Reporting of coronary artery calcification on chest CT studies in patients with interstitial lung disease.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the thorax in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), assess consistency of CAC reporting and assess incidence of subsequent cardiac events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with known interstitial lung disease who underwent a CT thorax over a 2-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Presence of CAC was assessed using a visual scale for CAC reporting and graded as mild, moderate, or severe by two cardiothoracic radiologists. CT reports were reviewed to determine if presence of CAC had been described. Electronic medical records were reviewed for any subsequent cardiothoracic events from the date of the CT thorax to present. RESULTS: 254 patients were included in the analysis (54.7% men; mean age 59.9 yo). 43.7% had CAC on their CT thorax; however, in 87.3% of those, reports did not comment on its presence. 8 patients had cardiac events; 7 of them had CAC on CT although only in 1 case this was reported. Global CAC and LAD CAC Patients with cardiac events had a significantly higher global CAC (p=0.016) and LAD CAC (p=0.048) when compared to patients without. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a high prevalence of CAC in ILD patients and its significant association with adverse cardiac events. Unfortunately, CAC on CT thorax is still largely unreported. As per recent BSCI/BSCCT and BSTI guidelines, reporting of CAC should become part of routine practice, as may prompt prevention and impact on patients outcome.

Study of SH2D1A gene mutation in paediatric patients with B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an often fatal inherited immunodeficiency disorder characterised by fulminant infectious mononucleosis, acquired haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, dysgammaglobulinaemia and malignant lymphoma. Given the paucity of data on the genetic stratification of XLP gene mutations in paediatric patients diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, we sought to determine the existence of such association in the present study. METHODS: We studied 20 male subjects diagnosed with non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. RESULTS: Eleven patients had laboratory evidence of EBV infection by serology and quantitative PCR. The SH2D1A gene analysis was negative in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to analyse the SH2D1A gene mutations in Iranian paediatric patients diagnosed with lymphoma. Although we could not demonstrate such an association in our cohort of patients, larger, multi-centre studies are required to extend and confirm our early findings.

Nickel and other metal uptake and accumulation by species of Alyssum (Brassicaceae) from the ultramafics of Iran.

Some plants growing on serpentine (ultramafic) soils are able to hyperaccumulate nickel in their above-ground parts. The genus Alyssum L. contains the greatest number of Ni-hyperaccumulator plants so far reported. There are substantial areas of serpentine soils at many locations in Iran. This paper presents the analyses for Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg and Ca in soils and Alyssum species from the ultramafics of west and northwest Iran. Soil analysis for total elements in these areas indicates that typical concentrations of Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg and Ca are up to about 1240, 365, 800, 51,150, 152,390 and 11,790 microg g(-1), respectively. During this study, seven Alyssum species were collected. Analysis of leaf dry matter shows that Alyssum bracteatum can contain up to 2300 microg Nig(-1), while the other species contain much lower concentrations of Ni and other elements. A. bracteatum is endemic to Iran and the first Ni hyperaccumulator reported from this species.

Risk of viral transmission via bone marrow progenitor cells versus umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the treatment of choice for children and certain adults with malignant and nonmalignant hematologic disease. Since viral infections are the major problem, this study examined those that might potentially be transmitted to HSCT recipients via bone marrow (BM) versus umbilical cord blood (UCB). BM progenitor cells, peripheral blood leukocytes, and plasma samples were collected from 30 allogenic BM donors. Umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells and plasma samples were also collected from 34 UCB donors. Viral DNA extracted and purified from collected specimens was processed using nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to detect human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The prevalences of HCMV DNA in collected BM progenitor cells versus UCB hematopoietic stem cells were 73% versus 23%, respectively. Conversely, HHV-6 DNA was not detected in any collected specimen by simple PCR. Distribution of the other investigated virus DNAs except EBV DNA was similar in specimens collected from both groups. EBV DNA was not determined in UCB hematopoietic stem cells. The results indicate that the risk of viral transmission to BM transplant recipients via UCB hematopoietic stem cells is less than that with BM progenitor cells.

A new index for discrimination between iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor: results in 284 patients.

The present study reports the results in 284 patients of applying a recently developed index, MCV-(10 x RBC), for discrimination between beta-thalassemia trait (beta-TT) and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), the two most common causes of microcytic hypochromic anemias. A total of 284 carefully selected patients (130 patients with IDA and 154 with beta-TT) were studied. Sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index were compared between the proposed index and four other indices, namely England-Fraser, Mentzer, Srivastava and RBC count. The new index correctly identified 263 (92.96%) patients, standing inferior only to Mentzer which correctly diagnosed 269 (94.71%) patients. The best discrimination index according to Youden's criteria was Mentzer (Youden's index = 90.1) followed by the new index (Youden's index = 85.5). There are remarkable inconsistencies among the results obtained in different studies. Larger studies are needed to establish the optimal discrimination index as well as to confirm the results obtained in the present study. Nevertheless, the epidemiological indices of the proposed discrimination index and the simplicity of its calculation make it acceptable for use in Iran.