The incidence and prevalence of ALS in the Iranian population seems to be lower compared to other populations and the survival of patients was longer than previously reported.

BACKGROUND Aryl-carbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, is best known for its ability to mediate the effects of environmental toxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. AhR is expressed in several tumor cells and regulates the expression of genes in the signal transduction pathways. In this study, we examined the soluble levels of AhR in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS 123 samples, including 59 (48%) samples of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on histological evidence and 64 (52%) healthy control samples, were evaluated to determine plasma levels of AhR by Enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS The median of AhR among patients was 0.280 ng/mL, which differed considerably from 0.07 ng/mL in the control group (p < 0.001). Significant differences of the AhR were observed between the plasma samples of the patients compared with the healthy group, with respect to male sex (p < 0.001), age groups (p = 0.001), diabetic status (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) categories (p = 0.035), and constantly smokers (p < 0.001). We also observed significant differences between the level of AhR expression between men and women (p = 0.01) and ever to never smokers (p = 0.009) in the case group. In addition, the age of 65 and a BMI of 25 or less were significant factors in plasma AhR levels ([1.61 95%CI 1.08-2.38] and [1.84 95%CI 1.22-2.77], respectively). CONCLUSION The results of this study can add diagnostic information to pancreatic cancer involving AhR and the potential efficacy of this receptor in therapeutic strategies.

I.

Background and Objectives. The null hypothesis of this study was that TA has no effect on postsurgical bleeding in patients undergoing TKA. Methods. This study was a double-blind randomized trial. In the first group (T) patients received 500 mg of intravenous Tranexamic acid (TA) twice (once preoperatively and once 3 hours postoperatively) and in the second group (P) they received slow infusion of normal saline as placebo. The primary outcome of the study was the level of Hb 48 hours after surgery. Results. Hb levels 48 hours after surgery as the primary outcome were 10.92 ± 0.97 and 10.23 ± 0.98 (g/dL) in groups T and P, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Statistically significant differences were also observed in Hb levels 6 and 24 hours after surgery, the drain output 48 hours after surgery, and the number of units of packed cells transfused between study groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in duration of hospitalization between the study groups (P = n.s.). Conclusions. The low dose perioperative intravenous TA significantly reduces blood loss, requirement for blood transfusion, and drain output in patients undergoing TKA. However, duration of hospitalization did not change significantly.