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It has been proved that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to dyslipidemia and the risk of cardiovascular complications is higher in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate dyslipidemia in RA patients. In this study, RA patients were enrolled regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their demographic information and medication profiles were evaluated. Clinical assessments were performed by evaluation of disease activity score (DAS28) and visual analogue scale. Moreover, laboratory investigations of lipid profile including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (Chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were performed. From a total of 150 patients with the mean age of 54.9±16.8 years, 65.3% were diagnosed with dyslipidemia. Females in menopausal ages had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia as well as patients with longer disease duration. Mean serum HDL, LDL, Chol, and TG were 52.76±13.8, 96.65±21.6, 177.26±38.9, and 128.04±33.9, respectively. Considering DAS28, 100% of the patients with high disease activity were diagnosed with dyslipidemia. In the moderate and low disease activity groups and also patients in remission the ratio was 77.02%, 66.66%, and 43.75%, respectively. According to the results, patients under treatment with prednisolone and methotrexate were more affected by dyslipidemia than those with prednisolone, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine. Moreover, in the patients under prednisolone, methotrexate, and leflunomide treatment, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was significantly lower than those used only prednisolone and methotrexate. Altogether, it is necessary to have more clinical suspicion towards dyslipidemia and its complications in the patients with greater number of affecting factors.

Background: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones, is among the most important physiological and pathological processes that occur in the body. Under pathological conditions such as tumor growth, psoriasis, corneal neovascularization and rheumatoid arthritis, angiogenesis is substantial for the development of the disease. Zataria multiflora is a member of the Labiatae family with a vast range of traditional uses which has been long known and applied in Iran old medicine. The aim of this study was the evaluation of anti-angiogenic potential of Zataria multiflora. Materials and Methods: In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were isolated from newborn umbilical veins and then cultured for cytotoxicity (LDH test) assay. Regarding LDH results, following tests such as angiogenesis (cytodex-3 micro carrier) and migration (wound healing) tests were designed. Results: The cytotoxicity assays showed no toxicity of Z.multiflora toward HUVECs in the range of 10-450µg/mL of the extract. This extract was also able to inhibit angiogenesis and migration at 200µg/mL. Conclusions: Our data clearly demonstrated an inhibitory effect of Z.multiflora on angiogenesis and migration of HUVECs. Z.multiflora could be introduced as a significant angiogenesis inhibitor for angiogenesis-dependent diseases in further complementary studies.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is an effective treatment for hematological malignancies. Mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells performs in different ways among transplantation centers. Forceful mobilization schedules are comprised of growth factor alone, chemotherapy along with growth factor and also, a newly combination of novel agent such as plerixafor with any approach. With the appearance of numerous modifications in stem cell mobilization field over the past decade and advent of novel stem cell mobilization techniques, it seems to be necessary to review recent publications about stem cell mobilization strategies to respond above cited issues. Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (1996-2016) of English-language literature using the terms mobilization, Allogeneic Stem Cells Transplantation, Autologous Stem Cells Transplantation and technical aspects of apheresis. Although many institutions have established their own procedures to improve stem cell mobilization success rates accompanying cost-effectiveness considerations, an optimal stem cell mobilization regimen and methods have not been well-defined, yet. Practical guidelines are required to address critical clinical issues including proper growth factor, the most Impressive chemotherapy and its dosage and appropriate time for leukapheresis initiation. Hence, based on literature, we prepared practical guidelines in this review.

Background: The conventional chemotherapeutic regimens which applied for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mostly target tumor bulk but not leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Aberrant expression or activation of mediators such as osteopontin (OPN) or PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway plays a key role in making prone to develop leukemia. Preventing or treating cancer by curcumin (CUR) has been suggested recently. CUR induces apoptosis and growth inhibition through various mechanisms in leukemic cells. In present study, we tried to measure the toxic response in vitro to CUR for evaluation of changes in cell viability, survival and molecular-mediated resistance in primary AML cells. Materials and Methods: Isolated primary CD34+/CD38− bone marrow derived AML cells were treated with CUR, Daunorubicin (DNR) and/or their combination by MTT assay, Annexin V/PI staining, and colony-formation. The mRNA expression of OPN/AKT/mTOR/PTEN/β-catenin genes was measured by Real-Time PCR. The siRNA against OPN was applied for CUR- treated cells. Results: Growth inhibition effect of DNR increased in combination with CUR on primary CD34+/CD38- AML cells. Suppression of OPN with siRNA increased the cytotoxic effects of CUR. Likewise, OPN gene expression increased in response to CUR treatment in AML cells. AKT, mTOR, β-catenin or PTEN gene expression increased by CUR, but OPN siRNA decreased the level of mRNA expression of mentioned molecular pathway. Conclusion: The chemo-resistance of AML cells against therapy might be relevant to increasing of OPN mRNA expression and activity of other mediators including AKT, mTOR, PTEN, and β-catenin. In this context, targeting of OPN might be more impact on CD34+ AML cells.