Background: Vascular access (VA) is a prerequisite for initiation of hemodialysis (HD) in patients with end- stage renal disease (ESRD). Frequency and potency of V A types are varibus in different societies. We have done this study to achieve this goal. Materials and Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was performed over two months (august and September 2003) iq four HD centers in Isfahan, Iran. All of the patients who were treated with HD for more than 1 month were studied for the number, type of V A and some demographic factors. The questionnaires were completed at the patient"s bedside. Results: There were 320 patients. (199 male and 121 female). Mean age was 50.64± years. Among 412 permanent VAs which were created in the duration of HD, only 4 and 7 of them were graft and dual _ lumen cuffed catheters, respectively. All of the others were arterio venous fistula (AVF).The mean number of created permanent VAs in females was more than males. It was increased by some factors such as increasing the duration of HD, increasing the interval between creating permanent VA and initiation of HD. Although the latest was not statistically significant. 1 Year, 2-year, 3-year and 5- year survival of AVF was 80%, 78%, 73% and 69%, respectively. Primary failure of AVF was. 13%. Conclusion: Regarding the statistics of other centers, survival of AVF was low in Isfahan. The prevalence of grafts & dual - lumen cuffed catheters is lower than other countries. The majority of our patients use AVF as a VA. The earlier the patient is encouraged to create a permanent VA before initiation of HD, the AVF survival is higher.

Zinc has an important role in skin health and its deficiency reduces immunity to evaluate levels of zinc in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of skin, we studied 44 BCC and 38 SCC cases together with 33 controls. Blood samples were taken and after separation of serum, levels of zinc, albumin and total protein were measured by atomic absorption albumin kit and reflectometer consecutively. Serum globulin levels were estimated by subtracting albumin from total protein levels. Zinc levels were significantly lower in cancer cases than control (P<0.001). Mean serum albumin of BCC cases was significantly more than controls (P<0.01), but in BCC cases was not significantly different. Significant correlations were seen between levels of serum zinc and albumin of SCC (r=0.507, P<0.01) and BCC(r=0.43, P<0.01) patients and controls(r=0.35,P<0.01). Mean globulin levels in cancer cases were significantly lower than control group (P<0.01).We concluded that serum zinc and globulin levels decrease in BCC and SCC of skin.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) belonging to the Asteraceae family and known for its valuable secondary metabolite, silymarin. In order to get the cell suspension culture of Silybum marianum, the combination of 2,4-D and BAP hormones each with five different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 2 and 5 mg/L) and 3 different seedling explants (cotyledon, hypocotyl and root) was used to callus formation. High-quality callus was observed in eight different of hormone-explant combinations. Successful cell suspension culture was achieved only by using callus created from cotyledon explants treated with 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D and 5 mg/L BAP. Furthermore, the study examined the effects of 2% and 4% Serendipita indica cell wall extract as an elicitor on silymarin production in cell suspension culture at three different inoculation times (24, 48, and 72 h). After 48 h of inoculation with 2% fungal extract, the highest level of silymarin (199 ppm) was observed, which was significantly different from the control (46 ppm). The silymarin content of cells increased over time through elicitation with 4% fungal elicitor, while no similar pattern was observed with 2% fungal extract. Based on the results, the cell wall of S. indica can significantly enhance the amount of SLM in the cell suspension culture of S. marianum.

Background and Objective: Squamous carcinoma accounts for the majority of esophageal carcinoma worldwide. This study was done to evaluate the survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer in Iran.Methods: This historical cohort study was carried outon 105 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma whom admitted to Firoozgar hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2009-14. Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with chemoradiation either with or without surgery.Results: The mean age of patients was 63 years. Frequency of esophageal cancer in both sexes in the age group 51-60 years was higher than other groups.5-year survival in patients with esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiation without surgery was 9.5% and in patients treated with chemoradiation with surgery was 31.7% (P<0.05). One-year, three-year and five-year survival rate in patients were treated with chemoradiation with or without surgery was 68.5%, 38% and 22.8%, respectively.Conclusion: The survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer is very low, but the treatment with chemoradiation with surgery can increase life expectancy of patients.