The Scientific Journal of Iranian Blood Transfusion
Year:2010 | Volume:7 | Issue:1 (26)|Papers Count:9

Background and Objectives: There are a number of well-characterized genetic defects that lead to increased risk of thrombosis. Results from previous studies have indicated that plasma FXII activity levels are strongly determined by a 46CT polymorphism in the FXII gene. In the present study, the risk of thrombophilic diseases related to this polymorphism was investigated.Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty individuals were included in this case-control study: 120 patients diagnosed with thrombophilia and 40 age-gender-matched controls. For each subject, FXII activity level was measured using a one-step clotting assay, and 46CT polymorphism was genotyped using a PCR-RFLP techniques.Results: In this study, FXII activity < 68% was associated with an increased risk of thrombophilia with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.75 (CI 95% = 1.07 – 21.1). In CT and TT genotypes, the adjusted odds ratios were respectively 1.81 (CI 95% = 0.83-3.94) and 2.17 (CI 95% = 0.45-10.7) for thrombotic patients compared with the controls. Thus, we did not find any association of the mutated T allele in the heterozygous or homozygous state with an increased risk of thrombophilia. Conclusions: This study showed that 46CT is a strong determinant of FXII activity. However, there was not any association between mutant T allele and increased risk of thrombosis. Therefore, it was speculated that reduced FXII activity is not the cause but the outcome of thrombosis. In other words, lower FXII activity is not a risk factor for thrombosis, rather it simply represents a risk marker.

Background and Objectives: Blood donation rate in developed countries is 18 times higher than developing countries. It is estimated that if only five percent of Iran population embark on blood donation, it will be adequate for community needs to be met. The study of the knowledge and attitude on a population basis helps managers make better plans to promote blood donation behavior. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2007, 319 cases aged between 18 to 60 years were selected randomly from five different geographical places in Zahedan. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection; to extract relevant information from respondents to complete the questionnaires, interviews were conducted. Then, the obtained data were finally analyzed by correlation, t-test, and ANOVA using SPSS 11.5.Results: The mean age of participants was 29 years. Out of the total number of participants, 61.6% were male and 57.4% married. Out of the same number, 40.1% had donated blood at least once in the past; out of the latter 50% had donated more than thrice and 10.7% regularly. The mean score of knowledge was 3.4%±1.3 out of 8 and the mean score of attitude 19.8±2.4 out of 24. The lowest knowledge rate pertained to "proper age for donation". Men had donated more significantly than others. The main source of information for blood donors was radio and television.Conclusions: The results showed that for blood donation to be promoted, spiritual motivation should be enhanced.

Background and Objectives: Hemophilia B, Christmas disease, is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by the functional deficiency of blood coagulation factor IX (FIX). The disease is caused by heterogeneous mutations in the factor IX gene (factor IX). FIX is a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein that plays a key role in the coagulation cascade. The aim of this study was to make molecular analysis of factor IX gene and evaluate genotype-phenotype correlation in 14 hemophilia B patients from Khorasan Razavi province. Materials and Methods: Fourteen unrelated hemophilia B patients were included in the study. The patients had high PTT, normal PT, low factor IX activity (less than 30%), and normal FVIII activity. After obtaining informed consent, genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes by standard methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) were performed to obtain a full scan of all functionally important regions of the FIX gene. DNA sequencing was done on samples with a definite band shift in SSCP. In addition, Haplotypes were constructed using four markers (DdeI, TaqI, MnlI and HhaI).Results: The sequencing results showed 9 missenes mutations, 3 stop codons, and 1 insertion. Two of the mutations not having been reported in the database so far were novel. Malmo polymorphism (Ala148Thr) was found in two patients. Conclusions: This study confirms the heterogeneity of factor IX gene mutations in northeast hemophilia B patients. The obtained data could be used both in tracking female carriers in families and in making decisions about prenatal diagnosis.

