Expression of aberrant antigens in hematological malignancies: a single center experience

Background and Objective: Aberrant phenotype is a phenomenon of abnormal expression or loss of expression of cell specific lineage marker not associated with specific cell type. Aberrant phenotype expression due to genetic defects may be associated with unfavorable outcome. It can be used to determine minimal residual disease status. The purpose of the study was to find out the occurrence of aberrant phenotypes in leukemia/lymphoma patients

Methods: One milliliter peripheral blood or bone marrow samples were analyzed on FACS Calibur flowcytometer. The cells were lysed and stained following standard protocol. Data was acquired and analyzed by CellQuest-Pro software. The Antigenic expression was rated as positive when the percentage of positive blast cells was >/= 20%. In that manner, aberrant phenotype was considered positive when 20% of blast cells show expression of markers

Results: Of a total 145 cases analyzed, 26 were acute myeloid leukemia, 71 of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 48 were of Chronic Lymphoid leukemia on the basis of morphological features and confirmed by flow cytometry. Overall, 19% [28] cases showed aberrant expression of antigens. In 32% [9/28] AML patients, CD5, CD7, CD64dim, CD10, CD117, CD25 and TdT were expressed while in 25% [7/28] ALL patients CD33, CD13, HLA-DR and CD3 were detected. Among chronic leukemia, all aberrant expressions were seen in cases of B-CLL [10/28] only; with CD11c, CD3 and CD10 as the aberrantly expressed markers

Conclusion: Variability in aberrant phenotype expression was observed in different types of acute and chronic leukemia patients with no prognostic implications on treatment response

Breast feeding in a Saudi Arabia community profile of parents and influencing factors

Although bottle feeding is the main infant feeding mode in most societies, human milk is considered the most appropriate food for human infants. The aim of this study is to gather statistics regarding breast feeding prevalence, influencing factors for engaging in, and demographic characteristics of breast feeding in general population. This is a r and om cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in Al Kharj Health Centre, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between the period of November 2000 through to February 2001. Mothers of childbearing age with at least one child were interviewed by trained interviewers. The sample was divided into 3 groups according to the mode of feeding: Exclusive breast feeding, partial breast feeding, which included some breast feeding and some bottle feeding and exclusive bottle feeding. A statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social sciences software package, [version 10.0]. The response data were subjected to chi-square test, and Spearman's correlation analyses. Seven hundred and four mothers were interviewed. The mean age of mothers, fathers, and most recently born child were 30-years, 37-years, and 15.7-months. Partial breast feeding was the most common mode of infant feeding in this sample, with 66.1% of mothers engaging in this mode [p<0.00001]. Exclusive breast feeding was the next most common, with 27.3% of mothers engaging in this mode. Finally, exclusive bottle feeding was the least common [6.7%]. Four main demographic factors significantly related to the exclusive mode of breast feeding were husb and s' educational level, advice received regarding breast feeding, whether or not a milk sample given at discharge from hospital, and whether or not contraception used. A positive significant correlation was found between breast feeding and mother's age, father's age, age of most recently born child, parity, number of children previously breast fed, and duration of previous breast feeding. Partial breast feeding is the dominant mode of feeding in our community, although the influencing factors and behavioral factors are similar in breast feeding and partial breast feeding groups. The most significant factors affecting the outcome of breast feeding are modifiable by health education

Spectrum of iodine deficiency in school children of Rawalpindi

Pakistan is recognized as one of the severely affected regions of the world regarding iodine deficiency disorders [IDD] and the Northern areas of Pakistan are highly endemic. According to a press release issued by UNICEF in 1994, IDD prevalence of 72% in a city like Islamabad was quoted. Hence a study was carried out to find the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders in school children of Rawalpindi based on the estimation of urinary iodine, serum thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels and presence of goitre. School children aged 8-12 years were randomly selected from four different schools. The goitre was assessed by visual and palpation method. The blood was analyzed for TSH and spot urine for urinary iodine excretion. The values of TSH ranged between 0.5-7.39 mIU/l [within batch and between batch cv of 5.7 and 7.3% respectively]. Only 4% children had TSH above the reference range [0.4-4 mUI/l]. Low urinary iodine was found in 109 children which ranged between < 2-10 ug/dl. No significant difference was noted regarding the use of iodized salt in the children as the urinary iodine excretion was almost the same in the two groups. Goitre assessment showed a total goitre rate of 9.5% in the children [n=210]. Reference range [8.6-18.2 ug/dl] for urinary iodine was established for urinary iodine in children with normal TSH [n=210]. It is concluded that the severity of IDD is not more than 10% and definitely not high as already published

Hypertension control in a community health centre at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

This study was carried out to determine the degree of control of hypertension and the most commonly used drugs for hyertensive patients attending our community health center. A cross sectional study carried out by randomly examining the case notes of patients attending our primary care clinics. Case notes of 3747 patients were examined, 2064 [55%] females [mean age 23.76 years] and 1683 [45%] males [mean age 24.63 years]. Prevalence of hypertension was 3% [108 patients], 3% [63 patients] and 3% [45 patients] for females and males respectively. Majority of patients 16 [35%] males and 32 [51%] females had blood pressure of 141-160/90-100 mmHg. Seventeen [37%] males and 15 [24%] female patients had blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg. Among 108 hypertensive patients, 29 [65%] males and 44 [69%] females were on single drug. The most commonly used drugs were ACE inhibitors [35%], calcium channel blockers [17.5%] and beta- blockers [14%]. This study like some other studies shows that control of hypertension falls short of recommended goals. There is need to adopt a strategy that incorporates health education about life style and proper protocol as this has been found useful in other studies

Profile of smoking amongst health staff in a primary care unit at a general hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Smoking is a major health problem among healthcare personnel as in other parts of the community. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of smoking along with influencing factors related to smoking among our staff in Alkharj Military Hospital. A self-administered questionnaire study. EPI-INFO statistical package was used for statistical analysis by calculating x2 and p value A total of 230 completed questionnaires, 108 males and 122 females, were included with a response rate of 66%. The prevalence of smokers was [19%] ex-smokers [14%] and non-smokers [67%]. Male smokers 31, [29%], x2 =13.42, p< 0.001 were a significantly higher figure than female smokers. Smoking was significantly more among the group of employees with secondary school degres, 6 [35.5%], p< 0.02. The majority of smokers were smoking 11-20 cigarettes per day [46.5%, x2 = 14.80, p < 0.0001]. Friends influenced, 30 [70%], p < 0.0001, smokers to start smoking, with relaxation being the most important reason 22, [51%], p< 0.001] for continuing smoking. Seventy six% of smokers favored the establishment of a smoking cessation clinic. There was no significant difference regarding the knowledge of harmful effects of smoking among smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. The majority of smokers [70%] thought of stopping smoking and 58% attempted to stop smoking but most of the smokers failed due to social reasons or friends influences [44%]. Smoking prevalence is considerably high among our hospital workers. It is not only dangerous for the smokers itself but for the patients who idealize the behavior of hospital staff. Most of the smokers know that smoking is harmful to them as well as others around them but they did not succeed in quitting smoking due to various reasons. Health education combined with help from general practitioners may help to increase the quitting rate among smokers and preventing new smokers from taking up smoking