Holistic expression of miR-17-92 cluster in obesity, kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

miR-17-92 cluster encodes six micro RNAs (miRNAs) and plays a crucial role in the regulation of various cellular processes. Aberrant expression of this cluster may result in the onset of several diseases. Initially, the role of miR-17-92 cluster in tumorigenesis was discovered but recent research has also uncovered its role in other diseases. Members of the cluster may serve as potential biomarkers in the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of several diseases and their complications. In this article, we have reviewed the recent research carried out on the expression pattern of miR-17-92 cluster in non-communicable diseases i.e., obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), kidney diseases (KD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). We examined miR-17-92 role in pathological processes and their potential importance as biomarkers. Each member of the cluster miR-17-92 was upregulated in obesity. miR-18a, miR-19b-3p, miR20a, and miR92a were significantly upregulated in CVD. An equal fraction of the cluster was dysregulated (upregulated and downregulated) in diabetes; however, miR-17-92 was downregulated in most studies on CKD.

Insight into donor deferral pattern based on peripheral blood counts: An experience from South Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Donor deferral owing to anemia is one of the major causative factors of temporary donor rejection, which is preventable and treatable. The basic knowledge about frequency, types, and severity of anemia among donors will help plan a strategy to promote donor recruitment and overall national health. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide the predonation deferral rate of the healthy blood donors based on peripheral blood counts and second to determine the types of anemia along with its severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective records of all the reported donors were collected from January 2014 to December 2015 at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Donor samples were analyzed on an automated hematology analyzer. RESULTS: Overall, 36,954 potential donors reported to the blood bank, out of which 33,853 were selected and 3101 were deferred, which makes the deferral rate of 8.39%. Majority of donors (n = 2663 [7.20%]) were deferred based on peripheral blood counts. Based on peripheral count, anemia (91.8%) represents the major cause of deferral, followed by raised total leukocyte count (3.7%) and polycythemia (3.3%), and thrombocytopenia (1.0%) was the least potential cause. Microcytic-hypochromic anemia was found in 58.5% of the donors followed by normocytic and macrocytic anemia in 38.9% and 2.4%, respectively. Mild anemia was seen in 78.2% followed by moderate and severe anemia in 20.5% and 1.18%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of anemia among blood donors signifies deteriorating health status not only in donor population but also in general population. This situation calls for more concerted efforts as otherwise it would lead to decreased blood donor pool.