Clin Lab
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The aim of the study was to investigate oxidant/antioxidant status by determining serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels with oxidative/antioxidant parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the controls. ⋯ Depletion in antioxidant systems and overproduction of free radicals leading to formation of the oxidative stress may play a role in the development of AS. Increased levels of IMA might provide important contributions to the underlying oxidative stress in AS.
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Recently, autoimmune mechanisms and pulmonary epithelial cells have attracted attention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating antibodies against human bronchial epithelial cells (anti-HBEC) bind to bronchial epithelial antigens and induce bronchial epithelial cell damage. This study aimed to detect the expression of IgG, IgM, and IgA anti-HBEC in patients with COPD. ⋯ Our results suggest that an autoimmune component associated with bronchial epithelial cell damage is possibly involved in COPD and the presence of IgG and IgA anti-HBEC correlated with the GOLD stage of COPD. Therefore, our studies indicate that IgG and IgA anti-HBEC may associate with the disease severity of COPD.
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children and young adults and is the most frequent genetically determined cardiovascular disease following autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. A number of genes have been shown to be responsible for HCM including MYBPC3. Cmybc, the protein encoded by MYBPC3 is a sarcomeric thick filament protein that interacts with titin, myosin, and actin to control sarcomeric gathering. Mutations in the MYBPC3 gene have been found to be associated with a history of sudden cardiac death in HCM patients. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the type and frequency of mutations in the MYBPC3 gene in HCM patients from the North-West of Iran. ⋯ The results obtained from the present study indicate a significant role of MYBPC3 gene mutations in HCM disease and can be used for pre-symptomatic diagnosis of at risk family members of affected individuals.
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Saudi females constitute less than 5% of blood donors and as demand for blood is ever increasing there is a need to identify the factors that discourage them from donating their blood and subsequently to find approaches to enhance their share as blood donors. The aim of this study is to find out the knowledge, attitude and motivation of Saudi female university students towards blood donation. ⋯ The attitude of Saudi female students towards blood donation is positive and few misconceptions that emerged could be corrected by health awareness campaigns. Careful organization of blood collection efforts that would observe the special status of women in the society by reaching them in their colleges and other gathering sites could enhance female donor input markedly.