Accuracy of radiological features for predicting extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy success for treatment of kidney calculi

Our aim was to assess the accuracy of radiological characteristics observed by the urologist in estimating the success rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [SWL] in patients with kidney calculi. Patients with kidney calculi sized 10 mm to 15 mm who underwent SWL in our center were enrolled. One urologist estimated the success chance of SWL based on pain abdominal radiography. Accordingly, the patients were categorized into 2 groups with more than 75% chance of fragmentation [group1] and with 50% to 75% estimated chance for fragmentation [group 2]. Factors used for estimation included calculus shape, homogeneity, and density as compared with the adjacent 12th rib. The estimations were compared with the resulted stone-free rate after a 3-month follow-up. A total of 137 patients were studied, of whom, 92 [67.2%] were categorized in group 1 and 45 [32.8%] in group 2, before the lithotripsy. Successful treatment was recorded in 101 patients [73.7%]. Eighty-five patients with favorable estimated chance of successful lithotripsy [92.4%] had successful SWL, and 29 with less favorable estimate [64.4%] did not have successful fragmentation following 2 sessions of SWL [P<.001]. The sensitivity and specificity of radiological parameters for prediction of treatment success wee 84.2% and 80.6%, respectively. We found that certain radiographic features of urinary calculi such as calculus density, as compared with the adjacent bone, and calculus shape could have predictive impression for the success rate of SWL

Association of HLA class II alleles with childhood asthma and total IgE levels

Asthma is a complex and multifactorial disorder. Several studies have reported association between different HLA- DQB1 and HLA- DRB1 alleles and allergic asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of HLA-class II alleles and haplotypes, with total serum IgE and the results of the skin prick test in Iranian children with allergic asthma. A total of 112 patients with allergic asthma symptoms [75 males and 37 females] were selected randomly from the pediatric hospital. In some patients total serum IgE and prick test were determined. Data of this study shows that HLA-DRB1*12 significantly increased in asthmatic patients [4.5% vs. 0%, P-value=0.04]. HLA-DQB1*0603 and 0604 alleles were significantly higher in asthmatics than those in normal controls [10% vs. 0%, P-value= 0.0001; and 9.3% vs. 3.7%, P-value= 0.04, respectively]. The statistical significance was relinquished after p value correction for all alleles except for HLA-DQB1*0602 [Pc=0.03] and HLA-DQB1*0603 [Pc=0.0015]. Conversely, HLA-DQB1*0501 and 0602 were decreased in asthmatics compared to normal controls [7.5% vs. 13.5%, P-value= 0.05; and 4% vs. 12.5%, P-value= 0.002, respectively]. The mean of total IgE in patients was 483 IU, and it was significantly high about 1140 IU in asthmatic patients with positive skin prick test to house dust. The most frequent alleles in asthmatic patients with the total IgE>200 IU/mL were HLA-DRB1*11and 1401, HLA-DQA1*0505, HLA-DQB1*0301 and in patients with total IgE<200 IU/mL were HLA-DRB1*0301, 07 and 1301, HLADQA1*0201 and 0301, HLA-DQB1*0201. These data suggests that HLA-DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes might be implicated in susceptibility to allergy and asthma and serum IgE production. As asthma and atopy are multifactorial disorders, probably HLA genes are involved in the regulation of immune specific responses to common allergen

HLA class II allele and haplotype frequencies in Iranian patients with leukemia

Previous studies demonstrated significant differences in a number of HLA allele frequencies in leukemia patients and normal subjects. In this study, we have analyzed HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in 110 leukemia patients [60 acute myelogenous leukemia "AML", 50 chronic myelogenous leukemia"CML"] and 180 unrelated normal subjects. Blood samples were collected from all of the patients and control subjects. DNA was extracted by salting out method and HLA typing was performed using PCR-SSP method. Significant positive association with AML was obtained for HLA-DRB1*11allele [35% vs. 24.7%, P=0.033]. Two alleles including HLA-DRB4 and-DQB1*0303 were significantly less frequent in AML patients than in controls. HLA-DQB1*0303 allele was never observed in CML patients compared with allele frequency in controls [4.2%]. According to haplotype analysis, HLA-DRB1*0101/DQA1*0104/-DQB1*0501 frequencies were significantly higher and-DRB1*16/-DQA1*01021/-DQB1*0501 frequencies were significantly lower in CML patients than in controls .In conclusion it is suggested that HLA-DRB1*16 allele and HLA-DRB1*15/-DQA1*0103/-DQB1*06011 and-DRB1*16/-DQA1*01021/-DQB1*0501 haplotypes predispose individuals to AML and HLA-DRB4 allele predispose to CML. Future studies are needed to confirm these results and establish the role of these associations in AML and CML

HLA class II allele and haplotype frequencies in Iranian patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and control group

Previous studies have demonstrated some significant differences in HLA allele frequencies in leukemic patients and normal subjects. We have analyzed HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in 60 Iranian patients with acute myelogenous leukemia [AML] and 180 unrelated normal subjects. Blood samples were collected after obtaining informed consents. From the patients and control DNA extraction and HLA typing were performed using PCR-SSP method. Significant positive association with the disease was found for HLA-DRB1*11 allele [35% vs. 24.7%, p=0.033]. Two alleles including HLA-DRB4 and -DQB1*0303 were found to be significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Regarding haplotype analysis, no significant association was found between case and control groups. It is suggested that HLA-DRB1*11 allele plays as a presumptive predisposing factor while the HLA-DRB4 and -DQB1*0303 alleles are suggested as protective genetic factors against acute myelogenous leukemia. Larger studies are needed to confirm and establish the role of these associations with acute myelogenous leukemia