidate the genetic basis for their properties as pests. RESULTS: We find that, prior to their divergence about 1.5 Mya, the H. armigera/H. zea lineage had accumulated up to more than 100 more members of specific detoxification and digestion gene families and more than 100 extra gustatory receptor genes, compared to other lepidopterans with narrower host ranges. The two genomes remain very similar in gene content and order, but H. armigera is more polymorphic overall, and H. zea has lost several detoxification genes, as well as about 50 gustatory receptor genes. It also lacks certain genes and alleles conferring insecticide resistance found in H. armigera. Non-synonymous sites in the expanded gene families above are rapidly diverging, both between paralogues and between orthologues in the two species. Whole genome transcriptomic analyses of H. armigera larvae show widely divergent responses to different host plants, including responses among many of the duplicated detoxification and digestion genes. CONCLUSIONS: The extreme polyphagy of the two heliothines is associated with extensive amplification and neofunctionalisation of genes involved in host finding and use, coupled with versatile transcriptional responses on different hosts. H. armigera's invasion of the Americas in recent years means that hybridisation could generate populations that are both locally adapted and insecticide resistant.

Revised annotation of Plutella xylostella microRNAs and their genome-wide target identification.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is the most devastating pest of brassica crops worldwide. Although 128 mature microRNAs (miRNAs) have been annotated from this species in miRBase, there is a need to extend and correct the current P. xylostella miRNA repertoire as a result of its recently improved genome assembly and more available small RNA sequence data. We used our new ultra-deep sequence data and bioinformatics to re-annotate the P. xylostella genome for high confidence miRNAs with the correct 5p and 3p arm features. Furthermore, all the P. xylostella annotated genes were also screened to identify potential miRNA binding sites using three target-predicting algorithms. In total, 203 mature miRNAs were annotated, including 33 novel miRNAs. We identified 7691 highly confident binding sites for 160 pxy-miRNAs. The data provided here will facilitate future studies involving functional analyses of P. xylostella miRNAs as a platform to introduce novel approaches for sustainable management of this destructive pest.

Trends in outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2006-2010.

This study aimed to determine the trends in outpatient cataract surgery and its determinants in the Islamic Republic of Iran between 2006 and 2010. In this cross-sectional study, 106 cataract surgery centres were selected in all provinces by multistage randomized cluster sampling. The number of centres in each province was determined from the number of cataract operations and the number of patient charts examined in each centre was proportionate to the number of cataract operations in that centre. The prevalence of outpatient surgery increased from 46.0% (95% CI, 35.3-56.8) in 2006 to 51.4% (95% CI, 40.2-62.7) in 2010 (P = 0.549). Patients stayed in hospital for more than one night after 10.5% (95% CI, 6.9-14.1) of operations. Use of phacoemulsification and topical anaesthesia increased the prevalence of outpatient surgery and decreased intraoperative complications. Although outpatient cataract surgery increased by 11.7%, use of methods such as phacoemulsification is not widespread, and more attention should be paid to the barriers to outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Reciprocal crosses between two populations of Trissolcus vassilievi (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) reveal maternal effects on thermal phenotypes.

The egg parasitoid Trissolcus vassilievi (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a significant natural enemy of the sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), the most important pest of wheat in Iran. This study examined the developmental time and egg-to-adult survival of two geographically separate populations of T. vassilievi on two corresponding host populations at five constant temperatures ranging from 15.0 to 35.0 ± 1°C. No wasps of either population emerged at 15.0°C and the temperature threshold for development was similar between populations, ranging from 13.1 ± 0.3 to 13.8 ± 0.4°C for males and 12.2 ± 0.1 to 12.6 ± 0.1°C for females, but the thermal constant varied with gender and parasitoid population. Development of wasps from the colder Tabriz location was slower, with thermal constants for males and females of 172.6 ± 3.1 and 204.1 ± 1.2 degree-days, respectively, compared to Varamin wasps with 164.7 ± 3.0 and 195.6 ± 1.3 degree-days, respectively. Based on genetic inheritance patterns, reciprocal crosses between the two populations were expected to result in females with thermal phenotypes intermediate to their parental populations, and males that resembled their mothers. However, female progeny of crosses more closely resembled their maternal population, indicating a maternal effect on thermal phenotype. Furthermore, the magnitude of the maternal effect on the thermal constant was asymmetric and was more strongly expressed by Varmin than Tabriz females. These results suggest the possibility of using selective crosses between wasp populations, in combination with artificial selection in the laboratory, to tune the thermal phenotype of parasitoids to specific regions prior to augmentative releases.

