HLA-G5 and G7 Isoforms in Pregnant Women

Human leukocyte antigen-G which is an immune tolerance effecter molecule has an important role in the maintenance of fetus during pregnancy. Abortion is one of the complications of pregnancy period.  In this research, we have studied levels of HLA-G 5, HLA-G7 isoforms in the abortion-threatened pregnant women in comparison with controls. In a case-control study, 101 abortion-threatened women and 101 healthy pregnant women (healthy controls) with age range 21-32 years were studied. Gene expression of HLA-5 and HLA-7 isoforms was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction after mRNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. The results indicated that HLA-G5 was significantly lower in abortion-threatened women in comparison with the control group whereas HLA-G7 was not significantly differentbetween the 2 groups. HLA-G is a vital molecule during pregnancy that can be a key factor in prevention of abortion. It is concluded that determination of HLA-G5 can be of value in pregnancy.

Distributions of major sub-types of lymphoid malignancies among adults in Mashhad, Iran

BACKGROUND

Global variations in the frequency of the major sub-types of lymphoma have been reported. However, studies on different sub-types of adult malignant lymphoma had never been conducted in Mashhad, Iran. In this paper, we aimed to identify the major sub-types of malignant lymphoma in our area and compare the distribution with other published studies.

METHODS

During a retrospective study we evaluate 391 adult patients with lymphoid malignancy from "Omid Hospital" - a cancer research center and an outpatient hematologic clinic in Mashhad - were evaluated from 2000 to 2009. Patients were reclassified using the World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

RESULTS

The frequency of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) was 92% (n=359) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) was 8% (n=32). The most frequent NHL sub-type using WHO classification was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the second most common NHL was chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). The most common sub-type of HL was mixed cellularity. In this study the frequency of primary extranodal NHL in our study was 11.5%, which slightly less common than other eastern countries.

CONCLUSION

Our findings add to the body of knowledge concerning geographic variations in the descriptive epidemiology of the major lymphoma sub-types. Such observations are extremely important since they potentially point to underling etiological variations.