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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: 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: Opium usage for sedating/relieving from diarrhea or cough causes a public health problem. In the northeast of Iran (Golestan province), opium is used widely for symptomatic therapy of routine illnesses in young children. It may cause severe intoxication and even death. This study was done to determine the toxification with opium in five years old children in Golestan Privine in Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in collaboration with “Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Committee” in Golestan University of Medical Sciences. All members of ADR committee in pediatric centers trained to complete a certain valid questionnaire in children under 5-years-old, which either referred or admitted for opium intoxication (September 2006 to February 2007). Data analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Results: In this survey, 67 opium-intoxicated children were recruited. Minimum age of the subjects was 6 days and maximum was 5-years-old. In 41.3% of subject. The opium was given by the mother with low awakness and 61.2% of in toxicated children reside with rural area. More that 80% of the parant had the educational level below. The highschool diploma in 63.6% of cases the pure form of opium were consumed, diarrehea anxiety, were the two main cause for consuming the opium. In this study four subjects decleard dead due to toxification of the opium. Conclusion: Opium intoxication has a high prevalence among children under 5-years-old in our area. Therefore it is suggested that the intoxicated children accompanied with parant ambigious explanation opium toxification should be taken seriously.