Homeobox A5 and A9 expression and beta-thalassemia.

Background and aim: The pathogenesis of ß-thalassemia has been attributed to ineffective erythropoiesis. The function of Hox genes in normal haematopoiesis has been widely studied using gene expression analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of HoxA9, and HoxA5 genes in beta-thalassemia.Materials and methods: Children with thalassemia major, thalassemia intermediate, and age and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 50/group) were enrolled. Detection of HoxA5 and HoxA9 mRNA expression was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: Expression of HoxA9 increased in a direct linear trend (median 0.5 in controls, 2.4 in intermediate disease, 4.1 in major disease, p = 0.001) and generally correlated with the red cell count, haematocrit, ferritin and levels of beta-globin. In those with thalassemia major, the relative change of HoxA9 was linked to transfusion history, the white blood cell count, ferritin, and beta-globin (all r > 0.5, p < 0.001). Levels of HoxA9 were superior to HoxA5 in differentiating controls from thalassemia intermedia, whilst both differentiated major from the intermediate disease.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of HoxA genes in early identification of patients, at high risk of developing complications, as it allows specific measures to delay the progression of the disease. HoxA gene expression is a promising diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with ß-thalassemia.

Tricuspid regurgitation due to blunt chest trauma. Report of a case and review of the literature.

A 25-year-old female developed high-grade atrioventricular block and markedly elevated central venous pressure after sustaining a crushing injury to the chest while driving a car. An echocardiographic examination with color Doppler revealed severe tricuspid regurgitation due to a torn papillary muscle. An extensive review of the literature showed the following: 1) correct diagnosis is often delayed because of coexisting multisystem involvement and the subtleness of abnormal physical signs, 2) identification of abnormally elevated right atrial pressure with a prominent "v" wave, and characteristic electrocardiogram appeared to be the key to early diagnosis, and 3) the final diagnosis may be confirmed by echocardiography with Doppler and/or cardiac catheterization. The role of echocardiographic examination with color Doppler technique deserves special emphasis because the final diagnosis can be easily reached during the acute phase at the bedside noninvasively.

[Embolization of the lumbar artery for pelvic fracture].

Bleeding from the lumbar artery could be a major source of hemorrhage in a patient with massive blood loss associated with pelvic fracture. Embolization of injured lumbar artery should be attempted since hemorrhaging from the lumbar artery could be a cause of potentially life-threatening retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Selective lumbar arteriography is often helpful to diagnose bleeding from a lumbar artery, which is occasionally overlooked in pelvic aortography. We have not experienced any complications from using gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) cubes, cut into 1-2 mm pieces, for embolization of the bleeding artery.

Cytoplasmic particles in Tropaeolum majus.

Solitary (S) bodies were present in the cytoplasm of the cells of many cultivars of Tropaeolum majus. However, cultivars have also been found which completely lack these S bodies. The S bodies occur in all cells of all kinds of tissues and organs of the plant. In the anthers they occur in the cells of the endothecium tissue as well as in the tapetum layer, and even in the pollen cells. The shape of the S bodies is nearly spherical (diameter ca. 60 nm) with a tail-like appendage with a length of ca. 90-150 nm and a diameter of ca. 16 nm. The nature of the S bodies is unknown. Transmission studies by mechanical inoculation and by grafting gave no indications of a virus nature of these bodies. Reciprocal crosses between plants containing and lacking these S bodies showed that the bodies were transmitted to the progeny only if they occur in the mother plant, that is, indicated a cytoplasmic inheritance.