Low toxic graphene quantum dot (GQD) was synthesized by pyrolyzing citric acid in alkaline solution and characterized by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force micro-scopy (AFM), spectrofluorimetery and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. GQD was used for electrode modification and electro-oxidation of doxorubicin (DOX) at low potential. A substantial de-crease in the overvoltage ( ? 0.56 V) of the DOX oxidation reaction (compared to ordinary electrodes) was observed using GQD as coating of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate the analytical performance of DOX in the presence of phosphate buffer solution (pH 4.0) and good limit of detection was obtained by the proposed sensor. Such ability of GQD to promote the DOX electron-transfer reaction suggests great promise for its application as an electrochemical sensor.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death among women. In Asian countries such as Iran, the incidence of breast cancer is increasing. The present study aimed to assess the risk factors for breast cancer of women in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was undertaken to identify breast cancer risk factors. The study consisted of 140 cases confirmed via histopathological analysis and 280 group-matched controls without any malignancy. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods via the SPSS software version 18. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis, educational level (odds ratio [OR], 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11-10.83), menopausal status (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.41-4.59), a high-fat diet (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.51-5.04), abortion (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.20-3.79), passive smoking (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.51-5.04), oral contraceptive use (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.80-5.59), stress (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.74-5.36), and migration (OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.39-6.90) were factors associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.16-0.97) and a diet containing sufficient fruit and vegetables (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.12-0.39) had protective roles against breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the risk factors for breast cancer among women in the Tabriz area of Iran are related to the lifestyle. Therefore, the provision of education to change unhealthy lifestyle choices and periodic check-ups for early breast cancer detection are recommended.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast Feeding ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Case-Control Studies* ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Education ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iran* ; Life Style ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors* ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine factors associated with caregiver burden among primary caregivers of women with breast cancer in Iran. METHODS: This was a descriptive correlation study conducted in 2012 on 150 main caregivers of patients with breast cancer who came to the oncology clinic of Shahid Ghazi hospital in Tabriz, Iran. A questionnaire which included caregiving-related factors and the Zarit Burden Interview was used for data collection after its validity and reliability were determined. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software with descriptive and analytic statistics. The association between significant variables and the dependent variable with an observation of the effects of other variables was assessed using the multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: The mean age of caregivers was 39.60 ± 13.80 years old, and 77 (51.3%) of them were men. The mean score of the Zarit Burden Interview was 30.55 ± 19.18. In the regression model, the mean score of activities of daily living, level of education, gender, and financial status were identified as the determining factors of the burden of caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Primary caregivers need to be financially supported by the relevant organizations. Care skills training and providing palliative care seem helpful in reducing the pain and the burden of family caregivers for patients with breast cancer.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/*psychology ; Caregivers/*psychology ; *Cost of Illness ; Family/psychology ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Iran ; Male ; Marital Status ; Middle Aged ; Socioeconomic Factors