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All the different kind of Mycobacterium species except Tuberculosis Leprae and Bovis are considered as environmental Mycobacterium, which usually can be isolated from sand, water and dusts. In addition to the role of their pathogenesis, they can stimulate the immune systems. The immune mechanisms following Mycobacterium environmental contamination can be either protect or destroy the immune system when facing the disease related to the Mycobacterium. The Golestan province has got 2 regions from the point of view of TB epidemy, it is higher in the east. The aim of this project is determine the prevalency of various types and strains of environmental Mycobacterium in the east and west of the region. The samples were collected from both regions from the wet sand, and muddes covered with grass and following their preparation they were cultured on the Lowen Stein Jenson. The total of samples were 220 from these 120 samples were from the region with epidemy of TB out of these we had 25 samples with positive culture (20.8%) and 47 type of mycobacterium were isolated, the most common forms of them were Mycobacterium Fortuitum (34%), Mycobacterium Flavesens (21.2%), Mycobacterium Chelonae (12.8%). From 100 samples taken from the region with low epidemy of TB 66 samples were with positive culture (66%) which 114 strains of Mycobacterium were diagnosed. The most common forms of these microorganisms were Mycobacterium Flavesens (20.1%), Mycobacterium Chelonae (18.4%) and Mycobacterium (16.6%). In conclusion in all the Golestan province without taking notice the TB epidemy form 220 samples 91% were positive culture (41.2%) which 161 different strains were diagnosed out of these the most common were Mycobacterium Fortuitum (21.8%), Mycobacterium Flavesens (20.5%) and Mycobacterium Chelonae (16.8%). The epidemy and variousity of environmental Mycobacterium in the region with low epidemy were much higher than the region with high epidemy and in regard to that these differences are due to the bioenvironmental factors. So therefore this can indicate that the possibility of higher contact between the immune systems and the environmental Mycobacterium. These Mycobacteriums can act as Booster of BCG vaccine which can continuously stimulate the immune systems and this can help the body’s proper responses when facing with the TB Mycobacterium.

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Background & Objective: The burden of psychiatric disorders in the developed countries has been identified by the screening questionnaires and standard clinical interviews at a high level, but the epidemiological studies of psychiatric disorders in our country are brief and their numbers are few. Providing essential mental health services to the people requires us to be knowledgeable about the present status of psychiatric disorders in the society. The objective of their research was to carry out the epidemiological study of the psychiatric disorders in the 18 years and above individuals in the urban and rural areas of Golestan province. Materials & Methods: 518 individuals selected through randomized clustered and systematic sampling methods from among the existing families of Golestan province and the schedule for affective disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) questionnaires completed by the clinical psychologist. The diagnosis of the disorders was based on DSM-IV classification criteria. Results: The results of the study showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the province is 14.69%, which was 18.14% in the women, and 11.47% in the men. The mood and affective disorders respectively with 7.93 and 4.05% had the higher prevalence in the province. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this study was 0.97%, neuro-cognitive disorders 1.16% and dissociative disorders 0.58%. In the group anxiety disorders, panic disorder with 4.05% of had the higher prevalence and in the group of affective disorder, major depression, hypomanic and manic disorder with 1.93. Conclusion: This study showed that 7.53% of individuals that were studied suffered from at least one of the psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the province among the individuals in the age group of 41-55 years with 13.04%, separated or divorced individuals 50%, residents of urban areas 11.03%, illiterate individuals 12.75% and housewives 13.04% was more than other individuals in the sample. Being aware of this matter reveals the responsibility of the health policy makers and programmers, prevention, treatment and medical education more than before in relation to preparing application and executive plans in Golestan province for mental health.

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Background&Objective: Collection and Storage of roof rainwater usually has been used from long time ago in Iran and many other countries. Many residents in rural areas of Golestan province (Turkman Sahra) are providing partly of drinking and municipal water by this way. This study was purpose to determine the chemical water quality and detecting of probable contamination resources in cisterns. Materials&Methods: 140 samples were collected and analyzed for determination of chemical parameters during three seasons. Alkalinity by titrometric, hardness by E.D.T.A, Cl- by Mohr and No3- & PO4-3, by DR-2000 HACH and heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry (model 2380 Perkins-Elmer) were determined. These results were analyzed by SPSS and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results: The chemical parameters such as: acidity, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, nitrate and manganese had desired limits but PO4- in 15%, Fe in 12%, Pb in 51% and Cr in 16% were exceeded the referrance level. Conclusion: Any of water cisterns were unfavorable for drinking because some chemical parameters and especially the heavy metals were exceeded the normal level. The probabe causes of the normal level chemical contamination water in cisterns include infiltration surface and agricultural waters, storage of Gorganrood water and precipitation of air pollution.

