Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection varies remarkably between and within populations suggesting the role of socioeconomic-related environmental factors.Aim The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori among the studied population, to explore the effect of some environmental risk factors and lifestyle on the transmission of infection, and to study the association between this H. pylori bacterium and various noncontagious diseases. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months in two Egyptian health clinics. Two hundred apparently healthy individuals from rural (Unshass) and urban (Nasr City) areas voluntarily participated in this study. A full detailed clinical assessment in the form of a questionnaire was designed for each individual to determine risk factors with specific emphasis on age, sex, and residence. The seroprevalence of H. pylori IgG antibodies was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results In the urban group 28 subjects (28%) were H. pylori positive versus 54 subjects (54%) in the rural group. A significant relationship between H. pylori and poor sanitary conditions was detected; there was an association between H. pylori prevalence and gastric diseases, hepatic diseases, and hyperglycemia suggesting diabetes. Conclusion H. pylori infection was nearly twice as high in the rural group than in the urban one.

Background: Food additives are compounds that are purposely added to food in order to alter its features, maintain and enhance safety, maintain and increase nutrient value, and improve flavor, texture, and appearance of the food. Objective: Sodium nitrate, quick green, and glycine, all known carcinogens, were tested on albino male rats in this investigation to check if vitamin C had any protective benefits against those toxins. Materials and methods: Thirty male albino rats with an average weight of 120-140 g were used in this investigation. Three groupings of animals were formed; control, sodium nitrate + fast green + glycine-treated rats, and rats given the same mixture of food additives plus vitamin C. Samples were taken and the separated sera were used to estimate several biochemical parameters (kidney functions, liver enzymes, glucose, lipid profile as well as protein profile) and hormonal levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and testosterone. Results: body weight, total protein, albumin and testosterone hormone were decreased in mixture group. The glucose, HOMA-IR ratio, liver enzymes (ASAT, ALAT) and the kidney function (urea and creatinine), TG and TC were increased in mixture group. While HDL and testosterone were decreased in mixture-treated rats. After ingesting vitamin C, these findings, returned nearly to normal levels. Conclusion: It was shown that vitamin C was able to counteract the negative effects of dietary additives on important physiological indicators in this investigation.