Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm arises from Bcr-Abl gene translocation (called Ph chromosome) in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This genetic abnormality results in constitutive activation of tyrosine kinase and subsequent uncontrol growth and multiplication of granulocytes. The cornerstone in treatment of CML are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, of which imatinib is the most effectively used. JAK2V617F mutation is an acquired single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) occurs in JAK2 gene and is associated with many hematological malignancy other than CML. It was thought that the two genetic abnormalities (Bcr-Abl and JAK2V617F) occur mutually; however, growing body of evidences suggested the reverse. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of JAK2V617 mutation associated with serum levels of alkaline phophatase (ALK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in Ph+ CML Iraqi patients treated with imatinib. A total of 43 Ph+ CML patients (24 males and 18 females, age range 16-80 years) who attend Iraqi National Center of Hematology for Research and Treatment/Baghdad were enrolled in this study. Each patient has been received at least six month therapy with imatinib. A consent form involving age, gender, height, weight, smoking status, residency and first family relative history of leukemia was obtained from each patient. Besides, blood samples were collected, from which the granulocytes were separated and then DNA was extracted using a ready kit. Two assays were used for detection of JAK2V617F mutation; real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using specific primers and probe, and allele specific PCR (AS-PCR) using specific primers. Total white blood corpuscles (WBC) as well as serum levels of ALP and LDH were measured. qPCR assay revealed 5 patients out of 43 (11.62%) were heterozygous for the muatant allele of JAK2V617F mutation (genotype GT). The concentration of this allele ranged from 0.01% to 0.12%. None of blood sample gave positive result for AS-PCR assay. From the all risk factors, only gender had significant association with the incidence of JAK2V617F mutation (p= 0.034, OR= 0.5, 95%CI= 0.364-0.687). Average total WBC count, and serum levels of ALP and LDH were higher in JAK2V617F-positive patients (9042±1512.55, 146.05±8.028 IU/L and 204±10.85 IU/L respectively) than that of JAK2V617F-negative patients (6039±1772.239, 64.45±40.15 IU/L and 178.33±13.693 IU/L respectively) with significant differences. These results indicate that JAK2V617F mutation can occur simultaneously with Ph chromosome in CML patients, and qPCR is a highly sensitive method for the detection of this mutation. Furthermore, serum activity of APL can be used as an indicator for the presence of JAK2V617F mutation in CML patients.
Background: Beta thalassemia major (β-TM) is an inheritable condition with many complications, especially in children. The blood-borne viral infection was proposed as a risk factor due to the recurrent blood transfusion regimen (hemotherapy) as human parvovirus B19 (B19V). Objective: This study investigated the B19V seroprevalence, DNA presence, B19V viral load, and B19V genotypes in β-TM patients and blood donors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study incorporating 180 subjects, segregated into three distinct groups each of 60 patients, namely control, β-TM, and β-TM infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). For the B19V prevalence in the studied group, the ELISA technique and real-time PCR were used. The genotyping was follo
... Show MoreThis study presents a comprehensive set of laboratory works for the examined soil layers extracted from Baghdad city (specifically from Alkadhimya, Alaitaifiya, and Alhurriya) to illustrate their engineering properties. The researchers have adopted the unified soil classification system for soil classification purposes. Also, the direct shear test was performed for soil samples with various degrees of saturation (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). The test results have shown a significant reduction in cohesion property with higher moisture content within soil samples. Also, a noticeable reduction in angle of internal friction value has occurred with such changes. Furthermore, it has been found that the bearing capacity of unsaturated soi
... Show MoreBackground: Candida tropicalis is one of the most causes of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in women. Systemic candidiasis and candidemia may also occur in pregnancies. Objective: This study was carried out to detect and isolate of this yeast from aborted placenta, which may cause severe complications such as spontaneous abortion. Materials and methods: Fresh aborted placenta were collected and washed by normal saline to remove the blood. Then, cut it into portions and place it in test tube containing 5 ml of normal saline. Finally, shake for 10 minutes, after that, cultured for microbial isolation. Isolation and detection were done by some conventional methods with Api candida and CHROMagar. Results: The results showed that four iso
... Show MoreEnterococcus faecalis is a natural inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract but can become dominant and cause infections when the intestinal homeostasis is disrupted. Enterococcal bacteria are considered one of the main reasons for the failure of endodontic treatment. This study aim to isolation and identification of E.faecalis depended on phenotype and molecular method, the phenotypic patterns using traditional biochemical methods, and then diagnosed it based on the genotypes and using specialized primers for 16srRNA and D-Ala: D-Ala ligase genes using polymerase chain reaction, In order to achieve successful treatment, it is necessary to study the bacterial behavior within the root canal system together with their resistance and def
... Show MorePseudomonas aeruginosa has variety of virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. Therefore, rapid detection with high accuracy and specificity is very important in the control of this pathogenic bacterium. To evaluate the accuracy and specificity of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay, ETA and gyrB genes were targeted to detect pathogenic strains of P. aeruginosa. Seventy swab samples were taken from patients with infected wounds and burns in two hospitals in Erbil and Koya cities in Iraq. The isolates were traditionally identified using phenotypic methods, and DNA was extracted from the positive samples, to apply PCR using the species specific primers targeting ETA, the gene encoding for exotoxin A, and gyrB gene. The res
... Show MoreTerahertz (THz) technology, which uses radiation lying between microwave and infrared in the electromagnetic spectrum, could revolutionize digital agriculture through terahertz’s ability to assess agricultural materials accurately and non-destructively. The review discusses notable developments in THz applications to digital agriculture: real-time crop monitoring, nutrient and disease detection, soil moisture and contaminant analysis, and supply chain traceability. The developments have emerged from studies in time-domain spectroscopy, imaging, machine learning (ML), and blockchain integration. Despite the promising advances in THz agricultural applications, limitations remain, such as limited penetration depth, high system costs, and ope
... Show MoreBovine theileriosis, caused by Theileria annulate, is disease affecting cattle and buffaloes worldwide. The current study aimed to screen the blood samples of 30 naturally suspected local buffaloes infected with Theileria species. The blood samples were initially examined by light microscopic and then the positive samples were subjected to PCR reactions. All 30 animals indicated clinical symptoms, such as high fever, loss of appetite, the presence of the hard tick, and enlargement of lymph nodes. The amplified products of 18S rRNA were analyzed, along with molecular detection of the drug-binding site alterations and interrelated changes in the cytochrome b (cyto b) gene. Blood smears revealed the presence of infected erythrocytes wi
... Show MoreBackground: Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney function with diabetes and hypertension as the leading cause. Chronic kidney disease is one of these systemic diseases that can affect salivary contents. Aims: This study aimed to assess salivary immunoglobulin A, interleukin-6 and C- reactive protein in chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis and those on conservative treatment in comparison with control subjects. Materials and methods: Ninety subjects were included in this study divided into three groups: 30 patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis for at least 6 months ago; 30 patients with chronic kidney disease on conservative treatment and 30 healthy control subjects. Secretory immunoglobulin A, inte
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