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Background: Nucleostemin plays a critical role in controlling proliferation and self-renewal of stem cells and cancer cells. Thus, inhibition of nucleostemin expression could be a potent therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. In the present study, the effects of nucleostemin gene silencing in K562 cell line were studied. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, after transfecting NS-specific siRNA into K562 cells, changes in nucleostemin gene expression pattern were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Trypan blue exclusion test, MTT assay, and fluorescent microscopy were used to evaluate the growth inhibition and apoptosis of K562 cells, respectively. Flow-cytometery was utilized for evaluating the effects of nucleostemin gene silencing on cell cycle. Results: The results showed the high expression of nucleostemin gene in K562 cells. NS-siRNA transfection into K562 cells at 200 nM inhibited the nucleostemin mRNA level up to 55% after 48 hours when compared to corresponding control cells. Forty eight hours after transfection, the cell growth decreased up to 33.7%. In addition, the silencing of nucleostemin induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, fluorescent microscopy assays indicated that apoptosis occurred 48 hours after silencing nucleostemin gene expression. Conclusion: Noticing the potent growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of nucleostemin siRNA in human myeloid leukemia K562 cells, silencing this gene can be a potential target for inhibiting K562 cells as the stem cell model of chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Background: Brucellosis is an endemic disease in Iran and its treatment is a medical problem. This study was performed to observe the influence of the administration of corticosteroid on symptomatology of subjects with acute, subacute, and chronic brucellosis. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 48 patients with brucellosis were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group (N=30) received the standard regimen plus dexamethasone (4 mg t.d.s for 5 days) and the second group (N=17) received only the standard regimen. The results of corticosteroid administration were evaluated according to such factors as clinical status of the patient, duration of hospital stay, duration of illness, pain score, and use of analgesics. The results were analyzed by Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent sample t-test, and Mann-Whitney test. Results: No significant differences were seen in the mean of hospital stay, duration of illness, and use of oral and injectable analgesics between the two groups (P<0.05). Also, there was not a significant difference in mean pain score reduction between groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Noticing the findings of this study, corticosteroid does not seem to alter the clinical course of brucellosis significantly. Nevertheless, further controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes are recommended

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Background: Brucella is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium. Since Brucella brings about health and socio-economic problems, its control is of primary importance. The common method of vaccination includes using live attenuated strains of this bacterium. This study was done to evaluate the immunogenicity of Brucella aburtus P39 gene in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, P39 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and after extraction, it was sub-cloned to eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3. The intramuscular injection of the obtained plasmid to the Balb/c mice was done in three stages. After the last vaccination, immunologic tests, such as proliferative response in lymphocytes, IFN- assessment, IL-5, and determination of IgG2a and IgG1, were run. Results: The level of activation in splenic lymphocytes response was 3.6 and the measured IFN- was 3 ng/ml, whereas IL-5 was insignificant. IgG2a and IgG1 titers were 1.640 and 1.40, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the immunological analysis show the appropriate immune response in Balb/c mice model after the injection of P39 gene containing plasmid. The immune system response was in Th1 form which decreased the number of bacteria in spleen. Therefore, P39 gene is of appropriate immunogenicity and DNA vaccination is efficient in the activation of cell immune response against this bacterium.

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Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world which imposes a great financial burden on the endemic regions. Diagnosis of the human brucellosis is mainly based on blood culture and serological tests. PCR, however, is recommended for diagnosis at greater specificities and sensitivities. This study aims to compare the diagnosis of human brucellosis by PCR method using l7/l12 and 16srRNA genes and serological tests. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 700 blood samples were collected from patients suspected to brucellosis who had referred to the hospitals and laboratories of Ilam, Iran. The samples were selected through Rose Bengal test. Then 50 positive samples diagnosed by Rose Bengal test were assayed by Wright, Coombs Wright, and PCR using l7/l12 and 16srRNA genes and 50 negative samples diagnosed by PCR using these two genes were tested. Results: Of the total 700 samples assayed by Rose Bengal test, 125 were positive and the rest 575 were negative. The 50 positive Rose Bengal samples in PCR were shown to be positive by both genes and 50 negative Rose Bengal samples were shown negative by both samples. 47 samples in Wright test and 49 samples in Coombs test had titration levels above 1:60. Conclusion: PCR method has a higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of human brucellosis in comparison with serological tests. Sensitivity of PCR by l7/l12 gene is similar to16srRNA and can be used for diagnosis of human brucellosis.

