[ relationship between FLT3 mutations and complete remission of AML patients referring to Shariati hospital]

FLT3 gene is a member of class III receptor Tyrosine Kinase, which is expressed in most patients with acute myeloid leukemia [AML]. Mutations of FLT3 such as Internal Tandem Duplication [ITD] and point mutation of the D835 are the most common genetic defects in myeloid leukemia. These two mutations in patients with MLA and their effect on survival rate were studied for the first time in Iran. DNA was extracted from the blood or bone marrow samples of 100 patients with AML from October 2008 to September 2009. For further analysis, PCR was performed to determine the prevalence of these mutations and their association with prognosis. Moreover, t and x[2] statistical tests were applied for data analysis. According to the results, 15% of patients revealed FLT3-ITD mutations and 8% showed mutation of D835 in FLT3 gene. In terms of achieving complete remission [CR], patients with mutation of ITD had more chance than those without such mutation [83.5% versus 53.3%]. The white blood cell count was significantly higher in the ITD[+] [mean = 73,646/ml] than ITD[-] patients [mean = 26,580/ml]. The results indicate that FLT3-ITD mutations may reduce the chances of Complete Remission [CR] in patients; however, FLT3-ITD mutation is an important factor in selecting appropriate treatment

[Can bilirubin be an indicator for predicting coronary artery disease?]

Oxidative interactions such as the formation of oxygen, peroxy radicals and LDL-cholesterol oxidation are involved in the development of atherosclerosis process. This study aims to examine the relationship between serum bilirubin levels and the incidence of coronary artery disease. Eighty-five patients and ninety-two healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Total and direct bilirubin levels were measured using diazo method. Besides, triglycerides and total cholesterol were determined by enzymatic method, HDL-Cholesterol by polyanionic method, and LDL-Cholesterol by direct method. For statistical analysis of data, SPSS 17 was applied. For qualitative variables, Chi-square and for quantitative variables, t student tests were used. The significance level was set at P=0.05. Direct, indirect and total bilirubin levels were 0.213, 0.375, 0.588 mg/dl for control group and 0.228, 0.365, 0.593 mg/dl for patient group, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the mean values for direct, indirect and total bilirubin in the two groups. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between triglycerides and total cholesterol level figures in the two groups. However, there was a significant difference between HDL-Cholesterol levels [P=0.001], smoking [P=0.031], family history [P=0.006], and mean blood pressure [P<0.001] of the two groups. The results of this study indicate that measurement of bilirubin as a marker for predicting coronary artery disease may be important. In the end, it should be mentioned that the findings of this study are consistent with some previous studies, but incompatible with others in this area

[Evaluation methods of theoretical and practical courses of paramedical faculty laboratory sciences undergraduate students at Tehran university of medical sciences in the academic year 2009-2010]

Achievement-based evaluation is an important part of the educational planning process, in which learners are screened; besides, it helps teachers in their self-evaluation. The purpose of present study is to survey the methods through which laboratory sciences students were evaluated by their professors at Tehran University of Medical Sciences [TUMS] in the academic year 2009-2010. In this cross-sectional study, the population consisted of the faculty members who teach laboratory sciences courses. Data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed to describe all evaluation methods using tables and necessary distribution frequencies. Then, the results were compared with those of Medical Planning Council resolutions. The results show that mid-term exams were used for the evaluation of students in 35% of all theoretical and practical courses. Besides, of the evaluation methods used, multiple-choice questions occupied the first rank [70%] among the methods normally employed. According to the results, routine evaluation of undergraduate students of laboratory sciences at the Paramedical Faculty of Tehran University of Medical sciences not only conformed to the ratifications of the Supreme Council of Medical Planning, but also was done more extensively and with a higher degree of consistency in the academic year 2009-2010

[Internal evaluation of medical laboratory sciences department of allied health sciences school, Tehran University of medical sciences[2010]]

Internal Evaluation is a process of providing evaluative-descriptive information based on the value and significance of educational objectives, operations and results to direct decisions, responses, information and research processes. In this research, studying the opinions of faculty members, students, and graduates, the educational system of Medical Laboratory Sciences Department at Tehran University of Medical Sciences [TUMS] was evaluated in the year 2010. The aim the study was to remodel and adjust the educational system with the society's needs and to promote the educational quality. The employed method was a cross-sectional, descriptive one and consisted of 10 procedural steps in eight sections dealing with the evaluated factors such as faculty members and students, and the satisfaction expressed by students. The results of the study showed that the average of the eight investigated sections was 70.6% for the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, which can be interpreted as desirable. Internal evaluation can be considered as one of the best methods of improving the quality of education in the faculty of Allied Health Sciences School