[NPM1 and FLT3-[ITD] Gene mutations and laboratory findings in patients with acute myeloid leukemia in Northwest of Iran]

The acute myeloid leukemia [AML] is a malignant disease with an accumulation of the abnormal and undifferentiated blastic myeloid cell in the bone marrow, leading to abnormal hematopoiesis. This study was done to determine the NPM1 and FLT3 [ITD] mutations and laboratory findings in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 40 [24 males, 16 females] patients with newly acute myeloid leukemia in Northwest of Iran. The mutation of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD were evaluated using PCR method in 25 patients. In all patients, the flowcytometry findings in the bone marrow, leucocytosis and the LDH levels were evaluated prior to the chemotherapy. The mutation of FLT3-ITD and NPM1 genes was detected in 15 [60%] and 9 [36%] of patients, respectively. FLT3-NPM1+ mutation was seen in 4 [16%] patients. Leukocytosis, LDH level and AML in different classes did no show any significant difference between FLT3-NPM1+ and other gene mutations. The mutation of FLT3-ITD gene was nearly twice than NPM1 in acute myeloid leukemia

Prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction among patients attending primary health care centres in Qatar

Erectile dysfunction is a common health problem affecting the quality of life of men of all ages. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of and significant risk factors for erectile dysfunction among men of all nationalities attending primary health care centres in Qatar for any reason. Respondents aged > 30 years [N = 1139] completed the sexual health inventory for men plus a questionnaire about their demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and presence of chronic diseases. The total prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 56.9% [32.7% mild and 2.3% severe cases]. All studied sociodemographic variables showed a significant association with erectile dysfunction. A lower prevalence of erectile dysfunction was found in smokers and those who exercised. More than 1 sexual partner, obesity and having a chronic disease [hypertension, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolaemia or diabetes mellitus] were significantly positively associated with erectile dysfunction

survey on platelet surface glycoprotiens in patients with bernard-souliar syndrome by flowcytometry

The gold standard diagnosis of the Bernard-Souliar syndrome [BSS], a rare disease, is to prove the absence of Ib/IX surface complex on platelets with the use of aggregometric methods. Flowcytometry is an ideal method in analysis of surface markers on cells. The use of flowcytometric analysis in diagnosis of Bernard-Souliar syndrome. 15 suspected BSS, 20 healthy persons as control group and 3 ITP patints were selected to be analysed for the presence of GPIb alpha and GPIIIa on the surface of platelets with the application of FITC conjugated monoclonal antibodies using flowcytometry. All healthy persons in control group and 3 ITP patients showed normal expression of both glycoprotiens on platelets using flowcytometry. All 15 suspected BSS patients showed lack of GPIb? but a normal expression of GPIIIa on platelets. The application of flowcytometry for diagnosis of BSS is a quick, accurate, and precise method, which together with aggregometric method can be used for diagnosis of BSS