Incidence patterns of colorectal cancers in four countries of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, and İzmir, Turkey) compared with those in the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

Background/aims: There are wide variations in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence across the world. Historically, the highest incidence rates have been reported historically in more developed countries; however, increasing trends have been seen in developing countries. Here, we present the CRC incidence pattern in Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and İzmir, Turkey, which are countries of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC).

Association between Echinococcus granulosus infection and cancer risk - a pilot study in Cyprus.

Background: Infections from microorganisms and parasites have been connected with either increased or decreased cancer risk. The objective of this study was to investigate whether infection by Echinococcus granulosus is associated with cancer risk.

Methods: We assembled a pilot retrospective cohort of patients who were diagnosed as being infected by E.

Cancer burden in four countries of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (Cyprus; Jordan; Israel; Izmir (Turkey)) with comparison to the United States surveillance; epidemiology and end results program.

It is important that population-based cancer registries provide accurate and reliable data for public health purposes. These data are essential data for planning of cancer control and prevention. In this study, we examined cancer incidence rates (year 2005-2010) in four MECC registries (Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Izmir (Turkey)) and compared with the rates in the US.

Geographic trends of tobacco-related cancers in Cyprus.

Background: Causal relationships have been previously established between smoking and various cancers. In Cyprus, 39 % of men and 14 % of women reported daily smoking in 2008. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of tobacco-related cancers to all other cancers by district and rural-urban classification to understand the impact of tobacco in Cyprus.

Incidence and time trends of cancer in Cyprus over 11 years (1998-2008).

Cyprus maintains a population-based cancer registry that allows for in-depth study of cancer in a culturally and environmentally unique setting. Using 11 years of collected data (1998-2008), we present the first comprehensive analysis of cancer in Cyprus. We calculated gender-specific, world age-adjusted incidence rates and time trends for the 26 most incident cancers.

i-Motif DNA: structure, stability and targeting with ligands.

i-Motifs are four-stranded DNA secondary structures which can form in sequences rich in cytosine. Stabilised by acidic conditions, they are comprised of two parallel-stranded DNA duplexes held together in an antiparallel orientation by intercalated, cytosine-cytosine(+) base pairs. By virtue of their pH dependent folding, i-motif forming DNA sequences have been used extensively as pH switches for applications in nanotechnology.

Particulate matter concentrations during desert dust outbreaks and daily mortality in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Ambient particulate matter (PM) has been shown to have short- and long-term effects on cardiorespiratory mortality and morbidity. Most of the risk is associated with fine PM (PM(2.5)); however, recent evidence suggests that desert dust outbreaks are major contributors to coarse PM (PM(10-2.