[Introduction of hematological and molecular algorithms for diagnosis of factor XIII deficiency in Iran laboratories]

Factor XIII deficiency [FXIIID] is an extremely rare hemorrhagic disorder with an approximately 12 higher incidence in comparison with reported global incidence of the disorder. A standard diagnostic algorithm was proposed by the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis [ISTH] for FXIIID, however, due to the lack of investments all parts of this algorithm cannot be applied in Iran. Thus, this study presented a national algorithm for diagnosis of FXIIID in Iran. For presentation of a national algorithm, all previously published data about Iranian patients with FXIIID as well as practical methods for diagnosis of FXIIID were collected using Science Direct, Google Scholar and PubMed databases. With available facilities, an algorithm with regards to the laboratory assessment, clinical presentations as well as family history can be suitable for an on time and less expensive diagnosis of FXIIID in Iran. Since ISTH diagnostic algorithm is expensive and time consuming, an economical and more suitable national algorithm with regards to available equipment may reduce the rate of misdiagnosis and its life-threatening consequences

Association of C609T and C465T polymorphisms of NQO1 gene with AML

Many studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms of NQO1 including C465T and C609T are associated with increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia [AML]. Our aims are to assess incidence of these polymorphisms in Tehran patients and study the influence of low activity of NQOl in AML. In this case-control study, we used PCR and RFLP analyses to study the prevalence of C609T NQO1 in 140 patients, and C465T NQO1 in 124 patients; there was also a control group of 80 being age-sex matched. We calculated odd ratio with SPSS 16 to examine if these polymorphisms are associated with AML. No significant association between the two common polymorphisms of NQO1 and risk of AML was observed. C609T odd ratio for TT genotype versus CC was obtained to be 0.91 [CI 95% = 0.51-1.63] and for CT versus CC it was 1.06 [CI 95% = 0.57-1.95]. C465T odd ratio for TT genotype versus CC was calculated to be 0.22 [CI 95% = 0.009-5.56] and for CT versus CC it came out to be 3.01 [CI 95% = 0.63-14.32]. Our findings suggest that the NQO1 C609T and C465T gene variants do not have a major influence on the susceptibility to adult AML

Diurnal variations in blood pressure and their relation with carotid artery intinia-media thickening

Hypertension is a very common cardiovascular disease with extensive effects on body organs. This study was conducted to compare the extent of target organ damage in hypertensive patients with and without significant nocturnal fall in blood pressure [dippers and non-dippers, respectively]. One-hundred patients with recently diagnosed hypertension underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and carotid Doppler ultrasonography. They were divided into patients with nocturnal fall in blood pressure [dippers] and without nocturnal fall in blood pressure [non-dippers]. Sixty-five patients with nocturnal systolic blood pressure fall greater than 10% [dippers] were matched for age, sex, body mass index [BMI] and body mass area [BMA] with 35 patients with less than 10% fall in nocturnal blood pressure [non-dippers]. The two groups were not different in terms of ambulatory and mean 24-hour blood pressure. Assessments showed significantly greater carotid intima-media thickening in the non-dipper group. This study suggests that a reduced nocturnal fall in blood pressure may play a pivotal role in the development of some features of target organ damage such as carotid intima-media thickening, despite similar clinical findings and no significant difference in mean 24-hour blood pressure