Recently Published Articles
Variation in Haemoglobin Reference Ranges and Implications for Use of Health Service Resource in the Republic of Ireland and the UK
Abstract:
Variation in the lower and upper limits of haemoglobin (Hb) ranges will alter diagnosis and referral rates of anaemia or erythrocytosis. The haemoglobin ranges for adults in Irish laboratories were applied in the context of haemoglobin levels of a representative sample of Irish adults (SLAN). Between 2.8% and 8.5% of men would be diagnosed with anaemia in different laboratories for lower limit between 130-140g/L. For women, diagnosis of anaemia would range from 0.7% to 7.3% for the lower limit between 110-125g/L. Similar reference range variations occur in UK laboratories. A suggested “normal reference range” is extrapolated from the SLAN cohort.
Factors that Influence Fenofibrate Effects on Cancer Cells
Abstract:
A narrative review summarizes how fenofibrate influences cancer cell metabolism and proliferation. It reviews PPAR‑α–dependent and independent mechanisms, context‑specific effects, and implications for repurposing studies.
Carbofuran Abrogates the Membrane Ca++-Atpase Activity in Liver: The Role of Cholesterol
Abstract:
Carbofuran is a broad spectrum pesticide used in agricultural fields and domestic places throughout the world. It is one of the deadly toxic carbamate pesticide that kills the pest by inhibiting the crucial enzyme of nervous system known as acetyl cholinesterase. In the present study, we report how carbofuran increases the different spectrum of cholesterols, including free cholesterol and esterified cholesterol in the fish hepatocytes. It is observed that induced-cholesterol can inhibit the enzymatic activity such as Ca++-ATPase, which is a critical protein for maintaining the calcium homoeostasis in the cellular microenvironment. Carbofuran integrates into human body through foods and drinks. As trace of carbofuran is identified in our daily food and drinks, we examined the homology of Ca++-ATPase between the fish and human, so our data can illuminate the effects of carbofuran on this crucial enzyme. While studying the homology with the help of bioinformatics, we...
Molecular Cytogenetic Investigations in a Novel Chromosomal Abnormality of t(10;15)(q22;q22) in a Pediatric Precursor-B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient
Abstract:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rapid form of leukemia characterized by clonal proliferation and accumulation of immature hematopoietic stem cells of the lymphoid lineage in the bone marrow as well as peripheral blood. Chromosomal aberrations identified in childhood ALL have an important role in disease diagnosis, prognosis and management. We present the results of hematologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, FISH and Multiplex RT-PCR analysis of a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with B-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP- ALL). In this study, we identified a novel chromosomal translocation t(10;15)(q22;q22) by cytogenetic and FISH analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this novel chromosomal translocation in this subset of ALL and has not yet been reported elsewhere. This rearrangement may include certain cancer associated tumor suppressor gene(s) or genes involved in apoptosis and transcription regulation, which on loss...
Targeting Cell Metabolism in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL); Aviable Therapeutic Approach?
Abstract:
Targeting cell metabolism is a therapeutic approach which has been used for the treatment of cancers with high levels of proliferation. Inhibition of metabolic processes in cancer cells has shown synergy with current therapeutic options to reduce refractory disease and relapse. In contrast, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a disease where expansion of the malignant clone results from a combination of enhanced cell survival coupled with low level proliferation. The purpose of this article is to highlight how further research is needed to determine whether targeting cell metabolism may be a viable therapeutic strategy in this disease. We discuss how lymphocyte doubling time (LDT) remains a robust prognostic indicator used in the current clinical management of CLL, and how recognition of CLL as a proliferative disease has led to a greater understanding of the importance of energy-generating processes in its pathobiology. We summarize what is currently know...
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Cytology of Lymphoid Lesions; Definition and the Outcome of the Atypical/suspicious Diagnostic Category: Study of 34 Cases.
Abstract:
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) is increasingly replacing excisional lymph node biopsy in the assessment of various lymphoid lesions. Recent changes in the classification of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, namely the WHO (World Health Organization) Classification of Tumors of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues has considerably expanded its classification of lymphomas based on the molecular and cytogenetic profiling and immunophenotyping. FNA diagnosis includes varied cytomorphologic diagnostic categories; one of them is the atypical/suspicious. The atypical/suspicious category constitutes about 20 % of all cases studied by FNA cytology. The objective of this study is to determine the definition and the outcome of this unique category. Design: A retrospective analysis of 34 fi...
Effect of Nonionic Surfactants and HPMC F4M on the Development of Formulations of Neuro-EPO as a Neuroprotective Agent
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cremophor RH-40 and polysorbate 80 with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) F4M on the development of formulations of intranasal erythropoietin with low sialic acid content (Neuro-EPO) as a neuroprotective agent. Parameters such as pH, osmolality, apparent viscosity, and protein concentration were controlled for minimizing the differences between formulations. All Neuro-EPO formulations showed similar behaviour in the physicochemistry quality control. However significant differences between formulations were observed in the permanent unilateral ischemia model. The formulations and the vehicles containing cremophor RH-40 showed higher neurotoxicity levels than those containing polysorbate 80 as a nonionic surfactant. Formulations containing HPMC F4M at 0.6% as a bioadhesive polymer showed higher levels of survival and better neurological status than those without the polymer. The formulations with polysorb...
Cognitive Functioning in Adults Aging with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Cognitive Subtypes and Influential Factors
Abstract:
This cross-sectional study examined cognitive subtypes and influential factors in HIV-positive (HIV+) adults. Two-step cluster analysis was conducted on a neurocognitive test battery in a sample (N = 78) of adults and older adults with HIV ( A two-cluster solution emerged, with a lower performing cluster exhibiting poorer performance across all domains except psychomotor speed, and a “normal” cluster displaying similar performance as the HIV- group. The most influen...
Evaluation of Recruitment Approaches for the HPTN 052 Clinical Trial of HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Rural Western Kenya
Abstract:
Recruitment of couples is important for study success. The multi-centered HPTN 052 clinical trial was designed to evaluate whether immediate versus delayed use of ART by HIV-infected individuals would reduce transmission of HIV to their HIV-uninfected partners. The objective of this study was to retrospectively compare several approaches for community recruitment at our site in Kisumu, Kenya based on a) feedback from recruitment staff, b) associated cost, and c) number of eligible couples enrolled. A secondary objective was to assess the discordant couples’ acceptability of the community recruitment approaches relative to the a) main recruitment venues, b) educational materials, and c) local language best suited for explaining the trial. 241 couples were screened for eligibility using nine recruitment approaches. We compared the approaches used for the 60 couples found to be eligible to those used for the 56 ineligible couples for whom that information was av...
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among People Being Treated for HIV in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are found to be strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. Data are sparse on the prevalence and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among people being treated for HIV in South Asia region. A cross-sectional study of 103 HIV patients (51 women and 52 men) attending routine follow-up consultations at the largest ART centre in Nepal was conducted. Data on several cardiovascular risk factors were collected through interview questionnaires, biophysical measurements and consulting medical records. The most common cardiovascular risk factors observed were central obesity 34.6% 95% Confidence Interval (CI)...