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Background&Objective: 15-20% of TB cases are extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). Abdominal TB is the most common type of extra intestinal TB. Signs and symptoms of abdominal TB are unspecific. In this study, we identified all GITB cases in Golestan province (Iran) between 1999 and 2003 and determined their demographic characteristics. Materials&Methods: We reviewed all new cases of TB reported during 1999-2003 from TB centers of Golestan province .Then EPTB and especially GI and abdominal TB cases were selected. We completed a questionnaire containing demographic information for each of them. The information entered the computer in SPSS-13 was used to analyze the data. Results: 30 patients had been treated for GI and abdominal TB, most of them were females (22 cases, 73.3%). Mean age of the patients was 32.03±13.73 with higher incidence in age before 40 years old (70%). Most common complaints of the patients were fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, fever and abdominal pain, respectively. In 66.7% of patients the diagnosis was pathologically documented. Conclusion: Our data suggest that 38.46% of all TB cases in Golestan province were EPTB, and this scale is higher than other studies. In this study, 5.27% of EPTB cases were GI and abdominal TB, higher than the world reports (3%).

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Background&Objective: Celiac is a digestive disease. In this disease, small bowel is damaged and the absorption of nutrients are adversely affected. These patients do not absorb gluten. There is probably a correlation between esophagus cancer and celiac. The aim of this research was to study the seroepidemiology celiac disease in this area with high prevalency of esophagus cancer. Materials&Methods: This research was a descriptive study, which was performed on blood donors in Golestan province during the year 2005-06. blood samples were taken from 2547 subjects. tTG-IgA determination were carried out using ElISA technique, the titre<4U/ml, 4-10U/ml and >10Um/l were considered to be as negative, weakly positive and positive respectively. EMA antibody assessment were carried out on all sample population with more than 4U/ml, using IFA method. Results: 28 subjects (1.1%) had tTG-Ab positive test, out of this number 18 subjects (0.7%) were weakly positive and 10 persons (0.4%) were considered to be positive. EMA test were positive in 70% of subjects with tTG positive results. There was not any significant meaning between positive tTG test and ethnicity from weakly positive tTG, 15 subjects (83.3%) and 3 subjects (16.7%) were male and female respectively. The entire tTG positive were male subjects. Conclusion: In regard to high prevalency of esophagus cancer in the region and the relation of celiac disease with above cancer, it seems necessary to look more seriously at the celiac disease.

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Background&Objective: Silis (SiO2) is an oxide of silicon that its existence in food products is known as a contamination, classified as a human carcinogen. Some suggest it as an etiology of esophageal cancer. Golestan province has a high incidence and prevalence of esophageal cancer and is on the world belt of this disease. This study was designed to determine the concentration of silis in flour produced in Golestan province, north of Iran Materials&Methods: This descriptive study was done in spring 2005. Census method was used to gather flour samples from flour manufactures. Samples were transported to laboratory. Base-melting method in nickel cruise was used in 550°c and the extract was reduced with acid. The complex was evaluated with spectrophotometer. Data entered into SPSS-12, and the differences between silis concentration in various regions were compared with non-parametric Kruskul Walis test. Results: Median silis concentration was 0.0030 grams, mean concentration was 0.008760 with 0.004265 standard deviation, minimum was 0.003 and maximum was .018 grams in each 100 grams flour produced in province's factories. Mean silis concentrations were 0.012, 0.01 and 0.003 in Gorgan and the central part of the province, western and eastern part, respectively. The differences were not significant. Conclusion: Although in earlier reports it was shown that silis level in the flour is high, but the findings of this study indicated that the above element is in normal range.

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Background and Objective: Golestan province, located in north of Iran has been known as a high risk area for esophageal cancer. The relationship between esophageal cancer and Selenium (Se) has been assessed in previous studies. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between Soil selenium levels and development of esophageal cancer in Golestan province of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this ecologic study, Golestan province in northern Iran was divided into 135 blocks based on geographical altitude and longitude on the map. One Soil sample was collected from the center of each block. Selenium level in Soil samples was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson correlation and T-Student tests. Results: The mean±SD of Soil Selenium level in Golestan province was 3.7±1.61 mg/kg. There was a positive correlation between Soil level of Selenium and esophageal cancer rates in this area (P=0.03), (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.19). The Soil Selenium level for high risk and low risk area for esophageal cancer were (4.13 mg/kg) and (3.39 mg/kg) respectively (P=0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that there is high Soil Selenium level in Golestan province in north of Iran. Also it is found to be a significant positive relationship between Soil Selenium level and esophageal cancer rate in this area.