Contributions of public and private sectors to the Iranian cataract surgery output.

This study determined trends in the contributions of the public and private sectors to the cataract surgery output in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Data about cataract surgeries performed at surgical centres throughout the nation were extracted from patient charts for a 5-year period from 2006 to 2010. Of the total 516 273 surgeries performed in 2010, more were done in public sector centres (61.7%) than private ones (38.3%). The total number of surgeries increased by 59.1% between 2006 and 2010. Analysis of the relative contributions of the public and private sectors showed a 41.0% increase in surgeries in public centres and 100.5% in private centres over the 5-year period. Thus the rate of growth of cataract surgery in the private sector was 2.7 times greater than that in the public sector. Despite a smaller contribution to the total number of cataract surgeries, the private sector has experienced a substantial rate of growth.

Evaluation of gamma response ability of single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers with different dopants as dosimeter sensors.

Optical fiber is used as a tool for data transmission in radiation environments in many applications such as medical, plasma diagnostics, and space satellites. The optical transmission is affected by ionizing radiation, characterized by radiation-induced attenuation. This feature allows use as a dosimeter sensor. In this work, the gamma radiation responses of three types of single-mode and multi-mode fibers, with different dopants of erbium (Er), germanium (Ge), and phosphorus (P) were evaluated. Radiation-induced attenuation was measured by spectrophotometer in wavelength ranges of 400-700 nm. The Er-doped fiber had higher attenuation of 0.8 dB/m after 560 mGy total dose. There was a reasonable linear relationship between the amount of attenuation and absorbed dose in P-, Ge-, and Er-doped fibers.

Retraction notice to: The effect of parenteral testosterone administration prior to hypospadias surgery: A prospective, randomized and controlled study [J Pediatr Urol 11 (2015) 143.e1-143.e6].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Readers of the journal highlighted issues with the study design and statistical analysis of the results which affected the validity of the findings in the paper. Further review by the editors and journal statistician confirmed that there were issues in the paper that needed to be addressed. The authors were given the opportunity to address the problems in the paper but did not respond.

Venous air embolism during semi-sitting craniotomy evokes thrombocytopenia.

Venous air embolism activates platelets in vitro and can evoke platelet dysfunction in swine. We tested the hypothesis that venous air embolism during semi-sitting craniotomy induces thrombocytopenia in humans. We analysed the charts of 799 patients who had an elective craniotomy in the semi-sitting position between 1990 and June 2009. Venous air embolism occurred in 52 patients (6.5%) and was associated with a decrease in mean (SD) in platelet count from 270 (75) × 109 l⁻¹ to 194 (62) × 109 l⁻¹ (p < 0.001). In age-matched controls without venous air embolism mean (SD) platelet count did not change (254 (82) × 109 l⁻¹ vs. 250 (97) × 109 l⁻¹ (NS). While mean (SD) haematocrit fell slightly in both groups (venous air embolism: 0.40 (0.05) to 0.32 (0.04), p <0.001; no venous air embolism: 0.41 (0.04) to 0.35 (0.05), p < 0.001), normalising platelet count to haematocrit did not alter the results.

Ectopic expression of an endoparasitic wasp venom protein in Drosophila melanogaster affects immune function, larval development and oviposition.

Endoparasitic hymenoptera inject maternal factors into the host, along with their eggs, to subvert the host immune system. The venom protein, Vn50, previously characterized from the wasp Cotesia rubecula inhibits prophenoloxidase activation in its host Pieris rapae and in another lepidopteran, Manduca sexta. We generated a stable line in the model insect, Drosophila melanogaster, which ectopically expresses Vn50. Results indicated that Vn50 expression accelerates larval development, increases oviposition and reduces melanization in the haemolymph of the transgenic flies. Since melanization is known to be an important facet of the insect immune response, we examined the impact of Vn50 expression on susceptibility to pathogens. Transgenic Vn50 flies challenged with the fungus Beauveria bassiana had increased mortality compared with control flies, but there was no significant change in survival in flies challenged with the pathogenic bacteria, Serratia marcescens. Interestingly, mortality induced by the natural pathogen Drosophila C virus was significantly delayed in Vn50 expressing flies. This indicates a wider range of potential hosts that may be affected by Vn50 and its potential for manipulation of immune system in insects.