Background and Objectives: To date, almost eight HBV genotypes have been identified. HBV genotypes have special geographic distribution. They play an important role in trend and treatment of disease, progression into chronic phase, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Clarification of viral genotypes may be useful in better understanding and predicting of the transmission pathways and disease prognosis. In the present study, we evaluated the genotypic disparity of HBV in Golestan province of Iran using PCR method.Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 126 HBsAg positive individuals were collected and stored in -20°C until the day of analysis. DNA extraction was carried out using standard phenol-chloroform method. For genotypic determination, we used HBV genotype specific primers. Electrophoresis of PCR products using ethidum-bromide stain, use of UV, and recording of the results were the next steps.Results: One hundred twenty six HBsAg positive serum samples were assessed. Suitable DNA samples were restricted to 117 out of 126; 93 (79.5%) out of 117 samples were detected as D genotype. Conclusions: The most frequent type of HBV in our study was D type that usually causes a mild liver disease. So, proper vaccination, educational programs, and treatment with lamivudine are efficient strategies in controlling HBV infection in our area.

Background and Objectives: Umbilical cord is one of the major sources of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, the differentiative potential of human umbilical vein mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells has been investigated by cellular uptake of indocyanine green. Materials and Methods: Human umbilical vein mesenchymal stem cells (UVMSCs) were incubated for 2 weeks in the medium containing hepatocyte growth factor; they were also treated with the medium containing oncostatin M for another 2 weeks. The differentiated cells were analyzed by uptake of indocyanine green (ICG), immunofluorescence analysis, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Results: The differentiating cells showed transition from bipolar fibroblast-like morphology to round or oval shape. Cellular uptake of ICG was detected in differentiated cells. Glycogen storage was determined by PAS staining in differentiated cells which were immunoreactive to albumin.Conclusions: Based on these observations, we can conclude that UVMSCs are able to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro and ICG-staining is a useful marker to identify differentiated hepatocytes from human umbilical vein mesenchymal stem cells.

Background and Objectives: There are not any exact preoperative criteria to distinguish patients who need transfusion for their blood loss to be replaced. Most of reserved blood supplies remain unused after surgery. The aim of this study was to estimate the transfusion volume during elective abdominal surgery and try to reduce unnecessary storage of blood before surgeries. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was done over 6 months in Baqiatallah Hospital to evaluate the use of blood transfusion during elective abdominal surgeries. We estimated preoperatively available cross-matched blood; then, intraoperative use of blood during elective abdominal surgery was assessed.Results: Out of 400 patients who underwent elective abdominal surgery, 134 (33.5%) required blood transfusion during surgery. In fact, out of 832 units of reserved blood only 212 (25.4%) were administered and the rest 620 units remained unused. Cross-match/transfusion ratio was 1.63. Preoperative hemoglobin level and surgery duration were both associated predictor variables. Conclusions: It is recommended that blood order be restricted in case of most common elective abdominal surgeries. Use of blood refrigerator in surgery wards can save unused blood after surgery.

Background and Objectives: ABO blood group system antibodies agglutinate red blood cell suspension in physiologic serum directly without any reaction booster. In the present study the potency of IBRF manufactured anti-A and anti-B blood grouping reagents by the hemagglutination method in test tube was reassessed against the new WHO international minimum potency standards. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, starting concentrations defined in WHO standards were used in titration. Doubled dilution series of WHO standards (from starting concentrations) and IBRF blood grouping reagents (from neat) were prepared by using buffered saline containing 2% BSA as diluent. One volume of each starting concentration together with one volume of prepared dilutions were mixed with one volume of a 2% suspension of A1, A2, A2B, and B cells in glass test tubes, respectively. After appropriate incubation and centrifugation of the tests according to specified criteria, the reactions were graded macroscopically.Results: The results showed that the IBRF anti-A and anti-B blood grouping reagents comply with the minimum WHO standard dilution. Consequently, IBRF anti-A and anti-B blood grouping reagents were shown to be safe for screening and diagnostic purposes.Conclusions: The quality of blood grouping reagents is clearly an important factor for safe blood transfusion.Routine titration tests are not reliable methods for evaluation of those reagents. Fortunately, this problem would be solved using the above standards. This recommended method is provided to help assist manufacturers in pursuing new product license applications and making amendments in existing ones.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that can reconstitute hematopoietic system of patients with malignant or non malignant diseases. Its outstanding characteristics such as availability, donor risk free sample collection, lower GVHD incidence, and higher degree of replicability were the driving force for the public and private cord blood banks to be established for UCBs to be collected and stored for their final use in transplantation. After establishment of these banks, several umbilical cord blood networks developed. This paper presents some data about the establishment and status of the public cord blood bank in Iran together with a glance at stem cell blood banks in the world.