Evaluating the expression of self-renewal genes in human endothelial progenitor cells.

Objective: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have a potential application for cell therapy, however, their biological nature is not well-understood. EPCs also possess some stemness features, such as their clonogenicity and differentiation capacity. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of certain transcription factors regulating selfrenewal property of stem cells.

Perforated peptic ulcer disease: mid-term outcome among Iranian population.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate midterm outcome of patients with perforated peptic ulcer disease and to determine the main predictors of mid-term mortality.

Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics of 56 patients with the diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer who were hospitalized in Taleghani Hospital over a 10-year period (19962005) were retrospectively collected, and in-hospital mortality and morbidity were determined. Patients were also followed for one month, one year and five years after the operation.