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Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy with a variable clinical course. We investigated the prognostic role of routine laboratory factors including CBC indices and serum vitamin D levels to predict MM recurrence after receiving an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). 29 patients were enrolled. Before ASCT, demographic data and CBC, serum Cr, and Vit D levels were obtained. Patients underwent bone marrow aspiration (BMA) and biopsy (BMB) before ASCT and pretransplant plasma cell counts were also evaluated. Patients were followed for 6 months and BMA and biopsy were done in the 3rd and 6th month of the follow-up to detect recurrence. Overall, 9 patients were reported to have recurrence. The patient's WBC count mean was 13.3±11.6. WBC count was lower in patients with overall recurrence (P=0.005). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to WBC count (<5.5 109/L and ≥5.5 109/L) and we found that WBC count <5.5 109/L was associated with increased risk of recurrence by 15.2 times (Odds ratio: 15.2, 95%CI: 1.4-168, P=0.005). We also evaluated Wbc to Hb ratio (Wbc/Hb) and found that Wbc/Hb <1 had a significant statistical relationship with overall recurrence (P=0.026) as patients with WBC/Hb <1 were in 9.8 times increased risk of recurrence (Odds ratio:9.8, 95% CI: 2-93.5, P=0.026). pretransplant WBC <5.5 109/L and WBC/Hb <1 were associated with 9.8 and 15.2 times increased risk of myeloma recurrence and could be useful predictive factors for a patient's short-term recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract osseous metaplasia (OM) is uncommon. We report a 68-year-old woman with a non-functional cystic kidney. Pathological evaluation of the kidney revealed OM with bone marrow elements and no evidence of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of All-Trans Retinoic Acid, the biologically active metabolite of retinoids, on liver steatosis in a rabbit model of high fat induced lever steatosis. 30 male rabbits were evaluated in 5 groups: group 1 treated with normal diet, group 2–5 included rabbit's groups 2 to 5 were fed on high cholesterol diet, group 2 received no drugs, group 3 received atorvastatin, group 4 received atRA, and group 5 received both the drugs. the liver was obtained for histopathological evaluation. oral administration of atRA, atorvastatin or their combination significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL, AST and ALT. atorvastatin slightly but atRA remarkably decreased liver steatosis where the difference was significant. atRA group showed the highest TAC and the lowest PCO concentrations. atRA can be effective in reducing liver steatosis and its antioxidant effect plays a crucial role in the process. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common disorder of the liver in general population and is strongly associated with metabolic risk factors including hyperlipidaemia, obesity and diabetes. atRA is very effective in reducing liver steatosis and its antioxidant effect plays a crucial role in the process. we suggest focussing on other aspects of liver steatosis such as carbohydrate metabolism and insulin resistance in order to find better ways of controlling and treating liver steatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Nastaran. Namazi, Morteza. Ghassemipour, Azadeh. Rakhshan, Ata. Abbasi Synovial sarcoma is a type of malignancy which usually occurs near the joints of the arm, neck, or leg. It is [...]

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life‐threatening neurologic disorder that can be as both cause and consequence of neuroinflammation. In addition to previous reports on anti‐inflammatory property of the anti‐migraine medication sumatriptan, we have recently shown its anticonvulsive effects on pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure in mice. In the present study, we investigated further (i) the effects of sumatriptan in the lithium–pilocarpine SE model in rats, and (ii) the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO), 5‐hydroxytryptamin 1B/1D (5‐HT1B/1D) receptor, and inflammatory pathways in such effects of sumatriptan. Status epilepticus was induced by lithium chloride (127 mg/kg, i.p) and pilocarpine (60 mg/kg, i.p.) in Wistar rats. While SE induction increased SE scores and mortality rate, sumatriptan (0.001‐1 mg/kg, i.p.) improved it (P < 0.001). Administration of the selective 5‐HT1B/1D antagonist GR‐127935 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the anticonvulsive effects of sumatriptan (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.). Although both tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and NO levels were markedly elevated in the rats' brain tissues post‐SE induction, pre‐treatment with sumatriptan significantly reduced both TNF‐α (P < 0.05) and NO (P < 0.001) levels. Combined GR‐127935 and sumatriptan treatment inhibited these anti‐inflammatory effects of sumatriptan, whereas combined non‐specific NOS (L‐NAME) or selective neuronal NOS (7‐nitroindazole) inhibitors and sumatriptan further reduced NO levels. In conclusion, sumatriptan exerted a protective effect against the clinical manifestations and mortality rate of SE in rats which is possibly through targeting 5‐HT1B/1D receptors, neuroinflammation, and nitrergic transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Maryam. Ghiasi, Mohammad. Nouri, Ata. Abbasi, Parvaneh. Hatami, Mohammad. Abbasi, Keramat. Nourijelyani Background: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease and associated with other diseases such as cardiovascular, hypertension, and [...]