Archives of Medical Laboratory Sciences

Background: Several studies suggested that beta-actin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and 18S rRNA are expressed constitutively and contribute to the fundamental reference actions essential for cell viability and maintenance. However, there are inconsistency in this regard. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of these three potential reference genes for Real‐Time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) application for normalization in two types of human adipose tissues.

Materials and Methods: Subcutaneous and visceral fat tissues were derived from 19 healthy and 20 obese subjects and RT-qPCR was applied to determine the expression levels of beta-actin, GAPDH, and18S rRNA.

Results: The gene expression level of beta-actin, GAPDH, and 18S rRNA was essentially the same in the subcutaneous and visceral fat tissues of all participants (P>0.05). Hence, all considered housekeeping genes displayed high expression stability and the analysis revealed that normalization to all of these three housekeeping genes gave a result that satisfactorily reflected the acceptable mRNA expression levels in adipose tissues.

Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest of beta-actin, GAPDH, and18S rRNA as reference genes applicable in human adipose tissue in the context of obesity.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the major lymphoid malignancies and the most common hematologic malignancy in children. ALL is characterized by the presence of malignant lymphoblasts in the blood so that immature lymphocytes cannot become mature and thus do not have an adult cell function. Although it is not unusual in adults, it usually affects children. Most children with this disease are recovered from therapeutic protocols. But the relapse is common after recovery or during the treatment. Various factors are supposed to contribute to the relapse of the disease. One of these factors that is likely to be effective in the recurrence of ALL is the FAIM3 protein (an FCuR), or the Fas inhibitory molecule-3 (FAIM3). The aim of this study was to investigate FAIM3 (TOSO) as a new prognostic factor in ALL.

Materials and methods: In this study, 19 patients with newly diagnosed and 17 patients with relapsed ALL were included.  FAIM3 gene expression was measured with the qRT-PCR method.

Results:  The expression level of FAIM3 in relapsed patients was 5.44 folds higher than newly diagnosed ALL patients. 

Conclusion: Prognosis of ALL is usually well-proven in children and can be cured. However, recurrence of the disease is common. At the molecular level, there are several factors that are referred to as the "factor involved in the relapse" of the disease. These factors increase the survival of the leukemic cells. According to the results of the present study, gene expression level of FAIM3 as an anti-apoptotic factor has increased in relapsed ALL lymphoblasts, compared with new diagnosed patients. Therefore, FAIM3 can be considered as a contributing factor in the relapse of the disease.

Background: Colonization rate of Acinetobacter baumannii is increasing in hospitalized patients especially in long term hospitalized one and / or who were treat with extended spectrum antibiotics or anticancer. Antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii is considerable because more prevalence of them cause nosocomial infections and can impose high cost to health systems and patients. The aim of this study was determination of tigecycline, minocycline and colistin resistance A. baumannii in selected center in Tehran, Iran. 

Materials and Methods: This study was descriptive and functional foundation. In this study A. baumannii were collected from Milad, Mofid, Taleghani, Motahari and Loghman hospital, Tehran and transferred to laboratory of pediatric infections research center. Collected bacteria were identified by conventional microbiology tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was determined according to CLSI guide line. Tigecycline, minocycline and colistin resistance strains were isolated.  

Results: In this study, 105 A. baumannii were collected from five selected hospitals: 48 (46%) from Milad, 33 (31%) from Motahari, 17 (16%) from Loghman, 4 (4%) from Mofid and 3 (3%) from Taleghani hospital. The highest resistance was observed against cefepime and high frequency of carbapenem and minocycline was observed. On the other hand, observed resistance to aminoglycosides was 93% at least. Tigecycline is the most effective antibiotic after colistin. Colistin resistant confirmed just in one isolate by E. test.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that high rate of antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii even resistant to third and fourth generation of cephalosporin and carbapenem antibiotics. The treatment of MDR strains of A. baumannii become more complicated if the spread of them were not been controlled.

Background: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a fatal condition and should be considered in all patients with acute new onset headache. D-dimer has been shown to be a sensitive diagnostic tool in deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether this test could be useful in the diagnosis of CSVT.

Methods: In this prospective study, we reviewed patients referring to Nemazee hospital with presentations suggestive of CSVT. Diagnosis was established, using MRI and MRV. Serum D-dimer level was checked among 24 hours after hospital admission.

Results: From 117 enrolled patients, 37 (31.6%) patients had CSVT. The reported D-dimer levels showed negative (< 500 ng/ml) in 21 (56.76%) and positive level in 16 (43.24 %) patients who had CSVT. Also, D-dimer was negative in 66 (82.5%) and positive in 14 (17.5%) patients who did not have CSVT. These results demonstrated a sensitivity of 43.24%, specificity of 82.5%, positive predictive value of 53.3%, and negative predictive value of 75.86%.

Conclusion: Normal D-dimer levels make the presence of CSVT very unlikely; our study suggests that D-dimer test may guide us to approach patients who are suspected with CSVT in emergency situations with limited access to MRI/MRV. However, every patient with D-dimer level more than 500 ng/mL and high clinical suspicion of CSVT should undergo MRI/MRV. In addition, our results showed a negative D-dimer test was not a reliable assay to completely rule out CSVT. However, we recommend further studies to confirm our results.

  Genital infection caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common health problems, worldwide. Several methods such as cell culture, serological and molecular methods have been used to detect this virus. Currently, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real time-PCR) technique is widely used due to its high sensitivity and specificity. Besides, Real time-PCR can be employed in the follow-up of therapeutic effects in HSV-infected person who is being treated with antiretroviral drugs. We conducted a review on traditional and current diagnostic methods with a focus on their limitations in the diagnosis of HSV infection.