[The importance of CT angiography for screening supra-aortic vascular damage in severely injured patients]. / Bedeutung der CT-Angiographie zum Screening supraaortaler Gefässverletzungen beim Schwerverletzten.

PURPOSE: Traumatic injury of supra-aortic vessels remains a challenge in the initial diagnostics of severely injured patients. The presented prospective study analyzed the impact of multislice computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the primary diagnostic method. METHODS: Patients with the following criteria were included and screened for a dissection of the supra-aortic vessels: a) admission directly from the scene, b) resuscitation room treatment indicated by the official criteria of the DGU (German Society for the Surgery of Trauma), c) suspected blunt trauma to head or trunk as well as d) age over 16 years. RESULTS: During a period of 18 months 374 patients were treated for blunt trauma in the resuscitation room. In 176 cases CTA of the supra-aortic vessels was performed and pathological findings were observed in 16 patients. In 4 cases (2%) a traumatic dissection of supra-aortal vessels was diagnosed and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients received heparin in a PTT effective dosage for 2 weeks and after rehabilitation there were no neurologic deficits. CONCLUSION: Traumatic supra-aortic dissection was found in 2% of cases in the presented study group. The mechanisms of injury were not distinct in this group. Essentially MSCT angiography screening was demonstrated to be a safe diagnostic tool.

Association of breast artery calcification with coronary artery disease and carotid intima-media thickness in premenopausal women.

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether breast arterial calcification (BAC) has an association with coronary artery diseases (CAD) in young premenopausal women and evaluated the association of BAC with carotid intima-media thickness and standard CAD risk factors. Among 84 premenopausal women aged < 55 years who were referred for coronary angiography, 34 (40.5%) had abnormal angiographic findings and 6 (7.1%) showed BAC in their mammograms. The body mass index of patients with BAC was significantly higher than those without BAC. BAC had no significant association with angiography-confirmed CAD.

Pediatric reference intervals for calculated LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and remnant cholesterol in the healthy CALIPER cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Increased prevalence of pediatric obesity and associated co-morbidities has heightened the concern for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk later in life. Although the fasting lipid profile is traditionally used to assess CVD risk, the non-fasting lipid profile may simplify lipid testing and better predict CVD risk. Unfortunately, non-fasting lipid reference values are limited, particularly for children. The Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) has recruited thousands of healthy pediatric subjects to develop a pediatric reference interval database. Here, CALIPER reports pediatric reference intervals for non-fasting calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLc) and remnant cholesterol. METHODS: Non-fasting serum samples from the CALIPER cohort of community children and adolescents were previously analyzed for HDLc, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. These values were used to calculate LDLc, non-HDLc, and remnant cholesterol and subsequently establish reference intervals with corresponding 90% confidence intervals according to CLSI EP28-A3c guidelines. Reference intervals were also calculated using alternative statistical methods highlighted in recent literature. RESULTS: All three lipid parameters required an age partition at 1 year due to wider reference intervals in the first year of life. LDLc and non-HDLc required sex partitioning for subjects 1-<10 years. Non-HDLc upper reference limit was higher than the 2011 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBII) pediatric recommended cut-offs, suggesting elevated atherogenic lipoproteins in a proportion of apparently healthy pediatric subjects. The LDLc upper reference limit (10-<19 year partition) was the same as the NHLBI cut-off, potentially due to lower calculated LDLc values in the non-fasting state. CONCLUSIONS: With the increased use of non-fasting lipid profiles, age- and sex-specific reference intervals and appropriate clinical decision limits are necessary for pediatric lipid monitoring. Our data supports the notion that appropriate decision limits, rather than reference intervals, should be used to interpret lipid levels in children as there is a high prevalence of hyperlipidemia in the apparently healthy pediatric population.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography to evaluate the effect of the eyelid speculum on corneal pachymetry during accelerated corneal cross-linking (9 mW/cm2).

