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: Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for chronic periodontitis (CP) and hyperglycemia has an important role in the enhancement of the severity of the periodontitis. It has been reported that the progression of CP causes shifting of the balance between bone formation and resorption toward osteoclastic resorption, and this will lead to the release of collagenous bone breakdown products into the local tissues and the systemic circulation. Cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) is the amino-terminal peptides of type I collagen which is released during the process of bone resorption. This study was conducted to determine the effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on serum level of NTx in type 2 diabetic patients
... Show MoreBreast cancer is the commonest cancer affecting women worldwide. Different studies have dealt with the etiological factors of that cancer aiming to find a way for early diagnosis and satisfactory therapy. The present study clarified the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes and some etiological risk factors among breast cancer patients in Iraq. This investigation was carried out on 25 patients (all were females) who were diagnosed as breast cancer patients attended AL-Kadhemya Teaching Hospital in Baghdad and 10 apparently healthy women were used as a control, all women (patients and control) aged above 40 years. The Wizard Promega kit was used for DNA isolation from breast patients and normal individuals. B
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Background: The role of cytokines in cancer immunity and carcinogenesis in general has been well established, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of many solid cancers.This study aimed to estimate serum levels of IL-2 and IL-4, and to shed light on the correlation of these interleukins with progression of breast cancer.
Patients and Methods: The study included 80 women, it comprised of 45 breast cancer patients, 12 patients with benign breast lesions and 23 apparently healthy controls. ELISA method has been used for estimation the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in serum of three studied groups.
Results: This study showed elevation of IL-4 level in the sera of breast cancer patients with significant dif
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Background: Several factors render chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) an interesting subject for study by researchers. These include marked progress in understanding the molecular biology of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes and recent advances in molecular genetics techniques. Among molecular markers, p53 cancer suppressor gene and the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 have been widely studied.
Patients and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study done on 60 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia compared with 20 controls (anemic patients), all recruited at the Medical City Teaching Hospital laboratories from January 2004 to December 2007. The bone marrow biopsy of each was re-examined histologica
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, debilitating, and chronic pain syndrome. The women are more likely to have more tender points on examination than are their male counterparts. Iraqi study showed that FM occur in 1.5% among adolescents of Iraqi population. In compare to normal healthy women, present study was revealed that Iraqi women with FM have significant elevation of calcium (p = 0.003) with significant reduction of magnesium (p = 0.001), whereas the inorganic phosphorous was not differs (p = 0.31). In conclusion, magnesium and calcium would play a crucial role in etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia.
Key words: calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, Fibromyalgia.
Background: Quantitation of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) provides useful information for the evaluation of certain cancers.
Objectives:to estimate serum immunoglobulins level before and after surgery, and to shed light on the correlation of immunoglobulins with progression of CRC.
Patients and Methodes. By single radial immune diffusion method IgG, IgA, IgM were estimated in 100 CRC patients preoperatively, and in 20 patients postoperatively compared with 35
patients control with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 50 healthy control.
Results: The study showed significantly increased the serum IgM level in patients group preoperatively (p<0.001) compared with control group. On the other hand, no sig
Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, complicating 3-14% of all pregnancies. Although the etiology remains unknown, placental hypoperfusion and diffuse endothelial cell injury are considered to be the central pathological process; many endocrinological changes have been linked to the etiology of preeclampsia including parathyroid hormone and calcium level.
Objective: to compare serum parathyroid hormone and total serum calcium levels in mild and severe preeclampsia versus normal pregnancy.
Patients and methods: Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and total serum calcium level were measured in thirty normotensive pregnant wom
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Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur containing amino acid that is formed as an intermediary in methionine metabolism. Raised plasma homocysteine levels, which may contribute
to the increased risk of chronic liver disease.
Patients and Methods: Sixty two patients with chronic liver disease and 26 healthy individuals were included as normal controls for the study. The HPLC system was used for the determination of Hcy and vitamin B12.
Results: A highly significant Hcy concentrations were noted in all patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis or liver mass. There was a trendency towards higher Hcy concentrations in more advanced stages of liver disease. The study showed that the concentrations of tot