RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent inducer of micro vascular permeability thus leading to nephropathy. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of 18 bp at - 2549 position in VEGF gene causes increased transcription leading to increased production of VEGF. Thus, we aimed to associate I/D polymorphism of the 18 bp fragment at - 2549 position of the promoter region of VEGF gene with sickle cell nephropathy (SCN). METHODS: This observational analytical case control study included 30 subjects each of SCN, sickle cell disease (SCD) without nephropathy and the control group. The subjects were assessed for various hematological and biochemical parameters. Further, 18 bp I/D polymorphism of VEGF gene in all three study groups was assessed by polymerase chain reaction followed by electrophoresis and compared. RESULT: Though increased frequency of both DD genotype and D allele was found in SCN compared to SCD and control, only frequency of D allele was found to be significantly higher (p = 0.04). D allele posed marginal risk of microalbuminuria in SCD subjects compared to controls (OR = 2.11) as well as to SCD without MA subjects (OR = 1.84). CONCLUSION: D allele in I/D polymorphism in the promoter region of VEGF gene may be associated with marginal increase in risk of susceptibility to sickle cell nephropathy.
RESUMEN
Our objective was to find out prevalence of sickle cell anemia among the population of three districts (Kanker, Dantewada and Raigarh) of Chhattisgarh with clinical and hematological profile of sickle cell disease patients. A cross sectional study was done. A total of 15,701 persons collectively from three districts voluntarily attended the mobile camp and were screened for sickle cell anemia. First solubility test were done and were confirmed by Hb electrophoresis. The prevalence of sickle cell trait (HbAS) was 1,672 (10.6 %), sickle cell disease (HbSS) and inconclusive band was 97 (0.66 %). The HbSS and inconclusive band were subjected to HPLC. Among them 12 (0.076 %) cases were double heterozygous for Hb-S and beta thalassemia minor (SB+), 2 (0.012 %) cases were double heterozygous for Hb-S and Hb-E (S/HBE), 1 (0.006 %) case was double heterozygous for Hb-S and Hb-D Punjab (S/HBD) and 22 (0.14 %) cases had Hb-S with Hb-F level more than 20 % (SSF). Maximum number of HbSS cases were 13 (2.29 %) out of 567 children in the age group 0-5 years and HbAS cases were 124 (15.6 %) out of 794 persons in the age group 21-25 years. On comparison between vaso-occlusive and steady state, homozygous patients showed decrease in Hb, HCT, MCH, RBC in vaso-occlusive crises (p < 0.001) than steady state. Also there was one moderate negative correlation in number of blood transfusion (r = 0.46) with fetal hemoglobin (HbF) level. Patients with high HbF can have severe disease. This happens due to uneven distribution of fetal hemoglobin in F-cells with mean HbF remaining constant but in our study, those who had HbF level above 15-20 % were having fewer crises.
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In India, the Chhattisgarh State screening programme for sickle haemoglobin focuses on children aged 3-15 years and has screened over 1,050,440 subjects over the last 6 years. Commencing in the District around the capital Raipur, this programme has now completed screening in 7 of the 27 Districts of Chhattisgarh State. Screening is initially performed by solubility tests on fingerprick samples in the field and those with positive tests have venipunctures for haemoglobin electrophoresis. The frequency of the sickle cell trait was 9.64 % and of the SS phenotype 0.29 % with only two Districts in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, most Districts showing an excess of the SS 'phenotype' most readily explained by symptomatic selection. The estimated costs were US$0.28 (solubility tests alone) and US$0.60 (haemoglobin electrophoresis). Of the social groupings commonly used in India, the OBC's (other backward classes) had the highest frequencies of the sickle cell gene mutations, followed by the Scheduled Tribes and the Scheduled Castes. The objectives of the programme were the detection of sickle cell disease for prospective clinical management and of the sickle cell trait for purposes of genetic counselling. The former objective is being met for diagnosis although the success of referral to clinic services requires audit. The objective of genetic counselling is compromised by the failure of the screening test to detect other genes of potential clinical significance such as HbD Punjab and the beta thalassaemia trait. Despite these exceptions, the detection of HbS appears relatively robust and could be another condition factored into the traditions of partner selection amongst the underprivileged communities of this state. Overall, the Chhattisgarh programme seeks to address the daunting challenges of large populations carrying the sickle cell gene and maybe a useful model for elsewhere.
RESUMEN
The introduction of human brain functions such as perception and cognition into the computer has been made possible by the use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN). ANN are computer models inspired by the structure and behavior of neurons. Like the brain, ANN can recognize patterns, manage data and most significantly, learn. This learning ability, not seen in other computer models simulating human intelligence, constantly improves its functional accuracy as it keeps on performing. Experience is as important for an ANN as it is for man. It is being increasingly used to supplement and even (may be) replace experts, in medicine. However, there is still scope for improvement in some areas. Its ability to classify and interpret various forms of medical data comes as a helping hand to clinical decision making in both diagnosis and treatment. Treatment planning in medicine, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, etc. is being done using ANN. Morbidity and mortality prediction by ANN in different medical situations can be very helpful for hospital management. ANN has a promising future in fundamental research, medical education and surgical robotics.