Our study suggested a benefit of measuring serum levels of lipids for predicting cancer progression. Increased LDL levels can be considered a predictive factor for increasing the risk of metastasis.

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Objectives:To assess the effects of cigarette smoking on thrombocytopoiesis and some platelet morphological parameters in healthy male smokers.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 542 consecutive healthy men (aged 20 to 88 years), referred to the laboratory of Fatemieh Hospital, Semnan, Iran, between November 2011 and November 2012 for checking up were enrolled. The subjects were divided into 2 groups of smokers (n=258 with frequency of 10 or more cigarette per day with more than 12 months duration of smoking) and non-smokers (n=284). The blood samples were extracted to examine values of platelet indices using an ABX Micros 60 cell counter.Results:Comparing platelet indices across smokers and non-smokers showed that the mean platelet count was statistically significantly higher in adult smokers than in nonsmokers (264.1 ± 81.2/µl versus 247.7 ± 83.9/µl, p=0.021), while the mean plateletcrit value was contrarily lower in the adult smokers (18.0 ± 12.0% versus 25.0 ± 10.0%, p<0.001). Other platelet indicators were not discrepant between the smokers and non-smokers.Conclusion:Cigarette smoking in healthy individuals results in significant and considerable effects on platelet morphological indices. The mean platelet count is significantly increased, and plateletcrit values are reduced, compared with non-smoking status.

This study demonstrates lack of adequate knowledge about basic concepts of EBM among medical student. On the other hands, there is an overall positive attitude toward EBM. There is need for educational interventions and incorporating formal teaching of EBM at medical education.

IntroductionIn recent years, it is suggested that platelet histogram indices, such as mean platelet volume (MPV) may be related to the activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess relationship between MPV and activity of rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsSixty consecutive patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA were recruited from the rheumatology outpatient clinics in Semnan, Iran. Current disease activity score (DAS-28 score) was assessed at baseline, 2 months and 4 months after the admission time and beginning of the treatment schedule. Complete blood count (including MPV), C-reactive protein (CRP) and ESR were measured in each visit. MPV was analyzed by the Cell Dyne 3500 automated blood cell counter.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in DAS-28 score within 4 months of total assessment (from 4.47 ± 2.24 versus 3.18 ± 1.55) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in MPV levels at the three study time points. No significant correlations were observed between the DAS-28 score and mean MPV levels at the same time points. The rate of positive CRP was decreased within the same period (p = 0.002); however, the trend of the changes in other laboratory parameters including MPV, platelet count and ESR values was not significant. The measurement of MPV value did not correlate with disease activity in RA patients within 4 months of treatment scheduling.ConclusionAlthough therapeutic regimens, which improve RA manifestations, can reduce RA activity, they had no effect on MPV during this time period. It seems MPV may not be able to predict disease activity in RA patients.