PurposeTo investigate intraoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to compare pachymetry changes between two methods (group 1: speculum-on, group 2: speculum-off during riboflavin instillation stage) during corneal cross-linking /CXL) (9 mW/cm2 for 10 min) in keratoconic patients.MethodsIn this interventional case series, 11 eyes (11 patients) in group 1 and 14 eyes (14 patients) in group 2 were enrolled. Pachymetry measurements by spectral domain OCT was performed at baseline, after epithelial removal, after 30 min of imbibition with riboflavin, and after UV irradiation. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the trend of changes in different stages of the procedure within and between two groups.ResultsThe corneal thinnest pachymerty (CTP) at baseline, after epithelial removal, 30 min of riboflavin instillation, and irradiation was 469.8±26.5, 438.0±27.1, 354.3±28.4, 367.1±31.8 microns in group 1 and 463.2±25.1, 438.0±27.1, 421.6±54.0, 386.9±34.0 microns in group 2, respectively. Group 1 showed a significantly greater decrease in the corneal pachymetry (P<0.001) during riboflavin instillation, while in group 2 a greater decrease in CTP was observed during the UV irradiation phase (P=0.002).ConclusionsUsing the intraoperative OCT, the speculum-off group had a more stable corneal pachymetry during riboflavin instillation time. Despite this, the effect was not lasting throughout the procedure; significant changes were noted in the corneal pachymetry at the end of operation in both groups; further highlighting the limitations imposed by corneal stromal shrinkage using isotonic dextran containing riboflavin solution for CXL.

High success rate with new modified endoscopic treatment for high-grade VUR: A pilot study with preliminary report.

PURPOSE: Despite the benefits of the minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) it has a major drawback which is low success rate in high grade VUR. For overcoming this problem, we introduce a new modified technique of endoscopic treatment called periureteral injection technique (PIT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study a total of 37 ureters in 19 boys and 14 girls were treated, including 3 bilateral cases. Of 37 units, 30 (81.1%) had grade IV and 7 (18.9%) had grade V primary VUR (18 right, 13 left and 3 bilateral units). Subureteral injection of Vantris(®) was done at the 5-o'clock and 7-o'clock positions in which the direction of injecting needles were almost parallel. Pre- and post-operative evaluation included urinalysis, urinary tract ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), dimercaptosuccinic acid scan and urodynamic studies. RESULTS: The median age was 38 months (range 8-125). At 6 months follow up period confirmed with VCUG, the VUR has been disappeared in 34 (91.8%) units and 3 units [2 (5.4%) grade II and 1 (2.7%) had grade III)] had downgraded VUR. Complications included early fever due to urinary tract infection in 1 children, transient dysuria in 2 patients and low back pain in one patient (Summary Table). CONCLUSION: The success rate of PIT for treatment of high grade VUR is high. However, further studies with more patients and longer follow up periods are needed to draw final conclusion.

Matched optical quality comparison of 3-year results of PRK-MMC and phakic IOL implantation in the correction of high myopia.

AIMS: To compare 3-year results of PRK-MMC and phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation in patients with >8.0 diopters (D) of myopia. METHODS: This study was conducted as a non-randomized clinical trial on 23 eyes treated with PIOL (Artiflex; group A) and 23 eyes treated with PRK-MMC (group B). This report compares 3-year treatment results in these two groups. RESULTS: At 3 years after surgery, uncorrected visual acuity was 0.02±0.06 LogMAR in group A and 0.04±0.07 LogMAR in group B (P=0.639). Mean best corrected visual acuity in group A (0.004±0.02) was better than group B (0.03±0.07 LogMAR) (P=0.035). Mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent was -0.16±0.21 and -0.09±0.20D (P=0.190), respectively. Mesopic contrast sensitivity (CS) in the spatial frequency of three cycle/degree (CS3) significantly decreased in both groups, but the reduction was significantly higher in group B (P=0.024). CS6 decreased significantly only in group B (P=0.019). Changes in CS12 and CS18 showed no significant inter-group difference. In group A, the increase in C6 trefoil (0.16±0.18 µm, P=0.003) and reduction in spherical aberration (SA; 0.16±0.08 µm, P<0.001) were statistically significant. In group B, the reduction in vertical coma (P=0.052), and increases in horizontal coma (P=0.044), coma (P<0.001), SA (P<0.001), and total higher order aberrations (P<0.001) were significant after surgery. CONCLUSION: Based on 3-year results, PIOL implantation is a better choice than PRK-MMC for treating patients with >8.0D myopia. However, for patients with an inadequate aqueous depth, PRK-MMC can be an acceptable treatment option with a potential for decreased quality of vision.