To determine the frequency of aldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 (aldh2) deficiency in aplastic anaemia: A single center experience from pakistan

BACKGROUND

Aplastic anaemia is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome and is defined by pancytopenia associated with a hypo-cellular bone marrow with no increase in reticulin and the absence of any abnormal infiltrate. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase type 2 (ALDH2) deficiency in patients with Aplastic Anaemia and investigate its correlation with patient and disease characteristics. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre Rawalpindi from 01-08-2022-01-02-2023, over 6 months.

METHODS

A total of 56 patients who were diagnosed with aplastic anaemia during this period, fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients were genotyped as GG (homozygous) and GA (heterozygous). GG had normal ALDH2, while GA were patients with ALDH2 deficiency. Data was collected on the patient's demographics, type and severity of anaemia, type of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and frequency of ALDH2 deficiency. Results were analyzed for ALDH2 deficiency and its correlation with patient and disease characteristics was investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 56 patients were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 28 years (20-39). According to the type of aplastic anaemia, 2 (3.6%) had Fanconi anaemia and 54 (96.4%) had acquired aplastic anaemia. In our study, 18 (32.1%) patients had undergone HSCT while the remaining 38 (67.9%) could not undergo HSCT. The frequency of the presence of ALDH2 deficiency was 2 (3.6%). There was no statistically significant correlation between the frequency of ALDH2 deficiency with variables like gender, age distribution, type of aplastic anaemia, the severity of aplastic anaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded from our study the frequency of ALDH2 was rare in patients with aplastic anaemia. There was no statistically significant correlation between the frequency of ALDH2 deficiency with variables like gender, age distribution, type of aplastic anaemia, the severity of aplastic anaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Thermosensitive polymer (N-isopropylacrylamide) coated nanomagnetic particles: Preparation and characterization

Thermosensitive polymer coated nanomagnetic adsorbents were synthesized by seed polymerization using surface modified nanomagnetic particles as the seeds. The Fe3O4 nanomagnetic particles were prepared by chemical precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ salts in the ratio of 1:2 under alkaline and inert condition. The surface of these particles was modified by surfactants to achieve stability against agglomeration. These stable particles were then polymerized using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) as the main monomer, methylene-bis-acrylamide as the crosslinker and potassium per sulfate as the initiator. The thermosensitive adsorbents were characterized by using transmission electron micrography (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). TEM showed that the particle remained discrete with a mean diameter of 12 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed that the particles are superparamagnetic only with a decrease of magnetism after binding with the polymer due to the increase in surface spin disorientation. Pure Fe3O4 spinel structure of these nanoparticles was indicated by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The polymerization of NIPAM with the surface modified nanomagnetic particles was confirmed by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the adsorption/desorption of BSA molecule on these thermosensitive nanoparticles was investigated as a function of temperature. More than 60% desorption efficiency was achieved under appropriate condition.

Thermosensitive-polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles: Adsorption and desorption of Bovine Serum Albumin

Adsorption and desorption behavior of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) on surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles covered with thermosensitive polymer (PNIPAM) was investigated as a function of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. Functionalization of surface-modified magnetic particles was performed by seed polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) as the main monomer. Characterization of these particles was carried out using transmission electron micrography (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The adsorption results exhibited both pH and temperature sensitivity. The results showed that the temperature effect on adsorption/desorption behavior was mainly dependent on the properties of the particles' surface. The effect of pH was also investigated and it was observed that a smaller amount of protein was adsorbed at higher pH because of the electrostatic repulsive force between protein molecules and latex particles. The maximum amount of protein was adsorbed near the isoelectric point of BSA. Desorption results showed that more protein was desorbed when adsorption was done at lower temperatures and desorption efficiency was found to be higher than 80%.

Use of Norplant in Pakistan: two years experience

The acceptability and efficacy of norplant (levonorgestrel sub- dermal implants) was assessed over a period of two years among 445 married women aged 19 to 45 years. Twenty women were lost to follow-up while the remaining 425 were regularly followed-up. At the end of two years, 388 women were still continuing with norplant (91.2%). During this period, there was only one pregnancy (0.26%). There was no significant change in mean systolic or diastolic blood pressure. However, there was a significant increase (P < 0.001) in mean weight and decrease (P < 0.001) in the mean duration of menstrual cycle. Thirty-seven women (8.7%) got the implant removed. The major reason for removal (67.6%) was menstrual disturbances. Nine acceptors (18.59%) developed side effects, which were related to the type of symptoms often associated with steroid contraception. These findings are similar to those reported from other countries. The high efficacy (99.74%) and acceptability (continuation rate of 91.29%) as well as long acting (5 years) nature of norplant suggest that this method of contraception can safely be promoted in Pakistan.