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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&Objective: Cancer of the esophagus ranks among the 10 most frequent cancers in the world. As esophagus cancer belt is coincide with loess deposits belt of the world, So there is possibility of close relationship between loess deposits and certain endemic diseases such as esophagus Cancer. This study deals with Loess deposits with medical geology aspect toward diagnosis and prognosis. Materials&Methods: In this study sampling from loess deposits from East towards West of Golestan province has been done. Collected samples have been undergone diffraction X-ray (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) for determination of minerals, Surface morphology of minerals and chemical analysis for further studies respectively. Results: In mineralogical studies dominated minerals are quartz, feldspar and calcite. Clay minerals are illite and chlorite, which are about 9.3%. The amount of quartz is variable from 56.3 to 45.4. The grains sizes are decreasing from northeast to southwest. Chemical analysis of loess deposits contain Si, Al, K and Ca, which are related to presence of quartz, feldspar, calcite, illite and chlorite minerals. Conclusion: According to medical geology evidences, loess deposits of Golestan province could be considered due to the effects of clay minerals on biochemical cycle, chemical composition of loess deposit for its high silica percentage and direct relationship of grain size with ethiology of esophagus cancer incidence. As variation of esophagus cancer incidence in Golestan province in last 30 years indicates that still high percentage of esophagus cancer incidence which is reported in eastern of province is occurred on loess deposits.

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Background&Objective: Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonosis in the world,fatality rate of the disease is sometimes high in endemic regions and is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with urine of animals that are carrier of leptospirosis. We studied incidence of leptospirosis in Golestan province in 2004. Materials&Methods: According to coordination with province health center, 20 suspicious patients for leptospirosis were diagnosed by general practioners and referred to 5th Azar hospital. Patients with at least 4 constitutional symptoms (fever, sever headache, conjunctival suffusion, myalgia, arthralgia, icter, malaise) and history of working ir rice farm, exposure to wild or domestic animals or stagnant water were included and MAT for leptospirosis were requested. other causes were ruled out with wright, widal, VDRL, peripheral blood smear. Results: Out of 20 suspicious patients, 12 cases reported. All of them were farmer, had titer>1/100 in MAT. Fever chills, headache were found in nearly all of them. Conjunctival suffusion and increased CPK up to 2 fold than normal was seen in %75 and %66.4 respectively. They were treated by ampicillin or amoxicillin sussessfully. Conclusion: According to the results of this study we suggest to all physician of the area to be concentrated to the disease as an occupational disease in rice farmers. So early diagnosis can prevent many complications of the disease in this group of farmers.

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Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer is the third common malignancy in the world. Personal habits including life style and nutrition have been proposed as risk factors of colorectal cancer. We conducted this study to assess the nutritional characteristics in colorectal cancer patients in Golestan province of Iran.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on 47 colorectal cancer cases, diagnosed during 2004-05 and 47 healthy controls. A questionnaire containing socio-demographic and nutritional characteristics (FFQ) was filled for each of the participants. Chi square test was used to assess the relationship between variables.

Results: In each of the two groups, 40.4% were females and 59.6% were males. The mean±SD age of age in cases and controls were 52.4±13.4 and 52.1±13.1 years, respectively. Total energy expenditure of higher than 1837.5 Kcal/ day was significantly related to colorectal cancer (OR=3.8 95% CI: 1.2-11.3). Colorectal cancer risk was higher in individual with frying cooking method (OR=3 95% CI: 0. 8-11.1). The risk of colorectal cancer was 6.5 times higher in individuals with fat consumption of higher than 118.5 grams/day (95% CI: 1.5-28.8). No significant relationship was seen between vegetables consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer.

Conclusion: This study showed that high total energy expenditure, high fat consumption and using frying method for cooking are risk factors of colorectal cancer in Golestan prevince in Nothern of Iran.

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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.

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Background and Objective: Hypertension is considered as a major public health problem in most countries due to its association with ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine people awareness of hypertension in Golestan province of Northern Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional population based study carried out on 2497 subjects (15-65 years old) including 1500 men and 1247 women in Golestan province- Northern Iran during 2006. The subjects were chosen by proportional-cluster sampling based on sex and age groups. The subjects were interviewed, antropometric indexes and serum biochemical factors were evaluated. Blood pressure was measured three times with 5 minutes interval and defined based on JNC-7 classification. Serum cholesterol and fast blood sugar (FBS) were determined using laboratory kits (enzymatic methods), and spectrophotometery technique. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software and Chi-Square test.

