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ABSTRACT Background Cancer is a major cause of mortality. Timely information about cancer mortality trends is essential for prioritizing health programs. Aims This study aims to use a Joint point regression model to predict the mortality rates of the top 10 common cancers in Babol City. Methods This cross‐sectional study considered all registered cancer‐related deaths from 2013 to 2021 in the Babol University of Medical Sciences' death registration and classification system. Crude and age‐standardized rates and cancer trends were calculated and predicted for the next 5 years, overall and by type of cancer and gender. Results Over these 9years, 2417 deaths from the 10 common cancers were recorded. We observed an increase in mortality rates with a slope of 12.05% from 2013 to 2016, and a gentler slope of 3.2% from 2016 to 2021. Cancer mortality rates are predicted to increase by 6.43% in the next 5 years without intervention. Detailed analysis indicates that breast cancer will have the highest mortality rate during 2022–2026, rising by 13.6% annually. Predictions based on gender indicate that, breast cancer mortality will increase by 13.6% annually for women. Also, stomach cancer mortality rates will increase by 0.15% in men annually. Conclusion Cancer mortality in Babol remains a significant public health issue with an increasing trend. Nevertheless, these rising mortality rates require urgent interventions, including cancer prevention programs, increased access to medical services, and improved quality of life.

Abstract Background Cancers of the genitourinary system, particularly prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer, exhibit a high prevalence. Consequently, predicting the morbidity and mortality of genitourinary cancers holds great significance for future planning and implementation. This study aimed to examine the crude and age-standardized rates of mortality and the trend of genitourinary cancers over nine years in northern Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study used data on the number of deaths attributed to genitourinary cancers recorded in Babol City between 2013 and 2021 through the cause of death registration and classification system. Population estimates were derived from the latest census reports. Subsequently, crude and age-standardized rates, as well as trends for genitourinary cancers, were calculated. Results A total of 307 deaths occurred, with an average age of 75.6 ± 14.3 years due to genitourinary cancers. The crude and age-standardized rates of genitourinary cancers increased from 2.7 and 1.9 per hundred thousand people in 2013 to 7.7 and 5.9 per hundred thousand people in 2021, respectively. Over the study period, death rates significantly rose for men (P

Summary: Background: Schistosoma mansoni infection poses a substantial public health challenge globally, and the World Health Organization (WHO) aims for the elimination of schistosomiasis by 2030. This study aimed to assess the current prevalence of human S. mansoni infection in endemic regions worldwide between 2010 and 2024. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases as well as other public sources from 1 January 2010 to 15 July 2024. Population-based studies reporting the prevalence of S. mansoni infection were eligible. We undertook a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in WHO-defined regions and assessed potential risk factors associated with S. mansoni infection. The protocol for this study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023438455). Findings: We identified a total of 542 eligible studies involving 1,163,866 individuals who had been tested for S. mansoni infection in 38 countries. The overall, pooled global prevalence of S. mansoni infection in endemic region was 14.8% (95% CI, 13.5%–16.1%). The pooled prevalences (95% CI) in specific regions were: 15.3% (13.9–16.8%) in sub-Saharan Africa, 12.4% (8.9–16.4%) in South America and 9.5% (5.4–14.6%) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. There was a 52.6% decrease in prevalence of S. mansoni infection and a 37% decrease in high-intensity infection for studies conducted between 2010 and 2014 compared to those conducted between 2020 and 2023. The present analysis revealed that factors including male gender, bathing or swimming in natural water bodies, crossing rivers or lakes, and engaging in water irrigation activities such as fishing, working in rice paddies or maintaining irrigation canals were significantly associated with S. mansoni infection. Interpretation: The findings of this investigation revealed that, despite a decline in prevalence and high-intensity infection, 7–12% of people in endemic regions, notably in sub-Saharan Africa, remained affected by schistosomiasis mansoni between 2020 and 2024. This study provides data of relevance to policymakers to support efforts to eliminate this disease. Funding: This study received no funding.

Abstract Background and aim This study aims to examine the mortality rate and trend of gastrointestinal cancers, particularly gastric cancer, as the leading cause of death among cancers in northern Iran over a 9-year period. In light of the changing incidence and mortality rates of cancer in Iran and around the world, the importance of these diseases in people’s lives, and the necessity of updating and monitoring the trend of cancer mortality, we have decided to report on the mortality trend of gastrointestinal cancers, based on crude and age-standardized rates. Method This study is a cross-sectional examination of deaths caused by gastrointestinal cancers in Babol city, Iran, between 2013 and 2021. Data was collected from the cause of death registration and classification system of Babol University of Medical Sciences. Population estimation was obtained from the latest census reports. The crude and age-standardized mortality rates and trends of the cancers were calculated. Results Overall, there were 1345 deaths from gastrointestinal cancers with an average age of 69.11 ± 14.25 years. The crude and age-standardized rates of these cancers rose from 24.1 to 20.1 per hundred thousand people in 2012 to 29.5 and 25.5 per hundred thousand people, respectively. This trend became more prevalent significantly with the increase of each decade of age for both men (P-value Trend = 0.002) and women (P-value Trend = 0.012). An analysis of gastrointestinal cancers revealed a decreasing trend for cancers of the small intestine, an increasing trend for cancers of the colon, pancreas, and gallbladder, and a stable trend for the remaining cancers over the study period. Conclusion The age-standardized rate and the number of gastrointestinal cancers is rising, highlighting the importance of preventative measures such as screening, increasing public awareness, and appropriate diagnostic methods.