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Background: Mindfulness and emotion regulation have important effects on the variables related to mental health in chemical weapons victims. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and emotion regulation training on the affect and mood in chemical weapons victims. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted with two experimental groups and a control group including 47 male chemical weapons victims with high scores on the General Health Questionnaire in Sardasht city, Iran, randomly selected and then assigned to mindfulness training, emotion regulation training, and control groups. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training was used with experimental group 1, emotion regulation (ER) training was implemented with experimental group 2, and the control group received no training. Data were gathered using the General Health Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect and Depression-Happiness scales. Analysis of variance with repeated measure was used for analyzing the data. Results: The results indicated that mindfulness-based stress reduction and emotion regulation training significantly increased positive affect and mood and decreased negative affect in chemical weapons victims. Conclusion: The results supported the effectiveness of mindfulness and emotion regulation training on affect and mood in chemical victims. Therefore, attention to the effectiveness of mindfulness and emotion regulation on variables related to mental health is important in chemical weapon victims.

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Background: Sodium arsenite has adverse effects on the reproductive system and vitamin E is a strong antioxidant and reproductive factor in the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the structure and the number of ovarian follicles during its development in rats treated with sodium arsenite. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Wister rats (n=4) were divided into 4 equal groups, including control, vitamin E (100mg/kg/day), sodium arsenite (8mg/kg/day), and sodium arsenite+vitamin E. Oral treatment of the pregnant rats started from the 7th day of pregnancy till the end of the weaning and continued till the age of 120 days. After the treatment period, the right ovary was removed and fixed, and then the mean number of ovarian follicles and atretic follicles, mean thickness of zona pellucida, and volume of oocytes and its nuclei in different types of follicle were determined. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and the mean difference was considered significant at P<0.05. Results: In the vitamin E+sodium arsenite group, significant increase(P<0.05) in the total number of follicles, mean number of primordial, primary, secondary, antral, and graafian follicles, significant reduction (P<0.05) in atretic follicles, and significant increase(P<0.05) in the thickness of zona pllucida in secondary and antral follicles as well as oocyte volume in parimordial and primary follicles and its nuclei in primary, secondary, antral, and graffian follicles were observed in comparison with the other groups. Vitamin E in the sodium arsenite+vitamin E group increased the number of different types of follicles and the thickness of the zona pllucida (P<0.05), decreased the number of atretic follicles, and increased the volume of oocyte and its nuclei to the level of the control group. Conclusion: Vitamin E can be administered as a supplement to compensate for the adverse effects of sodium arsenite.

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Background: The most common reasons for discontinuation of Depot Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (DMPA) contraceptive method are irregular bleeding and increased body weight. To reduce these complications, the combined injectable contraceptive drug, cyclofem, is offered as an alternative while its effects on the reduction of these complications are not quite clear. Thus this study was done to compare the effects of cyclofem and DMPA on the pattern of bleeding, body weight, and blood pressure variations. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 600 healthy women using DMPA and cyclofem) 300 people in each group (were selected through purposeful sampling and evaluated in 3 time intervals: 3, 6 and 9-12 months after primary injection. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by Chi-square, ANOVA, and Mann-Whitney tests using SPSS software. Results: Spotting and amenorrhea were seen with higher incidence in DMPA users. There was a significant difference between DMPA and cyclofem users in spotting at the end of months 3, 6, and 9-12 after the first injection (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the two groups in amenorrhea during the three intervals (p<0.05). There was not a significant difference between the two groups in terms of weight variations (p>0.05), but there was a significant difference between the two groups in diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the lower incidence of amenorrhea and spotting in cyclofem users, encouraging eligible clients to use the cyclofem contraceptive method is recommended. Also these users are recommended to carefully control their body weight and blood pressure.

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Background: Multiple sclerosis, an immune-mediated demyelinating disorder, is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system. Two-thirds of patients with multiple sclerosis are women in their child bearing age, 20s and 30s. Multiple sclerosis is followed by neurological disability in young people. The purpose of this study was to determine pregnancy outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis and compare them with healthy pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study,37 pregnant women with multiple sclerosis and 73 healthy pregnant women were compared in terms of pregnancy, child birth, and infant variables. Patient information was collected through questionnaires and evaluated using independent t-test, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The results showed that pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational symptoms in women with multiple sclerosis were higher than the control group (p=0.001). Instrumental delivery was more in women with multiple sclerosis (p=0.05) and there was not a significant difference between the two groups in terms of neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: The resultsof this study show that some of the complications of pregnancy are higher in women with multiple sclerosis. Also, normal delivery and instrumental vaginal delivery were more in women with multiple sclerosis that couldbe due to fatigue in this population. Hence, these findings should be taken into consideration in planning andmanaging pregnant patients.