Results: In general, the prevalence of hypertension in this region was 23.9%. with higher rate among women urban area by 3.3% and 5% respectively. Only 48.7% of hypertensive patients were aware of their disease and that was significantly more in women than men (P<0.001). Low physical activity, chronical age, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, general obesity, central obesity and illiteracy were the risk factor for hypertension morbidity (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed, in spite of prevalency of hypertension among 20% of subjects in this area only 48.7% of them were aware about their disorder.

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Background and Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the zoonosis disease which is transmitted by sand fly and has been considered as one of the most important health problems in Iran. This study was designed to assess the status of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Gonbad Kavoos, North of Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical retrospective study was performed on the two groups consist of: 1799 patients (995 men and 804 women) referred to health centers of Gonbad Kavoos in Golestan Province North of Iran during 2009-11. Also 278 men and 271 women were selected randomly in one of the villages for the assessment of acute and scar wounds. Patient’s characteristics such as age, sex, habitat, number and sites of ulcer(s), month and years of incidence were registered. Data were analyzed using SPSS-13 and Chi-Square test. Results: From 1799 under care patients, 995 cases (55.3%) were males and 804 cases (44.7%) were females (P<0.05). 1542 patients (85.7%) resided in rural areas, while 257 (14.3%) lived in urban areas (P<0.05). The most frequent age group was 0-9 years old (43.3%) (P<0.05). Hands were the most common sites of ulcer (42.3%) and 37.9% of the patients with one ulser. The highest prevalency of disease was observed in months of October and November (68.4%) 4% and 78.6% of subjects selected from villages were presented with acute wound and scar, respectivley. Conclusion: This study showed that Cutaneous leishmaniasis in 2010-11 was dispersed in Gonbad-Kavoos a city in North of Iran. The endemicity situation of this disease in this area is hypoendemic.

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Background and Objective: Golestan province in north of Iran is known as a high risk area for cancers. Differences in climatic characteristics including rainfall, temperature and humidity may affect the diet, types of vegetation and lifestyle of residents in this area. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between rainfall and temperature with the incidence of cancer in Golestan province, north of Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, climatological data and Data of cancer incidence in Golestan province, north of Iran were collected during 2005 and 2010.
Results: Higher incidence of cancers was seen in areas with dried climate including Eastern parts of the province and the Turkmen sahra (P<0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between the rainfall and the incidence of esophageal cancer (r=-0.64, P<0.04). The average rainfall was significantly lower in high-risk area for esophageal cancer than in low-risk area (P<0.05). The incidence of gastric cancers was significantly higher in dry climate than humid climates (P<0.05). The incidence of esophageal and intestinal cancers was non-significantly higher in dry climate than humid climates. The incidence of breast cancer was non-significantly lower in dry climate than humid climates.
Conclusion: This study showed that higher incidence of cancers in dry climates when compared with humid climates. Also, environmental factors may play a role in high incidence rate of cancers in this area.

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Background and Objective: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases which transmitted by sand flies to humans and other animals. This study was conducted to determine the effect of wild rodents control in decreasing zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Golestan province, north of Iran during 2016.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, rodent control operation was conducted using Zinc phosphide 2.5% in May, July and September 2019 in 45 villages of Gonbad Kavous County in Golestan province, north of Iran during 2016. The stages of operation in each of the villages were scored, as we considered 25 score for each stage of destruction of nests (one stage) and baiting in nests (three stages). Also, incidence rate which is reported in each of the villages was extracted. Finally, the relationship between rodenticide scores in each village with the incidence of disease was compared.
Results: There were rodent’s active burrows around 45 villages. After the end of rodents control operation, 17 villages got 0-25 scores, 8 villages 26-50, 16 villages 51-75 and 4 villages 76-100. The mean incidence rate in these villages was determined 3466.9±2473.5, 2828±1929.1, 4515.4±3478.4 and 636.3±546.6, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the implementation of  rodents control operation and incidence rate of ZCL, so that in villages with a score of between 76-100, the incidence rate was significantly lower than in the villages with a score of between 51 -75 and 26-50 (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Regarding the reduction of the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in villages with high scores in Gonbad-e Kavus County, north of Iran, the implementation of rodents control operation seems to be necessary.