mehrnaz abdolalian

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the principal causes of mortality in the world. Various factors have been identified in the pathogenesis of CVD. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) as a secretory cytokine is one of these factors. The LIF receptor is located on endothelial cells and plays a role in the expression of specific genes in these cells. Endothelial cells are the innermost cells of blood vessels, and defects in these cells cause endothelial dysfunction and eventually CVD.

The present study is based on PubMed database information (1982–2022) using the following words: “cardiovascular disease,” “endothelial cells,” “leukemia inhibitory factor,” and “angiogenesis.”

LIF can cause arteriosclerotic plaques by activating inflammatory mechanisms in monocytes through the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. LIF can also induce vascular endothelial growth factor expression by activating signaling pathways, eventually leading to angiogenesis. Additionally, it can activate the coagulation cascade by factor VII production promotion within endothelial cells.

Understanding the interplay between LIF and the inflammation pathways, coagulation, and angiogenesis as key factors in CVD occurrence raises the possibility of targeting this factor as a potential strategy to mitigate CVD risk.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder that usually manifest in forms of pancytopenia, hyperpigmentation, and skeletal complications. Mutation in the DNA repair regulatory genes is associated with the development of FA. Examination of chromosomal breakages when chromosomes are exposed to cross-linking agents is a common method of FA diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of patients with FA in Mashhad, northeast of Iran.

In this study, we evaluated 312 suspected FA patients who had been referred to the laboratory of Ghaem Hospital during 2014-2020. The mitomycin C method was used to identify FA-positive subjects.

After the examinations, 84 patients (26.9%) were cytogenetically positive for FA. Of 84 patients, 48 (57.1%) were male and 36 (42.9%) were female. Thumb abnormality was the most common congenital anomaly (43.2%).

Based on the findings, males are more susceptible to FA, and thumb abnormality is the most common congenital anomaly associated with FA. Combination of clinical manifestations and genetic susceptibility in patients may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis.

Given the role of chronic inflammation in developing GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus), investigating hematological inflammatory indicators such as platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), hemoglobin-to-platelet ratio (HPR), and other blood biomarkers can be helpful in GDM patients. The present study was conducted aimed to evaluate the hematological inflammatory indicators of women with GDM compared to the control group.

In this retrospective study, the profiles of 300 pregnant women with a definite diagnosis of GDM admitted to Mohebbe Yas Hospital (Tehran) from 2019 to 2021 were investigated. In this study, the absolute number of blood cells and other hematological parameters were evaluated in separate groups of diabetic and normal pregnant mothers. The sensitivity and specificity of each statistically significant variable were determined by ROC curve analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 22) and Mann-Whitney U, Independent t-test, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests. P˂0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In terms of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), the results of comparison between GDM and normal groups showed that this index had a sensitivity of 84.07% and a specificity of 37.98% in the diagnosis of GDM patients, and it was statistically significant (p= 0.022). The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) index had a sensitivity of 66.78% and a specificity of 53.49%, which was statistically significant (p= 0.012). The PLR index had a sensitivity of 54.08% and a specificity of 66.67% (p<0.001). However, HPR and NLR indices were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

This study showed that in GDM patients, ALC and ANC indices decrease and PLR increases. To improve the screening process of high-risk pregnant women for GDM, the predictive value of each of these indices in the incidence of GDM can be investigated in future studies.

Cell-derived microparticles (MPs) as membrane vesicles are procoagulant. They play a role in surgical hemostasis. In this study, the correlations between the circulating level of cell-derived MPs and surgical variables in heart valve surgery were investigated.

The present prospective case-series study was conducted in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center from January through March 2021. Forty patients undergoing heart valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled. Before the induction of anesthesia and 30 minutes after the administration of protamine sulfate, venous blood samples were collected. After MP isolation, the concentration of MPs was determined via the Bradford method. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine the MP count and phenotype. Intraoperative variables and postoperative routine coagulation tests were defined as surgical variables. Postoperative coagulopathy was defined as an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≥48 seconds or an international normalized ratio (INR) >1.5.

The total concentration of MPs and the MP count increased significantly after surgery compared with before surgery. The postoperative concentration of MPs was positively correlated with the CPB time (P=0.030, ρ=0.40). The preoperative concentration of MPs was significantly lower in patients with higher postoperative aPTT and INR (P=0.003, Ρ= −0.50 and P=0.020, Ρ= −0.40, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the preoperative MP concentration (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.01; P=0.017) was considered a risk factor for postoperative coagulopathy.

The levels of MPs, especially platelet-derived MPs, rose after surgery, in correlation with the CPB time. Given the role of MPs in the induction of coagulation and inflammation, they can be considered therapeutic goals for preventing postoperative complications. In addition, the preoperative levels of MPs are a risk factor for predicting the occurrence of postoperative coagulopathy in heart valve surgery.