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Background: Poly chlorinated biphenyls (PBCs) are the group of organic chemical materials that have a great chemical stability. These compounds are hazardous pollutants which pose various occupational and environmental problems. This study was conducted to determine the effect of microwave rays, hydrogen peroxide, Tio2 catalyst, and ethanol on the decomposition of PBCs. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a vessel reactor (250ml volume)that was connected with a tube connector to thecondensor system was used. A microwave oven with a fixed frequency of 2450 MHZ was used to provide microwave irradiation and ray powers used at 540, 720 and 900w. pH and temperature of the samples were continuously monitored and the experiments were repeated three times. Askarel oils were analyzed by GC-ECD. Results: The mean of total PCBS degradation at 540, 720, and 900w was 83.88±1.63, 89.27±2.44, and 95.98±0.81%, respectively. The mean of total PCBS degradation in terms of ratio to solvent with oil transformer in 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 was 53.8±3.26, 79.04±1.24, and 95.08±1.69%, respectively. The mean of total PCBS degradation in terms of not using H2o2/Tio2 and using H2O2 (20%) and 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 g of Tio2 concurrently was 71.47±0.81, 87.9±2.16, 89.48±1.69, 91.7±1.24, and 93.07±3.09 %, respectively. Conclusion: Using microwave irradiation in the presence of H2O2 oxidant and Tio2 catalyst leads to the reduction of PCBS.

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Background: Exercise can counteract the negative effects of stress, but variations in exercise protocols and intensities have generated different results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of immobilization stress on cognitive performance and the moderating role of exercise.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, adult Albino-Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. The animals underwent immobilization stress (2 hours per day×7 day), exercise (30 minutes per day×7 day), or no intervention. The rats were trained and tested using Morris water maze.

Results: The control group had better performance than the stress group in acquisition (p<0.01) and recall (p<0.05) in Morris water maze. There was not a significant difference between exercise-stress and control groups in water maze performance. Stress increased corticosterone levels (p<0.001), but exercise had a significant effect on decrement of corticosteron levels (p<0.001). Also, despite the absence of a significant difference between sham and exercise groups in the acquisition stage, the exercise group had a better performance in the recall stage (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Immobilization stress can impair acquisition and mild exercise has a protective effect against stress-induced negative effects. Corticosterone may be a major mediator in the protective effect of exercise against stress-induced cognitive impairment. In addition, the role of exercise in retrieval of past experiences is more prominent than their acquisition.

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Background: Idiopathic nephritic syndrome (INS) is one of the chronic illnesses in children. Therefore, clinical and laboratory factors that influence the clinical course of this disease are very important. Among these factors, low birthweight due to reduction of the number of congenital nephrons and subsequent glomerular hyperfiltration has been postulated as an important factor. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical course of INS in patients with lowbirth weight in comparison to patients with normal birth weight.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 170 children with INS were selected from hospitals in Kermanshah, Urmia, Hamedan, Qazvin, and Ahvaz and divided into two groups of low birth weight (<2500gr) and normal birth weight (>2500gr). Then, the clinical course of these patients was evaluated by reviewing their medical records.

Results: Of the 170 patients, 22 had low birth weight and 148 had normal birthweight. Statistical analysis revealed no correlation between low birth weight and INS course except for age of presentation (P=0.014).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there is not any correlation between body birth weight and the clinical course of INS except for age of presentation.

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Background: Based on the association between beta (13-30 Hz) and attention and alertness and theta (4-8 Hz) and a hypnagogic state and less attention, the possibility of training attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) individuals in order to enhance their symptoms was investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of neurofeedback training on students with ADHD symptoms.

Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted with an experimental group and a control group. A total of 34 female students with high scores on Conners adult questionnaire and theta/beta ratio in Mohaghege Ardebili University, Iran, were randomly selected and then assigned to neurofeedback training and control groups. Neurofeddback training (NF) was used with an experimental group in twenty sessions and the control group received no training. Data were gathered using the neurofeedback system (NFT), the continuous performance test (CPT), the short diagnostic hyperactivity disorder- Conners adult questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data.

