CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) is an important member of the CXC subfamily of chemokines, and has been extensively studied in various human body organs and systems, both in physiological and clinical states. Ligation of CXCL12 to CXCR4 and CXCR7 as its receptors on peripheral immune cells gives rise to pleiotropic activities. CXCL12 itself is a highly effective chemoattractant which conservatively attracts lymphocytes and monocytes, whereas there exists no evidence to show attraction for neutrophils. CXCL12 regulates inflammation, neo-vascularization, metastasis, and tumor growth, phenomena which are all pivotally involved in cancer development and further metastasis. Generation and secretion of CXCL12 by stromal cells facilitate attraction of cancer cells, acting through its cognate receptor, CXCR4, which is expressed by both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tumor cells. CXCR4 stimulates tumor progression by different mechanisms and is required for metastatic spread to organs where CXCL12 is expressed, thereby allowing tumor cells to access cellular niches, such as the marrow, which favor tumor cell survival and proliferation. It has also been demonstrated that CXCL12 binds to another seven-transmembrane G-protein receptor or G-protein-coupled receptor, namely CXCR7. These studies indicated critical roles for CXCR4 and CXCR7 mediation of tumor metastasis in several types of cancers, suggesting their contributions as biomarkers of tumor behavior as well as potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, CXCL12 itself has the capability to stimulate survival and growth of neoplastic cells in a paracrine fashion. CXCL12 is a supportive chemokine for tumor neovascularization via attracting endothelial cells to the tumor microenvironment. It has been suggested that elevated protein and mRNA levels of CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 are associated with human bladder cancer (BC). Taken together, mounting evidence suggests a role for CXCR4, CXCR7, and their ligand CXCL12 during the genesis of BC and its further development. However, a better understanding is still required before exploring CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 targeting in the clinic.

Background: Postoperative cognitive decline is a common complication observed frequently after general anesthesia in the immediate postoperative phase. We studied the effects of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on cognitive and memory function.  Methods: In this clinical trial, 42 elective on-pump CABG candidates under general anesthesia, aged between 40 and 65 years, were enrolled randomly in 2 groups. Group A received 0.05–0.1 mg/kg of midazolam and Group B received 1 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine. One day before surgery, all the participants underwent the Persian version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Persian version of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) test for a comparison of cognitive impairment and memory functions. Both groups were given fentanyl and propofol for the induction of anesthesia and muscle relaxants. The MMSE and WMS tests were repeated 5 and 30 days after surgery. Results: The mean±SD of age was 55.47±7.18 y in Group A and 55.39±6.08 y in Group B. Eighty percent of the participants were men in both groups. There were no significant differences between Group A and Group B in the MMSE and WMS before surgery (89.04±14.30 vs. 97.10±18.10, respectively;  P=0.059), but the WMS was significantly different 30 days after surgery (87.60±14.30 vs. 103.53±19.93, respectively; P=0.005). Group A showed high cognitive impairment and low WMS scores compared with Group B (P=0.005). Additionally, the MMSE results were not statistically different between the 2 groups postoperatively (24.80±3.18 vs. 23.55±4.18, respectively; P=0.394). Conclusion: Our results showed that dexmedetomidine might have a lower impact on cognitive function than might midazolam among patients undergoing CABG.   J Teh Univ Heart Ctr 2019;14(2):67-73   This paper should be cited as: Rajaei M, Tabari M, Soltani G, Alizadeh K, Nazari A, Noroozian M, Morovatdar N. Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam on Postoperative Cognitive Impairment after Coronary Artery Bypasses Graft Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Teh Univ Heart Ctr 2019;14(2):67-73.

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Background The prevalence of kidney stones in the world is increasing and environmental factors seem to play a major role in this issue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of risk factors of kidney stones in the adult population of Rafsanjan city based on the data of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS). Methods In the baseline phase of this study, 10,000 people aged 35 to 70 years are enrolled in the RCS, as one of the prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran. From this population, 9932 participants completed related demographic questionnaires as well as reported a history of diabetes mellitus, kidney stone, and hypertension diseases. The obtained data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistics regression. Results According to the obtained results, 46.54% of the studied population were male and 53.46% were female. The mean age of the participants was 49.94 ± 9.56 years. 2392 people accounting for 24.08% of the population had kidney stones. After adjustment of the variables, six variables of gender, WSI, no consumption of purified water, BMI, and history of hypertension and diabetes were found to be significant related factors of kidney stone disease. Conclusions Gender, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and personal habits like alcohol consumption, opium use and, cigarette smoking are effective in the development of kidney stones. So, by identifying the susceptible patients and teaching them, the burden of the disease on society and the individual can be reduced. The results of this study are helpful to health care providers for preventive planning for kidney stone disease.

The incidence rate in men is about four times more than that in women, and the age range of patients diagnosed is 50-54 years in both males and females, with a sharper increase in males aged 60-64 years. 1 BC is the seventh most frequent cancer type worldwide. Approximately 30% of bladder tumors are anticipated to emerge from occupational exposure to carcinogens, including benzidine and 2-naphthylamine. Cigarette smoke also contains such carcinogens and is a risk factor for BC. Several jobs types, such as rubber workers, motor mechanics, leather (including shoe) workers, machine setters, bus drivers, blacksmiths, hairdressers (due to hair dye exposure), and mechanics are at greater risk of BC. [2][3][4] The malignancy of BC in most humans appears to be multifactorial in origin and develops in multiple stages. 5,6 The natural environment may consist of review article