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BACKGROUND There is a critical role for trace elements in cancer prevention. Since northeast Iran is known as a high risk area for esophageal cancer, this study was designed to compare the serum levels of some trace elements in high and low rate areas of Golestan province. METHODS We used 240 fasting serum samples obtained in 2011 from eastern and western parts of Golestan province during the non-communicable diseases' screening program. To carry out laboratory examinations, the samples were firstly deproteinated and then the concentrations of the intended elements were measured by an atomic absorption spectrometer. A total of 227 samples were used in the present study and the remaining 13 samples were excluded due to inappropriate conditions. RESULTS The mean serum level of zinc in the high-risk region was significantly lower than that in the low-risk region. But no significant difference was detected in serum levels of copper, magnesium, and manganese in the low-risk and high-risk regions. CONCLUSION As this study was an ecological study with no comparison between patients with cancer and healthy population, its results cannot be used for the general population. Therefore, complementary studies including case-control studies are suggested for further evaluation of the relationship between these elements and the incidence of esophageal cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this work.

BACKGROUND Different clinical and epidemiological studies using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry have shown an increased prevalence of low bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between bone density and the disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 52 patients with ulcerative colitis (duration of the disease less than 5 years) were invited to our research center, Golestan province, northeast of Iran, during February 2012 up to August 2012. A demographic checklist and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index was completed for each patients and 5 cc of blood sample was taken after obtaining the informed consent. We used colorimetry method for measuring serum calcium, UV method for serum phosphorus and ELISA for serum vitamin D. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was done to evaluate the bone density. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. Normality of data was assessed using Kolmogorov- Smirnov test. T and ANOVA tests were used if data had normal distribution. Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for the remaining data. Correlation between qualitative variables was evaluated by Chi-square test. RESULTS The mean (±SD) age and disease activity of the patients were 37.72 (±12.18) years and 4.78 (±1.98), respectively. There were no correlation between disease activity and mean age. Low bone density was seen in 30.8%, 11.5%, and 15.4% in spine, femur neck, and hip, respectively. There was no relationship between Z-score of total hip, spine, and femur neck with disease activity, age, and duration of disease (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our results showed an acceptable rate of low bone density in patients with ulcerative colitis without any correlation with the disease activity index.