Results: The results indicated that neurofeedback training affected all dimensions of CPT and short diagnostic hyperactivity disorder (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings suggest the positive effect of neurofeedback training on treating attention problems and reducing the symptoms of hyperactivity in female students with hyperactivity and attention deficit in comparison with the control group.

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Background: Nowadays, the elderly population is growing all over the world. Diseases and conditions resulting from this evolutionary process can severely affect the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational programs of healthy lifestyle on the quality of life of the elderly in Arak city.

Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental was carried out on 60 elderly subjects in Arak city. The subjects participated in classes on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and life skills for a month and they were followed for three months after intervention. Data were collected by the short form quality of life (SF-36) in elderly.

Results: The mean score of quality of life was 61.06±7.42. The highest mean was associated with social health (74.5±15) while the lowest mean was for physical health (46±17). In terms of quality of life indicators before educational intervention, four categories emerged: poor (13.3%), medium (30%), good (41.7%), and high (15%). After intervention, the majority of the samples fell in the good (38.3%) and high (45%) categories. There was a significant difference before and after the educational intervention (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Education to elderly about the healthy lifestyle practices can prevent a lot of problems and help them to improve their quality of life. Therefore, classroom education is fruitful for this group that is often neglected.

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Background: Funnel plot is a graphical tool for investigating publication bias in meta-analysis studies. The aim of this study is to introduce another application of funnel plot that is monitoring one of the Iranian family performance indices and determining the position of each health center of Markazi province in terms of patient referral rates by general practitioners to specialists and to compare it with bar and caterpillar plots.

Materials and Methods: In order to draw the funnel plot, the average monthly percent of referrals for each district of Markazi province in 2011 was computed. In this study, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education standard figure of 10% was considered as the limit of referral to the second level of Iranian health services. The 99% confidence interval of the control limit for each district was computed according to 3 standard deviations of the percent of referrals relative to the total patient visits.

Results: Based on funnel plot results, five out of ten districts were in the expected range of referral (Ashtian, Saveh, Tafresh, Khomein, and Komijan). However, in other five districts, the referral rate was greater than the expected rate (Arak, Shazand, Zarandiyeh, Delijan, and Mahallat). Mahallat district had the highest rate of referral.

Conclusion: The funnel plot was more informative than the other two plots Thus, it can be viewed as a useful tool in monitoring health programs throughout the country.

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Background: Paraoxonase1 activity shows decline in patients with coronary artery disease. The C to T change in the -107 position of promoter is the most important genetic determinant of serum levels of paraoxonase 1. Study of this polymorphism and its relationship with the type of fatty acid composition of phospholipids in HDL particles can be found in the common pursuit of better medicines and considered in drug treatment.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 265 Patients were selected and divided in two groups based on LDL level (131 in case and 134 in control). Information of subjects were collected from questionnaire and the results of biochemistry and molecular tests. Fatty acids of HDL phospholipids were measured with Gas chromatography technic .

Results: PON1aryl esterase activity, had no significant changes after treatment with lovastatin but paraoxonase activity had more significant increases in the CC genitype of -C/T107 polymorphism. Percent of oleic acid, linoleic acid and icosapentanioc acid in HDL phospholipids were increased by lovastatin.

Conclusion: Treatment with lovastatin in the CC genotype is probably more protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Following treatment, in patients with higher paraoxanase 1 activity Oleic acid and linoleic acid have also increased in HDL phospholipids.

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Background: Adenoidal hypertrophy is a common condition of childhood, when abstructive sleep apnea ocurs adenoidectomy is indicated. In less sever cases, non surgical interventions maybe considered, however few medical altematives are currently available. Intranasal steroids used to reduce nasal airway obstruction. The aim  of this study to assesthe effectiveness of intranasal corticosteroids for improving nasal airway obstruction and in children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Materials and methods: 77 children 1-12 years exhibiting adenoid hypertrophy symptom and confirmed with radiologic imaging and without tonsilar hypertropy that not inclined to surgery were included and divided two groups in one group were treatend with intranasal betanethason 3 times daily for 3 weeks and and second group treatend with intranasal NACL as placebo. The subjects were assessed for airway obstruction symptoms including, snoring mounth breathing and prulaunt rhinorea, via questionarre ear examination, first month and third month of treatment.

Results: Intranasal betanethasone improved airway obstruction symptoms especially night snoring but hadn’t effective on other symptoms and infection complications including rhinorea.