Globally, hepatic cancer ranks fourth in terms of cancer-related mortality and is the sixth most frequent kind of cancer. Around 80% of liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), which are the leading cause of cancer death. It is well known that HCC may develop resistance to the available chemotherapy treatments very fast. One of the biggest obstacles in providing cancer patients with appropriate care is drug resistance. According to reports, more than 90% of cancer-specific fatalities are caused by treatment resistance. By binding to the 3'-untranslated region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of noncoding RNAs which are around 17 to 25 nucleotides long, regulate target gene expression. Moreover, they play role in the control of signaling pathways, cell proliferation, and cell death. As a result, miRNAs play an important role in the microenvironment of HCC by changing immune phenotypes, hypoxic conditions, and acidification, as well as angiogenesis and extracellular matrix components. Moreover, changes in miRNA levels in HCC can effectively resist cancer cells to chemotherapy by affecting various cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and membrane transporter activity. In the current work, we narratively reviewed the role of miRNAs in HCC, with a special focus on tumor microenvironment and drug resistance.

Few cases of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)-eosinophilia (ALL-eo) association have been reported. The lack or absence of blasts in the peripheral blood smear (PBS) along with urticarial rash, fever, arthralgia, myalgia, sweating, and dyspnea are common features of this condition. Herein, we report a 16-year-old male patient admitted to the emergency department with urticaria and generalized itching. PBS was examined, and eosinophils (90%) were seen in different fields. However, blast cells were not seen in PBS. In a bone marrow examination, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-positive and CD20-positive lymphoid blasts were reported along with eosinophilia. Eventually, the B-ALL diagnosis was confirmed for the patient, and he was started on the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster chemotherapy regimen. The association of B-ALL with hypereosinophilia is a rare condition. We hope this case report and literature review can help clinicians to manage this rare condition properly.

BackgroundOne of the common concerns of healthcare systems is the potential for re-admission of COVID-19 patients. In addition to adding costs to the healthcare system, re-admissions also endanger patient safety. Recognizing the factors that influence re-admission, can help provide appropriate and optimal health care. The aim of this study was to assess comorbidities that affect re-admission and survival in COVID-19 patients using a joint frailty model.MethodsThis historical cohort study was done using data of patients with COVID-19 who were re-hospitalized more than twice in a referral hospital in North of Iran. We used the joint frailty model to investigate prognostic factors of survival and recurrence, simultaneously using R version 3.5.1 (library "frailtypack"). P-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.ResultsA total of 112 patients with mean (SD) age of 63.76 (14.58) years old were recruited into the study. Forty-eight (42.9%) patients died in which 53.83% of them were re-admitted for a second time. Using adjusted joint model, the hazard of re-admission increased with cancer (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.92) and hyperlipidemia (HR = 1.22). Furthermore, the hazard of death increased with hyperlipidemia (HR = 4.05) followed by age (HR = 1.76) and cancer (HR = 1.64). It Also decreased with lung disease (HR = 0.11), hypothyroidism (HR = 0.32), and hypertension (HR = 0.97).ConclusionConsidering the correlation between re-admission and mortality in the joint frailty model, malignancy and hyperlipidemia increased the risk of both re-admission and mortality. Moreover, lung disease probably due to the use of corticosteroids, was a protective factor against both mortality and re-admission.

Multiple myeloma (MM) produces clonal plasma cells and aberrant monoclonal antibody accumulation in patients’ bone marrow (BM). Around 1% of all cancers and 13% of hematological malignancies are caused by MM, making it one of the most common types of cancer. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for managing MM are currently undergoing extensive research. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that reduce or inhibit the translation of their target mRNA after transcription. Because miRNAs play an influential role in how myeloma develops, resources, and becomes resistant to drugs, miRNA signatures may be used to diagnose, do prognosis, and treat the myeloma response. Consequently, researchers have investigated the levels of miRNA in plasma cells from MM patients and developed tools to test whether they directly impacted tumor growth. This review discusses the latest discoveries in miRNA science and their role in the development of MM. We also emphasize the potential applications of miRNAs to diagnose, prognosticate, and treat MM in the future.