Efficacy of long-term maintenance therapy with mycophenolate mofetil in lupus nephritis.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has long been used to manage lupus nephritis. Despite research on its long-term efficacy, it is still warranted to conduct further investigation regarding its indications, safety and outcome. This study was intended to evaluate our proposed protocol in maintenance therapy with MMF.

Smoking among high school students of an area with medium socioeconomic status.

Objective: To observe the smoking patterns among high school students in Sarakhs County, Iran.

Methods: This is a cross sectional school based survey. The study population was 943 high school students grade 9-12, from Sarakhs County in study year 2010-2011.

The relation of self-esteem and illegal drug usage in high school students.

Background: Adolescence is the period of stress and strain. Researchers have shown that adolescents without strong social supports would have tendency towards smoking and drug abuse.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between low self-esteem and illegal drug abuse.

Interleukin-6 and airflow limitation in chemical warfare patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main late complications of sulfur mustard poisoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in war veterans with pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard poisoning and their correlation with severity of airways disease.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with sulfur mustard poisoning and stable COPD, and of mean age 46.

Reduced bone density in patients on long-term warfarin.

Aim: Vitamin K is an essential factor for carboxylation of bone matrix protein. Low vitamin K may be associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). The issue of whether long-term sodium warfarin therapy as oral anticoagulant that antagonizes vitamin K, results in decreased bone density, is controversial.

Randomized, single-blind, trial of sertraline and buspirone for treatment of elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

Aim: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in elderly people is common, but few systematic studies regarding the best treatments have been performed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sertraline and buspirone in the treatment of elderly patients with GAD.

Methods: Based on selection criteria, 46 patients were recruited who met DSM-IV criteria for GAD.

Highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels in Iranian patients with pulmonary complication of sulfur mustard poisoning and its correlation with severity of airway diseases.

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can cause serious pulmonary complications. This study was designed to determine serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and evaluate its correlation with lung function parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to SM poisoning.

Methods: Fifty consecutive SM patients with stable COPD and a mean age 46.