Conclusion: Intranasal betanethasone can be used as alterative treatment for adenoidal hypertroply because its effect on airway obstruction symptoms due to probably reduction adenoideal size.

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Background: End stage renal disease or ESRD is a progressive and irreversible deterioration in renal function in which the body’s ability to maintain metabolic and fluid and electrolyte balance fails. Glutathione s-transfrase P1 is member of multigenic family which have essential role in cells as an antioxidant. In this study we investigated the polymorphism of GSTP1 genotypes and oxidative stress in ESRD patients and compare with control subjects to determine the possible relation between polymorphism of this enzyme and ESRD.

Materials and Methods: We select 136 ESRD patients and 137 control cases (without kidney disease). GST P1 polymorphism were determined with PCR-RFLP. Level of MDA was measured by HPLC apparatus.

Results: Genotypes distribution of GSTP1 A/G polymorphism to AA, AG and GG genotypes in control group were 70(51.1%), 56(40.9%) and 11(8%) and In diabetic group 74(55.6%), 50(37.6%) and 9(6.8%), respectively (p=0.744). MDA levels in ESRD patients was higher than control group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: GSTP1 A/G polymorphism between two groups and each groups was not statistically significant with ESRD, probably this enzyme has a protective role in the risk of ESRD.

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Background: The Infections that are related to vascular access, are regarded as Important factor in mortality and morbidity in the patients with immune deficiency including hemodialysis patients. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common and most Important organism involved in this regard and it cause bacteremia and its complications in the patients is important. This organism can cause carriage states and its most frequent carriage source is in the nose. The aim of this study is determination of staphylococcal carriage states in the Zanjan hemodialysis patients and control group.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study is designed in the patients with chronic renal disease who were referred to the hemodialysis wards. Nasal samples were collected with sterile swabs. Then they were inoculated in the blood agar culture media and incubated at (35-37) degree for (24-48) hours. This method was taken for control group too. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS and Chi-Square statistically methods.

Results: Based on this study, 7.4 percent of patients and 11.1 percent of the control group were nasal carriers of staphylococcus aureus. The results did not show any meaningful statistically difference between the cases and control groups. But a meaningful statistically difference was observed in the Staphylococcus hemolyticus carriages and the nasal carriage of this organism was more common in the women of case group.

Conclusion: Based on our study, we don't find high prevalence rate of nasal staphylococcus aureus carriage among our case group, and It seems this organism isnot an important agent in our hemodialysis wards.

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Background: All-trans retinoic acid(RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, is widely used to induce cell differentiation. It has significant effects on growth and proliferation of epithelial cells. It also causes cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and induces the apoptosis. cisplatin, a chemotherapy compound that cross-linking to DNA, and leads to apoptosis, it is commonly used for treatment of ovarian, head and neck, esophageal, gastric cancers and melanoma. Recent studies showed that RA enhances cytotoxic effects of cisplatin on melanoma and ovarian cancer. Our literature review showed that there is no previous study on the effect of RA in combination with cisplatin on esophageal cancer, hence current study conducted to investigate such combination treatment on esophageal derived cell, KYSE-30.

Materials and Methods: KYSE30 cell line was cultured in presence of different concentration of RA alone and in combination with cisplatin. Then, cell death was investigated by colonogenic assay and acridine orange/ ethedium bromide staining.

Results: The results showed that RA concentrations &ge15µM cause differentiation of KYSE30 to squamous cell morphology, while lower concentrations decreases the colony formation (p&le0.05). These effects were also observed in combination with cisplatin and RA. The best effects on cell death were observed in 10 µM of RA of combination with 5 and 10 µg/ml of cisplatin.

Conclusion: The results suggest that low concentration of RA in combination with cisplatin are more effective than cisplatin alone in terms of apoptosis and necrosis of esophageal cancer, KYSE-30.

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Background: Sudden visual loss is one of the emergent problems that it may be a sign of a life-threatening disease. It should be quickly evaluated and identified the treatable causes.

Case report: A young man without any history of certain disease was referred to the emergency department with complaints of sudden blindness. He was presented with fever, coriza symptoms and progressive blurring of vision that ultimately led to his visual loss. After carefully evaluation, finally suspected diagnosis of acute fulminant multiple sclerosis was made.

Discussion: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with acute attacks of neurological dysfunction. Some of these attacks are an emergent situation and need to early detection and treatment. There is a variant of Multiple sclerosis that called Acute Fulminant Multiple sclerosis which can cause sudden visual loss.